Surnames of Douglas County KSGenWeb Genealogy and Family History

Douglas County KS School information provided by Raymond Stone

Hesper School

Hesper School District No. 5

With the Kansas-Nebraska Act, Kansas became a territory in 1854.The first Quakers came to the area attempting the territory free from slavery. On June 4.1855 the “Kansas Free State” reported that a disease similar to cholera carried off three very interesting young Native Americans who were attending school at the Friends Mission in Hesper, Kansas. This is the first evidence of any school in the Hesper community. The first recorded Quakers arriving in the area were Jonathan and Phebe Mendenhall, who came to the area in covered wagon in 1858 from the state of Indiana. They held worship services in their home about a mile east of the village of Hesper. Soon a 24 foot square building was moved from Leavenworth to be used as a meeting house. Others believe that Sarah and Levi Woodard were the first to arrive in the area. The Woodards named their farm “Hesper,” from the Greek God “Hesperus” who led the stars out at night.

The first school in this community was started in 1859 in a log cabin, south of a general store owned by two brothers by the name of Hadley. An unofficial school was held in the general store for a few years.

Elizabeth and Jeremiah Hadley deeded one acre of land to the School Board of District No. 5 on March 26, 1863 at the northeast corner of N. 1100 Rd. and E. 2300 Rd. It is believed that the aforementioned log cabin sat on this site.

The log structure became quickly inadequate and was replaced by wood framed building. This small building served District No. 5 until 1888, when a third building was constructed on this site.

The Quakers of the Hesper community were very education minded and want the very best of their children. A higher learning facility was wanted and needed for the community. The nearest high school at the time was in Lawrence, which seemed to be too far of a distance. In 1884 Penelope Gardner sold the district a four acre tract of land where upon a two story building was constructed. The structure was designed and built by Curtis Nadlehoffer and Haskell Wood of Lawrence. The new facility was known as “Hesper Academy.”

Earliest records indicate that Irvin Stanley was the first principal. At this time, the first year consisted of three twelve week terms. This three year system was soon changed to a four year course. The Academy served the district for twenty-eight years. One hundred fourteen students graduated from Hesper Academy in those twenty-eight years.

Hesper Academy was proud of their large bronze bell, cast in Troy, New York. It is now mounted on a concrete and stone base near the front of the Friends Church of Hesper.

Marian C. Kidder taught the 1897-98 term of Hesper No. 5. The school members were Samuel Stanley, S.H. Davis and A.W. Armstrong.

A second room was added to the 1888 building by the beginning of the 1898-99 term. Records indicated the possible enrollment of 95 students for the 1898 term and possibly 70 students for the next year, so the addition was imperative. With this addition, an additional teacher was required. The main teacher was Sena Marvel, with Ella Bartlett, Annie Hollister, Cora Elliot and Leroa Smith serving as the second teacher. It is unknown why four teachers were needed for this second teaching position.

Jennie Armstrong and Cora Elliot taught the 1899-1900 term, with Samuel Stanley, A.W. Armstrong and S.H. Davis serving on the school board.

Jennie Armstrong with Jennie Hill, Jennie Armstrong, with Lena Davis, Lizzie Tuttle with Jusith Lindley, Maida Donahue with Jessie Fitz, Alma Watson with Lena Brecheisen, Margaret White with Millie Davidson, Belle Howard with Carrie Cox, Belle Howard with Katherine Brecheisen and H.P. Evans with Elsie Setzer were the teachers of the early 1900’s.J.C. Schooley A.J. Kohler and Oscar Votaw served on the school board for the term ending in 1910.

The next decade required only four terms taught by two teachers: Gurney Hill and Mildred Davis taught the 1910-11 term, the next two terms only had on teacher per term, Mrs. J. L. Parks, Bertha Elsworth. The next two term required two teachers Mary Henley with Kathryn Garratt, and Mary Henley with Zella Pfleger. The next three terms were taught by Lena Brecheisen, followed by Ethel Pfleger. The last term of the decade had two teachers Alvena Knzig with Mrs. Carl Kelley. Serving on the school board for the term ending in 1920 were Herbert Watson, A.J. Koehler and Samuel Stanley.

The 1920’s were taught by: Alvena Kanzig, Nina Anderson, Esther Brecheisen with Zella Page, Eunice Torrence, Robert E. Lee, and Harold Smith. Enrollment had declined to 38 students. Olive Day, E.H. Grob and Raymond Stanley served on the school board.

Teaching the 1930’s: Inez Jensen with Opal Shaw, Johanna Griffis with Opal Shaw, Johanna Griffis, Irene Neis, and Florence Brown. Hazel Harris, George Votaw and E.H. Grob comprised the school board.
Veda Stanton, Ramona Stanley, Ramona Stanley Brecheisen, Grace Warner and Isabelle Byers were the teachers of the 1940’s until the term ending in 1946.

Consolidation plans had been discussed for District No. 5 as early as 1922. It was then discussed to consolidate with Fairview No. 21, but nothing became of it. Finally on May 2, 1947 it was decided to consolidate with Eudora District No. 28 to form the new District of 89

DOUGLAS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 5*
Annual Meeting on March 31, 1870

Douglas County KS Schools

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