Mower County Rural Schools |
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From The History of Mower County, 1911:
An act relating to public schools in Minnesota was passed on the last day of the session, November 1, 1849. It organized the territory into districts, of which the township was the unit, and provided that if a township had within its limits five families it should be considered as one district, but if it contained ten families it should be divided into two districts. Tax levy was provided, and a system of management arranged. The first superintendent of common schools for the territory was Rev. E. D. Neill, who served till 1853. His salary was $100 a year.
An act relating to public schools in Minnesota was passed on the last day of the session, November 1, 1849. It organized the territory into districts, of which the township was the unit, and provided that if a township had within its limits five families it should be considered as one district, but if it contained ten families it should be divided into two districts. Tax levy was provided, and a system of management arranged. The first superintendent of common schools for the territory was Rev. E. D. Neill, who served till 1853. His salary was $100 a year.
ADAMS TOWNSHIP
District No. 6. Organized in the fall of 1858. A small school house was built of logs and covered with hay. It was located in section 22. A term of school was kept in this house during the winter of 1858-59, R. M. Rooney wielding the birch. This house was burned by a prairie fire the following summer. Another log house was built on the site of the old one, in which Mr. Rooney was also the first teacher. This building was also burned, when a good substantial frame was erected one half mile south of the old one. The first teacher in that house was Miss Nillis Nason. Board members in 1942 were Henry Smith, S. J. Krebsbach and J. J. Kloeckner.
District No. 7. Organized in 1858. A school house was built in 1868 in Section 8. Later in 1884, the building was moved to Section 9, across the road. This one acre was bought from Paul Anderson for the school. In 1915, it was moved to the village of Adams. It was then used for the parochial school there. Some who served on the school board were Nels Johnson, Hans Hanson, Eric Weness, Severine Rogne, and Iver Tiegen. Teachers: Nils Anderson, Carrie L. Slindee, Ollova Morgen, Mamie Schow, Carrie Tiegen, Nellie Hanson, Carrie Kiefer, Ida Johnson.
Information on District 7 was given by Mrs. Daisy Johnson. Her brother, Arnold Severson, who attended this school had these interesting reminiscences of the years he spent attending the school. "The Seversons lived three miles from the schoolhouse so they would walk that distance every morning and after school. He remembers carrying his lunch in a tin pail and of one family that always brought "syrup sandwiches" which were pretty well soaked up by noon. A boy was hired to start the fire and was paid 10 cents a day for the job. Mrs. Eunice Rice would come to visit the school at least once during the year, traveling in a horse and buggy. She would tell of her experiences in her travels and brought an ostrich egg to show during one of her visits."
District No. 6. Organized in the fall of 1858. A small school house was built of logs and covered with hay. It was located in section 22. A term of school was kept in this house during the winter of 1858-59, R. M. Rooney wielding the birch. This house was burned by a prairie fire the following summer. Another log house was built on the site of the old one, in which Mr. Rooney was also the first teacher. This building was also burned, when a good substantial frame was erected one half mile south of the old one. The first teacher in that house was Miss Nillis Nason. Board members in 1942 were Henry Smith, S. J. Krebsbach and J. J. Kloeckner.
District No. 7. Organized in 1858. A school house was built in 1868 in Section 8. Later in 1884, the building was moved to Section 9, across the road. This one acre was bought from Paul Anderson for the school. In 1915, it was moved to the village of Adams. It was then used for the parochial school there. Some who served on the school board were Nels Johnson, Hans Hanson, Eric Weness, Severine Rogne, and Iver Tiegen. Teachers: Nils Anderson, Carrie L. Slindee, Ollova Morgen, Mamie Schow, Carrie Tiegen, Nellie Hanson, Carrie Kiefer, Ida Johnson.
Information on District 7 was given by Mrs. Daisy Johnson. Her brother, Arnold Severson, who attended this school had these interesting reminiscences of the years he spent attending the school. "The Seversons lived three miles from the schoolhouse so they would walk that distance every morning and after school. He remembers carrying his lunch in a tin pail and of one family that always brought "syrup sandwiches" which were pretty well soaked up by noon. A boy was hired to start the fire and was paid 10 cents a day for the job. Mrs. Eunice Rice would come to visit the school at least once during the year, traveling in a horse and buggy. She would tell of her experiences in her travels and brought an ostrich egg to show during one of her visits."
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District No. 8. Organized in 1858; a school house was built in 1873, located in section 11. Teachers: Myra Maxwell, Nils Anderson.
District No. 71. Organized in 1871. The first school was held the same year at the house of John Fagans, Robert Carter being the teacher. In 1872, a frame school house was built, 14' x 18', in section 25. The first teacher in this house was Lizzie Boding. A later building was located in Section 26. Maggie Madden was the teacher in 1884. .
District No. 72. Organized in 1871. The first school house was built in 1868, in section 22. Catherine Madden taught the first school. The school was later located in Section 27.
AUSTIN TOWNSHIP
District No. 26 - Woodson School. The first school in this district was taught in M. J. Woodson's house, by his son, Henry Woodson, in the summer of 1858. The teacher received $10 per month for his services. James Johnson taught the second term of school in the same house. In 1859, a log house was erected on the northeast quarter of section 10. George and Oliver Bemis gave the logs, which were cut and drawn to the spot by M. J. and W. A. Woodson and H. VanWinkle. Abby Litchfield was the first teacher in that house. The log house was in use for a number of years. The schoolhouse in 1884, which George Emery was the first teacher, is a neat frame building located on the southwest corner of section 11. Other teacher: H. Waterman.
District No. 28 - Cedar City School. Organized at a meeting held at the house of D. L. Chandler, in the winter of 1856-57. Welcome Osborne, D. L. Chandler and George Phelps were the first officers of the district. In the summer of 1857, a log school house was built, located on the northeast of the southeast of section 32. Deland Richardson was the first teacher in that house, which was in use but five years, when the present house was built in 1862, located on the southwest of section 28. Mary Hoag was the first to teach in that house. The last schoolhouse in this district was a large brick building with a basement and furnace. It has been torn down. Two of the board members in 1942 were Earl Subra and Paul Wehner. The teacher was Mildred Crilly. Other teacher: Gertie Sherwood.
District No. 29 - Enterprise School. Known as Varco Station, first schoolhouse was built in 1857. The people made a bee, cut the trees, drew the logs together and erected the building. Money was raised by subscription to complete the building. Deland Richardson was the first to teach in this house. The building was located in the southeast of section 23. In 1864 the building was burned and a stone house was erected on the southwest of the northwest of section 25. Forest Marsh was the first teacher in that house. In 1879, that building was torn down and a frame building erected, which cost $1,000. Mary Hood was the first to teach in this house. In 1942, Mrs. O. Miller was the teacher. Board members were Albert Hanson, Lester Berry, and Herbert Sayles. Cecelia Mueller tells of the activities at the school: "Enterprise had many things going on through the years. Funeral services were conducted there. The Grange and other agricultural societies held meetings at the school to teach farmers about using fertilizers for better crops and introduced other new ideas. Election meetings, dances, picnics and family reunions made the Enterprise School a busy social center. This was also one of the schools where the girls from the Normal Training School came for their practice teaching." Cecelia Mueller taught the Enterprise School in 1927 and 1928.
District No. 55 - Pleasant View School. The first school in this district was taught by Elizabeth Stone, in a claim shanty located on the southwest of section 8. This was in 1865. In 1869 a frame building was erected for school purposes located on the southeast of the northwest of section 17. Mary Scullen was the first to teach in this house. In 1906, Helen McShane taught this school. In 1942, board members were Francis Gerlach, Stephen Lickteig, and George Hillier. The teacher was Mrs. Georgena Bliton. An interesting note was added by John Reagan Austin on the Pleasant View School. "A. O. Dinsmorre owned several sections of land in Austin Township and had tenant farmers. He built the school of barn siding and taught the school for his own children and all the others in the area."
District No. 128 - Prairie View School. The schoolhouse was in the eastern half of Section 21. It was built in 1900. Pearl Bowers was the first teacher.
Other districts listed in Austin Township in 1884:
No. 6 taught by Winifred Morgan
No. 20 taught by Addie Teeter and Anna Vail
No. 27 taught by A.W. Rankin and 10 assistants
BENNINGTON TOWNSHIP
District No. 3. The first school in this township was taught by Mary McKinney. The school building of district No. 3 was situated in the southeast quarter of section 30. It was a frame building, put up about 1860, at a cost of five hundred dollars. Teresa Walker was the teacher in 1884. Wages were twenty-five dollars a month for the summer term of three months. F. A. Wales was clerk of the district. Later a new modern building was built on the same site.
District No. 85. The school house was built in 1874, at a cost of $500.00. The first teacher was Clara Mehurin. Number of children drawing public money, six. Teacher in 1884 was Lora Whitcher; wages twenty dollars per month for five months. C. T. Bussell, was the district clerk. In 1942, Frances Hamlin taught. Board members were Mrs. Georgia Bratrud, Rosevelt Thorson, and Abner Holt.
District No. 18. The school house in this district, built in 1875, was situated on the southeast corner of the southwest quarter of section 12. Later it was moved a half mile west of that site. Teacher in 1884 was Julia Ker or Kirwin. Wages were $21.65 per month, for four months. When Estella Weidman taught in this district, the board members were Elmer Groby, Mrs. Dulcie Mayland, and Claude Card.
District No. 92. The school house stood on the southwest quarter of section 25. It was built in 1875 and cost of $150.00. The first clerk of this district was William Crawford; the first teacher Katie Mehurin. Number of children drawing public money, twenty-two. Teacher in 1884 was Jessie Plummer; wages twenty-five dollars per month, for three months. Clerk was J. R. Roberts. Albert Nelson was the teacher in the 1940's. Board members were Albert Johnson, Christ L. Christenson, and Ingeman Iverson.
District No. 95. The school house situated on the southwest corner of section 8, was built in 1876, at a cost of $300.00. Teacher in 1884 was Anna Langum; wages twenty-four dollars per month, for four months. Nine children drew public money. J. B. Lingual was the clerk. The building was later moved to the Northwest corner of Section 9.
District No. 102. The school house of this district was in the northwest quarter of section 34. It is one of the $500.00 structures, and the newest, having been built in 1877. The first teacher was N. 0. Borswold, The teacher in 1884 was Anna Palmer; wages $25.00 per month, for two months. Number of children drawing public money, fourteen. Clerk was J. C. Johnson.
District No. 118 - West Bennington School. The school was in section 17 in the west side. It was located five miles south and a mile west of Grand Meadow. Elizabeth Forbes Dahlgren taught in this school in 1927. She rode horseback from her home in Grand Meadow. The school was sold and moved into Grand Meadow to be made into a home.
District No. 71. Organized in 1871. The first school was held the same year at the house of John Fagans, Robert Carter being the teacher. In 1872, a frame school house was built, 14' x 18', in section 25. The first teacher in this house was Lizzie Boding. A later building was located in Section 26. Maggie Madden was the teacher in 1884. .
District No. 72. Organized in 1871. The first school house was built in 1868, in section 22. Catherine Madden taught the first school. The school was later located in Section 27.
AUSTIN TOWNSHIP
District No. 26 - Woodson School. The first school in this district was taught in M. J. Woodson's house, by his son, Henry Woodson, in the summer of 1858. The teacher received $10 per month for his services. James Johnson taught the second term of school in the same house. In 1859, a log house was erected on the northeast quarter of section 10. George and Oliver Bemis gave the logs, which were cut and drawn to the spot by M. J. and W. A. Woodson and H. VanWinkle. Abby Litchfield was the first teacher in that house. The log house was in use for a number of years. The schoolhouse in 1884, which George Emery was the first teacher, is a neat frame building located on the southwest corner of section 11. Other teacher: H. Waterman.
District No. 28 - Cedar City School. Organized at a meeting held at the house of D. L. Chandler, in the winter of 1856-57. Welcome Osborne, D. L. Chandler and George Phelps were the first officers of the district. In the summer of 1857, a log school house was built, located on the northeast of the southeast of section 32. Deland Richardson was the first teacher in that house, which was in use but five years, when the present house was built in 1862, located on the southwest of section 28. Mary Hoag was the first to teach in that house. The last schoolhouse in this district was a large brick building with a basement and furnace. It has been torn down. Two of the board members in 1942 were Earl Subra and Paul Wehner. The teacher was Mildred Crilly. Other teacher: Gertie Sherwood.
District No. 29 - Enterprise School. Known as Varco Station, first schoolhouse was built in 1857. The people made a bee, cut the trees, drew the logs together and erected the building. Money was raised by subscription to complete the building. Deland Richardson was the first to teach in this house. The building was located in the southeast of section 23. In 1864 the building was burned and a stone house was erected on the southwest of the northwest of section 25. Forest Marsh was the first teacher in that house. In 1879, that building was torn down and a frame building erected, which cost $1,000. Mary Hood was the first to teach in this house. In 1942, Mrs. O. Miller was the teacher. Board members were Albert Hanson, Lester Berry, and Herbert Sayles. Cecelia Mueller tells of the activities at the school: "Enterprise had many things going on through the years. Funeral services were conducted there. The Grange and other agricultural societies held meetings at the school to teach farmers about using fertilizers for better crops and introduced other new ideas. Election meetings, dances, picnics and family reunions made the Enterprise School a busy social center. This was also one of the schools where the girls from the Normal Training School came for their practice teaching." Cecelia Mueller taught the Enterprise School in 1927 and 1928.
District No. 55 - Pleasant View School. The first school in this district was taught by Elizabeth Stone, in a claim shanty located on the southwest of section 8. This was in 1865. In 1869 a frame building was erected for school purposes located on the southeast of the northwest of section 17. Mary Scullen was the first to teach in this house. In 1906, Helen McShane taught this school. In 1942, board members were Francis Gerlach, Stephen Lickteig, and George Hillier. The teacher was Mrs. Georgena Bliton. An interesting note was added by John Reagan Austin on the Pleasant View School. "A. O. Dinsmorre owned several sections of land in Austin Township and had tenant farmers. He built the school of barn siding and taught the school for his own children and all the others in the area."
District No. 128 - Prairie View School. The schoolhouse was in the eastern half of Section 21. It was built in 1900. Pearl Bowers was the first teacher.
Other districts listed in Austin Township in 1884:
No. 6 taught by Winifred Morgan
No. 20 taught by Addie Teeter and Anna Vail
No. 27 taught by A.W. Rankin and 10 assistants
BENNINGTON TOWNSHIP
District No. 3. The first school in this township was taught by Mary McKinney. The school building of district No. 3 was situated in the southeast quarter of section 30. It was a frame building, put up about 1860, at a cost of five hundred dollars. Teresa Walker was the teacher in 1884. Wages were twenty-five dollars a month for the summer term of three months. F. A. Wales was clerk of the district. Later a new modern building was built on the same site.
District No. 85. The school house was built in 1874, at a cost of $500.00. The first teacher was Clara Mehurin. Number of children drawing public money, six. Teacher in 1884 was Lora Whitcher; wages twenty dollars per month for five months. C. T. Bussell, was the district clerk. In 1942, Frances Hamlin taught. Board members were Mrs. Georgia Bratrud, Rosevelt Thorson, and Abner Holt.
District No. 18. The school house in this district, built in 1875, was situated on the southeast corner of the southwest quarter of section 12. Later it was moved a half mile west of that site. Teacher in 1884 was Julia Ker or Kirwin. Wages were $21.65 per month, for four months. When Estella Weidman taught in this district, the board members were Elmer Groby, Mrs. Dulcie Mayland, and Claude Card.
District No. 92. The school house stood on the southwest quarter of section 25. It was built in 1875 and cost of $150.00. The first clerk of this district was William Crawford; the first teacher Katie Mehurin. Number of children drawing public money, twenty-two. Teacher in 1884 was Jessie Plummer; wages twenty-five dollars per month, for three months. Clerk was J. R. Roberts. Albert Nelson was the teacher in the 1940's. Board members were Albert Johnson, Christ L. Christenson, and Ingeman Iverson.
District No. 95. The school house situated on the southwest corner of section 8, was built in 1876, at a cost of $300.00. Teacher in 1884 was Anna Langum; wages twenty-four dollars per month, for four months. Nine children drew public money. J. B. Lingual was the clerk. The building was later moved to the Northwest corner of Section 9.
District No. 102. The school house of this district was in the northwest quarter of section 34. It is one of the $500.00 structures, and the newest, having been built in 1877. The first teacher was N. 0. Borswold, The teacher in 1884 was Anna Palmer; wages $25.00 per month, for two months. Number of children drawing public money, fourteen. Clerk was J. C. Johnson.
District No. 118 - West Bennington School. The school was in section 17 in the west side. It was located five miles south and a mile west of Grand Meadow. Elizabeth Forbes Dahlgren taught in this school in 1927. She rode horseback from her home in Grand Meadow. The school was sold and moved into Grand Meadow to be made into a home.
CLAYTON TOWNSHIP
The first school in Clayton township was a summer term, kept at the house of W. S. Root, in 1872. Mina Hanna was the teacher.
District No. 74 - Erickson School. The school was built in 1873, and was the first house built for educational purposes in the township. The house was built on the southwest quarter of section 28, and cost $500. The land was owned by I. Erickson. The first teacher was Henrietta Bevier; attendance 12. In 1926, the first school building was destroyed by fire and all the records were lost. Another school was built by Joe Wehner Construction Company of Austin. School sessions were held each year until 1957 when the district consolidated with the Adams Public School system. The building then was used as a town hall and community building until 1976, when it was torn down. Mrs. Hazel Hall shares these memories of the school. "Basket socials and pie socials were held to raise money for school activities. Hot lunches were served in the winter. Many families donated food for the program. When a family butchered a beef, they would bring a large soup bone for the vegetable soup. The older girls would take turns preparing the food for the week. For many years, the Lord's Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag were recited by all to start the school day. Many religions were represented but no one objected. Not having a well on the school grounds, families living a distance would bring the water in five gallon cream cans, traveling in a horse-drawn buggy. They were paid $5 a month for this service. Each spring a day was set aside for "Play Day" in the districts. It was an all day affair. Picnic lunch at noon, races, relays, spelling bees, and ball games were some of the activities. Parents also attended when pupils and teachers from several districts would gather at one school." Some of the teachers who taught at District 74 were Mary Keefe, Lizzie Slindee, Jane Morgan, Clara Peterson, Pearl Epland, Hildegarde Schneider, Violet Padelford, Alfred Hanson, Myrtle Hanson, Gladys Worden, Neal Nichol, Leona Kramer, Marjorie Doty, Anna Uglum, and Blanch Erickson.
The first school in Clayton township was a summer term, kept at the house of W. S. Root, in 1872. Mina Hanna was the teacher.
District No. 74 - Erickson School. The school was built in 1873, and was the first house built for educational purposes in the township. The house was built on the southwest quarter of section 28, and cost $500. The land was owned by I. Erickson. The first teacher was Henrietta Bevier; attendance 12. In 1926, the first school building was destroyed by fire and all the records were lost. Another school was built by Joe Wehner Construction Company of Austin. School sessions were held each year until 1957 when the district consolidated with the Adams Public School system. The building then was used as a town hall and community building until 1976, when it was torn down. Mrs. Hazel Hall shares these memories of the school. "Basket socials and pie socials were held to raise money for school activities. Hot lunches were served in the winter. Many families donated food for the program. When a family butchered a beef, they would bring a large soup bone for the vegetable soup. The older girls would take turns preparing the food for the week. For many years, the Lord's Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag were recited by all to start the school day. Many religions were represented but no one objected. Not having a well on the school grounds, families living a distance would bring the water in five gallon cream cans, traveling in a horse-drawn buggy. They were paid $5 a month for this service. Each spring a day was set aside for "Play Day" in the districts. It was an all day affair. Picnic lunch at noon, races, relays, spelling bees, and ball games were some of the activities. Parents also attended when pupils and teachers from several districts would gather at one school." Some of the teachers who taught at District 74 were Mary Keefe, Lizzie Slindee, Jane Morgan, Clara Peterson, Pearl Epland, Hildegarde Schneider, Violet Padelford, Alfred Hanson, Myrtle Hanson, Gladys Worden, Neal Nichol, Leona Kramer, Marjorie Doty, Anna Uglum, and Blanch Erickson.
District 74 - Anna Uglum, Teacher
District No. 83 – Washington School. The second school house in this district, was built in 1876, its location the northwest corner of section 32, and cost $800. Miss D. K. Lee was the first teacher. Other teachers were Ole N. Grandalen, Amanda Anderson.
Other school districts listed in the History of Mower County, 1884:
District No. 109 - Corcoran School. The school building was located on the northwest corner of section 13. (also listed a in the south half of Section 11). It was a frame and cost $600. The first teacher was G. G. Dallen. Roberta Miller Turner taught this school from 1940 to 1942. Other teachers were Mildred Glynn, Grand Meadow, Clara Hanson, Grand Meadow, Louise Wilbright, and Ethel Clay, Truman, MN. In about 1950, the schoolhouse was moved into Grand Meadow and made into a home.
District No. 32. A schoolhouse was built in this district on the northwest corner of Section 32 in 1876. Miss D. K. Lee was the first teacher.
District No. 117. The schoolhouse in this district was in the west half of Section 25. It was built in March of 1885 and school was held in it three months before it was entirely completed. It was then plastered and seats put in ready for the winter term. The first teacher was Delia McDonnough. Miss Vi Overcamp also taught in this district for two years.
District No. 127. This school was in the northwest quarter of Section 8. The district was organized January 4, 1900. Sarah Scanlan was the first teacher.
District No. 69 was listed in 1884. Nellie Holland was the teacher. This district joined with Grand Meadow.
DEXTER TOWNSHIP
School District No. 78. The first school in this district was the first in the town of Dexter. It was taught by Mrs: G. W. Bowles at her home, a log house, situated on the northeast quarter of section 33, in 1868. A school house was built in the following year, on the southwest of section 27. Other teacher was Cora Chadbourne.
District No. 97. Organized in 1873. The first school was taught that year in Nelson Huntington's house by his daughter, Mary, with a single pupil, her sister, Rose. Later the territory of this district was attached to Dexter village. In 1877, the district was set apart and a school house was built on the northeast corner of the northwest quarter of section 2. Andrew Quinn and Cora Chadbourne were two of the earliest teachers in this house. Other teachers were Mary Huntington and Winifred Browning.
District No. 98 - Stark School.
District No. 106 - Maple Leaf School. Organized in 1877. The one-room school known as Maple Leaf School is still standing across from the Trinity Evangelical Church in the southwest corner of Section 29. The frame building was erected in 1878, at a cost $600. Jennie Fairbanks was the first teacher. The first officers were G. Seebach, Clerk; W. Arndt, Treasurer; T. Belcher, Director. Other teachers were Hattie C. Rugg, Helen Sullivan, Edna Proeschal Richie, Helen Studer, Ferne Anderson, and Laura Studer Hammermeister. In 1942, the board members were C. Irving Freeman, Edgar Christgau, and Mrs. Lloyd Hammermeister.
Read the Memories of District No. 106 by Laura Studer Hammermeister
Districts No. 108. This school was organized in 1877. The first officers were: T. L Roth, Director; B. Cornforth, Treasurer; W. J. Adams, Clerk. 'The schoolhouse was built in the same year. It is situated on the northwest quarter of section 36. Its cost, when complete, was six hundred dollars. The first teacher there employed was Jennie L. Schryver and Evan M. Skinner (108)
District No. 121 - Monitor School. The schoolhouse in this district was located in Section 16. It was south of the little hamlet of Renova which no longer exists. The schoolhouse is still there and is used as the Dexter Town Hall, where voting takes place and many groups meet for social gatherings. Teachers known to have taught there are Elizabeth Forbes Dahlgren and Laura Studer Hammermeister.
District No. 125.
District No. 129 - Phillips School.
DEXTER VILLAGE
School District No. 86. This, the school district of Dexter village, was organized In 1874. The first officers were Daniel Williams, Clerk. G. W. Buck, Treasurer. D. A. Page, Director. The first school house was a temporary building merely, put up the same year, at a cost of $150. School was taught in this during the winter of 1874-75 by Jesse King. The present house was erected in 1877. It is a commodious frame structure 24x46 feet, two stories in height, surmounted by a bell tower. Teacher: Nellie C. Spencer. Joined with Grand Meadow
FRANKFORD TOWNSHIP
District No. 163. This district was originally organized as District 1 and was the first district in Mower County. In 1911, it was listed as District 10. The first school in Frankford Township was located in a room over Frances Tebout's store in the village of Frankford in 1856. Miss Cummings, from Ashtabula county, Ohio, was the first teacher. The first schoolhouse built in the district, was in 1867, on section 24. It was built of stone, and cost seventeen hundred dollars. The first teacher was N. W. Boyes, the present teacher, Miss Liza Anchor. Number of children in attendance, 35. Ruth Lewis Athens, who graduated from Grand Meadow High School in 1910 and taught in the rural schools for 21 years, taught in the #160 Stone School. Blanche Russell Peterson and Marjorie Jefferis, were also teachers in this school. It was affiliated with the Spring Valley System. Teachers: N.W. Boyes, Liza Anchor.
District No. 17. The first permanent school house was built in 1873. G. A. Elder taught the first term in this building. Prior to this time, a temporary board shanty, 12'x14', costing $25 to build was used. Their first teacher was Mrs. Lamberton, who taught three months, at $25 per month. Number of pupils, 11. The present school house is located on section 36, and cost one thousand dollars. G. A. Elder taught the first school and received thirty dollars per month. Miss Susan Russell is the present teacher. Number of scholars attending school, 25. Teachers: Mrs. Lamberton, G.A. Elder, Susan E. Russel.
District No. 19. In 1857, Bothomel Canady built a log cabin on section 21, northwest quarter.The first school was taught by W. F. Grummons, Number of children enrolled the first term was twenty. Wages paid teacher, $20 per month. In 1870, the district bought the log house and site, and tore down the log house and built a fine wooden building on section 21, costing $1,400. The present teacher is Kitty Basler. Wages, $25 per month, for three months. School children enrolled, 32. Teachers: W.F. Grummings, Kittie L. Bassler.
District No. 35. The first school house built was made of logs, in 1856, located on the northeast quarter of the northwest quarter of section 11. First teacher was Frank Johnson or John Fell, from Chatfield, Fillmore county. In 1877, they tore down the log house, and built on the same ground, costing $700. Number of children in attendance, 15. Present teacher, Bernice Vanlone. Teachers: Frank Johnson or John Fell, Bernice Vanlone.
District No. 36 - Florin School. Located in section 5, the first teacher was Marie Tommerson Berg. This schoolhouse is still standing on the Bear Creek picnic grounds near Grand Meadow. The board members for this school in 1942 were Elgar Hovda, clerk; Mrs. Sanford Jorgens, treasurer; Olaus Simonsin, chairman. Mrs. Olive Waldron was the teacher.
District No. 84. The first school building was erected in 1877, located on section 34, northwest corner, and cost $750. First teacher, Miss Lydia Goodsell; wages received, $25 per month. Number of scholars taught, 27. Elsie E. Hulbert, present teacher. Number of scholars in district, 9. Teachers: Lydia Goodsell, Elsie E. Hulbert.
District No. 97. The school was organized in 1876, in the southeast quarter of section 31. House cost $450, First teacher, A. S. Woodworth; wages paid $26 per month, for three months. Liza Wood, present teacher, receives $20 per month, for two months. Children in attendance, 6. The first district clerk was Patrick Gogins, the present clerk T. M. Lakkee. Teachers: A.S. Woodworth, Liza L. Wood.
District No. 127-J. Located in Section 1.
District No. 64. Located in Section 6.
GRAND MEADOW TOWNSHIP
There are at present four full school districts in the town of Grand Meadow.
District No. 20 - Overcamp School. Organized May 1, 1868. First officers were A. O. Finhart, treasurer; O. W. Case, clerk; and B. F. Langworthy, director. A school house was erected in the same year in the northwest part of Section 12. It was replaced by a new one in 1884. Later a belfry was added and a fine bell purchased. This new building was well equipped with a Smith heating and ventilating system, fine slate blackboards, and a sanitary water fountain. The school was known as the Overcamp School, probably because the teachers boarded at the Overcamp home. In 1942, the teacher was Belva Skustad. In 1944-45, Ruth Lewis Athens and Audrey Maley Queensland taught the school. The board members those years were Leo Calkins, Otis Miland, and Mel Skaran. Virginia Johanns Callan also taught in District 20. Teacher: May S. Wood.
District No. 21. Organized around 1868. The schoolhouse was located in Section 35 on the southeast edge of the Grand Meadow township. All records have been lost.
District No. 53. This district was one of the oldest in the county. In early times the schoolhouse was built of logs and sod. Miss Anker was the first teacher. In 1873, a half acre in the southeast quarter of Section 9 was deeded to the district and a schoolhouse built. In 1897, this building was moved to the southwest quarter of Section 10. The school board members in 1942 were Elmer Johnson, Volney Davis and Fred Sievertsen. The teacher was Laurene Davis. Volney Davis was the first Grand Meadow High School graduate and served many years on the board of District 53. Teacher: Hattie Medbury.
District No. 111 includes sections 6 and 7, also a part of 8 and 5. House in northeast corner of section 7.
District No. 69. Organized in 1869, the same year a schoolhouse was built in the southeast quarter of Section 29. In 1879, it was moved to the northwest quarter of the section. In 1890, a new school building was built across from the old one. The first teacher in the district was Ella Austin. Her father, Gus Austin, build the first schoolhouse.
Joint District No. 77. This is joined with Frankford. School house in Grand Meadow. Teachers: Manie Sawyer, Ella Lawrence.
District No. 75. This is joined with Pleasant Valley township. The school building stands in Pleasant Valley.
District No. 86. This is another joint district. The school house is in Dexter.
Other school district listed in the History of Mower County, 1884:
112 Grand Meadow Anna Funderhide
Read "Experiences of a Rural School Teacher, 1928-1930," by Mrs. Frank T. Dahlgren
LANSING TOWNSHIP
District No. 43. The first school in Lansing township was a summer school in 1858. The school was held in a small house built for a residence by John Pettibone, in section 11, which had been fixed up for school purposes. The school was kept by Miss Anna Mathieson. She lived in the township with her mother, until her death October 22, 1860. Teachers: John E. Robinson, Alice Padgett.
The first school building was a frame 24'x30', built in the fall of 1858, on the northeast corner of section 11. The first school in this house was taught by George Wood. It was a winter term. After the completion of the house, there was an attendance of about 30. The lumber for this house was native lumber, sawn at the steam saw mill at Lansing. The district failing to pay for the lumber, the house reverted to the parties who furnished it, who sold it to Mrs. C. S. Rolph, who married Mr. George Wood. They have since used the building as a residence.
In 1866, a brick building 24'x36', was erected on the southwest corner of section 2. The first school in this house was a winter term, taught by John E. Robinson. In the fall of 1870, owing to the old building being too small for school purposes, a frame addition was built 24'x30'. The summer term of 1884 was under the management of Miss Alice Padgit, with an attendance of about 40.
The original brick structure was torn down and construction of the third Lansing schoolhouse began in the fall of 1914. This structure remained Lansing's school until the spring of 1958. Although abandoned, it still remains standing today on the old school grounds across Mower County Road #2 from the Ellis home, and across the field north of the present school building. In 1956, Lansing School District #43 consolidated with Independent School District #27, Austin.
District No. 44. The fist school house in this district was a small log house, built for the purpose on the southeast corner of the northwest quarter of section 27. The first school was kept by Charles Oaks, in the winter of 1857-8. Charles Oaks was a brother of John P. Oaks, young men from Vermont. They came here from Winona County, and bought the south half of the southwest quarter of section 23, and the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 26. They sold out. Charles went to New Hampshire, John P. to Johnson county, Iowa.
The old log house was used for school purposes until the summer of 1866, when a brick building 21x30 was erected, at a cost of $1,536. The new house is located near the section line on the east side of section 22. The first school in this house was kept by Romanda S. Carpenter. She was from Michigan, on a visit to her uncle Edward Bassett, of Udolpho township. She remained in the county but a year or two, when she returned, to Michigan. She had an attendance of 30 scholars. Mary Miller, of Lansing village, is the present teacher. Attendance about 10. Teachers: Charles Oaks, Romanda S. Carpenter, Mary E. Miller.
District No. 45 was organized in 1858, and a log house 12'x16' was built gratuitously by the neighbors. The house was covered with shingles made at the village of Moscow, just over in Freeborn county. The first school was kept by a Miss Richardson, of Saint's Rest, in Windom township, in the summer of 1868. There was an attendance of about a dozen scholars. This house was used for schools until about 1868, when, it becoming unfit for use, a new frame house 20'x30', was built at a cost of about $600. Ella J. Cook had the honor of teaching the first school in this house. Miss Julia W. Richardson was the teacher for the summer term in 1884. She had an attendance of 15. Teachers: Miss Richardson, Ella J. Cook, Julia W. Richardson.
District No.101, is a joint district, with territory lying in Red Rock township. A frame school house 18x24 was built in section 13, in the fall of i876, at a cost of $650. A school was held in it that winter, with Patrick Gilroy as teacher, with an attendance of 30. The summer term of 1884 was kept by Miss Jessie Simpson. She resides with her parents in Austin. Teachers: Patrick Gilroy, Jessie Simpson.
District No. 72-Jt. Section 6 was located in the village of Corning. Teacher: Laura Crosson.
District No. 122. Section 6 was organized in 1858.
Other school districts listed in the History of Mower County, 1884:
30 Lansing Alice Kearns
101 Lansing 1876 Joined with Red Rock
LEROY TOWNSHIP
After many divisions and subdivisions of school districts from an early day to 1884, the township is divided into eight school districts.
District No. 4. This was the first school district in LeRoy township, and was organized in 1856. The first school house built was that located on the southeast corner of the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 29, township 101, range 14, and was built in 1856. It was built of logs, donated and put up by the citizens. This land was donated for school purposes by J. M. Wykoff, a resident of Le Roy, the site of this pioneer school was a part of the John Frank farm. The old building was located on the farm once occupied by George Klapper. The school house that was built in 1871 was situated on the northeast corner of the northwest quarter of section 31. The first teacher was Melissa Allen, a daughter of David Allen, who became the wife of Isaac Spencer, a brother of W. B. Spencer, who moved to California. The next teacher was N. B. Todd (brother-in-law of J. M. Wykoff), then came A. J. Porter, Isaac Smith, Celinda Burnap, Eliza Pierce, Emma Knapp, (the last three named were all natives of Maine).
District No. 1, had its first school within its present limits, at the house of Henry Meyers, in the summer of 1866. The school was taught by Adeline Gates. The next season Emma Clapper taught in the same house. In the summer of 1867, a stone school house was erected on the southwest quarter of section 1. In this new building Miss Emma Peters taught the first term of school in the summer of 1868. Emma Engelson was the teacher in 1884.
District No. 59 was provided with a school which was kept in a building of Elihu Morse, built for a granary. This was at an early day. Several terms were held in the same house. The first teacher was Syrena Lytle. In 1868 the district erected a neat frame school house on the northeast corner of section 7, in which A. M. Maxfield taught the first school. In the fall of 1883 this building was moved to the southwest quarter of section 6. Other teacher: Fannie J. Hale.
District No. 52. The first school in this district was taught by Mrs. J. T. Williams, in the summer of 1863, at J. M. Morse's house. That autumn time a house was built on the southeast quarter of section 18, in which John T. Williams was the first teacher. In 1869 a grout or concrete school building was erected on the southwest quarter of section 20, in which Julia Crittenden was the first teacher.
District No. 2 was provided with its first school house in 1861. It was located on the northwest quarter of section 9. The first teacher here was Flora Reynolds. This was a small frame building, furnished with home-made benches. It was used until 1871, when a new schoolhouse was built on the northeast quarter of section 9, was built. James Pierce taught the first term of school in this house.In 1884, the teacher was Helen Leach.
District No. 79 had its first school in a house belonging to Charles McNeal, located,on the northeast quarter of section 22. This was in 1870. Later, the district purchased a log house of James Sample, together with an acre of land on the northeast quarter of section 22. This was only used a short time, when a frame building was provided. In 1955 or 56 District 79 closed and consolidated with LeRoy School District. Teachers who taught at this school in later years were Mrs. Emma Staley, Mrs. Olga Tebay and Selma Orke.
District No. 5. The first school in this district was taught by Jane R. —in a house belonging to Daniel Caswell, in the summer of 1857. That fall a stone school house was built in the village of LeRoy—old town—which served as combined school house, church, and public hall. After the advent of the railroad and the building up of the new village of LeRoy, this was sold to the Lutheran Church, and a new school built. Teachers: Jane R. ?, Edw. K. Cheadle, Virginia Strother, Nora Martz.
District No. 63. The first school in this district was taught by Lydia Bonesteel, in a small frame shop owned by Mr. Shutz, located on the southwest quarter of section 56.This was in 1857. Soon after a log building was moved from Fillmore county, and located on section 35. Serena Lytle and Mary Prentice were early teachers in this house. Soon a frame house was provided near the same site, and now located on the southeast corner of southeast quarter of section 26. Teachers: Lydia Bonesteel, Serena Lytle, Mary Prentice.
LODI TOWNSHIP
In 1884, the township comprised five school districts, Numbers 67, 96, 80, 99, and 100.
District No. 67. The school house was located on section 14, and was the first one in the township. It was built in 1868. The first teacher was Miss Nettie Spencer. This school house burned down by a prairie fire, which swept across the township in 1871. A new school house was erected on the same section, about 80 rods from the old site. Mary Gegory taught the first term of school in the new building. The present teacher is Matilda Finhart. Teachers: Nettie Spencer, Mary Gegory, Matilda Finhart.
District No. 96 was provided with a school house in 1876. It is located on section 29. Miss Haley taught the first school. Prior to this, however, a school had been held at John Hubbard's house, by Miss Maggie Carr. This district was organized in 1865, through the influence of John Hubbard. He also gave one-half acre of ground for a building spot. Teachers: Maggie Carr, Miss Haley, Jennie Keefe.
School District No. 80 has a building on section 26, which was built before the organization of the district in 1877. Miss Eta Sevier taught the first school. Miss Ada Mason is the present teacher. Teachers: Etta Bevier, Ada M. Mason.
District No. 100 was organized in 187—. The building stands on section 7. It is a neat frame structure.
School District No. 100. This district was organized May 7, 1877. The school house is located on the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 7. Ella Smithers was the first teacher in this house. Teacher: Ella Smithers.
School District No. 99. This district comprised the village of Taopi was organized in 1878. The first school in the village was taught in the winter of 1877-8 in a private house. In 1880 a good frame house was built in the village. The first to teach in that house was Ida Wells. Alma Johnson is the present teacher.
LYLE TOWNSHIP
District No. 13 - Woodbury School. The first school in this district, as well as the first in the town, was taught during the summer of 1856, by Maria Vaughan, in the log house built by Pinkerton on the northeast quarter of section 32. Zillah Beach afterwards taught in Lorenzo Moshier's house on the northwest quarter of section 29. Thomas Parker was an early teacher here. Rev. Samuel Loomis taught in Samuel Surface's house. In t860 the district purchased a frame building in Otranto and moved it to the southeast corner of the northeast quarter of section 23. T. J. Locke, C. R. Houston, Erwin Lyle and Dora Clappsadle were early teachers in that house, which was in use until 1874. In this year another school house was built, which was situated in the northeast quarter of section 32. S. Anna McCune was the first here to fill the position of instructor. In 1908, this building burned and was replaced by a modern frame building on the same site. Dora Drew was the first teacher there. District 13 board members in 1943 were Harry Lenz, Mrs. T. S. Johnson and V. H. Barnes.Teachers: Maria Vaughan, Zillah Beach, Thomas Parker, Rev. Samuel Loomis, T.J. Locke, C.R. Houston, Erwin Lyle, Dora Clappsadle, S. Anna McCune, Eliza Kirby.
District No. 12 - Excelsior School. About the year 1859 the first school in this district was taught by Rev. Samuel Loomis, in a log house, standing in section 3. Not long after this a school house was built through the united efforts of the people. James Foster generously furnishing poplar logs for the body of the house, and C. H. Huntington burr oak logs for the foundation. The men of the district assembled themselves together, cut down the trees and raised and roofed the building. A carpenter was then employed to complete the house and make the benches. Having served to purpose some twenty years this house was felt to be no longer adapted to the needs of the district. A new one, the present edifice, was then erected on the old site. Al. Hickock was the first to preside at its desk. Teachers: Rev. Samuel Loomis, Al. Hickock, Jessie S. Deming.
Charley Aultfather gives this vivid description of the inside of the old log school. It is taken from the souvenir booklet, 1859-1959, put out by pupils, teacher and people of the district. "On the north and south sides of the room were shelves about three feet from the floor. A narrow straight shelf was under these shelves where books, slates and pencils were kept. Long benches without backs faced them. A row of lower benches were behind these for the little boys and girls. The big boys sat on one side of the room and the girls on the other. A stove stood in the middle of the room. Logs were used for fuel. When the children recited they stood in a straight line in front of the teacher's desk. The Wilson and Monroe Readers, the National Speller and The Copy Book were used. The teacher had a hickory stick but never had to use it."
The log schoolhouse served District 12 for 20 years. After this a new schoolhouse was erected on the old site in 1880. Mariah Gregg finished her summer term in the new school. Al Hickock taught the following term.
This schoolhouse from District 12 has been moved to the Mower County Fairgrounds and takes its place in the Mower County Historical Center as a symbol of all the many rural schools of Mower county which are no more.
District No. 14 - Silver Maple School. A log home situated on the southeast corner of section 5, and formerly owned by John Tift, was the earliest temple of learning in the district. School was kept here four terms, beginning in 1866, with Nellie Hawkins as the first instructor. In 1870 a frame building was erected for the school on the southeast corner of the southwest quarter of section 5. The first who taught in this house was Amelia Houghton. now the wife of M. B. Slocum. The building has since been moved to the southeast corner of section 5, where it now stands on the Monahan farm. Mrs. D. Molde was the teacher in 1942. board members that year were J. K. Magee, A. Campbell and Mrs. N. Monahan. Teachers: Nellie Hawkins, Amelia Houghton, Sarah Robertson.
District No. 15 - Minnercka School. Thomas Parker was the first who taught in No. 15. The house in which the school sessions were held for three terms was of the primitive log cabin pattern. It was situated in the southeast corner of section 27, and was owned by Joseph Thompson. In 1867 a good frame house was built in the northeast quarter of section 34. The first teacher in this was a Miss Carpenter of Michigan. This building being outgrown in the short space of five years, it was replaced in 1872 by a larger and better one on the same site. It had to be replaced after being destroyed by a cyclone. The present commodious house, measuring 26'x36' feet, and 16 feet high, is heated by a furnace in the basement, and is kept In good repair. J. M. Weiser, the first teacher, failing to give satisfaction, one Master Wilkins was chosen to fill his place and finish the term. Miss Emma Clark is the present teacher. Teachers: Thomas Parker, Miss Carpenter, J.M. Weiser, Master Wilkins, Emma Clark. The Lyle Village School District 90 was formerly the eastern part of the Minnereka School District 15.
District No 70 - Ames School. Emma Smith was the first teacher employed in this district, which was organized in 1867. A small frame house, 12'x16', put up on the northeast quarter of section 19, was used for school purposes until 1874, when the present commodious building was erected on the old site at a cost of $1,200. It is a good frame house well furnished with patent seats and desks. Wilbur Wilder was the first to teach in the new house. In 1942, the teacher was Olga Hovda and the school board members were Lee Machacek, Olive Bonnallie and Mrs. V. B. Hotson. Teachers: Emma Smith, Wilbur Wilder, Linna B. Evans.
District No. 54 - Red Star School. This district was organized in 1867. The first school house was built of logs and stood on the southwest corner of section 12. The first teacher was Cynthia Addington, of Stacyville. Iowa. In 1881 a good frame house, 22'x26' and 12 feet high, was erected on the southwest quarter of section 53. Nina Bisbit was the first to be employed as teacher in the new house. Anna Edda has charge of the school, in the spring of 1884. This schoolhouse has been converted into a beautiful home on Highway 218 south of Austin. Teachers: Cynthia Addington, Nina Bisbit, Anna Edda, Della Eddy?.
District No. 9. This is an independent district, which was organized on February 20, 1874. A house was built early in the season, and Miss Diantha Kilgore taught here during the summer time. Three years later, a fine frame building, 28x44 feet and 24 feet high, was erected for the school, at a cost of $3,100. It is well finished, and is by far the best school house in the county outside of Austin. Sherwin Clow was the first to practice pedagogy within its walls; Linna B. Evans, of Osage, Iowa, is now the latest. Prior to the organization of the district, a school was taught by Izvia Clark, in a house owned by William Moran. This was in the summer of 1873.
District No. 57 - Lyle Center School. The Lyle Center School was organized in 1892. In the fall of that year the schoolhouse was built in Section 15. Araminta W. Heseman was the first teacher. It was known as Lyle Center School, perhaps because of its central location in the township. Some of the teachers in this school were Elizabeth Jensen Heydt, Gladys Swanson, Frances Lunde and Bernice Rockney. During the latter's term the board members were Walter Denison, Carl Haas and Frank Durst. Geneva Pederson Johnson taught in the district from 1933 to 1935.
Other school district listed in the History of Mower County, 1884:
75 Lyle Carrie A. Torrens
MARSHALL TOWNSHIP
District No. 65 – Roosevelt School. This district was organized in 1867, at a meeting held at the house of Ole Tolefson, an early settler. The following named constituted the board of directors: Stark Peterson, Gilbert Anderson, and Thomas Knudson. The first term of school was taught in Helga Errickson's house, by Rosella Bourgard. The school house, when built, was located in the southeast quarter of section 35. In 1879 it was moved to the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section 25. Ida Waite was the first teacher in the house after it was moved to its present location. Teachers: Rosella Bourgard, Ida Waite, O.L. Grandalen, Amanda Anderson, Dora Qualee, Adella Sampson.
In the school year of 1906-1907, Dora Qualee was the teacher, and the school officers were O.O. Halvorson, director, A.A. Huseby, clerk, O.A. Ulven, treasurer. Fanny G. Gies was County Superintendent. There were 34 pupils with all eight grades. The desks were double and two pupils sat together. According to Mrs. Sylvia Hanson's mother, who attended the school in 1898, they went through the fifth reader and then kept repeating it. Mrs. Hanson also started first grade in Roosevelt School in 1915-1916, which was the last year before the school closed. Adella Sampson was the teacher with school board members, P.A. Anderson, clerk; C.J. Knutson, Chairman; S.A. Slindee, treasurer.
The pupils attending during that year were: Arthur and Meril Anderson, Cora Anderson, Odeen Asper, Arnold Asper, Orville Bergene, Nora Halverson, Lawrence and Alice Halverson, Earl and Juel Osmundson, Hester Shearer, Almer Tuftee, Leonard and Arnold Anderson, Olga Asper, Marvin and Helena Asper, Robert Fox, Myrtle and Orville Halverson, Erwin Hanson, Herbie and Juletta Osmundson, Ella Tufte and Sylvia Lunde.
The school closed and the district consolidated with the Adams district. The pupils were taken by bus to Adams. This school building was moved to the Peter Anderson farm south of Elkton, Mn. and used as a farm building.
District No. 65 – Roosevelt School. This district was organized in 1867, at a meeting held at the house of Ole Tolefson, an early settler. The following named constituted the board of directors: Stark Peterson, Gilbert Anderson, and Thomas Knudson. The first term of school was taught in Helga Errickson's house, by Rosella Bourgard. The school house, when built, was located in the southeast quarter of section 35. In 1879 it was moved to the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section 25. Ida Waite was the first teacher in the house after it was moved to its present location. Teachers: Rosella Bourgard, Ida Waite, O.L. Grandalen, Amanda Anderson, Dora Qualee, Adella Sampson.
In the school year of 1906-1907, Dora Qualee was the teacher, and the school officers were O.O. Halvorson, director, A.A. Huseby, clerk, O.A. Ulven, treasurer. Fanny G. Gies was County Superintendent. There were 34 pupils with all eight grades. The desks were double and two pupils sat together. According to Mrs. Sylvia Hanson's mother, who attended the school in 1898, they went through the fifth reader and then kept repeating it. Mrs. Hanson also started first grade in Roosevelt School in 1915-1916, which was the last year before the school closed. Adella Sampson was the teacher with school board members, P.A. Anderson, clerk; C.J. Knutson, Chairman; S.A. Slindee, treasurer.
The pupils attending during that year were: Arthur and Meril Anderson, Cora Anderson, Odeen Asper, Arnold Asper, Orville Bergene, Nora Halverson, Lawrence and Alice Halverson, Earl and Juel Osmundson, Hester Shearer, Almer Tuftee, Leonard and Arnold Anderson, Olga Asper, Marvin and Helena Asper, Robert Fox, Myrtle and Orville Halverson, Erwin Hanson, Herbie and Juletta Osmundson, Ella Tufte and Sylvia Lunde.
The school closed and the district consolidated with the Adams district. The pupils were taken by bus to Adams. This school building was moved to the Peter Anderson farm south of Elkton, Mn. and used as a farm building.
District No. 81. This district was the second organized in the township. It was about 1876, and a frame house was erected on section 2. It seems they had built the house before they had use for it, as no school was taught until 1878. Ida Waite taught the first term of school. Teachers: Ida Waite, Ella Buck.
District No. 105 – McKinley School. This district was organized in 1879, and a house erected at a cost of $300. The building was located on the northwest of section 34 on the Joel Johnson farm. The first school was taught by Annie Christopherson, from Udolpho. Teachers: George Emery, Dora Miner, Nils Anderson, Dora H. Anderson. Students attending school in District #105 McKinley in the 1898-1899 school year were: (from Harvey Sathre Estate) Amanda Anderson, Henry Anderson, Ida Anderson, Carl Boe, Johnie Boe, Josie Boe, Leonard Boe, Eddie Ellingson, Louis Ellingson, Alfred Fardahl, Bertha Fardahl, Caroline Fardahl, John Fardahl, Josie Grinde, Nels Grinde, Christian Hanson, Oscar Hanson, Clara Johnson, Ella Johnson, Martha Johnson, Joel Johnson, Carl Knutson, Eddie Knutson, Christ Knutson, Jacob Knutson, Mary Martinson, Emma Qualey, Carl Qualey, Edwin Rogne, Peter M. Sathre, Elizabeth Sathre, Esther Severson, Martin Severson, Thelia Severson, Andrew Slindee, Carl Slindee, Lizzie Slindee, Martha Thompson, Martin Tiegen, Alma Wiste, Andrew Wiste, Hattie Wiste, Josie Wiste, Nellie Wiste. The teacher in 1898-99 was Elias Martinus Sathre.
Research from Jenna Wolterman: Since the early 1910's a schoolhouse has been part of the farm site where Mark and Carleen Wolterman live, located west of Adams, although they weren't aware of the building's history. To them it was a garage. When daughter Jenna was assigned by Mr. Earl Orvik, Southland high school social studies teacher, to write about an abandoned building, Jenna chose the schoolhouse and spent hours of time researching the building. Read the information from her report.
Research from Jenna Wolterman: Since the early 1910's a schoolhouse has been part of the farm site where Mark and Carleen Wolterman live, located west of Adams, although they weren't aware of the building's history. To them it was a garage. When daughter Jenna was assigned by Mr. Earl Orvik, Southland high school social studies teacher, to write about an abandoned building, Jenna chose the schoolhouse and spent hours of time researching the building. Read the information from her report.
Andrew O. Wiste is in the back row. Alfred Wiste is in the front row - boy on the left.
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District No. 103 - Corbitt School. This district was organized September 20, 1879, at a meeting held at the house of Swen Anderson. The following officers were elected: George W. Phillips, Treasurer; Willis M. Corbitt, Clerk ; Swen Anderson, Director. A school house was erected that fall, which cost $1,000. The first term of school was taught by George Emery, in the winter of 1879-80. Teachers: George Emery, Bena S. Taylor. This school house was located in the southeast corner of section 17 (in the Ronald Merten farm). In 1911, this school district was consolidated with the Rose Creek School District. The building was used for town and local meetings until it burned.
District No. 120. Organized in 1888 and the school house was built that same fall. It was located in the northeast corner of section 9, which is south of Max Pinke's farm.
District No. 82. As was the practice in most of the early school districts, because the parents were concerned with education of their children, they were taught in the homes. So it was in School District #82. However, almost immediately after acquiring land in 1874, the schoolhouse was built.
The warranty deed from Levi Foss and wife Philamena to School District #82 states that one-half acre was acquired at the cost of $1.00. The deed was signed in the presence of A. G. Wedge and Ormanzo Allen, both early settlers in Mower County. The latter was a judge and notary public.
Some of the teachers over the years were Colista Hoban, Charles McBride, Catherine McBride, Mary Collins (1913-1914) and Madeline Leahy.
In 1920, this school was consolidated with District #25 in Rose Creek and Elkton Schools. The land reverted back to the farm. The building was sold to Henry Syckman. Mrs. Wilfred Murphy was the last teacher.
NEVADA TOWNSHIP
District No. 9 - Pinehurst School. In 1857, the scholars living within the present limits of this district, attended a school that was taught by Osroe Peterson, in Hans Swenson's house. School was taught in other private houses from time to time, until 1865, when a log school house was built. The money to build the house was raised by subscription from the following named parties: Nels 0lson, Swan Gorganson, Hans Swenson, H. K. Volstad, Gunder Halverson, Thomas Enerson, Aslak Olson, Tron Richardson and Gunder Knudtson. Afterwards a tax was levied and the money refunded to subscribers. The building, which was completed in the winter of 1865 and '66, was located on the northeast of section 31. The first teacher in that house was Christiana Goby. This house was in use until 1882, when the present house was erected, a few rods west of the old site. It is a nice frame building, well furnished, and heated from a furnace. The first teacher was Fred Clow. Teachers: Osroe Peterson, Christiana Ooby, Fred Clow, M.O. Anderson.
The name "Pinehurst" was given this school by a teacher, Dana Seivert, who thought the name was apprpriate because the schoolyard was surrounded bybeautiful pine trees. The enrolllment many times in this school reached 48. The older boys attended only after all field work was completed. It was not uncommon for young men up to 20 years old to attend school.
Some of the teachers who taught in District #9 through the years were Howard McTigre, 1902, Dora Anderson, 1903, Jessie Lane, Dora Pease, Mable Kulntap, Gladys Hagen, Lucile Levy, Dora Seivert, Florence Meyer, Nellie Thompson, Miss Rochford, Elsie Carlson, Doris Gregson, Marie Butts and Pearl Epland.
This school closed in the early 1940's. Wayne Anderson was hired to bus the students to Lyle School Later the district consolidated with Lyle. All school property went to the Lye District. These school board members served the last term: Melvin Martins, Clarence Meyer and Walter Eggen.
District No. 11 - Nevada Center School. The first school in this district was held in a board shanty, owned by James Gerard, located in section 21. It is impossible to state who was the first teacher. Belinda Robinson taught the second term in a claim shanty, situated on section 22. The first school house in the district, as well as in the town, was built in 1858, located on the northeast corner of the south-east quarter of section 28, Martin Hanson having given one acre of land for the school house site. In 1872, the present frame house was erected on the old site. Nels Kalkon was the first teacher in this house. Maris Hegge taught this school in 1942-1943. Board members at this time were Joy Lillegaard, Gilbert Anderson and Casper Ashley.Teachers: Belinda Robinson, Nels Kalkon, Fred Clow.
District No. 10 - Gregg School. The first school in this district was taught by Sarah Austin, in 1858, in a claim shanty which belonged to Gregg and Austin. In 1860, a log house was erected for school purposes. It was situated on the southeast corner of section 7. Deland Richardson was the first to teach in that house. This building was been replaced by a good frame house on the Pederson farm, in which S. Clow was the first teacher. Teachers: Sarah Austin, Deland Richardson, S. Clow, Delia Anderson.
District No. 87. This district was organized in 1870, and a school house erected the following year on the southeast quarter of section 23. Mary Gregg was the first teacher in this house. Teachers: Mary Gregg, Edward Evenson.
District No. 104 - Liberty School. This district was organized in 1878, and a frame house erected that same year. The first teacher in this house was Minda H. Ruland, from Rose Creek. The last teacher was Mrs. C. Hoskins. Board members were Arnold Enerson, Albert Anderson and Ray Reuter. Teachers: Minda H. Ruland, Anges Smith.
District No. 56. This district includes the northeast part of the town. It has a good frame house, which was erected in the summer of 1865. The first school was taught the following winter.
PLEASANT VALLEY
The first school in the town was taught by Caroline Hoag, in the summer of 1858. The sessions were held in a small cabin 12x12, and eight feet high, built for that purpose, or rather, for a double purpose; it stood on runners, and during winter was used as a preemption shanty, remaining on one claim long enough for the occupant to "prove up," and then being hauled by an ox team to another; in summers generally stationed on section 11 or section 12, and devoted to the use of the school. The historic building may now be seen in the southeast quarter of section 11. It is owned by A. J. Holcomb, and has been convened into a woodshed.
District No. 47. In the winter of 1860, before the organization of this district, a school was taught within its limits in a room in the house of John Rowley. The agreement made by the people with the teacher, Alden Douglas, was that he should receive twelve dollars per month, and that he should "board around." The result appears to have been that Master Douglas was quartered with Mr. Rowley's family for the season, taking but one meal outside of his house, as Mr. Rowley himself testifies, during the term. The district was organized on the 22d of November, 1862, at a meeting held for the purpose, in John Rowley's house. The officers elected were John Rowley, Di.rector ; R. Hoppin, Clerk ; A. E. Peck, Treasurer.
It was voted to raise two hundred and seventy-five dollars and build a school house 16X24 feet, 10 feet high. The house was built the following season by J. B. Graves, of Brownsdale. It stands in the northern part of section 29. The first teacher here was C. D. Douglas. In 1879 the house underwent a thorough course of repairs, receiving new underpinning, new siding, a new roof and inside finishing. It is furnished with A. H. Andrews & Co.'s patent folding seats. Callie Welch is the present teacher. Teachers: Alden Douglas, C.D. Douglas, Callie A. Welch.
District No. 48. This district was organized in 1863. The school house was built in 1864 in the southwestern part of section 15. Mary Hoag taught the first school. Two previous school terms had been held in the house of E. Blakeslee in section 16. Alden Douglas, teacher. Teachers: Mary Hoag, Alden Douglas, Winnie Eichhorn.
Joint District No. 51. The first school in this district was taught by Mary Hoag, in 1861, in Robert Reed's milk house. The organization of the district was in 1865. A school building 18x24 feet, and 12 feet high, was erected in 1867. In the southwest corner of the northwest quarter of section 8. The first teacher was Alice Sargent; the present is Nettie Finendall. Teachers: Mary Hoag, Alice Sargent, Nettie Finendall.
District No. 62. A school was taught in Dan Williams' house in this district in 1865. The district was organized March 30, t867, at a meeting held in the house of C. D. Douglas. A. W. Douglas was chosen director; Dan Williams, clerk, and C. D. Douglas, treasurer. The school was built in the same year. It is situated in the southeast quarter of section 11, and is in good repair.
District No.73. The school house stands on the southeast quarter of section 32. Its cost, when completed, was four hundred dollars. The first school in it was taught by Hattie Hoppin. One term of school was kept by Miss Artemisia Way, before the house was built. The district was organized in 1869. The present officers are: H. Webber, treasurer; Julius Webber, clerk; John DeYoung, director.
District No. 94. Date of organization, September 1, 1880. The school house was built in 1874, on the northeast quarter of section 33, at a cost of six hundred dollars. It was afterward moved one mile west of the place where it now stands. It is kept in a good condition. Alba G. Paddock was the first teacher. Hattie Dickinson now has charge of the school. Teachers: Alba G. Paddock, Hattie Dickinson.
Other school districts listed in the History of Mower County, 1884:
69 Pleasant Valley Mary Powers
75 Pleasant Valley Hattie Hoppin, Artemisia Way, Rosa E. Collins 1869 Joined with Grand Meadow
RACINE TOWNSHIP
The first school house in the town was built in 1856, Rev. Thomas J. Lake, now of Athens. Alabama, was one of the first teachers in the town. School districts have been organized from time to time, until at present there are seven full, and two joint districts. These districts are mostly furnished with comfortable houses.
Other school districts listed in the History of Mower County, 1884:
30 Racine Hattie E. Bonner
31 Racine Lizzie D. Carson
32 Racine Winnie B. Clark
33 Racine Mary A. Kinsley
34 Racine Nellie Harris
36 Racine John J. Weeks, Jr.
66 Racine Mary C. Wilson
126 Racine
127 Racine Mary E. Long
RED ROCK TOWNSHIP
District No. 28 was organized in 1856, and a school house built that year. The first teacher was Miss Sarah Ticknor. This school house was burned in 1858, but immediately rebuilt. This house was also burned in 1871, and replaced by the one now standing. The teachers for the summer term of 1884 were Mr. H. Perrin and Miss Cora Lynch. Teachers: Sarah Ticknor, H.E. Perrin, Cora E. Lynch.
District No. 37 - Tanner School. Organized in 1864. The first school was a select school, under the management of Mrs. Angeline A. Tanner, which was a summer term in 1859, at the house of Elder Milo Farril in section 13, with an attendance of about half a dozen. The first district school was a winter term in 1860 and 61, held in the log granary of Mr. L E. Tanner, in section 12. In 1863 a frame school house 12'x24' was erected in section 11 on land owned by James Steward. The first school in this house was taught by S. P. Stewart. Miss Almeda Tilton is the present teacher. In 1909, Eva Strong taught 23 students for a monthly salary of $35.00. In 1958-59 this school district consolidated and the school house was moved to Brownsdale. The last teacher was Mrs. Marshall Johnson. On the last school board were Ted Ballinger, Harold Dahle and Vesta Stapels. Teachers: Mrs. Angeline A. Tanner, S.P. Stewart, Almeda Tilton.
District No. 39 was organized in the summer of 1858, and a two months' term of school kept by Tina Perry. The school was held at the Redbush house in section 5. Schools were held at neighboring houses in the district until the spring of 1864, when a frame house i6x22 was built at a cost of $550. The first school in this house was under the management of Eliza A. Simes. The present teacher is Cenia Lynch. Teachers: Tina Perry, Eliza A. Simes, Cenia I. Lynch.
District No 41. The first school was a summer term in 1863, kept by Miss Emma Hoy, in a small house in section 33, with an attendance of about half a dozen. The following summer the neighbors built a temporary building of poles set in the ground and boarded up, in section 34. The first school —a three months' term—was, kept in this building, by Miss Mary Lynch. This building was used for school purposes two years. The district was organized in 1863, and a good substantial school house erected the following summer, at a cost of $900. It is a frame 20x24, located in section 34. The first school was kept by Miss Emma Hoy. The present teacher is Miss Davis. Teachers: Emma Hoy, Mary Lynch, Nellie Davis.
District No. 42. The first school in this district was a summer term in 1863, in a board shanty erected for the purpose by the district, located in section 23. Miss Susan Bacon, of Brownsdale, was the first teacher. In the fall of 1866, the district erected a school house on the site of the shanty, at a cost of $900, which was completed in time for a term of school that winter, Mrs. Sarah E. Drown being the teacher. The building remained on this site until the fall of 1876, when it was moved to section 24, Its present location. Miss A. Stokes, present teacher. Teachers: Susan Bacon, Sarah E. Drown, Anna Stokes.
District No. 68 - Hagan School. Partially organized in 1869, officers elected and the number given to the district, but owing to some irregularities about the returns the organization went down. There was nothing more done until 1876, when the district was reorganized and a frame school house erected 16'x2'2, at a cost of $228, which was completed in time for a term of school that summer, The school was located in Section 29. Lyle Lynch being the teacher. The present teacher is Rose Grimshaw, of Lansing township, with an attendance of about 20. Leota Crilly was the teacher in 1923. The teacher boarded at the Henry Hass homedirectly across form the school Mrs. Violet Hull also taught in district #68 in 1942. Board members that year were Ed Guiney, Jr., Steve Hagan, Frank Bushman.Teachers: L. Lynch, Rose Grimshaw.
District No. 113, is a joint district and includes territory in both Windom and Red Rock townships. The district was organized in 1878, and a school house erected the following spring on the southwest corner of section 35. The building is a frame 24'x30' and cost $800. The first school in this house was a three months term, kept by Mrs. Mary Hathaway, (now the wife of E. Slocum, of Windom township,) with an attendance of 14. Bertha Case, present teacher. Teachers: Mary Hathaway, Bertha Case.
District No. 116 - Blue Star School. Organized by an act of the Legislature in their session of 1880 and 1881. The same spring a frame building 18'x24' was erected at a cost of $500. It was located in the northwest corner of Section 23.The building was completed in time for a three months summer term of school, which was kept by Mary Rugg, with an attendance of 14. The present school is under the supervision of Mrs. Mary Jordan, attendance 12. Mildred Crilly was the teacher in 1939 and 1940. The board members were Donald Rugg, Mrs. Hastings, Richard Clayton. Monica Reagan also taught #116 in 1942. Teachers: Mary Rugg, Mary J. Jordan.
SARGEANT TOWNSHIP
There are three school districts in Sergeant, of which the following is the record:
School District No. 91. The first school house built in the town was in this district. It was built in 1875, in the northeast corner of section 15. In the summer of that year was held the first school term, Eliza W. Sargeant being the teacher. As most of the pupils in the district are of Norwegian parentage, instructors have been employed during vacations to teach in that language. Knud Arhns was the first Norsk teacher. The school was later moved and was used as a church until Evanger church was organized. Some of the first teachers in District 91 were Nat Sargeant, Lulu Fleetwood, Pearl Gorde, Christina Gronseth, Howard Soah, Lillian Austinson, Olova Lommen, George Jennings, Josephing Hallum, Vera Garner, Edna Jacobson, Mrs. T. N. Noblee, and Bertha Espeling. Teachers in later years were Olive and Evelyn Anderson, Crestella Nereson, Thora Haugan, Viola Kramer, Luella Bravis, Olga Bungum and Laura Hellen. Early school board members were Matt Simonson, Hans Hellen, Tom Jacobson, Serena Jacobson, Albert Gronseth, Oscar Hellen and Theo. Gjerness. After consolidation, the building was sold to Harold Hellen and was used for meetings for many years. Teachers: Eliza Sargeant, Knud Arhns.
District No. 111. This district was organized in 1879, with these officers: Lewis Larson, Director; Ferdinand Aigner, Treasurer; B. F. King, Clerk. A school house was built in the same year, at a cost, when complete, furnished with patent seats and desks, of $575. It stands on the northeast corner of section 26. Ella King was the first teacher here employed. During the school year 1942-43, Alice Knutson was the teacher.
District No. 113 - Schwartz School. The following officers were chosen at the organization of this district in 1880: Hans Johnson, Clerk; Nels Peterson, Treasurer; Julius Johnson, Director. The school house is situated on the southwest quarter of section 9. It was built in 1880. The school was first taught by T.H. Rounds. In 1884, the Evangelical Association started using the school for their Sunday school. Some of the teachers in this school were Estella Heimer (1913) who taught 21 chilren age 8 to 16 for $52 a month. In 1942, Mrs. Cecile Hegna taught, and in 1956, Mrs. Myrtle Sanvick was the teacher. After consolidation the building was sold and the contents auctioned off.Other teacher: Emma L. Bacon.
District No. 107 - Sargeant Village School. The first school building was completed in 1880 and was located just over the line in Waltham Township, Section 13. Later a two-room school was built in the south part of Sargeant Village. Classes were held through the spring of 1975. Ninth grade was taught in this school until the spring of 1924.
District No. 114. Kopplin School. District 114 was one of the last districts in Sargeant Township to be formed. It was situated in Section 32. Sunday school was conducted there between 1876 and 1884. St. John's congregation had services there. After consolidation, the building was sold to Art Zander. Teacher: Lillie Woodward.
UDOLPHO TOWNSHIP
The first school in what is now Udolpho township, was a select school, kept by Miss Eliza A. Wilcox, in a part of her father's residence. It was a three months' term, in the winter of 1856-7. She had an attendance of about a dozen. Miss Wilcox also taught a term of district school in the summer of 1857, in the house of Thomas Richardson, in section 16. She had about 20 scholars. For her services Miss Wilcox received two dollars a week, and boarded around. She followed teaching in the township about three years, her last term being in 1860, in district number 21. Miss Wilcox was born in Canada, April15, 1841. She received her education in the common schools. She also encircled Rock River Female Seminary at Rockford, Illinois. She married Silas Dutcher. They have two children, Ethel K., Ralph R. They now reside at Austin.
District No. 49. The first school was kept at the house of Thomas Richardson in the summer of 1857, by Eliza A. Wilcox. The district was organized in 1859, and a log school house was built on section 16. Miss Wilcox was also the first teacher in this house. This house was used for school purposes until 1870, when it was replaced by a substantial frame building 24x30, located on the southeast corner of section 8. Miss Rosa Carey had the honor of teaching the first school in this building. The school, during the summer of 1884, was taught by Miss Attie Neller. Teachers: Eliza A. Wilcox, Rosa Carey, Allie Neller.
District No. 50 - Schultz School. The first school in this district was a summer term in 1857, by Percilia Miller. The school was held in a log house erected for the purpose by the neighbors. It was built of logs, 18x20, the roof covered with sods. The building was located in the northwest corner of the northeast quarter of section 26. This building was used for school purposes until the spring of 1866, when it was replaced by the present building, which was built during the fall of 1865 on the southwest corner of section 24. The building is a brick 21x32 and cost $1,200. The first school in this house was by Macelia F. Stimson, with an attendance of about 30. The summer term in 1884, was taught by Hattie Dearborn, of Austin, with an attendance of 28. One of the teachers in this school was Laura Studer Hammermeister. Mrs. Andrew Lunt, Jr. taught the 1942 school term. Board members were Louis B. Yoeger, Alexander Decker, Frank Laack. The school has been made into a home. Teachers: Percilla Miller, Macelia F. Stimson, Hattie Dearborn.
District No. 57 was organized October 9, 1869. The first school held was in the winter of 1869-70 at the house of John Tuckerson, in section 30, Mr. Carlos Manchester being the teacher. School was held in this house until 1872, when a small school house was erected on the southeast corner of section 19. Mr. Manchester was also the first teacher in this house. Ole Hougan is the present teacher. Teachers: Carlos Manchester, Ole Haugen.
District No. 60 was organized in the winter of 1868 or 1869. A school house was erected the next spring on the southeast comer of section 2. The building is a frame, 16x20, and cost $400. The lumber was hauled by teams from Red Wing. The first school after the completion of the building was a summer term, kept by Mrs. Mary Thurber, the wife of E. Thurber, at that time living in section 10. They are now residents of Spring Valley, Fillmore county. The present school is under the management of Nellie Richards, a daughter of E. Richards, a prominent farmer of the township. The school house was afterwards moved to the northeast corner of section 11, where it now stands. Teachers: Mrs. Mary Thurber, Nellie Richards.
District No. 76 was organized in 1869. The first school was held at the house of S. H. Smith, in section 33, the teacher being Hattie L. Sanford, a sister of Mrs. S. H. Smith. School was held at the house of Mr. Smith until 1876, when a new frame house, 20x30, was built, at a cost of $700. Miss Hattie Ricker was the first to teach in this house. Teachers: Hattie L. Sanford, Hattie Ricker, Anna M. Hanson.
District No. 111 is a joint district which includes territory in Freeborn county. The district was organized by act of the legislature in their session of 1881-82. The school house is located just over the line in Freeborn county. The first school was kept by Miss Myra Maxwell, a summer term, in 1882. Miss Emma Washburn is the present teacher. Teachers: Myra Maxwell, Emma Washburn.
Norwegian school. The Norwegian settlers of this township have six months school in which their language is taught. The settlement is divided into six districts. They have six months of school during the year, one month in each district. These schools are each taught in their turn by one teacher.
WALTHAM TOWNSHIP
District No. 58 was organized in 1866. There was a school building erected on the northwest corner of section 23. It is a frame 26'x36', and cost $3,000. The first school was a winter term in 1868, Dorothy (Johnson) Walker wielded the sprout. The present school (summer term) is taught by Etta Rockwell, of Red Rock township, with an attendance of 23.
School District No. 63. Organized July 28, 1866, at which time a school meeting was held at the house of A. E. Meigs, in section 28. The first school was a summer term of three months, in 1867, which was under the supervision of Miss Emma Hoy, a daughter of J. Hoy, a resident of the township. There was an attendance of eighteen. This school was held in the school house which had just been completed at an cost of $1,000; it was a frame, 20'x24'.
District No. 61. Organized in 1866. The following year there was a summer term taught by Emma Hoy in the schoolhouse built that year, 1867. In the year 1938, the teacher was Mildred Crilly. In 1942, Mrs. Keller was the teacher. Board members were Mrs. R. Schreiber, Ed Ohms, Glenn Johnson. Tis school is one of the few remaining country schools still left on its original location. It is used as a town hall for meetings, etc. The woods which surrounded it have been cleared away and the land used for farming. Other Teacher: Helen E. Stoddard
Other school districts listed in the History of Mower County, 1884:
89 Waltham J.L. Dole, Minnie Hunt 1874
93 Waltham Bell Leighton, Claudia Campbell 1875
107 Waltham Sister of Mrs. Cruther, Hannah Sattergreen/Sodergren 1880
110 Waltham Blossie Brown, Addie/Emma Dole 1881
22 Windom Maggie Smith, Addie Fairbanks, Maggie Eagan, 1856
23 Windom Jane Reeves, Martha Slocum, Amanda Streaver, Rebecca Otis, Jennie S. Shortt. The district divided in 1867. New district #40
was created.
24 Windom Mrs. Horatio Marsh, Mary Slaven, Kate Bailey, Agnes Hull, Belle Hunkins
25 Windom Sarah Slaven, Rosetta Fuller, W.T. Dudley, 1859. District divided in 1874. New district #88 was created.
40 Windom Maggie Smith, Amelia Houghton 1867
46 Windom Maggie Smith, James Woodard,Etta Streeter 1869
73 Windom Alice French, Newell Slocum, Minda Ruland 1869 Called "Centennial District"
82 Windom Delia Cronan
88 Windom George Emery, Mary Thompson
29 Delang Richardson, Forest Marsh, Mary Flood 1857
Resources:
The History of Mower County, 1884.
Harvey Sathre Estate
Mill on the Willow, 1984
District No. 120. Organized in 1888 and the school house was built that same fall. It was located in the northeast corner of section 9, which is south of Max Pinke's farm.
District No. 82. As was the practice in most of the early school districts, because the parents were concerned with education of their children, they were taught in the homes. So it was in School District #82. However, almost immediately after acquiring land in 1874, the schoolhouse was built.
The warranty deed from Levi Foss and wife Philamena to School District #82 states that one-half acre was acquired at the cost of $1.00. The deed was signed in the presence of A. G. Wedge and Ormanzo Allen, both early settlers in Mower County. The latter was a judge and notary public.
Some of the teachers over the years were Colista Hoban, Charles McBride, Catherine McBride, Mary Collins (1913-1914) and Madeline Leahy.
In 1920, this school was consolidated with District #25 in Rose Creek and Elkton Schools. The land reverted back to the farm. The building was sold to Henry Syckman. Mrs. Wilfred Murphy was the last teacher.
NEVADA TOWNSHIP
District No. 9 - Pinehurst School. In 1857, the scholars living within the present limits of this district, attended a school that was taught by Osroe Peterson, in Hans Swenson's house. School was taught in other private houses from time to time, until 1865, when a log school house was built. The money to build the house was raised by subscription from the following named parties: Nels 0lson, Swan Gorganson, Hans Swenson, H. K. Volstad, Gunder Halverson, Thomas Enerson, Aslak Olson, Tron Richardson and Gunder Knudtson. Afterwards a tax was levied and the money refunded to subscribers. The building, which was completed in the winter of 1865 and '66, was located on the northeast of section 31. The first teacher in that house was Christiana Goby. This house was in use until 1882, when the present house was erected, a few rods west of the old site. It is a nice frame building, well furnished, and heated from a furnace. The first teacher was Fred Clow. Teachers: Osroe Peterson, Christiana Ooby, Fred Clow, M.O. Anderson.
The name "Pinehurst" was given this school by a teacher, Dana Seivert, who thought the name was apprpriate because the schoolyard was surrounded bybeautiful pine trees. The enrolllment many times in this school reached 48. The older boys attended only after all field work was completed. It was not uncommon for young men up to 20 years old to attend school.
Some of the teachers who taught in District #9 through the years were Howard McTigre, 1902, Dora Anderson, 1903, Jessie Lane, Dora Pease, Mable Kulntap, Gladys Hagen, Lucile Levy, Dora Seivert, Florence Meyer, Nellie Thompson, Miss Rochford, Elsie Carlson, Doris Gregson, Marie Butts and Pearl Epland.
This school closed in the early 1940's. Wayne Anderson was hired to bus the students to Lyle School Later the district consolidated with Lyle. All school property went to the Lye District. These school board members served the last term: Melvin Martins, Clarence Meyer and Walter Eggen.
District No. 11 - Nevada Center School. The first school in this district was held in a board shanty, owned by James Gerard, located in section 21. It is impossible to state who was the first teacher. Belinda Robinson taught the second term in a claim shanty, situated on section 22. The first school house in the district, as well as in the town, was built in 1858, located on the northeast corner of the south-east quarter of section 28, Martin Hanson having given one acre of land for the school house site. In 1872, the present frame house was erected on the old site. Nels Kalkon was the first teacher in this house. Maris Hegge taught this school in 1942-1943. Board members at this time were Joy Lillegaard, Gilbert Anderson and Casper Ashley.Teachers: Belinda Robinson, Nels Kalkon, Fred Clow.
District No. 10 - Gregg School. The first school in this district was taught by Sarah Austin, in 1858, in a claim shanty which belonged to Gregg and Austin. In 1860, a log house was erected for school purposes. It was situated on the southeast corner of section 7. Deland Richardson was the first to teach in that house. This building was been replaced by a good frame house on the Pederson farm, in which S. Clow was the first teacher. Teachers: Sarah Austin, Deland Richardson, S. Clow, Delia Anderson.
District No. 87. This district was organized in 1870, and a school house erected the following year on the southeast quarter of section 23. Mary Gregg was the first teacher in this house. Teachers: Mary Gregg, Edward Evenson.
District No. 104 - Liberty School. This district was organized in 1878, and a frame house erected that same year. The first teacher in this house was Minda H. Ruland, from Rose Creek. The last teacher was Mrs. C. Hoskins. Board members were Arnold Enerson, Albert Anderson and Ray Reuter. Teachers: Minda H. Ruland, Anges Smith.
District No. 56. This district includes the northeast part of the town. It has a good frame house, which was erected in the summer of 1865. The first school was taught the following winter.
PLEASANT VALLEY
The first school in the town was taught by Caroline Hoag, in the summer of 1858. The sessions were held in a small cabin 12x12, and eight feet high, built for that purpose, or rather, for a double purpose; it stood on runners, and during winter was used as a preemption shanty, remaining on one claim long enough for the occupant to "prove up," and then being hauled by an ox team to another; in summers generally stationed on section 11 or section 12, and devoted to the use of the school. The historic building may now be seen in the southeast quarter of section 11. It is owned by A. J. Holcomb, and has been convened into a woodshed.
District No. 47. In the winter of 1860, before the organization of this district, a school was taught within its limits in a room in the house of John Rowley. The agreement made by the people with the teacher, Alden Douglas, was that he should receive twelve dollars per month, and that he should "board around." The result appears to have been that Master Douglas was quartered with Mr. Rowley's family for the season, taking but one meal outside of his house, as Mr. Rowley himself testifies, during the term. The district was organized on the 22d of November, 1862, at a meeting held for the purpose, in John Rowley's house. The officers elected were John Rowley, Di.rector ; R. Hoppin, Clerk ; A. E. Peck, Treasurer.
It was voted to raise two hundred and seventy-five dollars and build a school house 16X24 feet, 10 feet high. The house was built the following season by J. B. Graves, of Brownsdale. It stands in the northern part of section 29. The first teacher here was C. D. Douglas. In 1879 the house underwent a thorough course of repairs, receiving new underpinning, new siding, a new roof and inside finishing. It is furnished with A. H. Andrews & Co.'s patent folding seats. Callie Welch is the present teacher. Teachers: Alden Douglas, C.D. Douglas, Callie A. Welch.
District No. 48. This district was organized in 1863. The school house was built in 1864 in the southwestern part of section 15. Mary Hoag taught the first school. Two previous school terms had been held in the house of E. Blakeslee in section 16. Alden Douglas, teacher. Teachers: Mary Hoag, Alden Douglas, Winnie Eichhorn.
Joint District No. 51. The first school in this district was taught by Mary Hoag, in 1861, in Robert Reed's milk house. The organization of the district was in 1865. A school building 18x24 feet, and 12 feet high, was erected in 1867. In the southwest corner of the northwest quarter of section 8. The first teacher was Alice Sargent; the present is Nettie Finendall. Teachers: Mary Hoag, Alice Sargent, Nettie Finendall.
District No. 62. A school was taught in Dan Williams' house in this district in 1865. The district was organized March 30, t867, at a meeting held in the house of C. D. Douglas. A. W. Douglas was chosen director; Dan Williams, clerk, and C. D. Douglas, treasurer. The school was built in the same year. It is situated in the southeast quarter of section 11, and is in good repair.
District No.73. The school house stands on the southeast quarter of section 32. Its cost, when completed, was four hundred dollars. The first school in it was taught by Hattie Hoppin. One term of school was kept by Miss Artemisia Way, before the house was built. The district was organized in 1869. The present officers are: H. Webber, treasurer; Julius Webber, clerk; John DeYoung, director.
District No. 94. Date of organization, September 1, 1880. The school house was built in 1874, on the northeast quarter of section 33, at a cost of six hundred dollars. It was afterward moved one mile west of the place where it now stands. It is kept in a good condition. Alba G. Paddock was the first teacher. Hattie Dickinson now has charge of the school. Teachers: Alba G. Paddock, Hattie Dickinson.
Other school districts listed in the History of Mower County, 1884:
69 Pleasant Valley Mary Powers
75 Pleasant Valley Hattie Hoppin, Artemisia Way, Rosa E. Collins 1869 Joined with Grand Meadow
RACINE TOWNSHIP
The first school house in the town was built in 1856, Rev. Thomas J. Lake, now of Athens. Alabama, was one of the first teachers in the town. School districts have been organized from time to time, until at present there are seven full, and two joint districts. These districts are mostly furnished with comfortable houses.
Other school districts listed in the History of Mower County, 1884:
30 Racine Hattie E. Bonner
31 Racine Lizzie D. Carson
32 Racine Winnie B. Clark
33 Racine Mary A. Kinsley
34 Racine Nellie Harris
36 Racine John J. Weeks, Jr.
66 Racine Mary C. Wilson
126 Racine
127 Racine Mary E. Long
RED ROCK TOWNSHIP
District No. 28 was organized in 1856, and a school house built that year. The first teacher was Miss Sarah Ticknor. This school house was burned in 1858, but immediately rebuilt. This house was also burned in 1871, and replaced by the one now standing. The teachers for the summer term of 1884 were Mr. H. Perrin and Miss Cora Lynch. Teachers: Sarah Ticknor, H.E. Perrin, Cora E. Lynch.
District No. 37 - Tanner School. Organized in 1864. The first school was a select school, under the management of Mrs. Angeline A. Tanner, which was a summer term in 1859, at the house of Elder Milo Farril in section 13, with an attendance of about half a dozen. The first district school was a winter term in 1860 and 61, held in the log granary of Mr. L E. Tanner, in section 12. In 1863 a frame school house 12'x24' was erected in section 11 on land owned by James Steward. The first school in this house was taught by S. P. Stewart. Miss Almeda Tilton is the present teacher. In 1909, Eva Strong taught 23 students for a monthly salary of $35.00. In 1958-59 this school district consolidated and the school house was moved to Brownsdale. The last teacher was Mrs. Marshall Johnson. On the last school board were Ted Ballinger, Harold Dahle and Vesta Stapels. Teachers: Mrs. Angeline A. Tanner, S.P. Stewart, Almeda Tilton.
District No. 39 was organized in the summer of 1858, and a two months' term of school kept by Tina Perry. The school was held at the Redbush house in section 5. Schools were held at neighboring houses in the district until the spring of 1864, when a frame house i6x22 was built at a cost of $550. The first school in this house was under the management of Eliza A. Simes. The present teacher is Cenia Lynch. Teachers: Tina Perry, Eliza A. Simes, Cenia I. Lynch.
District No 41. The first school was a summer term in 1863, kept by Miss Emma Hoy, in a small house in section 33, with an attendance of about half a dozen. The following summer the neighbors built a temporary building of poles set in the ground and boarded up, in section 34. The first school —a three months' term—was, kept in this building, by Miss Mary Lynch. This building was used for school purposes two years. The district was organized in 1863, and a good substantial school house erected the following summer, at a cost of $900. It is a frame 20x24, located in section 34. The first school was kept by Miss Emma Hoy. The present teacher is Miss Davis. Teachers: Emma Hoy, Mary Lynch, Nellie Davis.
District No. 42. The first school in this district was a summer term in 1863, in a board shanty erected for the purpose by the district, located in section 23. Miss Susan Bacon, of Brownsdale, was the first teacher. In the fall of 1866, the district erected a school house on the site of the shanty, at a cost of $900, which was completed in time for a term of school that winter, Mrs. Sarah E. Drown being the teacher. The building remained on this site until the fall of 1876, when it was moved to section 24, Its present location. Miss A. Stokes, present teacher. Teachers: Susan Bacon, Sarah E. Drown, Anna Stokes.
District No. 68 - Hagan School. Partially organized in 1869, officers elected and the number given to the district, but owing to some irregularities about the returns the organization went down. There was nothing more done until 1876, when the district was reorganized and a frame school house erected 16'x2'2, at a cost of $228, which was completed in time for a term of school that summer, The school was located in Section 29. Lyle Lynch being the teacher. The present teacher is Rose Grimshaw, of Lansing township, with an attendance of about 20. Leota Crilly was the teacher in 1923. The teacher boarded at the Henry Hass homedirectly across form the school Mrs. Violet Hull also taught in district #68 in 1942. Board members that year were Ed Guiney, Jr., Steve Hagan, Frank Bushman.Teachers: L. Lynch, Rose Grimshaw.
District No. 113, is a joint district and includes territory in both Windom and Red Rock townships. The district was organized in 1878, and a school house erected the following spring on the southwest corner of section 35. The building is a frame 24'x30' and cost $800. The first school in this house was a three months term, kept by Mrs. Mary Hathaway, (now the wife of E. Slocum, of Windom township,) with an attendance of 14. Bertha Case, present teacher. Teachers: Mary Hathaway, Bertha Case.
District No. 116 - Blue Star School. Organized by an act of the Legislature in their session of 1880 and 1881. The same spring a frame building 18'x24' was erected at a cost of $500. It was located in the northwest corner of Section 23.The building was completed in time for a three months summer term of school, which was kept by Mary Rugg, with an attendance of 14. The present school is under the supervision of Mrs. Mary Jordan, attendance 12. Mildred Crilly was the teacher in 1939 and 1940. The board members were Donald Rugg, Mrs. Hastings, Richard Clayton. Monica Reagan also taught #116 in 1942. Teachers: Mary Rugg, Mary J. Jordan.
SARGEANT TOWNSHIP
There are three school districts in Sergeant, of which the following is the record:
School District No. 91. The first school house built in the town was in this district. It was built in 1875, in the northeast corner of section 15. In the summer of that year was held the first school term, Eliza W. Sargeant being the teacher. As most of the pupils in the district are of Norwegian parentage, instructors have been employed during vacations to teach in that language. Knud Arhns was the first Norsk teacher. The school was later moved and was used as a church until Evanger church was organized. Some of the first teachers in District 91 were Nat Sargeant, Lulu Fleetwood, Pearl Gorde, Christina Gronseth, Howard Soah, Lillian Austinson, Olova Lommen, George Jennings, Josephing Hallum, Vera Garner, Edna Jacobson, Mrs. T. N. Noblee, and Bertha Espeling. Teachers in later years were Olive and Evelyn Anderson, Crestella Nereson, Thora Haugan, Viola Kramer, Luella Bravis, Olga Bungum and Laura Hellen. Early school board members were Matt Simonson, Hans Hellen, Tom Jacobson, Serena Jacobson, Albert Gronseth, Oscar Hellen and Theo. Gjerness. After consolidation, the building was sold to Harold Hellen and was used for meetings for many years. Teachers: Eliza Sargeant, Knud Arhns.
District No. 111. This district was organized in 1879, with these officers: Lewis Larson, Director; Ferdinand Aigner, Treasurer; B. F. King, Clerk. A school house was built in the same year, at a cost, when complete, furnished with patent seats and desks, of $575. It stands on the northeast corner of section 26. Ella King was the first teacher here employed. During the school year 1942-43, Alice Knutson was the teacher.
District No. 113 - Schwartz School. The following officers were chosen at the organization of this district in 1880: Hans Johnson, Clerk; Nels Peterson, Treasurer; Julius Johnson, Director. The school house is situated on the southwest quarter of section 9. It was built in 1880. The school was first taught by T.H. Rounds. In 1884, the Evangelical Association started using the school for their Sunday school. Some of the teachers in this school were Estella Heimer (1913) who taught 21 chilren age 8 to 16 for $52 a month. In 1942, Mrs. Cecile Hegna taught, and in 1956, Mrs. Myrtle Sanvick was the teacher. After consolidation the building was sold and the contents auctioned off.Other teacher: Emma L. Bacon.
District No. 107 - Sargeant Village School. The first school building was completed in 1880 and was located just over the line in Waltham Township, Section 13. Later a two-room school was built in the south part of Sargeant Village. Classes were held through the spring of 1975. Ninth grade was taught in this school until the spring of 1924.
District No. 114. Kopplin School. District 114 was one of the last districts in Sargeant Township to be formed. It was situated in Section 32. Sunday school was conducted there between 1876 and 1884. St. John's congregation had services there. After consolidation, the building was sold to Art Zander. Teacher: Lillie Woodward.
UDOLPHO TOWNSHIP
The first school in what is now Udolpho township, was a select school, kept by Miss Eliza A. Wilcox, in a part of her father's residence. It was a three months' term, in the winter of 1856-7. She had an attendance of about a dozen. Miss Wilcox also taught a term of district school in the summer of 1857, in the house of Thomas Richardson, in section 16. She had about 20 scholars. For her services Miss Wilcox received two dollars a week, and boarded around. She followed teaching in the township about three years, her last term being in 1860, in district number 21. Miss Wilcox was born in Canada, April15, 1841. She received her education in the common schools. She also encircled Rock River Female Seminary at Rockford, Illinois. She married Silas Dutcher. They have two children, Ethel K., Ralph R. They now reside at Austin.
District No. 49. The first school was kept at the house of Thomas Richardson in the summer of 1857, by Eliza A. Wilcox. The district was organized in 1859, and a log school house was built on section 16. Miss Wilcox was also the first teacher in this house. This house was used for school purposes until 1870, when it was replaced by a substantial frame building 24x30, located on the southeast corner of section 8. Miss Rosa Carey had the honor of teaching the first school in this building. The school, during the summer of 1884, was taught by Miss Attie Neller. Teachers: Eliza A. Wilcox, Rosa Carey, Allie Neller.
District No. 50 - Schultz School. The first school in this district was a summer term in 1857, by Percilia Miller. The school was held in a log house erected for the purpose by the neighbors. It was built of logs, 18x20, the roof covered with sods. The building was located in the northwest corner of the northeast quarter of section 26. This building was used for school purposes until the spring of 1866, when it was replaced by the present building, which was built during the fall of 1865 on the southwest corner of section 24. The building is a brick 21x32 and cost $1,200. The first school in this house was by Macelia F. Stimson, with an attendance of about 30. The summer term in 1884, was taught by Hattie Dearborn, of Austin, with an attendance of 28. One of the teachers in this school was Laura Studer Hammermeister. Mrs. Andrew Lunt, Jr. taught the 1942 school term. Board members were Louis B. Yoeger, Alexander Decker, Frank Laack. The school has been made into a home. Teachers: Percilla Miller, Macelia F. Stimson, Hattie Dearborn.
District No. 57 was organized October 9, 1869. The first school held was in the winter of 1869-70 at the house of John Tuckerson, in section 30, Mr. Carlos Manchester being the teacher. School was held in this house until 1872, when a small school house was erected on the southeast corner of section 19. Mr. Manchester was also the first teacher in this house. Ole Hougan is the present teacher. Teachers: Carlos Manchester, Ole Haugen.
District No. 60 was organized in the winter of 1868 or 1869. A school house was erected the next spring on the southeast comer of section 2. The building is a frame, 16x20, and cost $400. The lumber was hauled by teams from Red Wing. The first school after the completion of the building was a summer term, kept by Mrs. Mary Thurber, the wife of E. Thurber, at that time living in section 10. They are now residents of Spring Valley, Fillmore county. The present school is under the management of Nellie Richards, a daughter of E. Richards, a prominent farmer of the township. The school house was afterwards moved to the northeast corner of section 11, where it now stands. Teachers: Mrs. Mary Thurber, Nellie Richards.
District No. 76 was organized in 1869. The first school was held at the house of S. H. Smith, in section 33, the teacher being Hattie L. Sanford, a sister of Mrs. S. H. Smith. School was held at the house of Mr. Smith until 1876, when a new frame house, 20x30, was built, at a cost of $700. Miss Hattie Ricker was the first to teach in this house. Teachers: Hattie L. Sanford, Hattie Ricker, Anna M. Hanson.
District No. 111 is a joint district which includes territory in Freeborn county. The district was organized by act of the legislature in their session of 1881-82. The school house is located just over the line in Freeborn county. The first school was kept by Miss Myra Maxwell, a summer term, in 1882. Miss Emma Washburn is the present teacher. Teachers: Myra Maxwell, Emma Washburn.
Norwegian school. The Norwegian settlers of this township have six months school in which their language is taught. The settlement is divided into six districts. They have six months of school during the year, one month in each district. These schools are each taught in their turn by one teacher.
WALTHAM TOWNSHIP
District No. 58 was organized in 1866. There was a school building erected on the northwest corner of section 23. It is a frame 26'x36', and cost $3,000. The first school was a winter term in 1868, Dorothy (Johnson) Walker wielded the sprout. The present school (summer term) is taught by Etta Rockwell, of Red Rock township, with an attendance of 23.
School District No. 63. Organized July 28, 1866, at which time a school meeting was held at the house of A. E. Meigs, in section 28. The first school was a summer term of three months, in 1867, which was under the supervision of Miss Emma Hoy, a daughter of J. Hoy, a resident of the township. There was an attendance of eighteen. This school was held in the school house which had just been completed at an cost of $1,000; it was a frame, 20'x24'.
District No. 61. Organized in 1866. The following year there was a summer term taught by Emma Hoy in the schoolhouse built that year, 1867. In the year 1938, the teacher was Mildred Crilly. In 1942, Mrs. Keller was the teacher. Board members were Mrs. R. Schreiber, Ed Ohms, Glenn Johnson. Tis school is one of the few remaining country schools still left on its original location. It is used as a town hall for meetings, etc. The woods which surrounded it have been cleared away and the land used for farming. Other Teacher: Helen E. Stoddard
Other school districts listed in the History of Mower County, 1884:
89 Waltham J.L. Dole, Minnie Hunt 1874
93 Waltham Bell Leighton, Claudia Campbell 1875
107 Waltham Sister of Mrs. Cruther, Hannah Sattergreen/Sodergren 1880
110 Waltham Blossie Brown, Addie/Emma Dole 1881
22 Windom Maggie Smith, Addie Fairbanks, Maggie Eagan, 1856
23 Windom Jane Reeves, Martha Slocum, Amanda Streaver, Rebecca Otis, Jennie S. Shortt. The district divided in 1867. New district #40
was created.
24 Windom Mrs. Horatio Marsh, Mary Slaven, Kate Bailey, Agnes Hull, Belle Hunkins
25 Windom Sarah Slaven, Rosetta Fuller, W.T. Dudley, 1859. District divided in 1874. New district #88 was created.
40 Windom Maggie Smith, Amelia Houghton 1867
46 Windom Maggie Smith, James Woodard,Etta Streeter 1869
73 Windom Alice French, Newell Slocum, Minda Ruland 1869 Called "Centennial District"
82 Windom Delia Cronan
88 Windom George Emery, Mary Thompson
29 Delang Richardson, Forest Marsh, Mary Flood 1857
Resources:
The History of Mower County, 1884.
Harvey Sathre Estate
Mill on the Willow, 1984