Articles From
MONTROSE, IOWA JOURNAL

Transcribed by Connie (Dobson) Putthoff

8 January 1931

Miss Jean Elizabeth, only daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Frank IRVING JOHNSTON, married C. Grath CHAUS ? in Seattle. Will live in Port Townsend.

The winter of one hundred years ago was a real winter. A report of the big snow and sudden change of that date reads as follows:

The heavy snow of 1830-31 commenced falling between Christmas and New Year's and continued at intervals for perhaps a month, until the snow was almost five feet deep on a level. For a time travel was almost impossible, but a slight thaw, followed by intensely cold weather caused a heavy crust to form, strong enough to support a team. There was much suffering because the settlers were not prepared for such a siege, but deer were to be shot occasionally. The spring thaw set is in February and by early March the snow was gone, the resulting flood causing much discomfort.

The sudden change of weather came about December 20. It had been warm and all that day heavy rain fell from noon until 3 o'clock. Then an ominous cloud appeared in the northwest, looking like the black and boiling smoke from a railroad engine. Before the cloud formed the temperature was mild: twenty minutes later it was far below zero. Slush turned into ice and animals and fowls were frozen fast in the soft earth, so that they had to be chopped out. Travelers suffered terribly and many perished. The intense cold continued for two weeks. Nothing like this sudden change in weather has been known in the history of Illinois. 

Samuel P. REED a well known and highly respected citizen of New London, died at his home Friday. He married Mrs. Roselee COONEY a few years ago. He was born in Henry Co. and was about 62.

15 January 1931 (still saying 30)

Green H. COLVIN, a resident of Denmark, died at his home Sunday. He was 71 and born 1 May 1859 in Montrose, had lived in Denmark for thirteen years. In 1886, he moved to a farm near Sawyer, Iowa where he lived until he retired. On 27 December 1884, he married Ida Lucy RICE. She died 26 January 1925, he again married Mrs. Cordelia LARSON of Weaver Iowa. She survives. Besides his wife, two daughters: Mrs. Alex FOGGY and Mrs. Robert HOUSTON, both of Ft. Madison. One sister; Mrs. Robert GRIMES of Montrose.

Mrs. Mary A. MORIARTY, a life long resident of Denmark, died at the home of her sister, Mrs. Joseph APPLEBAUM, at Argyle, Saturday. She was the daughter of J.P. and Ellen MORIARITY and was born in Sandusky. Leaves sisters; Mrs. John WEIRATHER of Sandusky, Mrs. Joseph APPLEBAUM of Argyle, Mrs. Timothy DRISCOLL of Belfast. One brother T.J. MORIARTY, preceded her in death.

Keosauqua bank closed. Noticed posted on the door. This would have been the beginning of the depression years.

22 January 1931

Mr. and Mrs. Harold PRICE have a new son, 17 January 1931, Gerald Theodore.

Mrs. Ollie WARD JORDAN, a resident of Montrose, died at her home Friday. She came to Montrose thirty-one years ago. Her husband preceded her, five years ago. Leaves three sons; R. E. JORDAN of Peoria, Illinois, N.W. JORDAN of Galesburg, Illinois, and W. N. JORDAN of Montrose. One brother Owen WILSON of Toronto, Canada, and three grandchildren Buried Montrose.

5 February 1931

Mr. and Mrs. REED were called to Rock Island to attend the funeral of Mrs. Harry WICKELL, a sister-in-law of Mrs. REED. Harry WICKELL used to live in Montrose. Mrs. WICKELL was 45 years old. Clara ZENTGRAF was born 21 February 1885 in Moline, the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. John C. ZENTGRAF, pioneer residents of Moline, Illinois. Leaves husband, two brothers, Frank of Rock Island, and Fred of East Moline, three sisters; Mrs. John PEARSON, of Rock Island, Mrs. James WALMALEY of Bettendorf, Iowa, Mrs. Herman NEUMANN, of Detroit, Michegan. Buried in East Moline.

12 February 1931

Walter SCOTT, a former resident of Montrose, died Monday at age 71. Can't read the rest.

Mrs. Martin W. REUTHER, died Monday. She was born 27 March 1889 in Charleston, Iowa. She had been a resident of Ft. Madison for 20 years. Married Martin W. REUTHER at Donnellson 28 May 1910. Survived by husband, two sons; Ralph G. and Delbert Martin, two brothers; Eddie WEBER of Donnellson and Henry WEBER of Keokuk; five sisters; Mrs. Henry REUTHER of Montrose, Mrs. Lena DODSON, and Mrs. Lucy BERNHART, both of Ft. Madison, and Mrs. Lizzie RIDDLE of Keokuk. Two sons preceded her in death. (don't know what happened to #5 sister)

19 February 1931

Mrs. Amelia ANDERSON, an old resident of Lee County, died Sunday at her home near New Boston, at age 95. She was born in Missouri, but came to Iowa at an early age. Surviving her are her children; Frank and Henry of Ft. Madison, William, Abe, John all of Montrose, and Mrs. Crilla MITCHELL of Montrose, one brother William, can't make out any more. Buried New Boston.

4 March 1931

Mrs. Julia SPENCER, wife of ? SPENCER, died Sunday at her home in Ft. Madison, she was 59. Born 2 December 1872? In Nauvoo. Married 27 ? 1897 in this city. Survived by husband, one sister, Mrs. R B.CARSON of ? Nv., a sister, Mrs. ? MARSHALL of Niota, Illinois. Buried Montrose.

12 March 1931

George Washington DAVIS' funeral was held from the Pearson, Schmidt and Holbrook funeral parlors. Buried Oakland cemetery.

19 March 1931

Mrs. Marie CLEMENSON died at her home in Montrose, Saturday. She was the daughter of Henry and Catherine WOOD MIDDLETOWN. Was born in Keokuk 8 August 1860. Married 25 February 1891 to John C. CLEMENSON at Keokuk. Survived by her son; Carl C. a sister Mrs. John MOORE, of Davenport, half sister Mrs. Charles H. BIRD of Keokuk.

Marion VANAUSDALL has been quite busy fixing up rooms in the WOLF property where he expects to make his new home after being tied up with the holy bonds of matrimony which will be in the near future.

26 March 1931

Andrew PHILP, died at his home last Saturday. He was the fifth son of John and Helen GALLOWAY PHILP, born 16 January 1864. At the time of his fathers death, he bought the family farm. On 26 November 1890, he married Ella HEMINGWAY at Galland. Had two daughters, Martha WATTS who lives at Byron, Mn., and Ruth who died in 1923. Besides wife and daughter, he is survived by one sister, Mrs. Helen JOHNSON of Keokuk, two brothers, William of Keokuk and John of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

2 April 1931

Miss Mildred EARLS, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sherman EARLS of Basco, Illinois, married Mark A. PHILLIPS of Montrose, 26 March 1931. Will live in Ft. Madison.

Miss Sarah Lillian PETERSON, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John PETERSON of Montrose, married Marion E. VANAUSDALL, son of Mr. and Mrs. F. M. VANAUSDALL, also of Montrose. Will live in Montrose. Huge article.

9 April 1931

Mrs. Florence PEZLEY, wife of Albert PEZLEY, died at her home near New Boston. She was 70. Leaves husband and six children: Mrs. Ola DODSON of near Ft. Madison, Mrs. Effie CALE, Mr. Harry, of near Montrose, Mrs. Cora SWINDERMAN of New Boston , Mr. Albert of Ft. Madison, and Charles of near New Boston. Buried Charleston cemetery.

30 April 1931

Mrs. Letha J. SKYLES, wife of H .A. SKYLES, deputy county treasurer, died at her home in Ft. Madison Saturday. Letha J. STEWART. Daughter of Francis and Mary BULLARD STEWART, was born in Jefferson Twp., 10 July 1864. She married Harve A. SKYLES, 17 March 1897. Survived by husband and two daughters; Mrs. Andrew FISHER of Baltimore, Md., Mrs. Arvilla YOUNG of Ft. Madison, one brother, Ed STEWART of Long Beach, Ca., three sisters; Miss Alice STEWART and Mrs. Oscar COOPER of Ft. Madison and Mrs. George WILLIAMS of Gibbs, Missouri, one son Stewart, died in infancy. Three grandchildren; Betty Lou, Sue Carroll and Joan Shirley YOUNG. Buried Oakland.

7 May 1931

Charles W. SUMMERS, a former resident of Charleston, died at the home of his son in Centerville, Thursday, 30 April 1931. He was the son of Charles W. and Catherine E. SUMMERS. Born in Indiana, 9 January 1846. He made his home with his, Otto, until about three years ago, he went to live with his other son, Alonzo at Centerville. He married Sarah Ellen PHILLIPS in 1869 and had five children, one of whom died in infancy. Mr. SUMMERS remarried in 1895 to Flora PICKERING. One son Chester was born to this union. Mrs. SUMMERS, died in 1897. Surviving children; Otto, of Keokuk, Alonzo B. of Centerville, T. C. of Pasadena, Ca., Chester of Keokuk, and Mrs. Cora GRISWOLD of Newton Kansas. Also leaves 17 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren, two half sisters, Mrs. Mary WILSEY of Kahoka, Missouri, Mrs. Orpha MOTT of Wayland, Missouri. Buried South cemetery near New Boston. (I wrote this just the way it was except for some omissions.

14 May 1931

Miss Erma WITHROW and Bud AMES were secretly married Tuesday. No one in Montrose seems to know anything of their where abouts. They left about midnight.

Mr. and Mrs. Frank GRISWOLD, a new boy, 8 May 1931 in Ft. Madison hospital. Mrs. GRISWOLD was the former Aline DAVIS.

J.E. KREIGER, cashier of the Donnellson State Bank since its origination in 1913, was found dead in his bed at his home, Monday. An apparent heart problem. He was born near West Point and was 55. Leaves wife, father, and two children, and a brother in Chicago and a sister.

28 May 1931

Mrs. Jessie KAUFFMAN, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. L.A.BASSETT?, died at her home at Miffintown, Pa.?, 21 May 1931. Leaves husband, Milton KAUFFMAN, two children, Hazel,6, and Joseph Allen, 2, her parents, two sisters, and three brothers: Mrs. Bertha MCCAMMON of Rockford, Illinois, Miss Esther BASSETT of Evanston, Illinois, Roy and Lewis of Evanston, Illinois, and Walter of Campbellaport, Wisconsin. Funeral at Miffintown.

Bonaparte bank closed, sign says by order of directors.

4 June 1931

Mr. and Mrs. Jesse FRUEHLING, a fine boy.

Mrs. John J. WEIRATHER, died at her home at Summitville. Nellie Eilen HANSON, born 5 February 1868 in Keokuk, the daughter of Andrew and Bridget HANSON. On 30 April 1912, she married John J. WEIRATHER at St. Francis DeSales, church. Leaves husband, one daughter, Mrs. Chas M. HAGMEIR of Keokuk, one son John L. of Mooar, one brother, Joseph A. HANSON of Ft. Madison.

18 June 1931

Mrs. Emma L. STUART, 81, a resident of Des Moines for the last 46 years, died Wednesday at the home of her son-in-law, J. C.BAUCH. She was born in Muscatine 24 April 1850. Surviving, one son James Clay STUART of Des Moines, two grandsons; J.Stuart BAUCH of Gladbrook and Otto C. BAUCH of Des Moines. Services held at Dunns funeral, buried Glendale cemetery. She was the former, Emma LAKIN of Montrose.

2 July 1931

John W. BOYD died at his home last Thursday. He was born 25 June 1872, the son of Zacheriah and Mary COLVIN BOYD. He married Ella FOWLER of Sandusky, in 1901 and had five children. Surviving; wife, two daughters, Juanita BOYD, and Vivian, both of Montrose, two brothers, Louis of Montrose, R.O. of Sandusky, half brother, Lester of Montrose, two half sisters, Mrs. Ella GALLAND and Mrs.. Sue GALLAND of Revere, Missouri, step mother, Mrs. Lloyd RAMSEY of Revere, an aunt, Mrs. Robert GRIMES. Three children preceded him in death. Services held at Montrose. 

Miss Nellie MEARS, of this place, married Clyile WARD of Moberly, Missouri, last Saturday in Montrose. Bride is the oldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W.J. MEARS of this city. Will live in Moberly.

16 July 1931

John Philip PASCHAL was buried in the Clay Grove cemetery. No particulars.

6 August 1931

Mr. and Mrs. Harold REIMBOLD of Nauvoo a new girl.

Mrs. Nancy CRESSWELL, died at her home here 1 August 1931 at age 86. Survived by husband, two children, Wm. CRESSWELL, Mrs. Frank SILVERS, both of Montrose, one brother, James CALE of Ca. Also several grandchildren and one great grandchild, Wanda SHUSTER.

13 August 1931

Mr. and Mrs. Wm. COOPER have a new boy.

Captain GALLAND was in town Tuesday to attend the funeral of the late Walker WILSON.

The above two items may have happened 25 years ago. In next weeks paper, he said a column was not titled right.

Miss Erma WATERS, formerly of Montrose, died in Keokuk at the home of her sister. Funeral held in Davenport. She was about 24.

3 September 1931

Committal services for the late W. H. METZINGER were held Sunday from the Greaves and Hanerhoff Home. The Eagles held services at the grave. Interment was made in the family lot in Oakland cemetery.

Funeral services were held for the late FILAWORTH? Note this may be ELSWORTH CRANE were held Saturday from the home near Montrose. Buried Oakland.

Mrs. Ida SHAW died(no date) and was buried in the Montrose cemetery. She was born in Montrose 8 February 1858, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William SKINNER. She married to John SHAW in 1877, who preceded her several years ago. Leaves one son John William of Montrose, one brother, David SKINNER and one sister, Mrs. Hulda BARBER.

10 September 1931

Mrs. Elmer SPENCER received word Wednesday of the death of her brother, Chas HARRISON of Rock Island, Illinois. He was a former Montrose resident.

1 October 1931

The Montrose Savings Bank, the only bank in the town failed to open its doors Monday. A notice on the door stated, that on account of heavy withdrawals, and in order to save the depositors of the bank, the board of directors have ordered this bank closed. Later on in the day another notice was posted on the door which stated that the bank is now in the hands of the state examiner. The president of the bank is R. L. REED the cashier is J. E. LAMB. The closing of the bank came as quite a blow to Montrose, as most all the depositors believed this bank to be among the safest banks near here, and almost everyone in Montrose and surrounding country had most all of their money deposited here. Some say that they believe that the bank will pay out in full, while others seem to think that a greater part of their savings is to be lost. Of course this is something that is hard for anyone to say as to how it will pay out, for no one will know much about it until the examiners are through, We are hoping however that everything will turn out in good shape and that Montrose will not have to be without a bank very long, as a town without a thriving bank is handicapped in a great many ways.

15 October 1931

Mr. and Mrs. James DYE, a new son born 11 October 1931, 10 ½ lbs. This is Keith.

22 October 1931

Naomi Marie BROWN, infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles BROWN Jr., of Montrose, died at the family home, 14 October 1931. Buried Montrose. She was born 5 October 1931. Leaves parents, one brother Junior, three sisters, Dorothy, Marjorie and Vera.

Miss Katherine TWEEDY of Montrose married Carmie LOWENBERG of Donnellson, 12 October 1931. Bride is daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H.E. TWEEDY, groom is son of Mr. and Mrs. E.J. LOWENBERG of Donnellson. Will live in Donnellson.

10 December 1931

S. SORENSON, was found dead Monday west of the Santa Fe Station. Thought to be about 70.

Andrew O. COYNE, 75, died at the home of his brother, Frank COYNE, in Jefferson Twp. He was born in Jefferson Twp. 9 October 1856. Leaves one brother, Frank COYNE Sr. and his family. Buried Elmwood cemetery Ft. Madison.

17 October 1931

Mr. and Mrs. Joe KNOBBS celebrate 50th. Miss Anna GARVIN of Niota, Illinois married Joseph KNOBBS of Dallas City, Illinois, 7 December 1881 in Ft .Madison. Moved to Montrose 35 years ago. Children; Wallace, Thomas, Robert, Loren, Wm. All of the children were able to attend except Wallace.

Bobbie Leo, sond of Mr. and Mrs. John C. JOHNSON, died at the home near Galland Sunday. He was born 20 January 1928 near Galland, the son of John C. nad Florence BRINGER JOHNSON. Leaves parents, brothers, and sisters; Clarence, Leon, Mynona, Louis, Leona Juanita and Mattie Maxine, his grandparents.

24 December 1931

George JUDY, died at his home in Jefferson Twp. Tuesday. He was 80 and a native of Jefferson Twp. Leaves wife and following children, Roy of Los Angeles, Frank of Colorado Springs,, Joseph of Kilgore, Ne., John and Sherman of Ft. Madison, Mrs. Wm. BROWN of Montrose, Mrs. D.L. GRISWOLD of Ft Madison and Mrs. Cora KUHLMAN of Hall, Illinois, one sister, Mrs. Martha SCHOENE of Franklin, one brother Sherman of Los Angeles.

J.A.F.POLLARD, 61, of the Ft. Madison Savings Bank, died at his home Sunday.

31 December 1931

Mrs. L. BRODSKY, a life ling resident of Argyle, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. R.G.MOODIE, Tuesday. Survived by husband, one other daughter, Mrs. J.R. BANNON also of Argyle, three sons; Frank and Louis, also of Argyle, George of Keokuk.

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