The first Official Record pertaining to the public schools of Williamson County dates from the year A.D. 1840 when William F. Tanner, school commissioner of the new county of Williamson, receipted Scion H. Mitchell, then school commissioner of Franklin County, for Williamson County’s share of the school funds.
The records in the county superintendent’s office at present show that Mr. Tanner served as Commissioner for one year. He was succeeded by Henry W. Perry, who also served one year. H. H. Mulkey served from 1842 to 1848; N. B. Calvert from 1848 to 1856; J. H. Swindell from 1855 to 1859; John N. Calvert from 1859 to 1860; W. H. Scobey from 1860 to 1862; William R. Scurlock from 1862 to 1866; David G. Young, from 1866 to 1869. He was the first to be called a County Superintendent of Schools.
William R. Scurlock was the first to make a written report. He said, “We have few who make teaching a profession or who liked teaching, but they taught to secure the $200.00.” His report shows there were 39 teachers; amount spent for apparatus in the county $1.67; amount expended for teaching $7,397.94. At this time the Marion School district had five months of school and other districts ranged from one to five months.
David G. Young was succeeded by A.N. Lodge who served from 1869 to 1877. He held the first County Institute which continued five days beginning December 27. The number enrolled was 55. Paid instructors, $4.00. Total expense of the institute, $12.00. Instructors were W. H. Andrews, Dr. F. M. Stratten, Dr. J. D. F. Jennings, J. H. Patrick, Theodore James, Clark Broden, Dr. S. H. Bundy, and J. H. Clemensten. Dr. J. M. Fowler was next elected and served until 1882. Up until this time the County Superintendent received no stated salary. He received two percent of money distributed and loaned, and such pay as the County Commissioner saw fit to allow for actual service rendered.
John H. Duncan served from 1882 to 1890. During all this time since the organization of the county in 1839, the old log school houses had been gradually giving place to frame buildings with some pretense to comfort and convenience. At the close of Mr. Duncan’s term in 1890 there was only one log school left which was replaced in 1893.
T. J. Youngblood served from 1890 to 1898. He was the first to require each applicant for a certificate a fee of $1.00 to be used in meeting the expense of a Teachers’ Institute. Mr. Duncan had looked toward grading the rural schools by using John Framer’s Manual and Guide and holding central and final examinations. The writer took the first central examination and had taken the next two before making a passing grade.
Mr. Youngblood continued the progress being made. By this time the county contained several good high schools, which included Marion, Carterville, Creal Springs, Crab Orchard Academy and Creal Springs College and Conservatory of Music.
M. N. Swan served from 1898 to 1902. Mr. Swan left a strong and healthful sentiment throughout the county and under his administration great progress was made.
R.O. Clarida served from 1902 to 1914. During this time the population of the county doubled which multiplied the problems relating to the schools. The value or school property increased about 600 percent during his administration and the number of teachers grew to 320.
Mr. Clarida was succeeded by J. W. McKinney who served from 1914 to 1927. Under his administration the school buildings were all either built new or remodeled to meet the requirements of a new sanitation law. Many of the rural and village schools were standardized and the high schools accredited by the State and universities. The number of teachers increased to 465 and the number of pupils to 18,000.
Don C. Moss served from 1927 to 1939. The schools continued to make progress and the state distributive fund was increased by the state legislature to $350,000.00.
Mr. Moss was succeeded by Robert E. McKinney who assumed the duties of the office August 7, 1939, and is the present incumbent. His preparation and record of experience in the school work assured the continued high standard.
Space will not permit an elaborate discussion of the evolution of the Williamson County Schools. Only a panorama view can be given. The first free schools were established in 1855. The districts were three or four times as large as now. The buildings were of logs, which sprouted and had to be cleared in the fall. The seats were made of saplings split and pegs used for legs. There were no backs, nor desks. A log was cut out for a window and a shelf at the wall for writing. There were no blackboards.
The teacher had no professional training and no equipment with which to work. He boarded ‘round in the district and by that time he had made the second round he had saved his board for next term.
The next step of progress saw homemade seats of poplar lumber with a desk to accommodate two or three pupils and a wood stove took the place of a fireplace and stack chimney. The pupil would take time off to cut the firewood. A few of the teachers had attended a subscription school taught at a nearby town.
The patrons made progress as well at the schools for they began to take some pride and they changed the name of Mudwall School to Whittier; Briar Scratch was changed to Good Hope; Shake Rag to Jeffersonville; Rascal Ridge to Mission Ridge School; Possum College to Fountain.
The principal qualification for a teacher was to be a good and ready fighter. He brought in a bunch of switches on the first day and the directors furnished him with a set of written rules which were placed on the wall telling the pupils what they must not do. Much of the teaching was negative. Now the program is positive. The teacher leads and interests the children in doing things worthwhile and they give but little trouble.
A good school director was thought to be one who made the best watchdog of the treasury. Often times a good teacher who asked $35.00 a month was turned down for a less competent one because he could be employed for $33.33 a month.
The writer taught his first term in his home district and signed a written contract to teach 110 days and any time he failed to give complete satisfaction to every person in the district, his time was up. On the last day, a patron in making a speech said our school had been a great success. His boy had learned to say his a, b, c’s and he thought I should be re-employed for another term. I was, with an increase in salary.
In conclusion, it is fitting to say that the schools have made great progress. It reflects credit on county superintendents, teachers, school officers, pupils and patrons. The Williamson County Public Schools now rank among the best schools in the state of Illinois. Of this we should all be justly proud.
(Extracted verbatim from an “Early History of our Williamson County Public Schools” by J.W. McKinney in 1939 for use during the 1939 county Centennial)