Fountain County IN Archives History - Books .....Schools 1881
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com August 25, 2006, 4:19 am

Book Title: History Of Fountain County

SCHOOLS.

   "Education, that bright and glittering gem, the peer of prince or fortune,"
early received due consideration. The temporary frame court-house was also the
early temple in whose halls the minds of the pioneer children were stored with
that knowledge required to make them good citizens. William Robe was probably
the first teacher. Ere many years a small brick school-house was built in the
south edge of town. About 1843 a larger frame structure was built. Benjamin
Rankin taught about 1845, and Rev. C. F. Smith soon after. Smith was badly
beaten by the school-boys of that day. Mr. Batterton was a very early school
teacher. "Away far back in bygone times" a certain teacher presented himself to
Judge Rawles as an aspirant for the village school. This pedagogue sported a
ring and some other jewelry, yet wore very poor clothes and boots which did not
entirely shield from the weather his pedal digits. Although the youth might have
seen better times, and have received a liberal education, the judge, coolly
surveying the inconsistencies, as he thought the fellow to be en-garbed,
dismissed him. The young man went on his way, and when next heard from was
president of an important railroad company. Would that we could give his name,
but it "is buried 'mid the rubbish of forgotten things." It is not the dress
that makes the man. In 1860 the frame school building burned. School was then
taught in churches, halls, etc., till a new building was provided. In 1862 a
brick edifice, with six departments, was built. John J. Henderson was
contractor, and the trustees were Dr. C. W. Prather, Hiram Adler and George S.
Shanklin. The first teacher was Mr. Crompton, now a representative from
Vermilion county, Indiana.

   In a few years the school building proved too small, and the Board decided to
erect an edifice which would accommodate all, "a temple of learning and monument
of enterprise." The work was accomplished at a cost of about $26,000. The
contract was let to John McMannomy and E. H. Nebeker. There are eight
departments already occupied and two other rooms are ready when occasion
requires. The principal's department is the seminary or high school, affording a
three-years course of study after the common studies have been completed. An
able corps of teachers is provided. J. Warren McBroom is at present (1881)
principal. A. S. Taylor is teacher in room No. 7, or the fourth grammar
department; Miss Josie Webb, No. 6; Miss N. M. Strong, No. 5; Clemdora Ludlow,
No. 4:; Melissa Nebeker, No. 3; Carrie Slough, No. 2; and Ella Stewart No. 1.
Earlier teachers of Covington schools were H. R. Claypool, W. F. W. C.
Ensminger, James McEwing, A. L. McKinney, Wm. McFall, Prof. Lovelan, noted for
his avoirdupois. All of these instructors have left tracks in the sands of time,
indestructive. Society is better for their having lived.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

HISTORY OF FOUNTAIN COUNTY,

TOGETHER WITH
HISTORIC NOTES ON THE WABASH VALLEY,

GLEANED FROM EARLY AUTHORS, OLD MAPS AND MANUSCRIPTS
PRIVATE AND OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE, AND OTHER AUTHENTIC, THOUGH, FOR THE MOST
PART, OUT-OF-THE-WAY SOURCES.

BY H. W. BECKWITH,
OF THE DANVILLE BAR; CORRESPONDING MEMBER OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETIES OF
WISCONSIN AND CHICAGO.

WITH MAP AND ILLUSTRATIONS.

CHICAGO: H. H. HILL AND N. IDDINGS, PUBLISHERS.
1881.

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