Iowa County Cemetery Stones and History 1844-1975 (manuscript) by Pauline Lillie

                    STONE NEAR THE IOWA RIVER   (Washington twp.)     p. 1

                        by Pauline Lillie

Location
Section 35 Washington 8, Township, Range 10 west of lower South  
Amana up lane and toward the Iowa River, north of the Railroad  
tracks.

This grave stone is reached going west along the north side of the  
Rock Island Railroad Tracks, west of South Amana, then north and  
west. A marker was on the fence that gave a hint as to where to  
stop. Climb hill and fence. One lone monument; Remember this  
is trespassing and one must get permission. The Amanas have own- 
ed the land ever since they established South Amana. At one time  
years ago the depot was here on the highway, referred to as Lower  
South Amana, Now the highway is 220 going north. Landmarks may  
have changed with various time elements.

This is approximately the same place that the Old Trading Farm was  
located. The Iowa County history mentions about 35 graves, at one  
time. The Old Trading House was the headquarters of quite a numb- 
er of settlers, from 1843-1846 (p. 200 Hist. 1881) (p. 305) Travel- 
ers from the trading post quickly collected formed a large ring round  
the log heap burning like a great furnace- Indians were asking for  
money - big dance - from a quote of Ben. Groff; Who also refers to  
their cemetery on the same page.

As there were Indian burials located in this general area, and prob- 
ably some early settlers died, while at the Old Trading Post. No  
doubt the stone is located at that spot.  My guess the indians are buried
on the bluffs south of Hy. 6 -1- Stone  
Front of Stone
Hier Ruhen - Ahlke Maas Frau V. Brand Maas  
Geb. April 1799 (be geboren (born)  
Gest Gestorben (died) August 4, 1854

On the right of the same monument  
J.H. Mehrens

On the back of the same monument  
Ahrend Lange- Gesche Lange.

Any one interested in this early family may find them written up in  
Harley Ransoms "Pioneer Recollections" 1941- which gives a good account  
of the adventures of this band of immigrants. It is titled "A Record of  
the Events Experienced during Our Journey From Germany to North America"  
in 1854 by Henry Maas.; Also published in part in the Iowa County Vignette  
No. 10 Pages 38-39-40- by secretary of literature, Mr. Ted Ressler  
of Williamsburg. (Now deceased.)

Researched by Pauline Lillie - Ladora


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