Person:Mary Fink (41)

"The first school no. of Spoon R. was conducted by Mary Fink in a shed adjoining the home of Peter Jones, Father of John Jones, present postmaster." --family records Also, from the History of Maquon in the Centennial Maquon Homecoming publication, Sept 13 and 14, 1957, p. 5: "Prior to this time, school had been conducted first, in 1836, in a shed adjoining the residence of Peter Jones, on the property where J.S. White now lives. Miss Mary Fink was the first teacher and the only textbook was the Holy Bible." The History of Maquon and Vicinity, 1827-1976, says that Peter Jones' home was at 422 Main St. where the school was held. Yet another entry on page 40 of the same book says: "The first school was taught in Maquon in 1836. It was supported by subscriptions and conducted in a shed adjoining the house of Peter Jones, in the sourthwest part of the village. The teacher, Miss Mary Fink, taught reading and writing, but no ciphering. Textbooks were Webster's Spelling Book and the New Testament. Writing was done on precious and well-cared for unlined foolscap, with ink home-made from white oak, copperas, and oxgall and chicken quill pens." Note: According to my dictionary, foolscap is a size of paper, about 14 by 17 inches, originally watermarked with a fool's cap and bells. According to the 1912 Perry "History of Knox County", page 452, "It is said by some of Miss Fink's pupils that she could read and write but could not cipher."

1. ↑ Bible of Viola Helen Jones family in collection of Barbara McCoy.