Leopold's History of Education
The first school sessions, reportedly, were held in homes. One of the first school buildings, of log construction, was located on or near the present farm of Lawrence Macke.
When state aid for education became available to the early Leopold schools, only four to six months of public support were given. The people of the parish saw fit, by means of self-assessment, to pay the salary of the teacher for an additional three to four months each year.
The principle teachers of the Leopold Grade School were Mr. John Holweg, Mr. John Luke, Mr. Joseph Goetz, and Mr. B. L. Hotze. The teachers served in the order mentioned.
Old records indicate that, beginning in 1889, a young lady from the community was hired each year to teach the children of the lower grades.
The salary for these early "little" teachers began at $8.00 per month and rose as high as $15.00 per month.
These young ladies who served as teachers were the following: Miss Mary Nenninger-- 1889-1890; Miss Mary Wubker--1890-1891; Miss Mina Engelen--1891-1895; Miss Adelheid Vandeven--September and October, 1895; Miss Mina Engelen--1895-1896; Miss Hannah Tenholder--1896-1903; Miss Anna Steinnerd--1903-1906; Miss Mary Clippard--1906-1910; Miss Mary Steinnerd--1910-1911; Miss B. Hinkebein--1910; Miss Minnie Schmidt--1911-1916; Miss Louise Anger--1916-1919; Miss Nora Wilkins--1919-1922; Mrs. Stevens who began teaching in 1922.
Later teachers were Miss Mary Jansen, Miss Cecilia Elfrink, Miss Cecilia Martin, Mr. Jacob Jansen, Mr. Joseph Martin, Mr. John Seesing, Miss Albertine Martin, Miss Rita Kenkel, Miss Mary L. Steinnerd, Miss Rosella Tenholder, Miss Rita Kern, Mr. Thomas Elfrink, and Mr. Anthony Elfrink. These teachers worked hard to form the foundation of the rich tradition of Leopold's education.
Mr.
Bernard L. Hotze served as Principal of the Leopld Grade Schools, and supervisor
of most of these teachers since the year 1903. He retired in 1953
after 50 years of public school service. He will be remembered as
a great contributor to Leopold's blossoming education.
*Information taken for the "125th Jubilee" book.
Historical
Information of Leopold