Taylor County WV Archives History - Books .....Taylor County Education, 1907
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Connie Burkett TaylorWVusgwArch@gmail.com August 13, 2008, 5:35 pm

Book Title: The History Of Education In West Virginia
Revised Edition, Prepared under the direction of the State Superintendent of Schools, 1907

Taylor County. By Dellett Newlon, Superintendent.
Pages 147-148

Taylor County, named in honor of Hon. John Taylor of Carolina, the illustrious
exponent of the doctrine of strict construction, so popular in eastern Virginia.
It was formed from parts of Barbour, Harrison and Marion counties in 1844, and
has an area of 150 square miles. The county seat is Grafton.

The schools prior to the adoption of the public free school system were
subscription schools, and were largely patronized. They were kept in the old log
school houses, out of which came some of our educational leaders of to-day.

The pioneer teachers of our county were not as well versed in literature as
those of to-day, yet they served their purpose for that time, and some of our
teachers and leaders remember them with gratitude, for it was from them that
they received the foundation for their education.

Taylor County, exclusive of Grafton Independent District, has 65 school
buildings, in which seventy-five teachers are employed. Most of the schools are
supplied with apparatus, such as mathematical blocks, charts, maps and globes. A
number of the schools have slate black boards.

Of the 75 schools taught in this county, five are colored, which are among the
best, being taught by trained colored teachers.

Salaries of the teachers range from $35 to $45 per month for a No. 1
certificate, from $30 to $40 for No. 2, and from $25 to $30 for No. 3.

The county is divided into seven Districts, five of which are rural and two
independent. The rural Districts have only five months' school, but hope to have
a longer term soon.

The natural wealth of the county, such as coal and gas is just being developed.
In Court House District one of the finest coal plants in West Virginia has been
completed. It is equipped with modern machinery, and everything is up to date.
The putting in of this plant caused the building of the town of Wendell, adding
materially to our school revenues in this District. We welcome all industries
that tend in this direction. 

There have been two modern school houses built in the county this year. The
outlook for the schools in the county is very encouraging. Everything points
towards District High schools.

I am glad to report a growing sentiment in favor of longer terms, better
buildings, increased salaries. We regard these as very important in order to
obtain the best teachers possible, and Taylor County is able to have all of these.

Our District institutes have aided us very materially and especially so in
getting the sentiment of the people as regards what they favor.

The High School in Flemington District, which was established four years ago,
has developed from a poorly graded school to a good High School. It now employs
four teachers and is doing work in all the grades from the primary to and
including the High School course. It is under the able management of Frank J.
Tracy as principal and W. E. Tomblyn as assistant. A word of commendation for
the Board of Education of Flemington District is not out of place here. In the
face of opposition and misunderstanding this board labored earnestly and
successfully to establish and give to the people of Flemington District a good
school. The board is composed of the following gentlemen: John B. Gather, John
Boss and Baxter Holler. 

The progress of the schools in this county as a whole is not what we had hoped
for; but with the aim in view to push on and grow we do not care to be classed
as the poorest nor as the best.


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