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By ROBERT C. GEHL (La Crosse Tribune Staff Writer) BARRE MILLS, Wis.—William H. Wehrs, 81, feels that ‘‘things, have certainly changed’ in the 50 years that he has served as clerk of Sunnymede School Dist. He will lose his position July 1 when the school becomes part of the West Salem High School District under the state law. The school is located on High way M about three miles east of here in the Town of Barre. Wehrs still lives on the nearby farm where he was born Oct. 25, 1880. He was reared on the same farm and spent all his life there. He also attended Sunnymede School as a youngster. The school district was organ ized in 1865 and the same build ing is still used, although it has been remodeled and modernized. There are currently 10 children attending the school. Wehrs recalls that he was first elected clerk in July 1908, which was also the year he was mar ried. He recalls that he had missed the school meeting and ‘'they’’ came and got him in a horse and buggy to give the meeting a quor um. He figures they had ‘“‘figured” his election before they picked him up. He first served on the school board and as its clerk with D. C. Miller and Fritz Stoetekluh. He recalls that the school budget that year totaled $250. The teacher was paid $35 monthly for an eight-month term, but Wehrs says the board paid more than most to get a good teacher. There were three members on the board and each functioned either as director, clerk or treas urer. Wehrs recalls the wooden benches, wood-burning stove, wa ter pail and dipper, slate and chalk and the kerosene lamps available for lighting but seldom used. Water for drinking had to be carried a half-mile, as Wehrs was out of office for only one three-year term, beginning in 1951, and that was because of ill health. He and other school board mem bers with long service records were honored in a special cere mony in 1956 before the grand stand at the Wisconsin State, Fair. Mr. and Mrs. Wehrs have six children. They are Elmer and Wil liam of La Crosse, Weiton, rural Bangor, Maynard, on the farm home, Mrs. Walter (Dorothy) Gin ther, Melrose, and Mrs. Robert (Margaret) Eckelberg, Winona. Wehrs is not the only member of the board with long service. Director Elmer Jaekel has served 25 years and Treasurer El mer Schomberg 15 years. Wehrs was honored Friday night at the school for his long service, —Tribune Photo WILLIAM H. WEHRS Same Job 50 Years.
Newspaper Details
La Crosse Sunday Tribune
La Crosse, Wisconsin, US
Sun, May 20, 1962
Page 6
Full Page
Clipped by
James B.
USA 21 May 2026
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