Teacher's Common School Certificate for John C. Phelps given at Lancaster, Ohio, 1900. The middle of the pages shows his exam results. It has minimal decoration and is printed in black.
From top to bottom it reads, "Teacher's Common School Certificate. Class 5. 12 months. Fairfield County, Ohio. The undersigned School Examiners of Fairfield County, Ohio, having examined John. C. Phelps, Hereby Certify, that he possesses an adequate knowledge of the Theory and Practice of Teaching, and is qualified to teach Orthography, Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Geography, English, Grammar, United States History and Civil Government, Physiology and Hygiene, Stimulants and Narcotics, and that he has furnished satisfactory evidence of Good Moral Character. This Certificate to be valid 12 months from date. Given at Lancaster, Ohio, and dated this 17th day of March A. D. 1900. Singed by president W. J. Dunn, clerk S. J. Wolfe, and H. C. Bailey."