Big Rapids City Schools Teachers of 38 Years Ago Big Rapids Pioneer 18 April 1912

The above picture was taken about 38 years ago. It shows the school teachers of the Central School, the superintendent and one member of the board of education of that day. The central school building then stood where the "Pagoda" now stands, on the corner of Michigan avenue and Pne street. The building was badly damaged by fire and for a week or longer no sessions could be held. On the day this picture was taken all the teachers assembled together with the members of the school board to determine if possible where coulkd be held. Mr. White, then the leading photographer, saw them together and secured permission to take the group photograph. The picture was taken in front of the building on North Michigan avenue, now owned by Mrs. H.E. Hardy. Looking from left the person in the picture is John R. Webster, then principal of the school, now a judge in Omaha, Neb. Last year he graduated from the University of Michigan with his son and visited Big Rapids before returning west. Miss Ida Watson for many years primary teacher in the First ward school. Her home is Auburn, N.Y., and she has since leaving Big Rapids attained considerable fame as an artist. She taught here for eight years. Miss Mame Roben, now Mrs. Alton W. Bennett, taught in the Central building for some years. She is living in the city. Miss Clara Osburn, still a resident of the city, taught the fourth grade in the Central building for eight years. Miss Matie Allen was high school teacher. She is now the wife of Prof. Calvin Thomas of Columbia University in New York City. Her husband is author of the Thomas German grammar, used in the Ferris Institute and is head of the department of Germanic languages and literature. He was also professor at the Unoversity of Michigan for several years. Charles B. Lovejoy, member of the board of education. Miss Nina Crandell, now Mrs. Green of Owosso, was grammer school teacher at the Central. Miss Sarah Jones. Miss Nettie Wiltse, now Mrs. C.D. Carpenter. Miss Gertrude L. Bingham, now living on a farm at Coldwater, taught here for 30 years, She is now writing popular songs, having developed considerable skill in that direction and her work is regarded with much favor. Miss Matie Watson, now Mrs. Martin Mills, taught for many years. She now lives in Minneapolis, Minn. Mrs. Flora Lincoln, taught in the Third ward at the time. She has the longest record of teaching in this city of any teacher. She taught 33 years. She was married about the time the picture was taken. Miss Martin taught in the Central school. She afterwards became the owner of a drug store in Holland. She died four or five years ago.

Return to Home Page