SCHOOLS
In York township there are now eleven school districts and
eleven substantial, well constructed school buildings. The early schools followed closely
the settlements as they were made in different parts of the township. Although there were
no district Schools in the first years of the township supported by public taxation, yet
the townships were divided into districts for the purpose of apportioning among the
different settlements, in proportion to the enumeration of youths, a small school fund
which probably arose from the sale of school lands. In 1834, two districts reported to the
County Clerk; one contained fifty-four children, the other seventy-one. In 1835, a third
district was formed; and in 1836, a fourth, with a total enumeration in the four districts
of 133.
A small log structure with a huge wooden fire-place and clay
chimney at one end, was erected at Summersville soon after the village was platted. It was
used also as a meeting house for some time. John Johnson taught the first school here,
receiving $8 per month.
In 1834, Elias Johnson taught a school in the little cabin
which Samuel Hyde built during the summer of 1832. A schoolhouse was soon after erected on
the farm of Elias Johnson by the pioneers in the vicinity of Summersville. Elias and John
Johnson taught here for a few years, until the schoolhouse burned. One was then built west
of Bokes Creek and one at Summersville.
A. E. Knox was an old and faithful instructor. He taught many
years in different districts of York. Dr. Joshua Skidmore, when a young man, taught here
also. Miss Barber, Miss Roxy Munger and Miss Elizabeth Whittaker were also early teachers.
Miss Penny, from Darby Plains, taught the first School near York Center in a log
schoolhouse which Stood a Short distance north of the Center, on the south bank of Bokes
Creek. John Sterling soon after had a school about two miles north of York Center, on
Levin Wright's farm. Miss Fenner and Mrs. Mary Johnson were among the earliest of
preceptresses of the York Township youth. The latter received for her services $1 per
scholar for the term, payable in corn, potatoes and coon skins, the latter being rated at
25 cents each.