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1848 Concord School and Carriage House, Loyalhanna Twp., PA
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History of Concord School by Miss Mary Bash of Saltsburg, PA.

In a handwritten letter by the last teacher of Concord, the history of the school was revealed.
         A number of years ago, some people met at the home of Mrs. Kirk McConnell the mother of Judge Alexander McConnell and Mrs. James Foster for the purpose of organizing an independent school district.  Judge McConnell and his brothers attended the school.

         Among the early settlers who lived in the district were the Georges, Hensels, Robinsons, Fennells, Kerrs, McBrides, Adairs and Stewards.

         Among the prominent family names that have figured conspicuously in the history of the township and vicinity are those of Kirkpatrick, Campbell, Sterrit, Bowman, Johnson, Sermon and others.

         The present school building is the third building that was used for school purposes in the district.  The first two buildings were built of logs and were located on the opposite side of the road from the present building.  The school previous to the present building was known as the Hart School.  There were no desks in this school, but benches were made around the four walls of the school for seats.

         Concord School was built in the early 50’s. The bricks of which the school is constructed were made in the field now owned by Mr. Frank Bortz.

         Thomas Johnson was the first teacher of Concord School.  Mr. John Keibler, a very severe teacher taught the second term.  Miss Annie Gillbraith was elected but only taught two months because some large pupils who she would not manage.  After she had resigned, Mr.Prugh taught a month and by that time Mr. McBride had secured a teacher from Armstrong County, who finished the term.  Among the other early teachers were Dr. Bell, Mr. W.J. Larimer, Dr. William Johnson, Mr. A.M. M. Dornan, Mr. Alexander, Mr. Leathers, Miss Sadie Ralston, Miss Sara Gordon, Mr. Scott, Mr. Murray Woods, and Mr. Henry Jones. 

         Mr. Henry M. Jones who taught a number of years at Concord was born in Salem Township, October 28, 1828.  IN the fall of 1833, Mr. Jones commenced his common school course in a schoolhouse near his home, and continued going to school there during the winter season up to the spring of 1849.  In the fall of 1849 he took charge of Concord School, in Loyalhanna Township and taught a term of six months.  In 1850 he taught a five month term at Harmony Independent School. 

         In 1851 and 1852, Mr. Jones taught the Concord School again.  In 1854 he took charge of the Porter Run School, where he had received his primary education, and during the time he had charge of Porter Run School in Salem Township he also taught four summer terms at Concord, and from the fall of 1863 until the spring of 1869 he had charge of this school.  In 1869 he was elected superintendent of the common schools of the county for three years at a salary of $800 per year.  In 1872, he was re-elected without opposition and his salary increased to $1500.

         Mr. Jones insisted that English grammar should take up some of the exclusive attention then given to mental arithmetic and within a few years he was gratified to see the fruits of his efforts all over the county.  He also early advocated a uniformity in text-books throughout the county.

         An article preserved from a newspaper tells of a successful term of school at Concord taught by Dr. J.D. Orr it said that he taught a six months term without having a rod in the house or even a cross word spoken.  It is added in the behalf of Mr. Orr that there was not another teacher in the county who worked any harder than he did to prompt the interests of his school.  It was also added that this school several years previous was counted among the worst in the county.

         At the close of the term the scholars gave a free exhibition, which was a credit to themselves as well as their teachers.  It was one of the grandest entertainments ever given in this part of the county.  The program consisted of declamations, recitations and essays, original orations and comics.  The music was furnished by the Saltsburg String band, which was acknowledged one of the best in the county.  Notwithstanding the rough evening the house was filled with a large and appreciative audience.

         Concord School was used for other purposes.  Before the church was built at Fenneltown, Rev. R.P. Thomas was engaged to preach for the people in this community in Concord School every two weeks, in the afternoon commencing December 4, 1858 which continued to January 29, 1860.  Singing school and literacy society were also held in the school.  For many years teachers from this community and those near came to Concord to take the teacher’s examinations which were given by the county superintendent.  The independent school district was discontinued in 1911 and from that time Concord School has been a part of Loyalhanna Township.


Written by Miss Mary Bash, c. 1925

Teachers of the Concord School 1858-1953

Complied by Miss Mary Bash, c. 1925
Fall 1848                                                                                          Mr. Thomas Johnson

Spring 1849                                                                                          Mr. John Keibler

Fall 1849                                                                                          Miss Annie Gillbraith

                                                                                                            Mr. Prugh

Fall 1849 – 1852                                                                                          Mr. Henry M. Jones

1852 – 1863                                                                                           Unknown

1863 – 1869                                                                                          Mr. Henry M. Jones

1869 – 1879                                                                                          Dr. Bell

(exact dates unknown)                                                                        Mr. W.J. Larimer

                                                                                                            Dr. William Johnson

                                                                                                            Mr. A.M.M. Dornam

                                                                                                            Mr. Alexander

                                                                                                            Mr. Leathers

                                                                                                            Miss Sadie Ralston

                                                                                                            Miss Sara Gordon

                                                                                                            Mr. Scott

                                                                                                            Mr. Murry Woods

1879 – 1880                                                                                          Dr. J.D. Orr

1880 – 1881                                                                                          Dr. J.D. Orr and Mr. R.I. Wilson

1881 – 1882                                                                                          Mr. W.A. Hensel

1882 – 1886                                                                                           Mr. Henry M. Jones

1886 – 1887                                                                                          Mr. J.B. McIntyre

1887 – 1888                                                                                          Mr. W. S. Finney

1888 – 1889                                                                                          Mrs. Lida Rummel Helman

1889 – 1890                                                                                          Mr. C.H. Beighley

1890 -  1891                                                                                          Mrs. Blanche Waddell Reardon

1891 – 1892                                                                                          Mrs. Margaret Hensel Groomes

1892 – 1894                                                                                          Mrs. Lyde Paul McKowen

1894 – 1895                                                                                          Mrs. Nellie Wolfe Jones

1895 – 1896                                                                                          Mrs. Ella Elliott Hudson

1896 – 1897                                                                                          Mrs. Alice Marsh

1897 – 1898                                                                                          Mrs. Ella Elliott Hudson

1898 – 1899                                                                                          Mrs. Nellie Wolfe Jones

1899 – 1901                                                                                          Mrs. Laura Elliott Kelly

1901 – 1903                                                                                          Miss Rebecca Fowler

1903 – 1905                                                                                          Mr. George W. Willard

1905 – 1908                                                                                          Mrs. Clara Beatty Graham

1908 – 1909                                                                                          Mrs. Firzah Beatty Fennell

1909 – 1910                                                                                          Mr. R.L. Alcorn

1910 – 1912                                                                                           Miss Virginia Waddle

1912 – 1913                                                                                          Mr. Arthur Kriner

1913 – 1914                                                                                           Miss Mary Wilson

1914 – 1916                                                                                          Mrs. Ruth Waddle Harris

1916 – 1917                                                                                          Mr. Lawrence K. Helman 
    (killed in Battle of Argonne Forest Nov. 1, 1918)

1917 – 1919                                                                                          Mrs. Louisa Laughlin Reynolds

1919 – 1920                                                                                          Miss Hazel Fennell

1920 – 1921                                                                                          Mrs. Blanche Haney Shaw

1921 – 1923                                                                                          Mrs. Florence Lafferty Adair

1923 – 1924                                                                                          Mrs. Cora Rupert

1924 – 1925                                                                                          Mrs. Hilda Wilson Plowman

1925 –                                                                                               Miss Mary J. Bash
The Concord School of 1848
A 501c3 Non-Profit Corporation
concordschool1848@gmail.com