The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-08-01

From The Illinois Teachers Association.
Mr.. Etter was born in Pennsylvania,
1880. Descended from a family of Norths
on his mothers side, and from the hardy
German stock on his fathers side, he in
herited a good amount of physical and
mental ability.
He attended school irregularly till about
ten years of age, and consequently learned
but little. His father then removed into
Ohio, upon an uncultivated farm, Being
the Oldest Of a large family Of children, it
was necessary for him to aid in clearing
the farm, and consequently he attended
school, even such as the frontier afforded,
but three months each winter. When
fourteen years of age, he determined to
educate himself, whatever effort it might
require to do so, and however old he might
be before so desirable an end might be
reached. But where there is a persistent
will based on consistent grounds, there
will appear some way in which to work 1t
out. When sixteen he attended a board
ing school for boys and girls at Twinsburg,
Ohio, fifty miles distant from his home,
and fought by that venerable educator,
Rev. Samuel Bissell. Wishing to save
his money. that his time at school might
be as long as possible, he walked the en-
IRE ulSttuCC, ny WHiCH Ht SdlHCu duuI-
tional %tuition-the entire expenses of the
school being to him only one dollar and
twenty-five cents per week. While there
he worked inc~cssantly,. standing at the
head of his classes, and was particularly
distinguished as one of the best and most
studious in the school. When his money
was exhausted, he returned home to earn
more, and was induced to teach the school
in his fathers district. He passed an ex-
animation successfully, and received a GER
tificate for one year.
Upon the morning of the first day, see,
ing many OF his associates who were to be
his pupils, he felt much doubt and dis.
trust OF his ability to teach but soon this
passed off, and all worked pleasantly and
harmOniously. Pupils from other districts
came to him, and it was said that they
never before had SO good a school. After
the expiration of his term, he was solicited
to take d school a few miles distant, at a
considerable increase of salary. After
much hard work, Mr.. Etter then attended
the High School at Massillon, Ohio,
u1der the control of that noble man
aud able educator-Lorin Andrews. En-
ergetic, decided, and kind, loved by his
pupils as a father. he aroused adj the man-
hood OF his students, several of whom re-
solved to devote their lives to the cause
of education. Among this number wa
MIR. Etter, who worked with renewed zeal
and success. and soon after entered Ka-
lamazoo College, Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Before completing his course, he was elect
ed as Principal OF the Union School at Per
~rysburgh. Ohio. In 1854, having been in
yited by the School Board of Lacon, ILL.,, |
10 a K charge Of their schools, he came 10
this State, After much labor and oppo-
sitlon, the schools became established and
thoroughly systemized. Public sentiment
became more favorable to the schools, and
after sufficient time had elapsed to show
results, the public became proud of their
schools.
After three years of hard but pleasant
toll, he was called to superintend the
schools at Galva, Iii. Here the people
took great pride in their school, and had
one Of the best in the State. In 1861, he !
was elected County Superintendent of
Henry 20. He was nominated without his
knowledge, aud was unanimously elected,
but continued his school, performing the
duties Of his Office when not in school.
During his administration the schools
made decided improvement aud teachers
became more anxious to excel in their la
bOrs.
In 1865 he was chosen President Of the
State Association, to be held the following
year at Joliet, which was one of the largest
and mos interesting meetings the Asso-
has ever known.
In 1864 the degree OF Master of Arts
conferred upon him, without his s@olicifa-
ion or knowledge, by the Trustees and
of Knox College, because of the
raluable services he had performed Tor the 4
of education and the esteem IN which !
he was held as scholar and student
The same yeSr he was elected Superin
of the schools at Kewanee I'LL
from chaos. system was formed ; from
rant of interest On the part of the people,
reat zeal was aroused. 50 that they raised
,cney and provided themselves with beau
fnl and comfortable seho0lhouses. The