Logan County, Illinois - Chapter 23: Educational - City Schools, 1911

Chapter 23: Educational - City Schools

The three municipalities of Logan County, Lincoln, Atlanta and Mt. Pulaski, early in their history, took advanced steps in the matter of education and from the date of their establishment to the present time, the school interests of these cities have kept pace with civic progress along all other lines. Each of these cities support an excellent high school. It is the object of this chapter to briefly sketch the educational history of the municipalities mentioned.

Lincoln Schools

Postville was laid out in 1835. Lincoln was established in 1853 and in 1865, Postville was absorbed in the municipality of Lincoln and the territory, formerly occupied by Postville, became a portion of the Fourth Ward of Lincoln. It therefore goes without saying that the first schools in what now constitutes the City of Lincoln were located in old time Postville. While Postville was laid out in 1835, there were very few inhabitants in the town until 1839, when the county of Logan was created and Postville, on account of its central location was made the county seat. The first school house in Postville was built about 1842 and among the first school teachers in the town was Samuel Briggs. William H. Young soon after took charge of the Postville school and the school house, now used for a residence, was located on Jackson street, between Fifth and Sixth streets, and fronted the block upon which the Jefferson school now stands. By 1844, the school had in the neighborhood of 100 pupils, being patronized by pupils from the west side of the county.

The first school house built in the City of Lincoln was built in 1854, the next year after the town was laid out. It was built on Clinton street, facing what is known as the South park, and on the site of the present Washington school. The first trustees of the district were Osborn Ewing, Joseph Benner and Robert Leslie and the district was known as District No. 3, township twenty, range two. By Act of the Legislature, dated Feb. 24, 1859, school district No. 3 in township twenty, range two, and district No. 4, in township twenty, range three, the latter being the Postville district, were combined into one school district to be known as the "Lincoln School District." This new school district in 1860 boasted of four school houses, with 337 pupils in attendance. There was expended, during the year 1860, for all school purposes, in the district, the sum of $1,781. The highest wages paid any teacher was $40 per month and the lowest $20. The attendance of 337 was exceptionally large, in view of the fact that there were only 355 children in the district between the ages of five and twenty-one years. The report of 1862 shows 652 children of school age in the district, 491 pupils in attendance at the schools, and $2,825 expended for school purposes, during the year. The teachers in 1862 were as follows: No. 3, G. W. Dominique; No. 2, Misses Judy and.Kenyon; No. 1, Misses Minor and Pegram; Postville school, fourth ward, E. A. Brewster. The teachers in 1860 were J. Blain, E. A. Brewster, J. O. Sampson and Miss C. K. Landis. By 1864, the number of children in the four Lincoln schools had increased to 608, the number of children of school age in the district was 825, and $3,650 was expended, during the year, for school purposes.

By Act of the Legislature, passed Feb. 16, 1865, the town of Lincoln and the town of Postville were united under the name of the "City of Lincoln." At the same time, a further act was passed, repealing the Lincoln School District Act of 1859, and creating a new school district, which was to include the territory included within the limits of the City of Lincoln, also to be known as the "Lincoln School District." The public schools of the district were to be under the management and control of a Board of Education, to consist of the Mayor and one director from each of the four wards in the city. Prior to this, the Lincoln schools had been under the direct supervision of the County Superintendent of Schools, in the same manner as all other district schools of the county. The act of 1865 effected a complete re-organization of the schools of Lincoln, changing their method of government and giving them a local significance as city schools. At that time, there were five school buildings in the city, containing seven rooms in all, namely: the grammar school with one room, called the high school; the first ward school, two rooms, the second ward school, two rooms; the third ward school, one room; and the fourth ward, one room.

At the time of the school re-organization in 1865, the school buildings were poorly equipped. County Superintendent Chalfant, referring to the Lincoln schools, in his report of 1866 said: "The schools of the City of Lincoln are far better than could be expected, in view of the bad and uncomfortable condition and inadequate capacity of the buildings occupied. The High School, under the control of Mr. January is progressing with signal success; Mr. Derby of the First Ward, Mr. Lynch of the Second, Miss Wheelock of the Third and Mr. Cowdry of the Fourth, together with their worthy assistants, have done honor to their profession." The report of 1866 shows the number of children, between the ages of six and twenty-one as 893. The aggregate attendance during the year was 619; the average attendance, during the same time, was 353; and eight teachers were employed in the schools. There was expended for all school purposes during the year, $3,667.

Further reorganization of the city schools occurred July 1, 1867, when the City Council passed an ordinance "in relation to Public Schools" which created a Board of School Inspectors, who were to be appointed by the City Council, and were given exclusive control of the city schools, as successors to the Board of Directors. This system of school goyernment continued until the Lincoln schools were organized under the General Law. The first Board of Inspectors consisted of A. M. Miller from the First Ward, J. F. Hyde from the Second Ward, W. J. Ross from the Third Ward, D. H. Warren from the Fourth Ward, and G. S. Dana and F. C. W. Koehnle from the city at large. The first meeting of the Board was held on July 17, 1867, at which time A. M. Miller was elected chairman. The Board adopted a set of rules for the government of teachers and pupils, a uniform set of text books to be used in the schools and a course of instruction for a graded school, consisting of nine grades. The schools were opened, under the new organization, on the first Monday in September, 1867, with eleven teachers, under the superintendence of J. F. Hyde. Mr. Hyde, who was born in 1813, is now living in Lincoln, in his ninety-eighth year, being hale and hearty, and is the efficient City Treasurer of Lincoln, as well as accountant for the Lincoln Street Railway Company, having suffered little diminution of his physical and mental powers. This record is perhaps without parallel in any other community.

The City Council had, in the months July and August of 1867, built a new school house in the Third Ward and had added a story to the Fourth Ward school house, refurnishing both buildings throughout. During September, the schools however became so crowded that it was found necessary to rent three rooms and employ two more teachers. By the census of July, 1867, there were found to be 1,296 children of school age in the city, and during the year closing July, 1868, there was an aggregate attendance of 914, and the average was 487, showing a gain over the previous year of 48 per cent in the aggregate and 38 per cent in average attendance, yet it appears that many who were entitled to school . privileges were unable to secure them. To remedy this condition, in part, in the summer of 1868, the City Council erected a new building in the First Ward and another one in the north part of the Fourth Ward.

In the summer of 1869, preparations were made to erect a large central school house, which would be abreast of the times. A lot of ground, known as the Wright block, situated between Union and Maple and Seventh and Eighth streets, was purchased at a cost of $ 5,000. The plans for the new building were submitted by T. F. Ladue and were adopted by the Council. The building was commenced at once and was enclosed before the end of the year. This building is still utilized as a school building. It is 78 feet wide by 98 feet long, through the center, three stories high above the basement and 75 feet to the top of the dome. It contains eleven good sized school rooms, with two recitation rooms. During the spring and summer of 1870, the building was completed and furnished throughout with improved school furniture. The entire cost of the building, including the cost of the heating apparatus and furniture was about $45,000. At the time of its erection, it was considered one of the very best school edifices in the state.

The school roster for 1870-71, for the Lincoln schools, was as follows: Central school, Israel Wilkinson, Superintendent; Harriet Reed, Preceptress; Amanda S. Thomas, second grade; Ella K. Briggs, third Grade; Lida E. Akers, fourth grade; Viola E. Emery, fifth grade; Ella Brigham and Rachel Cantrall, sixth grade; Emma Mayfield, seventh grade; Sarah E. Akers, eight grade; Eva J. Barnum, ninth grade; Bettie Montague, tenth grade; Lena C. Vaughn, eleventh grade; First Ward school, M. F. Blair and E. B. Shackleford; Fourth Ward school, F. M. Warren, Lizzie A. Patterson and Anna J. Tibbitts; Colored school, M. Haines. The number of pupils registered in the schools was as follows: Central school, 808; First Ward school, 147; Fourth Ward school, 1 5 Colored school, 31, total, 1,157. The average daily attendance was 597; number of children of school age, in the city, 1,396; amount expended for all school purposes during the year, $25,660. There were reported 413 cases of corporal punishment during the year and as there was only an average daily attendance of 597, a very large percentage ofi the pupils must have needed, and consequently received, this sort of attention. Among the books used were Sander's Readers, Robinson's Arithmetic, Green's Grammar, Sheldon's Chart and Scribner's Writing Book.

Israel Wilkinson was Superintendent of the City Schools from July 1870 to June 1873, when he was succeeded in that capacity by Levi T. Regan. Mr. Regan served from July 1873 to June 1875, when he was succeeded by L. Kingsbury. Mr. Kingsbury was succeeded in turn by W. F. Bromfield in July 1877, Mr. Bromfield being in charge of the schools for a period of eleven consecutive years. Among those who served as teachers in the Lincoln schools during the seventies were the following: Central building, Harriet Reed, Mary S. Pegram, Clara McCord, Effie Peters, Amanda S. Thomas, Orilla Humason, Nellie M. Beane, Ella K. Briggs, Clara L. Leib, Jessie Lynch, Lida E. Akers, Emma Mayfield, Mary I. Gardiner, Viola E. Emery, Mary E. Short, A. E. Stevens, Lizzie Wilson, Anna J. Tibbets, Ella Brigham, Rachel Cantrall, Emma Borden, Julia Cochran, Lois Dyer, Eva J. Barnum, E. J. Henderson, C. Walton, E. J. Henderson, Jennie Roberts, Winnie Jackson, Mrs. S. E. Akers, Myra F. Rathbun, L. Humason, Kate Miller,

Two of the present large ward school houses were built during the eighties. A new First Ward school was built in 1885, and it was designated the Washington school. It is on Clinton street, facing the south park, on the site of the first school house built in Lincoln, after it had been laid out in 1853. Additional lots were bought, however, to make room for the new building. Bernard Liesner was the architect and the contract for erection was awarded to W. F. Hoyle for $7,475. The building was completed about Oct. 1st, 1885. It is two stories high, and contains four main rooms, 23 by 30, and two small recitation rooms. The building, additional lot and furnishings cost $10,734. The building was opened for school in November. In 1888, a new school building was erected in the Fourth Ward, since known as the Jefferson school. A half block was purchased on Fifth street, between Adams and Jackson streets, for the new building. It contains four school rooms, each 23 by 30 in size, is built of brick and is surmounted by a bell tower. It was ready for occupancy in February of 1889. The building, lot, furniture and heating apparatus cost $9,750.

As before stated, W. F. Bromfield was Superintendent of the city schools for eleven years. He was succeeded in July, 1888, by J. C. Feitshans, who was succeeded in December of the same year by A. M. Miller. Dr. Miller continued as Superintendent until April of 1893. Among the teachers in the city schools during the eighties were Ella Wright, Amanda White, Mrs. E. C. Gear, Edith Newhall, Jennie Kidd, Mrs. S. L. D. Cortright, A. D. Andrews, Emma L. Hand, Lois Dyer, Belle Taylor, F. E. Meadows, Lillie J. Dexter, Mary I. Gardiner, Jessie J. Lynch, Kate L. Hopkins, Ida Burroughs, Salina Poe, Eunice Cor-

The total enrollment of pupils for 1890 was 1,225; for 1891, 1,375; for 1892, 1,469; for 1895, 1,404; for 1897, 1,394 and for 1899 was 1,507. The report for 1890 showed 2,915 persons residing in the city between the ages of six and twenty-one years. The average number of children attending the schools each month was 1,090. The average in the high school was 85, in the grammar schools 56, in the intermediate schools 493 and in the primary schools 358. The total amount expended for school purposes during the year was $1 3,853.

Upon a vote submitted to the voters of the city, the public schools of Lincoln, which prior to 1894, had been operated under the provisions of the special charter from the Legislature, were reorganized under the general school law. Under the general law, the schools are controlled by a Board of Education, consisting of a president and six members. The president and two members are elected annually, the president to serve for one year and the members of the board for three years. The law provided that at the first election held under this form of organization, the president and six members were to be elected, the members to draw lots as to which of them should hold one, two and three years' terms respectively. The first election occurred in April 1894 and resulted in the election of H. Sherman as president and L. L. Leeds, Sylvester Hoblit, T. A. Reynolds, Clara McCord, E. C. Moos and Katharine Miller as members. One year terms were drawn by Sylvester Hoblit and Katharine Miller, two years' terms by T. A. Reynolds and Clara McCord and three years' terms by E. C. Moos and L. L. Leeds. A list of the succeeding members of the board will be found below.

In 1895, a proposition was submitted to the voters to issue bonds to the amount of $16,000 for school building purposes, and the same carried by a vote of 313 to 84. In August of 1895, a contract was let to the Walker Brothers to erect a school building in the Third Ward. The site selected was on Fourth street, between Pine and Walnut streets. The contract price was $11,424. The building is a four room structure, two stories in height and measures 62 by 64 feet. It is known as the Madison school. The cost of the building, lot and furnishings complete amounted to about $14,000. In 1897 two additional rooms were added to the Washington building in the First Ward.

In 1898, a proposition was submitted to the voters for the issuing of bonds to the amount of $30,000 for the purpose of erecting a High school building and two other school buildings in the Second and Fifth Wards, all of which were badly needed. This proposition carried by a vote of 148 to 37. Preparatory to the erection of the High school building, the lots on Broadway, between Kankakee and Ottawa streets, known as the Knapp property, were purchased for the sum of $4,000. The brick house upon the lots, for many years the residence of Colby Knapp, was taken down and removed. -The lots measured 120 by 150 feet. The contract for building the new High school building was let to Martin Lori, of Huntingburg, Ind., for $18,150, the plumbing and heating contract being let for $2,670 additional. The corner stone of the building was laid May 5, 1899, under the auspices of the Masonic orders of Lincoln. Dr. L. L. Leeds, president of the school board, presided at the exercises and addresses were made by Father Donavan, of St. Patrick's church and Prof. A. E. Turner, of Lincoln University. The building was dedicated Jan. 5, 1900, on which occasion, addresses were delivered by Mayor E. G. King, Dr. Katharine Miller, D. H. Harts and Mrs. L. L. Morrison. The new building is an attractive piece of architecture, J. M. Deal, of Lincoln, being the architect. The building is 73 by 100 feet in size and is three stories and an attic in height. The architecture is a modified form of the Italian renaissance. The walls are of yellow pressed brick, the roof of slate and the high basement story is constructed of Bedford stone. The basement story has a ten foot ceiling, contains the entrance to the building, two recitation rooms, furnace room, storage room, fuel cellar and closets. The first story proper has a thirteen foot ceiling, three grammar grade rooms, two recitation rooms, a room for teachers, a girls' room and a hall 18 by 60 feet. The second story has a sixteen foot ceiling, a large high school room seating 268 pupils, two recitation rooms, cloak rooms and a superintendent's room. The attic contains laboratory room and apparatus rooms. 'The entire cost of the buildings and grounds was about $20,000. |

This same year, 1898, two new ward school buildings were erected in the Second and Fifth Wards. For the Second Ward building a lot was secured, 160 by 150 feet, east of the College building on the corner of Kankakee and Burlington streets; price, $1,200. The Fifth Ward house was erected on the old lots on East Delavan street, cornering on Sherman street. Both these buildings are two room brick structures, 44 by 55 feet, with small towers in front. The contract for the buildings was let to W. F. Hoyle for $5,396, and the heating and plumbing increased the cost to about $6,000. The Second Ward school is known as the Adams school and the Fifth Ward school as the Monroe school.

It has before been noted that Dr. A. M. Miller was Superintendent of the Lincoln city schools from July, 1888, to April, 1893. He resigned the latter date to accept the Superintendency of the State Asylum for Feeble Minded Children. He was succeeded by A. L. Anderson who served as Superintendent until June, 1894, when he was succeeded by C. W. Hartiman. Prof. Harriman was Superintendent until June, 1897, when he was succeeded by F. M. Richardson, who served in that capacity until June of 1900. Among those who served as teachers in the Logan County schools during the nineties were Jennie Kidd, Edith Newhall, Emma L. Hand, Lois Dyer, Ella Prentice, Selina Poe, Sue Buchanan, Eunice Corwine, Adele Elliott, Cleo Martin, Kate Blair, Mary F. Blair, Mary Coogan, A. L. Anderson, Gertrude Doten, Mary K. Miller, Ella B. Miller, Ella Edmonds, Emma Webster, Anna Wodetski, Mary Atkins, Francis Dyer, Minnie Coogan, H. J. Moomaw, Laura Wodetski, Mollie Coogan, Maud McElvain, Clara Hoover, Ida Comstock, Emma Hoyle, ° Iva Evans, Gertrude Rourke, Mabel Maxwell, Mary Anderson, Sarah Hackney, Mary Meyers, Clara McCord, Mamie Gillespie, Alice Randolph, H. H. Braucher, L. P. Hanger, Mary Holton, Mary Meyer, Mae Tinnon, C. A. Armstrong, Beulah Dickey, Agnes Rourke, Lida Hoyle, Lena Moos, Florence Nowland, Minnie White, Lizzie Stone, Margaret Houlihan, Maude Keene, Magdalene Meyer, Hattie Waller, Emma Miller, Marian Jones, Marian Lyons, Emily P. Wright, Luemma Williams, Catharine Waltmann, Florence Baker, Elsie Wallace, Emma Feuerbacher, Clyde Capron, Margaret C. Traner, Katherine Layton, Celia Campbell, Floy Walker, Rose Lanigan, Mabel Martin, Mabel Weymer, Frances Guttery, Myrtle Yelton, James Arnett, Mollie Mohn, J. P. Howser, Mary Michael, Georgia Scott, Helen Pierce and Lora Steidley.

The report of Lincoln schools for the school year of 1900-01 shows the highest monthly enrollment to have been 1,416 and the lowest monthly enrollment 1,239. The High school had special instructors in Mathematics and History, in Latin, in Science, in English and German, in Music and Drawing and two teachers in the eighth grade; the Central school had three teachers in the seventh grade, four teachers in the fifth and sixth grades, one in the fourth and two in the first, second and third grades; the Washington school had six teachers teaching from the first to the sixth grades; the Jefferson school had four teachers teaching from the first to the sixth grades; the Madison school, four teachers teaching from the first to the fifth grades, and the Monroe and Adams schools with two teachers each, teaching in the first, second and third grades. The highest monthly enrollment in the High school was 125 and the lowest 103.

streets, in what is known as North Lincoln, the other in Woodlawn addition to the City of Lincoln, on Oglesby avenue, in the Third Ward. The former is known as the Van Buren school and the latter as the Tyler school.

The report of the Lincoln schools for the school year ending June 30, 1910, shows the following statistics: Number of children in the city between the ages of six and twenty-one years, 4,410; number of pupils enrolled, 1,453, of which 720 were boys and 733 girls; number of school houses, 9; number of volumes in the school library, 2,500; highest monthly wages paid male teachers, $170; lowest monthly wages paid male teachers, $80; highest paid female teachers, $82.50; lowest paid female teachers, $40; tax levy for support of schools, $35,500; value of school property, $140,000; value of school libraries, $3,200; value of school apparatus, $850; total amount paid teachers, $25,793; total paid out for all school purposes, $37,236. The High school statistics for the said school year are as follows: Enrollment in ninth grade, 70; in tenth grade, 43; in eleventh grade, 27; in twelfth grade, 23; total enrollment, 163, of which 66 are boys and 97 are girls; average daily attendance, 146; total graduates, 21; number. of years course of study, 4; number of teachers employed, 6; highest monthly wages paid, $122; lowest wages paid, $80; volumes in library, 600.

B. E. Nelson became Superintendent of the city schools in 1900, being succeeded in 1905 by L. D. Ellis, who was likewise succeeded in 1908 by the present efficient incumbent, Prof. Anthony Middleton. The following is a complete roster of the Lincoln city schools at the present time: Anthony Middleton, Superintendent; Amy Hovey, Supervisor of Music; Winnie Sparks, Supervisor of Drawing. High School - H. L. Thornton, Acting Principal for A. F. Trams; Mary Wasson, Instructor in Latin; G. D. Elwell, Instructor in English; Cora Petty, Instructor in Mathematics; Anna Blake, Instructor in Biology; C. C. Kiplinger, Instructor in Science; Frances Dyer, 8th grade; Edith Cox, 8th grade. Central School - Agnes Rourke, Principal and Instructor in Manual Training; Linda Johnson, 7th grade; Anna Richert, 7th grade; Bertha Sidwell, 7th grade; Hannah David, 6th grade; Anna Kief, 6th grade; Ethel Welch, 6th grade; Anna Coleman, 5th and 6th grades; Mabel Weymer, 5th grade; Gertrude Primm, 4th grade; Maude Pegram, 3rd grade: Mary Blair, 1st and 2nd grades. Washington School - Ruth Evans, Principal, 5th grade; Emma Feuerbacher, 4th grade; Grace Webb, 4th grade; Eve Anderson, 3rd grade; Mabel G. Martin, 2nd grade; Myrtle Yelton, 1st grade. Jefferson School - Nellie Toomey, Pirnicpal and 4th grade; Julia Mohn, 3rd and 4th grades; Nettie Stoll, 2nd grade; Ella Wodetzky, 1st grade. Madison School - Ella Edmonds, Principal, 4th grade; Della Kief, 3rd grade; Mabel Fisher, 2nd grade; Elizabeth Healy, 1st grade. Adams School - Lida Hoyle, Principal,

Ist and 2nd grades; Mary Fitzmaurice, 2nd and 3rd grades. Monroe School - FElla Miller, rst and 2nd grades; Nell Hodnett, 3rd and 4th grades. Tyler School - Alice Randolph.

The schools of Lincoln are thoroughly up-to-date and abreast of the times. The teaching force is unexcelled, the best methods are in vogue, the curriculum is up to the standard and thoroughness in scholarship characterizes the administration of school affairs. The citizens of Lincoln are justly proud of their schools. They will compare favorably with those of any similar city of its size in the state. Since the organization of the schools under the general state school law, the following persons have held positions as president and members of the Board of Education, by election of the people:

Lincoln Parochial Schools

In addition to the city public schools, the County Superintendent's report for 1910 shows six parochial or private schools in the city, with sixteen teachers and a total enrollment of 354 pupils. Few cities of its size can boast the excellent church schools as can the city of Lincoln. Chief among these as distinctive church schools, in which the secular branches are taught in addition to religious instruction, are St. Patrick's school and St. Mary's school, both of which possess excellent equipment and do effective and successful scholastic work. Both are graded schools and rank with the other schools of the city, graduates therefrom passing into the higher grades of the city schools. The present building occupied by St. Patrick's school is located at the corner of Third and Monroe streets, and, is a large and commodious four room brick structure. It was built in 1887 and cost originally about $5,000, but the improvements since added and the cost of the lot has increased the original cost to over $10,000. The Sisters in charge of the school occupy a residence adjoining the school house. Graduates of St, Patrick's school participate in the general county commencement, held each year under the auspices of the county schools. St. Mary's school is located on the corner of Fourth and Maple streets, directly opposite St. Mary's Catholic church. It is a handsome building, with all the latest improvements, being a two-story brick structure. St. Mary's school is under the management of the Sisters of St. Francis, and instruction is given in six grades. Both St. Mary's and St. Patrick's schools are valuable adjuncts to the educational life of the City of Lincoln.

The German-American Lutheran Zion parochial school is located on Pulaski street, immediately adjacent to the building of the Lutheran Zion church. The school building is a modern frame, of an attractive style of architecture. A well conducted school is taught by William Prigge, under the direction of the pastor. The St. John's Evangelical school is under the direction of Rev. G. Niebuhr and is held in the basement of the church of that denomination. Rev. H. Meyer also conducts a school in connection with Emanuel Lutheran church, of which he is pastor. The Lutheran schools are principally confined to the imparting of religious instruction.

Atlanta Schools

The citizens of Atlanta have always prided themselves upon the progressiveness of their public schools. No pains have ever been spared to keep them up to a standard of the highest excellence and from the inception of the city in 1853, the Atlanta schools, in point of efficiency, have not been excelled in the county. Township twenty-one, range two, now Atlanta township, was the first township to incorporate under the old school incorporation act of 1841. An election was called and held in that township Aug. 7, 1893, for the purpose of voting for or against the incorporation of the township for school purposes. Thirty-eight persons voted at this election and there was not a single vote against incorporation. Samuel Hoblit and Z. P. Cantrall were judges of election and J. P. Dunham clerk. At the same time, five school trustees were elected as follows: Elisha Bushnell, Zebulon Cantrall, Samuel Bevar, Samuel Hoblit and James Tuttle. This election was held at what was known as New Castle, a small settlement in what is now Atlanta township, a few miles northeast of the present site of the City of Atlanta. When the town of Atlanta was laid out in 1853, along the right of way of the Alton & Sangamon, now Chicago & Alton Railroad, the residents of this settlement substantially moved in a body to the new town.

Among others who early occupied the position of school trustees in what is now Atlanta township were Zebulon Cantrall, Samuel Bevan and Shepherd Kinion in 1846; Isaac A. Dungan, O. T. Crawford and William Dyer in 1848; Samuel Bevan, David Montgomery and G. B. Campbell in 1852; Samuel Bevan, G. B. Campbell and John E, Hoblit in 1855;

F Illinois

Atlanta was laid out in 1853 and two years later was the largest town in the county, having a population approximating 2,000. Few towns in early days had the rapid growth the first few years of its existence as did Atlanta, and her schools kept pace with her general progress. A correspondent in the Alton Courier speaking of the Atlanta schools in 1856 says: "The educational facilities are good for a new place. There is in operation a first class seminary and a free district school, each having 70 or 80 scholars in attendance." The following item appeared in 1856, in the columns of the Logan County Forum, a paper published in Atlanta and the first published in the county: "We have three schools, with an average attendance of over 200 pupils. They are well conducted and have the best of instructors employed."

By an act of the Legislature, Feb. 14, 1855, what was known as the Atlanta Seminary was incorporated. This act provided that Samuel Bevan, Lemuel Foster, James Tuttle, A. C. Rankin and R. T. Gill and their successors in office should constitute a body politic and corporate, under the name and style of the "President and Trustees of the Atlanta Seminary." The seminary was to remain within one mile of Atlanta. The number of trustees were not to exceed seven, one of whom was to be president of the board and the entire management of the institution was to be vested in this board. The institution was to be open to all denominations and the profession of no particular faith was to be required of teachers or students. The corporation was a stock concern, shares to be twenty dollars each. The incorporators constituted the first board and annual elections for trustees were to be held by the stockholders in September of each year. If desired at any time by a majority of the stockholders, the trustees were given power to convert the institution into a high school, but by so doing were not to lose the privileges of the charter, in the event they desired afterward to reconvert it into a seminary. The grounds and buildings of the institution were to be exempt from taxation to the extent of ten acres.

The Seminary building was erected in 185 5. It was a two-story frame structure. School was opened in the fall of 185 5 with about 75 students. The first instructor was Rev. L. Foster. He was succeeded by Professors Atkinson and West. In May, 1856, Rev. W. M. Guilford took charge and an era of prosperity for the school seemingly began. There were four departments and all were occupied, only the higher branches being taught. In 1858, however, a material change took place in its management and, in conformity to the provisions of the charter, the trustees turned the school over into the control and management of the town of Atlanta, as a high school, and under this management it was conducted until 1869. The new system went into operation Sept.

1s, 1858. Prof. S. A. Briggs was chosen principal at that time and the school had an attendance of 340. Prof. Briggs' assistants were Mrs. Emily S. Briggs, Miss Maria H. Sayward, Miss O. Farr and Miss Estelia M. Hughes. The school was the first graded school in Logan County.

In 1860, Prof. Briggs was succeeded in the principalship of the Atlanta schools by M. B. Beals, who was assisted by Misses Farr, Hughes, Sayward and Rogers. In addition to the school being conducted in the old Seminary building, there was another smaller school building in the town and a school was also taught in the basement of the Congregational church. County Superintendent Beidler, in his school report, in 1862, said of the Atlanta schools: "The graded schools of Atlanta are an example of what can be done when energy and will go hand in hand. This school was begun as an experiment, four years ago, under the management of S. A. Briggs. During two years he gave the school a wide and enviable reputation and stamped the experiment with the word success. The school is now a fixed fact. During the present year it is under the control of T. J. Morgan. The school is divided into five grades and during the last seven months has registered 411 scholars. The studies pursued range from the alphabet to Latin, including a full course of mathematics. The examination of classes was held during the past week, in the different departments connected with the school, in all of which were evidences of strict efficient discipline and faithful instruction." County Superintendent Chalfant speaking of the Atlanta schools in 1866, said: "The schools at Atlanta, under the control of Mr. Colvin, assisted by Miss Eastman, Miss Congdon, Mrs. Colvin, Miss Downey and Miss Judd, are in a prosperous condition and in point of reputation stand as the first schools of the county."

In 1869, Atlanta was incorporated as a city and the schools were reorganized under the state school law as graded schools of the city. The district was enlarged to include one mile each way from town and a board of directors were elected to assume entire control of the schools. In 1870, the old Seminary building was found inadequate for the accommodation of the school population and measures were taken to erect a larger building. The old building was removed to the corner of the lot and used until the new one was completed, when it was moved to the farm of Augustus Reise. The building erected in 1870 was three stories in height above the basement, and contained ten school rooms, a spacious hall and an office. It was surmounted by a cupola, in which a large fourdialed clock was placed. The clock cost $800 and the sum was raised by contributions. The contract price of the building was $24,485, to which $500 was afterwards added. -The entire cost of building, clock and furnishing was $28,500.

The building erected in 1870 was destroyed by fire in the summer of 1908. Nothing daunted by this disaster, a structure has been erected in its stead, which not only far surpasses its predecessor but is one of the largest and best equipped school buildings in the state. It is two stories high and is constructed of vitrified brick, with stone trimmings and a Slate roof, the brick being of a dark chocolate color. There are eight standard class rooms, with physical and chemical laboratories, recitation rooms and offices. The class rooms are of uniform size 24 by 32 feet, each being equipped with dressing room and library case and all neatly furnished. The high school room is 36 by 48 feet and is exceedingly attractive in its modern appointments. There are two recitation rooms, 18 by 20, off the main corridor and the hall is 18 by 120 feet in dimensions. In the basement is a large gymnasium, 36 by 76 feet, boys' and girls' playrooms 24 by 32 feet each, lavatories, shower baths and _heating and ventilating plants. The latter system is of the most approved type and insures a constant supply of fresh air. By this system, the air can be changed in four minutes. Two large boilers furnish steam for heat and for the engine which manipulates the ventilating fans. A handsome bell tower surmounts the structure which contains a clock with five dials. The contract price for the edifice was about $40,000 and the building, plumbing and furnishing for the same increased the cost to within the neighborhood of $60,000. It is safe to say that few cities of the size of Atlanta in the state can boast of so magnificent a school building. School was first opened in the new building Sept. 6, 1909.

The roster of the Atlanta schools for the present year is as follows: J. W. Browning, Superintendent; Margaret Sullivan, Principal of the High School; Bertha Ellis, Instructor in Science; Laura Pierce, Instruc tor in Latin and History; Constance Mitchell, 8th grade; Mae Jones, 7th grade; Bessie Taylor, 6th grade; Ella Boosinger, 4th and 5th grades; Cora Carlock, 3rd grade; Olive Chenoweth, 2nd grade; Minnie Nollen, Ist grade. The following statistics of the Atlanta High School are taken from the County Superintendent's report of 1910: Pupils in 9th grade, 35; pupils in roth grade, 10; pupils in 11th grade, 13; pupils in 12th grade, 14; total enrollment, 85 ; average daily attendance, 80: total graduates, 5; number of years of course of study, 5; highest monthly wages paid, $125; lowest, $55. It might also be said in this connection that the Atlanta school has won more oratorical prizes at the various meets of the Illinois Corn Belt Scholastic Association, since its organization in 1901, than any other school in the association.

Mt. Pulaski Schools

residents in the town and these either taught their children in their own homes or paid some one who desired to engage in the work of teaching so much per scholar for teaching during the winter. One of the first subscription schools in the neighborhood was conducted in 1841, by Silas R. Alexander on the premises of George W. Turley. The scholars enrolled at one term were as follows: John and James Sims; John Mason; Mary, Martha, Elizabeth and Henry C. Turley; Jackson Cartmell ; Washington, Maria, Alexander and Frank Cass; Charles and Patsy Keys; Robert and Luann Mathews; Alfred Scroggin; Melvin, Lucy and Margaret Foster; William and Willoughby Wade and Marian Rigdon.

The schedule containing the above list of scholars has appended to it the following certificate: "We certify that at a meeting of the employers of Silas R. Alexander pursuant to notice, on the 6th day of October, in the year 1841, we were duly appointed trustees, that we have performed the duties of such trustees by visiting said school and superintending the same, that we have examined the foregoing schedule and find - the same to be correct, that the scholars named there in said schedule were at the dates of their attendance residents of Township 18, North, Range 2, and that there is due to said teacher for instructing the scholars named in said schedule at the times therein mentioned the sum of forty dollars and sixty-eight cents. Signed: Alexander Rigdon, James Wade, Thomas J. Scroggin, trustees." The school term was from Sept. 27th to Dec. 24th.

Another schedule still existent gives the record of a school kept by Michael Finfrock in 1844, from Dec. 9, 1844, to March 15, 1845. The following was the roster of scholars: Richard, Mary L. and Elizabeth Turley; James and John Sims; Sarah A., Amelia, Margaret E., David L. and Abraham B. Bunn; Samuel Morgan, Oster, Brunson, Emily and Harriet Dement; Ebeneezer and Oliver Capps; Charles, George, Benjamin and Alexander Snyder; Mary, Harriet and Caroline Whitaker; Samuel H. and Nancy A. Morgan; John, Christopher and Robert Laughlin; John M. Tomlinson, Charles Friedrich, Mary Wright, Henrietta Greek, Martha Allen, Sarah Scroggins and William Baker.

During the year 1845, David P. Bunn taught a school in Mt. Pulaski from April 7th to Aug. 8th. The following was the roster of pupils that term: Elizabeth and Mary Turley; Mary, Caroline, Harriet Findley and Dewitt Whitaker; Samuel, Morgan, Austin and Alexander Dement; John M. and Robert Tomlinson; Herbert, James and Catherine Robinson; Hardin and Nancy A. Morgan; Amelia, Sally, Margaret E., David L. and Mary E. Bunn; Mary Wright; Charles, Mahala and Mary Friedrich; William and Henrietta Krieg; Lewis, Emily and Nona Mitchell; Mary and- Benjamin Snyder; Ebeneezer, Oliver, John and Charles Capps; Sally Carlock, James Sims, Margaret Clark and Mary J. Crockett.

About 1844, a frame school house was built in the eastern portion of the town and this building was not only used for school purposes, but for church meetings, town meetings and public gatherings of various kinds. The court house was built in 1848 and, with the exception of the frame school house, this was the first building where public gatherings could be had, no church building being erected until 1850. After the removal of the county seat from Mt. Pulaski to Lincoln, the Legislature by Act of Feb. 19, 1857, in view of the fact that the Mt. Pulaski court house had been erected by the private means of the people of Mt. Pulaski, "donated" the court house building to the town to be used for school purposes forever. This act appointed Henry Vonderleith, George W. Turley and Jabez Capps as trustees of the building for two years, at the expiration of which time, it was provided that the building was to be under the control and supervision of the board of school directors of the school district in which the town of Mt. Pulaski was located. Soon thereafter the old frame school house was abandoned and was sold for a private residence and the Mt. Pulaski school moved to the court house building. The building having two stories, each story was utilized for a school room. It is said that the first teacher in the building was John Kent.

Among some of the earlier trustees of schools elected in the district were Alexander Rigdon, James Wade and Thomas J. Scroggin in 1841; N. M. Whitaker, George Snyder and William Friedrich in 1844; N. M. Whitaker, William Friedrich and Jabez Capps in 1845; D. F. Dickinson, D. W. Clark and Robert Downing in 1848; Alexander Rigdon, Thomas P. Lushbaugh and D. P. Bunn in 1852; Alexander Rigdon, Jacob L. Ream and Dr. John Clark in 1854; N. M. Whitaker, Uriah Snyder and L. P. Lacey in 1855. County Superintendent Chalfant, referring to the Mt. Pulaski schools in 1869, said: "The Mt. Pulaski schools are well filled with pupils and are conducted with efficiency and success. Mrs. Nellie Shoup has charge of the higher department and Mrs. Hattie Mills is in charge of the primary department."

In the spring of 1877, a change was made from the township district organization, under which the schools had been previously conducted, to a graded system, under the control of a local Board of Education. A great improvement in the efficiency of the schools was at once apparent. That same year, a proposition was submitted to the voters to issue bonds to the amount of $20,000 for school building purposes, which proposition was successful. A full block was purchased for a site, in Turley's first addition to the town, the same being about two blocks east of the public square and enclosed by Morgan, Garden, Cooke and Scott streets. The contract for building the structure was let to Terrell & Knight, of Kankakee, for $14,667, plans and specifications having been prepared by W. S. Edbrooke, of Chicago. Work was begun on the building May 24,

1877. The corner stone was laid Sept. 4, 1877, with appropriate exercises, addresses having been delivered by Major M. Wemple and Rev. L. M. Robinson. The school directors at the time of the erection of the building were George Huck, Dr. F. D. Cass and John M. Tomlinson The building is a two-story brick, contains eight rooms and is still used for school purposes. The total cost, including furnishing and equipment, was $15,200. School was opened in the new beeans for the first time in January of 1878.

Among the teachers employed in the Mt. Pulaski schools in the eighties were George W. Dominique, T. McGrath, William H. Derby, G. W. Monroe, P. T. Nichols, Mrs. M. E. George, Mrs. Kate P. Seyfer, F. E. Dyer, Eva Lord, America Robinson, C. Starck, Mrs. R. F. Beidler, Lou Barkley, Mrs. T. H. Mattfeldt, Grace Snyder, Cora Turnbull, Anna Tutwiler Julia Robinson, Will Schone, Lizzie Graham, Louise Hayes, Anna Martin, Inez Mathews, Louisa Meyer, Fred Clark, Hanna Seick and Alice Osburn. Among the teachers in the nineties were William Miner, S. A. Edwards, T. L. Cook, Mrs. Kate Seyfer, Mrs. Anna Beidler, Mrs. Elinor Miner, Julia Robinson, Anna Tutwiler, Inez Mathews, Lucy Tutwiler, Flora Davis, Kate Rentschler, Estelle Snyder, Cora Gasaway, Magda Meyers, Nellie Waddell, Margaret J. Toomey, Kate L. Brown, Elizabeth Perkins, Cleo Hickman, Francis Wacaser, Alice Williams, Mattie Wilson, Nettie Rigdon, Nellie Van Orman and Frances Guttery.

The present roster of the Mt. Pulaski schools is as follows: W. T. Skinner, Superintendent and Principal of the High School; Grace Headley, Instructor of English and History; H. E. Ross, Instructor in Science; R. V. Lindsey, 8th grade and Superintendent of Music; Anna Leisch, 7th grade; Florence Wynd, 6th grade; Jennie Hassett, 5th grade; Ada Shanklin, 4th grade; Lucy Tutwiler, 3rd grade; Elnora McDonald, 2nd grade; Annetta Rigdon, Ist grade. The following facts are taken from the 1910 report of the High School at Mt. Pulaski: Pupils in the 9th grade, 21; pupils in the roth grade, 8; pupils in 11th grade, 10; pupils in 12th grade, 9; total enrollment, 48; average daily attendance, 38; total graduates, 8; number of years in course of study, 4; highest monthly wages paid, $120; lowest monthly wages paid, $60; volumes in library, 300. The schools of Mt. Pulaski are efficient and progressive and fully abreast of the times.