Floyd County IA Archives News.....Letter from EllaTurner re: Prairie Center School May 9, 1923
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Chantel Schmitt chantel71@gmail.com May 7, 2012, 12:52 am

Rockford Register May 9, 1923
  In the spring of 1869 my people came to Iowa from New York State, reaching 
Charles City March 1st.  We were transported to Rockford by stage, and there 
were met by Reuben Palmer and taken to a place near the farm my father later 
purchased...Although only a child three years old then, I well recall that 
ride.  It was a typical March day and the wind blew a gale which compelled us 
children to keep our heads covered with bed quilts, these being used then 
instead of the buffalo robe which came into use later...
  The Prairie Center School House was then located in the SE corner of the 
Rowley farm.  The first seats were home-made and painted a dark blue color.  
The first teachers I recall were Jane Auchmoody and Miss Ankney...There were 
some children attending school at times who belonged in other districts.  We 
usually had a good attendance - in the winter sometimes 30 to 42 pupils.  Our 
drinking water we carried in pails from a spring at the creek directly north 
of the school house.
  In the summer time we had Sunday-school in the school house, and 
occasionally a funeral.  Our means of conveyance at that time, when we did not 
walk, was a lumber wagon with a rough board seat whose srping had vanished, if 
it ever had any.

Additional Comments:
Commentary of early Rockford township schools from The History of Rockford by 
Michael F. Vala. Dubuque. 1970.

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