1903

Much has been said the past few weeks by newspapers concerning school teachers of years gone by, among them the names of Miss Monk of Lansing and Mrs. G.P. Bellows of French Creek, but the past week we have been permitted to examine a certificate that lowers Mrs. Bellows' record.

A first class teacher's certificate was issued to Miss Jennie McGarrity, now Mrs. John J. Dunlevy of Lansing, and a sister of Mrs. John F. Dougherty of this city.

November 3, 1868, at which time Theo. Nachtwey, now in the drug business at Lansing, was superintendent of schools and proves that the lady* was then just past her twelfth birthday. In those days age was not taken into consideration, but applicants were required to prove themselves qualified, and the examinations, it is said, were as hard as at the present time.

~Waukon Republican reprinted by the Garnavillo Press, January 1, 1903, Garnavillo, IA, pg 4
~contributed by Cindy Maust Smith
~Note added by S. Ferrall: I believe the referral to "the lady" refers to Mrs. Bellows .... the article is unclear!

1925

Miss Irene Foley went to Monona Wednesday to conduct the eighth grade examinations of Fairview township. Miss Foley closed a successful term of school in Fairview No. 4 in April and next year will teach at West Grove, northeast of town.
~Postville Herald, Thursday, May 7, 1925, pg 5
~contributed by Cindy Maust Smith

1927

Some of our district schools closed on Friday, April 1st. Miss Lois Opfer closed a successful term in district No. 5. Miss Gertrude Stock closed her school in district No. 4. It was her first term and we are glad to hear she made a good showing, and we wish her continued success in the future. There were dinners served at these schools, but owing to a blizzard that day the snow was piled 3-feet deep in various places, making it difficult for the parents to get there.
~Postville Herald, Thursday, April 7, 1927, Postville, IA, pg 6
~contributed by Cindy (Maust) Smith

Notes added by S. Ferrall: Lois Opfer graduated from Waukon High School in the Class of 1923. Gertrude Stock graduated from Waukon High School in the Class of 1930 although she apparently was teaching prior to her graduation. Photo of Gertrude

1935

Miss Vera Ward, school teacher of Hanover township in Allamakee county is recovering from a terrible experience during the storm of last week, notes the Waukon Democrat. She was plowing on foot through high drifts on her way to her school Monday when she slipped and fell, breaking her leg above the knee. After lying for some time in the intense cold and snow, and getting no response to her calls for help, she began dragging herself through the snow to the school house, a considerable distance. Later, she was taken to the hospital where it was found she had a badly fractured right leg and a badly frost-bitten left leg, arm and shoulder.
~Waukon Democrat reprinted by the Guttenberg Press, Thursday, March 7, 1935, Guttenberg, Iowa, Page 2
~contributed by Cindy Maust Smith

Note added by S. Ferrall: Vera's given name was Mary Vernonica Ward, d/o William Henry & Anna (Cavanaugh) Ward.

1952

Eight elementary school pupils from Allamakee county have turned in their signed dental cards to the Public Health Nursing office. When dental work of each child has been completed, the dentist signs the card, after which the pupil returns it to his teacher.

The following are the pupils whose cards are in:
Ludlow No.2 - Dean, Dirk, and Nancy Winkie, and Jimmy Hager
Elk (Makee twp) - Colleen and Darwin Johnson, Bernell and Donna Lee Palas.

The object of using the dental cards is to teach the principles of dental health and to encourage boys and girls to care for their teeth, so that they may graduate from school with a healthy mouth, with a complete set of teeth in good repair and alignment, and a desire to continue this condition.

~Postville Herald, Wednesday, October 15, 1952, pg 6
~contributed by Cindy Maust Smith