History of the Ovid School
For a few months in 1866, an Indian scare caused the residents of Ovid to move to Paris while the men build a fort in Ovid, near where the school building presently stands. Once fortified, the residents returned to Ovid and began to expand the town, first building a log community building that served as the LDS church, and a gathering place for social and government uses such as for schooling, elections. Most of the settler’s everyday life was accomplished thru communal efforts, and social activities were important also, with many dances, where Christian Peterson was would entertain with his talents on the violin and accordion.
School attendance grew to as many as 22 students. Isaac Tunks Sr. being the first school teacher in Ovid from 1867 until 1877 when he died. Ovid started its school system in 1867 upon completion of the first meeting house. Isaac Tunks taught 22 different students and managed to keep them from tearing the small building down. Tunks said his students were from seven to 25. Each term was for a period of six weeks and it was not until 1875, when the state of Idaho organized the county, that the school term lasted longer. His grandson Sam Van Tunks was the first college graduate from Ovid
Teachers:
Issac Tunks 1867-1877
1880
1888-Elizabeth Sorenson & Mary Jensen
1893-Emily Olsen
1899-Minnie Peterson & Mary Ann Houck
1900-Elizabeth Sorenson
1909-Oliver Cowdery Dunford & Lottie Elizabeth Raymond
1910-Sam Van Tunks
Laura Marie Parker-1950
1950-1960 Edris Beck
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Montpelier Examiner, Friday, 18 January 1901, page 14
The same distance west of Montpelier as Bennington is north, is Ovid, a community made up largely of Danish and German people, the latter living a short distance away at Berne (sic). All of these people are rustlers and careful in their business affairs. As a result they have plenty of this world's goods and to spare. Recently they have built a fine meeting house and this summer they followed up the work of putting up a new school house, to take the place of one burned down some time ago. One general store provides the people with goods.
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Montpelier Examiner, Friday, 1 February 1901, page 4
School Money-January apportionment to Bear Lake County Schools from County Funds: Ovid # of children-135; $295.94
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Montpelier Examiner, Friday, 2 August 1901, page 8
There was a very poor attendance of school trustees at the special meeting held in the court house at Paris, July 20. Mrs. Evaline Rosenbaum of Ovid and John Olsen of Ovid represented their district.
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Montpelier Examiner, Friday, 8 October 1909
The public schools of Ovid will open on Oct 18 with O C Dunford and Lottie Raymond as teachers.
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Paris Post, Friday, 26 November 1909, page 3
L P Jensen, Clerk of School Board; Oliver C Dunford & Lottie Raymond-teachers
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The Montpelier Examiner, October 3, 1913
The Ovid School begun the year with three
teachers for the first time in its history. The enrollment at this time is
76. Mrs. Wilson with the first, second and third grade, had 24 pupils. J H
Wilson with the fourth, fifth and sixth grades, had 22 pupils. Efficiency
is the watch word of the school this year.
(Note; the article does not name the third teacher)
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Montpelier Examiner, Friday, 24 April 1914, page 1
The Ovid schools closed on Saturday, April 18. The primary and intermediate grades had a candy pull and other enjoyable things on the last day. The 7th and 8th grades closed by degrees. As the pupils completed their examinations, they were excused and like a lamp there was a flicker and out it went. Referring to the 7th and 8th grades, the strongest pupil of the latter grade was Spencer Sorenson; the steadiest and most consistent was Louise Hoppert; the most progress was Rulon Beck; the most capable was Leora Peterson.
In the 7th grade Lester Nelson was the strongest and most consistent pupil. Second place was Elvira Peterson. Merinda Sorenson showed most progress with Mitchell Beck second. Burgetta Olson took the prize for spelling.
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News Examiner, Thursday, 14 September 1939, page 8
Edris Harrison of Downey resumed her duties as teacher Monday in the Ovid school.
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News Examiner, Thursday, 1 December 1966, page 14
OLD OVID SCHOOL HOUSE for Sale; 1/2 acres. Contact Bishop Wayne D Johnson. 847-0269