From the 1959 Sheldon Centennial Book – Schools

From the beginning, the settlers of Sheldon township manifested an interest and lent their support to the establishment of schools. According to “Beckwith History” as early as 1850, Oliver P. Bookless taught several terms of a subscription school in a log building on the farm of Jesse Eastburn. At that time there were only a half dozen families living in the township.

                  Later, around 1856, Mr. Bookless taught a subscription school in a log house near his own home. The building was 12 ft. by 14 ft. and was located across the road from what was later known as the Lister’s Point or West Union school.

                  Around 1860 Mrs. Elizabeth Waity, wife of Nelson Waity, furnished the building and taught a 3-month term for $40.00. The building stood a little northeast of what was later the Hesperian school. The Waitys lived on the Waity homestead, now owned by Mrs. Nina Waity and sons, located on highway 24, west of town. Mrs. Waity rode horseback to and from school, taking her infant son, Harry, with her.

                  The first district school in Sheldon township was built in 1859 and took in most of the southern area. It was called “Possum Trot” and later the New Bethel school. The first teacher was Miss Sarah Darrough, later Mrs. Camper.

                  The first school house in Sheldon was a log structure and stood about where the road turns north at the end of East Concord street, near the Howard Slibeck home.

                  Mr. Orren Smith, who came with his parents the William Smiths, in 1859 at the age of five years remembered going to school in that vicinity, but could not remember the teacher’s name. He did remember the seven red haired Sheets girls who went to school at that time. There were no records to tell anything about this school.

                  The next school building was a small frame 21 ft. by 27 ft. built in 1861-62 and stood on the west side of the lot where the present grade school stands.

                  According to a diary kept by Mrs. Amy Mitchell, W. B. Fleager and Gr. S. B. Barry conceived the idea of raising funds and erecting a school building. They had the novel idea of attending tax sales at the county seat and bought lands until they accumulated $400 as their profits in penalties and interest. This money was used to build the first frame school house in Sheldon.

                  The first teacher was a young lady, who later married Mr. Dan Ayres. She taught a successful term and although she had agreed to teach for $20 a month the trustees paid her $25 because she was ‘worth it.’

                  In 1875 this building was moved with teams of horses across town, to its present location at 220 Sough Second street. (the Ralph Harris home in 1959 when the centennial book was completed.)

                  In 1876 the new school building was completed and a high school course was added. V. R. Niez was principle. The first class was graduated in 1878 with six members.

                  It was not until 1885 a 4-year high school course was adopted. From this time through the Gay Nineties, the progress of Sheldon’s educational system was phenomenal.

                  In 1900 this building was removed and the erection of a brick structure was started. Cornerstone ceremonies for the school were held June 26, 1900. With the completion of this building, certain courses were added to the high school curriculum and the high school became accredited.

                  In 1917 the Presbyterian church was moved and the house next to it, formerly the home of ‘Major’ Robert Foster was removed, thus making a larger playground. Other major improvements have been made since then.

                  At the election in 1920 a high school district was approved and formed. In 1922 a site was agreed upon and a tract of land purchased west of the United Brethren Church.

                   In the spring of 1923 the taxpayers of Sheldon voted upon and accepted a bond issue of $65,000 for a new school. Excavating was begun in August 1923. The building was dedicated August 29, 1924 and a few days later the doors were opened to receive its first students.

                   During the thirties there was a scarcity of teachers to teach in rural schools.  In 1940 an election was held and voters of the township voted to discontinue rural schools and provide transportation to bring country children into town.  This movement was county-wide and the county school system was divided into units.  Sheldon schools were designated as Unit 5.  Five buses were purchased and drivers hired.

                   In a short time the voters of Concord township, south of the Iroquois River petitioned into the Sheldon district and another bus was purchased.

                   The old country schools were abandoned, the buildings were sold and the land reverted back to the estates of the owners.  Thus began the passing of an American Institution, without which  our country could never have achieved the greatness it has today.

                   Soon it became apparent that the old buildings did not provide adequate classrooms.  Initial plans were made in December 1952 for enlarging the high school buildings.

                   On November 7, 1953, voters approved a $400,000 bond issue and contracts were signed in April, 1954.  The principal feature of the new building is the gymnasium.  It has a large seating capacity and is considered one of the best in the county.  Among other new areas added were classrooms for the seventh and eighth grades, which made more room at the grade school.  Hot lunchrooms were installed for both schools.