IAGenWeb - Marion County |
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For some three years J. Muntingh had a day school in his log residence which was located just east of the warehouse on East Washington street, about one-half block east of Wormhoudt's furniture store. Mr. Muntingh also conducted an evening school which was continued long after the day school was given up. The educational work of these men was of inestimable value to the early settlers, especially in the days before regular school facilities had been provided.
What made their system of teaching exceptionally effective was that they taught both the English and Dutch language, so that while the students were mastering the language of their adopted country, they also improved their knowledge of their own language. As they were required to translate the lessons from one language into the other, it greatly added to their proficiency in both languages. While the fundamentals, reading, writing and arithmetic, were emphasized, instruction was also given in geography, history and music. It has often been remarked that the scholars who received their education under these early, pioneer teachers were so thoroughly grounded in the essential studies, that many of them would have been a credit to the best equipped schools of today.
In the instruction of the pioneer youth of Pella, both secular and religious, the work of Mr. Isaac Overkamp was invaluable. He was a man of high learning and a devoted Christian. In the teaching of the catechism to the youth he had no equal; and it has been said of him, that no minister of the gospel had such an important and long continued influence on the Christian training and instruction of the community than did this cultured and devoted servant of God.
Brandt, Hendrik Brandt, Jan Sleyster, Werner Sleyster, W. Mrs. Tilma, Meindert Tilma, M. Mrs. Tilma, Douwe Tilma, Machiel Tilma, Trintje Tilma, Geertje Tilma, Teunis Tilma, Willem
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An old land mark which was recently razed to make way for a beautiful modern home. It was located on First East Street.