These schools were of aprivate nature, there being no school law, and the teachers would mostly board around with the patrons. Many curious incidents were related by Mr. Brewer, of by-gone days, which we have not space to relate. During this time the people were talking about erecting a school house. A petition was gotten up for the purpose and enough raised in money and labor after the material was furnished, to erect the building. At this time, that section of the country now occupied by the First ward, was all timber and from this timber the lumber was hewn for the building, which was located on the east side of Lincoln park, which had been laid out as a public square. The frame was raised, the roof put on and the building sided, and thus it stood for a number of years, when it was moved down dear where Chas. M. Worthington now lives, and finished. The first teacher was John Lawrie, who taught two years. Then came Norton J. Nichols, Mrs. Worthington and her oldest daughter Anna. The school furniture was nothing more nor less than slabs of wood, without any desks, and with only a few rough places on which to write.

The first organization of the township into school districts occured on Feb. 14, 1846, giving four districts on the north side of the river and one on the south side. The township's trustees were Hugh Wallace, Luther Bush and John Endenton. The school business ran along in this way for a little over ten years. What is three districts now, namely Lincoln, Sterling and Wallace, was all in one district in those days. On April 8, 1856 section 3, which comprises the three districts named above was divided into districts 3, 7 and 8, and L. L. Emmons, Henry Tuttle and Frederica Sacket were trustees on Jan. 14, 1856 for what is now known as Lincoln school.

The large increase in population now demanded a new school hosue and H. Brink made a proposition to the people to raise him $300 and he would furnish the balance and erect the building which was accepted, the building being erected and occupied for several years on the lot just north ow where WIlliam Wahl now lives. The building was built of stone, two stories high. The first teacher was Charles Smith.

The first school hosue built through school directors, was the old brick building now standing in the same square with teh present building and vacated but a few years ago. The directors were George W. Brewer, J. Cobbey and Dr. Hudson. The contract was let to a man by the name of Rutt, sub-contracted to H. Brink, and the carpenter work was done by W.L. Youmans, who finished his work in 1858. The first teacher, as near as can be learned, was William Crocker, with Miss Jennie Plimpton as primary teacher, who received $20 per month for her services. This building was erected in the time of "cat tail" money and Mr. Brewer's account of some of the financial difficulties are indeed ludicrous. For instance, after reducing the debt to about $1300, it was allowed to stand there for a number of years, and before it was all paid they had paid $1800 interest on the $1300.

The present fine building was built during the summer of 1890. It was voted to issue bonds for $4600 and in July of that year the bonds were issued, in sums of $500, with the exception of the first, which was for $600 running three years with interest at five percent, payable semi-annually after the first year. The board who made the contract was composed of George W. Brewer, E. Bauder, and Noah Loux, Each payment has been met promptly when it was due. The entire cost of the building was $7160, the balance being raised by direct tax levy.

Miss Mary Harvey occupied one room with the primary class in 1891. The next year Miss Dora Davis taught the second primary class there and the next year the entire school was moved into the new building, with Prof. W.T. Tuttle as principal. The building is a handsome brick structure nicelocated two story and basement, heated with furnaces, well ventilated and one of the best lighted school buildings in this section. The sanitary arrangements are of the very best. The school is composed at present of three rooms, the high school, Prof. H.V. Baldwin; Miss Alice Scott, Assistant; Miss Jennie Hoak, intermediate; Miss Irene Bassett, primary.

The Sterling Standard December 11, 1896