Mills County, Iowa Family Reunions
LEMONDS FAMILY

LEMONDS FAMILY REUNION AT LAKE PARK SUNDAY
Glenwood Opinion Tribune
September 2, 1926

The Glenwood Lake park presented a festive appearance Sunday, August 22 it being the scene of two large family reunions. The descendants of two early day families spent several delightful hours together neath the shade of this beautiful grove. In the early days of Mills county H.R. Lemonds located in Lyons township and continued to make it his home. Eighty-five relatives, the greater portion of them being the children, grandchildren and great grandchildren of this well known early day family, assembled as the Lake park Sunday bringing well filled baskets containing all things needful for a feast. The older members spent the afternoon in social intercourse while the youngsters enjoyed swimming and various sports.

Those from a distance in attendance were Sylvester Lemonds and family of Oxford, Ne.; L.L. Woods and family, Mr. and Mrs. Russell Beals and Robert Lemonds of Lincoln, Neb.; Ernest Lemonds and family Newton, Iowa; J.M. Lemonds and family, Sioux Falls, S.D.; A.P. Lemonds and family, Hawarden, Iowa; Silas Day, Brush, Colo; and Rev. S.S. Lemonds of Strang, Neb.; a brother of the late H.R. Lemonds, P.R. Kelley and family, C.E. Lemonds and family of Hastings, Iowa; Ray Kelley and family of Emerson, Iowa; H.H. Hillyer and family of Imogene; Mr. and Mrs. Darell Gallager and Mrs. Mabel Davis of Council Bluffs.

It was voted to meet in Glenwood next year. The same officers being retained to have charge: President Mrs. J.O. Hathaway; secretary and treasurer, Miss Myrle Bishop, who will be assisted by the following committee, the Mesdames M.D. Linville, P.R. Kelley, S.E. Chambers and B.A. Reynolds.

THE LEMONDS FAMILY REUNION HELD ON SUNDAY
Glenwood Opinion Tribune
August 18, 1927
Members of Family Came from Far and Near to Attend Annual Reunion Held at the Lake Park Here Last Sunday

The annual Lemonds family reunion was held at the Lake park here Sunday. The weather was ideal and members of the family came from far and near. Over half a hundred enjoyed the bountiful picnic dinner at noon which was replete with all manner of good things. Among those present were Mr. and Mrs. J.M. Lemonds and daughter Viola of Sioux Falls, S.D., Mr. and Mrs. Russell Beals, Leo Woods and daughter, Edith and Bob Lemonds, Lincoln; Mr. and Mrs. P.R. Kelley, daughters Violet and Marie and son Wayne of Hastings, Ia.; Mr. and Mrs. Albert Pace of Malvern; Mr. and Mrs. M.D. Linville and daughters, Lucille and Wanda, Mr. and Mrs. S.E. Chambers and daughter, Marjorie, Mr. and Mrs. B.A. Reynolds, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Bishop and daughters, Myrle, Eva and Lillian, Mr. and Mrs. J.O. Hathaway, Mrs. Faye Messinger and three children and Gwendolyn and Shirley Mae Townsend all of Glenwood; Mr. and Mrs. Erwin Chambers and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Parker and daughter, Ethlyn all of Council Bluffs; Mr. and Mrs. Heber Hillyer and daughter, Mildred and sons Dale and Floyd of Imogene.

The Lemonds family have a permanent organization. Mrs. J.O. Hathaway is president of the organization. They voted at the reunion Sunday to meet in Glenwood again next year and set the date for August 19.

LEMONDS FAMILY HELD ANNUAL REUNION SUNDAY
Glenwood Opinion Tribune
August 29, 1935

Sixty-two descendants and friends of Mr. and Mrs. H.R. Lemonds gathered on Sunday, August 25, at Big Lake near Council Bluffs for their annual reunion. Only a few of the nine children of this couple were able to attend this year, due to illness. There are nearly 150 members of this family.

Following the picnic dinner, officers for the coming year were elected: E.A. Lemonds, Fred Bishop and Mrs. Albert Pace. The committee on arrangements for the next reunion will be Mrs. Alta Gaer, Mrs. Carl Phelps and Mrs. S.E. Chambers.

Those attending this reunion were: Mr. and Mrs. J.M. Lemonds of Sioux Falls, S.D.; Mr. and Mrs. E.P. Lemonds, and daughter and Mr. and Mrs. C.E. Burke from Hiteman, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. W.F. Rowley of Newton; Mr. and Mrs. R.E. Beals of Lincoln; Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Goy of Omaha; Mr. and Mrs. Heber Hillyer and sons and Mr. and Mrs. Ross Bryant of Imogene; Mr. and Mrs. Harry Retelsdorf and daughters, Florence Irene Gallagher, Mr. and Mrs. Irvin Chambers and daughters, Mrs. Mildred Davis, Mr. and Mrs. P.E. Minner and daughter, Howard Bishop and son and daughter, all of Council Bluffs; Elaine and Palma Jean Linville of Omaha; Mr. and Mrs. Carl Phelps and daughters of Pacific Junction; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Bishop and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. S.E. Chambers, Mr. and Mrs. O.B. Hathaway, Mr. and Mrs. B.A. Reynolds, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Gaer, Mr. and Mrs. Herman Inman, Jack Lemonds, Jack Messinger, Mr. and Mrs. M.D. Linville and Wanda, and Shirley Mae Townsend, all of Glenwood.

EIGHTY-FIVE HERE FOR LEMONDS CLAN REUNION SUNDAY
Glenwood Opinion Tribune
September 1, 1938
Glenwood Armory Scene of Jolly Family Reunion, Relatives Gather from Several States. Jessie Kelly Parker Sends Greetings

Eighty-five persons, members of the Lemonds family, assembled for the reunion this year, which was held in the Glenwood armory on Sunday, August 28th. It was a grand day for all present. They enjoyed visiting and making the acquaintance of new relation by marriage and by birth. There were six marriages this last year and four new additions to the family circle by birth.

"And of all the good eats--you never saw the beat," says one who was there and continues by saying, "I don't know when, if ever, have I seen so much fried chicken and never for one affair, and the cakes--well there was all they could eat with the ice cream."

The dinner hour was enlivened by vocal duets rendered by A.P. Lemonds and his daughter, she accompanying him on the guitar.

Greetings from California, cleverly expressed in verse written by Jessie Kelly Parker, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. P.R. Kelly, was read and dedicated to the Lemonds descendants.

Greetings From California
Greetings all you tribesmen
On Lemonds reunion day,
In Glenwood, Iowa, U.S.A.
From California way
To Mother, Dad and all the rest
From eighty down to one,
From far and near you've traveled here
To help enjoy the fun
Of meeting once again with friends
In one grand get-to-gether,
To talk old times, brush up on news,
And swap all brands of weather,
Another big event today
If I don't miss my cue,
Is each one's date with the chicken plate
Cake and ice cream too.
Of course we'd like to be there
And see you every one,
But distance proves to be the bar
That stops the race, e'er run.
So content we are in writing this
To say Hello and tell
We like the West above the rest,
And in the mountains dwell.
What could be nicer, folks, we ask
Than this peaceful, quiet life,
Far away the crowds and noise
And all the city strife,
Another year if all is well
We'll try to be on time,
And meet with you in Glenwood
In August, thirty-nine.

The following officers were elected for the coming year: C.E. Lemonds, Hastings, president; Mrs. B. A. Reynolds, Glenwood, vice-president; Mrs. Alta Gaer, Glenwood, secretary-treasurer; program committee, Mrs. S.E. Chambers, Mrs. Carl Phelps, Mrs. Faye Messinger, all of Glenwood, and Mildred Davis, of Council Bluffs.

Those present at this year's reunion were: Mr. and Mrs. J.M. Lemonds, Sioux Falls, S. Dak.; Mr. and Mrs. A.P. Lemonds, Hawarden, Ia.; Mr. E.A. Lemonds, Montrose, S. Dak.; Mr. and Mrs. P.R. Kelly, Red Oak, Ia.; Mr. C.E. Lemonds, Hastings, Ia.; Mr. and Mrs. Einar Peterson, Council Bluffs; Florence Irene Gallagher and Marilyn Joan Minner, Council Bluffs; Nina Buckingham, Council Bluffs; Mr. and Mrs. Wm. C. Gaer, Omaha, Nebr.; Mr. and Mrs. Glen Goy and Dan of Omaha; Manford J. (Bud) Linville, Riverside, Calif.; Mrs. Doyle Raymie, Sioux Rapids, Ia.; Miss Viva Lemonds, Hawarden, Ia.; Mr. Glenn Lemonds, Hawarden, Ia.; Mr. Glenn Lemonds, Paulina, Ia.; Dolores and Roger Bishop, Council Bluffs; Mr. and Mrs. W.S. Lemonds and three children, Lee, Dale and Wilma Edith of Lincoln, Nebr.; Mr. and Mrs. Ray Kelly and children, Dolores and Jimmie of Hastings; John Miller, Malvern; Paul L. Miller, Glenwood; Mr. and Mrs. John Decker, Council Bluffs; Mr. and Mrs. Ervin Chambers and son, Council Bluffs; Mr. and Mrs. C.E. Chambers, Mr. and Mrs. B.A. Reynolds and sons, and Mr. and Mrs. Fred Bishop and Lillian, all of Glenwood.

Mr. and Mrs. Carl Phelps and family, Theoda, Alice, Rheba and George, Pacific Junction; Mr. and Mrs. Carl Gaer, Glenwood; Perry Bishop Sr., and children, Perry, Jr., Freddie, Keith, Donald and Marlene, Glenwood; Mr. and Mrs. Heber Hillyer and Floyd, Mr. and Mrs. Ross Bryant and Larry and Richard Bishop, all of Imogene; Howard Bishop of Glenwood; Herman Inman of Glenwood; Bob Lemonds of Lincoln, Nebr.; Mr. and Mrs. Parle Kelley and children, Phyllis, Richard and Wendell of Hastings; Mr. and Mrs. M.D. Linville, Glenwood; Mildred Davis, Council Bluffs; Faye Messinger and children, Jack, Maxine and Jeanne, Glenwood. Visitors present were Mrs. Grace Longenecker and Mrs. Nora Matthews of Tabor.

LEMONDS FAMILY REUNION SUNDAY
Glenwood Opinion Tribune
September 9, 1940
Eighty-Five Attended Reunion Held at Glenwood Armory Sunday. Clarence Lemonds of Hastings, Elected President

The annual reunion of the descendants of Mr. and Mrs. H.R. Lemonds was held Sunday, Sept. 8, in the Glenwood armory with eighty-five being registered. The usual basket dinner was enjoyed by all, followed by a short business meeting. Officers elected for the coming year were: Clarence Lemonds of Hastings, president; John Lemonds of Glenwood, vice president; and Mrs. S.E. Chambers was retained as secretary and treasurer.

The program of the afternoon consisted of prayer by Mary Neer; two songs by C.P. Lemonds, accompanied by daughter, Viva, on the guitar; recitation by Rheba Phelps; chalk talk by Carl Phelps.

There were four weddings in the family during the past year, these being, Dale Hillyer and Gerry Gilmore of Manson, Is.; Glenn Lemonds and Lavina Banks of Paulina, Ia.; Howard Bishop and Ruth Bachman of Glenwood; and John Lemonds and Esther Lincoln of Glenwood.

Births in the past year were: Ida Marlene, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Chester Carey of Red Oak, Ia.; Judith Ann, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Goy of Omaha, Neb.; Hubert LeRoy, son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Pace of Los Angeles, Calif.; Connie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leon Lemonds of Hastings, Ia.; Douglas Kent, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Kelly of San Diego, Calif.; Gary Kelly, son of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Anderson of Los Angeles, Calif.; and Donald Eugene, son of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Damenbring of Montrose, S.D.

One death was reported, Hubert LeRoy, infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Ray Kelly of Los Angeles, Calif.

Those registering for the day were: J.M. Lemonds of Dean of Sioux Falls, S.D.; E.C. Lemonds of Montrose, S.D.; Mr. and Mrs. Glen Lemonds of Paulina, Ia.; Mr. and Mrs. A.P. Lemonds and daughter, Viva, of Hawarden, Ia.; Mr. and Mrs. Doyle Raynie and son, Preston John, of Hawarden, Ia.; Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Goy, Barbara and Judith, Mildred Davis, Mr. and Mrs. Orville Hathaway, all of Omaha, Neb.; Mr. and Mrs. Dale Hillyer of Manson, Ia.

Mr. and Mrs. Heber Hillyer and Floyd, Mr. and Mrs. Leon Lemonds and Connie, C.E. Lemonds, Marlin Lemonds, Mr. and Mrs. Parle Kelley and family, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Kelly and family, Mr. and Mrs. Ross Bryant and son of Hastings, Is.; Dr. and Mrs. L.F. Bishop and family of Kansas City, Mo.; Mr. and Mrs. C.R. Phelps and family of Pacific Junction; Mr. and Mrs. Howard L. Bishop and Dolores, Richard and Roger, Mr. and Mrs. P.R. Kelly, Mr. and Mrs. B.A. Reynolds, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Bishop and Lillian, Mr. and Mrs. M.D. Linville, Mr. and Mrs. S.E. Chambers, Marvin and Mary Neer, Calvin ----Mr. and Mrs. Carl Gaer, Faye Messinger and son, Jack, all of Glenwood; Mr. and Mrs. Elmar Peterson, Florence Irene Gallagher, Phillip Minner and daughter, Marilyn, all of Council Bluffs; John Miller of Malvern, and Paul Miller of Pacific Junction.

TWENTY EIGHTH ANNUAL REUNION
Glenwood Opinion Tribune
August 21, 1947

The descendants of Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Lemonds, Mills county pioneers met for their 28th annual reunion in the Glenwood Armory Sunday, Aug. 17 with 88 signing the register.

The basket dinners were opened at noon and spread on tables, when after the blessing was asked by Carl Phelps, all partook of the plentiful food topped with ice cream and cake.

During the business meeting, following the dinner, Howard Bishop, of Council Bluffs acted as chairman of the meeting in the absence of the president and vice president. During the reading of the minutes it was revealed that this huge family was increased by ten, three by marriage and seven by birth. One death was also reported.

Officers elected for the coming year were Glen Lemonds, Poullina, as president, Howard Bishop, of Council Bluffs as vice president, Erva Raynie Hawarden as historian and Faye Messinger retained as secretary and treasury.

A feature of the day was the dedication of songs to this group by the Blackwood quartette of Shenandoah. The meeting was adjourned to meet again the third Sunday in Aug. 1948 in the Glenwood armory if available.

LEMONDS REUNION
Glenwood Opinion Tribune
August 19, 1948
The descendants of Mr. and Mrs. H.R. Lemonds met Sunday, August 15, at the Armory for their 28th annual reunion with 74 signing the register.

Following the delicious meal of fried chicken with all the trimmings spread on long tables, a short business meeting was called to order by Jack Lemonds, acting president for Howard Bishop who is enjoying a vacation in Montana. The minutes were read by the secretary Faye Messinger. New officers were elected for the coming year.

Ervin Chambers was elected president, Perry Bishop, vice president, Mrs. Merritt W. Powell elected secretary and treasurer, Fay Messinger having served for the past four or five years.

The motion was made and carried to hold the 29th annual reunion the third Sunday in August 1949. The meeting was brought to a close.

Four marriages were reported since the last reunion. One death and three births.

Dwight Kelly was married to Ruth Hersberg, Delores Kelley to Keith Adams, Marlin Lemonds to Ruth Fullenwider, Shirley Mae Lemonds to James Russel Jr., The death of Aunt Tinnie Bishop March 26, 1948; Three births, a son, Terry Lee, to Mr. and Mrs. Bishop and daughter Marlene; Frederick Bishop, a daughter, Judy Ann, to Mr. and Mrs. Donald Dungon, a daughter, Janet Kay to Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Lemonds.

Those signing the register were: Elmer A. Lemonds, Montrose, So. Dak.; Mr. and Mrs. J.M. Lemonds and Dean, Sioux Falls, So. Dak; Mr. and Mrs. Dale Hillyer, Dean and Donna, Webster City, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. Parle Kelley, Phyllis, Richard and Wendell, Elliott, Ia.; A.P. Lemonds, Howerdin, Ia; Mrs. Hazel M. Elkins, San Bernardino, Calif.; Elaine Linville, Houston, Texas; Mr. and Mrs. Leonard E. Anderson, Roger and Gary, Valley, Nebr.; Mr. and Mrs. Jack Messinger and Michael, McClelland, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. Leon Lemonds, Randolph, Ia.; Mr. C.E. Lemonds, Hastings, Ia.; Mr. and Mrs. Heber Hillyer and Floyd, Imogene, Iowa; Ervin Chambers, Co. Bluffs, Ia.; Mr. and Mrs. Ray Kelley and Jimmie, Hastings, Ia.; Mr. and Mrs. Marlin Lemonds, Malvern, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. B.A. Reynolds; Eva B. Goy, Barbara and Judy; Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Ritchey and Bill; Mr. and Mrs. Jack Lemonds, Larry, Roger and Richard; Mr. and Mrs. Ed Chambers; Mr. and Mrs. Ross Bryant, Mary Ann and Larry; Lillian Bishop; Alta Hathaway; Mr. and Mrs. Carl Phelps, Reba and George; Mr. and Mrs. Russell Cheyney, Jerry and Steven; Perry Faye Messinger, Manfred D. Linville; Mr. and Mrs. Merritt W. Powell and Butch Fitzsimmons all of Glenwood.