Mills County, Iowa
Biographies


B


BADA, RICHARD FREDERICK
      Richard Frederick Bada was born at Scherlanka, Prussia on January 5, 1849, the son of Michael August and Johanna Wilhelmina Ehm Bada. When Richard was two years old, his father passed away. His mother then married Adolph C. Schultz, a Prussian. After the death of Mr. Schultz, she married August Warnke who was a blacksmith by trade. In 1856 the family came to America and settled in Anderson and Silver Creek townships in Mills County, Iowa.
     Richard grew up having no formal education and could scarcely read or write. He was raised doing all types of farm labor and left home when he was about seventeen. He returned home for a short time prior to becoming of legal age at which time he went out on his own for good. Farm hands were always in good demand at that time and he had little trouble finding work. At the age of twenty-three he purchased his first eighty acres of land in Anderson Township. He paid five dollars an acre with a down payment of one hundred dollars. After working the land for two years and fencing part of it, he sold it to his brother for thirty dollars an acre. Richard then reinvested in more farm land, accumulating twelve farms totaling 2260 acres, around the Silver City area. He continued to amass a vast amount of land which at one time consisted of twenty-seven farms in Iowa, a cattle ranch in Cherry County, Nebraska, a 3,040 acre ranch in Kansas and an orange grove in Dade County, Florida.
     On October 2, 1878, Mr. Bada was married to Emma Catherine Ehlers who was born October 1, 1859 in Schwarzbork, Germany and came to America in 1867. To this union was born seven children: Artemus Richard. Albert William, George Henry (See George Henry Bada). Clara Amelia, Anna Adelia (See Robert Emery Long), Mary Jane who died two weeks before her seventh birthday, and Lena May.  

     In 1916 Mr. Bada built one of the finest houses in Silver City at a cost of $25,000. The house which stands in the southwest corner of the town has a tile roof that weighs six tons. Some of the land from the farm adjoining the house was sold to the town for the present cemetery.
     Mr. Bada had one brother, Julius, who moved to Illinois and two sisters, Amelia and Paulina, and also two half brothers and two half sisters. On February 14, 1929 he passed away and was laid to rest in the Silver City Cemetery. Mrs. Bada died September 6, 1935.
     Artemus Richard was born June 29, 1879 and died November 24, 1968. He graduated from Silver City High School and married Cecelia Sophia Ott on March 5, 1902. They farmed successfullly and had two children. Cecil Ott and Marjorie Lena. Cecil was born January 4, 1903 and married Lavora Talboy. They had a daughter, Monte. Marjorie Lena was born March 16, 1905 and married Rudolph Hopp, Jr. They lived near Glenwood, Iowa and had two daughters, Rogene Ferne and Rose Mary.
    Albert William was born September 3, 1880 and died in Eugene, Oregon on September 21, 1960. He graduated from Silver City High School and married Carrie Miller. They were divorced and he later married Beulah Johnson. Albert farmed a number of years southeast of Silver City before moving to Oregon and was preceded in death by his wife, Beulah.
    Clara Amelia was born October 16, 1884 and died May 2, 1965. She graduated from Silver City High School and lived at home, never marrying.
    Lena May was born November 11, 1893 and died September 8, 1977 at Silver City. She graduated from Silver City High School in 1912 and worked for Farmers Bank in Silver City. On October 22, 1919, she married Vardaman Wilkins (See William Wilkins history) and they had one son, Verne Alda, who was born August 1, 1920. Verne married Elma Hansen and lives in Tabor, Iowa. They have two sons, Duane and Darrell, of Des Moines, Iowa. Vardaman was killed in an auto accident December 28, 1977.

BADA, GEORGE HENRY
     George Henry Bada was born October 25, 1881 and died in San Diego, California on September 24, 1967. He graduated from Silver City High School in 1899 and married Sophia A. Spetman on February 16, 1910. She was the daughter of August and Lizzie Spetman and was born July 1, 1891. The couple made their home on a farm southwest of Silver City. In 1921 the family moved to Silver City where they resided until 1937. For eight years, George Bada was Mayor of Silver City. In 1937 the family moved to Council Bluffs and later moved to a farm near Creston. In 1949 Mr. and Mrs. Bada moved to San Diego where they both lived until their deaths. Mrs. Bada died August 15, 1976 in a nursing home in San Diego. They had one son, Richard August.
     Richard A. Bada was born in Silver City on March 16, 1917. He attended school in Silver City and graduated in 1934. In 1941 he was married to Hazel M. 0’Riley and moved to San Diego. They have two children: Jeffrey and Beverly. Richard retired June 1, 1979 after 38 years with General Dynamics Corporation, and he and his wife reside in Idyllwild, California.
    Dr. Jeffrey L. Bada is a Professor at Scripps Institution of Oceanography in LaJolla, California. Beverly Kelly is an officer in the Bank of America, Arcadia, California.

BAILEY, JAMES  FAMILY
       James Bailey was born near Pacific Junction November 21, 1885 and married Maude Swanburg, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Swanburg the 17th of February 1917. For many years they lived on a farm north of Silver City. They had three children: Merle, Edward and Jean. Merle married Herman Sanders; they had two children: Valerie and Dallas. In 1955 Valerie graduated from Silver City High School; the same year she married Eldon Harman and they have three children: David and Diane (both are married) and Derek is in high school. Valerie and Eldon also have two grandchildren. Dallas Sanders graduated from Avoca High School in 1962; he married JoLeen Floen in October 1964 and they have two daughters: Jill and Jodi. Edward Bailey, son of Maude and Jim, lost his life in a truck accident in Colorado in 1952; he left one son, Timothy Paul who was adopted by his aunt, Merle Bailey Sanders. On June 2, 1971 Timothy Paul Bailey drowned; he was survived by his wife and a son, James Edward. Jean Bailey, (youngest of Maude and Jim’s family) married Bud Cloyd of Thurman in 1955; they had two daughters, Judy and Karen. Bud passed away in May 1957. Jean married Lyle Boone in 1959 and they have one son, Bret and one daughter, Arlene. Judy Cloyd married Richard Welch and Karen Cloyd married Jerry Berry. Bret Boone is working and Arlene Boone graduated from high school in 1979. Maude Bailey passed away December 22, 1967 and James Bailey on 7th of February 1968. Merle married Melvin Lamp of Minden in February 1958; they farmed near Minden for several years, now they reside in Minden.

BANISTER-WILLARD
     Erastus F., born 8-27-1840 in Ohio, came to Mills County in 1877 with the family. He married 8-16-1865 Mary J. Rowe. He was a successful farmer east of Silver City for many years and later moved into town where he died 8-11-19 14. He was a member of the G.A.R. and the I.O.O.F. Mrs. Banister died 10-5-1918. Of their 5 children: Etta married George Weir, Edward lived here a number of years, Delbert and Dora married Cook and lived in Nebraska for many years. His daughter Lena married J. S. Willard who was born 4-6-1860 at Naperville, Illinois son of Judson and Jeanette Willard. They were married 9-20-1893 and had 2 children; Georgia now Mrs. Wilkinson and Lena now Mrs. Ward Burgoin of Omaha. Her children are found with her husband’s life sketch. Mr. Willard was a businessman, operating a cafe in Silver City for several years, and later went to California where he died 5-18-1933.
     Henry, a brother of Erastus was born 5-27-1851 at New London, Iowa, He married Mrs. Mary (Cone) Burge 3-29-1878. He came to a farm east of Silver City 1879 where he successfully operated it and died there 4-1-1943. He was a highly respected and esteemed man and had been a mason for 67 years. Mrs. Banister died 2-19-1935. They had no children, but a foster daughter Edna Weller who is in the Malvern Rest Home. Mrs. Banister had a son Dr. Burge who died leaving a daughter Eva now Mrs. Smith now deceased. Eva had a daughter Esther now Mrs. Van Solen and lives in Clovis, New Mexico.

BARNES,  F.G.  FAMILY
      The Rev. and Mrs. F.G. Barnes, Methodist Minister and wife served the Silver City and East Liberty communities from 1930-34; he was the second pastor to serve the new Silver City Church which was built in 1928. Many pastorates were served by Rev. and Mrs. Barnes in the Iowa Conference, among them were several in southwest Iowa; his last charge was Pacific Junction. A ceremony was held there at the time of his 50th year in the Ministry; the Bishop and the District Superintendent were in attendance.
      Their children were Ruth, Mrs. John Swarts, Paul deceased, and Lois, Mrs. J. E. Grisamore of West Des Moines.
      The Rev. and Mrs. Barnes chose Silver City as their retirement home. They enjoyed renewing old acquaintances and making new friends at that time. They were privileged to live in their home for eleven years. During this time, they celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary in Silver City Methodist Church.
     They now reside at the Oakland Manor, Oakland, Iowa; they are 86 years of age.

BATES, ROBERT A.
     Robert A., born 12-14-1869 Marion, Illinois, was editor of Pacific Junction, Iowa Times and of Silver City Times from May 6, 1897 to April 26, 1902 when he sold the paper to Mr. Ford of Woodbine. He went to Plattsmouth, Nebraska where he published the Plattsmouth Journal until his death 6-15-1934. Mrs. Bates is deceased.

BAYS FAMILY IN SILVER CITY
      My father edited and published the Silver City Times, 1916-1928. He was Charles Waldo Bays, 1870-1932; my mother was Stella Wynona Thompson Bays, 1872-1931. We moved to Silver City in December, 1916, from Woodbine, where my father had for eight years published the Twiner. The move was the result of a swap of businesses, home properties and mortgages thereon between my father and E. A. Stevens, formerly of the Times. Happily, each man felt himself the gainer.
       In 1916, “we” were my father, mother and I, aged eleven. I had three older sisters, all grown and away. They were Effie, Leona and Ethel, who sometimes came home, with their children, for visits. Ours was an early- day “extended family,” before the term became popular! Effie, 1892-1958, married (1) Ray Kent of Council Bluffs; (2) Raymond Fouts of San Diego. There were three Kent children: Royce, 1914- , living in Omaha; “Bob,” 1919-1960; and Bonnie 1922-1976. Both Royce and Bonnie went to school in Silver City for a time.
      Leona, 1894-1940, married Roy Gater of Council Bluffs. Their two children were: Ferne 1923- , now Ferne Bonomi of Des Moines; and David, 1933- , of Anaheim. Through a quirk of fate both Leona and Ferne later ran the Times.
      Ethel, 1896-1971, married Arthur Bayless of San Diego. They had no children. Ethel was the magnet drawing other Bayses to California. I married Paul Locker of Newton. Our only child, Bays, born 1931, was killed in a mountain-climbing accident in 1952. Paul, from whom I was divorced, died in 1967.
      Back to Silver City, The Times was housed in a two­story building on the west side of Main Street, nearest to the Wabash R.R. tracks. Stevens had set type by hand. My father bought a Linotype, and my mother learned to run it. The first year was grueling; neither of them had ever operated a Linotype. But after they got the bugs out, the two worked side by side for many years in that shop.
      I finished eighth grade and two years of high school in Silver City, then went to Council Bluffs where more courses were available. I graduated from C.B.H.S. (later A.L.’) in 1921. After that came Drake University, teaching in Newton, and marriage.
     Ethel, in San Diego, continued to dangle the California bait before us Iowans. In 1928 my father had an unexpected offer to sell, the Times to Bertha Peterson (later Merrill) of Neola. He did. In June, 1928, after my Newton wedding, my parents and Effie’s family left for San Diego. There, semi-retired, my folks ran a “mom-and­pop" grocery. Mamma died in 1931; Paul and I and and baby Bays, left Iowa to help my father, who himself died in 1932. Both are buried in Silver City, as is also Leona, who died later.
     The Depression had ripple effects across the land. One was that the Times bounced back into the Bays family. The only nearby Bays to operate it was Leona who, with her family, moved to Silver City. She published until her death in 1940, when her daughter Ferne, barely seventeen and just graduated from Silver City High, took over. Ferne published for several years, until the Times was sold to, and merged with, the Glenwood Opinion. Thus ended its masthead.
      Ferne entered University of Iowa, graduating with degrees in history and journalism. I, in California, took further education, and changed careers, into public library work.
      FOOTNOTE TO HISTORY: My paternal grandfather, Davis H. Bays, who until mid-life was a traveling Morman preacher, passed through Silver City. His diary notes: "Monday, April 27, 1885 We resumed our journey and reached Silver City, Mills County, Iowa. A heavy rain at night.” Full circle!

BENDT, HERMAN
     Herman Bendt, son of Julius and Lena Caroline (Rosburg) Bendt, was born on November 23, 1886 in Mills County, Iowa. He was united in marriage on March 31, 1915 to Magdalena Johanna Hansen, daughter of Friedrick and Magdalena (Stumpf) Hansen who was born on June 25, 1889. To this union were born five children: One died in infancy; Vera, born January 20, 1916 and married to Herman Schroeder (See Herman Schroeder history); Mildred, born March 17, 1917 and married to Ersal Powles; Anita, born August 23, 1918 and married to George T. Marshall (See George T. Marshall history); and Earl, born March 23, 1928 and married to Phyllis McCoy (See Roger and Ronnie Bendt histories). Herman passed away on June 25, 1978, and Magdalena (known as Helen) passed away on February 25, 1972.
 

BENDT, ROGER
      Roger Earl Bendt was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa on February 27, 1949. He is the son of Earl and Phyllis Bendt and has two brothers, Ronnie and LeRoy. Roger has lived in Silver City all of his life. He went to Silver City School to the 8th grade then he went to Glenwood Community and graduated in 1967. From 1966 to 1968, he worked for Harold Skerritt as a farm hand.
      On October 4, 1968 Roger married Marjorie Lynn Williams from Glenwood, the daughter of Aaron and Emma Williams. Marjorie was born on October 19, 1950 in Louisville, Nebraska. In 1953, her family moved to Glenwood and she attended the Glenwood Community School.
      Roger went into the army on October 7, 1968 and served until October 6, 1970. He was in Hamburg Germany serving with A Battery, 1st Bn., 75th Artillery when their son Tim was born. Timothy Earl was born May 31, 1969 at Ehrling Bergquist U.S.A.F. hospital in Bellevue, Nebraska. A second child, Tina Lynn was born on November 15, 1974 at Grape Community Hospital in Hamburg, Iowa.
     Roger went back to work for Harold Skerritt after his stay in the service. They moved into a home at 414 Second Street in Silver City where they now reside. In 1975 Roger went to work for Standard Chemical Company of Omaha, Nebraska, at their mill at Malvern, Iowa where he is presently working.

BENDT, RONNIE
      Ronnie Phillip Bendt was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa on April 11, 1950. He is the son of Earl and Phyllis Bendt and has two brothers Roger and LeRoy. Ronnie has lived around Silver City all his life and graduated from Glenwood Community School in May 1968.
      Ronnie went into the service July 26, 1968 until March 23, 1970. He served in Viet Nam with the 1st Cav, and 21st Artillery. He earned the Viet Nam Medal, Bronze Star, Sir Medal, Viet Namese Service Medal, Good Conduct and National Defense Medal. When he returned from the service he gave Silver City his State of Iowa Flag that he received from Bill Scherle.
     On July 11, 1970, Ronnie married Joan Elizabeth from Glenwood, Iowa, the daughter of Aaron and Emma Williams. Joan attended the Glenwood Community School.
     Ronnie and Joan have a son, Brian Phillip, born on November 1, 1971 at Grape Community Hospital in Hamburg, Iowa. A second child, Renae Elizabeth was born November 4, 1972 at Grape Community Hospital.
     Ronnie went back into the service in 1979 after working 6 years for Farm Aid in Silver City. He had A.I.T. at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and was transferred to El Paso, Texas. Ronnie, Joan and the kids were transferred to Giessen, Germany for three years where they are now living.

BLACK, L. PAUL
      Paul and Ida (Hardisty) Black was married 10-16-1935. They purchased the Clara Bada home in 1959. They are the parents of Paul W., Philip, Patricia (McMullen), Patrick and a foster son David Sigler. They have fifteen grandchildren.
 

BOLTE, CLARENCE
       Clarence Frederick Bolte (commonly called Kelly), the third of seven sons born to Otto and Lulu Rohr Bolte, was born July 31, 1915, on a farm two miles south and one mile east of Treynor, Iowa. He attended the Treynor area schools until 1932 when the family moved to the Silver City farming areas. He graduated from the Silver City High School in 1934 and went on to attend Omaha University, where he played on their basketball team. In 1942 he was called for military service and spent 4 years with the Headquarters Company, 96th Division of the Army. Two years were spent in the Pacific Island area. He was discharged as 1st Sgt. and returned home in 1946 to farm near Silver City. On January 14, 1950 he was married to Bonnie Louise Custer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Guy Custer. Bonnie graduated from the Silver City High School in 1939 and from Jennie Edmundson Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in 1944. Prior to her marriage she was employed at Jennie Edmundson Hospital as a surgical nurse and supervisor and later as a surgical assistant to Dr. E. M. Limbert. Since 1969 Bonnie has been employed as a school nurse at the Iowa School for the Deaf near Council Bluffs, Iowa. Three children were born to Kelly and Bonnie Bolte; Ann Louise, Marshall Frederick and Owen Custer.
      Ann Louise, born November 8, 1950, attended grades K-8 at Silver City and graduated from the Glenwood Community School in 1968. She attended the University of Iowa 1968-69 and in September 26, 1969 was married to William Richard Vorthmann of Treynor. She was graduated from the School of Radiology Technology at Jennie Edmundson in 1971. A premature son and a premature daughter, Audra Ann born to this couple died at birth. A daughter, Rachel Lynn, was born August 26, 1975. Bill and Ann Vorthmann are progressive farmers and livestock producers and Ann also continues her work at the hospital. They are active in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Treynor, as well as many community and agri-related organizations.
      Marshall Frederick was born August 23, 1953. He attended K-6 grades at Silver City school center and graduated from Glenwood Community School in 1971. He graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Forestry in 1975. Since then he has been employed by the United States Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Department of Cadastral Survey. His work has allowed him to cover much of the geographical area of United States and he is now located at Russellville, Arkansas.
      Owen Custer was born August 28, 1956. He attended K-6 grades at Silver City attendance center and graduated from Glenwood Community Schools in 1974. He then graduated from Iowa State University in 1978 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Business. Since then he has been employed by Agricultural Waste Control Inc. of Clear Lake, Iowa.
      The Bolte family has been active in the Silver City United Methodist Church and all levels of 4-H. Kelly and Bonnie have worked with Extension, Mills County Fair Association, Mills County Pork Producers and Porkettes, American Legion and other agri-related organizations. Kelly served 12 years as a member of the Board of Education of Glenwood Community Schools 1966-78). Bonnie has served as a member and secretary of the Mills County Board of Health since it was reorganized in 1966. Kelly is presently serving as a member of the board of Directors for Iowa Western Community College. Both are active in service clubs, Kelly is a member of the Optimist Club of Glenwood and Bonnie is a member of Zonta International Club of Council Bluffs.

BOLTE, HARVEY
     Harvey C., son of Otto and Lulu Bolte, was born November 1, 1911, near Treynor, Iowa. He moved with his family in 1931 to a farm southeast of Silver City. On August 17, 1932, he married Edna Decker, daughter of Frank and Addie Decker.
     Harvey and Edna made their home for 16 years on a farm north of Silver City. During these years of farming, he built a purebred Chester white hog business and a cow beef herd. In 1950 they moved to a farm west of town. They have one daughter, Waunita, born June 29, 1941 (see Dwayne Reinert). Harvey’s younger brother Richard made his home with them.
     They are members of the Silver City United Methodist Church, where Harvey served as chairman of the Church Board for nine years and also various other church committees. He devoted considerable time and effort to the Financial Committee of the church and parsonage. He was a ten year leader for Ingraham Straight Shooters 4-H club and also served as Chairman of the Glenwood Community School Reorganization Committee. In 1971 Harvey was selected for the Iowa Master Farmer award.
     Edna is a member of U.M.W., Woman’s Club and various other community activities. In 1972, she moved into Silver City.
     Richard L. married Patricia Larson on April 26, 1958. They had two children, Debbie and Lee. Richard graduated from Iowa State and works for Farmer’s Home Administration in Storm Lake, Iowa.

BOND, JAMES
     James Bond was born in Ohio on October 25, 1848. He married Isabelle Stevens there in 1876. On a trip to Iowa before he was married, James shot a wild turkey while hunting one day. The family moved to Mills County, Iowa in 1881. They had seven children: Mattie, Alena, William, Ellen, Laura, Grace and Ruth. His wife Isabelle died on May 23, 1897, while the family was living near Silver City.
     He farmed east of Silver City, southwest of Malvern and northeast of Oakland. James had a sale in the spring of 1910 and moved to Oakland with his daughter Ruth. For many years he spent the winters in Long Beach, California and the rest of the year with his family in Iowa. He passed away on February 2, 1927.

BOND, WILBERT
      Wilbert W. Bond, son of William and Millie Bond, was born May 1, 1910, on a farm near Hancock, Iowa. The family moved to a farm three miles southeast of Silver City in February of 1913 and has lived there since. He and his sister, Isabelle attended Osborne Valley country school through the eighth grade. In 1921, the family lived in Long Beach, California for almost a year. Wilbert and Isabelle attended school there until February 1922 when they returned to Iowa. After graduating from Silver City high school in 1928, Wilbert attended Nebraska University and Iowa State University.
     Wilbert served as Secretary of Osborne Valley School District for seventeen years, is a member of the Silver City Masonic Lodge and O.E.S., Omaha Scottish Rite and Shrine, Mills County Farm Bureau and has served as president of Farm Bureau in 1974, 75, and 76, and was County Supervisor for four years from 1969 through 1972.
     On December 18, 1932 he married Inez Landis, daughter of Harry and Bertha Landis of Malvern. Inez attended Tabor College and Peru State Teachers College in Nebraska, taught Centerline rural school north of Malvern one year and was working in the family hardware store in Malvern at the time of her marriage. She belonged to the Silver City O.E.S., and the Glenwood Rebekahs, played piano for both. In the spring of 1933, they moved into a house on the Bond farm and started farming. In 1959 they purchased the adjoining farm from Fred Peterson and moved there in 1960 and have lived there ever since.
     They have seven children, three boys and four girls, Robert, Arthur, Clyde, Charlene, Judy, Mary and Dorothy. Robert married Betty Ostrom and lives at Waldport, Oregon. They have three children, Pamela, William and Sandra. Arthur married Jean Allison and lives in Wahiawa, Hawaii. They have three children, Arthur, Carl and James. They have since divorced and Arthur has remarried. Clyde married Denys Dyer and they live in his parents first farm home. They have two boys, Dustyn and Christopher. Charlene married George Van Cleave and lives in Shelton, Washington. They have five children, Jeffrey, Paul, Phillip, Kevin and Angela. Judy lives at home with her father. Mary married Ronald Tustison and lives in St. Louis, Missouri. They have two children, Gregory and Jeannine. Dorothy lives near Sydney, Australia. She teaches Home Economics.
     Inez Bond passed away suddenly on April 22, 1979, after suffering a severe stroke the evening before. She was born in Malvern, Iowa on January 28, 1907. Inez was a long time Sunday School teacher at the Methodist Church in Malvern before her marriage and at the Silver City Methodist Church afterwards.

BOND, WILLIAM

     William Arthur Bond was born on May 18, 1882, to James and Isabelle Stevens Bond in a log cabin three miles northwest of Malvern on a farm now owned by Otha Mass. They lived on several farms east of Silver City, southwest of Malvern and near Oakland while he was growing up.
    He married Millie Breeding of Malvern in 1907, moved on a farm near Lewis, Iowa and started farming. In 1908 they moved to a farm north of Hancock. They lived there five years. They had two children, William Wilbert and Isabelle. They purchased a farm southeast of Silver City and moved there in the spring of 1913.
   William purchased his first car in the spring of 1913, a Model-T Ford from a dealer in Silver City. He took the year of 1921 off from farming and traveled to Cali­fornia returning to Iowa in February of 1922.
   They lived on their farm east of Silver City the rest of their lives. Millie passed away in 1950 and William in 1952.

BORENE-RYBERG
      Fred Borene was born in the central part of Sweden on November 26. 1858. He came to America in 1882 and located at Galeshurg. Illinois. He then went to Colorado where he worked for the Andrew Cattle Company in that state and also in Kansas. In 1885 he went to Essex Iowa where he operated a butcher shop for six ‘bears for Nelson and Preston. In 1891 he owned his own meat market but lived in several places before locating in Silver City around 1898. In 1899 he built a brick structure on the west side of Main Street which housed the meat market and is now the home of the Silver City Library. Mr. Borene married Lucy Carlson in 1894. They had a daughter. Nellie, and their daughters, Edna and Isa, were born in Silver City. Uncle Fred made and cooked his own wieners and kept them in a box at the end of the counter. One of the joys of visiting them was being allowed to eat all the wieners we wanted.
     Fred’s family lived in a square house about two blocks east of the south side of Main Street and two houses south of the Spelbrings. They attended the Methodist Church on the hill west of town. Fred was band director, and the band gave concerts at the bandstand just south of Main Street.
     Also on a hill west of Main Street was a big house occupied by a Huffaker who had a deer park just north of his house. South of Uncle Fred’s lived the Bryants and the Reeves with several red-haired boys. Many years later my son met a girl at the University of Oregon who said she was from Iowa as he was, from a little town he had never heard of — but of course he had. I asked if the girl had red hair and she did.
      I remember programs held in the hall over the store on the north end of Main Street with a wide stair leading up to it. One Christmas there was a tall community tree in this hall. Parents brought presents to be put on the tree and handed out after the program. The stage was lighted by kerosene lights in front with tin reflectors. In the midst of the program, the tree toppled over and fell in a clear space in the front of the room. I don’t remember if they could get it back up or simply took the presents off.
     Fred later sold his business to D.C. Jackson and moved the family to Shenandoah.
     Another uncle, John Ryberg, and his wife, Clara, lived in the section house south of the Depot as he was the Section Boss at Silver City. They had four children--Signa (Sena), Edith, Elbe and Frances.
     (Memories are from Dora Borene Boles and the additional information on the family is provided by Edna Van Steenbergen, daughter of Fred Borene.)
     After the Fred Borene family left Silver City in 1908, they lived in Shenandoah, Imogene and Malvern. Mrs. Borene died in January of 1927 and Mr. Borene died in August of 1949.
     Nelle graduated from Malvern High School, attended Des Moines College and taught country schools at Imogene and Hillsdale and in the Silver City public school. She married Vernon Smith of Hillsdale and both are deceased. They had three children — Chester and his wife live at Redwood City, California: Kenneth is deceased: and Bruce and his wife live in Clovis, New Mexico.
     Edna graduated from Malvern High School, attended Morningside College and taught in Mineola. Sioux Center and Glenwood. She married John Van Steenhergen of Sioux Center, an attorney and banker. He is deceased and she lives in their home in Prairie City. Iowa. Their children are Marilyn and Mona. Marilyn graduated from Prairie City High School and Drake University. She taught at Woodward and Belmond and married Dr. Waldo Frankenstein of Detroit, Michigan. They are living in Bellevue, Michigan and their children are John, a graduate of Michigan College of Technology: Bridgett. a senior at Ferris State College: and Holly, a sophomore of Ferris State College at Big Rapids, Michigan. Mona graduated from Prairie City High School and Northern Iowa University. She married Robert L. Campbell of Chicago, and they are living at Waukon, Iowa where he is high school principal and she teaches at Postville, Iowa. Their children are Margaret, in nurses training at Morningside College and Robert. a senior in high school.
     Isa graduated from Malvern High School and attended the University of Nebraska and taught several years in Malvern. She married Byron H. Cloud of Red Oak, a construction engineer. They have no family and are now retired, living in Mesa, Arizona.

BOYER, JAMES M.  SR.
     James Maxlon Boyer, Sr., son of Cora and Loran Boyer, was born May 11, 1932 in Glenwood, Iowa. He graduated from the Silver City High School in 1950 and served in the Army from 1954-56.
     Jim has been a member of the Silver City town council, the Mills County Extension Services and served fourteen years on the Mills County Selective Service Board. He is a member of the Silver City Methodist Church, E.M.T. on the Silver City Ambulance, Silver City Fire Department and Mills County Pork Producers.
     Jim married Phyllis Lee Adair, daughter of Harold and Laura Adair, on September 8, 1963. Phyllis was born September 2, 1944 at Hastings, Iowa. She graduated from the Glenwood High School in 1962. After graduation, she was an IBM operator for Mutual of Omaha. Phyllis is a member of the Silver City Methodist Church, Eastern Star, Mills County Porkettes and project leader for the Loyal Lassies 4-H club.
     Jim and Phyllis farm the Fern Burgoin Farm north of Silver City. Along with farming, Jim proudly raises purebred spotted Poland China hogs.
     The Boyers have three children; Teresa Kay, Laura Ann and James Jr., Teresa Kay, born October 18, 1964, is a freshman at Glenwood. She is a member of the Methodist Church and Loyal Lassies 4-H club.  Laura Ann, born February 11, 1968, is a sixth grader. She is a member of the Loyal Lassies 4-H club.
    James Jr., born February 5. 1970. is a fourth grader and a member of the Ingraham Straight Shooters 4-H club.

BOYER, LORAN
     Loran Boyer, born 1908 at Glenwood, Iowa, married Cora Filbert and came to Silver City in 1938. Mr. Boyer, past President of the school board and member of Masonic Lodge and Eastern Star, is now retired from farming. Mrs. Boyer is Secretary of Eastern Star Chapter, Silver City. They have four children: Loran, Jr., Betty, James and Clifford.
     Loran, Jr., and wife Ellenor live at Bentley. He works for the W.R. Grace.
     Betty is a nurse and daughter Anita live at Battle Creek, Michigan.
     James and wife Phyllis and three children live on farm north of town. (See History)
    Clifford and wife Marlene and four children live on a farm east of Silver City.
 

BRYANT FAMILY
    
Lyman Bryant born 6/25/1841 in Henry County, Illinois. He was a Civil War veteran and married 8/26/1860 Sarah C. Blair. They came to Silver City in 1882 where he farmed, also owned and operated a threshing machine. Six of the ten children reached maturity (I) Cora married Mr. Potter and lived in Omaha. (2) James William (1867-1923) born in Oxford, Illinois. He came to Silver City with his parents, married 3/18/1891 to Minnie Blair. He was an interior decorator and was respected by all. They had five children: Earl was employed by Joe Maurath and C.A. Moore in their general stores, later he moved to Texas where he was connected with J.C. Penney Co. He married Alice Plumb. (Both are deceased). Faye Bryant married Mr. Keller. Paul Bryant married and they had two sons. Glenn Bryant was interested in athletics during his high school days; later became a licensed pilot; owned Bryant Motor Co. in Treynor; married Edna Schmidt; three children. Glenn deceased in 1938. Max, the youngest son, left Silver City years ago. Faye, Paul and Glenn were all graduates of Silver City. (3) Alpha Bryant (see Swanburg) (4) Ida Bryant married O. E. Farrington and lived in Henderson and Carson communities for many years. (5) Clarence (1881-1941) never married. (6) John L. lived at Morton Mills, Iowa and Colorado. Mr. Bryant, the father, spent his last three years with his daughter, Mrs. Ida Farrington of Carson; he passed away July 3, 1925 at the age of 84 years.

BURGOIN, BILL JOE
     Bill and Suzanne Burgoin were married Dec. 10, 1966 at St. John Lutheran Church in Mineola and have been members of the church ever since.
     Bill was b. Aug. 13, 1946. He is the son of Donald and Betty Burgoin of Silver City. He is the grandson of Gail and Flo. Burgoin and Lester and Mildred Henderson.
     Suzanne was born June 5, 1947. She is the daughter of Gordon and Pat Schoening. She is the granddaughter of Arthur and Grace Schoening and Clifford and Mabel Morgan.
    Born to this marriage were 3 lovely children: Kelli Sue b. Nov. 2, 1968; Ami Jo. b. Feb. 3, 1972 and Brent Lee b. May 4, 1976.
    Bill and Suzanne have been married 13 years and have engaged in farming the whole time. They live on the farm known to many as Pleasant Valley Farm. Bill enjoys tractor pulls, motorcycles and water skiing. He is a member of the Silver City Legion Post and a director of the Mills County Pork Producers.
    Suzanne enjoys sewing, crafts and her very busy family. She is a member of the O.T.O. club in her community. She is a member of the Mills County Porkettes, a project leader for the local 4-H, and teaches Sunday School.
    The children attend Malvern Community School. Kelli is in fifth grade, Ami in the second and Brent goes to preschool. Kelli belongs to the band, Peppy Pals 4-H club and takes piano lessons. Ami enjoys dancing and piano also. This busy family enjoys being a part of the community.
 

BURGOIN, CLARENCE W.
     Clarence W. Burgoin, the youngest son of Earnest and Nell Burgoin and the only one of their five children born in America, was raised in the Silver City area and attended Prairie Creek and Silver City schools. He married Nellie Godfrey, daughter of Walter and Elsie Godfrey, who attended Valley No. 5 school in Pottawattamie County and graduated from Silver City High School. She lived with the James Burgoin family in Silver City while in high school; Clarence was working for Mr. Burgoin. They were married April 4, 1942, in the first marriage ceremony celebrated in the new Silver City Methodist Church. They took an apartment in Omaha until Clarence joined the Army in June 1942. He served in the European theater through World War II, landing with the troops at Omaha Beach on D-Day and returning home in December 1945, a 1st Lieutenant. He worked on a farm near Minden, Iowa, until 1948 when he took up farming for himself near Avoca. He and Nellie and their two children, Robert (b.1946) and Catherine (b.1949), moved back to the Silver City area in 1952. to a farm northeast of town. They lived there, active as a family in Silver City Methodist Church, community, school and 4-H, until 1969.
     Robert and Catherine both attended Box Elder Elementary School, one of the last one-room “country” schools in Iowa. Both graduated from Malvern Community School.
     Robert “Bob” married Linda Stacy, daughter of Archie and Ruby Stacy of Glenwood in 1965. He worked for Ben Breeding — John Deere, Malvern, for several years; then moved his family to the home farm when Clarence moved to Glenwood in 1969. Linda and Bob have two daughters: Stacy Sue (b. 1947) and Jennifer Lynn (b. 1971). They attend Malvern Elementary School and continue the family tradition of 4-H and school activity.
    Catherine (Cathy) was accepted at the Kansas City Art Institute, where she received the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1970. She has made her home in Kansas City with a career in graphic communications. She currently is Director of Creative and Production Services for The Lowell Press, a Kansas City based publishing house.
     Clarence is Transportation Coordinator for the Glenwood State School. He has been with the School since moving to Glenwood in 1969. Nellie has been Manager of the Malvern Community Schools Hot Lunch program since 1966.

BURGOIN, DONALD
      Donald Gail and Betty Lou Burgoin have been life­long residents of the Silver City area. Donald was born 1-30-1922 to Florence Helen and Gail Getus Burgoin now deceased and grandson of the late Nell and Ernest Burgoin and Mae and William Burgoin also deceased. The Burgoin family has always been engaged in farming. Donald attended the Silver Creek Country School and Silver City Schools.
      Betty Lou whose parents are Mildred Irene and Lester Henderson was born Nov. 14, 1924, near the East Liberty Community. She has one brother Robert Keith born Oct. 21, 1930, who is married to the former Carol Jean Voss of Treynor, Ia. community. Both Betty’s father and brother farmed in the East Liberty and Silver City areas before moving to Glenwood, Ia. where both families now reside. Robert is employed by the Iowa Power and Light Co. and Lester has retired and now serves as a foster grandparent at the Glenwood State School. The Henderson’s were members of the East Liberty Community Church.
     Donald and Betty were married Feb. 20, 1942 in Omaha, Nebr. Donald served in the United States Army during World War II, after discharge, they moved to Don’s fathers farm north east of Silver City where they resided until this year when they moved into Silver City.
     Donald and Betty have 2 children: Bill Joe Aug. 13, 1946 in Council Bluffs. (See Bill Joe History)
     Gayle Ann b. Oct. 12, 1952 in Council Bluffs. (See Hoyt Hayden History)
     Don has been active in 4-H serving as a leader of the Ingraham Straight Shooters, has always been active in the Silver City Gordon May Post of the American Legion and has served as Mills County Commander in the Post. He is a member of the Silver Light Lodge of the Masonic Order. Betty is active in the Order of the Eastern Star, O.E.S. Kennsington and belongs to the neighborhood country club. Both are members of the Silver City United Methodist Church.
 

BURGOIN, EARNEST

      Earnest Burgoin and Ellen “Nell” Cave were married at Exster, England near the turn of the century. In 1910 they left Sidmouth, England, where Earnest had his meat market and moved to Toronto, Canada with their four children. He resumed business there with a new meat market until 1912 when they moved to Silver City where his brothers, William and James had settled. Earnest began farming here, assisting with butchering in the community during the winter months. Their fifth child, Clarence was born here. Nell passed away at the farm home in 1934; in 1936 Earnest had a closing out sale and moved to Canoga Park, California, where he died in 1949.
     The four children who came to America with their parents were William, Florence, Edith, and Arthur. William “Bill” was the Standard Oil Tank Wagon man for Silver City until he moved to Colorado, then to California, where he died in 1955. Flo married Gail Burgoin and they had one son, Donald (married Betty Henderson; two children: Billy Joe and Gayle Ann). Flo died at their home here in 1925. Edith worked for the George Krasne family in Council Bluffs for 42 years before retiring to the Glen Haven Home in Glenwood. Arthur “Shorty” married Gladys Speer and farmed in this area for a time before moving to Canoga Park, California, where he passed away in 1970 leaving Gladys, who still lives in Canoga Park and their daughter Shirley (married Bob Newton; one son, Brian). Clarence married Nellie Godfrey and farmed northeast of Silver City until 1969 when they moved to Glenwood. They have two children, Robert (married Linda Stacy; two children, Stacy and Jennifer) and Catherine.
 

BURGOIN, GEORGE
    
George Silas Burgoin was born 9 April 1900 near Silver City to William Burgoin and Mae Morse. George was one of seven children. On 9 September 1923 he married Eldon Mae Dovenspike, daughter of John B. Dovenspike and Grace Kidd. George farmed for most of his life. He passed away on 8 January 1971. George was a member of the United Methodist Church and was a Mason and member of the Eastern Star. Eldon is also a member of the Methodist Church and an Eastern Star Member. Eldon still lives in the old family home in Silver City. George and Eldon had two children: Jack Eugene and Patricia Anne.
      Jack was born 24 March 1925 near Silver City and still lives on the farms the land homesteaded by his great grandfather, Silas Morse. On 7 October 1944 Jack married Margaret Dean Riggins of Silver City, daughter of E. D. Riggins and Anna Charles Waugh. Jack is a member of the American Legion, Masons and they are both members of the Eastern Star and the United Methodist Church. Jack and Margaret have 2 children: Rex Eugene and Peggy Marie.
     Rex was born on 25 December 1946 in Council Bluffs, Iowa. On 2 September 1967 he married Gloria Norene Larsen, daughter of Harold Larsen and Valborg Irene Jensen of Council Bluffs. Rex and Gloria belong to the United Methodist Church and Eastern Star. Rex is also a member of the American Legion and Masons and other local groups. They live in Silver City where Rex runs a local grain elevator. Rex and Gloria have 2 children, Valerie Lynn, born 23 November 1970 and Megan Dean, born 15 January 1977.
     Peggy Marie was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa on 5 May 1950. On 14 August 1970 she married Dick Rupe of Pacific Junction, son of Hobe Rupe and Marion Nelson. Dick and Peg are members of the United Methodist Church and she is a member of the Eastern Star. They have 3 children: Samuel Franklin, born 14 December 1971, Jacquelin Marie, born 9 January 1975, and Jill Marie, born 11 February 1977. Dick and Peg live in Pacific Junction where they run the local tavern and Peg works for a bank in Glenwood.
      Patricia Ann was born 27 March 1930 near Silver City. On 18 December 1949 she married William Albert Hunt, son of Richard Hunt and Evelyn Williams. Bill and Pat are members of the United Methodist Church and Eastern Star. Bill is also a Mason. They farm on the south edge of Silver City and Bill also works for the local co-op. Bill and Pat had one child Pamela Elaine.
      Patricia Elaine was born 19 March 1952. On 2 April 1977 she married David Godfroy, son of Glenn and Lois Godfroy of Omaha. Pam and Dave live in Glenwood. Pam works for a bank in Omaha and Dave works for an irrigation company in Valley, Nebraska.
 

BURGOIN, WILLIAM
      William b. 26-1868, Dovenshire, England, came to America and Silver City 1887 to the home of his Uncle George Rew where he stayed until his marriage 2-3-1892 to Mae Morse a member of a pioneer family. He was an extensive farmer and stock man, a large landowner, member of Masonic and Eastern Star lodges and Church of England. He was President of the Farmer’s State Bank for many years and identified with all community life. Mr. and Mrs. Burgoin had 7 children: James Arthur, Gail G., Ward, George, Gladys, Ethel and Frances. He d. 12-21-1952. She is deceased.
      James Arthur better known as Art b. 2-7-1893 Silver City, was educated in the public school and college at Pella. Ia, and Ames. He m. 6-13-1914 to Maude Plumer. Her history under Plumer) He is a successful farmer, a member of the Farm Bureau, Mills Co. and since moving to Silver City he had been a member of the town council. Their daughter Jean married Donald Goos. History under Nicholas Goos)
      Gail G. b. 12-16-1895 Silver City, m. 2-17-1921, Florence. He was a successful farmer, member of Masonic Lodge. City Council and American Legion. She d. a few years later and he d. 4-17-1950. They had a son Donald (See Donald Burgoin History)
      Ward b. 5-2-1897 Silver City, successful farmer and stockman. A member of the Masonic and Eastern Star and the Shriner Lodge. He m. 8-1-1917 Lena Willard. They have 2 daughters: Betty and Hope. He is deceased.
      George b. 4-9-1900 (See George Burgoin History)
      Gladys now deceased (See George Carison History)
      Ethel graduated from Silver City High School received higher education at Drake University taught in Silver City, Council Bluffs and at the Philippine Islands married Douglas Tyson in Manila. They with their son Jim Bill were Japanese prisoners on the Island during World War II. Ethel d. in 1979. They also had a son Michael who died young.
      Frances graduated from Silver City High School and Drake Uni. taught at Silver City School and Council Bluffs. She m. Beymer Lehman lived at Carroll, Iowa where he owns and operates a drug store. He is deceased. They have a daughter Catherine Ann another died young. She married Charles Birch and lives in Calif.

BURROWS, WILLIAM HENRY
      William Henry b. 9-15-1865 Cullompton, Devonshire, England, came to Silver City at age of 17. He operated a meat market and confectionery store for many years, later was a stone mason and brick layer and for many years operated a nursery business here. He was a member of the I.O.O.F. lodge for over 50 years and had been Treas. of this lodge for 18 years, he was a member of Parish Church of England, and was city assessor for 26 years. He was a highly respected man, he m. 11-28-1891 Della Phifer. They had 3 children: Frances m. W. D. Kirkham; Pearl m. Lee Wells, after his death she m. Mr. Stout; Eugene d. young. Mr. Burrows d. 8-11-1937 and Mrs. Burrows d. 1948.

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