The Browne School Teachers - 1945/53: Urban Conrad Monson

The final teacher at the Browne school was Urban Conrad Monson following Betty Marie Peterson who taught the previous school year, 1944 - 1945.    Urban Monson had the longest tenure of any teacher, at least from what I know since the fall of 1906.   He taught for 8 years: 

1945 - 1946, 1946 - 1947, 1947 - 1948, 1948 - 1949, 1949 - 1950, 1950 - 1951, 1951 - 1952, 1952 - 1953. 

Urban Conrad Monson was born February 12, 1883 in Greenville township, New Bedford, Bureau county, Illinois to Hester Ann (Medley) and Benjamin Monson.    He first shows up in the 1900 US Census living (lines 52 - 57) with his parents and brother Arthur.    Also living in the home was the Monson's grandson, George Andeway and a servant by the name of Frederick Dagau.

The earliest document I have found that indicates when Urban began his teaching career was on page 11 of the July 11, 1902 issue of the Bureau County Tribune.    An article appeared mentioning Urban and several other teachers would be attending school at Valparaiso, Indiana.

On August 13, 1905, Urban Conrad Monson married Esther Josephine Nellich at the First Lutheran Church in Princeton, Bureau county, Illinois.    Their entry in the church records is on the left side of the page, the 7th entry for 1905.

In 1910, Urban was still living in Greenville township, Bureau county, Illinois (lines 55 - 57) with his wife, Esther Josephine (Nellich) and their daughter Oreetha.    Urban is listed as being employed as country school teacher.

On July 9, 1917, Urban Conrad Monson was appointed the Postmaster for New Bedford, Bureau county, Illinois.    His appointment is listed in the lower right hand portion of the document below, designated with an arrow.

In 1917, Urban also registered for World War I.     He is listed as both a postmaster and a school teacher.

The 1920 US Census lists Urban living (lines 23 - 28) in Greenville township, Bureau county, Illinois with his wife Esther and their daughters, Oreetha, Mazie, Verla and Virginia.     Urban is listed as being employed as a public school teacher.

By the time of the 1930 US Census, Urban had moved to Malta, Malta township, DeKalb county, Illinois.  He was living (lines 37 - 42) with wife Esther and their daughters, Mazie, Verla, Virginia and Myrna.  Urban is listed as being employed as a principal of a public school.

The 1940 US Census lists Urban living in DeKalb, DeKalb township, DeKalb county, Illinois (lines 41 - 43) with wife Esther and daughter Myrna.    Urban is employed as a rural school teacher.

On April 27, 1942, Urban Conrad Monson registered for World War II.    He is listed as being employed with District 40 in Mayfield township, DeKalb county, Illinois.

Mayfield township is northeast of Milan township.

Urban Conrad Monson passed away January 26, 1955 in DeKalb, DeKalb county, Illinois.    Urban's memorial can be found here.

Urban and many other obituaries can be found at the Joiner Room in Sycamore, DeKalb county, Illinois.  The Joiner Room is an excellent source for family and local history research.