The Browne School Teachers - 1907/1908: James Ezra Stone

Following Sadie Grant who taught at the Browne school the previous school year, James Ezra Stone taught at the Browne school for the school year 1907 - 1908.

James first appeared in the US Census in 1870 (lines 31 - 37) at the age of three, living in Milan township, DeKalb, Illinois with his parents, Jacob and Susannah (Henderson) and siblings William, Margaret, Israel and Benjamin.    James was born in Pennsylvania and the family moved to Illinois sometime following his birth.

In 1880, the Stone family was still living (lines 44 - 50 and line 1 on the following page) in Milan township but had increased the family by one with an additional sibling, Eddie.

In 1900, the Stone family had grown and moved out of the family home.     James was living (lines 23 - 24) with his wife, Sophia (Warren) in Milan township.     James' parents were living nearby as well as his brother Benjamin, living with his wife Emma and daughter Ida and their brother Edward living with his wife Emma and their children, Archie, Roy and Hazle.

In the August 13, 1904 edition of The True Republican, James Stone was listed as having enrolled at the Teacher's Institute.    Three years later, James Ezra Stone would be teaching at the Browne school.

By 1910, the US Census indicated James Stone was employed (lines 5 - 6) as a "graded school" teacher living with wife Sophia (Warren).   

The May 18, 1918 edition of The DeKalb Daily Chronicle reported that James was a former Cortland principal and candidate for county superintendent.

From the July 11, 1918 edition of The Lee Gazette:

In the August 15, 1918 edition of The DeKalb Daily Chronicle, it was reported that James Stone and his wife would be hosting a community service of the Methodist Episcopal Church at their home.

Here is the 1920 US Census for James Ezra Stone (lines 89 - 90) and wife Sophia (Warren) living in Milan township.    The census indicates James is a retired farmer.

The 1930 US Census lists James and wife Sophia (lines 93 - 94) living in Milan township.   James is employed as a rural school teacher.

The 1940 US Census lists James and wife Sophia (lines 67 - 68) living in the same place in Milan township.

James Ezra Stone's obituary was published in the February 2, 1955 edition of The DeKalb Daily Chronicle.

On the second page of the February 15, 1955 edition of The True Republican, the memorial of James Stone at the Malta Methodist Church was mentioned as well as mentioning he served as a teacher in Mayfield.  

James' wife Sophia (Warren) Stone passed away 6 years later.   Her obituary appeared on page 3 of May 26, 1961 edition of The Sycamore Tribune.

 

The memorial for James Ezra Stone and Sophia (Warren) Stone can be found here, which includes a (poor quality) photograph.

If you can read this, thank a teacher.

October 23, 1889 - Browne school annual bible meeting

The Browne school was also used as a facility for religious purposes such as bible meetings.    The October 23, 1889 edition of The True Republican notified the public of the upcoming bible meetings for the county on page 4.     

The Browne school was slated for the township bible meeting on November 10th at 2:30pm.

1885 - Milan township history

In 1885, Chapman Brothers of Chicago published "Portrait and biographical album of DeKalb County, Illinois : containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county : together with portraits and biographies of all the governors of Illinois, and of the presidents of the United States : also containing a history of the county, from its earliest settlement to the present time".

Here is the portion devoted to the history of Milan township:

Of note, the township as of June 30, 1884 had 263 students enrolled among the nine rural schoolhouses.  The value of each schoolhouse was $6,000.00 and there were 18 teachers receiving a salary between $25.00 and $42.50 per year.

December 2, 1884 - Indenture

Sometime between November 4, 1872 and December 2, 1884, John Munson sold the property surrounding the Browne school to Osmund Tysdal.     On December 2, 1884, the property was sold for $3,360.00  to Cornelius O’Brien.      

The description of the property in question referred to the school property which was excluded from the sale:   

"South half of the Southwest Quarter of Section One (1), Township Thirty-nine (39), North of Range Three (3) East of the Third P.M. Containing Eighty acres of land more or less excepting the school house lot on the West part of said land."

The property surrounding the Browne school would remain in the O'Brien family until 1961, ten years after the school ceased operating.

If anyone tracks down a copy of the transaction between John Munson and Osmund Tysdal, please let me know.