Neville School

Neville School
(transcribed from the Mellette County 1911-1961 book, published August 15, 1961 by the Mellette County Centennial Committee)

     The Neville school house was built in the fall of 1920 by Gilbert Eaton and A. E. Townsend. It was situated on the west end of what was known as the Krotter land. School was first opened in January of 1921. It was a well equipped school as far as books, blackboards and supplies were concerned.
     The first teacher was Effie Williams who came from Chicago. She was sent here by the government but she also came because of her health. It may be of interest to many that this teacher is still alive and living in Chicago.The first students were Henry, Katherine and Esther Delaney, Melvin McColley, George, Clifford and Peary Byer and Henry Hay.
     The second teacher was Miss Elizabeth Merchen, who is now Mrs. Bill Wilder and resides in Pierre.
     The largest number of students in the school at any time was in 1923 when 25 pupils from eight families enrolled.
     In 1929 the school district divided and part of it became School District No. 15.
     In the summer of 1922 the school house was moved about one and one-half miles north and west from its original position. School continued here until 1941 when low enrollment forced the closing of the school.
     Some of the teachers at Neville up to 1941 were: Mr. Arlo Fitch, a
one time County Superintendent of schools, of Mellette County, Nina
Samuelson Delaney, who taught for three years, Mr. Bender of Burke,
South Dakota, Miss Myrna Hayworth, Hallie Funk, who is now Mrs.
Hagman and lives at Sturgis, Virgil Van Schack, Mrs. Gilbert Eaton,
mother of Roy Eaton and Bertha Perry and Gladys Langass, Russell
Keller, Mrs. Schroeder, Fredericka Shavaneugh, Alphena Kelly, Clara
Davis, Mrs. North, Mrs. Townsend and Mrs. Cox.
     Some of the school members were A. E. Townsend, C. M. Delaney,
Mac McColley, Paul Hay, Sr., Mr. Jay Byer, George Huggen, Mrs.
Steven, Warren Clark, Mrs. Agnes McEachran, A. C. Boucher, John
Carstien, George Carstien, George Curry, Ray Henry and Mrs. Harrison.
     In the summer of 1950 the school house was moved two and one-half miles south and east near Highway 83 on a tract of land donated by Herman Delaney for school purposes as long as a school existed there. The reason for moving the school as to make it more convenient for the pupils and also to avoid having these pupils cross two creeks to get to the school, as these creeks were a threat in the spring of the year.
     In the fall of 1950 the school was reopened with Mrs. Nina Ozanne as teacher. The school term was completed by Mrs. Joe Cannon. The following were teachers: Loretta Huber Fredericks, Jean Banghart Schmidt, Thelma McCright, Ramona Keever Hight and A. E. Huber, who in 1925 attended this very school. Some of the more recent school board members were: Mr. and Mrs. Glen McEachran, Louie Krogman, R. D. Schmidt and J. B. Huber.