Plymouth County Country Schools

by Blanche (Singer) Wiederholt

   I was a rural school teacher in Plymouth County, Iowa, teaching grades 1-8 in a one-room school. I grew up in Plymouth County, attended grade school and high school at Union Consolidated School, graduating in 1943. I still remember some of my teachers there. After high school graduation I attended Western Union College in Le Mars to become a teacher. At that time the college had U.S. Air Force cadets in training courses, and dorms were filled.  I and several other students were housed in a temporary dorm on campus until we found a private home that we could room at.  (Needless to say the young cadets on campus were quite interesting to the young college girls!) I was fortunate to have 3 classmates room with me and we became good friends, even after leaving to become teachers.  Even today, year 2007, we still keep in contact with each other at Christmas and we had a reunion 25 years ago. They were Muriel Behrens of Minnesota, Joy Riekman of Pierson and Mildred Hansen of Rock Rapids. Also, I still remember some of my college instructors: Professor Danner, Professor Jewett, Professor Hershberger and college president Dr. Zuehl.

   I started my teaching in 1945 in the one-room school of Elkhorn Township # 4. I had to room at one of the parents’ farm home, ½ mile away from the school, Mr. and Mrs. Weston Richardson.  They provided room and board during the school year.  As I had no transportation, I would walk to the school, rain or shine, unlock the school house and prepare for the day’s lessons. In cold weather I had to start the big round coal burning stove so it was warm when the students arrived and also put a tray of water on top of the stove for students to warm their containers of food they brought for the noon meal.  My school director was Francis Stodden, who would keep the coal and water supplied and also pay my monthly check of around $100.00.

   The students ranged from grades 1st to 8th and were all very well behaved. Also the parents were all so supportive and helped with the Christmas party, the end of school picnic and other activities. They would provide food and extra chairs on those occasions. I had students from the families of Richardsen, Stodden, Kranz, Sitzsmann, Hendriks and Gradom. I still see or hear of some of them, and “3” of them celebrated their 59th wedding anniversaries in the area.

   I had one incident that I will never forget. I accidentally let the school door “lock” on me one morning and couldn’t get inside! So I pushed a box under the window, hoping to crawl in before the students arrived. As you can guess, I got stuck, half in and half out. It was embarrassing when one of the parents arrived with their child and had to help me get the rest of the way into the school.

   The other school I taught was Henry Township #9. I again roomed at farm homes close to the school. I stayed at the home of Mrs. Freida Hoffmeyer and then at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Warren Mills and walked to and from school each day. My school director at Henry # 9 was Mr. Martin LeMoine and he also paid my monthly wage of approximately $100.00 per month. School children were from families of Le Moine, Mills, Hoffmeyer, Johnson and Meister.

   Rural school teachers had to also be janitors, nurses, activity directors and program and music directors.  We had a Plymouth County Superintendent who was Christine Petersen. She would visit each school once a year to observe the teaching and bring the books needed for each student and also lesson plans and required test forms. She was very helpful and pleasant and always came un-announced!

   Henry # 9 was the last school I taught as I got married. Both one-room schools I taught are gone and the land farmed.  I did go to Henry # 9 school sale and purchased the kindergarten, small, solid oak table and 4 chairs. I still have 2 of the chairs which I would like to donate to the Plymouth County Historical Museum.

   I feel the students in the one room schools got a “one-on-one” relationship with the teacher and could get extra help, if needed.  We not only taught the basics: reading, writing and arithmetic, but the arts and music.  Also the parent-teacher relationship was always good and helpful to the teacher, since I had no running water, no phone or other conveniences that teachers have now days!

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~Blanche Singer taught Elkhorn No. 4, 1944-1945 and Henry No. 9, 1945-1946