The  introduction  of  the  present  system  of  free  schools  marked
an  important  era  iu  the  educational  history  of  the  township,  and
if  the  tax  for  their  maintenance  at  first  met  some  opposition  at
the  polls,  all  objections  were  soon  removed  as  the  advantages  of
improved  educational  facilities  and  better  teachers  began  to  man-
ifest themselves.  The  schools  are  very  justly  a  matter  of  pride
to  the  citizens  of  the  township,  and  no  tax  is  more  cheerfully  paid
than  that  by  which  they  are  suppported.  There  are  nine  districts
in  the  township,  each  supplied  with  a  substantial  school  build-
iug.  At  Rockiield.  a  two-story  brick  building  was  erected  in
1873,  at  a  cost  of  about  $4,000,  and,  in  the  following  year,  school
was  taught  in  the  lower  story  of  the  building,  the  grades  being  a
primary  and  an  advanced  department.  Diu-ing  the  next  yeai-,  the
upper  story  was  completed,  since  which  time  the  school  has  been
divided  into  thi-ee  departments  or  grades.  Bailey  Martin  was
the  Principal  at  the  last  term  (closing  in  April,  1881),  and  Misses
Bettie  Kempfler  and  Addie  Williamson  were  the  assistant  teach-
ers. The  following  abstract  from  the  annual  report  of  the
Trustee  exhibits  the  condition  of  the  schools  in  the  township:

Number  of  pupils  admitted  within  the  year,  53(5;  average
daily  attendance,  249:  number  of  disU-icts  in  which  school  is
taught,  9;  average  compensation  of  teachers  per  day,  males,
S'2.23;  females,  11.80;  estimated  value  of  schoolhouses,  gi'ounds,
etc.,  19,890;  estimated  value  of  school  apparatus,  $300.
