PEABODY PUBLIC SCHOOLS A Brief History of Peabody's Wonderful Educational Advancements AN ARTICLE EXTRACTED FROM THE PEABODY NEWS 1901 Contributed by Charmaine Keith (charmain@southwind.net) 26 August 1998 --------------------------------------------------------------------- KSGENWEB INTERNET GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY COPYRIGHT NOTICE: In keeping with the KSGenWeb policy of providing free information on the Internet, this data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other gain. Copying of the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged. Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other means requires the written approval of the file's author. --------------------------------------------------------------------- PEABODY NEWS 1901 The first school in Peabody was taught by Miss Lyons, now Mrs G. H. Cooper, in 1871. It was a three months term, beginning in April. The sessions were held in a wagon repair shop, located just east of where the city building now stands. Number of pupils enrolled was thirty-seven. The children sat on wooden benches with backs. There were no blackboards or desks. Miss Laura Carson, afterwards Mrs. F. H. Kollock; taught the summer term. By winter the new school building, consisting of two rooms, was ready for use and Samuel Roland was the teacher. The first school board consisted of S. C. Shinner, director; W. C. Nye, clerk; and J. M. Amborn, treasurer. UNION GRADED SCHOOL, DIST. NO. 1 On August 9, 1983, at a regularly called meeting of the voters of district No. 12 of Marion county, the organization of Union Graded District No. 1 was effected. The object of the organization was to establish a High School, "where the higher branches should be taught." A sentiment favoring the establishment of a High School had existed for years, but the law limited the tax levy to two per cent of current expenses, which was barely enough to maintain the common school. One section of the statutes provides that "two or more districts can form a union or graded school distict," etc., and the final clause of this section reads " or any single district may take advantage of this act." Mr. F. H. Kollock interpreted this to mean that district No. 12 could organize under this act and establish a high school and levy and additional tax for the support of such a high school, and the organization of the district followed as stated above. The notice for the special meeting was signed by our townsman J. H. C. Brewer who was clerk of district No. 12 at that time. By this action it was possible for a levy of four percent for the running expenses of the schools of the district. This is the first community district out of a single district. There is a school board consisting of a director, clerk and treasurer in each district. They hold their meetings together and are organized as a single board of six members. Nothing in the history of this community indicates the real character of the people more than the spirit manifested in the establishment and maintainanee of this high school. Nothing could be a better index of the intelligence, culture and refinement of the community. The high school, thus established, has been a potent agency in elevating the moral and intellectual tone of the community. Nor is the community any poorer in actual wealth, from the fact that they were willing to tax themselves more than the law permitted in order to maintain a high school. Scores of young men and women have received the preliminary training which fitted them for college; many have been inspired to take college courses who never would have done so but for this school. Since the increase in valuation caused by the growth of the city and the building of the Rock Island railroad the taxes have been greatly reduced. SCHOOL BUILDINGS The first school building in the district was erected in 1872. It was built of stone and had two rooms-the ones now occupied by the fifth and eighth grades. The old frame building which has been sold and will be removed in a few days, was put up about 1874. A six room addition to the stone building was erected in 1883, making an eight room building, which, with the two rooms in the frame building, supplied the district till the first of this year (1901), when the four room addition to the stone building was completed. This addition is especially complete and commodious with mode, lighting and ventilation, and elegantly finished in hard oil. The whole building of twelve rooms is heated by steam and supplied with water from the city water works on both floors, making on of the best building for school purposes in the state. The high school room and the recitation room adjoining can be thrown together, forming one large assembly room. PICTURES The walls of each room are adorned with numerous carefully selected and tastefully arranged pictures. Many of these pictures are handsome works of art, which constantly contribute to the aesthetic culture and refinement of the children. The schools are indebted for these beautiful pictures to the Ladies Tuesday Afternoon Club. The pictures have been furnished free of cost to the schools by the ladies during the last two years. The record shows that two hundred and eighteen pupils have graduated from the high school since its organization. Ninety four, or about forty-five per cent, of these have graduated in the last six years. All of the ninety-four graduated in the last six years have completed the course including the Latin, which fully prepares them to enter the State University. Prior to that time an optional course was offered so that comparatively few of those graduating were prepared to enter college. MEMBERS OF THE HIGH SCHOOL BOARD The first high school board consisted of T. M. Potter, director; T. C. Thoburn, clerk; J. E. Tressler, treasurer. J.M. Bechtel, D. F. Rhodes, E. F. Davison, L. N. Knowles, J. G. Johnson, and Wm. M. Irwin have served on the high school board. The following is the list of the school officers of District No. 12, as shown by the records in the county superintendents office: CLERKS W. C. Nye Jos. Weeks J. H. C. Brewer F. H. Kollock J. F. Hess L. M. Knowles H. B. Van Nest W. H. Ellett F. E. Butler DIRECTORS D. C. Skinner P. C. Holler A. Lackey Thos. Osborne L. A. Buck M. M. Turner F. H. Kollock O. J. Furst E. F. Davison J. O. Moffett T. M. Potter TREASURES J. M. Amborn John Christ Geo. M. Miller W. E. Scott C. C. Page S. S. Findley A. N. Eaton The Following is as complete a list of the principals as I could get: L. W. Roland, C. M. Arbuthnot, H. C. Ford, A. S. Olin, L. M. Knowles, C. M. Clark, ---Pearson, Wm. Wheeler, W. M. Kelock, J. C. Gibney and A. H. Bushey. By A. H. Bushey. --------------------------------------------------------------------- KSGENWEB INTERNET GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY COPYRIGHT NOTICE: In keeping with the KSGenWeb policy of providing free information on the Internet, this data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other gain. Copying of the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged. Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other means requires the written approval of the file's author. ---------------------------------------------------------------------