Mills County, Iowa Biographies
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M
MABBIT
Mr. and Mrs. Mabbitt were married at Hasting, Iowa and lived in Missouri
for several years where Mrs. Mabbitt taught school. Mrs. Mabbitt and a
sister, Mrs. Otte at Sidney, Iowa had come from Prussia as girls to
America where their name was changed to Cress. Mr. and Mrs. Mabbitt came
to the Richard Bada farm south of town for two years and then to the farm
of James Burgoin in 1913. William was a most energetic man and a wonderful
hand at feeding cattle. One could set his clock by him, he was that
regular. Mrs. Mabbitt’s garden could turn out most anything in the way of
vegetables and small fruits. She was a great hand to raise a lot of ducks
and chickens. Mrs. Wm. Mabbitt passed away very suddenly in 1930 and Mr.
Mabbitt at the advanced age of 80 years in 1948.
They raised a large family, five sons and four daughters: Everett, Earl,
Brice, Leroy, Opal, Edith, Doris, Lucille and Geneva.
Earl lived in Silver City and worked on the Burgoin farm until his death.
He was married to Bernice and had 2 sons and 1 daughter. Bernice now
resides in Glenwood. Bernard is married and lives in Hastings, Iowa.
Octavia is deceased. Donald married Ginger Bailor and lives on the edge of
Silver City.
MADDOCKS, CLARENCE A. FAMILY
Clarence A., the fourth and youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Maddocks,
was born March 18, 1899, north of Silver City in Pottawattamie County, on
what is known today as the Dorothy Stortenbecker farm. He attended
Pleasant Hill rural school, southwest of Silver City and the Silver City
High School, graduating in May 1916. He remained at home for a year
helping on the Maddocks farm homestead, entered Tabor College, Tabor,
Iowa, in September 1917, enlisted in the U.S.A. army in June 1918 at the
age of 19, and spent six months in France during the First World War.
Returning from the army, he attended Knox College, Galesburg, Illinois for
one year, accepted a position of Assistant Cashier of the Farmers State
Bank, Silver City, Iowa, and started work at the bank in January 1, 1921.
He married Helen L. Unger, whom he met at Tabor College, daughter of Rev,
and Mrs. Samuel Unger, on September 12, 1922 at Cromwell, Iowa. They
started their life together in the Ezza Pullman home which they rented for
nine months while Mrs. Pullman was a housemother at a sorority house in
Lincoln, Nebraska. Their monthly rent was $12.50. In June 1923, prior to
the return of Mrs. Pullman, they rented the Addie Tucker four room
bungalow for the same amount.
In February 1927, they bought the P.V. Plumb 3 bedroom modern home in
which they lived until they moved from Silver City in 1933. He resigned
his position as Assistant Cashier on January 2, 1933, having accepted a
position with the State of Iowa, Department of Banking, Des Moines, Iowa,
in the Department of Closed Banks, and reported for work January 3rd at
Missouri Valley as Examiner In Charge, commonly called the Receiver,
assumed the supervision and liquidation of the closed State Savings Bank
at Missouri Valley, and shortly thereafter the family moved there. A short
time later, he took over the Receivership of the Woodbine, Little Sioux,
and Logan banks. After liquidation and termination of all of the
Receiverships, he accepted a position with the First Trust Joint Stock
Land Bank, Chicago, Illinois, as Farm Supervisor and moved to Creston,
Iowa, where at one time, he managed 125 farms in 20 Iowa counties. After
selling most of the farms, he accepted a position with Prudential
Insurance Company as Mortgage Loan Appraiser, and moved to Mason City,
Iowa in September 1944.
Clarence and Helen had three children: Ethel Jean, commonly called Jean,
Lee and Robert. Jean was born in Silver City, graduated from Creston High
School, attended Cornell College, Mount Vernon, Iowa, worked in the
drafting department in a war plant at Dayton, Ohio, during Second World
War and married Donald Morrison, Creston, on April 15, 1945. Donald owned
and operated Manpower, Inc., Omaha, Nebraska for many years and is
presently semi-retired after recently selling his business. The Morrisons
live at Valley, Nebraska. Jean utilizes her spare time with her oil
painting as a hobby. They have 5 children: Linda, Carol, Michael, Mark and
Scott. They all graduated from Westside High School, Omaha, except Scott,
who is a senior at Valley. Linda married Miles Foster; they have one
daughter, Jennifer. Carol married Howard Halperin.
Lee was born in Silver City, graduated from Mason City High School,
enlisted in USA Army, served two years in Korea, married Lyndall Olmsted
on 9/7/1950. graduated from Iowa State Uni., Ames with a degree in
industrial engineering and accepted a position with R.R. Donnelly & Sons
Company, Chicago, Ill. with whom he is still associated. They live in
Chicago. They have four sons: Stephen, Clifford, Scott and Clark, all born
at Crawfordville, Indiana and all graduated from high school at Willard,
Ohio. Stephen married Kristine Franks and have one son, Christopher Lee.
Clifford married Joyce Jenson. Scott married Dora Lee Dawson. Clark
married Ruth Ann Smith.
Robert was born in Missouri Valley on Christmas Day, graduated from Mason
City High School and Drake Uni., Des Moines with a degree in Business
Administration and Law, married JoAnn Skaggs, Mason City and is Vice
President, Secretary and General
Counsel for the Kellwood Company, St. Louis, Mo. They live in St. Louis.
They have three children, Todd, Susan, and Amy. All three are in school
from Junior High to college.
Clarence and Helen were active in community, town, school and church
organizations in Silver City and they continued the same activities as
they lived in Missouri Valley, Creston and Mason City. They were members
of the Methodist Church and helped to build new Methodist Churches in
Silver City, Missouri Valley and Mason City by their service, prayers and
financial support. He has been a member of the American Legion for 60
continuous years and a member of the Kiwanis Club for 40 years.
Helen died August 14, 1956 from cancer after a long extended illness.
Clarence married Margaret A. Bratschi on 1/21/1960 at the Elim Covenant
Church, St. Paul, Minn. and they reside at 639 - 10th N.E. Mason City,
Iowa. Clarence retired in 1964 after approximately 20 years of service
with the Prudential Insurance Company of America. He has many interesting
hobbies and his retirement years have been happy, busy and rewarding.
Clarence A. Maddocks 1979.
MADDOCKS, HARRY
Harry Maddocks was born November 18, 1858 at Marston, England; he came to
United States when he was twenty-one and located near Bloomington,
Illinois. On the 8th of January 1890 he married Kate Tyson of McLean,
Illinois. The following year they moved to Iowa. They were the parents of
five children: Will — March 3, 1891; Earl — February 19, 1893; Ray —
September 21, 1896; Clarence — March 17, 1899; and Mildred October 12,
1900.
Earl Maddocks Sr. was born in Pottawattamie County south of Treynor, when
he was seven years old his father bought a farm southwest of Silver City
to which they moved. Earl attended country school and Silver City High
School. He farmed with his father several years. June 22nd 1921 he married
Myrta Melton. They had three children: Earl Jr., Deane, and Irene. All
three attended Pleasant Hill country school. Earl Sr. farmed until 1967
when he and Myrta moved to Glenwood. He passed away September 19, 1974.
Earl Jr. born April 16, 1922. He graduated from Silver City High School
and Iowa State University and was in World War II. Earl Jr. married Betty
Olson of Titonka, Iowa on April 17, 1949. They have five children: Bruce,
Carol Jean, Earl III, Alan and James.
1. Bruce was born March 29, 1950; he graduated from Glenwood High School.
He married June Will and they have two children: Kimberly Jo and Robert
Bruce.
2. Carol Jean born January 12, 1952; she graduated Glenwood High
School and Jennie Edmundson School of Nursing. She married Eric Maxwell
and they have two children: Jason and Julie.
3. Earl III born September
27, 1953 and graduated from Glenwood High School.
4. Alan was born February
2, 1955 and graduated from Glenwood High School. He joined the Marines for
four years, while in the Embassy Corps in Paraguay, South America he
married Maria Teresa Cabello. They have two daughters: Michelle Elizabeth
and Sandra Maria. Alan’s parents went to Paraguay for the wedding. Alan
and family now live in Decatur, Illinois.
5. James Steven born December 11, 1958 and graduated from Glenwood High
School.
Deane was born December 2, 1923, graduated from Silver City High School
and farmed with his father several years. He married Marion Heiser July
23, 1966. She was the daughter of Albert and Viola Heiser of Omaha. Marion
was a graduate of Omaha University and Northwestern University; she taught
High School in Alexandria and Omaha. They have two children — Dale Edward
born October 18, 1968 and Lynne Ann born November 19, 1970. Deane and
family still live on the same farm his parents and grandparents lived. He
raises purebred breeding swine.
Irene born October 28, 1925. She was active in the Loyal Lassies 4-H Club,
serving as their first president. After graduating from Glenwood High
School she taught country school for four years and then went to Iowa
State Teachers College at Cedar Falls for two years, where she graduated
from Kindergarten — Primary Course in 1949. She taught three more years
then worked for five years in the Council Bluffs Saving Bank. On March 2,
1958 Irene married Everett McGrew of Emerson, a 1951 graduate of Iowa
State College. They were both active in Mills County Youth organization.
Everett was farming with his father and brother William at that time.
Three boys were born to this marriage:
Roger Everett born March 14, 1959, a graduate of Nishna Valley High
School; Ronald Dean born June 14, 1961, a Senior at Nishna Valley High
School and Ross Jack born March 2, 1965. Everett and Irene moved to the
McGrew home place in 1973.
MAINS, WEBSTER
Webster was born August 27, 1845 in Cass County, Illinois. He was married
to Martha C. Shaw on January 11. 1868. They came by covered wagon to
Ingraham Township and settled on a homestead about 1½ miles south of the
present site of Silver City. There was only one house between them and
Glenwood and two houses between them and Council Bluffs, and the E.F.
Landon homestead about one mile south of them. Mrs. Mains often told about
looking out of the cabin window one day and seeing “Web” go running past
with an Indian in pursuit. She was sure she would soon see “Web’s” scalp
hanging from the Indian’s belt, but later learned that the Indian had
begged a chicken from Web and they were trying to run the rooster down. In
1883 Mr. and Mrs. Mains moved into Silver City where he was a stock and
grain dealer from 1884 to 1908 at which time ill health forced him to
retire. C.G. Greenwood, A.P. Reeve and C.H. Kruse were partners of his at
different times during his business career. C.H. Kruse being the last and
the one who bought him out, upon his retirement. In 1915 they moved to
Jacksonville, Illinois to be near relatives because of his illness. He
died at Jacksonville on January 21, 1920 and she died on January 31, 1926
at Keokuk, Iowa. Both Mr. and Mrs. Mains are buried in Walnut Ridge
Cemetery, Virginia, Illinois. Mr. Mains was a charter member of Masonic
and l.O.O.F. Lodges in Silver City and both were members of the Silver
City Baptist Church. They were prominent in the growth and development of
the community.
MALCOM, CARL
Carl Malcom, youngest child of Troy and Edith Griffin Malcom, was born
July 31, 1921 on a farm northeast of Silver City, known at that time as
the Billy Rew farm, now the home of Mr. and Mrs. Mike Ricker. Carl
attended rural Silver City schools, and he has farmed in this community
most of his life. For seven years he was employed as the Coop Tank wagon
man. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge at Silver City. In 1940 he
married June Madison, daughter of Lonnie and Viola Smay Madison of the
Randolph-Tabor community. June attended and graduated in 1940 from Tabor
High School.
They started farming near Randolph in 1948 and moved to Silver City,
living on the Art Burgoin farm and Plumer Ranch. They bought the Bert and
Minnie Howard farm in 1962. This was the homestead of Bert’s parents,
Samson and Lettie Hallam Howard, who migrated here from Michigan in 1871
by covered wagon. Part of the original house still stands. Carl and June
have two sons, Robert and Dale.
Robert was born July 6, 1941. He graduated in 1960 from Silver City High
School and now lives and farms near Henderson. He is a charter member of
the Mills County Posse, active in 4-H work and many community affairs. He
married Patricia Breeding of Malvern in 1963, and they have two daughters,
Trisha and Chris.
Dale was born March 17, 1949. He graduated in 1967 from Malvern High
School and served in the Armed Forces in Vietnam in 1969-1970. He is
employed at Kellogg’s Plant in Omaha and farming. He married Diane Jens of
Glenwood in 1971. They have a daughter, Kathryn, and a son, Dennis Allen,
and live in rural Glenwood.
MALSKEIT FAMILY
Amanda, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry P. Mass, married Emil Malskeit
(both deceased) lived N.E. of Silver City and later moved to Treynor. They
had three children: Leonard, Alvin and Leona. I) Leonard married Maxine
Burger; one daughter, Barbara who married George Platt and they have two
children: Kathy and Michael, all of Council Bluffs. 2) Alvin married
Marjorie McClary; three children: Judy, Larry and Garry. Judy married
Richard Nightser; two sons: Mark and Mitchell, all of Mineola. Larry and
wife Connie live in Council Bluffs with two children: Matthew and Kelly.
Garry and wife Sue also live in the Bluffs with their family: Casey and
Lisa. 3) Leona married John Schoening, live south of Mineola, two
children: Diane and James. Diane married Randy Williams; family of three:
Rachelle, David and Renee (Mrs. John) Doocy has a son Joshua. James
Schoening married Barbara O’Grady, children: Jeff, Jennifer, Tom and Ten,
all of Omaha.
MARKEL FAMILY HISTORY
Submitted by: Irene Walker Markel and Carol Taylor Markel
Adam Markel, born February 22, 1835, in Perry County, Pennsylvania to John
and Ann Markel, came West in 1858 and crossed the Plains to Denver twice
before finally settling in Mills County. His first employment was with
D.C. Briggs in Center Township. He found this neighborhood so much to his
liking that he cast his lot with the good people there for nearly fifty
(50) years. Soon after settling in the area, Adam became acquainted with
Sarah A. Lewis. Sarah was the only daughter among five sons of Daniel
Lewis. Daniel who was one of the early pioneers and first settlers in
Silver Creek Township, came from Kentucky and secured a Squatter’s Claim
in 1851 on land then in possession of the Mormons known as Cutler’s Camp.
Sarah Lewis and Adam Markel were married January 12, 1863. Born to them
were three sons, Thomas Grant, Philip Sheridan, and Daniel Lincoln. Their
Mother died April 7, 1872, and was buried in East Liberty Cemetery. Two
years later Adam went back to his old home in Pennsylvania for a visit and
there in February, 1874, he married Martha E. Hench. Martha helped with
the farming and raising Adam’s Sons until her death on June 1, 1895. She
is buried in Silver City Cemetery. Adam was converted at Briggs School
House in 1876, and later joined the Methodist Church at Silver City Iowa.
He died suddenly at his son Philip’s home Northeast of Glenwood on March
1910 at the age of 75 years. Funeral services were held at the Silver City
Methodist Church and burial in the Silver City Cemetery. At the time of
his death he was survived by three sons, five grandchildren and six
brothers and three sisters living in the East.
Thomas Grant Markel first son born to Adam and Sarah Lewis Markel on
August 15, 1864, near East Liberty Church. As a young man, Thomas became
acquainted with Mary White Rice, daughter of William and Emavetta Hench
Rice. Mary came from Port Royal, Pennsylvania to visit and help her Aunt
Martha E. Hench Markel. Tom and Mary were married November 19, 1888, and
settled on a farm four miles Southeast of Silver City. To this union four
children were born, Bessie Ellen, Kathryn, Paul (born 1895-died 1897), and
Harry Grant. Tom was a successful farmer and active member of the Masonic
Lodge while Mary was an active member of the Cemetery Association and
Ladies Aid at East Liberty. Mary died July 10, 1943, and Thomas Grant died
November 16, 1944. Both Thomas and Mary are buried in East Liberty
Cemetery.
Bessie Ellen Markel, born April 20, 1890, to Thomas Grant and Mary Rice
Markel. She married Sherman Stonebraker September 10, 1912 at the Tom
Markel home. Bessie and Sherman settled on a farm near Henderson. Bessie
was active in the Eastern Star and the Henderson Methodist Church. Born to
Bessie and Sherman were three children, Max, Freda and Joan. Bessie died
October 9, 1977, and is buried in Henderson.
Kathryne Markel was born October 11, 1891 to Thomas and Mary Markel. She
married Ernest Langfeldt of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and they farmed near
Council Bluffs. Kathryne worked as a Registered Nurse in the hospital.
After retiring from farming, Kate and Ernest worked at the Iowa School for
the Deaf. From their marriage one son, Darrell (Jack) Langfeldt was born.
Kate moved after Ernest’s death to St. Louis, Missouri. Kathryne died July
1, 1978.
Harry Grant Markel, youngest child born to Thomas Grant and Mary Rice
Markel was born on October 11. 1908. He attended Silver District No. I
Grade School and graduated from Malvern High School. He was a1so a
graduate of Boyles Business College, Council Bluffs, Iowa. Harry farmed
with his Father and then entered the Air Force in 1943. After returning to
farming he married Naomi Ann Sullivan of Grand Rapids, Michigan on May 14,
1946, in Peoria, Illinois. They settled on the Tom Markel Farm southeast
of Silver City Iowa. One son, Timothy Irl, was born to their marriage. Ham
was appointed County Assessor in Mills County and served the County for
fifteen years before his retirement in 1974. Naomi also retired after
years of service as a Registered Nurse for the State School at Glenwood.
Iowa, and as a Public Health Nurse.
Timothy I. Markel — Timothy was the only child born to Harry and Naomi
Markel on February 3, 1948, After graduation from Malvern High School, Tim
completed Undergraduate Studies at Northwest Missouri State University,
graduating Cum laude. On June 27, 1970, Tim married Carol Ann Taylor of
Maryville. Missouri. After a short time of service in the Air Force. Tim
and Carol settled in Silver City, Iowa. Tim began Law School in the fall
of 1971, at Creighton University and Carol began her first year of
teaching at Silver City Elementary School. In 1973 Tim ran as a Write-in
Candidate for Mayor of Silver City and won the election against the
Incumbent. Tim took office January, 1974 and served two terms as Mayor.
During his terms he helped with completing plans and detailed paperwork
for a new water line. In the spring of 1974, Tim graduated from Law School
with a Degree of Juris Doctor of Law. He then began practice of law in
Glenwood. Iowa. Carol has been active in the Silver City Community,
serving as the Public Library’s Storyteller for Preschool Children. Two
daughters were born to this marriage: Katrina Ann, born September 12, 1975
and Celina Sophia, born January 5, 1979.
Philip Sheridan Markel, second son born on April 20, 1867, to Adam and
Sarah Markel at the Markel Home east of East Liberty Church. Farming was
always Phil Markel’s main interest. Before his marriage he farmed what was
known as Galligher’s Place, south of Silver City. He then purchased in
1894, a seventy acre tract near the Markel Homestead for $3800. There he
lived with his wife, Emma Irene Hahan Markel, (born March 6, 1867, near
Port Royal, Pennsylvania) and his family, From their marriage two sons
were born, George Adam, and Evan Lloyd. After Adam Markel died the Philip
Markels moved to the Old Markel Homestead in 1911. Phil was always
interested in livestock and raising Shorthorn Cattle and Poland China
Hogs. Philip died on February 15, 1927, and is buried in East Liberty
Cemetery. His wife, Emma, died in December of 1961, and is also buried at
East Liberty.
George Adam Markel, born October 11, 1897. to Philip and Emma Markel. He
farmed in the area and married Grace Reasner of Glenwood and to this union
were born five children: Ellen Marie, George Adam, Elizabeth Irene, Frank
Lynn and Bonnie Lucille, George later moved to California where he
presently resides.
Evan Lloyd Markel was the second son born on March 30, 1901, to Philip
Sheridan and Emma Horn Markel. Lloyd attended country school in the Silver
City area and graduated from Silver City High in 1919. He then attended
both Nebraska Wesleyan at Lincoln and Commercial College in Omaha. He
worked in Insurance until his Father’s death when he came home to farm. In
1930 Lloyd married Irene Walker of Randolph. Two daughters, Judith and
Suzanne were born to this union. Because of ill health Lloyd was forced to
quit farming in 1944. He and Irene moved to Glenwood where they now
reside. Judith Alison, born January 5, 1938. married V. William Nissen.
They reside in Glenwood where they manage the Ford Dealership. Their baby.
Greg died in infancy. Suzanne DeBond, born March 26, 1940 married Larry J.
Horback and resides m Omaha. They have four daughters, Anne DeBord, Ahson
Lynne, Shannon Leigh and Kelley Joanne.
Daniel Lincoln Markel, youngest son of Adam and Sarah Lewis Market, was
born September 2, 1870 at his parent’s home. There he grew to manhood and
attended public schools in the Silver City area. On February 5, 1910, he
and Emma Bauerkemper of rural Council Bluffs were married. Dan and Emma
established their home one mile south of Silver City. Dan was a lifelong
firmer and stockman. He was proud of his membership in the Masons for 43
years. He held memberships in the Silver City Light Lodge No. 400, the Mt.
Gerizim Chapter of Glenwood, Ivanhoe Commandery of Council Bluffs, and the
Za-Ga-Zig Shrine of Des Moines. Dan enjoyed playing in the Silver City’s
Town Band as well. Dan was known to his neighbors as “Uncle Dan”. Emma was
active in many community projects. She held memberships in the Women’s
Society of Christian Service, and was a 50 year member in the Eastern Star
and Methodist Church of Silver City. Dan and Emma, busy with farming still
found time to entertain. Emma was known for her good cooking and was proud
to show off her cooking specialties. Dan and Emma also boarded Country
School Teachers at their farm home. Dan died on June 15, 1941, and was
buried in the Silver City Cemetery. A year later Emma moved to Silver City
.where she continued to be involved in community activities. She was known
as “Aunt Em” to many residents of Silver City. At the time of her death,
January 26, 1976, she was one of the oldest living citizens of Silver
City, at the age of 98.
MARSHALL, ALBERT M.
Albert McElree Marshall was born October 20, 1911. He married Vera Mills
and they had three children: Gerald who died young. Beverly and Jack.
Beverly married Harry (Merlin) Tasto, Jr. and they have two children,
Stephen and Richard. Steve lives in Council Bluffs. Rick married Nancy
Lindeman of Atlantic and lives in Silver City. They have two children,
Jennifer and Jason. Jack married Beverly Schrader, lives in Anaheim,
California and has three children: Jeff, John and Marla. Albert later
married Helen Parman (See Walt Parman history) on August 8, 1964 and died
December 13, 1976.
MARSHALL, DALE
Dale Merlin Marshall was born on August 7, 1959. Dale graduated from Glenwood Community High School in 1977 and is presently employed by the Glenwood Water Department. Dale’s hobbies include hunting and trapping and driving his new 1979 Pontiac Trans Am.
MARSHALL, EDWARD
Edward Earl Marshall was born on June 16, 1944. He was united in marriage
to Sharon Ann Shenefield on July 3, 1970.
Ed ran the Standard Oil Station in Silver City for seven years and is
presently employed by the Soil Conservation Service at Sidney, Iowa. In
1971 he went on an African hunting safari where he bagged 19 species of
big game including elephant and cape buffalo. In 1972, he went to Clear,
Alaska and bagged a grizzly bear.
MARSHALL, GEORGE J. , JR.
George James Marshall, Jr. was born February 14, 1940 and graduated from
Silver City High School as salutatorian of the class of 1958. He continued
his education at Commercial Extension Business College and after
graduation began work for Union Pacific Railroad Company where he is
presently a Supervisor in the Mechanical Department.
George served in the United States Army for two years and in the Active
Army Reserves for two years. He was trained as a Medic and served at Orly
Hospital just outside Paris, France.
On May 29, 1966 he married Linda Clay of Malvern, daughter of Elton and
Laura Clay. They have two sons, Dirk James born September 2, 1972 and
George James III born February 16, 1979.
George and Linda lived in Silver City for ten years after their marriage
and he served on the City Council for six years before their move to rural
Malvern where they own an acreage and have remodeled the large farmhouse.
George was active in the formation of the Silver City Ambulance Service
and continues to recertify as an EMT each year.
MARSHALL, GEORGE T.
George T. Marshall, son of J. Albert and Ethelind (McElree) Marshall, was
born on August 21, 1913, near Silver City, Iowa. He started farming his
grandfather Albert McElree’s farm in 1934. He was united in marriage to
Anita Helen Bendt, daughter of Herman and Magdalene (Hansen) Bendt (see
Herman Bendt), on February 1, 1939. To this union were born six children:
George, Harold (died in infancy), Edward, Margaret, Terry and Dale. George
and Anita received the Century Farms Award from the Iowa Department of
Agriculture this summer for their farm having been in the same family for
100 years. In 1974 they built a new house and tore down the old frame
house that had once been the old Danielson saloon. George and Anita enjoy
raising flowers and taking fishing trips to Canada.
MARSHALL, J. ALBERT
J. Albert Marshall married Ethelind McElree (see Albert McElree) in 1908.
He was the owner of the livery in Glenwood, Iowa at that time. To this
union were born two sons, Albert and George. The family farmed southeast
of Silver City for a number of years. After Albert’s death in 1924,
Ethelind moved to Silver City and raised the boys, returning to the
McElree farm in 1933 where she passed away on March 23, 1954. Ethelind
loved to do embroidery work and was deeply interested in horses.
MARSHALL, MARGARET
Margaret Lee Anita Marshall was born on March 23, 1947. She was united in
marriage to Samuel Wade Delavan, son of Emmet Wade and Edith M. Delavan,
on September 18, 1966. To this union was born one son. Marshall Wade
Delavan, on August 3, 1970.
Margaret is self-employed as a Real Estate Association for Century
21-Banks Realty of Glenwood, Iowa. and Sam is employed as Park Supervisor
of Glenwood Lake Park. They reside on a farm north of Glenwood which they
purchased from Sam’s parents.
MARSHALL, TERRY FAMILY
Terry Lee Marshall was born on June 20, 1948. He was united in marriage to
Vanessa Keith, daughter of Wayne and Alene Keith, on October 3, 1971. To
this union were born two daughters, Tanita on June 2, 1976 and Anissa on
April 22, 1979.
They own a farm south of Glenwood, Iowa where they recently remodeled the
existing farmhouse.
Dale Merlin Marshall was born on August 7, 1959. Dale graduated from
Glenwood Community High School in 1977 and is presently employed by the
Glenwood Water Department. Dale’s hobbies include hunting and trapping and
driving his new 1979 Pontiac Trans Am.
MARTIN, GARLAND
Garland and Edna Martin moved on their present farm near Silver City in
March 1939 from Eagleville, Missouri where they had been farming.
Garland’s parents were Wilbert Guy Martin and Maude Susan Smith. The
Martin relatives came from Virginia to Missouri. The Smith ancestors were
from Kentucky and moved to Missouri, too. Their family consisted of two
sons, one deceased and Garland; one daughter, Mrs. Lenora Hughes of
Ventura, Calif. Garland lived on a farm near Eagleville, attended school
here and later college at Kansas City and Chillicothe, Missouri.
Edna’s parents were John Merril Johnson of Malvern md. Stella Mary McClure;
her Grandfather, John J. McClure (1835-1921) was associated with Silver
City’s early history. He and his wife, Rebecca Miller (1840- 19l0). were
both born in Pennsylvania. After their marriage they went to Illinois in
1863, the next year to Marion County near Knoxville, Iowa. By 1881 they
were located on a farm east of Silver City now owned by
Wilbert Bond. The McClure family consisted of five sons and two daughters;
the youngest daughter, being Edna’s mother, Stella May. The Johnson family
came from England, settled in St. Joseph County, Michigan. Grandfather and
Grandmother Johnson came to a farm near Malvern where their five children
were born. Grandfather and five close neighbors joined the army, fought in
the Civil War and all returned to their homes.
The children of John Merril and Stella (McClure) Johnson are: Lawrence of
Los Angeles, Calif., Mrs. Edna Martin, Malvern and Mrs. Grace Seipold,
Hastings, Iowa. Edna was born near Malvern, attended Centerline School and
Malvern High School. She was also a teacher in the Mills County Schools.
The Martins are the parents of two daughters: Lois Elaine, now Mrs. Marvin
Richter, Silver City (see M. Richter family) and Phyllis Jean, now Mrs.
Paul Parkhurst of Lenox, Iowa. There are eleven grandchildren.
The Martins are members of the Silver City United Methodist Church. Edna
is a life member of the United Methodist Women.
MASS, ED F.
Ed F. Mass, the eldest of ten children born to Christian and Doris Hoeck
Mass, was born in Pottawattamie County on October 31, 1884. He was a
resident of Pottawattamie County his entire life. He was united in
marriage to Bessie V. Green on February 2, 1908, at Council Bluffs, Iowa.
They established their home on the farm owned by his father and lived
there four years. They then moved to the farm 5 1/2 miles north east of
Silver City, which he later purchased from his father. This remained their
place of residence until 1955 when Mrs. Mass’s health began to fail. They
went to live with their daughter, Myrtle. Mrs. Mass passed away on May 18,
1956 from a massive stroke. Mr. Mass passed away on October 4, 1968 of a
heart attack.
Mr. and Mrs. Mass were blessed with four daughters and one son, Myrtle,
Marjorie, Natalie, Etta and Edward Jr.
Myrtle married Sylvester Trimmer and after his death she married Theo.
Sorensen. They had one daughter Sandra. Sandra married Wayne Metuzisky and
they have one daughter Cindy.
Marjorie married Kenneth Evans and they have no children.
MASS, HARRY H.
Harry Henry Mass, the son of Christian and Doris
(Hoeck) Mass, was born near Silver City on June 28,
1901. He was the youngest of ten children (all deceased), and attended
Evergreen School north of town.
Harry lived in the Silver City area all his life and was baptized and
confirmed in the St. Paul Lutheran Church at Treynor. On September 1, 1932
he married Edna Gray of Glenwood; they settled on a farm some four miles
north of Silver City. Edna passed away April 5, 1955. Harry remained on
the farm and two years later he met Mary Paladino from Council Bluffs and
were married on July 3rd 1957. Farming was his life, but his greatest
enjoyment was hunting and trapping. After all those years on the farm he
trapped two coyotes for the first time; foxes he trapped by the dozen. On
October 29. 1973 Harry passed away, burial Silver City Cemetery.
MASS, JOHN J.
John J. Mass was born December 7, 1849 and came to the United States from
Schleswig-Holstein, Germany at the age of 20. He settled in the rural
Silver City area where he was a large land owner, successful farmer and
stockman. On May 8, 1876 he married Sophia Voss who had come to the United
States from Kiel, Germany when she was 12 years old. They were members of
the Lutheran Church. John died May 10, 1915 and Sophia died December 7,
1924.
John and Sophia had nine children: William, Otto, Lena, Laura, Mary,
Bertha, Maude, Sarah and Ella,
William (see William Mass history). Otto C. (see Otto C. Mass history).
Lena was born March 22, 1889 and married James R.
Mott, who died April 21, 1911. She was later married to William Leroy
Magers who died in 1947. Lena died July 28, 1973.
Laura was born June 23, 1891 and married James
Galloway on September 30, 1908. She died December
17, 1918 leaving three daughters: Frances, Ramona and Genevieve.
Mary married Jack Yeoman and both are deceased.
Bertha married Edward Schoening (see Edward Schoening history).
Maude married Arthur Miller (see Arthur Miller history).
Sarah married John Young and later married Bob Swanek.
Ella married Frank Hopp.
MASS, JOHN K.
The parents and grandparents of John K. Mass (Silver City) were born in
Germany. His father was John P. Mass (1856-1907) and his mother was Anna
Seivers Mass (1861-1929). Grandparents were Mr. and Mrs. John Mass, Herman
Ludwig Seivers (1835-1903) and Katherina Von Wiehe Seivers (1837-1917).
Maternal great-grandparents were Herman Von Wiehe and — Schumaker Von
Wiehe. The grandfather, John Mass had a sister Eliese (Louise) (m) Henry
Wilkens, 1879, and had 3 daughters: Reaka (m) John Schmidt; Minnie m) Emil
Kuehl; Marie (m) Edward Roeder.
Anna Seivers Mass’s sisters and brother were: John Seivers (1867-1948)
(m) Wilhelmina Weddingfeld; Elizabeth (1874-1953) (m) Herman Rolfs;
Caroline (1879- 1953) (m) Ferdinand Schoening.
John P. and Anna Seivers Mass farmed 1 mile west and 1/4 mile north of
Treynor from 1871 until his death in 1907. Mrs. Mass remarried to Fred
Nagel; they lived in Treynor until her death in 1929. Mr. and Mrs. John
P. Mass had 6 children: Henry P., John K., Arthur, Amanda, Hilda and Anna.
Henry P. Mass married Rosa Barge, parents of 4 children: (1) Alma (m) Hans
Schiuter (deceased), children: Norman, Elmer (d. 1979), Isabel Shotwell,
Harold and Mary Sorg. (2) Harry J. (m) Elsie Ledholm (d 1975), 2nd wife,
Tillie Fritz, children: Richard, Wilbur and Jeanette Webster. (3) Emil A.
Mass (m) Laura Hobson. Children: Marilyn Ernst and Kenneth. (4) John H.
Mass (m) Dorothea Springer, children: Donald, William, Roseann Hartman and
Robert.
Arthur Mass married Alma Dohse, children: Della Mabel. 2nd wife Martha,
they have one son, Arthur Jr.
Hilda Mass (m) John Peterson (both deceased), daughter Leanna.
Anna Mass (m) Fred Westphal, (both deceased), son Elmer.
Amanda Mass (m) Emil Malskeit (both deceased), children; Lenoard (see
Malskeit family), Alvin, Leona Schoening.
John K. Mass born July 28, 1884 and Margretha “Maggie” Mass born April 24,
1888 were married September 18, 1907, lived on Mass home place one west
and quarter of a mile north of Treynor until 1919, then they moved five
miles north of Silver City, where her parents previously lived. In 1940
they moved to Silver City. Her parents were Christian and Doris (Hoeck)
Mass. (see Chris Mass family) John and Maggies’ children: Arnold
(1908-1911); Clarence born November 28, 1913 and Margaret born May 21,
1925. Mr. and Mrs. Mass celebrated their 50th and 60th wedding
anniversaries. She died July 24, 1968 and he died December 3, 1973.
Clarence Mass married Della Maynes October 5, 1939. Her parents were
Claude and Clara (Kindig) Maynes. (See Maynes and Kindig families). They
had one son, Byron, born February 25, 1946. He attended Silver City High
School through 10th grade; graduated from Treynor High School 1963. He
attended Iowa Western College, then graduated from Electronic School in
Omaha. Byron served in the Army June 1968 to December 1970, the last
fifteen months in Viet Nam.
Margaret Mass married Ralph Stewart. (See Stewart family).
MASS, KAY P.
Christian C. Mass, son of Kay P. Mass and Chartlena Jualman (Coleman) was
born in Schleswig Holestien Germany on August 8, 1860, and came to the
United States in 1874 with his parents, two brothers, John and Henry, five
sisters, Lizzie, Doris, Mary, Margaret and Katherine, and built a heritage
in Mills and Pottawattamie Counties not soon to be forgotten.
He married Doris Hoeck. They reared ten children: Edward, Carl, George,
Ferdinand, Harry, Anne, Pauline, Margareta, Ida and Edna, who helped till
the land he loved so much. He left it to his family who still own a large
share of it. At one time he owned a section of land and the youngest son’s
wife still lives on one farm, while a grandson lives on the farm which was
part of the original farm. This farm has the third generation living
there, located four miles north and one half mile east of Silver City.
Edward (see History)
Anne married Edward Miller and they had four children: Alfred, George,
Mildred and Velma.
Pauline married Henry Kahl and had three children; Herman, Viola and
Rogene.
Margareta married John Mass and they had three children: Arnold, Clarence
(see Clarence Mass) and Margaret (see Ralph Stewart).
Carl married Mary Deitchier and they had nine children: Ralph, Roy, Irvin,
Robert, Ethel, Gladys, Mary Ann. Katherine and Norma Jean.
Ida married Elmer Deitchler and three children, Dorothy, Donald and Eldon.
George married Ella Jurgens and had two children; Alvin and Alda.
Ferdinand married Frieda Kastens and has six children; Orville, Howard,
Fredrick, Junior, Marcella and Lois.
Edna married Francis Kuntz and had three children; Melba, Caroline and Ted
(adopted).
Harry (see Harry Mass)
There were 39 grandchildren born, 31 are living along with numerous great
grand children and great great grandchildren.
The two brothers also married and contributed to the early settlement of
Mills and Pottawattamie Counties.
John married Sophie Voss, was equally as successful, had large land
holdings north east of Silver City at the time of his death. They reared 9
children, William, Otto, Laura, Lena, Sarah, Ella, Bertha, Mary and Maude.
Henry was a successful butcher starting in Silver City and later moving to
Omaha, where he remained until his death. He married Carolyn Frohart, they
had five children; Arthur, Mattie, Tillie, Gussie and Henrietta.
The families of his sisters are also a part of Mills and Pottawattamie
Counties heritage being intermingled through out both counties besides
other counties and states.
Lizzie married Mr. Heckman first, four children; Frank, Cora, Sophie and
Emma. After his death she married Chris Rohr, two children were born;
Walter and Lula.
Doris married William Schultz and had six children; Ferdinand, Adolph,
Theresa, Anne, Minnie and Lena.
Mary married Adolph Hollihan, second marriage, and had two children Morris
and Clarence. She had a daughter Esther from a previous marriage.
Margaret married Charles Rommel and had three children; Henry, Frank, and
Arthur. After his death she married August Spetman.
Katherine married Conrad Kruse and had twelve children; Walter, Edward,
John, Conrad, Laura, Emma, Amanda, Matilda, Clara, Katherine, Hattie and
Irene.
Mr. and Mrs. Mass retired from the farm and moved to Silver City where
they resided until their death, his March 27, 1941 and hers April 30,
1941.
Ma and Daddy as they were so affectionately called by all of us left many
fond memories to keep forever.
MASS, OTTO C.
Otto C. Mass (1884-1954), son of John J. and Sophia (Voss) Mass farmed for
many years east of Silver City. He married Edith Utemark (1886-1951). They
had one son, Otha who married Sadie Tree. They have a lovely new home
north of Malvern. Their son Otha Jr. lives in Greeley, Colorado with his
family.
MASS, WILLIAM L.
William L. Mass (1879-1953), son of John J. and Sophia (Voss) Mass was a
prominent and successful farmer east of Silver City for many years. He
married Margaret Hopp (1879-1959). They had one son, John W. (1907-1972),
who married Alvena Roenfeldt; they lived on the old Mass homestead until
his death. Alvena bought a home in Glenwood where she now lives. John and
Alvena had three children. William married Shirley Schoening; they live on
a farm east of Silver City with their family of two boys, Ryan and Nathan.
Margaret Elaine Mass married Danny Roenfeldt; they live on a farm north of
Mineola with their two daughters, Lori and Kristi. Sharon Mass married
Mike Mielke; they live on the farm where her parents resided. They have
three children: Shannon, Leigh Ann and Van.
MAURATH, JOSEPH JOHN
Joseph John, born 2-10-1857 at Boden, Germany. He came with his parents to
Muscatine, Iowa, went to Council Bluffs in 1873 where he was in shoe
business until 1897. He married while in Council Bluffs and his wife and
small daughter died there before he came to Silver City. He was engaged in
business in Silver City with the F.J. Duerr Co. for several years, about
1899 he bought the Duerr Co. general store, married Jennie Chesebrough and
was in business here until his death 6-7-1916. He was well and favorably
known as the owner and operator of the “Yellow Front” general store.
MAYNES,
CLAUDE E.
Claude E. Maynes married Clara Lavina Kindig, daughter of Adino and Mary
(Russell) Kindig (see Kindig family) on January 22, 1912. Claude E., son
of John R. and Della (Carpenter) Maynes, was born March 10, 1883, (see
Maynes family). Claude and Clara farmed east of Henderson, near Elliott,
then to Nebraska for seven years near Genoa and Milliard. In March 1927.
they came back to Iowa and lived on the George Bada farm, southwest of
Silver City until the spring of 1932 when they moved to a farm north of
Red Oak, where their son, Russell now farms. In 1948 they retired to an
acreage S.W. of Red Oak. Claude passed away February 8, 1952. Clara did
practical nursing until she suffered a stroke in 1973; then she entered
the Good Samaritan Care Center at Villisca where she resided more than
four years, passing away August 21, 1977.
Five children were born to this union: Mary Delphine “Della” born December
10, 1912; Effa Nell born December 17, 1913; Earl LeRoy born August 14,
1916: John Russell born March 2, 1919; and Darwin Claude February 25, 1921
and deceased February 10, 1946.
While living on George Bada farm the Maynes girls and boys attended a
country school, “Pleasant Hill’. After completing eighth grade Della and
Effa drove a horse and buggy to high school at Silver City: they kept the
horse in Frank Anderson’s barn. The next three years they had a “Chevie
Coupe”. In 1931 both Della and Effa graduated from Silver City High
School.
A few years after graduating from high school, Della attended Cosmetology
School and worked in Council Bluffs, then Henderson beauty shops. October
5, 1939 she married Clarence Mass (see John K. Mass family, son of John K.
and “Maggie” Mass; Clarence and Della have one son, Byron, born February
25, 1946; he farmed five miles north of Silver City.
Effa N. married Wayne Halvin of Red Oak on November 12, 1938; they farm in
the Red Oak area. They have two sons: 1) Gary married Barbara Mertz, live
in Omaha; they have three children: Jeff, Mark and Julie. 2)Stanley
married Ann Van Druff, live in California: they have two sons: Matthew and
Alex. Earl married Dorothy Strait; they live in California: three
children: 1) Diane married Douglas Ames; they have two children: Daniel E.
and Holly Ann; this family lives in Utah. 2) Dorothy and 3) Steven LeRoy.
Russell married Avis Noel; they farm six miles north of Red Oak. Two sons:
1) Larry married Jeanine Vagjrt; they live in Florida and have two
daughters: Shelly and Jeanine. 2) Keith married Janet Walters. farms west
of Stanton and have two children: Patrick and Jill.
Earl and Russell Maynes were W.W. II veterans. Stanley Halvin, Byron Mass,
Larry and Steven Maynes, veterans of VietNam era.
MAYNES, WILLIAM FAMILY
In the state of Virginia, in the days of slavery, William Maynes was born
August 1, 1822. His parents were slave holders and the favorite black
mammy had the care of William. Lavina Retherford was born November 17,
1829 in Ohio. Her father was a drover, one who drove livestock to market
in New York and other eastern cities. On one return trip, Mr. Retherford
brought back William Maynes, then an orphan boy, who was then reared in
the Retherford home. Wm. Maynes and Lavina Retherford were married in
August 1850. Seven children were born to this union: Sarah 1853-1860; John
R. 1854-1932; McClelland 1856-1937; Amelia 2/ 1858-3/1858; Joseph
1859-1934; Charles 1861-1927; Cora 1872-1897, was born in Iowa, the other
children were born in Indiana.
Sarah died from diphtheria at age of 7 years. The other children were kept
well by a piece of fat pork and asafetida bound on each throat.
When John R. was 17, his parents moved from Indiana to Montgomery County,
Iowa. Another pioneer family, Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Carpenter, sons Charles
and Lintz and 17 year old Delphine (Della), a school teacher, moved to the
same area from Cedar County, Iowa. As Della applied for a position in one
of the “subscription schools”, she went with pencil and paper to the
different patrons who promised a bushel of potatoes, fat rooster, or other
farm produce, but very little money. John R. Maynes married Della
Carpenter January 4, 1876. They were the parents of Emma Alpharetta
(Etta); Effa; and Guy in 1881. Up to this time the only vehicle was a
wagon for riding to church and town, now a spring wagon was purchased. In
1883 the second son, Claude Earl was born weighing “14 3/4” pounds.
Pioneers used to put a “flat iron” on the scales with the baby when it was
first weighed (if the baby seemed a little small) to make it seem like a
big healthy baby. Claude turned out to be a normal, healthy child. The
next two daughters lived only a few days. In April 1890 the mother Della
died. Etta and Effa became teachers; Guy and Claude were farmers. As young
boys Guy and Claude rode the thoroughbred race horses their father raised;
often “breaking” the horses to ride, sometimes in the moonlight. They rode
the horses at the Silver City race track and other tracks in the area,
winning a race quite often.
August 1895 John R. married Mrs. Cora Farrington Jackson, widow with two
children: Lulu, 7 and Homer, 5. Four children were born to this union:
Verne, Joe, Marjorie and Marion.
Etta Maynes 1876-1962, m. George Galloway 1898, farmed N.E. of Silver City
on “Pioneer Trail”. Later added a gas station and grocery store and free
movies weekly. George was West Pott. County supervisor several years. Two
children: Veva m. Merle Cooper and Elvyn m. Vivian Smith.
Effa Maynes 1878-1966, m. Milburn Turner in 1907. Two children: John and
Helen m. Joe Reid.
Guy Maynes 1881-1953, m. Julia Bauerkemper of the Plumer Settlement in
Mills County and lived near Houghton, South Dakota. Four sons: 1) Charles
m. Almira Summers; owners of Rusco Window Co. of Salt Lake City. Children:
Charles William, Julie Ann and
Mary Jane. 2) John m. Gladys Irish; were owners of Maynes Hardware and
Tire Co. in Millbank, South Dakota; retired and live at Mesa, Arizona.
Children: John and Richard. 3) Bruce m. Elsie Johnson; he is a journalist
in San Pedro, Calif. Children: Guy and Ora C. 4) Joe m. Norma Aspen; live
in Aberdeen, South Dakota where Joe practices law with his nephew, John
Maynes, and Tanner and Tobin as associates. Children: Paula (Mrs. Jeffery)
McFalI, Stanton and Stewart.
Claude Maynes 1993-1952 (his family elsewhere) Verne Maynes 1896-1943, m.
Vivian Moss (d. 1972). Two sons: 1) Gerald worked for Wickstrom Beauty
Supply Co. 32 yrs.) m. Janice Cooper; six children: James, Kathleen
Randolph, Elizabeth, Margaret Craig, Joseph and Tim. 2) Byron (long time
mechanical engineer for Bectal Co. of California) m. Geraldine Hiel. Three
children: Phyllis Frazen, John V. and Paul.
Joe Maynes Sr. 1897-1974, m. Jeane _(d. 1943). Two sons: 1) Harold m. Gwen
Tully; five children: Karen, Kim, Paul, Arnold and Lyle. 2) Joe Jr. m.
Lois Jøhannes, six children: Robert, Connie, Lonnie, Cindy, Keith, and
Darcey.
Marjorie Maynes born 1904, m. Carl Jones (b. 1901). Two sons: 1) Carl E.
m. Wilma Howles. Two children: Shelly and Ronald. 2) Stanley (Baptist
minister) m. Jacqueline Paasche. Six children: Scott, Carla, Michael,
Julie, Amy and Gary.
Marion Maynes 1906-1978 — youngest member of John and Cora Maynes family.
Unmarried, Radio and TV repairman in Chicago.
Lulu Jackson m. Chester Towne. Children: Beth, Jean Foster, Louise
Jenkins, Lois Graske, Vivian Hilding, Mary Jo Brenning, Howard and Dale.
Homer Jackson m. Clara Peterson. Two daughters: Marian Pond and Maurine
Homey.
McCLURE, JOHN J.
John J. b. 12-18-1835 in Clarion County, Ohio; came to Marion Co., Iowa,
1864 and to Mills County 1881. He was a successful farmer south of Silver
City for many years and a member of the Baptist Church. He married
5-7-1861 Rebecca Miller who died a number of years before her husband’s
death 1-3-1921. They had 8 children: a daughter died young, Robert m. Anna
Schroeder and farmed near Silver City many years and also had a threshing
machine for many years. They had 3 children Carrie lived near Malvern,
Nettie married Lenard Patterson and lives in Oregon and Glenn lived in
Omaha. John and Ed who lived in Colorado, Thompson married 1-25-1893
Martha Jane Schroeder. They farmed for many years. Mrs. McClure died
8-4-1937 and he d. in Malvern several years later. They had 2 sons. Roy
who was married and lived in Malvern and had several children. He is
deceased. Dale married Faye Alexander. See Alexander History.
Harry Mass
McCOLLESTER, HARRY
Harry, born in Missouri, World War I Veteran, moved to Strahan, Iowa, in
1920 where he engaged in farming. He married Beatrice Haines of Mills
County. They continued to reside in Mills County until 1952 when they
returned to Versailles, Missouri. Both are now deceased and buried at
Versailles. Beatrice was a sister of Archie Haines who resided in the
Silver City area for many years before his death in 1954. Harry and
Beatrice had 3 children: Norma, Mary and Albert.
Norma married Jim Maxwell of Glenwood and lives in Oklahoma City,
Oklahoma.
Mary married Ray Ellis and resides in Denison, Texas.
Albert, born October 27, 1925 at Strahan, Iowa, attended schools in
Strahan, Malvern and graduated from Glenwood. He joined the Navy in 1943
where he served three years in the Pacific. He was married to LeVon Harman
of Glenwood on December 15, 1946. LeVon was born near Hastings, Iowa, on
July 8, 1928, growing up in the Hillsdale neighborhood and graduated from
Tabor High School. Albert and LeVon have spent most of their married life
farming in Mills County, moving to 1/4 mile from Silver City in 1957,
where they continue to farm. LeVon is the daughter of Earl and Marjorie
Harman, farmers in the Hillsdale neighborhood. Both were born in Mills
County. LeVon has three siblings: sister Evelyn Moore of Tabor, sister
Donna Fay of Malvern and brother Eldon of Council Bluffs.
Albert and LeVon have two children: James Raymond, born September 15, 1947
and Pamela Sue, born February 17, 1951. Both are graduates of Glenwood
High School.
James married Cindy Kahl, Silver City, daughter of Wilbert and Opal Kahl
in 1969. They have a four year old son, Chad, and farm 2½ miles East of
Silver City.
Pamela, a graduate of University of Nebraska at Omaha, married Charles
Serrault in 1977. They have two sons, Jeff and Nicolas. They make their
home in Leawood, Kansas. Pam is employed with United Farm Agency and
Charles is an Administrator with ADM grain milling firm.
MCCOY, HARRY
Harry Allen McCoy was born in Woodston, Kansas on November 19, 1903. He
was the son of Harry and Carrie Pickenpaugh McCoy. At an early age, Mac
(as he was commonly called) moved with his parents to Silver City, where
most of his life was spent. On April 22. 1927 he was united in marriage to
Hazel Fern Malcom. Two daughters were born to this union. Alene was born
south of Malvern (see Virgil Decker history). Phyllis Marie, also born
south of Malvern is now Mrs. Earl Bendt. She has three sons, Roger, Ronnie
and LeRoy. (see Roger and Ronnie Bendt’s histories).
Following the death of Mrs. McCoy on November 19, 1940, he continued to
live in Silver City. On March 13, 1943, he married Anna Childs. He farmed
in this area until 1954 when ill health made him retire. He was a member
of Lodge #423 I.O.O.F. He was Past Grand Master.
In the spring of 1958, he moved to Wickensburg, Arizona where he passed
away on September 4, 1958.
MCCOY, JAMES
The pioneer of this family was James, born 1804 in Fayette County,
Pennsylvania. He married Margaret Graham, a native of Pennsylvania, who
was raised by a German family. They went by covered wagon in 1839 to
Fulton, Illinois and in 1840 to Scott County, Iowa, coming to Ingraham
Township in 1850. They were of the practical pioneer stock that made them
successful and prominent in local affairs. Mr. McCoy held many township
offices and died 1865. Mrs. McCoy died in 1875 and both are buried at East
Liberty Cemetery. They had 3 Sons and 5 daughters.
One of the sons, Casper McCoy, married and lived in Mills County. Three of
Casper’s children lived in this community; they were: Lillian, William and
Lee. Lillian married John N. Hettinger, a pioneer merchant of Silver City.
William married Julia Wyant; they had a son. George (died young), and
daughters: Mabel and Frances. Lee McCoy, (another son of Casper) married
Orpha Speer. Several members of this family moved to Twin Falls, Idaho in
1927, where Mr. and Mrs. McCoy died. They were returned to the Silver City
Cemetery for interment. Their children were: George, Edward. William,
Glen, Mrs. George Williams, Mrs. Ed Behrend, Mrs. Mary Schroeder, Mrs.
Maude Straight, Mrs. Wayve Harts, Pearl, Mrs. Lucille Green and Louise.
MCDERMOTT, GEORGE E.
George McDermott born April 22, 1892 at Sterling, Colorado to Susie (Howser)
and Arthur McDermott. He farmed several years with his step father,
William Pullman. He was in the service during WWI. On Jan. 1st 1931 he
married Olga Bichel of Mineola. They had one son Bill, who served with the
Armed Forces in Korea; now deceased leaving two small children. George and
Olga farmed near Laomi, Iowa later. For years George was associated with
musical groups in Silver City; Spelbring’s Concert Band and Orchestra.
George died in 1974 and Olga in 1975.
MC ELREE, ALBERT
Albert McElree was born on July 28, 1854 in Washington County,
Pennsylvania. He was united in marriage on December 31, 1879 to Margaret
Moninger, and they had one daughter, Ethelind (see J. Albert Marshall).
In Pennsylvania Albert McElree was a pharmacist. In 1877 he traveled to
Iowa and worked for his uncle, John VanKirk. On February 25, 1879 he
purchased an 80-acre farm northeast of Silver City, which was owned by Fed
Danielson, for $1,250. Danielson had operated a saloon along the
stagecoach route for a number of years, and Albert converted the saloon
into a house. There is still 7 acres of original timber on this farm, and
you can still see the marks where the old stagecoach trail used to pass
through the farm. This farm is still owned by Albert’s grandson, George T.
Marshall.
Albert passed away on this farm on April 11, 1934, and Margaret passed
away on December 7, 1933.
MC ELREE, JAMES
James McElree was born on November 9, 1862 in Washington County,
Pennsylvania. He came to Iowa with his family in 1879. He was united in
marriage to Frinces Wanek. He farmed and lived on the family farm
northeast of Silver City, Iowa until his death on March 6, 1945. They had
no children.
MC ELREE, SAMUEL
Samuel McElree was one of the early pioneers of this section, coming here
when the county was but a great expanse of prairie. From the soil he made
a home for himself and his family, enduring the hardships and privation
that were common in those days.
Samuel was born on May 30, 1823, in Washington County, Pennsylvania. He
married Charlotte VanKirk on April 28, 1847. To this union were born five
children: John (died in infancy), Albert, Alice (See George Lacock
history), Annie (See Joseph McNay history), and James. Charlotte VanKirk
was born on April 21, 1824 in Washington County, Pennsylvania, and her
ancestors first landed at New Amsterdam, New York in 1663.
In Pennsylvania Samuel was a landowner and raised Shorthorn cattle and
Spanish sheep. Samuel and his son, Albert, first came to Mills County,
Iowa in 1877 and stayed with his brother-in-law, John VanKirk. Albert
remained and worked for his Uncle John while Samuel returned to
Pennsylvania to bring his family to Iowa. Upon their arrival, they
purchased a 120-acre farm northeast of Silver City, Iowa in Ingraham
Township.
Samuel passed away in Silver City on July 5, 1902, and Charlotte passed
away on April 20, 1891.
MC INTYRE, KENNETH P.
PASTOR--SILVER CITY BAPTIST CHURCH
I was born and raised on a farm near Rayville, La. Upon graduation from
Mangham High School in 1951, I enlisted in the United States Air Force.
While stationed at Ellsworth AFB near Rapid City, South Dakota in 1955 I
was married to Nadine Keezer of Oxford, Nebraska. Over the next 20 years
we were assigned to various bases in the United States intermixed with
tour in Morocco, England and Thailand. Our children’s birth places reflect
the nature of life in the USAF. Peggy Lee was born in Oxford, Nebr. (while
I was stationed in Morocco) Kenny Joe was born in Cheyenne, Wyo. and Gregg
Allen was born in Burderop Park, England. (Killed in an Auto Bicycle
accident near Ashland, Nebr. July 4, 1972). I retired from the USAF while
stationed at Offut AFB, Nebr. to attend Grace Bible Institute to prepare
for the ministry. While a student at Grace we pastored a church at Weston,
Nebr. Upon graduation from Grace in 1976 we moved to Alda, Nebr. to start
a church. In Sept. 1978 we were called to the pastorate in the Silver City
Baptist Church. Since moving to Silver City both children have joined the
U.S. Army with Peggy studying the Russian language at Monterey Cal. and
Joe is with the Engineers in Korea.
McMAHAN
Kenneth Swarts McMahan born August 3, 1911 at Stanberry, Missouri, son of
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas David McMahan. Thomas was born June 5, 1883 in Gower,
Missouri; married Mae Swarts born November 26, 1888 in Silver City, Iowa,
a graduate of Silver City High School. Thomas was a Brakeman on the Wabash
Railroad and was killed March 16, 1915 in a train wreck near White Cloud,
Iowa.
Kenneth, a graduate of Silver City High School: married April 21, 1933 to
Elizabeth Sophia Biermann, daughter of Rev, and Mrs. O.C. Biermann,
Mineola, Iowa; graduate of Silver City High School and Iowa State Normal
Course. Elizabeth taught rural schools for three years; later worked in a
flower shop. They have three children:
1) Donald Kenneth born April 25, 1935 at Glenwood, Iowa, also a Silver City
High School graduate, served in the Military Police Division overseas
1958-60. He married Patricia Martindale Johnson, who had three children
from a previous marriage: Gary Franklin born December 9, 1955; Jacqueline
Lynne born November 6, 1957; Beth Ann born June 5, 1960. Two children:
Susan Mane McMahan born November 10, 1961; Michael Kevin born June 21,
1963.
2) Dolores Marie born August 22, 1938 at Silver City, Iowa and a graduate
of Silver City High School and Wartburg College with a Bachelor’s Degree
in Music and English. She taught Music for nine years; was married to
David Linkey of Phoenix, Arizona December 20, 1959 to November 12, 1969
(deceased). On January 23, 1972 Dolores married Dr. Merriwether Lewis Day,
Surgeon of Phoenix, Arizona. Dr. Day is a descendant and namesake of
Merriwether Lewis of the historical Lewis and Clark Expedition. They have
a daughter, Kristin Elizabeth, born February 17, 1975 at Phoenix, Arizona.
3) Thomas David born September 17, 1944 at Council Bluffs, Iowa, and a
graduate of Glenwood Community High School; attended Arizona State
University of Tempe, Arizona. He married Danee Barton of Glenwood, Iowa
July 9, 1966; they have one son, Jason Lewis born March 20, 1970 at Omaha,
Nebraska. Tom’s occupation is Banking. He has graduated from numerous
professional Banking Courses the past ten years. He is Senior
Vice-President, Senior Loan Officer and Cashier at Clay County National
Bank, Spencer, Iowa. His hobbies are fishing and archery; he bagged his
first deer at the age of fifteen.
Elizabeth has been President of P.T.A. and Woman’s Club, led Girl Scouts
and taught Sunday School. She has sung in the St. John’s Lutheran Choir
since age thirteen. She is Chm’n of the Altar Committee, also Chm’n of
Silver City Library Board. Elizabeth has hand-painted a tea set for each
of her three children.
Kenneth was a former member of the Town Council and the School Board, also
Fire Chief for thirty years. His hobbies are: Torchcraft, creating copper
and brass windmills, spring wagons and covered wagons in miniature, also
likes to repair motors. Kenneth retired from Standard Oil Company January
1, 1974 as Bulk Agent after thirty-eight years of service.
MC MULLEN, LONNIE
Lonnie McMullen was born January 14, 1938 in Pottawattamie County, Council
Bluffs, Iowa. In 1959, he married Patricia Black, born in Madison County,
Winterset, Iowa, on December 20, 1942.
They had four children: Lonnie Martell, Michael Roy (deceased), Theresa
Lois and Michael Scott.
Lonnie is the second of six children born to Clint and Florence (Bostwick)
McMullen. His family members are as follows: Leona Anderson, Lucille Ord,
Leonard McMullen, Betty Stortenbecker and Patrick McMullen.
Lonnie and Patricia purchased their home in the town of Silver City in
1964. During this time Lonnie worked in Council Bluffs for Walt Lowery
Trucking and Sioux Transportation. He established his own business in
1979, “Lonnie McMullen Diesel Service, Inc.’, located near Omaha,
Nebraska. Lonnie served as the Treasurer for Cub Scouts and helped with
the P.T.A. float committee of Silver City for the float parades held in
Glenwood. He drove the “Old School Days” float in the centennial parade.
Patricia has served as Girl Scout Leader, Methodist Sunday School Teacher,
helped with Boy Scouts, served on the Rainbow Board-Glenwood Assembly
Chapter 99, member of the Eastern Star in Silver City, designed and had
drawn the Centennial pictures for the Centennial Cookbook and the American
Legion Auxilary Quilt Blocks and helped with the Centennial Photo Plate.
Lonnie Martell, born June 26, 1960 in Omaha. Nebraska. He was active in
Cub Scouts and played the piano. During high school he was involved in
wrestling, marathon footracing, photography, and diesel mechanics. In
1977-1978, Lonnie’s name and picture was published in an annual edition of
the “Who’s Who Among American High School Students,” honoring the positive
achievements of outstanding junior-senior students throughout the country.
He was also a member of the National Honor Society of High School
Students. His college includes spending one year at the Bellevue Nebraska
College. Presently he is attending the University of Northern Iowa at
Cedar Falls, majoring in mathematics to be a high school teacher. He
participated in the Silver City Centennial parade.
Michael Roy, born June 8, 1961 and died at birth. Interment is at the
Hazel Dell Cemetery near his grandparents farm at Crescent, Iowa.
Theresa Lois, born October 20, 1962 in Omaha, Nebraska. She is a junior at
Glenwood High School. Her activities were dancing, Girl Scouts and piano.
Presently she is a member of the Loyal Lassies 4-H Club, 4-H Teen Club,
4-H Youth Committee, and Professional Photographers of America. In
1977-1978 was the photographer of Jr. High Annual Yearbook and 1979 went
to the State Speech Contest. She is past Worthy Advisor of the Order of
Rainbow for Girls Chapter 99. Glenwood Assembly. In 1978 received one of
the top clothing awards at the Iowa State Fair. 4-H photography introduced
her interest in taking pictures for Weddings, Anniversaries, Local
newspapers, Centennial History Book, Silver City Methodist Centennial
Church Plate, and the Centennial Cookbook. She modeled a 1900 wedding
dress in the Silver City Centennial Style Show. She also rode on the
Centennial 4-H float.
Michael Scott, born February 4, 1964 in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He
participated in Cub Scouts, school vocal music, photographer for the
Glenwood 1978-1979 Jr. High Annual Yearbook. He has played his guitar for
schoo1 talent shows, programs at Christmas and school plays. Mike is a
Sophomore at the Glenwood High School. He helped with the Centennial
Marathon Footracing and Centennial game booth. He rode in the Centennial
Parade on his grandfather Black’s “Old School Bus” float.
McNAY, JOSEPH B. FAMILY
In the fall of 1852 Grandfather Joseph Brown McNay and his first wife made
a long and difficult journey from Waynesburg, Pennsylvania to Washington,
Iowa, where he practiced law. After his wife’s death, he became
dissatisfied and decided to go to southwestern Iowa in 1855. After
exploring various parts of the county, he found and bought land from the
government for himself and two of his brothers. Grandfather McNay returned
to his home in Greene County, Pennsylvania and on the 11th of December
1856 he married Mary Dorothy Smith. Evidently without delay they started
for Iowa; they arrived at Burlington on Christmas Day. Later from Mt.
Pleasant westward, the journey was made overland — no railroads to western
Iowa. They often traveled a day or so without coming to any sign of
habitation. While in the East a fire destroyed Grandfather Mac’s library
of law books. As a result he never continued his practice, but was
connected with live stock business and freighting to Denver with ox team.
This was in many respects a dangerous undertaking; he had a number of
narrow escapes from the Indians. For twenty years they lived in Council
Bluffs. During this time Grandfather would go to the farm breaking the sod
and made improvements. He loved trees and planted a variety of them; the
osage orange was planted for fencing and posts. The home on the farm was
completed in the spring of 1876; they spent thirty some years there.
Grandfather Mac helped plan the rural mail route north of Silver City
which passed his residence.
John B. McNay (our father) was born in Council Bluffs, as a small lad he
would accompany his father to the farm. Father enjoyed the prairie and
always kept about thirty acres of it. General agriculture was his pursuit,
specializing in thoroughbred Poland China hogs and an excellent herd of
Black Angus. Our mother (Tishia McClellan) was a native of Indiana and had
always lived in town, but she adjusted to rural life and was a successful
farmer’s wife. There were four of us children: Glenn W., Vera, Ona and
Grace. We older three attended Evergreen rural school near our home. Later
Glenn graduated from an agricultural course at Ames in 1917. When World
War I started Glenn became dissatisfied and finally enlisted in the Heavy
Tank Corps; he was sent to Camp Colt, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. While
Glenn was in camp our father met with a farm accident and passed away.
Five months later Glenn died at Camp Dix, New Jersey. This left Mother and
we girls on the farm. We continued living there but later moved to Silver
City. Mother especially enjoyed working in the Methodist Church of which
the family were all members through her influence. A few days before
Mother’s ninety-sixth birthday she passed away and Vera a month later. Ona
graduated from high school and Iowa State Teacher’s College and taught
school in Mineola and community for several years. After Grace completed
high school she was employed as a postal clerk and is still on part time
duty. Through the years Grace has been active in church and other
organizations of the community.
McNAY, JOSEPH L.
Joseph LaFayette McNay, the son of Samuel and Hester Johnson McNay, was
born April 22, 1849; this family moved to Cambridge, Illinois 1856. Later
in the spring of 1876 “Joe” (as he was called by his friends) came to the
farm north of Silver City, which his father had bought from the
government. On March 6, 1882 he married Anna McElree, who came to this
area in 1879 with her parents, Samuel and Charlotte VanKirk McE1ree and
settled northeast of Silver City. Anna McElree was born in Washington
County, Pennsylvania on the 12th of February 1861. Many activities were
enjoyed by Anna, as oil painting and outdoor life. Mr. and Mrs. McNay
traveled extensively during their life time. After Mr. McNay’s death
February 23, 1908, Mrs. McNay continued to reside in the home until her
death June 15, 1944.
MEEKS, AMOS FAMILY
Amos Meeks was born August 30, 1830, Isle of Ely, Sutton, Cambridgeshire,
England, baptized in Andrews England Church. Son of Joseph Meeks (Meekes)
and Sarah Gidden. Sarah Ann Hallam was born April 9, 1839 in Walbourne,
Sleaford, Leadenham, Lincolnshire, England, daughter of Samuel HaIlam
(1806-1890) and Ann Hollingsworth (1815-1900). Amos and the Hallam family
came to the United States on the same boat, arriving in New York City
November 12, 1852. He married Sarah Ann Hallam, November 11, 1854 in
Lorain County, Ohio. In the fall of 1856 they emigrated in a covered wagon
to Tabor, Iowa, and moved back to Michigan in 1864, where they remained
until 1881, when they came to Mills County. To them were born one son and
four daughters: Frederick 0. Meeks, Mrs. Alice Schwinderman, Mrs. Jennie
Flood, Mrs. Maude Flynn and Lizzie who died at the age of six months. Mr.
Meeks died January 20, 1907, in Seward, Nebraska. Sarah Ann died May 23,
1932 at Council Bluffs, Iowa at the home of her granddaughter, Mrs. Mabel
Bolton. Both are buried at the Silver City, Iowa Cemetery.
MEEKS, FRED FAMILY
Frederick Gimbert Meeks, son of Amos and Sarah Meeks, was born September
18, 1871. He moved with his parents from Mendon, Michigan at the age of
nine years to Silver City, where he resided with the exception of five
years spent near Triplett, Missouri. Fannie M. Schroder, daughter of Mary
and Christian Schroder, was born April 29, 1881 at Monmouth, Illinois. She
moved with her parents, at the age of three, to their farm southeast of
Silver City. On February 12, 1902, Fred was united in marriage to Fannie.
To them were born four sons: Gayle S. of Oceanside, Calif., Amos F. of
Elliott, Iowa, W. Wayne of Huntsville, Arkansas and C. Ervin of Santa Ana,
Calif. A daughter died in infancy. Fred died at his home March 4, 1926.
Mrs. Meeks died April 11, 1952 in Orange, Calif. Both were buried at
Silver City, Iowa Cemetery.
Amos F. Meeks married Lucille Agan, the daughter of William and Bertha
(Plumb) Agan; they had two daughters: Janice L. and Kathleen Alice (Mrs.
Kline of Omaha). Janice married Mr. Dutch; they live in Scotsdale, Arizona
with their two children: Randy and Travis Dutch. Lucille passed away in
1970. Later Amos married Linnea Stoneking; they live in Elliott, Iowa.
MENSCHEL, RUDOLPH
Rudolph August Menschel was born near Hastings, Iowa on February 22, 1899.
He is the son of Emil and Amelia Menschel. He has five brothers, all
deceased, Albert, Arthur, Otto, Edward and Paul and three sisters, Mrs.
Emil (Anna) Pontow and Mrs. William (Laura) Guderyon, both deceased, and
Mrs. Oscar (Louise) Lew, who lives on a farm north of Hastings, Iowa.
Wilma Dora (Schoening) Menschel was born on a farm northeast of Silver
City 3-1-1913. She is the daughter of Gustave and Amanda Schoening. She
has two brothers, Junior who is deceased and Norman, who lives in Silver
City. He and his wife Norma own the Brew House in Silver City. Wilma has
four sisters, Edna and Verna (deceased), Mrs. W. E. (Marie) Crouse of
Alpin, California and Mrs. Burwell (lona) Cartwright of Grandy, North
Carolina.
Rudolph and Wilma were married December 4, 1931. They had five children, 2
boys and 3 girls. Marlin, who died when he was 20 months old. Dwayne
married and lives in West Fargo, North Dakota. Mrs. Betty Gough of Silver
City (see Gene Gough history), Mrs. Jim (Kathy) Hatcher of Council Bluffs.
and Mrs. Bonnie Decker of Silver City (see Delmar Decker history)
They have 9 grandchildren. Both are retired and have lived most of their
life in and around Silver City.
MERK FAMILY
At the age of fifteen David Merk came to Silver City. He was born at
Rexberg, Idaho on April 17, 1885. On Sept. 11, 1910 he was united in
marriage to Myrtle E. Gish of Friend, Nebraska. Myrtle was born at
Darlington, Missouri.
They farmed for many years in the Silver City community, in their later
years they moved to Griswold, Iowa. David was a member of IOOF and Unedia
Rebekah Lodge, his wife was also a member of the Rebekah’s. David died
Feb. 4, 1942 and Myrtle on March 30, 1968. They were the parents of
Darrell W., Mercedes E. and William E. Merk. All three children attended
Silver City Grade School and graduated from Silver City High School.
Darrell Merk is married to Rachel Fedor of Red Oak. Iowa. They are the
parents of Virginia, Luann and Marian. Virginia is married and lives near
her parents. They all live at Wallace, Michigan.
Mercedes is married to John B. Clark of Carson, Ia. They are the parents
of Lyle, Thomas and Judith. Lyles wife is Mary Claire Rauterkus of Council
Bluffs. His children are Patty, Susan, Cheryl, David, Michael. Thomas and
Kevin S. Lyle was in the Air Force and is now a Master Sergeant in the
U.S. Army Reserves. His wife is a registered Nurse on the Mercy Hospital
Staff. Thomas is now married to Vickie Gregory. He is the father of Kelly,
Kathy, Karen and Kevin J., and the grandfather of Tara Lynn. Thomas works
for the Union Pacific Railroad. Judith is married to Robert L. Jensen:
they live at Millard, Nebr. They are the parents of Steven Jakl. Carol
Jakl, Scott Jensen, and Terry Jensen.
William Merk or Willie as he was familiarly known is
married to Irene Gleaves of Carson, Iowa. He works for Burlington
Railroad. Their children are: Bonnie Lou married to Dixie Jones who are
the parents of Vickie Robin and Ricky. Joan is married to Kenneth Barttett;
they are the parents of Steven, Kerry and Shelley. Galen E. or Eddie as he
is known is married to Jean Riddle; they are the parents of Kimberly,
Tammy, Daniel, David, William (Billy), and grandparents of Susan and
Chris. Linda, the youngest of Willie and Irene, is married to Steven
McCollum; their children are Chad, Jeremy and Mandey.
John and Mercedes are retired and live in Council Bluffs. Bill and Irene
live in Council Bluffs. Darrell and Rachel live in Wallace, Michigan and
retired.
MILLER, ARTHUR
Arthur H. Miller was born in the vicinity of Treynor, Iowa on December 10,
1899, the eldest son of Fred and Helen Kay Miller. Arthur helped his
father farm several years in the rural areas of Treynor, Council Bluffs
and Glenwood before making his permanent residence in the Silver City
area. In 1920 Arthur Miller entered into marriage with Maude Mass,
daughter of John and Sophia Mass of Silver City.
Art and Maude Miller farmed all their married lives in the Pottawattamie
and Mills County rural area. They purchased a farm from Cecilia VanKirk in
1948 where Maude Miller still resides in the remodeled Frog Pond School
(also known as Prairie Valley). Art farmed this farm until his retirement
in 1965 and lived there until his death on March 20, 1979. To this union
of marriage four children were born: Darwin (Steve), Kathryn, Elaine and
Michael.
Darwin married Jean Pedersen of Treynor, Iowa and they have two sons. Jim
retired from the U.S. Navy in 1978 and resides in Auburn, California. He
married Barbara Holiday of Glenwood and they have two sons, Tony and Jay.
Dennis is a veteran of the U.S. Navy and married Janette Madison of Silver
City. They now live in Council Bluffs and have two daughters, Melinda and
Wendi. Darwin and Jean still live in Silver City.
Kathryn married Gerald Schnepel and lives in rural Treynor, Iowa. They
have one son, Mark.
Elaine married Harrison Sell (see history).
Michael married Roberta Stewart of Silver City and they live in the
remodeled Osborne Valley School north of Malvern. Michael and Roberta have
three children: twin boys, Scott Michael and Stuart Lynn, were born July
26, 1961. Daughter Shelly Lavon was born March 3, 1964 (Easter Sunday).
MILLER, DETLEF
Det1ef Miller came to this country from Satjendorf, Gemany. He was married
to Caroline Rohrberg, and in the coal mines before he bought a farm north
of Mineola where he farmed and raised his ten children. Lifler his son,
Harry, lived there and then Harry’s son, Elton lived there until he
retired and it was sold.
Det1ef and Caroline had five sons and five daughters: Bill, Ferdinand, Ed,
Harry and Fred and Julia Jurgens, Mary Campbell, Anna Lammert, Bertha
Roenfeldt, and Carrie Bada Reynolds.
Fred Miller married Helen Kay, the daughter of Hans and Dora Weliman Kay.
She had two brothers, Hans and Herman and three sisters, Tillie Wolf, Anna
Pullman and Paula Marino. Hans and Dora both came from Germany, and Hans
bought the farm north of Silver City known as the Ormand Goos farm on June
9, 1868 from William and Roxana Dean for the sum of eight hundred dollars.
Opal Kahl still has the original deed which her grandmother must have kept
when she sold the farm after her grandfather’s death. Helen Kay was raised
here and attended the old Jenkel school.
Fred and Helen had three children: Arthur (see separate story), Albert,
and Opal (see Wilbert “Bud” Kahl history).
The whole family has been members of St. John’s Lutheran Church for four
generations. Detlef helped with the old church when it was first built in
Mineola.
MILLER, EDWARD J.
Edward J. Miller was the son of Detlef and Caroline Miller, born December
9, 1880 north of Mineola, Iowa in Pott., County. He was one of ten
children and was a lifetime member of St. John Luthern Church in Mineola.
On January 30, 1907 he was united in marriage to Johanna Catherine Mass,
at the brides home north of Silver City. The couple resided and farmed
within a few miles of the brides home all their married life. In October
1945 they purchased a home and moved into Silver City and retired.
Children born to this union are Alfred, Mildred, George and Velma.
Alfred married Ona Lee Anderson. They are living on a farm three miles
north of Silver City. They have one son Gary, who is married to Elizabeth
Adair. They have three children, Susan, Becky and Brian. Gary is engaged
in farming.
Mildred married Earl Vogel, Jr. After living a few years of their married
life around the Silver City area, they moved to California for 19 years.
After which they purchased the house Mildred’s folks retired to, moved
back to Silver City where they are now living.
George married Viva Benedict and is living on the home place 4 miles north
of Silver City. They have three sons, Richard, Dennis, Rodney. Richard
married Ruth Hansen and is farming with his father. They have two sons,
Mathew and Mark. Dennis married Laura Smith and is farming with his
father. Rodney is living and employed in Omaha, Nebraska.
Velma married Eldon Schultz. They are living on the Schultz home place
where Eldon was born and has lived all his life. They have one daughter,
Beverly. Beverly is married to Philip Dashner. They have a daughter
Kimberly and son Owen. Philip is in construction work and Beverly has a
greenhouse business.
MILLER, JOHN MARION
John Marion (Uncle Marion) was born April 28, 1843 in Decatur County,
Indiana. He came to Mills County in 1871 and married Sarah C. Hunt in
December 31, 1868. They had 3 children; Julia, who died May 14, 1901, Ira
and Avery. Mr. Miller was a kindly trusted man, a G.A.R. and a familiar
figure in Silver City, getting around easily in his wheel chair. He lost
his leg because of a diabetic condition and just 2 weeks before his death
his right leg was amputated in an effort to save his life. He died on
March 6, 1913. Their son Avery had 1 son and 3 daughters.
MILLS, GAIL A.
Gail Albert Mills, the son of Charles and Edna Hunt Mills was born on a
farm near Silver City on November 25, 1917. He completed his schooling at
Prairie Valley southeast of town.
In January 1942 he was inducted into the Army. After his basic training he
was transferred overseas, where he served in Asiatic Pacific Theatre in
Papuan, New Guinea and Leyte campaigns. He was awarded many Medals and
Citations. He returned home in 1945 and on December 2, 1946 he married
Vera Little at Onawa. Iowa. They had two children, Gayle Louise born March
20, 1952 and Randall Dwayne born November 28, l956. Gayle Louise married
Robert Batten; they and their family live in Mineola. Randall and wife
live in Des Moines.
Gail and Vera spent their married life in and around Silver City. On
February 27, 1965 Gail passed away. (See Samuel Mills history).
MILLS, SAMUEL
Samuel N. Mills was born in Fountain, Indiana. He married Mary C. Leighty
of Indiana. They came to Mills County (Silver City) and raised 10
children.
Minnie stayed in Lafayette-Single
Sam Killed in farm accident.
Mildred — Married John Stout
Zula — Married Ray Allensworth
Harry — Married Jessie Milner
John — Married Edith Spake
Gladys — Married John Roberts
Bernice — Married Leslie Allenworth
Robert — Remained Single
Charles Married Edna Hunt
Edna was the daughter of Albert and Elizabeth Hunt. They had 4 children.
Carrie Married Harry Pickinpaugh
Viva Married Arch Decker
Richard Married Eva Williams
Edna — Married Charles Mills
Charles N. was born in Lafayette, Indiana April 12, 1893. Entered into
rest January 6, 1975.
Edna A. was born in Silver City, Iowa December 1. 1894. Entered into rest
February 9, 1978.
Charles and Edna were married February 22, 1914. They farmed for several
years before working and retired from Wabash Railroad Section Crew. They
were the parents of 8 children.
Gail A. born November 25, 1917. He married Vera Decker. They have a
daughter and a son.
Gladys M. born December 29, 1919. She married Richard Moore. They have a
daughter and a son.
Margaret C. born December 16, 1921. She married Fred Crane on December 24,
1941. Margaret lived in Mills and Pottawattamie Counties for several
years. They have 3 sons and 2 daughters. Connie K., born May 29, 1944,
married Robert Jacobs. They have a son, Michael, Fred A., born September
14, 1947, married Cathy Swaboda. They have 2 daughters, Deanna and Andrea.
Steven C., born April 22, 1951, married Sandy Jones. They have a son,
Jason. Susan J., born December 21, 1952 married Michael Ellis. They have a
son, Ian, and a daughter, Shannon, Charles R. was born January 20, 1954,
and he is single.
Creda M. born July 10, 1923. Entered into rest May 23, 1925.
Donald R. born January 2, 1926. He married Joyce Wooten. They have a son
and a daughter.
Max L. born December 17, 1928. He married Theresa Abode. They have a
daughter and a son.
Gerald H. born February 6, 1931. He married Shirley Vonberg. They have a
son.
Harold L. born September 18, 1934. He married Madena Wooten. They have 2
sons and 3 daughters.
MINTLE, GEORGE FAMILY
George Mintle was born at Trenton, New Jersey in March 1844 and passed
away at Glenwood, Iowa 1935 at the age of 90 years.
He came to Iowa in 1867 by working his way on the railroad to Council
Bluffs, Iowa. He bought a team of mules, new wagon and harness and shucked
corn in the fall. Next spring in 1874 he traded these for 80 acres in
Center Township where Keith (great-grandson) and family now live.
George Mintle and Betty Tieman of Trenton, Missouri were married March 8,
1876 at Glenwood, Iowa. To this union four children were born: Mabel,
Maude, Oscar and Frank, all deceased.
In September 1905, Oscar Mintle and Eliza Ann Parker were married and
moved to 80 acres bought from John Stout in Ingraham Township where they
lived until moving to Glenwood in 1946. They had five children: George,
Hazel, Karl, Dorothy and Lucille. Oscar loved horses, raised, broke,
traded and farmed with them.
In 1946, Karl and wife Margaret and three children: Marilyn, Marianna and
Keith moved to this farm where they still live.
MOORE, JOHN
John Moore lived in the Silver City area at a later time than John
Shanklin Moore. He married Margaret Rachel Jane May, and they had five
children: Albert, Frank, Purl, Guy and May. They later moved to Bassett,
Nebraska where they both died.
Albert taught in the Silver City Schools several years and married Emma
Huffaker. They moved to Canada and had two children, Albert Keith and
Virginia Alice. Albert and Emma are deceased.
Frank married Erie Pickenpaugh and moved to Bassett, Nebraska where he
died. Purl was in the Canadian army during World War I, married Sadie May
and lives in Washington State. Guy and May both married at Bassett,
Nebraska and live there.
MOORE, JAMES RENO
James Reno Moore was the first white child born in Silver City. He married
Margaret “Dot” Tunison and lived at Malvern for a number of years. They
had eight children, one of whom died in infancy: Evalyn Newman, Lucille
Walton, Kathryn Thomas, Jean, Frederick (Fritz), Ted and Robert. He later
married Mary Saunders and they had two children: Owen and Leah.
James Moore worked for the railroad, building and construction work till
World War I. He then operated a tire sales and service store until the war
ended. He was the owner-operator of a service station and livestock
hauling business in Nebraska, worked at Martin Aircraft during World War
II, spent a year in Oregon and then returned to Silver City to retire.
MOORE, JOHN SHANKLIN
John Shanklin Moore was born September 28, 1842 in Franklin County, Ohio.
He came to Mills County in 1852 and married Harriet Hency November 10,
1867. He farmed for a time and later moved to town where he was a bricklayer,
mason and plasterer. His children
were Clarence, J. Edd, Maude, Cora, Katie, John, Fred W. Frank W., and
George S.
Clarence married Lizzie Anderson and farmed in Mills County for many years
before his death. J. Edd married Lola A. Williams of Mansfield, Missouri
and spent his life in Kansas as a railroad man. Maude married Ammon Rook
and lived in Stratton, Nebraska.
Cora married Charles Hunt, and they farmed near Silver City for many
years. They had seven children: Mae, Ed, Lyle, Bacil, Brudette, George and
Marjorie. Mae married Dr. C.O. Johnson and had two sons, Kenneth and
Wayne. She died in 1930. Ed married Edna Louzo of Omaha and had seven
children: Virgil, Phyllis, Keith, Donald, Kathleen, Donna and Delbert.
Lyle married Lyla Campbell of Council Bluffs and had three children:
Robert, Marian, and John Lyle, Jr. Basil married Hilda Stille of Glenwood
and had three children: Harry, Charles and Mary Ellen. Burdette married
Janice Slaughter of Glenwood and had three daughters: Janet, Carolyn and
Barbara. George Shanklin married Amy Kearns of Council Bluffs and had
three children: Larry, Peggy and Dean. Marjorie Evelyn married Wayne
Blackman of Malvern and had two children: Charles LeRoy and Evelyn Diane.
Katie married Hal Howser (see Howser history). John married Alice Hooker.
He farmed for many years and moved to town as a carpenter. He was a member
of I.O.O.F., Rebekah, Masonic and Eastern Star Lodges. Their son, Homer,
married Lorene Bryant and lives in California. They had three children:
Randall, Donald and Lois. Randall married Carol Jean Sell and they now
live at Bothell, Washington. Lois married Ed Tackett. Donald is married
and lives near Griswold.
Frank and his wife, Ida, lived around Silver City after their marriage and
moved to Pomona, California where they died. George S. married Susie Ord
and lived in Silver City and Council Bluffs before moving to Stockton,
California where they died. Fred never married and the family lost track
of him.
MOORE, WILLIAM G.
William George Moore, pioneer druggist and general merchandise store
owner, was born January 1, 1851 in Tippecanoe, Harrison County, Ohio. He
was one of the first settlers of Silver City and built the second building
in 1879 in which he operated a drug store. He attended Drake University
for two years with a view to practice medicine, but changed to alchemy. He
married Leah Billingsley on May 22, 1872 at Tippecanoe, Ohio. In 1878 they
moved to Emerson, then to Silver City. Mr. Moore was active in community
affairs, a member of the school board and anything for the betterment of
the community, a member of the I.O.O.F. and the A. F.& A.M. Leah Moore was
a faithful member of the Methodist Church from her girlhood until the time
of her death. The Wabash was built after the Moores settled in Silver
City, and Mrs. Moore ran a boarding house to feed the men laying the
tracks. She suffered a stroke fifteen years before she died on March 19,
1918 and spent the last three years being completely paralyzed. At the
time of his death on February 2, 1917, William George Moore was the oldest
early settler in Silver City.
The Moores had eight children, three of whom died in infancy. Their
children were: Charles, Laura, James Reno, (see separate story), Thomas
and Maude.
Maude Moore died in her teens. Tom Moore played baseball with an Omaha
team and was a printer by trade before he died in his early twenties. He
had two sons. One son, Allen, lives in Roseburg, Oregon.
Charles Alvin Moore was born December 20, 1874 in New Philadelphia, Ohio.
He was active in the early progress of Silver City and traveled for a
number of years as a jockey with Swarts’ famous trotters and pacers to
fairs and race tracks all over the nation. He later engaged in the
successful operation of a general merchandise store, was employed by Ole
Anderson in his store and farmed until his retirement. On December 31,
1902 he married Laura VanKirk Hostetter. They had two children, Eunice
Schroeder and Clifford, both of whom are now deceased. Mr. Moore was a
member of the Methodist Church, Masons, I.O.O.F. and a charter member of
the Rebekah lodge. He died January 6, 1946, and Mrs. Moore died September
15, 1950.
Eunice Moore was educated in the public schools and married Ed Schroeder,
a prominent farmer near Treynor. They had three children: Theil, Jeannine
and Ed Jr.
Clifford V. Moore graduated from Silver City High School and was engaged
in farming with his father. He served in the Navy in the Pacific Theater
during World War II. He was active in High School Alumni, Masonic and
American Legion activities.
Laura Moore married Lemuel Dunagan and he died a few years later. She had
two daughters, Viva and Madge. Mrs. Dunagan lived in Silver City
practically all of her life where she worked as a seamstress to support
herself and was active in community affairs.
Viva married Harry Stout, resided in California and is now deceased. Madge
married Fred Madderman and now lives in Lebanon, Oregon.
MORSE, EDWIN
A pioneer of Silver City was Edwin Morse, born 4-28-1852, Summerset Co.,
Maine. He was a lumberman, merchant, and grain dealer. He built the
elevators at Silver City, Shenandoah, Malvern, Mineola, and Strahan. He
was also an early Postmaster here. He married 11- 23-1883 Emma Flanagan, a
member of another pioneer family. They had 5 children: 2 daughters died
young, Alfred, Wm. Millard and Isaac Horace. Mr. and Mrs. Morse moved to
Omaha years ago where he died 10-31-1929 and she died 1949, they were
buried at Silver City. He was a member of Masonic Lodge.
MORSE, SILAS
Another pioneer family was that of Silas Morse, who was born 3-24-1843,
Rome, N.Y., he married 3-26-1860 Betsey Hallman; they lived Kalamozoo Co.
and Vicksburg, Mich. They came to Mills Co. by covered wagon in 1871. He
farmed for many years and moved into Silver City 1895. He was identified
with the early history of the community being a charter member of the
Baptist, a member of town council and Masonic Lodge. He brought with him
to this community an old gun which was made in France in 1507. It was a
flint lock and also had a bayonet. He broke the lock in unloading it from
the covered wagon. On the stock was cut the date 1507 and another place
was engraved “manufactured in Charlesville” which was in France and was
the only town of that name in 1507. They were parents of 7 children: 2
sons died young, Lyvah married Alfred Hepler, an early merchant and hotel
man in Silver City. later moved to Fort Scott, Kans. where he died. Mae
married Wm. Burgoin, her family will be found in Burgoin history; Alice
married Lewis Dale Huffaker, a member of another pioneer family. Their son
Morse died 9-2-1948.
MYERS, RUSSELL AND VEDA
Russell Myers was born March 4, 1890 at Wray, Colorado, the son of Mr. and
Mrs. Frank W. Myers. The family soon moved to Glenwood, Iowa where he
attended school. Later they moved to Tabor where Russell enrolled in
college for two years. Veda was born at Silver City, July 20, 1898; her
parents were the late S.J. and Bertha (Ferrel) Rew. The family
moved to a
farm south of Tabor in 1910. Veda graduated from Randolph High School in
1916 and then attended Wayne State Normal College and taught school. On
June 5, 1918 Russell and Veda were married. Shortly after
their marriage
Russell entered the service in W.W. I. When Russell returned they started
farming and in 1924 they moved to a farm near Silver City. They were
members of the Methodist Church, American Legion and
Auxiliary. Masonic
Lodge, and O.E.S. Two sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. Myers, both dying in
infancy. When they left Silver City community in 1960, they purchased a
home on North Walnut in Glenwood. Mr. Myers
passed away August 28, 1975;
Mrs. Myers continues to live in the home.
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