LOUISA COUNTY, IOWA

Pg 15

SCHOOLS

Transcribed by Beverly Gerdts, submitted June 10, 2017

       One subject of interest to everyone is our schools. No doubt there were schools taught from the beginning of our community. We find a record in 1855 where there was the beginning of a school system in Louisa county. When the fist school building was built in Fredonia, is another fact we have been unable to obtain.

       In February, 1848 Fredonia township supported two school districts, with 80 scholars. School funds collected were $230.52 and $23.67 taxes in 1846.

       There are several in our community who attended school in the old school house. It was located on the south side of the block, facing south and near the southeast corner. It was a small one room, frame building. And several have told me there were as many as 110 scholars attending, during a term. And one teacher taught them all. A teacher was hired for only three months at a time. As many as three teachers would teach during a nine month term. At one time a nephew of Mrs. Rev. Pusey was teaching and there were so many young men attending school, they ran the young nephew out. Mrs. Pusey was a teacher and a lady of good stature and she asked permission to finish the term, which was granted. And teach them she did. Much more to the surprise of the young men than any one else.

       Among the teachers we have learned of are: Mrs. Pusey, Jason Chandler, John Byram, Miss Lizzie Hughes, …

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... C. Carter, Lizzie Raney, Elizabeth Owens, and Galey Gladhill , or Galey Gamble, as some remember her. Galey was the last to teach in the old school building and the first to teach in the new building. On record we find where D. C. Maxson sold a lot to the Fredonia school in 1894, and several have expressed the opinion that the new school was built around 1895. There have been so many fine teacher taught here since then, that it would be impossible to name them all without a record.

       Among the few we have learned about are; Amy Rowland, Inez Weber, Fred Morrs, J. J. Car, Gertie Dallemeyer, Geneva Lee McRoberts, Mrs. Lillian Taylor, Mrs. Guy Crull, Mrs. Paul Klotz, Margaret Barker, Lola Lewis, Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Schlichting, Mr. and Mrs Marvin Coder, Maxine Blankenhorn, Mrs. Grim, Mrs. Paul Johnson, Mr. Abbott, Dean Jacobs and Lola Lewis.

       At this date, May, 1956, the Concord district has voted Fredonia be consolidated with Columbus Junction, so this will be the last year as an independent school. Mr. Abbott and Mrs Johnson, both of Coneville, are the teachers at this date.