WILLIAM SHIRLEY, KOSSUTH COUNTY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT

This winter I have been working on a project for the Kossuth County Genealogical Society organizing all of the information the society has on country schools.  Kossuth County used to be dotted with country schools that were located every two miles or so and quite often we receive inquiries about locations of schools, teachers who taught at them, and students who attended them.  It was time to get all of the information that we have organized into one location.

As a part of that project, I kept running across the name of William Shirley who served as County School Superintendent from 1912 to 1940.  I thought it would be interesting to take a closer look at his life to both share with you and to include with the country school information.

SHIRLEY COMES TO SWEA CITY

Shirley first came to Kossuth County in 1906 to serve as superintendent of the new Swea City High School which had been built in 1903.  Born near Springfield, Illinois, Shirley had moved with his family to Minburn, Iowa, when he was 14 and he completed his high school education there.  After teaching for a year, he sought a civil engineering degree at the college in Ames.  He then taught for four years before accepting a position as principal at Waukee where he served until taking the job in Swea City.

Shirley was popular with the area citizens and well-suited for the position.  During the next six years, he worked tirelessly for the students under his care, always striving to increase the scholastic standards to provide a top-notch education.  In 1912 when then-serving Superintendent Sid Backus announced that he would not seek reelection, William Shirley decided to run for the position of Kossuth County School Superintendent.

William Shirley
Campaign Postcard

Handwritten message on each postcard

THE CAMPAIGN AND ELECTION

Both Shirley and Frank Sarchet, a teacher, announced their intention to run on the Republican ticket, necessitating a primary runoff.  Mr. Shirley hit the ground running and was often seen riding a motorcycle while campaigning.  He had the advantage of being the “candidate of north Kossuth” where he was well known.  His political advertising boldly stated that he represented a part of the county that was entitled to a county office.  He pointed out that the county attorney was from Whittemore, the Clerk resided in LuVerne, Wesley was the home of the Treasurer, the current superintendent was from Bancroft, and the auditor, recorder and sheriff lived in Algona.  Using print ads, letters, and postcards, Shirley outspent his opponent 2 to 1.  The spending paid off as he defeated Sarchet quite soundly – 1300 votes to 649.

Upper Des Moines-Republican, June 5, 1912

The Democratic candidate for the election was a teacher from the Fenton area, Margaret Dorweiler.  Shirley kept a steady pace of canvassing the county throughout the summer while Miss Dorweiler was on a European trip.  Once she returned in September, she conducted a remarkable campaign while still teaching full time.  The election results were actually closer than expected.  Shirley received 2207 to Dorweiler’s 1994 – a difference of 213 votes.  Keep in mind that in 1912 women did not have the right to vote so Margaret could not cast a vote in her own favor.  However, given the support received, she obviously was able to convince the Democratic male voters in the county that she was worthy of the position.

Portion of 1912 ballot showing
Candidates Shirley and Dorweiler 

THE NEW SUPERINTENDENT

The county superintendent’s office was located in a cramped office in the Kossuth County Courthouse.  The new superintendent settled quickly into his office and began his duties.  One of the first things he did was purchase a Kodak camera with which to take photos of every school building and yard in Kossuth County with the intention of leaving his successor a pictorial record of the conditions of the schools when Shirley took office.  What a prize that would be to have today!

He also hired a deputy superintendent who just happened to be his wife, Grace (Barger) Shirley.  The two had married in 1900 and had three children – Hale, Pearl and John.  Grace became an integral part of the superintendent’s office.  Her husband was often out of the office inspecting schools, conducting examinations and attending meetings leaving her to deal with much of the paperwork as well as unexpected callers who had business to conduct with the superintendent.  She managed the office with a pleasant and cheerful attitude.

Although he was quite loyal to the north part of the county it became apparent very quickly after the election that it would be necessary to move to Algona.  The family purchased a home on South Dodge Street and took possession April 1, 1913.  They would soon become active in many community activities and the Methodist Church.  Mr. Shirley served on many local committees including the one formed to assist with the placement of orphan train children who arrived in 1916.

CONDUCTING BUSINESS

Superintendent Shirley made it a policy to regularly visit the schools under his charge.  With over 150 schools in the county, that was quite an undertaking.  He was also in charge of hiring and monitoring all teachers, administering teacher and eighth grade student exams, and conducting graduation ceremonies and spelling bees, among many other duties.

Mr. Shirley was an imaginative educator.  One of the first things he did when he took office was order seeds from Washington, D.C. which he distributed to students to raise their own gardens.  When the war years arrived, the Superintendent organized a bean growing club to help raise navy beans for the troops.  He sent out postcards to every boy in the county asking them to commit to raising a certain number of acres.  He assisted them by providing the seed. 

The influenza outbreak of 1918 brought some challenges.  Approximately half of the schools in the county were closed due to the epidemic.  In November he contracted influenza and was absent for some time.  When he returned, he found that he was short ten teachers.  Some had left to find other employment and others were gone due to illness or death – Ethel Bailey, who taught in the Fenton area, died of influenza on December 11, 1918.  The teacher shortage continued throughout the war.

Every year the Kossuth County Teachers Association hosted an institute which the Shirleys helped to organize.  Teachers from across the county attended and were encouraged to socialize at the reception held as part of the event.  Local well-known educators such as Minnie Coate and J.F. Overmyer guided participants in workshops for each level – primary, elementary and high school – and speakers on various aspects of child development and educational methods made it an important event each year.

Plum Creek School #7
Located in Section 34, Plum Creek Township

Visiting schools was one of Shirley’s favorite duties.  He was often accompanied by a district director and would drop by a school to observe the teacher and students as they went through their day.  He took a personal interest in the children at each school and would often take some time to talk with them or quiz them on spelling words or arithmetic problems.

THE PASSING OF AN ERA

Outside of school, Shirley enjoyed hunting with friends, especially in Eagle Township near Swea City where he first settled in the county.  He and Grace also enjoyed traveling to visit their children.  Their oldest, Hale, became a doctor and settled in California; daughter Pearl married and lived near Washington, D.C.; and youngest son, John, was employed as an instructor at Michigan State University. 

Grace and William Shirley in 1938
Pictured on steps of
Kossuth County Courthouse

On the evening of Sunday, May 18, 1940, William Shirley sat down in his favorite chair and turned on the radio to listen to the news.  A massive heart attack took his life moments later.  His death sent a shock wave through the county where he had served over 27 years.  It was a double blow to his wife who not only lost her husband but also her job as deputy superintendent.

During his tenure many changes took place in education which included the superintendent position going from an elected position to one appointed by the supervisors and saw the consolidation of school districts.  William Shirley took them all in stride and did his best to provide Kossuth County children with the best education possible.

CAN YOU HELP?

If any of you have photos of any of the country schools that once stood in Kossuth County, the genealogy society would be most grateful to have a copy to add to its collection.  A digital copy can be emailed to kossgensoc@gmail.com.  We would be happy to scan and return any photo if you are unable to scan them yourself.  It would also be wonderful to obtain copies of other materials concerning students or teachers at country schools such as report cards, attendance records, lesson plans, or other data that you may be willing to share.  All materials will be returned to you after copying/scanning unless you wish to donate them.  Please feel free to contact us at the above noted email address if you have any information to share.

Until next time,

Jean

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MEMORIES OF CAPT. JEANSON AND FAMILY

Recently I featured a story about Captain R. E. Jeanson who promoted settlement of Swea Township for the American Emigrant Company.  Jeanson himself settled in Eagle Township, building a large estate on the shores of Eagle Lake.  Today I want to share an article that was written by Jennie G. Simpson who served as a governess for the Jeansons’ children in the 1870s.  It was first published in the Swea City Herald on August 18, 1938.

Memories of the Jeanson family

Three of the most satisfying years of my life were spent at “Engendomen,” the Jeanson home at Swea as teacher of the children.  I doubt if I taught them as much as I learned from them.

How can Captain Jeanson be described in a few words, so diversified were his talents and characteristics?

Pastor of the Swedish church, a devout Christian, a shrewd business man, a wit who saw the comical side of every situation, rich in repartee and withal a delightful companion.

Mrs. Jeanson, a fit mate with rare executive ability, kept the many branches of the home running smoothly.  An even-tempered woman, endowed with talent in every line of household activity, no problem was too intricate for her to solve.  She inherited from her gifted mother the “know how.”

Mrs. Jeanson’s mother, “Murmur,” excelled any person I ever knew in household arts and crafts, weaving carpets in intricate designs, braiding straw in artistic patterns and sewing into modish hats for all the family.  And will I ever forget or cease to long for one of her “sil salats.” 

I can hear yet in memory Captain’s call of the children, “Riba, Rina, Robert and Ross,” a symphony in R’s.  Also Captain’s salutation to his mate, “Mina lila, rara, sata, alskade guma!”

I recall with pleasure the helpers inside the house and on the land—Anders, the staid reliable man; Nils Anderson, the joker; Amanda, Matilda, Lena and Anna the cook.  Riba is the serious motherly child; Rina the generous, lively, oft  misunderstood one; Robert, grandma’s especial charge who inherited his father’s gift of repartee; Ross, affectionate and lovable.  He always wore the straw hats made for him pulled down on his head like a hood.  I can yet vision the chic suits Mrs. Jeanson made for all the children.

We never lacked for outdoor activities, summer or winter.  There was boating and bathing at Eagle lake in summer even if we did sometimes find “blood eaglers” between our toes.

Every member of the family except grandma had skates.  I recall the wonderful moonlight nights when we older ones skated; especially the night when the wind almost swept me into Minnesota.  The rough ice finally caused my downfall.  I feared to examine my teeth when I arose, but they were intact.

The little Morgan mares, Nellie and her daughter Lillie, were delightful saddle horses.  The coupe, only one in northern Iowa I imagine, made us feel city bred when we rode to Bancroft in it.  The big covered sleigh rendered travel possible and comfortable in winter.

Permit one or two anecdotes:

Staid Anders was seen doing a highland fling in the field he was plowing; explanation, a toad had hopped up his trouser leg.

I was attracted one afternoon by the ringing of the bell in the tower.  Found small Ross tolling it.  Reason given “the men told me to ring the bell for the old sow are dead.”  The funeral procession then wended its way down to the meadow.

Robert and I were taking a spring walk along the road where the hay had been hauled.  He picked up an armful as he said to help across a swampy place.  When we reached it only a wisp of hay remained under his arm.  Undaunted, he brought to the fore the chivalry inherited from his father, and placed his tiny foot encased in felt boot in the center of the hole with the remark, “there Miss Simpson, step on my foot.”  Did Sir Walter Raleigh do more?

With many happy memories never to be forgotten my tenure of office ended, as do all things.

The memories shared by Miss Simpson give us an intimate look at the daily life of the Jeanson family.  One can picture the fun they shared boating, swimming and ice skating on Eagle Lake.  We are thankful that Jennie Simpson took the time to record her recollections of the time spent in their employ.

Until next time,

Kossuth County History Buff

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CAPT. ROBERT EMANUEL JEANSON

In July of 1870, Capt. R. E. Jeanson arrived in Algona.  Jeanson was a native of Sweden who had previously served as a captain of an ocean steamer.  He now represented the American Emigrant Company.  This company had acquired large land holdings across the Dakotas, southern Minnesota and northern Iowa as well as other areas in the U.S.  As an agent of the Company, Capt. Jeanson came to inspect the holdings in northern Kossuth County.  At the time that part of the county was very sparsely populated and consisted largely of prairie grass and sloughs.  He found the land to be of high quality. 

Colonization of northern Kossuth County

To encourage permanent settlement, the American Emigrant Company utilized the colonization method.  After appointing J. E. Stacy as the local agent, Capt. Jeanson returned to New York City where he recruited Swedish immigrants to purchase land from the Emigrant Company.  An ad (originally published in Swedish) extolled the virtues of the region.  It read as follows:

A Settler’s Home, Estate, Eagle Lake, Swea, Iowa.

Capt. R. E. Jeanson’s home.

LAND FOR A LOW PRICE THAT IS PROFITABLE, WHICH IS IN THE STATE OF IOWA.

THE SETTLEMENT SWEA:  Located in Kossuth County, Iowa, is one of our best Swedish settlements in America, having three schools, a smithy, and a post office.  The school houses are to spacious and conveniently located that they also are used for assembly halls for spiritual and public meetings.  The Lutheran pastors are up-building.  The settlers belong to a respectable class of Scandinavian emigrants and are popular with their American neighbors.

THE LAND’S QUALITY:  The land is hilly and the soil is a rich hard mull from 2 to 6 feet deep on a clay bottom, and completely free of stones and stumps.  As proof of the soil’s richness, it can be said that from the county fair exhibits a common beet weighed a Swedish “lispund,” and potatoes there “skalpund” each.  Animals are the most profitable for farm use in this place, they require the least work and take little or no risk.    

  The settlers at Swea have told me that one cow keeps him for the year with butter and milk.  Animals are sold to the buyers themselves who are in the settlement several times during the year, therefore the owners are set free of the trouble of traveling around to sell them.  The soil and climate are as well especially profitable for the growing of oats, corn, also root vegetables of all kinds, as well as grapes, apples, pears, plums, etc.  ‘VILKOR.’  The American Emigrant Company in Hartford, Conn., for whom the undersigned is an agent, owns around 60,000 acres of land in this province in and around the settlement of Swea.  The price varies at present between 8 and 10 dollars per acre.  This property sells in 40, 80 and 160 acres.  We require at least one fourth of the total purchase price in cash on possession, and the remainder can be paid in small regular payments suited to the buyers ability to pay. 

  With a capital of 700 dollars or 3000 kronor an owner can be set up completely with a house, animals and tools, so that the settler can accomplish independence to anticipate beginning work in an economical and sensible way.  If land is bought from me, and I am asked for advice, I will give a special report on everything that is necessary that a beginner should buy and the price there-on.

TRAVELING THERE:  Persons living in Sweden do best to get their tickets direct to Bankroft, Iowa.  Traveling from New York costs $22.50 on the railway.  Any families thinking of going there, and I am informed in time, I will personally assist with the choosing of their future home.  A railway goes near the settlement.  For inquiries and for gaining a wide range of information to the best capability.  One advice I do give however, “Go and see Swea first for the landscape out does anywhere else.  The state of Iowa, beyond doubt, is the best state in this large Republic, and I am always ready to give all the information wanted to such who want to make a home in the West.  However, I urge everyone to first see Iowa and this beautiful land before they decide on any other state.”  R. E. Jeanson”

Settlers Begin to Arrive

The first family arrived in 1871.  The following year a company house was built to house up to 40 people while they built their own homes.  It was located 4 miles west and 2 miles north of the present location of Swea City.  The lumber for the company house was hauled by Peter and Victor Eckholm across the prairie.  Because there were no landmarks along the way, the Eckholms planted willow saplings at intervals along the route to serve themselves and other travelers.  The company house continued to serve schools and churches for many years as a meeting place.

Capt. Jeanson made regular trips between Castle Garden in New York City where he met Swedish families upon their arrival in America and Swea township where he assisted them with location and purchase of farm land.  The American Emigrant Company sent hundreds of settlers to northern Kossuth in 1872.  Some of those who arrived that year include A. G. Anderson, Carl Anderson, Soloman Anderson, C. Adolfson and John Martin.

The immigrants first years on the prairie were not easy.  The northern Kossuth area was very remote from other established communities in the county.  A round trip to Algona took five days and the language barrier made life quite difficult.  They also struggled for fuel.  The nearest timber was seven miles away.  Like many early settlers, they turned to the prairie grass.  In place of firewood, the dried grass was twisted into tight strands.  This often became the chore for the children.

Captain Jeanson and his family

Capt. Jeanson was married in New York in 1878 to Hilda Gustave Rosenberg.  The following year he purchased his farm in Eagle Township.  Here he created his own Swedish estate along the shores of Eagle Lake.  Called “Engendomen,” it consisted of a manor house and landscaped grounds.  The house stood on a hill on the south end of the little lake.  Three stories high, it contained 21 luxuriously decorated rooms which included mirrored doors and fireplaces.  There was a large music room with several musical instruments.  Verandas almost surrounded the first floor and the exterior of the house was decorated with the gingerbread work so popular at the time.  An observatory tower rose from the flat roof.  The tower contained a powerful telescope that Capt. Jeanson’s had shipped from Sweden which he used to study the stars and survey his domain. 

The grounds contained a large orchard which contained many rare fruit trees, a boathouse on the lakeshore which housed a sailboat, and stables where the saddle and driving horses and carriages were located.  Well kept gravel paths led from the house to each location.

Of course many servants were needed to maintain a country estate of this size.  Most of the positions were filled by young Swedes who worked to repay the cost of their fare to America.  A cook, maids, governesses as well as a coachman and yard and field workers made up the army of workers.  It is told that the Captain was a tough taskmaster who noticed any lack of attention to detail by the servants.

Captain Jeanson and his wife became the parents of four children, Hilda Robertina, Anna Cathrina, Robert Emanuel, and Ross Hilbert.  Among the governesses who both cared for and educated the children were Miss Clara Zahlten, Miss Kate Smith, Miss Heckart and Miss Altwegg, all of Algona.   

Capt. Jeanson belonged to the Swedish Baptist church as did many of the citizens who settled near Swea.  He often preached to the congregation when a pastor was not available.  Services were first held in the company house and then in the schoolhouse or church.  The church stood near the old company house and was later sold to the township for a community hall and was moved to the center of the township, about 4 miles west of Swea City.

The Jeansons move on

For many years, Capt Jeanson worked to attract a railroad connecting his colony with Des Moines and continuing into Minnesota.  It became apparent by the late 1880s that this project would not materialize.  When their two older daughters left home in 1894 to attend the Baptist College in Des Moines, Mrs. Jeanson could not endure the loneliness and had long missed society life.  She and the Captain and their two younger sons decided to move permanently to Des Moines.

The Jeansons later moved to Los Angeles, California in 1907 and Captain Jeanson died on Memorial Day in 1920.  His wife passed in December of 1933 and both are buried in Floral Hill Cemetery in Los Angeles.

Eagle Lake was drained in 1911 as part of the big Mud Creek project.  Eventually numerous wings of the mansion were removed and moved off to make houses on area farms. 

Honest and a man of faith, Captain Jeanson used his influence to improve the lives of the settlers and increase their prosperity.  He was well respected and loved by those he helped to settle northern Kossuth County.

Until next time,

Jean, a/k/a KC History Buff

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