Lydia (Lidia) Minerva BELDEN

  General Notes:

Lydia and Henry are buried with other members of her family. She is buried in space 14, not next to Henry even though space 3 was empty. REPORT ON THE HISTORY OF THE WAUPACA SCHOOLS The first teachers – remembered, was Mrs. Huminston in 1865. She had a room full of children from four to six years of age. Though she had never taken a kindergarten course she had wonderful original methods of keeping those children occupied, and happy. She was marvelous in her work and those who had the privilege of having her for a teacher will still cherish her in their memory. One of the finest stories about our early schools was about another teacher, Mrs. Lydia Humiston. Many stories were told of her, several of them true, several exaggerated. In any case she was a leader far ahead of her time. At her death her pupils erected a monument which is still located at Lakeside cemetery.

THE REPUBLICAN October 15, 1883 On account of ill-health Mrs. Humiston has been obliged to give up teaching having so long and acceptably filled the important position as a successful instructor of the little ones of our city. Many who are mothers today and have been sending theirs to the primary department of our school – to Mrs. Humiston, can remember when they received their first lessons from her. Her daughter, Mrs. Libbie Lincoln, will take charge of the department for the balance of the term.


EDUCATION IN WAUPACA By Sophelia Kurkowski (excerpt) The first school in Waupaca was opened in the Baxter house, built on lots 1-2, corner of Oak and Ware Streets and the first teacher was Theodora Thompson LeGro. The teacher was paid $1.25 per week, the parents paying in proportion to the number of children sent to school. The school opened in the summer of 1851 with twenty-one pupils. Late this building was sold and moved to 711 Clark Street where it still stands and is now used for a store and also living quarters.

In 1855 Anna and Mary Parish came from Randolph, Vermont. They conducted a private school until 1856 when they married George L. Lord and E. L. Browne. Dr. Cutting Marsh also conducted a Ladies’ Seminary in his home at this time.

Schools were taught on both sides of the river as more people moved into the village. One of the most famous of early teachers was Duncan McGregor, Scots born, who came to Waupaca village in 1861. While he was serving in the Union army, Mrs. Marcus Burnham taught the advanced classes. He returned after the war and remained until 1867 when he was appointed professor of mathematics at the State Normal School at Platteville, Wisconsin. Duncan McGregor was elected president of that school in 1878.

A brick high school, called the Union High School, was built in 1867. It was then the finest school building in the county. Its bricks were products of the clay bed that is still worked outside the city. The Union High School was heated by stoves in each room and two in the assembly hall. In 1877, Mr. Rasmus Jorgenson was hired as janitor and served thirty-six years – a well loved and respected gentleman. Just before the new school was built in 1912, a student could move his toes back and forth and jar the room.

The regular high school course was not adopted until 1875 and the first graduating class of ten was in 1876. In 1948, 110 were graduated, and in 1957, 80.

One of the finest stories concerning our early school was about a teacher, Mrs. Lydia Humiston. She was a leader far ahead of her time and at her death her pupils erected a monument in her memory.



REPORT ON THE HISTORY OF THE WAUPACA SCHOOLS By Mike Hoffman Date unknown. (excerpt) Before the history of the Waupaca schools is revealed it should be known that our schools are unique in the fact that they weren’t born like most area schools, but they grew from the great interest and concern this community displayed for the education of its youth.

Of course little interest was placed on education in the 1880’s due to the splitting of the country due to conflicting interests and social differences. However Mrs. Theodora Thompson LeGro put these ideas aside and forged ahead to start her own school. Later still with enthusiasm she demanded that a school be built because of added interest in the community. Waupaca awarded her the Old Baxter Building. So on a salary of $1.25 per week she taught in a building enclosed by rough boards, having but one window. The seats – they were made of rough boards across wood blocks! Mrs. LeGro continued in this fashion until her retirement – several decades later!

And during this time many newcomers came to make their life education. Two of these were Mrs. E.L. Browne and Mrs. G.L. Lord. They came all the way from Vermont and taught a private school for one year, then moved into a neighboring town to continue.

As the flow of people into the village increased many more people were educated, because schools were now being taught on both sides of the river. In 1855 Dr. Marsh and a few others opened a Ladies’ Seminary. Miss Hebard, a teacher from Athica, New York and later Miss Steade carried on seminary work. For a while Gothic Hall, east of the Court yard square, served for a school as well as a church and court.

The first teachers – remembered, was Mrs. Huminston in 1865. She had a room full of children from four to six years of age. Though she had never taken a kindergarten course she had wonderful original methods of keeping those children occupied, and happy. She was marvelous in her work and those who had the privilege of having her for a teacher will still cherish her in their memory.

Mr. Justice Burnham was one of our earliest principals and later became quite distinguished in Portland, Oregon – being called the “Father of the Portland Schools”. Later Mr. Davies followed.

In 1861, Mr. Duncan McGregor was engaged to take care of the Waupaca schools. It was held in the second story of George James’ Furniture Store. He soon was forced to go to war. During this time the school work was taken over by Mrs. Marcus Burnham. When Captain McGregor returned he stayed only a short while. He was then assigned to the Platteville Normal Schools.

One of the finest stories about our early schools was about another teacher, Mrs. Lydia Humiston. Many stories were told of her several of them true, several exaggerated. In any case she was a leader far ahead of her time. At her death her pupils erected a monument which is still located at Lakeside cemetery.

  Noted events in her life were:

• Occupation: School teacher.

Lydia married Henry Hobart HUMISTON, son of Elisha HUMISTON and Elizabeth (Betsy) NOBLE, on 13 Feb 1856. (Henry Hobart HUMISTON was born on 21 Sep 1815 in Broome County, New York, died on 23 Mar 1872 in Waupaca, Waupaca, Wisconsin and was buried in Lakeside Memorial Park Cemetery, Waupaca, Wisconsin.)