First High School Classes

Before the first High School was constructed, the first high school classes starting in 1859 were held in rented rooms and buildings at various locations in the city.  The exact locations of these classrooms has always been vague. 

In later years, a member of the third graduation class (1862) wrote down his excellent rememberances of attending high school in these buildings, along with other details of the time.

Here is a partial excerpt of his writing.  A full extract will be published in the Fond du Lac County Historical Society's Newsletter.

Written by Carver Griffith, class of 1862:

"The subject of this sketch first attended school at the age of five in a small school house, with one room, on West Arndt St. north of the old St. Paul’s Episcopal Church;  our teacher in the summer time was Miss Susan Place, a very kind and considerate teacher, who gave us the younger pupils, on the last day of school, nice little cards upon which was inscribed “Reward of Merit;” to the older and especially good ones, she presented clusters of wax fruit made by herself.  In the winter, there were more scholars:  Mr. Van Vleck was our teacher.  There being not sufficient seating capacity, two long slabs were provided for the smaller ones, with leg supports, too long by the way, driven into them diagonally.  Our feet did not touch the floor, and we were very glad when recess came and we could go out and see teacher skate and cut figures on the ice.  He had fine “turnover” skates, with little brass acorns on the end of the curl, whereas the small boys had only “stub-toes.”  Teaching to spell by choosing sides and spelling down, was much in vogue in those days, and was considered very good practice.

This is the 1867 Birdseye map of Fond du Lac, showing intersection of Main and Merrill.

When the High School was organized in 1859 a vacant store building on the N. E. corner of Main and Merrill St. was procured.  Prof. E. C. Johnson was Principal.  Miss M. S. Merrille Assistant.  All scholars from the Cotton St. School and Marr St. School who could pass the requisite examinations were admitted.  There was a good delegation from each of those intermediate schools, and the High School, if we only had had a suitable building would have been on the high road to success. 

Prof. Johnson was a good teacher as my report for the year of 1859 will show.

In 1860 we were obligated to move, and Marshall Block on Second Street was the best obtainable; and Prof. Johnson was succeeded by Prof. S. H. Peabody.  Early in the latter’s administration occurred the Celebrated “Red Pepper Plot.”  Some boy at noon time placed some red pepper on the stove, and Professor called as witnesses nearly all the school in order to ascertain the ring-leader, which he did and dismissed him from school.

This is 1867 Birdseye map of Fond du Lac, intersection of Main and Second Sts. showing the Warner Block and the Marshall Block.  The Marshall Block first floor was a feed store. selling Grain, Flour, Feed and land plaster (lime).

The High School required more room, so another move was necessary; this time to the upper rooms in Warner’s Block on Main Street corner of 2^nd.  Here was held, in 1860, the first graduation exercise.  George Willard (who afterward became a Catholic Priest) and Kate Frame received their diplomas.

In 1861 Garland L. Gillett, Kelsey M. Adams and Emma Jane Ward graduated.  Chas. H. Morgan would have graduated, had he not enlisted in the Civil War.  After he was discharged he moved to Missouri:  studied law, and went to Congress.  Had he lived until last year, the same tardy justice should have been granted him as was given my worthy comrade Maurice McKenna.

In 1862 the graduates were Kate Hamilton, Ellen Delaney, Anna Longstaff and Carver N. Griffith.  Clinton Ewen could have graduated, but on account of his age (he was fifteen I think) his parents wished him to remain in school another year.

The graduation exercises July 3, 1862 were held in Spencer Hall, East Division Street, the same building afterwards converted into the Methodist Church.  Of the four graduates, all now living, Kate Hamilton married Col. C. K. Pier, who was the first man to enlist in the Civil War from Fond du Lac County.  She has three daughters, all lawyers and married, four grandchildren, two boys and two girls.

Ellen Delaney is now Mrs. Ellen Delaney Arndt.  She lives in DePere, Wis.  She has one son, a newspaper man in New York City.

Anna Longstaff, now Anna Longstaff Oliver, lives in Grand Rapids, Mich. with her son Fred L.

Carver N. Griffith married Kate Hale of Waukesha County.  They have two daughters; one will graduate soon from the Chicago University in 1922.  The other is attending the University of North Dakota, at Grand Forks.