Carroll County IAGenWeb History Journal

EDUCATION

     JULES SIMON, the great Frenchman, said: "That people which has the best schools is the best people; if it is not so to-day, it will be so tomorrow." The chief glory of Iowa is that, while she is tenth in population, she is fifth in whole number of public schools and whole number of schoolhouses, and first in the proportion of persons over ten years of age who are able to read, and also first in proportion of white male population between the ages of fifteen and twenty years who are able to write.

     The first school in the county of Carroll was taught at Carrollton, in the spring of 1856, by Jane L. Hill, but outside of that village there were few schools taught before the era of progress which immediately succeeded the building of the Northwestern Railroad. Of the early schools, the less said the better, unless we consider the disadvantages of the country and the poverty of the people. The citizens improved their schools as rapidly as their own means would permit, and the last two decades have witnessed a steady and perceptible gain in methods and conditions.

     The present efficiency of the free-school system is due in no small degree to the influence of the teachers' institutes and associations now held annually. Of course the discussion and exercises of these educational gatherings were at first general in their character; but county normals or teachers' institutes now have a specific purpose—the better fitting of teachers for the school-room.

     Nothing helps more than a good institute to give teachers a proper appreciation of the responsibilities which rest upon them; nothing does more to give them an enthusiasm for their work, a love for it, and an earnest desire to find out and use diligently the very best methods for instructing children. Indeed, as a rule, those teachers who attend institutes are the ones who become most faithful, diligent and efficient in the school-room. Mingling with those engaged in the same calling, they receive their sympathies, and the benefit of their experience. They learn, perhaps, to think better of their profession than ever before; come to appreciate fully the nobleness there is in it; and when they go back to their school-room again it is with a determination to be successful in the truest sense, however much labor it may cost them.

     An institute is in some sense a short term of school, in which a few points in the common branches, such as are not usually well understood or well taught by teachers, are seized upon and presented by competent instructors. The best methods, not those which are simply new, but methods which have been proven by actual trial in the schoolroom, whether new or old, to be the best, are the ones aimed to be insisted upon by those who conduct exercises in the institute. Greater accuracy and thoroughness in the teaching of the common branches is evidently needed in many of our schools now; and the institute is an important means for the attainment of this end. It is well, as is often done, to introduce a few general exercises, such as the reading of essays and the delivering of short orations, so that general intellectual culture may be encouraged; for teachers ought not to be one-sided men and women. So much importance is attached to teachers' institutes by our best educators that in several cities teachers are compelled by the school regulations to attend the city institute.

     In testimony of the present satisfactory condition of school matters in Carroll County, the following figures are taken from the last published reports:

     Number of district townships, 15; independent districts, 15; sub-districts, 135; ungraded schools, 127; rooms in graded schools, 24; average duration in months, 7; male teachers employed, 75; average monthly compensation, $44.88; female teachers, 153; average monthly compensation, $33.92; males of school age, 2,687; females, 2,705; enrolled in public schools, 3,993; total average attendance, 2,288; average tuition per month, per pupil, $2.30; frame school-houses, 132; brick school-houses, 3; value, $100,555; value of apparatus, $6,148.

     Paid for school-houses and sites, $8,160.69; for library and apparatus, $108.85; on bonds and interest, $2,314.86; for other purposes, from school-house fund, $3,714.95; for rent and repair of school-rooms, $4,324.42; for fuel, $3,562.73; secretaries and treasurers, $1,496.88; for records, dictionaries and apparatus, $796.87; for insurance and janitors, $1,219.87; for supplies, brooms, chalk, etc., $854.52; for other purposes, from contingent fund, $5,790.41; for teachers, $37,972.46; for other purposes, from teachers' fund, $26.43.

AGRICULTURAL

      The Carroll County farmer, having no stones or stumps to remove, finds his farm clear and already prepared for cultivation, so that he may plow his land, plant his crops, and reap such a harvest the first year as will abundantly reward his labor. The richness of Iowa soil is attested by the fact that as many as twenty successive crops have been gathered from a single field, without the use of fertilizers. In the variety of products this region is unexcelled. Corn in the most reliable crop, is more extensively cultivated than any other, and yields from fifty to seventy-five bushels per acre.

     The business of stock-raising has assumed vast proportions, and a large percentage of the agricultural wealth consists of all kinds of farm stock. These unsurpassed prairie lands, yielding abundantly of rich, nutritious grasses and watered with numberless streams and rivers, have the conditions of climate, food and water which are favorable to success, and with superior transportation facilities, giving access to the markets of the world, the prosecution of this industry has become one of the most profitable sources of revenue. Stock feeding is a business in which the surplus grain can be most profitably utilized, a fact which was been fully demonstrated by every one who has given his attention to it. There is no branch of agriculture which pays so large a revenue in Iowa, as there is scarcely a farmer who does not give his attention, in a greater or less degree, to the raising of stock for market. The following are the census (1885) figures as to the chief farm and stock interests: Average size of farm, 141; acres of improved land, 242,044; acreage in cultivation, 180,429; acres of unimproved land, 44,593; acres in pasture, 41,674; rods of hedge fence, 67,058; rods of barbed wire fence, 492,146; rods of other fence, 87,925; farms managed by owner, 1,504; by tenant for money rent, 144; by tenant for crop rent, 326.

     Acres of Indian corn, 92,897; bushels harvested, 3,231,439; acres of spring wheat, 55,454; bushels harvested, 617,254; acres of oats, 23,409; bushels harvested, 795,797; tons of straw, 16,334; acres of rye, 1,487; bushels harvested, 19,713; tons of straw, 863; acres of barley, 8,508; bushels harvested, 225,794; acres of buckwheat, 83; bushels harvested, 1,247.

     Acres in planted timber, 2,403; acres in natural timber, 1,916; cords of wood cut in one year, 746; number of bearing apple trees, 13,425; bushels gathered, 8,785; bearing plum trees, 2,966; bushels gathered, 790; bearing cherry trees, 1,546; bushels gathered, 161; other bearing fruit trees, 1,309; trees not in bearing, 51,357; acres of vineyard, 5; pounds of grapes gathered, 1,860; vines not in vineyard, 10,023; pounds of grapes gathered, 7,956; stands of bees, 122; pounds of honey gathered, 1,586.

     Acres of clover, 203; tons of hay, 166; bushels of seed, 15; acres of Hungarian, 208; tons of hay, 317; bushels of seed, 53; acres of millet, 218; tons of hay, 431; bushels of seed, 62; acres of timothy, 5,924; tons of hay, 4,979; bushels of seed, 1,530; tons of hay from wild grass, 34,476; acres of flax, 3,950; bushels of seed, 19,291.

     Gallons of milk sold or sent to factory, 7,629; gallons of cream sold or sent to factory, 68,673; pounds of butter made, not at factory, 357,350; pounds of cheese made, not at factory, 4,390; acres of potatoes, 1,261; bushels raised, 69,458; bushels of beets raised, 603; turnips, 9,084; peas and beans, 724; acres in sorghum, 292; gallons of sorghum sirup [sic], 5,184. Milch cows, 8,671; other cattle, 17,394; slaughtered and sold for slaughter, 2,791; total horses, 8,387; sold for export, 101; mules and asses, 358; sold for export, 8; Poland China hogs, 8,907; Berkshire hogs, 2,703; Chester Whites, 285; Duroc Jerseys, 123; Essexes, 32; other improved breeds, 89; total hogs, 60,874; slaughtered or sold for slaughter, 38,738; Merino sheep, 315; Cotswold sheep, 102; Southdown sheep, 5; total sheep, 644; slaughtered or sold for slaughter, 55; number of fleeces, 454; pounds of wool, 3,612; common chickens, 109,671; improved breeds, 1,126; other domestic fowl, 7,745; dozens of eggs, 306,589. Value of farm products, $1,142,434; market-garden produce, $1,020; products of forest, $4,135; orchard products, $3,914; products of vine, $1,618; small fruit, $2,030; products of hive, $245; products of dairy, $76,263; animals slaughtered, or sold for slaughter, $433,547; poultry and eggs, $28,958.

RAILROADS

      The prosperity and development of a State is essentially dependent upon its means of transportation, and to our railroads is due, more than to any other single agency, the present prosperity of Iowa. The attractions which Iowa presents to enterprise, capital and skilled labor, with all her natural elements of productive wealth, have been developed by the greatest river navigation and the best system of railroads existing in any State in the Union. The benefits which are derived from railroad communication are untold, and can only be realized when we remember that civilization and improvement of all kinds follow the iron horse, and, as if by magic, towns and villages spring up in its wake. The building of railroads assisted greatly in the development of our State by furnishing convenient markets for the farmer. Iowa is to-day traversed by railroads in almost every direction, while the work of building new lines is steadily progressing, and this wonderful advance in the construction of railroads indicates the confidence which capitalists entertain in regard to the future of our State. Indeed there are very few States in the Union, if any, in which railroad building has been pursued with such energy as in Iowa. The great national highways across the continent pass directly through the State, affording our people access to the principal markets of the world. From these roads branches deflect in all directions, until with these, and her north and south lines and their branches, there remains not a county in the entire State which has not one or more railroads.

     In the spring of 1855 the first locomotive and cars were introduced within the borders of our State at Davenport. In 1856 Congress made a munificent grant of lands to the State, to aid in the building of railroads, which in turn was granted by the State to various companies for the construction of lines in different directions throughout Iowa. For several years thereafter progress in railroad building was slow, owing to the financial depression in 1857–'58, and the civil war which followed so soon afterward, and it was not until after the close of the war that the increased demand for transportation facilities necessitated the more rapid building of railroads. The benefit derived from these commercial highways is two-fold. Not only are the people of the State afforded an easy communication with the great markets of the country, but when it is understood that these great corporations are subject to local and State taxation, and that they pay into the treasury of the State a large amount annually, it will be seen that the burden of the taxpayer is lessened thereby. The railroads of the State are subject to legislative control, so that the General Assembly has the power to fix the maximum rates for the transportation of passengers and freight on the various lines and to prevent unjust discrimination between points on the same line. The interests of the people are guarded by a board of railroad commissioners, consisting of three persons, appointed by the Governor for the term of three years, and whose duty it is to adjust those differences which may arise between the people and railroad companies, or between one company and another, hearing and determining complaints, inquiring and recommending, and up to this time its recommendations have been heeded. It is to be taken for granted that the public appreciate the great convenience of the railroads as well as the fact that they have been indispensable in the development of our State, and there is no reason for, and we believe there is no real antagonism of, interests between our people and the railroad companies, although there have been misapprehensions on both sides, though perhaps no more than arises in other business relations of the same magnitude, yet they are each interested in the prosperity of the other, as a broad and comprehensive view of the rights of each reveals. The management of the railroads of Iowa has been wise and judicious, and in their endeavors to promote the prosperity of their respective companies they have been important factors of the development of our wonderful resources.

     Although Carroll County has now two east and west main lines of railroad, and north and south branches, it was 1867 before the first rail was laid in the county. The county was then twelve years old, but had scarcely half as many hundred people living in its boundaries. The great impulse given to immigration, which has continued steadily until the county has now over 16,000 inhabitants, is one of the most powerful arguments that can be adduced to prove that the advent of the railroad was an unmixed blessing for Carroll County.

     Chicago & Northwestern. — More than thirty years ago it was designed to encourage the building of four trunk lines of railroad across the State of Iowa. One of these was to be on or near the forty-second parallel of latitude, and would hence cross Carroll County nearly midway. Congress in 1856 granted to the State of Iowa, in trust for this purpose, a liberal strip of the public lands. At a special session of the General Assembly, in July, 1856, the land grant for this line was transferred to the Iowa Central Railroad Company.

     This grant was declared forfeited by act of the General Assembly, March 17, 1860, and nine days later was assigned to the Cedar Rapids & Missouri River Railroad Company. This grant embraced 88,120 acres in Carroll County. Owing to the paralyzing influence of the civil war, several years more elapsed before the actual work of construction began. In the meantime, by act of Congress, approved July 2, 1864, another grant was made direct to the railroad company. This took 29,240 acres more in Carroll County, making 117,360 acres given in this county to secure the railroad.

     The road was built in 1866 and 1867, passing through this county in the latter year. Immediately after completion the road was leased for ninety-nine years to the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company, which has since operated it. This powerful company has 3,584 miles of road, including 1,022 miles in Iowa. The main line in Iowa is 354 miles long, with 667 miles of branches. The townships crossed in Carroll County, with mileage in each, are: Glidden, 6.150; Grant, 5.000; Carroll, 7.635; Arcadia, 6.625. The stations, with distance in miles from Chicago, are: Glidden, 388; Carroll, 395; Maple River Junction, 399; Arcadia, 405.

     The Iowa Southwestern Railroad was built under the auspices of the Chicago & Northwestern Company, in 1880. It was intended to build to Harlan, in Shelby County, but on account of the rapacity of some land-owners near the latter place the road stopped at Kirkman, seven miles this side of Harlan. The right of way was contributed by adjacent property owners. This branch is thirty-five miles long, from Carroll to Kirkman. Soon after this line was built a branch was built from Manning in this county to Audubon in Audubon County. George Gray, of Audubon, furnished the right of way. The line from Manning to Kirkman is now operated as a branch from the former place, while trains run through from Carroll to Audubon.

     The townships crossed, with mileage in each, are: Carroll, 4.997; Roselle, 3.722; Washington, 4.933; Warren, 11.786. The stations are, with distances from Carroll: Carroll; Halbur, 9; Manning, 8.

     Maple River Railroad.—This leaves the Northwestern line at Maple River Junction, four miles west of Carroll, runs north to Wall Lake, and thence west. It was constructed as an appendage of the Northwestern, and was completed to Onawa, Monona County, on the Sioux City & Pacific Railroad, in the autumn of 1886, though begun in this county in 1877. The townships crossed, and mileage in each, are: Carroll, 2.628; Kniest, 3.215; Wheatland, 3.457. There is but one station in this county besides Maple River Junction, and that is Breda, seven miles north of the former place.

     Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul.—This crosses the county near its southern edge, and was built in 1881. It crosses the Iowa Southwestern at Manning, which is now nearly as much of a railroad center as Carroll. The townships crossed, and miles in each, are: Union, 5.110; Newton, 6.630; Eden, 6.390; Warren, 6.820. The stations are: Coon Rapids, Dedham, Templeton and Manning.

     All the villages in the county are stations on railroads, except Mount Carmel and Carrollton. Indeed they have been started after the road was built, in each case.

PUBLIC BUILDINGS

      The court-house at Carrollton was begun in 1858, by Nelson B. Moore; he was not very speedy with his work, and nearly a year later, when the first story was built, but not plastered or painted, he died. In December, 1859, the county paid H. L. Youtz, administrator of Moore's estate, $818, and took the building off his hands. William Ivers and T. T. Morris contracted to do the painting and plastering. The second story was built in 1865, by I. & J. Hampton, who were paid about $1,500. The building cost, flrst and last, about $3,000. After the removal of the county seat the old court-house was sold. At Carroll the offices and records were first in a building belonging to William Gilley. In 1869 a frame building was put upon the square, which had been sold to the county for $1 by the railroad company. The cost of this building has been stated at $4,000. It was used till the spring of 1886, and in April of that year it burned—not totally, but sufficient to prevent its being used. The offices are now in the Joyce building, but the county has accepted plans for a $40,000 court-house to be built in 1887. The people have voted $50,000 for a court-house and jail. The county has had no jail as yet. It has for several years owned a farm of 160 acres for its paupers, of section 6, Grant Township. There is a good frame building on it, sufficient for all present needs.

STATISTICS OF POPULATION

      The first settlers nearly all came to the county in 1855 and 1856. The census of 1856 showed the county to have a population of 251. It was then nearly stationary for ten years, after which it began the rapid increase which has been steadily maintained ever since. The population of the county at the several enumerations has been: 1856, 251; 1859, 250; 1860, 281; 1863, 297; 1865, 400; 1867, 688; 1869, 1,450; 1870, 2,451; 1873, 3,601; 1875, 5,760; 1880, 12,351; 1885, 16,329.

     The German population of the county is nearly or quite 10,000. In 1868, just after the laying of the Cedar Rapids & Missouri River Railroad (now Northwestern) through this county, the Iowa Railroad Land Company contracted with Lambert Kniest for the latter to settle fifty families in the township which now bears his name (85 north, 35 west). Mr. Kniest was then city collector of Dubuque. Senator George W. Jones recommended Mr. Kniest to the land company as being eminently fitted to perform this difficult work. He went speedily to work, and came out to this county with twenty-six families. Others came subsequently, and in three weeks less than the year which limited the agreement the fifty families were located. So anxious was he at the last that he gave the land to two families. Mr. Kniest acted as agent for the land company in selling all of the land in Kniest Township. Most of the immigrants he secured were from Dubuque County, this State, and from Grant County, Wisconsin. This was the beginning of the German settlement of the county, and in due time Wheatland, Arcadia, Washington, Roselle and other townships were settled up, largely by the same thrifty people. There are a number of Irish in the county, mostly from La Salle, Stephenson, Ogle and other counties in Illinois.