SNGF -- An Ancestor Who Experienced or Did Something Unique or Memorable

Calling all Genea-Musings Fans:

It's Saturday Night again -

Time for some more Genealogy Fun!!

Here is our assignment from Randy Seaver of Genea-Musings:

1)   Choose an ancestor who experienced or did something unique or memorable (such as an event, family life, trip, etc.). 

2)  Share about your ancestor and his/her unique experience and how it may have affected their life in your own blog post or on your Facebook page.  Be sure to leave a link to your report in a comment on this post. [thank you to Linda Stufflebean for suggesting this topic!]

Here's mine:
My great-grandaunt, Helena Mary Gleeson, was a school teacher, principal, and superintendent of schools in Anaconda, Montana. She was born on 31 October 1867 in Ontario, Canada, to John Gleeson and Margaret Tierney.[1] The family moved to Dakota Territory in 1879.

By 1892, she lived in Anaconda, Deer Lodge County, Montana. She and her sister, Elizabeth, performed in Gilbert & Sullivan’s “Engaged.”[2]

She taught at Prescott School, a primary grade school, teaching first grade.[3] Prescott School was located on West Park Avenue. It contained six large rooms, was well-ventilated and lighted, and had toilets and dressing rooms for teachers and pupils. The school library was on the second floor. The heat was provided by steam. The students who attended lived in the fourth ward and were for the lower grades. She was paid $80 per month in 1892.[4]

In 1897, Helena received her teacher’s certificate after taking an exam.[5]

In the fall of 1898, she ran for the County Superintendent of Schools on the Deer Lodge County Democratic ticket.[6] In an editorial, this was written:

“A more perfect lady than Miss Helena Gleeson does not live. She has no superior as a teacher, and when elected to the office of county superintendent of schools, she will be a credit to herself, to the people, ad to the democratic party.”[7]

She had been the principal of Bryan School at the time of her election.[8]

She won the election and had to post a bond of $5000 at the office of the county clerk and recorder. L.J. Baker, W.M. Thornton, A.P. Cloutier, and J.T. Quigley were her bondsmen.[9] She succeeded Miss Anna Quigley.[10] Her office was in the Shields’’ Building, where Miss Quigley had held her office.[11]

One of her duties was to hold the examinations for teacher’s certificates.[12] She traveled around the county to check on the 37 schools and many newspapers made note of her visits.[13] She would also be present at high school graduation ceremonies in the county.[14] She also attended meetings in Helena for county superintendents.[15] She made $125 a month.[16]

In January 1900, the division of state funds for the 37 districts was apportioned out by Helena Gleeson based on the number of children each district had. There was a total of 3779 children with 2053 living in Anaconda. It cost about $20 a year to educate a student. The newspaper gave a listing of each school district and the amount they received, based on their population.[17]

In the Spring of 1900, the new Deer Lodge Courthouse was completed and Helena received an office in basement of the new building.[18]

She was part of the committee that determined questions to be asked on an 8^th grade examination for the purpose of issuing common school diplomas to those who pass. Her part was to create questions for the grammar portion.[19]

Another duty was to conduct the school census. In 1900, there was an increase in 69 students from the previous year.[20]

In November 1900, Miss Mary McLaughlin was elected county superintendent and Helena was one of two women who applied to be principal of Bryan School to take Mary McLaughlin’s place.[21] She was selected on 28 December. Her last day as superintendent would be January 1.[22]

One of the last duties she held as County Superintendent of Schools was to hold the 5-day teachers' institute in Anaconda.[23]

Following her stint as County Superintendent of Schools, Helena spent the rest of her career in Anaconda as principal or teacher. She is the only woman I have found so far who held public office.

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[1] St. Philips Church, Richmond, Carleton Co, Nov 1867, B34, Helena Mary Gleeson, imaged at "Ontario, Canada, Parish registers, 1836-1917," FamilySearch (http://familysearch.org).

[2] “Engaged,” Anaconda Standard, 28 Feb 1892, p. 3.

[3] “School Matters,” Anaconda Standard, 12 Sep 1892, p. 3, col. 3.

[4] “Its Boys and Girls: Anaconda’s Children Well Cared for in the Schools,” Anaconda Standard, 23 Oct 1892, p. 3, col. 4-5.

[5] “About the City,” Anaconda Standard, 4 Mar 1987, p. 2, col. 2.

[6] “Deer Lodge County Democratic Ticket,” Anaconda Standard, 27 Oct 1898, p. 5.

[7] Anaconda Standard, 7 Nov 1898, p. 4.

[8] “Not a Quorum Present,” Anaconda Standard, 4 Jan 1999, p. 5, col. 2.

[9] “Miss Gleeson’s Bonds,” Anaconda Standard, 4 Dec 1898, p. 5, col. 2.

[10] “New Men Will Step In,” Anaconda Standard, 2 Jan 1899, p. 3, col. 1.

[11] “The New Officers,” Anaconda Standard, 3 Jan 1899, p. 4, col. 1.

[12] “Notice to Teachers, Anaconda Standard, 8 Feb 1899, p. 4, col. 5.

[13] For example, “Butte Current Notes,” Anaconda Standard, 15 Mar 1899, p. 7, col. 1.

[14] “Are Men and Women,” Anaconda Standard, 9 Jun 1899, p. 4, col. 1.

[15] “About the City,” Anaconda Standard, 28 Aug 1899, p. 3, col. 2.

[16] “Report of the Proceedings of the County Commissioners of Deer Lodge County, Montana,” Anaconda Standard, 15 Jun 1899, p. 5, col. 2; continued from page 4.

[17] “Money is Apportioned,” Anaconda Standard, 8 Feb 1900, p. 5, col. 1.

[18] “Deer Lodge County’s New Court House,” Anaconda Standard, 11 Feb 1900, p. 16, col. 1-7. And “New Quarters,” Anaconda Standard, 24 Mar 1900, p. 5, col. 4.

[19] “Sheepskin for Pupils,” Anaconda Standard, 11 Mar 1900, p. 10, col. 1.

[20] “More School Children,” Anaconda Standard, 4 Oct 1900, p. 4, col. 1.

[21] “French in High School,” Anaconda Standard, 23 Nov 1900, p. 4, col. 3.

[22] “Miss Gleeson Chosen,” Anaconda Standard, 29 Dec 1900, p. 4, col. 1.

[23] “Institute a Success,” Anaconda Standard, 18 Dec 1900, p. 4, col. 1.

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