over the farming responsibilities. Jacob loved his livestock and was especially proud of his Percheron horses. They retired to Decorah for the remaining years of their lives.

Six children were born to them:: William, John J, Franklin, Elizabeth Ellen and two children who died in infancy.

William was born near Mt. Vernon, Knox Co., OH 27 Aug 1858. He married Ellen Sharp born 9 Dec 1863. They purchased land and established a farm about one-half mile from his parents’ farm. They had 4 children: Ella May, Bessie, William Wallace and Paul Edward. Ella May and Bessie were both educated at Valders Business College and taught in the local rural schools.

Ella May married Theodore McLain a local farmer and had 4 children: Walter, Roger, Edna and Fred. Theodore, Ella May and their three sons are all buried in Russell Cemetery.

Bessie married Lewis Barrack of Williamston, Ml. They had no children. She is buried in Phelps Cemetery.

William Wallace married Martha Olson and took over his grandfather’s farm upon his retirement. Wallace and Martha had 9 children: Vivian, Gerald, Evelyn, Wayne, Reuel, Vesta, Muriel, Audrey and Martha.

The parents are buried in Phelps Cemetery as well as sons, Gerald and Reuel. Wayne is buried in the Burr Oak Cemetery.

Paul married Leila Enger and farmed near his parents until his father passed away. Then they moved to the parental William Headington farm. They had 6 children: Arthur, Robert, John C.W., Paul L., Mildred, and a son who died in

infancy.

Paul, Leila and Arthur are buried in Russell Cemetery and Robert in a Dubuque Cemetery.

John J. was born in IA in 1860 and married Ada Whitman. They spent much of their married life in Canada. They had one child: Hazel. She died in childbirth at age 23. Franklin. a Canoe Twp. farmer, was born 5 Sep 1862. He married Dora Bell Punteney. They had 3 children: Zoe, Nina and Cecil. Frank and Dora are buried in Phelps Cemetery.

Elizabeth Ellen (Dot) was born 2 Oct 1864. She married Andrew Sharp. They had 9 children: Floyd, Harry, Arthur, Stella, Walter, Ruby, Myrlie, Fred and Clyde. Andrew and ‘’Dot’’ are buried in Phelps Cemetery.

Jacob died 12 July 1907 and Martha Jane died 9 Jan 1920. Both are buried in Phelps Cemetery.

Headington, Reuel and Frances (Seim)

(Frances Headington)

Reuel W. Headington was born the son of William Wallace and Martha Louise (Olson) Headington. William Wallace was born 2 Mar 1892 in Canoe Township to William and Ellen (Sharp) Headington. Martha was born 9 Nov 1894 in Howard County to Bert and Emily (Crane) Olson.

William and Martha were married 25 Mar 1914 by Rev. Lackland at the Methodist parsonage, Decorah, IA. William Wallace died 1 Feb 1956 and Martha died 21 Sep 1975. They are buried in Phelps Cemetery, Decorah.

Reuel’s paternal grandfather, William (b. 27 Aug 1858 in Mt. Vernon, OH.- d. 24 Apr 1931 in Decorah) and his paternal grandmother, Ellen (b. 9 Dec 1863 in Iowa - d. 24 Feb 1937 in Decorah) are both buried in Phelp's Cemetery.

Reuel’s brothers and sisters are: Vivian (Leonard Arneson); Gerald (Evelyn Vine); Evelyn (Mulford Lockwood); Wayne (Joyce Smith); Vesta (Roy Hicks); Muriel (Harold Cronin); Audrey (Donald Wohlsdorf); and Martha (E. Oliver Hansen).

Reuel and Frances Headington family

Reuel graduated from Decorah High School in 1942. He farmed with his dad until he entered the Army. He served as a telephone lineman in Korea about 6 months and then was discharged early due to his father’s illness.

Reuel married Frances Seim in Jan 1948 at Decorah Lutheran Church. Frances was born in Decorah to Lawrence Helge and Florence (Nelson) Seim. Florence was born 4 Oct 1891 at Valley City, ND and Lawrence was born 1 Apr 1884 in Decorah. Lawrence was the son of Lars N. and Sarah (Hakastad) Seim of Decorah. Florence was born to Laurence and Gertrude (Thornston) Nelson of Valley City. Frances's brothers and sisters were: Lucille (Bert Rasmus); Helen (Vernon Finholt); Ruth (Clarence Akre); Lester (Frances Taylor); Robert (single); James (Helen Iverson); Charles (Dorothy Rear); and Larry (Arlyne Forbes).

Frances attended Decorah grade and high school graduating in 1945. After graduation she worked as a secretary for Charles Altfillisch, an architect.

Following their marriage, Reuel and Frances moved to the Headington farm in Canoe Twp. which was homesteaded in 1858 by his great grandparents, Jacob and Martha Jane (Powelson) Headington of Knox Co., OH. Jacob was born 18 Mar 1833 in Knox Co, died 12 Jul 1907. Martha was born 15 Jul 1838 in Knox Co. and died 9 Jan 1921 in Decorah. They are buried in Phelps Cemetery.

Reuel and Frances spent their entire married life on the farm. Reuel passed away Jun 1994. Frances still resides on the farm.

Reuel and Frances had one child: Karen. She graduated from Luther College in 1970 and taught school one year in Postville. She married John D. Gipp Sep 1971 at the United Methodist Church in Decorah. John is a farmer in Frankville Twp. His parents are Alvin and Jeanette (Woldum) Gipp.