The Browne School Teachers - 1919/1920: Gertrude Nealis

The publication, "Rural Schools Journeys: A Legacy of Learning, Histories of the One-room Schools in DeKalb County, Illinois" provided the list of Browne school teachers from 1906 - 1951.      The 1919 - 1920 school year was the only entry listing two teachers, Allene Margaret Griffin and Gertrude Healis.

I do not know if Allene and Gertrude taught concurrently or whether one taught the first semester and the other taught the second semester.    Initially I was unable to find any documentation pertaining to Gertrude Healis.   After some tedious research I was able to find a Gertrude Nealis.   "The Rural Schools Journeys" had a typo.

Gertrude Nealis was born on July 19, 1899 in Reynolds township, Lee county, Illinois to Kate (O'Malley) and James Nealis.     The 1900 US Census lists Gertrude living (lines 18 - 24) in Reynolds township with her parents and siblings George, James, Floyd and her father's uncle, Daniel Nealis.

The US Census for 1910 shows the Nealis family was still residing in Reynolds township.   Gertrude was living (lines 85 - 92) with her parents and siblings, George, James, Floyd and her father's uncle, Daniel Nealis.

On the front page of the April 15, 1912 issue of the Dixon Evening Telegraph, Gertrude Nealis was mentioned as having excelled in her high school central examinations.   Gertrude received an average of 97 on her test scores.

None of the US census records for Gertrude listed employment information so I was not 100% sure Gertrude Nealis taught at the Browne school until I ran across a news article in the Dixon Evening Telegraph on page 5 of their October 31, 1916 issue.    Gertrude is mentioned as having attended a teacher's meeting of the N.I.T.A.     That acronym probably represented National Institute Teacher's Association.

On page 4 of the February 7, 1918 issue of The Ashton Gazette, Gertrude Nealis was mentioned for joining the Red Cross as part of the efforts to assist in World War I.

In the August 20, 1918 issue of the Dixon News Leader, Gertrude Nealis is mentioned on page 8 that she is attending the Teacher's College, providing additional proof that Gertrude was a schoolteacher for the Brown school during the 1919 - 1920 session.   Normal School or State Teachers College was located in DeKalb, Illinois.

The front page of The Ashton Gazette announced the marriage of Gertrude Nealis to Joseph William Henry in their January 8, 1920 edition.  The wedding took place in Reynolds township, Lee county, Illinois at the Catholic church.

The 1920 US Census, recorded just a few days after Gertrude and Joseph married, lists the couple living (lines 68 - 69) in Reynolds township, Lee county, Illinois.     The census does not indicate employment for Gertrude, leading me to believe she taught the first semester in the fall of 1919 at the Browne school and following her marriage, the 1920 semester was taught by Allene Griffin.    

The 1930 US Census shows that the Henry family had moved to Milan township, DeKalb county, Illinois.  Gertrude was living (lines 25 - 29) with her husband, Joseph and their sons, Vernon, Paul and Francis.

By the time of the 1940 US Census, the Henry family had moved back to Reynolds township, DeKalb county, Illinois.    Gertrude was living (Sheet 5B, lines 76 - 80 and Sheet 6A, lines 1 - 4) with her husband, Joseph and their sons, (Vernon) Patrick, Paul, Francis and David.   Gertrude's sister Marcella (Nealis) Dale was also living with the Henry family as was her niece and nephew, Mary Catherine and William.

Marcella, Gertrude's sister is listed as being employed as a public school teacher.

Gertrude (Nealis) Henry passed away in September 1981 in Ogle county, Illinois.    Her memorial can be viewed here.

If you wish to purchase a copy of the "Rural Schools Journeys" book, click here.