First School Organized In Colfax 1869

BAKER, BLISS, CARPENTER, CLARK, CROW, DAVIS, DEWEY, DOTSON, ENSIGN, HALL, INGERSOLL, KELSEY, KENNEDY, KINTZ, LEIGHNER, MCCLENNAHAN, PARSONS, PENQUITE, PIERCE, PRICE, PRUITT, RYAN, SANDERSON, SWANK, THOMPSON, TRIPP, TROTH, VAN GILDER, WEST, WESTON, WILMINGTON

Posted By: JCGS Volunteer
Date: 2/16/2014 at 21:53:19

Fragments of County History
The following is one of a series of extensive articles being compiled by the Jasper County Historical Society on early Jasper county history.

First School Organized In Colfax 1869 - Written by B. C. Paschal

The plat of the town of Colfax was recorded July 22nd, 1869. At this time the nearest school was located several miles southeast of town. A subscription school was established. Miss Nannie Ingersoll was secured to teach the first school which was held in a deserted saloon building owned by Joseph Van Gilder and located on the corner of Howard and Walnut streets where the J. B. Ryan house now stands.
The second building used for school purposes was a room over what is now the Werrick Drug store, corner of Walnut and Howard streets. The teacher for this school was Lewis Kintz. Later the school was moved to the Presbyterian church which was located on the Luther lots near the Mills House. Rev. Thompson, pastor of the church, acted as director and his wife was employed as teacher. Daniel Swank was later hired as teacher. In 1871 the trustee of Washington township purchased four lots on the site near the John Davis home on the hill for $75.00 and here was built the first schoolhouse. Mr. Hall was the first teacher in this building. He was followed by Wm. Crow, E. E. Dotson, Mrs. Carpenter, and Ed Crow. In 1876 Colfax boasted a population of 300 which entitled her to become an Independent District. March 31st, 1876, an election was held with 93 votes cast, 55 for and 88 against the issue. On April 19th the electors met to organize the Independent District. Wm. Kelsey, Richard Price, Homer Weston and J. M. Kennedy were elected as directors and officers. Ed Crow, who was teaching at this time, resigned and Wm. Sanderson completed the two months term.
On April 22, 1876, an election was ordered to be held May 6th on the question of erecting a new school. On the same date they authorized the Board to issue bonds for $3500. The school house, which was built this same year, was said to be a very noticeable object to a stranger visiting in town, it being 40 feet square, two stories high, at a cost of $4000. Teachers were Mary Wilmington, Anna Troth, Adelia West, and Mrs. M. M. Leighner. On account of the continued growth of the school the Board considered the project of adding a brick basement on July 28, 1890. An excavation of 48 square feet was made making two large rooms with 10 foot ceilings giving 6 rooms in the building. The building accommodated the growing population until 1895 when an election was held voting $15,000 bonds for a new school building and location of same. The result was 166 votes for bonds, 212 votes against; 114 for new site, 257 for old site. June 12, 1895, a second election was held with 220 for bonds and 58 against. In July the same year the Board purchased the A. A. Penquite residence and two lots of H. L. Weston, one-half block in all, on Washington and Walnut streets, at a cost of $3200.
Contracts for bids were received to let August 5, 1895, but on August 2, 1895, an injunction was served restraining the school board from building on the new site. Heated litigation ensued. Judge Dewey dissolved the injunction which decision was reversed by the Supreme Court of Iowa, December 1896, after the building was finished and in use two months.
After the injunction was dissolved the Board awarded the contract, February 1896, to Buck and Rowles with J. F. Clark overseer. W. R. Parsons and son were architects. The building was 85 feet by 96 feet, pressed brick and stone, two stories and basement. It was ready for occupancy October 12, 1896. In May 1903 the Board decided to make four additional rooms by raising the roof over the east wing and lowering the ceiling three feet making another story 72 to 35 feet, giving two rooms 17 by 33 and two 22 ½ by 33 feet. The contract was let to H. W. Bliss, July 3, 1903, at a cost of $4,817, which amount was in the school treasury. The above is what is now the grade building.
From 1903 the population of Colfax increased rapidly until 1910. It was necessary to conduct kindergarten classes in the basement of the Presbyterian church. Later other buildings were secured to accommodate the overflow. This was very unsatisfactory, so, on April 7, 1910, an election was held for the issuance of bonds in the sum of $13,500 to build an additional school building. The election carried by 71 majority. Contract for the erection of a new high school was let by the school board on Tuesday June 28, 1910, to the Robison Construction Co. of Rock Island, Ill. The architectural style of the building was known as the English. It was to be two stories high with basement 75x83 feet, four recitation rooms, chemical laboratory and a large gallery. The contractors for the above building went into bankruptcy before the building was enclosed. H. W. Bliss of Colfax was employed to cover it and put in windows for protection. On August 10, 1911, an election was held and $5500 bonds were voted to complete the building and install a heating plant that would take care of both buildings. D. M. Tripp was in charge of subscriptions to buy equipment for the gym which was very successful. On March 1, 1912, invitations were issued for the dedication of the high school building. At 2 p.m. a program of music, prayer, talks by Prof. F. G. Ensign of Iowa City, Prof. T. E. McClennahan of Des Moines, Rev. Pruitt and Garner Tripp of Colfax. From 5 to 7 p.m. a chicken supper was served in the gym. From 7:30 to 8, band concert; 8:15 instrumental and vocal numbers, talks by board members, with the main address by Lieut. Gov. Clark of Adel, Ia.
June Baker was the first principal. She was succeeded by Mrs. J. M. Pierce.
Source: Newton Daily News; April 14, 1936.