Schools of Butler Co. NE
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Early School HistoryNebr
& Midwest Genealogical Record gives this footnote which bears on our topic
"... (b) Ada Vanderkalk taught the first school in Butler Co. It was a
subscription school held in a log building, built on Sec 4, Town 16, Range 3 [Bone Creek
Twp.] in 1867. The first meeting of the County Commissioners was also held in this
building. (Johnson. Harrison, History of Nebraska, pp. 221-2.)
"In the winter of 1865-66, a [Butler Co.] school was opened at the house of J. Crowley, with Mrs. Frances G. Crowley as teacher. In the fall of 1867, a sod schoolhouse was erected on Section 23, in which, in the fall of 1869, Rev. George Worley preached the first sermon ever listened to in the settlement." Part 2 Butler Co. 1867: "The first public building of any description was erected in the summer of
1867, on Section 4, Township 16, Range 3 east [Bone Creek Twp]. The material used in the
construction was small, unhewn logs, the roof, made in the popular style of the times, was
poles covered with prairie sod, its dimensions about 10x12. In this unpretending structure
the first school was taught, Miss Ada Vanderkok, now Mrs. J. V. Wood, being teacher, and
the juvenile members of the families of D. R. Gardner, James Blair, William Butler, James
Green and Mrs. Solomon Garfield, the pupils. It was a subscription school, and the wages
were set at $20 per month. ...." "By the year of 1876... .... Two of the earlist school districts in Butler
County had already been organized, District 11 in Savannah Township and District 13 in
Alexis Township. A small one room school house had been built by District 13 on the
mid-point of the south side of section 23 in Alexis Township. This location was two miles
west of the present town of Bellwood on the north side of today's highway 64. This seemed
like a suitable and convenient location, and arrangements were made with the school board
to hold Sunday worship services in the schoolhouse. In time, this school would be known as
the Gerard School." Part 3 David City Schools: Part 4 David City Schools: "RILEY V. BEACH, Principal of David City Graded School and ex-County Superintendent of Public Schools. Came to Nebraska in the fall of 1870, and settled on homestead on Section 20, in Union Precinct, and was the first school teacher in that town. Was elected County Superintendent in the fall of 1879, and is now [1882] local preacher for the M. E. Church at David City." 1880s Part 5 Ulysses schools: 1869 District 5 Ulysses was organized. Part 7 Bellwood Schools: "It has an excellent school building, recently erected. The school is in charge of Miss Mollie Terry, and numbers ninety-two pupils, with a good average attendance. The first school district organized in the precinct (No. 4) was in 1871, but the first officers and teachers the writer is unable to learn." References:
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Schools DistrictsDistrict 1
School District No. 1 located in Bone Creek Twp, Section 2. "Ada Vanderkalk taught the first school in Butler Co. It was a subscription school held in a log building, built on Sec 4, Town 16, Range 3 in 1867" cf. Johnson's history book & Nebr. & Midwest Genealogy Record. "The first public building of any description was erected in the summer of 1867, on Section 4, Township 16, Range 3 east. The material used in the construction was small, unhewn logs, the roof, made in the popular style of the times, was poles covered with prairie sod, its dimensions about 10x12. In this unpretending structure the first school was taught, Miss Ada Vanderkok, now Mrs. J. V. Wood, being teacher, and the juvenile members of the families of D. R. Gardner, James Blair, William Butler, James Green and Mrs. Solomon Garfield, the pupils. It was a subscription school, and the wages were set at $20 per month." cf. Andreas history of Nebr. Butler Co. part 2.
1885-1895 District No. 1 teachers: Miss Turner, Miss Betus, Ed Van Fleet, George Colbank, William Fairbanks, and Miss Anna Hurt who married Jim Hutchinson. These teachers would have taught about 1885 to about 1895. Submitted by Gail Holdeman District 2School No. 2 located in Platte Twp., Section 26, Linwood. District 3School No. 3 located in Bone Creek Twp., in SE corner of Section 5, one mile south, 3 miles west of Edholm. School No. 3 was in Section 5 by 1906. This might be "accretion" land near the river depending on its elevation and latitude. In 2005, District 3, Garfield school (K-8) was located 9.1 miles east of Bellwood to the northwest of Octavia, at 4411 "O" Road. District 4 & Bellwood SchoolsSchool No. 4 located in Read Twp., east edge of Section 7, 2 miles west, .25 mile north of Surprise. "District No. 4 was organized in 1871, first officers and teachers are unknown. In 1882, Miss Mollie Terry had ninety-two pupils, with a good average attendance, in the newly erected excellent school building." Bellwood | 1st Grade 1911 | Class of 1921 | |
District 5 & Ulysses High School
"Alongside the Big Blue River in
southern Butler County, early settlers organized old School District 5 in 1869...."
as a nine square mile district. Its first school board officers were Summer Darnell,
Director; Dr. S. T. Thrapp, Moderator; J. M. Palmer, Treasurer. The home of Dr.
Thrapp was the site of the first "three-month school" and its teacher was J. M.
Wilkinson. The next year's "three month session" was taught by Mr.
Metcalf.
Circa 1910 photo (postcard back blank) from trunk of Nettie Andrew
Moore. Most unidentified; 1., 2. Harry Canedy (bro. #9), 3., 4., 5., 6., 7. Elsie
Andrew Archer (Harry) Canedy--UHS Class of 1908, 8., 9. Ivan Canedy (bro. #2), 10. Nettie
Andrew Moore--UHS Class of 1914, 11., 12, ... 24, 25. In 1912 a replacement school was built of
brick. This school was expanded, in 1936, as a Work Project Administration (WPA)
effort to add the auditorium, stage, kitchen and dressing rooms.
The high school closed in 1960 but the
elementary school continued until 1982 when it was closed. Following these school
closings, Ulysses students were bussed to Seward, NE. |
District 6School No. 6 location in Oak Creek Twp., middle of south edge of Section 23, 2 miles north of Loma, NE and on the east side of a creek and angled road. "Andreas (p. 449) states that Mrs. Frances G. Crowley taught a school at her home in Oak Creek Pct. in the winter of 1865-6." cf. Nebr & Midwest Genealogy Record footnote "In the winter of 1865-66, a [Butler Co.] school was opened at the house of J. Crowley, with Mrs. Frances G. Crowley as teacher. In the fall of 1867, a sod schoolhouse was erected on Section 23, in which, in the fall of 1869, Rev. George Worley preached the first sermon ever listened to in the settlement." cf. Part 1 of Andreas District 7Dist. No. 7 located in Alexis Twp., in NE corner of Section 13 or possibly across the road in Savannah Twp., in NW corner of Section 18. District 8School No. 8 located in Oak Creek Twp., NW portion of Section 8. Approximately 1.5 m. north of Brainard. District 9School No. 9 located in Savannah Twp., in Section 11, estimated to be SW 1/4, NE 1/4, NE 1/4 S-11, T-_N, R-2E on the north side of Clear Creek, approximately 2 m. N, 0.75 m. E of Bellwood. 1901-1911 Teacher's and pupil's names District 10School District No. 10 located in Platte Twp., near middle of Section 32, on the north side of the road between Linwood (3.3 miles SW of Linwood) and Edholm towns. District 11District 11 in Savannah Township created before 1876, near middle of south edge of Section 28. One mile south, 1.5 miles east of Bellwood District 12
District 13District 13, in Alexis Township created before 1876. [see above statement] School No. 13 located in Alexis Twp., middle of south edge of Section 26, 3.5 miles SW of Bellwood (mile south of SH-64). Jennie (Dougherty) Carpenter (b. Jan. 16, 1853 - d. Nov. 5. 1905), School teacher, District 13, Alexis Township. submitted by Dawn Carpenter Note: It is Dawn Carpenter's understanding that this building was the first home of the Gerard family. That it was sold to the county for a school. Also the congregation that met in the building from 1876 to 1881 later became part of the Methodist Conference. However, she could not find her source at the moment. (3/2000). District 14
District 15 School No. 15 located in Bone Creek Twp., in SW corner of Section 20, 3 miles west, 1 mile south of Octavia. District 16 School No. 16 located in Ulysses Twp., SE corner of Section 3, three miles north, 1 mile east of Ulysses. St. Mary Catholic School, Bellwood
St. Mary Catholic School adjacent to the Church and Rectory near
Bellwood, NE. District 17 Octavia
Gail Holdeman's mother had this photo of the Octavia School Building taken May 22, 1908. Gail's great grandfather, Samuel Mohler, was a janitor in the school for many years as a second job to his farming. Gail's great aunt, Emma Parnell, was a school teacher in the Edholm & Octavia area. She later married Benjamin Wiggiens. Submitted by Gail Holdeman.
Octavia School, District 17, possibly built in 1924 District 18 School No. 18 located in Center Twp. District 19 School No. 19 located in Franklin Twp., NW corner of Section 12, 4 miles east, 2.75 miles north of David City. May be the same as Appleton School. District 20 School No. located in Twp., of Section . District 24 West Olive School No. 24 located in Olive Twp., middle of west edge of Section 29, 4 miles W, .5 miles south of David City. District 25 School No. 25 located in Linwood Twp., middle of east edge of Section 27, just SE of Abie. District 26 East Olive School No. 26 located in Olive Twp., middle of east edge of Section 27, one mile south, 2 miles west and a little north of David City. District 27 School No. 27 located in Read Twp., east edge of Section 25, 2.5 miles east, 2.75 miles south of Surprise. District 28 School No. 28 located in Skull Creek Twp., middle of east edge of Section 26, two miles east, 2.5 miles south of Bruno. District 29 School No. 29 located in Oak Creek Twp., NE corner of Section 30, 1.5 miles south of Brainard. District 30 School No. 30 located in Summit Twp., middle of north edge of Section 35, 2.5 mile north, .5 mile east of Rising City. District 31
School No. 31 located in Ulysses Twp., SE corner of Section 9, two miles north, 1 mile west of Ulysses. Grace M. Hoeft wrote, "Leader School, District # 31, in
Butler County, Nebraska was built in Grace M. Hoeft (graciemarie@clarks.net); Bart Ruth scanned the school photo District 32
District 33 Pleasant Hill SchoolSchool No. 33 located 4 miles east and a little north of Rising City, west of Pleasant Hill Cemetery, in the NE 1/4, NW 1/4, Sec. 8, Union Twp. The Pleasant Hill School land was donated by Nahum and Mira Howe, who were pioneers in rural Butler County, according to Grace White Hoeft. District 34School No. 34 located in Olive Twp., on south edge of Section 8, 3 miles north, 4.75 miles west of David City "MRS. ANNA E. Bruce, formerly proprietress of the Bellon House at Rising, is widow of W. J. Bruce, who died in 1868, from disease contracted while serving as soldier in late war of the rebellion, leaving her in rather poor circumstances. The year 1868, she came to Nebraska with her only child, Miss Louie, took up a homestead in Seward County on Section 18, Town 12, Range 3 east. Here she resided, holding her claim for five years, making such improvements as was necessary, and engaged at teaching school, sewing, etc. To make her way through the world with the rest of old settlers, she taught the first school at her own house in District No. 34 of the county, and that was a sod house. After the expiration of years, she accumulated some means, then moved to Seward and built a residence to rent, she then rented the hotel known as the Farmers' Home; this she kept until 1879, when she came to Rising, and built the Bellon House, which was burned to the ground on the morning of March 5, 1882, with a loss of $3,000. Insurance amounted to $1,500. She was born in Summit, Schoharie Co., N. Y., December 10, 1841." Note: It appears that Anna E. Bruce taught in District 34 of
Butler Co. NE, but the references to Seward Co., to the south, may have us confused. District 35School located ? miles of . District 36School located in Alexis Twp., middle of south edge of Section 29. District 37School No. 37 located Skull Creek Twp., middle of east edge of Section 30, two miles west, 2.5 miles south of Bruno. District 38 School No. 38 located in Linwood Twp., NE portion of Section 11, about 1 mile NE of Nimburg. District 39School No. 39 located in Linwood Twp., middle of east edge of Section 30, 3 miles west of Abie. 1913--1914 Tillie Hasik, Teacher. See her class list. District ?Mary Ann (Hales) Carpenter (b. Nov. 1854 - d. Oct. 20, 1931) School teacher, District Unknown, she lived Summit Township. submitted by Dawn Carpenter District 40School No. 40 located in Read Twp., north edge of Section 32, 3.5 miles south, 1.75 miles west of Surprise. District 41School No 41 located in Alexis Twp., middle of south edge of Section 8. District 42Grandview School, District No. 42 located in Franklin Twp., in SE corner of Section 22, 3 miles east of David City. Agnes Phillips nee Keefe taught at District 42, she
signed a contract on June 9th, 1919 to teach there until July-1920. That
contract was written in pencil. It was signed by a Fred W Bxxxx - Director,
W C Yindrick - Moderator, and Joseph Jaxxxk - Treasurer. It was added into
the contract that the class room had to be warm by 8:30am. The second
contract was signed on July 12, 1921 and expired on July 1922. It was also
signed by B J Boothtrup (?) - Director and Frank Helgolt (Helgott?) -
Moderator. District 43School located ? miles of . District 44School No. 44 located in Olive Twp., middle of west edge of Section 12, one mile west, 2.75 miles north of David City. District 45 School No. 45 located in Read Twp., west edge of Section 26, 2.5 miles south, 1 mile east of Surprise. District 46School No. 46 located Skull Creek Twp., northeast corner of Section 11, one mile north, 2 miles east of Bruno. District 50 School No. 50 located in Summit Twp., south edge of Section 29, 2.5 miles north, 3.75 miles west of Rising City. District 51 School No. 51 located in Summit Twp., middle of south edge of Section 5, 6.5 miles north, 2.5 miles west of Rising City. District School No. located in Twp., of Section . District 53School No. 53 located in Linwood Twp., middle of north edge of Section 17, 3 miles west of Nimburg. District 54School No. 54 located Skull Creek Twp, middle of west edge of Section 8, two miles west, .5 mile north of Bruno. District 55School No. 55 located Richardson Twp., southeast corner of Section 27, 1.5 miles south, 3.5 miles east of Dwight. District 57 School No. 57 located in Bone Creek Twp., south edge of Section 34. District 58?School No. 58 located ?? District 59School No. 59 located in Summit Twp., middle of north edge of Section 11, 3 miles south, 2.5 miles west of Bellwood. District ?School located ? miles of . District ?School located ? miles of . District ?Appleton School located 0.5 mile north, 4.5 miles west of Bruno in northeast corner of Franklin Township. District ?LaCross School located 1.5 miles north of Brainard on SH-92. District ?Elmwood School located on CR-O between CR-30 and CR-31. District ?St. Marietta School located 5 miles west of Octavia on SH-64. District ?Brown School located 5.5 miles SW of Bellwood (mile south of ST-64). District ? David CityDavid City Grade School. Miss Libbie WESTOVER was the first graduate 1886 of David City
High School. David City HS Alumni List 1886-1909 1890: David City High School Diploma of Iva Edmonds View image 1900 ... 1950 1957: David City High School Prom. Oldest graduate Mrs. Iva Edmonds Walden View image Public Elementary School Public Junior-Senior High School Aquinas Middle School & High School St. Mary's Grade School
District 60School No. 60 located in Center Twp, NW corner of Section 4, 3 miles SE of David City. "... Margaret Jane Meysenburg (Mrs. Nicholas Remakel), daughter of P. N. Meysenburg and Barbara Dehner Meysenburg was born Feb 15, 1878 at Bellwood. She attended school in District No. 60. ...." Ref: Obituary of Margaret J. Meysenburg Remakel District 61School No. 61 located in Skull Creek Twp., middle east edge of Section 28, 2.5 miles south of Bruno. District 63School No. 63 located in Plum Creek Twp, old village, Ware. District 64School No. 64 located in Alexis Twp., middle of east edge of Section 15. District 65 School No. 65 located in Savanah Twp., south edge of Section 23, 3.25 miles east of Bellwood, across the road south is/was a cemetery. District 66School No. 66 located in Plum Creek Twp., northeast corner of Section 31, four miles east, 1.25 miles south of Ulysses. District 67 School No. 67 located in Summit Twp., south middle edge of Section 17. District 68 School No. 68 located in Franklin Twp., center of Section 7, 1.5 miles north of David City. District 69 School No. 69 located in Franklin Twp., near NE corner of Section 15, 3 miles east, .75 miles north of David City. District 70 School No. located in Twp., of Section . District 71 School No. 71 located in Savannah Twp., Section 30. District 74School No. 74 located in Ulysses Twp., NE corner of Section 35, two miles east, 1 mile south of Ulysses. Grace M. Hoeft wrote, "I also attended Dist. 74 for one year and it was located 2 miles east and one mile south of Ulysses." graciemarie@clarks.net (Grace M. Hoeft) District 75 School No. 75 located in Plum Creek Twp., south edge of Section 27, 1.5 miles south, 2 miles west, .25 miles north of Dwight. District 76 School No.76 located in Savannah Twp., on east edge of Section 8. Approximately 1 m. east and 2 miles north of Bellwood. District 77 School No. located in Twp., of Section . District 78 School No. 78 located in Twp., SE corner of Section 35, four miles east, two miles south of David City. District 79 School No. 79 located in Richardson Twp., middle of west edge of Section 8, half mile east, two miles north of Dwight. District 80School No. 80 (Garrison?) located in Union Twp., of Section 23? District 81 School No. 81 located in Plum Creek Twp., middle of south edge of Section 17, one mile north, 4.5 miles east of Ulysses. District 82William Wolford, teacher at District 82 for the school year 1916/1917. District 83District 83 School, Surprise. District 84?School No. 84? located in Ulysses Twp., would be in Section 13, 14, 23, 24 Grace M. Hoeft wrote, "My father's schoolhouse still stands on a corner 2 miles east and one mile north of Ulysses, I think it was #84. It is not used, but must have been built very well to have stood 110 years and more. graciemarie@clarks.net (Grace M. Hoeft) District 85 School No. 85 located in Franklin Twp., SE corner of Section 8, one mile north, 1.5 miles east of David City. District 88 School No. 88 located in Summit Twp., south edge of Section 14, 4.5 miles north, .25 miles east of Rising City. There is a church .75 mile east. District ? Plum Creek
District ? Rising City"ERASMUS GRUBB, ... came to Nebraska in the spring of 1877,
and bought a farm on Section 9, in Reading Precinct. Here he resided operating his farm
and teaching school at Rising ...." District 90School No. 90 location in Olive Twp., SE corner of Section 36, two miles south of David City, east side of railroad, west side of road. District 92 School No. 92 located in Richardson Twp., middle of west edge of Section 15, 2.5 miles east, 1 mile north of Dwight. District 93 School No. 93 located in Richardson Twp., middle of west edge of Section 12, 4.5 miles east, 2 miles north of Dwight. District 94 School No. 94 located in Plumb Creek Twp., southeast corner of Section 10, 1.5 miles north, 2 miles west of Dwight. District
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Small EntertainmentsSay each name slowly and ponder the memories: Red Rover, Ante-Over, Hopscotch, Workup, In-Come-Free, Hide & Seek, Reverse Hide & Seek, Hoop & Guider, Horse shoes, Crack the whip, Pin the tail, Follow-the-leader, Pick-up-sticks, Jacks, Stack hands, Clap in-Clap out, Squat tag, Keep away, Caroms, Hare & Hound, Merry-go-round, Teter-totter, Giant Stride, Marbles for keeps, Kick-the-can, Skip rope, Kickball, Spud, Marko-polo, Run-sheep-run, Musical Chairs, Hangman, TicTacToe, May I?, Simon says, Fox & Geese, Snowballs & forts, Sledding, Tonettes, Ocarinas, Kazoos, Tambourine-block-triangle-stick band, Taffy, Divinity, Fudge--which used vinegar? Friday popcorn, Box socials. Slates, Stoking stoves, Emptying ashes, Pumping water & tin cups, McGuffey's reader, Palmer penmanship, Ink wells & quills, Dusting erasers, Washing blackboards, Reading circle, Spelling bees, Math at the board, Dick & Jane, Pledge of allegiance, 8th grade exams. |
Modern SchoolsLinks to modern schools are difficult to maintain as the internet connections to schools are being installed, improved and changed. These links are here in the hope that students can volunteer to do historical research in areas that benefit genealogy. County history, land records, marriage records, immigration patterns, ethnic groups, etc. are all possibilities. If you know high school level students who need a community volunteer task, talk to them about genealogy and its connections to history, record keeping, research, writing, and databases.
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