Early Schools of Mt. Pleasant

EARLY SCHOOLS

From-Andrew Madsen's Journal

"The first school in Mount Pleasant opened January 13, 1860, with A. B. Strickland as the teacher. Strickland was later assisted by Mrs. Oscar Winters, they taught for two and a half months, in a humbly constructed log building within the fort. "
"During the summer months, Mr. A. J. Forsythe conducted a summer school. Later, Charlotte Hyde taught the smaller child¬ren. A year or so later, outside the fort, Mr. William Morrison began teaching, and advantages to the children were given as fast as the financial condition of the people would permit. "
"About 1862, David Candland took up the educational work, and for a time there were three teachers, Candland, Morrison, and H. P. Miller, each occupying a school building in different parts of the settlement. The community continued to grow, and the school constantly during the sixties, continued to improve and became more up-to-date. Among others who did good work at about that time were William -Ball, Samuel Whiting, and C. H. Wheelock. Mrs. Margaret Morrison opened a private school, teaching sewing and fancy work. This had its good effects and did considerable good. In the early seventies, Joseph Page, John T. Henniger, Christina Bertelson, John Carter, and John J. Schultz also became active in the educational line. Some taught for many years with much credit to themselves and benefit to the children. "
"In 1875, Mr. Duncan McMillan arrived in Mount Pleasant, and after making benches, etc., began a school and Sunday School in the Liberal Hall. The enrollment, although small at first, steadi¬ly increased. "
"At about this time, the Utah Legislature made a small ap-propriation for the maintenance of public schools, this with a tuition fee, financed them. There were not many books. Slates were used to write on. Eli A. Day, a graduate of the Class of 76, of the University of Deseret, began teaching school in Mount Pleasant that year, and continued until 1883. During this time, there were a number of young people from Mount Pleasant who attended the University of Deseret and who later became promi¬nent in the schools, among these were Hilda Dehlin, H. P. Jensen, Samuel H. Allen, Amasa Aldrich, Ada Dehlin, William Tidwell, and Hans Madsen. They were a great help, and new vigor was assumed in the educational work, more schoolhouses were built, and better results obtained. "
"Later, the Brigham Young University at Provo was erected, and many of the young people were sent there for higher learning, some, after returning home, also became teachers, among them were Abram Johnson, Ferdinand Ericksen, Soren X. Christensen, Joseph Madsen, George Christensen, C. W. Sorensen and Olaf C. Anderson. George Christensen, who was also principal, taught the Latter-day Saint Seminary during 1891, 92, 93. During part time, Miss Augusta Dehlin was assistant teacher. This school was first held in the Social Hall, which was soon found to be too small, it was then held up stairs in the co-op or Madsen's store building, northeast corner of intersection of Main and State Street. This school met with great success and many pupils from other towns attended it. "
"In 1891, C. W. Sorensen became principal of the District Schools, the free school system was adopted, improvements con-tinued and the children advanced much faster. There had been many drawbacks on account of many of the parents being too poor to purchase the books and supplies needed to meet the needs of the children. "
"More attention was given to education and a great many continued to seek higher learning. Some attended the University of Utah and others the Brigham Young University at Provo. "
"In 1895, there was a new set of teachers consisting of Caro¬line Lovegren, Lydia Hastier, Mary Johansen, John Lovegren, Mary Larsen, Andrew L. Larsen, C. N. Lund Jr., Daniel Rasmus¬sen, and perhaps a few others. "
"By this time there had been built a number of modern school buildings throughout the city, but the people clamored for a Central School building, and a new modern twelve room building, at a cost of fully $20,000.00, was erected on the southwest corner, intersection of Main and First East. D. C. Jensen became princi¬pal, he having served for three years previous. Mr. Jensen was assisted by the following well trained teachers: Lydia Hastier, Mary Johansen, Caroline Lovegren, John Lovegren, C. N. Lund Jr., Olaf C. Anderson, Jennie Jorgensen, R. W. Livingston, and C. J. Jensen. "

"In 1898, George Christensen became principal, and in 1899, he was succeeded by C. J. Jensen, who served successfully for two years. In 1902, Daniel Rasmussen became principal, serving for two years. "
"Joseph Hughes was chosen principal in 1904, serving until 1907, when he was succeeded by P. M. Nielsen, who served for several years, also giving entire satisfaction. Twenty-four large and beautiful pictures were purchased for interior decoration at the school. The pictures made the halls most attractive. They were intended to create in the pupils a desire for fine art, that the homes might also be decorated with the proper kind of pictures.
"The trustees of the school at this time were F. C. Jensen, C.N. Lund, and Abner Crane. "
"The following, copied from an exchange, has all transpired within my recollection, and that of many who will see this item. "
"'As nations live it has been no great time since thoughtful statesman declared that all the country lying west of the Mississippi was a hopeless desert, designed to hold the scenery together. Then the Mormons went to Utah and for the first time in the history of the Anglo Saxon race, turned water upon the land for the purpose of crop production. In a little while the wilderness was wiped away, and the productive domain of the nation was pushed westward to the Pacific Ocean. The desert places bloomed in beauty; men saw with amazement an Empire in the building, and where before there had been no sound in the land, save the while beasts and the wild birds crying in the desolate night, there were heard the voices of men and women praising God, and the happy laughter of children on their way to school.' "