The Week 4 prompt for Amy Johnson Crow's "52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks" is Education. I have no ancestors who were teachers. At best, I think my paternal grandmother's sister was a teacher.
The only memory you may have of a grandparent is an older person with gray hair. But imagine your grandma with her hair in braids, bringing her lunch to school in a pail. Perhaps grandpa didn't have much formal schooling if he was needed on the farm at harvest time. Did they attend a large school? A one- or two-room schoolhouse? Was the building made of brick, or of wood? Who were their teachers? Are there records or photographs for your ancestor?
What I do have are some vintage school items. They're kind of cool, and some of them even contain the name of the student who used them.
FIRST GROUPING:
These school books, lined tablet, and school slate have been used by students from long ago. The Bobbs Merrill Third Reader has wonderful illustrations, and dates from 1923.
The Aldine First Language Book dates from 1913. The name inside reads Frederick Mason (and coincidentally, Frederick W. “Bill” Mason was the name of my Grandpa Herrick’s childhood friend in Iowa). I can’t recall which antique store this is from.
Our Diamond Leader flexible pencil tablet was from Spill the Milk, a vintage store that was in Valparaiso, Indiana. The name at the top is Elberta Schuessler. (Census lists her as Alberta, born about 1911. Her family lived in Morgan Township, Porter County, Indiana. Her nickname was Peaches, and she died without issue in 2002. There is writing on the inside that dates from 1928.) It reminds me of my old Big Chief tablet.
This Extra Special slate is bound in leather. It has a crack and a chip in it. It was made by the National School Slate Company of Slatington, Pennsylvania.
SECONG GROUPING
Eclipse Desk, Model No. 3 was found at an antique store in Winona Lakes, IN for about $40, at least 15 years ago. It obviously had been kept outside because the wood is very dry, more like weathered barn wood. I haven’t done anything to it yet, and it’s in the garage. Hopefully next year I can show it some love. I love the wrought iron scrollwork.
Not seen in these photos is an arch just above the desk legs. On this arch, it says Cleveland. Online research of another Eclipse desk shows that this was designed by Theodor Kundtz, who also designed sewing machine cabinets for White. Most other No. 3 models found online don’t have the fancy wrought iron; just a solid base for schoolbooks, with Eclipse just stamped or forged into the side.
THIRD GROUPING
This Dick and Jane ”Our Big Book” had several versions: “We Look and See,” etc. This card is from the “Think and Do Book,” and measures 30x22. It dates from the mid-1950s to the mid-1960s. I think I bought it in Michigan.
The side-arm desk was already refinished when I bought it.FOURTH GROUPING
This Indiana Teacher’s License is dated 1903, and allows Lulu Waggoner of Jackson County, Indiana, to teach.
The Young People’s Reading Circle of Indiana Diploma, for Walter Hurst of Wayne County, IN, is dated 19 March 1898. Wouldn't it be wonderful to find a school item owned or used by your ancestor?
