East St. Louis Township

East St. Louis Township

Proprietor of Saloon Salesman C. M. Keys & Co General Dry Goods Proprietor of Saloon Supt. E. St.Louis Bdg.Co. Prop'r New York Bazaar Attorney-at-Law

Occupation

Mover. Meat Mkt. and Sausage Mfr. Tobacco Sir. & Bar. Shop Gro. Imp. & Dlr. in Liq. Dlr.in Gro. & Liquor* Boarding Hae & Saloon Boat Yard and Saloon Attorney-at-Law Stock Shipper Grocer and Miller Meat Market Atlorney-at-Law:. Mar. Mas. <^ Com. Mer. Retired Merchant Carpenter and Builder Section For .man [Casings

Nativity

Or. 3d St. & DIv. av. 4th St. Meints blk 2311 Mar. St. St. Lou. Front street St. Clair ave. 3d St. 3J Ward Belleville Pike Collinsville av. Or. 7th & Ohio, av

Mo av Jaekeisch bdg Cr. Main & Brdwy Troy, Mad. Co. Ill 4th St. nr. Cty Crt. Missouri avenue Cor. Mo.lfe St. Lou. av Collinsville ave. Bea. Missouri ave. Cr. 3d St. & Mo. av Cr. Mo. & Colls, av Cr. 6th & Brdway

Mfr. of Gd. 4 Sil. Amal. Moh Contractor and Builder iVIsat Market Dealer in Flour and Feed Groceries and Liquors Shipping Master Stock Dealer Supt.E.St. L.&C.B.R Physician and Surgeon Dlr. in Gro., Liq. & Gen.Mchd Farmer & Stock Shipper Conatable

Place Of Business

St Clair avenue 5lh St. near III. ave Main street Main & B. B. sts. Cr. 4th & Brdwy 4th St. op. Cty. Ct Main street Cr. 6th&Sum'tav Collinsville ave. Center Market Cor. Main & Bdwy St. Clair avenue Front street Cr. Br. & Stk. Yds. av Dyke avenue Collinsville ave Cr. Coll. & St. Lou av Collinsville ave, Broadway Coll. & Summit av Cr.5th &Ohioav Collinsville ar. Fourth street Cr. 3d St. & Mo. av Bdwy. Res 111. av City Hall, Main st Broadway Cr. Bdwy & Mn st Collinsville ave. F't & Wiggina sts. Third at. 3d Ward Broadway Brady St. nr. Main

Stneli Dealer & Tiader Whole. & Ret. Grocer Rec. St. Pat. R C. Ch. Contractor Attorney-at-Law (Jroctries and Liquors Propr. Rest, and Saloon Cigar Manufacturer Br. & St. Mas. & Builder Groceries and Liquors Teaming

Groceries and Liquors Gro., Tobacco & Liquors. Dealer in Dry Goods Si Clthg. Attorney-at-Law. Chief of Police Whole. & Ret. Grocer Dealer in Flour & Feed .Vlt. Mar. & Sau. Manftr. Saloon and Pool Room Hotel and Saloon Cigar Manufacturer Nat. Hotel and Saloon Carpenter and Builder Physician and Surgeon Groceries and Liquors Stock Dealer and Trader Cigar Manufacturer Propr. 4th Ward House Groceries, Milk & Coal Cigar Manufacturer Carpenter and Builder Proprietor of Saloon Post Master City Clerk

Propr. Meat Market Groceries and Liquors Hdwr. Stoves & Frm. Imj Hotel and Saloon Stock Dealer and Tradei Farmer & Mfr. of Broomh Boarding House & Saloon Rd. Mas. C.& A. R. B. With Jacob Bogel Master Mechanic Sal., Mt. Mar. & Sausage Fa' Ed. E.St. Lou. "Herald

Source changes here: from Centennial, McKendree College, with St. Clair County History, by McKendree College, Lebanon, Ill, published 1928; 8,543 words in this source stream.

East St. Louis Township

In 1841 Capt. John Trendley, John Cames, Esq., and their neighbors in lUinois Town, now East St. Louis,'started a subscription hst to raise a fund for building a school house and hiring a teacher. $175.00 was subscribed, a carpenter was employed at $1.75 per day to erect a house. The site of this building was on the pubhc square in Illinois Town, afterwards the first ward of East St. Louis. This was a frame building 14 by 16 feet in size. It had room for two short rows of benches, a small desk for the teacher and a place for the water bucket and broom. The first pedagogue who presented himself was hired. No questions were asked as to his preparation or ability as a teacher. He was expected to keep the children out of mischief for six months of the year, including the winter season.

In 1859 Illinois Town was incorporated. In the spring of 1861 a new charter was granted, increasing the boundaries of the town and an election was held for or against changing the name to East St. Louis. This election resulted in 183 in favor of the change and 89 against.

In 1866 the following books were adopted by the board of directors for use in the schools of the district: Webster's Speller, McGuffey's Readers, Pinneo's Grammar, Ray's Arithmetic, and Monteith's Geography, and rules were adopted concerning the conduct of the schools.

Peter J. C. Marion was the first principal teacher elected by the board of directors at a salary of $60.00 per month, with two assistants, in 1865. He was the principal of the upper school, which was conducted in the basement of St. Patrick's church. The lower school has become the Franklin School and there was a third school in the basement of St. Henry's church.

In 1869 James J. Rafter was made the principal of the St. Patrick's School. Mr. Marion and Mr. Rafter gave many years of honored service to the city of East St. Louis as teachers and upright citizens.

The first colored school was opened in 187 1, after the adoption of the Constitution of 1870, which gave the right for the first time in our state for the establishment of schools for colored children. This school was held in the colored Baptist Church on Brady Street. The first teacher was Francis Moss, at a salary of $40.00 per month. This school was established through the influence of John Robinson, a colored man and an ex'slave, who was very active in the cause of education for colored children.

Arthur O'Leary, who served for many years as a principal and teacher, and the secretary of the board of education in the city of East St. Louis, was appointed as a teacher in October, 1S71. In 1872, Frank V. Rafter, a brilliant man who became city superintendent of schools. Miss Kate E. Conway, who is living in East St. Louis at the present time as a retired teacher. Miss E. Gain, who later married a very promising merchant, Mr. Oebike, and Dr. L. F. Morehead were appointed as teachers.

The following is a summary of the report of the secretary of the board of education for the year ending June jo, 1875 : Number of schools in the district 6

The middle school was held in the public school building on the corner of St. Louis and Collins ville Ave. with four teachers. The Broadway School was held in the basement of St. Henry's Church on Broadway with four teachers. The Franklin School was held in the public school building in the first ward with four teachers. The upper school was held in the basement of St. Patrick's Church with seven teachers. The colored school was held in the colored Baptist Church on Brady Street with one teacher, and the high school was held in a private building on 6th Street between Missouri and Division Ave. with one teacher and an average attendance of 17 pupils. Prof. Frank V. Rafter was the principal of the high school. Prof. A. J. Driscoll was the principal of the upper school. Prof. Arthur O'Leary was principal of the middle school and Prof. J. Ruhland was principal of the Broadway School and Prof. B. Long was principal of the Franklin School.

In 187:-, the first board of education was elected, consisting of SIX members. This above may be said to be the first part of the East St. Louis school system. The second part began with the erection of adequate school buildings.

In 18S6 the Lincoln School building for colored children was built on the corner of 6th and St. Louis Ave. This building is now used as the offices of the East St. Louis board of education.

In 1890 the Emmerson School, consisting of eight rooms, was erected. In 1894 the high school, a beautiful stone building of eighteen rooms, was built. Other schools followed rapidly, including the Monroe and the Douglas m 1S96, the Irving in 1898, the Park, Washington, Longfellow, and Webster Annex Schools m 1900, the Monroe Annex m 1904, the Horace Mann m 1905, the Jefferson, Edgemont. and the Lincoln in 1906, the Slade m 1907, the Froebel m 1912, the Dunbar in 1916, the Manners and the Cannady m 1918, the Hawthorne in 1923, the Morrison in 1922, the Woodrow Wilson in 1927, the Harding Schools in 1928, and the new high school building in 191 5.

This building campaign has given to the city of East St. Louis permanent school buildings. At the time of the erection of these first permanent buildings, which were the Webster and Franklin Schools, the board of education consisted of G. Lehman, president and members W. A. Dill, Thos. J. Canavan, John A. Joyce, Dennis Rush, D. SuUivan, and Dr. J. L. Wiggins. The superintendent of schools and the secretary of the board of education was Frank V. Rafter.

Mr. Al. Keechler spent many years as a member and president of the East St. Louis board of education. T. Jeff Daniel, J. M. Sullivan, Thomas L. Fekete, Rudolph Hunninger, C. L. Gray, P. Joyce, Dr. I. D. Foulon, P. Carrigan, D. A. Beeken, Geo. Coy, G. W. Thompson, Chas. Hissrich, Geo. G. Heller, and Paul W. Abt were members of the board. J. J. Reader was for seven years the secretary of the board of education. This may be said to be the second epoch in the schools of East St. Louis.

The third epoch began m 1901 in the consolidation of all school districts in the city; the Douglas or Island District, the Central or High School District, and the Illinois City or Longfellow District, were combined in one district. The Washington Park District was added in 1904 and the Alta Sita and the Lansdowne Districts were later added to the East St. Louis School District, and these together comprise

District 189, which is the East St. Lnuis School District Mr. A. L. Keechler was the president of the board of education during this combination of districts and Mr. James P. Slade was the city superintendent of schools.

The fourth epoch in the history of the progressive school system of East St. Louis was the introduction of the manual arts department, Manual Training, Domestic Economy and a special supervisor of Physical Education and a supervisor of Drawing and Music for all the schools. This was during the term of office of Mr. Rudesill, who served for one year, and Mr. W. A. Moody, who was for many years the president of the hoard of education. Paul W. Abt, P. P. Gaynord, Harry Kraemer, Henry T. Renshaw, Horace J. Eggmann, Geo. T. Smith, Fred Leber, W. B. Dodd, John W. Sanders, Peter B. Cusack, Dr. Albert E. Reeves and Albert E. Memts were the members of the board. John E. Miller was superintendent, J. S. Pidgeon, secretary, Frank L. Thrasher, supt. of buildings, and Lela Eggleston, stenographer.

During this time the condition of the schools of the city of East St. Louis improved in a remarkable degree and stood among the best of the state. The teaching body consisted of live, progressive, energetic men and women, with special preparation and a varied experience. These teachers knew what and how to teach. The following is a list of the principals during this period

In 1911, D. Walter Potts was appointed city superintendent of the East St. Louis School System and has continued in that office up to the present time, or for seventeen years. The principals and supervising officers of the East St. Louis schools for the year 1927-1928 are as follows: High School, H. A. Kanzler, prin.; Junior High School, M.

E. Bruce; Alta Sita and Irving Schools, O. E. Harper; Bluff View School, Edgemont School, Eighty-first Street School, Oak Park School, Seventy-fourth Street School and Morrison School, J. J. McGlynn; Cannady School and Longfellow School, J. A. McCoUom; Emerson School and Froebel School, Miss May E. Young; Franklin School and Washington School, H. B. Hinckley; Hawthorne School and Wilson School, J. E. Wesley; National City School, Charles Hertel;

Jefferson and Manners Schcxil, W. L. Baughman; Monroe School, W. G. Padfield; Park and Slade Schools, H. F. Thurston; Roosevelt School, Margaret Mulberry; Webster School,

C. G. Williams; Denverside School, Garfield and Rush City, Dunbar, Twenty-sixty Street School, and McKinley School, M. V. Lucas; Lincoln High School and Grade School, J. W. Hughes; Frank F. Glasow, supervisor of physical education; Bessie Sawyer, supervisor of penmanship ; Carmen A. Trimer, supervisor of drawing; Julia R. Kelsey, supervisor of music; E. C. Tillotson, supervisor of instrumental music; W. Morris Jones, supervisor of manual training; Mary McGuire, supervisor of home economics; Cecile C. Combs, assistant supervisor of music and drawing; Frank L. Thrasher, supervisor of properties and purchasing agent; Lela E. Krehmeyer, secretary to superintendent of schools; Dorothy Reid, stenographer board of education.

The list of the superintendents of schools, who have served the city of East St. Louis, contains the names of many able and worthy educators - James McQuiIkin, M. A. Sullivan, T. J. McDonnough, Frank V. Rafter, James P. Slade, an ex-county superintendent and ex-state superintendent of public instruction, J. F. McCullough, John Richeson, John E. Miller and D. Walter Potts.

John S. Pidgeon served for more than twenty-five years as an efficient and competent secretary. This position is now filled by Samuel Moore.

The presidents of the various boards of education since the time of Mr. Al. Keechler, or 1903, are Mr. Rudesill, Mr. W. A. Moody, Judge B. H. Canby, Thomas Knoeble, Fred Kraft, Wallace Watkins and Dr. E. W. Cannady. At the present time the president of the board is Dr. R. L. Campbell.

Since the establishment of the East St. Louis High School in 1872, the following principals have served: C. A. Singleterry, Frank Rafter, Charles Manners, who served as the principal of the high school for almost twenty-five years,

Since 1896 the principals of the colored schools have been Mr. Byron, Mr. Thompson, B. F. Bowles, who served as principal for many years, and J. W. Hughes, who has been the principal of the Lincoln High and Grade Schools since 1914. M. V. Lucas, the principal of the Paul Lawrence Dunbar School, came to the East St. Louis system almost forty years ago and has been continuously a teacher and principal in the schools of his adopted city.

During the administration of D. Walter Potts, city superintendent of schools, the school system has grown in a marked degree. The Roosevelt, or ungraded school for backward children, was established in 1919. This is under the direction of Miss Margaret Mulberry as principal. The colored schools have a total enrollment of 2495, and the white schools of 11, 275. The colored high school has 134 students and the white high school 1027. The colored Junior High has 241 students and the white Junior High has 847.

In 1923 Parsons Field was purchased as an athletic field for the East St. Louis Schools and in 1925 the old Y building, at i^th and Bond, was purchased as a colored recreation center. The Lincoln High School became a member of the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges in 1928.

In the city of East St. Louis there are a total of 432 active teachers, principals and supervising officers. They have a body of sincere, progressive, well qualified teachers, with a splendid physical equipment and every possible advantage for the advancement of the children.

This system has competent medical inspection for all school children with doctors and nurses continuously caring for the health of the children. It also has installed a "thrift" program which has been successfully practiced. The school pupils of East St. Louis and surrounding communities now have $160,724.12 on deposit in the East St. Louis banks.

The Public Schools Of Belleville

The following history of the Belleville public schools was written by the late A. M. Wolleson, a thorough gentleman, a great student and a kind, lovable man. He worked for many years in the public schools of Belleville as teacher, principal and assistant to the county superintendent of schools. THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF BELLEVILLE

The city of Belleville, Illinois, had its first beginning in the year 1814, when, as authentic records inform us, it was platted and laid out in George Blair's cornfield. The founders, influenced, no doubt, by the early French settlers of the county, gave it the euphonious French name "Belleville."

The writer's endeavors to obtain information concerning schools and education in the new town during the first period of Its existence has met with but meagre success. In the year 1 82 1 the "Belleville Academy" was incorporated by an act of the Legislature. Its frame building was located on the west side of South Jackson Street, south of Lincoln (formerly Second) Street, about where the Jackson Street M. E. Church is now standing. Its aim was to furnish young men with a higher education. William Turner was among its first instructors. He was a cultured man and a student and lover of Shakespeare, whose works he recited with all the eloquence and grace of an actor. This gave rise to the heUef among his contemporaries m Belleville that he had formerly been connected with the stage, though he never admitted this to have been the fact.

In 182}, there was a school house standing where the First M. E. Church is now located on East Washington (formerly First) Street. It is known that a certain Mr. Gallop taught school m that building in the year 1824.

In the same year, 1824, Mr. John H. Dennis, a native of Virginia, came to Belleville. For the next thirty-five years he was uninterruptedly engaged in educational work m private and public schools in Belleville, and served four years as county superintendent of schools. His first school was opened 1824 or 1825 in the Mitchell Building, located on the north side of the public square, where we now find the Belleville Bank and Trust Company's building. It was called the "Aristocratic" school, owing to the fact that the children of wealthy families from St. Louis and other places attended it. This able teacher died in Belleville in 1869.

In the year 1825 the first school law of Illinois was enacted. Viewed m the light of today its many deficiencies are glaringly revealed. For instance, no one could be taxed for the support of a public school without his consent, and education was provided for white children only. Yet it was a beginning, and far better than no law at all. It brought schools to a limited extent under some sort of public control, and eventually paved the way for more effective legislation.

For the next thirty years the great majority of the children of Belleville attended school in any available rooms rented by teachers of varying efficiency who charged for each pupil a certain amount agreed upon. We have learned that school was "kept" in basements and other unsuitable and unsanitary rooms sparingly equipped with furniture and educational appliances, and most likely but slightly and only perfunctorily controlled by legal authority.

Among the most prominent teachers of those years we meet with the names of Mr. Edwards and Mr. John F. Parks. These two men, and others, taught successfully in schools located m the Odd Fellow's Hall on the northeast corner of "A" and High Streets; in the basement of the old Presbyterian Church on the site of the present Bell Telephone Company's building, southeast corner "A" and Illinois Street; in the Advocate Building on East Washington Street, between Illinois and High Streets; in a building on West "A" Street, between Second and Third Streets; and on South First Street, between Main and Washington Streets.

And so by halt blindly groping our way through the mist of a number of years we finally emerge into more recent periods that are partly illuminated by scraps of minutes of transactions of boards of directors preserved to us by the school authorities of the present day. The oldest of these records beings with an entry dated October ij, 1847. At that time three directors were constituting the hoard, namely ; Charles Ellis, William M. Parker, and C. G. Y. Taylor. On October 20th, 1847, they met and elected Mr. Taylor treasurer. On October 2<;th he gave bond and entered upon his duties.

On November i8th they in a body visited the various schools taught by Mr. John Coleman, Mr. Beach, Miss Hough, and Mrs. Avard. They found them all under good regulations and tolerably well supplied with school-room furniture.

On January 6th, 1848, they met and examined the schedules of John Coleman, Mr. Holbrook, Mr. Beach, Mrs. E. Avard, and Miss Hough. They corrected and certified them and ordered the following sums paid to the respective teachers: To Coleman, $4.65; to Holbrook, $1.05; to Beach, $:v:-,o; to Mrs. E. H. Avard, $^.90; to Miss Hough, $6.0";.

February 15, 1851: The following named persons were elected school directors for district number four, T. i N., R. 8 W.: David Swire, Theo K. Krafft, and William Lorey. They met February 24th and elected W. Lorey Clerk.

This board served until January 14th, 1856, during which time 19 meetings are recorded. They at first made visits to the different schools taught by teachers named and found them all satisfactorily conducted and well supplied with furniture. On March nth, iS'ji, they expressed regret that Mrs. Hyde's school room was almost too small for the number of scholars; "but she told us that m a short time she would have the use of a more commodious room. This would be very desirable."

The principal duties performed by them seems to have been to examine and correct the teachers' schedules and hand them over to the township treasurers. The following teachers are named during their term of office : Mrs. Jenkins, Mrs. Hyde, Mr. and Mrs. Edwards, Mr. Galbraith, Mr. Rail, Mrs. Holbrook, Miss Hough, and Mrs. Johnson. In 1853, these new names appear: Messrs. Richards, Griffin, Ha well, Loftus, Miss Martina, and Miss Hill; in 1854 Mr. Thompson and Miss Granger are added.

On September i6th, 185 1, they employed Mr. Friedlaender to take the number of all white persons under the age of twenty-one years residing in our school district.

The first election under the new school law of 1855 was held January 14th, 1856, and the following were elected: James Affleck, Henry Goedeking, and Will Kempff. They organized January 22nd by electmg Henry Goedeking president and Will Kempff secretary. Resolution passed: "That the board of directors shall have a regular meeting on the first Tuesday of every month, at early candleUght." It was also resolved that the directors in a body visit and examine the different schools of the district on next Thursday, January 24th.

January 28th: The directors, after having examined all the schools of the district, which came to their knowledge, resolved: that the following report of our visit is hereby recorded :

1 . The school in the Protestant Church, under the management of Mr. M. Seitz. Number of scholars, 156, the greater portion of which were German. The studies embrace English and German. Mr. Seitz keeps a schedule and has a certificate.

2. The school west of the Catholic Church, under the management of Mr. Paul Anton Helmich. Number of scholars, 90, the greater portion of which were German. Studies: English and German. Mr. Helmich has a certificate and keeps a schedule.

J. The school in the basement of the Catholic Church, under the management of Mr. John Webster. Number of scholars, 55, the majority of which are English. Studies altogether English. Mr. Webster keeps a schedule and has a certificate of qualifications.

4. The school in the basement of the Methodist Church, under the management of Miss Granger and Miss Ash. Number of scholars, about 70, all females. The schedules were kept according to law and the teachers have certificates of qualification.

5. The school in the Odd Fellow's Hall, under the management of Mrs. Edwards and Miss Edwards. Number of scholars, about 100, male and female; two departments, the first or primary department under the care of Miss Edwards. Keep a schedule and have certificate of qualification.

6. The school of F. M. Rail and W. Krech, in Abend's Hall. Number of scholars, 77, of which number about 17 were not residents of the fourth district; the scholars were all males, English and German, and the studies were also English and German. Mr. Rail has a certificate of qualification and promised to keep a schedule according to law.

7. The school in the German Brick Church, under the management of Mr. Krauss. Number of scholars, about 50, all German. Mr. Kraus keeps a schedule in German and has no certificate.

8. The school in the Old Hall, under the management of Miss Field. Number of scholars 12 to 14, male and female; all small, just beginning. Has no certificate or schedule.

9. The school in the basement of the Presbyterian Church, under the management of Mr. P. Roeder. Number of scholars, about 20, all German, male and female. Studies German and English. Mr. Roeder keeps no schedule and has no certificate.

10. The school of Mr. Dennis. Number of scholars, about 25, all males. The studies embrace the higher as well as the common branches. Mr. Dennis keeps a schedule and has a certificate of qualification.

11. The school in the West Belleville School-house, under the management of Mr. Masbacher. Number of scholars, 25, all German. Keeps a schedule and has a certificate of qualification.

Mr. Affleck was instructed to notify all the teachers to keep their schedules in strict accordance with the law. "Whereas the school taught by Mr. Seitz contains entirely too many scholars for one teacher, therefore resolved : That Mr. Seitz be authorized to employ an assistant teacher, for teaching the various English branches, under the same conditions, as said Seitz has taught heretofore."

At a meeting held March 13th, 1856, it was resolved that inasmuch as the schools had not heretofore been taught in strict accordance with the law, and inasmuch as the money raised by taxation this year was sufficient to pay for only six months' school, therefore the board would not certify to the correctness of the schedules for the first half of the year but see to it that everything was done hereafter according to law so that the money coming to them for the year could be used for the support of the schools for the last six months of the year; by which arrangement they would keep up the schools according to law.

Resolved on April jrd, i8'i6: That we commence Free Schools on next Monday, the seventh day of April, 1816, under the following arrangements:

To keep in each ward a primary school and also a primary school m West Belleville, all for boys and girls together, and two grammar schools, one for boys and one for girls, male department of grammar school to be kept by Messrs. Dennis and Fuller, each with a salary of $450.00 per year, female department of grammar school under the tuition of Mrs. Edwards and Miss Hough, the first with ,1 salary of $450.00, the latter with a salary of $350.00, to be kept in the basement of the Methodist Church for the rent of $100.00.

First Ward primary school under the tuition of Miss Edwards, with a salary of $250.00, to be kept in the basement of the Presbyterian Church for the rent of $50.00 per year.

Second Ward primary school under the tuition of Messrs. Seitz and Roman, the first with a salary of $400.00, the latter with a salary of $3,50.00, to be kept in the German Protestant Church for the rent of $50.00 per year.

Third Ward primary school under the tuition of Messrs. Webster and Helmich, with a salary of $400.00 each, to be kept in the school rooms ot Catholic Church Association.

Fourth Ward primary school under the tuition of Miss GaskiU, for the salary of $300.00, to be kept in the old Library Hall, for the rent of $72.00 per year.

West Belleville's School under the tuition of Mr. Roeder, with a salary of $400.00, to be kept m the West Belleville school house, for the rent of $ - .00 per year.

Also to employ Mr. Krech as teacher of the German language for the male and female grammar departments with a salary of $300.00 for teaching four hours daily.

And so it seems that the Belleville public schools were now, on April 7th, 1856, launched out under the school law of 1855 in regular and approved form.

A summer vacation was declared by the board to begin July 25th and end August 25th, iSsfi. The board encountered considerable trouble this first year. First Mr. Dennis resigned soon after accepting his position. A certain Mr. F. D. Halstead was hired to take his place June 24th; but in July he handed m his resignation. Finally Mr. C. F. Ncetling was engaged m his place.

The schedules were examined and certified to every six months, and it seems th.it the teachers were paid only every SIX months - twice a year. How the teachers got their pay for the first six months, just before the schools became regular Free Schools, is not made clear. The board resolved to see the township trustees about it, and if not successful in getting them to pay them advised the teachers to petition each for himself.

In order that free schools might be held the entire year it became necessary to raise a larger amount of money by taxation than the board had power to levy, and therefore an election was held in June, 1857, to determine by vote of the people whether such schools should be held for twelve months or not. The majority of the people voted in favor of the proposition; 450 for and 147 against same.

Nine teachers were employed for the year 1857-1858, namely: Mrs. L. D. C. Edwards, Miss Mary Edwards, Miss Nancy S. Hough, Mrs. Johnson, Mr. Barnum, Mr. G. S. Slade, and Mr. Miller. Salaries for these teachers were $500.00 for the male teachers and $400.00 for the female teachers. Mr. Parks was engaged at the same time as superintendent of schools, and in addition as manager of the grammar department, with the condition to classify all the scholars, visit the schools at least once a month, arrange the examinations, and do and perform such duties as generally were involved upon a school superintendent; his salary was $1000.00 a year.

On November 9th, 1857, ^^^ following were elected members of the board of directors: Messrs. O. B. Fauke, C. T. Elles, and Jacob Lehr. Miss Julia Taylor was employed as teacher on January 8th, 1858, with a salary ot $50.00 for one quarter; if she gives satisfaction, she is to be paid $6o.oo. On January i8th, the board resolved to pay the teachers the first quarter due them, amounting to $1050.00.

January 29th, 1858: Resolved that we employ Mr. Raab as assistant teacher to Mr. Wile in West Belleville, to com* mence February ist, 1858, for the term of three months and the sum of $75.00 for the three months.

May 19th, 1858: Resolved, that whereas complaint has been made for punishing scholars, therefore resolved that we visit every school and give each teacher the following written notice: Resolved that corporal punishment be entirely abolished, and that incorrigible scholars be referred to their parents. June 7th, 1858: Summer vacation ordered to begin June 1 8th to August 2nd. An election was ordered to be held on June 21st to determine whether or not the school term should be extended 1859, and also to submit to a vote the building of a school house either in the 2nd, jrd, or 4th Ward, and a two mill tax to erect the school house. June i8th, 1858: This day was Picknick of all the free schools. Result of the election held in the Court House the 21st of June, 1858: 468 votes for the extension of the school term; 264 votes against the extension. 276 votes for the two mill tax to build school house; 347 votes against a mill tax.

July 26th, 1858: Resolved that the weather being too hot the free schools are to commence August 30th; notice to be given. August 27th, 1858: Resolved that we pay Mr. Raab $550.00 to take the West Belleville school alone and teach one hour German every morning from 8:00 to 9:00 o'clock. August 30th, 1858: Paul Roeder was employed to teach one hour German extra every day with extra pay at the rate of $600.00 per year. The third story of the Advocate Building was fitted up for school purposes. October 29th, 1858; Visited Mrs. Edwards" and Miss H. school; present 78 scholars. Visited Miss Mary Edward's school; present 44 scholars. Visited Mr. Wile's school; present 37 scholars. Visited Miss Taylor's school; 78 scholars. Visited Mrs. Weeden's school, 50 scholars. Mr. Slade's, 78 scholars. Mr. Parks' and Mrs. Scott's, 59 scholars. (Remark; Mr. Slade ought to have an assistant.)

October 30th, 1858: Resolved that whereas by visiting the German classes we found only fourteen scholars at Mr. Roeder's and only eleven at Mr. Raab's, therefore we do not feel justifiable to continue the German classes after this quarter expires.

A petition was received by the board November 12th, 1858, to continue the instruction in German. But the board suspended said instruction until a new school house shall have been built, affording more room.

November 2jrd, iSiS: Mr. Roeder having now thirty-two German scholars he was allowed to continue instruction in German until further notice be given him. December 7th, 1858: Singing in all the schools was recommended.

March 3rd, 1859: Resolved that the teachers of the public schools in District 4, Township i N., R. 8 W., Belleville, are permitted to suspend their respective schools during the first week in April, 1859, in order to attend the Teachers' Institute. Resolved that if any teacher thus suspending the school does not attend the Teachers' Institute every day, their time of absence be deducted from their wages.

The first Teachers' Institute held in Belleville opened April 4th, 1859, under the charge of Mr. Merwin; full attendance; very interesting; lectures every evening.

The question of extending the school term for i860 was carried by but a small majority on May 14th, 1859. Building a new school house and buying the Odd Fellows Hall for a school were voted down on the same day. A tax levy of 35 cents per hundred dollars valuation was approved for i860. August i2th, i8'i9: The clerk was authorized to notify Mr. Parks that we do not need his services as teacher and superintendent any longer. Resolved that we declare Mr. Park's place vacant. August 22nd, 1859: Resolved that the scholastic year commences on the 29th of August, in order to close the school by the 4th of July next. An election was ordered for September 5th for three directors. August 29th, 1859: Resolved that whereas we have no superintendent, therefore the schools be suspended till after the election.

The above extracts are taken from the oldest minute book now in the safe of the board of education of the Belleville public schools. All through these minutes are evidences of a sincere desire on the part of the directors to build up good schools. They make frequent visits to the schools and watch the progress made and the efficiency of the teachers. They do their very best to solve the difficulties encountered involving the question of housing the schools and providing additional teachers whenever the number of pupils become too unwieldy. This, in many cases, is not done until there are 65 to 80 pupils to a teacher. It is seen that the public is utterly opposed to providing new school buildings, although there is a dire necessity for same. Surely these people were serving the community under most adverse conditions, and deserve credit for their noble activities.

Under date of November 9th, i860, we find the following entry: The Catholic school rooms having been offered free of rent for the establishment of schools under the rules for the government of our public schools, it was resolved to establish schools m said school rooms and engage the present teachers, if they appear to be qualified. One year later the board required that the teachers of the Catholic schools abstain from such observance as with which Protestant children could not consistently comply; also, it is expected that they will only observe such holidays of the Catholic Church as they and their scholars would feel compelled by their religious convictions to observe.

In January, 1863, the board resolved that whereas the schools near the Catholic Church are too much crowded, Mr. Bunsen be authorized to inquire, whether an arrangement can he made to send the small scholars to a preparatory department under the care of one of the Sisters of the institute, subject, of course, to all rules of the common schools. Mr. Bunsen a few days later reported that it was not practicable to establish a preparatory department at the school near the Catholic Church - the Sisters of the institute being unwilling to conform to the rules governing the teachers of the Common schools.

The Civil War did not fail to leave its mark upon the records of the Belleville public schools. We learn that on August i6th, 1862, a petition of citizens was presented, calling upon the directors to have the oath of allegiance administered to the different teachers. It was temporarily disposed of by laying it on the table till next meeting. At the meeting held August 23rd, 1862, a motion to comply with the request of the petitioners was lost, and a resolution adopted which showed a disposition to pass the buck to the county superintendent of schools. The petitioners seem to have been dissatisfied with this action of the board of directors because on October nth they sent a committee to appear before them relative to the said matter of administering the oath of allegiance to all the teachers of the common schools. At a meeting of the board held a week later the clerk was instructed to inform the said committee of the citizens in writing "That the board had been informed by the superintendent, Mr. Slade, that the teachers of the schools of District No. 4 have taken the oath of allegiance on the 1 8th, of their own accord, without waiting for any action of the directors in the premises." This matter was thus effectively and satisfactorily settled.

continuing school longer than six months during the ensuing school year. The majority in favor of a long school term was always decisive, sometimes almost unanimous. This shows the general sentiment of the community in favor of education. However, the proposition to purchase ground and erect modern school buildings was repeatedly lost. Finally in August, 1864, it was decided by a large majority of votes to buy ground and build school buildings. As a result thereof Franklin and Washington Schools were erected at a cost of about $100,000. These schools could accommodate 1568 children when all rooms were occupied to their capacity. The average daily attendance had at that time never reached 1200. The opinion was expressed that there would be ample accommodations for four or five years to come.

The board now found itself confronted with the serious problem of raising sufficient funds to defray the current expenses of conducting the schools, paying interest on bonds and providing a reasonable amount for the gradual retirement of bonds. The bonds issued drew ten per cent interest, making the financial burden doubly heavy. A business depression had occurred in 1869 which induced the board to lower the tax rate temporarily, and the teachers were the ultimate sufferers. The salaries of the great majority of teachers were, and remained, small. Only a few, the men at the top, received fair salaries. Thus in the year 1871, of the 30 teachers employed, 24 received $87';o; the other six received $7500.

The teachers' pay was small for reasons already explained. In 1879, when the writer became a member of the corps, he accepted his position as principal of the Lincoln School at the annual salary of $500.00 The young girls who entered upon the profession of teaching began with a salary of $3,00.00. From such an insignificant beginning they advanced at slow and gradual paces - $25.00 or $50.00 raise every two years - until a maximum of $700.00 to $1000.00 was reached. It must be remembered, however, that the purchasing power of a dollar in those days was about twice what it is today. But even so, the pay was but meagre and shamefully inadequate for the decent support of a married man and his family. Many teachers were, therefore, obliged to supplement their income by earning additional money outside of their school hours, or during their summer vacations. Some taught summer school for a certain fixed amount per pupil, others went out on a farm and helped in the harvest fields, others gave private lessons in the evening during the school year.

The young girls who, as stated above, began with a salary of $300.00, were not Normal graduates. They were intelligent young ladies who had completed their studies in the higher grades of the Belleville schools and now were given employment on probation, under the immediate supervision of superintendents Bunsen and Raab. Under their close and careful guidance, they soon developed into good teachers, unless they proved themselves naturally unfit for their chosen calling, in which case they were, of course, not re-employed.

Instruction in the higher branches was provided by the board ever since the first year they took charge of the public schools. In a comparatively short time a very able and efficient corps of teachers were imparting instruction in all branches usually termed high school branches. So thorough was the instruction given there that the pupils graduated therefrom went forth into the world very well prepared for taking their positions in the ranks of the workers m the various fields of activity. The business men of St. Louis in those days were always on the look-out for graduates of the Belleville Public Schools when they needed young men in their stores or factories, and faculties of the State Normal Schools greeted with pleasure the youth of Belleville to their institutions as they always found them well grounded and correctly trained.

For many years the name high school was not applied to those higher grades, for the reason that there prevailed a curious popular opposition to any public education higher than the grammar grades. There came a time in the middle seventies when the opposing elements were successful in stealing a march upon the unsuspecting and easy-going majority. On election day, when but a comparatively small vote was registered, the opponents of higher education piled up a large vote at a late hour of the day and elected two out of three members. These two members created considerable excitement and tried their best to reduce the efficiency and cost of the schools, but without much success. They did succeed for a year or two in cutting down the time allotted to the higher branches, but eventually the high school, proudly flourishing its name, was established on a firmer basis than ever before.

And so the Belleville High School continued as an integral part of the public school system until in the year 1916 it became the Township High School, under another and separate board of control, namely the Township High School Board of Education.

The growth of Belleville has been regular and steady. And as the population increased it became from time to time necessary to build additional school buildings. The several buildings are here listed in the chronological order of their erection : erected in 1866; Bunsen School erected in 1879; Humbold School erected in 1883; Central School erected in 1889; Douglas School erected in 1894; Henry Raab School erected in 1906; Jefferson School erected in 1912; Junior High School erected in 1919.

After the resignation of Mr. Raab from the superintend' ency in 1S90 he w..s succeeded in office by Mr. H. D. Updike, who was promoted from his position of teacher in the high school to that of superin tendency. Mr. Updike served until the year 1902, when he was succeeded by Mr. J. K. Light, who came here from the east. In 1904 George H. Busiek took charge of the superintendency and served until he resigned and retired from school work in 1916. Mr. Oscar F. Weber succeeded him and served till 1921, when he went to complete a university course at Urbana, at the state university. He was followed in office by Arthur L. Odenwaller, who after two years was succeeded by Wm. A. Hough. In 1925 Mr. Harold V. Calhoun became the superintendent and is still serving as such.

All of these men have worked earnestly, probably with varying degree of success, to keep the Belleville public schools abreast of the times and conducted according to the latest and most modern educational ideas. Innovations of methods have been introduced conforming to the view advanced by the young enthusiastic school men of today, and a large corps of supervisors employed.

A kindergarten system was established in 1916 and a junior high created shortly thereafter. The praiseworthy liberality aroused m our citizens during the stress and anxieties of the World War is still alive, and fair and attractive salaries are now paid all teachers. There are at present 99 teachers employed, including eight supervisors, and their annual pay amounts to $136,021.66.

The people have just voted in favor of issuing bonds to the amount of $275,000.00 and to erect one new school building in the south end, and to raze three old buildings and erect in their stead new buildings strictly up to date in all respects. All this testifies to a commendable spirit of liberality and a sincere desire to provide the children of the city with the very best that can be had in the line of education. May that spirit ever continue.

In 1872 Edwin Auerswald, as principal of the Mascoutah public school was empowered to introduce a "system of improved gradation and to adopt and fix a course of instruction suitable to the requirements of a good school and commensurate with the demands of modern education."

There were four hundred and fifty pupils m 1872 .md according to Mr. Auerswald's records, not one knew a tninsitive from an intransitive verb, neither could they distinguish the difference between the maps of Africa and South America .

Reading, writing, arithmetic, geogmphy, and spelling were the only branches taught prior to 1872 and there was no course of study so that teachers could know what was being taught in each room, Mr. Auerswald added United States History, grammar, composition, algebra, geometry, bookkeeping, botany, zoology, physiology, and natural philosophy to the high school course. Seven of the subjects then taught in the high school are now taught in the grades.

Classes were graduated from this course, but we have no written record of their names. Our first record of a graduating class bears the date of 1888, sixteen years after the establishment of the high school.

The course consisted of two years m 1888 and was changed to three years in 1894. It remained a three year course untu 1914, when It was changed to a four-year course.

In 1921 the district high school was changed to a community high school and domestic science and manual training were added to the course. Agriculture would also have been made a part of the course had there been enough pupils desiring it. We hope to add it later.

The following men have served as superintendent from the organization of the school to the present time: Edwin Auerswald, from September, 1872 to June, 1876; Charles Cannady, from September, 1876, to June, 1886; Charles H. Kammann, from September, 1886 to June, 1890; William A. Hough, from September, 1890 to June, 1892; J. L. Landers, from September, 1892 to June, 1895; P. O. Mortensen, from September, 1895 to June ,1897; O. P. Klopsch, from September, 1897 to June, 1904; C. O. DuBios, from September, 1904 to June, 1909; Rupert R. Simpkins, from September, 1909 to June, 191 1 ; Omar Caswell, from September, 191 1 to June, 1913,; L. A. Schafer, from September, 1913 to June, 1915; Charles B. Klingelhoefer, from September, 1915 to June, 1921 ; Arthur Moore, from September, 1920 to June, 1921; and L. A. Schafer, from September, i92r to present time.

In 1850 the first public school was opened in the Marissa School District. The building was constructed of hewn timbers secured from the nearby forests and erected by the citizens. The school furniture was crude and also prepared from the same timber. On two sides of the building were openings for window glass. These openings provided the Hght and the ventilation. The building was located about one block east of the present site of the Marissa Baptist Church. About 20 years later a small group of buildings became known as Marissa . The second school building was opened during the early days of the Civil War and located about one fourth of a mile east of the first school. One of the early lady teachers was an eastern lady of culture with a competent education. Her name was Miss Post. She became the wife of Mr. Archibald Coulter, one of the early settlers of the community and a member of the Coulter family after whom Coulterville was named. This school had exciting contests in spelling that attracted the families m the neighborhood.

The third school building was erected in 1870 between the towns of new and old Marissa. Two teachers were employed to instruct the increasing number of pupils. One of the early teachers was John W. Wells.

In 1886 a brick building consisting of six rooms was constructed. The members of the board of directors who undertook this work were J. W. Stewart, S. B. Curry and W. M. K. Lyons. Mr. Lyons is still a resident of Marissa and IS deeply interested in the advantages of education.

In 1896 two rooms were added and two more m 1906. In 1924 the old academy building which had housed the Marissa Academy for many years and which served as the foundation of the Marissa Township High School, was re modeled for class room use tor the elementary schools. The museum m the basement of the mam building consists of a large collection of antique and interesting specimens. This was the work of Mr. Thomas Key worth, who was interested in the work of the public schools and was the finest janitor m the state of Illinois.

The Lenzburg School was originally a part of the Hickory Grove School District. It was established in 1862, composed of a part of the Hickory Grove District and a part of the East Dutch Hill District. It was originally a one-room building until an addition was built and it became a two-room building, which stands at the present time on the edge of the town of Lenzburg.

This building became crowded and a part of the school was held m the Methodist Church and in Stallman's Hall. Early in the spring of 1909 the village of Lenzburg donated a part of the village park to the school district and a modern four room building was constructed m April, 1910. Attorney John M. Chamberlin delivered the dedicatory address. This school became the only Community Consolidated School in St. Clair County and was changed to District No. 204, with a two year high school, recognized by the university and the State Department of Education. Mr. John Molles is the principal and Mr. Wm. Muser, Sr., is the president of the board of education, and Jerome Prediger is secretary.

Book Iv

wo}{ IV includes biographies of some who have been graduated from McKendree College since 1908, of some who have enrolled in the college but have not been graduated, and of many citizens of St. Clair County. These biographies were not written by one author but b)' several different writers.

We have attempted in all cases to avoid error; we have endeavored to ma\e the best use of the material at hand. If errors of omission have bee?i made, they are generally the result of insufficient data; if other mistakes have been made, which is undoubtedly the case, we are sorry. In all cases we have sought accuracy in every detail b)i submitting to our subjects completed sketches for correction or verification. Many of these were never returned to us, and, consequently, we were forced to publish them ignorant of any possible inaccuracies. Many of our patrons failed to send pictures, or else sent them too late for publication, and as a result these were omitted from this volume.

We feel that an explanation is necessary for printing Boo\ IV in two different sizes of type. We have adopted the smaller size type for all those biographical sketches whose contents far exceeded the space allotted, and rather than reduce the number of words in these sketches, we felt that it ivould be more satisfactory to reduce the size of the type and \eep the contents of the sl^etches intact. There is a difference in the sizes of portraits and in the relative lengths of s\etches, not because of editorial discrimination or choice, but because of differences in the considerations of contracts.

We feel deeply indebted to all those who have contributed to the success of this publication - the subscribers, the photographers, and all others. We expect criticism but we hope that our patrons ta}{e into consideration all the difficulties that had to be overcome in procuring and asseynbling this data, as a result of the death of Mr. Jacob Kolf, the originator of the plan of this volume.