Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-07-03
on either side between the house and

szsssa
On either side between the house and
farm fences,
In those early days each school dis
trict had three directors, who examin-
ed and employed their teachers to suit
This continued until 1858
when the first county superintendent,
Rev. II. N. Gates, was elected and he
held the first teachers institute OF nor
NAL at Delhi in october and held pub
lie examination at the close and issued
graded certificates. That fall there
were three first graded certificates issu
ed. E, II. Sellens, now of Collins
Grove township, and a Mr.. Boyles. who
taught in this village, were two OF the
lucky ones. About the close of this in
stitute the teachers in attendance or
ganized teachers association for the
county, which met monthly during the
winter at different places in the county.
The first regular meeting of the assoc
iation was held at this place in Deem
Der 1858, in the school house which
stood on the lot now occupied by the
Central school building, and is now q
part of the residence occupied by Mrs.
Morris Martin. This was small be-
ginning, but it still lives and has per
ceptibly grown in size at least, but l
think not in interest.
In the fall of 1857 an academy was
opened at Delhi, known as the "Delhi
Academy" This school occupied the
parlor room of brick dwelling house
on the ridge south of the old court
house. This school was taught by
Prof. Gilmore. There are many per
sons in the county who attended that
fret academy, was among the num-
Der.
In the fall of 1858 another institution
of learning was opened at Almoral,
known as the "Almoral Institute" 1t
occupied new building now used for
church purposes. This at first was
presided over by Rev. IL. N. Gates, the
newly elected county superintendent.
Owing to the duties Of his Office, he was
compelled to resign, and he was sue
ceeded by l.. o. Stevens. As this
school was presided over by teachers re-
Gently from New England the instltu-
tion was very thorough, as perhaps
many who are before me are willing to
certify to. In the fall of 1860 another
institution threw open its doors and in
vited the young men and young ladies'
OF this county and adjoining counties
to come and drink from the fountain of
knowledge. This institution was To-
Gated at Hopkinton and known as
"Bowen Collegiate Institute" In honor
of Mr.. Bowen, who contributed lib
orally for the erection of the building
This school was superintendent by Prof.
Allen, VIII remained at the head of the
institution for several years. This
school gathered in students from var
GUS sections of the country, SO it requir
ed three or four assistant teachers This
school still exists as Lenox College. In
1861 when our country was startled by
the cry "to arms" from the first to the
last call "Bowen Collegiate Institute
furnished her full quota of men to save
the Union. Many of her sons gave their
lives on southern battlefields, as indi-
Gated on the soldiers monument erect
ed on her campus.
The first two institutions mentioned
had only short existence, but they did
their part of the pioneer work for edu-
cation in, the county. | attended each
of those schools and was one Of the
teachers in the county from the winter
of 1857.'5S. was in attendance at the
first county normal or teachers institu-
tie, then called and took part in the first
county examination and received one
of the first certificates issued in the
county, and assisted in the organiza.
tton of the first county teachers assoc
iation. taught school in the county
first during the winter of 1857'5S at
Grove Creek, the winter of 1853 SO at
Greeley; the late VIM. CattroD, of this
city, was then merchant, banker, stock
buyer. post master and the post Office
was then called Penn Spring. In 1859
in the village of Monticello; 1S60'61
in Castle Grove township, Jones coun'
ty, SO claim the right to be called one
of the educational pioneers of this and
Jones county.
AS representative of the teachers Of
those early times, challenge the teach
ers of to-day to show any more
thorough, if as thorough work done
now as then. We did not have the
great number of branches to teach then
that you have now, but the aim was to
teach the pupils the common, practical
branches 70 they would fully under.
stand and be masters of what they
passed over. What operations they
performed they could give reason for,
and not have to say "we do so because
the rule says So.
Mrs. Lizzie Irmscher.
1t is with great pleasure that | look
into the faces of some of our early
settlers, Delaware Countys pioneers.
But at the same time 1 feel sad that SO
many of those who have helped to
make this county what it is are no
more with us, They have gone to their
reward. Some glad day there will be
reunion in heaven, where there is no
more separation.
We will for short time look into the
social, Intellectual and religious life of
the early settler. That we are here to-
dor .y,rnof IF tt,ia ,,o;,I l;ra 49,,