Coal Mines of Monroe County, Iowa

Wanted! Monroe County coal mine data ... Do you have ancestors who worked the mines? Submit your data for everyone to see.

Thanks to Dee Hall, Cheryl Bowden, and Les Hartshorn for contributing alot of the information on this page.

Submit your coal mine data

Caliban in the Coal Mines

God, we don't like to complain;
We know that the mine is no lark.
But-there's the pools from the rain;
There's the cold and the dark.

God, you don't know what it's like.
You in your well-lighted sky.
Watching the meteors whizz;
Warm with a sun always by.

God, if you had but the moon
Stuck in your cap for a lamp;
Even you'd tire of it soon,
Down in the dark and the damp.

Nothing but blackness above
And nothing that moves but the cars….
God, if you wish for our love,
Fling us a handful of stars!

~Unknown Author~

This poem was found in a box of old photos by Les Hartshorn.
It is said to have been a favorite poem among the coal miners.

Coal Mine Photos

Hocking Coal Co. Hocking. Tipple and screening plant at shaft #1
Consolidation Coal Co. Churn drill operated by a gasoline engine
Whitebreast Fuel Co. Hilton
Rex 5 Coal Mine in the mining town of Rexfield, circa 1930
Main St. Buxton 1915 lined with homes of coal miners,including many African-American families.
Anderson Mine
Unknown Monroe Co. Coal Mine
Deep Vein Coal Company's Works Foster, Iowa.
Wapello Coal Company's Works Albia,Iowa
Applegate Coal Mine Company
Lewis Coal Mine Company
White Ash Tipple Mine
Consolidation Coal Company
Lost Creek Mine Shaft

Maps to Monroe Co. Coal Mines
Hiteman Mine No.10 and Smoky Hollow Mine
Rex Mine No. 4

1895 Inspector's Report
List of Coal Mines
In addition, two more companies have organized and begun operations since 1895
The Hilton Coal Co., of Hilton and the Central Coal Co., near Avery

List of Coal Mines
1896

Coal Mine Accidents
coal mine accidents for the two years ending June 30, 1895
The Iowa & Wisconsin Coal Co. explosion of 1894
Disaster at the Lost Creek Mine January 24,1902
Disaster at O'Brien Coal Mine Lovilia

Monroe Co. miners injured or killed (Newspaper Articles)
George Roberts of Hiteman
Martin Albertson
Joseph White of Hilton. (Ottumwa Courier August 15, 1905)
Frank Hartshorn

Monroe Co. Coal Miners
Submit your data
Photos, obits, bios,etc.
William H. Lewis
Thomas J. Lewis
Frank Hartshorn
Xavier Lennie Sr.
Xavier Lennie Jr.
Louis L. Lennie
Henry Lennie
Eugene Lennie Sr.

Coal Mines in other Iowa Counties
What Cheer Coal Mine Map Key map to What Cheer mines in Keokuk Co.
State Inspector's List of Mahaska Co. Coal Mines for the year ending June 30,1885
Mahaska County Coal Mines Key map
Boone County, Iowa Coal Mines
Excelsior Coal Mine Mahaska County
Pekay Coal Mine Camp Lucas County

A little about coal mining history
A Tour Through An Albia Coal Company Mine Monroe County 1878
Coal Mining in Iowa 1870-1940
As I Remember by Mrs. Minnie London Includes memories of Buxton
Delving into 'Athens of North'

Terms used in the Coal Industry

[counter]