Clinton County, Missouri - Chapter 8: Schools, 1923

TEACHERS AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS OF CLINTON COUNTY IN 1922 - EARLY RURAL SCHOOLS - SUBSCRIPTION SCHOOLS - FIRST TEACHERS - WOMEN TEACHERS - PLATTSBURG COLLEGE - PLATTSBURG PUBLIC SCHOOLS - LATHROP SCHOOLS - GOWER HIGH SCHOOL - MISSOURI WESLEYAN COLLEGE - ST. BRENDAN'S SCHOOL.

Some of the very earliest rural teaching was done by subscription in the homes, the neighboring children gathering in, and as related by a daughter of one of the earliest settlers, these teachers were Miss Mary Peck, a deserter from the Mormons ; Miss Evaline Johnson, and Miss Mary Newhouse, a little crippled woman much loved and sheltered by these pioneer people. This must have been as early as 1835 to 1840.

The old history gives Richard R. Reese as the first public school teacher in Plattsburg. He was also first county court and circuit clerk, and first lawyer in Plattsburg. Four firsts to his record. The building in which he taught was somewhere near where Biggerstaff's grocery store now is, and was a small cabin. This was as early as 1834, and at a period when there were but few inhabitants, the county but one year organized. He left the town in 1840.

The next regular school kept (by subscription) in Plattsburg was in 1841, in a log house located east of the public square, on the bluff. The teacher was Dr. Cyrus Hubbard, a graduate of the University of Maine, and a brother of Governor Hubbard of that state. The third teacher was, probably, Moses H. Simonds, from Ohio, a graduate of Ohio Uni¬ versity. Then came John Cavenaugh, who was a graduate of Oxford Uni¬ versity, England, The next teacher was William H. Pritchard, who was a graduate of the University of Virginia. After teaching one or two years, he returned to Virginia. After Pritchard, William E. Emory, a graduate of the Ohio University, was employed as a teacher for several years. He returned, finally, to Ohio. George W. Osborn then taught several terms, was county surveyor for several years, and died near Cam¬ eron, Clinton County. Thomas D. W. Yonley taught a number of years (9) and was afterward attorney general of Arkansas. He later went to Den¬ ver and practiced law. J. M. DeFrance also taught a private school in Plattsburg, later an attorney he lived in Kirksville. Lavinus Transu and Moses Shoemaker were early teachers. Mr. Shoemaker lived and died in Plattsburg, was clerk of both County and Circuit Courts.

Among the last to open a private school in the town were Misses Aletha A. and LuCy Pepper, from Kentucky. They were highly educated and taught with great success.

Plattsburg College. - This was first an institution of the Methodist Conference, ordered in 1855, and called "The Plattsburg High School." It cost at the time and was recognized as one of the finest struc¬ tures in this part of the state.

It is a compact, oblong structure of two stories, with large, oldfashioned windows of many panes. Originally there was a portico and outside entrance at the front of the building. It is of red brick and is set well back in a block of bluegrass and shade trees. There had been a four-acre tract at first.

Rev. L. M. Lewis took charge of the college in 1856, continued until 1859, had about 150 pupils each year from Clinton and nearby counties. Was afterwards colonel and later brigadier general in the Southern army, then an educator after the war somewhere in the South. He was suc¬ ceeded by Rev. Jesse Bird, who remained two years. He was arrested and imprisoned by Federal authorities during the Civil War for preaching the gospel without taking the oath prescribed in the new constitution of Missouri. He was a member of the Methodist Conference for many years, and no one was more highly esteemed than he. Years afterward he often returned to Plattsburg and preached at the old Methodist Episcopal Church, South.

Rev. Bird was followed for a short time by his son, Benjamin Bird, the occupancy by the militia interfering with further discharge of his duty as principal.

During^ the war Professor Scott taught the school, and was succeeded by J. N. Thomas, then Capt. E. C. Thomas, Williamson, Brown, Mrs. Lizzie Foster, Linn and Riley, Rev. C. W. Price and others. The institution had a varied history until 1880. Debt gathered and the splendid property fell into the hands of the St. Joseph Building Company, and sold by them in 1879 to Thomas J, Porter, James M. Riley, E. W. Turner, N. T. Essig, John M. McMichael and George R. Riley, of Plattsburg.

In 1880 Prof. J. W. Ellis (afterwards Ph. D.) bought the property. He opened the school that fall and operated it for seventeen years. Mrs. Ellis was a member of the faculty, and in the later years their son, J. Breckenridge Ellis. There was music and art, and gymnastics, beside the regular course of studies. The first class graduated by them was in June, 1881, and was composed of Lucy Moore (Mrs. Madison Miller, of Liberty, Mo.), Margaret McPhetridge (Mrs. W. S. Herndon, Plattsburg, Mo.), Alma Valandingham (Mrs. M. J. Trimble, Plattsburg, Mo.), Lucinda Kelley (Mrs. Madison Toadvine, Haviland, Kas.), Carrie Criaig (Mrs. Warner, Kentucky, deceased), Octavia ("Pet") Doherty (Mrs. J. L. Hall, Lathrop, Mo., died April 8, 1922, Ida McWilliams (Mrs. John Heisler, Plattsburg, Mo., Lulu Nesbitt (Mrs. William Gossard, Kansas City, Mo., (deceased).

The college, after the retirement of Dr. and Mrs. Ellis, was used for a sanatarium for a short time. Later the Brethren Church bought it and for awhile carried on a college under Dr. Sharpe. That was the last school ever held in the old building. Its further history is in connection with the Plattsburg Chautauqua Association since 1909.

During the years of Dr. Ellis's proprietorship it was not only a school for girls and boys, young women and young men, but was the scene of many social gatherings. Hospitality reigned supreme in spite of the fact that it was often at the expense of the strength of Mrs. Ellis, who was never strong. Many of the most distinguished men of the nation have been entertained within those walls, and have found congenial the minds and hearts of that home.

Plattsburg Public Schools. - It is hardly conceivable at this day that the advisability of public schools - "free schools" - was ever a debatable subject. Yet it is within the memory of men that such was the case.

The directors who championed the cause at Plattsburg are still within our memory, they were William L. Ferguson, William Wilkerson and Col. John Steel. They were fully convinced of the merits of the public school system especially as related to primary students, and they had a sufficient number of men in co-operation to bring about the establishment of a public school in 1856.

Plattsburg built her first public school building on Main street. It is described as of lumber, poorly lighted and poorly ventilated. A. K. Porter, of Kentucky, was the first teacher and was paid $45 a month. He had 50 pupils, but as the town grew, the favor of the school increased, the num¬ ber soon outgrew the old building.

A four-room brick was built after the civil war. This was heated by big box stoves, surmounted with drums, fired with hickory wood, and the infrequent lighting was with kerosene lamps.

Principals were: 1874, James A. Lanius, still living the summer of 1922 at Palmyra, where he had lived for many years, and since then, in 1916, his son, Tudor Lanius, came to Lathrop as principal of the high schools; 1875, John S. Stepp, principal; 1876 and 1877, Maj. D. H. Lindsay, principal. Major Lindsay had only two children, R. H. Lindsay and Mary Lindsay (now Mrs. Frank Cochran of St. Louis). The son, Richard, was nationally eminent as a newspaper man, being on the personal staff of President William Howard Taft. Richard was a brilliant young man and was cut down in his prime, at about 35 years of age. Mary Lindsay was remarkable in her musical career winning the gold medal in music at Plattsburg College, when only about 10 years of age. 1878 to 1881, L. E. Wolfe, principal, a native of Virginia and a successful teacher. The spirit of mischief among the rollicking boys of that time took advantage of the suggestion in the principal's name and wrote it Lamb Eater Wolfe, and it is humbly confessed by "one present" that the appellation was much in favor during his reign, though nothing in his personal characteristics would indorse it. In fact, a little more "lamb eating" might have dimi¬ nished the fun at his expense. Mr. Wolfe was afterwards state superin¬ tendent of public schools in Missouri. Many have followed since: Messrs Hendricks, Melvin, McNeeley, Keyser, Crafton, Alexander, Marr, Lee, Wat¬ son and the present superintendent is Mr. Godby. Mr. Crafton died in December, 1904, while on duty at the school building. Mr. A. R. Alex¬ ander still lives in Plattsburg; was for 15 years editor of the Plattsburg Leader, at present post master.

The first graduating class of Plattsburg High School was N. J. Shea, N. F. Sell, Misses Mary Eaton and Lena Shepherd in May, 1892. P. H. Grafton, superintendent.

There are two teachers who, for length of time, quality of service, and local residence, have never been surpassed and the history of Plattsburg public schools is incomplete without them. These two are Miss Willie McWilliams and Miss Isadore Ward. Miss McWilliams, for years prin¬ cipal, gave 21 years of service altogether and resigned in 1922 to take a position to travel for a book publishing house. She is now also superin¬ tendent of the school at Dardenelle, Ark. She also served as county school commissioner. Miss Ward retired in 1919 after years as teacher in diiferent grades, but with the longest record in the primary depart¬ ment. She resigned to care for her aged mother, Mrs. Anna Ward. Also, in connection with the public schools, the name of Mrs. Mary Ingles James has played a most important part in music and expression. Mrs. James, like Miss Ward and Miss McWilliams, was reared in Clinton County. She taught vocal music in Boston for 35 years, two seasons in London, and returned to her old home in Plattsburg, in 1909, to care for her aged parents, early settlers of Plattsburg, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ingles. Mrs. James has a wide reputation in expression in restoration and cultivation of the voice. She is the author of "Scientific Tone Production," an inter¬ esting hand-book and useful text-book, used now in Kansas City schools.

The four-room building was torn down and rebuilt for a colored school north of the Santa Fe tracks. A' larger building was erected on the same spot in 1899. This is now used for the grades.

A magnificent high school building was erected in 1916 and is the pride of the town, and in keeping with the general upward trend of modern educational ideals at a cost of $35,000.

An annual contest of much interest, and furnishing impetus in Eng¬ lish composition, is the Ellis Essay Contest. The subject is announced by John Breckenridge Ellis, local author, and the writers begin at once, and finish under school supervision. The best composition receives $10. R. A. Sharer offers are also contributors to second and third best essays.

Lathrop Schools. - (By Gordon Llewellyn Fitch, 16 years of age. Junior in Lathrop high school.) - Miss Thalia Grant Smith was the teacher of Lathrop's first school in 1868. Miss Smith now lives in Lathrop, much respected by her life-long friends. She has kindly prepared the follow¬ ing: "The first school in Lathrop was opened in a blacksmith shop, which was owned by Mr. Ben ogan, one of Lathrop's pioneer settlers. This im¬ provised school house was crude and inadequate, loose boards were thrown down for flooring. Nevertheless it was the best that could be secured and, above all, it was the beginning.

"About 20 pupils attended. They came from different schools and communities with no two books alike. Following are the names of a few of the pupils : Georgia Ann Tudor, deceased ; May Chennoweth, now Mrs. McFarland ; Sue Chennoweth, now Mrs. W. B. Thompson ; Lida Shrewsbury, now Mrs. James Watt; Lou Stiles, now Mrs. G. Grant; Addie Stiles, Lathrop; Jennie Welsh, now Mrs. Will Thompson, Blanchard, Okla. ; Alice Welsh, now Mrs. Aaron Holler, Tulsa, Okla.; Ellen Nicholson, now Mrs. James Walker, Holt, Mo.; Callie Nicholson, now Mrs. James M. Sullivan, Vacaville, Calif.; Cassius Gilchrist, deceased; Harvey Gilchrist, Califor¬ nia; Hall Gilchrist and Will Shrewsbury, Lathrop.

"The school board then consisted of two members, James Chenoweth and Elijah Shrewsbury, and $20.00 a month was the enormous salary paid to teachers in that year of 1868."

After Miss Thalia Smith's school. Professor Van Natta, assisted by Miss Louisa Peck and Miss Eva Stiles, taught a private school. They were succeeded by Professor Hill, assisted by his daughter. Miss Eleanor, Pro¬ fessor Hammond, Mrs. Kinsey and Samuel Bay. A public school was afterwards instituted but had no fixed location until the building of the graded school in 1871. This was the first brick building put up in the town. It was erected at a cost, including lots, fences, etc., of $15,000, bonds being issued for the amount.

The school was opened Jan. 8, 1872, with D. S. Brilhart as principal. Mr. Brilhart came from Pennsylvania. He was a very efficient and suc¬ cessful man and the "Lathrop Monitor," of that time, says that Mr. Bril¬ hart will doubtless be honored among his great grandchildren as the "Father of Lathrop Schools." He is the father of Glen Brilhart, of Cam¬ eron, and Mrs. Frank Porter, of Lathrop. Mr. Brilhart remained in charge of the school until 1876 when he was succeeded by John T. Buchanan.

Mr. Buchanan was one of the Most competent school men that Lathrop has ever had. When he died he was superintendent of schools in New York City.

Professor Buchanan was succeeded by Wm. McCarroll, who in turn was succeeded by Professors Tipton, Warner and A. B. Carroll. A. B. Carroll was a very capable man and was afterwards governor of Iowa.

Here follows a period of years of which we know very little and the actions of the group of teachers therein are rather obscure. However, there are several important names among them. The most notable of which is that of Frank D. Hamilton. From the position of assistant he was promoted to that of principal or superintendent which he held for many years. He is now a resident of Liberty, Mo., and is the cashier of a bank there. Other outstanding figures of that time are H. C. Richmond, who is now in Kansas City, and Judge Armstrong, the present probate judge of Clinton County.

To R. E. Stewart, the present superintendent, belongs the credit of being the promoter of more direct benefits to the school than any other one man. In the two years that he has been connected with Lathrop high school the old, inadequate building has been modernized to a great extent and the library has been enlarged until it now contains over 2,500 volumes.

The school has been open from the first to the patronage of those living outside the district. The result of this friendly attitude was the annexation of the Binham and Waful districts in 1916.

The Douglass school, for colored children, was organized in 1878 and was taught in 1881 by a Mrs. Scott. The Board of Education has always willingly co-operated with and helped the colored population on the mat¬ ters of education. They now have a new and well-equipped schoolhouse in the north part of town. Mrs. Carrie Tulley has taught seven years. It has eight grades.

The members of the first class (1881) to graduate were: Blanche (Lowe) Grove, Brownwood, Texas ; Sue (Chenoweth) Thompson, Lathrop, Mo.; Belle (Peckover) Leake, Bertrand, Okla. ; Anna (Welsh) Browne, Kansas City, Mo., and Lizzie (Turner) Leabo, deceased.

In 1915 the high school building was destroyed by fire. The present building was completed in 1916. During the erection of the present build¬ ing classes were held in the Presbyterian and Methodist Churches.

The Gower High School was consolidated in 1917. Since then the school has progressed rapidly. Courses in manual training and domestic science were added to the curriculum in 1920, and in 1922 courses in music, chorus, and glee club were added.

Missouri Wesleyan College was founded in 1883 as the Cameron In¬ stitute, by nine men, Silas H. Corn, Jarvis S. Rogers, Henry L. Freeman, Thompson E. Potter, Alonzo A. Goff, Charles I. Ford, Milton E. Moore, Solan Hyde and George C. Howenstien, who banded themselves together for the purpose of establishing "an institution of learning for educational and scientific purposes and for the promotion of intellectual, moral and physical culture in all their branches and departments."

In November, 1886, the present property was purchased, and in De¬ cember of the same year it was voted to offer same to the Methodist Episcopal Church. The Missouri Annual Conference, which met at Moberly, March 31, 1887, took favorable action in the matter, and during the same year a charter was secured. The first president elected was C. W. Proctor, who was succeeded by Dr. John W. Hustin in 1888. In 1891 Dr. Samuel L. Dick assumed the presidency and served until 1895, at which time Rev. Charles E. Spray was elected and served until 1898. He was succeeded by Dr. B. W. Baker, who continued at the head of the school for seven years. Dr. Walter D. Agnew was in charge of the school for four years, and in 1909 was succeeded by Dr. Harvey R. DeBra, who continued at the head of the school for eight years. In 1917 he was suc¬ ceeded by Dr. Cameron Harmon, who remained for more than five years, resigning in September, 1922. At this writing his successor has not been chosen.

In common with other educational institutions of similar character, there has been a constant struggle in order to properly equip and endow the college and gather upon her campus a student body sufficiently large to make up an ideal college. A faculty of unusual strength has been assem¬ bled and the student body of the present college year will total about 600, almost one-third of whom were summer students. Of this total enroll¬ ment, fully one-half are in the regular college department. The scientific

The school now maintains membership in the North Central Associa¬ tion, the Missouri College Union, the Methodist University Senate, and the American Association of Colleges, thus receiving the highest possible scho¬ lastic standing.

In athletics, under the leadership of Coach E. A. Davis, the school has established a record which in some respects is unexcelled in the history of the Missouri Collegiate Athletic Association,

The rapidly growing student body demands additional equipment and the endowment fund which has been well begun must soon be greatly en¬ larged. We believe this institution is destined to play well its part in the future development of North Missouri.

The preceding article is furnished by Dr. Cameron Harmon, president of Cameron Wesleyan College, and his resignation is universally regretted.

This college is the only one within the borders of Clinton County since the discontinuance of Plattsburg College, and the whole county feels much pride in its success.

Clinton County has breathed a college atmosphere for much of its history, and its people easily bear living testimony to the effect. In Platte County, at Weston, is the Missouri Christian College for Young Women, instituted in 1849, and at Parkville there is Parkville College (1875), owned by the Presbyterian Board, coeducational. In Clay County, William Jewell (1851) Baptist, at Liberty, coeducational since the destruction of Liberty Ladies' College by fire a few years ago. There have been other colleges at Stewartsville, Weston, Platte City and Camden Point, small of course, but nevertheless in their day they wielded a mighty force in the education of our people.

St. Brendan's School, Plattsburg. - Another private school is the Catholic school in Plattsburg. It was built in 1896, taught by the Sisters of St. Joseph for four years. After them the Sisters of the Precious Blood took charge and have been teaching ever since, grades, academic and occa¬ sionally collegiate courses. The building is a substantial brick structure in West Plattsburg, upon the block of Catholic property consisting of church, school and Sisters' Home, and surrounding park.