Medina County High Schools - Mecoan Yearbook (Medina, OH)

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Tfce, Mecoonn Efi History of Lorli Schools The Lodi Schools, as is the case with other schools and, in fact, with all other enterprises, have developed from a small beginning to their present proportions by degrees — at times more rapidly than at others. The first school building erected in this section was a small frame building out in whaat is now the Howe Allotment or western end of Lodi. After this building had been used for school purposes for several years it was moved to a location more nearly the center of what had become a growing village. In this building upon its new site on Bank Street near the village park pupils in the primary grades w r ere housed and taught. To this department of school work was added a Select School where older pupils were taught some special branches not then in the regular school curriculum. As the community grew in population the school outgrew its accommodations af- forded by the Bank Street property, and other provisions became imperative. In the meantime there had been organized an academy in a fine brick building- erected for that purpose on an elevated campus of five acres in the eastern part of Lodi. Here was conducted for a term of years an institution of higher learning which was a benefit to the community and a credit to its managers. But, as was the case with practically all the schools in its class, this academy was eclipsed by more pre- tentious colleges not far distant and was compelled to yield to them it’s patronage. Consequently, the enterpz-ise was abandoned and the property offered for sale to the village. This offer was accepted and the building put into condition for public school purposes. This purchase was made in the year 1880, and S. S. Thomas was engaged as the first public school superintendent Lodi ever had. Mr. Thomas was at the head of the Lodi School for several years, and under his direction there was organized and con- ducted a school fully up-to-date and second to none in this section of the country. Superintendent Thomas having been called to broader fields of labor in the world of education, a Mr. Lee was elected to be head of the Lodi School and filled that position for two years. Mr. Lee, in turn, was succeeded by B. F. Hoover who held the superintendency for the long period of ten years. Next in turn to preside over the school for two years was F. G. Maurer. Mr. Maurer w r as succeeded by F. M. Plank and he by a Mr. Elliott, each of whom held sway for one year. After Mr. Elliott came J. F. Smith who acted as superintendent for ten years. During the next five years P. H. Smith, popularly known as “Perry”, conducted the affairs of the school; and was followed by C. A. Hostetler who was in control for several years. Mr. Hos- tetler’s successor for three years was Superintendent J. B. Hughes. The present super- intendent is R. B. Snell who is now in his first year of service here. Twice during the past twenty years has the school outgrown its accommodations; and two new and up-to-date brick buildings now adorn the fine campus and house the pupils with their score or more of teachers. The curriculum is modern, and prac- tically all the customary school activities are carried on here under the hearty support of the entire community. Members of the Lodi Village Board of Education, E. A. Rowland, President C. L. Briggs A. V. Sanford Mrs. J. W. Dunlap ' I. F. Williams, Clerk

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Jay Gould, U. of 111. E. T. Bault Kent R. B. Snell, Supt. Wooster College Cecile Bevington Bowling Green Claire Hoffert Otterbein College Dorothy Okerbloom, 0. W. U. Helen Tillson 0. S. U. J. F. Smith Baldwin- Wallace Mildred Smith, B. W.

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Seville Fred Steagall Oberlin College Lois E. Jacobs U. of Wisconsin Forrest D. Riffey, Supt. 0. S. U. Walter H. Hulse Aurora College Miriam Steiner, Wooster Edgar E. Sears Wooster College Clara E. Fenn 0. S. U.