1912

LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel
June 14, 1912

PREPARE FOR BIG TIME OLD SETTLERS REUNION TO BE HELD IN THIS CITY
Harvey Ingham To Make Address
Arrangements Are Being Made by Pioneers for a Picnic and General Good Time
on Monday, July 8th, in Cleveland Park

Communities are engaged in active bustling for the celebration of Old
Settlers Day on July 8th, when the old timers of Plymouth County will gather
at Cleveland Park. An all day picnic will be held and a varied program
carried out. The principal speaker of the day will be Harvey Ingham, editor
of the Des Moines Register and Leader, who will give his famous lecture
entitled, “Pioneer Iowa.” There will be addresses by a number of well known
local speakers, music by the band and other features. Pictures of many old
settlers will be shown on a screen in the evening and short sketches and
remarkable incidents in their experience will be given.

Mr. Harvey will deliver his address in the forenoon. He is a splendid
speaker and his subject, “Pioneer Iowa,” has been most favorably received in
a number of cities and is highly interesting.

Talks will be given in the afternoon. Those already secured on the program
are Fred Schmidt, who will talk on the subject, “LeMars and the Law.” E. D.
Chassell, C. R. Marks and Thos. Dealtry will also deliver short addresses
and Guy T. Struble will speak on “LeMars and the Press.”

The evening entertainment will be in charge of Dr. M. Hilbert and will be
chock full of pioneer reminiscences which will interest and amuse everybody.
The Berg orchestra will be secured to give a musical program and the
committee is still out after further features and promises a very
satisfactory program.

At the close of the afternoon program, young ladies and children will strew
flowers on the graves of departed pioneers in the two cemeteries.

The committees and people of LeMars generally are making a special effort to
have a large number attend and partake of the hospitality which will be
extended. It is hoped everybody will make a point of taking a holiday on
July 8th and attend the Old Settlers Reunion at Cleveland Park.

1952

PROGRAM PLANNED FOR OLD SETTLER’S REUNION, AUGUST 8

Plymouth County Old Settlers association are planning a special program for their meeting to be held in the Merrill school house Friday, August 8.

Dr. E. A. Roadman, of Morningside College, will give the principal address.  Other features will be Marlene and Janet Clemensen who will play several musical selections on the marimba.

Dick Vondrak with his accordion and the Petersen twins on the piano will also add to the musical numbers.  Freddie Vondrak will do a juggling act.

These young people all have good talent and have been secured in an effort to interest the younger people as our older settlers are rapidly decreasing and the younger people must take their place.

Mark August 8 on your calendar and do come out for a pleasant afternoon and renew acquaintance with the older settlers.

Source:  LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, July 29, 1952

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Mrs. C. C. Hauff, Dale Hunter, Reside in County Longest

Plymouth County Old Settlers held a very successful meeting in the school auditorium last Friday.  A fair crowd was in attendance.  Twenty-six of them had lived in Plymouth County over 50 years.

The musical numbers were outstanding and Dr. Earl A. Roadman gave a fine talk linking the future with the past and recalling many unusual customs and incidents of earlier times.

In behalf of the Atwood Florist of LeMars, Mrs. Fred Hammond presented a corsage to Mrs. C. C. Hauff, as the lady present who had lived in Plymouth county the longest, 76 years.  Dale Hunter, who had lived the longest in Plymouth county, 85 years, received a boutonniere.

Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Eyres were the couple present who had been married the longest, although Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Crouch ran them a close second.  P. E. Held was the oldest present, born in Plymouth county and Mrs. Nellie Mooney, of Los Angeles, came the longest distance.

Others present who had lived here a long time were C. P. Knapp and Tom A. Ross, of Westfield; Mr. and Mrs. W.E. Dennler; Mrs. Archie Tucker, J. D. Tindall and Henry Weinheimer, all have lived in Plymouth county over 70 years and did enjoy visiting with each other and recalling incidents of long ago.

During the business meeting all the officers were re-elected, Jens Petersen, president; Chas. E. Eyres, vice president; Oscar Crouch, secretary and treasurer, and Mrs. Fred Hammond, historian.

Source:  LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, August 15, 1952

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Merrill News:
Mrs. Nellie Mooney, of Los Angeles, Calif., visited Merrill friends and attended the Old Settlers Reunion here last Friday.  Mrs. Mooney will be remembered here as the former Nellie Schneider.  Her husband, Dan Mooney, passed away last year.  She is now visiting her aunt, Mrs. Tellie Uthe, in LeMars.

Source:  LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, August 15, 1952

1956

OLD SETTLERS MEET

Plymouth County Old Settlers program committee met at the home of Fred Hammond last Saturday. Attending were association president, Ed Held, of Hinton, Charles Eyers and Jack Tindall and Jens Petersen. Chairman, Tom Ross, was absent.

Source: LeMars Globe-Post, August 1, 1956

1959

LeMars Globe-Post
August 24, 1959

OLD SETTLERS TO MEET IN HINTON

The Plymouth County Old Settlers and Historical Society will hold its annual meeting and pot luck picnic dinner in Hinton, Aug. 29th, at the Methodist church at 11:00 o’clock followed by the business meeting and program.

The program committee feel very fortunate in securing Mr. E. N. Swett of South Sioux City as speaker.  Mr. Swett is a former school man and for 4 years was superintendent of schools in South Sioux City.  He retired in 1955 and has since pursued his hobby doing research on American History.

His talk titled, “Journey for Empire” is the story of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, a story of courage, high adventure, romance, suffering and death.  It tells of Napoleon’s ambition to conquer the world of Jefferson’s purchase of the Louisiana Territory, 800,000,000 A. of land of 1 ½ cent per. A.  Our community and state were part of that transaction.  It tells the story of Sacajawea, the Bird Woman, who led the 45 courageous men and their leaders over the Rocky Mountains.

This is the 155th year since the Lewis and Clark Expedition and today, 40,000,000 people live with the boundaries of the Louisiana Purchase.

Anyone interested in our American Heritage is urged to attend.  Students going back to school shortly will find it especially interesting.

The program will be in time so others may be enjoyed. 

1972

OLD SETTLERS HELD ANNUAL PICNIC TUESDAY

The annual picnic of the Plymouth county Old Settlers Historical Society met Tuesday at the Adaville United Methodist Church.

J. Henry Lucken, Mrs. Keith Knapp and Mrs. Fred Wingert were re-elected officers for the coming year.  Jill Tindall of Akron gave a violin solo.  A quartet of Adaville church members sang two numbers.

Ella Stevens received a corsage for being the oldest woman present at age 92.  Oscar Crouch, 95 years, was the oldest man present.  He is a charter member of the organization and has never missed a meeting.

Ben Held has lived the longest in the county – 91 years.  Mr. and Mrs. James Hoyt had come the most miles.  Mrs. Fred Hammond and Dr. Stribley of Merrill wore their centennial crowns and told of the early history of Plymouth County.

Carol Parkinson, of LeMars, had several interesting musical instruments with him and told about them with an informative talk.

Francis Blum, of Westfield, explained the map he is making of places and people that were settlers 100 years ago in the territory.

Mrs. Nelson Brown extended an invitation to return to the Adaville church in 1973, which was accepted.

[Source:  An old scrapbook, with the date penciled next to the article of July 18, 1972.]

1976

Plymouth County Old Settlers at Adaville

The 34th annual picnic of the Plymouth County Old Settlers and Historical Society was held July 13, at the Adaville Methodist church with 35 present.

President Esther Brown opened the meeting with Carol Parkinson giving the memorial service for John Tindall and Oscar Crouch.

Margaret Marienau and Mrs. Gerald Johnson sang special numbers and led community singing which ended with “The Iowa Corn Song” and “God Bless America.”

The oldest woman present was Viola Brown, 83.  The oldest man was Elmer Kehrberg, 86.  He also had lived in the county the longest—all of his life.

Source:  LeMars newspaper, dated July 1976

1977

Lizzie Tindall, 91, Oldest Old Settler

The Plymouth County Historical society met Tuesday, July 12, for its 35th annual meeting and picnic at Adaville United Methodist church. Some 58 members were in attendance.

Officers elected were Mrs. Esther Brown as chairperson, Mrs. Margaret Peters as vice chairperson and Mrs. Wilda Wingert as secretary-treasurer.

Corsages and boutonnieres were given to Mrs. Lizzie Tindall as the oldest person at 91 years and for having lived in the county for 90 years.  Calvin Eyres as the oldest gentleman, Pearl Manz for owning a farm that has been in the family 101 years and Evelyn Gabel, of Santa Rosa, N.M. for coming the longest distance.

Mr. and Mrs. Lester Williams received a nosegay for coming to the meeting in a 1928 Ford.

Members attending the meeting were:  Mr. and Mrs. Dwight Spies, Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Eyres, Mr. and Mrs. Lester Williams, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Morehead.

Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Brown, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Siebens, Mr. and Mrs. James Hoyt, Rev. and Mrs. Milton Kinney, Mr. and Mrs. Clark Tindall, Mr. and Mrs. Glen Klingensmith.

Mr. and Mrs. Rex Klingensmith, Mr. and Mrs. Keith Knapp, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Lucken, Carol Parkinson, Mrs. William Fuerhelm, Mrs. Lizzie Tindall, Mr. and Mrs. Allen Lundgren.

Mrs. Eva Lubben, Everett Orr, Mrs. Margaret Peters, Mrs. Hilda Jans, Mrs. Edna Kehrberg, Mrs. Martha Admundsen, Mrs. Edith Eilts, Mrs. Ethel Brown, Mrs. Mabel Herman, Mrs. Opal Murray.

Evelyn Gabel, Mrs. Amy Pavlik, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Philips, Mr. and Mrs. Chester Philips, Mrs. Viola Brown, Mrs. Wilda Wingert, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Nuebel, Mrs. Ferne Tindall.

Mrs. Ivy Jennings, Pearl Manz, Mrs. Esther Brown, Vernon Heacock, Iva Allen and Lillian Gabel.

Source:  LeMars newspaper, dated July 1977

1978

48 ATTEND 36TH ANNUAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY PICNIC

The 36th annual picnic of the Plymouth County Historical Society met at the Adaville Methodist church July 11 with 48 present.

After a potluck dinner, Esther Brown began the program.  Devotions were given by Rev. Kinney.

Mrs. Kenneth Brown and Mrs. Floyd Brown harmonized “Home Sweet Home” and Carol Parkinson played a cello solo accompanied by his grandson, Al Schultz.  Gwen Brown and Greta Phillips presented a musical number.

Corsages were given to Maude Knapp for being the oldest woman present—90 years and for having property in the family the longest, 103 years.

The oldest man present was Frank Morehead, 82 years.

Mr. and Mrs. Allen Lundgren, Oyens, and Mr. and Mrs. James Hoyt, Remsen, came the most miles.

Ivy Jennings and her brother, Frank Morehead have lived on the same place 81 and 82 years.

Carol Parkinson introduced the new manager of the Plymouth County Museum, Les Hartler, and attendant, Johanna Schultz.

Dr. C. B. Brewer, a retired dentist from Early, was speaker of the day.  He told about the early day counties and post offices.  He had at hand a book that listed many post offices in existence now, such as Neptune, O’Leary, and Ruble.

J. Clark Tindall substituted for the nominating committee and suggested the old officers serve another year, namely Esther Brown, president, Margaret Peters, vice president and Wilda Wingert, secretary and treasurer.  They were unanimously elected.
Wilda Wingert, secretary and treasurer, Kingsley

Source: LeMars Daily Sentinel, Thursday, July 20, 1978

1990

Historical Society Learns More about Kingsley Area

Jim Driscoll, of LeMars, called the 1990 Plymouth County Historical Society meeting to order on July 10 at the Adaville church. The meeting followed a potluck dinner.

Bill and Joe Timmins entertained with several musical numbers, “Dixie Rose of Tennessee,” “I Had a Dream,” and “My Wild Irish Rose.” All joined in to sing, “If You Are Happy and You Know It.”

Devotions were brought by Ferne Tindall.  Grace Feuerhelm brought memorial thoughts on those who have gone before us, leaving great legacies.  She mentioned those who formerly headed the Historical Society and some teachers.

Mrs. Feuerhelm mentioned Esther Brown, who died a few months ago. Esther had been president of the society and she was remembered for things she had done for the society, the church and her family.

Ferne Tindall ended with prayer, remembering that “we are a bridge for those who come after us.”

President Driscoll gave the welcome and greetings and introduced new faces in the group.  The secretary and treasurer’s reports were given and approved.

The speaker, Whitie Jensen, who also served as chairman for the Kingsley 1984 Centennial Celebration, brought the history of the town of Kingsley.

He said the village, Quorn, was located a mile west of the present site of Kingsley, and was settled first.  It was plotted by the Close Brothers of England in Sept. 1880.  By 1882, numbers in the settlement had grown to 300 to 400 people.

“The Close brothers got a little bit greedy in their asking price of land,” Jensen said.  He said this caused a Mr. Blair, who owned the railroad which was coming through the territory, to buy land belonging to a man named Kingsley.

Thus, the name, Kingsley was chosen for the new town in far southeastern Plymouth County. 

The mill at Kingsley was shipped by rail to Battle Creek on three cars.  It was loaded on wagons and hauled the remainder of the way to Kingsley in that manner.  The grinding stones came from France and are now preserved in the park. 

The population of Kingsley now is between 1,100 and 1,200 people.

In September 1979, a new high school was built at Kingsley.  In 1984, a new community building.  In 1990, a new swimming pool.

The original Close Brothers land office is in Kingsley, and can be viewed on request.

The late E. V. Heacock was an educator and owner of the mill.

Nominations for officers were asked for from the floor.  There being none, a motion was made, seconded and passed that the presiding officers remain in office for another year.

A new book for preserving histories is to be purchased.

Officers are Jim Driscoll, president; Sylvia Schneider, vice president; Doris Zimmerman, secretary-treasurer; and Grace Feuerhelm, historian.

It was decided to give donations to the Adaville Church and the Historical Museum.

Source:  LeMars newspaper dated July 1990