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Pages
90-109
FAMILY
HISTORIES
GEORGE
ADDISON
George Harrison Addison came to Oakland,
Iowa in 1889 and lived on the same street [then called Grab Street] for
33 years, until his death on March 2, 1922.
He ran a rendering plant, one of the first
until he retired, and his son George H. Addison, Jr. took it over,
running it for 40 years, he owned the first house on Grab Street.
George Jr. dug wells and many farmers today are still using these wells.
Another brother Dess D. Addison settled at
Minden, Iowa and also ran a rendering plant for forty years, he also
dug wells, and moved large buildings, moving the Minden school house
out two miles east of Minden on the old Cook farm. The school was
remodeled and the family moved in after fire destroyed their home in
the spring of 1915.
The street in Oakland, Iowa is now called Addison
Ave.
[Note from County Coordinator: This story is a little confusing. It
refers to Dess as "another brother" when no brother is previously
mentioned. I assume it should refer to Dess as "a brother of
George H Jr. Dess Addison was my great grandfather, and I base my
assumption on my family history research.]
ADKINS
FAMILY
Tradition says a man named Atkins, "an
Irishman from Wales," came over about 1820, and settled in Ohio. His
son Lewis, moved to near Galesburg, Illinois, where his own son, John
Beckwith Adkins, was born in 1851. John grew up, married Sarah
Catherine Tucker [whose father was called "Old Dan Tucker"], and had a
family of nine boys and a girl in order: Clinton, Edward, Edith, Clell,
Lawrence, Ralph, John, Reuben, Russell, and Dean.
In 1892, after Ralph was born, the family moved to
the area where Iowa,
Missouri, and Nebraska met, and in 1918, up to the Council Bluffs area.
Except for Clinton and Lawrence, who died young, each Adkins married
and raised several children. Previously the Adkinses had rented farms,
but then they bought land, mostly near Council Bluffs.
Edward moved to Oregon about 1912, and Edith
married in Hamburg, Iowa, where she remained. Clell, who followed to
Council Bluffs in 1923, became the first farm owner in the family.
Ralph's family lived in a log cabin in the 1930's, where Malmore Acres
is now. John Jr. paid for his farm largely by selling melons and
vegetables. Russell fished a bottle from the river with a girl's name
and address in it, looker her up and married her. Two years later,
Reuben married her sister. Dean, who bought a farm half covered with
cottonwood trees, sold enough trees for lumber to finish paying for it.
Many descendants of this family still live
in Council Bluffs, in the bottom lands south of town and in the hills
north and east of town. There have been no famous legislators or
scientists, but a tribe of honest, hardworking Americans.
EDWIN ALDRICH
In March 1899, Edwin W. Aldrich [1852-1915]
and his wife Nancy Victoria [Myer] [1856-1932] gathered their household
goods, farm equipment, and livestock, which they herded on the road,
moved to Griswold community. The family of 11 children ranging in age
from 20 to a small baby lived there for a few years then moved to a
farm in Center Township, where the family grew up.
The oldest daughter married a Griswold man,
The sons began to scatter as they grew up, several going to the west
coast. Son, Gus, went to South Dakota, where he settled at Pierre; Roy
settled in Broken Bow, Nebraska. both married local girls and lived out
their lives in those communities.
When World War I broke out, four of the sons
enlisted in the service.
Ralph was a Marine, receiving a wound in Germany. Gus, Walter and Carl
joined the Navy.
Hugh, Walter and Carl lived out their lives
in the Oakland Community. Walter died in 1930. High [1883-1973] married
Elisabeth [Lizzie] Inman [1883-1934] in 1905. Their family consisted
of: Mrs. Frank [Edna] Peck, Mrs. Robert [Lila] Green and Mrs. Everett
[Evelyn] McMaster. Lila and Evelyn reside in California, Edna in Avoca,
Iowa. Carl [1899-1970] married Artie Neighbors. They have two
daughters: Marjorie, New Jersey and Cathy, Sioux City, Iowa.
Hugh served as a rural mail carrier for 25
years beginning in 1920. He served Route 4, southeast of Oakland. When
the dirt roads were impassable, he drove the 35 miles with a team and
buggy. When some farms were isolated by drifted snow, he often borrowed
a riding horse from the farm which he was able to reach, then rode to
the patrons who were snowed in. He kept a sleigh in the earlier years
which he often put to use. He retired at age 65, lived to be 90, the
last of his family of 11.
ROBERT ALEXANDER
Robert and Mary Janette Alexander left
Pennsylvania and came to Iowa about 1870. In 1871 they bought a farm
north of the blacksmith's shop in Grove Township where Mrs. John Frain,
Lawrence, Hollis and Norma Frain now live.
[Transcribers note: I question those dates as
their youngest daughter,
Ella Belle Alexander was born 3 Aug 1873 in Biggsville, Henderson Co.,
Illinois. I would say that the family arrived after Aug 1873 and before
the marriage of their other daughter, Mary Elizabeth Alexander on 2
March 1875.]
Robert and Janette had five children
[actually they had six], Mary Elizabeth who married George Frain,
William Alonzo who died at an early age, Ella who married Jack Kilgore;
John who married Bell Brock [Bell Alexander, Brock was her second
marriage, Alexander was her maiden name.]; and Joseph, who married
Sarah Mercer. Another child died in infancy.
Mary Elizabeth and George Frain were the parents
of Mattie, Viola,
Nettie, Lydia, Henry, Elmer, Sylvester, John Arthur, Clarence, Ernest,
and Leona. Most of them lived in Pottawattamie County all their lives.
John and Bell Alexander moved to Council Bluffs
and had 3 sons: Alanzo,
Alfred and James.
Ella and Jack Kilgore were the parents of
Clyde, Arthur, and [Vesta] Viola Kilgore. [Two sons, Carl and Ralph
died as small babies and are buried in the Carson Cemetery.]
Joseph and Sarah were the parents of Delpha,
Morris, Vena, Jennie, and
Verne Alexander. They moved to Adair and later to Polk County. by Neva
Kisks.
DR. T. C. ALEXANDER
Dr. Thomas Carr Alexander was born in Union
County, Indiana, on September 25, 1839, and came to Big Grove in the
fall of 1852, where he lived with his parents until 1861, when he
enlisted with the Indiana Volunteer Infantry. His initiation in war
procedures took place in Page County, Indiana, where they camped for
two days. During the Civil War period he engaged in many of the
principal battles, including Pea Ridge, Vicksburg, Look Out Mountain,
and Mission Ridge, where he carried the colors above the clouds. As he
engaged in battles in Ringgold and Resaca, Georgia, he received wounds
in both legs and spent time in several hospitals. He was mustered out
of service at Louisville, Kentucky, on August 20, 1865, and returned to
Big Grove, where he made his home.
He was married on March 24, 1864, to Miss
Phoebe Huff, daughter of Louis and Susan Huff. Later that year he moved
to Jackson County, Kansas, and farmed the following year. He then sold
the farm and commenced the study of medicine under an old army surgeon
at Holton, Kansas. He studied there for three years after which he took
several courses at the E. M. Institute in Cincinnati, Ohio. He
practiced his profession in Holton, Kansas until 1874, when he returned
to Big Grove, where he resided and practiced medicine until his
retirement in 1918.
He had two children, one son Elmer
Ellsworth, who married Mary Etta Palmer, daughter of Daniel Palmer and
one daughter, Laura Belle, who married Oliver Bilger. The daughter
passed away leaving three children, Lloyd, Phoebe, and Carr, whom the
grandparents legally adopted and reared in the Oakland community as Big
Grove was later called.
Dr. Alexander was the first N.G. of the
Oakland #442 of the Independent Order of the Odd Fellows established in
Oakland on the 13th day of January, 1882, and continued membership
until his death. He served the community for many years and passed away
at his home in Oakland, in May of 1923.
Lloyd married Bessie Marsteller of Harrison,
Nebraska, and had a family of two sons and two daughters.
Phoebe married Roy Denton and they had one
daughter. Roy passed away in 1932 and Phoebe married James Piles in
1953.
Carr married Eunice Luxford, daughter of
Jacob and Julia Luxford.
At this time the widow of Lloyd lives in
Pueblo, Colorado, and Carr's widow lives in Oakland.
JULIUS ALFF
Mr. and Mrs. Julius Alff and two children
came to the United States in 1869 from Germany. He left Germany because
he had fought in two wars and there were rumors of a third one coming.
His father served as a guard for Kaiser Wilhelm and had to salute him
every day.
They settled near Hastings, Iowa. Later they
moved to Pott. Co. They lived on a farm northwest of Big Grove, now
known as Oakland. Our father Lewis Alff was born while they lived in
Mills Co. near Hastings.
In 1881 Julius Alff purchased 80 acres of
land in Belknap Township, 5 miles southwest of Big Grove [Oakland].
They later moved to this farm. There were
eight children , and four others children died in infancy. The children
were: Herman, Gustie, Wilhelm, Lewis, Adolph, Minnie, Henry and
Matilda. This family of ten plus the carpenter lived in the granary
while their house was being built. The granary still stands and is used
for storage.
Julius Alff was a rock mason and laid
foundations for houses and other buildings in the neighborhood. He laid
the foundation for his house.
He was one of the group of men who organized
the St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Oakland.
Julius Alff died in 1900. His son Wilhelm
Alff farmed the place until he died.
Lewis Alff, who married Anna Brockman in
1895 and had been farming near Neola, moved to his mother's farm in
1911.
There were ten children in this family:
Minnie, John, Robert, Anna, Emma, Lawrence, George, Edward, Alfred and
Delmar. Edward died in 1948. They all attended school at Belknap #5.
This was a musical family, Lewis Alff played
the accordion, Anna played the organ, she played for church services
and at home for the family sing alongs. All the boys played the
accordion except one. Two of the girls chorded on the organ. They
played for dances, that used to be held in homes. The boys still play
for dances.
For many years they did custom work, with a
steam engine threshing machine, corn sheller, buzz saw and a sawmill.
One funny incident comes to mind. A neighbor
noticed a light on upstairs all the time and several people coming to
our house each week with one
quite well dressed. The neighbor notified the authorities. The sheriff
arrived with a search warrant to search the place. They were looking
for a still. They thought we were bootleggers. Were they surprised to
find the light upstairs was an incubator full of hen eggs ready to
hatch. The people coming each week was a confirmation class. The well
dressed man was a preacher.
One brother, Delmar, served in World War II
four years. He was stationed in the Pacific.
George married Annie Bird and they operated
the farm until Lewis Alff died in 1956. It was an estate again. They
continued to operate the farm. Anna Alff died in 1973. George Alff
purchased the farm in 1974. He has lived on this farm for 66 years.
The family of brothers and sister all live
within a radius of 85 miles of the home place.
DALE AND ALTA ALLEN
In the early 1870's both sides of Dale
Allen's family journeyed from the eastern part of our country to the
Midlands-- the Allens from Pennsylvania and the Hugh Babbitts from
Illinois. It was in Mills County where Dale was born to Ray and Pearl
[Babbitt] Allen on July 5, 1903, later moving to Pottawattamie County
in Wright Township in 1914 and Layton Township in 1919. Alta's
grandparents too arrived about the same time as the above-- the Jurgen
Thiessens from the Boone area and the Detlef Paaschs from
Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. The Paaschs brought two small daughters
with them, Cecelia, age 10 and Katie, 6. Through the years four sons
were added to the household-- Henry, Frank, Fred and Benny. The
Thiessens had 11 children named Henry, Hans, Maggie, Emma, Mary, Kate,
Anna, Dorothy, Bertha, Lena and Meta.
The Thiessens located on a farm south of
Walnut while the Paaschs farmed near Council Bluffs for several years
before locating in the area of the Thiessens also.
Cecelia and Hans Thiessen were married and
had 5 children. They are Mildred [Raymond McDermott], Walnut; Wilma
[Herbert Schaaf], Independence, Missouri; Herbert, Independence;
Harold, Atlantic; Alta, who was born on October 1, 1906.
The Thiessens lived in the Walnut area all
their married life. Cecelia died in 1923 and Hans in 1957. Alta taught
school from 1924 to 1927, 3½ miles south of Walnut at the Gross school.
Dale worked as a farm hand for Harry McDermott and Mike Sievers.
On March 19, 1927 Dale and Alta were
married. They moved to Malvern. They moved in with Dale's grandfather
on an acreage until he passed away, then they moved to a farm northwest
of Malvern.
In 1935 the Allens moved to Knox Township
and farmed 1½ miles east and 1 mile south of Avoca, purchasing the same
in 1943 from Metropolitan Life Insurance Company at $70 per acre. In
1958, they purchased the Chris Hinz farm ¼ mile south of the home site,
which is farmed by son, Charles.
The family consists of 4 children, 14
grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. They are as follows: Dorothy
Eggerss, Avoca; postmaster at Marne, children --Marty, Linda, and
Patti; Dale Edward, Atlantic; instructor in Atlantic high school, wife
Bonnie [Bates], children -- Michael, Keffery, and Amy; Charles, Avoca,
farms, wife--Laura Ann [Andersen], children-- Janet, Wayne, Barbara and
Larry; Patricia, Omaha, Nebraska, husband - Bob Rodenburg, vice
president of Paxton Mitchell Foundry, children - Bobbi, Lori, Gary, and
Sherry.
Ryan Woodard, great grandchild, son of Lori
and Doug Woodard. In March of 1977 the Allens observed their Golden
Wedding at the legion hall in Avoca with 350 people attending.
The Allens are avid sport fans, are members
of the Trinity Lutheran Church with Dale having served in several
capacities, such as Knox Township director, on A.S.C.S. Committee and
presently serving on
the board of trustees, a position he has held for some time.
FIVE GENERATIONS OF
ALLENS
In 1840 Jonathan Allen and his wife Jane,
who were my [Jennie Allen Myers] great grandparents, were one of five
English families to migrate by boat from England to the Island of
Jamaica and settle there. He bought land, began to raise bananas and
ginger. He belonged to the Church of England, but the nearest church to
where he settled was the Moravian Mission Station of Bethany, so he
became a Moravian. He gave the land for what is now the "Zion Memorial
Moravian Church" in Christiana, Jamaica which was built by my uncle
Samuel Allen in 1907, who later became a missionary there.
Family tradition has it that my great
grandmother Allen was the daughter of an English Nobleman, and Earl,
who disowned her because she married a commoner. They had three sons,
Thomas, Daniel, and Ebenezer.
Thomas Allen was my grandfather. His wife,
Elizabeth Sewell, was a descendant of one of the five families who came
to Jamaica in 1840.
Grandma and Grandpa Allen had five sons;
Lewis, William, Jonathan, Samuel, Thomas and four daughters; Margaret,
Esther, Marie, Jane. Two of the sons, William and Samuel were sent to
United States to be educated. They became Moravian Missionaries after
serving pastorates in the United States. William went back to Jamaica
where he died later. Jane was a registered nurse. She worked at her
profession in the United States, Canada, Jamaica.
Jonathan was my father. He was born on the
Island in 1867. My mother, Sarah Reynolds was born in 1866 of one of
the families who made the trip together from England. They were married
in Christiana, Jamaica on December 22, 1887. To this union eleven
children were born. Eight in Jamaica - Alice, William, Esther, Hubert
[Bert], John, Laura, Vivian, Harry. Three in the United States -
Jennie, Minnie, and Marie. Five of their children are still living at
this writing; William of Portland, Oregon, John, Jennie, Minnie of
Oakland, Iowa and Marie of Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Jonathan was a banana and ginger farmer on the Island. In 1900 they
decided to move to the United States seeking a more opportune place to
rear and educate their children.
They came by boat, landed in New York
Harbor, taking the train from there to Missouri, where they lived for
some time, where Jennie and Minnie were born. Later they moved to Texas
and Marie was born there. From there they went to Oklahoma and
then to Oakland, Iowa in 1918. All of their children at one time lived
in and around Oakland. Three children, many grandchildren, great
grandchildren still live here.
He was a farmer all his life until he bought
a home in Oakland, the place where the Doty Apartments now stand, and
retired in 1930. He passed away in 1931 and Sarah, his wife, in 1944,
having lived in Oakland community thirteen and twenty-six years
respectively.
In 1973 I, Jennie Allen Myers and my husband
Joe Myers went on a tour, on our Golden Wedding year to the Island of
Jamaica and visited many of the places where my family lived before
coming to the United States.
CHARLES E. ANDERSON
Charles Edwin Anderson was born in Niles,
Michigan, July 17, 1857. He came to Council Bluffs with his father and
mother, Mr. and Mrs. William Anderson, for a time was ticket agent for
Rock Island Railroad. Later, he became Railway Postal Clerk on Union
Pacific; his trip being from Council Bluffs to Cheyenne, Wyoming. In
1880, he marred Ida D. Carson, a school teacher. They were living in
western part of Council Bluffs when the flood of 1881 occurred, die to
an ice jam in Missouri River. The water flooded from the river to the
Council Bluffs Post Office. He had to go to the U. P. Transfer in a
boat. Having enough of that, he hit for the hills.
He bought a acre from a farmer who lived in
a valley which is now Fairmount Ave. The farmer didn't include his
driveway in the deal so Charles gave 30 ft. and $30.00 for his share of
Fairmount Ave. He was the one who named the street and later Fairmount
Park at the end of the street. He built a house on his acre and moved
another in for a home for his father and mother. His house had to be
enlarged to accommodate seven children and his wife's mother, Mrs. Amy
Carson. Six of his children were born in that house. There were five
girls and two boys. They were: Mable Corey, Florence Harper, Ralph
Anderson and Ruth Schenck [twins], Charles Anderson, Evelyn Travis, and
Dr. Eleanor Anderson. Evelyn was teacher and principal of Harrison
School in Council Bluffs, after her marriage, teacher in Junior High in
Macedonia, Iowa. Dr. Eleanor Anderson was teacher, principal of Dodge
School in Council Bluffs, teacher in Omaha University, later became
president of Mather Junior College in Beaufort, South Carolina. Evelyn
and Eleanor have both retired. The other members of Anderson family are
deceased.
Charles died in 1914, while homesteading in
Montana, after his retirement. His wife, Ida was killed by a drunken
driver at the county courthouse corner in Council Bluffs in 1933.
DOROTHY [TURNER]
ANDERSON
Jerome, son of John Hiram and Frances
Turner, came to Pottawattamie County by covered wagon from Des Moines
County. He and his wife Margaret Jane, homesteaded in Washington
Township. The children were Frank, Elmer, Harry, Lincoln, William,
Thomas, Oscar Bruce, Eddie, Laura, Mildred, and Lily. Jerome helped
establish the first school in Washington Township.
Oscar Bruce revived much of his education in
Harlan. He returned to Pottawattamie County to teach school at
Washington District #5. Later he farmed the Turner homestead. He was
married to Sylvia Thomas and they had three sons, Lester L., O.
Wendell, and Lerl H. [Jack].
After Sylvia's death, Bruce married Bessie
Thomas Liddell, a sister of Sylvia's. To this union one daughter,
Dorothy P. was born. Bessie Thomas Liddell had taught school for 12
years. Some of these years were at Washington #5. Dorothy P. in later
years also taught at this same school.
Dorothy P. Turner was married to C. Wayne
Anderson from Grace City, North Dakota. To this union two sons were
born, Kirk W. and Kent A. Both graduated from Oakland High School where
their mother also graduated. Kirk married Judith Monestero from Omaha.
They live in Oakland with twin daughters, Arleen M. and Andrea K. Kirk
carried on the tradition of teaching at Iowa Western Community College,
and Judy is employed at the Oakland Savings Bank. Kent married Janet
Nielsen from Maryville, Missouri. They live in Ames with their son,
Jason K. Kent is a social worker with the Iowa Dept. of Social
Services, Polk County Offices, and Jan is employed at the Iowa State
University Library.
ERNEST AND LILLIAN
ANDERSEN
Ernest was born in Borglum, Denmark, Feb. 3,
1908, the son of Anders and Hedevig Paulsen Andersen and was one of
twelve children. He came to the United States in September 1927, to
Missouri Valley. He had one brother, Nels, who also came to the United
States and now resides in Shelby. Ernest came to the Avoca area in 1928
working for John Beuck, living neighbor to Fred and Laura Johnson, who
were Lillians parents. Fred was born 1878, the son of John and
Henrietta Johnson. He had four brothers and a sister, Chris, William,
Henry, Louie, and Lena [Mrs. Clarence Larsen]. Laura was born in
Denmark in 1885, coming to the United States in 1902. She was one of
seven children. Four of her sisters also came to this country, Marie
[Mrs. Chris Johnson], Maren [Mrs. Anton Nelson], Marina [Mrs. Andrew
Peterson], and Annie [Mrs. Andrew Dahl]. Fred's and Laura's sisters and
brothers lived most of their lives in the Avoca-Shelby area. Fred and
Laura were married in 1905. They farmed the Fred Hinz farm, where his
son Vernon now lives, southeast of Avoca. In 1922, they bought the farm
northeast of Avoca. They had two children Harry and Lillian, born 1909
and 1912. Fred died in 1930, Laura cared for Fred's mother in Harlan
for twelve years, moved to Avoca in 1944 and died in 1968. Their son
Harry married Myrtle Paulsen and had one son, Fred, who is now
deceased. Lillian married Ernest in 1930 and farmed near Shelby for
three years and moved to the original Johnson farm in 1934. They had
four children, Eleanor born in 1930, Laura Ann in 1934, Marlin in 1940,
and Robert in 1944. Eleanor married Robert Wilke in 1948, farmed near
Avoca and moved later to Chariton, Iowa where she is currently living
and working for Hy-Vee-Chariton Wholesale. They had three children,
Allen born in 1948, and married to Kathy Shimp, and have three
children, Ryan, Rusty, and Katie. Allen teaches history and coaches
basketball at Odebolt. Charlotte born in 1950, married Clarence Allen
and have three children, Chris, Amy Jo, and Trevor. They are in the Air
Force having been in Okinawa, Arizona, and now South Carolina. Randy
born in 1956 is employed in Chariton. Eleanor married Charles Allen in
1954 and have been farming with his father since 1959 southeast of
Avoca on a farm owned by his father. They have four children, Janet
born in 1956, Wayne now student-teaching at Tri-Center and will
graduate from Northwest Missouri State University in May 1978. Wayne is
a sophomore at the same University, majoring in Animal Science and
plays on the Bearcat Football varsity team. Barbara is a secretarial
student at the Iowa Western Community College. Larr is in 8th grade at
Avo-Ha. Marlin married Darlene Nelson in 1963. Marlin was a milk-hauler
for Farmers Co-operative Creamery and Goldfield Creamery, ran a
Standard Oil Tank Wagon in Shelby, and worked on a ranch in Wyoming for
a short time. After that he went into the trucking business on his own
and he and Darlene are currently operating the Andersen Trucking and
Grain Buying business. They live on the Willett farm west of Avoca.
They have three daughters, Denise born in 1964, Amy 1966, and Julie
1967. They attend Avo-Ha and are in the 8th, 6th and 4th grades. Robert
married Linda Jensen in 1976 and they have one son, Wade born 1977.
After graduating from school he also hauled milk, then went into the
Army in 1967, going to Viet Nam for a year and discharged in 1968. He
then farmed, was in partnership for a short time in the trucking
business with Marlin and recently purchased the Johnson family farm
from his father, where he is not residing. Ernest and Lillian retired
from farming and moved to a new home on Cherry Street in Avoca in
January 1977. They are active members of the Trinity Lutheran Church
and are charter members of this church, having participated in the
merging of the English Lutheran Church and First Lutheran Church.
Ernest was on the re-organization committee for the Avo-Ha school
system. Before moving to Avoca he served as Trustee for Fairview
Township, on the Shelby County ASC committee and Good Roads Association
and other community services and projects.
JOHN A. ANDERSEN
John A. Andersen was born at Neola in 1885.
In 1907 he married Amanda Hamann [1888] [see Chris Hamann]. They farmed
7½ miles north of Treynor. They later moved to Treynor and started the
Andersen Truck Line. John passed away in July 1961. Amanda still lives
in Treynor. They had four sons, Clarence married Margaret Goos [see
Adolph Goos], Arthur married Mabel Stortenbecker, Vernon married Alda
Mass [see George Mass]. And, John Jr. married Selma Sudmann [see Fritz
Sudmann].
VERNON [SHORTY]
ANDERSEN
Vernon Andersen [1920] married Alda Mass
[1921] in 1939. Shorty and his brother Clarence bought the Andersen
Truck Line from their father John in 1940 and changed the name to the
Andersen Brothers. In 1944 Shorty went into the Navy and returned home
in 1946. He and Clarence continued working together until the early
'50's. Then Clarence sold his truck to John Jr. and Clarence bought a
corn sheller. In 1953 Shorty and John Jr. put up a new garage and feed
store in the west part of Treynor. Shorty and Alda had five sons, Larry
V. [1940] is a Wartburg College graduate and now teaches at Lewis
Central. In 1967 he married Jean Timmerman. They have three children,
Robert [1972], Laurel [1974] and Suzanne [1976]. They live in Treynor.
Roger L. is a Wartburg College graduate and a teacher at Treynor High
School. He married Marsha Parker in 1974. They reside on the Harvey
Saar farm 3½ miles southeast of Treynor. James G. [1946] graduated from
Dana College and is working in Council Bluffs. In 1972 he married Ellen
Tilley and they reside in Omaha. Steven J. [1947] attended Danna
College four years and is working in Treynor. In 1976 he married Connie
Goos and they have two children, Angela [1976] and Aaron [1977]. They
reside on a farm 2½ miles southwest of Treynor. Jeffery L. [1952]
attended J.F.K. College 1½ years. He works for a company in Omaha
laying telephone cable. He resides at home.
DR. AND MRS. G.C.
ANDERSON
Dr. G. C. Anderson was born in Watertown,
So. Dak. and practiced Dentistry in Avoca from 1922 until his death
April 1966 [44 years]. He was active in the Masonic and Eastern Star,
was on the School Board for fifteen years, held offices in the
Congregational Church and was a charter member of Rotary Club, he was
President of District and State Dental Societies, he was made a
"Fellow" in the college of Dental Physicians of American Dental
Association and owned and managed a farm in Knox Twp. Pottawattamie
County. He married Mrs. G. C. Anderson [Edna H. Spaulding] in 1923, she
was the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. G. A. Spaulding an Avoca practicing
physician 34 years. She was a graduate of University of Iowa in 1921.
Their children were George and Mary Frances. George was born 1926 and
was in the U.S. Navy 3 years. He has been a Doctor of Internal Medicine
specialty in Iowa City since 1953 and was married to Kathy Bickle of
Vinton, Iowa a registered nurse from University of Iowa. He made
"Fellows" in College of Physicians and College of Chest Physicians of
American Medical Association. Mary Frances was born 1928 and is an
Occupational Therapy graduate of University of Iowa 1950, married to
Dr. Keith Campbell of Oskaloosa, Iowa in 1950. Dr. Campbell located in
Oskaloosa in medical and surgical practice since 1954. They have four
children and Scott is a practicing lawyer in Oskaloosa since 1977. Mrs.
G. C. Anderson is still living in the family home in Avoca.
[This must be a misprint in the book but is a part of the James T.
Anderson family so I will add it with this family.]
W½ NW¼ and W½ SW¼ Section 23 Township 76
Range 39
These acres were owned by a railroad in
1856. It changed hands many times, including a sheriff sale. The south
80 acres was sold to H.A. and Leahann VanBeck in January 1899. After
many transfers the north 80 was owned by Elijah Shack deceased in 1876,
leaving his wife and two minors late of Philadelphia County,
Pennsylvania. The real estate was described as wild, unimproved,
unprofitable and not increasing in value. The wards needed money for
maintenance and education. It was appraised at $840. February 1880
George Warner purchased it for $560. An undivided interest was
transferred to family, Henry VanBeck and wife became owners in April,
1908.
Henry Pingel, son of John Pingel of Fairview
Township, Shelby County had come to Iowa with his parents at the age of
two in 1872. He married Anna C. Dau, daughter of Henry Dau May 18,
1904; the family coming to Iowa after pioneering in Sherman County,
Nebraska and living in a sod house.
In 1922 the Pingels purchased this 160 acres
from the VanBecks. It became the home of various families and finally
the present owners James T. and Elsie Andersen.
JAMES T. ANDERSEN
James T. Andersen was born to A. C. and
Christena Andersen in James Township March 1, 1906, one of eleven
children. Elsie Pingel was born to Henry and Anna Pingel, Fairveiw
Township, Shelby County July 18, 1908. Brother Elmer, 1906, and Elsie
attended country school till 1918, graduating from Avoca High School in
1923 and 1926.
Memories of the Pingel home include boarding
teachers, a hired man, school programs, butchering, threshing crews for
days, birthday parties, Sunday company, warmth and beauty of the hard
coal stove, bay window of flowers, splendor of the Christmas tree with
wax candles in the seldom used parlor.
James and Elsie were married September 8,
1931 at the Little Brown Church. James was employed at the Farmers
Cooperative Creamery for twelve years. One son Jimmie was born at
Council Bluffs, July 24, 1938.
They started farming in Valley Township in
March 1941. There was electricity but experienced the many changes in
agriculture through the years. We used a cook stove, bathed in a wash
tub, carried water, milked by hand, made loose hay, picked corn by hand
and threshed grain. We were Farm Bureau members serving elective
offices, members of United Methodist, Hancock. James served as a 4-H
Leader, Iowa Dairy Commission, Farm and Home Administration and school
reorganization committee,
We began retiring in 1966 but have chosen to remain in our country
home. We have had a very busy and interesting rewarding life in our
niche of God's green acres. We leave our children a cherished heritage.
THE NEXT GENERATIONS
Jimmie Lee Andersen attended Fletcher
country school through the eighth grade in May, 1953. He graduated
valedictorian of the Class of 1957 of Hancock High School. He was
active in music, athletics, M.Y.F. and 4-H.
He enrolled in Agronomy at Iowa State. He
participated in vocal music. Agronomy Club and three honorary
fraternities.
On December 18, 1960, Jimmie married to
Janice Handlen, daughter of Lynn and Leona Handlen at the R.L.D.S.
Church in Underwood.
After Jimmie gradated from I.S.U. in May,
1961, they moved to Corvallis, Oregon to pursue a Master's Degree in
Soil Management which was received in June, 1963. While at Corvallis,
Jeannine Lynnette was born on December 24, 1961.
In July of 1963 the Andersens moved to
Harlan, Iowa. Two more children were born in Harlan; Joel Allan on
August 13, 1964 and Jull Kristine on March 4, 1969.
Jim works for Farm Service Coop and is
presiding elder of the Harlan R. L. D. S. Church. by Mrs. James T.
Andersen
JOHN ANDERSON
THIS COVERS 4
GENERATIONS
Post Office - Pigeon, Section 20. John
Anderson - 1841-1921. John Anderson came to Boomer Township, from
Denmark, in 1868. He came alone to America, and lost all contact with
any relatives he had in Denmark. In 1869 he married Mary Jensen
[1844-1923], raised and educated in Denmark, Mary came to America when
she was about 21 years of age, her parents, a brother and sister also
came at the same time.
After the marriage of John and Mary Anderson
they continued to live the rest of their lives on the farm in Boomer
Township, SEction 20, that he had bought when first coming to this
country. They raised six daughters, Mary, Cecelia, Elizabeth, Hannah,
Christine, and Hazel, and two sons, Peter and John David. Several
children died in infancy or before they reached adulthood.
One of the sons, John David Anderson
[1885-1967] continued to farm the family farm and on December 18, 1906,
married Frieda Christine Petersen [1884-1967], daughter of Chris
Petersen, Section 19, Boomer Township. They were the parents of three
children, James Donald Anderson, Adele Anderson Murray, and Evelyn
Anderson Wheat.
In 1919, John D. sold the farm in Section
20. He bought and moved his family to a farm in Section 33, on the
south of Pigeon Creek. In 1930 he bought additional land, 432 acres in
Sections 32 and 33. The family then moved to the other home in SEction
33, and continued to farm both farms. Some of this land was pasture and
timber, but much of it was cultivated. Twelve to sixteen herd of horses
and mules, and several hired men were needed to work the fields each
day. Many cattle, hogs and poultry were raised. Tractors began to
replace some of the field work done by the horses about 1935. The rural
electric power line was built in this area and completed in the fall of
1936 - a great step forward to farm living.
After graduation from Abraham Lincoln High
School, in Council Bluffs, J. Donald Anderson [1911-1971] joined his
father in farming. In 1934 he was married to Ruth Esther Darrington
[1912-], youngest daughter of William J. and Christina Hansen
Darrington. They were the parents of three children, Jane Ann Kerber
[1936], Jay Donald Anderson [1939] and Alan James Anderson [1949].
John D. and Frieda retired from farming and
moved to Council Bluffs in 1948. John D. served 15 years on the
Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors, resigning from the post in
1964.
J. Donald Anderson continued to farm the
family farm, and realizing the need and importance of Soil
Conservation, helped organize the West Pottawattamie Soil Conservation
District, served as president of the Iowa Association of Conservation
District from 1947-1950, and was a director of the National Association
of Conservation District from 1949-1951. He served as an area Vice
President of the National Association of Conservation District in 1952.
Jay Donald Anderson [1939] was married in
1963, to Gaylee Laurel Selstrom [1939], daughter of Larry [1905-1976]
and Maude Selstrom [1905] of Gowrie, Iowa. Gaylee and Jay met when
attending Iowa State University. Gaylee taught Home Economics in Kansas
City, and after her marriage, at Logan, Iowa.
They are the parents of two sons, Jay D.
[1965] and James Donald [1969]. They live in Section 19 and farmed a
200 acre farm. Jay also farmed with his father. After his father's
death he and his family moved into the family home in Section 33.
Jane Ann [1936] a graduate of Iowa State
University, married, becoming Jane Kerber. She is the mother of twin
girls, Melinda Sue, and Caroline Ann, born January 13, 1961, and Sarah
Jane [1964]. Jane later earned a Master's Degree from the University of
Missouri at Columbia. She is now a professional medical librarian at
the University of Texas A & M, in College Station, Texas.
Alan James [1949] married Nancy Jean Nielsen
[1949] whose parents are Alice Gustine [1920] and Irwin Carl [1911],
Section 14, Garner Township.
Nancy and Alan graduated from Iowa State
University. Alan then received a juris doctor degree from the
University of Iowa and is now a practicing attorney in Logan, Harrison
County, Iowa. They are the parents of one child, Melanie Jane [1976].
Jay now farms all the land alone that 45
years ago it was necessary to keep many head of horses and mules plus
two and three full-time hired men.
This period, from the early 1930's-1977, has
been on rapid change. Man-hours of labor required to farm an acre of
land, and to raise and care for livestock have decreased rapidly with
new techniques in farming, and the mechanization of the farm.
JOHN J. ANDERSON
John J. Anderson was a native of Germany
born May 4, 1855 whose early life is detailed in 1891 History of
Harrison County. He attended school in winter and worked as a farm
labor in the summer in his early life. At 24 he bought 80 acres of land
with the crops in Pott. County for $20 an acre. After removing the
crops he sold the land for the same price and moved to Harrison County.
He married May 4, 1882 on his 27th birthday to Sophia Klopping born
Nov. 27, 1859 in Shelby Co. eldest daughter of August and Annie
Klopping. Four daughters were born in Harrison Co. Louisa-1883 [lived 3
mos.], Anna -1884, Emma-1866 and Dora -1890.
About 1892 they moved to a farm near the
present site of Bentley. The roads were so muddy when they moved that
eight horses were required to pull each wagon. A new house was being
built on this farm in 1894 when a son Henry was born. William [Bill]
was born in 1896, Harry in 1899 and Carl in 1901. Gypsies sometimes
camped near their home when the sons were still young. When they came
asking for food, Sophie would hide the youngest son in a window well
with a cover until they left.
One hundred seven acres to the west was
added to their one hundred sixty acres at $67½ an acre. In 1902 the
Great Western Railroad was constructed through their farm.
John and his sons were excellent horsemen.
They broke many horses for riding and working. John built a horse barn
and put the framework together with wooden pegs. The barn is still in
good condition. John passed away in 1922 and Sophie lived on the farm
until her death in 1930.
Emma married Ralph Scott. They had two
children Paul and Mildred. Henry married Marie Vesey. They had one son
Robert. William married Ruth Turner. They had one daughter Betty. Anna,
Dora, Harry and Carl never married and continued on with the family
farm. Harry served with the Army in World War II and had artistic
talent shown in pictures he painted. Dora passed away in 1945 and Anna
in 1959. Harry and Carl continued farming and feeding cattle until
Harry's death in 1972. Carl then sold the land which had been in the
family for eighty years. He had a farm sale and moved to an apartment
in Council Bluffs and later purchased a home in Underwood where he now
resides.
W.R. [BOB] AND LUCILLE
ANDERSON
William Robert [Bob] Anderson, son of Henry
A. and Marie [Vesey] Anderson, born April 12, 1916 grew up on a farm in
the Underwood area and graduated from the Underwood High School in
1933. He married Lucille Tiarks, daughter of Anton and Louisa
[Torneten] Tiarks, November 23, 1937. Lucille grew up on a farm west of
McClelland and walked ¾ of a mile to Garner No. 4 country school, then
drove to McClelland High School two years and graduated from Abraham
Lincoln High School in Council Bluffs in 1933.
The first year of their married life was
spent in Corpus Christi and San Antonio, Texas where Bob drove a bread
truck for the Fehr Baking Company. In 1939 they started farming and
feeding cattle on the Stulgie place east of Bentley then moved to the
Addison farm east of Hancock in 1944. After farming there two years
they bought the Cliff Jones farm in Washington Township where they
moved in Febrauary 1946. They enjoyed traveling and beside making many
cattle buying trips to Oklahoma and Texas they went to New York City
and Niagara Falls. From Miami they took a boat to Cuba and from Los
Angeles they flew to Hawaii. They continued farming and feeding cattle
until 1975 when Bob had cancer which took his life Feb. 4, 1976. They
have one child, Janel Marie, born July 16, 1945. She attended the
country school in Washington Township and graduated from Oakland High
School. She graduated from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South
Dakota with a Bachelor of Science degree and is a registered nurse. She
married Larry Allen, son of Jack and Donetta [Ketchum] Allen, September
2, 1967. They have five children, Kimberly, Barbara, Becky, Sandra, and
Kevin. They live in Carson and have the Allen Implement Company and The
Carson Machinery Auction Company.
HOWARD FISHER ANEY
Two of the most prominent families living in
Underwood at the turn of the century were the Elmer F. Aneys [wife,
Mary Charles Aney] and Henry G. Fishers [wife, Hannah Marie [Graybill]
Fisher]. H. G. Fisher founded the town of Underwood. Elmer Ansey was
the town's first mayor. These families were joined with the marriage of
Hannah Albera [Allie] Fisher [b. 17 May 1886, d. 23 June 1972] and
Howard Aney [b. 19 June 1885, d. 22 October 1962] on 4 May 1910,
divorced 1926. Their son, Howard Fisher Aney was born in Laurens, Iowa
on 14 October 1917, Allie graduated from Graceland College at Lamoni,
Iowa 7 October 1908 with a music degree and taught piano for most of
her life. Howard Fisher Aney graduated from Underwood High School in
May 1936.
During World War II, Howard met Evonee
Marcelline [Bonnie] Stoker. The youngest child of Byron Stoker [b. 10
October 1889] and Mary Whilhemina [Roberts] Stoker [b. 13 December
1887, d. 15 November 1957] was born in Neola, Iowa 19 July 1923. She
graduated from Neola High School in May 1940. The couple was united in
marriage at the Underwood Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints on 15
February 1946, and established their home in Underwood. Until 1954, the
Aneys operated Aney Electric in Underwood, a General Electric
dealership and electrical contracting business. In 1954 Howard accepted
a position as chief electrician at Ak-Sar-Ben Field in Omaha, Nebraska.
At various times Howard served the community as secretary of the school
board, town clerk, rural mail carrier, and school board member. Bonnie
served as town clerk from 1970 to 1975. As active members of the R.L.D.
S. Church in Underwood, they have served as officers and willing
workers.
Three loving children were born to these
fourtunate parents. 1. Vicki Nan [Aney] Grote, b 12 August 1948,
Council Bluffs, [m. Rex Douglas Grote, b. 7 March 1948, on 26 February
1972; reside on farm south of McClelland, Iowa; children: Seth William
Homer Grote, b. 7 September 1975 and Lindsey Kristine Grote, b. 19
September 1977]. 2. Kristi Lyn [Aney] Smith, b. 31 August 1951, Council
Bluffs, [m. Jon William Smith, b. 15 February 1951, on 22 August 1971].
Jon born in McArthur, Ohio, elememtary teacher and musician, graduate
of Graceland College. 3. Howard Fisher Aney II [Jr.], b. 8 June 1955 in
Council Bluffs, [m. Mary Bridget [Voss] Aney, b. 16 July 1956, on 8
September 1976; pre-school head teacher, graduate of Iowa Western
Community College]. Vicki and Kristi attended Underwood Community
Schools and Graceland College at Lamoni, Iowa. Vicki received a B.A. in
music education in 1970 and taught vocal music in schools in Harlan,
Iowa and Treynor, Iowa through May 1975. Kristi received a B.A. in
elementary education in 1973, and worked as an elementary education
teacher in Eaglesville, Missouri and teacher-librian in Blairsburg,
Iowa, residing in Webster City, Iowa at this time. Howard, Jr.
graduated from Underwood Community College in May 1973, worked as an
apprectice machinist in Council Bluffs until 1976, when he came a full
time machinist, residing in Council Bluffs.
The Aney family have always been a very
close-knit family who enjoy doing things and being together.
EARL W.
APPLEGATE
Four Generations
Earl W. 2nd youngest of the Francis W. family, a
native of Pottawattamie County was born Dec. 11,
1875. Married Lillie Bane - August 22, 1900 - she was born August 26,
1880, daughter of W. O. and Sarah Bane.
Shortly after the wedding, perhaps their
honeymoon, they went to Colorado. Spent sometime in Leadville. Dad A.
drove 6 head of mules on a logging wagon for a lumber camp. Due to the
extreme winter and illness of Mother Applegate they returned to the
home area and started farming in James Township. A son, Ivan was born
in 1902, he was but a babe when fire destroyed their home. Most of the
furnishings were destroyed - A dearly loved organ given as a wedding
gift from the bride's parents was saved. They rebuilt and lived here
for 6 or 7 years before moving ½ mile west to what became known as the
home place.
Dad and Mother Applegate belonged to West
Star Church, later joining the Evangelical Church and finally Methodist
Church. Dad was a Mason - Mother an Eastern Star.
Children of this union were: Ivan, Vera,
Mervin, Earl, Lola, Ruby and Ethel.
Ivan born 1902, married Dorothy Brackin,
What Cheer, Iowa. His education and training took him away from this
area. Living in Pittsburgh, Penna. - Chicago, Illinois and now at Port
Charlotte, Florida. They have two sons, Gerald [Jerry] and Leon - Jerry
and Anne living in Richmond, Virginia have four children - Sharon,
David, Steven and Jan. - Leon and Carolyn of Laurenburg, North Carolina
have 2 - Mike and Martha.
Vera born 1905, married Walter Dermyer of
Oakland, Iowa. Vera taught school for several years then she and Walt
moved to Omaha, Neb. and later to San Diego, California, where they now
live.
Mervin and Earl stayed with farming.
Mervin born 1907 - married Herbert Thomas,
Oakland, Ia., who died in 1950. They lived and farmed his father's land
in Belknap Township. They had one sone, Martin, who married Ilene
Watkins, they have three sons, Tom, Todd and Timothy. - Upon his
father's retirement, 1963, Martin moved and took over farming
operation. Mervin married Mary Briggs 1952.
Earl born 1909, lived until retirement,
1969, on the home place. Married Ilene Leaders, Minden, Ia. - 5
children blessed this home, Donald, Roger, Marilyn, Karen and Richard.
- Donald married LaDonna Olsen, have 3 sons, Douglas, David and Dean. -
Roger third generation living on home farm, married Ruth Grell Rush -
Marilyn married Gene Ralston, live in Omaha, Neb. with daughter Debra.
- Karen and husband Les Johnson, Rockwell City, Ia. - children are
Sheila, Kristi, and Lana. - History repeats itself, one son of this
family left the farm following his years in service and resides at
Yorkville, Illinois. Richard and wife, Toni have 3 daughters Robin,
April, and Heather.
Lola born 1912, married Orville Walla, Morse
Bluff, Neb. She lives in San Diego, California. Orville passed away
1962. Children are: Gary, Sue and Douglas. Gary and Sandra live in
Okeane, Ohio with 2 sons, Mark and Tom. - Sue married Tom Humphrey
living at Vista, California - Children are Shelly and Jim - Douglas and
wife Shelly live in Vancouver, Washington.
Lola married Robert Billins 1970.
Ruby born 1914 married Harry Hummel,
Oakland, Iowa. 14 years of their married life was spent in Oakland,
Harry was manager of a grocery store. During these years Connie and
Diane were born. Later the Hummel's purchased a theatre at Scribner,
Nebraska. Another daughter, Ellen was born here.- Connie married Marvin
Marreel, Hooper, Neb. where they live with 2 children, Jill and Joel. -
Diane married Patrick Simoda, Maui, Hawaii. - Orange, California is
their home. Children are Scott and Stacy. Ellen married Alan Ott living
in Hooper, Neb.
Ethel Born 1917 at Oakland, Iowa. Died in 1960.
F.M. APPLEGATE
The Pioneer
Francis M. Applegate and Harriet Rudisill were born in 1836 and 1835 in
Ross County, near Cincinnati, Ohio.
They were married in 1857 at Ft. Madison, Iowa. They lived in Darris
County, Iowa [3rd county from Mississippi River along south state
line]. Their first child, Mary Jane was born here but lived only a
short time. They then moved to Clark County, Missouri [northeast Mo.].
The Civil Was broke out and Grandpa Applegate served 4 years in the
Missouri Cavalry. They lost 2 children, Edward and Eva, during the war.
Grandpa A. was stationed in Cape Girardeau, Missouri on the Mississippi
River. Grandma A. was maybe going to join him or leaving to go to Fort
Madison, anyway Kate was born on the river boat, 11-11-1864, near
Alton, Illinois, just north of St. Louis. She was named Kate Kearney
after Captain Kearney, captain of boat.
After the war ended they moved to Ohio, Otway 1866 and Belle 1867 was
born in Hamilton County, near Cincinnati. When Belle was 3 they moved
to
Hancock County, Illinois across the Mississippi River from Ft. Madison.
George was born here in 1870.
Later they moved to Iowa, where Grandpa's mother Rosanah and stepfather
Henry Applegate [Grandpa A's uncle] lived - west of Fort Madison.
Henry built a little new house and Grandpa A. and family moved into the
big brick house where Henry's had lived. Both houses were in the same
yard. 3 years later Grandpa A. and family set out for Pottawattamie
County. They were two weeks on the road and arrived there Nov. 10,
1873. They passed through Ottumwa, Creston, Corning, then to Lewis.
They brought a little pup along and lost him somewhere on the way, but
he finally showed up. They also brought 2 milk cows and a heifer. The
kids took turns walking along to see that they didn't get tangled in
the ropes.
The family all slept in the covered wagon except Granpa, he slept under
the wagon. The team of horses fed from a feed box on the back of the
wagon. Camp was made about 6 p.m. and usually near a farm house so they
could get water.
Grandma's sister, Aunt Ann Judy and Uncle John went along the first day
as far as Farmington [a town on the Des Moines River near where the
south boundary of Iowa joins the river]. They ate dinner then returned
to their home.
From Lewis, Iowa the Applegates came west across country and stopped at
Palmer's store. It was just west of the corner north of the cemetery
[now Oaklawn]. They saw one gravestone in the cemetery. They crossed
the [Zentmire] bridge over west Nishna and traveled northwest. They
stopped at Jonas Rudisill's [Grandma A's brother] who lived 6 miles of
where Hancock now is. They stayed until they got lumber hauled and a
house built. Moved in December 1874. Grandpa A. had come out with Jonas
Rudisill previously and picked a location, bought 40 acres of land at
$9.00 an acre.
For years most everything was hauled from or to Avoca - Household goods
were shipped to Hastings and hauled from there.
Big Grove was what the settlers first called the community but it was
changed to Oakland in 1882 after a branch line of the Rock Island
Railroad was built here. Drury was the first depot agent.
Earl W. born 1875 and Lote 1877 in Pottawattamie County. At one time
the Applegates lived 1½ miles north of West Star Church and were active
members, Harriet died 8-29-1912, Francis M. died 7-14-1915. Both at
Oakland, Iowa.
GEORGE F. APPLEGATE
Francis M. Applegate born in Ft. Madison, Iowa, 1836, was a descendant
of Thomas Applegate of England, born in 1600.
Frank M., name he preferred, was married to Harriet L. Rudisell on Nov.
15, 1857 in Fort Madison. They lived near Bloomfield in Davis Countyl
Hancock County, Missouri four years until 1864, moving around the state
with Home Guard and Volunteer Service during the Civil War. Their next
homes were in Ohio three years, back to Ft. Madison. In 1873, they came
to Pottawattamie County in a covered wagon. Their trip took two weeks.
Towns they passed through on their route, which now is Highway 34, were
Ottumwa, Osceola, Creston, Corning, Lewis. Arriving at Palmer's Store
west of Oaklawn Cemetery.
They stayed with Mrs. Applegate's brotherm until their home could be
built in James Township.
Their six children: Belle [Levi Rucker], Early W., Otway F., and George
F. spent most of their lives in or near Oakland. George F. followed
carpenter trade, the other living on farms.
George F. born 1870 was married in 1916 to Josephine Judy, born Bertha
Ann Casberg in 1883. Her parents gave her away as a baby to Mrs. Annah
Judy, a sister of Mrs. Applegate. Annah Judy renamed her Josephine
Judy. They lived 3 years in their first home, where Harley H., Ward W.
were born. They then moved to the home southeast of old school, where
they lived until George died in 1943. Here, Harriet E., Shirley I. were
born. Shirley, May 1922 died here August 1941. Josephine Applegate died
in Avoca, October 1945 at the home of her daughter, Harriet [Mrs. Don
Larimore].
As a coincidence, another pioneer, Charles F. Schilling, who resided in
Avoca, was a salesman for Fay Stocking Company. He would travel to
Oakland by train, spend day selling stockings to local residents,
frequently eating lunch at George Applegate's home. His grandson, Don
Larimore, many years later me and married Harriet Applegate. They have
no children.
Harley Applegate married Margaret Jorgensen at Avoca in 1946. Cynthia
Ann and George Neil are their children.
Ward Applegate married Kathryn Cavanaugh at Camp Crowder, Mo., 1942.
Now, lives in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Their children are: Shirlee Marie,
Nancy Jo, Brian, Douglas, Donna Jo.
LYLE EDWARD
ARMSTRONG
Lyle Edward Armstrong, long time farmer of Pottawattamie County, was
born August 2, 1913 on a farm northeast of Lewis in Cass County, Iowa.
In 1916, he with his parents, Clarence Edward Armstrong and Hester
[McCarty] Armstrong, moved to a farm west of Lewis. The farm, which is
located in the northwest quarter of Section 13 of Wright Township and a
half mile south of Wright Schoolhouse #1, is the site of his present
home.
On February 6, 1934 he married Letha Leota Walter, daughter of Arthur
Walter and Ada [Worth] Walter of Lewis.
Their family consists of six children: Lyla Louise born December 4,
1934; Teresa Marie born March 11, 1940; Mildred Elaine born October 11,
1941; Raymond Lyle born July 14, 1943; Linda Lorraine born February 5,
1949; and Carol Lynn born June 18, 1960. Lyla, Teresa, and Elaine
graduated from Mercy School of Nursing at Council Bluffs, Iowa. Raymond
owns and operates Armstrong Plumbing and Heating in Atlantic, Iowa.
Linda graduated from Bergan Mercy School of Nursing in Omaha, Nebraska.
Carol is enrolled at Creighton University School of Nursing in Omaha,
Nebraska.
Clarence Edward Armstrong was born north of Walnut, Iowa, April 9,
1882. He was occupied as a farmer, thresher and corn sheller of 67
years in Pottawattamie County. He first began shelling with horse
power, gas engine, tractors, and finally a mounted sheller on a truck
body. Clarence married Hester McCarty, daughter of Michael McCarty and
Mary [FitzPatrick] McCarty on September 19, 1911. Their family
consisted of Lyle Edward born August 2, 1913; Mary Louise born
1914-died 1919; Gail born January 4, 1916; and Mildred born May 19,
1919.
Mrs. Lyle Armstrong [Letha Walter] recalls her great grandmother Mrs.
Grandville Pierson telling how she rescued her daughter [Mrs. Thomas
Worth] from a band of Indians who had captured the child. The Indians
were camped near the Grandville Pierson home, Northwest of Griswold in
Section 24 in Pottawattamie County. The Pierson's woned a large section
of land reaching to the town of Griswold, also a large section of land
in Council Bluffs [approximately where the railraod tracks are located
today].
ERWIN J. ARNDT
Erwin John Arndt was born September 22, 1924, in Kennan, Wisconsin, the
son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Arndt. He is one of a family of eight
children. His grandparents were of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. His
mother Huld Tegen Arndt, was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen
Tegen, of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany.
Erwin
attened grade school in Kennan and graduated from the Phillips,
Wisconsin High School in 1942. In November, 1942, he enlisted in the
U.S. Navy, serving as Chief Electrician on the U.S.S. Dempsey. He was
discharged in 1946, and went into business with his father, an
electrician, in Kennan.
On July 10, 1948 he married Roma Lehnhardt, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Harry Lehnhardt of Walnut, at the Congregational Church in Oakland,
Iowa. They are the parents of one daughter, Karen Louise, born July 29,
1950, at Phillips, Wisconsin.
In the fall of 1950 Mr. and Mrs. Arndt and baby moved to Council
Bluffs, Iowa where Mr. Arndt was employed with the Union Pacific
Railroad, as an electrician.
Erwin Arndt and family came to Walnut in 1951 and opened an electrical
business under the firm name of Arndt's Electric. In 1958 they sold the
business to his brother, Ralph, who continued the business until 1964.
Mr. and Mrs. Arndt and Karen moved to the farm owned by her parents in
February, 1958, located 10 miles south of Walnut and reopened the
electical business under the name of Hancock Electric.
In 1966 they purchased the building where they are presently located
[1977] from Paul Burke and Marie Bailey of Omaha, Nebraska. At this
time the store was enlarged to include housewares and giftwares as well
as electrical supplies. The name was changed back to Arndt's Electric
at this time [1966].
On November 16, 1974, Karen Arndt was united in marriage to Terry De
Winter of Marshalltown, son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter De Winter of San
Diego, California. They have one daughter, Andrea Suzanne, born March
17, 1977.
ANTON AUSDEMORE
Anton [Tony] Ausdemore was born on Jan. 5, 1898 in Dunlap, Iowa. He is
the oldest child of Joseph and Elizabeth Fischer Ausdemore. When Tony
was about 7 years old, the family moved to Neola and Tony farmed in the
area all his life.
In April 1924, he married Helen Remmes of Dunlap. Helen was the
daughter of Frank and Wilhelmina Grote Remmes. Her father died when she
was 2 years old. She had 1 brother Frank and he worked the farm for his
mother until his death in April, 1946, Helen's mother passed away on
June 30, 1948.
Tony and Helen have a family of 7 children. Donna was born June, 1925
and married John Sobotka in Sept. 1954. John was a World War II veteran
and they have lived on a farm outside of Omaha since their marriage.
Irene was born July, 1927 and married John Konz in May, 1947. The are
the parents of 11 children, Gerald married to Sandra Merkert and is
farming near Minden. They have 4 children; Matt, Sheila, Michelle and
Scott. Robert served in the US Army from 1969-70 and is now farming
near Shelby, William is married to Kristie Clausen and live on a farm
near Avoca. Their children's names are Todd, Stacey, and Brian. Marilyn
and her husband, Dennis Jipsen are living on a farm near Griswold with
theisd in Minden, Shirley is married to Timothy Cannon and resides in
Omaha, Nebraska. Her major is Elementary Ed. and Psychology. Colleen is
enrolled at NWMSU in Maryville, Missouri and is majoring in Business.
Vicki, Julie and Danny are attending St. Albert High School.
Leonard was born April, 1929. He married Laura Miller in April 1960 and
they are engaged in farming in the Neola area. Laura is a registered
nurse, and they have 6 children; Leonard, Patrick, Ann, Teresa, Susan
and Janice, all students at Underwood School. Walter was born inAugust
1931. He served with the U.S. Army in the Korean conflict and married
Rosemary Ring in May, 1957. Rosemary is a regustered nurse and employed
at Mercy HOspital in Council Bluffs and the family is engaged in
farming. They have 5 children; Gary, farms with his father, Sally, a
nursing student at Nebraska Methodist School of Nursing in Omaha, Amy,
Tony and Ron, all students at Underwood School.
Ruth was born in June 1933 and was married to Ervin Kinz in May, 1954.
Ervin served in the Marine Corps in the Korean conflict. They are
engaged in farming and have 4 children; Marcia is a registered nurse
and married to Charles Dusing, Jr.; Elaine is a Special Ed. major at
Clarke College in Dubuque, Iowa, Don and Ken are students at St. Albert
High School. Harry was born in March 1935 and married Lucille Bruck in
Nov. 1957. He is engaged in farming in Harrison County. They have 3
sons; David, James and Dennis, all students at the Tri-Center Schools
at Neola. Mary was born May 1942 and married Richard Cronk in July
1960. Richard is on the Council Bluffs police force and they have 5
children; Jean, Kelly, Angela, Valerie and Sheryl, all students at St.
Albert's school system in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Tony and Helen celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in a private
celebration with their family on April 29, 1974 and on June 2, 1974,
they had open house for friends and relatives. Helen passed away on
June 20, 1974.
JOSEPH AUSDEMORE
Joseph Ausdemore was born Sept 30, 1868 in Merzen, Germany. His parents
were John Theodore and Maria Anna [Wellmann] aus dem Moore. He had 2
older brothers, Theodore and Heinrich and a younger sister, Wilhelmine.
The family name has been traced back to 1797 in Germany when it was
spelled aus dem Mohre. By 1848, the spelling had changed to aus dem
Moore. Through immigration process, as the family
came to America, the name became Ausdemore.
About 1882, Joseph's brother Theodore came to America and settled with
his Uncle Henry in Crofton, Nebraska. In 1885, Henry sent for Joseph to
come to Crofton. After farming for 5 years with his uncle, Joseph moved
to Neola, at the age of 22 and worked on the farm of Jim Langin about 7
years. In 1897, Joseph was married to Elizabeth Fischer at St.
Patrick's church in Dunlap, Iowa. Elizabeth was born June 25, 1879 in
Co. Bluffs and lived in Neola. Joseph and Elizabeth settled at Dunlap;
while there, 3 of their children were born.
The oldest Tony, was born Jan.5,1898, married Helen Remmes in 1924.
They farmed at Neola and have seven children; Donna [Sobotka], Irene
[Konz], Leonard, Watler, Ruth [Konz], Harry and Mray [Cronk]. Veronica,
the 2nd child of Joseph and Elizabeth, was born June 2, 1899 and died
in 1902.
Barbara was born Sept. 10, 1904 and married Garrett Brummer in 1920.
They farmed at Dunlap and had 3 children; Edward, Geraldine [Reinart]
and Regina Mae [Jones]. Barbara died in 1964. On Feb. 11, 1903, Joseph
and Elizabeth bought a 147 acre farm south of Neola from J.G. and
Estella Bardsley. The location is SE¼ SE¼, Sec. 36, 77.42 and W½ SW¼
and NE¼ SW¼, Sec. 31, 77.41. They built the house on this land in
March, 1905.
On Jan. 3, 1909 their fourth child, Helen was born. Helen married Ted
Stamp in 1937. She taught in Pottawattamie county school for 20 years.
In Nov., 1977, Helen was chosen Iowa Master Farm Homemaker of 1977.
They farm outside Persia and have 3 children; Babetta [Lucke], Dannie
and Nadine [Ridder].
Another daughter Regina, was born on Dec. 16, 1911. Regina married Fred
Hadfield in 1932. They farmed outside Neola and had 5 chldren; Joseph,
Mary [Danker], George, deceased, Fred and Betty [Darrington]. On March
1, 1912, Joseph and Elizabeth purchased an additional 40 acres from
G.W. and Maude Gusie. This land joins the original famr and is located
SE¼ NW¼, Sec. 31, 77.41.
A second son Francis, was born to Joseph and Elizabeth on SEpt. 21,
1915. Francis served in the Army during World War II as an M.P. He
married Regina Hookom in 1949. They settled in Torrance, California and
had two daughters; Frances and Barbara. Francis died Oct. 29, 1971.
Another son Ambrose was born Oct. 18, 1917. He served in the Army in
the European front during World War II. He married Cecilia Temme in
1948. They farm the home place of Joseph and Elizabeth. Ambrose and
Cecilia have 6 children; Dale, Sharon [Thonvold], Karen [Scholl],
Marion, Lynn and Pam. Joseph and Elizabeth's 8th child is Joseph, Jr.
born June 29, 1922. Joe married Maude Matthis in 1951. They farm at
Walnut and have 2 sons; Duane and Dean.
Joseph Ausdemore died Nov. 20, 1936 at the age of 68. Elizabeth lived
on the farm with her sons Ambrose and Joseph until her death, Feb. 9,
1943.
RUBY MATTHEWS BAILEY
Ruby J. Matthews was born Nov. 15, 1917,
daughter of Orrin L. and Sadie Matthews. She went to Oak Grove Rural
School and graduated from Oakland high school then worked at various
jobs for several years. She married Raymond Bailey in 1951, a pair of
twins were born to them, Mary and Robert (who died at birth). Mary is
now married to Marine Sgt. Robert Blevins and they are stationed on the
Marine Base in Kansas City. They have one girl, Misti. Ruby's older
son, Norman Roggasch was born in 1942. He lived and went to school in
Omaha, Neb., went into the Navy in 1959 and was stationed on the Air
Craft Carrier Ticonderoga. He was discharged in 1963 and married Dianne
Ray. They have two boys Norman Jr. and Billy.
DONALD D. BAKER
Donald Dean Baker married Helen Joanne
Zauche, June 8, 1958 at Dubuque, Iowa. Don Baker was the oldest of
three sons born to Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Baker, Hastings, Iowa on August
14, 1936. Helen was the youngest of two children born to Mr. and Mrs.
Carl Zauche; Peosta, Iowa, December 31, 1935. Don grew up on a dairy
farm; Helen grew up on a Hereford farm. Both attended country schools
and after high school graduation in 1954 they met at Iowa State
University in 1955. Both worked at the Memorial Union at Iowa State
while attending college. Helen graduated with a Home Economics
Education degree in March, 1958; Don graduated with an Agricultural
Education bachelor's degree in November, 1958.
They lived at Charles City, Iowa where Helen
was employed as Floyd County Extension Home Economist until Nov. 30,
1959. Don was employed there at various jobs until his active 6 months
duty with the National Guard. Upon completion of the active duty he
taught the Veterans-on-the-Farm classes at Charles City.
Phillip Dean Baker was born January 1,
1960--the New Year's baby for Floyd County. The family moved to Newton,
Iowa when Don began working as a fertilizer salesman for Swift
& Co. Steven John Baker was born Sept. 12, 1962 at Newton,
Iowa. The family was then transferred to Mason City, Iowa by October
1st for Swift & Co. In March, 1964 the Bakers moved to the Fort
Dodge area where Don managed a fertilizer plant for Monsanto Co. at
Moorland, Ia. Susan Lynn Baker was born at Fort Dodge, June 18, 1965.
Soon after her arrival Don chose to work for the Iowa State University
Extension Service. The family moved to the Denison area in November,
1965 and Don worked as a 4-H and youth leader for Monona and Crawford
Counties. In the fall of 1967, Helen started teaching junior high Home
Economics at Ute, Ia. The family moved to Ute and Don went back to Iowa
State University a year later to work on his Master's Degree which he
received in November, 1969. The family moved to Oakland in Feb
ruary, 1970, though Don had begun his work in East Pottawattamie County
in November as County Extension Director.
Helen taught Home Economics at Avo-Ha
starting in the fall of 1970. The family bought the home of Mary Vieth
at 901 Palmer St. and moved into the town of Oakland during that
Christmas vacation. Prior to that the family had rented the farm home
belonging to Edna Tyler, four miles west of town. Helen continued
teaching at Avo-Ha for four years. When the Golden Rule store announced
they were going out of business in Oakland, Helen decided to quit
teaching and open a fabric shop "Helen's Stitch 'N Time" in August,
1974. Her first fabric store was in the green cement building north of
Rubacks. Within less than a year the space was outgrown and the fabric
store was moved to what had formerly been Potter's dime store. The
building is now owned by the Oakland Historical Society. The north part
houses the museum and the south section is the fabric store.
Helen's father, Carl Zauche, was brought to
the Oakland area April 26, 1974. He resided in nursing homes in Council
Bluffs and Omaha until there was an opening for him at Oakland Manor in
Sept. 1974. He is presently under their tender loving care.
The Don Bakers are active members of St.
Paul's Lutheran Church, Oakland.
This completes our history through Dec. 1,
1977. By Helen Baker
THE BAMFORD FAMILY
The Bamford family moved to Washington
Township in Pottawattamie County from eastern Iowa in the early 1870's,
coming across the state in a covered wagon. Our mother, Mary Kerber,
grew up in Indiana but came to Iowa to be near her brothers who had
come West. There were three children in our family. I have a sister,
Phyllis, and a brother.
I always enjoyed hearing our father, George
W. Bamford, tell of the pioneer days. He and an older brother had
helped break prairie, using a team of oxen on the plow; when they were
very young boys. For a while they had to go six miles to get their mail
before rural routes were established. Needless to say, it was very
helpful when telephones were installed in the country, even though
there were ten families on one line.
Our father was a Justice of the Peace for
many years and was later elected as a Township Trustee. He was on the
Council of Defense during World War I. Being on the Election Board
meant that it took many hours to total the votes after the polls were
closed.
I recall that the bob sled was the means of
travel for winter as we usually had heavy snows. It was a thrill to me
as a child to go the four miles to Mt. Hope church in the sled on
Christmas Eve to attend and take part in the Christmas program. A
Christmas tree with lighted candles was beautiful. Some people took
gifts to put on the tree and there was always a sack of candy for each
child to take home. We attended Sunday School and Church regularly,
going with a team of horses on a carriage when weather would permit. We
had a Sunday School orchestra for several years and Oscar and I played
in it. I also played piano for Sunday School and church for several
years.
We enjoyed attending country school and
usually walked with neighbor children. It was always exciting to
prepare a program and have a Box Social at our school.
During the cold winter days many people
would work to cut blocks of ice from the creeks to fill their ice
houses for summer use.
There were many chores each day as we had
cattle, hogs, and chickens to care for besides the work horses. Of
course, we churned cream for butter for ourselves and sometimes had
some butter to sell.
One of the special events of the year was
when the threshing machine came to our neighborhood to thresh grain.
We raised a good garden each year and canned
fruit and vegetables, also dried apples and sweet corn. Our father
liked to have a large patch of melons so we had extra melons to share
with relatives and friends. He has a potato planter which he gladly
loaned to anyone who wished to borrow it. He usually planted a large
patch of potatoes.
There have been many changes since the days
when we had to depend on horses for all farm work and transportation.
After the death of my parents, I moved to
Council Bluffs. I accepted the position of housekeeper for the Historic
Ogden Hotel, a position I held for more than twenty years. Since
retiring, I have done volunteer work for my church, the T. B.
Association until they closed the County office, the Red Cross, and the
American Cancer Society.
Oscar and his wife, the former Ollie Hughes,
lived in Council Bluffs a few years and then moved to Denver, Colorado.
Phyllis and her husband, Glen Best, and I have been residents of
Council Bluffs for many years.
GEORGE BAMFORD
I remember my father, George Bamford,
telling many things about the pioneer life when, as a young man, he
came to Washington Township, Pottawattamie County from eastern Iowa in
the early 1870's. He came with his parents, three brothers, two sisters
and one grandparent. He met and married Mary Kerber from Indiana, who
was housekeeping for two brothers in York Township.
Many people got lost as there were no
roads--just trails--and no fences. Many of the houses were log cabins.
Their first house was a dug-out with a branch and sod roof.
Hunting was good--prairie chickens, quail,
rabbits, etc.--so there were many hunting trips. Life was pretty rugged
but with gardens and their own meat people were quite self-sufficient.
Butchering was done every winter. Soap making was an early tradition
that has been handed down to this day.
The Bamford's raised lots of potatoes and
many bushels were hauled with team and wagon to Council Bluffs and
Omaha. This meant leaving home at 4 o'clock in the morning to reach the
market in time. There was no bridge across the Missouri River, which
was crossed on a ferry.
Later they raised sorghum cane and made
molasses in the fall. This was a very busy time as they kept the fire
under the evaporator going day and night. This also meant stirring and
skimming constantly.
The Bamford's helped start two
churches--Fairview in Washington Township and Mt. Hope in Hardin
Township. One Bamford brother became a minister and later generations
have followed in his footsteps. Many were farmers in the early
generations but now there are many occupations represented in the
family. By Phyllis Bamford.
WILLIAM OSCAR BANE
William Oscar Bane (1855-1935) was the son
of Ephriam Bane (1819-1899) and Josinah (Ricky) Bane (1825-1918) who
were married Dec. 25, 1891 and came by covered wagon from Harvey, Penn.
in 1865 to Ill. where they lived for a time. Two daughters were buried
there. Thence they came to Anderson, Iowa near Sidney in Fremont County.
William Oscar or W. O. as he was so well
known in later years, met Sarah Ann Young Phillips (1853-1933) while
she was visiting near Sidney. Sarah Ann was from Washington, Iowa,
daughter of John (1811) and Mary Jane Adams Young, who both came from
Flemingsburg, Ky. where they lived on a farm inherited from his father.
They emigrated to Washington, Iowa where Sarah Ann was born the sixth
of nine children.
W. O. and Sarah Ann were married April 4,
1878. They moved to eighty acres given to them by her father in Section
29 in southern James Township six and one-half miles northwest of
Oakland, which is now the home place. They added to this as years went
by.
They arrived at their new home Dec. 1878
which was a homesteader's shack with no wood of any kind. They burned
straw in which their household goods were packed and about froze. The
next day W. O. drove to Big Grove for firewood. They soon planted a big
grove around the place. Sarah Ann always said "I've stepped over every
one of these trees."
W. O. and Sarah reared a family of six
children, Mary Phillips Ellicott, whose father, William Phillips, died
when she was a baby, Lillie Bane Applegate, Isaac Oscar, Grace Chilson
Killion, Manuel H. and John Young. Three children did not reach
adulthood.
W. O. and Sarah moved to Oakland in 1909
where they lived until their deaths.
Isaac Oscar Bane (1886-1969) married Mae
Dell Potter (1888-1975) daughter of George C. Potter and Ida Mae
Rinehart, the second of nine children, LeRoy, Mae, Edith, Rubye, Hazel,
Beulah, Sybil and infant daughter. Her mother died when she was twelve
years old. Her father later married Zada Phillips Totten. They had two
children, Opal Plumb and Milton.
Isaac and Mae moved onto his father's farm
and lived there for the next forty years. They raised six children,
Doris Mae, George Oscar, Kenneth Elton, Marjorie Louise (Mrs. Leslie
Stevens), Robert Austin and John Alexander. Robert lives in Minden at
the present time. All the rest of the children live on farms near
Oakland or in Oakland.
Isaac, better known as I. O. or Ike, was one
of the first to sell solid tired Republic trucks in the county. He and
his brothers, Manuel and John, were the first ones to haul livestock to
Omaha in these trucks. Also used G.M.C.'s later long before the roads
were paved. Ike was one of the first to start soil conservation by
building dams in ditches to catch water and soil.
After retiring in 1945 Ike and Mae bought a
cottage on a lake in northern Minn. near Deer Lake where they spent
their summers. In the winter they lived at various places in Florida,
Texas, California and Mexico. They bought a house in Oakland in 1967
and spent their remaining years there.
BARRY BANE
Barry Oscar Bane and Sandra Kay Seibold were
married August 10, 1963. They have lived on the Archie Stude farm in
Pottawattamie County ever since.
Barry is the first son of Oscar and Mona
Bane of Oakland, Iowa. He was born on a farm west of Oakland, has
always lived in or near Oakland area. He graduated from Oakland High
School and served 3 years in the Army. Barry spent over 2 years in
Germany working in the Army Security Agency at Baumholder. Since then,
Barry has been very busy farming.
Sandra is daughter of Edgar and Margaret
Seibold of Springfield, Nebraska. She graduated from Nebraska Methodist
Hospital School of Nursing and has been employed as an RN at Jennie
Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs since their marriage.
After 13 years, Barry and Sandy were blessed
with the arrival of their son, Roy Oscar, born March 27, 1976, then
with their daughter, Sara Kay, born July 31, 1977. They have many hopes
for their two new little citizens of Pottawattamie County. Maybe,
someday they will also, be a farmer and a nurse.
DORIS
MAE BANE
Doris Mae Bane, oldest child of Ike and Mae
Potter Bane was born in a small house just west of the present Bane
home place. She attended rural school, James #8, Oakland High School
and University of Northern Iowa. She taught in country school James #8
and #9 a total of five and one-half years. For the next thirty-four and
one-half years she taught in Macedonia, Oakland, Estherville and
Waterloo, Iowa schools.
>From May to October Doris spends her
time in Deer River, Minn. in her home on Deer Lake. The rest of the
year she spends in her home in Oakland. She enjoys oil painting,
fishing, gardening, reading and playing bridge.
HOWARD AND DOROTHY
(DORT) BANE
Howard Austin Bane was born Feb. 6, 1925 to
Manuel and Hattie Keplinger Bane, on his parents' farm located in James
Township, Sec. 31. He attended James #9 to the seventh grade and took
seventh grade through high school at Oakland.
He
married Dorothy Ann Eyberg, Feb. 22,
1948. She was born Oct. 7, 1925 to Arthur J. and Hattie E. Guttau
Eyberg, in Washington Township, Sec. 32. She was a member of Zion
Congregational of Treynor and Oakland Congregational Church after her
marriage. She is a graduate of Treynor High School. Her two sisters are
Vernetta Liddell and Wanda Denton and two brothers Hugo and Dean
Eyberg. Howard and Dorothy have four daughters, Linda Frizzel, Denise
Bever,
Cheryl Karas and Connie Bane. Also three grandchildren, William J. and
Machell Frizzel and J. W. (Jack) Bever.
Howard is a member of the Grand Lodge of
Iowa, Scottish Rites Low Twelve Club, Scottish Rites 32 Degree. He has
twenty-five miles of terraces on his farm. He was the recipient of the
Iowa Soil Conservation Achievement Award in 1964; Goodyear Conservation
Merit Award 1974. They have a large hog raising set-up. Starting in
1971 with two sows and sixteen pigs to 1976 with 177 sows and 1603 pigs.
Cheryl Eileen Bane Karas, born June 22, 1955
in James Township in Sec. 32. She, like her sisters, was very active in
athletics in the Oakland Community High School. She graduated in 1973.
After graduation she chose to live at home and help with the livestock
and farming. On August 31, 1974, she married Doyle Karas and they
farmed with his father in Cass County. Nov. 25, 1977 they moved to the
former Manuel Bane home place and are farming in partnership with her
parents.
Connie Marie Bane, born Sept. 19, 1957 in
James Township in Sec. 32. She is a member of the Congregational Church
of Oakland. She is a graduate of the Oakland High School (1976), where
she was interested in sports; won an Industrial Arts Award; was in
Who's Who Among High School Students (1974-75) and again in 1975-76.
She was a member of the National Honor Society in 1975-76. She attended
Iowa Western Community College where she studied Building Construction.
She and Whip Wilson were the first girls to enter the class. She
enrolled at William Penn College where she was the first girl to major
in Industrial Arts. She is also majoring in Recreation. She is planning
a trip to Europe in 1978.
Linda Bane Frizzel and Denise Bane Bever's
histories will be found elsewhere in this book.
JOHN ALEXANDER AND
MARY ELIZABETH TAYLOR BANE
John Alexander Bane was born March 8, 1919,
the youngest son of Isaac Oscar and Mae Dell Potter Bane, farmers in
James Township. Brothers and sisters include Doris, Oscar, Kenneth,
Marjorie (Mrs. Leslie Stevens) and Robert A.
He received his grade school education in
country school James #8. His teachers included Vera Applegate
(Dermyer), Avice Anderson (Danford) and Mildred Miller (Bolton). Due to
the poor health of his mother, the family spent several winters in a
warmer climate and he was taught by his mother and sisters. He
graduated from Oakland High School in 1937, where he was active in many
sports.
The summer of 1934 John, brother Kenneth and
cousin Harold Chilson launched their home made boat in the Missouri
River near Omaha and sailed downstream to St. Louis, where they were
met by their parents. John, nicknamed Skipper, returned home to enter
his sophomore year in high school. Kenneth and Harold continued on to
the Gulf.
August 1939 he was married to Mary Elizabeth
Taylor. They became the parents of two sons, Terry Roger and Robert
Michael and one daughter, Beth Ann (Lesley).
John attended Lincoln Aeronautical School,
earning his A & E Mechanics License. Later he became a pilot
and flight instructor. He was a test pilot for Glenn L. Martin in
Omaha, Nebr., testing B-25's, B-26's and B-29's until he was inducted
into the army. Due to the shortage of A & E mechanics he was
put in the air-force reserve serving as a mechanic for Western Air
Lines.
In 1950 he started farming and now farms in
partnership with his son, Robert. It is interesting to note that John
bought his land in an eight year period and the price ranged from $325
to $900 an acre.
Mary Elizabeth was born Dec. 30, 1917, the
12th child of Orval Oscar and Louise Osler Taylor of Macedonia. She
attended grade school until 5th grade in 'Donia, moving to Carson and
graduating from High School in 1934. She participated in music and
athletics. She and her brother, Johnny, sang and danced at many
functions. Brothers and sisters include Ora, Earl, Opal (Smalley),
Laurence, Itol (Smith), Elton, Harold, Kenneth, Lucile (Hardiman,
Wilfong), Frances (Musselman, Hicks), John and Joyce (Gochanour). Her
main interests are sewing, writing poems and enjoying the three
grandchildren.
John and Mary enjoyed bowling for a number
of years with the Farm Bureau League. Are members of the Oakland
Methodist Church. John is a member of the Masonic Lodge. Mary is a
member of Eastern Star and Women's Federated.
Terry Roger, born October 12, 1941, on his
Grandmother Taylor's 64th birthday. Graduated from Oakland High School.
Attended the Air Force Academy for three years until both knees were
injured. He received his degree in Electrical Engineering from Iowa
State College. He and wife, Deborah (Kendzora), live in Phoeniz, Ariz.,
where he is employed by Micor as a Systems Engineer.
Robert Michael was born Oct. 11, 1944.
Graduated from Oakland H. S. and attended Iowa State College. He served
four years in the Air Force. He is married to Carole (Kunze). They are
the parents of Michael Douglas, Corey Robert and Kimberly Sue. After
his tour of duty he was employed by R.C.A. and began farming in 1970.
Beth Ann was born Dec. 30, 1947. Graduated
from Oakland H. S. Attended University of Iowa and ECPI in Omaha. She
is married to Cloyd Lesley. Both are employed in Detroit, Michigan as
Computer Programmers.
JOHN Y. BANE
John Y. Bane, youngest son of William O. and
Sarah Ann Bane, was born in James Township. He attended District #8
grade school and was graduated from Oakland High School in May 1917.
On December 21, 1920, he was married to Ruth
Setz, daughter of Felix and Ethelinda Sets of Washington Township.
After their marriage they moved to a farm
five miles northwest of Oakland in James Township. They lived on this
farm until 1951 when they moved to a ranch near Sallisaw in Sequoyah
County, Oklahoma.
He served eight years as trustee and as a
member of the election board of James Township.
They have two sons, Charles and William both
of Sallisaw, Oklahoma.
Charles was married February 28, 1948, to
Betty Orchard of Omaha, Nebraska. They are the parents of two sons,
Paul, who is pastor of the Free Methodist Church in Claremore,
Oklahoma, and Mark, a senior at the University of Arkansas.
William (Bill) was married April 24, 1954 to
Margaret Black of Sallisaw, Oklahoma. They are the parents of Sarah
Lynn, a senior at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Douglas, a
senior, and Rebecca, a junior, in Sallisaw High School.
The family are members of the Free Methodist
Church.
KENNETH AND DOROTHY
McPHERRIN BANE
Kenneth Elton Bane was born March 30, 1912
in James Township, Sec. 29, second son of Isaac Oscar and Mae Potter
Bane. He is living on the farm where his father and grandfather lived.
He has two planes and flies them on pleasure and business trips to
Florida, Minnesota, Texas, California and Wyoming. His sons also fly
the planes.
He was a member of the C. A. P. and helped
with floods in Council Bluffs. He was a Past Master of the Masons,
member of the Soil Conservation Service and the Oakland School Board.
He and his three sons farm 1300 acres in
partnership. He, his brother, Johnnie, and a cousin Harold Childon,
built a boat and sailed it down the Missouri, Mississippi and around
the Gulf of Mexico to Corpus Christi, where they sold the boat and were
brought home by their parents, who came after them.
Kenneth Bane married Dorothy McPherrin,
daughter of John and Dorcas Thompson McPherrin. Dorothy was one of
triplet daughters born on a farm in Belknap Township, Sec. 5. Dorothy
is interested in lapidary. She collects rocks while traveling to
California and other parts of the country.
Kenneth and Dorothy have four children,
Kenneth Mac (1939) married (1964) to Doris Sindt (1943) of Reinbeck,
Ia. and have two daughters, Teresa (1966) and Melinda (1969). Mac and
Doris live on the
farm where his mother was born. They have built a new house there. Mac
is a Past Master of the Masons and served in the Air Force National
Guard. He graduated from the Iowa State University.
Rodney Bruce (1940) lives on the homeplace.
He was in the Air Force National Guard. He is a graduate of Iowa State
University. He enjoys skiing in Colorado.
Sally Dee Bane Lynas (1942) married in
(1966) to Richard Lynas (1938) of San Diego and lives at Imperial
Beach, Calif. Sally graduated from Iowa State University and was a
member of the Delta Zeta Sorority.
Joel Richard (1947) married (1974) to Pamela
Williams (1948) of Crescent, Iowa, in Council Bluffs. They live a mile
straight south of his Dad's place in James Twp., Sec. 32. Joel is a
graduate of Spartan School of Aeronautics and served with the army in
Vietnam. He and Pam enjoy skiing in the mountains.
Since retiring Kenneth and Dorothy spend
their winters in California and summer in Iowa and Minnesota.
MANUEL AND HATTIE
BANE
Manuel H. Bane, born May 16, 1893, fourth
child of William Oscar and Sara Young Bane, on the Bane home place in
James Township, Sec. 29. He attended rural school, James #8 and
graduated from Oakland High School in 1914. He went to the University
of Iowa and earned a Degree in Dentistry in 1917.
While in college he met Hattie (Kep)
Keplinger, born June 24, 1893, at Bedford. Her father was a doctor
there. She graduated from the University with a major in music. They
were married August 1917.
Manuel made arrangements to use the office
of a local dentist, Dr. Curran, to make his father, W. O. Bane, a set
of false teeth. The family joke is that they were the most expensive
false teeth in the country, as this was the only such dental work he
did.
Jack, as Manuel was called, and Hattie
decided to farm at first because he was being drafted, however the
armistice was being signed before he had to go. He continued farming
with his brother, Isaac. They later moved to a farm in Sec. 31, in
James Twp. and lived there until his death in Sept. 1954.
They had one son, Howard Austin, who farms
the home place besides other land. Hattie (Kep) taught school at James
#9 for several years, she also taught piano. She passed away in May
1973. She and Manuel are buried in Oaklawn Cemetery.
Manuel and Kep have four granddaughters,
Linda Frizzel, Denise Bever, Cheryl Karas and Connie Bane; three
grandchildren, William J. and Machell Frizzel and J. W. (Jack) Bever.
Kep was an only child while Manuel had one
half-sister, Mary Phillips Ellicott; two sisters, Lillie Applegate and
Grace Chilson Killion; two brothers, Isaac and John Y.
MARY PHILLIPS BANE
Mary Phillips was the daughter of Sarah
Young and William Phillips. After the death of her father, her mother
married W. O. Bane. Mary did not use her father's name; but went by the
name of her stepfather, thus Mary Bane.
Mary Bane married in 1899, to Joseph M.
Ellicott. He had come to Iowa from Toledo, Ohio, where his parents
settled after leaving Canada. They had two daughters: Ruth Frances and
Lois Ioma. Mary and Joseph lived on a farm west of Oakland, Iowa. Both
daughters were born there. They gave up farming later and moved to
Sidney, Iowa; later in 1914, they moved to Council Bluffs, Iowa, where
they lived until their death.
Ruth Frances is married to Daire Farrell.
They lived in Council Bluffs, Iowa. They had a daughter, Cleo, and a
son, Dennis. Cleo married and had two daughters and two sons living in
Council Bluffs. Sue married and is living in Des Moines, Ia. She had
two sons and one daughter: Wayne, Jennifer and Justin.
Amy is married and living in Council Bluffs,
Ia. They have a son and a daughter: Jacob Alexander and Aubrey Ann.
Kim, the oldest son, is not married and is
living in Iowa City, Ia. Mark the youngest of the family, is not
married and living in Denver, Colo.
Dennis Farrell is married and has two
daughters: Lisa Ruth and Laura Kathleen. They are living in China Lake,
Calif.
Lois Ioma is married to John C. Brooks. They
are living in Council Bluffs, Iowa and have three sons: James Gordon,
Robert Bruce and Richard Allen. James is married and lives in Council
Bluffs, Ia. They had two daughters: Linda and Janet.
Linda is married and living in Sioux City,
Ia. They have one son; James William, and one daughter; Christy.
Robert Bruce, married and living in
Louisville, Ky. They have one son and two daughters: Richard, living in
Minnesota, Susan, married and living in Louisville, Ky. (no children)
and Debbie, living with her parents in Louisville, Ky.
Richard Allen is married and has three
daughters: Jane, Emily and Carol. Jane is married and has one daughter,
Kara. Emily is married and has one daughter, Karen. Carol is not
married. They all are living in St. Louis Park, Minn.
OSCAR AND MONA BANE
George Oscar Bane was born Jan. 1, 1909, to
Isaac Oscar and Mae Dell Potter Bane in James Township, Sec. #29. He
went to the elementary school at James #8 and attended Oakland High
School. He had three brothers, Kenneth and John of Oakland and Robert
A. of Minden; two sisters, Doris and Marjorie (Stevens) of Hancock. He
was married to Mona Ruth Winans, Jan. 1, 1931, at her parents' home
west of Carson.
Mona was born Nov. 1, 1912, one mile west of
Carson, Sec. 3, to Zaidie Lucinda French and Everett Malin Winans. She
had two brothers and three sisters, John, Dean, Hope (Cleaveland), June
(Chilson) and Gail (Frost). She received her education at Carson
Consolidated School and Simpson College.
Oscar and Mona lived on a farm in Sec. 31,
in James Township till 1941 when they moved to Oakland and Oscar ran
the gas truck for Standard Oil Co. In Feb. 1951 they moved back to
James Township, Sec. 28, living on the farm formerly owned by Oscar's
uncle, John Y. Bane, now of Sallisaw, Oklahoma. To this union were born
three children, as they grew older, were very active in sports and
school activities.
Barry Oscar Bane was born Feb. 8, 1935. He
graduated from Oakland High School, later he spent three years in the
army in Germany as a member of the Army Security Agency. On August 10,
1963 he married Sandra Kay Seibold, of Springfield, Nebr., a registered
nurse. They have two children, Roy Oscar, born April 27, 1976 and Sara
Kay, born July 31, 1977. Barry lives in James Township, Sec. 20 and
farms with his father.
Carole Annette Bane, born Aug. 31, 1936. She
graduated from Oakland High School and attended Wesleyan College. Nov.
10, 1956 she married Stanley Danker of Minden. They moved to a farm in
York Township, Sec. 20, where they still reside. They have six
children, Roshell Lucia, born Dec. 1, 1957; Peter Lance, born March 24,
1959; Yvette Dara, born Oct. 18, 1961; Dellana Dee, born June 26, 1964;
Paul Derrick, born Dec. 5, 1969. They attend Oakland Public School
except Roshell. She is taking Pharmacy at Creighton University.
James Justin Bane was born Sept. 20, 1959.
He graduated from Oakland then spent three years in the service as a
Lab. Technician. He graduated from Dana College with an A.B.S. Degree
and from Clarkson School of Laboratory Technology and received an
A.S.C.P. Degree. He attended Nebraska College of Medicine and received
a M.D. Degree. He took his residency at the university. He moved his
family to Alliance, Nebr. in 1975, where he is associated with three
other doctors in General Medicine and Surgery. James married the former
Ellen Dau of Oakland on Oct. 20, 1962, a registered nurse and they have
three children: Mark Nathan, born Oct. 15, 1964; Daniel Justin, April
13, 1968 and Diana Ellen, July 27, 1970.
ROBERT M. BANE AND
CAROLE (KUNZE) BANE
Robert Michael Bane was born Oct. 11, 1944
in Cheyenne, Wyoming to John A. Bane and Mary (Taylor) Bane. His
paternal grandparents were Isaac O. Bane and Mae (Potter) Bane and
maternal grandparents were Orval O. Taylor and Louie (Osler) Taylor. He
was the middle child with an older brother Terry R. and younger sister
Beth Ann. He attended Oakland Public School where he was active in
sports and band, graduating in 1962. He joined the Air Force in July,
1962 and served four years.
Carole
(Kunze) Bane was born to Mary
(Pierce) Kunze and Clarence H. Kunze Oct. 1, 1943 in Council Bluffs,
Iowa. Her paternal grandparents were Oscar Kunze and Laura (Boehem)
Kunze and maternal grandparents Sara (Ireland) Pierce and Arthur W.
Pierce. Carole has a younger brother Douglas. She attended school at
Bentley, Carson and graduated from Oakland High School in 1962 where
she was active in sports and band. After high school she attended
S.U.I. In 1959 her father died after being ill several years. He is
buried at
Oaklawn Cemetery. Her mother taught school during her father's illness
and after his death. She made many sacrifices during these years which
I (Carole) can appreciate now.
June 22, 1963 Robert Bane and Carole Kunze,
after meeting in high school, were married. They lived in Rapid City,
S.D. where he was stationed and their first son Michael Douglas was
born May 11, 1964. After the service they moved to Ames where Robert
attended I.S.U. Oct. 24, 1968 their second son Corey Robert was born in
Omaha, Nebr. where Robert was employed with RCA. In 1970 the family
moved back to rural Oakland to farm with Robert's father John. July 10,
1971 Kimberly Sue was born, completing their family.
Robert, Carole and Mike are members of
Oakland Methodist Church. Carole is a member of the ABC Mother's Club.
Mike is in the same 4-H club, Westside Feeders, as his father was as a
boy. He is also active in sports and band at school. Corey and Kim
attend elementary school in Oakland.
BARNETT FAMILY
FOUR GENERATIONS
After working two years for the Union
Pacific Railroad as a "mule skinner" and being present when the "Golden
Spike" was driven, William Polk Barnett (1847-1927) went to Missouri to
locate his brother and sister. Their parents had passed away when they
were very young. He had been raised with Miles, Uan, Lietha and Sarah
Hall. Lietha married Loren Parish. Sarah married Maurice Hough. Both
families lived in Hazel Dell Township.
While he was in Missouri he met and married
Theresa Caton (1856-1935) in 1870. She was 14 years old when they were
married. They were born in the same house but did not know this until
after their marriage. They lived in Missouri 5 years. Two daughters,
Frances (1871-1949) and Ida (1874-1876) were born while living there.
W. P. came to Hazel Dell by covered wagon and his family came to
Council Bluffs by train. They lived on a farm east of the township hall
for several years. In 1884 they moved to the present Barnett farm.
Fannie married Dr. Addison Jones, a dentist,
and lived in Iowa City. Hugh was born in 1877 and died 1894. Reu Lee
(1879-1954) became a doctor and practiced medicine in Cumberland and
Atlantic, Iowa. He married Florence Cady. They had three daughters;
Evelyn, Doris and Joyce.
Cora married Walter Cleary. They farmed in
Canada a few years and then returned to Underwood, where he had a well
drilling and pump repair business. They had two children. An infant son
died in Canada and Genevieve (1918-1977). She married Orville Hanson.
They had a son, Jack, who lived in Pennsylvania. Bessie--1885-1887.
Katie (1887-1962) was a teacher and taught school in this area.
Ray born 1891, married Ivy Wild, and farmed
in Hardin Township until they moved to Council Bluffs. Their family
included Donald, who served in the army during WWII, married Marion
Goodrich, of Council Bluffs. He moved to California. Alice married
William Sewing. They lived in Glenwood. Bill sold Oliver Machinery.
Gene, WWII veteran, married Marjorie Truscott, a registered nurse. They
live in Council Bluffs, where he works in the Real Estate Business.
Their children are Ellen, Paul, Laura and Ruth.
The youngest son of W. P. and Theresa was
Ralph, born 1894. He and Ray farmed together on the Barnett farm after
their father became disabled. In 1917, Ray, who was married a year
earlier, moved to a farm he had purchased. Ralph continued farming the
home place until he was drafted during WWI. He was in France when the
war ended. Chris Larsen ran the place for him while he was in the army.
Ralph came back to the farm and in 1921 married Gertrude Hampel of
Cumberland, Iowa. She was a nurse, who had been caring for his ailing
father in Council Bluffs.
Ralph and Gertie had four children. William,
Zolabeth, Bruce and Jack. "Bill" married Alma Kortmeyer from Burke,
South Dakota, who was a nurse in the same class as Zolabeth, at the
Jennie Edmundson Hospital. They farmed near Woodbine and Oakland. In
1969 they purchased the Hans Jensen farm, on Hiway L-34, west of
Underwood. Their children are Nancy (Dennis Flattre), a registered
nurse, of Springfield, Missouri. They have two daughters, Julia Dawn
and Amy Janae. A daughter Mary, works at the Council Bluffs Savings
Bank in Council Bluffs. Ralph E. works at the Western Electric
Warehouse in Underwood. He married Connie Jensen. They have one son
Kelli Scott.
Zolabeth, a registered nurse, married Ivan
Leonard. They own a farm northeast of Logan, Iowa. Their family
includes John, who played tuba in the U.S. Army band at West Point,
while he was in the service. He teaches music at Barhead, Canada. Jane
(Mrs. Rodney Weis), an Operating Room Technician, lives on a farm east
of Woodbine. They have two children, Trudy and Michael. The youngest
son Robert is serving in the U.S. Air Force.
Bruce married Virginia Crowl of Council
Bluffs. Their children are David, working with his dad, on the farm.
Duane, married to Melody Carlisle, and works at State Bank and Trust in
Council Bluffs. Denise and DeAnn are attending college. Bruce served in
the Army during WWII and has possession of the Barnett Farm. He farmed
with his father before taking over the farm., which has been in the
family for 93 years. He also has a trucking business.
Jack married Kathryn Reninger of Council
Bluffs, a registered nurse. Jack served in the Army in Germany during
the Korean War. They have two children. Joseph is married to Sandy
Raymor of Council Bluffs and works for the Union Packing Co. in Omaha.
Theresa plans to become a nurse and has been accepted at the Iowa
University School of Nursing at Iowa City. by Wm. O. Barnett.
STEVE BIRT BARNEY
AND EDNA SWANSON BARNEY
Steve Birt Barney, born Feb. 24, 1884,
Csaszlocz, Czechoslovakia, died July 15, 1969, Oakland, Iowa, buried
Walnut Hill Cemetery, Council Bluffs, Iowa. Father was George Barany,
born Ungwar, Czechoslovakia, mother, Maria Kandur Barany, born
Csaszlocz, Czechoslovakia. Grandfather was Steve Barany, grandmother
Elizabeth Kayla. Grandfather, master cabinet maker, grandmother school
teacher in Czechoslovakia. Father, George Barany, also became master
cabinet maker. Mother came from people who were professors and
educators. Steve Barney (had name changed from Barany to Barney) had 3
sisters, one sister still living, Elizabeth Poncgracz, 85 years old in
Manville, New Jersey.
George Barany, father decided to come to
America, traveled by boat here, worked as cabinet maker for large
furniture concern, decided to bring family over. His wife, Maria Kandur
Barany refused to come to America, so eldest 3 children, Veronica, Anna
and Steve were brought over, Steve being youngest, settled in
Pennsylvania, father took moonlighting job in coal mine, was killed in
explosion. Three children separated, Veronica, married, went to Canada,
now deceased; Anna, Buffalo, N.Y., married, Steve to Ohio working for
railroad. One sister, Elizabeth, left in Czechoslovakia, married
Michael Pongracz. He came to America and she came later, settling in
New Jersey.
Steve Barney worked for railroad, coming
west and eventually settling in Council Bluffs, Iowa. In December,
1921, married Edna May Swanson at Papillion, Nebr., living in Council
Bluffs. To this union were born, 2 daughters, one baby dying as infant,
1923, buried Walnut Hill Cemetery, and Marjorie (Marge) Barney Vance,
born, Dec. 25, 1927, presently living with husband, Claire Carse Vance
(see family history) and three children in Section 7, Belknap Township,
west of Oakland, Iowa.
Steve Barney retired after working for more
than 40 years for the railroad.
Edna Swanson Barney, born south of Woodbine,
Iowa on farm, Feb. 17, 1897, died Sept. 8, 1950, Council Bluffs, Iowa,
buried Walnut Hill Cemetery, Council Bluffs. Edna taught school and
worked for the government in Omaha, Nebr. prior to marriage. Edna
Swanson Barney and Steve Birt Barney lived in Council Bluffs until
moving with daughter, to acreage east of Iowa School for Deaf, Section
4, Lewis Twp. in 1928. This property sold in 1951, shortly after Edna's
death, Steve living in hotel in Council Bluffs and with daughter part
time at Oakland, Iowa until illness forced him to Oakland Manor Nursing
Home 2 years prior to his death.
Edna Swanson Barney's parents were Lawrence
Jorgan Swanson, born Sept. 29, 1866, Vejby, Denmark, came to U.S. 1889
to Omaha, Nebr., died July 9, 1948, Council Bluffs, Iowa, married Ida
Marie Hansen, September 1, 1892, born, Sept. 20, 1871, Langland,
Denmark, came to U.S. 1889 to Omaha, died Fall of 1955, Council Bluffs,
Iowa, both buried at Walnut Hill Cemetery, Council Bluffs, Iowa. They
moved from Omaha to farm near Woodbine, moving later to farm 8 miles NW
of Neola, Iowa, building a new home around 1932, moving to Council
Bluffs in elder years. Edna Swanson Barney had six brothers and
sisters; Helen Swanson Carolson, Neola, Iowa, now deceased; Verna I.
Lee, Council Bluffs, Iowa, Howard Swanson, Neola-Walnut area, now
living Council Bluffs; Albert Swanson, Council Bluffs, now deceased,
Glen Swanson, Neola, now deceased, and Merrill Swanson, presently
living on home farm Northwest of Neola.
BILL LEE BARRIER
Bill is the third child of five children
born to Max and Edna Barrier. Bill was born May 16, 1934, in Neola,
Iowa. He attended Neola Public School and graduated from high school in
1952.
Constance Marlene Stebbins was the only
living child born to Harry and Emma Stebbins. Connie was born January
18, 1937, in Neola, Iowa. Connie and her parents lived on her
grandparents', Tom and Clara Gardner, farm one and one-half miles south
of Beebeetown, Iowa. Connie attended school at Beebeetown for ten
years. She came to Neola for two years and graduated from high school
in 1954.
Bill was drafted into the army in May, 1956.
On December 29, 1956, Bill Barrier and Connie Stebbins were married
before family and friends at the Neola Presbyterian Church by Reverend
Stephen Jones. In February, of 1957, Bill was sent to France. He was
stationed just outside of Bordeaux, Connie followed in May and spent
the following year there.
Once back in the United States in 1958, Bill
and Connie settled in Omaha for ten years. Bill attended electronics
school part time and then worked for Communications Supply for four
years. Connie worked for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company. In
August, 1964, Bill incorporated in business with John Mulford of
Council Bluffs, calling it, "Allied Communications Equipment Supply,
Inc." Just two years later, Mr. Mulford sold his half to his partner,
Bill. Since that slim beginning, the company has moved from a $30 a
month garage to a large 28,000 square foot building near Lake Manawa
and employs 29 people. The purpose of the Company is to furnish and
repair equipment for telephone communications to railroads, pipeline
companies and telephone companies.
The family has lived at Neola since 1968 and
are members of the Neola Presbyterian Church. There are three children
in the family. Gregg Allen born September 24, 1962, Ronald Lee born
October 18, 1967, and Candace Marlene born November 11, 1970.
For the past six years, the Barriers have
had Quarter horses and are raising colts. Gregg enjoyed four years of
4-H, in which he showed horses and the family dog, Tanya. His
achievements included Grand Champion Showman with his dog and Grand
Champion Pony and Horse. His fourth year, he won the District
horsemanship award and went on to win the Boys Horsemanship at
Ak-Sar-Ben over 75 other contestants. He was awarded a saddle for this
achievement. He now shows in Registered Quarter Horse shows in various
events, his favorite being roping.
The hobby has now become a business called,
"Bilcon, Inc." with 30 Quarter horses and P.O.A. ponies. Ron and Candy
are now showing ponies locally and gaining experience. This will be
Ron's first year in 4-H competition.
DARRELL D. BARRIER
Darrell D. Barrier, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ivan
Barrier was born April 3, 1930 at Brayton, Iowa. He and his parents
moved to Neola in 1930 where he spent his childhood days, attending
grade school and graduating from high school in 1947. During grade
school years he delivered papers and did janitor work for the N. W.
Bell Telephone Company an also for the town Bakery. When his father
opened his business, The Barrier Tire Shop, he spent his time helping
there. A year after graduation from high school, he enrolled in college
at Mt. Vernon, Iowa, and attended one semester, returning back to Neola
to help his father in business.
August 13, 1950, he married Georgene D.
Susie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Susie of Cushing, Iowa. Georgene
was born on a farm near Battle Creek and attended a rural school near
there, and graduated from Cushing High School in 1946. She attended
Commercial Extension Business College in Omaha, graduating in 1947 and
was employed as a secretary at Roberts Dairy Company and later at
Merchants Biscuit Company in Omaha. After moving to Neola in the spring
of 1951, she was employed by Rief's Hardware Store in Neola until
Darrell's enlistment in the Air Force in February of 1952.
Darrell had his basic training at Lackland
Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, and upon completion, spent two
years at Shepard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas, as an
Instructor and two years at Amarillo Air Force Base where he was an
instructor. While serving in Wichita Falls Gary Ivan was born October
10, 1952. On March 31, 1955, Susan Ann was born at Amarillo, Texas.
After serving four years in the Air Force,
the family moved back to Neola, and Darrell joined his father and
brother Arlen in the tire business. He served several years as a member
of the Neola Volunteer Fire Department, coached Little League Baseball
and the Cubs and Midget Clubs. He also organized a Girl's Softball team
called "Duke's Dolls." He served several years on the Pottawattamie
Board of Health. He also served on the Neola Park Board and was
responsible for the planting of trees near the Baseball Park. Is a
member of the American Legion Post #330 and Georgene is a member of the
Auxiliary.
The family are members of the Neola First
Presbyterian Church. Darrell has served as a Trustee and Elder of the
Church and Georgene served many years as Treasurer. Both are members of
Agatha Chapter # 192, Order of Eastern Star and have served as Worthy
Matron and Worthy Patron in 1976. Georgene is the 1977 Secretary of the
Chapter. Darrell is a member of Agate Lodge #423, A.F. and A.M. and has
served as Worshipful Master, is a member of the Scottish Rite and the
Tangier Shrine of Omaha, and is a member of the "A" Patrol of the
Shriners. Both are active in the Republican Party. Georgene served as
President of the N.W. Pott. County Republican Women's Club for two
years, 1976 and 1977.
Their son Gary graduated from high school in
1971, and then graduated from Bemidji State College at Bemidji,
Minnesota in 1975 with a B.S. in Social Work and Psychology. Susan
graduated from high school in 1973 and is graduating from the
University of Northern Iowa in December of 1977 with a degree in
Special Education. In 1976 Gary ventured to Alaska where he worked on
the construction of the Alaska Pipeline at Valdez. At present he is
making his home in Anchorage, Alaska.
After Ivan's retirement from the Barrier
Tire Company, Darrell has been a partner with his brother Arlen until
1977.
JOSEPH BAKER BARRIER
Joseph Baker Barrier, son of Elijah Barrier
and Frances Jane Tuttle, was born March 5, 1862 in Coopersville, Ky. He
had six brothers and three sisters. The small town of Barrier, Ky.,
named for his family, is nestled in the mountains not far from the
Tennessee border. He remembered being carried on his brother's back,
into the mountains during the Civil War, to hide from the Yankee
soldiers. He came to Iowa at the age of fifteen years. He obtained
employment on a farm and saved his money until he could return to
Kentucky and bring his father and mother, brothers and sisters, to
Iowa. On September 29, 1887, he married Belle Sena Sargent in Council
Bluffs, Iowa. She was born Oct. 16, 1869 in Biggsville, Ill. They
reared a family of seven sons and five daughters--Willard, Alvin,
Clarence, Ivan, Max, Ellsworth, Evert, Winnie, Hilda, Lula, Elva and
Edith. He was a farmer but after he reached middle age, he became a
garage owner and operator, one of the first in S.W. Iowa. He had
a successful business for thirty years but never learned to drive a
car. He died Sept. 1, 1947. His beloved wife, Belle, died March 19,
1955. by Mildred Powell, Granddaughter
KENNETH LOWELL
BARTLETT
Kenneth Lowell Bartlett (Bart) married Joan
Johns April 24, 1947 in Denver, Colorado at Trinity Methodist Church.
From this marriage was born Thomas Johns Bartlett, March 29, 1948 and
Jeffrey Lowell Bartlett November 21, 1952. All became members of
Oakland United Methodist Church.
Kenneth, one of three children born to
Rupert Lee Bartlett and Caroline Taha Bartlett, was born in Omaha,
Nebraska January 3, 1920. Lorene, the first born, died as a young girl
and is buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Omaha with her parents. Gladys
Virginia Bartlett Ziegler was married to Roy Ziegler of Dalton,
Nebraska. She was born June 23, 1913 and died July 10, 1969, was a
loving mother, active church member, and was survived by two sons, Gary
and Larry, and her husband.
Rupert was born December 25, 1886 at
Schuyler, Nebraska. His parents were J. W. Bartlett and Laura Fireover
Bartlett. He was one of three children. Rupert died February 14, 1974
after many years of illness.
Caroline Taha Bartlett was born February 20,
1888 at Prescott, Iowa being one of ten children born to Jacob Taha and
Anna Kosar Taha who migrated to Iowa from Bohemia, Czechoslovakia.
Caroline died April 15, 1977.
Kenneth graduated from North High School in
Omaha and attended the University of Omaha. In 1940 he was inducted
into the Army from Washington, D.C. where he was employed by the War
Department. After numerous transfers between military bases and
attending training schools, he became a Night Fighter Radar Instructor
on a two-man Link Trainer; was then stationed at Orlando, Florida and
Fresno, California until discharge from Air Force in 1944.
Joan, one of two daughters born to Homer P.
Johns and Bonnie Puryear Johns was born August 4, 1924. Her sister
Judith Johns Fritz was born April 6, 1919. They were raised on the
Johns farm 1 mile east of Oakland and attended Evergreen Country School
and then Oakland High School. After graduation Joan worked for the
Office of Price Administration in Oakland and then as a clerk for the
Civil Service in the Engineering Division in Omaha and after marriage,
part time employee of the Eckels Memorial Library in Oakland.
Kenneth and Joan who were employed in Omaha,
met there and were married in Denver, worked there for awhile, then
returned to Oakland and have resided there since. Kenneth with some
help constructed the family home on Palmer St. in Oakland.
Kenneth is a member of Ark Lodge 335 AF AM
and Joan is a member of PEO and former member of Rainbow and Eastern
Star.
As of this year, 1977, Kenneth has worked
for Northern Natural Gas Co. for 27 years at the Oakland plant, South
Omaha District and the Main office in Omaha as an Inventory Control
Coordinator.
Thomas and Jeffrey both attended Grade and
High School in Oakland. Tom attended college at Silver City, New
Mexico. He then settled in Columbus, Ohio, was inducted into the Navy
and became a Communications Specialist, serving at Guam and Hawaii.
After being discharged from the Navy, he was employed as a civilian in
the capacity of Communications Technician in Bangkok, Thailand for
three years, then to a remote base in Greenland for a year (1976-77).
Jeff attended an electronics school in Des
Moines, worked part time doing farm work, and is presently employed at
the Northern Natural Gas Plant at Oakland. On September 20, 1974 he
married Nancy Jane Luth Farmer at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Avoca.
Nancy was born January 2, 1952 to Henry and Mildren Luth of Walnut.
Jeff and Nancy have two children; Jeremy Lee, born September 7, 1971 by
a former marriage of Nancy's, and Adam Lowell, born June 20, 1976.
JOHN A. BATES
John Anderson Bates, was born in Mercer
County, Illinois, Feb. 27, 1857. He came with his parents overland by
ox team to Big Grove, now Oakland, in the spring of 1863, at the age of
five years. Here he grew to manhood. He married Miss Annie M. Myers,
Sept. 14, 1879, in Macedonia, Ia. Miss Myers was born in Ross County,
Ohio, Aug. 25, 1862. She came with her parents to Knoxville, Ia., when
seven years of age. Her parents later moved to Macedonia, Ia., when she
was 13 years of age. Here she grew to womanhood. Mr. and Mrs. Bates had
five children; one died in infancy; Lenna, Mrs. Charles C. Jefferson of
Huron, S.D. (later of Council Bluffs); Clifford I. Bates, Ira O. Bates
and Enos C. Bates, all of who farmed in the Oakland Area. There were 12
grandchildren.
Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Bates
moved to Oakland. And in the fall of 1892 they purchased the farm, 1
mile west of Oakland, where they spent the rest of their lives. On
Sept. 14, 1929 they celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary.
Mr. Bates passed away June 5, 1934, and Mrs.
Bates died Sept. 30, 1938.
ROBERT AND CLEONE
BATES
Robert Melvin Bates and Georgia Cleone
Duffield Bates live on a farm in Center Township. They are the parents
of Penny Ann (May 12, 1947), Peggy Jean (June 12, 1948), Bobette Marie
(September 14, 1950).
Penny is married to Robert H. Akers of
Exira. Their children are Paula Ann, Troy Laine and Robyn Lynn.
Peggy is married to Dale G. Hunke of Pilger,
Nebraska. Their children are Deanna Jean, Michelle Lee and Mark Robert.
Bobette, a graduate of Buena Vista College,
is single and lives in Davenport.
Bob is the son of Clifford I. and Sarah
Warren Bates (September 24, 1924). Grandson of John A. Bates. He was
born west of Oakland in Belknap Township. His brothers and sisters are
Mervin (deceased), Marie (deceased), Jessie Fender, Leota Chiburis,
Ruby Reiff and Maxine Putnam.
Bob is engaged in farming and has been since
the age of 14 when he took over the responsibility of his father's
farm. Bob has the reputation of being a good and truthful farmer. He is
a member of the Farm Bureau organization, A.S.C.S. committeeman,
Livestock Feeders Association and Saddle Club. His hobby is hunting and
he enjoys quarter horses, and snowmobiling.
Cleone is the daughter of Melvin and Frances
Overman Duffield born in Chariton County, Missouri, April 19, 1929.
Cleone moved to Iowa in 1935 and to the
Oakland area in 1943. She attended high school in Oakland. She is a
member of Friday Book Club, Town and Country Mothers Club and Friday
Fact and Fun Club. She is employed as the Extension 4-H Program Aide.
Her hobbies are cooking and reading.
Cleone's brother and sisters are Bettye Jo
Hansen, Jerry Duffield and Judith Ann Hagstrom.
They are members of the Disciples of Christ
Church in Oakland.
GALEN BATTEN
Galen and Marjorie Batten live four and one quarter miles east of
Carson in Grove Township. Galen was born April 10, 1930 at Silver City,
Iowa. One of seven children of Ray and Sylvia (Carr) Batten. Other
family include: Merlin of Springfield, Nebraska, Mrs. Reggie (Phyllis)
Pendergraft of Carson, Mrs. Joe (Wilma) Lewis of Edina, Missouri, Glen
of Red Oak, Mrs. Don (Lois) Corbin of Griswold and Wayne died in
infancy. Their father farmed in the Silver City, Henderson, Macedonia
and Hastings area. Mrs. Batten passed away January 8, 1958, Mr. Batten
moved to Red Oak and was employed at the Murphy Memorial Hospital until
retiring in 1969. He passed away February 20, 1975.
Marge was born July 25, 1933 at Carson. The
daughter of Lynn and Vera (Lehigh) Achenbaugh. The other family
include: Wendell of Henderson, Mrs. Richard (Nancy) Schroder of Carson,
David of El Toro, California. They lived in Macedonia area until the
early death of their father in 1946. Their mother moved to Carson and
later married Chester C. Davis in September 1964. They operated the
Coffee Cup Cafe until retiring. On April 17, 1977, Chet was fatally
killed by an angered cow while helping to sort cows and calves on the
farm. He was 80 years old. Vera now lives in Carson. Galen and Marge
both graduated from Macedonia High School in 1950. In November of that
year, Galen joined the Navy. On March 4, 1951, they were united in
marriage at Yuma, Arizona. After serving four years in the Navy, he
received his discharge in September 1954.
Their first child, Cynthia Ann, was born
June 12, 1954. Now, 23 years old, she was united in marriage to Donald
E. Haack, July 19, 1975. Don served in the Air Force, is a graduate of
Marysville College and presently employed with the Internal Revenue
Service of Nebraska. They live in Council Bluffs.
Galen farmed with his father for two years
at Hastings after his discharge and also two years in the Henderson
area.
On February 10, 1956, their second child,
Edward Wayne was born. Ed, now 21, lives at home and intends to farm
with his father.
In March of 1959, the family moved to the
farm where they have lived for nearly nineteen years. In 1963, they
purchased the 240 acres from John H. Schnepel and later added another
87 acres. He also, farms 160 acres that joins on the south.
On May 29, 1962, a son, Johnie Kent was
born. He is 15 and attends Carson-Macedonia School. To complete the
family, a daughter, Julie Vera was born March 12, 1965. She is 12 years
old, in the seventh grade.
They are members of the United Methodist
Church. Marge presently teaches Fifth and Sixth Grade Sunday School,
also, holds other positions with the work of the church. Galen is
Commander of the American Legion and Marge is President of
Legion Auxiliary. He is also, Co-President of C-M Booster Club which
promotes various fund raising events to buy needed items for different
Athletic departments.
One enjoyment the family has is a picnic
area on their farm which has hosted quite large crowds and enjoyed by
many. Galen also started the Barbeque hog craze by using a barrel made
barbequer. The Batten family live where a tornado following Jordan
Creek killed the Osler family and destroying property in the 1880's.
CLIFFORD VERNON
BECKENDORF
Clifford Vernon Beckendorf was born 1919. He
is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ira Beckendorf. He was active in 4-H clubs.
He had his own trucking business before he was drafted. He served in
the U.S. Army three years in India. He was awarded the Air Medal and
the Distinguished Service Medal.
He married Dorothy Glissman, 1921, daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Glissman, in 1946. They own and farm land in
Lincoln Township.
They have two daughters, Connie Irene
Beckendorf, born in 1947. She graduated from Oakland High School. She
married Wylie Busse, 1939, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Werner Busse, in 1973.
They farm near Hancock. They have a daughter, Rachel Danelle, born in
1976.
Donna June Beckendorf, born in 1949. She
graduated from Oakland High School. She was an airline stewardess and
has traveled all over the world. She married Sebastian Astuto, born in
1944, son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Astuto, in 1971. They now live in Omaha.
They have two sons, Jason Sebastian Astuto, 1975, and David Sebastian
Astuto, 1977.
IRA CHRISTIAN
BECKENDORF
Ira Christian Beckendorf, son of Mr. and
Mrs. Christian Beckendorf, was born in 1889 on a farm East of Walnut in
Layton Township. He was ten years old when the family moved South of
Walnut in Lincoln Township.
He married Anna Leona Fries, daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. George Fries, January 1, 1913. They started to farm just South
of his brother, Elmer, in Lincoln Township. They had four children.
Ivan Christian Beckendorf was born in
November 1913. Orville Leroy Beckendorf, born 1916, was active in 4-H
clubs and attended Walnut High School. He joined the Navy in 1934. He
was lost at sea in the Pacific in 1942. Clifford Vernon Beckendorf,
1919. Lorene Evelyn Beckendorf, 1924.
Anna Beckendorf died 1930. Ira Beckendorf
and Lorene moved to Walnut. She graduated from Walnut High School. She
was active in band and graduated with honors. They moved back to a farm
in Lincoln Township. In 1945 they moved to Council Bluffs. Ira
Beckendorf retired in 1954. He died in 1961.
Lorene Beckendorf was a beauty operator and
worked for Edna Kline for a number of years. She has been active in
Business and Professional Women's Club. She married Gene Knowles, 1926,
son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Knowles, in 1968.
IVAN CHRISTIAN
BECKENDORF
Ivan Christian Beckendorf, 1913, was the son
of Mr. and Mrs. Ira Beckendorf. He was active in 4-H Club and was
graduated from Walnut High School. He married Betty Balch, daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Balch, of Port Angeles, Washington. They lived in
Port Angeles for a number of years and now live in Crescent City,
California.
They have two children, Mary Ann Beckendorf,
born in 1945. Ivan Christian Beckendorf, born in 1949.
The family have cared for more thatn thirty
foster children in their home. Ivan is retired and Mrs. Beckendorf is a
school teacher. She was the first woman rabbit judge in California. She
is active in youth activities.
LILLIAN BEEBE
Lillian (Houser) Beebe was born Dec. 20,
1896, on a farm at Columbus, Nebraska, the daughter of Henry H. and
Louise (Zingg) Houser. Her father came to this country from Germany.
Her mother came from Switzerland. She attended country school and
graduated from high school in 1914. She attended Nebraska University
where she studied Home Economics. In 1945, she married James Beebe, a
barber for many years in Neola, and moved here to make her home. He
died in 1965. She is a member of the Neola Presbyterian Church, the
Garden Club, O.K. Club and Alpha Delta Pi.
VERNE AND VERA BEEBE
The Beebe name was first recorded many years
ago in England. The early emigrants settled in the New England states,
later moving by covered wagon to Plainwell, Michigan. Verne's father,
Louis, worked there in the painting trade. He moved on to Oklahoma and
Denver before coming to Minden in 1909.
In 1911 he was married to Dora Halm. They
had four children; Glen, Ruth, Joseph and Verne.
As a young boy, Verne helped his father with
the painting business. In 1942, he joined the Navy where he spent
almost four years in the Puerto Rican area.
In 1944 he was married to Vera Schnieder of
Hallam, Nebraska and graduate of University of Nebraska at Lincoln, who
came to this area to teach.
After he was discharged from the Navy in
1946, the Beebes returned to Minden to continue in the painting
business.
In 1965, Vera returned to teaching and is
still active in teaching as well as in many community activities. She
had directed the Junior Choir of the United Church of Christ for thirty
years and serving as Junior Superintendent of the church school for
many years. She is presently chairman of the Town Library Board and one
of the library organizers.
The family now includes Kent and Annelle,
both graduates of Iowa State University. Kent joined his father's
business, which now is in its third generation. Annelle makes her home
in Denver, Colorado and is employed there.
G. B. BAUMANN
Gustave B. Baumann, born Mar. 9, 1869, son
of Samuel and Christian Baumann, Allamakee Co., Ia. One of 15 children
living in a log cabin with a dirt floor, the family was friendly with
Indians living nearby. As a boy he took turns tending the fires of the
family lime kiln. At night resting his head on a limestone rock he
studied the sky watching the movement of the stars and planet. It was
then he decided to enter the ministry and astronomy became his hobby.
He taught school and gave piano lessons to
earn money to enter Chicago Theological Seminary where he graduated.
While attending Christ German Congregational Church he met a Sunday
School teacher Elizabeth Gollner. They were married June 18, 1896. He
served churches in Waukegan, Ill. and Polar, Wisc. before pastoring the
church where he met his wife. She was born in Germany and came to the
U.S. at age 7 with her mother, three sisters and a brother. The father
preceded them to America to find work and establish a home. The mother
studied to become a doctor and delivered many babies in the
neighborhood for a fee of $10.00 for a delivery which included post
natal care for a week.
The Baumann's had three children; Harold
attended school in Minden where the family lived during World War I.
When the family moved to Dubuque where Rev. Baumann served Immanuel
Congregational Church, Harold graduated from high school and later
received a Degree in Education at University of Dubuque. He married
Myrtle Brunkow, moved to Chicago where he was associated with an uncle
in the plumbing business, later working for an oil company and
Westinghouse. After retiring he taught adult education in the Chicago
school. Have 2 daughters: Diane Jason of Canada and Karen at home and
twin granddaughters.
>From Dubuque the Baumanns moved to
Treynor to serve the Zion Congregational Church and St. Paul's
Evangelical and Reformed Church. The second child, Elsie, taught rural
school after her graduation from high school, and later
graduated from Iowa State Teachers College (now University of Northern
Iowa) and the University of Omaha. She (m) Lyle S. Klahn. Elsie resumed
teaching. They had one daughter, Nancy (m) Howard Byram. Nancy earned a
Ph.D. in Psychology and is in private practice in Glenview, Ill. where
Howard, who graduated from the University of Iowa with a Master's
Degree in Physical Education has been teaching in the Skokie, Ill.
schools for 25 years. The Byrams have 4 children, Scott, Forest,
Barbara and Debra.
Ada, the youngest, was born in Chicago,
graduating from high school in Treynor and received a degree in Music
from Northwestern University at Evansville, Ill. Married a classmate,
Raymond Altrock and lived in Omaha, except for a few years during World
War II. They have 2 sons: Richard of Sun Spot, N.M., who has a
doctorate in Nuclear Physics. He and his wife, Jan have twin sons.
Robert and his wife, Kathy live in Omaha with their son and daughter.
After the death of Raymond, Ada (m) Henry Weise of Kennard, Neb. and
resides on a farm near there. She retired from the Corps of the U.S.
Engineers after many years of service.
After the death of Lyle Klahn, his wife,
Elsie married Glen Bryant of Silver City. They live in Treynor where
Elsie is mayor of the city.
After living in Treynor, Rev. and Mrs.
Baumann returned to Minden, where they again served the Minden Church.
At their retirement, after serving the Lord for more than sixty years,
they moved to Omaha to be near, daughter, Ada who took loving care of
them. Gustave died in 1959 and Lizzie in 1960.
ALVIN THOMAS BEATTY
Alvin Thomas Beatty, born Mar. 9, 1891 in
James Township, Pottawattamie Co., Iowa. He was one of a family of five
and he received his education in rural and Hancock schools.
Alvin's parents, Thomas J. and Clarissa
(Brown) Beatty came from Penn. and eastern Iowa in early life. He was
farming and she taught school. Children: Austin (dec.), Ann, Boulder,
Colo.; Alvin (dec.); Mary (dec.); James (dec.).
Alvin was engaged in farming with his
father. On November 23, 1916 Alvin and Rachel henry were married and
are the parents of four sons, Henry A., Donald T., Max E., and William
G.
The Henrys, Wm. J. Henry, born in Muscatine
Co., Iowa and Barbara Armstrong Henry born in Canada.
Alvin retired and moved to Hancock in 1946.
He died in 1959.
Henry lives on the old home place and
received the honor of being in possession of the Beatty land that has
carried the family name over a long period of years.
Don farms, Hancock, Max is in construction
work Calif., Wm. (Bill) and family live in Atlantic and is the
president of the Atlantic State Bank. Donald, Max and Bill all gave
some time in the service of their country. Mrs. Beatty (Rachel) lives
in Hancock.
DONALD THOMAS AND
BEULAVON (HEFT) BEATTY
Mr. and Mrs. Don Beatty have farmed in James Township since 1945. Their
present operation, Beatty Thoroughbred Farm, is devoted to breeding and
raising thoroughbred horses, and much of the Beatty stock has
frequently appeared in the winner's circle at neighboring Nebraska
racetracks and in other states. Mr. Beatty owns 374 acres of land in
James and Pleasant Township, and in addition to the horses, feeds
cattle and grows the usual farm crops.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Beatty are natives of
Pottawattamie County. Mr. Beatty was born October 12, 1919, the second
son of Alvin T. and Rachel (Henry) Beatty. He graduated from Hancock
High School in 1937 and served in Europe in the Army Air Corps during
World War II.
Mr. Beatty has participated in community
affairs, serving as a trustee of James Township and was a member of the
Avoca-Hancock School District Reorganization Committee. He is active in
the county's Democratic Party, a member of the Iowa Thoroughbred
Breeders and Owners Association, American Legion, and Farmers Union.
Mrs. Beatty is the youngest child of Carl E.
and Edna (Harris) Heft. She attended school in Oakland and graduated
from Avoca High School in 1936. She was a charter member of the Oakland
Rainbow Assembly for Girls.
The Beattys have three daughters; all were
born in Council Bluffs and graduated from AvoHa Community School. The
eldest, Mary, attended Iowa State University and graduated from the
College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia. She and her
husband, John Martin, have two children, Steven and Carla, and
presently live in Virginia.
Joan is a graduate of Clarkson Hospital
School of Nursing in Omaha and is now employed as a surgical nurse at
Clarkson Hospital.
The youngest daughter, Jane, had the
distinction of being the first baby born in Pottawattamie County in
1952, arriving at 31 minutes after midnight, January 1. Jane graduated
from Iowa Methodist Hospital School of Nursing in Des Moines and is
married to Gregory Johnson, a graduate of Creighton University College
of Pharmacy.
DETLEF BEBENSEE
FAMILY
Detlef H. Bebensee, son of Henry H. Bebensee
and Ella (Guttau) Bebensee born in Keg Creek Twp., Dec. 5, 1893. Had
one brother, Herbert, and two sisters Hilda (m) Lawrence Fahrenkrug and
Olga (m) Irvin Goos.
Detlef married Marie Volkens, daughter of
Bernhard and Annie (Heesch) Volkens, Feb. 7, 1917. They celebrated
their 60th wedding anniversary last year. They lived on the same farm
45 years before moving to their present home in Treynor.
They had one child, a son, Bernard (Bernie)
born May 7, 1938 who married Karen Schumacher Dec. 5, 1958. They now
own and farm the home place. They have four children, daughters,
Machelle, 17; Jolene 16 and Beverly 14 and a son James 9.
Mr. and Mrs. Detlef Bebensee are charter
members of Zion Congregational Church where he was treasurer for 15
years. They were also active supporters of the Farm Bureau as are the
son and family. Mrs. Bernie Bebensee is an organist at Zion Church and
the daughters are all musicians.
Detlef's grandfather was born in Germany in
1823, bought land in Keg Creek Twp. in 1876.
MR. AND MRS.
CHRISTIAN BECKENDORF
Christian Beckendorf was born in 1851 in
Westerau Province, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. He was orphaned at an
early age. He came to Davenport, Iowa in 1872. In 1878 he and Lucy
Zortman of Muscatine County were married. They moved to Layton
Township, Pottawattamie County in 1881, where they farmed for twelve
years. In 1893 they bought the farm in Lincoln Township where they
lived the remainder of their lives. They were parents of two sons, J.
Elmer and Ira. Ira married Anna Fries.
J. Elmer Beckendorf was born near Davenport,
Iowa in 1879. He married Frances Port in 1905, daughter of John and
Susan Royer Port of Davenport. They lived on the Lincoln Township farm
owned by his father. He lived there fifty years before moving into
Walnut, where they spent the rest of their lives.
They had two children, Margaret (Deceased)
and Joe, who was born in 1910. He lived on the home farm until 1933
when he married Dorothy Croghan, daughter of Sherwood and Velma
Reynolds Croghan. They farmed three years in Lincoln Township and eight
years in Layton Township, moving to the Beckendorf home
farm in 1944. In September 1969 they moved into their new home in
Walnut. They belong to the First United Presbyterian Church. They have
three children, Betty married to Darrell Sunderman, Bob married to
Beverly Zimmerman and Boyd (deceased).
Bob Beckendorf and his wife Beverly,
daughter of Harry and Elsie Hallcock Zimmerman farmed one year in
Lincoln Township and in Center Township thirteen years before moving to
the Beckendorf home farm. Bob makes the fifth generation of Beckendorfs
to live there covering 85 consecutive years.
Bob and Beverly have four children: Larry a
1977 graduate of Buena Vista College, now teaching at Eagle Grove,
Iowa; Russell attending college at Ankeny, Iowa; Sherri, and Mark in
Walnut Community School. Bob is a director of the school. They are
members of Oakland Methodist Church.
HENRY THEODORE
BEEDLE
Theodore Beedle was born May 16, 1916 to
Perry Henry and Frankie (Griffith) Beedle on the family farm in York
Township. He was one of eight sons. On January 10, 1943, he was married
to Pauline Chaney, daughter of Earl and Sibyl (Turner) Chaney. They
lived on a farm in York Township about ten miles south of Minden until
1947, when they moved to a farm in Knox Township about five miles
northeast of Avoca. In 1954, he purchased and moved to a farm about
seven miles southeast of Avoca in Valley Township.
Mr. and Mrs. Beedle are the parents of four
children: Carol Elaine, who died of leukemia at the age of 9. Ronald
Theodore, who resides on a farm southeast of Hancock. He and his wife,
Pamela (Jacobsen) have three daughters, Kathy Sue, Kristy Jean and
Kerri Ann.
Phyllis Jeanne, married Charles Linquist,
lives in Weston and has two children: Michael Scott and Alana Sue.
Gary Dwayne and his wife, Doris (Dunn) live
southeast of Hancock, have two children: Stacey Marie and Brent Alan.
PERRY HENRY BEEDLE
Perry Henry Beedle was born in Fremont
County near Thurman. He was the son of Henry Jess and Dora (Proctor)
Beedle. In 1911, he moved to a farm in York Township. One year later he
was married to Frankie Griffith, daughter of Frank and Alice Griffith.
They lived on this farm their entire married life. Mrs. Beetle died in
February 1947. About two years after his wife's death, he and one son,
John, moved to a farm east of Carson where he resided until 1951, when
he moved to Council Bluffs. He died in August 1954. Mr. and Mrs. Beedle
are buried in Fairview Cemetery in Washington Township. Mr. and Mrs.
Beedle were the parents of eight sons, one who died in infancy.
Everett, who was killed accidentally in 1944; Theodore married Pauline
Chaney; William married Elsie Tyson, divorced, married Virginia
(Killion) Carspecken (He was killed in a tractor accident in November
1977); Perry Henry Jr. married Hilda Feignbutz; Jess married Jacqueline
Croft; John married Doris Archer; Mervin married Joan Martens.
BEHRENS -- WEDEL
Karl Edward Behrens married Delphine Marie
Catherine Guttau born August 11, 1911 on the old Guttau Homestead at
rural Neola, Washington Township. She was the daughter of Gustav Guttau
and Emma Heesch on January 25, 1938. She was graduated from Treynor
High School. After an extended illness she passed away on October 18,
1965. (See Gustav Guttau). Karl was born in Carson on October 4. 1909 a
son of Johann Gertz Behrens and Marie Koester. He is now resting at the
Baptist Memorial Home in Harlan after having to give up his lifetime
profession of farming, being a brittle diabetic. He and Delphine owned
a farm two miles north of Treynor. It was there they raised their two
children, Bryce Gene born December 5, 1943 at Jennie Edmundson Hospital
in Council Bluffs, and Karla Louise born October 21, 1948 also at the
Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs.
Bryce graduated from Treynor High School in
1962. He married Ruthalee Cary in November 1968 and a son was born to
their union on September 1, 1969. They were divorced. Bryce is now
living in Council Bluffs and is employed at Wright and Willhelmy in
Omaha.
Karla was graduated from Treynor High School
in 1966 and went on to Stewarts School of Hairstyling and graduated
from there in July 1967. State Boards were successfully completed and
passed in August and she married Gary Lee Wedel on September 8, 1967.
They were the last couple to be married in the old Zion Congregational
Church in Treynor where Karla was baptized and confirmed. She practiced
cosmetology at Marges Beauty Shop in Neola for a year.
Gary was born January 30, 1947 at the Mercy
Hospital in Council Bluffs a son of Orville Laverne Wedel and Betty
Jane Derby. (see Wedel) He graduated from AvoHa High School in 1965. He
operates Wedel Dental Laboratory in Council Bluffs. They are now both
members of the Minden United Church of Christ where Gary is Senior High
Sunday School Superintendent and Karla keeps attendance records for the
Sunday School and enjoys singing in the adult choir.
Sewing is a favorite pastime for Karla while
Gary enjoys sports of all kinds. Bowling, golfing, hunting and with
Karla fishing and playing mixed league softball. He also has a
ventriloquist doll named Randy and they entertain at various events.
Gary was chairman of the Minden Centennial
Committee in 1976 and drew the Centennial Seal. He was chosen to have
his name printed in the 1977 edition of Outstanding Young Men of
America. He is a member of the Council Bluffs Optimist and at present
is serving as Rifle Club Chairman for the Youth through this
organization. He built the home in which they reside in Minden with
their three daughters.
Delene Luann was born December 20, 1968 at
the Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs. She enjoys tap, ballet
and acrobatic lessons and likes art. She also sings in the youth choir
and attends Sunday School.
Wendy Joell was born April 19, 1971 at the
Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs. She also enjoys tap,
ballet and acrobatic lessons, attends Sunday School. Her favorite thing
is to read.
Michelle Lea was born June 9, 1976. She was
the youngest member of the town of Minden as they celebrated their
Centennial. She helped her mother at Sunday School since she was three
months old thus attended class at the young age of two years.
As a family they enjoy boating at DeSota
Bend and on the Missouri River. This stems back to Grandfather Johann
as he was born on a sailboat on the waters of the North Sea, Oldenburg,
Germany. He became a sailor at the age of 14 as was his father and
uncle before him. For ten years he sailed the seven seas, visiting
every port in the world.
JULIUS BENDT
Julius Bendt was born January 28, 1852, at
Harmsdorf, near Oldenburg in Schleswig, Holstein, and was married to
Lena Rosberg (born June 8, 1856) in 1880. To this union were born six
children: Bertha (born October 17, 1880) who died in early life; Otto
(born July 5, 1883); Herman (born November 23, 1886); Dora (born May 9,
1889); Ella (born May 13, 1892); and Paula (born May 12, 1894). In
April of 1885 they came to America and settled in the Mineola area
where he rented various farms. On March 20, 1903, he purchased a 240
acres farm in Keg Creek Township for $65.00 an acre from T. Basch. They
resided here until 1915 when he retired and moved to Mineola. Julius
Bendt passed away June 13, 1919. Julius' son Herman, who was renting
the farm at the time, purchased 160 acres with the buildings from the
estate on November 29,
1919 for $145.00 per acre, and Julius' son, Otto, purchased the other
80 acres. Herman Brendt married Helen Hansen (born June 25, 1890) on
March 31st, 1915. They had 5 children: one died in infancy; Vera (born
January 20, 1916) married to Herman Schroeder; Mildred (born March 17,
1917) married to Ersal Powles; Anita (born August 23, 1918) married to
George Marshall; and Earl (born March 23, 1928) married to Phyllis
McCoy. Herman mortgaged the farm on March 29, 1932 and sold it on April
20, 1936. He continued to farm it until 1938; and then he moved to
Mills County where he continued to farm until 1954. After he retired,
he moved to Silver City and worked for various farmers in the area. In
1960, he had planted corn for 60 years. His wife, Helen passed away
February 25, 1972, the last member of the Hansen family. On November
23, 1977, Herman was 91 years old and living in the Nishna Care Center
in Malvern, Iowa. He is the last living member of his family. By Edward
Marshall.
EDWIN AND NEVA
BENTLEY
Edwin Harold Bentley has been a resident of
Pottawattamie County his entire life. He was born November 13, 1906 in
Oakland, Iowa, the son of John B. Bentley, (1867-1930) a native of
Pennsylvania and Edith Pierce Bentley (1880-1954) a native of
Pottawattamie County.
John B. Bentley was a butcher and meat
market operator in Oakland, then in 1910 he moved with his family to a
farm in Washington Township where Edwin grew to manhood with his six
brothers, Orris, Walter, John, who died in 1970, Kenneth, Donald, who
died in 1931, and Sherwood and one sister Leona Bentley Coleman. Edwin
attended rural school in Washington Township and Oakland High School.
Edwin's interest has always been in farming
and livestock. On May 20, 1936, he was united in marriage to Neva
Coleman, a graduate of Oakland High School and a teacher in the rural
schools of Washington Township. Neva was the daughter of Roy Archie
Coleman (1889-1955) and Mabel Hetrick Coleman (b. 1890) both
Pottawattamie County natives.
Edwin had rented and moved to the Hetrick
farm of 160 acres in York Township in March, 1936, so he took his bride
back to the home where she was born in 1914. Her grandfather Philip E.
Hetrick had purchased the farm in 1898 from his father's estate and her
parents farmed the land from 1911 to 1919.
In 1959 Edwin purchased the farm and has
always taken great pride in maintaining and improving the land and
homestead. The most recent improvement was the new house built in 1971.
For fifteen years, he was in the Purebred
Spotted Poland China hog business and he served as York Township
Committeeman for A.S.C.S. for over 20 years.
Mr. and Mrs. Bentley are the parents of five
children. Kendall (b. 1938), a graduate of Agri-Business Course from
Iowa State University at Ames, is now farming the home property since
his father retired. He feeds a great number of cattle and farrows and
finishes hogs. He is a licensed pilot and avid skier.
Sherryl (b. 1940), a medical secretary
graduate and wife of Donald Hoeppner, Associate Principal of Jefferson
High School, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where they reside. They have three
children, Kirk, Eydie and Mindy. She excels in sewing and baking and is
involved in church and charity organizations.
Meredith (b. 1942), a graduate of State
University of Iowa with a B.A. in Anthropology, served four years in
the Army Security Agency. He has traveled extensively and does much
research in genealogy. He is now a resident of Seattle, Washington.
Marshall (b. 1943), a graduate of State
University of Iowa with a B.S. in Political Science, served four years
in the U.S. Navy and attained the rank of Lieutenant J.G. For several
years he was the Grants Administrator for Youth Projects in San
Francisco; but is now attending law school in the city where he resides
with his young son, Daum.
Layna (b. 1947), a graduate of Patricia
Stevens Career College and the University of Northern Iowa, resides in
Omaha, Nebr. where she is a fashion merchandising instructor at N.C.E.
The Bentley's political affiliation is with
the Republican Party and they are members and regular attendants of
Sharon Presbyterian Church.
KENNETH HARRISON
BENTLEY
I, Kenneth H. Bentley was born March 12,
1912 on the family farm 9 miles west of Oakland. I have lived on this
farm all of my life except for the 4 years I spent in the army during
the second World War and the one year I lived in town with my mother in
1951 and 1952.
My father was John B. Bentley. He came from
Meadville, Pennsylvania in 1900. He was married to Edith M. Pierce in
about 1902. He owned and operated a meat market in Oakland for 10
years. He also delivered fresh meat to the rural areas by team and
wagon a couple times a week. People around the community who had horses
that needed breaking would often ask him to drive their horses on his
meat wagon and it wouldn't be long before they were tamed. After
selling the meat market my folks and family moved to the farm where we
now live and where I was born.
I have one sister and five brothers living:
Mrs. Ardath Coleman (Leona), Edwin and Walter of Oakland; Orris and
Sherwood of Macedonia. I have 2 brothers deceased: John in 1970 from a
heart attack, and Donald in 1931 from an infection as the result of a
mule kicking him in his leg. My father died in 1930 leaving mother and
family heavily in debt. We had quite a struggle keeping the family farm
during the drouth and depression of the 30's. Finally in 1937 we lost
the farm to the creditors. We rented it for one year and the next year
we were able to buy it back for $87.50 per acre. The years following
were good years for our farming operation. We raised hogs and fed light
weight cattle.
I graduated from Oakland High School in
1931. After graduation I helped on the farm. I served in the U.S. Army
from August 1942 to January of 1946. I spent 2 1/2 years overseas in
the South Pacific: Guadalcanal, Bougainville, and the Philippine
Islands. I was in the Signal Corps.
One of the fastest changes I have seen in my
life was the conversion from horses to tractors and power equipment
during World War II. We had about 20 horses and colts when I went to
the service and when I came home we had only 2 teams left. After
returning home I resumed farming operations with my mother and my
brother, Walter. My mother passed away in July 1954.
I married Lorene Minnig December 27, 1952.
We moved to the family farm and continued to farm with my brother,
Walter, until we divided the 480 acre farm at the time we built our new
home in 1957. We became the parents of 2 girls and 2 boys: Janet (Mrs.
Michael Bean) born February 12, 1953, Mark born October 16, 1954,
Carolyn born October 12, 1955, and Keith born April 28, 1957.
Lorene was born August 7, 1919 at Bassett,
Nebraska. She grew up on a ranch 14 miles south of Bassett and
graduated from the Rock County High School in 1937. Her parents
Wellington B. Minnig and Caroline M. Bohl came to the Bassett community
from Auburn, Nebraska the year of 1915. That was before there were any
marked roads in that area. Lorene taught country school for 3 years
after graduation. She went to business school for a year and afterwards
she worked for the Union Pacific Railroad in Omaha. After her marriage
she became a full time farmer's wife.
We are active members of the Sharon
Presbyterian Church located 4 miles west of Oakland on highway 6.
SHERWOOD AND
MARJORIE BENTLEY
H. Sherwood Bentley, born November 27, 1922,
son of John B. and Edith M. (Pierce) Bentley married Marjorie M. Chaney
(born January 31, 1932) daughter of D. Earl and Sybil A. Chaney, on
October 28, 1945.
Both were raised on family farms west of
Oakland, are graduates of Oakland High School, moved to Mills County
farm in November 1946, then purchased a farm southwest of Macedonia and
moved there March, 1951. Where they now reside. They have four
children:
Daughter--Marilyn Marie born November 13, 1946, married Stephen C.
Mickey (born November 15, 1947) on July 22, 1966. They have two sons,
Craig Allen born September 22, 1967 and Ryan David born June 28, 1977.
All are engaged in farming and livestock.
Son--John Bruce, born December 7, 1947,
married Ruby J. Fahrenkrug (born August 17, 1948) on March 20, 1966.
They have four children: Brian Donald born June 26, 1966; Marla Jo born
December 4, 1968; Barbara LeAnn born April 28, 1972; Jana Joe born
March 16, 1976. Engaged in farming and livestock.
Son--Rodney Dale born June 21, 1949 married
LuAnn Carol Grove (born March 29, 1955) on June 15, 1974. They have a
son, Jeffrey Dean born November 3, 1977. Engaged in farming and cattle
raising.
Daughter--Marlene Sue born November 27, 1950
married Terry Wayne Richardson (born October 29, 1950) on October 16,
1971. They have two sons: Todd Andrew born May 16, 1972 and Trevor
Richardson born November 20, 1975. Live on an acreage west of
Macedonia, employed with A.T.&T. in Omaha, Nebraska.
A. L. BESORE, M.D.
So my six Grandsons, you want to know about
the Besore Family Tree. Well your Great Great Grandfather, the Rev.
Jacob H. Besore of Ida Grove, Iowa married Jemima Sherick in 1867. He
was also a Dentist. He made a gold ring as a Masonic ring for President
Harding and President Harding was buried with this on his finger. To
this marriage, your Great Grandfather, Albert Leroy Besore was born on
June 30, 1879, the youngest of four brothers, at North Liberty, Iowa.
He attended the University of Iowa at Iowa
City and received his M.D. Degree in 1904. He started his medical
practice with his brother, Walter Besore, M.D., at Macedonia, Iowa and
after a short time moved to Carson, Iowa, and later to Bentley, Iowa.
Bentley did not have a Drug Store at that time, so he moved to
McClelland, Iowa where a Druggist, Mr. Horace Spears, operated a Drug
Store and Ice Cream Parlor.
He met your Great Grandmother, Frances M.
Duff, at a dance in Neola, Iowa and on February 26, 1908 they were
married. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Allen Duff of
Rural Neola. They were engaged in farming, and broke the first prairie
sod around what is now Mineola, Iowa. They had one son, William M. Duff
and three daughters, Lottie, Frances and Clara. I would like to mention
that your Great Great Aunt Clara (Payne) presented a Birthday Cake to
President Truman at Pacific Junction, Iowa at a time when he was
traveling through on a Special Train. She received a personal letter
from him, thanking her for remembering his Birthday and I still have
this letter among other mementoes of years gone by.
My father was what they called a "Country
Doctor" and for several years his country calls were made on horseback,
then in turn came the buggies, and then the automobile. On his 75th
Birthday in 1954, he had delivered more than 2500 babies and had
delivered both the father and mother of a new born baby. He was well in
the third generation of deliveries. The babies were delivered in the
homes in those days, rather than in hospitals.
During the great flu epidemic of 1918, he
gained the reputation as a flu specialist by not having lost a single
patient to the flu. He himself had a touch of the flu and for several
weeks your Great Grandmother drove the team on his calls. Dad would lay
in the back seat of the buggy, all bundled up with blankets.
He was caught away from home during an
Easter blizzard one year and it was four days before he could return
and nineteen days before he was able to get his car home.
Dad always carried a pair of wire cutters
with him and when the roads were blocked with from five to twelve feet
of snow, he would cut the fences and go across the farmer's fields in a
determined effort to get to a sick patient. All through his High School
and College days, Dad was known as "Bert" but as soon as he received
his M.D. Degree, this changed to "Doc."
I remember one night the phone rang and Dad
answered it. In a few minutes he was up, dressed, grabbed his black bag
and was gone. The next day I asked him who was sick and he said "that
was Floyd Leslie and he wanted to know if I could come down right away"
and he was happy to report that the mother and three Pekingese pups
were doing fine. Floyd Leslie was the Druggist at this time.
During the depression of 1936, corn was
selling for eight to ten cents a bushel and Dad was giving the farmers
.25 a bushel credit on their accounts. He had the coal bin, chicken
house, granary, and part of the garage full of ear corn. Most of it was
used as fuel and burned in the stoves and furnace.
Dad never had a lot of money like most
Doctors of the present time, but we sure had plenty of good food. Dad
would take a steer, pig, chickens, potatoes, eggs, cream, milk and
sometimes fresh churned butter on accounts.
Forty-eight of his fifty-three years as a
physician were spent at McClelland, Iowa and on February 22, 1957, at
age of 77 years, he was called to rest and he is buried in the Garden
of Apostle in the Cedar Lawn Cemetery in Council Bluffs, Iowa. His
wife, Frances, died August 16, 1972 and is by his side.
I was an only child, born July 10, 1913 at
McClelland, Iowa and my father assisted in my delivery at their
McClelland home. I was also an only born in the "Duff" family.
I met my future wife, Honor K. Prentice,
daughter of Robert and Stella Prentice of Crescent, while attending a
dance at Weston. We were married on January 4, 1939. This was also her
twentieth birthday.
Our first son, William Albert Besore was
born on June 23, 1943, and he married Annina K. Jensen, daughter of
Arnold B. and Elna Jensen of Council Bluffs, on April 24, 1964. You
three Grandsons, Kort, Marty and Robbie, are their sons.
Our second son, Prentice Alan Besore was
born August 23, 1946, and he married Judy M. Green, daughter of Kenneth
and Violet Green of Council Bluffs, on June 18, 1966. Your three
Grandsons, Andrew, Eric and Perry, are their sons. So you see my six
Grandsons, you are the descendants of this Besore Family.
Prior to Retirement in 1974, I worked
thirty-two years on the Railroad and five years as a Deputy Bailiff and
Deputy Sheriff in the Municipal Court System in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Your Grandfather, William J. Besore.
DR. WALTER McKAY
BESORE
Dr. Walter McKay Besore came to
Pottawattamie County in 1898, where he practiced medicine in Macedonia.
He was the son of J. H. and Jenima Besore, born at North Liberty,
Johnson County, Iowa on Jan. 10, 1874.
He moved with his parents to Ida County,
Iowa, Ida Grove in 1884, where he graduated from high school, after
which he attended school for one year at Ames; then going to Iowa City
where he graduated from the medical course.
He was united in marriage to Nina E. Van
Wagoner on Mar. 29, 1899. To this union three children were born: Mrs.
James (Gladys) Boland of Keswick, Iowa; Mrs. Berton M. (Marguerite)
Smith of Carson; and Walter R. Besore, now residing in Enterprise,
Kansas.
His wife passed away on Jan. 10, 1908. He
then married Dale McKenzie on Apr. 14, 1909. To this union two children
were born: Pauline and Donald. Mrs. Ray Foster (Pau-
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