A Standard History of Waupaca County, Wisconsin. An Authentic Narrative of the Past, with Particular Attention to the Modern Era in the Commercial, Industrial, Educational, Civic and Social Development.

              286 HISTORY OF WAUPACA COUNTY
The Public Schools
New London is accommodated by two substantial schoolhouses—one for each side of the river. The high school is installed in the south side institution.   A deaf school, in the same building, was established in 1906.
The north side school was first occupied in the spring of 1871.
Prof. AV. S. Ford, the present superintendent of schools, states that the successive principals have been T. C. Cleary, Air. Blondell, Mr. Cleary (second term), Robert Patton, H. A. AAMd, J. C. Freehoff, Taylor Frye, P. G. W. Keller, AV. J. Hamilton, Mr. AlcCrary and J. P. Bal¬ lantyne.
The cost of the south side school was $30,000 and of the north side, $23,000.
The total enrollment of 601 is thus divided: High school, 160; grades (south side), 266; kindergarten (south side), 32; grades (north side), 117; kindergarten (north side), 26.
The Free Public Library
The steps taken which have resulted in the firm establishment of the present Free Public Library of New London have covered a period of more than twenty years, and represent the activities of many of the city's leading men and women. When the beautiful Carnegie Building was finally dedicated in May, 1914, historical sketches were prepared for the occasion by Charles P. Carr and the successive librarians. Prom their papers, the facts which are incorporated in the following paragraphs are extracted.
The library originated in 1895 through the untiring efforts of Pro¬ fessor J. C. Freehoff, then principal of the high school. Mr. Freehoff was thoroughly impregnated with the library idea. He was by no means a wealthy man, but had the interest of school pupils at heart, and saw their needs. From his own collection of books he selected something like two hundred, which formed a nucleus for the library. He spent several wrecks soliciting subscriptions and donated $200, savings from his salary. His crowning efforts of success were made after his term as principal of our schools had closed and he was about to go to other fields of labor.
The subscriptions were made in small amounts by individuals. After a suitable amount was subscribed, various citizens 6f the city were requested to hand in lists of books suitable for a public library in their opinion, and by this method the volumes making up the library were finally selected.