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CHAPTER VII.

EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS.
THE FIRST, EARLY AND PRESENT SCHOOLS OF SIOUX CITY-WOODBURY COUNTY'S RANK-SCHOOLS OF SMITHLAND-SERGEANT'S BLUFF-OTO-SLOAN
MOVILLE-SALIX-LISTON - CORRECTIO_VILLE-RURAL DISTRICTS-PRIVATE SCHOOLS-BUSINESS COLLEGE-THE UNIVERSITY-SOHOOL FUND COMMISSIONERS-SUPERINTENDENTS - YEARLY ENROLLMENT-TEACHERS' INSTITUTES-NORMALS- ETC.

THE first school organization in Sioux City was effected in the early part of the year 1857. The first board of education consisted of Dr. S. P. Yeomans, president, Dr. J. J. Saville, secretary, and Gen. Andrew Leach, treasurer. At this time no money had been apportioned to the district, and as the citizens were exceedingly anxious that immediate action should be taken toward opening a school as soon as possible, a paper was circulated amongst the business men, and a sufficient amount pledged to insure a session of six months. The subscribers to this enterprise were: Messrs. Moore & Clapp, Charles & Ryall, Hudson & Joy, Weare & Co., J. M. White & Copelin, Culver & Betts, Bosler & Hedges, Henry Thompson, Gen. Andrew Leach, Dr. S. P. Yeomans, Dr. J. J. Saville, Messrs. C. B. Rustin, Ezra Millard, Enos Stutsman, J. N. Field, N. W. White, T. J. Stone, Ezra Thompson, L. D. Parmer, Dr. Marion Hunt.

Miss Mary E. Wilkins, of Keosauqua, Iowa (now Mrs. C. B. Rustin, of Omaha, Neb.), received the appointment of teacher for this first school. She arrived at Sioux City on the first steamer of the season, the "Omaha," April 20, 1857. The school-house not being ready, there was a short delay before opening the school May 8 marked this important event. There were fifteen children present, and this little group, with three or four exceptions, had never been inside of a school-house before, having arrived at school age since their parents had been living on the frontier. In some instances there were almost grown children unable to read, though otherwise very bright and intelligent boys and girls. The teacher, in a private

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letter to the writer, says: "I devoted much time to these, as they felt very keenly their deprivations." The great disadvantage labored under at first, was the lack of proper school books. There were no book stores, and none of the merchants kept books in stock, so the teacher was obliged to make the best use of the few that some of the mothers had treasured up from childhood. The mother is the great educator, and while the father was looking forward to the accumulation of property, and the establishing of a permanent home, the mother was anxious to provide for the intellectual development of her children, and by this means some of these little ones had already made some progress in the way of learning. In many instances the teacher was obliged to draw largely on her own resources of gathered knowledge, until books could be obtained by the slow transportation of that period.

Before the close of the first six weeks, the school bad increased to twice the original number, had been strengthened by the accession of some excellent students, and a supply of books and school-furnishings had been received. The books used were Webster's spellers, McGuffey's readers, Ray's arithmetics, Mitchell's geographies and Wells' grammar. The pupils varied in age from five to nineteen. Before the first six months were over, the teacher had occasion to give instruction from Newman's rhetoric, Andrews' and Stoddard's Latin, Davies' algebra, Davies' geometry and Comstock's philosophy.

Seven hours a day the teacher worked faithfully, and her salary for the first six months was $50 per month. A daily record was kept, but no report was required. The absence of this report is accounted for by the teacher herself, thus: "The gentlemen who were responsible for the school had too much business of their own at this time, to attend to such outside affairs, besides, they were mainly young bachelors, and, perhaps, too gallant to think of such a step."

In the spring of 1858 the apportionment of public money was received, and although Miss Wilkins had just finished a very successful term of school, taught under great difficulties, she understood that in Iowa all laws must be literally enforced, and one of these was that teachers paid from the public funds must pass an examination and receive a certificate. Hence, an examining board was formed, not specially for the purpose of assisting the county superintendent, by relieving him from an extra amount of work, as there were only three

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teachers in the county to be examined, but simply to comply with the requirements of law, and to relieve the compunctions of the incumbent teacher.

Then occurred the first examination of teachers held in Woodbury county. County Superintendent Chaffee, Rev. Mr. Chestnut and Mr. John H. Charles conducted the examination, All the members of this board were gentlemen of education and culture, and did their duty well. Miss Wilkins successfully passed the examination, and was granted a certificate. But now a new difficulty arose. It was new then, is still new, and will continue to arise as long as there is a school to be provided for. So long as the teacher was paid by private subscription, no objection was raised against paying $50 per month; but paying out the public money was a very different thing; the rights of the public had to be carefully guarded. Some of the people said $50 per month was entirely too much to pay to a young girl. The teacher thought differently, and, so we are pleased to record, did some of the board. They then struck upon a plan that was satisfactory to all parties. The teacher was to receive $30 per month for twenty-five scholars, and a proportionate amount for all above this number. The school proved to be so popular, that by this arrangement, the teacher received a larger salary than she did the previous term, more than sixty names being enrolled. "How plainly in memory," writes Mrs. Rustin, "do I recall many of the pleasant faces that greeted me as I entered the little school-house, half way up the hill! Maggie Appleton and her two brothers, Frank and Ollie; Miss Mary Chestnut and her younger sister; Mary, Maggie and Jamie Cameron; Julia Townsley, and another from that family; Walter Burgess; the little Ashes; Johnnie Oesterling; Mary Stafford; the Bemer boys; the McElhaneys; Will Robare; the four Lambs; Mattie Cole; Solon Hubbell; Henry and Charlie Cook, and the others—they all go trooping by, though it was more than thirty years ago. Parents visited the school, many of the business men called in, and at one time we had a visit in state from Gen. (then Capt.) Nathaniel Lyons and his staff, who was on his way down from Fort Randall, where he had been stationed in command. . He was leaving this part of the country for a more active field, and looked in to say good-bye and offer a few words of encouragement to the teacher and pupils. "The house was a frame structure, 20x32 feet, one story high. "I can plainly see," continues

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the teacher, "the bell and tripod, the six steps and the litt1e brick pillars in front." The paths to it were from all directions. It was seated with long wooden benches, and two long tables, or desks, were placed against the wall for writing purposes. It is described, by one who attended school there, as always being well lighted, very clean, and healthfully located. It was unpainted, and, compared with some of the magnificent school buildings in the same city now, would present a rather mean appearance, but it was filled with just as earnest learners, and presided over by as conscientious a teacher as ever sought to lead a little group of pupils to look for something higher. It answered the purpose for which it was erected, and many others besides.
It was indeed a much-used structure, and served by turns as a music hall, a lecture-room and a lyceum. All the political and other public meetings were held here. On the Sabbath religious services were held, sometimes by one denomination, sometimes by another, all using it, except the Methodists, who had an edifice of their own.

Miss Wilkins closed her second year's school in September, 1858. She handed in her report, received her money, and departed for her home, but she left behind her a record that the third of a century has not erased, for it was written on the hearts of her pupils. We have dwelt somewhat at length on this first school, for, compared with the present school system of the city, with its twenty-four school-houses, its more than one hundred teachers, and 9,600 pupils, it shows something of the progress that has been made. Profs. Wright, Hunt and Earl were principals of the Sioux City schools under the old system, and were all thorough educators. Prof. Hunt died in 1873. He came to Iowa from Indianapolis, and engaged here in the school work, giving it an impetus that has had much to do with forming the character of the subsequent schools.

In 1869 the Independent district of Sioux City was formed. At that time there were two school-houses, seven teachers and 400 persons of school age. The city superintendents have been S. Rogers, Allen Armstrong and Charles W. Deane. Prof. Rogers served seven years, Pro£. Armstrong, twelve years, while Prof. Deane is now serving his second year. Prof. Armstrong was a man of great educational force, and WIIS at one time president of the State Teachers' Association of Iowa. He was extensively known throughout the state, and was highly esteemed by all who knew him. During the first ten years of his

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work he was ably assisted by his wife as principal of the high school. Sioux City has a full twelve years' course of study, the high-school course being one of the most extensive ones in the state. The principals of the high school have been S. Rogers, Mary Armstrong, A. K. Del Fosse and W. F. Cramer. Of the many able teachers employed in the Sioux City schools, it is impossible to write and keep within the limits of this work: but it will be doing no injustice to the others, to make special mention of two, Mrs. Boehmler and Miss Nelon, who have each been connected with the primary education of Sioux City pupils for twenty consecutive years, and it is the wish of many who have had the benefit of their instruction, and have since grown to manhood and womanhood, they may long be spared to continue their good work.

In 1889 a training school was established by the board of education as a part of the system of schools. Mrs. Eva D. Kellogg was made principal for the first year.

A class of nine young ladies was graduated last year, and it is to be hoped that a larger number will complete the work this year. Mrs. Rowe is now the principal.

Sioux City schools have now 120 teachers and 8,000 pupils, eleven wooden buildings and twelve brick buildings, valued at $300,000. The schools are well supplied with apparatus of all kinds necessary for laboratory purposes.

General Remarks.—In point of thoroughness and efficiency the schools of Woodbury county are equal to any in the state. The teachers as a class grade high, while the school officers generally are earnest, wide-awake, intelligent, energetic and progressive. Most of the school-houses are in good repair, well supplied with abundance of black-board surface, and good, comfortable seats. The following table will give some idea as to how Woodbury compares with the other counties of the state:

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Smithland.—The first school-house in Woodbury county was erected at Smithland in 1855. It was built of hewed cottonwood logs, and the floors and doors were cottonwood puncheon. It was built principally by Mr. O. B. Smith, a small amount of the work on the building having been done gratuitously by others. The first school in the county was taught in this building by Miss Hannah Van Dorn, now Mrs. Burton, of Onawa. Only five or six children were in attendance, and these without suitable books. The school was wholly a subscription school, and Miss Van Dorn received $2 per week, Mr. O. B. Smith boarding her free of charge. This house was used as a school-building for a number of years, when a new one was erected. This was a frame building, and was afterward sold for a church to the Adventists, and is now a part of the building used as a place of worship by this society.

The present school building was erected in 1876. It is a two-story frame, 50x60 feet, with ceilings fourteen feet high, and is ventilated by means of double chimneys. The lower story is divided into two rooms, each having a seating capacity for fifty pupils. The upper story is all in one room, and contains seats for 100 pupils. Each

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mom in the building is supplied with blackboard on all sides, and the halls and ante-rooms are well supplied with hooks for children's wraps and hats. The school is graded and has a three years' high-school course.

Among the early teachers were Mrs. Price, Miss McCall, H. Scribner and Charles Rice. The principals since the new building was erected have been Profs. William Craig, J. S. Shoup, J. S. McSparran, O. R. Evans, Edmund Enwright, —Hawley, W. E. Atkinson and O. F. Clark. Mrs. Helen Morgan, one of the very able teachers of the county, has served several years in this school as an assistant. The enrollment for 1889 was 190, with an average daily attendance of 160. There are two other schools in this district.

Sergeant's Bluff.—The first school at this place was taught in 1857 by Hon. Addison Oliver, later a member of congress. We have been unable to learn the number of pupils, but the school was necessarily small. A. M. Holman, O. R. Woodford, Rev. Luther Woodford and Mrs. J. M. Coombs were members of this school. It was held in a little frame building that had been erected for a church, and which was the first frame structure in the county made of native lumber. Mr. Oliver taught but one term, and was succeeded by Mrs. W. P. Holman, who still resides at Sergeant's Bluff. She was a successful teacher and gave an impetus to the school work that was of much benefit. Among the early teachers we also note the names of L. C. Woodford, Lafayette Foster, Miss Gaylord (afterward missionary to Burmah), Tom Clark, Maggie Appleton (now Mrs. Ed. Spalding) and others who were employed for but a term at a time. W. P. Holman, Luther Woodford and T. E. Clark were the first board of directors.

Isaac Pendleton
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In 1859 this place was selected as a site for a Methodist college. The trustees were Presiding Elder Clifford, W. P.. Holman, L. M. Brown and T. E. Clark. Land was donated, and work begun, but after the foundation was laid, from some cause, which we have been unable to learn, the enterprise was abandoned. In November, 1858, however, the county superintendent had reported twenty-six persons of school age, and one year later seventy-three. This rapid increase of school population made it necessary to build a school-house, and in 1859 a brick structure was erected; this was the first brick house in the county. Prof. Herriman was the first professional teacher, and had charge of the school three years; the principals since then have been

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Profs. Sherman, Abernethy, Frieze, Bowman, Westfall, Davidson, Chatley and Brown. The brick school-house proved too small, and another smaller brick building was added. These were used until 1888, when a new and more commodious building was erected.

The present building is situated near the center of a beautiful park of three or four acres. The grounds are well set in grass and well shaded, some of the trees being large elms, which add their beauty and grandeur to the appearance. The building is built of brick, and was erected in 1888, at a cost of nearly $10,000. The basement consists of three large rooms, floored and well lighted, which are used for play-rooms. The first story contains a hall, running the entire width of the building, two cloak-rooms, two stairways, the primary and intermediate rooms and a recitation room.

The upper story contains a hall, two cloak-rooms, one assembly and study room, 32x50 feet, and a recitation room. The building furnishes rooms for five teachers, and will seat about 240 pupils. Good blackboards were secured, a library case has been furnished, together with a complete set of the American Cyclopedia. The school has from time to time added to the library, so that a goodly number of reference and reading books has been collected. Three years ago the school purchased about $20 worth of chemicals and apparatus for experiments in physics and chemistry.

The school is properly graded according to a course of study, which embraces twelve years' work, three in each department.

The high-school course includes lrhetoric, English literature, general history, physical geography, botany, physics, civil government, algebra, geometry and Latin.

The first class was graduated from Sergeant's Bluff school in 1887, and consisted of five members; the second, in 1889, consisted of eight members.

Of the graduates, Misses Bertha Dula, Ella Olson, Minnie Reed, and Messrs. John Mather and Fred Carter are teachers. in this county and in Monona county; Herbert Reed is engaged in farming, Lula Iverson lives with her parents near town, Mrs. Eva Chezem (nee Purdy) resides in town, Mrs. Emma Hall (nee Coombs) resides near Howard, Dak.; Henry Knowles is continuing his studies at Sioux City; Edna Holman is attending college at Vermilion, Dak.; Luther Coombs is at Cornell College, Iowa, and Charles Gillette is

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attending college at Washington, Penn. The total enrollment for this year is 188, twenty-four of whom are non-resident pupils.

Oto.—The independent district of Oto, comprises the town of Oto, and parts of Oto, Grant and Little Sioux townships. The old schoolhouse was a two-story building 5Qx40, but this has been sold, and a new school-house is being erected at a cost of $4,000. The principals of this school have been Profs. Palmer, Goos, Gardner, Atkinson and Livermore. As soon as the new building is finished, which will be in September of this year (1890), a new line of study will be adopted with a full high-school course. There is one other school-house in this district. The enrollment for 1889 was 100, with an average daily attendance of seventy.

Sloan.—The independent district of Sloan was organized in 1883, and the present school-house erected in 1888. It is a two-story frame structure, divided into four school-rooms, with halls and ante-rooms. The building is in good repair, is well ventilated and lighted. The principals have been Profs. J. S. McSparran and J. W. Jayne. Four teachers are employed, a new course of study with full high-school course, has been adopted, and will be put in force this coming year (1890-91). The number of pupils enrolled in 1889 was 238.

Moville.—The independent district of Moville was organized last year, and embraces the town of Moville and part of the township of Arlington. The building is a two-story frame, having two rooms. Prof. O. F. Bryant was principal last year, and Prof. Wilson will have charge during the coming year. Moville is a growing town, and it will soon be necessary to have a new building, the enrollment this year being over ninety.

Salix.-The school at this place is under the direction of Miss Lenna Prater, a very able and efficient teacher; she is assisted by Miss McElroy. A new school-house will be built in the near future and the school properly graded. It has now an enrollment of 121 pupils.

Liston.—The town of Danbury is part of the independent district of Liston. There are four school-houses in this district, the principal one being in Danbury. The building here is the same size and pattern as the one in Smithland, and was erected in 1880. The grounds consist of half a block, which is well fenced with a neat picket fence, and everything about the building is in good order. The school is well graded, having a three years' high-school course. The enroll

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ment for 1889 was 210, with an average daily attendance of 150. The principals of the school have been Profs. J. S. Shoup, Will H. Dempster, C. P. Bowman, J. F. Young, and H. H. Hahn.

Correctionville.—The independent district of Correctionville was formed March 29, 1875. The old school-house, a two-story brick, was built in 1872. The school was for several years under the charge of Prof. Vierth, who was followed by Prof. Chapin. The present school building was erected in 1885, at a cost of $6,000. It is 40x60 feet, two stories high, and contains four large rooms, halls and recitation rooms. It is well ventilated and heated by steam. The school is now well graded, and six teachers are employed. The principals, since the school was graded, have been Profs. W. M. Wright, A. P. Hargrave, G. W. Scott and W. E. Atkinson. This school had a large, graduating class last year. The enrollment for 1889 was 315, with an average daily attendance of 234.

Rural Independent Districts.—Green Mound has one school, with twenty-three enrolled pupils; Harmony one, with thirty-three pupils; Spring Dale one, with twenty-six pupils; Spring Valley one, with thirty-four pupils; Union one, with twenty-seven pupils; Little Sioux one, with thirty-five pupils; Lum Hollow one, with twenty-three pupils; Park Hill one, with fifteen pupils; Twin Creek one, with thirty-three pupils; Denmark one, with twenty-five pupils; Liberty one, with thirty pupils; Lone Elm one, with thirty-two pupils; Webster one, with nineteen pupils; Weed Land one, with sixty pupils; Habana one, with thirty-one pupils; Union Grove three, with thirty-four pupils; Bluff Center one, with thirty pupils; Fair Play one, with twenty-eight pupils; Hickory Grove one, with twelve pupils; Living Springs one, with thirty-seven pupils; Pleasant Valley one, with thirty pupils; Pat Collins one, with twenty-three pupils; Lone Tree five, with eighty-six pupils; No. Four one, with twenty-six pupils; Ridgeville three, with forty-nine pupils; Summit two, with thirty-two pupils; Summer Hill one, with twenty-four pupils; West Union one, with ten pupils.

The new towns of Pierson, Cushing, Anthon, Glen Ellen, Luton and Hornick, at the present rate of growth, will soon have sufficient population to enable them to form independent districts and establish graded schools.
The following statement gives the district townships of the county, and the number of sub-districts in each, together with the enrollment for 1889:

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Arlington has six sub-districts, with 106 enrolled pupils; Banner has five sub-districts, with 75 pupils; Floyd has seven sub-districts, with 124 pupils; Grant has eight sub-districts, with 157 pupils; Grange has five sub-districts, with 64 pupils; Kedron has eight sub-districts, with 141 pupils; Lakeport has six sub-districts, with 203 pupils; Moville has seven sub-districts, with 116 pupils; Morgan has eight sub-districts, with 213 pupils; Miller has seven sub-districts, with 113 pupils; Rutland has seven sub-districts, with 196 pupils; Sioux City has three sub-districts, with 50 pupils; Sloan has two sub-districts, with 48 pupils; West Fork has nine sub-districts, with 125 pupils; Willow has seven sub-districts, with 200 pupils; Woodbury has two sub-districts, with 55 pupils; Wolf Creek has eight sub-districts, with 155 pupils.

Private Schools.—St. Mary's Academy was established in Sioux City, September 1, 1881. The institution has a magnificent brick building valued at $25,000, situated on Seventh and Perry streets, The course is thorough, including every thing from the primary department through the high-school grades, besides music, embroidery and arts. It is presided over by the sister superior-Sister M. Isadora-and six teachers are regularly employed. A class of six was graduated last year. One hundred and seventy-five pupils are enrolled.

Saint Patrick's School at Danbury, was organized September 5, 1887. It is well graded, covering sixteen grades, besides a high-school course, which includes book-keeping, algebra, geometry, civil government, etc. The present principal is Sister M. Cecilia. Ninety-eight students were enrolled during the year 1889. The building is a two story frame, 30x90 feet, valued at $5,000.
The Northwestern Business College is situated on Fourth street Sioux City, and was established in 1882. It is a regular business college, and has connected with it a normal department. It has graduated a large number of students, and is under the immediate direction of the president, C. H. Clark.

The University of the Northwest, at Morning Side, is a new institution, now in course of erection (1890). The estimated cost of the buildings, to be completed before 1892, is $350,000. It embraces the following departments: College of liberal arts, college of commerce, college of didactics, college of law, college of music, college of medicine, and all the departments are supplied with competent pro-

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fessors and instructors. J. C. Gilchrist, A. M., is dean of the college of didactics. Wilmot Whitfield, D. D., is president.

School Fund Commissioners.—The first election for school fund commissioners was held in August, 1855, when F. Wixson was elected; at the election in April, 1856, I. K. Millard was elected; Mr. Millard resigned soon afterward, and Mr. George Weare was appointed to fin the vacancy. Mr. Weare remained in office until October, 1858. An act of the general assembly, having been approved March 23, 1858, provided that the office should be abolished October 1, of that year. The amount of notes and mortgages turned over by Mr. Weare at the close of his term was $1,840.

County Superintendents.—By an act of the legislature, an election for county superintendent of schools was ordered to be held April 9, 1858. The duties of this officer were: To take general charge of the schools in the county—to act as president of the county board of education, which was composed of all the presidents of the boards of directors, and to select two competent persons to assist in the examination of teachers. The board of education were to meet at fixed times, arrange for the length of school terms, determine the branches to be taught, select text books, etc. We find no record that this board ever held a meeting.

The first and only superintendent elected under this law was H. H. Chaffee, whose assistants on the examining board were Rev. Chestnut and John I. Charles. Prior to this time teachers were required to be examined by a committee appointed by the board of directors. In 1859 the law was changed, to the effect that the county superintendent should be elected at the regular election in each odd-numbered year. The county board of education was abolished, and the superintendent given full control of the examination of teachers, without assistance. The following is the list of an the superintendents of this county: H. H. Chaffee, elected in April, 1858; J. C. Lininger, elected in October, 1859; Isaac T. Martin, elected in October, 1861; J. C. C. Hoskins, appointed to fill vacancy in 1862; Charles Kent, elected in October, 1863; J. E. Rockwood, elected in October, 1865; M. Tingley, elected in October, 1867; A. M. Hunt, appointed to fin vacancy in 1868; A. M. Hunt, elected in October, 1869; Carrie Bassett, elected in October, 1871; A. R. Wright, elected in October, 1873; A. R. Wright, re-elected in October, 1875; S. Rogers, elected in October,

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1877; N. E. Palmer, elected in October, 1879; N. E. Palmer, re-elected in October, 1881; J. S. Shoup, elected in October, 1883; J. S. Shoup, re-elected in October, 1885; N.R Palmer, re-elected in October, 1887, and J. S. Shoup, re-elected in October, 1889.

The following table shows the number of persons of school age, as shown at the different enumerations:

Teachers' Institutes.—In October, 1870, we find that an institute was held in Sioux City, of which Dr. Hunt, county superintendent, was president, Miss Carrie Bassett, secretary, and Maj. Durham, of Des Moines, conductor. The names of fifty persons were enrolled, but only twenty-nine of these were teachers of the county. Of this number but one, Mrs. Boehmler, remains engaged in the work.

The next institute was held in October, 1871. Dr. Hunt was elected president, Mrs. Boehmler secretary, and Prof. Rogers conductor. The leading spirit in this institute was Prof. Jona. Piper, of Chicago. Fifty-two persons in all were enrolled, two of whom, Mrs. Boehmler and Miss Nelon, still remain as Sioux City teachers.

Miss Bassett held an institute in 1872, at which Prof. Jahrnnot acted as conductor; the same lady held another institute in 1873, but we have been unable to find any record of it. These institutes were held for one week only, and were different from the present normal institutes, which are now so popular, but were more like a teachers' association than an institute.

In 1874, a law providing for a normal institute in each county was

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passed, directing that the state should pay to each county $50 annually for this purpose, and that all teachers attending, should pay an enrollment fee of $1 each; these sums, together with the examination fee of $1, paid by each applicant for certificate, should constitute the normal institute fund.

Following is a table of all the normal institutes held under this law in Woodbury county. The attendance, at first small, has gradually increased, until now it numbers about 300.

NORMAL INSTITUTES OF WOODBURY COUNTY.

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During the year 1881, a graded course of study was prepared for use in normal institutes; this course, slightly changed, is still in use. In 1884 a course of study for common schools was prepared and put in use. The institute course covers a period of four years. .All teachers who complete this course satisfactorily, after having five years of successful experience in the school-room, are granted certificates without examination.

University of the Northwest
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