Early schools of Hartford Michigan

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    § Charles A. Spaulding
A History of Hartford - 153 pg transcript now available on-line!
    § Katherine Minshall - Early History of Hartford and Lawrence 12 pgs.
    § Eli Fayette Ruggles Recollections of A Busy Life - circa 1904

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Schools - Hartford Michigan and Keeler Michigan
Hartford Michigan Since the first classroom in 1837, taught by Mrs. Martha Conklin, wife of Thomas Conklin, the education of the youth of Hartford has been an important factor of our community. The first school house was constructed of logs in the southwest part of the township. There were 5 pupils in attendance and the school was taught by Olive Poole, who received a salary of $1.25 per week. In July, 1854, District #5 in the village was organized and school was conducted in the home of Harvey Tomblin. Andoinette Stoughten was the teacher for District #5. Two years later, in 1857, the first school house in the village was erected by William Shepard on the lot where the old Catholic Church now stands. The first graduating class of 1883 consisted of one student, Dr. Eugene Ruggles and one teacher. In 2002, our public school system is the largest single employer in the community of Hartford. Hartford alumni often return home as teachers, with a large number of the support staff comprised of Hartford residents. Senior citizens (many were also Hartford alumni) enjoy working at the schools as tutors and mentors, bridging the path to future generations. School buildings, grounds, and athletic fields are well maintained and remain among the finest around. The athletic facilities and equipment are top-notch.
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Hartford Michigan	Keeler Michigan
Athletics Band Graduating Classes: By YEAR completed through 2007 By Last Name while in school. Class Reunion News - Hartford alumni Class Composites (large photos - loads slowly) Misc. School Photos § Hyde School § Miles School § Shaffer Lake School (Shafer Lake School) § Stoughten's Corners School § Thomas School § Van Auken Lake School § Webster School Misc Photos: First HHS Yearbook Class of 1939 - photo of high school 1939 Yearbook Faculty Photos 1939 Yearbook Cover Facilities High School Stadium Bleachers	Athletics Keeler School - year? 1916 class photo - Miss Watson, Teacher 1925 class photo - Dean Foster, Teacher 1947 or 1948 all-school photo Mrs. Lucille Osborn, Teacher 1954 - 3,4,5th grades Tranquil Simpson Grosse, Teacher

Information for this web site was gathered from personal interviews, newspaper articles, scrapbooks, personal photo albums, and other documented materials - many available to the public at the Hartford Public Library or Van Buren County Historical Museum. Please report any typographical errors, updated information, or incorrectly stated information to the webmaster for correction. Reprinting for personal and instructional purposes is permitted, however, unauthorized commercial reprinting of this information or unauthorized linking to photos-pictures on this site is strictly prohibited without written permission from the webmaster.

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©
A Pictorial History of Hartford, Michigan
Emma Thornburg Sefcik,
Competent Secretarial Service
Copyright © 2000 - All rights reserved.

Revised: May 11, 2008