Hickory Grove School Records Reveal History of

Old Country School Near Florida

Source: A special thanks to MaryBeth Kirtlink who provided this undated newspaper article with its wealth of information!

“Mike and Lisa Minor recently uncovered school records at the old Hickory Grove School which is located on Route 107 near Florida. The 1945 teacher’s report to the County Superintendent gives some accounting of what school was like in the one-room school house which still stands.

The teacher was Altye Utterback, born Sept. 22, 1909. She received $75 per month for teaching. The board of education was L.W. Reynolds, Raymond McCreery and Mrs. Edward Lorenson, all of Stoutsville. She reported that there was one good toilet and the floor was painted. Students included Sonny Lorenson (dob 4-10-37), son of Edward Lorenson; and Roger McCreery and Lee McCreery, sons of Raymond McCreery. New pupils enrolled during the second quarter included Darrell and Dorothy Lindsay, children of Floyd Lindsey, and Barbara Abell (dob 2-14-37), daughter of Gene Abell. 

In December of that year, it was reported to the superintendent that a pie supper had been held at the school and work was done to the coal shed. By the fourth quarter, enrollment dropped with the Lindseys moving to Lewis County and Barbara Abell moving to Kansas where she still lives today. Donald Ray Wolfe (dob 9-7-31), son of Henry Wolfe, transferred into the school from Shelby County and was an eighth grader. There were 12 textbooks purchased for a total of 13.40 and five library books were bought at a total of $3.50. Workbooks cost $3.00 and “seat work” books cost $4.00. 

The school had eight maps, three framed pictures, “Saved,” “In Holland” and “Roosevelt.” A Warm Morning stove was used to heat the building, obviously with coal. There were 19 volumes of the 1936 edition of the World Book Encyclopedia and one 1935 Webster’s Dictionary. Visitors at the school that year included Mrs. Edward Lorenson, Raymond McCreery, Myrtle Smith, Mrs. Acuff of Paris, Leslie Utterback and Wilma Jean Rickard.

The 1944 book showed that a piano was in good condition at the school, and a new cellar door was added to the school. A pencil sharpener was added this year, it was noted. Students included Edward Jr. Lorenson, the Lindseys and Roger McCreery. Valentine and Christmas community meetings were held in the school house that year. An Easter egg hunt also was held, with a swing and see saw added to the school’s play area. Books that year cost $14.68 for 15 books. Library books were only $.96 total. Work books cost $2.32. 

A hard cover “White’s New School Register” from the American Book company contains the 1929 and 1930 records. In blue fountain pen writing, teacher Isabelle V. Thurman noted the following students in 1929: Francis Richard, Virgil Greening, Naomi Anderson, Oretha Stribling, Glen Greening, William Conley, C.M. Rickard, Loyette Greening and Ione Stribling.

In the school year which began Aug 25, 1930, the teacher noted the following students: Philip Stribling, John Walkup, Francis Rickard, Ivan Ray Walkup, Virgil Greening, Lavola Lewellen, Oretha Stribling, Glen Greening, William Conley, Lafern Lewellen and C.M. Rickard.

In the year beginning Aug 17, 1931, Jennie Willier was the teacher. Students were: Philip Stribling, Ruby Mae Irick, Virgil Greening, Francis Rickard, Thomas Maddex, Lavola Lewellen, Maurice Powers, Charles Powers, Lawrence Dunscher, Oretha Stribling, Mary Alice Shearer, William Conley, Glen Greening, Virgil Power and C.M. Rickard.

In the school year which began Aug 15, 1932, she listed the following students: 6 year old Edwin Bush, Philip Stribling, Virgil Greening, Francis Rickard, Mary Alice Shearer, Thomas Maddex, Lawrence Dunshee, Lavola Lewellen, Maurice Power, Charles Power, 15 year old Ernest Maddox and Oretha Stribling.

In the year beginning Aug 21. 1933, Ms. Willier listed the following students: 6 year old C.C. Stribling, Edwin Bush, Philip Stribling, Virgil Greening, Francis Rickard, Mary Alice Shearer, Raymond Stucky, Lawrence Dunshee, Charles and Maurice Power and Oretha Stribling.

In the school year beginning Aug 20, 1934, Lida Gray McCue (later to become Gibbs) was the teacher. She listed the following students: 5 year old Orville Power, Hurley Power, C.C. Stribling, Edwin Bush, Philip Stribling, John Walkup, Pauline Greening, Virgil Greening, Francis Rickard, Mary Alice Shearer, Ivan Ray Markup, Charles Power, Maurice Power and Oretha Stribling.

She was the teacher for the term beginning Aug 26, 1935 also. Students were Orville Power, Wilma J. Rickard, Hurley Power, C.C. Stribling, Edwin Bush, Philip Stribling, Polly Greening, Charles Power, Maurice Power, Francis Rickard, Mary A. Shearer and Wanda Jane Greening, who was 5.

Students of Ms. McCue’s for the term beginning Aug 31, 1936 were: 5 year old Elizabeth Dunshee, Junior Dunshee, Wanda J. Greening, Wilma J. Rickard, Orville Power, Hurley Power, C.C. Stribling, Edwin Bush, Philip Stribling, Polly Greening and Francis Rickard.

The Aug 30, 1937 enrollment included: 6 year old Billy Whelan, Wanda J. Greening, Wilma J. Rickard, Orville Power, Hurley Power, C.C Stribling, Edwin Bush, Philip Stribling, Junior Dunshee and Elizabeth Dunshee, who was 6 also.”