of the weather. His sons, Herb, Merle, Clifford and Harlan would help him in the winter when the roads were impassable because of the deep snow drifts. They walked the distance and sometimes when the snow was too deep, they wore skis. From 1918 until 1922 Melvin covered the route with a team and covered buggy, but when the mail got too heavy, he drove an open buggy until the early 1930’s. During the Christmas holidays he had to add an extra box on the back of his mail buggy. During the summer months he carried live baby chicks to the farmers. The chicks came off the train, having been shipped from Cappers Hatchery at Elgin, IA. A quote from the Ossian BEE - “One time in particular, in March 1920 Mr. Stee was recipient of about $150.00 worth of produce, fruit, vegetables, canned goods, etc, a donation from the patrons living along the route he serves, in appreciation for the good services rendered by him. The goods were gathered by Peter Caldow, Allen Green, Charles Tatro, Roy McMartin and George Kluss and delivered to the Stee home.''

Melvin and Ellen retired in 1941 and lived in Castalia until his death 19 Jun 1958. Ellen died 26 Dec 1958. Both are buried in the Pleasantview Cemetery at Castalia. Several years before Melvin died, he was a resident in the Good Samaritan Home in West Union, IA. Ellen was bedridden for 13 years in their home. Melvin cared for her as long as his health permitted. They enjoyed having their family and friends visit them. They had 21 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.

Steele, Ernest

(Harriet Steele Fayne)

Ernest Albert Steele

Ernest Albert Steele was one of 15 children born to Nelson and Jane (Page) Steele. He was born 18 Oct 1879 on their farm just north of Harmony, in Fillmore Co., MN. Ernest’s father died in Aug before Ernest’s 10th birthday.

About 1897 Ernest was working in northern Winneshiek Co. He met Daisy DeMoss at a “doings” in Decorah. Their marriage license gives Ernest’s address as Locust and Daisy’s as Castalia. They were married by the Justice of the Peace in Decorah on 24 Oct 1898.

Shortly after their marriage, Ernest and Daisy traveled to South Dakota to visit her relatives and stayed. Two sons were born there: Earl Raymond (b. 7 Dec 1899) and Harold Raymond (b. 26 Apr 1902). They also had a daughter, Bessie, who died in infancy. Daisy died 20 Dec 1913.

Times were difficult in South Dakota. Ernest's two sons lived with their mother’s sister, Alice Rose Crimmons and her family. Ernest returned to Iowa where he purchased a saw mill with his brother Lawrance. In 1915 his sons came to join him. Earl and Harold worked for farmers doing day labor. Earl worked for the railroad for many years.

Ernest had two sisters living in Decorah: May (m. Will Thayer) and Cynthia (m. Helmer Indvick). Another sister, Ora Gay married Edmond Borseth. They lived in Glenwood Twp. Cynthia Indvick and Ora Borseth had been teachers in rural schools in Winneshiek Co. Ernest’s brother, Lawrance lived in Burr Oak in 1915, but later moved to Glenwood Twp. where he farmed.

Ernest lived for years in a small one-room dwelling on a hill overlooking the Upper Iowa River. He did day labor for several farmers in Glenwood. He purchased 20 acres of land where the William’s family had lived and planned to build a house there. In the spring of 1947 Ernest was diagnosed with cancer. He lived until 12 Aug.

One Christmas Harriet Steele, one of his grandchildren, a daughter of his son Harold, recalls Ernest came to see them pulling a cute sled with red runners. He declared, “I met Santa. He asked me to bring the sled to the Harold Steele home. Since I was coming anyway, I did just that!’’ Harriet asked him how he had managed the sled on the river. Ernest, with a twinkle in his eye, stated he’d ridden the sled down the ice on the river making real good time because the wind was to his back and just pushed him on the way to our house. Icicles and frost were clinging to his mustache and his nose was red. He almost looked like Santa.

Ernest had a dry sense of humor, was honest in all his dealings and expected others to be. People in Glenwood remember him as a hard working man. He had blue eyes and a reddish-gray mustache and hair. He shaved with a straight-edged razor he sharpened on a razor strap. Ernest had a slender build, stood straight and upright, about five feet, eleven inches tall. Harriet always knew she could trust Grandpa. He wore bibbed overalls, with a blue workshirt. He carried a pocket watch in his watch pocket, but he would always check the sun first if he were outside, leaving us to wonder if he really needed a watch to tell the time. Ernest knew how to get a swarm of honey bees off a tree, he could locate and cut bee trees for honey. When he sharpened his axe and saw, you knew it was winter wood cutting time.

Steele, Harold and Amanda (Stegen)

(Harriet Steele Fayne)

Harold Steele was born 26 Apr 1902 to Ernest and Daisy (DeMoss) Steele near Flandreau, SD. His mother