Millerville History
Millerville Township, Douglas County, Minnesota, USA
Earliest School Days in Millerville
from
"Douglas County:
Album of the Ages"
©1979?
Printed by Taylor Publishing Co.
pg. 544-545
The need for a school was almost immediate. Not for tiny tots but
for older children and often their parents, none of whom could
speak or understand the English language. The pupil was never
younger than eight years, in every case the distance was made
on foot thru' heavily wooded areas teaming with wild life, besides
the dangers of becoming lost in storms and blizzards.
Frank Weber whose homestead was in section 15 opened his home for
the first classes with himself as the school master. Altho' there
is no record of the number in attendance, it was noted that Weber
was a good teacher. This was in 1867-8. Frank Weber's home was
already the site of the first post office and he as the post
master, evidently this was an advantage to postal patrons as well
as to the pupils.
Classes were conducted at other homes in the community at intervals
during the period until the district was organized. In the year of
1873 Andreas Baden constructed a small building across the street
from John Starihas' saloon and hotel, here Andreas Baden conducted
his harness making business, in this building school was taught
Budendeck and later Steichen.
No real headways were made until 1881-2 when the Benedictines came
to Millerville. From then on school was officially opened and
taught by three nuns, they were housed in the loft of the log
church building. Their names were Sr. Humilitas OSB, Walburga OSB
and Sr. Vincent OSB.
School on regular basis was conducted in the parish house At first
as a parochial school but later the teachers taught in this building
as a district school and were paid $50.00 per month by district 34.
It was not until 1891 that the district could afford to build the
first public school. This was a frame building. The land upon which
it was built was leased from the parish. School directors were John
Debilzan, John Miller II. and Wolfgang Zwack. The Sisters left in
1893 because the parish could not afford to give them better
housing. After this male teachers (single men) were employed
consistently, with the belief and rightfully so, that they would
have better control over the behavior of the pupils, many of whom
were adults.
E-mail: dwagner2@isd.net
©2003 DJW
Last Modified:
December 6, 2003