R. D. McGeehon

June 12th, 1852, R. D. McGeehon, Morris Hoblit and George Shannon arrived in the county. They came up through the southwestern portion of the county, having left the river at St. Joseph, Mo. They were all young, single men, and roamed over the hills and valleys of the county considerably before making claims and setting stakes. Mr. McGeehon took a claim near Turkey Grove and began to build a cabin immediately, cutting and hewing the logs---in fact doing all the work himself. The house still stands and is occupied by J. L. Smith, Esq. It was the first house in the county that had good large modern windows in it. The sash and glass were bought in Glenwood, Mills county, which then had about twenty cabins. Mr. McGeehon had just $52 when he landed. In the fall of 1852, after his house was completed and ready for occupancy, he went back to Logan county, Illinois, and was married to Miss Mary J. Hoblit. He returned with his wife at once, staging over four hundred miles. Their household furniture the first year was scanty enough, but they managed to get along. During the first six months of her residence at Turkey Grove Mrs. McGeehon saw but one person of her own sex. A very severe storm occurred in the winter of 1852, beginning December 17th, and continuing several days. Morris Hoblit was on his way from Turkey Grove to Glenwood for supplies, with an ox team, and it was with much difficulty that he kept from freezing to death. He was but five miles from his destination when the storm began or he certainly would have perished.

From "History of Cass County, Iowa Together With Brief Mention of Old Settlers," by Lafe Young, Atlantic, Iowa, Telegraph Steam Printing House, 1877, pg. 7.