History of Richardson County, Nebraska : its people, industries and institutions, Part 34

Author: Edwards, Lewis C
Publication date: 1917
Publisher: Indianapolis : B.F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1742

USA > Nebraska > Richardson County > History of Richardson County, Nebraska : its people, industries and institutions > Part 34

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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District No. 3-In 1866 Mrs. Amanda McCabe, then Miss Amanda Davis, moved with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Matthias Davis, to the dis- trict now known as the Ankrom school, or district No. 3. There was 110 organization of a district and no school, so Mrs. Mathias extended the use of her kitchen, which was accepted, and that winter Miss Matilda Vander- venter taught the school and boarded with Joseph Noel. She had about twenty pupils. At that time they used slab benches. An old cookstove was borrowed, and the parents of the children would bring the necessary wood for fuel. The house was a double log house, weatherboarded, lathed and plastered and two rooms of frame on the east, one of these was where the school was held. There was a porch on the west end and a fireplace at both ends. The house still stands as a relic of earlier times. During the following year a school house was built and the district permanently or- ganized.

District No. 4-This district was organized in 1867 with the following officers : J. P. King, L. K. Barnes, and S. E. Slocum. The first school district was named King because several of the King family were living in that community. The first teacher was Miss Phoebe A. Slocum, who taught in 1867 for twenty dollars and boarded at home. She was followed by Frank M. King, Mrs. J. M. Wheeler, of Shubert, taught in 1868 and J. W. Shubert, in 1870. Some of the other early teachers were Miss Mahala Cooper, P. B. Ruch (now living at University Place), Mrs. L. K. Barnes, Mary Bagley, Mary Linn, George Cornell, Ben Lorance, Luella Ford, Thomas Hitt, Thomas Quiggle, A. B. Mutz, Ida Pattison. W. E. Slagle, Jennie Thompson (of Stella), Mollie Scott, Gamma Hall, Anna Veach, Ora Marsh, Myrtle King and Fannie Harper. One teacher, Miss Olive Clark, died while in the district. The new school house was built in 1879 and the name was changed to . Walnut Grove. It cost about one thousand dollars. The largest number of pupils attending at one time was sixty. The wages ranged from twenty to fifty dollars. It is said that in the early days, when a school-girl appeared in a program attired in male clothing, the dig- nity of the patrons was severely shocked. Another incident is recalled of the early days, when J. P. King, now deceased, was treasurer of the dis- trict. There were no banks nearer than Falls City and all money had to be kept in the house. Robberies were common and the white desperadoes were more feared than the worst Indian. Mrs. J. P. King tells of a white man, quite respectably dressed, applying for the school one afternoon. Her woman's intuition warned her that all was not well, so she persuaded Mr.

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King to prepare adequately, which he did, in the sight and hearing of the stranger, who asked to remain all night. Next morning he left with a scowl on his face and his hat pulled well down and forgot to say anything more about the school. Mrs. King has always been a believer in preparedness since then. The first Christmas tree ever set up in that part of the county was displayed at this school house when the second building was completed. I am indebted to Mrs. J. P. King and Mrs. William Fish for much of the above information.

District No. 5-The first school was held in what is now known as district 5 in 1861. School was held in a small house built and afterwards deserted by a squatter. Dan Higgins, of Shubert, and three sisters and two brothers of Morg Vandevanter were among those attending the first school, which was taught by H. D. King, father of E. D. King, now en- gaged in the automobile business at Lincoln. The salary was about twenty- five dollars, which was paid by the parents sending pupils to school. Mr. King boarded with the various patrons. No school was held in 1862, but in 1863 Mrs. Louis Turner conducted school in her house. In 1864 Maggie Vandevanter, now living at Red Cloud, conducted school in Captain Hen- derson's kitchen. Henry Parch taught in the same school in 1865 at the same place. In 1866, a school district was organized in Nemaha county, about one and one-half miles from the county line. Henry Parch taught this school and in 1867-68 this school was taught by J. L. Slocum of the Richardson County Bank of Falls City. District 5 was organized in 1867. but the, school house was not built until 1870, when it was erected a mile east of the present location. Charles Peabody taught the school in 1867. which was still held in Captain Henderson's kitchen. W. W. James, of Shubert, attended this school. The country was very sparingly settled and the attendance was small. The first director was J. T. James. In 1868.69 school was held in Web King's shanty and the teacher was Mrs. James Kinton, living near Shubert. In 1870 David R. Jones, now deceased, donated the ground for the first school house. Mrs. James Kinton taught three years in succession. The attendance began to increase until 1875, when it was over sixty, Other teachers were Miss Rose King, Mr. Schockey, Mr. and Mrs. Norman Catlin, Whitney Cook, Maggie. Penny and Emma Shoutz. Early school officers were J. T. James, Warren Parch, Alexander McGechie. Charles Bright, J. W. Davis, Web King, D. N. Jones, J. Kinton, Charles Pond, M. A. Veach and W. W. James. In 1884 the district was subdivided. Shubert was growing in numbers and wanted a school in town. District

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102 was organized by taking sections 1 and 12 from district 5. At auction district 5 sold their building to Jenkin James and he sold it to district 102. It was moved to Shubert and for many years was used as a school room. Later it was sold to Harvey Harmon and during nearly a score of years it has been used as a feed store. In 1885 district 5 built a new school house on the present site. M. A. Veach donating an acre of ground. The school is called Pioneer, because of its early history. It is a good building, well equipped and one of the standard schools of the county. David Jones and Don Higgins are the sources of information on which this brief history of district 5 is based.

District No. 9-(By Mrs. P. O. Avery). This district was organized in the seventies and the first school house was erected in 1875. The first teacher was Hannah Elwell. The teachers who have had charge of the school are as follow : Hannah Elwell, Creighton Morris, Flora Pool. George McKean, Henry Poe, Dora Skillman, Perry Ailer. Ina Parker, Allie Craig. Josie Morris, Georgia Morris, Mary Morris, Daisy Morris, Anna Atwood. Bell Gavitt. G. M. Fisher, Bell Newcomer, Albert Sargent. Ashford Kelley, Harry Lenglebach, Lina Shirley, Lizzie Jones, Emma Beery, Cora Leech. Nellie Clift, Ollie Shurtleff, Maud Montgomery, Will Atwood, Nellie Leech, Pearl Hasness. Allie Hoagland, Rose Beals, Nellie Davidson, Jessie Mc- Dermot. Mary Wiltse, Helen Allen, Daisy Albright. Helen Smith, Eva Spencer, Mary Lutz and Mary Van Campen.

The school house was eventually sold and moved and the district was consolidated with three other districts. Oak Grove, Bratton and Sunnyside. The consolidated school is called the Bratton Union school and is a fine brick building erected in 1916. Eleven grades are now taught.

Miss Ina Parker was teacher at No. 9 during the winter of the very severe blizzard of January 13, 1886. She was boarding at Grandma Shroyer's, a good half mile from the school house. She nearly succumbed to the intense cold, but assistance came before she reached home. The teachers boarded with Grandma Shroyer, who was loving and motherly to them all. the family all joining her in making the home pleasant for the teacher. The dear old lady only charged them one dollar and fifty cents a week for their board and sometimes did their washing. The following teachers are living in the county: George Mckean, Mrs. Mary ( Morris) Alexander. Mrs. Helen ( Allen) Mann. Mrs. Helen (Smith) Stalder, Mrs. Nellie ( Leach ) Avery, Mary Wiltse and Albert Sargent.

District No. 10-District No. 10 was organized in 1868 and comprised

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the northwest quarter of Franklin township. The first school board was composed of H. M. Preston, Abner Dolby and J. S. Bowers. The school house was built in 1870 and is still standing. The first school was of three months duration and was taught by Cornelia Gridley, who received thirty dollars a month. This was the winter of. 1870-71. The next winter Alpheus Scott taught a three-months term at thirty-five dollars. The next winter, 1872-73, a three-months term was taught by Saxton Chesebro, at forty dollars. Then followed Anna Stewart, at twenty-five dollars. She lived eight miles away and rode to school on a pony. Next came Angust Frank and Ada Sowle. The latter is now Mrs. C. B. Gridley and is the only teacher that the district has had, who is now living in that neighborhood. Mr. Gridley says in his article : "We have had all kinds of teachers, yet all were good; some for something and some for nothing." Several parts of the district have been detached at different times. Mr. Gridley says that the district has never produced any bright and shining lights, yet he does not recall that any have ever proved a disgrace. The attendance is now hardly large enough to make a good-sized family.

District No. 11-Before the present school house in district No. 1I was built, which was in 1876, school was held in a house about one-half mile east of where the present building now stands. Only one school house has been built. The first teacher was a Mr. Fowler, who not only was a good teacher but an excellent practical farmer. George Snoke was a be- ginner at this time and did not know much about farming. Mr. Fowler assisted with the work and earned free board and lodging in that way. The teachers who succeeded him paid two dollars each week for board. Some of the other teachers were Eva Gentry, Mollie Bratt, Jessie Davis, Minnie Wilson, Messrs. Howley and Carrol, Miss Lockard, Mrs. Isham, Uri Babcock, Miss Wells, Georgia Morris, Ida Fowler, Daisy Halbert. Anthony Day, Etta Campbell, Ella Mordon, Misses Abbott and Allison, Jerome Wiltse, Messrs. Lively and Fisher, Misses Keedwell and Bracelin, Minnie Clift, Emma Loening, Grace Bain, Nellie Snoke, J. G. Dodds, P. K. Walsh, Sam Zimmerman, Lois Gridley, Oleta Youngman, Gustav Herr, Emma Staus, Andrey Wileman and Juanita Brown. George Snoke has kindly furnished most of the above information.

District No. 14-School district No. 14 was organized on June 2, 1869, by Supt. F. M. Williams .- Members of the first board were Jolin Tighe, director ; A. J. Flum, moderator, and Reuben Hill, treasurer. The first school house was built in 187t and the second in 1890. The first

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building was not adequate to the needs of the district. It measured twenty by twenty-four feet and cost six hundred and sixty-eight dollars. The building now standing cost one thousand dollars and measures twenty-six by forty feet. It is one of the best buildings in the county and is beautifully located. On August 10, the number was changed from 4 to 14. The list of earlier teachers follows: M. E. Linn, Belle Osborne, Helen DeWese (now Mrs. R. R. Draper), Luzetta Bray, L. N. Mills, Helen Burr, Belle Paterson (now Mrs. John Cornell), W. U. Snyder, Allie Lockard, Annie Worley, Bettie Wilkinson, Mary Cole, John Davis, W. S. Jones, L. A. Sells, J. M. Evans, L. Wilkinson, Nina Gentry, S. L. Mains, B. F. Crook, R. Cully, Anna Smith, C. W. Stratton and F. Stoltz. Those who assisted in the organization of the first school were John Tighe, Murtey Tighe, _\. J. Flum, Reuben Hill, George Smith, W. W. Fields and E. C. Hill. \11 have passed to the great beyond but George Smith. In 1873 George Smith was elected treasurer and held the office until 1889. The first school census in 1869 found thirteen persons of school age in the district. The largest census ever taken was in 1879, when sixty-nine were enumerated. George Smith was elected director in 1889 and held that position until 1909, when he moved to Dawson. He was a school officer for more than forty years. For many years Mr. Smith was a supervisor and commissioner of this county. During the past four years he has been county assessor. We are indebted to Mr. Smith for much of the information embodied in this paragraph.

District No. 16-The first school ever taught within the boundary line of district No. 16 was in a log house one-half mile east of the Cupola school house. by Miss Jane Cooper, in 1862, and another terin in 1864. The third term was taught by Miss Francis Mclain, in 1868, in a log house near Sardine creek. In 1870 W. W. Abbey, county superintendent, appointed John Parker, William Osmon and G. B. Patterson as school officers until the regular meeting time. In 1871 Francis Shaw taught a spring term in a house which stood near the present home of W. S. Marsh. On the first Monday in April, in 1872, a school meeting was held at Mrs. Parker's house, at which time it was decided to build a school house. Mrs. Parker offered to donate by deed one acre of land for the school site, which was accepted and the present site is still used for school purposes. It was de- cided to build a building eighteen by twenty-eight by ten feet, with a belfry, eight windows and so forth. The contract for the building was let to Charles Henderson. The house was not completely finished with lath and

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plaster until 1878. The house cost six hundred and fifty dollars. Some of the early teachers were Libbie Conrad, Anna Bagley, Mattie Jones, Miss G. A. Lacy, Ida Cornell, Lucinda Marsh, Hattie Wood, Belle Patterson, Harriett Ruch, Sadie Ross, Flora Huff, Della Merriam, H. H. Levey, Rebecca Cully, C. A. Watkins, Belle Parsons, F. E. Northup, Lulu Col- glazier, George W. Morris, Winnie Watkins and Ora Marsh. This school can boast of at least two county officers on its school faculty. In August, 1892, the first school house was blown down during a severe storm and completely destroyed, with most of its furniture. In the same month a meeting was held and it was decided to rebuild the building, making the new dimensions eighteen by thirty-six by ten feet. G. W. Morris was en- ployed to build the school house and also was elected to teach the first school in the new building. This school house is still one of the best build- ings in the county.

District No. 23-Mrs. George Linsacum is author of the following state- ments. District No. 23 was organized in 1862 and the first school house was located one mile west of the present location. Mrs. Linsacum was a pupil of this first school, which was conducted in a log school house. Pro- fessor Williams, afterwards county superintendent, was the first teacher. William Parchen was the next teacher. Twelve attended the first school. A postoffice was established in this neighborhood and Professor Williams was the postmaster. The settlement was named Williamsville in honor of Mr. Williams.

District No. 24-(By M. A. Arnold). The first school was held in this district, in 1872, at the home of Henry Nesbit, who resided about three- fourths of a mile west of the present school house, and a three-months term of school was taught by Miss Ella Spickler. The teacher's salary was raised by subscription at three dollars per pupil and the enrollment was about fourteen during the first term. The two succeeding terms were of four months each and were taught at the home of Jacob Arnold. In 1876 a school house was erected-a frame building eighteen by twenty-four feet, which was subsequently sold to Jacob Arnold, in 1876, for twenty-five dol- lars. This house still stands on a farm one-quarter of a mile west of the present school house. The new building erected was twenty-six by thirty- six feet in dimension and cost to build, six hundred- dollars. It is still standing. The first school board was composed of the following men : Jacob Arnold, Henry Nesbit and Charles Spickler. During the early years the school terms were from two to four months in length and were held

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at any time during the year. G. W. Marsh, now a resident of Lincoln. taught this school in 1881. H. M. Lint was the teacher in 1886 and re- ceived a salary of thirty-five dollars a month for a term of four months. Fannie Birdsley taught in 1887; William E. Slagle had charge in 1888; G. W. Stump, 1889-91; J. R. Reed, 1891-92; George Martin, 1892-93: I. T. Peck, 1893-97; R. J. Dunn, 1897-1902; C. E. Benson, 1902-03; Daisy Arnold, 1903-04; Nellie Arnold, 1904-05. Others were W. J. Cavin, Vesta Lively, Alice Yoder, Marie Dodds, Ruth Wheeler, Iola Wiles, Fred Meinzer and Mary Kean.

The discipline in the early days was difficult at times, on account of the larger boys wanting to have their own way. The teacher generally settled the disputes satisfactorly to all, although it was sometimes necessary to call in the school board. The present district moderator, R. Faller, has held the office for seventeen years and his father held office three years previously ; the son taking his father's place upon the latter's death. George Martin, who taught here in 1892-93, is now one of the prominent educators of the state. The site of the school was deeded to the district by Jacob Arnold and wife.

District No. 26-The early history of this district "runneth back to the time that men knoweth not of," for it is not known when the district was organized, who the first school officers were, when the first school house was built, nor who the first teachers were. The first record that is known dates back to 1862, when school was "kept" in an old log house that soon became too small and in 1864 a new house was built, with two stories, at a cost of three thousand dollars. At one time there were so many in the district that desired instruction in German that two schools were held. Eng- lish was taught on the first floor and German on the second. Following are the names of a number of the earlier teachers: Alice Walter, Mr. Massock, Mr. Ginter, W. R. Thorndorf, H. H. Brunstetter, B. F. Cling, J. F. Layson. Amanda Sellers, J. Plouing. C. F. Cain, Thomas Cain, G. E. Munson, J. V. Anderson, Lizzie Anderson, C. B. Schaeffer and Mary E. Danner. At an early day Arago was the leading point in the county because of its proximity to the Missouri, in the days of steamboat navigation. Information is not available as to the time when the present school house was built. However, it must have been many years ago, as the district will soon need a new building and more equipment.

District No. 27-This school district was organized on January 14. 1860, and the following officers were elected: Henry Fischer, director;

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Charles Pribbeno, treasurer ; Maurice Langdon, moderator. The school house was built the same year. It measured eighteen by twenty-six feet and cost five hundred dollars. Following are some of the earlier teachers: H. Brunstetter, John Teeter. David Noyes, Mr. Zonhesier, Ellen Raleigh, Emily Shore, Emma Lawrence, Miss McCowen, Maggie Stewart, Sophia Gehling. John and William Leonhardt, Susan Gehling, Mable Abbott and Mina Dan- ner. Henry Fischer, of this district, served in the Nebraska Legislature as representative in 1885.

District No. 31-District No. 31, in Ohio precinct. was organized in the year 1869, and the following officers were elected: . A. B. Foutch, di- rector : W. H. Mark, moderator ; B. C. Zumbrunn, treasurer. In the spring of 1870 the school board decided to have a school. The building to be used for the purpose was an old house used jointly by this district and district No. 77 and was known as the Allison school. It was located one mile south of where the present building is situated. Charles F. Peabody taught several months in this building in 1870. In April. 1870, the school board decided to build a school house for district No. 31 only, to be twenty-eight by twenty- four by ten feet in dimensions, and appointed B. C. Zumbrunn, J. G. Hein- zelman and L. D. Cunningham as the building committee. The exact cost of the building cannot be ascertained, as it was not built by contract. Fol- lowing are some of the earlier teachers: I. W. Funck, William Jones, G. C. Waggoner, Mrs. N. E. Pierce, A. H. Sloan, Mary Moore, Senora Cor- nell, William Snyder, Mrs. G. A. Schelhorn, E. E. Shouse, Harriett Ruch, Flora Huff, G. W. Stump, Susie Melvin, S. F. Smith, Frank Wiser, C. T. Roberts, Nellie Long. W. H. Carter, Delia Harkins. Nellie Sloan and G. E. Jones. In the year 1874 the district was involved in a little trouble which was decided in the circuit court. The trouble was with G. C. Wag- goner, who taught the school without a certificate, but with the understanding that he would get one. He completed the term without making an attempt to secure a certificate and afterwards was unsuccessful, whereupon the board refused to pay his salary. The case was carried to the circuit court and there was decided in favor of the district. Waggoner also sned Amos Frank for his salary as preacher. He stole some clothing from J. D. Lorton and a pony from William Aynes and then "skipped." In the year 1889 W. H. Mark, of this district, was a candidate for sheriff on the Republican ticket, but was defeated by a few votes. 1. W. Funck, the second teacher in this district, was afterwards a successful dentist at Beatrice and, in 1888. served in the Legislature as state senator from Gage county. Last year

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the district, feeling that they needed a new building, erected a fine new structure on the same location. It was made modern both in and out and is a decided credit to the community.

District No. 34-We are largely indebted to William Fenton for the following account. School district No. 34 originally comprised the north- east quarter of Grant township, including the north half of the present vil- lage of Dawson. Since then much of its territory has been annexed to districts 14, 43, 92 and 95. In the fall of 1867 an informal meeting of the voters of district No. 34 was held at the residence of the Fenton brothers, where now stands the imposing dwelling of J. G. Heim. Among the old settlers present at that meeting were M. L. Libbe, S. C. Barlow, Dennis Fenton, R. B. and S. A. Allen, M. Riley, M. Bennet, Ben Miles and Wil- liam Fenton. A number of the above are still hale and hearty residents of Dawson and vicinity. At the annual meeting in 1868 the citizens were a unit in favor of building a school house. The officers elected were Wil- liam Fenton, moderator; M. L. Libbe, director, and M. Bennet, treasurer. The location of a site was difficult to agree upon and the summer was far gone before a decision was made. E. C. Hill, with his characteristic pug- nacity, contended for the geographical center and declared he would die in his boots before he gave up. The geographical center was found to be a duck pond. The committee in charge felt that it had no right to select a mill by a dam site, so a different location was agreed upon. The first school opened in 1869, with S. C. Barlow as teacher. District No. 34 claims the honor of having had the first school bell in this county. Shortly after the school house was built the young people of the community pre- sented a petition to the board, signed by most of the inhabitants of the district, petitioning the board to allow the school house to be used for a dance, the proceeds to be used for a bell. Against the opposition of M. L. Libbe the request was granted. When the time for the dance arrived the young people from. Richardson and several adjoining counties were in at- tendance and, as Mr. Fenton says, "I never saw such a mob in my life." Barlow's house was conscripted for the emergency to help take care of a bad bargain. But in the end enough money was on hand to buy the best bell in Brownville at that time. The bell is gone now and no other informa- tion is available upon the subject.

District No. 42-District No. 42, of Grant precinct, was organized in 1868. On the first Monday in 1869 the qualified voters met and elected the following: \. Page, director; R. S. Ruthford, treasurer; Jacob E.

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Johnson, moderator. In January, 1870, a meeting was held at the home of John Homes for the purpose of selecting a site for the school house. This was finally located on H. H. Hunt's property. The school house was built by subscription and was twenty-six by eighteen by ten feet, and in addi- tion to the donations cost one hundred and forty-two and one-half dollars. It was used as a school house for about nineteen years, at the end of which time it was sold to W. J. Williams, who afterwards used it for many years as a granary. Mr. Hunt taught the first term of school and was followed by A. H. and S. W. Sloan, Ellen DeWeese. R. E. Lemmon, John Evans, A. P. Unkefer, Miss F. J. Pool, R. E. Grinstead, E. M. Broughton, A. M. Fowler, Hannah Elwell, Minnie Young, Charles Pool, Emma Young, B. F. Crook, R. L. Hoff, E. W. Lawsen and S. L. Hilbert. A special meeting was held at the school house in 1888, at which time it was agreed to build a new school house, forty by twenty-four by twelve feet. It was erected before the close of the summer and cost one thousand dollars. The school officers at that time were J. K. Kelley, A. Page, H. F. Richart, J. A. Kuhl- man taught the first term in the new school house and was followed by Neva Ray, W. M. Estes, Nora Guinn, Aggie Richart, Mary Ray, A. P. Unkefer, Emma Grinstead and Boyd Unkefer. This district still boasts one of the best schools in the county.

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History of Richardson County, Nebraska : its people, industries and institutions, Part 34

Author: Edwards, Lewis C Publication date: 1917 Publisher: Indianapolis : B.F. Bowen Number of Pages: 1742

Author: Edwards, Lewis C
Publication date: 1917
Publisher: Indianapolis : B.F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1742