Lincoln township is divided into nine school districts, its first school house being built on the southeast corner of section 8, then known as District No. 2 (now No. 3), in the spring of 1871. In the previous winter the first school in the townshp was opened in the dwelling of Jacob Gant, with Anna Griffith as teacher, it being a three-months' term.
School District No. 1 now comprises sections 1, 2, 11 and 12, a school building being erected on the northwest corner of the last named section in 1872. Prior to this time, however, H. Van Schaack had taught ina small shanty twelve by fourteen feet, not plastered or finished on the inside. The first to teach in the new public building was Nancy Beebee.
School District No. 2 embraces sections 3, 4, 9 and 10, and has a building on the northwest corner of section 10, erected in the summer of 1876. H. Van Schaack was the first director.
School District No. 3 includes sections 5, 6, 7 and 8, and, as stated, the first public building for educational purposes in the township was erected on the southeast corner of section 8, in the spring of 1871. The house was removed to the northeast corner of section 7, when the district was changed from No. 2 to No. 3. The first teacher of the district was Jennie A. Day, and A. Trimmer, the first director.
School District No. 4 includes sections 17, 18, 19 and 20, and its regular building has always been located on the northeast corner of section 19.
School District No. 5 embraces sections 15, 16, 21 and 22. The first school house in this district was rented of S. S. King, in 1872, he being the director. Mary Wood taught the first term in this building. In the summer of 1874 the district erected a school house, and Emma Rose was employed as teacher.
School District No. 6 includes sections 13, 14, 23, and 24, its house being built, in the summer of 1876, on the northwest corner of section 24. The first teacher in the building, whose location was afterward changed to the Northeast corner of section 23, was Maggie Harrison, with John Gilbaugh as director of the district.
School District No. 7, including sections 25, 26, 35 and 36, has a house situated on the southwest corner of section 25, which was erected in 1875. G. E. Stone taught the first school, with Albert Joy as director.
School District No. 8 embraces sections 27, 28, 33 and 34, and its house stands on the northeast corner of section 33. The building was erected in 1876, Ella Baker first teaching in it, and John Gilbaugh was the first director of the district.
School District No. 9 comprises sections 29, 30, 31 and 32, and the school house, erected in the fall of 1883, is located on the northeast corner of section 31. F. E. Booth was the first teacher in this building, altough school was previously held in the district, for about a year, in a rented house. Mary Waters was the pioneer teacher, with Peter McCabe as first directo.r
"Compendium and History of Cass County, Iowa." Chicago: Henry and Taylor & Co., 1906, pp. 158-159.
Transcribed by Cheryl Siebrass, November, 2013.
