Guest Blogger- Grandpa A: Life In The Wisconsin Northwoods Beginning 1927, Janitor

Lessons Learned: Guest Blogger- Grandpa A

It All Happened In A One Room Country School: Janitor

Janitorial Service was done by students on a monthly basis; consisting of many responsibilities. The janitor was responsible for  opening the school at 7:30AM, building a fire in the stove when necessary, and keeping the wood fire going to heat the building. After school each day, the blackboards had to be washed, the waste paper baskets had to be emptied, the paper towel containers had to be filled, the drinking bubblers had to be emptied and cleaned, the floors had to be swept, and toilet paper had to be put in the outhouses as needed. The path to the school and to the outhouses had to be cleared of snow in the winter. The wood box in the school had to be kept full of wood. The water bubbler had to be kept full of water, which had to be pumped from the water pump in the pump house in front of the schoolhouse. At the end of the school day, the building had to be locked by the janitor. At the end of each month, the janitor needed to wash the floor and attend to other cleaning needs.  I served as the janitor for two years; during both fifth grade and sixth grade. The monthly compensation for the janitor was $6.00 for the spring and fall months and $8.00 for the winter months, with an additional $2.00 compensation for each end-of-the-month cleaning. This was big money in those days, and, in my case, it enabled me to buy a $21.95 red bike from Montgomery Ward. This new bike had a light on the front fender and a carrier for a passenger over the rear wheel. Nobody else had a new bike. I was a pretty lucky guy.

Lessons Learned... Abe Lincoln

Lessons Learned…

…From The Life Story Of A Great American Leader

In a cabin in Kentucky, he was born and he lived there for a while,

So much he never had, but he never felt that bad, for he was loved;

At seven on to Indiana, for new and better possibilities,

And though his momma died, Abe always tried, to do his very best.

From a cabin to the State House to the White House to the hearts of a nation, Abraham Lincoln.

From humble beginnings to the highest height in all the nation, Abraham Lincoln.

A mountain of a man, so tall and wise he’d stand.

In Illinois his family settled, when Abe was twenty-one,

He helped them build their home, then set out on his own, he worked so hard and long, he was so very strong;

Many jobs and always a good worker, his word was true, and he read all the time,

A lawyer he became, and honest was his name, he treated people well.

From a cabin to the State House to the White House to the hearts of a nation, Abraham Lincoln.

From humble beginnings to the highest height in all the nation, Abraham Lincoln.

A mountain of a man, so tall and wise he’d stand.

by darcy hill

So many great leaders have served this great country. Happy Birthday, America!