Marquette Historical Society

H. Sell provided information about his memories as a student at the Grub School.

The Grub School or West Manchester School no longer exists at its original location. It was sold to Leroy Schmidt who tore it down for the materials to build a garage in Marquette. The school was located east of  Marquette. Take Hwy 44 east from Kingston, turn left on Marquette Road and at the next intersection (Heritage Rd.) turn right. The school was located about 1/4 mile on the right (south) side of the road.

 The first records of the school date back to 1865. The school register  from 1890 lists Byron Chapel as the teacher with the year runningfrom November 10 through February 27, 1891. The enrollment was 26 and pupils ranged in age from 7 22years old. Arithmetic, reading,spelling, geopgraphy and writing were the subjects taught.

Mr Sell first attended this school in1947and stay through the 6th grade. It was closed circa 1953 due to declining enrollment, he finished 7 & 8th grade at the Manchester School. At one point in time the name of the school was  West Manchester.

 Mr. Sell recalls Pearl Newton taught at the school and was responsible for all 8 grades. Pearl was from the Kingston area. Later, a Rolina Kohler taught during the last two years Mr. Sell was there as a student. Pat Cowley nee Whirry also taught at the Grub School and Rock  Hill School on Hwy 44 west of Kingston.

The school was heated by a wood furnace,  lacked indoor plumbing and electricity. Water was hauled in for drinking and  students drank from the pail with tin cups. Everyone carried their lunch pails to school. There were two outdoor privies, one for the girls and another for the boys. There was a large wood shed adjacent to the school and the older boys were responsible for bringing in wood to keep the furnace going during the cold months.

Mr. Sell related a story that he and a couple of students buried a large glass jar in the school yard which contained many hand- written messages from the students, with the hope  someone in the future would discover the jar and read their messages. Mr. Sell noted the jar was buried 65 years ago and he has a pretty good idea of its location.

                    Grub School October 1939

 Back row left to right: Marcel Marquart, Lawrence Bahr, Mrs. Esther Welk, teacher, Betty Welk, Helene Lueptow Middle row: Darwin Welk, Arlene Stenett, Maxine Lueptow, Phyllis Alabright, Kenneth Spielvogel Front row:Burton Albright, Violet Spielvogel, Donald Wilde,Neil Marquart.

  This photo(date unknown) may have been taken from the rear of the school and likely pre-dates the photo on the left.

Mr Sell recalls the children of Marlin Lohry attended the Grub School and also several children of Oscar Spielfogel. Other students Mr. Sell remembered were Sharon and Robert Lang, and Eileen, Ralph,Curtiss and Jeannie Kraft.

The Marquette Historical Society would appreciate having more information about the history of this school, Thank you to H. Sell for providing information about this school. Thank you to Sue Abendroth for the photo (below).

                   West Manchester School

                                     Dist. 6

                West Manchester School