1975 February 5

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF ARTHUR F. WILEDEN
Scope and Content Note: Born in 1896 on farm in town of Lisbon, northwest of Sussex in Waukesha County, Wis., homesteaded by Wileden's grandfather.

BACKGROUND OF WILEDEN'S GRANDFATHER
Scope and Content Note: Stone mason.

BEGINNING OF WILEDEN'S FORMAL EDUCATION
Scope and Content Note: Started attending one-room country school at age four.

BACKGROUND OF WILEDEN'S GRANDMOTHER
Scope and Content Note: Grandmother (nee Brown) native of area, and a very active Christian Scientist leader. Mary Baker Eddy once visited the farm for a week. Although two daughters remained Christian Scientists, the remaining children became members of the Episcopal or Methodist churches.

CONTINUATION OF DISCUSSION OF WILEDEN'S ELEMENTARY EDUCATION
Scope and Content Note: Always a one-room school, although the family moved around from farm to farm as Wileden's father moved up the “agricultural ladder,” Henry G. Brock, who taught Wileden in grades six through nine at the North Lisbon school, had “tremendous influence” on him.

COMMENTS ON HENRY G. BROCK, TEACHER AT THE NORTH LISBON SCHOOL
Scope and Content Note: Brock “took a special liking” to Wileden, invited him back in the fall, and taught him ninth grade level courses: English, Algebra, Physical Geography and German. “He taught me more about teaching than I've ever learned.”

ANECDOTE ABOUT POOR GRADE ON COUNTY EXAM
Scope and Content Note: Students required to pass a county diploma examination in eleven subjects to graduate from the eighth grade. Wileden received four “100's,” but earned a “60” in spelling, because he learned to spell phonetically.

WILEDEN'S SECONDARY EDUCATION
Scope and Content Note: In good weather rode bicycle to attend high school at Menomonee Falls, seven miles away. In winter walked two miles to the Milwaukee-St. Paul train depot at Templeton. Rode “the old bug line,” to Menomonee Falls and walked two more miles to Menomonee Falls high school. Returned home about six in evening; schedule prevented him from participating in extracurricular activities. Graduated in 1914.

ANECDOTE ABOUT CLASSMATES TRYING TO FORCE WILEDEN TO SMOKE TOBACCO
Scope and Content Note: Strict Methodist background forbade Wileden from smoking tobacco, although classmates tried to force him.

ANECDOTE HOW RAUCOUS NOON RECESSES LED WILEDEN INTO BOXING

INFLUENCE OF WILEDEN'S PARENTS ON HIS EDUCATION
Scope and Content Note: Never any question that the Wileden children would be educated.

NEIGHBORS SCOFF AT WILEDEN FAMILY'S FAITH IN EDUCATION

WILEDEN'S FIRST TEACHING POSITION
Scope and Content Note: After graduating from Menomonee Falls High School, County Superintendent of Schools, George B. Rhoads, offered Wileden a teaching position at Ottawa School District #1, south of Dousman.

WILEDEN'S TEACHER CERTIFICATION
Scope and Content Note: Attended Milwaukee Normal College in the summer of 1914 for six weeks training; wrote a diploma examination to receive teacher certificate.

FIRST TEACHING ASSIGNMENT: OTTAWA #1 (WAUKESHA COUNTY)
Scope and Content Note: At age eighteen began teaching grades one through nine at Ottawa ##1. Area residents of heavy English and Welsh ancestry. Age groups usually combined into five grade levels.

OBSERVATIONS ON ENGLISH AND WELSH COMMUNITY AROUND OTTAWA #1
Scope and Content Note: “A rather homogenous group,” centered around the Presbyterian church and Ottawa #1. New families quickly assimilated. English and Welsh families valued education more than Germans.

WILEDEN'S TEACHING METHODS
Scope and Content Note: “A very unconventional teacher.” Wileden basically applied Brock's teaching methods.

RECREATION AT OTTAWA #1
Scope and Content Note: Playground about two acres, partially heavily wooded. Wileden played basketball and baseball with students “with no discrimination by age or sex.” Recreation time frequently ran into class time.

INTRODUCTION

CONTINUATION OF DISCUSSION OF RECREATION AT OTTAWA #1
Scope and Content Note: On Friday afternoons, Wileden and students often hiked to a farm or to the woods. Projects included a school forest and calf club, supervised by county agent.

SCHOOL BOARD'S CONCERN ABOUT WILEDEN'S UNCONVENTIONAL TEACHING
Scope and Content Note: School board met secretly to discuss Wileden's unconventional teaching methods. County superintendent of schools Rhoads advised board to take no action until end of school year. Wileden's salary raised from $45.00 to $65.00 per month after all five senior students passed county diploma examination, two with highest grades in the county.

WILEDEN'S VIEWS ON THE PURPOSE OF EDUCATION
Scope and Content Note: “It's not a matter of communicating subject matter; basically education is a matter of motivating young people to want to get subject matter and to know where they go get it when they want it.”

FEW DISCIPLINARY PROBLEMS AMONG STUDENTS

HOUSING ACCOMMODATIONS WHILE TEACHING AT OTTAWA #1
Scope and Content Note: First two years lived with Irvey family two miles from school; later, two years with Probert family.

INFLUENCE OF PROBERT FAMILY ON WILEDEN
Scope and Content Note: Ed Probert the same age as Wileden; interested him in basketball and hunting. Probert also encouraged Wileden to take voice lessons and study violin.

WILEDEN'S PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Scope and Content Note: Very active. Member of Christian Endeavor Society, Presbyterian Church. Wileden and United Church of Christ minister started Boy Scout troop. On weekends Wileden and friends hunted on Pabst farms.

PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS AIDS TEACHING
Scope and Content Note: Participation in community affairs helped things go smoothly in the classroom.

WILEDEN'S STUDENTS AT OTTAWA #1
Scope and Content Note: Enrollment never exceeded twenty pupils. In typical class of eighth grade graduates, at least half went to high school, and probably half of those to college. Welsh and English-Americans in district placed high value on education.

INFLUENCE OF WAR IN EUROPE ON COMMUNITY LIFE NEAR DOUSMAN
Scope and Content Note: War in Europe seemed unreal because of little communication with the “outside world” until 1916, when Wileden's predecessor at Ottawa #1 left for Camp Sheridan for officer training; later sent overseas and wounded. Brought greater awareness of war.

WILEDEN ENLISTS IN ARMY INSTEAD OF RENEWING HIS CONTRACT AT OTTAWA #1
Scope and Content Note: In July 1917, when contract expired, Wileden enlisted in the army, answering President Wilson's call to “make the world safe for democracy.” Applied for cavalry duty but assigned to field artillery.

WILEDEN'S ARMY DUTIES
Scope and Content Note: Entered service in July 1917; served until April 1918 as teacher, drill sergeant, and finally signer of discharge certificates.

WILEDEN ACCEPTS TEACHING POSITION AT BROOKFIELD
Scope and Content Note: After army discharge Wileden taught school at Brookfield. Asked to return the next term, but decided to attend the University of Wisconsin.

WHY WILEDEN DECIDED TO ATTEND UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN
Scope and Content Note: Had attended summer session while teaching at Ottawa #1. Originally planned to start law school, but army experiences proved to Wileden that city life wasn't for him. Then decided to teach vocational agriculture.

HOW WILEDEN FINANCED HIS EDUCATION
Scope and Content Note: Received $30.00 per month state veterans' bonus, which complemented small savings and job as part-time secretary of Madison YMCA. Began full-time study in 1919; after two years ran out of funds. Accepted principalship of Racine County School of Agriculture after Dean James recommended him for the position.

REVIEW OF STAFF AND COURSES AT RACINE COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SCHOOL
Scope and Content Note: Wileden taught general agriculture, algebra, geometry, chemistry, agronomy, and poultry, which amounted to six hours of teaching in an eight hour day.

WILEDEN'S LIVING ACCOMMODATIONS AT RACINE COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SCHOOL
Scope and Content Note: Lived in dormitory with students while there for two years.

WILEDEN EMPLOYED BY U.W. EXTENSION
Scope and Content Note: Worked particularly with rural organizations establishing County Council of Rural Clubs, the development of which was written up later in Rural America.

ANECDOTE ABOUT HELPING WAUKESHA COUNTY AGENT SET UP STATE FAIR EXHIBIT

WILEDEN MEETS FUTURE WIFE
Scope and Content Note: Net at state fair. The future Mrs. Wileden (Harriet Acklam) lived on farm on Green Bay Road, outside Racine.

CONTINUATION OF EDUCATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON
Scope and Content Note: Rejected offer to remain on staff of Racine County agricultural school; completed his undergraduate education at U.W.-Madison in 1924. Active in campus activities, but a “barb” (he did not join a fraternity).

INTRODUCTION

ASSISTANTSHIP AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON
Scope and Content Note: After completing undergraduate education, accepted $500 assistantship in rural sociology. Taught old Kolb-Galpin course in Rural Life. Wrote bulletin entitled Rural Community Organization Handbook.

MASTERS DEGREE IN RURAL SOCIOLOGY
Scope and Content Note: In 1925 received Masters Degree in Rural Sociology under B. H. Hibbard.

WILEDEN CONTINUES EDUCATION AT U.W.
Scope and Content Note: Declined offer of staff position in applied sociology at Ohio State University. Decided to continue graduate studies at U.W. on part-time basis; accepted appointment supported by Purnell research funds.

SOME “MORALISTIC” RURAL SOCIOLOGISTS RESENT TERM “SPECIAL INTEREST” GROUPS
Scope and Content Note: While doing research at the U.W. on rural organizations, Wileden used the term “special interest” groups, first used by Dr. Robert E. Park of the University of Chicago. Many “moralistic” rural sociologists objected to the term; believed it contradicted the concept of cooperation among rural organizations.

WILEDENS MARRY,
Scope and Content Note: Wiledens married in 1926 and honeymooned in New York, where Wileden attended summer session at Columbia University.

U.W. COLLEAGUES WHO PARTICULARLY IMPRESSED WILEDEN
Scope and Content Note: While teaching at U.W. part-time much impressed by E. A. Ross, John Gillen in sociology; John Commons and Bill Kieckover in economics.

GRADUATE STUDY AT CORNELL AS SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH COUNCIL FELLOW
Scope and Content Note: In 1928, with help from Kolb, received Social Science Research Council fellowship for graduate study at Cornell University.

EVALUATION OF DWIGHT SANDERSON, PROFESSOR OF RURAL SOCIOLOGY, CORNELL UNIVERSITY
Scope and Content Note: Sanderson had studied the physical sciences, later switched to sociology. “A very remarkable person, but not a very strong teacher.”

DESCRIPTION OF WILEDENS' HOUSING AT CORNELL
Scope and Content Note: Lived in poorly furnished apartment for $40 per month.

DECLINES OFFER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT TO RETURN TO WISCONSIN
Scope and Content Note: “I guess our roots were pretty deep in Wisconsin.” Declined faculty position at University of Connecticut in 1929.

WILEDEN ATTENDS THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
Scope and Content Note: Attended the University of Chicago during summer of 1929; studied with A. W. Small and Robert Park.

ANECDOTE ABOUT BEDBUG INFESTED DORMITORY AT UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO

BEGINS TEACHING AT UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN IN FALL
Scope and Content Note: In September 1929 began as assistant professor at U.W. to establish rural sociology program in extension. Succeeded David Lindstrom, who in one year at U.W. had started extension program in dramatics.

ORGANIZATION OF RURAL SOCIOLOGY PROGRAM IN EXTENSION
Scope and Content Note: Kolb wanted program built on “four wheels and a steering wheel;” steering wheel the organization emphasis, four wheels were drama, music, recreation and discussion.

AMBIGUOUS ROLE OF APPLIED RURAL SOCIOLOGY IN LATE
Scope and Content Note: Rural sociology not sure of its role in the applied field. [Explained in detail in Wileden's Community Development: The Dynamics of Planned Change.]

COMMENTS ON J. H. KOLB, PROFESSOR OF RURAL SOCIOLOGY
Scope and Content Note: “Very dramatic” individual; speeches filled with emotion and drama.

U.W. FACULTY MEMBERS WHO HELPED DEVELOP EXTENSION PROGRAM IN RURAL SOCIOLOGY

LEADERSHIP TRAINING EMPHASIZED IN RURAL SOCIOLOGY EXTENSION
Scope and Content Note: Leader training conferences held on county basis for group leaders in the various fields. Other programs held during the Farm and Home Week in Madison; little theater and recreation center operated at state fair park in West Allis.

PUBLICATIONS RESULTING FROM WILEDEN'S EXTENSION WORK
Scope and Content Note: Making Rural Organizations Effective resulted from Wileden's work with special interest groups. Because many groups had difficulty in holding a business meeting, he wrote a bulletin on Conducting the Business Meeting. With Gladys Borchers and Ethel Rockwell, wrote Dramatics for Amateur Groups and with H. L. Ewbank, How to Conduct a Group Discussion.

WORK WITH UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE IN WASHINGTON
Scope and Content Note: In spring of 1935 Wileden served on staff of U.S. Department of Agriculture, exploring and discussing various issues pertaining to agriculture. Traveled throughout Indiana, where people very critical of national government policy.

ANECDOTE ABOUT CONSERVATIVE COLLEGE DEAN AT PURDUE UNIVERSITY
Scope and Content Note: Conservative dean resented USDA policies and Wisconsin's liberal reputation; his son, however, an avid admirer of La Follette.

COMMENTS ON THE STATE OF IOWA
Scope and Content Note: Although most of Iowa very conservative, four or five counties in the Southwest comprised “Henry Wallace county.”

WILEDEN ASSUMES NEW DUTIES AT WISCONSIN
Scope and Content Note: Rejected position with USDA staff in 1935; returned to Wisconsin. Full-time extension appointment until 1938, when appointment split between extension and teaching. Also advised students interested in rural social or community organization, which led to course in community organization.

OBSERVATION ABOUT BUDGETS IN ACADEMIC DEPARTMENTS
Scope and Content Note: “Rather than budgets following staff member's activities, budgets follow the available funds.”