CHAPTER VIII.
EDNA TOWNSHIP (CONT'D).
No institution of the township is more closely identified with the welfare and progress of its citizens than the district system of education. Upon it almost entirely the rising generations of an agricultural community depend for their preliminary education, some even resting content with the education obtained at the district schools; others graduating into high schools, and business and agricultural colleges, outside the township, and some few advancing to the professional schools and universities. But, whatever the tendency of the individual, he must first draw for his educational supplies upon the district school system.
Edna township is divided into eight school districts. The first schools were taught in Center district, now known as No. 5, which includes sections 15, 16, 21 and 22. It was on section 21, at the log cabin of William S. Townsend, that the pioneer school was opened, already noticed. In the summer of 1855 R. M. Donahoe taught at the same place. In 1873 a large frame building was erected, and Sophronia Whistler, daughter of the minister, was the first teacher under the improved conditions.
The first school house in District No. 6, comprising sections 13, 14, 23 and 24, was erected in 1861, on the southeast quarter of the southwest quarter of section 14. It was a frame structure and remained in use for more than twenty years. The school was opened with twenty-two scholars by the teacher, William F. Brenton, whose sister, Nancy, had taught the first school in the township.
The first school in District No. 4 was taught about 1855 by Gertrude Disbrow, on section 17, in a log cabin owned by John Irwin, soon after postmaster at Edna Grove. In 1861 a frame building was erected on the southeast quarter of section 20, which was burned in 1873.
The pioneer school of No. 9, which comprises sections 29, 30, 31 and 32, was erected in 1865, on the southwest quarter of section 30, and Josephine Bryant was the teacher.
In District No. 2 the first school house was erected on section 10, in 1871, the teacher being Alice Porter, daughter of Edward Porter. The building was afterward removed to a point nearer the center of the district, which is composed of sections 3, 4, 9 and 10.
The first school held in District No. 8 (sections 27, 28, 33 and 34), was during the winter of 1874-5, at the log cabin of James M. Newcomb, who subsequently became an extensive raiser of live-stock in this locality and in Kansas. Mary Lloyd was the teacher, and her eldest brother, Samuel T. Lloyd, taught in the first school erected by the district in the following year. There were six children in the family -- which was English -- and at some time they were all teachers in Cass county.
District No. 7 comprises sections 25, 26, 35 and 36, and the first school house, erected in 1877, was located on the northeast quarter of section 35. The pioneer teacher was Lillian Brooks.
In 1878 Mary Lloyd also taught the first term of school in District No. 7, at the house of Benjamin Auxier. A regular school house was later erected on the southwest corner of section 1; besides this section the district comprises sections 2, 11 and 12.
District No. 3, which now embraces sections 5, 6, 7 and 8, was the last in the township to secure regular school accommodations. The first house in the district was built in 1883, and in the fall of that year was opened by another of the Lloyd family of teachers, Martha.
"Compendium and History of Cass County, Iowa." Chicago: Henry and Taylor & Co., 1906, pp. 122-124.
Transcribed by Cheryl Siebrass, November, 2013.
