FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS and CLUBS
VICTORY POST NO. 286
For 40 years Legionaires in this community have, For God and Country, associated themselves together for the following purposes: To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America; To maintain law and order; To foster and perpetuate a one hundred percent Americanism; To preserve the memories and incidents of their associations in the great wars; To inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state and nation; To combat the autocracy of both the classes and the masses; To make right the master of might; To promote peace and good-will on earth; To safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom and democracy; To consecrate and sanctify their comradeship by their devotion to mutual helpfulness.
On November 9th, 1919 there assembled at the Red Cross room in Clarence, veterans of the First World War, meeting for the first time as Victory Post No. 286 under charter issued by National Headquarters. The following men, Arthur W. Bachman, William J. Bark, Albert W. Baute, Clarence H. Bixler, Paul F. Curley, Milo H. Deming, Harold H. Drake, Fred E. Dresden, Walter Ibsen, Lester D. Kelly, Hans J. Klatt, Arnold Meier, George D. Miller, Clarence Ogden, Roy H. Peters, Herman Proesch, Arnold J. Pruess, Henry Pruess, Harley Robertson, James M. Robinson, Edward H. Rotert, Ralph E. Sawyer, Elmer R. Severin, Jesse E. Shriver, John R. Swanson, and Henry Von Muenster became charter members of this Post.
Within the first year these men set about their fund raising campaigns in order to, someday, have their own home. An early interesting decision handed down by its members was the price of dance ticket. It was moved that the price of dancing be $1.10 per couple with an additonal charge of $.25 for extra ladies, but to be a spectator it cost $1.10 each.
W. S. Spaulding, J. A. Davis, C. G. Oliver, and Samuel Munn, Civil War veterans, were invited to the Post's second meeting. Commander Spaulding presented to Victory Post a Bible, which had been given to William Hoyman Post, G. A. R. by the ladies of Clarence, in 1886. These elderly gentlemen accompanied the American Legion in 1920 when they started decorating veteran's graves on Memorial Day.
In the fall of 1920 our Legion home was purchased by members, selling to themselves, shares of $100 each, to raise the $3,000 price placed on this building. In 1939 the Legion rented the north half of its building to be used as a theater. This phase of local entertainment became a casualty of television in 1952.
During World War II the members leased the south half of our hall to war industry and met in different quarters. A resolution in April of 1945, called for the formation of a committee to secure donations for The Memorial Trust Fund, for returning veterans to buy or build and maintain a building for their use. In 1952 these World War II veterans voted to turn over to the American Legion, the money donated by this community. This money and additional funds, raised by the Legion, enabled the Post to remodel the beautiful home we occupy today. The remodeled hall was dedicated with a special program on May 20th, 1954.
Three members, Paul Busching, William Bark and John Davis were presented life memberships, by the Post, for their work on all Legion projects.
Sponsoring Boy Scouting and Explorer Scouting, the Junior Legion baseball program, participation in Boy's State at Des Moines, and the co-sponsorship of the newly inaugurated Youth Center dances and entertainment are a part of our community service, a prime project of our organization.
Membership in the American Legion, which has now grown to 141 members, is limited to those veterans of the armed services who served honorably during the following periods 6 April 1917 to November 11, 1918, 7 December 1941 to 2 September 1945, and 25 June 1950 to 27 July 1953.
The American Legion Auxiliary to Victory Post, No. 286 was organized in June, 1921 with 14 Charter members, including – Bertha Bark (Mrs Harry Schoff, Lowden,) Mrs. August Dresden (deceased) Pauline Dresden, (Mrs. Phillip Allameng, Rock Island), Mrs. (Norma Dircks) Wm. Ebert, (deceased) Mrs. Harry Freeman (deceased), Mrs. Lee Freeman, Mrs. A. E. Kelly (deceased) Mrs. L. D. Kelly, Mrs. Arnold Meier, Tipton, Emma Meier (Mrs Otto Pruess, Mechanicsville) Mrs. Henry Pruess, Mrs. Elsie Peters Long, Miss Ethel Peters, and Mrs. J. E. Shriver, Mrs. “Mother” McClung of Tipton was the organizing officer.
With Mrs. A. E. Kelly, president pro tem, the first meeting was held on July 2, 1921 when the first officers elected were: president, Mrs. J. E. Shriver; vice-president, Mrs. Kelly; secretary, Pauline Dresden; and treasurer, Mrs. F. G. (Myrle) Liercke.
The first project was a bake sale on July 30 and a membership drive setting the pattern of finance and membership for many years ahead. By the end of the year, a matter of six months, the membership had grown to 44.
Rehabilitation, Child Welfare, Americanism and Community Service soon became the program of the organization following the lead of the American Legion.
Rehabilitation, of course, included the sale of Poppies and the purchase of 288 was recorded for distribution on Memorial Day, 1922. On that day the A. L. A. members assisted in the decoration of the graves of the graves of the seven World War I veterans who made the Supreme Sacrifice and of veterans of all previous wars of our country. On this occasion the four remaining G. A. R. Veterans were given honored positions as at all other times by the Unit and Post.
Also in 1922 a monthly social meeting was established which within a few months became the kensingtons still held today. Sewing for hospitals and needy veterans families became their project and brought an all-time state record of 468 pounds of carpet rags sent to hospitals in one year.
Among other firsts was the sponsoring of traveling library service set up in the local drug store about 1925, giving Clarence its only library until 1940 when the present one was established. For several years the unit donated three books in memory of the three World War II veterans who lost their lives in battle, but now one book is presented each year at Memorial Day services.
Other Community Service projects include the sponsoring of the first cancer education programs in 1937 when Mrs. J. E. Smith, our Doctor's wife and herself an R.N., gave a talk on the subject at an open meeting; conducting fund drives for Red Cross, Flood relief, Polio Christmas Seals, Easter Seals, participating in National Defense activities during war years, such as Red Cross sewing and Home Nursing classes, U.S.O. Drives, blood donor clinics and health promoting programs, including clothing collections for the “Save the Children Federation” in recent years.
The initial “Operation Sky Watch” was activated by two Legionaires and three Auxiliares.
Always community-minded contributions were made to local band funds, Clarence Commercial Club Christmas funds, community, fire truck, landscaping cemetery grounds.
Living memorials to Veterans of World War I and II were a blue spruce in the City Park lighted many years as a community Christmas tree, and elm in the school grounds and Memorial urns and flag pole at the Clarence cemetery. Most recent was a contribution to the Clarence Memorial Park.
In 1933 a Parent-Teacher Association was sponsored which grew into an important asset to school and community.
Child Welfare and community service have coincided frequently in A.L.A. work since many times the Unit has assisted in the re-establishment of homes lost by fire or visited by death or illness.
A half-orphaned veterans child was first adopted by the unit in 1932, (known as an assigned child) and only during a very few years between World War I and World War II has the unit been without one. By this program a mother is enabled to care for her child in her own home. Nearly every one assigned to the local unit has been assisted through graduation from high school.
Twice a large flag was presented to the Clarence School for assembly use and in 1937 a history and government award was established and is presented annually to the ranking eighth grade graduate.
A uniform flag display set up early in the unit's history for use in the business portion of town is still in use, replacement service is made available through the unit Americanism chairman.
Junior members have contributed greatly to unit activities since their program was incepted by the Department and National organizations. They first sold Poppies in 1937 and have been invaluable in the Memorial and rehabilitation work ever since. Before the advent of Junior groups the unit sponsored several groups of Campfire Girls. Several department and district citations have been awarded them and one national – but their greatest reward comes to them in learning to give of themselves in service to those who served.
Six unit members have served as county presidents and five as county secretaries; two have been district officers and one has served the Iowa Department as Mental Health chairman.
One member was honored with a Life membership for long and constant service.
In 1937 when a theatre was built into a section of the Legion Hall, new quarters were rented above Perkins Cafe and that was our home until 1946 when quarters were again established in the unused portion of the Legion building. This did not last long though because when “our sons” as well as others returned from World War II and brought young and new strength and numbers to both organizations, a larger meeting place was needed and again we packed up and moved in to the K. and M. Hall for about a year while the Legion Hall was completely remodeled. A fine building developed with community help and is known as the American Legion Memorial Building and is a tribute to the Veterans of World War II and of the Korean Conflict.
A. L. A. women took over complete planning and furnishing of the kitchen space alloted them and at a cost of more than $3,000.00 added their bit.
This fine new home was dedicated at an impressive service in May of 1954 with open house.
So many things of importance must be omitted in so short an account of nearly forty years of “Service to God and Country” as the glory of the mountain peaks when “the Boys” of 1918 returned from “the war to end all wars and make the world safe for democracy”, to the depths of the valleys when their sons were again called to foreign soil to fight oppression; and the early vision of the small group of 14 to the major accomplishments of the present 169 women whose membership in the American Legion Auxiliary is founded upon the principles of Justice, Freedom, Democracy and Loyalty.
AMVET AUXILIARY
The United Service Women organized in Clarence on June 11, 1942 with the following charter members: Mrs. Blanche Burgess, Miss Esther Ibsen, Mrs. William Ibsen, Mrs. Dan Stock, Miss Edna Stock, Mrs. Mary Jo Kembel, Mrs. Amelia Hasselbusch, Mrs. Pauline Hasselbusch, Mrs. Margaret Luke, Mrs. Amanda Goldsmith, Mrs. Ruth Christ, Mrs. Claire Genung, Mrs. Emma Klatt, Mrs. Helen Lane, and Pearl Kembel.
Officers elected were:
President – Mrs. Emma Klatt
Vice-president – Pauline Hasselbusch
Secretary – Helen Lane
Treasurer – Amelia Hasselbusch
Historian – Esther Ibsen
Sergeant at Arms – Pearl Kembel
In 1946 World War II Veterans organized and taking the letters A. M. from American and V. E. T. from veterans called their organization Amvets. Thereby the Amvets Auxiliary of Clarence was so named in June 1946; and are now known as a branch Auxiliary of Lowden since Clarence has no post.
In 1958 the organization was comprised of 42 members who take great pride in the work they are able to do for hospitalized veterans. In 1957 they won the state award for their hospital work and in 1958 we placed second in the state for the child care award given to the Auxiliary doing the most for orphans of our veterans.
Our local group was also honored at the 1958 state convention by having our chaplain Alsa Smith receive the Chaplain-of-the-Year Award.
Each year we help support the Gold Star Scholarship fund which pays a deceased veteran child's way to college.
We sponsor at least 3 parties a year for hospitalized veterans, have helped with chapel service at Iowa City V.A., as well as furnished food and helped with veteran's picnics.
The Amvets Auxiliary has helped with various community projects and are thankful to the community for their support of our ways and means such as White Clover sales, bake sales and bazaar.
1958 – 1959 OFFICERS:
President – Velma Wiebke
Vice-president – Berneice Stange
Secretary – Selma Ruther
Treasurer – Leona Hunwardsen
Hospital Chairman – Marie Hansen
Child Care Chairman – Mabel Sawyer
Americanism – Anna Kemmann
Serve Our Serviceman S. O. S. - chairman, Nancy Thein
Parliamentarian – Alsa Smith
Kensington – Pauline Hasselbusch
Ways and Means – Dorothy Conrad
Gold Star – Edna Dircks
MASONIC LODGE
The Masonic Order was represented in this community almost from its beginning as some of its early settlers were Masons. They met to organize a lodge, and a charter was granted to it as Euclid No. 177 on June 23, 1866 by the Most Worshipful Grand Master.
The first officers were:
Wm. Flanagan – Worshipful Master
Thomas Coates – Senior Warden
James Huff – Junior Warden
M. K. H. Reed – Treasurer
W. N. Hoey – Secretary's
A. W. Hillyer – Senior Deacon
I. E. Brink – Junior Deacon
A note in the old book states that Chas. O. Buckley was the first Brother to receive the 3rd degree in the New Hall.
For about 20 years the lodge prospered and then dissension crept in. To get rid of undesirable members Euclid Lodge surrendered its charter, and then after a year a new lodge of the old membership was instituted under the title of Mt. Hope No. 501.
In 1869 the three-story brick building was erected, and the lodge bought the third story for $1,260. For 90 years it has been their quarters. No other organization in the community has occupied the same rooms for so long a time.
When the lodge disbanded temporarily, a deed to its property was executed to George E. Smith. In the reorganization this was overlooked, and not until 1913 did Brother Smith deed the property back to the lodge. Thus for 25 years one man owned the third floor of the building and all personal property of the lodge.
Mount Hope Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Mason of Clarence, Iowa, received a letter of dispensations issued August 27, 1888, from Edwin Carlton Blackman, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Iowa, giving permission to form a new Lodge and appointed the following officers: David Carnahan as Master, J. L. Escher as Senior Warden, Allen Frink as Junior Warden. Other officers of the first year were, E. W. Coe, Treasurer; George E. Smith, secretary; M. B. Cottrell, Senior Deacon; August Werder, Junior Deacon; B. F. Davis, Senior Steward; S. S. Crocker, Junior Steward; and George Rossman Tyler. The meetings were to be held on the Monday on or before the full moon of each month.
A note of historical significance was noted at the December 3, 1900, meeting, when a communication from the Grand Master of Iowa was received, asking aid for “Galveston sufferers” - referring to the Galveston flood. A contribution of $5.00 was voted on and sent for aid. Other interesting notes speak of 19 suppers for $6.65, which would mean the suppers were 35¢ each.
The following have been granted certificates for 50 years of membership in the order:
| OBSERVED | MEMBER | MASTER |
| 1919 | George E. Smith | John Ohe |
| 1919 | H. Northrup | John Ohe |
| 1942 | C. A. Seaton | Wayne Merritt |
| 1944 | E. E. Tanner | Laverne Kintzel |
| 1950 (May) | Wm. Stanlake | Durwood Greig |
| 1951 (Aug.) | Howard Dewell | R. E. Weatherwax |
| 1958 (March) | Floyd J. Beatty | Melvin Koth |
At present Lloyd Hasselbusch is Worshipful Master, with 110 members. Meetings are held the first Monday of each month.
ORDER OF EASTERN STAR
On the afternoon of June 8, 1914, the Worthy Grand Matron of the O.E.S. Of Iowa, Luella M. Crooks, and Maude Keyser, Grand Conductress, came to Clarence to institute an Eastern Star Chapter, Eleven Clarence people, being members of other chapters, were admitted by demit that afternoon, to become Charter members. These Charter members, of whom Lulu Dewell and Lulu Dean are still members of the Chapter, included Frances Peabody, Minnie Jons, Maggie Donkle and Mabel English, and G. F. Peabody, H. A. Jons, E. C. Dean, Reverend Alex English and Howard Dewell.
They, in turn, voted upon the following: Mamie McClellan, Mabel Ohe, S. S. Crittenden, Elizabeth Crittenden, John Budelier, Hosea Ballou, Maria Ballou, Capitola Phillips, Freda Fictor, Leonard Fictor, Rena Buckley and F. H. Buckley. Some of these were initiated in the afternoon session, and some in the evening, with members of Evangeline Chapter of Mechanicsville, acting as pro-tem officers.
The first officers were Maria Ballou, Worthy Matron; E. C. Dean, Worthy Patron; Capitola Phillips, Associate Matron; S. S. Crittenden, Secretary; Mabel Ohe, Treasurer; Lulu Dewell, Conductress; Freda Fictor, Associate Conductress; Rev. Alex English, Chaplain; Mabel English, Adah; Minnie Jons, Ruth; Lulu Dean, Esther; Mabel Budelier, Martha; Frances Peabody, Electa; Rena Buckley, Warder; H. A. Jons, Sentinel; Mrs. Elizabeth Crittenden, Organist.
Clarence Chapter No. 461 has been fortunate to have the rooms of Mt. Hope Lodge No. 501 available for their use, above what is known as Kahl's Cafe.
In 1939, the Chapter celebrated its 25th anniversary, the year of Winifred Freeman, Worthy Matron and Wayne White, Worthy Patron. The Worthy Grand Matron of Iowa Bessie McMurray of Newton and several other Grand officers attended the celebration September 26th, 1939. 130 members and visitors enjoyed the evening of entertainment and talks.
In 1958, Clarence Chapter was very happy and proud to honor our Charter Member, Mrs. Lulu Dewell, on her 50th year as an Eastern Star member. She was presented a Life membership, a 50 year certificate and a lovely 50 year pin. Mrs. Dewell had joined the Order in 1908, and affiliated with Clarence Chapter in 1914.
Meetings were held the second Tuesday of each month, except July and August. Membership is 132. Arline Eichelberger is the Worthy Matron and Wilbur Debner is the Worthy Patron.
ROYAL NEIGHBORS
A Royal Neighbor Camp was organized at Clarence, Iowa, in the year 1908 by District Deputy Mary E. Nixon. The name and number of the camp was designated to be Rosewood Camp No. 5398, Royal Neighbors of America.
A charter was issued June 11, 1908, with the following 20 members:
Ida L. Baughman, Pearl Baughman, Kate Beach, Besse Crittenden, Gladys Crow, Kittie Crow, Margaret Culbertson, Jennette Delameter, Mildred N. Elijah, Jessie Gager, Emma Goldsmith, Lena Kroigaard, Coral Lambert, May Lohman, Cleveland J. Long, Amanda Roe, Blanche Scott, Etta Simpson, John E. Smith, and Winifred Smith.
Meetings were held once each month in what was known as Woodman Hall, now known as the K & M Hall. In 1926 the Camp was reorganized. The Camp observed its 50th Anniversary on June 11, 1958.
The three charter members who are still members of the organization are Emma Goldsmith, May Lohman and John E. Smith. Dr. Smith was the first Camp physician and has continued in that office ever since. The officers elected in 1908 were as follows:
Oracle, Mrs. Winifred Smith
Vice Oracle, Mrs. May Lohman
Recorder, Mrs. Blanche Scott
Receiver, Miss Gladys Crow
Chancellor, Mrs. Besse Crittenden
Physician, Dr. John E. Smith
Marshall, Mrs. Kate Beach
Inner Sentinel, Mrs. Jessie Gager
Outer Sentinel, Mrs. Etta Simpson
WEDNESDAY LITERARY CLUB
Three years after the Iowa Federation of Women's Club's was organized a happy group of progressive young women in Clarence, Iowa, met at the home of one of their number to organize a Ladies Literary Society. This was on a September afternoon in 1896.
A committee appointed to draw up a constitution named the club: “Wednesday Lookout Club” and meetings were to be held each Wednesday afternoon from September to July; membership limited to twenty and dues twenty-five cents. The motto chosen then, “Agitation of Thought is the Beginning of Wisdom” is still being used. The first officers elected were: president, Mrs. Frank Hanna; vice-president, Mrs. William Layton; secretary Miss Lillian Decker. A program committee of three were: Mrs. J. H. Morgan, Mrs. Alex Grant and Mrs. Frank Phillips.
The second year the club constitution was amended to read, “Club year to be from October to May with two weeks vacation at Holiday time and two afternoons left without regular programs to allow for social time”. Several years later the meetings were held every other Wednesday and in 1956 the first and third Wednesdays were chosen for W.L.C. meetings.
Friendly relations were had with the Columbia Circle, the first women's club organized in Clarence in 1880 and federated in 1893.
In 1904 the W. L. C. constitution was again revised and the club took the name of “Wednesday Literary Club.” At this time they joined the General Federation and in so doing broadened their interests and activities.
In World War I and II and the Korean War the club members took an active part in all projects in our country's war efforts.
In 1940 the Wednesday Club started a library as their community project. In 1941 the town took it over and appointed Miss Lydia Bauman, a W. L. C. member as the librarian, a place she held until 1952. To the Library Board of trustees they appointed three other W. L. C. members, Mrs. Earl Elijah, Mrs. Robert Decker (1940 to 1952) and Mrs. Randolph Kastler, (1940 to 1958). The two other members were Mrs. Henry Feddersen and Ernest Hasselbusch.
Over the years W. L. C. club programs have received many “honorable mention”, excellent or superior ratings. Citations have also been received many times for the high percentage of worthy local and state projects carried out. The programs for study have been varied from miscellaneous to Literature, Iowa and Africa, etc.
In 1946 the Club's Golden anniversary was celebrated with a luncheon at Tipton's Crispin Tea-room with several guests present who were past members. A very interesting program based on the fifty years of study and social times was given.
Again in 1954 on March 31st the W. L. C. met in the Evangelical Church parlors to commemorate the 50th anniversary of their work as a Federated Club. Following a luncheon served to members and a few guests a fine program of music was enjoyed after which a guest speaker, Wilma Nissen, State President, gave an inspiring message to the 92 present. Miss Lydia Bauman was also honored as a fifty year member along with others who had been members 20, 30, and 40 years.
The Wednesday Literary club, now one of four federated clubs in Clarence, carry out a friendly and cooperative relationship with the other clubs and on community projects they work together. Besides the required state and district projects which W. L. C. meets each year their great interest locally is the Library, the young people and the “goldenagers”. They give an award for citizenship to an outstanding senior boy each year and the call of the orphan is heard each Christmas season.
Though the membership changes may the good work of W. L. C. continue to and beyond it's centennial in 1996.
CULTUS CLUB
The Cultus Club was organized and federated in 1934 with ten charter members. The first president was Mrs. Walter Kemmann, with Mrs. Edwin Schluter, vice-president; Mrs. Arnold Pruess, secretary and Mrs. Floyd Bixler, treasurer.
This club participates in all State and General Federation projects and cooperates with the other clubs in Community affairs, principal ones being the Edna Zybell Memorial Library and Teen-Age dances. Their own annual project is presenting an award to the freshman high school student outstanding in English class, and sending used clothing to an adopted Netherlands family.
This past year the Conservation committee of this club worked with the State Highway Commission and Cedar County Conservation Club in establishing a roadside park, one and one fourth miles west of town on highway 30. This committee, Mrs. Ralph Christiansen, Mrs. Kenneth Morehead and Mrs. Hugo Rix aided in the planting and landscaping of this park. Proceeds from a bake sale paid for the first picnic table. The American Legion and Commercial Club and other organizations and individuals joined in with donations and labor.
The present membership is 17, three being charter members, Mrs. Hugo Rix is president; Mrs. J. C. Dettmann, vice-president; Mrs. Everett Bixler, secretary; and Mrs. Margaret Davis, treasurer.
PARTNERS IN STUDY CLUB
The Partners-In-Study Club, one of the General Federation of Women's Clubs, was organized on April 24, 1940, and federated in the same year. It was originally known as Pi Iota Sigma Club and was sponsored by the Cultus Club of Clarence. Ten girls signed the constitution as charter members. The following is the first corps of officers:
President, Margaret Freeman
Vice-president, Mary Bunge
Secretary, Marie Freeman
Treasurer, Mildred Kreinbring
Scribe, Honora Sonnemaker
We have cooperated with the other Clarence clubs in a number of community projects. Most important among them are the Youth Guidance program and the Clarence Library. Our own community project has been the summer swimming program in which eighty-six students from third grade through high school participated during this last year.
Our present membership totals 26. The following are officers for the current year.
President – Mrs. Douglas Cashman
Vice-president – Mrs. Laverne Kintzel
Secretary – Mrs. Henry Klatt
Treasurer – Mrs. Carl Brodersen
THE CULTURETTES JUNIOR STUDY CLUB
The Culturettes Club was organized in the spring of 1957 with the help of the Partners-in-Study Club. We were accepted into the Federation in the fall of 1957. This group of 18 young women spent the first year getting acquainted with each other and the Federation. The officers for the first year were:
Vice-president – Mrs. Eugene McCaw
Secretary – Mrs. Pete Hansen
Treasurer – Mrs. John Dircks
The officers for the 1958-59 club year are:
President – Mrs. R. L. Goldsmith
Vice-president – Mrs. Gilbert Sheldon
Secretary – Mrs. Raymond Steinke
Treasurer – Mrs. Robert Severin
With our increased membership totaling 25, we hope in a small way to better our community. Among our goals are establishing church nurseries, promoting recreation for the youth of our community and participating in the many Federation projects.
GIRLS 4-H CLUB
Girls 4-H has been an important part of our community since the first Dayton 4-H Club was organized around 1929 under the leadership of Mrs. Henry Von Muenster. No exact records were kept at this time, however there have been a number of girls' clubs organized throughout the years.
The Dayton Dollies, organized in 1949, eventually grew to 53 members and in 1953 was divided into three groups according to age – Dayton Dollies, Clarence Country Gals, and Clarence Junior Homemakers. The Clarence Country Gals and Dayton Dollies finally disbanded and the present day clubs include: Happy Steppers, organized in1954 and now have 16 members; Clarence Junior Homemakers with 16 members; and the newest club, Clarence Cloverettes, organized in 1958 with 12 members. 4-H holds fond memories for many girls and leaders and may it continue to flourish for years to come.
BOYS 4-H CLUB
The boys Four H Club was first organized in 1938 under the name of Harmony Hustlers. The present club has a membership of 37. The leaders are James Ward, Paul Hasselbusch Jr., and Robert Kelly.
SERVICE IN STATE LEGISLATURE
This community has furnished six men who have served in the State Legislature. The first was James M. Kent. He was elected State senator in 1857 to fill out the term of J. W. Cattell, who had become Auditor of State, and in 1859, for a full term. Mr. Kent rode horseback to Des Moines, as there were no railroads into that city. He sat in the first session to meet at that city, after the Capitol was moved there from Iowa City. Mr. Kent was also Senator when the Civil War broke out and it was necessary to enact measures to support the war. Mr. Kent is the grandfather of Earl and Mae Elijah.
James W. Beaty (1829 – 1900) was Representative from Cedar County in 1872 – 1873.
Hiram Dewell was Representative from Cedar County in 1907 – 1909.
Gordon Smith was Representative from Cedar County in the 48th and 49th General Assemblies 1939 – 1941.
Edwin C. Schluter was State Senator from Cedar, Jones and Jackson Counties in the 50th., 51st., and 52nd. General Assemblies 1943 – 1947.
Earl Elijah is the incumbent State Senator from Cedar, Jones and Jackson Counties in the 55th., 56th., 57th., and 58th., General Assemblies 1953 – 1959.
