Bios transcribed by Kay R. & History by Jan Cortez
Schools
Oshkosh is splendidly accommodated with educational facilities. In addition to the State Normal School and private educational establishments, seven good schools are connected with the public system. Of the 6,000 children of school age within the city, 1,000 attend private and denominational schools. This does not include the attendance at the State Normal School. In 1880-81; nearly $32,000 was required for the support of the public school system, and notwithstanding that the city gives so much to her children, she stands next to Milwaukee (fourth) in the economy with which she maintains the system of public instruction.
Up to 1851, there was but one schoolhouse in the village, and that as badly arranged and cramped as it could be. During that year it was proposed to raise $1,000 to build a new one; to use the court house and do other various things which did not come to a head for several years. With the erection of the First Ward school building in 1863, commenced the new era which placed Oshkosh in the front rank of cities which possess superior educational facilities.
There are seven substantial structures in the city, the most elegant and imposing of which is the High School building on Algoma street near Jackson. It was erected in 1867, at a cost, with grounds, of $65,000. The building is three stories in height, with mansad roof and a lofty tower, the play grounds being large and well arranged. At the time of its erection it was the finest structure of the kind in the State, and few now are its superiors in convenience or beauty of design. A large hall is located in the upper story. The building will accommodate 500 pupils . E. B. Wood, the Principal, has eight assistants.
The First Ward school building, corner of Algoma and Wisconsin streets, was built in 1859, and improved into almost a new structure in 1863. It is a two-story frame building and will accommodate 400 scholars. A.L. Osborn is the Principal.
The Frentz School (Second Ward) is a two story, brick and stone building, situated between Winnebago and Fifth streets. Its value is $12,000. The seating capacity of the building is 350; H.C. Thom, Principal.
The Third Ward (Eleventh Street School), will accommodate 375 pupils. A.A. Spencer is Principal.
The Dale School (Fourth Ward) is a two-story brick building, corner of Irving and Mount Vernon streets: built at a cost of $16,000, it is the most elegant and substantial schol edifice in the city, next to the High School. It will accommodate 500 pupils. James Brainerd, the Principal, has seven assistants.
Another beautiful school building is that situated on the corner of Vine and Algoma streets, and thrown open to the public in February, 1880. The building is two-stories and basement, metal roofed, and was erected at a cost of over $10,000. It accommodates 200. Henry Barber, the Principal, has five assistants.
The Sixth Ward building, two story brick, accommodates 200, and was erected at a cost of $8,000. The Principal is James M. Jones.
In addition to the above, there are seeral small frame buildings used by the city in overcrowded wards.
State Normal School. Under legislative enactment in 1866, a Board of Regents was incorporated to take charge of the Normal School Fund, which had been collecting since 1857, from the sale of the swamp and overflowed lands received from the United States in 1850. In 1857, an act was passed to appropriate 25 per cent of the proceeds arising from their sale to the maintenance of normal institutes and academies, which was done under the direction of the Board of Regents.
In 1865 the Legislature divided the funds into two equal parts - one for drainage purposes, the other to constitute a Normal School Fund. In 1866, with the incorporation of the Board of Regents, and a productive fund of $600,000, the board determined to establish several schools in the State. During that year Platteville, Grant County, was conditionally selected as a site, and subsequently Whitewater, Walworth County, for the southeastern district of the State. The school at Platteville was opened in October, 1866, and at Whitewater in April, 1868. The third school established was that at Oshkosh. The main building was completed in 1870, but owing to a lack of funds the dedicatory ceremonies did not occur until September 19, 1871. The classes were then organized and the school was formally opened under the presidency of George S. Albee, A.M., previously Superintendent and Principal of Public Schools in Racine. The increasing wants of the school made an addition to the building necessary. As it stands now, in the center of a large park of seven acres on Algoma street, it presents an imposing and beautiful appearance. Thye property is valued at $75,000. Over 600 pupils are enrolled, representing seven States, and thirty-five counties of Wisconsin. The normal department has an enrollment of 383; the model department, consisting of Kindergarten, Primary, Intermediate, Grammar and Academic grades, 230. Each Assembly District is entitled to eight representatives in the Normal Schools, and a prime requisite is sound bodily health and good moral character. Three literary societies are connected with the school. The scholars have the privileges of a good library and reading room. The cabinet and apparatus are growing in value and completeness. In fact, every auxiliary possible is brought to bear to make the school a developing influence in the cause of education. This it is, and to President Albee is due very much of the credit which attaches to its enviable standing.
The faculty is as follows: George S. Albee, President, School Management, Didactics and Mental Science; Robert Graham, Vocal Music, Reading and Conductor of Institutes; Waldo E. Dennis, Natural Science; L.W. Briggs, Book-Keeping; Anna W. Moody, History and Civl Government; Mary H. Ladd, Mathmatics; Helen E. Bateman, English Grammar, Compostion and Rhetoric; Rose C. Swart, Geography, German and Art Teaching; Emily F. Webster, Latin; Amelia E. Banning, Drawing and Penmanship; Nancy M. Davis (Adjunct), Mathmatics and Geography; Lillian E. Duffies (Adjunct), Grammar and History.
German-English Academy. This school was founded in 1858. As its name implies, both the German and English branches are taught. It is conducted by a Board of Managers. Prof. Vogel is the present Principal. He has one assistant. The attendance is about 100. The building was burned in 1875, the one now occupied on Court street being erected soon after.
Oshkosh Business College - W.W. Daggett, Principal. This is one of the institutions that Oshkosh is proud of, and which draws a large number of pupils from abroad, and has a reputation for being one of the best conducted Commercial Colleges in the Northwest. It has acquired a national reputation for possessing unequaled facilities in every department for imparting a sound, practical, business education. This educational institution is designed to supply the constant demand for thorough, practical training in studies essential to business. It is so organized as to accommodate either regular students or those having but a few hours to spare from business pursuits during the day or evening. To acomplish this the instruction is individual, and adapted to the needs of each pupil, who advances as fast as his abilities will allow, without the embarrassment of class organizations. Persons whose education is deficient are thus, without regard to age, enabled to remedy the defect speedily, without publicity, and fit themselves for lucrative and responsible positions. Young men, on leaving the ordinary public or private schools, can here obtain what is usually omitted or imperfectly taught in such schools, and become qualified to assume advanced positions on account of their superior attainments. This college was organized by E.C. Atkinson, in September, 1867. Prof. W.W. Daggett took charge of the school in September, 1870, and became its sole proprietor in 1871. Mr. Daggett has that natural aptitude for teaching which is one of the essential requirements for the attainment of success in his calling, and possesses the most eminent qualifications for imparting to his pupils the most thorough knowledge of the branches taught. All branches of a full academical course are taught, and the most competent assistants ae employed. The general estimation in which the institution is held will be seen in the fact that over 3,000 students of both sexes have attended it since it was first organized.
The denominational schools will be noticed hereafter in connection with the churches.
