| LOUISA COUNTY, IOWA |  |
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| LOUISA COUNTY, IOWA | |
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Transcribed by Sharon Elijah, November 15, 2019
Columbus City Township comprises the greater part of township 95 north, of range 5 west, together with part of township 74 north, of range 5 west, and a part of township 74 north, of range 4 west, and a part of township 75 north of range 4 west. Its settlement dates from 1836. The township comprises some of the best land and finest farms in the county. The first white settler was G. Barstow Williams. He came in the spring of 1836 from Montgomery Co., Indiana, and on his arrival camped about 13 miles west of Wapello. This was on the 4th day of July, 1836. At this time, the Indians, who were of the Musquaukee, Fox and Sac tribes, were still in possession of the country, with over one hundred of them being encamped within a mile of the cabin erected by Mr. Williams.
Maps of township
| 1. Dutch Ridge |
| 2. Ferndale No. 10 |
| 3. Lincoln |
| 4. Lone Oak No. 11 |
| 5. Louisa Center No. 1 |
| 6. Old Clifton No. 6 |
| 7. Pleasant View No. 2 |
| 8. Shellbark No. 5 |
| 9. Tennessee |
| 10. Yankee Town |
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Dutch Ridge was located north and east of Cotter across the road from the Hunter farm. The land was deeded by Leon P. Rouch in March 1861.
Lyrel Johnston Norris attended first grade and part of second grade in 1906-08 at Dutch Ridge. She and her younger brother, just five years old, rode a blind horse to school. A close neighbor took care of the horse during the day, and then lifted the two children on and sent them home at the close of the school day. Her brother, Royce, only attended on nice days, therefore, he had to repeat first grade. Upon his retirement from Western Electric, he said he was “probably the only one there who had flunked first grade!” Some days Lyrel rode to school with her teacher in her buggy along with Leona and Mamie Stapp. The Peters boys—Dennis, Omery, Jarrett—and their sister, Selina Peters Pugh, also went to school here.
It was reported that Paul Klotz attended Dutch Ridge and at an early age practiced his auctioneering, which proved to be his occupation in later years. Dennis Peters related that at noon and recesses the pupils would choose sides, and one pupil—usually Dennis—was chosen to be the horse to be auctioned to the highest bidder. Dennis said he received lots of exercise running from side to side.
Some of the teachers were Nellie Moore, Jay Stapp, Oliva Marsken, Mildred Parsons, and Edith Orr, who taught in 1918-19 for fifty dollars a month.
In 1920 the school closed. Pupils living east of the school went to Old Clifton and those west went to the new Cotter Consolidated. The Dutch Ridge school building is beside Cotter school today.
My memories of country school begin in my preschool years. The Carpenter school was located adjacent to the driveway into Grandfather Chown’s barn yard. It was a convenient place for the teachers to live. Since I knew the teacher, I was permitted to “visit” school or play with the pupils at recess.
When I was old enough to start school at Dutch Ridge, it was Grandfather Chown who took me to Columbus Junction where he bought for me a Beacon Primer and a slate. I still have that primer. Anna Leljah was my first teacher. She drove to school from her home and often passed my sister and me and the neighbor children. She never played favorites by asking even the smallest to ride. We lived 1 ½ miles from school. Daddy always took us and picked us up when the weather was unfit to walk.
My father was director for Dutch Ridge for several years. The director was responsible for hiring and paying the teacher and purchasing such things as kindling and coal for the pot-bellied stove, erasers and chalk. Remember those wooden boxes with the mitered corners and sliding lid that held those “long” pieces of chalk packed in sawdust?
I recall Esther Graffe, the only teacher who stayed in our home. Other teachers I remember were Berneice Kerr and Edith Orr, who drove from their parents’ homes.
Special activities like programs and box suppers were fund raisers for items other than those the district was required to supply. When I was in first or second grade the teacher’s boyfriend bought the box Mom provided for me. Kids today would be delighted, but not bashful me—I was too petrified to eat. Other special memories are of last-day-of-school picnics and walks in the woods to gather wildflowers.
A more serious recollection is of the once or twice-a-year visits by the County Superintendent of Schools. There was much preparation by teacher and pupils, as well as considerable suspense, maybe “fear” during the visit.
Recess and noon-time brought much enthusiasm, regardless of age or ability, for such games as baseball, Andy Over, Hide and Seek, Wood Tag, Black Man, Flying Dutchman (when a new snow fell), Fox and Geese. If you were too little to bat a ball, one of the bigger kids (on your side) helped you. Dennis Peters may not remember, but there were many times his assistance enabled me to hit the ball far enough to get me to first base. (How much influence do you suppose “getting to first base” may have been upon later happenings in my life? Plenty, I suspect.)
In bad weather the games Winkum, Simon Says, Hide the Thimble, Fruit Basket Upset were not well-accepted substitutes for the outdoor enthusiasts. I recall that one of the boys who trapped during the winter months “ran” his traps on the way to school. It was bad news when he took his seat in the heated school room.
Gifted and talented programs didn’t exist when my older sister was in the seventh grade at Dutch Ridge. However, dedicated teacher, Berneice Kerr, recognized Florence’s above average abilities. She believed that with some extra preparation Florence would be able to pass both the seventh and eighth grade required county high school entrance examinations when she completed seventh grade. Florence graduated from high school as Valedictorian of her class, and later from college with Phi Beta Kappa honors.
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Picture: DUTCH RIDGE
This photograph of pupils and mothers was taken the day of the school picnic. Front row, left to right: Louise Schomberg, Kathryn Schomberg, Robert Stapp, Donovan Stapp. Middle row: Andy Gardner, Everett Stapp,?, Sorothy Shook – visitor, Florence Shomberg, David Stapp. Back row: Bernice Kerr, ?, Grace Kerr (sister of teacher), Mrs. Kerr (teacher’s mother), Mrs. Gardner, Margaret Stapp, Roy Stapp, Mae Schomberg
In the early 1920s the pupil population at both Dutch Ridge and Cotter were insufficient to support a teacher. The directors agreed to consolidate the schools. My father had a “spring wagon” converted into a covered hack. He assumed the unpaid obligation to haul Dutch Ridge pupils to and from Cotter school. Mildred Parsons (later Shellabarger-Estle) from Letts was our teacher. There we joined the Stapp, Hawkins, Davis and Van Horn families. No doubt, others I can’t recall.
Cotter school provided me with my first ethnic experiences. Lupe and Paul, two Mexican (Spanish-American terminology was yet unknown) children were enrolled at Cotter. Their father was a section hand for the Rock Island Railroad. They lived in a boxcar along the tracks. Those children, out of necessity, had become well integrated and they spoke English with very little accent.
I am of the opinion the consolidation of those country schools was a major reason that my father sold our Dutch Ridge farm during the peak land prices 1918-1920. He purchased a farm near Letts (I still live there). Letts had an established consolidated school for all grades through high school, and a horse-drawn hack that would haul us to and from school. Daddy was serving on the Letts School Board at the time of his death.
Following my high school graduation, one year of college and twelve weeks of summer school required for a teacher’s certificate, I found myself back in country school - a teacher for two years at Sandy Grove. The memories of those years is another chapter.
I would not wish for teachers or children to turn back the calendar to a country school environment, but for what those memories and experiences have meant to me, as teacher and pupil, I am glad I didn’t miss that part of our public school education’s history.
| Years | Teachers | Months | Salary per month |
| 1918-1919 | Edith Orr | 8 | $50 |
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Picture: FERNDALE
Front row, left to right: Sadie Peters, Elizabeth Grouwinkle. Middle row: Charles Van Dyke, Les Walsinger, Ernie Walsinger, George Grouwinkle, Fred Rahmiller, Paul Grouwinkle, Bill Walsinger. Back row: Edna Rahmiller, Elsie Walsinger, Elsie Rahmiller, Abbie Reynolds, Jeff Cutkomp, Grace Rahmiller, Flossie Adamson, Bertha Walsinger, Pearl Adamson, Lela Adamson.
When I was at Ferndale it had 24 students and Jeff Cutkomp was the teacher. We had to walk a mile and a half up over a hill where the cold wind from the northwest met us in winter. We never had anyone take us. Some of the time it would rain on us all the way. The large stove in the back of the room would get us dried off by noon.
A bucket of water was brought from the Rahmiller home which was about ten rods west of the school. Usually two of the larger boys delivered it. When the snow was deep the larger students would go ahead and make a path. A dipper was used to drink the water, which wouldn’t meet modern standards. Outside toilets were air-conditioned by Mother Nature.
At Christmas, curtains were placed across the front of the room and some students spoke or were in plays. Of course moms and dad came to see their children perform. One young boy who could not remember his piece just stood there a minute, then moved around a little and said, “Gee, it’s hot up here,” and walked off. Blackman and Andy-over were two of the games played.
The students were all quite healthy but there was one day when just a few showed up for classes. We had been studying about making maple syrup. Some of us boys made a project out of it and gathered syrup from both maple and box elder trees. Of course, we had to taste it and over half the kids were out of school the next day.
We all had work at home to do before and after school, with chores on the farm. In the fall boys would trap for some spending money. A good skunk during the war would bring $4, and to us that was a lot of money.
The lunch buckets usually had jelly or apple butter sandwiches, apples, pears—sometimes meat sandwiches. After school a piece of homemade bread with butter and molasses was so good. A box supper was held once a year. The ladies brought boxes with food and the men would buy them so they could eat with certain women. Sometimes the fellows would make a boy pay a good price so he could eat with his girlfriend. The money was used to buy books.
The teachers of those days didn’t receive proper recognition or pay. Sixty dollars a month was the going rate. They had to build the fire early, sweep the floor, carry out ashes and prepare for eight different grades. Out of her wages she paid for room and board.
Over 60 years ago we drove a horse and buggy to high school. It was seven miles on dirt roads that could be deep with mud and really rough when frozen. We had to take care of our horses in the barn when we got to school and go out at noon to feed them.
In 1929 there wasn’t much money around for college. I found a job at ISU washing dishes three times a day at a fraternity for 28 boys. The next three years I waited tables. For a little spending money I spaded gardens for 25 cents an hour and walked to Ames to do it.
In 1933, the pay for school superintendent was low compared to today. Pay varied from $2800 to $3200 in Hardin County. We earned our money. The superintendent taught three classes and a farmers’ night school on Monday night. All bad discipline problems were handled by him. He managed the bus routes, planned athletic schedules, sent in all reports, ordered and collected money for all textbooks. We didn’t have a secretary fifty years ago.
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Picture: FERNDALE
Front row, left to right: Evelyn Pretz, Bill Martin. Back row: Marion Grouwinkle, Mary Mickey, Albert Dayton, Hilda Boulton, Franklin Grouwinkle, Betty Cutkomp McChesney – teacher
I walked to Ferndale school for 8 years, almost a mile and a half each way, in all kinds of weather. Walsingers lived about half way, so when it was real cold, we would stop there and get warm. We wore wrap-around leggings or leg warmers over our overshoes that came up to our knees to keep our legs dry when the snow was deep; they buttoned up on the sides.
The teacher’s desk was up in the front, and the long recitation bench was in front of it; that’s where we had our classes. The whole school got in on everyone else’s classes. You held up one finger if you wanted to go out to the outhouse. We had one water bucket and one dipper and everyone drank out of the same one.
We would put on programs at Christmas time and other times. We put up curtains we could draw open and shut, and there was a place on each side where we could stand. We recited poems, sang songs, acted out plays and dressed up for them. We drew names and had a Christmas tree and a Santa Claus. Everyone got the teacher something. The families would all come and sit out in the seats. The teacher would treat all the pupils to candy, oranges, etc.
On Friday afternoons, before school was out, we sometimes had something special, like a spelling match, art or games and we sang some songs. We always decorated the school house for all of the holidays, and we made the decorations. We had box suppers once in a while to raise money. We had to eat with whoever bought our box.
We played ball a lot and other games at noon and recesses. We had a fifteen minute recess in the middle of the morning, and one in the afternoon, and one hour at noon. We went to school from 9 o’clock until 4 o’clock.
Gladys Ball taught Louisa Center school and Ruth Ball, her sister, taught Ferndale; that was in 1920 and 1930. Mary Grim, Marie Kriener and Lela Adamson were other teachers.
On the last day of school, we took turns going back and forth to each other’s schools and the two schools would play baseball to see which school could win. Parents from both schools would bring picnic potluck food baskets and we all ate together. We usually had a last-day-of-school farewell program later in the afternoon.
We had sleigh rides and slid downhill on our sleds during the winter. When you got to the eighth grade, you had to go to the Wapello Courthouse and take the county grade tests. If you passed, you got a certificate and then you could to on to high school. A lot of the Valedictorians in the senior year were students who had gone to a country school.
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Picture: Marie H. Kreiner’s pupils in 1925
Front row, left to right: Lester Barrick, Henry Mickey, Pauline Brown, Luella Letts. Middle row: John Walsinger, Vera Grouwinkle (Wiley), Effie Grouwinkle (Crammond), Isabella Letts, Viola Adamson (Meyerholtz), Lela Mickey (Brotherton). Back row: Dottie Mickey (Ogier), Opal Walsinger, Bernice Grouwinkle (Newhard), Grace Peters (Ludwig), Gertrude Peters.
| Years | Teachers | Months | Salary per month |
| 1918-23 | Marie Kriener | ||
| 1923-24 | Ruth Ball | 8.5 | $85 |
| 1927-28 | Ruth Ball | ||
| 1929-30 | Ruth Ball | ||
| 1930-31 | Myrtle Lee | ||
| 1931-32 | Myrtle Lee | ||
| 1932-33 | Daisy Kemp | ||
| 1933-34 | Martha Blankenhorn (Hiller) | 9 | $60 |
| 1934-35 | Martha Blankenhorn (Hiller) | 8.5 | $50 |
| 1935-36 | Kenneth Woodruff | ||
| 1936-37 | Marie Cutkomp | ||
| 1937-38 | Jane Harbison | ||
| 1938-39 | Yula Rose Widmer | ||
| 1939-40 | Marie Cutkomp | ||
| 1940-41 | Marie Cutkomp | ||
| 1941-42 | Betty McChesney | ||
| 1942-43 | Laura Baker (Luckey) | ||
| 1943-44 | Laura Baker | 9 | $92.50 |
| 1944-45 | Betty Schoultz | $125.00 |
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Illustration: A souvenir given by Marie H. Kreiner to her pupils in 1925.
of our SCHOOL Picture of Teacher LIGHT OF KNOWLEDGE Ferndale School District No. 10 Marie R. Kreiner, Teacher PUPILS Eight Grade Berneice Grouwinkel Opal Walsinger Dattie Mickey Uteva Robison Seventh Grade Effie Grouwinkel Fifth Grade Lois Mickey Walter Waisinger Viola Adamson Grace Peters Gertrude Peters Third Grade John Walsinger Vera Grouwinkel Second Grade Pauline Brown Henry Mickey Primary Marion Mickey Myrtle Jamison, Co. Supt. School Board Guy Masonholder, President H. J. Oak, Secretary Henry Grouwinkle, Director |
Lincoln school was located in the Welsh neighborhood. It was just west (in a little field at that time) of our south horse barn. When Cotter was consolidated my dad bought the school house and converted it into a garage. I never attended school there, but at recess would go over and play. I remember play-acting eating ice cream by sticking a stick into a hedge ball but being told not to taste the milky substance that would ooze out.
Teachers that I recall were Lizzie Roberts, who married Edward Rees, and Cecilia May (Bailey). Some teachers in the early 1900s were Grace Fletcher, Edna Williams, Mary Orris and Mrs. John Williams.
My sister Gayle attended about three months as sort of pre-school before going to Cotter first grade in 1920 when Cotter Consolidated opened.
| Years | Teachers | Months | Salary per month |
| 1918-19 | Cecilia May | 8 | $55.00 |
| 1919-20 | Cecilia May | 8 | $75.00 |
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Picture: Lone Oak, 1911
Front row, left to right: Hugh Bretz, Milton Pretz, Veda Pretz, Russel Bretz, Guy Troxell, George Boulton. Second row: Pricilla Bretz, Jessie Cassabaum, Cecil Skipton, Gaylord Rahmiller, Edith Boulton. Third row: Roy Skipton, Glenn Bretz, Lizzie Rahmiller, Floyd Boulton, Russell Cutkomp. Back row: Edna Troxell, Flossie Pretz, Minnie Rahmiller, Elsie Boulton, Jennie Boulton, Lois Troxell.
Picture: Lone Oak, c. 1900
Front row, left to right: Jeff Cutkomp. Hallie Hanft, Chan Gentzler, Willie Gabriel, Eddie Cassabaum, Joe Marshall, Eddie Gabriel. Middle row: Rosa Cassabaum, Lillie Gabriel, Alberta Stewart, Jessie Marshall, Blanche Boulton, Sarah Cutkomp, Allie Biek. Third row: Bessie Whitman, Libbie Cassabaum, Mary Bretz-teacher, Kate Gentzler, Susie Gabriel.
Lone Oak school did not miss a single day during the cold weather during January and February 1936.
The Lone Oak school, taught by Miss Jean Hanft, made an exceptional record during the prolonged snow and cold weather which prevailed in Louisa County.
During this entire period when most county schools and many city schools were closed, school was held every day at Lone Oak with a majority of the enrolled pupils in attendance each day.
The Lone Oak school will present a Halloween program at the school house Friday night, October 25, 1936, at eight o’clock. After the program we will sell chicken salad sandwiches, pie, coffee and candy.
The Lone Oak school, which was taught by Miss Jean Hanft, closed Friday. A community supper was held Thursday evening with a large attendance. Miss Hanft has been re-elected for the coming year.
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Picture:
Front row, left to right: Russell Cutkomp, Stanley Cutkomp, Frank Skipton, Ray Skipton, George Boulton, Floyd Boulton, Cecil Skipton, Jessie J. C. Cassabaum, Joe Endicott, Floyd Boulton. Middle row: Helen Endicott, Silva Skipton, Marie Cutkomp, Edith Boulton, Jessie Stone (Rahmiller), Maude Boulton, Jennie Boulton Hanft, Elsie Boulton Hopkins, Cora Troxell (Morgan), Veda Pretz Marsden. Back row: Faye Dawson – teacher, Flossie Pretz Boulton, Edna Troxell, Guy Pretz, Milton Pretz, Hazel Boulton (Crawford), Carrie Boulton (Burgon), Velma Boulton (Cutkomp, Stella Boulton Hall, Frank Stone
Picture: LONE OAK, 1935
Arnold Cutkomp, Arlene Boulton, Billie Marvin, Buddy Hanft, Eddie Wilson
Floyd Boulton and his twin brother started school at Lone Oak in 1905. Zelda May was the teacher. They lived across the road from the school so they were able to go home for lunch. Of course they felt deprived because they couldn’t carry their lunch to school in a gallon bucket like the rest of the pupils. The twins earned five cents a morning during the winter if they would go to the school early and build the fire so it would be warm when the teacher arrived. There were eight children in Floyd’s family and that nickel went a lot farther in 1905 than it would today.
One prank he remembers well was at Halloween. Floyd and some of his buddies took the wheels off a spring wagon, carried the wagon into the school house, replaced the wheels and set it in the middle of the room!
Some of the teachers were Faye Dotson, Jeff Cutkomp, Tom Boden, Hilt McRoberts, Charlie Cassabaum, Blanche Boulton, Grace Fletcher, Mildred Beck and Georgia Rice.
The school was closed in 1950 and the building was moved to the Bill Boulton farm.
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Pictures: Lone Oak - Jean Hanft’s students.
Front row, left to right: Grace Wilson, Cladeen Smith. Middle row: Arlene Boulton, Bill Crooks, Buddy Hanft. Back row: Mina Wilson, Priscilla Wilson, Bob Crooks
Loan Oak - John Cassabaum and Bill Boulton
Lone Oak - Front: Grace Wilson. Middle row: Billie Marvin, Eddie Wilson, Arnold Cutkomp, Buddy Hanft, Arlene Boulton. Back row: Leona Marvin, Marie Marvin, Mina Wilson. Back: Jean Hanft – teacher.
My mother, Ruth Richardson, taught at Lone Oak 1922-24. At that time she was approached to teach in 1922, they had run two teachers out that fall and she felt it was a challenge. She had no trouble with the school children and we moved from Wapello to a house owned by Lee Cassabaum near the school. My brothers and I had to go to school. I was eight and my brothers were five and seven.
There was a Free Methodist Church called “Dixie” nearby which most of the people attended. At one time the school was called “hell’s Half-Acre.”
I remember the following families: Harold, Everett and Irene Cassabaum, Edith and Le Roy Pretz, Charles Rahmiller, Matie and Chet Cutkomp, Gerold Smith, Joe Boulton, Verlee and Lillian Cassabaum, and Eugene and Burdette Boulton.
My mother also taught at Toolsborough about 1929-30. We lived in Muscatine and during the week she boarded with someone near the school and came home weekends. My older brother and I were in high school at the time. There were two sisters named Richardson who attended this school but were no relation to us.
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| Years | Teachers | Months | Salary per month |
| 1918-19 | Miriam Verdow | 8 | $60 |
| Thomas Bouclen | 8 | $60 | |
| 1919-20 | Mildred Bailey | ||
| Nellie Wykert | |||
| 1920-21 | Marie Courtney | ||
| 1921-22 | Marie Courtney | $90 | |
| 1922-23 | Edith Blanchard | 8 | $85 |
| 1923-24 | Ruth Richardson | ||
| 1924-25 | Kathryn Courtney | 8 | $70 |
| 1925-26 | Russel Partington | 8.5 | $80 |
| 1926-27 | Russel Partington | 8.5 | $80 |
| 1927-28 | Esther Boulton | 8.5 | $70 |
| 1928-29 | Esther Boulton | ||
| 1929-30 | Marie Cutkomp | ||
| 1930-31 | Marie Cutkomp | ||
| 1931-32 | Miriam Lieberknecht | ||
| 1932-33 | Miriam Lieberknecht | ||
| 1933-34 | Marie Cutkomp | ||
| 1934-35 | Jean Hanft (Langstaff) | ||
| 1935-36 | Jean Hanft (Langstaff) | ||
| 1936-37 | Jean Hanft (Langstaff) | ||
| 1938-39 | Jean Hanft (Langstaff) | ||
| 1939-40 | Esther Boulton | ||
| 1940-41 | Esther Boulton | ||
| 1941-42 | Mary Edwards | ||
| 1942-43 | Mary Edwards (Holm) | ||
| 1943-44 | Kathryn Courtney | 3 | $92.50 |
| Doris Gerling (Clark) | 6 | $92.50 | |
| 1944-45 | Mary Buser | 9 | $125 |
| 1945-46 | Evelyn Waterhouse | 9 | $150 |
| 1946-47 | Betty Cassabaum | 9 | $165 |
| 1947-48 | Betty Cassabaum | 9 | $175 |
| 1948-49 | Doris Clark | 9 | $180 |
| 1949-50 | Josephine Gladfelder | 4 | |
| Geneva McRoberts | 5 | $225.00 | |
| 1950-51 | Closed |
Only three teachers are known who taught in the late 1800s at the Louisa Center school. These were Dr. Wilson Woodruff, who later practiced medicine in Wapello for many years; Chalmers Woodruff; and Thomas Morgan, who lived and farmed all his life in the Louisa Center neighborhood. Rebecca Woodruff Morgan arrived in Louisa County, Iowa with her family in 1851, and taught in the area before her marriage in 1864. Since she lived in the Louisa Center neighborhood, it is quite likely that she taught in the school there.
Some of the teachers who taught at Louisa Center from the 1920s to the 1940s were: Nellie Hammond, Thomas Boden, Lova Neal, Elizabeth Archibald Greshan, Helen McChesney, Gladys Ball, Helen Grim Fisher, Miss Ella Rose, Elisabeth Cummings, Juanita Carey Sands, Bessie Bates, Hazel Thompson, plus many others.
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There are 2 pictures on this page, the 1st one has no caption, the second one just says “What a group! 1934.
One of the early teachers was Thomas Morgan, son of Rebecca Woodruff Morgan. After finishing grammar school at Louisa Center, Thomas attended Business College at Fort Madison. At nineteen or twenty he began teaching at Louisa Center. He also taught at Dixie school, sometimes nicknamed, “Devil’s Half-Acre” due to some neighborhood dispute over the half-acre of ground donated for the school. For ten years Thomas taught three month winter terms of school. He farmed during the spring and fall terms. (Teachers were then hired for a three month term.) His wages were $100 for each term, and he saved his money until he had $1000 to pay for his farm. Some of Mr. Morgan’s pupils were the Wykert boys-Sam, Henry, and Thomas- Jim and Joe Smith and Mary Cutkomp. He also taught the younger Daily children. Rose, the youngest girl, carried notes between Sadie, her older sister, and “the teacher.” This romance culminated in marriage some years later. Both of Thomas’ daughters, Karen and Dorothy Morgan Hartsock, also attended school at Louisa Center. In the thirties and forties before the school closed their children—his grandchildren—attended school at “the Center”.
The opening date of the school is unclear, although we know Louisa Center existed in 1871 and very likely much earlier. Church records show that the schoolhouse was used as a meeting house for a branch church which was formed from a Baptist Church in Columbus City. Charter members were those who had been traveling by horse and buggy to church in Columbus City. Louisa Center Church minutes refer to the first meeting in 1871 at the schoolhouse. Church continued to be held at the schoolhouse until 1905 when the Louisa Center Church was built at the four corners just one fourth mile south of the schoolhouse.
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Pictures: LOUISA CENTER
Front row, left to right: Doyce Jennings, Raymond Smith, John Allen. Middle row: Verlee Smith, Mary Martin, Dick Sands, Dean Hartsock, Monroe Jennings, Robert Sands. Back row: Betty Smith, Bill Sands, ? – teacher, Jean Sands (Wykert), Warren Jennings.
LOUISA CENTER 1937
Front row, left to right: Peggy Hartsock (Brockway), Billy Dameron (Stephens), Charlene Woodruff, Sam Sands, Olin Jennings. Middle row: Adena Jennings, ?, Harold Woodruff, ?, Raymond Smith, Doyce Jennings, John Allen. Back row: Verlee Smith, Monroe Jennings, Harold Burch, Bill Winters, Bob Sands, Dick Sands, Dean Hartsock.
The school house was the center of community activity for many years. In the late 1800s literary programs were held each month. Here neighborhood talent was displayed, especially that of speaking and debating. A singing school was taught by Eva Kremer Woodruff. Spelling bees were important all through the years as well as box suppers, programs, plays and declamatory contests.
Most students who attended country schools seemed to get a good education. The one room school with many grades provided plenty of repetition and when the pupils entered high school in town they did well in competition with the town students.
There was plenty of fun, too - baseball and such games as Run Sheep Run, Andy Over, Fox and Geese, and Red Rover. On bad days they played Charades, Wink, and Clap-in Clap-out. Before there was a well at school, pupils vied for the privilege of going to the neighbors for a bucket of water which was carried back on a pole between two children. Of course grades needed to be up and work finished in order to rate this reward.
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Picture: LOUISA CENTER 1936
Front row, left to right: ?, John Allen, ?. Middle row: Verlee Smith, Betty Smith, Dean Hartsock, Doyce Jennings, Raymond Smith, Odena Jennings. Back row: Jean Sands, Monroe Jennings, Bill Winters, Dick Sands, Bob Sands.
| Years | Teachers | Months | Salary per month |
| 1918-19 | Mrs. N. Wykert | 8 | $55 |
| 1919-20 | Mary Orris | ||
| 1920-21 | Lova Neil | ||
| 1921-22 | Elizabeth Archibald | 8 | $75 |
| 1922-23 | Laura Oliphant | ||
| 1923-24 | Laura Oliphant | 8 | $80 |
| 1924-25 | |||
| 1925-26 | George Boulton | ||
| 1926-27 | |||
| 1927-28 | Gladys Ball | 8.5 | $85 |
| 1928-29 | |||
| 1929-30 | Gladys Ball | ||
| 1930-31 | Gladys Ball | ||
| 1931-32 | Gladys Ball | ||
| 1932-33 | Gladys Ball | ||
| 1933-34 | Helen Grimm | ||
| 1934-35 | Izola Metzer | ||
| 1935-36 | Helen Grimm | ||
| 1936-37 | Yula Rose | ||
| Bessie Bates | |||
| 1937-38 | Helen Grimm | ||
| 1938-39 | Hazel Thompson | ||
| 1939-41 | |||
| 1941-42 | Elizabeth Cummings | ||
| 1942-43 | Elizabeth Cummings | ||
| 1943-44 | Mae Peck | 9 | $92.50 |
| 1944-45 | Mae Peck | 9 | $125 |
| 1945-46 | Phyllis Stuh | 9 | $150 |
| 1946-47 | Phyllis Steele | 9 | $165 |
| 1947-48 | Wanda Jean Poggemiller | 9 | $175 |
| 1948-49 | Beverly Carey | 9 | $180 |
| 1949-50 | Juanita Carey | 9 | $225 |
| 1950-51 | Closed |
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Pictures: OLD CLIFTON
Front row, left to right: Marion Shellabarger, Howard Shellabarger, Lois Schlichting, Roy Shellabarger, John Schlichting, Hershel Fink. Back row: Myrna Bozman, Marie Bozman, Maxine Greene
OLD CLIFTON Front row, left to right: Lois Schlichting, Marie Bozman, Maxine Greene, Myrna Bozman, Mary Childerhouse. Back row: Helen Williams, Alcinda Orris, Alberta Stoner.
Being only seventeen when I graduated from high school, I had to wait a year before I could start teaching. I spent the following year working in Superintendent Northey’s office at Columbus Junction High School, now known as Columbus Community. The summer of 1948 I attended twelve weeks of summer school at Iowa Wesleyan, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. I received ten hours of credit and supposedly was ready to teach.
September of that year found me turning the key at Old Clifton. Needless to say I was just a little nervous when the eighteen pupils started drifting into the building to “size-up” the new teacher. I remember two brothers in seventh and eighth grades who were taller than I was. Since I didn’t drive, my father drove me to and from school each day. I remember he was early the afternoon of the first day. He was probably as nervous as I, as he taught school when he was first married in Andacia, Illinois.
I soon found that teaching was what I wanted to do. My four years at Old Clifton were very rewarding. The salary was $65.00 a month. Our school building had electricity. There was no well. The water had to be carried from the Robertson farm about a quarter mile to the west. The older boys were delighted to get out of school a few minutes early before lunch to carry the water.
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Picture: OLD CLIFTON
Front row, left to right: Hershel Finke, John Schlichting, Bill Greene, Lois Schlichting, Merna Bozman, Howard Shellabarger, Norma Finke, Marian Shellabarger. Back row: Roy Shellabarger, Marie Bozman, Maxine Greene.
During the winter months we had hot lunch. The families furnished milk, potatoes, canned tomatos, butter or whatever they could. I purchased the groceries: a large three pound can of “Our Mother’s” Cocoa 25 cents, two pound box soda crackers 15 cents, macaroni, sugar, etc. We could get government commodities at Wapello. My father would go during the week for me. As I remember there was flour, oatmeal, cheese, raisins and peanut butter; on Saturdays I baked oatmeal and peanut butter cookies and took them to school on Monday so we had cookies every day. The older girls would help prepare the food at recess and do the dishes after lunch. We ate a lot of macaroni and cheese, potato and tomato soup.
The highlight of the year would be our big Christmas program. It was so much fun decorating the room, putting up the curtains in front of the room and practicing recitations and plays. Santa always put in an appearance and handed out gifts and treats. The other fun time was the last day picnic with the families attending.
After four great years at Old Clifton I advanced to Fredonia with a raise in salary to teach the four upper grades. Margaret Williams Quigley taught the lower grades.
The two years at Fredonia were very rewarding. I remember how hard everyone worked to pass the eighth grade tests. These tests were given at Wapello under the supervision of the County Superintendent, Ada Smith. Those not passing would be required to repeat the eighth grade. The county spelling contest was also held in Wapello to choose the best speller to advance to the state contest. Another County activity was the seventh and eighth grade chorus that performed in Wapello in the spring.
Two happenings come to mind while teaching at Fredonia. The first, when I thought I saw a mouse racing toward my desk. Really he was trying to get to his home in the supply cupboard. Nevertheless, I was sitting on top of my desk while the boys captured the poor little mouse. The second memory is of a pupil sent to the blackboard to do an arithmetic problem. When she reached for the chalk she picked up a snake that was in the chalk tray. We all abandoned the room and walked to the Carey Grocery Store where we stated our problem. Ketchel Carey went to the building and took care of the snake. He warned us there would probably be another one close by. That afternoon we found one on the playground.
I was married while teaching at Fredonia and upon completion of two years I retired to raise our family of three sons. It was soon evident it wasn’t that easy to stay out of the classroom. I was soon substituting in Conesville and Columbus Junction. In 1954 I taught second and third and grades in Conesville. The following year I went to Grandview where I taught twenty-eight years in the elementary grades.
I completed my B.A. degree in 1966. This was accomplished by attending summer school and Saturday and Monday night classes. I graduated the same year our second son graduated from high school. Needless to say, I wouldn’t have accomplished my degree without the help and total support of my family. Also my superintendent in Grandview, Mr. A. R. Morledge, was a great help. He gave me encouragement when the going got tough.
As I look back over my career I can truthfully say my rural school experiences were wonderful.
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Picture: OLD CLIFTON
Left to right: John Schlichting, Phillip Stromer, Billy Greene, Lyle Crim, Dayton Crim, Alfred Williams, Lamoin Williams, Kenneth Stromer.
| Years | Teachers | Months | Salary per month |
| 1918-19 | Bernice Kerr | 8 | $55 |
| 1919-20 | Bernice Kerr | 8 | $90 |
| 1920-21 | Bernice Kerr | ||
| 1921-22 | Edith Boulton | 8 | $90 |
| 1922-23 | Fern Edward | 8 | $65 |
| 1923-24 | Lulu Orr | 8 | $125 |
| 1924-25 | Vera Schmeiser | 8 | $85 |
| 1925-26 | Vera Schmeiser | 8 | $85 |
| 1926-27 | George Boulton | 8.5 | $80 |
| 1927-28 | George Boulton | 8.5 | $85 |
| 1928-29 | Hazel Thompson | ||
| 1929-30 | Hazel Thompson | 8.5 | $85 |
| 1930-31 | Hazel Thompson | 8.5 | $85 |
| 1931-32 | Hazel Thompson | 8.5 | $80 |
| 1932-33 | Hazel Thompson | 8.5 | $80 |
| 1933-34 | Margaret Schlichling | 9 | $60 |
| 1934-35 | Harriet Lieberknecht | 8.5 | $50 |
| 1935-36 | Ruth Green | ||
| 1936-37 | Myrtle Lee | ||
| 1937-38 | Myrtle Lee | ||
| 1938-39 | Helen Oak (Clark) | ||
| 1939-40 | Helen Oak (Clark) | ||
| 1940-41 | Helen Oak (Clark) | ||
| 1941-42 | Helen Oak (Clark) | ||
| 1942-43 | Dorothy McCray | ||
| 1943-44 | Dorothy McCray | 9 | $92.50 |
| 1944-45 | Mildred Owens | 9 | $125 |
| 1945-46 | Jean Jones | 9 | $150 |
| 1946-47 | Laura Luckey | 9 | $165 |
| 1947-48 | Laurita Griggs | 9 | $175 |
| 1948-49 | Laurita Griggs | 9 | $180 |
| 1949-50 | Laurita Griggs | 9 | $225 |
| 1950-51 | Closed |
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Pictures: PLEASANT VIEW.
Someday the Louisa County Historical Society hopes to put the belfry back on Pleasant View school.
PLEASANT VIEW: The Shearer family presents the “Bill of Sale” to the Louisa County Bicentennial Committee, 1976. Front row, left to right: Paul Shearer, William Shearer, Marine Robertson and Woodrow Shearer appear with Russell Newell at the Louisa County Fair. Their family gave the Pleasant View school building to the Committee for restoration.
A one-room schoolhouse, where Ralph Green knocked over the big oak stove and one of the teachers chased a horse up and down a pasture, not knowing it wasn’t hers, has been donated to the Louisa County Fairgrounds.
“The children of B. H. Shearer are donating the Pleasant View School to the fairgrounds for preservation of the one-room schoolhouse,” said Paul Shearer.
The school was built five miles southeast of Columbus City in 1892 so that students in the area wouldn’t have to walk all the way to Louisa Center school.
Paul Masonholder, 62, has lived across the road from the school most of his life and started his education there.
“There was more to it than reading out of a book,” Masonholder said.
“Education was what you saw walking back and forth to school and people working together. It was a wholesome life.”
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Pictures: PLEASANT VIEW.
This photograph shows the interior of Pleasant View; over 50 people contributed to the restoration of the school in the summer of 1976. Each summer during the Louisa County Fair the school is open to the public.
PLEASANT VIEW: The Louisa County Bicentennial Committee’s major project was to save Pleasant View school. Front row, left to right: Madeleo Blake, Letts; Imogene Brown, Oakville; Doris Clark, Letts; Dean Bagby, Morning Sun; Juanita Sands, Columbus Junction; Bill Stickrod, Grandview; Keith Jordon, Letts; and sitting at the desk, Mary Beth Bonnichsen Carey, Columbus Junction.
“You’d listen to the others recite; each class didn’t last more than 10 minutes. By the time you go to that grade, it was old stuff.”
One of Masonholder’s teachers was Laura Edmundson, 84, than Laura Hanft in 1920-21.
“Big kids I had,” she said. “I was afraid of them.”
“Martha Butler always kept her horse in our barn and the horse got out one day,” said Edmundson, who lived right across the road from the schoolhouse and went there when she was growing up. “She saw a bay horse like hers in the pasture and there she was running up and down the pasture. And those boys saw her and just let her go. And it was a colt.”
“One recess when I was teaching it was raining and we were playing inside. Ralph Green jumped over the big stove and got his big toe caught and turned that stove over. I don’t remember if there was fire though,” said Edmundson.
Another of Masonholder’s teachers was Evelyn Duncan. She was 19 and Evelyn James at the time. “I’ve cherished those memories of the school. They've been stored back in my mind,” she said.
“I had about 14 students, including Paul Masonholder who lives right near the school and his two sisters and brother.
“Before school, the teacher built the fire in the stove. After school I swept, dusted, carried in fuel and banked the fire,” she said.
The school, which used to hold grades one through eight, hasn’t been used since the 1950’s. It now has a permanent home at the Louisa County Fairgrounds in Columbus Junction, where plans are to remodel it as when it was in use.
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Pictures: PLEASANT VIEW.
Rueben Allen’s family. Rueben Allen. Second row: Daughters Eula Deese, Correnne Moyer, granddaughter Earlene Lekwa and daughter Arlene Johnson.
Pleasant View School 1915. Front row, left to right: Wilma Masonholder, Alma Rieck, Cecelia Daniel. Back row: Felicitas Daniel, visitor, Mary Daniel, Evelyn Allen, Margaret Rieck.
Minton and Louis Allen had seven children. All attended Pleasant View school, starting with Harlan, who is now 98 years old, Elton, Clement, Reuben, Clarence, Min and Evelyn. From the time the first one started to school at Pleasant View there was always an Allen in the school until the day it was closed.
Reuben started school in the fall of 1901. His first teacher was Ann Woodruff. Her father was Charley Woodruff of Louisa Center. His second teacher was Elizabeth Lincoln, a third cousin of President Abraham Lincoln. She came from the state of Pennsylvania. Some of his other teachers were Paul Green, Moyne Murphy, Ethel Hutchinson, Clarence Tharly, Jeff Cutkomp and Grace Butler. Some teachers taught for only half a year.
The first car Reuben can remember seeing came by the school and the teacher let them go out to watch it go by. He doesn’t know the make of the car but two old men with long white beards were in it.
All of Reuben Allen’s ten children, and one grandchild, Earlene Lekwa, attended Pleasant View.
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Picture: PLEASANT VIEW, 1916
Front row, left to right: Ceceia Daniel, Charles Hanft, Alma Rieck, Robert Rieck, Wilma Masonholder. Top row: Margaret Rieck, Lloyd Masonholder, Mina Allen, Ethel McCurley - teacher, Della Browning, Evelyn Allen, Loy Cavanaugh, Mary Daniel. Child standing in center - Mildred Cavanaugh - visitor.
Hazel Plumb is a brown-haired lady who looks like she retired from teaching only a few years ago, instead of the almost twenty it has been. Her teaching career began in 1913 at Pleasant View Country School, when she was 18. “I had to wait until I was 18-years-old,” Mrs. Plumb explained, because of a state law.
She taught at Pleasant View for one year, and then her parents moved to Wapello, and she found a teaching position at the Maple Grove Country School.
After a few years at Maple Grove, she married, and her husband talked her into quitting teaching. Then one day in 1943, the county superintendent called and asked her to teach again.
“I told him, oh fiddle, you don’t want me,” Mrs. Plumb said, “But he said yes we do. So I went back to Pleasant View and taught until it closed two or three years later.”
Mrs. Plumb then continued teaching in other schools for 13 more years, retiring from teaching in 1958.
“We taught history, writing, arithmetic, reading, physiology and grammar.” There was a book for each class that was gotten from either the county superintendent or a drug store.
Mrs. Plumb said that about 15 students attended Pleasant View when she taught there. They were scattered through eight grades, and were arranged in the one-room schoolhouse either by rows, or were arranged with the youngest children nearer the front. Once in a while a particularly mischievous child was given a front row desk.
“I enjoyed it so much, I guess I was just born to teach,” she said, her face breaking into a smile as she remembered some of her old students and teaching experiences.
“I never had many discipline problems,” she said, adding however that she did have to paddle a boy with the country superintendent’s fraternity paddle once.
“I remember he was coming in from a snow fort the boys had built, and there was a group of other boys on the porch. Well, he must have thought it would be funny to break a snowball over their heads, so he threw one at the school house and it hit above the door just as I came out.
“I grabbed him, and grabbed the paddle and gave him two or three hard whacks, and then told him to just sit down and think about it.”
Several years later her husband and she went to a wedding, and after the ceremonies, as they were preparing to leave, her husband thought a young man wanted to talk to her.
“I looked around and there was the boy I had paddled,” said Mrs. Plumb. She said they had a nice talk, and he evidently did not bear any grudges for the disciplinary action she had given him.
“I just loved everyone of my students,” Mrs. Plumb said. And her old students apparently feel likewise. She was recently invited to a picnic given by an old pupil, and she hopes to contact several girls who were her students when she taught at Pleasant View in 1913, and have a reunion with them soon.
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| Years | Teachers | Months | Salary per month |
| 1894-95 | Lillie Johnston | ||
| 1985-96 | Lillie Johnston | ||
| 1896-97 | Carrie Metcalf | ||
| 1997-98 | Lillie Johnston | ||
| 1898-99 | Florence Greene | ||
| 1900-01 | F. M. Cutkomp | ||
| Ethel Hutchinson | |||
| 1901-02 | Chas. Robinson | ||
| 1905-06 | Zella May | Fall | |
| Mayme Murphy | Winter & Spring | ||
| 1906-07 | Grace Butler | Fall | |
| Anna Hutton | Winter & Spring | ||
| 1907- | Sybil Schabilion | Fall | |
| 1911-12 | Jeff Cutkomp | Fall | |
| 1912-13 | Mary Orris | ||
| 1913-14 | Hazel B. Matson | ||
| 1914-15 | Gertrude Greene | ||
| 1915-16 | Ethel H. McCurley | ||
| 1918-19 | Edith Boulton | 8 | $50 |
| 1919-20 | Esther Kremer | ||
| 1920-21 | Nellie Wykert | ||
| 1921-22 | Gertrude May | 8 | $85 |
| 1922-23 | Nevada Smith | 8 | $75 |
| Helen Lee | 8 | $65 | |
| 1923-24 | Weidall McWilliams | 8 | $65 |
| 1924-25 | George Boulton | 8 | $65 |
| 1925-26 | Evelyn James (Duncan) | 8.5 | $80 |
| 1926-27 | Evelyn James (Duncan) | 8.5 | $85 |
| 1927-28 | Marie Phillips | 8.5 | $70 |
| 1928-29 | Elnora Duncan | ||
| 1929-30 | Neva Havenhill | ||
| 1930-31 | Frances L. Mae | ||
| 1931-32 | Alice Mae Brenaman | ||
| 1932-33 | Alice Mae Brenaman | 8.5 | $80 |
| 1933-34 | Alice Mae Brenaman | 9 | $60 |
| 1934-35 | Betty Edmonson | 8.5 | $50 |
| 1935-36 | Betty Edmonson | ||
| 1936-37 | Pauline Ernest | ||
| 1937-38 | Pauline Ernest | ||
| 1938-39 | Pauline Ernest | ||
| 1939-41 | |||
| 1941-42 | Mildred Owens | ||
| 1942-43 | Mildred Owens | ||
| 1943-44 | Mildred Owens | 9 | $92.50 |
| 1944-45 | Helen Oak Clark | 1 | |
| Lena Pratt | 3 | $125 | |
| Bettie Moran | 6 | ||
| 1945-46 | Bettie Moran | 9 | $150 |
| 1946-47 | Lillian Smith | 9 | $165 |
| 1947-48 | Lillian Smith | 9 | $175 |
| 1948-49 | Zelda Tackenbung | 9 | $180 |
| 1949-50 | Hazel Plumb | 9 | $225 |
| 1950-51 | Hazel Plumb | 9.5 | $225 |
| 1951-52 | Closed |
Page 35
Illustration: Fred M. Cutkomp’s 1902 souvenir of Shellbark school.
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Picture of Teacher 1903 SHELLBARK SCHOOL Columbus City, Iowa December 1, 1902 – February 27, 1903 Presented by Fred M. Cutkump Teacher School Officers Abin Morgan, Supt. J. E. Gray
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Illustration: Ella Mae Isom’s 1922-23 souvenir of Shellbark school.
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IN MEMORY of our SCHOOL DAYS Picture of school SHELLBARK SCHOOL District Number 5 Columbus City, Louisa County, Iowa 1922-1923 ELLA MAE ISON, Teacher PUPILS Veda Gipple Carol Marsden Alice Pierce Cleo Cornic Maurice Prior Lloyd Prior Jamie Pierce Raymond Lewis William Gipple Walter Lewis, Director Martha Jamison, County Superintendent |
Shellbark is located in Columbus City Township and still stands amidst a grove of shellbark hickory trees. This past summer it received a new coat of white paint with the sign Shellbark No. 5 in black.
The Shellbark Community had many activities at the schoolhouse. At one time a community Sunday School was held there every Sunday afternoon. Later a church denomination held services there one Sunday a month. These were box socials, community suppers and programs. After the school was closed, the neighborhood Shellbark Club held meetings there and it was like going back to school as we dabbled in paints, tooled metals, etched aluminum and visited.
There are many memories for those of us who were privileged to attend a country school, so many that those wh9o attended Shellbark School have a get-together each summer. Many are not with us any more, but there is much reminiscing and fond memories about our days at Shellbark.
One of the highlights of the school year was our programs as we gathered on the platform to recite and sing as someone pounded the old piano. There were always arguments as to who would be the lucky one to get to pull the old blue denim curtains fastened to the wires. There was much giggling, pushing and peeking through the holes behind the curtains.
On those cold mornings, especially Monday, the schoolhouse was so cold we would pull those wooden recitation benches close to the stove and huddle there with coats on. The wet boots and mittens were placed close to the stove, hoping to be dry before that long walk home. There were torn jeans as we climbed fences and wet clothes as we waded through deep snow and mud. Some of the men nailed boards and made a ladder to climb over the fence; that was easier on the clothes.
Water was carried from Walter Marsden’s until a well was drilled. We all wanted to carry water so we could visit with Walter and Nellie, maybe get a cookie or hear a funny story from Walter. There was the coal to carry in from the coal shed beside the school house; blackboards, which ran across the front of the school to be cleaned and washed and erasers taken outside and dusted; trips to the outhouse when it was cold or rainy and boys throwing rocks at the outhouse.
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Picture: SHELLBARK.
Front row, left to right: Robert Pierce, Junior Helmick, Raymond Lewis, James Pierce, Lawrence Cornic. Middle row: Veda Gipple, Carol Marsden, Alice Pierce, Mildred Lewis. Back row: Cleo Cornic, Maurice Prior, Bill Gipple, Lloyd Prior, Ralph Wilson.
Evelyn, Maxine and Harlan Kerr rode the horse, Daisy, to school and she was tied to the hitching rack. Her favorite trick was to get loose and chase us when we were outside.
Who can forget those baseball games, games of Fox and Goose in the snow, Andy-over the school house and basketball games. The teacher always joined us and we all wanted her on our side.
There was always a cheer when school was out if there was a wagon or bobsled and team waiting to take us home.
We always looked forward to the day Alice Prior entertained Shellbark Club—she always invited the school kids over after school for dessert. Oh, those mile-high angel food cakes she made.
At noon we got out our lunch buckets and if we didn’t care for what we had, there was always someone to trade.
School at Shellbark was closed around 1950. Some of the teachers were Fred Cutkomp, Myrtle Lee, Ella Hamilton, Alice Piercy, Esther Boulton, Clora Lynn, Mary Edwards Holmes, Bettie Oakes, Marjorie Lantz, and Henrietta Howell.
A school in the neighborhood makes the community like one big family. There are many happy memories for those of us who were privileged to attend a country school.
Page 38
Picture: SHELLBARK
Flag raising at Shellbark School, May 20, 1898.
| Years | Teachers | Months | Salary per month |
| 1918-23 | |||
| 1923-24 | Ella Mae Isom | 8 | $85 |
| 1924-25 | Ella Mae Isom | 8 | $85 |
| 1925-26 | Myrtle Lee | 8.5 | $80 |
| 1926-27 | Myrtle Lee | 8.5 | $80 |
| 1927-28 | Opal Lavery | 0.5 | |
| Henrietta Wilson | 7.5 | ||
| 1928-29 | Henrietta Wilson | ||
| 1929-30 | Henrietta Wilson | ||
| 1930-31 | Henrietta Wilson | ||
| 1931-32 | Henrietta Wilson Howell | ||
| 1932-33 | Henrietta Wilson Howell | ||
| 1933-34 | Alice Pierce | 8.5 | $80 |
| 1934-35 | Alice Pierce | 8.5 | $80 |
| 1935-36 | Clora Lynn | 9 | $60 |
| 1936-37 | |||
| 1937-38 | Mary Edwards | ||
| 1938-39 | Mary Edwards | ||
| 1939-41 | |||
| 1941-42 | Esther Boulton | ||
| 1942-43 | Esther Boulton | ||
| 1943-44 | Esther Boulton | 9 | $165 |
| 1944-45 | Esther Boulton | 9 | $165 |
| 1945-46 | Esther Boulton | 9 | $165 |
| 1946-47 | Bettie Moran Oakes | 9 | $165 |
| 1947-48 | Marjorie Luntz | 9 | $175 |
| 1948-49 | Closed |
Page 39
Picture: Shellbark: 1933
Front row, left to right: Catherine Fullerton, Mildred Underwood, Corrinne Hanft, Lelia Williams. Middle row: Bonadelle Fullerton, Lela Hanft, Jeanette Helmick, Corrinne Peters, Maxine Kerr. Back row: Lester Hanft, Arlo Underwood, Lavon Fullerton, Roger Peters, Harlan Kerr.
Land for Tennessee School was deeded by John Duncan in 865. Tennessee was located on four corners of the Tennessee road, so named because most of the land owners in this neighborhood had come from the state of Tennessee.
Illustration: A souvenir given by Miss Nellie Moore to her pupils at Tennessee school in 1907.
Number Four Columbus City Twp., Louisa Co. Iowa 1907-1907 TENNESSEE Presented by Nellie Moore Teacher School Officers A. L. Morgan, President M. D. Hanft, Secretary T. J. Klotz, Treasurer A. L. Morgan, Director PUPILS
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Page 40
Nellie Moore taught there in 1907. Madge Duncan was one of her pupils. In 1918-19 and 1919-20, Madge Duncan was the teacher with the following pupils attending: John Bell and Leland Bell; Roy Badham; Howard Oak and Lucille Oak; Frentz Rausenberger; Harriet Jenkins, Mary Jenkins, and Marjorie Jenkins; Eugene Spaeth, Lyle Spaeth, and Mildred Spaeth; Marie Jenkins, John Gookin and Nancy Gookin; Burdette Duncan.
Tennessee was closed in 1920; some pupils went to Cotter and some to Columbus Junction. The schoolhouse was moved to Columbus Junction, placed on what is now the Columbus Community playground and used as the custodian’s house. It has been moved to the lot north of the Ag building and is now the home of Steve and Jody Fuller.
Picture: Tennessee.
This is the former Tennessee schoolhouse, now the home of Steve and Jody Fuller in Columbus Junction.
Official records of Yankeetown are not available. According to present community information Yankeetown No. 1 was used as both a school and a church in 1877. When and why Yankeetown No. 2 was built or if No. 1 was renamed No. 2 is unknown. Yankeetown No. 2 was located one quarter mile east of the first crossroad on road No. W 66, on the north side of the road. The crossroad is approximately a mile south of highway No. 92.
Yankeetown was closed in 1920. The building was purchased by Mr. Frank Van Horn. In 1922 it was purchased from him by Mr. William Owen and moved to its present location. At one time a front stoop, a bell tower and a sign were attached to the building. Some of the original chalkboard and plastering are still attached to the structure of the building.
Page 41
Picture: YANKEETOWN.
Last day of school, 1920 Front row, left to right, Evelyn McGrow, Thelma Quigley, Arlene Arthur, Russell Jones, Joe Arthur, Gladys Richards, George Richards, Gomer Owens, Glen Quigley. Back row: Dorothy McGrew, Annie Arthur, Margaret Owens, Howard Owens, Evelyn Owens, Jess Quigley, Howell Owens, Richard Arthur, ?, Earl McGrew.
The following notes were taken from a small pamphlet with the title page reading: The Yankeetown Gem, Devoted to Improvement, Vo. 1 - no. 1, Yankeetown, July 20th, 1865. Published by A. A. Hight, Assisted by M. H. Wolcott and P. A. Hemmelserch.
Notice:
Notice:
The fall term of the Yankeetown Academy will commence August 14, 1865 and continue eight weeks under the direction of its present teacher.
All interested in the cause of education are respectfully requested to keep the above in remembrance. Latin and French will be excluded. Special Attention will be given to the common English branches. Board and tuition reasonable—for further particulars inquire of T. W. Brown – Director, or A. A. High, Teacher.
If twenty-seven inches of snow give three inches of water, how much milk will a cow given when fed on Rutabaga Turnips?
Answer: Multiply the flakes of snow by the leaves on a locust tree, then divide the product by a turnip, add a pound of chalk and the sum will be the answer.
Page 42
Picture: YANKEE TOWN
Schoolhouse and coal shed in 1920
Violet was born in Letts and later moved to Kansas City. She returned to Iowa when she was eighteen and attended the Summer term at UNI, Cedar Falls. She taught at Yankeetown 1918-20 on an eight month contract for $55 a month. The school building was located south of Cedar.
Her home was again in Letts; she rode the train to Cotter on Sunday afternoon so she could be on time Monday morning. She roomed with Frank and Madge Hauenstein until they moved, and then she stayed with Edwin and Edith Richards. She walked from Cotter to school each day.
There was a wood and coal stove in the center of the room.
She had 22 pupils and 9 grades. She had two beginners. Phonics was taught as she had been taught in Letts. When her beginners were sounding out words and learning to read, two more families sent their little tots so they could have Violet for a teacher.
The fall of 1920 she started teaching in Cotter. She married Lyle Duncan in 1919 and they built a house in Cotter, where Violet taught 5th grade for 11 years. After a 17-year rest she was asked to teach again in the fall of 1952. She finally had to quit because of arthritis.
She had one student with a reading problem. When he read aloud at school he stumbled over so many words the others made fun of him. The mother was asked to listen to him read at least 15 minutes every evening. By the end of the term there was a great improvement.
Violet moved to Colonial Manor in February 1979.
The following was taken from The Columbus Gazette of 1914 under the heading “Happenings in the area thirty years ago.”
Fanny Jones, teacher of Yankee Town School, reported the following who did not whisper during the entire term: Maggie Jones, Effie Van Horn, Della Owens, Anna Williams, Ora Henderson, Mary Pence, Lizzie Williams, Jenny Richards.
| Years | Teachers | Months | Salary per month |
| 1918-19 | Violet Snyder Duncan | $55 | |
| 1919-19 | Violet Snyder Duncan | ||
| 1920-21 | Closed |