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A part of the IAGenWeb and USGenWeb Projects Early History of County Schools |
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A part of the IAGenWeb and USGenWeb Projects Early History of County Schools |
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Following is a partial history of early Jefferson County schools, as of 1972; several early schools in Buchanan Township were researched by the Retired Teachers Association.
"The Fairfield Ledger"
Friday, May 26, 1972
Page 2, Columns 1, 2, and 3
Retired Teachers' Project--
History Of County Schools
Interesting historical tidbits on schools in Jefferson County are being compiled by members of Jefferson County Retired Teachers Association.
Stories about Buchanan Township schools were given when the association held a coffee Wednesday morning at the home of Mrs. Lucile Kepler. Mrs. Gladys Pencil was co-hostess and there were 24 members present.
Five schools were researched, and rather than cut the histories, some of them will be published here today, and the remainder will be published in tomorrow's Ledger.
Mrs. Eugene Kaska reported on Buchanan Schools No. 4 and 6. Buchanan District No. 4 was the first schoolhouse east of Fairfield on Highway 34 on the Wadesdale Farm. Mrs. Glenn Shafer was called on to help with this information. Her father, Charles Clapp, who was born in 1868, as well as Mrs. Shafer attended the school.
In the year 1911 Mrs. Kaska's husband, Eugene was asked to start to school in the spring term at the age of 4, in order to keep the school open.
The first No. 4 building was replaced by a new two-door building during the time Kaska attended. This schoolhouse is still being used by the Fairfield Community School District and is located north of the present high school.
Mrs. Shafer recalls that much literary and social life was carried on at night at the schoolhouse. There were box suppers, spelling bees, Christmas programs, declamatory contests, debates, and PTA meetings. At one PTA meeting C. W. Wade presented the school with a $25 check for needed articles.
Some schools had big school bells in a bell tower but many just had a small desk bell. Several ponies were often seen in the school yard, which provided transportation for the children. The teacher often rode horseback to school. A pony shed was often attached to the coal building.
Buchanan District No. 6
Much of this information was secured by Mrs. Tony Arndt, a member of the Jefferson County Retired Teachers Unit, who talked to the Roach family for history of the school.
The first schoolhouse was a log cabin, built near the railroad in the Beckwith community. It was destroyed by fire. It was thought that men walking through the country on the railroad tracks could have set it on fire from an overheated stove, for many such travelers spent the nights at schoolhouses in the early days. It was replaced by a second building.
Eighth Grade County Graduation Day in the spring was a big event. All eighth grade students were required to take county examinations conducted by the county superintendent at the court house in order to pass.
Most of the early rural teachers had to pass a state teachers examination given by the county superintendent to secure a teachers certificate. However, some attended a Normal Training school and others went to college.
The Retired Teachers Association would appreciate any history, dates or other information of any school in Jefferson County from any interested persons. Please write or call Mrs. Eugene Kaska or any Retired Teacher member. The school research project will be continued next year. Schools 1, 2 and 3 will be reported tomorrow.
Mrs. Kaska conducted the business meeting.
A coffee for the teachers retiring this school year was planned for the month of June, at the home of Mrs. W. G. Pence.
There were 19 nominees for the Retired Teacher of the Year 1972, in the state of Iowa. Local nominee, Mrs. Florence Clark ranked high on the list.
Mrs. H. L. Fulton read a poem, "A Lady My Age."
A book, "The Wiscom (sic) of Ethel Percy Andrus" has been presented to the local organization by the National Retired Teachers Association. It will be placed in the Fairfield Public Library at a later date.
Mrs. Etha Anderson became a new member.
Jean Bonar, a former member of the executive board, conducted the installation service of Mrs. Mildred Hoover as the association's new first vice president and program chairman. Officers for 1972-1973 are: president, Mrs. Eugene Kaska; first vice president, Mrs. Mildred Hoover; second vice president, Mrs. Mary Peck; secretary, Lucile Sipe; treasurer, Mrs. Florence Clark.
A few moments of silence were observed in respect to Mrs. Mary Oldfield, a member who died in April. Two childrens' books, "About Doctors of Long Ago" by Naida Dickson, and "I Want to be a Service Station Attendant," by Eugene Baker have been placed in the Public Library as a memorial to her.
"The Fairfield Ledger"
Saturday, May 27, 1972
Page 2, Columns 8 and 9
Historic Bits About Three Rural Schools
Facets of historical interest about Buchanan District schools 4 and 6 were published in Friday's Ledger. These were reports made by members of the Jefferson County Retired Teachers Association.
Mrs. Elmer Larson reported on the history of Buchanan Township schools 1, 2 and 3. She told how each district elected a director who was responsible for hiring a teacher, providing kindling, fuel, a broom, dust pan, chalk, erasers and other necessities. The directors, from each school in the township met and elected a president from their members. The group selected a secretary and treasurer from the people of the township.
The teacher did his own janitor work unless he chose to hire someone to do it. The school year was divided into three terms: fall term, two months; winter, four months; and spring term of two months. Sometimes there would be a different teacher for each term.
It was around 1910 to 1915 that schools began to have nine month terms with the same teacher.
The county superintendent made a visit to each school several times a year for the purpose of observing and supervising--a time of tension for both teacher and students!
Upper Richwoods
Mrs. Larsons' father, Martin Flinspach, attended District No. 1, known as Upper Richwoods in the latter part of 1860.
The story is told of Alonzo Webb, one of the students who was artistically inclined. He irritated the teacher constantly with his drawing. One day the teacher said, "If you must draw, go to the blackboard and draw!"
Webb had colored chalk and covered the board with a forest fire scene with leaping flames and animals running. It was so fine that the teacher left it for many weeks. Alonzo later became principal of an art school in Nashville, Tenn.
Mrs. Larson's mother, Iowa Dallner Flinspach, taught at No. 1 in the late 1880's. Among the students were Virgil Howard and his sister, Anna; Henry and Andrew Shafer, Preston Duncan, Frank and Robert Flinspach.
In 1914-1918 there were between 28 to 32 pupils with all eight grades. During that time the school took part in an Old Settlers parade representing an old-fashioned school. No prizes were won but Madam Schumann-Heink, who was in town for a concert, said the school reminded her so much of her own childhood that she gave the school $25 of her own. The money was used to purchase a large wall clock and a dictionary. Emerson Masden bought the clock when the contents of the building were sold and he still has it in his home.
Prairie Chapel
This school, Buchanan District No 2, was in the same yard as the church. It was a large school and the first building was brick. It was replaced with a frame building about 1905. Some of the students who attended this school were children from the families of John Kann, Jonathan Louder, Joe Burke, Perry and Ed Bates, Ira and Dennis Green, William Stoner, Martin Flinspach, David McCarty, Ollie Kerrick, John Larson, Etna Mitchell, John Hutchinson, Ed Brobston and Owen Weaver. The building is now used as a storage house for grain.
Mrs. Larson received some of this information from Clarence Switzer. The original building stood on the north side of the road on land belonging to Chandlers. David Switzer granted the district a rent free lease for 99 years on land on the south side of the road, and the school was moved. It was understood that whenever the land was no longer used for school purposes it would go back to the owner of the adjoining land. The new school house was built about 1870. The land where Kenneth Larson now lives was entered from the government by Lewis Chandler. The original deed was signed by James K. Polk and is in possession of the Larson family. The Larson children and Dr. John Castell attended Buchanan No. 3 school.
The Retired Teachers Association has embarked on the interesting project of brief outlines of the history of various Jefferson County rural schools. Anyone with history, dates and other information, is invited to write or call Mrs. Eugene Kaska, association president, with additional information.
"The Fairfield Ledger"
Saturday, July 1, 1972
Page 2, Columns 4, 5, and 6
From Mrs. Prince's Writings--
Beckwith School History
The Jefferson County Retired Teachers Association has been assembling histories of the various rural schools in the community. Following are excerpts of a history of Buchanan Township District No. 5 (Beckwith) School. It was written by the late Jennie Root Prince about two decades ago and given to Mrs. Eugene Kaska by Mrs. Arthur Keller, daughter of Mrs. Prince. The report was read by Mrs. Kaska at the June meeting of the Retired Teachers group at the home of Mrs. W. G. Prince.
"Away back in the fifties (1850's) the school house, presumably a log cabin, stood east of Beckwith . . . In what year or why it was moved to the present site I am unable to say."
It is one of the few schools still standing today at the original place. When the rural schools were closed No. 5 and land were sold at auction to Glen Prince, present owner of the homestead.
"The old school house that was here in my early days had long seats in the back and 10 or 12 of us sat together. Oh of course, we had lots of fun, for the teacher's eye was usually watching in the back part of the room."
1885 Vote
The late Loren Ogden gave Mrs. Prince the secretary's book of 1885 which states that a meeting had been held in March when it was voted to build a new school house.
"The sum of $375 was ordered to be levied for that purpose and on the second Monday of March 1886 a sum of $200 was ordered levied. On April 10, 1886 a meeting was held in the County Superintendent's office. Stewart Hopkins, I believe, was superintendent at that time.
"A. C. Root, (Jennie's father); Jim Maxwell and J. R. Davis were appointed a committee to see about securing additional land or a new site from Mr. Booker for the new school house. He refused to sell the land but said he would sell that little corner down east across the slough.
"So the land had to be condemned -- two thirds of an acre according to law and was appraised at $35 an acre. Mr. Booker refused to accept this amount and threatened to contest. They agreed to give him $50 and the deal was settled.
"The old school house was sold at auction to R. E. Caviness for the paltry sum of $14.60, he being the highest bidder.
"On August 31, 1886 a contract was entered into between the building committee and George Harmon of Richland, he being the lowest and best bidder, the building costing $725. On Sept. 28, 1886 the building was completed.
District Residents
"In 1887 there were 62 pupils of school age in the district. The names of the parents were Charles Schmidt, J. R. Davis, George Fell, Robert Mickey, Michael Hawkins, John Keltner, George McCormick, Francis James, Marcia James, Wesley Davis, Loren Clark, Harrison McCormick, Sim Caviness, Robert Sands, A. C. Root, Tell McClain, William Clover, George McClain, Mrs. E. Vanostrand, McDowell, Harvey Maxwell, Eber Davidson, Lew Tawcitt (sic), James Maxwell, Dave Doud and John August.
"Pupils names were Minnie and Emma Schmidt; Minnie, Elmer and Cora Davis; Sue Fell, Roy White, Charley and Nettie Mickey; Tillie Hawkins; Dora, LeRoy and Theodore Keltner; Pearl McCormick; Elmer, Edd and John Huff; Lily, Ella, Lizzie, Cora, Charley, Emery and William James; Edgar, John and Daisy Davis; Charlie, Stella and Roy Clark; Arthur McCormick; Ida Caviness; Belle, Etta, Hugh and Harry Sands; Victor, Dell and Jennie Root; Charley, Elmer and Fred McClain; Nellie Hoopes, Charley Vanostrand; Edgar, Walter and Charley Fawcett; Arthur, Ray, Nellie and Clayton Maxwell; John, James, Alpheus Davidson, Pearl, Ola, Will and Ray Maxwell; Amelia August; Sam, Jonah, Samantha and Dial Doud.
"The late Miss Lucy McClain had the honor of teaching the last term in the old school house and the first term in the present one. She was one of the teachers who didn't believe in "Sparing the rod and spoiling the child," and the few who did get a whipping never forgot it.
"Enrollment was between 35 and 40 and sometimes more, ranging in ages from 5 to 21 years. Our lessons were reading, writing, arithmetic, geography, grammer (sic), history and spelling.
"We recited every class every day and if we didn't know our lessons well we had to stay in at recess. Needless to say we all usually had our lessons for we didn't want to miss out on playing games at recess.
"The Beckwith school's name was the Egypt School but thanks to Lucy McClain and us scholars the name was changed to the Beckwith School.
Spelling Bees
"Yes, we had our joys and sorrows here -- joy when we could win at a spelling match and sorrow if one would miss a word in spelling and not get a head mark, for spelling in our school days was just as interesting as a horse race.
"On Friday afternoons we would usually choose up and spell down. Spelling schools were all the go. Several of us slept with our spelling books under our heads. Our school carried a chip on its shoulder that was hard to knock off when it came to spelling. The two mottoes, "Onward and Upward," and "Knowledge is Power," in the front of the school room were mottoes that were never forgotten.
"We carried drinking water from either Thomas Clovers' or Francis James', some little distance. Two would have their names on the blackboard for many days ahead to go for a pail of water and "Please teacher, may I pass the water?" was a favorite question.
Epidemic
"We only had one tin cup and sometimes it was quite rusty, so we all drank from the same cup as we didn't know anything about germs. It was a treat to get to pass the water. Some would spill it while others would see how long it would take them to swallow. Many were the black looks that one got from the teacher when passing the water.
"In about the year 1879 the children of Mr. and Mrs. Will Davis, four in number, got diphtheria, three of them passed away with the disease. One little girl, Lizzie, was my seat mate. The majority of the pupils took the disease, the old tin cup being the cause of it all.
"My first teacher was Junia Roger. Other teachers were John McElderry, Stewart Hopkins (who later was County Superintendent for many years), Katie and Jessie Chandler, Mary E. Bean, Lizzie Webb, Lucy McClain, Adda Garmoe, Nettie Kirby, Sherman Gibson and Sue Blair, these being the teachers of my school days. They were all good teachers as the Beckwith School had always been fortunate in securing excellent teachers.
$30 Per Month
"I don't remember that any teacher had to give up the school on account of the pupils. One of my last teachers remarked to me one day, "If you were all as good as Tressie Hawkins and Teckla Sharp, what a good school we would have." I remarked to him, "Yes, and you would earn your money too easy." -- $30 per month in the winter and $20 in the summer were the wages paid.
"We are of the opinion that all of the pupils that have ever attended the Beckwith School have proved to be good law abiding citizens and an honor to the school.
"April 30, 1889 the first Arbor Day was observed with a short program consisting of the reading of the Loyal Leaflet by May Maxwell, Minnie Davis singing "America" and other patriotic songs and declamations by every one of the 28 pupils present. The work of setting out the trees was done by Tell McClain. Seventeen trees were planted and named.
"Following are some of the teachers that have taught here since my school days --Mary Miller, Lucy McClain in 1891 in which the school records that Cleve and Nowell Caviness and Elmer Johnson are enrolled in the Primer Class. Next came Ollie Edwards and then Charlie McClain in 1892 with an enrollment of 36, Minnie Davis, Elizabeth Heaton, Mollie Lynch, Orpha Hull, Maggie Mack, Kate Duncan, Harlan Green, Art McElderry and Jessie Wary (the late Jessie Hisel).
"Spelling schools are a thing of the past. Our spelling schools that we attended were held at the library and were County Contests."
"The Fairfield Ledger"
Tuesday, December 19, 1972
Page 2, Columns 1 and 2
Map Start Of Schools In Jefferson County
The Jefferson County Retired Teachers Association has embarked on an interesting project, that of gathering information on the early schools in the county.
Following is the general history of Blackhawk Township and its schools located northeast of Fairfield. --Editor
The time of establishment of schools in a township was closely related to population, growth and grouping of settlers. On January 5, 1841, a majority of voters cast ballots favoring township organization and boundaries were set. An election was held at the home of Jesse Reigles.
Boundaries in Township 73 were designated to be known as Blackhawk Township. On May 1, 1844 the count taken by assessors found 5,694 inhabitants in the county, of this number 214 lived in Blackhawk Township.
It is obvious from the census there could have been but few schools or any organized districts. However, a "History of Jefferson County," tells us a Calvin Bennett taught the first school in Blackhawk Township in 1842. It does not tell where this school was located.
In 1846 the County Commissioners levied one mill for schools. this was the beginning of a general tax for the purpose. In 1847 the first distribution of funds so secured was made.
After the election of Superintendent of Public Instruction in 1850, a detailed report of schools in Jefferson County was submitted. Following this, the development of the common school system in the township proceeded rapidly.
Blackhawk Township, at the north edge of the county, was bounded on the north by Keokuk County, on the east by Penn, west by Polk, and south by Center Townships. Previous reports revealed that Pleasant Plain School was established in 1837, Packwood School in 1846.
It can be assumed that people living in Blackhawk Township began to feel the necessity for educational facilities closer to their homes. Nine school districts were laid out in the township, with District No. I being located in the northeast corner of the township. Districts 2 and 3 were west along the Keokuk County border. Districts 4, 5, and 6 made up the middle tier of schools. Districts 7, 8, and 9 were along the southern border. (It will be noted that Numbers, 7, 6, and 1 were along Highway I, as we know it now.)
These school districts were given nicknames, such as Philadalphia, Blue Point, Greasy Flat, and Prairie Gem. Quite often the school name was associated with a land owner in the district.
It has been very difficult to establish the exact date for the beginning of the various schools in the township, but it was probably between 1850 and 1860 or later.
Journal Begins
On March 13, 1858, by an act of the General Assembly of Iowa, and election was held in the several counties of the state and a "County Superintendent of Common Schools" was chosen to held office for two years. To this office in Jefferson County, Reed Wilkinson of Fairfield, was duly elected. He kept a "Journal of School Visiting in Discharge of My Office" and in this journal he mentioned visiting schools in Blackhawk Township for the first time.
On January 17, 1859 he made the following entry: "Very cold. Visited the schools in the eastern part of Blackhawk Township. In the S.E. corner found a school of about 18 scholars in a very poor house with a very poor stove. A backward school. Mr. Bond, teacher. He is pretty good teacher. Addressed the school and passed on north and entered the next school. Mr. Elliott, teacher. About 16 scholars. A good and new house. School a little more forward than the former one. School doing pretty well. Addressed and passed on north.
"Visited school No. I near Richland. Mr. Nutting, teacher. Forty scholars. Very noisy. Heard them studying aloud before I entered the house. Found some of the "Richland methods" of teaching arithmetic and definition of words, or rather the prefixes and suffixes of words. They have a very noisy way of singing these things. Good reading and spelling. It is quite doubtful whether the new method for teaching is at all useful, but it awakens interest. Spent the night with John S. Hadley, a Quaker. He is one of the Township Board.
"January 18, 1859. Visited the schools in the northwest and middle of the Blackhawk Township No. 2, taught by Mr. Wightman, a very superior teacher, 22 scholars -- a log house. Very fine readers -- good spellers. Richland method of teaching introduced. I did not forbid these new things, but discouraged them. One mile further west another school in a log house. Poor school, very backward. Mr. Crowner, teacher. He seemed discouraged. He remarked that in the recent division of the District into two parts, the poorest scholars were left for him.
"Addressed all the above schools. Same day visited the central school. A Mr. Gaines neighborhood. A very small school. On the roll not more than 16 or 18. Present about 9 pupils. Mr. Kirkpatrick School doing finely. One of the best scholars for the time he has studied in Geography which I have seen yet. Addressed the school and came home."
After talking with many older citizens in the township it has been interesting to compile a limited history of the nine schools. They will be published as space allows. This report was compiled by Mrs. Z. V. Altman, Mrs. Marie Grauel and Anna Millane. Information was obtained from the Public Library, office of the County Superintendent of School, Mrs. George Boughner and other township residents.
"The Fairfield Ledger"
Saturday, January 13, 1973
Page 2, Columns 4 and 5
Histories Of Schools In Book And Slate Era
The following story is part of the history of early Jefferson County schools which has been prepared by members of Jefferson County Retired Teachers Association. An earlier story was published Dec. 19, and it will be continued from time to time as space allows. Editor
Blackhawk Township No. 1
The first school in District No. I was built on the east side of Highway I, on the Pleasant Plain road. It was over the first small hill on a grassy slope with a creek to the east. Charlie Hendricks was the first teacher. When the building became inadequate it was sold to a Mr. Leech, moved across the road to the north and used for a corncrib. The second building was located on the west side of Highway I, on land then owned by the William Rice family. One former pupil, Sumner McCracken, tells us he started to school at No. I in 1892 or 93 and the school had been built many years before that time.
One interesting experience for Mr. McCracken was Arbor Day, when the teacher took all the children to hunt wild flowers. Along the way they dug up some young trees to set out in the school yard. Over the years he watched these trees grow and provide shade for several generations of boys and girls. The McCracken, Leech, Rice, Bray and many other families were "at home" in District No. I.
Blackhawk Township No. 2
(Philadelphia)
District No. 2, known as Philadelphia School, was located in an area settled mostly by Hadley and Hinshaw families. Uncle Jesse Hinshaw and Noah S. Hadley were looked up to as the "old timers" and many a tale they could tell of early years.
Mrs. Kenneth Clark (Cecil Hinshaw) attended Philadelphia School for several years and later taught the school for one year in 1918. Of special interest to her were the contests between this school and one in Richland Township, known as the "Boston School." The friendly rivalry spurred most of the girls and boys to do their best. The Liblin family and others lived in this district. From 1926 to 1931 Naomi Sasseen taught No. 2 School.
Blackhawk Township No. 3
(Blue Point)
School districts No. 3 and No. 4 near the west border of Blackhawk Township were much closer to the Packwood community, therefore when that school consolidated in 1920, Blue Point and Greasy Flat joined with the Packwood School system.
The first school in District No. 3 was a log cabin, built sometime before 1853. It served as a school and a Methodist Church as well. This building was located several rods west of a later school house.
Frank Lock was raised in this community and went to Blue Point School. His first teacher was Anna Allen. In 1912-1913, Rilla Hadley Lock taught the school. Other teachers were Emma Hadley, June Gire, Verle Bottorff and Duane McCracken. The last teacher was Mabel Bales Barron in the year 1919. The district school was closed after that.
The John Shy family owned land in Blue Point district and Shy was the school director for many years. Mrs. Leona Clarke tells us her home was directly north of the Shy farm and she went to school at No. 3.
Blackhawk Township No. 4
(Greasy Flat)
Greasy Flat or District No. 4 was built on flat, level land, unlike the rolling wooded areas of other Blackhawk schools. We do not have specific information on the early history of this school but the district joined with the Packwood Consolidation in 1920. Some early land owners were the Healds, Estes, es, and Woolums (sic).
Houston Sasseen lived in this district and went to school at No. 4. Mabel Wagner was one of his teachers. In early years if a pupil didn't like a teacher he would change schools and this often happened. Big boys usually went to a school for a term or two and then returned to their home district if a new teacher took over and seemed to be lenient. This happened several times at Greasy Flat and at other schools.
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