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THE ONE ROOM SCHOOLS OF
MONROE COUNTY, OHIO 1808 - 1957
CENTER TOWNSHIP
AGIN - Agin School was located on Griffith Ridge 1.5
miles east of the junction of State Routes 800 and 255. The school was so named
because the donors of the land were two members of the Agin family. The present
owner of the land on which it was located is L. V. Bays. The school was closed
in 1930 and the last teacher was J. E. Jeffers.
BERTRAM - Bertram School was located .6 mile east of the
junction of Maple Avenue and Fairground Road. The road on which it was located
is know known as Gun Club Road. No one seems to remember the date of its
closing but the year 1920 is very close. The last teacher was Chester Lang and
reliable sources say that in its last year of operation it had one pupil whose
name was Olive Marple. The present owners of the school site are Darrol and
Hattie Byers.
DENT - Dent or Dent Ridge as it was commonly called was
named for the Dent family who were among the earliest settlers of this portion
of the township. It was located .7
mile east of the junction of State Route 800 and County Road 67 on County Road
67. Among its outstanding pupils was Dean Jeffers who is presently General
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nationwide Insurance Organization. He
was a pupil here for a part of his elementary career as his father, J. E.
Jeffers, was a teacher here at intervals over a period of several years. The
school ceased operation in 1939 the last teacher was Janet Smith Boyer. The
present owner of the schoolhouse site is Tony Urbanek Sr.
EDDY - Eddy School was located approximately one fourth
mile north of the Eddy Bridge crossing on Sunfish Creek on County Road 27 known
as the Moore Ridge Road. The closing date was either 1925 or 1926 and reliable
sources say that the last teacher was Oliver Dougherty. The land where the
school house stood is now owned by David Belt, Trustee. The Belt family lived in the valley here
only a few hundred feet south of the school. Members of this family became
prominent in the legal profession mainly in the Belmont County area. The name
of Clifford Belt a former pupil of this school is very well remembered.
HALFWAY - Halfway School was located halfway between
Woodsfield and Lewisville which is undoubtedly the reason for its name. That
location is approximately 4 miles west of Woodsfield on State Route 78 on the
left side of the highway as you are driving west. The last year of operation
was 1929 and the last teacher was Edith Foehrenbach Zerger. The land on which the schoolhouse stood is
now owned by Bernice Diehl Franklin.
HOPE RIDGE - Hope Ridge School, which is now used as a garage
by its owner, Willard Freitag, stands on the right side of State Route 800 at a
point approximately two miles north of Woodsfield. It ceased operations in 1929
and the last teacher was Nellie Turner Jones. Among its many pupils is found
the name of Clem Freitag, athlete and football standout at Washington and
Jefferson College. He was awarded football letters there in 1906, 1907, 1908,
and 1909.
KERR - Kerr School stood at a location .4 mile west of
Woodsfield Corporation and a few hundred feet east of that spot on the right
side of State Route 78 as you are headed west. Its last year of operation was 1928
and its last teacher was G. I. Umpleby. After its close a new four room school
was erected between it and the highway. This four room building was eventually
closed and its pupils transported to Woodsfield Elementary. The present owner
and occupant of the four room building is the Masonic Lodge of Woodsfield.
JACKSON
RIDGE -
Jackson Ridge School stood at the junction of State Route 800 and County Road
40 at a distance of three miles south of Woodsfield. It was the last of the
fifteen one room schools to close its doors and reliable sources give the date
as 1947. The last teacher was H. F. Burkhart. His son, George,
who is now the Prosecuting Attorney of
Monroe County was a pupil here for a part of his elementary career. The exact location of the building is now crossed by State Route 800. The remaining portion of the schoolhouse lot is now owned by Neil Hamilton.
JOHNSTON - The location of Johnston School is a little
difficult to describe. At a point one and one half miles south of Miltonsburg
on County Road 100 stood the residence of Sebastian Burkhart. No road went from
here to the schoolhouse. A path was mostly used and if you were compelled to
drive to it, you would drive across the fields of Otto Kaiser who is the
present owner of the land on which the schoolhouse stood. The school was closed
in the spring of 1938 and the last teacher was
Vernon Hamilton.
MOOSE
RIDGE -
Moose Ridge School stood at a point opposite the first Moose Ridge Cemetery one
and one fourth mile southwest of Woodsfield at the junction of Moose Ridge Road
and Willison Run Road. Moose Ridge Road is known as County Road 45. The school
was closed in 1929 and the last teacher was Kathryn Keyser Cline. The land on
which the schoolhouse stood is presently owned by Lucille Mahoney Hunnell.
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MT. CARRICK - Mt. Carrick School stood at a point approximately
2.5 miles east of Woodsfield on State Route 78 and up a lane a few hundred feet
north of this point. This would place the location almost directly across the
highway from the former Mt. Carrick church house now occupied by the Center
Township Grange. The school closed in 1929 and Joseph Paulus was the last
teacher. The land on which the schoolhouse stood is now owned by the Neuhart
Baptist Church.
NEUHART - Neuhart School was located one mile south of the
junction of State Route 78 east and County Road 41 commonly known as Sugartree
Road. The exact location was on a plot of ground adjacent to the Neuhart
Baptist Church cemetery on its southern border. The school was permanently
closed in 1938 and the last teacher was B. R. Scarborough. This plot today is
used as a parking lot and owned by the Neuhart Baptist Church.
MULBERRY
KNOB - Mulberry
Knob School was located on the right side of County Road 40 on
Plainview Road at a distance of two miles from the junction of State Route 800
and County Road 40 headed south. The school was closed in 1939 and the last
teacher was Vernon Hamilton. The land on which the schoolhouse stood is
presently owned by Dale Eddy.
NORRIS - Norris School stood on the left side of State
Route 800 as you are headed south one mile south of the Woodsfield Corporation.
The school closed in 1929 and its last teacher was Harriet Claugus Zesiger. The
building
was
later converted into a dwelling an an office for a service station.. This
station is owned and operated by Tony Urbanek Sr.
STANDING STONE - Standing Stone School was located
southwest of the junction of State Route 26 North and County Road 39 known as
the Sunfish Creek Road. By following the 0. R. and W. Railroad right of way
west of the junction for approximately one thousand feet and then moving to
your left for a distance of a little less than one hundred yards to the valley
floor, you have the approximate location. I was unable to find anyone who knows
why this name originated but it doubtless had something to do with the rocky
terrain that surrounds the location on all sides. The school was closed in 1932
and the last teacher was Joseph Paulus. A great majority of the teachers who
taught here walked down the railroad tracks from the direction of Woodsfield
and passed through the tunnel, the only tunnel along the entire railroad route
from Woodsfield to Bellaire. The land on which the schoolhouse stood is now
owned by Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Davis.
IN RETROSPECT
I have a granddaughter who will, in a few months,
enter the teaching profession. In closing a recent thesis she wrote this
paragraph:
I hope to teach in my home county just as Grandpa
did. Even with the modern teaching devices many teachers today don't stay with
the schools as long as he did. Forty years -- that will be a hard record to
beat.
In the back of their minds the teachers of one room
rural schools of the 30's and 40's knew that consolidation of school districts
was rapidly approaching and the one room schools would permanently close and a
new era in education would begin.
Teachers believed that now the pupils would have
opportunities for learning that never existed before. They would now receive
more individual attention, class periods would be much longer and their
teachers would be better trained to give them attention and guidance. So many changes have occurred since the
beginning of consolidation and no doubt there will be many more in the future.
Seven years I attended the one room school out on
Dent Ridge. It was a well constructed building of strong native timbers and
located in pleasant surroundings. As I studied here I would try to picture how
school was conducted here during Civil War days when Grandmother Hamilton was a
pupil in a log cabin school situated across the road and not over 500 feet from
the one room frame building. I had four teachers here namely: John H.
Hickinbotham, J. E. Jeffers, G. D. Griffith and Golda Mowder Roth. Only Mrs.
Roth is living today but I realize that each of these teachers in some way have
left their imprint on my life.
When my teaching career started, I spent the first
twelve years in several one room rural schools. I cannot say that
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I was a successful teacher. I do know that the great
majority of my former pupils still regard me at a dear friend and possibly only
time will tell if I really did anything to enrich their lives and to assist
them in preparing for their future.
During these twelve years a few events occurred that
I consider high points in my career. I was privileged to teach three years in
my home school. Two years I spent teaching in a school in Lee Township. My
mother had attended this school as a girl and her mother before her had been a
pupil there. Many times I rang the Haldiman bell which is now on exhibit in the
Monroe County Museum. One year I spent at Standing Stone where each day saw the
O.R. and W. Railroad as it wound down its operations and in a matter of months
would cease operations forever.
During my forty years in the schoolroom as a teacher
I came to know and respect a great number of good teachers. I have
a warm spot of affection in my
heart for the ones who taught in the one room rural schools. They are truly
grass roots people. They understand the problems of people especially those who
live in rural areas. They labored under many adverse conditions.
They received little financial benefits. Many of them taught during the years
of the Great Depression. Through their
teaching the great majority of their pupils learned resourcefulness,
independence and the value of integrity.
When and if awards for distinguished service are
made in the future, I trust the citizens of our county will respectfully honor
those who spent so many years as teachers of the one room schools. I know of no group of individuals who have
rightfully earned such an award and who would take greater pride in its
attainment.
Vernon S. Hamilton
HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF
THE WOODSFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS
By Dr. J. J. Sulsbarger 1916
The history and development of the Woodsfield
Schools divides itself naturally into two periods, the line of demarcation
being the closing of the Old Monroe Academy in 1860, which was situated on the
present school site, and which well serves as the closing of the first period.
In consideration of the first period it will be
necessary for us to go back to the early pioneer days of Woodsfield, which is
before the time and memory of the oldest citizens now living.
In searching the record, at the Recorder's office we
found that in the original plot of the Village of Woodsfield (as recorded in
Belmont County in 1812) that Lot No. 104 was set aside for school purposes.
As there is more or less uncertainty as to the date
of the founding of Woodsfield, I will quote from the old Hand Atlas: "in
the year 1814, Archibald Woods, then a large land owner, brought out from
Wheeling a keg of French brandy and invited the men and boys, within a radius
of five miles to a general frolic, the purpose of which was to clean out Main
Street. This was done and the first trees felled."
The pioneer school of Woodsfield was held in the
first Court House, which was a log building and stood on the east side of
Public Square. It was also used at a place for religious services by all of the
denominations as well as public meetings of all kinds.
Very little information of records can be had
regarding the early history, especially of the schools. The only source of
information that I could find was in the minds and recollections of our older
citizens which source will not always be available.
The first building known to have been used for
school purposes was the old Billy Schively property, the present location of
Chas. Joost'r home and Meat Market.
A number of our oldest citizens attended a
select school taught by a Mrs. McManus in the East room of the Mrs. Mullican
property just across the street from the first location.
The first real school building was a little log
house located on the Mary Smith lot, diagonally oppotite the Jail. Mr. R. W.
Pope started to school in thir building. It was taught by a widow by the name
of Mrs. Miller. Mr. Pope's parents paid his tuition to have him taught the
letters that term. To know your letters
in those days was considered a long step towards
one's education. The rising generation do not fully appreciate the
advantages they now have in brick and frame school houses and with well trained
teachers, over their fathers and grandfathers who had to travel through sleet
and snow to receive the first rudiments of an education. If they advanced as
far as the "3 R's - reading, 'riting, and 'rithmetic" they
considered themselves good scholars. If they could go through the single Rule
of Three (3) they were indeed finished scholars and qualified to fill any
official position.
What a
change a few fleeting years have brought about, when compared with the present High School Curriculum for course of study.
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We go next to the brick
school building on lot No. 104 which was set aside for school purposes
as previously referred to - this building was located on the rear of the Dan
Akers, (now Forrest Hall) lot, on the alley just back of the Asher Okey home on
South Main Street.
History refers to this school house as built in the
year 1831 and first taught by Robert E. Naylor followed by Edward Salisbury and
Prof. Billy Brooks. Mr. Ezra Craig s memory seems clear as to the latter. R. W.
Pope, John and Philip Schumacher, Mr. Craig, D. O. Jones and others attended here
About this time the School Board decided on the plan
of consolidating the various select and public schools into one building. They
purchased the present school grounds, but a new board was elected and they
decided to sell this and purchase a lot on South Main Street now
occupied by Mrs. M. J. Devore, where they proceeded to build the "New
School House" as it was proudly referred to, about 1852-3. It was a frame
building and contained four class rooms.
The teachers in the new building were: Prof. Wheeler and wife and a Mrs.
Flanagan, also, Prof. Manning and others later.
We are now first introduced to that unique and original
character, Prof. "Johnnie" Moore of whom, no doubt some of my
older readers have some recollection. He was a Scotchman, tall in stature,
and light complected [sic]. He was "strict and used the gad very
freely. This is attested to by several of our older citizens still living. Just
the name of Johnnie Moore to these ex-pupils seems to recall to their
recollections some exciting and sensational school days. They will all
remind you of the habit that he and the teachers had in those times of throwing
useless playthings in the stove, and how the boys got a half day's vacation
when Rans Conner's loaded pistol was thrown in -- it took one half day to fix
the old stove and clean up the soot. (So they say). Mr. P. Schumacher says he
sat in a seat with Mr. Pope but didn t see him from one recess to the next
because he had but two eyes and didn't dare use them for anything else than to
watch "Johnnie" with one and his book with the other. A mode of punishment
much used by Prof. Moore was to make the boys stand on a chalk box on one foot,
of course, sometimes holding a dictionary in one hand. My father, (L.
Sulsberger) who went to school three months out of a year, as was the custom of
the time, often refers to the above incidents.
He also used a vise concern on the nose, the silly "fools
cap", palms extended to be struck with rod, etc.
On Nov. 17, 1862, the present location was
repurchased from James Mitchell at a cost of $1,000. The grounds were larger
than the present bounds, and 3/4 acres was occupied by the old Monroe Academy
(or Seminary) previously mentioned,
This building served the quiet little town of 800 Inhabitants for a number of
years, schooling the majority of our elderly citizens.
Just a brief description of the Monroe Academy which
had much to do with school life in
Woodsfield will not be out of place here. It had a wide reputation and
was attended by many from our border
counties. The historical Atlas of our
county contains the following: "The efficiency of our schools and school
system under the beneficent laws of our state is dependent upon the
qualification and character of the Board of Examiners. The first was Franklin Gale a graduate of
Amhurst College who came to this county in 1833. The people of Woodsfield
finding him to be thoroughly efficient induced him to remain. In 1833-40 he
taught a select school, was a member of the Board of Examiners and became
identified with the educational interests of the county.
Under his auspices the old Academy was built, of
lNhich Prof. A. Ross and Prof. G. P. Mason had charge and who
afterwards were chosen Professors of Bethany College on its reorganization.
Howe's History of Ohio in which 1 expected to find much interesting information contained this brief reference: "The Monroe Academy was built in 1846. Judge John Waterman Okey at one time Chief Justice of State, says the only institution of learning he attended was the Old Monroe Academy. This gives us some idea of the thoroughness of the work done. This building was equipped with planks for desks and split-bottom chairs. The bell was mounted on a high derrick which stood close enough to the building that the Professor in charge needed only raise the window to ring the bell."
We were unable to learn why this institution was not
continued here that today we might not have a college here instead at Bethany,
W.Va. It must have been a case of lost
opportunity. Had it received the proper
encouragement no doubt our fondest dreams would have been fulfilled.
With the passing if the Academy we begin the second
period of development, which seems less eventful but shows progress steadily
advancing attendance, size, cost of buildings, equipment, etc. This progress was brought about through a
long line of prominent and influential educators in their time. Do doubt some of you owe a lasting debt of
gratitude for what you are or may yet become to those noble men.
While there is a wide difference in opinion as to
what constitutes an education, we have long ago agreed that it must be moral,
practical as well as theoretical, and follow along the line aptly expressed as
the three H s which means a proper development of the head, heart and hand.
Following is a list (more or less complete) of the
instructors: Prof. Johnnie Moore, (Wm. Cook says The reason he had so much
influence with the Board of Education was because he could quote a little
Latin, drink a little liquor, was handy about the Court House affairs, and kept
good government .) He was followed by
Eli Smith and a Prof. Rev. Groves, 1873-74, S. G. Cosgrove; '74-'76, Prof.
Lopez; '76-'77, W.P. Cope; '79-'80-'82, Watson; '82-'83, Jas. A. Watson;
'83-'86, Prof. Clark; '86-'87, H. Morrow; '90-'01, Prof. Beck; '01-'02, W. R.
Bayes; '04-'05, Prof. Cy. Locher; '05-'08, Prof. C. McVey; '08-'09. Prof.
Harlan Scarborough; '09-'12; Bert Highlands;'l2-'14. G. W. Brown; '14-'15, A.
T. Stanforth. The present incumbent is R. C. Maston - 1915 to mid year 1917.
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There being no data regarding this period, we must resort to hearsay and observation.
We know that the Academy was pulled down and a new
two story, six roomed brick, built just back of it. That this then modern and
up-to-date structure served to house the schools until 1896. Then the present
three story, nine room, with basement and auditorium, brick edifice was erected
at a cost of $20,000 and nine years ago the annex at a cost of over $12.000
with the future beckoning us to continue the good work.
Built annex 1906-1907.
The history of education in Ohio reveals a constant
anxiety on the part of her citizens to make liberal provision for its schools,
to discover the best method of conducting it, to encourage the most thorough
training of her teachers, to place before her youth the highest ideals and to
fit them for the various duties of mature life. Thus, her citizenship and
patriotism have upheld Article III, of the Ordinance of 1787 which provided
that "religion, morality and knowledge, being necessary to good government
and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever
be encouraged."
Statistics reveal that in 1880 Woodsfield public
school property was valued at $12,000.00, number of teachers employed: Primary
5, High school 1. Average wage per month $25.00 in grades, high school $700.
Total number of pupils enrolled 220.
Since the year 1880 there has been a decided development as will be seen
upon comparison with the school record of 1916;
valuation $40,000.00, to which may be added another
like sum upon completion of the new high school plant. A monthly payroll of
about $1,000.00, number of teachers employed 16, average wage grades $45.00,
high school $82.66, total number pupils enrolled 570; grades 444, high 126. The
tuition received from attendance of grade and high school pupils from other
districts amounts to about $1000.00. This comparison although favorable as it
is, brings us face to face with the rapidly advancing standards of our
educational system, which calls for a continuous "awakening" to the
necessity and opportunity which it affords.
The voters of Woodsfield
Village School District fully expressed the warm appreciation
for education held by our community when on the 24th day of April, 1915, at a
special election 352 voted "yes" to 84 "no" for the
erection of a new high school building to cost $50.000.00. This building to be
fire-proof in compliance with Ohio State Building Code,
to be centrally located and contain a large
auditorium and gymnasium in compliance with wish of the majority of our
citizens, to be an up to date plant, complete in Itself, and large enough for
future demands, which requires one room for Domestic Science, one for Manual
Training, a Chemical Laboratory, etc., for the present. The heating and
ventilating system
is of the latest advanced type. The completion of
this beautiful building will add much to the physical appearance of Woodsfield
and serve as a constant inspiration for the youth of the entire community
educationally.
Henceforth, with the
appropriation, of sufficient funds, 'Good Schools" will have been
accomplished if the slogan "Good Roads and Good Schools" is really
the crying need for the "future of Woodsfield." Fine school buildings
augment the value of every realty investment in a community and should appeal
to the civic pride of every progressive citizen.
We reckon the capacity and
efficiency of a mechanical industry by its finished product. Can we not in
summing up consider the graduates of an institution of learning as its finished
product? The first class to graduate was in 1879. they were: Eloise (Williams)
McCann. Eila May (Morris) Miller and Otto P. Cassil. Since that time the grand
total of 233 (including the class of 1916), have graduated from the Woodsfield
Public Schools - indeed a fine product.
Think a
moment on the influence for good that radiates from the lives of this host of
efficient young men and women, in their widely scattered homes through almost
every state in the union.
The present 1916 teaching staff of the Woodsfield
Public School is as follows:
H.
C. Maston |
E.
F. Yoho |
Miss
Elva A. Lyon |
Roy
M. Pugh |
Miss
Josephine Giffen |
C.
L. Henderson |
Forrest
Moberly |
Miss
Ida Hall |
Miss
Esther Doherty |
Miss
Iva Hines |
Miss
Besse Archer |
Miss
Lucy Goddard |
Miss
Ella Griffith |
Miss
Cora Lulu Armstrong |
Mrs.
Belle Jennings |
Miss
Dee Beard |
Miss
Elva A. Lyon |
Miss
Josephine Giffen |
E.
F. Yoho |
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The lot mentioned (104) has the same number today (Feb.
1976) and the house is occupied by Mr. and Mrs.Charles Harper.
Charles
Joost Meat Market is the building now used by Don Evans, Optometrist at 112
East Court Street.
Franklin Gale was in charge of the Monroe Academy
which was located on North Paul Street. Woodsfield, the site of the present
(1976) Elementary School built in 1953. One wonders if Woodsfield residents
would have been interested they might have had Bethany College here.
The next school after the one on 104 is still here
at 224 South Main Street. One can see that there were four rooms, two up and
two down. Later, when no longer used for a school additions were added in the
back and for years was a one family residence. Today there are three apartments
and the building doesn't show its age.
In 1896 a three story red brick building was erected
on North Paul Street. For years the uppermost floor was used for a high school.
In 1915 the citizens voted to build the present (1976) high school. Additions
have been added, an auditorium and a gymnasium.
HIGH SCHOOL DEDICATION.
The dedicatory exercises of the new high school building will begin at one o'clock sharp Thursday, July 26, 1917.
In these days of intense military preparation when the
very air seems to be charged with patriotism, and every individual is anxious
to show his loyalty, the various committees concerned with the dedication feel
constrained to ask the citizens of Woodsfield to make an effort to outdo all
previous efforts in decorating.
Every business house and every residence should be
decorated as never before, because never before have we had as many reasons for
so doing. We are in the midst of a great war to uphold Americans ideals and we
are dedicating a new building to an institution which will build these ideals
higher.
Hang out your flags and bunting.
PUBLICITY COMMITTEE
RESULT
OF TEACHERS' EXAMINATION JUNE 29,1917
One year high school: Byron Lemley. Donald Egger.
Three year elementary: Urban
Mallett, R. R. Thomas
Renewal Normal Credits:
Ethel Crawford, Freda Yanit
Renewal two year elementary:
Forrest Mobberly, C. O. Mowder, Belle Jennings, Rachel Williamson, Henry
Kasserman, H. E. Kurtzman
Renewal three year
elementary: P. C. Willison, Ethel McKelvey, Anna Fisher, F. S. Hogue
Renewal three year high
school: Helena Schwall, Nova Smith, F. R. Nelson
Original one year
elementary: Josephine Henderlong, Freda Mobberly, Emma Luedy, Ida Kupfer,
Carrie Cox, Harold Conner, L. H. Conner, F. B. Mobberly, J. F. Shaffer, W. F. McConnell,
Brada Hines, Guy McKelvey, Lindsay Pryor, L. F. Reischman, Opal Givens, Amy
Clegg, Minnie Gertler, Opal Baker, Ina Perkins, Lulu Reed, Mary Haren.
Thanks
to Mrs. Fred Williams for the material pertaining to the schools of Woodsfield.
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COMMENCEMENT PROGRAM
Methodist Episcopal Church
Friday Evening, May 26, 1916
March .................................. .....
Meister's Orchestra of Wheeling
Invocation .....................................
Rev. V. E. Willings
Music .................................. .....
Orchestra
The Message to Garcia .................. Ella
Jackson
The
Power of Music ..................... Gertrude horner
Music .................................. .....
Orchestra
The lncessant Strife ....................... Estelle
Lapp
Interestand Perseverence ............... Harold
Atkinson
Music ..................................... ..
Orchestra
Class Address ............................... Supt.
J. V. McMillan, Marietta, Ohio
Music...................................... ...
Orchestra
Class Song ................................... Senior Class
Presentation of Diplomas ............... Dr. J. J.
Sulsberger, President - Board of Education
Music ................................. ...
Orchestra
Benediction ................................... Rev. E. Seybold
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FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP'S EARLY SCHOOLS
Written By Mr. and Mrs. Roy
Miracle
Many changes have come in our schools since those
early days. However, we must pay tribute
to those one-room schools, their teachers and boards of education who served
their day and time well. Although lacking the training and me many advantages
of our schools today, the fundamentals of education and basic values of life
cannot be measured.
Franklin Township had seven one-room schools and
one-four-room building in Stafford. This building housed both grades and high
school. The grades were divided into two rooms with four grades in each.
The one-room buildings were as follows:
DAVIS RIDGE:
Located about four miles
southeast of Stafford near the Bethel Township line on County Road 73. The
building, now removed, stood on the west ride of the road. This was also a
community center with a general store in operation for many years. Davis Ridge still
has a rich history in the memory of many people. The school was closed in the
early forties. The last teacher was Hilton Coss.
Some of the teachers who
taught in this school were:
Forrest
Mobberly |
Ray
Coss |
Ivan
Umplebe |
Miles
Winland |
Pearly
Willison |
Dick
Mallett |
Leonard
Mobberly |
Clifford
Mobberly |
Wilbert
Franks |
Madge
Ullman |
George
Mallett |
Hilton Coss |
Written by Mr. and Mrs. Roy
Miracle
HANSON:
Located on Hanson Ridge Road
about three miles northeast of Stafford. or you can turn south from State Route
145 at Baker & Sons Implement Co. and follow to the Hanson farm. It was
from this family that the school got its name. The school was closed in 1937
and pupils moved to Stafford. The last teacher was Wiley Thompson.
Some of the teachers who
taught in this school were:
Charles
Tople |
Opal
Givens |
Glenn
Givens |
Olive
Gray |
Brooklin
Haught |
Edmond
Miracle |
Coy
Miracle |
Roy
Miracle |
Florence
Booth |
Frank
Stallings |
Lulu
Fowler |
Wiley
Thompson |
Dick
Mallett |
|
KNOB (KNOB COLLEGE):
Located three miles north of
Stafford on County Road about mile off State Road 145 going toward
Summerfield, commonly known as Bean Ridge. The building, now removed, stood on a
knell east of the road. The land is now owned by James Robinson. The school was
closed in 1929. The last teacher was Mrs. Freda Reed.
Some of the teachers who
taught in this school were:
B.
F. Bowen |
Oliver
Cavenaugh |
Forrest Pepper |
Ivan
Love |
Earl
Denbow |
George
Thompson |
Nora
Ogg |
Urban
Mallett |
Ray
Curtis |
Dick
Mallett |
Margaret
Miracle |
Freda Reed |
MUSH
RUN:
Located about two miles from Stafford (East). Leave Hartshorn
Ridge Road No. 12 and follow Mush Run Road No. 228 about mile. The
building, now removed, stood on the east bank of the road. The school was
closed in 1929.
The last teacher was Dorothy Miracle.
Ross
Okey |
Ray
Coss |
George
Thompson |
Charles
Yonley |
Viola
Kinney |
Leonard
Mobberly |
Clifford
Mobberly |
Roy
Miracle |
Alma
Hines |
Dorothy Miracle |
Page 18
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SWAZEY - 1898 to 1934 - District No. 3:
Located about six miles north
of Stafford on Swazey Road. Turn north off state Route 145 at Sandbar Bridge,
follow Swazey Road to an abandoned church and cemetery. The building, now
removed, was located just back of the church. This was a community center in
those early days. The thriving Gibson Store was on the wagon road from points
south to the O. R. & W. Railway Station in Ethel. The school was closed in
1934. Mrs. Madge Ullman was the last
teacher.
Some of the teachers who
taught in this school were:
C.
S. McVey |
Iva
Robinson |
J.
B. Wilson |
R.
S. Gibson |
Henry
Hines |
Frank
Hagerman |
James
H. Hamilton |
George
VanFossen |
Harry
Dotson |
Ned
Okey |
Harrison
Dotson |
Lenora
099 |
Brady
Hines |
Erma
Feiock |
Oliver
Cavanaugh |
Delbert
Jackson |
Urban
Mallett |
Madaiene
Each |
Esther
Miracle |
Madge
Ullman |
THORNTON:
Located two miles northwest
of Stafford on Township Road 1038. Going from Stafford one mile turn left on
Township Road 660 and then right on 1038 and follow valley to foot of hill. The
building still standing, is now used as a barn by the land owner Oscar Wells.
The name originated from a family by the name of Thornton. The school closed in
1929. The last teacher was Mrs. Mildred (Mallett) Young.
Some teachers who taught in this
school were:
George
VanFossen |
George
Thompson |
Charles
Forshey |
Urban
Mallett |
Miles
Winland |
Ira
Miracle |
Hugh
Mallett |
Margaret
Miracle |
Ellis Miracle |
Mildred (Mallett) Young |
WELLS:
Location: Going south from Stafford
on Township Road No. 289 two miles, then turn right on County Road 78
(Creighton Ridge Road) going past Harold McConnells and Heber Hines. The
building, now removed, was located on the north side of the road on the corner
of the Hines farm. The name originated from a family by the name of Wells. The land was purchased in 1903 by Wesley
McConnell and now owned by his grandson, Robert Hines. The school was closed in
1937. The last teacher was Freda Reed.
Some of the teachers who
taught in this school were:
Frank
Bowen |
Miles
Winland |
Charles
Yonley |
Clyde
Hawkins |
Leonard
Mobberly |
Clifford
Mobberly |
Madge
Ullman |
Freda Heed |
Page 19
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
GREEN TOWNSHIP
School statistics for the year ending August 31, 1881,
are as follows: Total school monies received within the year $2,846.18. Amount
paid the teachers $1,703.04. Paid for
fuel, etc. $224.26. Balance on hand Sept. 1, 1881 $918.88. Number of schools, 8. Value of school property $2,500.00. Number
of teachers necessary 8. Average wages of teacher per month, gentlemen $28.00;
ladies $20.00. Number of pupils enrolled 385.
The above was taken from Caldwell's Atlas of Monroe
County Ohio. The number of pupils attending the grade school at the close of
the 1974-75 school year at Laings School was 63.
The information found on the following pages
pertaining to the schools of Green Township was gathered by Mr. and Mrs.
Raymond Pfalzgraf both being former teachers in Monroe County. You will notice
that they were able
to obtain a picture of each of these schools taken
sometime during their existence which is most unusual but assists us in getting
a better picture of school days as they were.
Written by Mr. and Mrs. Raymond
LAINGS
--- At Laings just off State Route 255
This wooden building served from the early 1920's until 1936 when it was destroyed by fire, then a new brick building was erected. Both these buildings housed the grade room and the Green Rural High School until the high school closed in 1957. However, it had been made into a two room grade school before 1957. A three room grade school was in operation
for one year followed by the four room grade school.
By 1964, the remodeled and with a new addition added, the four room grade
school went into operation as it is today. In 1975 it had a total of 63 pupils.
Some of the teachers who
taught in the Laings one room grade school were:
Frank
Hurd |
Clara
Shaw Keevert |
Josie
Stewart Burkhalter |
Goldia
Roth |
Elsie
McKelvey Thornberry |
Harry
Straight |
Roy
Hickman |
Clarence
Bryant |
Harold
Thompson |
Sadie
Hurd Dick |
John
McCaslin |
Bertha Goddard Patton |
Guy McKelvey |
|
PATTON - 4.6 mile, south of Laings on State Route
255
There were at least three Patton schoolhouses. The first was located a little farther south
than the present one. Little is known of the second one. In 1941 the Patton Sunday School bought the
building from the Green Township Board of Education. It continued to function
as a Sunday School until 1950 when it closed for lack of attendance. Three
trustees, Homer Rufener, Otto Refener, and Fred Hinderlong (now deceased) have
charge of the building. The public school closed in 1950.
Some of the teachers who
taught there are:
Jimmy
Goddard |
Jake
Wood |
Charlie
Straight |
Golda
Reef Bowen |
Edith
Jeffers Griffith |
Velma
Henning Rufener |
Josephine
Hinderlong Fox |
Fred
L. Griffon |
John
Anshutz |
Russel
Tubaugh |
Charlie
Eisenbarth |
Ira
Stine |
John
McCaslin |
T.
T. Gillispie |
Kermit
Rundestatler |
George
Williams |
Frank
Hurd |
Kathryn
Marsh Poulton |
Azel
Norris (last teacher) |
|
Page 20
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
FOX
SCHOOL - stood 6.7 miles southeast of Laings on State Route 536
This school was probably built in the 1880's. It
housed the Fox Sunday School for years. The public school closed in the mid
1940s. Tip Yost bought the school house including the bell. The land went back
to the Fred Straub farm.
Some of the teachers who taught at Fox School were:
George
Reef |
Ellen
Roth Jones |
Ida
Kufler |
Velma
Reef Hartley |
John
McCaslin |
Velma
Henning Rufener |
Clarence
Reef |
John
Anshutz |
Adolph
Schneider |
Gene
Imhoff |
Roy
Clegg |
Mary
Norris |
Thomas
Simmons |
William
Brown |
Maria
Thompron |
George Williams |
Laura
Pfalzgraf (last teacher) |
Ellen
Roth Jones |
LEHIGH - was probably built before 1880.
It closed in the 1930's.
Homer Winkler bought the school house and made a home of it. The land went back
to the James Fankhauser Farm.
Some of the teachers who
taught there are:
Gene
Imhoff |
Elsia
McKelvey Thornberry |
Clarenca
Bryant |
Mary
Norris |
Edith
Jeffers Griffith |
Dsnie
Lapp Workman |
Ada
Gillespie McCoy |
Susan
Bruen |
T.
T. Gillespie |
John
McCarlin |
Nina
Clegg Hart |
Elmer
Hurd |
Homer
Drum |
Harry Straight |
Vernon
Drum |
|
BENWOOD SCHOOL - was located 2.8 miles routh of Laings on State Route 255.
The Benwood school was probably built before 1880. It
closed in the 1950's. The schoolhouse was sold to Raymond Alleman who sold it
to a Mr. Truax and he built a home of it.
The land went back to the James Holtsclaw farm.
Some of the teachers who taught at Benwood School
are:
Bertha
Hurd Wilson |
Blanche
Tubaugh |
Estalla
Tubaugh Boston |
Mary
Norris |
Amalia
Eddy |
Bill
Brown |
Harry
Straight |
Laura
Stauffer Pfalzgraf |
C.
W. Norris |
Charler
Eisenbarth |
Russel
Eddy |
Oscar
Workman |
Owen
Hurd Sr. |
Lawerence
Barackman |
Frank
Bachman |
John
McCarlin |
Clyde
Watson |
Tom
Simmons |
Harold
Thompson |
|
Page 21
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LAUREL RUN SCHOOL - stood 2.6 miles northwest of
Laings on Cranesnest Road.
The first Laurel Run schoolhouse
was hauled away by oxen to the Alexander Farm and was remodeled into a home in
which the Edward Starr family lived. The above school was built in me 1880's.
Sunday School and Summer School was held there in the 1880's and 1890 s. Carl
Henthorn bought the building probably in the 1930's and used it for repairing
other buildings. The land went back to the Edward Starr farm.
Some of the teachers who
taught there were:
Golda
Reef Bowen |
Harold
Thompson |
Harry
Straight |
Frank
Hurd |
Okay
Roth |
Clara
Shaw Keevert |
Margaret
Simmons |
Fern
Cehrs |
Amy
Clegg |
Elmer
Hurd |
George
McCurdy |
Mary
Norris |
Jacob
Clegg |
Ralph
Eddy |
Racey
Carpenter |
Bertha
Hurd Wilson |
Page 22
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