West Liberty History 1838-1938

Source: One Hundred Years of History
* Commemorating a Century of Progress in the West Liberty Community * WEST LIBERTY, IOWA
HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI

The Alumni Society of the West Liberty High School is one of the oldest and most far-reaching of any of the active organizations of the town. Many prominent names are found on the lists of old graduates and hundreds of loyal members from all over the country still retain their interest in the old home school.

The first alumni meeting of which we have any record was held in 1881 at the home of Nettie Wilson, Class of " 78. John Teeters was appointed to draw up constitution and by-laws and it was decided to have literary programs consisting of music, songs, toasts and an oration. Horace Deemer, Class of " 76, took an active part on these programs and john Teeters seems to have been the favorite orator. Chas. McClun and Ed Webb are mentioned often in the early records and in the meeting of 1882, at which time Frank Thomas was secretary, he recorded that the meeting was adjourned "in a solemn manner" by the president.

At the time of its organization, there had been only 38 graduates and no class graduated that year or the year following.

The meetings were held in the homes of the members, and often took the form of picnics, the program following. It was voted at the first meeting that Mr. McElravy should be asked to print 400 programs, "if he can print nice ones" and the results were quite satisfactory for they are attractive and quite ornate.

The first few years the classes were composed mostly of girls, who graduated very young. Myra Morgan, Class of '78 was only 14 and began teaching at 16. She was secretary of the Alumni for several years.

As time went on and classes became larger, more space was needed to accommodate the membership, along with the friends who were invited guests, and later the meetings increased in size so rapidly, that it became necessary to hold them in the opera house or the school hall.

At the very first meeting, it was decided to assess each member 25¢ to help defray the expenses and that rule held through the years, until it became necessary to increase the amount.

The alumni of today are carrying on with the same fine spirit and enthusiasm which prompted those first few members to organize many years ago.

List of Alumni When Organized in 1881

CLASS OF '75

Wilma Evans, Emma Henderson

CLASS OF '76

Chas. Taylor, Flora Morgan, Corrie Harrison, Susie Phelps, Horace Deemer, Ella Brown, Mattie Floyd

CLASS OF '77

Bina Reep, Sarah Scott

CLASS OF '78

Mary Harrison, Myra Morgan, Nettie Wilson, Jennie Haldeman, Mary Mead, Lucy Scott.

CLASS OF '79

Chas. McClun, Lillie Lewis, Cora Barclay, J. L. Teeters, F. M. Boston, Allie Taylor, F. E. Thomas, Lizzie Harrison, Katie Jackson, Loring Taylor, Helen H. Dryden, Jessie Holmes, Mary Deemer, Ella Mead, Edith Bowman, Anna Purvis.

---