About  the  year  1837,  there  was  a  log  schoolhouse  erected  at
Biu'lington.  and,  in  the  winter  of  1839-40.  school  was  taught  in
a  cabin  on  the  farm  of  Robert  Johnson.  This  cabin  had  been
erected  prior  to  Mr.  Johnson's  arrival  in  the  settlement,  a  year
before,  and  was  probably  occupied  as  a  dwelling  house  by  one  of
those  restless  spirits  found  in  every  settlement,  but  never  remain-
ing long  enough  in  one  place  to  identify  themselves  with  its  his-
tory. Log  buildings  were  erected  for  schoolhouses  at  various
times  subsequent  to  this  date,  and  in  different  parts  of  the  town-
ship. The  latter  had  been  divided  into  school  districts  by  the
Trustees,  and  a  house  was  erected  in  each  district.  The  public
money  belonging  to  the  township  was  partially  applied  in  pay-
ment of  the  school  exjjenses,  thus  relieving  the  patrons  of  the
schools  from  the  whole  burden  of  their  support.
In  1853,  the  schools  of  this  township  tii'st  began  to  be  con-
ducted according  to  the  provisions  of  the  public  school  law.  which
came  into  effect  with  the  revised  constitution  of  1851-52.  By
this  law,  the  fi-ee  schools  were  inaugm-ated,  and  the  Trustees  em-
powered to  levy  a  tax  for  their  maintenance  and  the  erection  of
houses  in  each  township.  From  their  inception  to  the  jiresent,
the  free  schools  have  been  marked  by  a  wonderful  progress,  until
it  seems  the  maximum  of  perfection  has  been  attained.  In  this
township  there  are  nine  school  districts,  in  each  of  which  there  is
a  substantial  building.  O'  this  number,  seven  ai-e  brick  and  two
are  frame  houses.  The  value  of  school  property.  iiii-l\i4iiiL;'  lunsrs,
gi'ounds,  school  apparatus,  etc.,  is $9,150,  DuringUic'>r|i(„,|  \ ,  n-,,!
1880-81.  the  total  number  of  pupils  admitted  into  the  ^chndKcf  (In.
