Hi, I recently received an article with a picture of the students at the Fox School in
Madison Township that was published in the South Bend Tribune Sunday Magazine on 3 August
1958. The picture is of 44 students and their teacher Charles Conrad. In doing some
research in the Bremen Inquirer I found several clippings on the Fox School. It appears
it was in operation from about 1887 to 1924. According to one article the school was
located 5 miles north of Bremen and 2 miles southeast of Wyatt. I would like to see if
anyone else has any information on this school. My husband's family, great great
grandfather John S. Fox, great grandfather Henry Fox and grandfather Walter Fox all lived
in Madison township.
Here is a transcription of the caption under the picture. I have highlighted the
surnames.
FOX SCHOOL in Madison Township had pupils of widely assorted ages back in 1897. There was
then a custom of rural district of attending school only during the winter term and
dropping out to perform farm chores during other months. This could keep scholars
occupied with the grades until years when present-day youngsters are ready for college.
Front row, from let, Edgar Keck, Walter Fox, Lynna Albert, Reta Shearer, Elsie Albert,
Minnie Fox, Elsie Bollenbaker, Loda Albert, Eva Shearer, Mable Shearer. Second row, Clem
Shearer, Solomon Fox, Fred Albert, unidentifed, George Schlemmer, Charles Hunsberger,
George Hummel, Anna Scheidegger. Third row, Emma Scheidegger, Effie Tryon, Elsie Stine,
Ida Scheideger, Fay Shearer, Sarah Moser, Amelia Hawkins, Cora Stine, Sarah Hummel.
Fourth row, Andy Felton, Alvin Schlemmer, Lydia Moser, Charles Conrad, the teacher; Louise
Scheidegger, Florence Leatherman, Mary Scheidegger, Elizabeth Scheidegger. Fifth row,
Lucian Hunsberger, Alex Schlemmer, John Hawkins, William Hummel, Bert Mangus, Ford Albert,
Olga Hawkins, Sylvia Felton. Top row, Christian Fox, Martin Fox. The photo was furnished
by Mrs. Ida Murphy, 1005 S. Logan St., South Bend, the former Ida Scheidegger.
If anyone has any information on this school I hope you will share it with me.
Linda Braden-Gray