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The first known school in Benton County was built at Marysville in 1845-46, known as the "Johnson School". It was a log house and was completed in 1846. It gave the first dozen or so of children the chance to start school. It stood on Section 25 (SW Corner) and the first class, within crude walls, was taught by James Regaud. He lived about one half mile to the northeast of the school.
This is a description of the log school house: In one end of the log house was a chimney made of mud and sticks of wood, with earthen hearth inside and a fireplace wide enough and deep enough to hold a four foot back log with smaller wood to match., In the summer it was often filled with flowers and plants. For windows, part of a log was cut on either side, the opening being covered with greased paper. Writing benches were made of wide planks. Also seats and flooring.
No date is known when a small frame building was erected. It was where David Hoff now lives, at the NW corner of Urbana. It was taught by Elizabeth Davis (Bennie Culver’s daughter) with only a few scholars.
Schools in Benton County were first systematized under a Legislative act in March of 1858. Each township was made a school district and the office of County Superintendent was created. No member of the School Board was to be paid in any way. The scheme of education stated that the effect of stimulants, poisons and narcotics, vocal music, and the Bible was to be taught. A regulation to set out twelve trees in every school yard was set up. Compulsory attendance was part of Iowa law. Library funds were created and doors were required to open outward.
Around 1910 Urbana had three teachers. Eighty Seven pupils attended school but there were one hundred eleven enrolled.
In 1857, the first term of school was in a two room frame building erected just east of where the Methodist Church now stands. At that time there were two teachers; one for primary grades and one for upper grades; however, the school was not graded and there was no high school. Some of the early teachers were: Emily Kirkland Marshall, A. A. King, P. C. Cumberland, Corris Gates, Burges Hurd, and J. H. Remer. In about 1888, this building was inadequate and was sold to J. D. Burrell. In 1888 a new two story frame structure with two rooms was built on the lot where the present school now stands. There were still only two teachers with primary and upper grades. L. J. Kirkland, who had been a former student, taught here in 1890 and 1891.
Soon this building was too small and was rebuilt in 1903, adding two more rooms, making it square. This building was very difficult to heat. Everyone had to dress warm. Girls wore heavy winter underwear, long stockings, woolen petticoats, skirts, and sweaters; and then were often cold.
At this time three teachers were hired and the system was divided into primary, intermediate, and high school; with Charles Fisher as superintendent. It was during this time that the school first became graded.
In 1905, the first class graduated from eleven grades. Each sent invitations, delivered orations, and received diplomas. Those in the class were Flo Bunker, Charlotte McKee, Lelia Moss, Nick Drilling, Eugenia Jewel, Mamie McKee, Earl Jorden, Mahala Revel, and George Hilliard. This building served the Urbana school district until 1916.
In 1915, it was voted to bond the district for $25,000 and build a modern brick building. The building was completed at Christmas time, 1916. The old building was sold for $500.00 to Will Hurd. He tore it down and moved the lumber to his farm to build a set of farm buildings. This farm is now (1976) the Lester Hauser farm. The modern brick building consisted of four grade rooms, high school auditorium, two class rooms, a laboratory, home economics room, manual training room, boys and girls toilets, and a gym with locker rooms and showers.
In 1916, the twelfth grade was added. Graduates that year were Veva Hawley and Vena Casner under Superintendent Mont Adams. In 1917, the Willow Grove district was united with Urbana school. In a few years, five other districts did the same. Each district paid their children’s tuition and furnished their own transportation. Later these five, along with four other districts, decided to consolidate. In 1946, nine districts consolidated with the Urbana Independent District, with only ten votes cast against the consolidation. At this time five buses transported 180 children to and from school. The enrollment at this time was 270 pupils, with 80 in high school and 190 in the grades. There were twelve faculty members:
T. C. Tibbetts - Superintendent
Clark James - Coach; Physics; Geometry, Senior Math
Howard James - Business Law, Bookkeeping, Algebra, General Math
Zella Stranberg - Advanced Business Training, 10th English, Dramatics
Dorothy Jacobson - Home Ec, General Science, 9th English
Lyle Manson - Band
Laura Davis - 8th grade, Glee Club, Grade Music
Nellie Inglethorn - 6th grade and 7th grade
Naomi Flesher - 4th grade and 5th grade
Ruth Koser - 2nd grade and 3rd grade
Frances Fish - 1st grade
Ethel Hilgeson - Primary
Since the consolidation, the present building was inadequate. It was decided to send the first grade to the Methodist Church and all band classes, glee club, and dramatics to the Legion Hall. On November 5, 1946, it was voted to bond the district for $70,000. This was inadequate and there was no letting up, so on June 22, 1948, it was voted to bond the district for an additional $46,000, for a total of $116,000. Bids were taken and contracts were let. The new gym was started at once but remodeling of the main building was to wait until spring of 1949. Board members at this time were: President Delbert White, Clark Long, L. J. Nicodemus, Lester Hauser, and Clark Rice as Secretary. (Mr Rice was a most efficient secretary of the board for 29 years.)
September, 1955, $92,000 bond issue for five elementary classrooms and an industrial arts room. Members of the board were: Roy Haines, President, Paul Rick, Everett Hilliard, Elias Hepker, Donald McKinley, Eileen Roll, Treas. and Henry Kramer, Secretary.
February, 1970, $95,000 bond issue for three elementary classrooms, large music room with practice rooms and storage, two shower rooms and a large library media center. Members of the board were: Warren Richart, President, Duane Eldred, Glenn Cumberland, Richard Wendel, Leonard Lnenicka, Eileen Roll, Treasurer, and Janet Williams, Secretary.
Present (1976) Superintendent of Schools is Richard L. Bachman and Keith Endreson is the Principal of the High School. There are twenty-six teachers, two aides, three janitors, one secretary, five bus drivers, and three cooks. The 1976 school board is: Carl Lehne, President, Duane Eldred, Robert Zieser, Mary Magill, Norman Sackett, Eileen Roll, Treasurer, and Janet Williams, Secretary.
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SCHROEDER ACADEMY
Excerpts from the Urbana Bicentennial
In 1894 Jennie Schroeder Wilson, a former teacher in the University of Iowa, started what was known as the Schroeder Academy. It was located in an upstairs room of a frame building known as the Doctor Jewel building. This building has since been replaced by a brick building known as the Miller Store. Mrs. Wilson was assisted by her husband, Peter Jim Wilson. Mrs. Wilson taught English, Algebra, Physics, and Geometry. Mr. Wilson taught Geography, Ancient History, and Orthography. This academy grew so in popularity and her enrollment became so large that Mrs. Wilson was forced to seek help. She acquired the assistance of Harry Bryson as spelling and penmanship teacher and Stella Gearhart as English teacher. This academy offered a two year course which took the place of twelfth grade and gave a fine preparatory course for those who wished to go on to college. Mrs. Wilson was able to conduct this academy for only about eight years, as ill health and her declining years forced her to retire. After the Schroeder Academy was closed, those wishing to go on to school or interested in getting college entrance requirements went to Tilford Academy in Vinton.
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