Kinmundy Historical Society 

 

 

 

 

                                      

        

 

                   SWIFT SCHOOL

   Kinmundy Township, Marion County, Illinois

 

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              There is also a Grade School Index available on the "Photo Catalog" page.

 

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        We are looking for photos of people and/or places from around Kinmundy & Alma.  Can you help?

Or maybe you have stories or memories from the "Good Old Days"?  What do YOU remember?

        The Kinmundy Historical Society would be honored to preserve your memories and stories.  We also have the

equipment to scan (or copy) your photos so that they may be enjoyed now as well as for generations yet to come!

        We would love to hear from you!  For more information, please contact: 

       

   Dolores (Ford) Mobley – Dolores@ford-mobley.com

                       208 Joan Dr.; Divernon, IL  62530; (217) 625-7527

            or

 

            Gladys (Corrie) See – gsee49@yahoo.com

                                         408 S. Washington St.; Kinmundy, IL 62854; (618) 547-7731

                                                 

 

Teachers from  SWIFT SCHOOL – District #24 (Kinmundy twp.)

                                       (also known as “Breakneck” School)

 

(According to "The Kinmundy Express" on Oct. 11, 1951, an article was included about the original records of the local school districts, the districts were established in 1872.   In the first records available from 1877, it states that in Kinmundy twp., Swift School was originally district #6, and was later changed to district #24.)

 

(Fall 1877)  Libbie Young ($22)       

(1878)         Sarah F. Ferguson ($20)

 (1879-80)   Miss Maria Mahon

 

(1884-85)   Miss Emma Bates

 

(1903-04)   Amy E. Fisher ($40)*

(1904-05)   Miss Laura Fisher

(1905-06)   Miss Laura Fisher

 

(1909)   Lem Ballance 

(1911-12)   Burley Swalley

          Nov. 30, 1911: the Neck-breaking school teacher

 

(1915-16)   W. Earl Morris

 

(1918-19)   Pearl Jackson

 

(1920-21)   Jane Walker

(1922-23)   Anna B. Green

(1923-24)   Alice Readnour

(1924-25)   Miss Alice Readnour

(1925-26)   Miss Thelma Boyd

(1926-27)   Ruth Doolen

 

(1928-29)   Margaret Warren  (later Margaret (Warren) Shufeldt

(1929-30)   Miss Rada Garrett (later Rada (Garrett) Caldwell Ford)

(1930-31)   Clara Doolen

(1931-32)   Miss Rada Garrett   (later Rada (Garrett) Caldwell Ford)

(1932-33)   Susie E. Green

(1933-34)   Raymond Atkins

(1934-35)   Raymond Atkins

(1935-36)   Miss Mira/Myra Headley

(1936-37)   Mrs. Ruth Crowley

(1937-38)   Lewis P. Evans

(1938-39)   Mrs. Ava E. Williams

(1939-40)   Mrs. Ava E. Williams

(1940-41)   Opal Luttrell (or Mrs. Ava Williams listed in Marion Co. School directory)

(1941-42)   Miss Maud Lewis (married Harvey Brown)

(1942-43)   Miss Maud Lewis (married Harvey Brown)

(1943-44)   Miss Phyllis Middleton

(1944-45)    Miss Phyllis Middleton

(1945-46)    Mrs. Bertha R. See

March 28, 1946: The Swift School has an electric radio and are enjoying the school on the air now, which is very helpful to their education..

Mrs. Bertha See (May 2, 1946) She entertained the pupils, the parents, and the North Fork School to a wiener roast held in Bassett Woods, Monday.

Aug. 22, 1946: Mr. Clyde Bassett, Charles Lowe, and Jack Chance are repairing our schoolhouse, getting it ready for school

(1946-47)   Mrs. Bertha See 

(1947-48)   Mrs. Bertha R. See

(1948-49)   Mrs. Bertha R. See 

Feb. 17, 1949) No school at Swift today.  The creek was too high for the teacher, Mrs. Bertha SEE, to cross.

(1949-50)   Mrs. Mary Brasel

(1950-51)   Mrs. Mary J. Brasel   

Oct. 4, 1951: Petitioned to be sent to Kinmundy within the year

 

(The above information was gathered from "The Kinmundy Express" articles, school photos, Marion County Directories of School Teachers, information from those who had attended school there, and from the One Room School Memorial in Salem, IL.)

 

Swift School (also known as Breakneck) – District 34; Kinmundy twp.

 

Teachers:

Earl Morris

Sam P. Jones

Lela Swift Helpingstine

Oswald “Buck” Miller

Bill Green

Mary Morgan

Jane Walker

Pearl Hannah Robb

Annabell Green

Alice Readnour

Nellie Williams

Rada Garrett Caldwell Ford (2 terms)

Clara Doolen Barenfanger

Margaret Warren Shufeldt

Jana Ford Evans

Susie Green

Ava Williams

Raymond Atkins

Maude Lewis Brown

Mary Brasel

Bertha See

Phyllis Middleton Reed

 

Older residents:

Mose Swift

Benjamin Garrett

William W. Robb

William Morris

Mose Wainscott

Robert Robb

Mr. _____ Howell

Curtis Howell

Richard Atkins

Mark Swift

Robert Manion

Samuel P. Robb, Lewis Robb, Charles F. Robb – 3 sons of William W. Robb

Samuel Jones

James W. Jones

Grover Cleveland Doolen

Daniel Doolen

Ira Morris

Frank Jones

Charles Jones – later moved to Michigan

Samuel M. Robb

Thurman E. Robb

Samuel Lowe

Ren Wainscott

Orville E. Garrett

Fletcher Cole

Russell Swift

Marshall Williams

Frank Garrett

Raymond Swift

 

(One Room School Memorial – Archives - Salem, IL)

 

 

 

Year

Names of Trustees (Town 4, Range 3)

Names of Directors at Swift School (#24)

1877-1878

I.W. Robb, Richard E. Shelton, William R. Hubbard

James M. Swift, J.C. Jones, J.W. Doolen

1915-1916

C.W. Hanna, H.W. See Jr., J.R. Jones;

R.C. Robb - Twp. Treas.

 Ira Morris, Dan Doolen, C.W. Jones

1918-1919

J.R. Jones – President; C.W. Hanna – Clerk; W.H. Gray;

R.C. Robb – Treasurer

C.M. Swift, G.C. Doolen, S.P. Robb

1920-1921

W.H. Gray – President; J.E. Craig – Clerk; C.W. Hanna;

R.C. Robb – Treasurer

Ira Morris, S.P. Robb, G.C. Doolen

1922-1923

C.W. Hanna – President; J.E. Craig – Clerk; J.A. Baylis;

F.E. Jones – Treasurer

G.C. Doolen, S.P. Robb, Ira Morris

1923-1924

J.E. Craig – President; J.A. Baylis – Clerk; S. Jones;

F.E. Jones – Treasurer

Ira C. Morris, Russell Swift, Ren Wainscott

1926-1927

J.A. Baylis – President; I.D. Ingram – Clerk; S.W. Jones;

F.E. Jones - Treasurer

G.C. Doolen, Ren Wainscott, J.F. Jones

1928-1929

J.E. Craig – President; J.A. Baylis, S.W. Jones,

F.E. Jones – Treasurer

S.M. Robb, Ron Wainscott, Fletcher Cole

1930-1931

J.E. Craig – President, J.A. Baylis, S.W. Jones,

F.E. Jones - Treasurer

G.F. Jones, S.M. Robb, J.F. Cole

1931-1932

J.E. Craig, J.A. Baylis, S.W. Jones; F.E. Jones – Treas.

J.F. Cole, Frank Jones, G.C. Doolen

1932-1933

S.W. Jones, J.E. Craig, J.A. Baylis; F.E. Jones – Treas.

G.F. Jones, G.C. Doolen, O.M. Conant

1933-1934

S.W. Jones, J.E. Craig, W.F. Harvey;

F.E. Jones – Treas.

O.M. Conant, G.C. Doolen

1934-1935

S.W. Jones, J.E. Craig, W.F. Harvey, F.E. Jones – Treas.

Raymond Swift, Carroll Jones, O.M. Conant

1935-1936

S.W. Jones – President; J.E. Craig; W.F. Harvey;

F.E. Jones – Twp. Treasurer

Raymond Swift – President; Carroll Jones – Clerk;

F.E. Robb

1936-1937

S.W. Jones – President; J.E. Craig; W.F. Harvey;

F.E. Jones – Twp. Treasurer

S.E. Lowe – President; Carroll Jones – Clerk;

T.E. Robb

1937-1938

W.F. Harvey – President; Geo. Cole; Frank Johnson;

F.E. Jones – Twp. Treasurer

Sam E. Lowe – President; Virgil Livesay – Clerk;

T.E. Robb

1938-1939

W.F. Harvey – President; Frank Johnston, Geo. Cole;

J. Norris Vallow – Twp. Treas.

S.E. Lowe – President; C.C. Bassett – Clerk;

Virgil Livesay

1939-1940

Frank Johnson – President; George Cole,

William R. Doolen; J.N. Vallow – Twp. Treas.

Sam E. Lowe – President; C.C. Bassett – Clerk;

Virgil Livesay

1940-1941

Frank Johnson – President; George Cole,

W.R. Doolen; J.N. Vallow – Twp. Treas.

C.C. Bassett – President; Sam E. Lowe – Clerk;

Marshall Williams

1941-1942

Frank Johnson – President; W.R. Doolen;

J.N. Vallow - Treasurer

George Cole – President; Sam E. Lowe – Clerk;

O.E. Garrett

1942-1943

Frank Johnson – President; W.R. Doolen;

J.N. Vallow – Twp. Treasurer

O.E. Garrett – President; George Cole – Clerk;

Paul Swift

1943-1944

Frank Johnson – President; W.R. Doolen; J. Fletcher Cole;

J.N. Vallow – Twp. Treasurer

C.S. Chance – President; Paul Swift – Clerk;

Billy Morris

1944-1945

Frank Johnson – President; W.R. Doolen; J. Fletcher Cole;

J.N. Vallow – Twp. Treasurer

C.S. Chance – President; Paul Swift – Clerk;

Billy Morris

1945-1946

Frank Johnson – President; Fletcher Cole; G.C. Doolen;

J.N. Vallow – Twp. Treasurer

C.S. Chance – President; Clyde C. Bassett – Clerk;

Frank J. Garrett

1946-1947

Frank Johnson – President; Fletcher Cole; G.C. Doolen;

J.N. Vallow – Twp. Treasurer

C.S. Chance – President; Clyde C. Bassett – Clerk;

Charles W. Lowe

1947-1948

Frank Johnson – President; G.C. Doolen; Dwight Ingram;

J.N. Vallow – Twp. Treasurer

Chas. Lowe – President; Clyde C. Bassett – Clerk;

George Feather

1948-1949

Frank Johnson – President; G.C. Doolen; Dwight Ingram;

J.N. Vallow – Twp. Treasurer

James R. Jones – President; George Feather – Clerk;

Charles Lowe

1949-1950

G.C.. Doolen – President; Dwight Ingram; T.A. McCulley;

J.N. Vallow – Treasurer

James R. Jones – President; George Feather – Clerk;

Charles W. Lowe

1950-1951

G.C.. Doolen – President; Dwight Ingram; T.A. McCulley;

J.N. Vallow – Treasurer

Chas. W. Lowe – President; George Feather – Clerk;

James R. Jones

 

(The above information was gathered from Marion County school directories.)

 

 

"Salem Republican" - Apr. 5, 1906

"School Entertainment: Miss Laura FISHER closed a most successful term of school at Swift school better known as Break Neck, with the finest program ever rendered in that school.  The program was opened by a song of welcome to the visitors, sung by all the scholars with music by Miss Laura FISHER organist.  Recitation by Johnnie DOOLEN and Lela SWIFT followed by vocal solo by Alta JONES.  A song of U.S.A. by the boys was good.  A flag drill by Blanch SWIFT, Captain, Bettie SWIFT, Bettie ROBB, Martha ROBB, Rena and Bessie JONES, Bessie HAMMERS, Lois MEEKS, Iva SPRULING, Elsie BASS, Ora McCULLEY and Bertha LANSFORD, all the red, white and blue costumes and George Washington hats and red, white and blue canes for arms was the best ever seen in this vicinity heretofore.  Capt. Blanch SWIFT put them through the army manuevers in the true soldier style and brought repeated applause from the audience.  Recitation by Byron ROBB.  Duet by Blanch and Bettie SWIFT was very pleasing to all present.  A dialogue entitled 'Jelly for the minister.'  Bettie SWIFT, Rena JONES and Martha ROBB taking leading parts in good style.  Recitation by little 4 year old Ruth ATKINS pleased the visitors immensely.  A drill entitled 'Hayseeds' by all the little folks with rakes and hoes wearing straw hats was very interesting.  Recitations by Alice MEEKS and May SPURLING were very good.  Instrumental solo by Rena JONES.  Dialogue 'Three smart girls' with Wren WAINSCOTT, James SWIFT, John ROBB, Fred HAMMERS, Elsie BASS, Ora McCULLEY, Bertha LANSFORD, and Bessie JONES all taking their parts well.  Two songs by Quartette comprising Misses Laura FISHER, Lois MEEKS, Blanche and Bettie SWIFT was rendered exceptionally well.  Song by school was excellent.  Short addresses by Mr. MEEKS and Dock ATKINS.  Frank V. ARNOLD addressed the visitors and scholars.  Miss FISHER made an excellent closing address.  The following scholars will receive certificates for being neighter absent nor tardy during the whole term of school.  Lela SWIFT, Bessie JONES, Otto REESE, and Johnnie DOOLEN.  Misses Bettie ROBB, Garrell MEEKS, and John ROBB were the highest scholars in their respective classes.  Bettie ROBB won first prize offered for the spelling contest.  John ROBB and May STERLING also won prizes.  All present enjoyed the program immensely and were well paid for making the trip in the mud.  Miss FISHER has been and excellent teacher and is highly esteemed by all who know her.    Frank V. ARNOLD."

 

 

 

Swift School (also known as “Breakneck”); Kinmundy twp., Marion Co., IL; Lem Ballance, teacher – 1909

Third row: Lem Ballance - teacher, Mae Spurlin, Carrie (Swift) Wainscott, Fay (McCulley) Lowell, Alta (Jones) Diss, Mary (Jones) Brasel,

     John Robb, Mack Robb, Otto Reese, Bryan Robb

Second row: Maggie Robb, Lola Reese, Lester Robb, Ben Reese, Louis Robb, Glen Robb, Rawleigh Brimberry, John Doolen

First row: Pearl (McCulley) Lowe, Mabel Garrett, Ruth (Atkins) Backensto, Fern (McCulley) Charlton, Florence Brimberry,

     Vera (Morris) Maxey, Harold Doolen, Billy Morris, Robbie Robb

 

Swift School (also known as “Breakneck”); Kinmundy twp., Marion Co., IL - circa 1925;  

Back Row: James Jones, Ruby Arnold, Marjorie Jones, Maxine Swift, Marceline (Doolen) Garrett, Helen (Wainscott) Schwabe, Paul Swift, Loy Morris

Middle Row: Nell Jones, Julia (Jones) Uhle, Roy Doolen, Burdette Swift, Kenneth Robb, William Cole

Front Row: __________, Lora (Jones) Ingram, Valda (Swift) Morgan, Darlene Cole, Carl Doolen

 

 

Swift School (also known as “Breakneck”); Kinmundy twp., Marion Co., IL - 1928 - Margaret (Warren) Shufeldt- teacher;  

Back Row: 1)_________, 2)__________, 3) Roy Doolen, 4)_________, 5) Julia (Jones) Uhle

Front Row: 1)_________, 2)__________, 3) Lora (Jones) Ingram, 4)_________, 5) _________

 

 

 

Swift School (also known as “Breakneck”); Kinmundy twp., Marion Co., IL; _____________, teacher – 1936

Back Row: Mrs. ________ - teacher, Ruth Crowley, Laura Jean (Green) Garrett, Mildred Lou Jones, Velma Jean (Conant)  Robb,

John Jezek, Burl Green, Donald Robb, Harold Lange

Middle Row: Jeanette Jones, Joann (Cole) Williams, Helen (Robb) Garrett, Betty (Chance) Mulvaney, Louise (Green) Cheatum,

Rosemary Conant, Elizabeth White, Gloria Williams, Gertrude Lange, Hilda Johnston

Front Row: Lyle Swift, Vernon Jezek, Gene Jezek, Harold Chance, James Chance, Eli Conant

 

 

Swift School (also known as “Breakneck”); 1941

Swift School (also known as “Breakneck”); Kinmundy twp., Marion Co., IL; Maude Lewis, teacher – ca 1941

Back row: Maude Lewis – teacher, Darrell Morris, Betty (Chance) Mulvaney, Louise (Green) Cheatum, Helen (Robb) Garrett, James Chance,

Dorothy Swift, Darrell Livesay, Joanne (Cole) Williams

Front row: Leroy Swift, Helen (Bassett) O'Dell, Evelyn (Bassett) Ford, Kenneth Chance, Sammy Lowe, Marlin Morris, Keith Chance 


Helen (Robb) Garrett dressed as the May Day Queen at Swift School - ca 1942.

Her mother made the dress for the occasion.

 

Swift School (also known as “Breakneck”); 1944

Swift School (also known as “Breakneck”); Kinmundy twp., Marion Co., IL;

School boys – 1943

Back Row: Marlin Morris, Darrell Livesay, Darrell Morris

Middle Row: Kenneth Chance, Keith Chance, Sammy Lowe

Front Row: Leroy Swift, Darrell Chance, Jack Morris

 

 

Swift School (also known as “Breakneck”); Kinmundy twp., Marion Co., IL; School girls – 1943

Back Row: Donna (Garrett) Beard, Betty (Chance) Mulvaney, Evelyn (Bassett) Ford

Front Row: Helen (Bassett) O’Dell, Patty (Gigar) Potter

 

Swift School (also known as “Breakneck”); Kinmundy twp., Marion Co., IL; School boys – 1943

Back Row: Betty (Chance) Mulvaney and Darrell Livesay

Third Row: Donna (Garrett) Beard, Kenny Chance, Keith Chance, Evelyn (Bassett) Ford, Marlin Morris, Sammy Lowe

Second Row: Helen (Bassett) O’Dell, Patty (Gigar) Potter, Darrell Chance

Front Row: Jack Morris, Leroy Swift, and Darrell Morris

 

 

Swift School (also known as “Breakneck”); Kinmundy twp., Marion Co., IL – 1943

Darrell Morris with teacher, Miss Phyllis Middleton

 

 

Swift School (also known as “Breakneck”); Kinmundy twp., Marion Co., IL;

Phyllis Middleton, teacher – Easter 1943

Back Row: Darrell Livesay, Darrell Morris;

Third Row:  Betty (Chance) Mulvaney, Kenneth Chance, Marlin Morris, Keith Chance, Sammy Lowe;

Second Row: Donna (Garrett) Beard, Patty (Gigar) Potter, Evelyn (Bassett) Ford, Helen (Bassett) O'Dell;

Front Row: Darrell Chance, Leroy Swift, Jack Morris 

 

 

 

Swift School (also known as “Breakneck”); Kinmundy twp., Marion Co., IL;

Miss Phyllis Middleton-  teacher – Easter 1943

Back Row: Darrell Livesay, Darrell Morris, Sammy Lowe

Third Row:  Betty (Chance) Mulvaney, Kenneth Chance, Marlin Morris, Keith Chance

Second Row: Donna (Garrett) Beard, Patty (Gigar) Potter, Evelyn (Bassett) Ford, Helen (Bassett) O'Dell;

Front Row: Darrell Chance, Leroy Swift, Jack Morris 

 

 

Swift School (also known as “Breakneck”); Kinmundy twp., Marion Co., IL – 1946

Back Row: Sam Lowe, Beverly (Feather) Hawkey Brasel, Helen (Bassett) O'Dell, Keith Chance, Leroy Swift, Betty (Feather) White,

Donna (Garrett) Beard, Evelyn (Bassett) Ford, Dorothy (Feather) Doolen, Virginia (Helpingstine) Thompson;

Front Row: Mary (Feather) Jones, Darrell Chance, Rosalyn (Lowe) Uphold, Patty (Gigar) Potter, Bill See, Bertha See - Teacher

 

 

Swift School students at the home of their teacher, Bertha See - circa 1947

__________, Darrell Ford, Mary (Feather) Jones, ___________, Bill See.

The puppy was a dog found on the steps of Swift School, and was named Tykey, and was Bill See's companion for years. 

(Bill See was Bertha See's nephew, and he often spent time with her.)

 

Some Swift School students at the home of their teacher, Bertha See, with pony and wagon - circa 1947

Betty (Feather) White, Donna Mae (Garrett) Beard, ?Charles Lee Ford (behind Donna), Mary Lee (Feather) Jones,

__________ , __________, _________ (boy standing behind blond-headed boy), Bill See (in front of wagon),

Dorothy (Feather) Doolen (sitting on wagon), ?Patty Gigar (standing behind Dorothy), Beverly (Feather) Hawkey Brasel,

Helen (Bassett) O'Dell

 

 

Bertha (Rose) See teaching contract at Swift School in Kinmundy twp, Marion Co., IL - Sept. 1947

 

 

Swift School (also known as “Breakneck”); 1948-1949

 

Swift School (also known as “Breakneck”); Kinmundy twp., Marion Co., IL; 1st and 2nd grades – 1948-49

Dorothy Chance, Jim Jones, Rosalyn (Lowe) Uphold, Billy Dean See, Judy (Robb) Donoho, Richard Ford

 

Swift School (also known as “Breakneck”); 1948

 

Swift School (also known as “Breakneck”); Kinmundy twp., Marion Co., IL –  1948

1 - Helen (Bassett) O’Dell; 2 - Beverly (Feather) Hawkey Brasel; 3 - Lucille Gigar; 4 – Patty (Gigar) Potter ; 5 – Ellen Swift; 6 – Kay Feather;

7 – Dorothy (Feather) Doolen; 8 – Louise Feather; 9 – Richard Ford; 10 – Mary (Feather) Jones; 11 – Betty (Ford) Gottfried; 12 – Billy Dean See;

13 – Mark Swift; 14 – Lenora Lowe; 15 – Kenneth Ford; 16 – Cleda (Garrett) Robb; 17 – Leroy Swift; 18 – Nancy Swift;

19 – Rosalyn (Lowe) Uphold; 20 – Nelda Jones; 21 – Darrell Chance; 22 – Nina Jones; 23 – Donna (Chance) Owens; 24 – Judy (Robb) Donoho;

25 – Dorothy Chance; 26 – Stella Chance; 27 – Don Jones; 28 – Jim Jones

 

 

 

Swift School (also known as “Breakneck”); 1948

 

Swift School (also known as “Breakneck”); Kinmundy twp., Marion Co., IL; Bertha See, teacher – 1948

Back Row: Bertha See - teacher, Darrell Chance, Patricia “Patty” (Gigar) Potter, Betty (Ford) Gottfried, Beverly (Feather) Hawkey Brasel,

Kenneth Ford, Mary (Feather) Jones

Front Row: Rosalyn (Lowe) Uphold, Judy (Robb) Donoho, Richard Ford, Donna (Ford) Jackson, Jim Jones, Dorothy Chance

 

 

 

Swift School (also known as “Breakneck”); 1949-1950

 

Swift School (also known as “Breakneck”); Kinmundy twp., Marion Co., IL; Mary Brasel, teacher – 1949-50

Back row: Richard Ford, Darrell Chance, Patty Gigar, Betty (Ford) Gottfried, Kenneth Ford, Beverly (Feather) Hawkey Brasel,

Mary (Feather) Jones, Mary Brasel - teacher

Front row: Karen Ballance, Dorothy Chance, Rosalyn (Lowe) Uphold, Donna (Ford) Jackson, David Ballance, Jimmie Jones,

Don Jones, Darrell “Buddy” Hanna, Donna Chance

 

 

"The Kinmundy Express" - June 11, 1987

 

 

 

 

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