Presbyterian Church and School in Mendon
Margaret Jensen, Relates the History of the Presbyterian Mission Church and School in Mendon, Utah.
There were about forty pupils in the early years of the day school taught by Mr. and Mrs. Campbell. Mrs. Campbell taught the beginners and younger children. These paid five cents. Mr. Campbell taught the others who paid fifteen cents. Pupils paid tuition each Monday a.m. I would estimate half paid five cents and half fifteen and that the latter charge began around age twelve. I think there were no tuition charges by the Campbells' successors. Mr. Campbell also taught night school, but this was only during the first few years of his stay here. About twelve unmarried adults attended.
Subjects taught were: Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Spelling, History, Geography, Grammar and Physiology. Mr. Campbell also taught Algebra and Latin to a few students in day school.
At the opening of school Mr. Campbell placed a small bible and hymn book on each desk. A chapter was read aloud by all and one hymn sung, Mrs. Campbell playing the organ. Prayer by Mr. Campbell. Next was to repeat the Constitution. I don't remember how much of it was memorized, but at least all knew the Preamble! Then came classes.
The names of Mission Teachers at Mendon were:
- Miss (N.M. Or Hannah?) McCracken
- Miss Sadie Brown
- Mr. and Mrs. Wm. R. Campbell
- Miss Margaret McCullough
- Miss Clara Huber
- Miss Leva Granger
- Miss Mattie White
- Miss Madge Christie
- Miss Laura Stumbaugh
Miss McCullough married Ephraim P. Shelton who was later an elder in the Logan, Presbyterian church. Miss Huber married Fred Larsen, my uncle. Miss Granger married Stephen Longstroth. All three men were Mendon residents.
All teachers except the first two listed lived in the white brick dwelling attached to the chapel. The house contained two bedrooms, library, playroom and kitchen on the first floor; full basement. There was a pump in the kitchen and front and back porches. Rooms were small.
My grandfather, Magnus Larsen, owned two town lots where he and his family lived. He sold part of the corner lot though Rev. Parks to the Presbyterian Board, for $100. Here the chapel, dwelling, small barn and rest rooms were built. The place was fenced with wood pickets and the buildings and fence were painted. After the chapel burned in June 1920, Fred Larsen bought the corner back from the Board for the same price. The lots are now owned by his nephew.
Rev. and Mrs. Wilson and Rev. C.M. Kilpatrick were also stationed in Mendon. They held Sunday evening services in the chapel. Mr. Kilpatrick owned a team and buggy which he used in driving to places in the valley where he held services. One place was Wellsville.
One of the teachers at Wellsville was a Miss Russel who was a frequent visitor at the chapel home of the then Miss Huber. We did not use McGuffey Readers, but used Franklin Readers, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, and Harper's Arithmetic.
Mr. Campbell drove to Wellsville each Sunday p.m. and held Sunday school using a rented two-wheel cart and horse. Later, he bought a horse "Dan" and surrey which he used. The animal was cared for by next door neighbor, Fred Larsen who bought the horse and surrey when the Campbells' moved to Salt Lake City and later in the fall of 1900 to New York City. Mrs. Campbell lived in New York City and she had been a teacher in the city schools there before her marriage.
Mr. Campbell taught kindergarten in the summer vacation time when their daughter became old enough to attend along with several other children.
Miss McCullough conducted W.C.T.U. meetings at a few of the homes.
Miss Huber had a girl, Lorena Rankin of Franklin, Idaho live with her and go to school part of the time. She was sent here by the mission teacher, Miss Elliott, who was located a Franklin. The Board allowed $75.00 for her keep during the school year.1
- Personal Correspondence, Letter of reply from Margaret E. Jensen to J. Duncan Brite, November th, 1956.