Marion High School - Cactus Yearbook (Marion, IN)

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if 'r lv as El? ,Qi ti 1 ,pn fb Q V ' K- 41 Rf Qt' 1 e' 45152, Q' 'F an , inf, 5 171. V. Q, U ,,, ...Q X 'xil If :rx 1 . 'Wr- 4., up ix- V11 si' 4 ' it X time kr. IJ. - ,-3 X V. ri- ' 8 I l WELFORD D. WEAVER. ' ' ' ELFORD D. WEAVER was born in Tyrone, N. Y., July 10, 1856. He came with his father and mother to Indiana when a mere child, locating near Q Hardenburg, in Jennings County. Here on his father's farm, and in a shop and store in Vernon, he spent his boyhood and younger manhood. His education as was obtained in the country school during winter terms and by two years of study in the graded schools of Vernon, which was supplemented by work in Franklin College from 1879 to 1883. During the time spent in College six years of collegiate work were finished. In September, 1883, he was ordained a Baptist minister in Pueblo, Colorado, and remained in that state as pastor of the Baptist church in Grand junction until the spring of 1885. In the summer of '-ii? A5-ij this year he came to Marion to organize a Baptist church, of which he became pastor. He Was selected some years later a member of the school board, and in that capacity evinced an interest in the city schools. Upon the death of Mr. John K. Waltz, who was then the city school superintendent, the other members of the school board delegated Mr. Weaver to take the place of superintendent for the unexpired part of the school year. Mr. Weaver's term as school trustee expired at this time, and Mr. Isaac Smithson succeeded him on the board. A little later in the summer he was elected superintendent of schools, and began his Work July I, 1890. In this capacity he has served seven years. 7

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X L Rf A . at-S654 P so that when Astronomy is studied by the aid of the fine telescope, the property of the High School, practical work can be done. The same is true in Physics and Botany. The work is being done with apparatus and books and personal investigation, where formerly it was done through books alone. The past year the School Board has fitted up a splendid laboratory for doing elementary work in Chemistry. Regarding the character of the work, it is not wise to say too much about our own products, but it is only just to record that the excellence of the work done in the Marion High School, by teachers and pupils, is recognized throughout the State both by public school and by university men. The graduates are always sought for and given the first places when they leave us for higher work. This short history woutd be incomplete without mention being made of the general H esprit de corps which pervades the entire High School. It is due to this high spirit of things that so much can be accomplished of more than ordinary worth. The honor of being the first graduate of the schools belongs to Miss Alice Davis. From 1877 to 1883 there were no graduates. With the removal of the High School again into the Seminary building came new life, and on the 22d of May, 1883, the second graduating class was sent out, consisting of seven young ladies, as follows: Lettie Case, Ada Ehelman, Annette Reynolds, Birdie DeLong, Lillie Wilkie, Lida Larrick and Sallie Clothier. The work so well begun was pushed vigorously in the High School during the years 1883, '84, '85, '86, and deserves special mention for its character and direction. During those formative years a foundation was laid which has been of great service ever since. The graduates by years and classes are as follows: 1877, 13 1883, 73 1884, 93 1885, 113 1886, 143 1887, 153 1888, 123 1889, 103 1890, 53 1891, 53 1892, 93 1893, 213 1894, 163 1895, 203 1896, 18: 1897, 23: a total of 196. Beginning with the school year of 1890-91 Cno reliable data earlier than this is to be hadj and including the current year, there have been 252 boys and 399 girls, or 651 individual pupils who have taken either a whole or partial course in the High School. A mere mention of so many different pupils taking the work will faintly indicate the far-reaching influence of the school power and its possible consequences. Mention is made elsewhere of persons serving early in the town's history as school trustees, and it is fitting that a list of the men who have served in like capacity later should be a part of this sketch. For it is because of all that they have done that we have and are what we are as a system of public schools. Beginning with the earliest official records available, June, 1877, the following men have served as School Trustees of Marion: D. H. Horner, H. F. Clunk, George Sweetser, Isaac Vandevanter, I. W. Miles, L. M. Overman, R. W. Bailey, T. D. Tharp, I. H. Wigger, E. Kitch, Elkanah Hulley, Dr. M. M. Wall, Simon Goldthait, W. D. Weaver, Isaac Smithson, George Webster, Jr., and Dr. J. H. Forrest. The length of term served by these gentlemen varies very much. L. M. Overman was elected to 'fill a vacancy September, 1879, and served until January, 1880, when he resigned. This is the shortest term noted among the different trustees. The longest term of service belongs to Elkanah Hulley, who has served continuously since his election in December, 1883. The present Board of Education is composed of Messrs. Hulley, Webster and Forrest, who take great interest in school matters, and are striving to make it possible for the young people of the city to have as good high school opportunities as are afforded anywhere in the State. The writer of this is aware that in the preparation of a short history there will be, doubtless, many imperfections. The information has been gathered from numerous sources, but in all cases has been verified as far as possible before using. All available facts have been used, and yet no doubt much valuable and interesting information has escaped notice. While collecting the data necessary for this article and in its construction I was impressed that it would be a very wise as well as a very valuable thing for some one to write out quite fully the educational history of Marion. It should be done before many years, or much of the material for a full account would not be obtainable. Those who have so kindly assisted me by suggestion or notes or otherwise 1 wish to thank sincerely for all their aid. It is to be hoped that this chronicle of past events will inspire its readers to greater action, for to-morrow is made possible by what is past. WELFORD D, WEAVER, 6 A i 'FX , - D! 1 f-VF -' - X la? Wx - 1 67 k 1 C M34 - ps i A 'iff' 'V ' N ,. ' 4 ' Z A. W' N

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lf-'fl fr! Q Z 5 6 Q , 'Q In 'I Q 4 I I ada ,gf -3 ki 4 Avll 5? I. . f 1 N I II I I ., I A,,.: :AZ I , A ggmjd V ' ..,...-, hbkln 1 -- . 1' if -7 - . I 5 H if ,, Q an I , - . 1 , . ,R 1 I , , 1 4 I F2 'NmE5 X NX .f - I R -N ALVA GRAVES. IVIINNIE TRESSLAR. CARRIE REYNOLDS. CORA BENNETT. VIRGIL M'KNIGHT. EDITH BECK. GILBERT MORRIS. 8 X