 Lake Prairie School, 1934 |
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Lake Prairie School, 1934 |
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The closing Institute of the Cedar Creek and West Creek teachers was held at Lowell, Indiana, Saturday, March 7, 1903. Miss Hill ably led the work on "Dickens as an Educator." Mr. Hayden then read an interesting discussion on "Systematic Methodology."
Miss Morey took up the work on "Side Lights on American History" as outlined by the seventh Institute.
Mr. Robinson read a good paper on the "Biography of Horace Mann." "Athletics in the District Schools" was the subject of interesting paper read by Mr. Lynch.
Adjournment.
T.A. Hayden, Chairman.
Estella Bates, Secretary.
Last Saturday, May 2, marked the close of a very successful term of school at the West School District No. 5, Thuel A. Hayden, teacher.
The forenoon was spent in studies. At noon the visitors began to arrive, there being 32 present, making 63 with the school.
Then the teacher and pupils proceded to make the ice-cream. When all was done school was called and a short program given consisting of recitations and songs, which showed good study and preparation.
The closing number entitled, "Farewell Address to Our Teacher," was delivered by Miss Maude Smith.
We as patrons of the school can say that there has been a useful and prosperous year spent, never was any more harmony shown in the work of a school than was shown there. Teacher and pupils alike seeming to dread that fatal hour when each must say "farewell."
Dear Friend and Teacher: My friends and classmates in this school have bestowed upon me the honor of delivering our farewell address.
We, the pupils of West Creek, take this manner in which to thank you for the good work you have accomplished during the past winter.
Especially, do we, the pupils of the eighth grade wish to thank you for the active interest you have taken in our work, the zeal with which you labored in our behalf, and the kindness which you have extended to one and all alike.
As we look back over the past eight months of school we realize the progress we have made and we review with pleasure the many happy hours we have spent in this school room; but, also do we deeply regret our past actions and hasty words, our failings and lost opportunities which you have born with never-ceasing patience; but your work will not cease here today for the knowledge which you have established in our minds will go on to lighten the coming years for all and encourage those in pursuit of education.
To-day we shall part and it may be that we shall never meet again in the school room as your loving scholars.
If circumstances never permit our thoughts will wander back to this term of school 1902 and 1903 with satisfaction and we will say with gladness, "We have met in the shadows of earth, may we meet again in the sunshine of heaven."
Again thanking you for past favors and with earnest hopes that the coming September will find you again with us we bid you an affectionate farewell.
Another article in the same issue of the paper (page 4, column 1) tells of another family activity:
On the arrival in the school yard of Mr. and Mrs. Hayden, the first to greet him with a hearty handshake was Herman Guritz, one of his first pupils. Next came his son, Hughe, who was also a pupil of his father at the Lake Prairie School. On entering the school building they were greeted by many former pupils and friends. Mrs. Hughe Hayden and daughter then presented the honored guests with a corsage for Mrs. Hayden and a rose for Thuel's coat lapel.
Mr. and Mrs. Hayden were seated at the head of the table for the bounteous dinner. Seated with them were County Superintendent of Schools and Mrs. C.A. Grayson, also Trustee Roy Pattee and wife, Mrs. Bessie Little, one of Mr. Hayden's first teachers, and many others.
After the fine dinner, Mr. Wason called the meeting to order to enjoy the program. Earl Bailey led in the singing of many school songs, with Miss Hilda Dahl at the piano. This was followed by a duet by Mrs. Ruth Weinberg and Mrs. Bethel Klemm. Mr. Grayson gave a fine talk, and presented Mr. Hayden with a list of graduates listed as to year of graduation. Many other fine talks by former students were enjoyed. Mr. Wason then presented Mr. Hayden with a wardrobe case from the pupils, for the Haydens anticipate vacation trips. Mr. Hayden responded with many thanks for the gift.
Moving pictures were taken by the Haydens son, Dr. Hughe Hayden as they entered the schoolhouse and of other scenes during the day.
Thuel began teaching in a one room schoolhouse, the Brandt school north west of Lowell, after which he taught a number of years at the Hayden school, and after quitting teaching for three years he returned to the Lake Prairie school, where he has since taught.
About 300 former pupils and friends attended the reunion.
Refreshments of ice cream were then served and before the guests departed, Mr. and Mrs. Hayden thanked one and all who planned and worked so hard to make a never-to-be-forgotten day, not forgetting the efforts of the Lake Prairie Mother's Club.
Through this announcement the many friends and relatives of Mr. and Mrs. Thuel A. Hayden are invited to attend an open house being given in their honor on September 4th when the couple will observe their 50th wedding anniversary.
The reception will be held at their home in West Creek between the hours of 2 and 5 and from 7 until 9 o'clock.
On September 4th one of our last winter visiting couples will celebrate their Golden Wedding Anniversary -- Mr. and Mrs. Thuel Hayden, Lowell, Ind. They were married on Sept. 4, 1900. Mr. Hayden says they have had all these years of happy wedded life.
Mr. and Mrs. Hayden spent several seasons at Clearwater but the winter before last they came to Safety Harbor to visit some friends and went to one of the Indiana meetings. They were impressed with the friendliness of the citizens here and so decided, rather reluctantly, to try Safety Harbor last season. However, they were prepared to leave on a moment's notice and go back to Clearwater -- if they did not like Safety Harbor. But as the days went on into weeks and the weeks to months they liked it better and better, and Mr. Hayden said they had more fun here in one season than in all the time they spent in Clearwater and are preparing to come back again and if possible would like the same apartment in the Alden they had last season. Mr. Hayden was elected president of the All State Tourist club and proved to be a very popular person before the season was over. Now as a gesture of the esteem in which he is held why not stage a Golden Wedding Anniversary card shower? Let all of his friends get a card and mail it to him at Lowell, Ind. That should make Mr. and Mrs. Hayden happy to say the least. Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Hayden.
The devout couple pledged their vows on Sept. 4th in the year 1900, in impressive rites performed by Elder Bruce in the Lowell home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Steven Shirley and since their honeymoon have resided in their present home.
Mr. Hayden was principal of the Lake Prairie school for 43 years and including his students through the years, the Haydens' friends are innumerable. Since Mr. Hayden's retirement, the couple spend their winters at Safety Harbor, Fla.
Gifts of sixteen beautiful bouquets of yellow roses and chrysanthemum decorated the Hayden home. Included was an arrangement of 50 golden yellow sweetheart roses, the gift of their son.
Dr. Hughe of Hammond, is the couple's only child. They have two grandchildren, Mrs. George Callantine and Jack Hayden, both of Hammond.
Congratulations were extended the honorees and they were the recipients of many lovely remembrances Monday afternoon and evening when 225 guests from Princeton, Ill., Chicago, Safety Harbor, Fla., Indianapolis, Hammond, Gary, Crown Point, Hebron, Cedar Lake and Lowell called at their home.
Special guests were Mrs. Hayden's five sisters, Mrs. Eunice Taylor, Mrs. Eva Brown, Mrs. Elsie Texter, all of Chicago, and Mrs. Iza Cobb and Mrs. Vinnie Hayhurst of Lowell; also Mr. Hayden's sister, Mrs. Myrtie Einspahr of North Hayden.
The formal refreshment table was appointed in white, gold and crystal and was centered with a traditional four-tier wedding cake. The celebrants' nieces took turns pouring and serving.
The gracious bride of 50 years greeted her guests in an afternoon dress of turquoise blue silk with gold accents. She wore white accessories and a corsage of yellow roses.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Hayden, born and reared in Lowell, are extended congratulations by the entire community.
Mr. Hayden was born in West Creek township Feb. 11, 1880, the only son of Cyrus and Caroline Hayden. His grandparents, the Nehemiah Haydens, settled in West Creek in 1837. Thuel lived in West Creek all of his lifetime. He attended Lowell high school and Indiana State Teachers College. In 1899, at the age of 19, he started teaching. He taught one year at Brandt school northwest of Lowell and a few years at Hayden school. The remaining years of his 47-year teaching career were spent at Lake Prairie in West Creek.
Upon his retirement in May of 1946, 300 former pupils and friends honored him at a dinner reception held at Lake Prairie school.
He was conferred a life membership in the Indiana State Teachers College Association. He was also a member of the National Retired Teachers Association and was a lifelong member of the Lowell Church of Christ. He was affiliated with Colfax lodge No. 378 and was a 32nd degree Mason of the South Bend Consistory. He was also a member of the Lowell chapter Order of Eastern Star.
In 1900 Thuel was married to Minnie Shirley and they were the parents of one son, Hughe Cyrus Hayden.
His two sisters, Mrs. Mamie Gorball and Mrs. Myrtle Einspahr, preceded him in death. Both were residents of West Creek township.
Survivors include his wife, Minnie; his son, Dr. Hughe C. Hayden of Hammond; two grandchildren, Mrs. Jerrie Callantine and Jack Hayden, both of Hammond; also three great grandsons, Dwight, David and Douglas Callantine, besides a host of relatives and friends.
Masonic rites were conducted at the Sheets Funeral Home Saturday evening with Harold Lindemer of Lowell, a former pupil of Mr. Hayden's, in charge. The Rev. Allen C. Meredith, pastor of the Lowell Church of Christ, and the Rev. Archie Mackey of the First Christian church of Hammond officiated at memorial services held at 2 p.m. Sunday, February 2, in the Sheets Funeral Home. Interment was made in Lowell cemetery.
Go to Thuel A. Hayden, "Pioneer History Index," for further information.
Return to Lowell Biographies.
Contact referenc@lowellpl.lib.in.us