Henry County, IAGenWeb

CLASS REUNIONS OF THE PAST

Do you have class reunion clippings to submit?
They are certainly welcome. Send to the county coordinator to get posted.

 
 
Mt. Pleasant News – June 14, 1950    

CLASS OF 1943 HAS REUNION  

The reunion of the Mount Pleasant High School Class of ’43 was held Sunday June 11, at McMillan park.  

Those present for the basket dinner were: Louis Long, Keith Smith, Mrs. Helen Bouge and Terry, Albert English and Deanna, Mr. and Mrs. James Green, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Welcher, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Nihart, Mr. and Mrs. Louis White and Johnny, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Simkin and Judy, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Long, Dean, Diana, and Jerry Jo. Mrs. Florence Messer was present for a short time.  

It was decided that Louis Long, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Simkin, and Mr. and Mrs. Richard Nihart will have charge of the reunion to be held the second Sunday in June of next year. It is regretted that many were not contacted for the reunion this year but are hopeful for a better turn out next year.

  Submitted by A.M.W. Apr 2006

 

Mt. Pleasant News – July 12, 1955  

Class of 1921 Holds Reunion  

The class of 1921 of Mt. Pleasant High School enjoyed a small reunion in the home of Lydia M. Wright 2 ½ miles south of Mt. Pleasant. The following were present for a pleasant afternoon spent in reviving old times: Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Shook, Dr. Frank Coles, Att’y and Mrs. Harold McLeran, Mr. and Mrs. Warner Russell, and the hostess, Lydia M. Wright.  

Frozen home grown strawberries, ice cream, and a cold drink were served.

  Submitted by A.M.W. Apr 2006

 

Mt. Pleasant News – September 15, 1955  

HISTORY READ AT MT. PLEASANT ACADEMY PICNIC
     

     According to former records, the 14th annual reunion of the students of the Mt. Pleasant Academy was the largest that has ever been held with 43 registered. By soon after 11 a.m., former students were assembling at the cabin in Saunders park, Sunday, Sept. 11.
     A bountiful array of delicious food was assembled, it being necessary to use three card tables in addition to the regular table in the cabin to provide space for the food. Coffee and iced tea were served, the coffee being furnished and made by Mrs Harlan Foster and Mrs. Manly Frazer.
     The afternoon meeting was presided over by Herbert S. Morehouse, the president. The history of the M P A, complied by Atty Herman Elgar, Harlan Foster, Lawrence Russell and Mrs. Emma Cox Rhum was read by Harlan Foster and it is to be published in book form and copies placed in the Historical room at the city hall in Mt. Pleasant, in the Mt. Pleasant library and the State Historical Society. Many expressed their wish to personally have a copy.
     A most fitting and beautiful tribute in well-chosen words was paid the late Manly G Frazer by Herman E Elgar who had been closely associated with him over a long period of years in the Boy Scout work, as well as in many other activities. In closing there were a few moments of silence in respect to the memory of one who was ever ready and willing to help whatever and whenever needed.
     Letters were read from Mrs. Nellie Huston Miller, Olds; Bessie Langwith Haffner, Wayland, Mo, Vella Hedden Taylor, Burlington, Anna Dailey Keene, Sunset Beach Arnold's Park, George E. Virden, Bonner Springs, Kans., Ruth Coughlin Ording, Onondaga, Mich., and Grace Blakemore Murphy, Burlington.
     It was planned to have the 1956 reunion at the cabin in Saunders park September 16, 1956.
     Those registering Sunday were Harlan W. Swanson, Circle Pines, Minn., Maude Pickard Fra?y, Mt. Pleasant; Florence White Garretson Hodson, Mt Pleasant, Mrs. Lillian Brellenthin, Isanta Minn., Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Russell, Winfield, Effie Weaver Brooks, Wayland, Eva Long Trueblood, Edythe Hallowell, Mr. and Mrs. I D Conover, Laura Hinkson Coe, Elizabeth Portlock Griffith all of Mt. Pleasant, Mr. and Mrs. Homer Zingg, Rt 5, Mt. Pleasant, Hulda Anderson Miller, Olds, Esther Russell Hamilton, Winfield, Harriet Russell Woodward, Marshalltown, Rt. 3.
     Margaret Herzog Wittrig, Wayland; Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Rinner, Wayland, Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Morehouse, Mt. Pleasant, Martha Lindberg Lund, Mt. Pleasant, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Linderson, Lockridge, Rep and Mrs. Raymond Cornick, New London, Mrs. Manly Frazer, Mr. and Mrs. Harlan Foster, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Waters, all of Mt. Pleasant, Emma Cox Rhum, C E Rhum, C J Freyenberger, all of Wayland, C O Elliott, Nathan M Elliott, Grace Myers Elliott, all of Lockridge, Herman E Elgan and Howard Hallowell, both of Mt.Pleasant, and Myra Arnold Wilson, Danville.
     Ray A Linderson of Lockridge was elected president and Grace Elliott, secretary-treasurer.

Submitted by C.J.L., April 2006

Winfield Beacon/Wayland News – Thursday July 13, 2000

Wayland Class of ’46 Holds Reunion

The Wayland High School Class of 1946, along with spouses and classmates, met for a reunion Tuesday, July 4 for a 10 A.M. brunch at the Sugar Creek Fellowship Haal. Schoool colors of purple and white were carried out on the tables’ decorations, along with fresh flower arrangements. Graduates’ pictures were displayed on the name tags.  

Class member, Lucille Swartzendruber hosted the event and was assisted by daughter, Donna Swartzendruber and granddaughter, Amy Meyer.  

Following the meal, Duaine Hirschy shared some of his favorite poetry and each  class member gave an update of themselves and their family A letter was read from classmate Marilyn (Nicola) Randall, Columbus Junction, who was unable to attend. We played a couple of games and spent a lot of time viewing old pictures, memorabilia, and reminiscing.  

Those attending were Ruth (Eigsti) Miller of Lakewood, Colorado; Gene and Doris Meyer, Alna, Michigan; Orion and Anna Mae (Graber) Huffer of Ames, Iowa; Don and Rozena (Christner) Wyse, Washington, Iowa; Warren and Connie (Stacy) Lewis, Columbus Junction, Iowa; Mary (Tschantz) Robertson, Iowa City; Roger and Phyllis Richard, Fairfield, Iowa; Max and Phyllis Graber, Lois Nebel, Duwaine and Bonnie Hirschy, and Audrey Kauffman all of Wayland, Iowa; Edwin and Lucille (Roth) Swartzendruber, Olds, Iowa; Donna Swartzendruber, Wellman, Iowa; and Amy Meyer, Wayland, Iowa. Two class members, Edwin Conrad and Dean Kauffman are deceased and four other members were unable to attend.

  Submitted by A.M.W. Mar 2006

Winfield Beacon/Wayland News – July 4, 2002  

WAYLAND CLASS OF 1952 50TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION  

The 1952 Wayland High School Class held a 50th year anniversary celebration the weekend of June 22, 23, and 24, 2002. The festivities began on Saturday evening with a delicious meal catered by Connie Freyenberger at the Sugar Creek Mennonite Church Fellowship Hall. Forty-two attended including twenty-five class members and seventeen spouses and guests. A good evening of fellowship and an entertaining program were enjoyed by all. A drawing was held for the silk floral table centerpieces and were won by Ardith Brunk, Marion Leichty, Janet Moninger, Mathena Nebel, Arline Roth, and Roberta Wyse.  

On Sunday morning, June 23, 17 class members and 12 spouses and guests began a beautiful two day Mississippi River Cruise from LeClair to Galena, Illinois on the riverboat Twilight They enjoyed an overnight stay at the Chestnut Mountain Resort near Galena, including a ride on the ski lift from the river level to the motel. Monday the group enjoyed a tour of the former President U.S. Grant’s home, a trolley car tour of Galena, and shopping time in downtown Galena before returning to the cruise ship for their return to LeClair, arriving at 6:30 P.M. The entire cruise was made in beautiful summer weather, without one drop of rain. There was much visiting and reminiscing among all who were able to make the trip. Meals and snacks were served on board and professional performers entertained.  

Wayne and Mathena (Nebel) Barta, Don and Eldora (Roth) Boshart, Royce and Ardith (Freyenberger) Brunk, Herb and Billie Jo Ericks, Evelyn Garrett (Boyd), Jack and Geneva (Turner) Genkinger, Marlene (Tschantz) Hesseltine, Richard and Kathy Hulme, Dr. Robert Elmer and Ellen Krabill, Marion and Marlene Leichty, Rachel Leichty and guest, Sue Crumrine, Richard and Frances Magdefrau, Janet (McMullen) Moninger, Dr. Lester and Shirley (Rubey) Reschly, Don and Arline (Roth).  

Those attending the reunion were Frank and Lorene Allred, Jean Roth (Ron), Rex and Corrine Sinn, Dareld and Joannita (Hirschy) Stauffer, Dale and Beaulah Mae (Graber) Swartzendruber, Elizabeth (Arbogast) Troutman, George and Virginia (Boshart) VanWyngarden, John and Virginia Wenger, and Roberta (Shaffer) Wyse.  

Members of the class unable to attend were Mary (Bower) McCormic, Dorothy (Leichty) Pforts, Marianna (Gerig) Roth, Maxine (Gingerich) Burden, Jean (Davison) Hertig and Bertha (Hesser) Hill.  

Deceased members of the class are David Neff, Aldine Roth, Boyd Garrett, and Ronald Roth.  

Dr. and Mrs. Elmer Krabill, Uniontown, Ohio and Dr. and Mrs. Lester Reschly, Columbia Missouri were in charge of the arrangements for the special 50th anniversary celebration. Frank Allred, Janet Moninger, and Virginia VanWyngarden were named to make plans for the next reunion in 2004 to be held in conjunction with the Wayland High School Alumni Reunion.  

TRANSCRIPTIONIST’S NOTE:  I have typed this verbatim from the newspaper. The significance of the names in paragraph #3 are not known to me. My assumption is they were among those attending ?? 

  Submitted by A.M.W. Mar 2006

 


SWAN SCHOOL REUNION
From New London, IA Newspaper 1940
Submitted by Barb Chandler

reunionswanschool1.jpg (449771 bytes)

A Group at Swan School Reunion

From left to right: Frank Chandler, Sue Gill DeLong, James Chandler, Frank Williams, Frank Seaton, Peter Wilson, Mace Rowe, Wm. Chandler, Nancy Miller Jaggar, Ethel Heibner

reunionswanschool2.jpg (383569 bytes)

Another Group

Left to right are: James Chandler, Mace Rowe, Frank Chandler, Nan Miller Jaggar, Wm. Chandler, Maggie Kelly Seymour, Linnie Williams Duke, Mayme Chandler Kelly, Ethel Head Heibner, Sue Gill DeLong

 

schoolreunionnews1

schoolreunionnews2

Talks and Letters

     During the reunion August 7, short talks were made by visiting pupils and former teachers. Peter Wilson opened the school in the morning. Miss Mae Gau, Henry county superintendent of schools spoke briefly. Letters were received from Emma Bonar Nichols Chamberlain and Blance Knickerbocker Parrott. Peter Wilson remarked that in his class of 47 pupils there were 25 in the first reader.

"The Country School"

     Excerpts from the above poem was sent in by Mrs. James Chandler.

     Many think the little red school house
     Doesn't do much for the children of men,
     We cannot quite agree with them
      For what we have seen proof again and again.

     A large number of our learned men
     Like to talk of the little school house days;
     They seem to think it did its part well
     In teaching them wisdom's ways.

     There is a freedom about the rural school
     Which is not found in any other
     And when it comes to competitive scholarship
     The country boy holds his own with his city brother.

     Large schools have their complete equipment
     With instructors that are fine and good;
     There is also splendid training for life being given
     In the little school house at the edge of the wood.

Paper Read on Lincoln at Swan Reunion

     Lincoln historians and biographers disagree whether Abe Lincoln ever taught school. But here is authentic proof that he did and also an incident which has never been published about his experiences as a school teacher.
    My grandmother Nancy Hanks Miller, was a cousin of Abraham Lincoln's mother, and both bore the immortal name "Nancy Hanks." My grandparents made the trip from Kentucky to Illinois with the Lincoln family in early days.
     "Abe" Lincoln fenced my grandparents land in Illinois. He split rails to pay for jeans for his pants and grandmother wove the goods and made his pants. She surprised him by making a coat too, which she rolled inside his pants. When he unrolled them the coat fell out, then he said, "I will split more rails for you, for that."
     He also had typhoid fever while at grandmother's and she took care of him. He later studied law while there.
     Our aunt had a dress bought from Lincoln when he peddled goods. He drove one horse and wagon.
     Our mother, Lucetta Miller Chandler told one incident recounted by her brother, Charles, which has perhaps never been told in any Lincoln biography which is of value as it shows something of his character. "Brother  Charley went to school to Abe Lincoln.
     The boys, most of them older than Charley, and some hardly younger than the new teacher, himself planned to initiate their new schoolmaster. Charley was chosen as the captain, because the lads thought if any punishment were meted out Miller would suffer least on the grounds of relationship, also that he boarded at their home. The boys planned to lock their new teacher out until he treated them or promised a treat.
     Lincoln came to the school expecting nothing out of the ordinary. He found the schoolhouse locked and could not force it.

Down Chimney

     The boys inside informed the new teacher he could come in if he would promise a treat the next day. Lincoln made no answer. A noise was heard and down came a lanky, soot-begrimmed form through the chimney, but no promise of treat.
     Lincoln grappled with the pupils who surrounded him, but they were too many for the teacher. They carried him, kicking and struggling, to the creek a short distance away. A ducking was attempted to bring the new teacher to time.
     Lincoln fought against the heavy odds and it was not until the very brink of the waters edge was reached that he informed the pupils he would treat the next day.
     Lincoln kept his word and Charley said, no teacher and his pupils got along any better than "Cousin Abe and us boys." The boys all liked the homey Kentuckian and especially did they his spunk and gameness. Charley always looked up to Lincoln as his ideal as a young man and never had any occasion to regret the selection of that ideal.
     The qualities then shown by Lincoln, the country school teacher, of gentleness combined with self-determination, my mother believed were later demonstrated by him as president.
     Lincoln's rank as one of the greatest figures of American history has been exalted with the passage of years mother believed for she said, "We didn't think much about it when I was a girl."
     Mother was the youngest of 13 children and was born after the family moved to Des Moines county Iowa in 1835 on a farm near Pleasant Grove, afterwards called Millersburg. She was the first white girl born in Pleasant Grove township, Des Moines county, Iowa, one hundred and four years ago this June, 1940.
     I remember her saying to me, "stir around as though you were going for fire." Then she explained that sometimes their fire would go out and she would go to the neighbors to borrow fire and as badly as she wanted to stay awhile she would rush back home with the coals of fire. Do we realize the value of a match?
     Grandmother played a vital part in Lincoln's life by weaving material and making his clothes, not by machine but by hand; also nursing him through the typhoid fever; but she believed in applying the verse of Scripture. Mathew 6:3, which says, "But when thou doest alms let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth." But now I am grateful for this opportunity to voice a word of praise for those pioneers who have gone on before us and paved the way for us.
     They did not have automobiles, radios, telephones, daily newspapers, mail delivery, running water in their houses, sewing machines, pressure cookers, electricity, which furnishes so many conveniences, beside 1001 things, which we have today but they had many sterling qualities which we need to emulate and to show our gratitude by living up to the standard of the Golden Rule. "Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them."
     By Mrs. Mary Chandler Kelly (better known as May Nau.).
     This information was given me today by Mrs. Alpha Gill McFarland, who was born May 27, 1866.
     She says brother Joe Gill, born March 20, 1853, went to school in the present school building.
     She feels sure the same school building was built before 1867.
          Mayme C. Kelly

Teachers Present

     Among the teachers present in addition to Peter Wilson, who taught school there 60 years ago, were: Maggie Kelly Seymour, Phyllis Wagner, R.A. Parrott, Mrs. W.J. Riepe, Mrs. Jennie Bonar Chandler, Lotta I. Neu.

Visiting Pupils

     James Chandler, Petty Jean Heibner, Wm. Chandler, Stephen Williams, Linnie Williams Duke, Flossie Williams Bolick, Frank H. Seaton, Wm. Hebner, Naomi Williams, Velma Williams Wagner, Robert Wagner, Stanley Wagner, Gilbert Wagner, Ralph Heibner, Russell, Wendell and Naomi Williams, George W. Grinstead, Nancy Miller Jaggar, Mayme Chandler Kelly, Frank Chandler, Sue Gill DeLong, Kate M. Philpott Welch, Ethel Head Heibner, Fay Grinstead Riepe, Frank B. Williams, Lenore Hutchinson Rowe, Guy New, Merton Williams, Ora Hutchinson Williams, Mason Rowe.

Friends at Reunion

     Mrs. Frank Chandler, Birdie B. Mathews, E. Mae Grau, Mrs. Ida Wilson, Mrs. Fred Wagner, Mary Parrott, W.A. Heibner, T.L. Turley, Mr. and Mrs. Ed L. Mix, Belle C. Chandler, Mrs. and Mrs. Frank Johnston, Mrs. Thelma Baker, Mrs. Nellie Williams, Mrs. Wilma Grinstead, Edward Grinstead, Helen Medefesser, L.L. Medefesser, E.E. Wessel, Clinton Bolick, J.W. Duke, Georgetta Duke, Mrs. Ralph Heibner, J.W. Grinstead, Myrtle Gaines, Claude Gaines, Mrs. Corliss Williams, Mrs. J.W. Grinstead, Stella Grinstead, Marion Bonar, Rollin Bonar.

School Days Index   **   Home Page