Twin Oak School History - 1941-1951
Compiled by
Doris (Langwell) Barham

My sister, Nadine and brother, Arliss Gene and I began our school year at Twin Oak
in 1941. We had previously attended Ferguson School.
Mr. Fred Williams was principal. He and his wife, Nadine. were teachers as well as
other teachers (I cannot recall their names).
My second year my teacher Miss Geneva Stubbs. drove to school in a one horse
shea. She lived on highway 9 directly south of Twin Oak. However, the road did not go all
the way to the highway, thus she drove west to 99 to 9 and east two miles to her home.
She also brought a nephew, Floyd Lee Stubbs. who was a polio victim. I was given the
opportunity to help him as he was slower than the rest of the class.
One day after school, Frances Weiliver and I rode with Miss Stubbs to meet Frances"
father. What a treat it was to ride and visit with her.
My sister, Nadine, graduated in 1945 and then attended Varnum where she
graduated from high school. My brother. Arliss Gene, quit school in the latter part of his
eighth grade. I graduated from Twin Oak in 1949. My eighth grade class consisted of two
students, Mary Ellen Wilcox and I.

The area of the Twin Oak School consisted of a Groundskeeper's house (4 rooms)
on the southwest corner of the property on the outside of the chain link fence. The school
lay on the southeast corner. To the northeast was the well house, which still stands today.
To the north and between the school and the well house a teacherage stood. West of the
teacherage was the storm cellar. (Scary- many supplies were kept there). One stormy day
we were herded into the cellar. The water was between ankle and knee deep, dark and
musty. I was not going, but Mr. Williams took me under his arm and carried me (crying and
upsetting the other students). I told him our father never made us go to the cellar. He
opened the cellar door and sent me home. Water on the bridge, a mile east was
overflowing and I waded up to my knees.

A duplex was west of the cellar. The east 1/2 of the duplex, at times, housed teachers,
cooks, the Barretts and the McDonalds. On the west stood the camel barns, a portion
of which still stands today. Miss Stubbs kept her pony and shea in the camel barns.
The playground (swings and such) was in the back of the school.
After the Williams (World War II was in full swing). Mr. Paul Martin and Dan
Risenhoover, who previously taught at Ferguson were to teach. Mr. Paul Martin, was to
principal, however. Uncle Sam stepped in and inducted them into the service. Their wives
ended up teaching that year.
as did Mrs. Cannon. Her husband was principal at Twin Oak.
Mr. Mace was next principal with his wife as a teacher, they taught for two years. They
were wonderful, young, caring teachers.
Mr. Owens was next in line as principal/teacher. His wife, a gifted pianist, also taught.
For the first time in school we had piano lessons. I graduated under Mr. Owens' teaching.
I have no recollection as to what year Mrs. Hill began teaching. I believe she was there until
the school was terminated.
The first janitor at school (that I recall) was Mr. McDougal. After that Mr. Woods and
his family lived in the groundskeeper/janitor house for several years. Mrs. Winifred Barrett
lived in the east side of the duplex and was the cook for several years. The other side
housed the cafeteria. Because of annexation the school attendance dropped from
approximately 100, my first year. to about 30. my last year.

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