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THE ONE ROOM SCHOOLS OF
MONROE COUNTY, OHIO 1808 - 1957
HISTORY SUNSBURY TWP. KINDERGARTEN
--Elsa (Crooks) Harper
Perhaps the most exciting and challenging experience
of my thirty-seven year teaching career was helping to organize and plan the
first Kindergarten in the Beallsville School under the supervision of Mr. Henry
Prichard, then Superintendent of Beallsville School.
It was during the summer vacation. I was approached
by Mr. Prichard and asked if I would help formulate, organize and teach a class
of this type at the opening of the next school year. I was thrilled beyond words, and accepted without hesitation.
This was at the time the new town of Wilson came
into being and Mr. Prichard had sensed the need for a program of this sort in
this fast-growing community, which had come as a result of the location of the
new industry along the river.
During the ensuing weeks, I started making plans. I
spent many hours in surrounding libraries, reading every book available related
to this field of education. I also signed up for some correspondence courses to
broaden my knowledge in preparation for the coming year. I had many
consultations with Mr. Prichard where we discussed evolving plans and made
selections of materials.
Finally, in September of the school year of 1957-58
the doors to the first Kindergarten in Beallsville, as well as the first in
Monroe County, were open. I don't know who was more excited on that day - the
children, Mr. Prichard, or I. There
were twenty-one five year olds who were escorted to the doors with their
mothers. Some came tripping gaily in, while the shy ones held on to their
mother's hand.
I must admit - I was a very nervous teacher that
morning as I greeted each one with a smile, took a little hand into mine and
led them about the room showing them all the interesting things therein. Their
little faces soon lit up with eagerness and anticipation. Each time a tear
formed in my eye and a lump formed in my throat, for I was so happy.
Since the families in Wilson came from various
sections of the United States, and one little girl had lived in South America,
we had children with various cultural backgrounds, and experiences which made
for varied related classroom experiences.
We would take imaginary trips to some far-away town
where these children had been. Our own community children came from our mining
and agricultural area which was a fascinating world to those from far-away
areas. The little girl from South America stimulated thought and further
discussion within the class.
The "show and tell" time brought us a
world of material from the country all about us. We learned mannerisms,
expressions, and a few Spanish words from our South American country.
The parents of the entire community were without a
doubt the greatest. Our budget for this project was not too great, but what
these wonderful parents contributed in the way of games, dolls, furniture,
dress-ups, etc., made up for everything.
They helped with parties held at holiday time and gave of their time,
also.
So, I must say, this venture proved a genuine
success, and was to me the most rewarding I ever had.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SUNSBURY TOWNSHIP SCHOOLS IN MONROE COIINTY, OHIO
Our beloved County was once known as the "dark hills of old Monroe." This is not true today. We like to think of it as a country of a thousand hills and a thousand dales, beautiful beyond words. It was formed from parts of Belmont, Guernsey and Washington Counties on Jan. 29, 1813. It was named for James Monroe who was President of the United States of America from 1817 to 1825.
People from Virginia,
Pennsylvania and Maryland came through an unbroken wilderness to make their
home here. They came to this section because of the cheap virgin soil, rich
hunting grounds, an abundance of timber with which to construct sturdy homes,
and with the strong desire to live under the Northwest Territory Laws.
The Ordinance of 1787
contained these four provisions:
1. Slavery prohibited
2. Schools encouraged
3. Freedom of worship
4. A Bill of Rights granting civil Liberty to the
Citizens
Page 42
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It was no wonder that our Forefathers came here to
make their homes. Most of us are justly proud of our heritage. The County's
first settlement was near the mouth of Sunfish Creek about 1799. Later three
other small settlements were made. The
first was made near the present town of Beallsville in 1812. The first cabin
was built by John Linn and Abner Barrert.
The first child born here was Joshua Barrett, son of Abner and Anna
Barrett.
The first Election was held
on John Linn's farm about one mile west of Beallsville in 1819 or 1820. It was
told that 11 votes were cast at that time.
Sunsbury Township was
organized on June 24, 1819. It contained 28 sections. This land lies on the high ridge dividing
the waters of Captina Creek on the North and those of Sunfish Creek on the
South. The summit of this broad ridge is smooth and comparatively level. The
southern slope is roughened by the tributaries to Sunfish Creek. These small
streams have
made many deep and rocky channels down over the
hillsides.
Remembering to keep this
beautiful setting in mind it's time to turn the attention toward the education
of the children and young people of the long ago and those of the here and now
who call Sunsbury Township their home.
In early times subscription
schools were very common. The parents paid one dollar per scholar for a term of
three months. The teacher boarded with the families for the length of time
warranted by the number of scholars from that particular family.
The story is told that a
teacher had to sign an agreement to treat his pupils at Christmas or New Years
time. If he refused, he was barred from the schoolroom. If he were the first to
arrive they would smoke him out by climbing up on the roof and covering the
chimney. If he still refused they would duck him in the creek. Needless to say
the teacher usually treated and in addition to that he gave the children a half
day holiday in which to play games of their own choosing.
The first school in the
Township was a subscription school with a Mr. Rogers serving as its teacher. It
was about one mile south of Beallsville and boasted an enrollment of eight
scholars. All early schools were small one-room buildings and were for the
instruction of limited grade subjects, only.
The first public school that
was taught in Sunsbury Township was started in 1837. It stood on ground donated
for that purpose by Israel D. Riley. In later years the Dextar schoolhouse was
built on the same site. The first teacher was Samuel Lemley.
By the by more public
schools came into being, namely; Labelle. Trembly. Beallsville. McDougal. Oak
Grove. Ohio Valley. Ozark, Paine and Ringgold. According to Caldwell's
"Atlas of Monroe County" published at Mt. Vernon, Ohio in 1898, all
the schools went by number instead of names. No-l was located on the G. W.
Griffith farm between Jerusalem and Beallsville. No. 2 on the H.R. Watson farm near Ozark. No. 3 at Beallsville
(?). No 4 on the Sarah A. Trembly farm. No. 5 on the Ebenezer Taylor farm. No.
6 on the H. Smith farm. No. 7 on the John Headley farm. No. 8 on the N. A.
Hayward farm. It should be noted that they were all placed within walking
distance of the children's homes for which they served.
Later these numbers gave way
for the definite names by which they were known. A brief history of each will be given here.
Labelle - located close to the present Arley Johnson
home. Rev. Richard Perkins' mother,
Lena Taylor Perkins, went to school there as did her seven brothers. Two of
them became teachers, namely Emmett and Everett Taylor.
Vernon Hayward was once a
teacher there as were Mont Rush, Al and Ferd McDougal.
Dexter - Located at the start of Atkinson Run. Carlos
Mellott and family built a new house on this site and are presently living there.
Some of the teachers were Josie Hayward, Alberta Price, Ray and Mel
Morris. Rev. Richard Perkins spent his
first grade year there. Hattie Phillips went to this school also. The building was offered for sale by the
Board of Education to the highest bidder in 1934.
McDougal - Situated near the home of Ferd McDougal. He
together with Arthur Willison, Herman Bach, Melba Carpenter, Isie Riley, Mabel
Harper and Herman Paine served as teachers there, also Vernon and Sarah
Jeffers. Herman Paine initiated the
first hot lunch program at McDougal School to be found in Monroe County. This
was in
1938. This school was closed in 1945.
Oak
Grove - A
Griffith family lived nearby this school. Located between Ozark and
Beallsville. Quoting from "The
Voice" December 1896 we get some idea of who attended this school.
"Month ending Nov. 7, 1896: pupils enrolled, 21; average daily attendance,
17; pupils absent but one day, 3; visitors, 2; those perfect in attendance:
Sallie Carle, Elta V. Hutchison, Charles Keesor, Roscoe W. Keesor, Merle
Hutchison, Chester H. Gibbons, Vernon Sumption and Walter Carle. Katie Arnold,
teacher. It closed in 1914 with Mrs. Josie Hayward as teacher that year.
Ohio
Valley -
Once located on Brock Ridge on the Charlie Book farm. It was moved from that
place to a site near the Grange Hall on the Russell Carle farm. The building
was too wide to go through the gates so fence, had to be laid down in its path
as it journeyed through the fields to its new home.
Page 43
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Howard Blattler and Alice Milligan were two of the
teachers at this school. Homer and Billy Rucker were students there.
After its closing Russell and Wanda Roberts Weekly
fashioned it into a home for themselves. It still stands at the Junction
of
Route 556 and Clover Ridge.
Ozark - Located on the Forrest
Eberle farm. Earlier it had been known as the Roy Watson place.
At first it was a two-room frame building but became
a one room school in 1934. Many years ago it was the meeting place for the
members of the Ozark Church of Christ.
Some of the teachers were Susie Bruin, Cleo Menkel,
Mel Morris and Clyde Watson.
Paine - Located between Jerusalem and Ozark on the Billy
Paine farm near Adair Station. A new building was erected but it was not used
too many years. Herman and Harold Bach also Clyde Watson were teachers there.
When it closed the pupils
were given a choice of attending either Jerusalem or Beallsville Schools.
C. W. Paine purchased the schoolhouse
in the spring of 1938. E. W. and Henry Christman bought the acre of ground upon
which it stood.
Trembly - Located on Trembly Ridge
west of Beallsville. C. W. Fraley lived there for many years. Some of the
teachers were Josie Hayward, Susie Bruin, Dale Odin, Ferd McDougal, Herman Bach
and Bessie Rutter.
According to "Backward Glances" of 1922
these pupils were enrolled: Arnold Cross, Ermel Cross, Harlen Mellott,
Frederick and Freda Glatzer, twins, Maggie Smith, Opal, Robert, Etta Mae and
Annie McElroy, Lizzie and Lissie Mobley, twins, Effie Crouse and Nettle Morris:
C. F. McDougal was the teacher.
The school closed in the spring of 1939 due to lack
of State Aid Funds. The building was wrecked and the lumber was
used in the construction of the Vo-Ag building in
Beallsville.
Ringgold - Located on the N.A. Hayward farm on Headley
Ridge. Mrs. Blattler told me that Howard was teaching there when they were
married. She also said they could soon celebrate their Golden Wedding
Anniversary.
Some other teachers were
Ferd McDougal, Harold Turner, Lissie (?) Mobley, Emmett Taylor. Stella Pugh and
Martha Adair.
Closed on Aug. 17, 1934 and
the pupils were transported to Beallsville that autumn. Lumber from the razed
building was used in the construction of the Farm Shop in 1939.
Mrs. Katie Decker attended literary and cake walks at the old Ringgold schoolhouse.
Jerusalem - It should have brief mention here because the
eastern part of the village lies in Sunsbury Township.
The first one room building
was located on the old Jesse Peterman farm; the second was made into a home now
occupied by Richard Fluharty and family; the third was a four room two story
structure; and the fourth was a three room, hall, and laboratory schoolhouse. It was built in the summer of 1920. At the
present time it serves as a Community and Recreation Center.
At first Jerusalem existed
as a rural school; then as a three teacher grade school; next with two added
years of High School instruction. This was followed by three years of High School
for a few terms. Upon its closing the High School students were transported to
Sunsbury Rural High School.
In 1956 the 7th and 8th
Grades were bussed to Beallsville and in 1958 the Elementary pupils became a
part of the Beallsville Grade School.
Beallsville - At first the buildings were small and for
Elementary children only. Soon after the ending of the Civil War a large
two-story brick building was constructed in the town. It included rooms for
High School instruction and a Charter was granted to them in 1895.
A summer Normal School was
held there for a few terms. Among the would-be teachers attending these
sessions were Margaret Schumacher Riesbeck, Susannah Bruin and James A.Moore.
Sr.
Quoting the Beallsville
School Statistics for the year ending on Aug. 31. 1881 we learn:
|
Amount
of Money received |
$ 1,420.00 |
|
Paid
to Primary Teachers |
290.00 |
|
Paid
to High School Teachers |
450.00 |
|
Value
of School Property |
2.500.00 |
|
Number
of Primary Teachers, ladies |
2 |
|
Number of High School teachers, gentlemen |
1 |
|
Number
of School Buildings |
1 |
|
Number
of Rooms |
3 |
|
Average
wages of lady teachers per month |
19.00 |
|
Average
wager of gentlemen teachers per month |
56.00 |
|
Number
of pupils enrolled |
151 |
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Over a period of time advancement was made from a
Third to a First Grade High School. In 1935 they applied to the State Board for
permission to operate a Junior High School. It was known as the 6-6 plan.
Additions were made to the present building in the
years of 1928, 1956, 1965 and 1967.
Some highlights showing the educational progression
of the Beallsville Schools through the years are -
1. 1935 Board of Ed. applied to State for 9 months
term.
2. 1937 Name changed from Sunsbury Rural to
Beallsville Village Board of Education.
3. 1945-46 Miss Gertrude Watson hired as Hot Lunch
Manager.
4. 1946 - Adams Township hired Everett Henthorn to
transport their children to Beallsville.
5. 1954 Driver Education Training started.
6. 1957 Primary Grades moved from the Old Grade
Building to the High School.
7. 1959 Lane Building sold to Carl Kinzy.
8. Beallsville Board accepted the Washington Local
School from Belmont County Board of Education.
9. 1962 Bookmobile visits from the State Library
Service Center were accepted.
10. 1965 Operation Head Start came into use.
11. 1965 Golf instruction initiated.
12. Grade School Building sold.
13. 1966 Teacher Aides employed.
14. ? Became a member of the North Central
Association of Secondary Schools and Colleges.
These innovations came under the guidance of County
Superintendents Ed C. Feioch, John Nelson, E. G. Nelson, J. C. Christy, F. L.
Pollock, Samuel H. Dillon. Dr. Donald Cobb, Delvin Devore. Henry Prichard and
other able men.
Some Principals who gave unstingily of their talents and time were such educators
as Harold Nichols. John Castilow, Henry Prichard, Fred Abel, James Campbell,
Frank Dumas, Edward Shephard, Clarence Massey, William Workman, Ross Pugh, Dr.
Charles Johnson, Myron Harmon. Harry Straight. Timothy Haught and Larry Reich.
Among the students who have gone out from Sunsbury
Township Schools may he found lawyers, doctors, educators, ministers,
missionaries, Congressmen, merchants and many others who have ranked highly in
their chosen professions.
As of today Beallsville serves as the Hub of the
educational wheel which serves a large Switzerland of Ohio School District. It
includes northern Monroe County and several Belmont County Townships. Without
these vital spokes of the wheel - namely the former small rural schools and
Beallsville's own colossal efforts - it would have been very difficult for
Sunsbury Township to have been able to offer the wonderful educational
opportunities of this present day and time.
Sponsored by the Monroe County Retired Teachers
Association in conjunction with the BiCentennial Celebration of 1976.
In compiling the materials for this paper, I am
indebted to Viola (Gertler) Simeral, Josie Hayward, Gertrude Watson, Sarah
Jeffers, Hazel Rucker. Katie Decker, Gladys Fair, Hattie Phillips, Elsa Harper.
Alberta VanDyne. Sarah Gibson. Gladys Smith, Lola Tremblay, County Supt. Delvin
Devore and members of his office staff, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Blattler, Myrta
Baker, Roy Mercer, Richard Perkins, and last, but not least, Mrs. Leonard
Green, who served as typist for me. Everyone
gave their help so willingly, even mentioning others who might be able to help
in research.
I am indeed grateful to each one of you. If I have omitted anyone's name, I am truly
sorry.
Elizabeth (Moore) Thomas
Date -January 14, 1976
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SWITZER
TOWNSHIP
Blum
School -
was located on Boltz Ridge now County Road 37 about four
miles from Clarington on ground now owned by Charles Gasser. This school was
closed in 1923 and the building purchased and torn down by Wesley McDougal of
Clarington.
Jenni
School -
was located on Janni Ridge now County Road 81 on ground now owned by Olive
Nippert. This school closed in 1944 and the building purchased by Paul Zink.
The last teacher there was F. D. Mallett.
St. Johns - located on the hill above St. Johns United Church
of Christ was closed in 1951. The last teacher there was F. D Mallett. Carl
Bigler bought the building in 1952 and Jack Hammond now owns the land on which
it once stood. This site can be reached by taking County Road 25.
Mt
Vernon -
still stands. It is now used as a voting place for Switzer Township residents
and a township hall. It was purchased by the township trustees in 1952 for the
rum of $200.00. The Dry Ridge Road intersects with State Route 556 at the point
where this building stands.
Ohio
Valley - was
about five miles from Beallsville on State Route 556 and closed in 1940 with
Lucille Gasser being the last teacher there. Russel Weekly bought the building
and converted it into a dwelling. Gary Baumberger now lives in the
house from which was once Ohio Valley School. Delmas
Moore now owns the land on which it stood.
Centenniel - was one of the first to
close with the elimination of the one room schools in Switzer Township. This
was
about 1919. Bert Fraley and Fred Knuchel bought the building.
The land is now owned by Bert Fraley, and can be reached by taking Township
Road 200.
Blair
Run - a few
hundred yards off of State Route 7 about four miles north of Clarington closed
in 1941 with Fred Pfalzgraf being the last teacher there. The ground
is now owned by the State of Ohio.
North
Pole -
stood on Township Road 207 and closed in 1923. The last teacher there was Edna
Helbling. Andy Krock purchased the building in 1937. Paul Lehman now owns the
land on which it once stood.
Zonker - on County Road 64 closed in 1930 with Lucille
Gasser as the last teacher. Julius S. Tauffer now owns the land on which it
stood and Fred Pfalzgraf purchased the building. For many years two building
stood here. One housed the lower grader and one the upper, however, about 1900
or in the early 1900', one building was removed.
Grandview - on Blattler Ridge closed in 1947 with Howard
Blattler being the last teacher there. The building was sold to Sterling Gates
in 1950 and Walter Rine now owns the land. County Road 38 passes the spot on
which it stood. In addition to being used a, a schoolhouse it was also used as
a church with services being held regularly by the Methodist minister from the
Bethel-Zion Circuit conducting the services.
Switzer - on County Road 25 served
as both an elementary and a high school. The ground on which it stood was
purchased from John Kaiser for $5.00 and the building was erected and served as
an elementary school until 1922 with William Miller as the last teacher while
it served in an elementary capacity. In the fall of 1922 it became a 3 year
high school with J. C. Christy as teacher. It ceased operation as a high school
in 1929 with Percell Mallett as the last teacher. The township trustees
purchased the building from the board of education in 1938 for $100.00 and used
it to house road maintenance equipment until the spring of 1975 when the
building was sold to Fred Smith. The new building directly across the road
replaces this garage and storage house. The land on which it stood is still
owned by the township trustees.
Written by Lerter C. Lehman
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THE FORMER SCHOOLS OF WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP (MONROE COUNTY)
Before the turn of the century,
Washington Township, Monroe County, was divided into approximately thirteen
districts, each one having a one-room elementary school. The first were
constructed of logs with fireplaces for heating. Later these buildings were
constructed of stone and wood. We still have one stone school house standing of
which we shall speak later on. (Byers).
Most of these buildings were
furnished with "pot bellied'' stoves which used coal for fuel. Each fall
the teacher was furnished with a coal bucket, a broom and a box of chalk.
A teacher was chosen who had
a strong right arm for these schools, because the pupils often ranged from mere
children to adults.
These schools often had an
enrollment of forty and fifty pupils and more. All grades were taught in one
room. Pupils walked to school as busses were unheard of. Of course, no hot
lunches were served and pupils carried lunch pails.
The morning and afternoon
periods were broken by a fifteen minute recess or more in which time, pupils
and teacher played upon the playground together.
While these schools may not
be looked upon by today's standards as excellent, yet they filled the need for
the times, and much excellent education was obtained. Many of our teachers, yet
living attended one of these schools, taught in them and have happy memories of
those days.
Way, Byers and Low Gap Schools -- Of all these buildings,
only a few still stand. Way School near Whitacre's store is in excellent
condition. The only remaining stone school house still standing (there were
two) is Byers on State Route 26 near Graysville, Ohio. The other stone
school house was Low Gap which was torn down. It was located near the
Low Gap church on State Route 26
near Rinard Mills, Ohio. The only other remaining
wooden building other than Way is the Mann located on Greenbrier Road
east of Graysville. The building is in bad need of repair.
Number one, or Merrill's Ridge was located on the ridge
west of Rinard Mills. The first building burned and was replaced by a second
across the road which has since been converted to a dwelling.
The Haney school was originally located at the top of Haney
Hill south of Whitacre's store. A new building approximately one-half mile
south replaced this one. It no longer stands.
The Hubbard school was located between Pleasant Ridge church
and Rias Run.
Beech Grove or Straightfork was located on Straight Fork
Road west of Graysville, Ohio.
Summit Hall was located on the hilltop west of State Route 26
near Rinard Mills.
The Bell School was located on the hilltop east of Knowlton
Covered Bridge off State Route 26.
Oak Dale School was located southeast of Whitacre's store on
a township road. It has since fallen in.
Harmon Ridge was located on Harmon Ridge east of Graysville,
Ohio.
Thompson Ridge was located on Kinney Ridge Road east of
Graysville. The original building stood on the side hill above the Foreaker
farm near Muskingum Creek. Later the building was moved farther west toward
Graysville. This building was demolished and a new one constructed on Kinney
Ridge Road toward Graysville.
Washington Township had two, two-room
structures: Graysville, which has been replaced by Graysville Elementary School
and Rinard Mills, which is now occupied by Rinard Mills church.
Written by: Glenn Piatt and Harold Kinney
Page 47
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WAYNE TOWNSHIP
By D. E. Highman
In the beginning the territory of Wayne Township was
divided into six districts for educational purposes, one school in each
district, one teacher for each school in each district, and the children of
each district were assigned to the school in the district. About the beginning
of the twentieth century (1900 to 1910) eight one room schools were built and a
township board of education was created to govern the schools. This board
consisted of three members and a clerk.
Dougherty
School
The Dougherty School was built on land obtained from
the farm of Edward Dougherty and the name Dougherty School was probably derived
from the many families of the name who lived in the nearby vicinity. It was
located about 350 feet east of Stats Route 26 approximately 6 miles south of
Woodsfield on a lane leading back to the farm of S. W. Steed. Some of the
teachers who taught there were Garfield Dougherty. Oliver Dougherty, Daniel
Wire Dougherty, A. E. Cline, Lawrence Litten, Violet Scarbarough, Jay R.
Highman, D. E. Highman, and Chauncy Umpleby.
No information is available as to what happened to the building.
Willison Run School
The Willison Run School was
located about five miles south of Woodsfield on Township Road 102 Willison Run.
It is about .4 mile northwest of State Route 26. The land on which the
schoolhouse was built was formerly owned by Barney Dougherty or his son Steven
Dougherty. I. F. Shafer is the present owner of the land. When the school
closed in the 1930's the building was bought by Lloyd King and the lumber was
used to build his home on Route 26. Some of the teachers who taught there were:
A. E. Cline, lona McMullen. Louise Martin, Lila Rinard, John Shafer, Paul
Dougherty, Mrs. E. G. Nelson, Lawrence Litten, I. F. Shafer, Marguerite
Suittor, D. E. Highman, and John Paulus. The school closed after the Wayne
Consolidated School was built in the latter part of the 1930's.
Walnut Hill School
The
Walnut Hill School was located about .8 mile from Moose Ridge County Road 45.
The land was formerly owned by John Moose. When the building was no longer used
it was purchased by Whet Shafer who later sold it to Merle Coss. The lumber was used to build the home in
which Mr. Coss now resides on Conner Ridge. Harry Bright owns the land on which
the building once stood. A beautiful large maple tree now stands in a meadow
beside the road where the school house stood. The only teachers I can recall
who taught here were Iona McMullen and Taylor Strickling.
Edwina School
The Edwina School was
located about mile from Richfork Road leading in a northerly direction
from Richfork to Moose Ridge. The old schoolhouse is still standing and was
remodeled into a dwelling and is now occupied. The building is now owned by
Anne Scully. When the building was built the land was owned by Hattie
Dougherty, the wife of Edward Dougherty. Some of the teachers who taught here
were: A. E. Cline, I. F. Shafer; Hendershot. Jay Highman and D. E. Highman.
Morris School
The Morris School was located
about 600 feet from Richfork Co. Road 17 on the Smith Hill which is Township
Road 662 leading up to County Road 77 on Barber Ridge. Nothing remains at the old location except
the casing where the water well stood. The location is almost hidden by trees.
I cannot say what happened to the building. Some of the teachers who taught at
the Morris School were: Lena Kestner, May Nash, Hayden Dillon, Melissa Orange
Smith, Walter DeVoe, I. F. Shafer, and John Paulus. The land on which the
school was built was obtained from El Cronin. Today the land is owned by Nova
Christman. The building was purchased by Barney Bott and used for building
material.
Huffman School
The Huffman School is
located on County Road 17 known as Richfork. This is in the northwest part of
the township. The building is located about 100 feet from County Road 17 on the
right side of the road going west. The building is being used by the farm
owner, Terra Vickers, as a storage place for hay. The land or
farm on which the building was built was formerly owned by Lewis Stowe.
Some of the teachers who taught at Huffman were: Melissa Orange Smith, A. E.
Cline, Ray Coss, and Charlie Smith.
Page 48
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Hartshorn Ridge School
The Hartshorn Ridge School was located about 3 miles
west of State Route 26 on County Road 12 on the left ride of the road going
west. The old building was torn down and used by Clifford Hines to
build a chicken house. The land was formerly owned by John Hartshorn and today
is owned by Eugene Hartshorn. The Hartshorn School was used for several years
as a center for the Hartshorn Garage. Teachers who taught there were: Clifford
Mobberly, G. N. Devore, Jay R. Highman, and D. E. Highman.
Oden Ridge School
The Oden Ridge School was located on County Road 48
approximately 1 miles
west of State Route 26 on Conner Ridge.
It was located on the left ride of the road going
west. The land was formerly owned by G. W. Drake and now by G. N. Devore. When the school was closed due to
consolidation, the building was purchased by John Suittor and was used to build
the home where Arthur Kinney now lives.
MEMORABILIA
Going back to the period
prior to the one I am now writing about - -During the school year 1900-1901 my
wife's aunt, Hazel Kessor, showed my wife and I a souvenir presented to her by
her teacher. N. E. Oden. It contained the names of the school board members and
the names of the scholars of Oden School at that time. I am copying a sample of
this souvenir
so
that you may read it - - -
Some of the teachers of Oden School were: A. E.
Cline, Bethel Scarborough, I. F. Shafer, Jay R. Highman, Lawrence Litten, G. N.
Devore, Violet Scarborough, and D. E. Highman.
|
Souvenir |
|
Oden
School |
|
School
District No. 3 |
|
|
|
Wayne
Township |
|
Monroe
County |
|
Ohio |
|
|
|
1900
1901 |
|
|
|
|
Presented
by |
|
|
|
N.
E. Oden, teacher |
|
|
|
School
Board |
|
Joseph
Oden |
|
|
|
|
|
|
James
Highman |
|
|
|
|
|
|
James
Lowe |
|
|
Scholars:
|
Clark
Cronin |
Loney
Highman |
|
Clifton
Highman |
Otto
Highman |
|
Oscar
Highman |
Jacob
Highman |
|
Knox
Highman |
Harry
Highman |
|
Bethel
Scarborough |
Davy
Williams |
|
Delbert
Highman |
Sylvester
Highman |
|
Blaine
Drake |
Billy
Williams |
|
Hazel
Keeser |
Edna
Highman |
|
Ivy
Drake |
Mary
Keller |
|
Stella
Cronin |
Ethel
Keller |
|
Grace
Drake |
Alta
Highman |
|
Hazel
Williams |
Catherine
Drake |
|
Serepta
Williams |
Rush
Williams |
|
Nora
Williams |
Olive
Williams |
|
Gussie
Lowe |
Anna
Lowe |
|
Mary
Highman |
Inez
Highman |
|
Ida
Lowe |
Hazel
Lowe |
|
Blanche
Cronin |
Loney
Highman |
Written by D. E. Highman
Page 49
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
LEE
TOWNSHIP
Ridgeville
School 1897
|
Wealth |
The
Eighth Grade Graduate |
|
I own so much, I'm so very rich, Horizon to horizon is my special niche. I own the glitter of ice, the crunch of snow, Sun-sparked icicles dripping tears below, Morning mist lingering over the hills, Water
laughing merrily in the rills, The sun glinting on a spider condominium, White
clouds, blue skies, bluer delphinium. The distance colorfully purpled and blued, Daffodils and violets evening dewed, Fluttering butterflies and windblown petals, The smell of applebutter in big black kettles, Teasing wind fragrant with spicy treasures, How I enjoy those God-given pleasures! Friendships and family, starlit heavens above, But
the greatest wealth I possess Is
the gift of God's love! |
Dreaming
in the schoolroom I wonder What
unknown fate, dew-pearled Will
carry me into the world My
hopes and dreams unfurled. The windows, protective and restrictive, Seem to mist with memories Of secrets shared, and prophecies, Poignant
pain and ecstasies. Has the discipline of guided learning, Bringing glimmers of life's spring And
hopes for the beckoning future, Shaped me to be subject or king? As
my image appears in the window, I
wonder what I really am. Will
my life just be empty promises, Or can I fulfill my dreams for man? |
|
by Virginia Stahl |
by Virginia Stahl |
Page 50
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
HANSON SCHOOL
Submitted by Dorothy (Miracle) Willison, Teacher
SWAZEY SCHOOL
Submitted by Esther (Miracle) Thompson
KNOB SCHOOL
Submitted by Miss Mary Baker
Page 51
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Page 52
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
[Transcriber s Note: The
above crest decorated the back of this book titled: The One Room Schools of
Monroe County 1808 1957 Text
within the book indicates that the occasion for this book prepared by the Retired
Teachers Association was the Bicentennial of the U.S. Declaration of
Independence]
Back Cover
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
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