Historic Farnam - Centennial History Book

The story of the Farnam schools is one of growth from a small one-room sod school house to a fine two building school system of today.

The story of the Keystone school, which was the beginning of the Farnam School system is interesting in itself, and this advancement in our school system is only marked by the advancement and progress which our community has made during the years it has been in existence.

The first term of school in Farnam was held in 1887 in what was called the Garven Hall, upstairs over the hardware store of Anthony Garven’s, which stood on the vacant lots, just south of G. W. Pollard’s office. E. T. Buss was the teacher. He taught all grades for two terms. The terms were each four months in length and he received $35 a month for his salary.

The Farnam school, or District #51, was officially established according to the records at Lexington, November 30, 1886, and the first school which was built by the district was built in 1889.

Bonds were voted for $1,000 on August 18, 1888, to build three new buildings (one was what was called the north school, another about four miles east of town near the O. A. Farmer home at that time, and the town school was located a couple of couple of blocks south of where the present building now stands. It was erected at a cost of $600.00.

The building was later purchased by J. B. Kitchen and served for awhile as the Methodist Parsonage. Mr. Kitchen sold the building to Dell Caley, who later sold it to Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Ralston. The building was moved and remodeled and used as the sitting room in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Ralston.

District #51 was further divided in later years and the east half of the township was cut off; in 1936 this made two rural districts. In 1896 District No. 111 of Frontier County joined District No. 51. District 111 is just south of Farnam in Frontier County.

The enrollment increased with time and soon after this building was completed, the primary grades had to be moved into the room which was the sitting room of the residence of Mrs. Dora Johnston. Miss Emily Foote was instructor of these grades for two years. In 1889 the length of the school term was increased to not less than six months and at the annual meeting a year later, it was raised to not less than eight months.

The crowded conditions continued for nine months when bonds were voted in 1899 for a $2,000.00 school building. Wm. F. Johnston was director and supervised the construction of the new frame building which in 1936 was the L. L. Stebbins rooming house in the northeast part of town. When this building was completed and afforded more room, the tenth grade was added to the system. Time wore on until conditions became crowded again and part of the grades were moved into the Congregational Parsonage, Helen Hicks, now Mrs. Loren Fitch, had charge of these extra grades. Maud Taylor, later Mrs. A. E. Reeves, taught the fourth, fifth, and sixth grades and part of the seventh grade.

The school board again realized the need of more room in 1908 and voted bonds for the erection of what is now the grade school building. The entire investment including site, windmill, etc. amounted to $14,353.86. When they moved into this building the following faculty was in charge, W. C. Bloom, Superintendent; Elma and Elva George, Della Stinnette, Mayme Waits, Helen Hicks and Amy Mercer. Each received a salary of $40 per month. Newsam Rank was the janitor and his salary was $15 per month. The eleventh grade was added during 1909-1910 under the supervision of Mr. Bloom, who in later years served in the capacity of County Superintendent of Schools of Dawson County.

The twelfth grade was added in 1915 under the supervision of Superintendent Mannix and the school placed on the State University Accredited list.

This picture was taken in the early 1890’s and shows the first school building that was erected in Farnam, which was built in the year of 1889, and stood where the Stebbin’s hotel was in 1936. This first school building was moved to be used as the residence of the Ralston family when it was outgrown as a school building and another school buildings was built at the same site. The students pictured in this first school building that was built in Farnam are, in the back row, left to right: Jennie Grooms, teacher; Laura Clark, Mayme Garven Ainlay, Lois Hayden Martin, Pearl Caley Ainlay, Ada Kitchen Puderbaugh, Pansy Dunton Menke, Lillian Rolph Ainlay, Harry Kitchen, Charles Hartwell, Herb Hartell, Fred Baker, Cliff Baker, Lester Kitchen, George Foote, [above] Charles Woods, [above], Bessie Grooms, Maude Grooms, Floy Caley Thompson, Grace Wood McNickle, Harry McNickle, Howard Whetstone. Second row, from back: Claude David, Fred Crow, Fern Squires, Ella Squires, Ethel Kitchen, next four were not identified, Nona Stilley, Hazel Moyer, Ethel Barton, Edna Barton, Bert Barton, Earl Crow. Front row, left to right: Lena Tonne, Minnie Tonne, Bess Wood Tisdell, Maggie Garven, next four were not identified, Tom Garven, Allen Wood, Allen Divoll, Omar Kitchen, one not identified, Sidney Dunham, Clarence Balser, Bert Baker, Dan McNickle, Albert Tonne.

The students in this picture are: Alice Palmer Griffith, Bertha Preston, Minnie Pollard, Glennie Jones Pollard, Jeanette Parker, Lettie Brown, Leslie Griffith, unknown, Naomi Greenlee, Dora Baker Whitney, Margarette Parker Rowland, Stella Jackson, Don Bisner, Roy Stebbins, Emma Palmer, Roy Whetstone, Ed Barnes, Dwight Stebbins, Daisy Baker Beye, Morris Wilson, Harold Buss, Florence Balser, unknown, Frank Preston, Raymond Walker, Cora Williams, Lucile Buss, unknown, unknown, Cecila Griffith, unknown, Ed Baurs, Orlie Brown, Leith Ainlay Parker, Eddie Goddard, Agnes Ainlay, Mae Jones, Esther Rogers, Valey Barrett, Cora Bullard, Delvin Buss, Raymond Wilson, ? Richards, Leon Buss and Dessa Ainlay. The teachers in the back are Maude Reeves, Pansy Dunton and Mr. Brannick.

The high school building was erected during the summer and fall of 1924 at a cost of $20,000. It was a beautifully simple construction well adapted to the use for which it was built, and according to the Farnam Echo of 1929, it was a treasured concern of every patron, boy and girl in Farnam.

Since the new building was for the high school students, the other building was used entirely for the elementary grades.

Superintendent L. O. Dowers came to Farnam in 1918, and during the six years of his Superintendency, Farnam Schools were placed on the full Accreditment list (accreditation had been lost in 1927) and Normal and Professional Training was introduced. Other classes put in, included Manual Training; Domestic Science was dropped for a couple of years or so because of so few registering for it. It was added again in 1929. Farnam had a very fine domestic science room that was well equipped and a manual training room that was also very well equipped in 1929. Commercial studies were added in the late 1920’s, and in the fall of 1929 under the superintendency of H. W. Pettijohn, Farnam had one of the finest arranged study programs that had ever been offered the students of Farnam High School.

The Personnel of the faculty for 1929-1930 was Hugh W. Pettijohn of Beaver City, as Superintendent; Miss Laura Glandon, Kearney, as Principal; Miss Lillian Stratton, Hastings; Miss Marion Fabrique, Crete; and there was also a coach hired for the term of 1929-1930. The faculty for the grades was Raymond Atwood for the 7th and 8th; Marjory Cass, the 5th and 6th; Edna Brock for the 3rd and 4th; Mrs. Maude Stebbins, for the primary room. Miss Gwen McNickle had charge of the North School.

In 1930 a fire destroyed the old grade school building. During the summer of 1930 a new school building was built to replace the former building at a cost of $20,000. This building was paid for by using the insurance from the old building and voting a levy for two years to pay the balance of nearly $8,000. In this way it was not necessary to vote new bonds.

Teachers for the 1936-1937 term of school for Farnam were: Donovan Dinnis, who had been superintendent for the previous five years, he was of Lewiston, Nebraska; Stanley Williamson of Sabetha, Kansas; Miss Eva Cooper, Milford, Nebraska; and Max Rearden, Lincoln, Nebraska. These teachers had all been re-hired from the previous year and Miss Bernice Pickett of Beaver City was the only new teacher to the staff. Mrs. D. D. Stebbins, who had been the Farnam primary grade teacher for sixteen years, was the primary teacher for the 1936-1937 term, with Miss Edna Maystrick of Omaha, and Miss Lucy Taft of Cozad as other teachers in the grade school. Miss Mabel Eberly of Schuyler taught the North School, and Miss Ruth Hoy of Farnam taught the South School.

The assessed valuation for District #51 in 1890 was $22,717.67. The valuation of the district, both #51 and #111 for 1935 was $700,000. In 1930 it was $1,100,000.

There was an outstanding bonded indebtedness in 1936 of about $8,000 on the high school building, built in 1924. There was on hand at the close of the 1935-1936 term of school about $3,000 and there were no registered warrants outstanding. The schoolboard of 1936 was as follows: Dr. A. E. Reeves, president; M. Enevoldsen, secretary; J. A. Rowland, treasurer and the other members were E. D. Golay, W. E. Russell and O. L. Hudson.

In 1938 a new gymnasium was built on to the east of the grade school. This was built by W.P.A. labor on a New Deal project. The bricks for this building were made in rooms under the Broken Spoke and hauled out as they were needed by a team and wagon. This new gym was used for school plays, operettas, graduation activities and basketball games. It was, also, used for physical education classes. Banquets were held here, also, the annual Junior-Senior Banquet and Sports Banquets. The March of Dimes Carnival was held here. The community has used it for picnics, community related events, and memorial services for its citizens.

In 1950 the kindergarten grade was added to the system. In 1969 the seventh and eighth grades were moved out of the elementary building and were put in with grades nine to twelve.

The Farnam School has offered a variety of courses for the students. In the 1920’s Algebra, Geometry, English, Elementary Science, Civics, European History, American History, Botany, Physics, Bookkeeping, Latin, Normal Training, Cooking and Manual Training were offered. Chorus groups, band and orchestra were offered.

Down through the years courses have been offered that will help the student when he graduates. When Normal Training was offered, the students upon graduation would be able to get a Third Grade Elementary Certificate which would allow them to teach in a rural school for three years before they would need to get college credit to renew their teaching certificate. A college preparatory course was offered also that would help the student if he chose to go to college after he graduated. Courses were offered that would be of help to the student who wished to get a job after graduation.

With State Laws regarding education becoming more rigid, Normal Training was not offered in the High Schools after 1952.

In the 1970’s until 1981, English, American History, American Government, General Science, Biology, Physical Science, Physics, Chemistry, Algebra, General Math, Geometry, Trigonometry, Business Math, Speech, Auto Mechanics, Drivers Education, Industrial Arts, Art, Home Economics, Adult Education and Physical Education were offered. Band and chorus are also offered. At different times Business Law, Bookkeeping, Terminal Science and Advanced Writing are offered.

In 1971 construction began on an addition to the High School building. The shop building was torn down to make way for the new gymnasium. A new shop and an architectural drawing classroom were added, a commons area, a new kitchen, two dressing rooms, three restrooms, a concession stand and space for lockers. The cost of this addition which was completed in 1972 was $242,000.

In 1972 the Farnam community participated in an evaluation of the school system which resulted in its becoming accredited again in 1972.

School enrollment has changed over the years. In 1888 there were 43 students; in 1898, 139 students; in 1909, 234 students; in 1919, 184; in 1930, 126; in 1940, 127; in 1950, 146; in 1960, 122; in 1970, 141; and in 1980, 126.

The number of teachers required each year in the school system has changed, too. In the early years one teacher was required for all grades. In 1898 there were four teachers; in 1909,10 teachers; in 1919, seven teachers; in 1930, 10 teachers; in 1940, 11 teachers; in 1950, nine teachers; in 1960, 11 teachers; in 1970, 19 teachers; and in 1980 there were 16 teachers.

The budget is something else that has changed over the years. For the year 1888-1889 it was $936.87; for 1898-1899 it was $1709.31; for 1909-1910 it was $5843.24 and for 1919-1920 it was $7191.45.

One of the first schools in Farnam. Later the home and hotel of L. L. and Laura Stebbins. Some of the people in this picture are: Alice Palmer, Bertha Preston, Minnie Pollard, Glennie Jones, Jeanette Parker, Lettie Brown, Leslie Griffith, Neoma Greenlee, Dora Baker, Margarette Parker, Stella Jackson, Don Bisner, Roy Stebbins, Emma Palmer, Roy Whetstone, Ed Barnes, Dwight Stebbins, Daisy Baker, Morris Wilson, Florence Balser, Harold Buss, Frank Preston, Raymond Walker, Cora Williams, Lucile Buss, Cecils Griffith, Orlie Brown, Leith Ainlay, Eddie Goddard, Agnes Ainlay, Mae Jones, Esther Rogers, Valey Barrett, Delvin Buss, Raymond Wilson, Leon Buss, Dessa Ainlay. Teachers: Maude Reeves, Pansy Dunton, Mr. Brannick.

1919 Graduation Class
Front row, left to right: Hazel Gardner
Funk, Coleen Owen Britt, Marie Davis
Brannon, Prof. Dowers, Maud Wrin Jones.
Back row, left to right: Glenrose Fitch
McCormick, Lydia Sweet, Lucy Davidson,
Emery Tillotson, Frances Eckstein Jorgensen,
Pearl Johnson Harrison

In spite of the weather the people of the community comfortably filled the Congregational Church last Friday evening to see the first graduation of our schools under the accredited system.

Promptly at 8:30, the class consisting of Edward Davidson, Delevan Buss, Marie Banks and Ruth Dawson, accompanied by the Junior Class, the High School teachers, ministers and speaker entered the church. Excellent music was furnished by Farnam friends, and willing hands had caused the church to don an unusual dress in which the national colors very fittingly blended with those of the class.

Prof. H. L. McCracken of Hastings College delivered an unusually strong address on "Education and Democracy". This was so thoroughly appreciated by the audience, that all were sorry when he closed. It is not often that a commencement address is so well received and so favorably commented upon. There is no doubt but that it made many friends for Prof. McCracken and his college.

After the address, Prof. Mannix in a very pleasing manner presented the scholarship and diplomas to the members of the class. Edward Davidson received the scholarship with a grade of 91 per cent. The class was remembered with numerous gifts by their many friends, and altogether the event was one that will not soon be forgotten by the Farnam people.

Sophomore Class of 1926
Left to right: Esther Frank, Wilbur Goesch, Hazel Goesch, Thelma Kitchen, Evelyn Gish, Faye Hudson, Mildred Hicks, Ruth Hicks, Burdette Babcock, Willis Schnieber, Stella Adkisson, Opal Craig, Art Hall, Vyvene Tisdell, Genevee Hines, Edna Schnieber, Bernice Stoner, Ethel Stinnette, Myrtle Williams, Frances Beck, Wilma Rose, Alice Smith and sponsor Florence Wayne. Not pictured: Merle Widick, Russell Rouse, Max McNickle.

This school building was moved in from the country and used to accommodate the third and fourth grades of the Farnam school in 1925. It was located in the first block south of the present school.

Farnam High School 1939-1940

Back row, left to right: Mabel Hicks, Phyllis Williams, George Foote, John Fitch, Forrest Saum, Rachael Miller, Clinton Wear, Dale Beery, Donald Derra, Claude Ihfe, Jay Beerman, Roger Crossgrove, Fred Beck, Dean Reynolds, Glen McNickle.
Third row, left to right: R. G. Henderson, Supt., Mildred Rine, Ruby Edson, Clara Clement, Georgia Crampton, Thurman Foote, Alvin Smallfoot, Patricia Rowland, Luella Teel, LeRoy Tillotson, Jr., Orvale Widick, Lawrence Oberg,< George Boyle, Jr., Wilson Parker, Mary Tillotson, Ruth Sheffield, Mr. Larson, Mr. Engdahl, Mr. Thayer.
Second row from the front, left to right: Miss Crosby, Miss Williams, Miss Bednar, Evelyn Schultz, Ellen Parsons, Ruth Buss, Betty Wear, Georgeann Parker, Jean Humphreus, Donna Banks, Ardyce Crossgrove, Doris Hoppes, Lois Dixon, Hazel Adkisson, Lewise Wear, Betty Ragsdale, Naomi Keiser, Jeannette Ihfe, Leola Tillotson, Norma Melson, Dorthy Case, Edna Hazen, Elsie Siemiller.
Front row, left to right: Dale Russell, Dale McNickle, Leonard Hilton, Clayton Heath, Dale Crossgrove, Clark Pollard, Calvin Krepcik, Gilbert Hess, Halton Saum, Quentin Miller.

The first schools in Farnam were in charge of a head teacher and consisted of only an eight month term or less depending on the farm family needs and the weather. In 1897-98, Professor F. A. Brannick was hired to administrate and teach, still for an eight month term at the salary of $400.00. The first tenth grade graduation was held that year and the following term found two of those students, Clarence Balser and Pansy Dunton, employed by the district as was Emily Foote, who had attended the school several years previous.

The following is a list of the administrators who have served the Farnam Schools: 1888-1889, A. Knight; 1889-1892, unknown; 1892-1893, Jennie Grooms; 1893-1895, unknown; 1895-1896, T. V. Buckley; 1896-1897, unknown; 1897-1905, F. A. Brannick; 1905-1906, unknown; 1906-1910, W. C. Bloom; 1910-1912, Clarence Rundali; 1912-1913, Carolyn Eggleston; 1913-1915, Professor Zeimers; 1915-1916, C. H. Loewenthal; 1916-1918, J. E. Mannix; 1918-1924, L. O. Dowers; 1924-1925, Carter (half year), Fred Guffey (half year); 1925-1928, Henry Rouse; 1928-1931, Hugh Pettijohn; 1931-1938, L. Donovan Dinnis; 1938-1941, Russell Henderson; 1941-1942, E. P. Hodapp; 1942-1950, W. P. Kriemelmeyer; 1950-1953, H. D. Redfern; 1953-1955, Charles Stovall; 1955-1959, H. S. Rowe, Jr.; 1959-1962, Ronald Hemphill; 1962-1964, J. R. Vinckel; 1964-1966, Earl Dasher; 1966-1967, W. L. Cramer; 1967-1969, W. P. Kriemelmeyer; 1969-1971, Gerald Pierce; 1971-1974, Ronald A. Wall; 1974-1982, Richard L. Hodge.