Freeborn Co., MN AHGP-Schools-Nunda Twp

"History of Freeborn County", 1882
Nunda Twp. School Histories

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Realizing that "knowledge is power" the citizens of Nunda have fortified themselves against that curse to civilization, ignorance, by dividing their territory into eight school districts, with numbers and locations of schoolhouses as follows: No. 42, with building on section four; No. 43 on section sixteen; No. 44 on section thirty-two; No. 45 on section twenty-four; No. 76 in Twin Lake village; No. 99 on section six; No. 105 in section thirty-four; No. 108 in section fourteen; a short sketch of each of which is given in connection herewith. It is unnecssary to state, knowing the enterprise of the people here, that the districts are all in good financial condition with neat buildings, and ably managed.

DISTRICT No. 42.—Embraces the territory in the northern part of the town toward the center. The first school was held by Miss Mary Ann White, in the winter of 1858-59, at the residence of Samuel Clark in section three, with twelve juveniles upon the hard benches. School was continued in the houses of various farmers throughout the district until 1870, when the present frame building was erected at a cost of $550 in section four. Miss Eva Morey first opened school here with thirty-five scholars in attendance. The present officers are: B. A. White, Clerk; August Linderman, Director; and William Lenz, Treasurer.

DISTRICT No. 43.—The first school held within the territory comprising this district, was at the residence of John Hoffman in section twenty-two, in the spring of 1858, by Joseph White, with an attendance of twenty scholars, and the district effected an organization by the election of the following officers: Clerk, P. Fitzsimmons; Director, John V. Wohlhuter; Treasurer, Michael Donahue. In 1868 the present school edifice was erected in the western part of section sixteen, at a cost of $400, where the first teacher was Isabel! Wilson. The present school board consists of: Alfred Emery, Clerk; Christian Yost, Director; and Fred H. Yost, Treasurer.

DISTRICT No. 44.—It is stated by some that this district effected an organization in 1858, the first clerk being D. G. Emmons, and the same year the first school was taught by Miss Sarah Emery in an empty house belonging to N. Asleson on section thirty-two. After this school was held in private residences uhtil about 1870, when they erected a frame schoolhouse in the northeastern part of section thirty-two, at a cost of $650, in which Miss Robinson first called school to order. The present officers are: Messrs L. Emmons, A. Freemott, Nels Nelson, respectively Clerk, Director, and Treasurer.

DISTRICT No. 45.—Effected an organization in the fall of 1861, and embraced the territory now included in district No. 76. The first officers were Messrs Bupson, Donahue, and Berry; but as nothing was accomplished by this board, the following year Patrick Kelly and John McQuire took their places, and in the fall of 1862 a log schoolhouse was erected in the northeastern part of section fourteen by contribution of labor, and and school was taught in the following summer by Eliza Eaton with twenty scholars enrolled. This building was used until 1871- the district having been divided in the meantime—and a new frame house was constructed at a cost of $400 in the western part of section twenty-four. This building served its purpose until the 9th day of June, 1881, when it was destroyed by fire, and in the fall of the same year the present neat frame building was erected on the old site at a cost of $770, in which Miss Leda Hewett first called school to order, with an attendance of forty-six juveniles. Matters have ran along pleasantly and the present school officers are: Patrick Kelly, Martin Forbes, and Patriot Honan, respectively Clerk, Treasurer, and Director. Since the above was written the Albert Lea Standard of September 7th 1882, says:—"School district 45 held their annual meeting last Saturday and elected M. Conors director, and H. Donahue clerk. Also voted -$78 tax for current expenses and also to have seven months school—four in the winter with a man teacher, and three in the summer."

DISTRICT No. 76.—The territory now comprised under this number was formerly embraced in District No. 45. In 1863 this district was set off and organized by the election of Mr. B. H. Carter, Clerk; Elof Knudtson, Director; J. M. Tanner. Treasurer. In 1865 a sehoolhouse was erected in the village of Twin Lake at a cost of $500, in which the first school was taught by Isabella Wilson to an attendance of forty scholars. This house was used until March, 1881, when a passing engine set it on fire and it was destroyed. The railroad company refused to pay any damages, and upon being sued by the district the courts rendered a judgment in favor of the district of about $450 for the building, and $110 for the lot, making a total of 8560 and costs. In the spring of 1881 a new schoolhouse was erected on a lot purchased of William Wilson, for $60, and is a neat frame building having cost $1,000. The school has at present an attendance of about forty scholars, the officers being John Donahue, Clerk; Henry Eaton, Treasurer: B. H. Carter, Director.

DISTRICT No. 99.—This district effected an organization in 1875, the first officers elected being: Clerk, W. J. Morey; Director, Fernando Fessen-den; and Treasurer, E. T. Yeadon. In the spring of 1876 the present neat schoolhouse was erected in the southwestern part of section six, at a cost of §475, in which the first school was instructed by Miss Louisa Rodgers, with eighteen scholars enrolled. At the present time the school officers are: Clerk, Loren Fessenden; Director, William Barnes: Treasurer, F. Reimen.

DISTRICT No. 105.—Effected an organization in 1864, and the first school was taught in the house of Peter Knutson in the spring of this year. In the spring of 1866 a small building was erected in section thirty-five at a cost of about $100, the labor being donated by the residents. This building was used until 1879, when the present house was erected upon the same site at a cost of $300, in which the first school was taught by Priscilia V. Hemon, with an attendance of thirty scholars. The first officers were: Clerk, Silas White; Treasurer, Peter Knutson; Director, Helga Larson. The present officers are: Ole N. Gvephvim, Helga Larson, and J. Sorenson.

DISTRICT No. 108.—This district is really a division of, or it might be called a reorganization of No. 84, coming into existence as a separate organization in 1879 by electing John Larson, Clerk; Knute Hovland, Director, and Hogen Rasmusson, Treasurer. In 1881 a neat sehool building was erected in the southern part of section nineteen, at a cost of $350, and in which knowledge is still dispensed. The first school in this house was taught by a lady teacher named Eslen Nerverson.