Mower County, Minnesota - Horticulture, 1911

Horticulture

Importance of Fruit Growing in Mower County - "Experiences of a Veteran Horticulturist," by John C. Hawkins - Fruit Growing in the Early Days - The Minnesota and Mower County Horticultural Societies Organized - Difficulties Encountered in Developing Mower County as a Fruit Growing Section - Persistent Efforts - Oldest Orchard in Mower County - Seedlings Raised Here.

There are no statistics of a more recent date than 1900 which could be secured on which to base an estimate of the number of apple trees growing in Mower county, but a conservative estimate built on the number reported in 1900 and the sales of local nursery men puts the figure well past the two million mark. Apples are yearly shipped out of the county to Illinois and other states. The State Horticultural Society does a splendid work in educating our people and also in the encouragement of fruit growing and the raising of seedlings. Hundreds of horticulturists are now experimenting in the hope of getting a winter apple that will equal the Baldwin in all particulars and exceed it in some, and also win the reward of $1,000 which the state society offers for such an apple. Good winter apples are now raised, but the state wants an apple that will bring to jMinnesota as much fame as its butter has done. Mower county horticulturists are members of the Southern jMinnesota Horticultural Society, which meets yearly. The society has over one hundred members, Avho are enthusiastic in the work.

Some idea of the horticultural resources of our county was given at our county fair held at Austin in September, 1909, when sixty varieties of apples and twenty-three varieties of plums were displayed for premiums. Grapes, pears and peaches were also shown.

John C. Hawkins is one of the veteran entliusiasts in Mower county on the subject of apple and plum growing in this vicinity. For many years he has labored in this cause, and has lived to see his work bear fruit. The folloAving article, entitled "Ex- ])eriences of a Veteran Ilorticultnrist," has l)eeii prepared by him expres.sly for this history.

What do 1 knoAV about horticulture^ from tlie standpoint of a veteran? Veteran, I suppose, means old j'nd worn out, and in that respe-t ! nm .-iblc 1o fill Hie lull. 1 mi;,'ht as well state before T begin that "1 w;is horned on the liorder of the Old Dominion, right dare among the niggers, but was fetched up among de white folks and know'd some of de fust families berry well." They always wore seedy hats and manifested a general appearance of that sort, talked politics exclusively and knew but little else.

We had no horticultural societies then. They are all creatures of a later growth. Our friiits were all seedlings, and no one supposed that we could improve on nature. We now claim that some of our best fruits have originated from sports widely different from the parent tree. All the "sports'' we knew anything about at that time were our fast young men. If one tree happened to bear better fruit than the other, all the boys in the neighborliood knew about it, and the owner must be content with what he could get. Hence he did not care to improve his fruits - not even for the sake of the boys. I was there, and I know.

We used to have glorious times at the apple parings which Avere held around in the neighborhood, and where each boy paired off with his best girl, or at least tried to. We had no such thing as fruit dryers then. The sun did the business with the assistance of the flies, the bees and the bugs. The fruit was placed upon scaffolds out of doors, or hung on strings about the old fire place. Pumpkins were sliced and strung up in the same manner to dry, and such delicious pies Auntie could make ! "Auntie," you understand, was not a real name, but meant parexcellence and denotes the highest degree of honor bestowed upon the darkey cook.

The fruits grown at that time were not very inviting, and consequently there was little market for them ; in fact, no one thought of growing fruit for that purpose. I never saw a cultivated strawberry until after I was grown. There were some wild ones growing along a ditch in my father's meadow, and he used to trounce me for tramping down the grass to get a taste of those berries, so is it any wonder that I am such an enthusiastic horticulturist ?

I believe it was Massachusetts that first set the ball in motion with such men as Marshall P. Wilder in the lead. What has been the result? Horticultural societies have been formed and extended throughout every state and almost every county in the Union. What are we doing? Experimenting; not blindly, but scientifically in the production of newer and better varieties of fruits and flowers, always holding fast the best until something better is attained. But how has tliis wonderful result been brought about? Through the means of influence of any particular section or society? No; but through the united eft'orts of all the societies of all the states combined working together for the common good. This concentrated action in a measure controls

Now let us turn to Minnesota as one of those states having a distinct yet undivided interest in common Avith all the other states. She has been the child of circumstances from her birth, located so far north as to be almost beyond tlie limits of fruit growing. It has been said, and I believe truthfully, that any country that could not grow its own fruits sufficient for the common wants of the people could never attain to a high state of civilization. Does anyone suppose if all the difficulties that lay in the way could have been foreseen that anyone of these veterans would have been crazy enough to have attempted to form a horticultural society in Minnesota 1 But necessity knowa no law. We must have fruit, and we "went it blind," oftentimes reaching out our hands in error, expecting a prize but receiving only a blank. When I look into the face of experience it reminds me of the chaplain in the Confederate army who prayed most fervently that the Lord would give the soldiers more courage, when a veteran cried out, "We have courage enough already: pray for victuals." Ye veterans who have been fighting so long against such fearful odds, going a little here and a little there, begin now to see the silver lining that skirts the cloud that reflects the light from the opening gates of heaven ! But in order to carry out this great work there must be united effort on the part of every horticulturist, and I would especially call your attention to the efficiency of the ladies. Nothing in life stimulates action so much or makes our burdens so light as the sound of a happy voice with the light of a pleasant eye. Those who wish to attend the apple paring should always come in "pairs." Our younger members in all probability will not be required to sacrifice time and means with so little reward a.s those who have preceded them. The work of the Minnesota society has been well laid out and skillfully managed. We have the State Experimental Farm that is doing a grand work in the interests of horticulture, and then we have auxiliary stations in different parts of the state that make their annual reports to the central head station. All these reports come before this society and are published in its transactions, and in addition runners are sent abroad everywhere to spy out the land and gather in goodly fruits for the benefit of the commonwealth at large.

In regard to myself, I can only say that my pride runs parallel with that of a friend of mine who always boasted of having been born in Boston, and declared if he had to be born again a hundred limes he would go straight back to Boston every time. I have 111) wisli to live my time over again, not even to correct the "mistakes of Moses," but if the mantle of youth could be thrown around me again I should fall in with this society and pitch my tent within some garden of roses.

Small fruits of all kinds can be successfully grown in Mower county. I planted my first fruit trees in 1868, bought of Jordan & Co., Rochester, ]\Iinn. They survived a few years - and went to the brush pile. Then I tried Rockford, 111. They soon went the same way. About this time I joined the Minnesota State Horticultural Society and got aeciuainted with J. S. Harris, of La Crescent, Minn., who kindly gave me much fatherly advice and direction in planting and care of a young orchard. My neighbors began to take notice and ask questions. Do you expect to grow apples and plums in this cold, bleak climate? "Why, certainly!" "Well, I guess not." But I kept tramping along, leaving my footprints all over this county, so that I am known to everyone as the "Apple Crank and Plum Fool." We finally felt the need of a local organization. So Bro. F. W. Kimbal, of Austin, and Bro. Clarence Wedge, of Albert Lea, got together and organized the Southern Minnesota Horticultural Society. It was a success from the start. Fillmore county came in, then Steele county, and we now have four counties 'in our territory.

There are hundreds of young orchards in this county just coming into bearing, ranging in size from a few trees to fifteen hundred and two thousand.

Some time ago I visited the oldest orchard in this county, planted by E. D. Ames, of Lyle township in 1857. Mr. Ames said that in 1863 this orchard bore some fruit, in 1864 a fair crop, and has borne every year since with the exception of this last year. A great many varieties died, but there are some "grand old trees" left yet that are producing fine crops every year. I especially noticed two varieties, "Haas" and "Dutchess" are inscribed on their trunks and they are good for another half century.

There are several seedlings originated in this county. E. D. Ames has a fine Avinter variety. Decker's seedling has been growing between thirty and forty years on the farm of J. S. Decker, just east of the city of Austin. This is a large apple, somewhat in shape and color between Malinda and Northwest Greening. L. W. Prosser has a seedling apple named after himself. It is probably a seedling from the Wealthy. This is a fine apple, medium size, color yellow, ground splashed with red, mild, sub-acid. Some trees are more prepotent than others. The Wealthy is remarkable in this respect. It has produced the Peter, almost identical with itself, and the Evelyn and Perfect hav<' many jxiiiits in coiinuon witli it. The Pros.ser, supposed to be a seedling of it, i-csciiil)l('s it in size and color of fruit.

The Southern Minnesota Horticultural Society a few years ago (distributed hundreds of seedlings from the Wedge nursery at Albert Lea that will be heard from in the near future.

Chaptee Xiv County Schools

State and County School System - First Schools and First Districts in Mower County - State Aid - Equipment - Literary Societies - Meetings for Officers, Teachers and Pupils - Exhibits and Contests - Institutes and Summer Schools - Parochial Schools - Story of the Districts - Prepared with the Assistance of Miss Grace B. Sherwood.

However, at the formation of the Union, and later, when the federal government was established, there was no definite line of action as to public education, although at the same time that the Constitution was adopted the last session of the Continental Congress was being held in the city of New York, and the Ordinance of 1787 was passed, regulating the affairs pertaining to the Northwest territory, including that portion of Minnesota lying east of the Mississippi river. In this ordinance much attention was given to the question of providing a means of public education, by giving one section in each congressional township for educational purposes. Later, Avhen the purchase of Louisiana was effected, and Minnesota sought admission into the Union, still further provision Avas made for education by giving two sections in each congressional township for such purposes. This gave impetus to the natural tendency toward educational matters, and we find that one of the first efforts in the ncAv settlements was to prepare to educate the children. The church and the school building, Avhen not one and the same, Avere practically always found side by side. The hardy pioneers of the Great NorthAvest - of which Minnesota was a part - did not Avait CA^en for a territorial government, but set to work at once to establish schools. The first one in Minnesota, for the education of Avhite children, Avas organized by Dr. Williamson, at the present site of the city of St. Paul. We are told that investigation demonstrated thiit tlicrc Avei'c about tliirtv-six children in the settle- ment who might attend a school. A log house, 10x12 feet, covered with bark and chinked with mud, previously used as a blacksmith shop, was secured and converted into a schoolhouse, and taught by Miss Bishop. Here, then, while the United States troops were gaining such signal success in the war with Mexico, was begun the system of education which has become one of the best in this great nation. In this same little schoolhouse, in November, 1849, Avas held a meeting for the purpose of establishing a system of public education, based upon the congressional act of March, 1849, establishing Minnesota territory. Alexander Ramsey, of Pennsylvania, when appointed governor, proceeded at once to assume the duties of his office. In his first message to the territorial legislature, in the fall of 1849, he emphasized the need of wise measures looking to the establishment of a system of public education in these words: "The subject of education, which has ever been esteemed of first importance in all new American communities, deserves, and, I doubt not, will receive your earliest and most devoted care. From the pressure of other and more immediate wants it is not to be expected that your school system should be very ample, yet it is desirable that whatever is done should be of a character that will readily adapt itself to the growth and increase of the country, and not in future years require a violent change of system."

In response to this appeal for legislation in school matters we find that a committee on education was appointed, and a very able report was made by the chairman, Hon. Martin McLeod. This report was formulated into an act relating to public schools in Minnesota, which act was passed on the last day of the session, November 1, 1849. It organized the territory into districts, of which the township was the unit, and provided that if a township had within its limits five families it should be considered as one district, but if it contained ten families it should be divided into two districts. Tax levy was provided, and a system of management arranged. The first superintendent of common schools for the territory was Rev. E. D. Neill, who served till 1853. His salary was $100 a year.

The first school instruction in IMower county was given in the pioneer homes by mothers, who, though they had come to a new country, did not wish their children to grow \\p in ignorance. The public system in the county started in 1856, and in that year many schools and school districts were organized. It is not known definitely where or when the first public school was opened in Mower county, l)ut the school taught by IMaria Vaughan, in Austin, in a log house on the north side of what is now AVater street, west of the ("liieago Great Western tracks, was one of the earliest. Tliis was in 1855. A school was also opened in

Le Roj' at about the same time. The first sehoolhoiise erected in the county was in what is now district No. 4, in Le Roy township. This was built of logs, donated and put up by the citizens on the southeast corner of the southwe.st quarter of the northwest quarter of section 29. township 101, range 14. This land Avas donated for school purposes by J. M. "Wykoff, still a resident of Le Roy, the site of this pioneer school being now a part of the John Frank farm. The old building is still in existence, and is located on the farm occupied by George Klapper. The first teacher in this old schoolhouse was Melissa Allen, daughter of David Allen, and afterward wife of Isaac C. Spencer. The teachers who followed her were N. B. Todd, A. J. Porter, Isaac Smith, Celinda Burnap, Eliza Pierce and Emma Knapp. N. B. Todd, the second teacher, was a brother-in-law of J. M. Wykoff. Probably the only pupil still remaining in this vicinity who attended the session of this early school is Mrs. L. "W. Prosser, who lives near Le Roy. Mrs. Prosser is a daughter of W. B. Spencer, who was a prominent pioneer of the early days.

The ^rst three districts organized by the commissioners of ]Mower county, July 7, 1856, Avere district number 1, now district number IG, in Frankford township; district number 2, all of what is now Red Rock township, and district number 3, now districts number 35 and 36 in Racine township. District 1 included sections 13. 14, 23, 24, 25 and 26 and the east half of sections 15, 22 and 27 in township 103, range 14. The petition was presented by J. "\V. Farquir and others. District 2 included all of township 103, range 17, and the petition Avas presented by John L. Johnson. District 3 included the south half of section 1 and all of sections 2, 3, 10, 11 and 12, toAvnship 103, range 14. The petition Avas presented by Louis Chamberlain. March 16, 1856, the county commissioners levied a tax for school purposes equal to one-quarter of one per cent on the amount of the assessment roll as returned in July.

The schools in the coiimioii disti-ic-ts arc under tlie immediate supervision of a board of trustees in each district, consisting of three members, the special and independent districts having a board of education, consisting of from five to seven members. The county superintendent liiis general supervision of the schools in the county. It is lier duly to visit each school, advise teachers and school officers in regard to the best methods of instruction, the most approved plans for building, improving and ventilating schoolhouses and ornamenting school grounds: conduct teachers' and officers' meetings and make reports to the state superint'udent of public instruction.

seliools, $300 to semi-graded schools, $150 to first class rural schools, and $100 to second class rural schools. Mower county at the present thne receives special state aid for four high schools, three graded schools, five semi-graded, twenty-seven first class rural and twenty-seven second class rural schools.

Progressive educators hopefully look forward to tlie time, in the near future, when the country boys and girls will be afforded facilities equal to the best in the cities - when, as a result of consolidation and the establishment of local agricultural graded and high schools, each teacher will not be required to teach more grades than she can handle to best advantage, and the pupils be enabled to secure a good elementary and high school education without leaving home.

There are now 139 organized districts in the county. Of these, four, Austin, Lyle, LeRoy and Grand IMeadow, are city schools with first class high schools. Three are graded schools, Adams, Brownsdale and Dexter, each with four teachers. Five are semigraded, Taopi and Lansing and Waltham, each with two teachers, and Racine and Rose Creek, each with three teachers. The others are one-roomed schools. There are ten districts which are joint with other counties and of these eight have their schoolhouses out of Mower county. Eleven schools have an enrollment of less than ten pupils and forty-two have an enrollment of from ten to twenty. The largest enrollment is forty-eight pupils, in district 65, in the northern part of Adams, and the smallest is five pupils, in district 6, in the southwestern part of Adams.

During the past year seventeen districts had nine months of school ; seventy-one schools, eight months ; twenty-two schools, seven months; sixteen schools, six months, and three schools, five months. Most of the short-year school districts have a denominational session a part of the year. Four of the districts have no school in session.

During the year 1909-10 seventy-two pupils received cei-tificates certifying that thoy had completed eighth grade studies v/ith credit. During the present year some 300 are planning to take the examinations.

Most of the schools are well equipped Avith those things which are required for efficient work. IMany of the schoolhouses are new and the old ones are in an excellent state of repair. In the whole county there are probably not more than six schools that could be called in poor condition. Eighty schools have patented lieating plants and fifteen of the rural schools have furnaces, wliich are well looked aftcf. All but three have libraries. During the present yeiii- eiglity seliools will meet the requirement for state aid in addition to the seven higb and graded schools.

The teachers' training schools, which are conducted in the county every other summer, do much to increase the efficiency of the teachers. These schools are paid by the state and are conducted under the direction of the county superintendent and a conductor appointed by the state department of public instruction. Instruction is given in all the branches required for ji teacher's cei-tificate. In addition, there are classes in various other subjects. These schools are free and are well attended. It is expected that 225 will be enrolled this year.

There are various literary and debating societies in the schools and the reading circle for the teachers is well patronized. An institute is held every other spring and three teachers' meetings are held annually. A school officers' meeting and a spelling contest are also held each year. The annual graduating exercise were held last year at Dexter, with a picnic, sports and various other profitable and pleasant events. At the county fair each year the exhibits of the children make an excellent showing, a building having been erected for this purpose. Last year 280 prizes were aAvarded to children between the ages of eight and sixteen for the excellence of their exhibits.

Parochial schools have l)een conducted in various communities ever since the early days. There are various types of these schools. The Catholics have excellent schools in Austin, Adams and Johnsburg (Adams). In these schools the usual graded and high school subjects are taught, and religious instruction is also given. There is a Norwegian school in section 15, Nevada township, and German schools are located in section 29, "Waltham township, section 32, Dexter township and section 18, Pleasant Valley township. In some communities, as has already been noted, the district schoolhouses are used for sectarian in- .struction when the regular public school is not in session. Schools are held also in several of tlie churches of the county.

In the graded and high schools of the county there are 2.020 jmpils enrolled and in the country schools there are 2,899. There are 204 teachers employed. La.st year the expense for graded and high schools was .^96,675.97 and the expense for the common schools was .^88,629.50.

Udolpho. Tlie first school in what is now Udolpho township was a select school taught by Eliza A. Wilcox in a part of heB fatlier's residence. This was a three months' term in the Avinter of 1856-57. Eliza also taught a term of district school in the summer of 1857 in the house of Thomas Richardson, in section 16. For lier services the teacher received $2 a week and boarded around. District 49. The first school in this district was kept in the summer of 1857 in the home of Thomas Richardson, by Eliza A. Wilcox. The district was organized in 1859, and a log schoolhouse was built in section 16. Eliza A. Wilcox was also the first teacher in this house. It was used for school purposes until 1870, when it was replaced by a frame building located on the southeast quarter of section 8. Rosa Carey taught the first school in this building. District 50. The first school in this district was a summer school, in 1857, and Priscilla Miller Avas the first teacher. The school was held in a log house erected for the purpose by the neighbors, in the northwest corner of the northeast quarter of section 26. This building was used for school purposes until the spring of 1866, when it was replaced by a brick building, erected during the fall of 1865, on the southwest corner of section 24. This building has been replaced with a wooden structure. District 119 joint. This district was organized as district 57 October 9, 1869, and the first school was held that winter at the house of John Tuekerson in section 30, Carlos Manchester being the teacher. School was held in this house until 1872, when a small house was erected in the southeast corner of section 19. Mr. Manchester was also the first teacher in this house. District 60. This district was organized in the winter of 1868 or 1869. A schoolhouse was erected the next spring in the southeast corner of section 2. This was a frame house and the lumber was hauled by team from Red Wing. The first school after the completion of the building was a summer session kept by Mrs. Mary Timber, wife of E. Thuber, then living in section 10. The schoolhouse was afterward moved to the northeast corner of section 11. District 76. This district was organized in 1869. The first school was held in the house of S. H. Smith in section 33, the teacher being Hattie L. Sanford. School was held in the house of Mr. Smith until 1876, when a new frame house was built in the southwest corner of the northeast quarter of section 28. Hattie Ricker was the first teacher. District 111 joint was organized by the legislature during the session of 1881- 82, and the schoolhouse is located just over the Freeborn county line in Neury township. Myra Maxwell was the first teacher, the first session being the summer term of 1882. District 70 and district 70 joint. The first school in this district was held in the dwelling house of John Torkelson, in 1868-69. Carlos Manchester was the teacher. In 1870 a schoolhouse was built on the old Knut Thompson place. Carlos Manchester was also teacher here. That school was maintained until 1888. In 1889 there was a division, and each district erected a new schoolhouse. The first teacher in the new schoolhouse in district 79 joint was Gertrude ^r. Carll. of Fdolpho. The above facts were gatliercd by Jolm T. Aldal.

Lansing. District 43. The first school in Lansing township Avas a summer school held in 1858. by Ann ]\Iathieson, in a small house built for a residence by John Pettibone, in section 11. The first schoolhouse was a frame building erected in the fall of 1858, on the northeast corner of section 11. The first term was taught that winter by George Wood. The material for this was native lumber sawed at the steam mill at Lansing. The district failed to pay for the lumber and the house reverted to the parties who furnished it. It was sold to Mrs. C. S. Rolph. In 1866 a brick building was erected, in the southwest corner of section 2. The first school in this house was a winter term taught by John E. Robinson. In the fall of 1871 a frame addition was built. District 43 embraces the village of Lansing. District 44, Ramsey village. The first school in this district was a small log house situated in the southeast corner of the southwest quarter of section 27. The first school was kept by Charles Oaks, in the winter of 1857-58. The old log house was used for school purposes until the summer of 1866, when a brick building was erected. This house was located near the section line on the east side of section 22. The first school in this house was kept by Romanda S. Carpenter. In 1909 a modern brick building was erected. This is one of the best rural schools in the state, equipped with all the latest improvements. Alice ]\IcCarthy was the first teacher. In 1910, Mrs. Addie Cook, who owns one of the largest farms in the district, presented the school with a piano. District 45. This district was organized in 1858, and a log house was built, gratutiously, by the neighbors. The first school was taught by a Miss Richardson in the summer of 1858. This house was used as a school until 1868, when a frame house was built. Ella J. Cook was the first teacher in this building. District 101. A frame schoolhouse was erected in section 13 in the fall of 1876, with Patrick Gilroy as teacher. District 122 was organized in 1893, and a schoolhouse built the same year in section 20. Paula Brown was the first teacher. District 72, joint. This school is located in Corning village, section 6.

Austin. District 27. This district embraces the city of Austin. The first school in Austin township outside the limits of the city was taught in the winter of 1857, in the building of Robert Autis. District 26. The first school in this district was taught in the house of M. J. Woodson by his son Henry in the summer of 1858, the young man receiving $10 a month for his services. James Johnson tauglit the second term of school in the same liouse. In 1859 a log liouse was erected on the northeast quarter of section 10. George and Oliver Beemis gave the h)gs wliicb wcic cut and drawn to the spot l)y M. J. and W. A. Woodson and II. Van AVinkle. Abbie Litchfield, now Mrs. Eu- gene Crane, of ^Minneapolis, was the first tear^her in this house. George Emery was tlie first teaclier in the frame house built on the southwest corner of section 11. District 28. This district was originated at a meeting held at the house of D. L. Chandler in the winter of 1856-57. Welcome Osborne, D. L. Chandler and George Phelps were the first officers in this district. In the summer of 1857 a log schoolhouse was built on the northeast corner of the southeast quarter of section 32. Delang Richardson was the first teacher in this house, which was in use five years.. Then a house was built in the southwest corner of section 28. Mary Hoag Avas the first teacher. District 29, Varco Station. The first schoolhouse in this district was erected in 1857, at a "bee" of the neighbors, being built from logs. Money was raised by subscription to complete the building. Delang Richardson was the first to teach in this house. The building was located in the southeast corner of section 23. In 1864 the building was burned and a stone house was erected on the southwest corner of the northwest quarter of section 25. Forest Marsh was the first teacher. In 1879 this building was torn down and a frame building was erected. Mary Hood was the first teacher in this house. District 55. The first school in this district was taught by Elizabeth Stone, in a claim shanty located on the southwest corner of section 8. This was in 1865. In 1869 a frame building was erected on the southwest corner of the northwest quarter of section 17, Mary Scullen being the first teacher. District 128 has a schoolhouse in the eastern half of section 21. The house was built in 1900 and Pearl Bowers was the first teacher.

Lyle. District 13. The first school in this district, as well as the first taught in the town, was in session during the summer of 1856. taught by IMaria Vaughan, in a log house built by one Pinkcrton on the northeast quarter of section 32. Zillah Beach afterward taught in Lorenzo Moshier's house, on the northwest quarter of section 29. Thomas Parker was an early teacher here. Rev. Samuel Loomis taught in Samuel Surface's house. In 1860 the district purchased a frame building in Otranto and moved it to the southeast corner of the northeast quarter of section 23. T. J. Locke, C. R. Houston, ErAvin Lyle and Dora Clappsaddle were early teachers in that house, which was in use until 1874. In this year was built a house in the northeast quarter of section 32. S. Anna IMcCune was the first to teach in this house. In the spring of 1908 this building was burned' and was replaced by a modern frame building on the same site. The first teacher in this l)uilding was Dora Drcwes. District 12. About the year 1859 the first school was taught in this district by Rev. Samuel Loomis in a log house standing in section 3. Not long after this a schoolhouse was built through the united efforts of the people. James Foster fui-nished poplar logs for the body of the house. C. H. Huntington furnished the burr oak logs for the foundation. The men of the district cut down trees and erected the building. A new house was erected on the same site about 1879. Al. Hieock was the first teacher in this house. District 14. A log house situated on the southeast quarter of section 5 and formerly owned by John Tiftt, housed the first school in the district. School was kept here four terms, beginning in 1856, with Nellie Hawkins as first instructor. In 1870 a frame building was erected for the school on the southeast corner of the southwest quarter of section 5. The first who taught in tliis house was Amelia Houghton, afterward Mrs. M. B. Slocum. The building was later removed to the southeast quarter of section 5. District 15. The first school in this district was taught by Thomas Parker in a log house on the property of Josopli Thompson in the southeast corner of section 27. This was replaced in 1867 by a frame building in the northeast quarter of section 34. The first teacher in this Avas a Miss Carpenter from Michigan. Five years later in 1872 a larger house was erected on the same site, J. W. Weiser Avas the first teacher in this building. This building was destroyed by cyclone and replaced with a frame edifice. A beautiful surrounding grove was also destroyed by the storm. District 70. This district was organized in 1867 and the first school taught by Emma Smith, in a small frame house on the northeast quarter of section 19. In 1874 a larger building was erected on the old site. District 54. This district was organized in 1867 and the first house was built of logs on the southwest quarter of section 12, the first teacher being Cynthia Addington. In 1881 a good frame house Avas erected on the southAvest quarter of section 13. Nina Bisbit Avas the first teacher in this house. District 57. This school is located in the southeast quarter of section 15. District 57, according to \V. G. Pace, was organized August 17, 1892, and a schoolhouse built the same fall on the west side of the southeast quarter of section 15. Araminta W. Ileseman was the first teacher. District !)0. Tliis district has a fine school in the village of Lyle. Kxcclb'iit Avork has been done in manual training and agriculture in addition to the usual school duties. The schoolhouse is a Avcll-cquipii.'d building of brick and nine teachers are employed. A liistory of tliis district is given in connection Avith tlie history of the village of Lyle.

Waltham. Di.strict 58. Waltham village. This district Avas organized in 1866 and a frame house erected on the nortlnvest corner of section 15. Tlic first school was a Aviiiter term in 1868. Dorothy Johnson AValkcr was llic iir-st teacher. The school is now housed in a two-roomed frame building, one of the best equipped in the county. The pupils have a reputation for winning more prizes in industrial and educational contests than anyother school in this part of the state. District 61. This district was organized in ]866. The first school was a summer term in 18G7, taught by Emma Hoy. in a schoolliousc completed Ihat year, located on the northwest cornc%r of section 27. District 89. This district was organized in the fall of 1874. A frame house was erected during the summer of the following year on the northwest corner of the southwest quarter of section 35. The first school was the winter term of 1875-76 and was taught by J. L. Dole, siibstituting for his daughter Addie, who after being engaged to teach was taken ill. The schoolhouse is now located in the soiithwest qiiarter of section 26. District 93. Tliis Avas organized in the fall of 1875 and the following spring a frame schoolhouse was built on the northeast corner of section 30. The first school was taught by Belle Leighton. District 110 was organized in 1881 and the first school kept by Flossie Brown, a frame hoiise having been erected, in the southeast corner of section 6. District 124 has a school in the southeast quarter of section 1. According to John P. Johnson, the district was organized in 1893 and a schoolhouse Iniilt the same year on the present site. Nora 0. Chandler was the first teacher. In 1910 the foundation was raised and laid with cement blocks, a new fioor was put in and a Smith heating and ventilation systi'm installed. District 126 has a schoolhouse in the north half of section 23. This district Avas organized in 1897. The schoolhouse was brought from district 107 and moved west to its present location.

Red Rock. District 38, Brownsdale village. This district was organized in 1856 and -a schoolhouse built that year. The first teacher was Sarah Ticknor. This house was burned in 1858, but immediately rebuilt. This house in turn was burned in 1871 and at once replaced by a fine building. The village now has a four-room schoolhouse set in a beautiful grove. It became a graded school last year and is well equipped for excellent work. District 37. The first school taught in this district was a select one under the management of Mrs. Angeline A. Tanner, in tlie summer of 1859 at the house of Elder Milo Farril in section 13. The first district school was in the winter of 1860-61, held in tlie log granary of E. E. Tanner in section 12. In 1862 a frame house was erected in section 11. The first school in this house Avas taught l)y S. P. SteAvart. District 39 Avas organized in the summer of 1858 and a two months' term of school taught by Tina Perry in the Redbu.sh house in section 5, sessions being held in the homes of the district until 1864. Avhcn a frame house Avas built. The school was erected in section 5. The first school in this house was under the management of Eliza A. Simes. District 41. The first school in this district was in the summer of 3863, kept by Emma Hoy in a small house in section 33. The following summer the neighbors erected a temporary building of poles set in the ground and board up in section 34. The first school in this building Mas kept by Mary Lynch. This district was organized in 1865 and a frame house erected in section 34 the following summer. The first school in this house was also kept by Emma Hoy. District 42. The first school in this district was the summer term of 1865 in a board shanty erected for the purpose by the district and located in section 23. Susan Bacon was the first teacher. In the fall of 1866, the district erected a schoolhouse on the site of the shanty and Mrs. Sarah E. Brown was the first teacher. In the fall of 1876 the building was removed to section 24. District 68. In 1869 an eifort was made to organize this district, but owing to some irregularities nothing further Avas done until 1876, when the district Avas fully organized and a frame house erected in time for the summer term, Avhich Avas taught by Lyle Lynch. The school is located in section 29. District 115. This district AA'as organized in 1878 and a frame schoolhouse erected the folloAving spring on the southwest corner of section 35. The first school in this house was taught by ]\lary HathaAvay, Avho later became ]\Irs. EdAvard Slocum. District 116 Avas organized by the legislature of 1881. and the first school AA^as taught that spring by jMary Rugg. The school is in the northwest corner of section 23.

Windom. District 40. This district Avas originally a part of district 23. The first school was taught in the spring of 1857 by Jane Reeves in a board shanty in section 6, oAvned by Henry Fero. In the fall of that year a log schoolhouse Avas erected in the southAvest corner of the northeast quarter of section 6. This Avas the first building erected for educational purposes in the toAvnship. ]\Iaria Slocum Avas the first teacher in this building. In 1867 the district Avas divided, and district 40 assumed its present number. Lumber was purchased for a schoolhouse, but for a time school was taught in a temporary shanty erected on the northeast corner of section 6. ]\laggie Smith, now Mrs. Manchester, of Minneapolis, taught the first term there. Soon after a frame building was erected on the same site, and Amelia Houghton was the fir.st teacher. District 23 originally included the present district 40. After the separation, in 1867, a temporary building was erected in the southAvestern part of the northAvest quarter of section 7. Amanda Streavor taught the first term in this building. In 1868 a frame house Avas built. R('l)ecca Otis taught the first seliddl in this building. l)istri<'t 24 Avas organized in i ^ 1857. The first school was taught by Mrs. Horatio Marsh in her home. Mary Slaven completed the term. The following year a schoolhouse was erected on the north half of the southeast quarter of section 20, by subscription. Kate Bailey was the first teacher in the house. In 1868 a frame house was erected on the northeast quarter of the northwest quarter of section 29, Avith Agnes Hull as the first teacher. District 88 originally included district 25, which now embraces Rose Creek village. The district vv-as organized as No. 25, in 1859, and the first school was taught in Patrick O'Maley's house, with Sarah Slaven as first teacher. School was afterward taught in Michael Slaven 's house. In 1864 a log house was erected on the northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section 23, in which Eosetta Fuller taught the first term of school. In 1874 the district was divided, and the south half, now Rose Creek village, retained the old number. In 1876 a frame house was erected in the south part of section 13. District 25. After Rose Creek was designated as district 25, in 1874, and the remainder of the district set off as No. 88, a frame house was erected in the village and Mary J. Gregory taught the first term. In the summer of 1908 a four-room bi'ick building was erected in Rose Creek, modern in every respect. District 22. This district was organized in 1865 and a frame house erected on the southeast corner of the northeast quarter of section 10, in which ]\Ielinda Brown taught the first school. Roswell Slocum donated half an acre for the schoolhouse site. The lumber was drawn from Winona, Obadiah Smith erecting the building. District 46 was organized in 1869. During the following yea:r a board shanty was erected on the southwest corner of section 32. The first term of school was taught in that building by Maggie Smith. In 1874 a frame house was erected on the same site. James Woodard was the first teacher in this house. District 73 was organized in 1869. The first building was a cheap structure erected on the southwest corner of section 14. Alice French Avas the first teacher. In 1876 a good building was erected on the southeast corner of the northeast quarter of section 22, in which Newell Slocum was the first teacher. District 82. The first school in this district was taught in 1867 by Maggie Smith in a house erected by Thomas Smith in the northeast quai'ter of section 12. After three weeks a frame house was erected on the southeast corner of section 1, in which Addie Fairbanks was the first teacher. District 123. This district was organized and a schoolhouse erected in 1893. Olive Savage was the first teacher. Nevada. District 9. In 1857 the scholars living within the present limits attended a school taught by Osroe Peterson in the home of Hans Swenson. School was taught in other private houses until the winter of 1865-66, when a log schoolhouse was built on the northeast corner of section 31, the money being raised by subscription. Afterward a tax was levied and the money refunded. Christiana Goby was the first teacher in this house. In 1882 a frame house was erected a few rods west of the old site. District 11. The first school in this district was held in a board shanty owned by James Gerard, located in section 21. The next term was taught by Belinda Robinson in a claim shanty in section 22. The first schoolhouse in the town and district was built in 1858, on the northeast corner of the southeast quarter of section 28, Martin Hanson having given one acre for school purposes. In 1872 a new house was erected on the old site. The first teacher in this house was Nels Kalkon. District 10. The first school in this district was taught by Sarah Austin in 1858, in a claim shanty belonging to Gregg & Austin. In 1860 a log house was erected for school purposes in the southeast corner of section 7. Delang Richardson was the first teacher. Later a frame house Avas erected, and S. Clow was the first teacher. District 87. This district was organized in 1870 and a schoolhouse erected the following year in the southeast quarter of section 23. IMary Gregg was the first teacher. District 104 was organized in 1878 and a frame house erected that same year, in the southwest corner of section 3. The first teacher was ]\Iinda H. Ruland. District 56. A* frame schoolhouse was erected in this district in 1865 and the first school was taught the following year. The house is located in the southwest corner of section 1.

Sargeant. District !»1. The first schoolhouse built in the town was in this district, in 1875, in the northeast corner of section 15. Jn the summer of that year Eliza W. Sargent taught the first scliool. A Norwegian school was started in the same house, with Knud Arhns as the first teacher. The schoolhouse is located in the southern half of section 2. District 111 was organized in 1879. A schoolhouse was built that year on the northeast quarter of section 26. Ella King was the first teacher. District 113 was organized in 1880, and a schoolhouse built on !). Tiie first school was taught The srhoolhouse in this district located .just over tlic line in sce- Tliis is tlie village school of .'hoolhousc in this disti'ict is located in the northeast quarter of section 32.

Dexter. District 78. The first school in this district was the first in the touii of Dexter, and was taught by Mrs. G. \V. Bowles, at her home in a log house at the northeast (juarter of section 33. in 1868. A sciiooliiouse was built the following year on the southwest corner of the southwest <|uarter of section 27. Disthe s( trict 108 was organized in 1877. The schoolhouse was built the same year on the northwest quarter of section 36. The first teacher was Jennie L. Schryver. District 106 was organized in 1877, and a schoolhouse erected in 1878 in the southwest quarter of section 29, Jennie Fairbanks being the first teacher. District 98 was organized in 1878 and the first school taught that year in the home of Nelson Huntington, by his daughter Mary, with a single pupil, her sister Rose. Later the territory of this district was attached to Dexter village. In 1877 the district was set apart and a schoolhouse built on the northeast corner of the northwest quarter of section 2. Andrew Quinn and Cora Chadbourne were two of the earliest teachers in this building. District 86. Dexter village. This district was organized in 1874. The first school was a temporary building, put up that year. School was taught in the winter of 187J:-75 by Jesse King. In 1877 a new building was erected. At present there is a modern four-room school, well equipped in every .respect. District 121. The schoolhouse is located in the sovithwest quarter of section 16. This district, according to William Newbauer, was organized February 4, 1889, and a schoolhouse built the same year on the present site. The first teacher was Mary Siegel. District 125. The pupils of this district attend school in a schoolhouse on the northwest corner of the southeast quarter of section 11. According to G. B. Harvey the district was organized about 1895, and the schoolhouse erected the same year. Ethel H. Wilsie was the first teacher. District 129. This district has a school in the southwest quarter of section 5. It is the youngest of all the IMower county school districts, and was organized July 12. 1905, under the good offices of W. L. Lewis. D. L. Tanner, F. E. Hambreeht, J. Johnson and William Christie. A schoolhouse was built the same year, and Anna Hanson was the first teacher. W. M. Phillips was the first clerk.

Marshall. District 65 was organized in 1867. The first term of school was taught in Helga Errickson's house, by Rosella Bourgard. The school was built in the southeast quarter of section 85. In 1879 it was moved to the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section 25. Ida Waite was the first teacher after the removal. District 81 was organized about the year 1876. when a frame house was erected in section 2. School was first taught in 1878 by Ida Waite. This is the village school of Elkton. District 105 was organized in 1879 and a schoolliouse erected in the northwest corner of section .84. the first school being taught by Annie Christopherson. District 108. This district was organized Se|)tember 20, 1879. A hou.se was erected tiiat fall in the sontlieast coimht of seetion 17, and the first term was taught by Georgf Kmery in tlie winter of 1879-80.

District 120. The school in this district is located on the northeast corner of section 9. According to C. E. Thompson the district was organized in 1888 and the schoolhouse built that fall.

Adams. District 6. This district was organized in 1858 and a small schoolhouse was erected of logs and covered with hay. The building was located in section 29. The term of school in this house was taught in the winter of 1858-59 by R. M. Rooney. The house was burned by a prairie fire the following summer. Another log house was erected on the site of the old one, and in this Mr. Rooney was also the first teacher. This building was likewise burned and a good substantial frame was erected onehalf mile south of the old one in section 32. The first teacher in this house was Nils Nason. District 7 was organized in 1858. A schoolhouse was located in section 8. The house is now located in section 9. District 8 is the village school of Adams. It was organized in 1858, and a schoolhouse was erected in section 11 in 1873. At present there is a four-room graded school. District 71. This district was organized in 1871, and the first school was held the same year at the house of John Fagans, Robert Carter being the teacher. In 1872 a frame schoolhouse was erected on section 25. The first teacher in this house was Lizzie Boding. The present building is in section 26. District 72 Avas organized in 1871 and the first schoolhouse was built in section 22. Catherine Madden taught the first school. The school is now located in section 27.

Pleasant Valley. The first school in this township was taught by Carolina Hoag in the summer of 1858. The sessions were held in a small cabin, twelve by twelve, and eight feet high. This house stood on runners and during winters was used as a preemption shanty, remaining on one claim long enough for the occupant to "prove up," and then being hauled by an ox team to another claim. In siunmers it was generally stationed on sections 11 or 12 and devoted to school purposes. Later it was converted into a wood shed. District 47. In the winter of I860, before the organization of this district, a school was taught Avithin its limits in the house of John Rowley. The first teacher was Alden Douglas. The district was organized in 1862. A schoolhouse was built the following season on the northern part of section 29. The first teacher here was C. D. Douglas. District 48 was organized in 1863. Two early terms were taught in the house of E. B. Blakelec by Alden Douglas. The schoolhouse was built in 1864 in the southwest part of section 15. Mary Iloag taught the first school. The present house is about half a mile north of the old site. District 51. The first school in this district was taught in 1861, by jMary lloag, in Robert Reed's milkhouse. The organization was in 1865, and a building was erected in 1867, in the southwest corner of the northwest quarter of section 8. The first teacher was Alice Sargent. District 62. A school was taught in Dan. AVilliam's house in this district in 1865. The district was organized March 30, 1867, and the schoolhouse built the same j^ear, in the southeast cjuarter of section 11. In 1909 a new schoolhouse was built a mile south of this site. District 75. The first school in this district was taught by Artemisia Way. The district was organized in 1869 and a frame building erected in section 32. The first teacher was Hattie Hoppin. District 94. The first school in this district was erected in 1874 on the northeast quarter of section 35, but was afterward moved a mile west to where it now stands. Alba G. Paddock was the first teacher.

Grand Meadow. The schools in this township are located as follows: District 112. northeast quarter, section 7; District 53, southwest quarter of section ]0; District 26, northwest quarter of section 12; District 21, south half of section 35; District 77, village of Grand Meadow, section 22 ; District 69, southeast quarter of section 29. District 20, according to G. J. Gilbertson, was organized May 1, 1868, with A. O. Finhart as treasurer, 0. W. Case as clerk and B. F. Langworthy as director. A new schoolhouse was built in 1884, replacing the one erected when the district was organized. Later a belfry was added and a fine bell purchased. The building is equipped with the Smith heating and ventilating system, a good supply of slate blackhoards and a sanitary water fountain. A first grade teacher has been employed for the past ten years, and the school is doing excellent work. District 21, according to C. A. Grimm, waa organized some forty-three years ago. The records have all been lost, and the memory of the old inhabitants is vague on the subject. District 53 is also one of the old districts of the county. James Joyce has interviewed a number of old settlers on the subject, among them being Patrick Conlon and wife, who came liere in 1860, and according to the information which he has gathered, there was a sod or sod and log schoolhouse in this district in the earliest times, and a Miss Anker was the first teacher. All records have been lost. June 3, 1873, a half acre in the southwest corner of the southeast quarter of section 9 was deeded to the district, and in 1897 the schoolhouse was moved from that location to the present site on the southwest corner of the southwest quarter of section 10. District 69, according to Fred Dickens, was organized in 1869, and a house built that year on the southeast corner of the southeast quarter of section 29. In 1879 it was moved to the southwest corner of the Northeast quarter of section 29. In 1890 a new schoolhouse was built across the street, in the northwest corner of the southeast quarter of section 29. The first teacher in the district was Ella Austin. Her father, Gus Austin, built the first schoolhouse. The records of the early days in the district has not been kept. District 77 is treated at length in the history of the village of Grand Meadow.

Clayton. The first school in Clayton town.ship was a summer term kept at the house of W. S. Root in 1872, by Mina Hanna. District 74. This district had the first schoolhouse in the township. It was erected on the southwest quarter of section 28, and the first teacher was Henrietta Bevier. The house is now located on the southeast corner of section 28. District 83. A schoolhouse was erected in this district in the northwest corner of section 32 in 1876. Miss D. K. Lee was the first teacher in this building. The present site is one-half a mile north. District 109. The first teacher in this district was G. G. Dallen. and the building is located in the south half of section 11. District 117. The schoolhouse in this district is in the west half of section 25. It was built in March, 1885, and three months' school held before it was finished. It was then plastered and seats piit in, so that school was held that winter. The first teacher was Delia McDonnough. District 127. The pupils in this district attend school in the northwest quarter of section 8. The district was organized January 4, 1900, and Sarah Seanlan was the first teacher.

Lodi. District 67. The school in this district was the first in the township, and was built in 1868 on section 14, the first teacher being Nettie Spencer. This house was burned by a prairie fire in 1871. A new schoolhouse was erected in the same section abotit 80 rods from the old site. Mary Gregory taught the first term of school in the new building. The modern schoolhouse now standing is equipped with the only school hot water heating plant in the county. District 96 was provided with a schoolhouse in 1876, located on section 29. A Miss Haley taught the first school. Prior to this, however, a school had been held at the home of John Hubbard by ]\Iaggie Carr. The district was organized in 1865 through the efforts of John Hubbard, who gave onehalf acre of ground for a building site. District 80. A school was erected in this district on section 26 some time before the organization of the district in 1877. Etta Bevier was the first teacher. In 1909 a modern building was erected on the old site. District 100 was organized in 1877 and a schoolhouse built oil the northeast cornc'r of the northwest quarter of section 7. Ella Smith was the first teacher in the house. A modern building now occupies the site. District 99 is the village school of Taopi and was organized in 1878. The first school in the village was laiuglit in the winter of 1877-78, in a private house. In 1880 a frame sclioolhouse was l)uilt in the village, the first teacher therein being Ida Wells. A two-roomed l)uilding has since been erected.

Racine. The first school in this township was built in 1856. Rev. Thomas J. Lake was an early teacher. Old district 3. which included the present districts 35 and 36, was organized July 7, 1856. The schoolhouses in Racine are located as follows: District 30, southwest quarter of section 11 ; District 31, southeast quarter of section 7; District 32, southeast quarter of section 19; District 33, west half of section 27 ; District 34, village of Racine ; District 36, southeast quarter of section 5 ; District 64, southeast quarter of section 6 ; Di.strict 66, south half of section 34. District 30. The records of this district have been lost. The old schoolhouse stood on the northwest corner of the southwest quarter of section 11. In 1892 a new house was built on the southeast corner of the same quarter. The first teacher in the new building was Jennie Kelly. For this information the publishers are indebted to Aug. Buekholz. District 31, like so many of the districts, has not preserved its early records. According to H. 0. Lewis, a schoolhouse was built in section 7 in 1863 and was burned in September, 1905. It was rebuilt the same fall on the old site. District 32 was organized in 1867. William Brown, clerk for fifteen years, says: "The schoolhouse was built in 1868 and still stands on the same spot, although it has been raised and shingled. The early records were burned when Henry Schroeder's house was destroyed. We cannot find whether school was taught in 1868, but we think not. Alden Douglas taught in 1869-70. Frank Glover, now of Racine, taught the school in 1871. We came in 1868, but lived in section 8, Pleasant Valley, and did not move to section 24 until 1870." District 33, according to L.H.Eastman, was organized about 1860, and the schoolhouse erected the same year on the southwest corner of the south sixty of the northwest quarter of section 27. Miss Quigley was the first teacher. In 1884 a new schoolhouse was built on the corner of the north half of the southwest quarter of section 27. District 34 is treated elsewhere. District 36, according to John Hovda and Arne Anderson, Avas organized in 1857 and Mrs. Henry Moore was the first teacher, the board consisting of Ola Finhart, Sr., Hans Anderson and a IMr. Conkins. For two years school was taught in a farm house. In 1859 a log schoolhouse was built on the northwest corner of the northeast quarter of section 5, once Frankford, now Racine. A Miss Connor was the first teacher in this schoolhouse. This was truly a pioneer school, the seats being hewn out of logs. The funds were derived from local subscription. Until 1883 district 36 Avas three miles square. In that year the district was divided and District 64 set off. The school in section 36 stands on the southeast corner of section 5. District 64 was a part of District 36, as above. After the division in 1883 a schoolhouse was erected in section 6 in 1884, and here school has since been held. District 66 was organized in

1869 and the sehoolhouse was built the same year in the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section 34. The first teacher was Mrs. S. B. Gove. In 1900 the sehoolhouse was rebuilt on the same site.

Frankford. District 16. This district was originally organized as District 1 and Avas the first district in the county. The first school taught in Frankford township was in a room over Francis Tebout's store in the village of Frankford in 1856. Miss Cunningham was the first teacher. The first sehoolhouse built in this district was in 1867. in section 24. It was built of stone. The first teacher was N. W. Boyes. District 17. The first permanent school in this district was built in 1873, on section 36, and G. A. Elder taught the first school in this building. Prior to this time a temporary board shanty 12x14, costing $25, was used. The first teacher was Mrs. Lamberton, who taught three months at $25 a month. District 19. The first school in this district Avas taught by AV. F. Grummings, in 1857, in a log house built by Bothomel Canady, on the northwest quarter of section 22. In

1870 the district erected a frame building on the northeast corner of the southeast quarter of section 21. District 35. The first sehoolhouse in this district was erected of logs in 1856, and was located on the northeast quarter of the northwest quarter of section 11. The first teacher was either Frank Johnson or John Fell. In 1877 the log house was torn down and a new building erected. District 84. The first sehoolhouse in this district was erected in 1877 in the northwest corner of section 34. The first teacher was Lyda Goodsell. District 97. This district was organized in 1876. The first teacher Avas A. S. Woodworth. The house is located in the southeast quarter of section 31.

Bennington. District 3. The first school in this toAvnship Avas taught by Mary IMcKinney. A sehoolhouse Avas erected about 1860 in the southeast quarter of section 30. A new modern building occupies the old site. District 85. A sehoolhouse Avas built in this district in 1874 and the first teacher Avas Clai'a Mehurin. District 18. The sehoolhouse in this district Avas erected in 1875 on the southeast corner of the southAvest quarter of section 12. The sehoolhouse is noAV located one-half mile Avest of the old site. District 92. The sehoolhouse in this district was built in 1875 on the southAvest quarter of section 25. The first teacher Avas Katie ^lehurin. District 95. The sehoolhouse in this district A\'as built in 1876, on the southwest quarter of section 8. The house is on the northAvest corner of section 9. District 102. A schoolhouse was erected in 1877 on the northwest quarter of section 34. The first teacher Avas N. 0. BorsAvold. District 118. The school in this district is located in the Avest half of section 17.

already beon related. In 1871 the present site was selected and a building erected on the northeast corner of the northwest quarter of section 31. 'Around the schoolhouse in this district there still cling fond recollections of pioneer days. Here the Methodist Episcopal class was organized, and here the first revival meeting was held by Rev. Norton. Then there were the debating society gatherings and many other public meetings of much importance in the social and political life of the early days. District 1 had its first school within its present limits at the home of Henry Meyers in the summer of 1866. The school was taught by Adaline Gates. The next season Emma Klapper taught in the same house. In the summer of 1867 a stone schoolhouse was erected on the southwest quarter of section 1. In this building Emma Peters taught the first term in the summer of 1868. A new modern building has been erected one-half mile west. District 59. This district at an early date was provided with a school, which was kept in the building of Elihu Morse, built for a granary. The first teacher was Syreua Lytle. In 1868 the district erected a frame schoolhouse on the northeast corner of section 7, in which A. M. Maxfield taught the first school. In the fall of 1882 this building was moved to the southwest quarter of section 6. This district now has a beautiful modern building. District 52. The first school in this district was taught by Mrs. J. T. Williams in the summer of 1863 at J. M. Morse's house. That fall a house was built on the southeast quarter of section 18, in which John T. Williams was the first teacher. In 1869 a grout or concrete school building was erected on the southwest quarter of section 20, in which Julia Crittenden was the first teacher. A modern building now occupies the site. District 2. This district was provided with its first schoolhouse in 1861. It was located on the northwest quarter of section 9. The first teacher here was Flora Raynolds. In 1871 a new frame building was erected on the northeast quarter of section 9. James Pierce taught the first term of school in this house. The children from this district are now transported to the village school of Le Roy. District 79. This district had its first school in a house belonging to Charles jMcNeal, located on the northeast quarter of section 22. This was in 1870. Later the district purchased a log house from James Sample, together Avith an acre of land, on the northeast quarter of section 22. This was used a short time, after which a frame building was erected. A modern building now occupies the site. District 5, Le Roy village. The first school in this district was held in a house belonging to Daniel Caswell, in the sunnner of 1857. That fall a stone schoolhouse was built in Die old villiige of Le Roy. Tliis building "served as schoolhouse, I'liiiicli and |)iililii' hall. AI'tiT the advent of the railroad and the building up of the new village of Le Roy this was sold to the Lutheran church organization and a new schoolhouse was erected. Le Roy now has a fine high school building. District 63. The first school in this district was taught in 1857 by Lydia Bonestell, in a small frame house, located in the southwest quarter of section 36. Soon afterward a small building was moved from Fillmore county and located on section 35. Serena Lytle and Mary Prentice were early teachers in this house. Later a frame building was provided near the same site, on the southeast corner of the southwest quarter of section 26.