Cynthia Mann Book

Cynthia Mann

Cynthia Pease Mann

The story of a remarkable pioneer teacher who taught for 40 years in the Boise area.

by
Shirley J. Ewing, Principal 1990 - 2003
Cynthia Mann Elementary School
5401 Castle, Boise, Idaho 83703

Illustrations by Kandi McAlister

Historical Information and Photographs obtained from:

Idaho State Historical Society Library and Archives, Family History Center,
Myrtle Brewster, former student of Cynthia Mann,
Evelyn Matthews, Niece of Cynthia Mann

Cynthia Ann Pease was born on August 9, 1853, in Hardinsburg, Kentucky. For as long as she could remember, Cynthia wanted to be a teacher. Even before she was old enough to start school, she would play school with her brothers. When she began school in Kentucky, it was in an ungraded classroom with children of different ages. Older students would help younger ones with lessons. Cynthia began assisting others almost immediately. She liked helping other children learn their math facts, especially the times tables. Cynthia also swept the floor and erased the chalkboards. Some days she, her brothers, and other students couldn't come to school because they were needed on the farm or in their parent's business.

Cynthia loved school and dreamed of being a teacher. An intelligent and determined child, she was known in school for being honest, forthright, and kind. She liked all the other students in her school and never made fun of anyone. In fact, she would stand up for less able students if they were bullied.

As a child, Cynthia moved with her family from Kentucky to Illinois and then to Kansas. To her mother, Letitia, Cynthia was the most beautiful and special young woman in the world. Being the second of five children and the only girl, Cynthia was filled with confidence and determination.

Her brothers, Horace, Henry, William, and Levi Arthur knew that teaching was Cynthia's passion. They adored her because she often helped them with their homework. Cynthia once told them, " I can hardly wait to have a classroom full of students. I want to practice teaching, so bring some schoolwork home."

Cynthia Mann as a child

Cynthia Ann Pease as a child of about 9 years

At 16 years of age Cynthia Pease was pretty, with silky brown hair cascading down her back. Soft curls were held back from her face with clips, emphasizing her dark almond eyes. One day Cynthia was preparing to ride into town to watch for the arrival of President Ulysses Grant. It was 1869 and she was about to see the president. Mounting her horse, White Cloud, from a small wooden stool, Cynthia carefully slipped one leg around the horn of her English saddle. Although she was an independent young woman, she was not ready to put on pants and ride like a man. Her long skirt draped over her legs, falling almost to the ground. The dress was deep purple with long sleeves and 20 small, raisin-size buttons closing the blouse.

President Grant's Photograph of Cynthia Mann

Cynthia lightly prodded White Cloud and started into town with her mom and brothers on horseback beside her. She kept her gaze straight ahead on the procession she saw coming into town. It was President Ulysses Grant. "Mom, look ahead. It's the president!" she cried. Cynthia tugged on the reins to bring her horse to a stop.

She saw the president talking with the photographer. To Cynthia's surprise they rode toward her. The photographer spoke first. "President Grant would like to take your picture. Would you agree to being photographed?" asked the gentleman.

Cynthia turned to her mother who replied, "We are honored. Yes, you may take a photograph."

President Grant smiled, "I am pleased to be visiting Lawrence, Kansas, and appreciate the opportunity to take a photo of your lovely daughter. I'm compiling photos of people, buildings, and landscape that reflect this great nation." he continued.

Cynthia sat in disbelief as she was photographed. When he left she exclaimed, "I have met the President of the United States!"

Immediately after high school graduation she attended Kansas State University for one semester to study teaching. At the age of 18, she was asked to teach in a county school. With very little training, but with a love of children and a passion to teach, she began to fulfill her dream.

Wedding photo of Cynthia A. Pease and Samuel B. Mann.

At the age of 22, Cynthia Pease met Samuel B. Mann, a Civil War hero. Captain Mann was tall and handsome with a full beard. He was 10 years older than Cynthia and a house painter by trade. They fell in love and were married in 1875, more than 100 years ago.

Poor health made it difficult for Cynthia to move about. Although we don't know exactly what was wrong with her, a letter she wrote to a brother indicates she had "auto-intoxication". Today, this might be called an auto-immune problem. Samuel Mann decided to move west in hopes that her health would improve.

He traveled by himself to determine if Idaho was the best place for Cynthia. She soon followed, traveling alone by train from Kansas to Idaho. Cynthia found the sleeping berths cramped and narrow, but the meals in the diner were delightful. She and her new friends enjoyed hours of chatting, crocheting, reading and writing. After a journey with stunning scenery, the train finally reached Idaho. Sam was at the Boise Train Depot to meet Cynthia.

Due to a shortage of teachers in the Boise area, she began teaching school immediately. That was in 1880. At that time the Boise School District was much different than it is now. Boise was a very small, yet prosperous town, yet there were only a few schools within the city limits. There was no hot lunch program in schools at that time. Teachers bought most of their own supplies and were paid very little. In fact, Cynthia and Sam had to live with a local family to save money.

Cynthia Pease Mann taught in Silver City, Caldwell, Payette, and in Boise at Cole, Hawthorne, and Park Schools, and lastly at the Children's Home.

Within a few years Cynthia and Sam were able to rent a room, and eventually purchase a home and land on Warm Springs Avenue. Cynthia's health was improving, due in part to herbal remedies she was taking.

Class in session - Cynthia Mann standing at right.

From the time she began teaching in Idaho, Cynthia Mann took up one cause after the other. She worked with the state legislature to ensure that Idaho became a state in 1890. She helped organize the Idaho State Teacher's Association and was granted a lifetime teaching diploma by the State Board of Education in 1892. She spent hundreds of hours lobbying state legislators to give women the right to vote in 1896.

After 20 years of marriage, Cynthia A. Pease Mann and Samuel B. Mann divorced. Soon after, Sam moved to Horseshoe Bend, Idaho. They had no children.

As a teacher, Cynthia Pease Mann knew she needed to keep upgrading her skills. She spent the summers of 1901 and 1902 studying teacher training at the Albion Normal School near Burley, Idaho. In addition, Cynthia traveled to Columbia University in New York City to learn about teaching disabled and abused children. At this time in history, schools were not fully aware of the problems facing disabled children. Cynthia Mann was truly a visionary. She knew that all children could and should have a chance to learn in school.

During a later summer trip back to Columbia University, Cynthia was riding home from school in a horse-drawn buggy. The horses pulling the buggy were spirited and fast. As the team sped around a corner Cynthia fell out! She was hurt badly and had to go to the hospital. Her hospital visit in New York was a miserable experience. While she was in the hospital, she had to wear special clothes and leave her purse with the attendants. All of her money and personal items were stolen. She was upset and complained to the manager of the hospital. Cynthia felt lucky to leave the hospital in one piece. This accident left her with a leg injury that never fully healed.

Cynthia Mann loved teaching and was kind and nurturing to her students. She wanted all of her students to reach for the stars. Cynthia inspired and motivated them to work hard and constantly do better. She did not settle for second best. She wanted all of her students to excel and become good, hard working citizens.

Cynthia Mann not only taught the basics such as reading, writing, and arithmetic, she also believed students should be taught patriotism. She insisted on saying the Pledge of Allegiance each day and singing patriotic songs. She even worked with some of her students to plan a dramatization of Paul Revere's Ride. Cynthia Pease Mann served as state chairperson of the Committee on Patriotic Education.

She was a devout Methodist and attended church regularly. Cynthia Mann often held prayer groups for children after church on Sundays.

The arts were important to Cynthia Mann and she taught art and music as part of her instruction. Cynthia even taught stringed instruments such as the violin. She was one of the first people in Idaho to interest herself in art in public schools.

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