Being strong believers in
progressive educational advantages, the good citizens of Afton township
have ever been ready and willing to maintain the best of public schools.
Miss
Mary Wheeler, now wife of Luther Phipps, taught part of a term in 1869,
hence should be called the first teacher. The first full term was
taught by Miss Ann Rice, in 1870 – a subscription school; but soon
school houses were erected here and there, as the increasing settlement
demanded, until today there are nine school houses within the limits of
the township. Six male and eleven female teachers are employed. There
are not 246 pupils enrolled.
The school buildings are of
excellent style and quality, and sixty-two shade trees were reported
upon the school grounds of the township in 1888.
(Source: Early History of Afton Township, published in 1889)
In 1869, the initial school was
taught by Miss Mary WHEELER at her claim building. The second school
taught in 1870 by Ann Rice. She circulated a subscription paper and via
secured means to carry on the functions of the school. (Cherokee Daily
Times Thurs. May 31, 1956, pg. 28)
Oct 1872 – campaign speech given at Coombs school house in Afton township.
Nov 6, 1872 – mention of Terwilligers school house in Afton twp.
March 28, 1873 – A Union Sunday School will be organized at Coombs school house in Afton on Sunday next at 12 o’clock. (The Cherokee Times, Fri. March 28, 1873, pg. 3)
Jan 17, 1874 – A literary society has been organized and meetings are held every Friday evening in the Coomb’s school house. (The Cherokee Leader, Sat., Jan. 17, 1874, pg. 4)
Feb
3, 1913 – Carl Nelson commenced teaching Wednesday morning in the Zoma
Coombs school south of town. This will enable Carl to be at home and
give more attention to the boy’s band while attending Morningside. (The Cherokee Times, Mon, Feb 3, 1913, pg. 4)
Sources:
Area news articles
AftonTownship School Houses
#
1 in Section 1
# 2 in Section 3
# 3 in Section 6
# 4 in Section 13
# 5 in Section 15
#
6 in Section 18
# 7 in Section 28
# 8 McQuin in Section 32
# 9 in Section 35
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Afton School House Names
Coombs School House
Terwilligers School House
McQuinn School House
Myers School House
If anyone knows which section these schools were in, please let me know. Thanks!
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1907 Township Maps
(Click on maps to enlarge)
Afton Twp. School Map
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County Township Map
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Map credit: Former Cherokee County Historical Society
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Afton Township School House No. 2 |
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Afton School No. 2 Term 1907-1908 |
Top
Row (left to right): John D. Blake, Ed Fitts, Ruby (Sanborn) Lane, Edna
(Blake) Lynch, Carrie Elfrink, the teacher; Nora Parker, Blanche
(Anderson) Daniels, Etta Fuller, & Jess Ware.
Middle Row: Blanch
Scott, Velva (Ware)Olson, Leta (Sanborn) Blizzurd, Carrie (Sanborn)
Lewis, Jennnie (Sanborn) Wachter, Willard Parks.
Seat in front row:
Billie Krout, Lester Melton, Glen Parker, Ellsorth Ware, Floyd
Anderson, Leon Sanborn, , Benny Anderson, Artie Krout & Johnny
Scott.
Thanks to a
joint venture between Don Blake & Theresa Berry, they were able to
identify the students in the photo for us. Much appreciated!
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Afton Township School No. 2 - 1935 |
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(Click on photo to enlarge)
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Back
Row (L - R): John Anderson, Helen Ferris, Marian Anderson, Jean Melton,
Avis Anderson, Mildred Ferris, & Leone Ferris.
Front Row: Willard Anderson, Rolan Blake, Bob Melton, Russ Blake, Jack Ferris & Billy Melton.
Many thanks to Don Blake for furnishing this photo and to Annette Blake for identifying everyone in it. Much appreciated!
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Afton Township School Houses
Go On Auction Block
- 1949 -
Click image to enlarge
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(Source: Aurelia Sentinel, Aurelia, IA , Sep 11, 1949, pg. 6)
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Data gathered as a result of the work of the former Cherokee County
Historical Society & the IAGenWeb Cherokee County Coordinator
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