Westville High School - Janus Yearbook (Westville, IL)

Page 17 text:

Westville High School Westville High School was erected in the year 1917. Hue to an overflow of the student body an addition was made in 1929. It has progressed rapidly in all educational lines, and is today one of the leading schools in Illinois. The beautifully landscaped grounds present a pleasing appearance that gives passers-by the impression of a good institution within as reflected in its outward appearance. The large tract of land selected for the site is one of the finest in the country. I he football field at the back is fenced and tiled and has hood lights for the night football. The grove is not only attractive and beautiful, but furnishes space for the running track, tennis courts and baseball diamond. One of the most important changes at Westville High School is the erection of the principal’s bungalow on the grounds. Besides being a great convenience to the principal, it is convenient to those having business to transact with the school to find someone near to whom they may go to inquire. Westville is one of the first to execute this plan of building the home on the school grounds.

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The Formation of Our High School During the nineteenth century the principal schools of our locality were the pioneer rural one room schools, so typical of early American education. Higher learning if any was to be had was obtained from the Seminaries located at Georgetown and at Danville. Then there came a gradual growth and a consolidation into the Westville city grade school system. As late as 1911 there was only one room of Central school that was devoted to higher learning. Then in 1917 came the big tight to establish a High School District and a Township High School. Many there were who argued that no schooling above the common grades was needed. Hut there were a few far-sighted leaders who saw the need for such a school and who fought day and night for the rights of the poorer class to obtain as good an education as the other communities offered. As a consequence the Westville Township High School was built and opened it doors for the first time in October. 1918. with an enrollment of ninety pupils, counting seventh and eighth grades. Since that time the school has enjoyed a continuous growth until today the enrollment has reached 350, with a broad curriculum offered.

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We Salute a Westville man who made good. Thomas Moses. Behind the story of the election of 1 homas Moses, formerly of Westville, to a vice-presidencv of United States Steel is the story of a man's rise from driver of a mine nude to one of the highest executive offices of that great corjwration. Forty-eight years ago. Thomas Moses was a mule driver in the Mike Kelly coal mine. 1 oday he sits in the highest councils of the business world, in charge of raw materials for one of the nation's industrial giants. During his rise he has kept the common touch he s still 1 om Moses to the men with whom he worked shoulder to shoulder in the coal pits of Vermilion County. Born of a Welsh father, himself a trapper” in the mines at the age of 11, the support of a widowed stepmother at 18. he married at 27 on $3.00 a day and lived in Westville in a three-room miners’ cottage that rented for $6.00 a month. Mr. Moses was ambitious to get out of the rut of the unskilled laliorer. While many miners gathered down town in estville to discuss community gossip over their drinks and pipes, I homas Moses was at home studying like a child because most of his previous education had been limited to two terms in a rural school. 1 he teachers in the VY estville schools gave him instruction and he mastered algebra lessons at the price of a private tutor, 15c per hour. In 1905 (jovernor Yates appointed Mr. Moses to lie Secretary of the State Mining Board. Two years later he was reappointed by Governor Deneen. but soon thereafter became state mine inspector for the fifth district. In 1910 he resigned to become Superintendent of Bunsen Coal Company’s mine near Westville. In 1915 he became Superintendent of all Bunsen properties and in 1927 he advanced to the presidency of II. C. brick Coke and Coal Comjianv and its subsidiaries. On January 1st. 1938 he became the Vice-President of U. S. Steel Corporation. Although his home is now in Pittsburgh, yet ermilion County has remained home to him and he frequently returns to visit among relatives anil old friends. So again let me say, we salute a estville man who has made good—-Thomas Moses.