The lessons that Florence Hertel Farek learned at a two-room country school in Freyburg, Texas, still make her smile. In the 1930s, the Schulenburg, Texas, resident, who turns 95 tomorrow, lived on a farm in the rural South Central Texas community. Most of the kids, who spoke only German or Bohemian at home, learned English in the first grade.
Florence says the pupils not only learned reading, writing and arithmetic, but also valuable skills for living.
Lesson 1 – Develop grit!
“They didn’t raise any sissies in those days,” Florence says.
“My two older brothers, Melvin and Nolan, and I walked two miles to school and back to our farm every day. The ruts on that road got knee-deep. Sometimes the rains made them virtually impassable in the winter. Then Dad would hitch up the buggy and drive us to school.
“My brothers did a lot of puddle jumping while I walked around them. Some of my classmates missed days of school because the roads were so bad that they couldn’t get there.”
Florence remembers the girls wore dresses or skirts and blouses. Elastic garters held up their long cotton stockings.
“If it was really cold, you couldn’t feel your knees by the time you arrived at school,” she adds. “We’d race in to warm up at the big round heater.”
Rural schools like Freyburg didn’t have indoor plumbing, so quick trips to the outhouse on the edge of the schoolyard were necessary at recess and lunchtime. “My first-grade teacher, Audrey Bailey, sprinkled some good smelling stuff in the girls’ outhouse, so we always let her go first.”
Lesson 2 – Find your comfort zone!
During Florence’s school days, the Freyburg community consisted of a cotton gin, dance hall and small store, Methodist and Lutheran churches and their respective cemeteries and public and Lutheran schools. These buildings were spread well apart rather than grouped in the rolling, partially wooded countryside.
Several years before Florence started school, a new three-room wooden structure opened on Sept. 24, 1928. This new schoolhouse had two classrooms with an open space between them that could have served as a third had enrollment warranted it. The structure was the pride and focal point of the community. Folding doors opened to make one large room for special events.
The children hung their jackets on hooks in the cloakroom and put their lunchboxes on the shelf above. In November 1929, a sanitary drinking fountain consisting of two bubblers was installed in the new school. The following March, a paper magazine rack, a bulletin board and something called a sand table were added to the Freyburg School. There was also a flagpole on the grounds.
The school got a piano in 1930. Some years later, after taking lessons from her teacher Florence enjoyed playing for Christmas concerts. There was always at least one play in the evening event attended by the entire community.
The Hertel family had a piano at home, but Florence’s mother, Callie, could only play the black keys. Florence wishes she had thought to ask her parents where the piano came from and why her mother only played the flat and sharp keys.
Lesson 3 – Make the best of it!
“My lunch pail rarely held a surprise. In the winter months, Mother would pack a slice of ham or a sausage and some bread. We’d have jam sandwiches in the fall and spring. She had to make do with whatever she had on hand.
“Sometimes the pickings were very slim. A few of the kids had to settle for lard sandwiches because their mothers had nothing else,” she adds.
During the dark days of the Great Depression, Florence remembers one great excitement when the government sent a big box of raisins to the school. The tasty, unexpected allotment was doled out in cones that the students and teachers fashioned out of sheets of paper.
Thinking about the years when Mr. Bartram taught at Freyburg reminded Florence of a certain incident.
“Mr. Bartram would bring all the classes together on Friday mornings and we would sing. One morning, I was participating like everyone else and then I woke up on the floor. I had passed out cold.
“I, along with the rest of the students, had no idea what had happened. Mr. Bartram picked me up, sat me in a school desk and everybody went back to singing. No big deal!”
Lesson 4 – Be a good sport!
At recess and after eating at lunchtime, Florence and her friends looked forward to rushing outside to play games and run off pent-up energy.
“There was Red Rover, chin-the-bar, tag, playing on the see-saw and other games that we made up. We learned to have fun indoors, too, like making tractors out of empty thread spools that we raced,” Florence recalls.
Team sports always had been important for the area’s country schools. The students called themselves the Freyburg Tigers. Baseball and volleyball tournaments were significant events, especially the playoffs against area schools such as High Hill, Abbots Grove, Rock Ridge and Scott.
Florence remembers that a huge dust storm blew in during one of the long-anticipated events being played at Freyburg School, putting a damper on a special day.
“Those sports days were a holiday for the students. Moms and Dads came, too, and brought the little ones who were too young to go to school,” she recalls.
Lesson 5 – Don’t embarrass the teacher!
A good student, Florence caught on fast and didn’t find much of her schoolwork a challenge. As she got older, she was regularly called on to help other students. Occasionally, she even filled in for a teacher who was absent for the day. Florence took that responsibility seriously.
One day, Florence drew the teacher’s ire because she solved a math problem on the blackboard that he had had difficulty completing. When she got home from school, the teacher’s car was parked in the Hertel’s yard and he was speaking to her father, Edmund.
“I don’t know what was said because I went around back and came into the house through the kitchen. By that time, the teacher had driven off. My dad never mentioned what they’d talked about and I never asked,” Florence says.
With a wink, she adds, “But you have to remember that I was Daddy’s girl!”
Mr. Hertel, who had served on the school board a long time, was accustomed to soothing ruffled feathers. Jeanette, Florence’s sister, was eight years younger than she was, so Mr. and Mrs. Hertel had kids at the Freyburg School for about 15 consecutive years.
As time marched on, country schools began to close due to decreased enrollment, improved roads and greater educational opportunities in centralized town schools. Freyburg School was one of them. After becoming part of the Schulenburg Independent School District in 1946, only six grades were taught at Freyburg School.
In 1952, the buildings, students and teachers all moved to Schulenburg. (Florence notes the closing date currently pasted on the school marker with silver stick-on letters is incorrect.)
Lesson 6 – Never stop learning!
Florence, a loving wife and mother, and avid community volunteer, never had the opportunity to graduate from high school. Nevertheless, her country education took her a long way.
In 1998, with skill, courage and determination, Florence published World War II Memoirs. It is an extensive collection of first-person interviews with Schulenburg and area World War II veterans.
A chapter written by Florence’s sister, Jeanette, is dedicated to their older brother, Melvin. Tragically, he died when his plane crashed into a lake in France on Nov. 11, 1943. Tech Sergeant Melvin Hertel was one of several former Freyburg pupils who lost their lives over a short period in 1944-45 in World War II.
When I asked why she gathered the veterans’ stories, Florence replied, “Somebody needed to.
“These men fought their way through the dust in Africa, knee-deep snow in Europe and the steaming jungles of the Pacific. The stories are as varied as the men who told them.
“Some of their memories are quite vivid; others had dimmed with the passage of time.”
Florence went on to author several other non-fiction books, but World War Memoirs is her finest effort. The veterans she featured and their families were thrilled. In 1999, the American Legion and Auxiliary Post 143 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5623 in Schulenburg presented her with a commemorative plaque expressing their thanks.
Lesson 7 – Never stop helping others!
When I was approached about writing more local first-person veterans’ stories in 2013, I turned to Florence for counsel.
Our conversation was reminiscent of the old country school tradition where the older kids helped the younger students with their work. Florence sat me down, gave me a pep talk and, with her blessing, suggested I get busy. So that’s what I did.
Florence is my mentor, but more importantly, she is my friend.
Happy birthday dear Florence!
Readers, will you join me in wishing Florence a happy 95th birthday? Perhaps Florence’s memories remind you of a country school story.
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You might also enjoy some of my other posts about rural Texas life:
- The Old Philosopher of New Dubina - March 10, 2023
- Farewell to the Farm - February 17, 2023
- Feeding Winston’s Cows in 1973 - January 20, 2023
What a wonderful story, Elaine, and a Happy Birthday to Florence! I, too, enjoyed the benefits of a one-room school up into the 6th grade. It was a Catholic school, taught by nuns, in rural Clarksville, Ark., in the foothills of the Ozark mountains. What a learning experience! We listened to all the grade’s lessons. And we advanced at our own pace. I was 9 years old in the 6th grade when we moved to Raymondville, Texas. There were 3 of us in the 6th grade so classes didn’t take very long before the teacher moved to the next grade. By then I knew everything up through the 8th grade, having absorbed the other grade’s lessons. It also helped that my single mom, a nurse, paid the nuns a little extra to watch over me and my little brother until she got off work (“Here, Neal, take a look at this geography book until your mom gets here.”) I write about this in my memoir that is due out late next month (and I sure appreciate all you are doing on our behalf. Hope to meet and chat with you soon). Again, thank you for helping us get to know Florence through your great story-telling. –Neal
Neal, you and Florence are both a credit to the one or two-room country schools that provided several generations with an education. Education was considered a privilege! I didn’t realize you also lived in Raymondville. My husband is from San Benito. Looking forward to reading the entire story of your life! Thanks for writing.
Thank you Elaine for a wonderful story. Happy Birthday to you Florence. In the late 1990’s Florence filled me in on many things that happened at the Freyburg United Methodist Church, not only fun stories but lots of history. I thank you for many years of friendship, Florence. What a milestone to reach! Junette
Junette, you’re so right, Florence’s gift of friendship has been a great blessing to many. She has always enjoyed sharing her memories and we enjoyed hearing them.
Happy birthday, Florence! Thank you for sharing your childhood memories and reminding me of my early school days! I was blessed to spend 4 school years at the last functioning two-room school house in western New York before a merger moved the students to a larger, nearby town. Thankfully we had indoor plumbing and a bus to get students to and from school.
You, too, are a member of that ‘elite’ group who attended a country school that later closed when consolidation took place! I hope you have some photos somewhere. I know Florence will appreciate this memory that you’ve shared and your good wishes. Thank you.
Elaine, please pass on a happy birthday to Florence from me. Your story was very interesting and reminded me of a rural school in Sweet Home, Texas. My wife’s mother was a teacher. The school is still there but I’m not sure of the grades. We have a house in the small community and pass by it. Thanks for your stories. –Jim
Thanks, Jim, I will certainly see that Florence receives your good wishes. Yes, I’m sure that country school in Sweet Home would have stories to tell, too. It’s always good to hear from you! Thanks.
Thank you for sharing Florence’s memories of lessons learned at her Freyburg country school. Florence is a dear lady and I wish her happy 95th birthday! I didn’t know that our birthdays were close. My 71st was yesterday.
Happy belated birthday to you, Deb! Florence will be glad to know you remember her with great warmth. Hope you’ll celebrate all weekend.
Dear Elaine and Florence,
I loved reading of Florence’s early school experiences. Having gone to Luck’s Country School at Black Jack Springs, Fayette County for my first three years of school, I also did a one room country school and loved my teacher, Eliza Lackey. I also relate to Neal Spelce’s comments of hearing and learning all classes material since we were all in the same room. German, Bohemian and Spanish was spoken at home by my fellow students, with English being our second language. Florence’s mother Callie, was the younger sister of my Grandmother Mary Klaevemann Koenig, so I have known Florence and her family my entire life and wish her a great 95th birthday. I have her books and am proud of her work. Recently I have not been able to email her, so I miss that correspondence. I loved the school pictures and will try to get Florence to let me know names of some of her school mates in addition to her brothers. Great article bringing back many school and family memories. Thank you!
Rodney Koenig
Thank you, Rod! Florence will be delighted to hear from you because you are not only related but have so much in common. Florence provided me with the names of the students, so I can share those with you. I, too, am proud of Florence’s work and am in awe of her determination to tell those veterans’ stories. Little snippets she has shared with me about the process of gathering the stories are heart-rendering.
Loved your story about Florence. I saw her pic in the sticker yesterday congratulating her on her 95th. Sweet lady!!
I remember shopping at her clothing store in S’burg and attended school with her girls.
My mother lives on Hertel Rd. Interesting.
Wishing Mrs. Farek good health, joy and happiness.
Thank you, Rhonda. Florence has always been a go-getter who enjoys the company of others. I also hope that she continues to enjoy good health, joy and happiness. I appreciate you sharing your memories of her!
A wonderful story. Happy Birthday Florence.
Thanks, Maureen. I will pass along your good wishes to Florence.
Happy Birthday, Florence! Elaine, I NOW think this is my favorite of all your stories. I realize I change my mind often to “update” my favorites! It reminds me so much of my own school days when I began attending first grade in September, 1949, in the Carthage “schoolhouse” in Dallas County, Arkansas. All 12 grades were housed there with the stage and auditorium dividing the elementary 1-6 grades from the upper grades 7-12. As in Freyburg, we only had a few teachers with several teaching two or more grades and subjects. I had 9 teachers total. Yet, out of my class of 17, one became owner of his State Farm Insurance company in Hobbs, NM; one became vice president of Anthony Products (largest timber company in the state); one became top sales LADY at one of the 5 largest Chevrolet dealerships in the state; one became a pilot for Continental Airlines, “Other Brenda”, the friend I often mention in columns, is president of Fulkerson & Co. and owns 118,000 acres, making her the largest property owner in Pulaski County–North Little Rock can develop no further East without going through her land; and two of us became high school teachers in large districts. Schools like Freyburg and Carthage might have been small and lacked many of the social frills and subjects offered by larger school districts, but they offered QUALITY education!
Brenda, you and your fellow students certainly made a name for yourselves and your school! What a bunch of high achievers. I’m also impressed that you keep in touch and know about each other’s lives. It does, indeed, sound like Freyburg and Carthage, share the same distinction – small but mighty, offering a quality education for those who were passionate about learning.
Happy Birthday–you are always great on local history. My grandmother’s family started out in Freyburg, Schlottmann/Bruns=Lillie Schlottmann, before moving south of Schulenburg & meeting/marrying Jesse Schaefer..
Thanks, Bonnie! I’m glad you enjoyed this story. I know you have a lot of your own that are very interesting, too. Maybe someday we can visit!
Elaine–What a wonderful story. It reminds me of my parent’s stories of their school days. The one room school that my mother attended is still standing. In fact, she’s buried in the cemetery by the school.
Thanks, Bev! How neat that the school is still standing and there’s a cemetery nearby. Is the school a community center and was there (or is there) a church at the same location? I’m sure you never return to East Texas without visiting the graves of your people.
Happy Birthday, Florence! I remember sharing Schulenburg stories with you at the dinner table at Regency several times back in 2016. You are amazing. What a wealth of local knowledge you possess. I have your “World War Two Memoirs” and learned some impressive facts from it, particularly regarding medals some of the men earned. And thank you, Elaine, for capturing the story of the Freyburg school and its students.
Good to hear from you, Gus. I know it will make Florence’s day to read your comments.
Happy 95th birthday to sweet friend, Florence! What an inspiration she has been to me and many! My parents (Arthur and Hilda Stichler Graf) shared many stories about their days in one-room schoolhouses and the many challenges they faced just to attend school. My cousin Marvin Stichler is included in several of the Freyburg school photos. Cousin Marvin and Florence were wonderful friends through the years. Elaine, thank you so much for sharing Florence’s story in such a delightful way! Always looking forward to your next story.
Inspiration is a good choice of words to use to describe Florence! Your cousin Marvin gave me the photo of the ‘new’ Freyburg School years ago when I was researching Recollections and Recipes. I was pleased to give him credit for that too. Thanks for the vote on confidence on my stories, Darlene. All the best!
I DO LOOK FORWARD TO READING YOUR STORIES OF YEARS GONE BY. YOUR LATEST ONE ALSO REMINDED ME OF MY SCHOOLDAYS AND I WISH I COULD GO BACK IN TIME. YES, THERE WERE HARD TIMES THEN BUT WE CARRIED ON AND DID THE BEST WE COULD AND HELPED ONE ANOTHER, BUT I’M AFRAID THOSE DAYS HAVE LONG GONE. YES, IN SOME RESPECTS LIFE HAS IMPROVED BUT I STILL YEARN FOR MY SCHOOLDAYS AND RUNNING ERRANDS FOR MY BELOVED GRANDPARENTS AND FORMER NEIGHBOURS. ANYWAY, GIVE MY REGARDS AND BEST WISHES TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
RON GOODALL, UNITED KINGDOM
Hello from Texas, Ronald. How nice to receive your message from the United Kingdom. Isn’t it wonderful to have good memories? Those youthful experiences influenced the people we are today. Thanks for reading!
Fascinating to read the varied responses from your readers. I was from the other side of the story: my mother taught in a one-room schoolhouse at Nechanitz. Although she lived with her parents (Otto and Hulda Hagemann), she “roomed” during the week with a family in the area, thus assuring that she could be present to teach during bad weather. She came to love that family like relatives, telling many stories about her times with them. And a happy 95th to Florence. Thanks for giving your readers that opportunity.
Elva Keilers
La Grange, TX
Hello Elva and thanks for sharing the story of your mother’s teaching career in a one-room school at Nechanitz. She must have been a very brave young woman! I truly enjoyed seeing the word ‘roomed’ used in this context because it’s like – ‘boarded.’ They are treasured, old fashioned descriptions now.
Happy birthday and here’s to many more. I worked on Fayette county schools for the Historical Commission. I would love to have the names of the students in her pictures. Also looked for her book but unable to find one. Need to check with the library. As always, I love your articles. Thanks for your hard work.
Thanks, Gesine! I know Florence will appreciate your good wishes. I’ll be back in touch with locations where Florence’s books are available locally. You’re going to love her work!
I am so glad you are collecting community stories. This one is priceless.
Thanks, Marie. Florence is a gem!
Every person touches his community; some make an imprint on thousands.
Florence Farek is just such a lady. My wife and I moved to Fayette County Texas in 2004; one of the first people to make a wonderful impression on us was Florence; part of that imprint was her church in Freyburg, another fraction was her political “awareness”. When I heard about her veterans book, I got a copy, since it was part of a memory for my dad, who had served in the WW2 Pacific Navy fleet as an aviation machinist’s mate.
Florence’s recollections about small school training is also a reminder to us that even today, with schools like Flatonia, Schulenburg and Weimer, children can receive excellent instruction that will last a lifetime, resulting in wide benefits to a nation. My wife and I both attended small High Schools with 60 to 90 graduates, and we both still honor the names of those teachers who left their mark on us.
You’re so right about Florence’s influence on the lives of others. She continues to leave footprints on our hearts at the age of 95.