COUNTDOWN TO 150 -- Sylvia, the teacher
Sylvia Broughten and her sister Lucy came to Marysville in 1871. They came to live with their brother, John Broughten, who was a Marysville lawyer. They both secured positions as teachers. Sylvia Broughten would marry Charles Koester five years later.
Sylvia’s appointment was announced by the Marshall County News on October 5, 1871. “Our public schools opened here on Tuesday morning, with Robt. A. Williams of New York, as principal, and Miss Sylvia Broughten as assistant. Mr. Williams, we understand, has some twelve years of experience in teaching, and comes among us highly recommended. Miss Broughten also has considerable experience in teaching.”
Sylvia and Mr. Williams received recognition for their efforts from the Marshall County News in 1872. In promoting the upcoming annual Spring exhibition, it wrote “The pupils of District School No. 4, Marysville, are preparing for an exhibition, to be given at the school hall on Friday evening the 29th of March. We express ourselves with all confidence when we say that it will repay anyone to attend this exhibition for Mr. Williams is by far the most studious and best fitted educator that as yet had charge of that institution of learning. And we can say no less of Miss Sylvia Broughten, who has charge of the Primary department.”
They again received accolades from the Marshall County News in 1874. In a March 23 article, “Last Friday evening, a few week ago, the pupils of Prof. Williams’ and Miss Sylvia Broughten’s public schools gave an exhibition in Waterson’s Hall, which was largely attended, and heartily enjoyed by all, especially the little ones. Prof. Williams and Miss Broughten have taught excellent schools, and the careful training of the children proves that fact.”
Sylvia returned to Illinois for a time and came back to Marysville for the Winter 1875 and Spring 1876 terms. She taught at the Tarvin School, a one-room schoolhouse north of Marysville. This school was later known as Pleasant Valley School.
In order to be close to the school, Sylvia boarded with the Widow Kister. Hers was not the most comfortable accommodation. Kister’s farmhouse was not plastered. Sylvia’s room was near the roof. Sylvia often remarked how very cold it was.
The building to the right in the picture above is the school in which Sylvia first taught. Situated upon an eminence overlooking Marysville and the countryside for miles around, this limestone building was built in 1866 for District No.4, Marysville. It replaced a small frame building which was built when District No. 4 was established in Marysville in 1861. The brick and limestone school building on the left was built in 1880.
