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Professor Charles Viebahn
Early Educator
1905, 12 29
Prof.
C. F. Viebahn was in attendance yesterday at the State convention of state
superintendents. He made a very interesting report on the teaching of geography
in which he urged the practice of making vivid word pictures for the pupils to
base their lessons upon. It was a good principle to have the pupils draw
outline maps of continents and countries from memory which would be of
inestimable benefit to the child. He also suggested the study of the globe in
which cities and countries with certain conditions exports, peculiarities of
the people and historical incidents could be associated as worthy reference.
1915, Obituary
One of
Watertown's most beloved and highly respected educators in its public school
system was the late Prof. Charles F. Viebahn. He was not only an outstanding
school man who helped introduce many modern transformations into the public
schools of the city; he was also a civic leader and had an active public career
aside from his education activities.
Prof.
Viebahn died at his home at South Seventh and Western Avenue. He had held the
position of principal of Watertown High School
and superintendent of schools for 24 uninterrupted years - from 1880 to 1904.
Before that he had also been county superintendent of schools in both Sauk and
Manitowoc Counties.
Watertown
knew him in many different capacities. He was a legislator, instructor and
counselor.
No
educator in the State of Wisconsin was better or more favorably known over the
state than Prof. Viebahn, who in addition to the laurels won as instructor par
excellence, was three times selected to represent his district in the
Legislature.
Educator
Mr.
Viebahn was the first in many things: while he was principal of the schools of
Manitowoc in 1873 he established the first kindergarten in the state to be
operated in connection with a public school; while he was county superintendent
of schools of Sauk County he prepared and introduced a course of study for
country schools, the first course of the kind in the state; he was the first
teacher in the state to be granted an unlimited teachers' certificate.
Honored
as an educator from one end of the state to another, Mr. Viebahn had been
president of the Wisconsin Teachers' Association, and had frequently conducted
teachers' institutes and presented many papers before educational bodies. He
had been a member of the state board of examiners for many years, serving under
five different state superintendents, and was at the time of his death its
chairman.
Born in Germany
Mr.
Viebahn was born in Germany, near the city of Cologne, in 1842. At the age of
ten years he came to Wisconsin with his parents, and for the next ten years his
home was on a farm. He was educated in the public schools, by private
instruction and study and by attending the University of Wisconsin for three
years.
During
two winter terms his course as a student was interrupted by teaching a country
school. He studied law and was admitted to practice, but finally decided to
adopt teaching as a profession.
The
honorable and responsible positions he held in his lifetime followed in rapid
succession until his retirement in 1904.
Legislator
Elected
to the Legislature in 1908, 1910 and again in 1912, Mr. Viebahn served with
honor, and was chairman of the committee on education during one term and also
member of the committee on legislative procedure.
Mr.
Viebahn was in the University of Wisconsin with John Muir, famous naturalist
and explorer. In the Legislature in
1912-13, a Democratic colleague of Mr. Viebahn was I. N. Stewart, Appleton. The
three students, Muir, Viebahn and Stewart, roomed in the same house back in
1861. Viebahn and Stewart were the oldest Legislators in the session of 1913.
After
completing his last term in the Legislature, Prof. Viebahn lived quietly and
unostentatiously in Watertown, yet by no means without interest in the life of
his fellow citizens, for he retained till the last his interest in the affairs
of life, and most particularly the affairs of education.
He was
an almost daily visitor at the high school of the city, and even during the
last winter before his death had taught classes in the schools, relieving
teachers who were ill or forced to be absent for other reasons. In November,
1914, he took an active part in the meeting of the Wisconsin State Teachers'
Association at Milwaukee.
Mr.
Viebahn mastered one of the most difficult of arts, that of growing old
gracefully. During the months before his death, his friends noted with regret
that he was failing in bodily health. The tall, impressive figure was growing
stooped; the old educator walked more slowly and was less light on his feet.
But his every-day smile was always in evidence and his words of greeting were
as bright and cheery as of yore.
With
the passage of Prof. Viebahn, Watertown lost one of its most honored and best
loved citizen, a man whose honesty and integrity, faithfulness and abilities
were never questioned.
Married Twice
Prof.
Viebahn twice was married. The first wife, who was Miss Lona Fischer, to whom
he was wedded in 1868, died in 1893. One son was born to the couple, the late
Gustave O. Viebahn, a brilliant man with many of his father's talents, who
served the city of Watertown for several years as city engineer. The professor
was saddened by the death of this son, which occurred Feb. 2, 1897. In the fall
of 1895 Prof. Viebahn married Mrs. Josephine Hall, who had two daughters of a
former marriage.
Prof.
Viebahn's grave is in Oak
Hill Cemetery. In the history of Watertown schools and its progress in
education his name will always loom large among the men of the city's first
century.
Prof. C. F. Viebahn
As a
man of sterling integrity he whose name heads this sketch ranks high. As an
earnest, conscientious, progressive educator he occupies a leading place, and
has achieved honor in his county and among his own people. In the enthusiastic
pursuit of his chosen profession he has awakened public sentiment to a higher
appreciation of the benefits of education that will bring renown to his memory
as well as satisfaction to his highest aspirations. He is well entitled to the
reputation he has certainly acquired of being one of the most successful
educators of Wisconsin, and as superintendent of the public schools and
principal of the High School of Watertown, Wis., he has proven himself equal to
the task imposed upon him, and enjoys to the fullest extent the respect of his
fellow men, as well as of his pupils. Public education has no more earnest
advocate and co-operator than he, and as he is a man of action, of original and
positive character, he has left his impress upon his sphere of public duty.
He was
born in Cologne, Germany, April 20, 1841, and possesses some of the most worthy
characteristics of that race, being intelligent, persevering, and at all times
to be relied upon. His parents, Peter V. and Wilhelma (Deitenbach) Viebahn,
came to the United States in 1851, and after a short residence at Baraboo,
located on a farm near Mauston, Wis., where they were both eventually called
from this life. The father was a notary public when in his native land, and
although he gave some attention to agriculture after reaching this country, he
was practically retired from the active duties of life. Two of three children
born to them are living: Prof. C. F., and William, who is a farmer in the
vicinity of Blue Earth City, Minn.
The
youthful days of Prof. Viebahn were spent in his native land, in the public
schools of which country he received his initiatory scholastic training. At the
age of ten years he was brought to the United States by his parents, and until
he attained his eighteenth year he made his home with his father on the farm
and pursued his studies in the district schools near his rural home. He then
began the calling of a pedagogue, in order to acquire means with which to put him
through college, and as he pursued this occupation during the winter months, he
was enabled to attend the University of Wisconsin during the summer.
In
1862 he became principal of the Sauk City public schools, continuing as such up
to 1869, with the exception of one year, and from 1870 to 1872 was county
superintendent of schools of Sauk County, Wis. From that time up to 1879 he was
the efficient principal of the public schools of Manitowoc, Wis., then was
elected to the responsible position of superintendent of schools of Manitowoc
County, a position he filled with marked ability, as he had also in Sauk
County, until 1881. Since that time he has been
superintendent of the public schools and principal of the High School of
Watertown, positions for which his varied talents eminently fit him.
The
present high school building of the place was erected under his supervision,
contains seven rooms, and has an average attendance of 120 pupils in the high
school. Prof. Viebahn is a man of fine intellect, is a fine disciplinarian, and
has the faculty of presenting his explanations in a clear and forcible manner,
and in language fitted for the comprehension of the dullest pupil.
He is
with reason regarded as one of the ablest educators of the State, and his heart
is in his work, a secret, no doubt, of his success. He keeps well posted on the
progress made in his profession, takes some leading educational periodicals,
has a well selected, though small, library, and is advanced in all his views.
He was
married in 1868 to Miss Lona Fischer, by whom he has one son: G. O., who is the
present city engineer of Watertown, and a substantial and intelligent citizen.
Prof. Viebahn is a member of the Sons of Herman, but as a rule has not
interested himself in secret organizations. He has been a widower since 1893.
Reference:
Above
section derived from Memorial and
Genealogical Record of Dodge and Jefferson Counties, Wisconsin, Chicago:
Goodspeed Brothers, 1894.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
PROF. VIEBAHN CALLED BY DEATH
Well Known Educator Passed Away At Watertown March 17, 1915.
BURIAL SERVICES SATURDAY
Watertown Daily Times, 03 26 1915
Hon. Charles F. Viebahn died at his home in Watertown, Wednesday evening,
March 17, 1915, at 8 o’clock.
The immediate cause of his death was pneumonia, his sickness covering a
period of less than ten days. Previous to
the fatal attack he enjoyed his usual health.
The announcement of his death came as a surprise to the people of
Watertown as well as to many friends all over the state.
Mr. Viebahn was born in Cologne, Germany, April 20, 1841. In 1851 he came to this country with his
parents and located at Baraboo, from there they removed to a farm near Mauston,
Wis. Mr. Viebahn received his early
education in Germany and later in the public schools in and around Mauston, teaching
school at various times, which enabled him to get a University of Wisconsin
education, from which institution he received a life state certificate. From 1862 to 1869 he was principal of the
Sauk City public schools and from 1870 to 1872 was county superintendent of
Sauk County, and from 1872 till 1879 he was principal of the city schools of
Manitowoc, and was then elected superintendent of schools of Manitowoc county,
filling that position till 1881, when he was appointed superintendent of schools
and principal of the High School of Watertown, Wis.., filling this important
office with great distinction for 24 years.
He was twice married, his first wife and one son, Gustav Viebahn, former
city engineer at Watertown, dying quite a few years ago. His second wife survives him, also her two
daughters, the Misses Lucy and Catherine Hall.
After retiring from his school work in Watertown Mr. Viebahn represented
his assembly district in the state legislature from 1908 till the close of the
1913-1914 session when he retired voluntarily.
He has been president of the State Teachers’ Association and for many
years previous to his death, was chairman of the state superintendents of
public instructions. He was earnest,
conscientious and progressive in all his work and was honored and esteemed not
only at home but throughout the state as a man of high ideals and worthy
motives. He was an earnest advocate of
purity in politics and as a public educator there was no more earnest advocate
in the entire country than he. In his
death the city of Watertown has lost one of its very best citizens, and all
classes of people mourn his death sincerely.
His funeral services were held at Watertown, last Saturday, Mar. 20,
1915.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Through the death of Mr. Viebahn, which occurred March 17th, the
high school lost a warm friend, a faithful supporter, and a fair critic, whose
presence encouraged pupils and teachers.
Mr. Viebahn was sympathetic and kindly disposed towards us at
all times. His wide experience as teacher, supervisor, and superintendent, made
him a valuable counselor.
He was for twenty-four years, from 1880 to 1904, superintendent
of Watertown Public Schools. During that time he made many friends for the
schools and his high ideals became a part of the life of students who worked
with him.
Within the memory of the class of 1915, he has conducted classes
in botany, in algebra and in German in the high school. He visited classes
often and usually left some word of encouragement or advice. His death is mourned by the entire student
body. He will be remembered as a kindly,
venerable man, whose place will never be fully filled by another.
Thomas J. Berto, Superintendent of Schools
1915 Watertown High School Orbit
Cross-References:
No 1: Viebahn, C F, 1917, Watertown library
citation
No
2: Viebahn genealogy on the web
No 3:
Watertown High School from 1881 to 1904
