TRAVIS SCHOOLHOUSE. Sebewa, Ionia County, Michigan. The Travis Schoolhouse was built in 1868. In 1976, it was still standing. This is when this photo was taken. I am not sure if it is still there or not. This is the school that our grand mother Alma Ann Ostrander and her brothers and sisters went to. The school was used for many purposes for the community. In the article following it tells how it was used for our great-grandfather: Salem C. Ostranders first wifes funeral. (We are descended from his second wife.) The Travis Schoolhouse was often found useful for purposes other than holding classes. On February 1, 1876 the wife of Salem Ostrander, a young married lady of Sebewa was buried on Friday last, 28th ult. The funeral was held in the Travis schoolhouse. Sunday religious meetings in the evening rivivals were often scheduled there before some of the area churches were built. 1868 THE TRAVIS SCHOOL CENTENNIAL In 1867, Andrew B. Travis owned the 40 acres on the opposite corner from what is now the Travis School at the corner of Sunfield Highway and Clarksville Road. Sebewa school district #8 took its name from Mr. Travis. Mrs. Travis was the mother of blind Johnny Smith, who was so well known around the township for his musical entertainment and classes in singing and instrumental music. He sold parlor organs and made many deliveries in the Sebewa area. Mrs. Temperance Travis died in 1885 and after a few years, Mr. Travis moved from the neighborhood. The names of Miller, Oatley, Smith, Ames, Powell, Ostrander, Harvey, Pierce, Treece and others were real estate owners and residents of the district in the late 1860s. In early years, much of the land was still in the hands of land speculators. Many farms were yet to be cleared. Joe Evans, who, until his death in 1958 lived on York Road, used to tell of woods for miles and miles. Gradually the land was cleared and settled. A map of 1875 shows many small farms dotting the countryside. Each farmer raises cattle, pigs, horses and generally sheep. Today, John Smith has the only herd of cattle in the district. Louis Bauer and Ed Kenyon raise pigs. The horse, which was unfamiliar for a generation in the neighborhood, has come back into popularity, not as a work animal, but for pleasure riding. Here are some early items from THE PORTLAND OBSERVER: A comment of appreciation to George Young for bringing some beautiful apples to the editor. 1870—Mrs. Gibbs fell and broke her shoulder. 1874—The Coldwater & Marshall Railroad advertised for help at $1.75 per day to work on the grade of the proposed railroad through Sebewa. (How did they keep the young fellows down on the farm with the lure of all that money PLUS being put up in high style at the Halladay Hotel south of Sebewa Corners?) All was not peace and quiet in those days. In 1875 George Thorpe was charged with assault and battery. The Travis Schoolhouse was often found useful for purposes other than holding classes. On February 1, 1876 the wife of Salem Ostrander, a young married lady of Sebewa was buried on Friday last, 28th ult. The funeral was held in the Travis schoolhouse. Sunday religious meetings in the evening rivivals were often scheduled there before some of the area churches were built. Some of the earliest teachers were Jesse Peacock, an older brother of Mrs. Victor Wilson; Emerson Ray and Leon Williams. This was prior to 1900. An old class book shows that between 1899 and 1904 the school was taught by Miss Jesse Laird, Myron Way, Bruce Gibbs and Dona Alverson. In 1911, the woodshed was built east of the schoolhouse. A tornado in 1967 deposited part of this in a tree across the road and the rest, piece by piece, to the far end of George Crosby’s field. The earliest school records cannot be located. Probably somebody in a fit of housekeeping destroyed them or perhaps they may still be in somebody’s attic. The earliest Secretary’s book with the other school records begin in 1912. Early items in this book are bills for fixing an organ--$2.50; payment for wood hauling and the purchase of coal and water. The water was purchased from Isaac Johnson, who lived where George and Mildred Crosby now live. The youngsters drank from a common cup in a pail and not worrying too much about an occasional hat falling into the pail. After walking to school in winter the children would warm their hands and feet around the potbellied stove. More OBSERVER items: Roy Patrick and Lester McNeil each have a new buggy. Miss Ursula Samain was appointed a delegate to the ministerial convention at Washington, D. C. Mrs. S. Shilton was in Grand Rapids to care for her daughter, Mrs. George Gill. 6-27-11. Population increased by two—a boy at Glenn Frantz’s and a girl at James Storey’s. July 1911. Nearly all the young folks were in Ionia July 4th. As ice cream social, held on the lawn of the George Thorpe home (Larry Steward home now) netted $30 for the benefit of Tiney Williams, who suffered from rheumatism. Ladies of the Society presented a summer cushion to Mrs. Lindsley, who will be going to York State for an extended visit. Jacob Evans and wife entertained company from Bath. They drove through in an auto. Ethel York is home from Ypsilanti. 1912. January, Miss Roxanna Campbell and Nathan Kenyon were married. February—Miss Lula Oatley received the most popular and handsomest lady prize in a contest. March—Several children are absent from school because of chicken pox. May—School closed Friday and a very pleasant picnic was held at the school Saturday. About 100 attended dinner such as none knows better how to prepare than the Travis ladies. (How is that for a mouthful?) 1912: June—Andrew Shilton is building a new house. August—Everyone went to camp meeting Sunday. October—Andrew Franks’ celebrated their Golden Anniversary. Dil Franks has bought a 20 H.P. engine. 1913: August—Charlie Campbell and Vern Cassel spent Saturday in Grand Rapids, making the trip on their motorcycle. Frank Cassel has a new Birdsall clover huller. The first homecoming of the Travis School was held in Frank Cassel’s woods with about 400 attending. September—Mable and Nettie York are attending school in Ionia. October—Miss Ella Peacock of West Sebewa and Victor Wilson are married. A shower was given for Mr. and Mrs. Wilson at Oatley’s. The Travis School will hold a Halloween Social October 30. Prizes to be given to the person with the most appropriate costume as well as to the one telling the best ghost story. November—It looks as if the Travis District is becoming steadily depopulated as there are 7 vacant houses in the District. The school, at one time was the largest in the county, has dwindled down to 20 scholars with only five boys on the list. December—William Smith has sold his farm. While there may have been a few Halloween parties, the Christmas program has always been a highlight of the school year. Here are some comments from the local items: January 1912—The Christmas tree and entertainment by the pupils of Travis School on December 22 brought the usual full house and was greatly enjoyed by all. Too much credit cannot be given to our young teacher, Mr. Lester Campbell, for the way in which he conducted the school. January 1914—Miss Winegar and pupils had a Christmas tree and program in the schoolhouse Tuesday evening. The house was tastefully decorated, the teacher sparing neither labor nor expense. The pupils rendered a fine program and the tree was well filled with presents. Charlie Kenyon as Santa Claus did good service. The crowded house was unanimous in voting the entertainment the best ever held in the old Travis School. 1914: March—Mother’s meeting not too well attended because of bad roads. Miss Edna Oatley, daughter of Mrs. Francis Oatley of Sebewa, represented the Ypsilanti State Normal School in the State Oratorical contest at Albion last Friday evening. A. Shilton and son are talking of building a new barn this summer. Jacob Miller and Forrest Uri each lost a horse. Dell Sherman and wife, married 18 years, dined by invitation at Will Luscher’s where a few of the neighbors had gathered. July—Florian Kenyon moved his family to their home here. Time marched on. Second generation families began attending Travis. More and more young folks began attending high school. Sometimes they boarded with families in town. In the 1930’s, many of them drove to and from high school. Since early in the 1940’s buses have transported them. In the 1940’s many of the boys of the community marched off to serve with the Armed Forces. One lad, Maurice Storey, did not return but gave his life for his country. Although many families have come and gone through the years, many have remained in the community. Thus in the mid-forties and early fifties, the third generation began filling the school. With them came inside plumbing and water under pressure to replace the two little outbuildings. In the late fifties the District began sending the seventh and eighth grades into Portland, Sunfield or Lake Odessa. Most of the youngsters are now sent to Portland for their junior and senior high school classes. The tornado that destroyed the woodshed in April 1967 did considerable damage to the schoolhouse as well. Windows were shattered, the walls cracked, the roof damaged and the chimney blown down. Fortunately this occurred at night when the building was unoccupied. At the present time, many of the boys from the district are again serving their country. Bill Luscher returned home recently, wounded, from VietNam. Mike Harger, Terry Soule and Richard King are in the military service. In 1965, 280 acres were annexed onto District 8. This land is owned by Iril Shilton, Vernie Cassel, Mr. and Mrs. Keith Merryfield and Hazel Fender and is located in sections 10 and 15. Kay Fender’s transfer to Travis began the fourth generation of pupils from one family. Her great grandfather, Frank Cassel; her Grandmother, Jenny Cassel Brundage; her father Dick Fender all attended Travis. Their mother Joan Kenyon Normington; their grandfather, Henry Kenyon and their great grandmother Roxanna Campbell Kenyon all were Travis pupils. The District points with pride to many youngsters who have gone on to excel in high school. Portland High’s 1968 valdevictorian is Laurl Lee Luscher, whose mother, Joyce Wilson Luscher and her father, Walter Luscher were Travis students. Walter’s father, Warren Luscher and mother, Gertie York Luscher, grew up in the district and attend the school also. The following are the names of the teachers who taught the school from 1908 to the present time: Miss Gladah England, Lester Campbell, Edna Winegar, Martha Lundquist, Hazel Westbrook, Ethel York, Esther Kenyon, Gladys Cooper, Ruth Barnes, Leona Peacock, Ruth Benedict, Mable Nicholson, Ruby Adams, Frances Hunt, Bessie Elizabeth Croel, Caralee Phillips, Iva Aikens, Mariam Caddell, Wanda Sillman, Betty Briemayer, Grace Graft, Margot Bailey, Mildred Ingall, Margaret Brown and again, Mrs. Mosser for last year and next. There are 63 youngsters in the census for 1968. Twenty-four pupils should be on hand when the bell rings in September and 19 tuition students will be attending Portland Schools with one at Lakewood. The State Equalized valuation is now $415, 380.00 and the teacher’s salary is quite a little more than $204 per year. The community has changed from many small farmers to fewer farmers working more land. Many of the residents live on the farm and work in the cities; some do both. Things have changed, but some things remain pretty much the same—little boys still like to fish in the creek, play ball and bother the teacher a little. Little girls still like to dress up and play house, pretend to dislike the boys and skip the rope. Moms and Dads still love to be told what wonderful children theirs really are. Changes are in store that make a bicentennial unlikely. Enjoy and make the most of the institution—The Travis District—while we have it. --Mrs. Edward Kenyon
Posted on: Thu, 05 Jun 2014 10:59:57 +0000
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