Lee County Iowa Dover School

Dover School, This Is Your History (Part II) 

This is the concluding article of the Dover School history in the rural school series.   April’s issue told of the history of education from the time the pioneers arrived in Franklin Township up through the year 1913.   This article begins with the year 1914 and will describe how families stayed and moved away; how the school was still the focal point of the community until it closed is doors in 1941; and what happened at the final sale of school property in 1945.  This article also will tell how the School District #5 School Board still continued to come together to appoint committees to investigate the condition of school property;  review issues before any repairs or decisions were made (with some interesting sidelines), all extracted from the official school records loaned to the Rural School Team by Melvin Frueh.

The first entry in the official school records shows the winter school term commencing November 10, 1913 and ending March 28, 1914.  Lola M. Wilson was the teacher and had a total of 27 students of which three pupils were non-residents.  The School Board meeting in 1914 was chaired by A.J. Cruikshank and at that meeting a motion was made and carried to remove the spouting that was approved and installed in 1899 at cost of $1; the board decided that students were to eat quietly in their seats.

In 1915, Buenna Newberry took over the class and had a total of 26 students, of which four were non-resident students.   She recommended that non-resident students return to schools in their own district, which,

if done, would reverse the School Board  decision of 1897.   The Board approved expenses for new roofing on the coal shed, three days labor for painting the school, and putting on storm windows.

Elizabeth (Koller) Krebiel was a student in this class of 26 students.  When she was interviewed in 1999 she stated she remembers attending the one-room school house from the first to the eighth grade.  She had such fond memories that she stated, “If one takes a look and listens closely to the empty building, he or she can almost imagine the laughter of school children, the rustling of paper, and the teacher’s voice.”  She remembers students sat in individual desks and were quite crowded; the teacher summoned each class individually to sit on a bench at the school’s front for about an hour’s worth of lessons including grammar, history, civics, and math.   The rest of the students studied while the teacher was with each class and students were expected to be doing their work.  Students who disobeyed got a “front row” seat; chewing gum was forbidden.  A form of punishment was to write spelling words 100 times; according to Elizabeth this was not always effective.  Students ate at their desks or outside in the summer weather; when students were thirsty they didn’t line up at the water fountain as the teacher sent a couple of boys to the Dickey Store to fetch a bucket of water.  To her recollection most of the students had their own cups.  Elizabeth’s two brothers, Harold and Richard, also were in this class.   Melvin Frueh mentioned that his father, LeRoy, was a student in the year 1915, along with two of his uncles Herbert and Walter.

In an article written by Fern Bonnell, she stated that even though the school continued to be the center of the community, by 1915 many people began to move away; roads were a little better and the use of automobiles led to expanding interests; and there was a gradual transference of membership to churches in Donnellson.  Some who had been the strongest leaders no longer lived in Dover and she believed the last church service at Dover School, which she attended, was held in 1915 with Rev. Roberts giving the sermon.  Fern stated that Mr. Dickey realized it was the end of an epoch in the neighborhood life of Dover (and a good epoch it had been) and he handed each person a colored post card as a remembrance of the day.  Fern also recalled that when the Sunday School disbanded in 1915 the organ was turned over to the school, as she used it when she taught in 1920-21.

 

Dover School 1916.  Original  photo loaned by Delmar Hirschler

Back Row (l to r):  Dwight Wenger, Harold Frueh(?), Ralph Frueh(?), Rollin Bonnell, Harold Koller, Geo. Hemminger, Walter Frueh, Richard Koller, Orval Leverett (teacher), Leonard Fett, Maurice Bonnell, LeRoy Frueh(?), Teddy Cruikshank

Front Row (l to r):  Ruth Frueh, Irma Bentzinger, Irene Frueh, Genevieve Panther, Marvel Wenger, Alice Hemminger, Elizabth Koller, Esther Hilty, Leona Panther, Ida Bonnell, L. Wilhelm(?), Mary Cruikshank, Ralph Frueh(?), Alice Frueh, Carl Hilty, Bernadine Panther, Edgar Frueh, Bernice Frueh

Over the next couple of years 1916-17, Orval E. Leverett taught for three school terms with C. Campbell taking over in December 1917.    Students increased to 29 in 1916 and to 31 in 1917.   At the school board meeting in 1916, it was decided that the school terms be seven months but with only one week’s vacation.  As always, committees were appointed to inspect school property and a recommendation was made and approved to erect posts for basketball and have teeter-totters.  According to the records it appears that the school had some major repairs:  Lang & Bentzinger for stove repairs, Donnellson Lumber supplied lumber for a new outhouse, and some seats were repaired. 

In 1918, Elizabeth Burke was selected to teach the class of 31 students.  It was at this year’s School Board meeting that the members voted and approved to sell the pump and fill in the school well that was dug in 1911.  The cost to do this was $2; pumps were sold to A.J. Cruikshank for $4.  An amount of $8.40 was donated to the treasury from a school social. 

Ms. Burke carried her teaching through the winter term which ended March 21, 1919.  During the March 3 School Board meeting it was approved that the teacher should be allowed three days for eighth grade students taking exams “without the presence of the remainder of the class.”  Another decision made and approved was that students outside the district should be requested to attend their own school.

The years 1920-21 had two teachers, Mabel M. Steneker and Fern Bonnell.  Fern Bonnell was a former student at the Dover School from 1900-08 and stated she was the first pupil to obtain an eighth grade diploma.   Fern graduated from Farmington High School in 1912 and followed in her mother’s footsteps to become a teacher.  Her mother, Ida Bargar, taught at the Dover School in 1893.  During her tenure as teacher she noted many issues in her report to her successor, such as a new flag was badly needed as well as a globe and erasers.  Drawing was taught (also water color work) from the Neilson Drawing Book.  Each child was expected to have their own copy and more could be obtained from an address on the cover at 35 cents each.  She noted that some students loved to read such classics as Great Stones Faces, King of the Golden River, Dickens’ Christmas Carol and Rip Van Winkle.  During these schools years, the School Board appointed a committee to take down the old stove and decide what needs to be done towards repair, and authorized a sub-director to purchase a good clock for the school’s use. 

Teachers who had tenures during the school terms 1922-25 were Hazel D. Schipper and Freda M. Krebill.  In 1922, it was noticed that the classification of pupils’ school status was changed from “division” to a “grade’ category; the School Board approved the removal of the old stove from the grounds and had work done on the school organ; in 1923, old window screens were sold for 20 cents each, work done on culvert flag pole and rope, slating on the blackboard was done, and it was recommended each pupil pay for his own supplementary reader.  In 1924, no meeting was held; in 1925, a new flag and pole was purchased, one of the out buildings needed to be set up because of a Halloween prank, a new blackboard was installed, new library books were purchased, and the director was instructed to exclude all scholars from the school that lived closer to other schools. 

In notes found in library files, Raymond Miner noted he started first grade in 1925 and attended all eight grades, graduating in 1933; he had two older brothers, Willis and Kenneth, who graduated in 1927. 

Information from Everett Refior also was found on file.  Everett stated he started school as a shy six-year old.  When he started the schoolyard swarmed with 24 youngsters and by the time he graduated in 1931 there were only a dozen.  During his school days, the school was still used for evening meetings of the threshing ring and for informational meetings about the Government’s new farm program; it was also the auditorium for school Thanksgiving and Christmas programs; and the big event of the year was the community picnic the last day of school, followed by a spirited ball game between Dover and Union.  After graduating from Dover Elementary, and Donnellson High School, and Iowa Wesleyan, Everett entered the Ph.D. program at the University of Iowa. 

Ruth M. Anton succeeded Freda Krebill for the 1926 school term.  She had a total of 21 students and no non-resident pupils.  The School Board that year approved new directives, including a decision that a list of library books should be sent to some good authority for inspection to see if they are suitable for grade work, and a change from the 1916 ruling of seven months with one week vacation to eight months of school beginning the first Monday of September with one week of vacation.  The issue that all pupils should use individual towels for good hygiene was approved and a committee to investigate a heating plant was approved.  It was noted in the 1926 entry that a purchase of phonograph needles was made, although there has not been mention of a phonograph throughout the entries to this point. 

Pauline Krehbiel began the school term of 1927 and completed her summary report on April 20, 1928.  She had a total of 20 students and stated in her teacher’s report that “as a whole, this is a dandy group of pupils and I wish you a great deal of luck and success.”  The School Board approved the painting of the inside of the school house and set up a committee to investigate the advisability and cost of regular roof paint to the tin roof.

       

Dover School circa 1929-31.  Original  Hawkeye photo loaned by Audrey Seyb.  Front row (l to r):   Irma Frueh, Jean Fett, Darrell Seyb; Middle Row (l to r):  Irene Neff, Letha Seyb, Madeline Seyb, Ray Miner, Lela Neff, Kenny Krehbiel; Back Row (l to r):  Everett Refior, Armin Seyb, Goldie Cockran  (Eschman) teacher, Charles Frueh,  Gerald Snedden 

The year 1928 started the Goldie Cochran reign.  Goldie presided over the classes of Dover from 1928 through 1931.  In reviewing the official school records, it was noted that the number of students had dropped to a dozen or less until its closure in 1941.  During her tutorage the Seyb family had four family members in school at the same time.  In an interview with Darrell, the youngest of the four, he stated he attended all eight grades just as Armin, Madeline, and Letha did.  Darrell recalled there was a stage at the north end of the school with the teacher’s desk on the left side.  There was a flag on the west wall used for the Pledge of Allegiance and a flag pole outside at the southwest corner of the building.  There was a ball diamond north of the school; lunch buckets were kept inside the front door; there was a bucket with a dipper; there were elm trees and a teeter totter on the playground; there was a cement porch entry with three steps on either side; a hand bell was used to call pupils to class; kerosene lamps lighted the school room; when Mr.

E. C. Lynn, the School Superintendent made his visits, he brought scales and weighed everyone; he recalls the teacher boarded at the Krebill home, which was the old Dickey Store. 

Darrell’s father was an active School Board member and was elected secretary a number of years.  During these years the School Board had shingles hauled away since the school had a new tin roof; windows and curtains were washed; several news school books were bought; a new flag pole, flag, rope and snaps were installed; and some windows were replaced. 

Doris Wirsig taught at Dover during the years 1932-33 and 1935-36 with Ellen I. Handrich sandwiched in between in 1933-34.  During Doris’ terms she taught drawing, music and on Fridays taught citizenship for 40 minutes.  During her last school term, Doris had a “weenie” roast and school prizes the last day of school.  Although he does not recall the event, the 1934 School Board minutes noted that Darrell Seyb was paid 25 cents to help clean up the school after the stove in the back of the room exploded; Mrs. Krebill had to clean the school and curtains and Seyb & Hopp repaired the furnace.   

Ellen Handrich, a former student at Dover during the school term 1920-21, moved away from the area but returned to teach for one year.  She only received $40 per month. 

The years 1936-1940 began another three-year reign, this time for Margaret Starr.  Margaret taught at the Beverly School before accepting this position at Dover and remained there until the spring of 1940.

In an interview with Melvin Frueh, he stated that he attend school at Dover for his first five years with Margaret Starr for four of those years and ended with Edna Schlicher when the school closed in 1941; he then  transferred to Donnellson.  Melvin stated that a few of the students roller skated to school but that he “never got enough energy” and  walked his  ½ mile to and from school.  Melvin recalls that the old highway had a long, long slope and at the school he could see the stop and go light flashing in Donnellson.  Although he doesn’t ever recall singing; Melvin was listed a member of the school choir in the fourth grade.

         

Dover School, April 4, 1938.  Original Photo loaned by Jean Frueh.  Front Row (l to r):  Laverne Menke Klesner, Lenore Sander Kloppenstein, Harvey Seyb, Melvin Frueh, Delmar Hirschler, Douglas Robinson (?), Mary Ellen Frueh Prottsman.  Back Row (l to r):  Junior Frueh, Marcella Menke Holmes(?), Geraldine Fett Hatch, Margaret Starr (teacher), John Quayle  

Delmar Hirschler sat down with the Rural School Team and talked about his memories.  Delmar stated he lived about one mile east of the school and walked that distance to and from every day.  He and Melvin Frueh were the only two in their class until the school closed; when asked about the choir, Delmar, too, had a bad memory, and didn’t ever remember being a choir member.   He stated that his father, Erwin, bought the school’s coal shed at the 1945 auction; he recalls the property on which the school was located belonged to the Bruno Schmerbauch family who sold it later to the David Abel family, and it was turned over to the Junior Frueh family in 1975. 

 
Mr. LeRoy Frueh, Melvin’s father, was elected Chairman for the 1936-38 school years.  During that time curtains were bought for the eight windows; primary books and supplies were purchased; furnace pipes were installed; the clock was repaired; hedge posts, braces and steel posts were put in to repair fence.   In Margaret 1936-37 teacher’s expense report, a victrola for $5 and records for $5.61 were mentioned.   

The reigns were turned over to Mr. H. J. Krebill in 1939; it was approved that the old organ be given to Mrs. H. J. Krebill; there was even discussion of a new school house but the votes were 8 in favor and 18 against.   In the teacher’s expense report for 1938-39 a charge for piano tuning was listed.  Was this a replacement for the old organ given to Mrs. Krebill?  Many repairs were done during this year:  boys’ outhouse, labor on furnace, window panes, painting. 

In 1940, Mrs. LeRoy Frueh took the chair and became the first female Director of the School Board and appointed O.D. Seyb as secretary.  This appeared to be a busy meeting and voted in the following:  a new girls’ outhouse; a step ladder for use around school property; that a barb wire be put above the woven wire and that the Director fix places for the children to cross without tearing their clothes or breaking down the fence.  It was noted throughout the entire book of Board of Director meetings that the fence always needed repair.  It took this long and a female to figure out how to keep the school fence in good shape.   In the teacher’s expense report, a radio was purchased; materials were purchased for a social and it netted $27.06 

In notes obtained from Delmar Hirschler, almost every year during the timeframe 1922 to 1935, the Dover Ladies Aid Group held ice cream socials at the Dover School to raise funds for their project, the Orphan Christian Home in Council Bluffs, IA.  In addition to the funds raised at these socials, the ladies met on a monthly basis at different homes to make clothing, rag dolls and dolls’

clothing, quilts, and pillow cases.  They also donated fruit, soaps and during the holidays sent homemade cookies to the orphans.  It was noted that two Dover School pupils made a donation from their birthday money one year.  Those pupils were Bobby Ivins and Delmar Hirschler.   

During the final year at Dover, Edna Schlicher closed the final term May 16, 1941; there were 14 students and all passed the their next grade  O.D. Seyb was elected Chairman for the 1941-42 year;  a culvert was approved and placed where the foot bridge formerly was and teeter totters were again discussed.   Although the school closed its doors in May 1941, the school board remained in tact to maintain the grounds.  At the March 1942 meeting the discussion centered on the matter of transportation of the Dover pupils to the Donnellson public school.   In 1943-44, the board members mowed the school yard, cut trees, burned brush, repaired fences and windows.  At the March 1945 meeting the motion was made by Bruno Schmebauch to sell at auction all books, maps, furniture, including stove and benches, and out buildings; Mrs. LeRoy Frueh made the motion to transfer money now held in the school fund to a general fund.  The auction of school items took place on VJ Day, August 23, 1945; the last entry in the school books was 1949, bringing Dover School to closure with the sale of the property.

Below is a list of graduates from District No. 5 from 1914 through 1941:

Leah Bonnell            1914      Ernest Frueh,         1915
Maurice Bonnell       1917      Leonard Fett           1917 
Richard Koller          1917      Dwight Wenger       1918
Bernice Frueh          1919      Rollin Bonnell         1919
Herbert Frueh          1919       Harold Frueh          1919
Ida  Bonnell             1920       Harold   Koller        1920
Marvol Wenger        1922       Elizabeth Koller      1922 
LeRoy Frueh           1923       Irene Frueh            1923
Martha Wenger       1926       Ralph Frueh           1926
Kenneth Miner        1927       Willie Miner            1927
Wilmer Galle          1927        Hazel Neff             1928
Leona Frueh           1928        Epsie Hodson       1929
Charles Frueh         1931       Armin Seyb           1931
Lela Neff                 1931       Everett Refior        1931
Raymond Miner       1933       Madeline Seyb      1933
Alice Neff                1934       Letha Seyb           1934
Bobby Ivins              1934       Kenneth Krehbeil  1934
Billy Ivins                 1935       Jeanne Fett          1937
Irma Frueh               1937       Darrell Seyb         1937
Geraldine Fett          1938       Junior Frueh         1938
Darlene Wolfe          1939       MaryEllen Frueh   1941 

The class of 1922 was the first at Dover School; first held in Franklin Twp; Supt. E.C. Lynn presented diplomas 

The class of 1927 graduated with the class consisting of graduates of all the rural schools of Franklin Twp.  The exercises were held at the Franklin Church May 16, 1927.  There were 15 graduates.  

The 1929 graduation exercises of Franklin Twp were held at Donnellson High School. 

The following article is taken from the Donnellson Review, dated Aug 23, 1945: 

“An estimated crowd of 500 people gathered at Dover School yard north of Donnellson last Wednesday afternoon where auctioneers Wirsig and Kirchner disposed of the equipment of three discontinued school districts of Union, Brush College and Dover.

M.G. Addicks of the Citizens Bank of Donnellson, who was chief clerk at the sale, reported that he never saw such spirited bidding as prevailed.  Many of the people at the sale were students in former years, or former residents of the neighborhood who bought items for souvenirs to remember the “old school”.  Many articles that ordinarily would have been knocked off at little or nothing to the first person who accidentally “looked” like a bidder, brought nice sums in competitive friendly bidding.  School bells, chairs, wall hanging and similar articles were particularly brisk movers.  Philip Frank was successful in bidding for the regulator type clock from the Dover School, and has presented it to the post office in Donnellson for use of the mail force and public too.” 

Diane Kruse and Carolyn Dischler wish to thank all who made contributions to this article because without you we would not have such an extensive history of the Dover School.  This school continues to bring back memories for those that lived the experience of teaching or attending their first years of school; it is only fitting that the conclusion of this history ends during the month that celebrates Teachers Appreciation Week.  All of those interviewed, although late in time, truly took time out to honor their local educators and acknowledge the contributions they made to their lives.

The school is still standing and the time has closed for this year’s grant applications, but this will be a topic for time to come and the Rural School Team will keep you, the readership, apprised of happenings as time goes on since Iowa is the only state to pursue grants for restoration of rural schools. 

If anyone has additional information regarding the Dover School such as special remembrances, photos, scrapbooks or comments, please contact Diane Kruse (319-470-8982) or Carolyn Dischler (319-469-7631).  All information will be placed on file in the Donnellson Library Genealogy Department, 500 Park St., Donnellson, IA  52625 for reference purposes. ~Researched and written by Diane Kruse and Carolyn Dischler.

 

In keeping with the policy of providing free information on the internet, data may be used by non-commercial researchers, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may not be reproduced in any format for profit, nor for presentation in any form by any other organization or individual or on any other website without permission This entire website & contents are copyright 2009 by Local/Family History & the individual submitters  This page was updated January -- 2009