Early Schools in Madison County
Shadrach Bond, Illinois’ first governor, signed a law on March 2,
1819, authorizing county commissioners in each and every county and
township in Illinois, to employ a surveyor to lay out Section
sixteen in each township into lots, and to lease those lots for a
term of ten years for the purpose of creating revenue for school
purposes. In 1825, the Illinois General Assembly passed an act
providing for the establishment and maintenance of public schools,
open to every class of white citizens between the ages of five and
twenty-one years. In 1849, Illinois passed a law which made the
Secretary of State the ex-officio State Superintendent of public
schools. In 1854, the office of the State Superintendent created a
law which established a system of free schools throughout the State.
In Madison County, the first schools were held in deserted log
cabins, barns, or pole houses erected for that purpose. The early
schoolhouse often had dirt floors and no fireplace for warmth. A
bench made by splitting logs served as a seat, with younger students
dangling their legs in the air, being too short to reach the floor.
Early teachers were severe in discipline, and few were well
qualified to teach beyond the rudiments of an education, yet they
possessed good common sense. When a teacher was found that had a
higher education, his reputation brought students from near and far.
During class time, the teacher went from one student to another,
helping them with math and pronouncing difficult words in spelling
lessons. Simultaneously, the teacher was required to make or mend
goose quill pens for writing. For all this service, the teacher was
poorly paid. In some instances, the teacher boarded a week at the
home of each pupil.
Teaching was confined to the three “R’s” - readin, ‘ritin, and
‘rithmetic. Spelling occupied 5/8 of the day, while reciting the
multiplication table or reading occupied the remainder of the time.
A knowledge of math was important in the boy’s education, while
girls were thought to need little book preparation for life’s work.
When spelling bees became popular, however, it was discovered that
girls usually held their own or excelled.
The first school we have record of in Madison County was the
Casterline School in Collinsville Township, in 1804 or 1805, taught
by James Bradsbury. Mr. Bradsbury remained a year, and pupils
flocked to him from a considerable distance in all directions. About
the same time, some benevolent ladies went from house to house among
the French settlers on Cantine, or Quentine as sometimes spelled,
teaching the children. The monks of La Trappe, located on Monks
Mount near Collinsville, sometimes taught the adults. In 1809, a
school was taught about two and a half miles south of Edwardsville,
and continued at intervals for some years after, during which time
it was frequently dispersed by rumors of Indians.
EARLY SCHOOL BY TOWNSHIP:
Early Schools in Alhambra Township
William Davenport taught the first school within the limits of
Alhambra Township. He took possession of an empty cabin in the Hoxey
neighborhood, and taught but a short time. In 1832, a schoolhouse
was erected on section 19, and George Denney was the first to teach
there. A Mr. Nichols taught simultaneously in a private house. The
first schoolhouse in Alhambra village was erected in 1856. In 1879,
a substantial, two-story frame building was erected on the same
site. In 1921, a new, two-story brick edifice was erected on a site
donated by Adolph Hitz. This building housed both the grade school
and a three-year high school. By 1882, there were eight schoolhouses
in Alhambra Township, all frame. Ten teachers were employed.
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information on Alhambra Township Schools.
Early Schools in Alton Township
Prior to the organization of schools in Alton, a “preparatory
school” was opened by Mr. H. Davis in November 1831, in a room over
the store of S. E. Moore & Co. on Broadway, between Market and Alby
Streets. In January 1832, it was renamed Alton Seminary. In January
1833, the Alton Seminary was moved to Broadway, near Alton Street.
Mr. Davis, the pioneer teacher, died in 1834.
A second effort at a school was when Abel R. Cobbin taught in a log
building that stood on the junction of Broadway and Third Streets,
below Henry. About the same time, John M. Krum (later Judge Krum of
St. Louis) opened a school in Lyceum Hall at the corner of Broadway
and Alby Streets. He was succeeded by Mr. Bosworth. A school was
taught by Mr. Hollister in the Methodist Church on Third Street,
between Alby and Court Square, in 1836. D. V. Wainright taught at
the corner of Market and Broadway. In 1836, Miss Martha O. Dunn
operated a private school in the vestry of the Presbyterian Church,
where reading, spelling, defining, writing, geography, grammar,
history, arithmetic drawing, philosophy, astronomy, rhetoric, and
composition were taught for $1500 per quarter. Another school opened
in the Baptist Church, with Miss Brown as teacher. In 1838, Mrs.
Mary D. Bruner taught in a location later used as Dr. Haskell’s
office. In 1837, Miss Sophia Loomis, afterward the wife of Cyrus
Edwards, taught in a frame building on the northwest corner of Grove
and Common Streets. Other teachers engaged in private schools were
Mr. Warner, Miss Relief V. Everett, Miss Carolina Loomis, and Mr. D.
A. Richardson a Yankee from Maine. In 1842, Mr. Haylay taught in the
northern part of Alton. Mr. Britton, an Episcopal clergyman, taught
a school of a dozen scholars in 1844. In June 1846, Mr. Utten Smith
began a school in the basement of the Episcopal Church, on the
corner of Third and Market Streets, which he continued until May
1855.
In 1837, the charter adopted by the city of Alton provided for the
establishment and maintenance of free schools. In 1842, Messrs.
William Martin, Dr. Benjamin F. Edwards, and B. B. Baker were
appointed a board of directors. Schools were opened, but funds were
not forthcoming, and teachers were not paid in full. On July 3,
1843, the city council, on motion of Dr. B. K. Hart, appropriated
$100 for the purchase of block 19 in Pope and other additions. The
entire block was considered worth $200, but Judge Pope deeded it to
the city for school purposes at half price. Messrs. B. B. Barker, F.
G. Starr, Dr. B. K. Hart, and Moses G. Atwood were appointed to
consider plans of building a schoolhouse for Alton Township. Little
was done worthy of mention until February 18, 1845, when Messrs.
Atwood, Hayden, and Scarritt were appointed to receive contracts for
building a schoolhouse. On March 18, 1845, the contract was let.
Messrs. Lowe and Parks offered to build it for $580.70, and Messrs.
Marsh, Levis, and Woodbridge were designated to superintend its
construction. Rev. L. S. Williams was employed as teacher, and the
schoolhouse opened on July 21, 1845. He continued teacher until
September 1847, when W. F. Gurnsey took over. This schoolhouse was
known as Schoolhouse No. 2 (named after the Ward the schoolhouse was
in), and in 1866 it was razed when Lincoln School was erected on the
site. In 1854, Schoolhouse No. 3 was erected at a cost of $1,983.20,
with W. F. Gurnsey as teacher, while James Newman took his place at
Schoolhouse No. 2. The third schoolhouse erected in Alton was
Schoolhouse No. 1, which was constructed in 1853 at a cost of $4,
396.84, with George Crego as teacher. Schoolhouse No. 4 was
constructed in 1856 at a cost of $2,300. Schoolhouse No. 5 was
constructed the same year at a cost of $2,300, with Mrs. A. E.
Newman as its first teacher. A high school was opened in the
basement of the Unitarian Church on February 22, 1858, with James
Newman as principal, and Miss M. E. Richmond, assistant. In 1858,
the colored school was instituted, with John Robinson as teacher.
On August 15, 1859, a committee of nine members formed the Board of
Education in Alton. On August 19, the first meeting was held, and
William Hayden was chosen as president, with George Skellenberger as
superintendent of schools and secretary.
In 1866, a new Schoolhouse No. 2 was erected at a cost of $35,000,
with Messrs. Armstrong & Pfeiffenberger as architects.
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information and photos of Alton Township Schools.
History of the Western Military Academy
Early Schools of Chouteau Township
The French established a small settlement on Chouteau Island as
early as 1750. The island was previously known as Big Island, but
was later renamed Chouteau, in honor of Pierre Chouteau. The first
American settlement in the township was by the Gillhams in about
1802. Thomas Gillham was a native of Ireland, who immigrated to
America prior to the Revolution, and he and his sons served in the
Revolutionary War for the independence of the colonies. His family
consisted of five sons and two daughters. Thomas never moved to
Illinois, but all his sons settled in the American Bottom in
Illinois. Their names were Thomas, James, William, John, and Isaac.
Other pioneer families of this township were the Atkins, Emerts,
Hickles, Bridges, Ribolds, Pettingills, and the Days.
The first school taught was in the summer of 1813 by Vaitch Clark.
The schoolhouse was the little fort or blockhouse, situated in
Section 1. The second teacher was M. C. Cox, who taught in the
summer of 1814. There was a brief interruption of school until the
winter of 1817-18, when it was again revived and taught by Mr.
Campbell in the same old fort. He taught at intervals for nearly two
years.
Early Schools of Collinsville Township
The first school in Madison County was taught in Collinsville
Township, with James Bradsbury as teacher. He was an able and
earnest instructor, faithful in teaching what he knew. In 1814, a
schoolhouse was constructed in Collinsville Township between Judy’s
and Whiteside’s. It stood idle more than half the time. Two years
prior, in 1812, a school was taught by Elisha Alexander in Mr.
Judy’s yard. The British War was occurring during this time, and
spirits ran high. Students barricaded their teacher in school, and
he compromised by treating them to cider and apples. Alexander was
succeeded by Mr. Yancey, and in 1816, Mr. Enlow took over. Next was
Beniah Robinson. Union Schoolhouse in Collinsville was erected, and
employed nine teachers. In the township, by 1882, were four brick
and three frame schoolhouses, giving employment to fifteen teachers.
Early Schools of Edwardsville Township
A pioneer school in Edwardsville Township was located in a cabin
made of poles, about two and a half miles south of Edwardsville, in
the year 1809. Joshua Atwater, a native of Massachusetts, was the
teacher. Early schools were conducted wherever space was available.
One school was conducted in an upper room of the Weir residence.
Another was taught in a log cabin near the city hall.
By 1882, there were three brick and four frame schoolhouses in the
Edwardsville area, with seventeen teachers. Nine of these were in
the Union School in Edwardsville.
Early Schools in Fort Russell Township
After the abandonment of the old blockhouse on section 18 as a fort,
the building was used as a schoolhouse, with Rev. William Jones, a
baptist minister, as teacher. On the same section, the first regular
schoolhouse was subsequently built. By 1882, four frame buildings
were erected, employing four teachers.
Early Schools in Foster Township
Early settlers of Foster Township include Joseph S. Reynolds (1814),
Orman Beeman (1816), Mr. Honeycutt, James Dabbs, Granny McAfee
(1816), William R. Rhodes (1818), Joshua Wood (1821), Lorenzo
Edwards, Daniel Wagoner, William W. Gallop Green W. Short (1818),
Abel Moore, Jacob Deck, and Oliver Foster (1825).
The first school was taught in a log house built on Perry W. Short’s
land, on Section 34, in 1832. The building was also used as a church. The
Woods Station School, or Woods School, was erected in about 1840,
and is said to be the oldest schoolhouse in the township. It was a
one-room building, kept warm by a pot-belly stove. Both black and
white children attended from nearby farms.
A brick schoolhouse was constructed in Fosterburg (year unknown),
one story high, with a frame addition. In 1882, there were two
teachers at the Fosterburg School. In 1909 the schoolhouse was
dismantled, and a new building erected. This building was destroyed
by a tornado in 1948.
Culp School in Foster Township was erected in 1870. Werts School was
constructed in 1878, a mile and a half south of Fosterburg. It was a
one-room building.
Early Schools in Godfrey Township
The earliest settler in Godfrey Township was Nathan Scarritt, who
settled there in 1826. At that time, the area was known as
“Scarritt’s Prairie.” The first school was taught in his barn. His
daughter was the teacher, and the pupils numbered about sixteen.
Mr. Debaum settled in Godfrey Township with his eight children. He
hired Miss Abigail Scarritt, a niece of Nathan Scarritt, to teach
them in 1829. Other families took advantage, and sent their children
to Miss Scarritt’s school, which was taught in the Debaun home. The
children created so much nose and confusion, that in 1830, it was
moved to an old log cabin built by William Scarritt, a quarter of a
mile away. Elizabeth Peter, a niece of Simon Peter, taught the
school in this cabin in 1830. The next year, while Miss Scarritt was
teacher, the old log cabin caught fire and burned to the ground.
About 1832 or 1833, a school was established at Bethany Church
(corner of Bethany Lane and Humbert Road), and for some years after
was the only school in the township. It was close to the Mason home.
A West Point cadet named Johnson taught this school in 1839. Elijah
Frost took charge of the school in 1840, and taught for three years.
Subsequent teachers were Mrs. Russell Scarritt, Mary Jane Scarritt
(the youngest daughter of Nathan Scarritt), and William Cunningham.
Later, Charles Mason donated property near the church to build a
schoolhouse at Bethany. It was named Mason School in his honor, and
was completed in 1874.
Captain Benjamin Godfrey moved his family into the former home of
Calvin Riley, at the north end of present-day Godfrey. He founded
the Monticello Female Seminary (later the name changed to the
Monticello Ladies Seminary) for young women – including his own
daughters. The seminary was located just south of his home, and
opened in 1836.
The township was organized in 1842 for school purposes. Not long
after, a schoolhouse was erected beside the present Godfrey Cemetery
on Godfrey Road. It contained three rooms. David Hyde was the
principal, and his wife, the teacher.
Summerfield School in Godfrey Township was erected in 1844 or 1845.
Major George W. Long, son of Moses Long (one of General Washington’s
soldiers in the Revolutionary War) donated the land for the
schoolhouse, and was named after his farm, Summerfield. The first
teacher was Mr. Foster.
Early Schools in Hamel Township
The first schoolhouse in Hamel Township was constructed on the
property of Bobert Aldrich, near his residence, in 1825. It was a
flimsy, temporary structure of poles, without a floor, door or
window. It was used but a short time. There were so few scholars
living in the neighborhood at that early day, that a worthy school
could not be acquired. Joseph Thompson and Mr. Carver each taught a
term in the township, whereupon it was abandoned about the same time
a good log schoolhouse was built at Lamb’s Point. This building was
supplied with a stone chimney. By 1882, four schoolhouses, three
frame and one brick, were open for students. There were four
teachers employed.
Early Schools of Helvetia Township
Helvetia Township was originally settled by American pioneers. Later,
Swiss and German immigrants came to America and settled in the
township. Among the earliest
schools taught in this township was taught by George Ramsay in 1824.
He was succeeded by James A. Ramsay in 1828, and John Shinn in 1830.
In 1825 or 1826, James A. Ramsay and others erected a church, which
was used also as a school. It was constructed of hewn logs. By 1882,
there were seven schoolhouses in the township, six of brick and one
of frame construction. Thirteen teachers were employed, six of whom
were engaged in the Union Grade School in Highland. In addition to
the public schools, three instructors held private schools.
Early Schools of Jarvis Township
The first school taught in Jarvis Township was that of Jesse Renfro
in 1824, in the Old Gilead Church. Renfro taught several years. The
last year Renfro had forty pupils, and for his services he received
one hundred dollars – a little over sixteen dollars per month.
Early Schools in Leef Township
There were no very early schools located in Leef Township. By 1882,
six schoolhouses, five frame and one brick, were constructed. A
school district, with a building standing in the village of Saline,
belonged to both Leef and Saline Townships. It was a grade school
with two departments, taught by Professor James Lane in 1882.
Early Schools of Marine Township
The first school taught in Marine Township was that of Arthur
Travis, in an outbuilding belonging to Major Ferguson, in the year
1814. In 1819, a young man from New Haven, Connecticut opened a
school in an empty cabin that stood between Captain Blakeman’s and
R. P. Allen’s. In 1821, a substantial Union Church was erected,
which was likewise used for school purposes. It is believed to have
been at the time the best building devoted to educational uses in
the county, as it was a frame building with clapboard siding,
supplied with split shingle roof and glass windows.
Six schoolhouses, three of them brick, were erected by 1882 for the
children of Marine Township. Ten teachers were hired, with four of
them employed in the village of Marine.
Early Schools in Moro Township
This portion of the county was settled at a much later date than
central and southern Madison County. Zenas Webster and S. W. Paddock
entered the first land on December 11, 1820. The second land entry
was made by Solomon Preuitt, on March 30, 1830. A one-story, brick
schoolhouse was constructed in 1880, at a cost of $2500. This was
located three-quarters of a mile north of the village of Moro.
Early Schools of Nameoki and Venice
Townships
Nameoki and Venice Townships were intimately associated in pioneer
days. The old Six Mile original precinct included both townships. As
early as 1805, a school was taught near the Six Mile House by Edward
Humphrey, and a few years after a house was built by the neighbors
entirely of poles, about two miles north, in which school was taught
by Joshua Atwater, and then subsequently by McLaughlin, an Irishman
whose chief merit as a schoolmaster lay in his strength. A pupil
later related that McLaughlin carried his bottle regularly to
school, always went armed with a well-seasoned “shillelagh,” and
never failed to reprimand any pupils. He taught during the War of
1812, and more than one father had a “settlement” to make with him
on return from the field of battle, because of injuries inflicted on
their sons. By 1882, five teachers were employed in Nameoki Township
in five schoolhouses – all frame buildings. In Venice Township,
there were two brick and two frame schoolhouses, with five teachers
employed.
Early Schools in New Douglas Township
The first settler in New Douglas Township was Daniel Funderburk, who
was a teacher. He opened a school at his property, in a building
erected for this purpose on section 6. This was in 1823. By 1882,
there were five frame buildings devoted to school purposes.
Employment was given to seven teachers, three of whom were in the
grade schools in the village of New Douglas.
Early Schools in Olive Township
Olive Township was named in honor of the Olive family, who were
early settlers. However, the first settlers to the township were
Abram Carlock, John Herrington, James Street, James Keown, Thomas
Kimmett, Samuel Voyles, David Hendershott, and Samuel McKittrick,
who settled there prior to 1820.
The first school on the west side of Silver Creek, in the south part
of the township, was taught in an abandoned cabin on Section 34, by
Matilda Thompson. Later in 1833, Henry H. Havron was a teacher in
Olive Township. By 1882, there were four frame schoolhouses, with
five teachers.
Early Schools in Omphghent Township
This township is located in the northern part of Madison County. It
received its name from the church that stood near the residence of
David Swett, and was originally spelled Omph-Ghent. In 1820, David Swett
erected the first cabin, and became the first permanent settler in
the township. In 1825, Charles Tindall settled on what was later the
George Belk place. In 1826, Ezekiel Davis settled on Section 31.
The first school taught in Omph-Ghent settlement was in 1825, in a
small log building. The teacher was Mr. Springer. Other children in
the northeast area of the township received their schooling in a log
house that stood where the Staunton graveyard is now located. At a
later date, school was kept by Henry Haveren, on the township line,
in an abandoned cabin built by Benjamin Bond.
Early Schools of Pin Oak Township
Soon after the first settlement of Pin Oak Township, citizens were
blessed with the labors of Joshua Atwater as a teacher. He went from
one community to another, stirring up the people to the importance
of education, and laboring constantly in the capacity of a teacher.
Near the residence of Jubilee Posey, in a rudely constructed cabin,
briefly occupied as the home of a pioneer, he opened a school in
1809. Another pioneer teacher in Pin Oak Township was Thomas S.
Waddle, who taught also in a deserted cabin on Section 35, on a farm
belonging to James Keown. By 1882, there were five schoolhouses in
this township, all frame buildings. Six teachers were employed.
Early Schools in Saline Township
As early as 1825, the Cumberland Presbyterians improved a campground
on Section 31, and in a cabin belonging to Captain Abraham Howard,
was taught the first school by John Barber Jr. He taught several
terms, finding great favor with the pioneers. By 1882, there were
two frame and two brick schoolhouses in the township. Four teachers
were employed.
Early Schools of St. Jacob Township
The first settlers of St. Jacob’s Township took special care in
educating their children. While gathered together within the walls
of an old fort in 1812 and 1813, for safety against the Indians,
they maintained a school, taught by David Smeltzer. In 1817 they
erected a cabin for school purposes. Upon its abandonment, a new
house of hewed logs was put up on the site later used for the
Augusta Church. A schoolhouse was erected near Uzzle Spring in 1828,
which was taught by Alexander Trusedale. In the same neighborhood, a
school was taught by Mr. Edmonds in an abandoned cabin. John Kile
was among the pioneer teachers of this township. By 1882, there were
six schools, employing ten teachers – three of whom were in the
grade school in the village of St. Jacob. Three of these schools
were brick, and three were of frame.
Early Schools in Wood River Township
Wood River Township is credited the honor of maintaining the first
Sunday School in 1819 in the State of Illinois. Early students were
taught the alphabet, reading, and spelling, as well as Bible
history. The wife of Rev. Thomas Lippincott, a merchant in the
town
of Milton in Wood River Township, was the first teacher. The follow year, a similar effort
was engaged in by Enoch Long and Henry Snow in Upper Alton. By 1882,
there were two brick and five frame schoolhouses. Ten teachers were
employed, four of whom were in grade schools.
History of the Wyman Institute, Upper Alton (then Wood River Township)
History of Shurtleff College, Upper Alton (then Wood River Township)
Teachers Association or Institute Formed
A meeting was held in the Methodist Church in Edwardsville, on
January 16, 1858, for the purpose of organizing a Teachers’
Association or Institute. William Hayden of Alton was chosen
President; Henry Wing of Collinsville and E. M. West of Edwardsville
were elected Vice-Presidents; W. J. Ela of Edwardsville was elected
Recording Secretary; James Newman of Alton was elected Corresponding
Secretary; and M. G. Dale of Edwardsville was elected Treasurer. In
April 1858, the first institute was held.
Source:
History of Madison County, Illinois, With Biographical Sketches of
Many Prominent Men and Pioneers; W. R. Brink & Co., 1882.