Monday, July 19, 2010

Public School for Iowa Tractor Boys and Girls

You can see how Clayton County, Jefferson Township Scholars dressed to attend the Jefferson School Number Six (also known as the Ceres School) when I was in the Fourth Grade. I, Alan am the fourth Scholar from the right end on this photo. My Brother David would have been in the Second Grade. He is the first Scholar on the right end. This picture was most likely taken during the 1949-1950 School Year.


I believe that I was in the Sixth Grade when this picture was taken. There were children from two families who attended Jefferson Number Six during it's final year of operation which was 1951-1952. Our Teacher shown on the far right was Sula Schrader. Her Husband operated the "Shell Gasoline" Tank Truck which hauled fuel to the Farmers. Mrs. Schrader was considered wealthy because she drove an Oldsmobile Car from town to teach us in this one room County School.
I suspect that you could consider me the Teacher's Pet because I am right next to her. My Sister Thelma is the fourth Scholar from the Right. My Classmate, Louis is to her Left. My Brother David is just in front of the tree. I think my Sister Vivian is the second Scholar from the Left end.
This School was on the Corner of our Parents Farm and we carried the drinking water to school each day.
I do not recall when this picture was taken, but I suspect that it was at the end of a school year when we held our annual picnic. Most likely this was taken in the Public Park alongside the Mississippi River in Guttenberg, Iowa.
Now you know how Iowa Tractor Boys and Girls were educated in the 1940 and 1950 era.