Part 103 (2/2)

The Linn County Agricultural and Mechanical a.s.sociation was organized in 1855, its first meeting being held at Cedar Rapids in May of that year. The organization was completed in July. The object, as stated, was ”the encouragement of agriculture, manufactures and the mechanic arts.” To accomplish this laudable purpose an annual county fair was to be held. The first of these was at Cedar Rapids in September, 1855, and the second at Marion the next year. These are reported as very creditable in exhibits, and fairly well attended. In 1857 the a.s.sociation was incorporated, and in consequence drew $200 from the state treasury. The third fair was again at Cedar Rapids, and the management took the public into its confidence in advance by revealing its slender resources. The premiums for '56 were not paid, but those of the next year were very promptly met, and a surplus remained over for the future. These annual fairs were recognized as something to be aided by all parties, and the various toll bridges notified intending exhibitors that all live stock taken to the fair would be pa.s.sed free.

The statement of the a.s.sociation for 1860 shows total income of $462.00, of which amount $259.00 represented the gate receipts. The expenditures were $414.95, including $146.98 for premiums. The indebtedness of the society had increased to $618.65. The amount received from the state each year was $200.00. Officers elected for 1861 were: President, Charles Taylor, Cedar Rapids; vice presidents, Andrew Safely and W. S. Gott, Marion; secretary, S. D. McCauley, Cedar Rapids; treasurer, Lysander Jones, Marion.

FIRST TEACHERS a.s.sOCIATION

Another organization, though having nominal existence before this time, was really made effective in 1857. This was the Linn County Teachers'

a.s.sociation.

On October 31, on call of J. L. Enos, the teachers and others interested met in Cedar Rapids. Mr. Enos was then editor of the _Voice of Iowa_, the educational organ of the state. At this meeting a reorganization of the a.s.sociation was effected, and officers elected as follows: President, Rev. S. Weaver, president of Western college; vice presidents, Prof. S. M. Fellows of Mt. Vernon, E. A. Cooley of Marion, Ira G. Fairbanks of Cedar Rapids; secretary, Prof. N. W. Bartlett, Western; treasurer, Hon. E. N. Bates of Cedar Rapids. The executive committee consisted of M. Bowman, Franklin towns.h.i.+p; S. M. Bruce, Was.h.i.+ngton; William Parmenter, Western; J. L. Enos, Cedar Rapids; and A. Witter, Franklin. The work of preparing a const.i.tution was committed to J. L. Enos, E. A. Cooley, and Ira G. Fairbanks. A further meeting of the a.s.sociation was held at Western, December 12th, at which time the const.i.tution was adopted and the organization started on a very useful existence.

[Ill.u.s.tration: STREET VIEWS IN CEDAR RAPIDS, IN 1910]

FIRST TEACHER'S CERTIFICATE IN CEDAR RAPIDS

The first teacher's certificate issued in Rapids towns.h.i.+p reads as follows:

”This certifies that I have this day examined Miss Susan A. Abbe, touching her ability to teach, both in regard to her education and to her moral character, and I find her well qualified for a teacher of common schools.

”This certificate shall be valid for one year.

”Rapids towns.h.i.+p, Linn county, Iowa, July 16, 1847.

”Alexander L. Ely, ”Inspector of Common Schools for said Towns.h.i.+p.”

Alexander L. Ely was one of the early settlers of Cedar Rapids, was interested in the public matters of the new town, and early engaged in politics. He was also largely interested in real estate, and operated one of the first mills on the Cedar river at the dam, which he caused to be built with N. B. Brown and other leading citizens.

Susan A. Abbe, the person to whom this certificate was issued, is still living in Hollister, California, and is known as Mrs. Susan s.h.i.+elds.

She was seventeen years when the certificate was issued, and had then been a resident of the county ten years. She taught for a number of years in the public schools of this county.

Mrs. s.h.i.+elds maintains that she was the first legally qualified person to teach in the public schools of Cedar Rapids, according to the laws then in force in the state.

The evidence seems to confirm her contention.

TEACHERS' INSt.i.tUTE

A teachers' inst.i.tute, first of which record is made and notable in point of attendance, was held in Cedar Rapids December 26, 1859, and continued for three days. There was constant drilling for the pedagogues in common school branches. Some sixty teachers were present.

Linn county teachers held their inst.i.tute for 1860 at Western October 29-30, with Prof. F. Humphrey of Cedar Rapids, president. Some of the subjects discussed may serve to ill.u.s.trate differences in the times.

Question of teachers (presumably male) using tobacco came up, and a resolution was adopted expressing ”disapproval of the use of tobacco by teachers, and recommend to those of Linn county to abstain therefrom entirely.” Dr. J. Maynard of Tipton made an address on the subject of ”Children's Rights.” Prof. Wheeler of Cornell orated on ”Demosthenes.”

Editor Jerome of the Iowa City _Republican_ urged teachers to use the press as an ally in the cause of education.

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