Herbert L. Pangborn

PANGBORN, VAN HOOK

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 9/1/2014 at 07:30:48

Jackson Sentinel, August 31, 1951

HERBERT L. PANGBORN CELEBRATES NINETY-FIRST BIRTHDAY

Herbert L. Pangborn was born August 28, 1860, in the house where he now resides, and in which he has lived all his life, with the exception of a few months. His father was Jason Pangborn, who came from Essex County, New York, and arrived in Maquoketa on June 1, 1838, just a few weeks after Maquoketa was founded and he stamped the Pangborn name indelibly on the history of the community. He was a member of the first city council, one of the founders of the Baptist church in Maquoketa, and three of his children were pupils in the first school started in the infancy of Maquoketa.

The original Pangborn home was built directly east across Main street from the present home. A son, who died after his arrival in Iowa, was buried in the orchard of this home and later an acre of ground containing the grave was given to Maquoketa for a cemetery. Subsequently more land was purchased and the name "Mount Hope" was given to this beautiful burial ground. Herbert Pangborn served as sexton of Mt. Hope for more than forty years.

Two additions to the original plat of Maquoketa were carved from the Pangborn estate and are known as Pangborn Additions and when the Midland Railroad was built, Jason Pangborn gave land for the right-of-way. Herbert Pangborn, with a little encouragement, can recall numerous interesting anecdotes of life in the early days of the community. He remembers when there were only three houses between his home and the railroad, and only five houses between his home and the business district. He recalls when prairie chickens were so numerous that when a covey would take to the air they made a noise like thunder. He remembers the time when fishing and hunting were good right in Maquoketa and one had only to go to Mill Creek on the south edge of town to get a good mess of bullheads, bass or sunfish. At that time the hill from his home to the creek was one of the steepest in the country and residents of the south part of town made their way home over a high wooden trestle sidewalk.

Herbert believes that he is the only surviving child of any of the original founders. There are many grandchildren and great-grandchildren still living in this community, but no other son or daughter remains to recall the good old days.

On April 3, 1883, Evelyn Van Hook and Herbert Pangborn were united in marriage. In 1933 they observed their golden wedding. Mrs. Pangborn died in 1937. Three children of this union survive: Dr. Edward E. Pangborn and Verne Pangborn of California and Bernice (Mrs. Nic Jacobs) who lives in the old Pangborn home which was remodeled and modernized two years ago. Mr. Pangborn makes his home with his daughter and family.

Pangborn grave
 

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