Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1923-12-05
The PnfASi School.

.ovide the elements or civilization
tar the youth of both sexes, after the
,roightier mater of the law had been
..yen care OF. Had this been want
40 however, the advent at an early
NV Of some settlers who appreciated
no force of that argument, the prem
eos and conclusion was Eve must
a3ucate" I'VE must educate" would
Ave prevailed to prevent laxness in
this behalf.
The first school of which there is
o,v record of having been opened was
nat commenced in 1888 in iog
rohin in Lafayette, when Cornelius
comedy. revolutionary soldier and
martinez educator, began the art
18th a limited number of scholars.
Mr. Kennedy taught the required
nnmber of terms for which he engag-
"a and retired from active service as
Far as can be ascertained, with good
wishes of all Immediately interested.
+ is not known if he died here or re-
moved to other parts.
In 1882 a pedagogue named layers
oamn into the country from the East,
and introduced himself as a candidate
for nublic favor and patronage as d
school teacher. He opened for in
struction in min ers cabin under the
biI1 at Van BureL and succeeded in
maintaining order for some months.
In 1910, C. c. Drake dismounted
from the stage and took up the birch
u public educator in Van Buren,,
yhere he remained, it is thought for
the period of six months, when he re-
moved to the Bulls tavern in Lafay-
cite. in which historic premises he
concluded his novitiate as a teacher
Uithfn the vicinity of Potosi His alb
scpnce was supplied meanwhile by a
Nh Johnson, in whose care and I'M
dor whose direction a school was pre-
narpd for in house that was built for
and occupied at one time during it's
probably checkered experience as
clark and Woods saloon.
following Johnson came C. S. ID.
Cr0ckwell, who taught in the old log
Methodist church in Van Buren,, VINO
n turn yielded to Miss Emeline Fish
or. who in later years became we'll
known in the country as popular
and qualified teacher. beloved by all
who knew her.
The next school heard of was locat-
ed in an unpretentious log cabin OF
limited dimensions at the head of the
Hollow in Potosi proper, which mad
bann Clark and Woods saloon, and
later the residence of Joseph Hall.
This school was presided over by Ed
ward Story, and his successors with
varying results.
In 1916 a two-story brick school
house, to take the place Of the log
cabin was completed at cost OF
$500 It was located in front OF
where the present high school build
ing now stands, and stood near the
street with running stream or water
in the rear. The first school in the
new building was taught by a man
named Cameron. brother Of former y.
S. Senator Cameron of Wisconsin.
In 1847. the late Hon James w.
Seaton, who came to Potosi in 1845
became the teacher of the school, ana
identified himself prominently Wltn
the material interests of the home or
his adoption, making that Of furnish
ing the most complete system OF edu-
cation available at the time an IN
portant feature. He had charge OF
the school for two terms, and directed
its success and prosperity with en-
swerying fidelity. He retired IN lo49
to enter upon the practice OF law, ana
the school has since endeavored 10
maintain the high order of scholar
ship, discipline and excellence which
he established.
In 1859 Hiram Gilmore assumed
charge Of the school and served I"o
terms He was a fair educator put
was not possessed of the educatlonaI
abilities his predecessor had.
In 1852 James Roach, a one-aF1h
man took charge of the school. IL
was a fairly good teacher and fuled
his school He was succeeded ny d
mau named Rackerby, who came 70
P3t0si from Missouri with an lnter-
cting family of girls and boys, elght
IT. ali. Mr.. Rackerby was a good eo4-
Gator and gave good satisfaction. ne
taught the school in 1853-54-55 ana
56. and was succeeded by man by
tie name Of Hudson, whom it is salQ
never cOmbed his hair. He serVeu
oua term. and a man named PatcheH
became instructor. He in turn was
succeeded bv wv. w. Fikens, who fateI
became q prominent attorney III MIL
egsl Point, Wis.
0r .. W. Angel next took charge 81
Ills school and served one term. he
a.er was county clerk.
Prof z. S. Swan, travelling elocd-
ZIONIST and mimic applied and was &C
yepted as teacher in 1860 He was
tan appearing man, possessed o. ~
the qualifications that go TO MAKE d
good educator, and in great meas
ue brought the school back to W1ele
il was when J. w. Seaton retlred ~
l>+9.
h 1862 Swan recruited a company
OF volunteers in Potosi for service N
chs Civil war, and was captain OF ms
company that became Company 4
18th Regt. Wis. Vol. Inf, ana was
known as the Potosi Badgers. AlteI
The war he returned to MonIlce1lio
ILL.,, his old home and took up Cne
practice of law and became brllllaht
lawyer. He died there some years
ago.
swan was succeeded by john Coie'
Who took charge of the school IN Ihe
ial Of 1862, and taught one term' ne
declined a further engagement; Iie
Possessed a fine education ana ms