The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1878-03-27
WHOLE NO. 1894.

number Of terms IN this township
and of all the teachers who were con
temporsueous with him, none are
now living, excepting Henry Vein
er. There are siA schools in the dis
rics at present, and the citizens and
school directors are working assidu-
ously for the general upbuilding OF
the public schools.
1t was deemed advisable by Col
III. B. Barnes, who was member oi
the State Senate in 1858, to erect q
new township, as Milford was still
too large for the convenience of the
citizens, aud Middlecreek township
was cut off from the western part oi
Milford. 1t is probable that schools
were taught in private houses at or
near New Lexington as early as 1910;
but by whom, or what the status OF
the schools was, | have not been
able to learn. The first school-house
was built near where Barron's church
now stands, in 1915. This was a
round log-house with q clapboard
roof and very poorly furnished.
Schools were taught in this house by
David Tedrow, George Tedrow, Geo.
Lenhart, aud others. The common
school system was adopted in 1884.
Jesse Moore and John Boucher were
members of the first school board,
and through their energetic efforts
the schools received an impetus
which is felt even to this day.
Among the best qualified teachers in
the township at the time it was
formed were Josiah Pile and Evan
Scott. A number of able teachers
have labored in this district since the
acceptance of the common schools,
and education has made rapid pro-
gress. At present Middleereek CON-
pares favorably with her sister town
ships, both in the intelligence Of her
citizens and the zeal manifested in
the cause of education
The northern part Of Quemahoning
was formed into a new township in
1901, and called Conemaugh. A
few German schools were taught in
this district as early as 1900; but the
people were not in favor Of education
and all that they deemed necessary
was to be able to read and write in
the German language
After the common school law was
passed, it was evaded by electing di-
rectors who refused to enforce 1t.
This state of affairs continued until
1869, when the friends # the COM
mon school system made complaint
to the court. The di ctors then
came forward and agreed to dis
charge their duties. They assessed
a tax and went to WORK at once.
New school houses were builr, and
old ones re-ftted. Teachers we're
employed, and the schools were
well patronized. Since then, some
of those who were most bitterly op-
posed to the common schools, have
become the warmest friends Of the
system, and at present a majority OF
the citizens are enthusiastic work
ers in its behalf The school diree-
tors are making strenuous efforts to
secure good attendance. And if the
spirit for Improvement, which is
at present manifested, is continued,
the schools of Conemaugh will soon
stand high among the schools of the
county.
In 1912, a township was erected
out of the western part of Quemaho-
ming, and named Jenner in honor OF
DIR. JenLer, the diseoverer Of vacci-
nation. The first school in this
township was taught on the second
floor of a large log-house, one mile
west of Stanton's mills, in 1904, by
Moses Fresm, who was the owner Of
the house, and had organized the
school for the special benefit of his
own family. The first school house
was erected about one-half mile
farther west, on the same road, in
1914. The old stone chimney still
stands to call up in review the re-
collections of by-gone days. The
second sehool-building was erected
near the Quaker church in 1916.
This was a much larger house and
the school was taught by Samuel
Boyles. In this district the schools
have gradually increased in efficiency,
and at present we can say, without
exaggerstion, that Jenner, with her
fifteen schools and intelligent school
board, merits high commendation for
the prudent manner in which the
schools are conducted. Jennertown
was incorporated in 1874.
The school has been under the con-
troll of Herman Walker tor number
of years, and compares well with the
other smaller borOughs of the county.
Stonycreek township was settled
soon after the first settlement was
made at Berlin. A school house was
built on the farm where Joseph Gless-
ner now resides in 1895 A school
was taught in a private house, near
Shanksville, by Henry Stauffer, in
1907, and a school-house was erected
at the same place in 1920. The ear
ly primary schools were German, and
with but few exceptions, were taught
in private houses
The common school system was
adopted in 1888. and Samuel Lam
bert and Daniel Walker were mem
bers of the school board at that time.
At present there are eleven school
houses in the district, which are,
with few exceptions, well supplied
with furniture, and in q hourishing
condition. In 1913, the northern
part Of Stonycreek vas formed into a
township, and named Shade. The
first school-house in this district was
built near where Samuel Statler now
resides, in 1910. This was small
round log cabin. with two windows
about two feet square. The furui-
ture consisted of slab benches and
writing desks, and blaekboards were
not used. The first schools were
taught in private houses, and Casper
Statler, William Nool, and Samuel
Pearson were among the teachers
who conducted them. The common
school system was accepted in 1881.