From History of Madison County, W. H. Beers & Co, Chicago, 1883
The educational system of this township compares favorably, we think with those of other townships. And taking into consideration the fact that this township was erected so late as 1856, and many portions of it for many years quite sparsely settled, we think the present good condition of its schools speaks well for the moral standing and enterprise of its citizens. The township is divided in five subdistricts, as follows: District No. 1 has a good new house erected on the London & California pike, on the northeast corner of the Chrisman land. The enumeration of scholars in this district, in October, 1880, was 48; District No. 2, on Turkey Run, was 37; District No. 3, in the Higgins neighborhood, 71; District No. 4, in the Foster neighborhood, 40; District No. 5, on the Jesse Rea farm, 23; total enumeration, 219. Total receipts of all funds on hand for school purposes, September 1, 1879. $3,920.39; total paid teachers and for expenses, $2,084.71; balance on hand, September 1, 1880, $1,835.68.