FORMER ONE-ROOM STUDENTS GATHER
The annual Aboite Township One-Room School Reunion was held on Saturday, October 6, 2007 at the Aboite Fire Station Reception Room on Aboite Center Road. Of the eight schools, seven were represented, with a total of sixty-eight in attendances.
Stouder #2, Harper #3, Cory #4, Aboite Center #5, Bullard #6, Homestead #7, Hogg #8, Klaehn #1, had no one in attendance.
The restored Aboite Center #5 was open at 3pm for tours with “School Marm” Linda Huge. Also on display was a recent scale model of the Wabash & Erie Canal, Aboite River Aqueduct constructed by Ed & Pauline Hurley. They were on hand to answer any questions.
The former one-room students began gathering at 5pm at the reception room, many bringing in school pictures, some with 18 to 40 students, representing all eight grades. An undated pamphlet, for the school attendance of Harper #3 for 1906-1907 or 1907-1908 as the teacher was Carrie Pratt, Henry G. Felger, Sput, & F. W. C. Klaehn, Trustee. There were 40 students listed, grades 1-8. Also received was a program for the Fifth Annual Commencement of the Allen County Common Schools, held at the Princess Rank, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Saturday afternoon June 11, 1910 at 2pm. The program lists Allen County’s 20 townships. Aboite Townships eight schools had 14 eighth grade graduates, the Trustee being D.H Forsythe. Many memories of those by gone years were brought to light. School pictures were on display (1913-1940s) from that by gone year era with students identified. A listing of all the teachers from each school and the school terms they taught, also the number of years the school was in session. Bullard #6 was the last one to close in the spring of 1947, Mrs. Viola Geller, Teacher.
The potluck style meal was at 6pm. Announcements were made while the ladies prepared the food line, followed by prayer. The food line formed with wide array of home cooked food to more than satisfy the pallet. The dessert tables were also filled to the max. The beverages were a choice of ice tea, lemonade, and coffee.
Following the meal, the Guest Speaker, Deb Edison was introduced and she spoke on her recent research project in cooperation with the Fort Wayne Allen County History Center, on Allen County District Schools. Locating former school sites in all the townships of Allen County, photographing buildings, interviewing former students, building construction, brick frame, year built, etc. This project was published by the History Center in the Old Fort News and is available at the History Center Gift Shop. Next on the program was a solo by the granddaughter of former Homestead #7 student, Dorothy Richardson Meyer, Angie Zorm.
A gift was awarded to the student coming the farthest distance, which was Oregon. A drawing for door prizes, followed by the time to share school experiences.
Group pictures were taken of students from each school and will be on display at the 2008 reunion, which will be on October 4th the first Saturday of October.
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