A Newsy Message to the Public "THE MEMORIAL MESSENGER" About Better Memorials, Improved Cemeteries and Historic Graves in N.E. Iowa Volume 1 - Published by Northeastern Iowa Memorial Company Monona, Iowa Mark every grave

C.A. Briar ..... Proprietor W.S. Sylvester .... Editor Published by the Guttenberg Press

Several Thousand Satisfied Customers of the Northeastern Iowa Memorial Co.
A-E * F-K * L-R * S-Z

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Northeast Iowa Memorial Co., Monona, Iowa

J.A. Briar J.A. Briar, founder of Northeastern Iowa Memorial Co., was born on a farm in Allamakee County, Iowa. He started his career in the Memorial Industry in 1890 and was Secretary of the Memorial Craftsmen of Iowa for two years. He also served as County Superintendent of Sunday Schools for ten years. He departed this life in November 1921. ~*~

C.A. Briar C.A. Briar, successor to the late J.A. Briar, has been closely connected with his father in the Memorial business; starting when a mere boy of ten years old working around the cuting shop; delivering work by team at fourteen and by truck at eighteen. He served six months in the Aviation Corps at Garden City, Long Island. Since the signing of the Armistice he has been Managing Head of the Northeastern Iowa memorial Co. and is successful in employing co-workers of exceptional ability. He says it is through their co-operation that he can give the service for which this firm is noted. ~*~

J.A. Briar, Founder of N.E. Iowa Memorial Co.

The achievement of any one man in Clayton county's history is far more interesting, to the substantial business people of the county, as it also is to many in Northeastern Iowa, who are interested in the permanent business development here, than is the history of men located in other parts of the state or the entire country. Having played an energetic part themselves, in the upbuilding and improvement of farm lands or in business in one of her numerous thrifty towns, there is a friendly fellow feeling of pride and confidence in the accomplishment of another who worked hard, starting at the bottom rung of the ladder, without capital to begin with, but possessed of the ability to toil and plan and save, and who in the period of thirty-five years left a business that commands the respect of all those who come in contact with it.

To the late J.A. Briar goes the credit of this accomplishment in this particular instance. Today the Northeastern Iowa Memorial Co. stands an everlasting memorial to his thrift and business acumen. Firmly believing in a business which helps to perpetuate the family name and also preserving in a permanent manner, the name and life of an individual, it took him but a short while to convince his patrons that monuments of beauty and endurance could be procured as cheap as the rough, ungainly stones of that period. In this he has left a name and a record as being in a large measure responsible for the growth and development of the company of which he was the founder. They have placed many monuments throughout the country, marking the graves of individuals of all ages who lived and were mourned by their kin and friends.

Starting in a small way in 1890, selling monuments to customers in Allamakee, Winneshiek and Clayton counties; it was but a short time when his work started to tell for he was enthusiastic, a skilled workman, persistent under the most trying circumstances and friendly to all. In 1894, just four years after the fonding of the company, he took in as partner the late Henry Luesen, a prominent citizen of Garnavillo. Garnavillo even in those days was a poor distributing center because of the fact that it was an inland town and the hauling of the monuments was an expensive item, for there was not a graveled or graded road. This coupled with the hardships of draying made it a poor location from which to do business. As the business increased in size and in scope it was only natural for him to select a place better suited to his needs. After studying the different towns throughout this section, he decided that Monona was the ideal place in which to settle with his ever increasing business. Here, he found a location on two well traveled main roads, it was located along the main line of a railroad and the town had many enterprising and progressive business men. As his business grew, new and up-to-date machinery was added and a beautiful building and display platform was added.

Today the plant at Monona of the Northeastern Iowa Memorial Co., has a commanding view of the most prominent and central business location and is on primary roads Nos. 19 and 20, and is across from the C.M. & St. Paul railroad station. It is equipped with splendid electrically lighted display platform which is built above the level of the sidewalk and street. The building has a luxurious and well appointed reception room, modern offices and well equipped art room. In the rear is located the shop and this is equipped with the latest and best of tools and equipment. It is one of the finest memorial shops in Iowa. The plant as a whole has a compelling appearance and attracts the eye of both the motorists and passengers on the train. The grounds and the shops have long been one of the show places of Monona and visitors of the town frequently stop and inspect the place. In fact, the plant spells achievement at a glance and gives confidence to those who are looking for the better grades of memorials.

When the firm was first started in 1890, it was known as the Clayton County Granite Works, but as their territory increased the name was changed to the Northeastern Iowa Memorial Co. This territory is ever increasing in size and if it continues to grow in the future as it has in the past it will be but a short time until it will be a state-wide industry.

Immediately after the great world war the proprietors son, C.A. Briar was taken in as a partner and two years later J.A. Briar answered his Master's call. C.A. immediately took over the management and under his careful management and under his careful and progressive guidance the business has rapidly expanded.

Today our plant is operated at the greatest capacity in its 35 years' history, and this has been made possible to a very great extent by the continual 'repeat' orders from our friends who have been satisfied with our quality, deliveries and methods of doing business.

We want your business and shall strive to merit and retain your confidence at all times.

Benjamin Franklin said: "I need only to visit the graveyard of a community to know the character of the people."

Makes Corner Stone for Masonic Temple
Memorial Co. Makes Record in Securing Finished Corner Stone for Masonic Temple at Strawberry Point

Suppose you were on a building committee of some church or lodge. Suppose that the progress made by the workmen putting in the foundation, and the masons and brick-layers building the side walls, was so rapid that before you scarcely realized it, there was a place for a "corner-stone," and no corner-stone ordered; then suppose, that the committee on ceremonies, would decide to select a date a little earlier, because of favorable conditions and the chance to secure a certain distinguished speaker; and the announcement would be put in the press, that grand and impressive, Corner-Stone Laying Ceremonies would be held on a certain near date, and still, no corner-stone had been ordered for such an occasion. What would you do?

This, in part, perhaps, was the predicament of a committee from the Masonic Lodge at Strawberry Point, Iowa, where their new and imposing Masonic Home is rapidly being completed.

On a certain day last fall, Mr. R.C. Barnes of the Strawberry Point State Bank and Mr. C.B. Moser, contractor, H.J. Esch, C.A. Shoppe, the committee, came post-haste to the "Briar Plant" at Monona and wanted to know if we had material to make a fine granite corner-stone, to be started on at once and finished, yes, right off Quick! Rush! at once, in time for Corner-Stone laying ceremonies? "When?" "Why, next week! Without fail! Must have it in time - Sure!"

Well the first thing to decide was, material. "Did we have it?" Yes, for the Northeastern Iowa Memorial Co., orders its fine Vermont granite, direct from the Quaries at Barre, Vt., in car-load lots. We had peices of best Vermont granite in the rough, as it came quarried and broken in peices of various sizes, suitable for making monuments of any size. From our reserve stock, we selected a choice piece of Barre granite, and our stone carver and artist, Mr. Homer Dickinson, himself a faithful member of the Masonic fraternity, entered upon the work of completing the Masonic Corner Stone in record time. This was no small task, as the rough granite had to be fitted to exact size, which required hours of work, axing and smoothing; besides a large space in the interior of the corner stone had to be hollowed out large enough to hold the important and impressive records of the Strawberry Point Masonic Lodge, and other papers for future posterity to read, as time and age would decree.

One of the valued features of the lettering of the Masonic Corner-stone, which was much appreciated by the lodge's committee, was the fact that Briar's plant was equipped with a "Modern Sand-Blast," a machine for flint shotting, or blowing in the dates and letters of the corner-stone's inscription. To accomplish this, we did not have to resort to the old out-of-date "V"-sunk letter, which is so hard to read, and which lacks the beauty of a carefully designed, artistic hand-drawn lettering. The Sand-Blast lettering on the Masonic corner-stone, pleased the committee having same in charge, as well as many others who have seen the finished work. The feature of importance being that Sand-Blast letters and figures are more readable, are engraved deeper, with clearer lines. The lettering ismore graceful, sharper in outline, and more dignified. The Sand-Blast letters added beauty to the finished corner-stone, of which we and the committee were justly proud.

We had received this special order about Thursday afternoon; the following week, C.A. Briar reported to the Masonic committee and Contractor Moser, that their new corner-stone was ready in time for the corner-stone laying ceremonies.

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An Impressive Monument
by Daniel D. Parker

James Crawford, whose impressive monument stands in the Lima Cemetery, was a farm laborer in that vicinity. The story goes (for its truth in all respects I cannot vouch) that when he was working for "Crit" Harrison, he one day came upon the premises intoxicated. Mr. Harrison reproved him, saying: "Now Jim, I can't stand this and yet I need you so badly, that, if you would only stay by me and I could depend on you I could pay you more wages." Crawford accepted this offer and remained on the place, not even going to town for two years.

He was fond of his dog and gun. When he died his sisters wanted him to have a fine monument. Some of his money had probably been saved; his sisters, living in Wadena I think, added some funds and perhaps Miss Libbie Harrison also, personally contributed something, for she made a trip to Hallowell, Maine, and ordered to be made from a solid block of granite, a life-size statue of Crawford with dog and gun. The job was declined; the proprietors of the quarries, after calling the workmen from the yard and discussing the matter, said they could not get such a block and if they could it would be spoiled in the working. Miss Harrison then went to Barre, Vermont, to be met at first with the same response, but one man from Boston, who had recently become a member of the firm, said he thought they ought to try.

The first block wrought upon was spoiled; the second attempt was a success under the hands of a workman brought from Italy to execute the statue. The only uide he had by which to fashion the likeness of Mr. Crawford was a little kodak picture secured from friends in Dakota, who had once 'snapped' him. Yet those who knew him personally will exclaim, "Why that is the very image of Jim!" as they come to gaze.

The wonderful art of the man who executed the work is manifest in the little details such as the frayed shirt sleeve in the front just where it would naturally wear thin on the wrist, in the imitation of heavy leather shoe strings, in pose, attitude of figure and figures; in clothing, suspenders, buttons, creased trousers of the man; in muscles, tendons, toenails of the dog. The pedistal is continuous with the figure above, all being shaped from one block of granite. At the base is the following quotation from Senator West: "The most unselfish friend a man can have in this selfish world is his dog."

The writer once heard a gentleman say, after looking upon this artistic production: "I have been in the picture galleries of Europe, but one will turn and look upon that about as long as anything I have ever seen."

Lying with its church and cemetery set as gems and among the green of beautiful hills and spreading valley of the Volga River, this enchantment of sculpture wonder is well worthy a visit.

[transcriber's notation: The Lima cemetery is in Section 13, Westfield twp. Fayette co. James Crawford (1863-1905) is buried in Lot 57...sf]

*A monument of your own choosing - is a double tribute. It honors the memory of the departed, and stands as a permanent endorsement of the foresight of him who selected it.*

Martin Dunham, Pioneer 1803-1863
Dunham's Grove Cemetery Bearing His Name, Well Kept

In Dunham's Grove, one of the best rural cemeteries in Fayette county, just a short ways north of the main road between Fayette and Randalia, is the grave of a Fayette Co., pioneer, Martin Dunham. He passed out during the turbulent years of the Civil War period, in 1863 and was just sixty years old at the time.

Of his history we have not much information at hand, but he was evidently a man of sterling worth, as were so many of those Iowa pioneers, who broke the sod of Iowa's prairies, paving the way for other generations to follow.

He must have given that portion of ground at the southeast corner of the section, still wooded with oak and now surrounded with a good iron cemetery fence, that bears his name, Dunham's Grove.

That was back in the sixties, when he died, and was laid away in the first east row of lots close by the main entrance. The headstones of that day were of the old fashioned marble type, which the weathering and disintegration of the intervening sixty three years, has played such sore havoc. Like many others his marble slab cracked and broke off, and went the way of a lot of others to the rubbish pile, to keep the cemetery clean and looking neat. When we erected work for Mrs. John Dooley of Hawkeye, in memory of John Dooley, her faithful partner, also for Dave Holmes of Randalia, for his siter, Lizzie N. Holmes, and for Mrs. Claude Cue for Claude Cue, all in Dunham's Grove, we learned that Martin Dunham's grave was without a monument, not even a marker.

It was the earnest wish of the present sexton, Mr. H.E. Odekirk, that Martin Dunham's grave should be marked; so, in making our contribution of this work and stone, feeling that the friends interested in mantaining Dunham's Grove, will appreciate both Mr. Odekirk's and our interest in honoring the memory of Mr. Martin Dunham, and removing the desolateness of his unmarked grave.

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Death is but the Portals of Eternal Life

Historic granite boulder with bronze memorial over graves of two Cheyenne boys at St. Sebald German Lutheran Church cemetery in Sperry twp., Clayton county.

The above kodak picture was sent by Rev. Kanppe, pastor of St. Sebald Lutheran Church, one of Iowa's earliest historic churches. This was the beginning of church work of this Synod, and in the early days, a school as well as the Church was established. From this source grew the larger synod and the multiplication of churches in Iowa. This memorial is very appropriate. Its shape is almost suggestive of the contour of an arrow head. It is a peculiar reddish tinged smooth close grained granite, almost flint like in smoothness, in places. A fine bronze tablet has been securely affixed on which are the names of two Indian boys and it also bears a legend of the work of Missionary Krebs, a tribute to his labors, in adopting these Indian boys and endeavoring to educate them and fit them for Christian Missionary service among their fellow Cheyenne tribesmen. We are indebted to Rev. A. Daugs, pastor of Monona's Lutheran Church for this excellent account of the history of this historic memorial to the Cheyenne Indian Boys, whose graves rest in the peace and quiet of St. Sebald's beautiful country churchyard.

In the cemetery of the Lutheran congregation near Strawberry Point, better known as the St. Sebald cemetery, there are two graves, of which but very few know anything, and yet are very unusual, perhaps, the only ones of their kind in Iowa. They remind us of a time when a sack of flour cost $30.00 and when German Lutheran missionaries made efforts to bring to the Indians of Wyoming and the northwest, the gospel story.

These graves are memorials of the only visible success these missionaries had at that time and in that section. In these two graves lie burried the bodies of two Cheyenne Indian boys. They were baptized on Easter Sunday of the year 1864, near Deer Creek, Converse County, Wyoming. ONe was given the name of Friedrich Sigmund Christoph, the other was called Paulus. when hostilities were opened by the Indians against all the whites, including the missionaries, these boys were taken to St. Sebald, in care of missionary Krebs. Here they were to prepare for missionary work with their own tribes. But in 1865 both died of TB. One on the 2nd day of August, the other four months later. We do not know their exact age, but one must have been about 15 years old. The change of climate and that in manner of living, very likely, were the causes of the fatal disease.

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Briar Has Most Modern and Complete Plant in This Section of the State

As one enters the reception room of the N.E. Iowa Memorial Co., he is greeted by an air of sympathy and sedateness that gives one confidence in their mission. The room is luxurious and elegantly appointed and one can select their type of memorial without leaving this room, if they so desire.

The next room is the office. This is presided over by the comptetnt and efficient, Miss Edna Meyer. Being primarily the bookkeeper, but having made a close study of design and materials, she has proven to be of the greatest assistance to those wishing to select memorials. Every known convenience, designed to make any office more efficient and proof against error, is contained there.

Miss Edna Meyer, Sec'y and Bookkeeper and Stenographer, had valuable training, having worked a number of years with the founder, J.A. Briar, before the business passed into the hands of his son, C.A. Briar.

The office and reception room occupy the whole front half of the large and commodious building, the rear half is devoted to the shop exclusively. This is under the skillful management of H.P. Dickinson, who has proven to be a pastmaster in the art of carving and design.

The mallet and chisel was first used as the means of designing the stone but this proved to be an expensive method, so when the pneumatic chisel was introduced, one was installed. This was a great advantage over the old method but it was still unsatisfactory to a great extent. Only large cumbersome letters could be made because of the size of the chisels. Mr. Briar was still dissatisfied for he wanted to produce, so when he read of the marvelous success of the new sand blast method, he investigated, and finally had one installed.

A kind of rubber gum is used and the places that are to be cut away are left exposed while the rest is covered with this material. The exposed part of the stone is rapidly cut away by millions of minute pieces of abrasive. A very delicate design may be cut by this method and many beautiful letters have been reproduced by Mr. Dickenson. Since this machine has been in use many beautiful and extraordinary memorials have been placed and there has been many compliments given.

H.P. Dickinson, is a master at his art. He is not only a skilled worker in stone, but a fine carver and letterer and has mastered the Sand-Blast in that he produces even finer work than many of the specimens of the Sand-Blast carving offered direct by manufacturers who have Sand-Blast equipment.

At all times, Mr. Briar has a large display of monuments. These stones are disposed of to customers living in the Northeastern part of Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota. His business will equal that of many dealers situated in the large cities of Iowa, and his list of satisfied patrons is growing rapidly.

Sand Blast Method is Great Development in Art Carving
Gives Richness of Design that was Hitherto Lost in this Work

For many centuries the carving of stone was done entirely by hand with hammer and chisel. The great pyramids of Egypt were cut and built by hand. They represent many years of hard manual labor that could be reproduced at about one-third of the cose and about one-fourth of actual time is the new modern methods were used.

The steamboat is an improvement over the old four-masters; the automobile was a great step ahead of the horse and wagon; the radio was a great improvement over the messenger; in a like manner the Sand Blast method of reproducing letters and designs is just one more step forward in the art of carving. It brings a new beauty in but a short while with the new sand-blast method. Effects vainly striven for thru hours of laborous work with mallet or the pneumatic chisel now fairly leap into being under the cutting flow of millions of fine grains of abrasive.

A union of the beautiful and the practical has always been the aim of the Northeastern Iowa Memorial Co. The day of the mallet and the pneumatic chisel is going. Now the work of the Sand Blast is coming more and more in demand among their patrons as new work is delivered and the people have an opportunity to view the beautiful work produced by that machine. Their list of customers are growing daily because they are one of the largest dealers in memorials in Northeastern Iowa and they can give them advantages that the small local dealer cannot.

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H.F. Bonker, well known over the territory as an honest, conscientious workman, has been superintending the erecting for the past 20 years.	The Northeast Iowa Memorial Co's Trademark on your memorial has the same meaning as sterling on silver. It stands for Reliability, Responsibility and Quality. Skilled artisans, superior materials and careful settings have contributed to this enviable reputation.	W.S. Sylvester, Field Service Dept. His wide experience in advertising, sales work and in welfare work, has made him valuable.
	Anton Kolden, a careful and competent workman, truck driver, polisher and cutter.

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Ministers Are History Builders
Rev. John Jacob Gass of Postville Made Lasting Impression
by W.S. Sylvester

In the beautiful Postville cemetery adjacent to the fine brick edifice, the Lutheran church, which stands a lasting monument to his labors, will soon be erected on the Gass family plot, a fine Memorial of Barre Granite, to the memory of John Jacob Gass.

This memorial selected by Mrs. Gass and the children is a fitting tribute to his life and work. A brief outline of his life and work can be read with interest at this time by his many friends.

He was born Feb. 1, 1842, at Oltinger, Canton, Basel, Switzerland. His earthly labors were finished in 1925, at the age of 82 years, 11 months and 17 days. Studying for the ministry in Basil, he came to the United States in 1868, entering Wartburg Theological Seminary. Ordained three years later, he began his ministerial work at Davenport, Iowa, in the German Lutheran Iowa Synod. Here his work was successful. Coming to Postville in 1882, he labored for twelve years until a throat trouble compelled his retirement.

During those twelve active years, the present commodious church was built to which this year, a fine modern addition in the rear has been added by the present pastor. Another feature was the placing of a splendid set of churchbells as fine a set as may be found in this part of Iowa. He was the founder of the beautiful German Lutheran cemetery in which he is laid to rest and where the new Memorial will be placed. He also began the Iowa Volksblatt in 1893, now known as the Postville Herald. He also organized the Lutheran congregation in Monona, which is now a strong church.

Rev. Gass was an ardent student of Geology and among these scientists had some considerable fame, as he was a member of the International Society of Washington, D.C.

His wife before marriage was Miss Wilhelmina Augusta Borgeit and he was the father of a splendid family of twelve children.

Surely, such a man, a minister of the gospel, a father, a citizen, a student and a friend leaves in his life a lasting memorial. His monument has a background of a larger and more lasting monument invisible, but unperishable.

[transcriber's notation: Some of the facts in the above bio. are not entirely accurate, researchers should independently verify the info. Rev. John Jacob Gass died Jan 18, 1925 and is buried in the Postville cemetery, area A ... sf]

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Announcing the opening of our office in Dubuque, Iowa
158 Hill St.
Telephone 1379

Memorials - Vases - Statuary

To make it possible for Dubuque people to more easily get in touch with us, we have opened this office. We invite the people of Dubuque and vicinity to meet our representative, and permit him to show designs and sketches, of many artistic memorials on display at the Monona studio. You are further invited to visit our plant at Monona, and see the new Paramount and Pebble finishes. Ask to be shown the fine lettering and carving executed by the Sand-Blast process. Ours is the only plant in this part of the state which has been equipped since April 1923, with this greatest achievement in the Memorial Industry.

O.A. Fox, manager of Dubuque branch. Formerly of Fairbanks, Iowa, he is a man of experience in business, active in church and Masonic Lodge and public school board member.

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Dubuque Business Man Orders Family Memorial
To Be Erected in Linwood Cemetery

Recently a Dubuque business man, honored the "Briar" firm , with his order for a fine Barre granite memorial bearing his family name LUBCK. Mr. Louis C. Lubck is President of the Union Printing Co., one of the Key City's busiest and most progressive printing plants. Mr. L.C Lubck is one of Dubuque's honored and successful business men; active in civic affairs and standing for the best interests of that important city. He is an honored member of a number of civic organizations; Woodman and Masonic Fraternities and interested in the advancement of Dubuque's public institutions. Mr. Lubck's parents and a sister are buried on the beautiful plot in Linwood, one of northeastern Iowa's most prominent Memorial Parks. This family memorial serves as a lasting tribute to his parents and also for his own needs. Mr. Lubck is one of those numerous present day business men who believe in the "Build While You Live" slogan. His family memorial will be ready by Decoration Day.

Our Business Policy

1. To serve best.
2. To maintain an attractive place of business.
3. To represent our memorials honestly for exactly what they are.
4. To never thake advantage of a customer's lack of information.
5. To advertise nothing but the truth.
6. To use an efficient cost system.
7. To meet obligations promptly and expect customers to do the same.
8. To refrain from soliciting business immediately after bereavement.

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Memorial Honoring Burt G. Bissel, M.D.

In Madison cemetery, between Lamont and Aurora, will be placed an all polished memorial made from the finest North Star granite, in memory of a well known physician and surgeon, Dr. Burt G. Bissel, of Aurora, Iowa. Dr. Bissel was at one time a surgeon in Cook County Hospital, Chicago. The selection of this memorial for both Dr. Bissel and Mrs. Bisssel's graves was made after a careful investigation by Dr. Bissel's daughters, Mrs. Irene Gladwin and Mrs. Mildred Kaupp of Dubuque. When they visited the Monona plant they were impressed with the modern facilities and the fine workmansip, and decided to award the contract to the Northeastern Iowa Memorial Co. "Best selection in Northeastern Iowa," says Mrs. Irene Gladwin and Mrs. Mildred Kaupp, of Dubuque. "After looking at memorial displays at several different plants we found the best selection to choose from in Northeastern Iowa at Monona."

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The old way of delivering monuments.

Monument delivery truck

Field service car. At your service any time.

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Memorial for Parent Goes to Bruce, Wisconsin
Ira L. Stenson of Guttenberg is Progressive Printer and Newspaper Man

Ira L. Stenson who has done a creditable piece of work in printing the first issue of "The Memorial Messenger," is no stranger to Monona or Clayton County. He formerly leased the printing plant at Monona and printed the Monona Leader. Later when this lease expired he took over the plant and began editing and printing the "Guttenberg Press." He recently added to this office a linotype machine, enabling him to execute linotype composition for out-of-town customers. Some time ago, Mr. Stenson's father was laid to rest in the old home cemetery, way up in northern Wisconsin, at Bruce. Here his mother still resides. Mr. Stenson began his printing trade in that locality. He placed his order for the Stenson family memorial with the Briar plant at Monona and we in return have given him the important job of getting out our first edition of this paper. There is nothing like a spirit of friendly co-operation and reciprocity in business. We appreciate Mr. Stenson's order for his father's memorial and we also appreciate his excellent service in this issue of "The Memorial Messenger." We commend his skill as a printer and his splendidly equipped printing and job work plant at Guttenberg to others needing such work done.

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Soldiers' Monuments

Several soldiers' monuments have been erected by Northeastern Iowa Memorial Co. in different towns, Strawberry Point, Fayette, Spencer and Monona. Letters of appreciation - Soldiers' Monument at Strawberry Point: Byron W. Newberry. A soldiers' monument has recently been erected by the Board of Supervisors of Clayton County, Iowa, in the Strawberry Point cemetery. The design is one furnished by J.A. Briar of Monona, Iowa, the contractor of the monument. The material is of durable Barre Granite and the workmanship is artistic and in every way satisfactory. The price, $1700.00 above the foundation, is considered to be very reasonable. The monument is beautiful, symetrical and substantial. It meets with general public approval. It is a worthy memorial to the defenders of our nation. T.M. Davidson. To Whom it may concern: I take pleasure in stating that J.A. Briar, Monona, Iowa, has completed the erection of a Soldier's Monument in the cemetery of Strawberry Point, Iowa, which in every respect is fully up to the requirement of his contract and to the committee having charge of the work. Letters of appreciation - Soldiers' Monument at Fayette: In the proceedings of the Board of Supervisors of Fayette county, the following resolution was passed: "Be it resolved that the Soldiers' Monument erected by J.A. Briar in the Cemetery at Fayette is satisfactory in every respect and is hereby accepted by the Board and the claim of J.A. Briar is hereby allowed and the County Auditor is hereby authorized to draw warrants therefor."

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Descriptions of Some of Our Monument Work

BEYER - The Beyer Memorial erected in the Giard cemetery is of imported granite with sand-blast lettering.

BOECKMANN - For those who use as the only touch of ornamentation the symbol of the cross will appreciate the neatly sand-carved cross on the Boeckmann memorial. An all-polished scotch granite die-stone on a rock faced base. Erected in St. Joseph's cemetery, Calmar, Ia.

BOWDEN - Rock finishes combined with polished surfaces characterize the Bowden memorial erected in Compton cemetery, south of Lamont, Iowa.

BRUNS - The excellencies of the polished finish are stongly revealed in the Bruns Memorial. In the form and proportions of thie garden-type memorial is felt that basic worth that gives life and permanence to memorial endeavor. Erected in Monona City cemetery.

DIEDERICHS - Family memorial, Postville cemetery. Artistic sand-blast carving and lettering characterize this all-polished scotch granite die stone set on a natural broken base.

DOOLEY - Family memorial of Hawkeye, Iowa. Erected in Dunham's Grove cemetery. The base is built to accomodate a flower vase on each side of die. Also looks well when vases are not used.

EVERMAN - The Everman Memorial erected in the Postville cemetery of emerald pearl granite, with sand-blast lettering and carving.

FERGUSON - The Ferguson memorial is an all polished stone on a natural base. The beauty of this memorial lies in its proportions. A concrete water-table keeps the grass from growing near the base. All our work is set in this way. Erected in Monona City cemetery.

HARDER - A great sense of dignity and strong fine purpose, breathes from the Harder tribute of memory. Wm. C. Harder family memorial of Delhi, Iowa, erected in Delaware cemetery.

HOLMES - Erected to the sacred memory of Lizzie C. Holmes. A striking example of sand-blast carving and lettering on light barre granite in Dunham Grove cemetery, Randalia, Iowa.

LENTH - A paramount finish memorial in light barre granite. All lettering executed by the sand process. Erected in Lutheran cemetery, Monona, Iowa.

MEYER - Marker at the grave of Mrs. Elizabeth Meyer, Clayton Center cemetery.

MONNAHAN - Unquestionably simple is the Monnahan Memorial. The carving and cross above the family name are very gratifying to the aesthetic sense. Gothic letters feature the die. Erected in Wadena Catholic cemetery.

PILKINGTON - Quiet simplicity and graceful charm are revealed in this all-polished north star memorial in Edgewood, Iowa cemetery.

STENDEL - Erected on Gottfried Stendel lot in Elkader City cemetery. Sand-blast lettering and carving characterize this memorial.

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Letters of Appreciation

Mrs. F.T. Pilkington, Edgewood, Iowa: We are well pleased with the memorial you erected for us. I went on a trip out west last summer and visited several memorial plants and found very few that had the fine display you have at Monona. I also found that in price I could do best by buying at home and where we knew we had a reliable firm to deal with. We thank you for your courteous treatment and good service. Also that you never insisted that we buy of you. You left us free to decide for ourselves.

Mrs. Andrae Hofer Proudfoot, 5321 Cornell Ave., Chicago, Ill. (per Albert Clemens, McGregor, Iowa): We were up to the cemetery today and saw the placed memorial and found it very satisfactory. Am enclosing a check Mrs. Proudfoot sent me and have made it payable to you.

Mrs. J.W. Bopp, West Union, Iowa: Enclosed find check for marker which is very neat and very satisfactory.

Mrs. Lena Martin, Fayette, Iowa: I have not been able to see the marker at Fayette yet, but I am very well pleased with the one you set for me at Eldorado and I feel certain the one at Fayette will meet with the contract.

Jos. Rose, Chamberlain, South Dakota: We have erected the stones you shipped to Mr. Stevens and he told me to tell you that he is well pleased with them. There aren't any better ones in the yard. We think they are fine.

Olava Hammerslad, Ossian, Iowa: I am enclosing check to pay in full for the monument. I have seen the monument and am very much pleased with the work.

Mr. and Mrs. George Kramer, Strawberry Point, Iowa: We like the memorial you erected on our lot very much. The workmanship and proportions are beautiful.

Mr. and Mrs. A.C. Thoday, Volga City, Iowa: Enclosed find check for payment on monument. We are pleased with the neatness of your work as well as the monument. Thanking you for all, we remain .....

Mrs. C.M. Kopichke, Garner, Iowa: Many thanks for the good job you did for us. It is O.K. Was there yesterday, it is certainly fine.

George Kriebs, Elkport, Iowa: We are very much pleased with the memorial you put up for us in Mount Harmony Cemetery. The work surely exceeds our expectations. The men employed by you followed your instructions very carefully and the result is that we have a most elegant job and very carefully put up. It surely is a pleasure to do business with you and we have surely been most honorably treated. I personally desire to thank you for your courteous treament we received and certainly will recommend you and your work to anyone desiring a monument. With kind personal regards, I am .....

Mrs. Neola Steinhiber, Pocahontas, Iowa: I am glad to have the work at Strawberry Point cemetery finished. It was through Mr. Porter's suggestion that I had the work done by you, and I feel that I will find it satisfactory when next I visit the place, which will probably be some time next summer.

Mrs. Chas. Adams, Volga, Iowa: We are more than satisfied with the fair dealing, splendid workmanship and superior quality of work erected for us by the Memorial Company of Monona, Iowa. We found them to be exacting in every detail. No mistake will be made if confidence is placed in this firm as we believe their honesty is above reproach.

Mrs. Agnes Corbett, Fayette, Iowa: This monument is just a work of art. It is beautiful. I was surprised to see a monument like it, for my "order" was not to expect great things. This is a stone to be admired for generations to come as it now stands.

May Lambert, Castalia, Iowa: Enclosed find a check for payment for mother's marker. We are well pleased for it is an exact duplicate. I am not saying this boastfully, but I think I can safely say that I like our monument and markers better than any other in the cemetery. I like it both for appearance and durability. Will be glad to recommend your work to anyone who is interested.

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Several Thousand Satisfied Customers of the Northeastern Iowa Memorial Co.
A-E * F-K * L-R * S-Z

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~source: text and photos were transcribed or scanned from the original issue of the Memorial Messenger
~transcribers notations are comments by the transcriber and not a part of the original text
~note: there is no date anywhere on this newspaper, but from clues in the articles, I believe it was published in 1925 or 1926
~contributed to Clayton co. IAGenWeb by S. Ferrall

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