Dane County WI Archives History - Schools .....The First Year Of School At Albion Academy 1854-1855, Chapter 5 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/wi/wifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 April 13, 2009, 11:56 pm CHAPTER FIVE The First Year of School at Albion Academy 1854-1855 The Board of Trustees, with Dr. Charles R. Head as its chairman, announced the opening of Albion Academy to receive students in the fall of 1854. The Institution, according to the Board, had one of the most desirable locations for a school in the country. "It is surrounded by a rich farming community, and entirely removed from every resort of the vicious and idle, thus being a pleasant home for the lover of virtue and correct habits." [10] At that early period about thirty families comprised the village of Albion, all of whom were deeply interested in the associations and welfare of the students. No games of chance or a saloon for strong drinks were tolerated in the village. A faculty of five, well educated in the East, had been selected by the Board with which to begin instruction. The first principal, who served for seven years— 1854 to 1861—was the Reverend Thomas R. Williams, Ph. D., D. D. He was educated at Alfred University in New York State, Brown University in Rhode Island, Union Theological Seminary in New York City, and Princeton Theological Seminary in New Jersey. Board of Instruction Thomas R. Williams - Principal Professor of English Literature, Ancient Languages, and Moral and Intellectual Philosophy D. L. Hicok, B. P. - Associate Principal Professor of Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Civil Engineering John F. Pease Professor of Instrumental and Vocal Music Mrs. Sarah Williams Teacher of Oil Painting, Assistant in English Literature, and Preceptress Miss Eliza O. Merrill Teacher of French and Assistant in Mathematics and Natural Sciences Students, spoken of as Ladies and Gentlemen, to the number of 145, reported for the school year of 1854-1855. (Their names appear at the close of this chapter, but two names seem to have been omitted in the listing.) These students came from the neighboring farms and nearby villages and towns in Wisconsin. One lady was listed from Illinois and three gentlemen from New York State. Of this number of 145, 63 were ladies and 80 were gentlemen. Later on as the Academy prospered and gained fame, students came from a much wider area. They often arrived in lumber wagons or "democrats," bringing with them their clothes and bedding and food supplies, such as potatoes, squash, bacon and ham, maple syrup, apples and pears, canned vegetables, pickles and preserves. Students arriving on the Milwaukee and Mississippi Railroad at the Fulton Depot, located three miles from Albion, were conveyed with their baggage free of charge at the opening of each term. As expenses for the school term were exceedingly low, whoever wanted an education could come. There was not much to buy and little to spend. The necessary yearly expenses at Albion Academy—tuition, room rent, incidentals, and board—were less than $74.00 a year. If a student boarded himself, his expenses could be reduced not to exceed $45.00 a year, and the greater number of students did this. No student was to be denied an education at the Academy for lack of money. Academy founders and villagers extended help to those unable to pay. Dr. Head, as physician, gave his professional services free to the Academy students and instructors. The homes of the villagers were used as infirmaries. J. Q. Emery, at that time a student at the Academy, cited this act of kindness: "While connected with the Albion Academy, I was taken with a severe attack of typhoid fever. Dr. Head took me to his own home, where for four weeks he and his wife, good Samaritans, took care of me. Dr. Head was both physician and nurse. For this service he positively refused any pay." [11] Some students could work for their expenses doing odd jobs around the campus. Some cut wood for the dormitory stoves, did janitorial work in the buildings, rang the bell, and offered their services for work whenever an opportunity should present itself. This community hardship and living, studying, and working together with hope and promise for the future generated a great deal of school spirit. Plain living was the order of the day. Sparse meals in many cases, rooms heated only by small wood-burning stoves, long and exacting days of study did not deter students from staying at the Academy. At this early period, these Academy students, unusually mature for their age and with a definite sense of values, were later to graduate and contribute greatly with their skills and leadership to the State's and Nation's history. Albion Academy was the first institution in Wisconsin to open its doors to both men and women on an equal footing. It was decreed from the outset that the Academy should be coeducational. Its founders had the then revolutionary idea that women should be educated in the same manner and in the same subjects as men, and that this could be done safely and properly in the same institution. This meant that they should study not only Greek and Latin and history and literature, but also science and philosophy and mathematics. It was assumed that the wifely skills of home economics and home living should be taught in the home and that the crafts should be learned by working with the craftsmen. [12] The courses of study were open to both sexes, and they recited in the same classes. The word "co-ed" had not come into existence and did not appear through the entire Academy's history. The scholarship of the women suffered no disparagement compared with that of the men. Perhaps it was the widespread praise of excel* Dent conditions at Albion Academy that hastened the University of Wisconsin to adopt this practice of coeducation. The University did not permit the mixture of sexes in the same classroom until l874. President Chadbourne of the University made it a condition that boys and girls should recite separately. Facilities were not provided for teaching many of the subjects to girls—a condition which existed for some years. No such discrimination existed from the very beginning at Albion Academy. The Academy, could also, take pride in the fact that- for a considerable period of time in the pioneer educational history of Wisconsin the class work done at Albion Academy was of the same grade as that done at the State University. Recitations were designed to develop self-reliance. A great deal of emphasis was placed on oral exercise. The ability to appear and speak effectively under all circumstances was stressed in the classroom, in the student clubs, and the weekly "rhetoricals." As classes were small, students had every opportunity to participate and, moreover, were expected to be active members of the group. As nearly all students had to sacrifice to go to school, they were anxious to absorb as much as possible from every lesson. This type of instruction produced leaders who helped later to shape the frontier. A topic was assigned to each student by the instructor. The scholar then prepared his material. During the recitation, he stood and orally presented his subject. A good recitation was one in which the student did not need to be prompted by questions from the teacher. Oral examinations were held at the end of each school term. On hand for student usage were globes for Geography and Astronomy students, a full set of Anatomical Charts, and good Philosophical apparatus. A typical day in the life of the Academy students was a long, busy one. The day was divided in this manner: Forenoon 5:00 a. m. Rising bell 6:00-7:00 Study time 7:00 Breakfast 7:45 Chapel 8:30-12:00 Recitations and study Afternoon 12:00-2:00 p. m. Noon meal and intermission 2:00-5:00 Recitations and study (Three periods of an hour each were used for the above.) 6:00 Evening meal 7:00-9:00 Study 9:30 Retiring bell. Lights out. * As the charter issued by the State legislature specified no teaching of sectarian tenets, yet a Christian influence and atmosphere prevailed. The morning Chapel Exercises, which all students were required to attend as roll call was taken there, consisted of readings from the Bible, prayer, hymn singing, and spirited talks and appeals of a wholesome nature given by the Principal. Sunday evenings were devoted to religious meetings conducted also by the Principal and a clergyman. Wholesome, inspiring, and uplifting, these meetings made a lifetime spiritual imprint upon the lives of the students. Rules and Regulations for the students were set forth by the Board of Trustees. 1. No student will be permitted to leave town without having obtained an excuse from one of the Principals. 2. Punctuality in attending all regular Academic exercises is strictly required. 3. Playing of games at chance is not allowed. 4. Using profane language cannot be allowed. 5. The use of any kind of intoxicating drinks cannot be allowed unless prescribed in case of sickness by a regular physician. 6. Good order must be maintained at all times and in all the rooms and halls of the Institution. 7. Students will be required to keep their own rooms in good order, and to pay all unnecessary damages, 8. No student will be allowed to drive nails or screws in the walls of his room, or to make any other alteration without permission from one having charge of the rooms. 9. Students are not allowed to visit each other's rooms during the hours of regular study. 10. Students are not allowed to visit the rooms of the opposite sex without permission, and then only in cases of absolute necessity. 11. No student is allowed to change or drop a study without permission. Despite strict adherence to these rules and regulations, the students, undoubtedly, were happy. Occasional get-togethers, termed "sociables," were held in the school Chapel. Sleighrides and some suppers were enjoyed. These were the chief social functions. An organization named "The Albion Gentlemen and Ladies' Society" was formed during the first term of the Academy's opening on November 4, 1854. It had a membership of 58 members by the close of the school year in June of 1855—34 Ladies and 24 Gentlemen, Its object was to secure a thorough discipline in the arts of composition and public speaking and to acquaint each member with a parliamentary style of doing business. Its meetings consisted of lectures, orations, biographies, discussions, and the reading of The Literary Echo. Any gentleman could become a member by paying an initiation fee of one dollar and subscribing to the organization's Constitution. Ladies could also become a member by merely subscribing to the Constitution. This organization planned to build a Society Library as soon as possible. Sessions were held every Saturday evening. Two public sessions were also held—one at the close of the Fall Term and one at the close of the Winter Term, An Anniversary meeting came at the close of the Spring Terra. Graduation or Commencement at that time was always termed Anniversary Week, The Literary Echo was a literary publication with an editor and an editress. It was made up of original contributions from the Society's membership. The Board of Trustees, Principal Williams and his staff of instructors, as well as the villagers, could well rejoice when ended the first school year of Albion Academy, Their dream had become a successful reality-a reality wrought by-trusting souls with courageous spirits. Real success is to have carried out a noble purpose to a noble end. Students listed here were in attendance at Albion Academy in the first year of its operation. Students in the First Year of the Course Ladies Name Residence Emma L. Babcock Albion Henrietta E. Baker Albion Sarah L. Brace Fulton Elizabeth Whitmore Newville Students in the Second Year of the Course Ladies Catharine A. Babcock Albion Luella E. Stoughton Stoughton Mary B. Smith Milton Gentlemen Charles A. Burdick Christiana George A. Williams Albion (It may be assumed that these students listed in the First and Second Year of the Course were transfer students from other academies or-had prior academic training.) Ladies Ellen F. Bsrdick Albion Precilla E. Burdick Albion Sarah C. Beardsley Stoughton A. Jane Burdick Christiana Mary F. Bishop Dunn Calfema Coon Christiana Almira L. Coon Albion Malina H. Coon Albion Mary H. Coon Albion Gentlemen Orson C. Burdick Christiana Charles H. Berdsley Stoughton Lafayette ¥. Bently Albion Henry H. Brace Fulton Oscar Babcock Dekota James A. Coon Albion Lamont S, Crandall Christiana E. Andre Campbell Christiana William W. Coon Albion Ladies Fanny E. Coon Albion Jenette E. Crandall Christiana Lucy Carter Magnolia Harriet Dunn Koshkonong Amelia Dunn Koshkonong Myra J. Dunn Whitewater Francis E. Eckels Peoria, Ill. Harriet J. Green Christiana Lodema Green Milton Lucina Gilbert Pleasant Springs Seaphinay Head Albion Lorella Harvey Fulton J. Louisa Laughton Albion Susan Millard Albion Mary Millard Albion Theressa Main Albion Sarah Morton Albion Orcelia North Dunkirk Orelia North Dunkirk Fanny R. Oviatt Albion May Odell Christiana Susan Pierce Koshkonong H. Lovina Stillman Christiana Mary Swift Fulton Delett H. Stoughton Stoughton Abba J. Stocking Whitewater Frances M. Williams Albion Lucia A. West Stoughton Sarah S. West Albion Gentlemen Orson C. Crandall Christiana Nathan Clark Koshkonong Byron N. Coon Brookfield, N. Y. LeRoy Campbell Cottage Grove Henry Davis; Fulton Henry Drakely Cottage Grove Edward Dodge Ft. Atkinson George H. Dunn Whitewater Royal S. Ensign Whitewater George D. Green Christiana Charles D. Green Albion Charles H. Gillmore Ft. Atkinson Milton Goff Hart Prairie John A. Grieve Ft. Atkinson *Henry R. Head Albion Andrew E. Humphry Albion David S. Hakes.. . Edgerton James R. Hanan Rutland Theodore Hull Walworth George Jenkins Koshkonong Edward B. Maxon Albion Stillman D. Main Albion William P. Maxon Albion Esrom Morse Oakland Charles Martin Dunkirk Henry Martin Dunkirk J. M. Morrell Vienna Laderna P. Nichols Albion Eugene Nash Dayton, N. Y. Samuel Parmer Albion Daniel Pierce Koshkonong George W. Rohor Ft. Atkinson R. A. Rew Ripon James Sanders Albion Emory W. Stone Ft. Atkinson Stephen C. Sanders Albion John M. Sanders Dunkirk Charles Smith Dayton, N. Y. Henry L. Sholts Rutland George H. Van Patten Porter Alfred S. Van Patten Porter Frederick Van Patten Porter Hiram West Albion Alexander White Porter Students in the Preparatory Course Ladies Mary E. Berdsley Stoughton Lorency Champlin Christiana *Anna Maria Crandall Christiana Julia Campbell Christiana Sarah J. Coon Fulton Emerilla J. Campbell Cottage Grove *Cornelia A. Coon Christiana Lucy A. Puller Pleasant Springs Martha Goodrich Newville Lucy Gilbert Pleasant Springs Charlotte A. Harris Pine Grove Margaret J. Huie Fulton M. Salina Kenyon Albion Ellen E. Stillman Albion Martha Sexton Sextonville N. Cornelia Truman Albion Permelia D. West Albion Elizabeth Web Porter Gentlemen Orlando Babcock Christiana Leander S. Burdick Christiana Francis M. Buton Christiana F. Bumheart Albion Milford R. Coon Albion Rollin R. Carpenter Sextonville William Dunn Koshkonong Ambros Dennis Ft. Atkinson *Joseph Emerson Albion William.Fuller Pleasant Springs Oscar F. Hakes Edgerton *George H. Laurence Albion Benjamin F. Maxon Albion John Morton Albion William P. Morroe Janesville Joseph Merick Albion Franklin Newton Stoughton Verdyne E. Nichols Albion Albert B. Oviatt Albion Charles B. Peck Edgerton William Parmer Christiana Benjamin H. Stillman Christiana Morris Sexton Sextonville Styles M. West Albion Thurlo West- Albion Summary Whole number in the Academic course 100 Whole number in the Preparatory course 45 145 * Left without an honorable dismission. Chapter Five Footnotes 10. Ibid. [Catalogue of the Officers and Students at Albion Academy and Teachers' Seminary, 1854-1855 (Free Press News and Job Office, Janesville, Wis.)] 11. J. Q. Emery, p. 305. 12. Dr. Jerome R. Head, Speech (as listed previously). * "Albion Academy" (Badger History, Sept. 1971), vol. 25, no. 1, pp. 26-35. Additional Comments: Extracted from: A History of Albion Academy 1853-1918 Svea M. Adolphson Published By Rock County Rehabilitation Services, Inc. Beloit, Wisconsin 1976 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/wi/dane/history/schools/firstyea67nms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/wifiles/ File size: 18.3 Kb