Indian Fields' Schools |
Taken from The History of Tuscola County, Biographical Sketches and Illustrations, H. R. Page Co., Chicago, 1883. Thanks to Bonnie Petee.
The first school in Indian Fields was taught in the winter of 1857-8 by Miss Ruth Sherman, now Mrs. Gamble, of Cass City, in a little building which had just been built by Peter D. Bush, and which stood a few rods southwest of what is now known as the Wilsey Mill. Mr. Bush lived at the time just across the line in the town of Almer, but near what is now Caro. There were a number of children who wanted to go to school, and at that time there was no organized school district in the town of Indian Fields. Mr. Bush got lumber at Wahjamega, and went to Pontiac after a stove, glass and sash. School was taught that winter, and the following spring the building burned. At this school was the foundation, or rather the first start of the Caro schools, the subsequent history is given in connection with the village.
The first meeting of School District No. 1 was held May 1, 1858. David Gamble was chosen chairman and J. K. Heartt, secretary. The following officers were elected: Moderator, William A. Heartt; director, J. K. Heartt; assessor, Daniel Dopking. There being a disagreement as to location of school-house site, no school was at that time organized, nor until 1863, when a school was opened in a shanty at Wahjamega, Miss Martha Wilcox being teacher. She was engaged for a school to commence January 1, 1863, and continue three months, at a salary of $2 per week and board around.
School District 2 and 3 were organized about the same time.
The Union of Graded School District was organized in 1867, and comprised the whole of sections 1, 2, 3, 4, the north half of section 9, the whole of sections 10,11,12,13,14, the north half and the southeast quarter of section 15, the east half of sections 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 33, 34, 35, and 36. This was designated as the Centerville Union School District.
From the annual school report of the town of Indian Fields for the year ending September, 1882, the following facts are obtained; Directors for the ensuing year, Wm. A. Heartt, Orestes Purdy, W. L. Rogers, Wm. B. Sweet, Ebenezer Beardsley and James. H. Conner. There are five whole districts and one fractional, with one brick and six frame school-houses. Number of children of school age, 600; attending school during the year, 539. There is one graded school in the town.
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May 1998
Updated December 11, 1998