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Each year for many years, probably for 60, there
has appeared in the “News” an announcement of the annual Mt.
Pleasant Academy reunion and an account of the reunion afterwards. These
items passed into history after the reunion this year, for the reunion
itself will not again be held.
To the newcomers and the younger generation there
must be confusion about the various academics that have existed in Mt.
Pleasant. Howe’s Academy flourished and faded; likewise with Mt.
Pleasant Academy and with the academy at Iowa Wesleyan. The latter was
discontinued in the 1920’s and the Howe’s Academy story is a lengthy one
in itself.
These notes are relative to the Mt. Pleasant
Academy whose numbers among its alumni have become so few due to the
toll of the years, that the holding of reunions was discontinued after
the meeting this year. The academy closed its doors on January 1, 1907,
after ten very successful and worthwhile years according to a school
history compiled by Harlan C. Foster, Mrs. Clarence Rhum., Manley
Frazer, Laurence Russell, and Herman Elgar.
Many of the names listed are familiar ones, even
though they mostly represent persons no longer living. Many persons will
remember some of these mentioned in the history, quoted in part here.
During the summer of 1897 Lincoln Antrim of the
schools of Primrose, Lee County, Iowa, and Charles W. Larkin of
Winfield, Henry County, Iowa, decided there was a place for a
Preparatory School in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.
After several meetings between these two noted educators, the Mt.
Pleasant Academy was founded. In the fall of the same year, the
institution of learning opened its doors in a large three-story building
which stood where the Masonite Temple now stands.
After a short time in this location, the Academy secured the second and
third floors of the Spahr building on the north side of the square,
where it remained until it closed.
The first class to graduate was in June of 1898. Professor Antrim and
Professor Larkin both taught in the school.
Associated with Antrim as teachers in the Academy at different times
were: Belle Cartwright, William Miller, Professor Carrothers, Henry
Hebel, Etta Larkin, Bessie Langwith, Emma Smith, Madie Johnson, Mable
Day, and Mary Powelson.
This school, like many others of its kind, filled an important niche in
the development of our educational system. But, like many other
contributing factors to the growth of our state and nation, had to give
way to our public school system, with which they would not compete and
so stepped aside in the forward march of modern methods.
History will preserve the record of the importance of these academies in
preparing many thousands of fine young men and women for their life’s
work. These institutions prepared and sent forth graduates who became
educators, doctors, ministers, statesmen and just everyday good, honest,
alert citizens. In fact, these schools occupied a most useful and
enviable position in the development of our present public school
system, which is superior to any other system in the world.
The course of study that was to be offered was the Normal course to fit
students for teaching either in the country schools or high schools.
This course was to cover a two-year period of study for graduation.
The Commercial Course, covered a book-keeping course which required one
year to complete for graduation. The Commercial Course also covered
Banking and required one year of study to complete this course. After
taking the Book-keeping and Banking courses of study, the student was
prepared for any kind of commercial work such as manager or executive.
Professor Carrothers, banker, was the instructor of this department.
There was also a department of Short Hand and Typing which fitted the
young students for office work, court reporter, or any position
requiring need in typing or short-hand notes.
The last course to be offered was the four-year Latin course to fit the
student for a college preparatory entrance. The Normal course and the
Latin course were recognized and accepted in all colleges in the
vicinity, as a course of study fully meeting entrance requirements to
all colleges.
Prof. Antrim devoted all his time to this course.
The school was a great success from the start. It filled a place in the
community that no other school filled. The school continued until 1906,
with the instructors being changed each year. During the ten years it
operated there was an average attendance of 220 pupils.
In 1902, Charles W. Larkin retired (but later came back and taught for a
time), leaving Lincoln Antrim sole proprietor and manager of the
Academy.
On December 21, 1906, a farewell banquet was held at the Athenian Hall,
and on January 1, 1907, The Academy closed its doors after ten very
successful and worthwhile years.
Soon after the close of the Academy, January 1, 1907, the Alumni
Association was organized, with Vincent Burns as the first president.
That concluded the prepared history, except for the roll of classes.
We’ve picked a few names at random, which will cause many older readers
to reflect: Edward C. Lynn, Bessie Troop, Dell B. Gapen, Birdie Schnurr,
Philip Zink, Laurence Russell, Manley G. Frazer, Mable C. Anderson,
Grace M. Nixon, Lizzie M. Portlock, Mable Alma Lessenger, Bessie O.
Russell, J. B. Hallowell, George Virden, Harry Virden, Orpha Morrow,
Jesse Schultz, Myra Arnold, Bert Morehouse, Laura E. Hinkson, Francis M.
Chandler, Earl A. Whitaker, Chris Roth, Wm. R. Arnold, Chris Frienberger,
Carrie Clark, Hugh R. Dallner, Harlan Foster, Mary Schreiner, Edwin C.
Hagie, Clarence Smith and Herman Elgar. |
