ID's for photos or info on Spencer Institute

WHEELER

Posted By: Dave Miller (email)
Date: 8/16/2004 at 20:55:05

Photos taken in the late 1880s in Spencer, IA have recently been posted on the Clay County Web Site. These photos belonged to my great aunt Rosa Luella Wheeler. We found the photos among her collection, with credits indicating that they were taken in Spencer studios around 1887. She is pictured second from right in the first row in the group photo, and in one of the other studio photos. She apparently went to Spencer for an extended period of time from Peoria, IL. Why she went is a mystery, as we have located no relatives in that area. It is possible that she attended the Spencer Preparatory Institute, which began in 1886 with six students and had 150 students by 1888. In addition to the founder, Mrs. Phoebe Lincoln, who taught mathematics, physics, Latin, civil government and elocution, it had the following faculty. Miss Imogene Lincoln - history, grammar, orthoghraphy; Mrs. Frankie Skinner - history, geography, physiology; Miss Hattie S. Goodell - music (instrumental, vocal, harmony); Mr. Frank Calkins - English literature; Mr. C. E. Allsbrow - telegraphy; There was also special instruction in Greek, German, and chemistry. (From A History of Clay County, p. 153)

Since all of the photos were taken in Spencer, they apparently pictured Spencer residents at that time who were close to Rosa during her stay there. We are looking for information about the people pictured in Rosa's colection that would give us clues as to why she was in Spencer during those years. Our hope is that others also have these photos and can identify them, or information that would lead to registration lists for the Spencer Preparatory Institute. Any information from descendants of faculty at the institute would also be useful. .....Dave Miller

http://www.rootsweb.com/~iaclay/photos.htm
 

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