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updated 7/1/2023

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Spring Brook / Oil Spring School

Section 7, Taylor twp.


The information & photos on this page were contributed by Mollie Meade, whose grandfather, Philip Gavin attended the school.

Mollie writes: "I took a photo of the school and outhouse this fall (2020), while in Harpers Ferry. The school was called Spring Brook and also known as Oil Springs. The Oil Spring School was located on the property of Steve and Shirley Hawes. Its original location was two miles north of Harpers Ferry on the Great River Road. The school was then moved to the town of Harpers Ferry, and placed on a lot owned by the Martelle family."

Newspaper article about Oil Spring school.

 


Spring Brook / Oil Spring school in it's new location in Harpers Ferry
photographer Mollie Meade, 2020


Spring Brook / Oil Spring school outhouse, now in Harpers Ferry
photographer Mollie Meade, 2020

~~

Undated Brochure (likely ca1910-1915)

Spring Brook School
Taylor Twp., Allamakee Co., Ia

Mary Joyce, Teacher

Pupils
Philip Gavin
Leo Martell
Joseph Delaney
Joseph Gavin
Ben Gavin
Jimmie Delaney
Herbert Kellog
Louise Martell
Celia Gavin
Ursula Martell
Mary Kernan
Catherine Kernan
Wilma Martell
Sadie Kellog

Board of Directors
Thos. Gavin
Patrick Joyce
Gideon Martell

~~
Notes:
- Mary Joyce was enumerated on the 1910 U.S. census Taylor twp., Allamakee co. living in the household of her parents Patrick & Mary J. Joyce. Her occupation was teacher rural school. She was married to George Alyward 9/16/1915, making it likely the brochure dates ca1910-1915. (source: original records on ancestry .com)
Mary Joyce Alyward obituary (note that the obit incorrectly gives her marriage occurring in 1911)

- Mollie (brochure contributor) is hoping to obtain a photo of the brochure front which has a photo of the pupils, so it can be added on this page.

~~

Marguerite Bohrer, Teacher's Contract, 1917

 

Partial transcription of the contract:

 

State of Iowa
Teacher's Contract

This Agreement, entered into between Marguerite Bohrer, a legally qualified teacher of Allamakee County, State of Iowa, and Thos. Gavin, President Board of Directors of the Independent School District of Oil Springs, Township of Taylor, County of Allamakee, State of Iowa.

Witnesseth: That in consideration of Forty-six dollars and twenty cents (46 20/100) Dollars per school month, the same to be paid at the end of each month, the aforesaid Marguerite Bohrer hereby agrees to well and faithfully perform the duties of teacher in said Independent District to the best of her ability, according to law and the rules [legal terms of contract not transcribed]

...... for a term of eight (8) weeks, commencing on the tenth day of September, 1917.

...... 12th day of September 1917
Marguerite Bohrer, Teacher
Teacher's school address: Harpers Ferry
Thomas Gavin, President

~~

Oil Spring Pupils, ca late 1940's

Top Row: Rita Martelle, Dick Saddler
Middle Row: Doc-Jim Martelle, Marie Saddler
Bottom Row: Mary Martelle, Frank Saddler

(inset) Teacher - Alyce Evenson Gavin

photo source: Betty Palmer-Palmer, daughter of Frank Saddler, standing in the very front).

~contributed by Mollie Meade

~~

List of students
(source: typed list of the students who attended the Oil Springs / Spring Brook school)

Aelred Delaney
Dale Jones
Harley Jones
Mildred Jones
Martha Cole
Lester Delaney
Walter Hill
Goldy Crowley
Cyril Kerran
Myrtle Delaney
Grace Hill
Merrel Kelly
Melvin Hill
John Jones
Leo Jones
John Delaney
Beatrice Jones
Agnes Hill
Clifton Martelle
Rita Kernan
Charlotte Hill
Philip Gavin
Leo Delaney
Joseph Delaney
Joseph Gavin
Ben Gavin
Jimmie Delaney
Herbert Kellog
Louise Martell
Cella Gavin
Ursula Martell
Mary Kernan
Catherine Kernan
Wilma Martell
Sadie Kellog
John Jr. Hill
Floyd Hill
Edward Hill
Rita Martelle
Jim "Doc" Martelle
Mary Martelle
Dick Saddler
Marie Saddler
Frank Saddler
Margie Saddler
Leo Garin

~*~*~

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