Returning to Iowa in 1896, after a failed attempt to pioneer in Nebraska, the Sherd Goff family lived at Stuart, where Leora was a first grader. Her teacher was Elizabeth Myers. (I wonder what Miss Myers thought when the Goff children showed up at school wearing William Jennings Bryan campaign caps.)
Leora moved at least a dozen times as a child, married Clabe Wilson, and moved back to Stuart two dozen years later, with three children of her own.
I was surprised to learn that Leora’s first grade teacher, Elizabeth Myers, also also taught her two oldest sons in first grade!
The Wilsons came down with influenza while they lived in Stuart, and a house they rented caught on fire. They had just settled in a house on Gaines Street when John Myers, the Stuart night watchman, was killed during a bank robbery attempt. He was the father of the Myers sisters, Elizabeth and Minnie, who taught local children through three generations.
Clabe Wilson became Stuart’s next night watchman, and the Wilsons’ first set of twins were born there, plus another son.
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Leora’s Early Years: Guthrie County Roots includes her Stuart stories, and a lot more.
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My sister, Gloria Neal, taught junior high art for thirty-four years, long enough that she also taught children of some of her earlier students.
These old school photos are definitely a treasure from the past. It’s too bad most of them don’t have all the children identified.
Thanks, Linda. That’s why I enjoy the county Facebook pages. Sometimes people come up with more names. (I started three county FB pages to be able to share the old photos.)
Always fascinating to read about families, Joy. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, John.
I didn’t know that your sister was a teacher!
Yes, junior hi art.
I’ll bet that was fun!
It’s inspirational to learn about your family, Joy.
I’m amazed as well, Tim. Thank you!
The 1921 class picture is especially interesting. That has to be one of the earliest on record. I enjoyed all the links, Joy. Thanks! 🙂
Thank you, Nancy.
It’s interesting how teaching runs in certain families. In my own family, I have an aunt and a cousin who made teaching their careers; both of my parents taught Sunday school classes for years; I taught; my wife taught (and still teaches as a substitute for two schools); one of our daughters is a teacher; another daughter, a nurse, teachings first aid, CPR, and other health-and-safety-related classes; and a third daughter homeschools her three children!
Sounds like your family is gifted with teaching!