Oakwood High School - Acorn Yearbook (Fithian, IL)

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niie Acorn ANNUAL OF OTke Oakwood Townskip Higk Sckool VOLUME IX SENIOR CLASS 1925

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THE “ACORN” History of Oakwood Township High School QAKWOOD Township High School, District No. 227 was organized at an election held in Muncie, 111., June 5, 1915. Those who favored the organization of one high school in the Township succeeded after strenuous efforts. The district as organized included the greater part of Oakwood Township, and a small part of Catlin Township, and comprises sixty-six sections of land. It is eleven miles in length, six miles in w-idth, and has within its territory the villages of Oakwood, Muncie and Fithian, and the towns of Bronson, Newtown, Glenburn, Brothers Station, and Missionfield. The population of the district at the time or organization was 2,772. An election was held June 19, 1915, for the purpose of electing a board of education for the district, to consist of a President and six Members, resulted in the election of 0. W. Michael, President; C. E. Littell, Eli Fox, J. S. Purnell, George P. Vinson, Thomas Oakwood, and Dr. P. H. Fithian as members. An election was held in Muncie, July 31, 1915, for the purpose of selecting a site for the school building, and the present site was chosen. The contract for building the school house was let to Mr. William F. C. Kuhne of Rantoul, 111., on November 2, 1915, and work was commenced immediately. On April 16, 1916, the cornerstone was laid with ceremonies, speaking, singing, and music from three bands, the Oakwood band, the Fithian band and the Ogden band. The school opened with an enrollment of eighty-eight students, at the beginning of the second semester the number had increased to ninety-four. The class of 1917 graduated seven students. Mr. George B. Weisiger was selected for principal the next year, and held the position until June, 1923. When the United States entered the world war, Oakw'ood Township High School sent one board member, three teachers and ten students to the colors. The annual election of 1919, 0. W. Michael was again elected President, George Goodrich was elected to the place previously held by George P. Vinson, 1920, Mr. G. E. Littell died following an operation in 1922 and his place on the board was filled by Mr. Richard McBroom. Mr. George B. Weisiger resigned as principal in 1923 and the place was filled by Mr. Raymond Firebaugh who is holding the position at present. The Alumni Directory of the Oakwood Township High School shows the occupations of the former students to be: Teachers 30, Housewives 10, Farmers 4, students in higher education 10, Salesmen 4, and one each of Architect, Dietitian, Bank Cashier, Railroad Agent, Railroader, Storekeeper. There is no record of any graduate of the Oakwood Township High School being a law violator, nor have any been known to follow any business that could not have the stamp of approval of good society. —Dr. O. W. Michael. Page Three