Source: Ruth M. Brubaker, THE HISTORY OF PLEASANT TOWNSHIP SCHOOLS 1835-1962 (1979), p. 430-1.

IJAMSVILLE SCHOOL  (DISTRICT 13)

In the North Manchester News-Journal of April 30, 1928, was a small article stating that the Ijamsville school house was to be sold on May 26, at 2:00 P.M.

This building was built in 1880, while Christian Gerlach was trustee. It was started then but as Mr. Gerlach went out of office, Mr. Tobias Gushard succeeded him and he finished the building. It was a two-story brick building and cost $4,000.

Elias Stonebruner was the first Principal, with Mrs. Jacob Strickler, Primary teacher. The next year Jacob Pl Strickler and Mrs. A.J. Sanders taught. Some records show a Lucy Cooley was Primary Teacher in 1882.

The first schoolhouse for this district was formerly known as "Dixon" school, this was a log house built by those who were or have been scholars or patrons. It was built in the yard where the last one stood. Some of the people who helped to build it were: R.H. Thompson, G. Dixon, John Webber, and W.C. Ogden. The teachers who taught in this house as far as known were: John Sunday, William Pond, Charles Plummer (part of a term), Levi Karns (finished Plummer's term), William Mowery.

The next building was a frame building that stood near the corner. Later it was moved to the east just outside the school-yard. For years to come it has been used as part of a dwelling-house. Has been remodeled and today very few know that it was one time the Ijamsville school. It is still sitting a little east of the corner and at present time Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Howard live there.

Some of the teachers who taught in the frame building were: William Mowery, Charles Ward, Daniel Krisher, Emma Johnson, Israel Penrod, Adam Canady, A.E. Humpke (1873-74-75), Albert Hupply, W.P. Barnett (1877-78-79-80), with Daniel Funderburg the last year.

With the growth of the area in 1880 it was felt they needed a better building and more room. So the last school house was built of brick. This building was used until 1923, when with the means of travel getting better and since there was no High School in it. More and more of the students went to Laketon. They were hauling them now even to High School so it was foolish to keep this school open for only a very few. The last teacher was Miss Mayne Schwenk.

There has been a story told of the old frame building while still in use as a school house. A Mr. Jacob Strickler recalled an amusing incident that the last term the frame building was in use. Daniel Funderburg, brother of Ann Funderburg, once Principal at Laketon was the teacher at the time. As was the custom to treat the children at Christmas Time, Mr. Funderburg id not do this. The pupils locked him out of the house at noon time. Mr. Funderburg, then went to the store, procured an empty gun powder can, returned to the school building. He called to those inside that if they did not open the door he would blow it down. Mr. Gerlach had told him that the building would not be used the next year for school. So he felt he could do what he needed to get the children to open the door. A Mr. George W. Smith, of North Manchester at the time of this store was told, replied "Let'er go."

On this remark Mr. Funderburg pretended to go to the door to set the powder fuse, but instead set fire to some paper and rags. Returned to the woods south of the building to await results. It was not long coming.

Visions of being blown into eternity came to the children and they made a grand rush out of the windows.

So expected were they that Mr. Funderburg had to run to the window and help them out to save some from being crushed and trampled upon.

Some of the very early teachers in this building were: Dr. J.W. Jordan, Mrs. McNamara, Emma Kelly, D.W. Krisher, father of Thomas Krisher of North Manchester.

Teachers of Ijamsville school until 1897 were the following: E.A. Stoneburner, J.P. Strickler, L.M. Neher, Albert Ward, John W. Kern, H.W. Case, Peter Grisso, Sherman White, W.R. Scott, J.W. Kreamer, Tom Hardman, Mary Schancy, Alice Cook Lowen, John W. Smith, Anna Funderburg, J.I. Alger.

In the very early years of this school few had done much eighth grade work. Mainly because of the Laketon school was so close by. But as time went on, there was the need for all eight grades and for a time some thought Ijamsville would have a school for many years.

As far as could be learned, there were only a very few who graduated directly from this school, in the very early years. These were Eva McLish, Julia Guinnup, and Clara Anderson.