Millheim School

Memories of Millheim school by a former student. Ida Riniker Muery

The first building was destroyed by fire and a new building was built ¾ mile from the first building.  The building consisted of one room. The room contained long desks for 4 pupils to sit.  Underneath the desk was a shelf to keep the pupils books and slate.  On top of the desk was a pencil box and small ink bottle.  The four students sat on a long bench.  The main subjects were reading, writing, spelling, geography, and language.  German reading was taught three days a week and English reading two days a week.

Later the school consolidate with Bellville ISD.  A few of the students went to Bellville and some went to Sealy.  At that time there were 27 students in attendance.

History of Millheim school according to Leroy Grebe:

The first school at Millheim opened in 1850 in the home of F. Engelking with two students.  When word got out of the quality of teaching Matze provided, pupils from the neighborhood enrolled and students came from various locations.  A small school building was erected beside the Engelking home which soon became too small and a larger facility was built midway between Engelking and Kloss homes.

A Civil War soldier passing through Millheim burned the building down.  Hard times during and after the Civil War did not prevent Maetze from reopening a school on his front porch.

Dedicated to giving their children an education, the citizens of Millheim met and decided to rebuild the school house.  Some contributed money.  Some hauled lumber and others furnish labor.  In 1867 the school opened with 60 students enrolled.  Tuition was $20 dollar gold piece as paper money was worthless during this period.  Slates were used for writing and some paper was used and ink was made from oak gall balls.