Mills County, Iowa Biographies
R
RAINS, ALLEN TAYLOR
Allen Taylor, born 4-29-1849 Cedar County, Missouri. He came with parents
to Mills County 1850 living there until 1876 when he moved across the line
into Potawattamie County where he owned and operated a 390 acre farm for
many years. He married 1/13/1876 Joanna Wolfe. They had 7 children:
William, Vona, Edd, Alta, Roy, Claude, Cecyl. William died when a young
man and Cecyl died a few years after her marriage. Alta was Mrs. Guy
Pettit. Mr. Rains was among the very oldest residents of Mills County at
the time of his death, having lived most of his 68 years in Mills County
or across the line in Pottwattamie County. At the outbreak of the Civil
War he was too young to enter the regular service, but was permitted to go
as a drummer boy. To show that he still knew how to use the drums, he
demonstrated many times during the Spanish-American War and at the Old
Soldiers Reunions. Then also just shortly before his death which occurred
11-16-1917, while in California he helped muster the forces for World War
I with fife and drum corps there.
REEVE, ALMON PARKER FAMILY
Almon Parker Reeve, son of William and Sarah (Wilson Reeve, was born at
Granville, Putnam County, Illinois on Feb. 17, 1859. He lived in his
native state until he was 22 years old, then came to Silver City in 1881,
where he clerked in the Greenwood Lumber Co. Later he purchased an
interest in the elevator in partnership with Webster Mains. For many years
he was in real estate and insurance business. He also served in many
offices of the town, church and school. A member of the Methodist Church,
a faithful member of the choir and quartet, a loyal member of the I.O.O.F.
and Modern Woodman.
Mr. Reeve married Maria Bonner Nov. 3, 1886 at Glenwood and continued to
make their home here. Mrs. Reeve was born in Downers Grove, Illinois on
Sept. 13, 1859; the family soon moved to Newton, Indiana. Before her
marriage Mrs. Reeve taught school, after coming to Iowa she took an active
part in both civic and social activities of this community. Their children
were 1) Sadie (see J.P. Swarts); (2) Clarkson married Mary Rook, one son
Almon I. now of Kansas City; Clark and family lived in Canada, where he
died in 1913. (3) Ruth was Mrs. Captain of Salt Lake City, an accomplished
pianist, now deceased. (4) Charles of Omaha married, one daughter. He was
prominent in Masonic, Scottish Rite and Shrine Lodges. (deceased) (5) Paul
and wife Eunice of Portland, Ore., had one daughter, Mrs. Margaret
Shotwell of Forest Grove, Ore. Paul, a Silver City graduate, served in
W.W.I; active in American Legion and several lodges, (deceased, 1960). (6)
Alice Reeve, a mathematics instructor received her masters from Columbia
University, taught over thirty years at Rockville Centre, New York High
School, where she helped produce a mathematics textbook. She a member of
United Methodist Church of Colorado Springs at the time of her death in
1978.
REINERT, DWAYNE
Dwayne Reinert, born December 8, 1937, is the son of Randel and Helen (Niemoller)
Reinert. During his early years, he attended county school and graduated
from Glenwood High School. He attended the Nebraska University of Omaha
and worked for the Union Pacific Headquarters until 1961.
On May 1, he married Waunita Bolte, daughter of Edna Decker Bolte and the
late Harvey C. Bolte. They both worked in Omaha until 1961 when they
bought the Dan Markel Farm. They farmed there until 1972 when they moved a
mile west. Dwayne has a purebred Hampshires and Chester White hog
business, and also a cow beef herd. He works with the 4-H club and is the
swine project leader of the Ingraham Straight Shooters. He also helps at
the Mills County Fair. Waunita has taught Sunday School and helped with
preschool.
Dwayne and Waunita have four children; Tim, Ty, Trent and Trisha.
Tim is a Senior in the Glenwood Community School. He participates in
baseball, basketball and football. He also attends Sunday School, M.Y.F.
and is an eight year member of the Ingraham Straight Shooters 4-H Club. He
received Reserve Showman of swine, two years, and has held office in 4-H
and M.Y.F.
Ty is in the ninth grade and is active in baseball, basketball and F.F.A.
He attends Sunday School and M.Y.F. and has been a member of 4-H for five
years. He had Grand Champion Beef Carcass. He holds office in 4-H, M.Y.F.
and his class at school.
Trent is in the sixth grade. He likes sports and music and has been in 4-H
for two years. He won Jr. Showman of swine, two years, and had the Grand
Champion market hog last year at the Mills County Fair.
Trisha is in the fourth grade. This is her first year in the Loyal Lassie
4-H Club. She is active in music and dancing.
REW, JOHN DESCENDANTS
John Rew, brother of George came to Silver City a little later than did
his brother. They were together in their farming operations for a number
of years. John Rew made several trips to England and when returning was
usually accompanied by one or more English boys who wanted to come to
United States. John never made a home in this country, and the brothers
eventually divided their farm properties and he returned to England. There
he married Florence Rowe and had 2 children. The daughter Edith married
Jack Paul and they had five children. Mr. Rew made his home with the
daughter after his wife passed away at a rather early age. The son William
J. came to Silver City to the home of this Uncle, when a young man and
eventually took over operation of his father’s property. He served with
the U.S. Forces in the World War II. He spent several years in Chicago at
the end of the war and there he met and married Violet Hudson, who also
came from England. Later they settled on the farm in Mills County where
their 2 children were born, Cyril and Lois. Cyril served in the navy
during World War II, is married and has 1 son. John Rew’s youngest son
Cecil came to America to finish his education in foreign languages at the
University of Chicago. John Rew passed away at the home of his daughter in
England in 1923 and William J. passed away at Silver City in 1949. Mrs.
Rew makes her home in Des Moines.
By Rew Burgoin
REW, GEORGE T. — JAMES AND REW BURGOIN
MAPLE GROVE STOCK FARM
When George T. Rew came to America, he brought with him the possibilities
of accomplishment that lie before men of determined and earnest purpose.
He was born in Devonshire, England on August 13th, 1851, the second son of
John and Elizabeth Wilson Rew. His preliminary education was in the
village school, and he later spent one year in college. He was reared to
the practical work of the farm. At the age of twenty years, he came to
America and landed in New York June 11, 1871. He went from there to
Burlington, Iowa where he spent two years working by the month as a farm
hand. He then came on to Mills County and purchased the farm which came to
be known as the Rew Ranch of Maple Grove Stock Farm.
In September, 1874 Mr. Rew was united in marriage to Miss Phoebe Alice
Miller, the daughter of Johnson and Elizabeth Miller. This family were
pioneers from Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Rew were parents of nine children but
only one of them grew to maturity. She was Elizabeth Maria and was married
to James Burgoin on May 2, 1900. In 1895, Mr. Rew purchased the Spring
Valley Stock Farm adjoining the town of Silver City. He was very
successful in the breeding of purebred Hereford cattle, having established
his herd in November, 1891. Shortly after 1900 he turned his efforts
toward the production of the Polled strain of Hereford cattle and at one
time maintained the largest herd of Purebred Polled Hereford cattle in the
nation. Mrs. Rew passed away in 1915, and Mr. Rew in 1928.
James Burgoin, son of James and Rebecca Burgoin, was born in England in
1869 and came to America at the age of nineteen. He acquired a farm of 280
acres in Pottawattamie County and at the time of his marriage, settled on
Spring Valley Stock Farm. Mrs. Burgoin had attended Excelsior District
School and graduated with honors from St. Francis Academy in Council
Bluffs. They were the parents of six children, one of which passed away in
infancy. Mr. Burgoin passed away in March, 1951 at the age of 81, and Mrs.
Burgoin passed away in July, 1959 at the age of 82. Their children were
Rew, Alice, Phyllis, Dora and Marjorie.
Rew G. was born in February, 1901. After High School he had further
agricultural training at Iowa State University for two years. In 1926 he
married E. Fern Skerritt. They lived on the Maple Grove Stock Farm where
Mr. Burgoin’s grandfather had first settled m Mills County. This farm was
a “Century Farm” in 1976. Rew passed away in 1975. Mr. and Mrs. Burgoin
had one daughter, Margarite, born in 1937. Margarite Goodenow and Fern
both make their home in Council Bluffs. Margarite has four children, Rew
Robert, David, Paul and Mary Fern.
Alice M. graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University with a B.A. degree
and from Iowa State University where she received a Master's degree. She
taught Home Economics in the schools at Pacific Junction, Elliott, Iowa,
and at Stout Institute at Menomonie, Wisconsin. In 1933 she was elected to
the staff at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York. She continued there
until her retirement in 1964. She passed away in December, 1971.
Phyllis attended Nebraska Wesleyan University, received her degree in
kindergarten work and taught primary work at Louisville, Nebraska, and in
Silver City until her marriage to Glenn Skerritt in June, 1926. Glenn
passed away in 1946. They had two sons, Roger, who passed away when two
months old, and Harold, who lives on the Skerritt family farm at Malvern,
Iowa. Harold married Marilyn Mintle. They had one son, John Karl, and one
daughter, Ann Lynette. Marilyn passed away in 1976.
Dora E. graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University with a B.A. degree.
She received her Master’s degree from the University of Omaha in 1955. She
taught in the Silver City High School until her marriage to Vinson Goos in
1935. Her home was on the Tucker Homestead adjoining the Maple Grove Farm.
In 1957 she married Charles M. Vandas who passed away in 1959.
Marjorie was graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University with a B.A.
degree and embarked upon a teaching career which took her first to the old
Excelsior District, then to Sac City and to Smouse Opportunity School in
Des Moines. She married Frank Raynor in February, 1949, and they made
their home in Boone, Iowa, where he passed away a year later. She taught
school in Des Moines until she retired in 1974. She had one son, James F.,
born in 1950 who was killed in an automobile accident in November, 1978.
Marjorie and Dora both live in Omaha.
The entire family have always been active in all community, county,
church, and family activities.
RICHARDSON, ZEBULON
Zebulon Richardson was married to Adelaide Hart, and they farmed near
Balfour before retiring in Silver City. They had five children.
Their son, Leslie, married Cora Chambers and resided on a farm south of
Silver City. He played clarinet and violin in the Spelbring band. They had
a daughter, Geneva, and a son, Marlin, who was lost in the Korean
Conflict.
Geneva married June Wise on October 16, 1931. They had three daughters:
June Louise, Jonene Cormay and Lesta Lou. June married Gerald A. Plummer
and has two daughters, Deanne and Denise. Deanne married Albert Harris and
has two sons, Bryce and Chad. Denise married Dennis Crawford and has two
sons, Dustin and Cory. Jonene married Richard Anderson and they have a
daughter, Monica Lynn Miller, who has a daughter, Lori. Lesta married
Harold E. Kahl and they have three children: Leonard, Stephen and
Constance. Leonard married Chris Komer. After the death of June, Geneva
married Max Stonebraker.
RICHTER, MARVIN AND LOIS FAMILY
Marvin Richter was born 7 July 1934 at Union Star, Missouri. He graduated
from Union Star High School and attended college at Maryville, Missouri.
His parents were Fred H. Richter of Union Star and Elpha Petty of
Clarksdale, Missouri; Marvin had three brothers and one sister. Lois was
born at Eagleville, Missouri 23 November 1934. (see Garland Martin for her
parents). When Lois was four years old the family moved north of Malvern,
she graduated from Malvern High School and attended college at Maryville,
and taught third grade at Shenandoah. On the 24th of December 1954 Lois
and Marvin were married; they lived at Maryville until February 1956 and
moved north of Malvern on what is now the Carl Malcom Farm. In 1960 they
moved to their present home east of Silver City. The children attended
grade school at Silver City. The family are all members of the Silver City
United Methodist Church.
Marvin and Lois’s family consists of four daughters and one son.
Carol (b) April 16, 1956. 4-H member and county officer; a Glenwood
graduate, active in speech, FHA and a member of National Honor Society. An
Iowa State Graduate in 1978 Phi Upsilon Omicron Honorary; Registered
Dietitian at Clarkson Hospital now. Carol married Greg Reeder 24 June
1978.
Barbara (b) December 10, 1957. 4-H Teen Club, County Council; High School
Distance Running and Track teams. National Honor Society; attended college
at Maryville and Omaha Academy of Art. Employed as advertising artist with
McDonald, Slater & Assoc. Barbara married Rick Karr February 26, 1977.
Shari (b) September 20, 1959. County Council, Area Council; High School
Speech, School plays, Distance Running, Basketball, Track, National Honor
Society, assistant to school nurse. Shari attends Nebraska School of
Nursing.
Linda (b) February 27, 1961. 4-H, high school softball, basketball and
tennis; National Honor Society. Linda attends Northwest Missouri State
University, majoring in Merchandising.
Martin (b) May 25, 1962. 4-H, High School Varsity Football and Wrestling.
Martin is in the 1980 Graduating Class at Glenwood High School.
RIGGINS, ED
Elige Davis Riggins was born to Thomas Jefferson Riggins and Samanthe
Belle Carmack in Sullivan County, Missouri on 9 April 1880, one of four
children. On 10 August 1904, Ed as he was known, married Anna Charles
Waugh, daughter of William Clark Waugh and Isabelle M. Facto. Anna was
born on 16 April 1888, one of seven children in Sumner, Missouri. Ed worked
for the Wabash R.R. as a section foreman when he retired in 1944. While
working for the Wabash, Ed and Anna lived in several small towns along the
line, finally coming to Silver City in 1932. Ed and Anna were members of
the Baptist Church. Ed was a Mason and Anna a member of the Eastern Star.
They had six children: Rollie Leo, Dorothy Belle, Anna Marie, Elige
Donald, Russell Edward and Margaret Dean.
Rollie was born on 1 February 1906 in Sumner, Missouri. On 27 July 1932 he
married June Brickell. Rollie spent 40 years as a teacher and
superintendent of several schools in Nebraska. Rollie and June, who is
also a teacher, have now retired and are living in Fairbury, Nebraska.
They had two children: Alan Clifford and Gayle Ann. Alan and his wife Pat
have 2 children. Gayle Ann and her husband Ed have 3 children.
Dorothy Belle was born 31 March 1908 in Sumner, Missouri. She died while
still in school in Malvern Iowa, on 30 September 1922 from diabetes.
Anna Marie was born 19 February 1910 in Sumner, Missouri, on 12 September
1933. She married Roben Robbins of Malvern. They farmed for a while near
Malvern and then moved to New Mexico for several years and did
construction work before moving back to Omaha. Bob Robbins passed away
several years ago and Marie has been living with her only daughter, Anna
Sue, in Omaha since. Marie worked for 17 years at Central Market in Omaha
before retiring. Anna Sue married Charles Leonard of Omaha and they have 2
children, Ten and Rich.
Elige Donald was born on 20 March 1913 in Sumner, Missouri. On 22 January
1933, Donald married Bonnie Stranathan of Silver City. Don spent 35 years
on the Union Pacific R.R. before retiring as a Mechanical Supervisor in
1977. Bonnie was a realtor in Council Bluffs for 25 years and passed away
on 3 December 1978. Don still lives in Council Bluffs. Don and Bonnie had
3 children: Jean, Eddie and Jim. Jean is married to Harlan Petter and they
have 4 children, Scott, Dawn, Dirk and Rhonda. They live in Eureka
Springs, Arkansas. Eddie lives in North Palm Beach, Florida and Jim lives
in Columbus, Ohio.
Russell Edward was born 20 June 1916 in Triplett, Missouri. Russ or Stub
as he was known, married Marie Bell of Omaha. Stub worked as a welder for
40 years on the Wabash and Norfolk & Western R.R.’s before retiring, and
now lives in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Stub and Mane had three children:
Rich, Russ Jr. and Nancy. Rich had 4 children and died a few years ago.
Russ Jr. has one child and Nancy has two children.
Margaret Dean was born 14 September 1923 in Malvern, Iowa. On 7 October
1944 she married Jack Burgoin of Silver City. They farm near Silver City
and had 2 children, Rex Eugene and Peggy Marie. A more complete history
will be found under the Burgoin family.
ROBERTS, JAMES
James Harvey Roberts attended school in Silver City, Iowa, and completed
in Glenwood, Iowa. Jim joined the army in March 6, 1967. His basic
training was in Fort Bliss, Texas. Advanced training was at Fort Sill,
Oklahoma. Jim also was stationed at Kon Jum, Vietnam and surrounding areas
with the Fourth Infantry for one year. Jim was discharged from the service
in March 5, 1970, from Fort Riley, Kansas, and returned home to Silver
City, Iowa. Jim was united in marriage to Dixie Marie Pontow on June 12,
1970, at St. Pauls Lutheran Church in Council Bluffs, Iowa, where they now
reside. Of this marriage four children were born. twins Christopher
Michael and Joseph Amon born March 14, 1975, now deceased, James Jason
born April 25, 1976, and Kara Kristin born November 8, 1977.
Dixie Marie Pontow Roberts parents are Herbert Ludwig Pontow of Malvern,
Iowa, and Matilda Stroeble Pontow from Oakland, Iowa. Dixie graduated from
Abraham Lincoln High School in 1968. Later graduated from Iowa Western
Community College for Dental Assisting and received her certification in
1969. She now is a full time mother and part time student at Iowa Western.
Jim is currently employed by Control Data Corporation of Omaha, Nebraska,
and holds the position of receiving and flexible media quality assurance
media. Also Jim is a part time student at Iowa Western to obtain his
Associate of Science Degree.
ROBERTS, LESTER LOY
Lester Loy Roberts was born January 11, 1915. His parents were Harvey
Roberts and Mary Ellen Meldrum and lived at Ava, Missouri. Here in Ava
they made their living at farming. Born in this family were eleven
children, Martha, Otto, Pierce, Bertha, Toll, Beulah, Curtis, Lester,
Harvey, Ida and Lulu. All of which are now deceased except Bertha and
Lula. Lester came to Iowa when he was seven years old. The grandparents of
Lester were Diane Melton and Tim who lived at Bradlevile. Missouri. Their
living was made at farming. Lester's home in Missouri was called Pond
Forks. He attended school at White Star Country School.
Lester and Leona were joined in marriage on Nov. 2, 1939, in Malvern,
Iowa. They made their home in Silver City. Of this marriage four children
were born: Jerry Les on May 21, 1941, Judith Helen on May 20, 1942; Terry
Lee on July 31, 1946, and James Harvey in February.
Leona Helen born July 20, 1921, attended school in Mineola, Iowa. Her
parents were Detlef Christian John and Juliana Henriette Schutt Hansen.
Their home was made in Mineola, Iowa. Detlef made his living at doing
carpenter and mason work. He also worked 30 years at the Mineola Cemetery.
Detlef was of German Nationality and his parents were Fredrich and Johanna
Stumph. They also lived at the farm in Mineola. Her mother Helen was of
German nationality. This family originally came from Germany. Leona’s
mother traveled to America when she was 4 years old. It took 8 days to the
Atlantic in a steam boat.
Lester joined the army in Fort Crook, Nebraska, on January 26, 1943. He
was stationed in the Pacific Theater during World War II. His basic
training was at Camp Walters, Texas. During the war, Lester received the
medals of EMI Rifle Expert Infantryman Badge, Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic
Pacific Service Medal and Two Purple Hearts. Lester is now laid to rest in
Silver City Cemetery in the year of March 4, 1977. He also belonged to the
American Legion Post in Glenwood, Iowa. Jerry Les Roberts attended school
in Silver City and graduated president of his senior class. Jerry joined
the army in 1958 and was stationed at New Britain, Conn. missile base in
New York. Basic was at Fort Carson, Colorado. His rank was Spec. 4.
Jerry married Susan Carol Kisby on June 18, 1963. Of this marriage four
children were born; Jerry Ernest born March 23, 1964, Troy Les born May
18, 1965, Timothy Chris born March 23, 1967, and Ted Loy born June 23,
1969. The family now resides in Bradshaw, Nebraska. Jerry owns his own
business of J. & K. Construction in Bradshaw, Nebraska.
Judith Helen attended school in Silver City and received honorable mention
of Southeast Iowa. Judy married Allan Dale Gough on January 8, 1961. Of
this marriage two children were born, James Allan and Joseph Dale. Judy
now resides at Bouton, Iowa. Judy has one grandchild, Kelly Joe.
Refer to Terry Lee Roberts History
Refer to James Harvey Roberts History
ROBERTS, TERRY
Terry Lee Roberts was born July 31, 1946, in Glenwood. He attended school
in Silver City, Iowa, and completed in Glenwood, Iowa. Terry has lived all
his life in Silver City, Iowa.
Parents of Terry Lee Roberts were Lester Loy and Leona Helen Hansen
Roberts.
Terry joined the service at the age of 17 in 1963. His basic was at Fort
Leonard Wood, Missouri. Then he was stationed at Fort Lee, Virginia. Next
a tour of duty was spent in Warzburg, Germany for 31 months. Terry
returned home on August 10, 1966, when discharged to Silver City, Iowa.
Terry then was employed at Sperry Vickers Sperry Corp., in Omaha,
Nebraska.
Terry Lee was united in marriage to a home town girl, Beth Irene Carlson
on May 17, 1968. Of this marriage two children were born Todd Lee and
Christina Lee.
Beth Irene was born November 20, 1950, in Mercy Hospital in Council
Bluffs, Iowa. Beth’s parents were Wyvern and Alta Carlson. Beth attended
school in Silver City and completed in Glenwood, Iowa.
I can still remember the long drive from the big city, Council Bluffs to
what I thought was a ghost town because of its size. I can remember as we
drove down through what was called Main Street a large weed rolled across
the road. I asked my father what it was. My father laughed and replied it
was a tumble weed. We drove on to our new home, the Stroud home. The house
was nice but no bathroom could be found. I later found out what an
outhouse was. Oh, I can still remember with a little shake of fear when I
would have to use the outhouse. I thought for sure I would fall in and no
one would find me. Of course my stays were very short. Now as I have grown
and married there only stands a memory of what once stood in the backyard.
Beth is a member of the Silver City Order of Eastern Star No. 536 and
became Worthy Matron in 1979. Beth also was a Boy Scout leader for 3
years.
Terry is a member of the Silver City Masonic Lodge and was Master. Terry
also belongs to the Silver City American Legion.
ROBERTSON, FRED GUY
Following their marriage Fred Guy Robertson and Lillie (Gillman) Robertson
lived for several years in South Omaha. Their first son, Glenn F. was born
there.
In 1920 they moved to the farm four miles north of Silver City (the Annie McNay farm). Three more sons (Warren G., Harvey G., and Claude P.) were
born at their farm home.
Fred suffered blood poisoning and passed away in November 1934 (age 45).
Lillie and her sons remained on the farm and in 1947 she bought it from
the Annie McNay estate. Lillie resided there until her death in 1952.
Glenn F. Robertson married (1946) Shirley Suhr. They now reside in Treynor,
Iowa. Their children are Dennis, Fred, Julie (Vierck) and Douglas.
Warren G. Robertson married (1950) Ruth Kelly. They live at the farm north
of Silver City. Their daughter is Phyllis (Fouts).
Harvey G. Robertson married (1944) Delores Dark. They now live in Omaha,
Nebraska. Their children are Michael and Patty (Miller).
Claude P. Robertson married (1947) Flossie Powles. They live on a farm
near Pacific Junction, Iowa. Their children are Rodney, Duane and Debra (Howser).
For a few years Opal Gilman (Lillie’s niece) made her home with the
Robertsons; she is now deceased.
ROBINSON, NATHANIEL
Nathaniel born 12-25-1840 at Illinois. He married 12- 27-1874 Lucinda
Cockler. He came to Mills County in 1882, was a farmer and member of the
Baptist Church. He died 12-25-1927 and Mrs. Robinson died a few years
later. They had 7 children; 2 died young, Stanford, 01ive. Bertha, John
and Roy. Roy married May Williams, he served in the Navy during World War
I, and they live in Malvern, Iowa. Roy died in 1970. Roy and May had five
children: Francis now Mrs. Robert Thaller of Malvern, Kenneth lives in
California, Jack lives at Red Oak, Vernon lives in Omaha and Bernard lives
at Malvern.
ROENFELDT, KENTON F.
Kenton Frederick Roenfeldt, son of Floyd and Gladys (Husz) Roenfeldt,
graduated from Silver City High School in 1959 and is engaged in farming
near Mineola. On June 20, 1964 he was married to Judith Helen Schroeder
(see Herman Schroeder history) who graduated from Silver City High School
in 1961 (the last class to graduate from Silver City). They have three
Sons: Kenton Frederick II born January 12, 1969, Kirk Floyd born October
10, 1970, and Kreg Ferrell born February 4, 1980.
ROMMEL, CHARLES A.
Charles A. was born January 10, 1854 at New York, New York. He was factory
worker and railroad man. He came to Silver City in 1879, being one of
Silver pioneers who was familiar with the development growth of the
community. He was marshal and street commissioner for many years. He
married April 24, 1883, Maggie D. Mass. They had four children: George who
died young, Henry, Frank and Arthur J. Charles died November 12, 1913.
Henry — see Henry Rommel history
Frank was born February 15, 1887 at Silver City. He married Flora Van
Doren in 1909. Frank worked for years at the John Beno Company in Council
Bluffs and later farmed at Tabor. They had three children: Margaret is
married to Leonard Winkler. She has one son, Truman Bertelson. Clara Marie
is married to Wallace Olderog. Son Max was killed in action during World
11 in 1943 at Tarawa while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. He is buried
in Hawaii.
Arthur J. was born at Silver City on January 16, 1900. He married Vera
Hammer on November 29, 1922. He was a businessman in Silver City and later
was the purchasing agent for the City of Council Bluffs for years. They
had two children: Geraldine and Charles. Geraldine married Marvin Goos.
They had three boys, Neil, James and Jeffery. Geraldine died December 12,
1966. Charles married Audrey Bailey. They live in Chagrin Falls, Ohio.
They have two children. Kurt is a law student at Georgetown University and
Gayle is married and lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
ROMMEL, HENRY
Henry J. Rommel, was born March 26, 1885 at Silver City, Iowa. He was the
son of Charles A. Rommel and Maggie D. Mass. Henry was the Marshal and
Street Commissioner of Silver City. He married Grace Mae Howard in 1907.
Grace, born July 10, 1881, was the daughter of Samson Howard and Lettie
Hallam. Both were natives of England.
Grace and Henry had three children: Erma, now Mrs. Charles Shenefield of
Chariton, Iowa; Ruby, now Mrs. Vern Hauger of Glenwood, Iowa; and Clifford
of Mission, Texas.
Erma’s family — Mrs. Max (Rogene) Vanderpool
Gerald Shenefield
Richard Shenefield
Larry Shenefield
Mrs. Ed (Sharon) Marshall
Phillip Shenefield
Ruby’s family — Mrs. Bernard (Donna) Schnoor
Clifford’s family — Mrs. William (Nancy) Terrill
ROOK, ISSAC NEWTON
Issac Newton was born January 3, 1837 in Gilford County, North Carolina.
He went to Hancock County, Illinois where he married Mary Trimble in 1860.
They had one daughter, Mrs. Daniel Cramer. He later went to Clark County,
Iowa where he married Sarah Motheral on September 1, 1881. They came to
Ingraham Township in 1882 where they farmed, later moving to Silver City.
He died on March 23, 1909. They were of the Church of Christ (Mormon)
faith.
They had six children: Anna, Elisa, Charles, John, Emma, and Mary.
Mrs. Rook died April 1941.
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