An 1890 Summary of the Country Schools of Plymouth County
Taken from History of the Counties of Woodbury and Plymouth, Iowa
A. Warner & Co., Publishers
Chicago, Illinois
1890-1891

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America Township

The first term of school was taught in a log building on the line between sections seventeen and twenty, in 1867.  It was a fall school, taught by J.H. Betsworth.  The first frame school building was a two-story house erected on the plat of Le Mars, and is still used for school purposes.  It was built of pine and cottonwood lumber, and was considered too large by some citizens.  B.O. Foster, an early settler, remarked that, “We will never fill that school building in the world.”  He was mistaken, for the city of Le Mars has already erected two spacious public school buildings, and is about to erect a third. 
Post-office and Schools.--…Deep interest was taken by the first few homestead settlers in getting good schools started as soon as possible.  At first the rude log houses served; then were reared the better frame houses.  The present public-school system is, indeed, a good one.  In America township, exclusive of the city of Le Mars, there are five sub-districts, five good school buildings, and 140 pupils enrolled.

Elgin Township

The first school-house was erected in 1871 on section twenty-four. The first term of school taught was private, and kept by the seventeen-year-old daughter of Pioneer Stephen Reeves, Miss Elsie, now the estimable wife of George Darville.  This term was taught in 1870, with only a few children, but the teacher was good and faithful—even as she is to-day—a model woman, who has since that time seen many hardships.

Elkhorn Township

Schools.—The first term of school was taught in 1868, at the Higday school-house by Al. Higday. The first school-houses were erected on section thirty-two and section six—both built the same year. As the settlers increased, new sub-districts were made, and provided with good frame buildings, until to-day the township has six sub-districts, each having a good school edifice.  The total enrollment of pupils in 1889 was 142. The schools are in an excellent condition, and keep pace with new educational methods in all respects.

Fredonia Township

The first voting done by citizens from this township (when it was yet included in America), was at the special election in February, 1870.  It was held at the log school-house, known as the Redmon school-house, located two miles south of Le Mars…
The first term of school was taught in a granary building belonging to Watt Freeman, on section eight. It was in 1870. In 1872 the frame school-buildings in districts Nos. 1 and 2 were erected.
The first religious services in the township were also held in the granary of Mr. Freeman in the spring of 1870. It was conducted by the Methodist people. After the school-houses were erected services were held in them. There are no church buildings in the township.
Schools: -- At this date, 1890, the schools of Fredonia township are in a flourishing condition. There are now seven sub-districts, each having a good frame school building.  The total enrollment of pupils, according to the county superintendent’s last annual report, was 204. The best of teachers, mostly female, are engaged to teach after improved and advanced methods.

Garfield Township

Early Events.—The first school was taught in 1881 in a building erected on section fourteen.

Grant Township

The first school-house in Grant township is what is now styled No. 9.  It was erected in 1872 on the southwest quarter of section twenty-nine. The first term taught in this school-house was in 1873, by James A. Harroun.
Educational.—At the very earliest period the homesteaders of Grant township began to lay the foundation for a good system of public schools. In the winter of 1870-71, what few childen were then old enough, gathered together at the sod claim-shanty of uncle “Geo” Dailey, and there, in that little tucked up and dirty place, the first lessons were taught by Mr. Dailey, who received whatever the parents felt like donating him in the way of fuel, provisions, etc.   In the summer of 1872 or 1873, Sally Parsons, wife of Alfred Parsons, taught, at public expense, in a frame house on section four.  She had but seven pupils, but she made a good and faithful instructor. What is now No. 9 school-house was originally built on the southwest quarter of section twenty-nine, in 1872, and was the pioneer school building of Grant township.  To-day the township is well supplied with all the country school advantages. It has eight sub-disctricts and each is provided with a good building. The enrollment in 1889 was 190 pupils. Seventy-five shade trees adorn the various school grounds of the township.

Hancock Township

Early Events.—The first election in what is now Hancock township was held in the school-house on section ten, known as the “Massey school” in 1883.
Schools, Etc.—The first school in this township was taught in 1868, at the private residence of Pioneer B.B. Sutton, by an old gentleman named Carrons.  A school building was erected on section twenty-six, in 1869, by Joeseph La Berge, who says he paid $6 per1,000 for the shingles used, and as much in proportion for all the lumber.
At present the township is divided into four sub-districts, each having comfortable buildings. The total enrollment of pupils in 1889 was fifty-seven. Great care is used in and about the school grounds, and the same have been ornamented by eighty beautiful shade trees. 

Henry Township

The first school-house was erected in 1883, on the northwest quarter of section eight; it is termed “Hawkins” school-house, and the first teacher was Miss Mary A. McCartney, of Union township.
Schools.—As already stated, the first school was taught in 1883. As settlement increased, due attention was paid to school matters, and according to the school superintendent’s annual report for 1889, Henry township had six sub-districts, each provided with a handsome frame building.  The school attendance was then 130 pupils.

Hungerford Township

Schools.—The first settlers believed in education as well as the people living in Hungerford to-day, for early during the Civil War, when but a handful of settlers were battling against the hardships of a new and altogether wild prairie country, we find that a school was maintained on section sixteen.  With the passing years educational matters have never been left to lag, but always keeping pace with the march of progress of the more modern, improved methods.  In 1889 the county school superintendent’s report shows that Hungerford township had seven sub-districts, each provided with a good-sized frame school building, and the average enrollment of scholars was, at that time, 160. 

Johnson Township

The First School was taught very early in the history of the township, probably about the winter of 1871-72.  Two school-houses were provided about that date, one on section thirty-four and the other on section thirty-two, and then one very soon on section fourteen.
Schools of 1890.—According to the report of the county superintendent of public schools, in 1889 Johnson township had six sub-districts, each provided with a suitable frame school building. The total enrollment of pupils that year was 145. Much attention has been paid to securing good and fully competent teachers, and, as a consequence the educational standing is most excellent at the present time.

Liberty Township

The first school was taught in a shanty built by settlers in the fall of 1870. The first township election was held in the fall of 1879, at the McAllister school-house.
Schoold, Etc.—This township is fully up to the high-grade standard of the Plymouth public-school system. As previously stated, the pioneer school was held in a shanty built by subscription in 1870. The teacher was S.W. Garner. A school building was erected in 1872 by Thomas Clarey. 
At the present date the township is divided into five sub-districts, each being provided with an ample school building.  There are 185 pupils within the limits of the township. Thirty-eight shade trees adorn the school yards.

Lincoln Township

Schools and Churches.—The earliest public school was held near Mr. Barrett’s, on section eight, about 1870.  Much attention has been paid to school matters, and by the school superintendent’s report of October 1889, it is found that Lincoln township had six sub-districts, each provided with a suitable school-house.  The total scholarship, at that time, was 168.  The number of shade trees about school grounds (planted out) was seventy-five.

Marion Township

Schools.—The first school-house was erected on section seven. Much attention has been paid to the schools of this part of the county, and now, 1890, the township is provided with four good frame public-school buildings, each within a sub-district.  The total number of pupils according to the county superintendent’s last annual report was 200.  While this township is purely one of agriculture, yet is citizens see the necessity of a good common-school education for their children, hence the taxes paid in that direction are freely given. 

Meadow Township

Schools.—The educational matters of Meadow township have ever kept pace with those of other townships in Plymouth county.  In 1879 the township took its present bounds, and a school-house was erected on section twenty-eight.  Miss Mary Malory taught the first term of school there. A private school was taught the same year, on section eight, by Aggie Klein. 
At the present time Meadow township has six sub-districts and six frame school-houses.  The enrollment of pupils is now 150.  Around the various school-houses there are forty-five shade trees.

Perry Township

Early Events.—The first election was held (for the present township) at the Brill school-house, in the spring of 1870.
The first school was taught near the south line of the township, at a private home, early in the seventies; while in the northern part the first term of school was held at the house of Thomas Flannery, in 1876.  It was held there for three years, the first term being taught by a young man named Ed. Crary.  The school consisted of about twelve scholars.
The first school-house was what is known as the “Jo Martin school-house.” It will be remembered that the first few years after the township settled, it embraced more than its present territory, and hence the school-houses were in what is now Liberty township now.  There are now six school-houses in Perry township, located in the six sub-districts.  The total enrollment of scholars, in 1889, was 109. 

Plymouth Township

Schools and Churches.—The first term of school was taught at Melbourne before the court-house was erected at that point….As evinced by the many churches and schools in this portion of Plymouth county, one can easily infer that the first settlers were a God-fearing and intelligent class of people.  At a very early day they commenced to lay well the foundation for the present school and church privileges—second to none in the county.
School matters have ever been properly conducted, and hence eminently successful, and to-day one finds an intelligent class of people as the result. The township has now five sub-districts, each containing a good sized frame school-house. The average enrollment in 1889 was 131 pupils.

Portland Township

Schools.—The first term of school was taught by Mrs. E.B. Donalson at her own residence, in 1873.  A school building was erected on section thirty-one, in 1873.  It was the two-story frame house at Akron now used for post-office purposes. Much attention has been paid to the education of the rising young in this part of the county. The reports show that in 1889 Portland township was divided into seven sub-districts, with a good frame building in six, and a substantial brick in one of that number.  The number of pupils at that date was 300. Fifty shade trees grace the school grounds, and are monuments of beauty, and also bespeak the refinement and taste of the patrons of the various schools. 

Preston Township

The first election was held at  the Wingett school-house…
The first term of school was taught at Ed Haymond’s house, in 1873-74, by L.M. Black.  A school-house was erected in 1874, now known as No. 1, situated on section eleven. At this date, 1890, the township is divided into seven sub-districts, each being provided with a good school-house. In 1889 the county superintendent’s report gave the total of scholarship in this township as 170. 

Remsen Township

Schools.—The first school was taught at the residence of R.E. McCourtland, on section thirty-four, about 1880.  At this date, 1890, the county school records show that this township has five sub-districts, which are provided with four good school-houses. The total enrollment of scholars is ninety-three. 

Sioux Township

The first school term was opened in 1868-69.  One school was kept near William Hunter’s place, on section thirty-two, and another near Mr. Mills, on section fourteen. Mr. Hunter was teacher in his district for some time.  The first election was held at his school-house, too…There are now four good school buildings in the township, and an enrollment of fifty scholars. It should be remembered that much of the land in this section of the county is quite rough and hilly, in consequence of which it has not become thickly settled yet. The best lands are confined to the valley portion of the territory. 

Stanton Township

The first term of school in the township was taught at the house of Carlos Little in 1870.  The first school building was erected the same year, 1870, on section twenty-three, and the first term of school in it was taught be William Asbury.
Schools and Churches.—At the present date, Stanton township has seven sub-districts, each of which is provided with a good frame building. The average attendance of pupils, for the year ending October, 1899, was 238.  The public schools have always been well supported, and the general effect is to be seen to-day in a highly intelligent and well-educated class of young men and women.

Union Township

Schools, Etc.—Very early in the township’s history the public schools were commenced and carefully fostered by the homestead settlers. In 1871 Jane Crostein (now Mrs. Robert Steele) taught a term of school at Mr. Rathburn’s place, on the southwest quarter of section twenty.  There was one taught the same summer, or perhaps a year earlier, at Mr. Reynold’s.  There was a school building erected in 1871, known as the Walrath, or district No. 1 school.  The building in No. 2, on the west half of the southeast quarter of section seventeen, was built in 1873.  As shown by the county superintendent’s report, of October, 1889, Union township had, at that date, six sub-districts and six good frame buildings.  The enrollment of scholars was 140.  Much care is taken of the school ground and buildings, and the forty-five shade trees planted out in some of the school yards add much to the beauty of the premises.

Washington Township

Schools, Etc.—The first term of school was taught about 1870, in a school-house erected on section twenty-four; it was moved from place to place, and is now situated on the northwest quarter of the same section.
At present (1890) there are six sub-districts, each provided with a good frame school-house.  There are now 155 pupils enrolled in the township.  Around the various school grounds there are 320 shade trees, perhaps more than around those in any other township in Plymouth county.  This speaks well for the culture and refinement of the population. 

Westfield Township

The first school in the township was held at Westfield in 1878.
Schools and Churches.—Considering the light settlement of this township, it supports schools quite well.  In 1890 there were four sub-districts, each having a good school building. The enrollment of pupils, in 1889 was ninety.  No township in the entire county has so great a number of shade trees as Westfield, which township, official reports show, has 450. 

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