Stearns County, Minnesota - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 15 of those read), 1915

St. Cloud Schools

Father Wittman's School - Everett School - Union School - Independent School - Washington and Jefferson Schools - High School Work Inaugurated - Districts Consolidated - Lincoln and Franklin Schools - Industrial and Physical Training - Board of Education - Independent District

The development of a public school system forms one of the most interesting and important parts in the progress of any community. The attention given by a people to education is often the best criterion for judging their advancement. Rich, indeed, is that city which has as a heritage the lives and influence of men and women who have given their time, energy and means gratuitously for the welfare of the children. Two, and in some cases three, generations have had to do with the upbuilding of the St. Cloud schools. No locality could have been more fortunate in its citizenship, no builders more generous.

The first family to settle in St. Cloud, that of Anton Edelbrock, arrived in October, 1854, and a private school was started in the fall of 1855 by Father Cornelius Wittman, O. S. B., in the dwelling of -Toseph Edelbrock. This room was furnished by Mr. Edelbrock free and Father Wittman conducted the school on the same terms,. The pupils were Mary, Anton, Barney and Joseph Edelbrock, Henry and Lizzie Rosenberger, Mary and Thompson Brown, Joseph Reichert and Louis Emmel.

In the fall of 1856 a school-house was built in "Lower Town" and named the Everett school in honor of Edward Everett, of Massachusetts, who contributed a library of a hundred and twenty-five volumes and rendered other substantial aid. The first school taught in this building was in the winter of 1856-57, by Amelia Talcott, who later became Mrs. T. C. Alden. This school was supported entirely by tuition and subscription. The tuition charge was $1.50 and there were twentyfour pupils enrolled.

The first public school was opened in this building on Monday, September 20, 1858, with M. P. Noel as teacher, and an enrollment of thirty-three scholars. This was the foundation stone of the present city school system of St. Cloud. The Everett school building continued as a school-house until 1868.. For many years this building was used as a community center - for church services, public meetings, as a polling place, etc. The building was razed to the ground a number of years ago.

The Rev. E. V. Campbell conducted a school of more advanced grade in 1868 in a building not far from where the Congregational church now stands. It had two departments and two teachers were employed. All the lower part was one room, in which were 120 pupils taught by Mr. Campbell, while Mrs. Nancy W. Allen had the smaller pupils in the room overhead.

In 1869 the center section of the present Union school building on Fifth avenue was erected. At the time it was built this was considered a substantial and modern building and was thought sufficient for many years to come. It was made of brick, was about seventy-five feet square.

two stories high and cost in round numbers $17,000. In 1875 the city had grown so that it became necessary to form a new district. The St. Cloud Independent district was then formed and another building erected in the third ward. This was forty by fifty-five feet, two stories high and built at a cost of $6,000. The reports of these schools for 1881 show the following figures: The St. Cloud district, or that containing the first city building, employed one principal and five assistants at an aggregate salary of $2,845. The average daily attendance was two hundred and sixty-one scholars. The St. Cloud Independent district employed one principal and two assistants at an aggregate cost of $1,564. There were 150 scholars enrolled and an average daily attendance of 126. Soon after this the Washington building was erected in the southern portion and the Jefferson in the western part of the city.

On August 27, 1888, the school was placed upon the state high school list. George W,. Stewart was president of the board; C. W. Kingsbury, secretary; C. C. Schmidt, principal, and Libbie Crandall (now Mrs. C. L. Atwood) and Emily Oblerin were assistants. Since this date the work of the high school has steadily advanced and many young people have been given a first-class secondary education.

By special act of the legislature in 1889 the Independent school and the east side district were annexed to the St. Cloud district, forming the special school district of St. Cloud, and the board of education received representation from the Fifth, Sixth and Seventh wards making the directorate eleven in number. In the same year bonds to the amount of $11,000 were issued, the proceeds to be used to buy a site and erect the Lincoln building in East St. Cloud. It was not till 1898 that the $25,000 bonds were issued in order to put up the new Franklin on the site of the Independent school, and to add the north and south wings to the old Union. About this time the Seventh ward school was btarted, but later discontinued, the pupils going to the Lincoln school or to the Model school at the State Normal.

practical lines of industrial and physical training, the board purchased the gymnasium building from Messrs. Hussey & Thursdale for $3,100 and equipped it for more efficient wofk.

During the 25 years covered by the special district, the following well-known persons served with honor and distinction upon the board of education: Mrs. Adelle Fuller, George W. Stewart, O. F. Carver, Mrs. Ella S. Collins, Joseph Edelbrock,

An interesting reminiscence in the history of the schools is the career of the Hon. P. J. Seberger (now mayor of St. Cloud), who for over a quarter of a century was the efficient principal of the Franklin school. To such characters, with their remarkable stability, is due the solidarity and genuine worth of the present system.

On April 15, 1914, at a special election duly called for the purpose, the form of the district was changed by a majority of 467 votes from that of a special to an independent district, thus reducing the membership of the board from eleven members elected by wards to six members elected at large. The following were chosen as members of the new board: W. W. Smith, Andrew Schumacher, C. S. Bunnell, A. M. Simmers, Julius Adams, J. A. Harris. At the annual meeting held in July, Andrew Gruber was chosen to replace Andrew

On June 2, 1914, the proposition of issuing the bonds of the district was submitted to the people as follows: Seventy-five thousand dollars, at 4 per cent, running to the state of Minnesota, for a new high school building; fifteen thousand dollars, at 41/^ per cent, to be sold to the highest bidder, for the purchase of a high school site, and ten thousand dollars; at 4 per cent, to the state, for an addition to the Lincoln school in East St. Cloud. All three of these bond questions carried by large majorities, as did also an additional issue of ten thousand dollars for the East Side school on January 29, 1915,.

Since the election of the new board, extensive improvements have been made at the Washington school and plans are well under way for a four-room addition to the Lincoln, the old part of the building to be thoroughly remodeled and made sanitary and modern in every respect. Contracts for this work will soon be let, to be completed for the opening of school in September, 1915.

Perhaps the most exciting event that has ever occurred in the history of the St. Cloud schools was the high school site election held December 3, 1914, the socalled Lake George site situated in the southwestern part of the city being chosen over the old Union or Fifth avenue site and the Third avenue site by a majority of 209 out of 3,805 votes cast. Because of litigation involving this site and a division of public sentiment, the board has taken no definite action toward the purchase of the site or toward procuring additional funds for the proposed new high school building. It is hoped that the time is not far distant when the citizens can agree upon a satisfactory plan of action.

The present board is composed of six of St. Cloud's best business men, and they, together with the citizens generally, are very anxious to make no mistake in planning for the future. To these business men and to the intelligent and devoted men and women who have served on the board in former years is due largely the high standard that the school has always enjoyed. Many of these faithful and efficient directors have been returned to the board time after time, until feeling that they had fully performed their citizen's duties in regard to the schools, they have declined further service.

The teaching force has always been of a decidedly high caliber. Many former St. Cloud teachers have arisen to places of prominence. Each has added the imprint of his character and especial line of interest to the system. The devotion and unselfishness of these teacher workers is a wonderful thing,. While they differ in attainments and ability, they are one in the loyalty and integrity with which they labor in behalf of the children entrusted to their care. The present corps numbers 45, and a finer body of teachers cannot be found; the ideal is high, the spirit beautiful and the work definite. All new teachers are either advanced normal or college graduates with two or more years' experience in accredited schools. The minimum salary in the grades has advanced to $60 and to $75 in the high school, while the average salary is $70 in the grades and $98 in the high school. The teachers' salary budget for the year 1914-1915 is $35,000, and the total budget $61,000. The policy of the board has always been, "Good teachers make good schools."

It is this policy and the progressiveness of our people that have made the schools prominent throughout the Middle West. Educators have come from neighboring cities and states to study the St. Cloud system, and have always gone away with nothing but words of praise. St. Cloud's "home credit" plan, her industrial and bird-house work, her remarkable work in reading and her true spirit of loyalty and good fellowship running throughout the grades and high school have been noted all over the country. The watchword has been "co-operation," or "The home and the school - we work together." Four active mothers' clubs or home and school associations meet with the teachers each month and a home and school visitor or visiting nurse is busy each day adjusting house and school problems. The splendid co-operation and spirit of good-will between the public, parochial and state normal schools have had a marked effect for good upon the schools and the community.

Another factor that has entered largely into the steady upbuilding of the schools has been the idea of an emancipated superintendent. This plan was brought forth and championed by the late G. W. Stewart and has since been the policy of the board. He believed that the district should employ a superintendent who knows his business, and that he should be allowed to manage the schools from a strictly professional standpoint, and be held responsible for results - in other words, that the duties of the board are chiefly the business management of the schools. The idea has since been adopted in all progressive cities. This policy has called to the service of the schools and developed some remarkably strong superintendents, among whom might be mentioned: S. S. Parr, W. A. Shoemaker, J. A. Cranston, A. N. Farmer and C. H. Barnes. St. Cloud knows her public schools are her most valuable asset, and she has no intention of letting that asset depreciate. To that end she will, without a doubt, erect in the near future a fine, new, commodious, sanitary, fireproof and up-to-date high school building that shall be a credit to the city and ample for years to come in training the boys and girls along lines that shall fit them for the everyday walks of life and help them to become better, truer and more efficient citizens.

Early Educational Efforts. If it should be assumed that the pioneer settlers of Stearns county were interested only in the material things of life, in lands and crops, cattle and corn, a serious mistake would be made. The men and women who came in those early days to make their homes here brought with them that insight into the future which led them to appreciate the importance of the development of the higher nature, and to meet this it was proposed to make provision by the establishment of institutions of learning and organizations for mental improvement. Of the latter the first was the German Reading Society of St. Cloud, which was incorporated by an act of the legislature approved February 27, 1855. By the provisions of this act John L. Wilson, Joseph Daniel, Anton Edelbrock, John Jas. Dusk, Lewis Nighthart, Henry Linderman, Lewis Rothcup, Geo. Eich, Jos. Nichelaus, Jos. Rengel, George Laudenback, Anton Emholte, John N,. Tebbe, John J. Laudenback, Peter J. Dambly, William Burmman, Henry Durr, George Croor, John Werman and Hovey Brown, their successors in office, were "created a body politic and corporate, by the name and style of the German Reading Society of St. Cloud, in the county of Cass and territory of Minnesota, with power to purchase and hold real and personal estate to the value of $5,000, and to sell and dispose of the same in such manner as may be provided by the constitution, by-laws and rules of the society." By a subsequent act of the legislature, approved February 28, 1870, the title was changed to the St. Cloud German Reading and Library Society, the library and building of the society being by the further provisions of the act exempted from taxation to the amount limited by its charter. One year later, by a legislative act approved February 25, 1856, there was established at St. Cloud, in the county of Stearns, an institution for higher learning to be known as the St. Cloud University of Minnesota. The incorporators named in the act were George F. Brott, Henry T. Welles, Orin Curtis, J. C. Moulton, Lyman Whitney, Charles T. Sterns, Newton N.. Smith, Lewis Stone. S. B. Lowry, John L. Wilson, R. M. Richardson, B. B. Meeker, David T. Wood, Franklin Sisson, J. P. Wilson and David Gilman, who, with their successors, were created a body politic and corporate to be styled the trustees of the St. Cloud University of Minnesota. It was set forth that they were to be the trustees for the purpose of establishing, maintaining and conducting an institution of learning for the education of the youth of both sexes - the desirability of coeducation thus obtaining recognition. This university should "afford complete facilities to perfect the scholars, not only in the arts and sciences, but in the professions of law, medicine and dentistry;" the trustees were to have power to confer on such per- son or persons as they might deem worthy "all honors and degrees as are usually conferred by the most learned institutions of the United States.." It was further provided that "no religious test shall be required of any person to entitle him or her to all the benefits of said institution, and no student shall be required to attend the religious worship of any particular denommation except as specified by the student, his parents or guardian." The foundations of this institution were laid on a sufficiently broad and liberal scale to have ensured it a most useful existence, while the character of the gentlemen named as trustees, together with their widely separated places of residence, would indicate that St. Cloud's location was regarded as a favorable one for a university. But as no arrangements had been made for financing the institution beyond such tuition fees as might be collected - although the trustees were authorized to accept donations and bequests - the panic of 1857 followed so soon after the initial steps had been taken for the establishing of the St. Cloud University that the good intentions of its would-be founders failed of realization. In after years, however, the St. Cloud Normal School was destined to render a more valuable service in the educational field of the state than would have been possible with the proposed university, so that the ingathering of the fruits hoped for by the progressive men of that early day was simply delayed. But so far as can be learned, not one of those named in the charter of either the German Reading and Library Society or the St. Cloud University is living today.

A public meeting of citizens was held March 24, 1859, to take steps toward establishing a seminary where the young people of St. Cloud might secure some of the more advanced studies in a liberal education. A committee consisting of the Rev. W. C. Phillips, C. T. Stearns, Dr. W. R. Hunter, C. C. Andrews and H. C. Waite was appointed to take the matter in hand. The efforts were so far successful that on Sunday, October 25, 1860, the cornerstone of the new seminary was laid with Masonic ceremonies, the principal address being delivered by the Rev. A. J.. Nelson, Methodist, who was to be the principal of the institution, while the Rev. Mr. Caldwell, Cumberland Presbyterian, and the Rev. Mr. Phillips, Baptist, took part in the exercises. The trustees were H. Z. Mitchell, C. T. Sterns, Geo. F. Brott, Miles Brown, S. B, Lowry, Chas. Owen, John H. Owen, L. Gorton, A. E. Hussey and J. L. Wilson. The dedication of the St. Cloud Institute and Pioneer Seminary, as it was called, took place December 27, 1860, the inaugural address being delivered by the Rev. A. J. Nelson. Other addresses were by C. C. Andrews and Wm. H. Wood. A collection of $67 was taken to pay off the debt remaining on the building. The room was 30 by 50 feet, with half-hectagon wings at either end, one to accommodate a teacher's desk, the other for a vestibule, over the latter being a choir loft with a belfry. The bell rang for the first time to assemble the audience which gathered for the dedication.

The faculty consisted of the Rev. A. J. Nelson, principal; Mary C. Eberman, preceptress; Lyman W. Ayer (the first white child born in Minnesota, and still living at Belle Prairie, Morrison county), teacher of mathematics and French; Dr. W. B. Simonton, teacher of German; Theodore Shotwell (graduate of the musical department of the New York Institute for the Blind), teacher of music. The seminary opened with 33 pupils, but by the close of the first year had an enrollment of 81. The building was not fully completed, and as late as the summer of 1862 was reported as having had "but one coat of plaster, was without weatherboarding and the floor so full of openings as to be most uncomfortable in winter." It was for a number of years almost regularly used for church services, especially by the Methodists, by which denomination it was controlled. The building, which was located near the northeast corner of Central Park, finally fell into disuse and was sold to J. F. Stevenson, by whom it was moved and made use of as a warehouse at his foundry.