Farmers Mutual Insurance Association

SCHOOLS IN PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP AND MERRILL FOSTER ‘AN INTELLIGENT CLASS OF PEOPLE’

Views of the school buildings in Merrill and students in 1894.

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fmiahull.com | 712.439.1722 The early history of education in Plymouth County is most often a recitation of schools in Plymouth Township. In 1860, Plymouth County had 148 inhabitants. School districts were organized in Plymouth, Lincoln and Westfield Townships, although Westfield did not build a schoolhouse until years later. Tax receipts were split between Plymouth and Lincoln Townships – Plymouth received $323.68 and Lincoln received $174.94. “The average length of time the schools were taught during 1860 was but two and four-tenths months. The school report for 1860 records three schools, two gentlemen and one lady teacher, a school population of forty-three, but only fifteen enrolled, and three schoolhouses, valued at $950.”*