Cadillac Evening News

December 5, 1933      

Rural School Histories

History of Soper School (Colfax District No. 2) 

By Aylis Housler

     It was in the early spring of 1868 when a team of oxen plodded through the thickly forested region now known as Soper. It was Mr. and Mrs. Charles Soper and family from Canada. They homesteaded the farm which now belongs to Mrs. L. Gaunt. 

     In the years of 1870-71 new settlers came to this district. Those among the first ones were Barkers who settled on the farm now known as Frank Fox's farm. Kenies settled on the place now known as Peter Graves farm. Gates homesteaded the farm now owned by Melvin Shannon and Houslers on Ross Fenton's farm.   

     Dances were held at Charles Soper's every Saturday night. People came from ?? farm (now owned by Mrs. L. Gaunt). It was decided to call the school "Soper School" because Soper were the first to come to this district.  

     It was also decided among the settlers to start school the latter part of August and have nine months of school.

     By the last of August 1874, school had started with Miss Viola Housler as teacher. It wasn't compulsory for them to go to school but they could go if they wished and it was satisfactory with their parents. There were about six pupils who attended daily and sometimes more.

     In the year of 1875 the school was constructed and built out of ??

     The soil around this district is made of mostly sandy loam.

     Charles H. Housler was the last person to be buried in the Soper cemetery.

     Miss Hofstra is our teacher this year not knowing who our next teacher will be.

Source: Colfax Township Clerk, Cadillac, MI 49601 - July 16, 2011