MUSCATINE COUNTY IOWA HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI

       The graduates of the Muscatine high school are scattered to the four parts of the United States, and the list of men and women who have been given diplomas includes many prominent people of Muscatine and other cities. At the time of the high school fire in February, 1896, the records of the school were burned, and consequently the obtainable data is not absolutely complete. However from the memory of Mrs. A.C.Hopkinson, and from the records of Superintendent F. M. Witter.

       Pictured below is the first class to graduate from Muscatine High School, the year 1866. F. M. Witter was accorded the respectul title of professor, and he served in the multiple capacity of administrator, curriculum supervisor, and teacher. There was no building designated strictly as a high school until 1873, and because of this Professor Witter had to make use of whatever rooms were available. Classes had to be held in various locations about town such as business buildings, private homes, or an unoccupied elementary room. Under these adverse circumstances secondary education was born.

(Source of photo: "History of Muscatine County Iowa, 1911, Volume 1"---Photo taken by J. G. Evans)

Class of 1866

Left to right
Top Row: Jennie S. Sinnett, Mary L. Humphreys, Lillie E. Morrison, Anna M. Robbins, Rebecca J. Myers.
Bottom Row: Ed Betts, C. Edward Stewart, Prof. F. M. Witter, Frank R. Lewis, John Hurlburt.