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WHEELER'S GROVE Wheeler's
Grove began as a promising town near the present Wheeler's
Grove Church in Section 16, Grove Township. It was sub-divided
in 1905 and stage coach lines were passing through until
the railroad came and it, like many other small towns, died.
The town of Eminence also began to thrive after being laid
out by L. D. Woodmansee in 1875, but like Wheeler's Grove,
was destined for an early death when the railroad came through
Macedonia. A bustling town was growing in the northeast
corner of Section 28. There were five churches within a
small radius.
Nearby, the Mormon Cemetery hold the graves of many of
the early settlers. The two oldest graves date back to 1869.
Burial plots are six foot wide and run from north to south
with families buried in a row.
Commonly seen in the 1970's are deer, coyotes, red fox squirrels,
ring-necked pheasants, gophers, ground hogs, badgers, and
an occasional gray wolf. Draft horses are a definite minority,
oxen extinct, gasoline and diesel engines are our source
of agricultural power. Four and eight row equipment and
self-propelled combines work the land. Land sells for an
average of $1250 per acre in Grove Township.
Many homes have air conditioning. Fuel shortages are forcing
people in our day to think of solar heating and other sources
of energy. Let it be know that Grove Township will adjust
to the changes with a forward look.
FAMILY HISTORIES
GEORGE ADDISON
George Harrison Addison came to Oakland, Iowa in 1889 and
lived on the same street [then called Grab Street] for 33
years, until his death on March 2, 1922.
He ran a rendering plant, one of the first until he retired,
and his son George H. Addison, Jr. took it over, running
it for 40 years, he owned the first house on Grab Street.
George Jr. dug wells and many farmers today are still using
these wells.
Another brother Dess D. Addison settled at Minden, Iowa and also ran a rendering
plant for forty years, he also dug wells, and moved large buildings, moving the
Minden school house out two miles east of Minden on the old Cook farm. The school
was remodeled and the family moved in after fire destroyed their home in the spring
of 1915.
The street in Oakland, Iowa is now called Addison Ave.
ADKINS FAMILY
Tradition says a man named Atkins, "an Irishman from
Wales," came over about 1820, and settled in Ohio.
His son Lewis, moved to near Galesburg, Illinois, where
his own son, John Beckwith Adkins, was born in 1851. John
grew up, married Sarah Catherine Tucker [whose father was
called "Old Dan Tucker"], and had a family of
nine boys and a girl in order: Clinton, Edward, Edith, Clell,
Lawrence, Ralph, John, Reuben, Russell, and Dean.
In 1892, after Ralph was born, the family moved to the area
where Iowa, Missouri, and Nebraska met, and in 1918, up
to the Council Bluffs area. Except for Clinton and Lawrence,
who died young, each Adkins married and raised several children.
Previously the Adkinses had rented farms, but then they
bought land, mostly near Council Bluffs.
Edward moved to Oregon about 1912, and Edith married in
Hamburg, Iowa, where she remained. Clell, who followed to
Council Bluffs in 1923, became the first farm owner in the
family. Ralph's family lived in a log cabin in the 1930's,
where Malmore Acres is now. John Jr. paid for his farm largely
by selling melons and vegetables. Russell fished a bottle
from the river with a girl's name and address in it, looker
her up and married her. Two years later, Reuben married
her sister. Dean, who bought a farm half covered with cottonwood
trees, sold enough trees for lumber to finish paying for
it.
Many descendants of this family still live in Council Bluffs, in the bottom lands
south of town and in the hills north and east of town. There have been no famous
legislators or scientists, but a tribe of honest, hardworking Americans.
EDWIN ALDRICH
In March 1899, Edwin W. Aldrich [1852-1915] and his wife
Nancy Victoria [Myer] [1856-1932] gathered their household
goods, farm equipment, and livestock, which they herded
on the road, moved to Griswold community. The family of
11 children ranging in age from 20 to a small baby lived
there for a few years then moved to a farm in Center Township,
where the family grew up.
The oldest daughter married a Griswold man, The sons began
to scatter as they grew up, several going to the west coast.
Son, Gus, went to South Dakota, where he settled at Pierre;
Roy settled in Broken Bow, Nebraska. both married local
girls and lived out their lives in those communities.
When World War I broke out, four of the sons enlisted in
the service. Ralph was a Marine, receiving a wound in Germany.
Gus, Walter and Carl joined the Navy.
Hugh, Walter and Carl lived out their lives in the Oakland
Community. Walter died in 1930. High [1883-1973] married
Elisabeth [Lizzie] Inman [1883-1934] in 1905. Their family
consisted of: Mrs. Frank [Edna] Peck, Mrs. Robert [Lila]
Green and Mrs. Everett [Evelyn] McMaster. Lila and Evelyn
reside in California, Edna in Avoca, Iowa. Carl [1899-1970]
married Artie Neighbors. They have two daughters: Marjorie,
New Jersey and Cathy, Sioux City, Iowa.
Hugh served as a rural mail carrier for 25 years beginning in 1920. He served Route
4, southeast of Oakland. When the dirt roads were impassable, he drove the 35 miles
with a team and buggy. When some farms were isolated by drifted snow, he often borrowed
a riding horse from the farm which he was able to reach, then rode to the patrons
who were snowed in. He kept a sleigh in the earlier years which he often put to
use. He retired at age 65, lived to be 90, the last of his family of 11.
ROBERT ALEXANDER
Robert and Mary Janette Alexander left Pennsylvania and
came to Iowa about 1870. In 1871 they bought a farm north
of the blacksmith's shop in Grove Township where Mrs. John
Frain, Lawrence, Hollis and Norma Frain now live.
[Transcribers note: I question those dates as their youngest
daughter, Ella Belle Alexander was born 3 Aug 1873 in Biggsville,
Henderson Co., Illinois. I would say that the family arrived
after Aug 1873 and before the marriage of their other daughter,
Mary Elizabeth Alexander on 2 March 1875.]
Robert and Janette had five children [actually they had
six], Mary Elizabeth who married George Frain, William Alonzo
who died at an early age, Ella who married Jack Kilgore;
John who married Bell Brock [Bell Alexander, Brock was her
second marriage, Alexander was her maiden name.]; and Joseph,
who married Sarah Mercer. Another child died in infancy.
Mary Elizabeth and George Frain were the parents of Mattie,
Viola, Nettie, Lydia, Henry, Elmer, Sylvester, John Arthur,
Clarence, Ernest, and Leona. Most of them lived in Pottawattamie
County all their lives.
John and Bell Alexander moved to Council Bluffs and had
3 sons: Alanzo, Alfred and James.
Ella and Jack Kilgore were the parents of Clyde, Arthur, and [Vesta] Viola Kilgore.
[Two sons, Carl and Ralph died as small babies and are buried in the Carson Cemetery.]
Joseph and Sarah were the parents of Delpha, Morris, Vena, Jennie, and Verne Alexander.
They moved to Adair and later to Polk County. by Neva Kisks.
DR. T.C. ALEXANDER
Dr. Thomas Carr Alexander was born in Union County, Indiana,
on September 25, 1839, and came to Big Grove in the fall
of 1852, where he lived with his parents until 1861, when
he enlisted with the Indiana Volunteer Infantry. His initiation
in war procedures took place in Page County, Indiana, where
they camped for two days. During the Civil War period he
engaged in many of the principal battles, including Pea
Ridge, Vicksburg, Look Out Mountain, and Mission Ridge,
where he carried the colors above the clouds. As he engaged
in battles in Ringgold and Resaca, Georgia, he received
wounds in both legs and spent time in several hospitals.
He was mustered out of service at Louisville, Kentucky,
on August 20, 1865, and returned to Big Grove, where he
made his home.
He was married on March 24, 1864, to Miss Phoebe Huff,
daughter of Louis and Susan Huff. Later that year he moved
to Jackson County, Kansas, and farmed the following year.
He then sold the farm and commenced the study of medicine
under an old army surgeon at Holton, Kansas. He studied
there for three years after which he took
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several courses at the E. M. Institute in Cincinnati, Ohio. He practiced his profession
in Holton, Kansas until 1874, when he returned to Big Grove, where he resided and
practiced medicine until his retirement in 1918.
He had two children, one son Elmer Ellsworth, who married
Mary Etta Palmer, daughter of Daniel Palmer and one daughter,
Laura Belle, who married Oliver Bilger. The daughter passed
away leaving three children, Lloyd, Phoebe, and Carr, whom
the grandparents legally adopted and reared in the Oakland
community as Big Grove was later called.
Dr. Alexander was the first N.G. of the Oakland #442 of
the Independent Order of the Odd Fellows established in
Oakland on the 13th day of January, 1882, and continued
membership until his death. He served the community for
many years and passed away at his home in Oakland, in May
of 1923.
Lloyd married Bessie Marsteller of Harrison, Nebraska,
and had a family of two sons and two daughters.
Phoebe married Roy Denton and they had one daughter. Roy
passed away in 1932 and Phoebe married James Piles in 1953.
Carr married Eunice Luxford, daughter of Jacob and Julia
Luxford.
At this time the widow of Lloyd lives in Pueblo, Colorado, and Carr's widow lives
in Oakland.
JULIUS ALFF
Mr. and Mrs. Julius Alff and two children came to the United
States in 1869 from Germany. He left Germany because he
had fought in two wars and there were rumors of a third
one coming. His father served as a guard for Kaiser Wilhelm
and had to salute him every day.
They settled near Hastings, Iowa. Later they moved to Pott.
Co. They lived on a farm northwest of Big Grove, now known
as Oakland. Our father Lewis Alff was born while they lived
in Mills Co. near Hastings.
In 1881 Julius Alff purchased 80 acres of land in Belknap
Township, 5 miles southwest of Big Grove [Oakland].
They later moved to this farm. There were eight children
, and four others children died in infancy. The children
were: Herman, Gustie, Wilhelm, Lewis, Adolph, Minnie, Henry
and Matilda. This family of ten plus the carpenter lived
in the granary while their house was being built. The granary
still stands and is used for storage.
Julius Alff was a rock mason and laid foundations for houses
and other buildings in the neighborhood. He laid the foundation
for his house.
He was one of the group of men who organized the St. Paul's
Lutheran Church of Oakland.
Julius Alff died in 1900. His son Wilhelm Alff farmed the
place until he died.
Lewis Alff, who married Anna Brockman in 1895 and had been
farming near Neola, moved to his mother's farm in 1911.
There were ten children in this family: Minnie, John, Robert,
Anna, Emma, Lawrence, George, Edward, Alfred and Delmar.
Edward died in 1948. They all attended school at Belknap
#5.
This was a musical family, Lewis Alff played the accordion,
Anna played the organ, she played for church services and
at home for the family sing alongs. All the boys played
the accordion except one. Two of the girls chorded on the
organ. They played for dances, that used to be held in homes.
The boys still play for dances.
For many years they did custom work, with a steam engine
threshing machine, corn sheller, buzz saw and a sawmill.
One funny incident comes to mind. A neighbor noticed a
light on upstairs
all the time and several people coming to our house each
week with one quite well dressed. The neighbor notified
the authorities. The sheriff arrived with a search warrant
to search the place. They were looking for a still. They
thought we were bootleggers. Were they surprised to find
the light upstairs was an incubator full of hen eggs ready
to hatch. The people coming each week was a confirmation
class. The well dressed man was a preacher.
One brother, Delmar, served in World War II four years.
He was stationed in the Pacific.
George married Annie Bird and they operated the farm until
Lewis Alff died in 1956. It was an estate again. They continued
to operate the farm. Anna Alff died in 1973. George Alff
purchased the farm in 1974. He has lived on this farm for
66 years.
The family of brothers and sister all live within a radius of 85 miles of the home
place.
DALE AND ALTA ALLEN
In the early 1870's both sides of Dale Allen's family journeyed
from the eastern part of our country to the Midlands-- the
Allens from Pennsylvania and the Hugh Babbitts from Illinois.
It was in Mills County where Dale was born to Ray and Pearl
[Babbitt] Allen on July 5, 1903, later moving to Pottawattamie
County in Wright Township in 1914 and Layton Township in
1919. Alta's grandparents too arrived about the same time
as the above-- the Jurgen Thiessens from the Boone area
and the Detlef Paaschs from Schleswig-Holstein, Germany.
The Paaschs brought two small daughters with them, Cecelia,
age 10 and Katie, 6. Through the years four sons were added
to the household-- Henry, Frank, Fred and Benny. The Thiessens
had 11 children named Henry, Hans, Maggie, Emma, Mary, Kate,
Anna, Dorothy, Bertha, Lena and Meta.
The Thiessens located on a farm south of Walnut while the
Paaschs farmed near Council Bluffs for several years before
locating in the area of the Thiessens also.
Cecelia and Hans Thiessen were married and had 5 children.
They are Mildred [Raymond McDermott], Walnut; Wilma [Herbert
Schaaf], Independence, Missouri; Herbert, Independence;
Harold, Atlantic; Alta, who was born on October 1, 1906.
The Thiessens lived in the Walnut area all their married
life. Cecelia died in 1923 and Hans in 1957. Alta taught
school from 1924 to 1927, 3½ miles south of Walnut
at the Gross school. Dale worked as a farm hand for Harry
McDermott and Mike Sievers.
On March 19, 1927 Dale and Alta were married. They moved
to Malvern. They moved in with Dale's grandfather on an
acreage until he passed away, then they moved to a farm
northwest of Malvern.
In 1935 the Allens moved to Knox Township and farmed 1½
miles east and 1 mile south of Avoca, purchasing the same
in 1943 from Metropolitan Life Insurance Company at $70
per acre. In 1958, they purchased the Chris Hinz farm ¼
mile south of the home site, which is farmed by son, Charles.
The family consists of 4 children, 14 grandchildren and
1 great grandchild. They are as follows: Dorothy Eggerss,
Avoca; postmaster at Marne, children --Marty, Linda, and
Patti; Dale Edward, Atlantic; instructor in Atlantic high
school, wife Bonnie [Bates], children -- Michael, Keffery,
and Amy; Charles, Avoca, farms, wife--Laura Ann [Andersen],
children-- Janet, Wayne, Barbara and Larry; Patricia, Omaha,
Nebraska, husband - Bob Rodenburg, vice president of Paxton
Mitchell Foundry, children - Bobbi, Lori, Gary, and Sherry.
Ryan Woodard, great grandchild, son of Lori and Doug Woodard.
In March of 1977 the Allens observed their Golden Wedding
at the legion hall in Avoca with 350 people attending.
The Allens are avid sport fans, are members of the Trinity
Lutheran Church with Dale having served in several capacities,
such as Knox Township director, on
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A.S.C.S. Committee and presently serving on the board of trustees, a position he
has held for some time.
FIVE GENERATIONS OF ALLENS
In 1840 Jonathan Allen and his wife Jane, who were my [Jennie
Allen Myers] great grandparents, were one of five English
families to migrate by boat from England to the Island of
Jamaica and settle there. He bought land, began to raise
bananas and ginger. He belonged to the Church of England,
but the nearest church to where he settled was the Moravian
Mission Station of Bethany, so he became a Moravian. He
gave the land for what is now the "Zion Memorial Moravian
Church" in Christiana, Jamaica which was built by my
uncle Samuel Allen in 1907, who later became a missionary
there.
Family tradition has it that my great grandmother Allen
was the daughter of an English Nobleman, and Earl, who disowned
her because she married a commoner. They had three sons,
Thomas, Daniel, and Ebenezer.
Thomas Allen was my grandfather. His wife, Elizabeth Sewell,
was a descendant of one of the five families who came to
Jamaica in 1840.
Grandma and Grandpa Allen had five sons; Lewis, William,
Jonathan, Samuel, Thomas and four daughters; Margaret, Esther,
Marie, Jane. Two of the sons, William and Samuel were sent
to United States to be educated. They became Moravian Missionaries
after serving pastorates in the United States. William went
back to Jamaica where he died later. Jane was a registered
nurse. She worked at her profession in the United States,
Canada, Jamaica.
Jonathan was my father. He was born on the Island in 1867.
My mother, Sarah Reynolds was born in 1866 of one of the
families who made the trip together from England. They were
married in Christiana, Jamaica on December 22, 1887. To
this union eleven children were born. Eight in Jamaica--Alice,
William, Esther, Hubert [Bert], John, Laura, Vivian, Harry.
Three in the United States -- Jennie, Minnie, and Marie.
Five of their children are still living at this writing;
William of Portland, Oregon, John, Jennie, Minnie of Oakland,
Iowa and Marie of Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Jonathan was a banana and ginger farmer on the Island. In
1900 they decided to move to the United States seeking a
more opportune place to rear and educate their children.
They came by boat, landed in New York Harbor, taking the
train from there to Missouri, where they lived for some
time, where Jennie and Minnie were born. Later they moved
to Texas and Marie was born there. >From there they went
to Oklahoma and then to Oakland, Iowa in 1918. All of their
children at one time lived in and around Oakland. Three
children, many grandchildren, great grandchildren still
live here.
He was a farmer all his life until he bought a home in
Oakland, the place where the Doty Apartments now stand,
and retired in 1930. He passed away in 1931 and Sarah, his
wife, in 1944, having lived in Oakland community thirteen
and twenty-six years respectively.
In 1973 I, Jennie Allen Myers and my husband Joe Myers
went on a tour, on our Golden Wedding year to the Island
of Jamaica and visited many of the places where my family
lived before coming to the United States.
CHARLES E. ANDERSON
Charles Edwin Anderson was born in Niles, Michigan, July
17, 1857. He came to Council Bluffs with his father and
mother, Mr. and Mrs. William Anderson, for a time was ticket
agent for Rock Island Railroad. Later, he became Railway
Postal Clerk on Union Pacific; his trip being from Council
Bluffs to Cheyenne, Wyoming. In 1880, he marred Ida D. Carson,
a school teacher. They were living in western part of Council
Bluffs when the flood of 1881 occurred, die to an ice jam
in Missouri River. The water flooded from the river to the
Council Bluffs Post Office. He had to go to the U. P. Transfer
in a boat. Having enough of that, he hit for the hills.
He bought a acre from a farmer who lived in a valley which
is now Fairmount Ave. The farmer didn't include his driveway
in the deal so Charles gave 30 ft. and $30.00 for his share
of Fairmount Ave. He was the one who named the street and
later Fairmount Park at the end of the street. He built
a house on his acre and moved another in for a home for
his father and mother. His house had to be enlarged to accommodate
seven children and his wife's mother, Mrs. Amy Carson. Six
of his children were born in that house. There were five
girls and two boys. They were: Mable Corey, Florence Harper,
Ralph Anderson and Ruth Schenck [twins], Charles Anderson,
Evelyn Travis, and Dr. Eleanor Anderson. Evelyn was teacher
and principal of Harrison School in Council Bluffs, after
her marriage, teacher in Junior High in Macedonia, Iowa.
Dr. Eleanor Anderson was teacher, principal of Dodge School
in Council Bluffs, teacher in Omaha University, later became
president of Mather Junior College in Beaufort, South Carolina.
Evelyn and Eleanor have both retired. The other members
of Anderson family are deceased.
Charles died in 1914, while homesteading in Montana, after his retirement. His
wife, Ida was killed by a drunken driver at the county courthouse corner in Council
Bluffs in 1933.
DOROTHY [TURNER] ANDERSON
Jerome, son of John Hiram and Frances Turner, came to Pottawattamie
County by covered wagon from Des Moines County. He and his
wife Margaret Jane, homesteaded in Washington Township.
The children were Frank, Elmer, Harry, Lincoln, William,
Thomas, Oscar Bruce, Eddie, Laura, Mildred, and Lily. Jerome
helped establish the first school in Washington Township.
Oscar Bruce revived much of his education in Harlan. He
returned to Pottawattamie County to teach school at Washington
District #5. Later he farmed the Turner homestead. He was
married to Sylvia Thomas and they had three sons, Lester
L., O. Wendell, and Lerl H. [Jack].
After Sylvia's death, Bruce married Bessie Thomas Liddell,
a sister of Sylvia's. To this union one daughter, Dorothy
P. was born. Bessie Thomas Liddell had taught school for
12 years. Some of these years were at Washington #5. Dorothy
P. in later years also taught at this same school.
Dorothy P. Turner was married to C. Wayne Anderson from
Grace City, North Dakota. To this union two sons were born,
Kirk W. and Kent A. Both graduated from Oakland High School
where their mother also graduated. Kirk married Judith Monestero
from Omaha. They live in Oakland with twin daughters, Arleen
M. and Andrea K. Kirk carried on the tradition of teaching
at Iowa Western Community College, and Judy is employed
at the Oakland Savings Bank. Kent married Janet Nielsen
from Maryville, Missouri. They live in Ames with their son,
Jason K. Kent is a social worker with the Iowa Dept. of
Social Services, Polk County Offices, and Jan is employed
at the Iowa State University Library.
ERNEST AND LILLIAN ANDERSEN
Ernest was born in Borglum, Denmark, Feb. 3, 1908, the
son of Anders and Hedevig Paulsen Andersen and was one of
twelve children. He came to the United States in September
1927, to Missouri Valley. He had one brother, Nels, who
also came to the United States and now resides in Shelby.
Ernest came to the Avoca area in 1928 working for John Beuck,
living neighbor to Fred and Laura Johnson, who were Lillians
parents. Fred was born 1878, the son of John and Henrietta
Johnson. He had four brothers and a sister, Chris, William,
Henry, Louie, and Lena [Mrs. Clarence Larsen]. Laura was
born in Denmark in 1885, coming to the United States in
1902. She was one of seven children. Four of her sisters
also came to this country, Marie [Mrs. Chris Johnson], Maren
[Mrs. Anton Nelson], Marina [Mrs. Andrew Peterson], and
Annie [Mrs. Andrew Dahl]. Fred's and Laura's sisters and
brothers lived most of their lives in the Avoca-Shelby area.
Fred and Laura were married in 1905. They farmed the Fred
Hinz farm, where his son Vernon now lives, southeast of
Avoca. In 1922, they bought the farm northeast of Avoca.
They had two children Harry and Lillian, born 1909 and 1912.
Fred died in 1930, Laura cared for Fred's mother in Harlan
for twelve years, moved to Avoca in 1944 and died in 1968.
Their son Harry married Myrtle Paulsen and had one son,
Fred, who is now deceased. Lillian married Ernest in 1930
and farmed near Shelby for three years and moved to the
original Johnson farm in 1934. They had four children, Eleanor
born in 1930, Laura Ann in 1934, Marlin in 1940, and Robert
in 1944. Eleanor married Robert Wilke in 1948, farmed near
Avoca and moved later to Chariton, Iowa where she is currently
living and working for Hy-Vee-Chariton Wholesale. They had
three children, Allen born in 1948, and married to Kathy
Shimp, and have three children, Ryan, Rusty, and Katie.
Allen teaches history and coaches basketball at Odebolt.
Charlotte born in 1950, married Clarence Allen and have
three children, Chris, Amy Jo, and Trevor. They are in the
Air Force having been in Okinawa, Arizona, and now South
Carolina. Randy born in 1956 is employed in Chariton. Eleanor
married Charles Allen in 1954 and have been farm-
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ing with his father since 1959 southeast of Avoca on a farm owned by his father.
They have four children, Janet born in 1956, Wayne now student-teaching at Tri-Center
and will graduate from Northwest Missouri State University in May 1978. Wayne is
a sophomore at the same University, majoring in Animal Science and plays on the
Bearcat Football varsity team. Barbara is a secretarial student at the Iowa Western
Community College. Larr is in 8th grade at Avo-Ha. Marlin married Darlene Nelson
in 1963. Marlin was a milk-hauler for Farmers Co-operative Creamery and Goldfield
Creamery, ran a Standard Oil Tank Wagon in Shelby, and worked on a ranch in Wyoming
for a short time. After that he went into the trucking business on his own and he
and Darlene are currently operating the Andersen Trucking and Grain Buying business.
They live on the Willett farm west of Avoca. They have three daughters, Denise born
in 1964, Amy 1966, and Julie 1967. They attend Avo-Ha and are in the 8th, 6th and
4th grades. Robert married Linda Jensen in 1976 and they have one son, Wade born
1977. After graduating from school he also hauled milk, then went into the Army
in 1967, going to Viet Nam for a year and discharged in 1968. He then farmed, was
in partnership for a short time in the trucking business with Marlin and recently
purchased the Johnson family farm from his father, where he is not residing. Ernest
and Lillian retired from farming and moved to a new home on Cherry Street in Avoca
in January 1977. They are active members of the Trinity Lutheran Church and are
charter members of this church, having participated in the merging of the English
Lutheran Church and First Lutheran Church. Ernest was on the re-organization committee
for the Avo-Ha school system. Before moving to Avoca he served as Trustee for Fairview
Township, on the Shelby County ASC committee and Good Roads Association and other
community services and projects.
JOHN A. ANDERSEN
John A. Andersen was born at Neola in 1885. In 1907 he married Amanda Hamann [1888]
[see Chris Hamann]. They farmed 7½ miles north of Treynor. They later moved
to Treynor and started the Andersen Truck Line. John passed away in July 1961. Amanda
still lives in Treynor. They had four sons, Clarence married Margaret Goos [see
Adolph Goos], Arthur married Mabel Stortenbecker, Vernon married Alda Mass [see
George Mass]. And, John Jr. married Selma Sudmann [see Fritz Sudmann].
VERNON [SHORTY] ANDERSEN
Vernon Andersen [1920] married Alda Mass [1921] in 1939. Shorty and his brother
Clarence bought the Andersen Truck Line from their father John in 1940 and changed
the name to the Andersen Brothers. In 1944 Shorty went into the Navy and returned
home in 1946. He and Clarence continued working together until the early '50's.
Then Clarence sold his truck to John Jr. and Clarence bought a corn sheller. In
1953 Shorty and John Jr. put up a new garage and feed store in the west part of
Treynor. Shorty and Alda had five sons, Larry V. [1940] is a Wartburg College graduate
and now teaches at Lewis Central. In 1967 he married Jean Timmerman. They have three
children, Robert [1972], Laurel [1974] and Suzanne [1976]. They live in Treynor.
Roger L. is a Wartburg College graduate and a teacher at Treynor High School. He
married Marsha Parker in 1974. They reside on the Harvey Saar farm 3½ miles
southeast of Treynor. James G. [1946] graduated from Dana College and is working
in Council Bluffs. In 1972 he married Ellen Tilley and they reside in Omaha. Steven
J. [1947] attended Danna College four years and is working in Treynor. In 1976 he
married Connie Goos and they have two children, Angela [1976] and Aaron [1977].
They reside on a farm 2½ miles southwest of Treynor. Jeffery L. [1952] attended
J.F.K. College 1½ years. He works for a company in Omaha laying telephone
cable. He resides at home.
DR. AND MRS. G.C. ANDERSON
Dr. G. C. Anderson was born in Watertown, So. Dak. and
practiced Dentistry in Avoca from 1922 until his death April
1966 [44 years]. He was active in the Masonic and Eastern
Star, was on the School Board for fifteen years, held offices
in the Congregational Church and was a charter member of
Rotary Club, he was President of District and State Dental
Societies, he was made a "Fellow" in the college
of Dental Physicians of American Dental Association and
owned and managed a farm in Knox Twp. Pottawattamie County.
He married Mrs. G. C. Anderson [Edna H. Spaulding] in 1923,
she was the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. G. A. Spaulding an
Avoca practicing physician 34 years. She was a graduate
of University of Iowa in 1921. Their children were George
and Mary Frances. George was born 1926 and was in the U.S.
Navy 3 years. He has been a Doctor of Internal Medicine
specialty in Iowa City since 1953 and was married to Kathy
Bickle of Vinton, Iowa a registered nurse from University
of Iowa. He made "Fellows" in College of Physicians
and College of Chest Physicians of American Medical Association.
Mary Frances was born 1928 and is an Occupational Therapy
graduate of University of Iowa 1950, married to Dr. Keith
Campbell of Oskaloosa, Iowa in 1950. Dr. Campbell located
in Oskaloosa in medical and surgical practice since 1954.
They have four children and Scott is a practicing lawyer
in Oskaloosa since 1977. Mrs. G. C. Anderson is still living
in the family home in Avoca.
[This must be a misprint in the book but is apart of the
James T. Anderson family so I will add it with this family.]
W½ NW¼ and W½ SW¼ Section 23
Township 76 Range 39
These acres were owned by a railroad in 1856. It changed
hands many times, including a sheriff sale. The south 80
acres was sold to H.A. and Leahann VanBeck in January 1899.
After many transfers the north 80 was owned by Elijah Shack
deceased in 1876, leaving his wife and two minors late of
Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. The real estate was described
as wild, unimproved, unprofitable and not increasing in
value. The wards needed money for maintenance and education.
It was appraised at $840. February 1880 George Warner purchased
it for $560. An undivided interest was transferred to family,
Henry VanBeck and wife became owners in April, 1908.
Henry Pingel, son of John Pingel of Fairview Township,
Shelby County had come to Iowa with his parents at the age
of two in 1872. He married Anna C. Dau, daughter of Henry
Dau May 18, 1904; the family coming to Iowa after pioneering
in Sherman County, Nebraska and living in a sod house.
In 1922 the Pingels purchased this 160 acres from the VanBecks. It became the home
of various families and finally the present owners James T. and Elsie Andersen.
JAMES T. ANDERSEN
James T. Andersen was born to A. C. and Christena Andersen
in James Township March 1, 1906, one of eleven children.
Elsie Pingel was born to Henry and Anna Pingel, Fairveiw
Township, Shelby County July 18, 1908. Brother Elmer, 1906,
and Elsie attended country school till 1918, graduating
from Avoca High School in 1923 and 1926.
Memories of the Pingel home include boarding teachers,
a hired man, school programs, butchering, threshing crews
for days, birthday parties, Sunday company, warmth and beauty
of the hard coal stove, bay window of flowers, splendor
of the Christmas tree with wax candles in the seldom used
parlor.
James and Elsie were married September 8, 1931 at the Little
Brown Church. James was employed at the Farmers Cooperative
Creamery for twelve years. One son Jimmie was born at Council
Bluffs, July 24, 1938.
They started farming in Valley Township in March 1941.
There was electricity but experienced the many changes in
agriculture through the years. We used a cook stove, bathed
in a wash tub, carried water, milked by hand, made loose
hay, picked corn by hand and threshed grain. We were Farm
Bureau members serving elective offices, members of United
Methodist, Hancock. James served as a 4-H Leader, Iowa Dairy
Commission, Farm and Home Administration and school reorganization
committee.
Page 94
We began retiring in 1966 but have chosen to remain in our country home. We have
had a very busy and interesting rewarding life in our niche of God's green acres.
We leave our children a cherished heritage.
THE NEXT GENERATIONS
Jimmie Lee Andersen attended Fletcher country school through
the eighth grade in May, 1953. He graduated valedictorian
of the Class of 1957 of Hancock High School. He was active
in music, athletics, M.Y.F. and 4-H.
He enrolled in Agronomy at Iowa State. He participated
in vocal music. Agronomy Club and three honorary fraternities.
On December 18, 1960, Jimmie married to Janice Handlen,
daughter of Lynn and Leona Handlen at the R.L.D.S. Church
in Underwood.
After Jimmie gradated from I.S.U. in May, 1961, they moved
to Corvallis, Oregon to pursue a Master's Degree in Soil
Management which was received in June, 1963. While at Corvallis,
Jeannine Lynnette was born on December 24, 1961.
In July of 1963 the Andersens moved to Harlan, Iowa. Two
more children were born in Harlan; Joel Allan on August
13, 1964 and Jull Kristine on March 4, 1969.
Jim works for Farm Service Coop and is presiding elder of the Harlan R. L. D. S.
Church. by Mrs. James T. Andersen
JOHN ANDERSON
THIS COVERS 4 GENERATIONS
Post Office - Pigeon, Section 20. John Anderson - 1841-1921.
John Anderson came to Boomer Township, from Denmark, in
1868. He came alone to America, and lost all contact with
any relatives he had in Denmark. In 1869 he married Mary
Jensen [1844-1923], raised and educated in Denmark, Mary
came to America when she was about 21 years of age, her
parents, a brother and sister also came at the same time.
After the marriage of John and Mary Anderson they continued
to live the rest of their lives on the farm in Boomer Township,
SEction 20, that he had bought when first coming to this
country. They raised six daughters, Mary, Cecelia, Elizabeth,
Hannah, Christine, and Hazel, and two sons, Peter and John
David. Several children died in infancy or before they reached
adulthood.
One of the sons, John David Anderson [1885-1967] continued
to farm the family farm and on December 18, 1906, married
Frieda Christine Petersen [1884-1967], daughter of Chris
Petersen, Section 19, Boomer Township. They were the parents
of three children, James Donald Anderson, Adele Anderson
Murray, and Evelyn Anderson Wheat.
In 1919, John D. sold the farm in Section 20. He bought
and moved his family to a farm in Section 33, on the south
of Pigeon Creek. In 1930 he bought additional land, 432
acres in Sections 32 and 33. The family then moved to the
other home in SEction 33, and continued to farm both farms.
Some of this land was pasture and timber, but much of it
was cultivated. Twelve to sixteen herd of horses and mules,
and several hired men were needed to work the fields each
day. Many cattle, hogs and poultry were raised. Tractors
began to replace some of the field work done by the horses
about 1935. The rural electric power line was built in this
area and completed in the fall of 1936 - a great step forward
to farm living.
After graduation from Abraham Lincoln High School, in Council
Bluffs, J. Donald Anderson [1911-1971] joined his father
in farming. In 1934 he was married to Ruth Esther Darrington
[1912-], youngest daughter of William J. and Christina Hansen
Darrington. They were the parents of three children, Jane
Ann Kerber [1936], Jay Donald Anderson [1939] and Alan James
Anderson [1949].
John D. and Frieda retired from farming and moved to Council
Bluffs in 1948. John D. served 15 years on the Pottawattamie
County Board of Supervisors, resigning from the post in
1964.
J. Donald Anderson continued to farm the family farm, and
realizing the need and importance of Soil Conservation,
helped organize the West Pottawattamie Soil Conservation
District, served as president of the Iowa Association of
Conservation District from 1947-1950, and was a director
of the National Association of Conservation District from
1949-1951. He served as an area Vice President of the National
Association of Conservation District in 1952.
Jay Donald Anderson [1939] was married in 1963, to Gaylee
Laurel Selstrom [1939], daughter of Larry [1905-1976] and
Maude Selstrom [1905] of Gowrie, Iowa. Gaylee and Jay met
when attending Iowa State University. Gaylee taught Home
Economics in Kansas City, and after her marriage, at Logan,
Iowa.
They are the parents of two sons, Jay D. [1965] and James
Donald [1969]. They live in Section 19 and farmed a 200
acre farm. Jay also farmed with his father. After his father's
death he and his family moved into the family home in Section
33.
Jane Ann [1936] a graduate of Iowa State University, married,
becoming Jane Kerber. She is the mother of twin girls, Melinda
Sue, and Caroline Ann, born January 13, 1961, and Sarah
Jane [1964]. Jane later earned a Master's Degree from the
University of Missouri at Columbia. She is now a professional
medical librarian at the University of Texas A & M,
in College Station, Texas.
Alan James [1949] married Nancy Jean Nielsen [1949] whose
parents are Alice Gustine [1920] and Irwin Carl [1911],
Section 14, Garner Township.
Nancy and Alan graduated from Iowa State University. Alan
then received a juris doctor degree from the University
of Iowa and is now a practicing attorney in Logan, Harrison
County, Iowa. They are the parents of one child, Melanie
Jane [1976].
Jay now farms all the land alone that 45 years ago it was
necessary to keep many head of horses and mules plus two
and three full-time hired men.
This period, from the early 1930's-1977, has been on rapid
change. Man-hours of labor required to farm an acre of land,
and to raise and care for livestock have decreased rapidly
with new techniques in farming, and the mechanization of
the farm.
JOHN J. ANDERSON
John J. Anderson was a native of Germany born May 4, 1855
whose early life is detailed in 1891 History of Harrison
County. He attended school in winter and worked as a farm
labor in the summer in his early life. At 24 he bought 80
acres of land with the crops in Pott. County for $20 an
acre. After removing the crops he sold the land for the
same price and moved to Harrison County. He married May
4, 1882 on his 27th birthday to Sophia Klopping born Nov.
27, 1859 in Shelby Co. eldest daughter of August and Annie
Klopping. Four daughters were born in Harrison Co. Louisa-1883
[lived 3 mos.], Anna -1884, Emma-1866 and Dora -1890.
About 1892 they moved to a farm near the present site of
Bentley. The roads were so muddy when they moved that eight
horses were required to pull each wagon. A new house was
being built on this farm in 1894 when a son Henry was born.
William [Bill] was born in 1896, Harry in 1899 and Carl
in 1901. Gypsies sometimes camped near their home when the
sons were still young. When they came asking for food, Sophie
would hide the youngest son in a window well with a cover
until they left.
One hundred seven acres to the west was added to their
one hundred sixty acres at $67½ an acre. In 1902
the Great Western Railroad was constructed through their
farm.
John and his sons were excellent horsemen. They broke many
horses for riding and working. John built a horse barn and
put the framework together with wooden pegs. The barn is
still in good condition. John passed away in 1922 and Sophie
lived on the farm until her death in 1930.
Emma married Ralph Scott. They had two children Paul and Mildred. Henry married
Marie Vesey. They had one son Robert. William married Ruth Turner. They had one
daughter Betty. Anna, Dora, Harry and Carl never married and continued on with the
family farm. Harry served with the Army in World War II and had artistic talent
shown in pictures he painted. Dora passed away in 1945 and Anna in 1959. Harry and
Carl continued farming and feeding cattle until Harry's death in 1972. Carl then
sold the land which had been in the family for eighty years. He had a farm sale
and moved to an apartment in Council Bluffs and later purchased a home in Underwood
where he now resides.
W.R. [BOB] AND LUCILLE ANDERSON
William Robert [Bob] Anderson, son of Henry A. and Marie
[Vesey] Anderson, born April 12, 1916 grew up on a farm
in the Underwood area and graduated from the Underwood High
School in 1933. He married Lucille Tiarks, daughter of Anton
and Louisa [Torneten] Tiarks, November 23, 1937. Lucille
grew up on a farm west of McClelland and walked ¾
of a mile to Garner No. 4 country school, then drove to
McClelland High School two years and
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graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in Council Bluffs in 1933.
The first year of their married life was spent in Corpus
Christi and San Antonio, Texas where Bob drove a bread truck
for the Fehr Baking Company. In 1939 they started farming
and feeding cattle on the Stulgie place east of Bentley
then moved to the Addison farm east of Hancock in 1944.
After farming there two years they bought the Cliff Jones
farm in Washington Township where they moved in Febrauary
1946. They enjoyed traveling and beside making many cattle
buying trips to Oklahoma and Texas they went to New York
City and Niagara Falls. From Miami they took a boat to Cuba
and from Los Angeles they flew to Hawaii. They continued
farming and feeding cattle until 1975 when Bob had cancer
which took his life Feb. 4, 1976. They have one child, Janel
Marie, born July 16, 1945. She attended the country school
in Washington Township and graduated from Oakland High School.
She graduated from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South
Dakota with a Bachelor of Science degree and is a registered
nurse. She married Larry Allen, son of Jack and Donetta
[Ketchum] Allen, September 2, 1967. They have five children,
Kimberly, Barbara, Becky, Sandra, and Kevin. They live in
Carson and have the Allen Implement Company and The Carson
Machinery Auction Company.
HOWARD FISHER ANEY
Two of the most prominent families living in Underwood
at the turn of the century were the Elmer F. Aneys [wife,
Mary Charles Aney] and Henry G. Fishers [wife, Hannah Marie
[Graybill] Fisher]. H. G. Fisher founded the town of Underwood.
Elmer Ansey was the town's first mayor. These families were
joined with the marriage of Hannah Albera [Allie] Fisher
[b. 17 May 1886, d. 23 June 1972] and Howard Aney [b. 19
June 1885, d. 22 October 1962] on 4 May 1910, divorced 1926.
Their son, Howard Fisher Aney was born in Laurens, Iowa
on 14 October 1917, Allie graduated from Graceland College
at Lamoni, Iowa 7 October 1908 with a music degree and taught
piano for most of her life. Howard Fisher Aney graduated
from Underwood High School in May 1936.
During World War II, Howard met Evonee Marcelline [Bonnie]
Stoker. The youngest child of Byron Stoker [b. 10 October
1889] and Mary Whilhemina [Roberts] Stoker [b. 13 December
1887, d. 15 November 1957] was born in Neola, Iowa 19 July
1923. She graduated from Neola High School in May 1940.
The couple was united in marriage at the Underwood Reorganized
Church of Latter Day Saints on 15 February 1946, and established
their home in Underwood. Until 1954, the Aneys operated
Aney Electric in Underwood, a General Electric dealership
and electrical contracting business. In 1954 Howard accepted
a position as chief electrician at Ak-Sar-Ben Field in Omaha,
Nebraska. At various times Howard served the community as
secretary of the school board, town clerk, rural mail carrier,
and school board member. Bonnie served as town clerk from
1970 to 1975. As active members of the R.L.D. S. Church
in Underwood, they have served as officers and willing workers.
Three loving children were born to these fourtunate parents.
1. Vicki Nan [Aney] Grote, b 12 August 1948, Council Bluffs,
[m. Rex Douglas Grote, b. 7 March 1948, on 26 February 1972;
reside on farm south of McClelland, Iowa; children: Seth
William Homer Grote, b. 7 September 1975 and Lindsey Kristine
Grote, b. 19 September 1977]. 2. Kristi Lyn [Aney] Smith,
b. 31 August 1951, Council Bluffs, [m. Jon William Smith,
b. 15 February 1951, on 22 August 1971]. Jon born in McArthur,
Ohio, elememtary teacher and musician, graduate of Graceland
College. 3. Howard Fisher Aney II [Jr.], b. 8 June 1955
in Council Bluffs, [m. Mary Bridget [Voss] Aney, b. 16 July
1956, on 8 September 1976; pre-school head teacher, graduate
of Iowa Western Community College]. Vicki and Kristi attended
Underwood Community Schools and Graceland College at Lamoni,
Iowa. Vicki received a B.A. in music education in 1970 and
taught vocal music in schools in Harlan, Iowa and Treynor,
Iowa through May 1975. Kristi received a B.A. in elementary
education in 1973, and worked as an elementary education
teacher in Eaglesville, Missouri and teacher-librian in
Blairsburg, Iowa, residing in Webster City, Iowa at this
time. Howard, Jr. graduated from Underwood Community College
in May 1973, worked as an apprectice machinist in Council
Bluffs until 1976, when he came a full time machinist, residing
in Council Bluffs.
The Aney family have always been a very close-knit family who enjoy doing things
and being together.
EARL W. APPLEGATE
Four Generations
Earl W. 2nd youngest of the Francis W. Applegate family,
a native of Pottawattamie County was born Dec. 11, 1875.
Married Lillie Bane - August 22, 1900 - she was born August
26, 1880, daughter of W. O. and Sarah Bane.
Shortly after the wedding, perhaps their honeymoon, they
went to Colorado. Spent sometime in Leadville. Dad A. drove
6 head of mules on a logging wagon for a lumber camp. Due
to the extreme winter and illness of Mother Applegate they
returned to the home area and started farming in James Township.
A son, Ivan was born in 1902, he was but a babe when fire
destroyed their home. Most of the furnishings were destroyed
- A dearly loved organ given as a wedding gift from the
bride's parents was saved. They rebuilt and lived here for
6 or 7 years before moving ½ mile west to what became
known as the home place.
Dad and Mother Applegate belonged to West Star Church,
later joining the Evangelical Church and finally Methodist
Church. Dad was a Mason - Mother an Eastern Star.
Children of this union were: Ivan, Vera, Mervin, Earl,
Lola, Ruby and Ethel.
Ivan born 1902, married Dorothy Brackin, What Cheer, Iowa.
His education and training took him away from this area.
Living in Pittsburgh, Penna. - Chicago, Illinois and now
at Port Charlotte, Florida. They have two sons, Gerald [Jerry]
and Leon - Jerry and Anne living in Richmond, Virginia have
four children - Sharon, David, Steven and Jan. - Leon and
Carolyn of Laurenburg, North Carolina have 2 - Mike and
Martha.
Vera born 1905, married Walter Dermyer of Oakland, Iowa.
Vera taught school for several years then she and Walt moved
to Omaha, Neb. and later to San Diego, California, where
they now live.
Mervin and Earl stayed with farming.
Mervin born 1907 - married Herbert Thomas, Oakland, Ia.,
who died in 1950. They lived and farmed his father's land
in Belknap Township. They had one sone, Martin, who married
Ilene Watkins, they have three sons, Tom, Todd and Timothy.
- Upon his father's retirement, 1963, Martin moved and took
over farming operation. Mervin married Mary Briggs 1952.
Earl born 1909, lived until retirement, 1969, on the home
place. Married Ilene Leaders, Minden, Ia. - 5 children blessed
this home, Donald, Roger, Marilyn, Karen and Richard. -
Donald married LaDonna Olsen, have 3 sons, Douglas, David
and Dean. - Roger third generation living on home farm,
married Ruth Grell Rush - Marilyn married Gene Ralston,
live in Omaha, Neb. with daughter Debra. - Karen and husband
Les Johnson, Rockwell City, Ia. - children are Sheila, Kristi,
and Lana. - History repeats itself, one son of this family
left the farm following his years in service and resides
at Yorkville, Illinois. Richard and wife, Toni have 3 daughters
Robin, April, and Heather.
Lola born 1912, married Orville Walla, Morse Bluff, Neb.
She lives in San Diego, California. Orville passed away
1962. Children are: Gary, Sue and Douglas. Gary and Sandra
live in Okeane, Ohio with 2 sons, Mark and Tom. - Sue married
Tom Humphrey living at Vista, California - Children are
Shelly and Jim - Douglas and wife Shelly live in Vancouver,
Washington.
Lola married Robert Billins 1970.
Ruby born 1914 married Harry Hummel, Oakland, Iowa. 14
years of their married life was spent in Oakland, Harry
was manager of a grocery store. During these years Connie
and Diane were born. Later the Hummel's purchased a theatre
at Scribner, Nebraska. Another daughter, Ellen was born
here.- Connie married Marvin Marreel, Hooper, Neb. where
they live with 2 children, Jill and Joel. - Diane married
Patrick Simoda, Maui, Hawaii. - Orange, California is their
home. Children are Scott and Stacy. Ellen married Alan Ott
living in Hooper, Neb.
Ethel Born 1917 at oakland, Iowa. Died in 1960.
F.M. APPLEGATE,
The Pioneer
Francis M. Applegate and Harriet Rudisill were born in 1836
and 1835 in Ross County, near Cincinnati, Ohio.
They were married in 1857 at Ft. Madison, Iowa. They lived
in Darris County, Iowa [3rd county from Mississippi River
along south state line]. Their first child, Mary Jane was
born here but lived only a short time. They then moved to
Clark County, Missouri [northeast Mo.]. The Civil Was broke
out and Grandpa Applegate served 4 years in the Missouri
Cavalry. They lost 2 children, Edward and Eva, during the
war. Grandpa A. was stationed in Cape Girardeau, Missouri
on the Mississippi River. Grandma A. was maybe going to
join him or leaving to go to Fort Madison, anyway Kate was
born on the river boat, 11-11-1864, near Alton, Illinois,
just north of St. Louis. She was named Kate Kearney after
Captain Kearney, captain of boat.
After the war ended they moved to Ohio, Otway 1866 and Belle
1867 was born in
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Hamilton County, near Cincinnati. When Belle was 3 they moved to Hancock County, Illinois
across the Mississippi River from Ft. Madison. George was born here in 1870.
Later they moved to Iowa, where Grandpa's mother Rosanah and
stepfather Henry Applegate [Grandpa A's uncle] lived - west
of Fort Madison.
Henry built a little new house and Grandpa A. and family moved
into the big brick house where Henry's had lived. Both houses
were in the same yard. 3 years later Grandpa A. and family
set out for Pottawattamie County. They were two weeks on the
road and arrived there Nov. 10, 1873. They passed through
Ottumwa, Creston, Corning, then to Lewis. They brought a little
pup along and lost him somewhere on the way, but he finally
showed up. They also brought 2 milk cows and a heifer. The
kids took turns walking along to see that they didn't get
tangled in the ropes.
The family all slept in the covered wagon except Granpa, he
slept under the wagon. The team of horses fed from a feed
box on the back of the wagon. Camp was made about 6 p.m. and
usually near a farm house so they could get water.
Grandma's sister, Aunt Ann Judy and Uncle John went along
the first day as far as Farmington [a town on the Des Moines
River near where the south boundary of Iowa joins the river].
They ate dinner then returned to their home.
From Lewis, Iowa the Applegates came west across country and
stopped at Palmer's store. It was just west of the corner
north of the cemetery [now Oaklawn]. They saw one gravestone
in the cemetery. They crossed the [Zentmire] bridge over west
Nishna and traveled northwest. They stopped at Jonas Rudisill's
[Grandma A's brother] who lived 6 miles of where Hancock now
is. They stayed until they got lumber hauled and a house built.
Moved in December 1874. Grandpa A. had come out with Jonas
Rudisill previously and picked a location, bought 40 acres
of land at $9.00 an acre.
For years most everything was hauled from or to Avoca - Household
goods were shipped to Hastings and hauled from there.
Big Grove was what the settlers first called the community
but it was changed to Oakland in 1882 after a branch line
of the Rock Island Railroad was built here. Drury was the
first depot agent.
Earl W. born 1875 and Lote 1877 in Pottawattamie County. At one time the Applegates
lived 1½ miles north of West Star Church and were active members, Harriet died
8-29-1912, Francis M. died 7-14-1915. Both at Oakland, Iowa.
GEORGE F. APPLEGATE
Francis M. Applegate born in Ft. Madison, Iowa, 1836, was
a descendant of Thomas Applegate of England, born in 1600.
Frank M. name he preferred, was married to Harriet L. Rudisell
on Nov. 15, 1857 in Fort Madison. They lived near Bloomfield
in Davis Countyl Hancock County, Missouri four years until
1864, moving around the state with Home Guard and Volunteer
Service during the Civil War. Their next homes were in Ohio
three years, back to Ft. Madison. In 1873, they came to Pottawattamie
County in a covered wagon. Their trip took two weeks. Towns
they passed through on their route, which now is Highway 34,
were Ottumwa, Osceola, Creston, Corning, Lewis. Arriving at
Palmer's Store west of Oaklawn Cemetery.
They stayed with Mrs. Applegate's brotherm until their home
could be built in James Township.
Their six children: Belle [Levi Rucker], Early W., Otway F.,
and George F. spent most of their lives in or near Oakland.
George F. followed carpenter trade, the other living on farms.
George F. born 1870 was married in 1916 to Josephine Judy,
born Bertha Ann Casberg in 1883. Her parents gave her away
as a baby to Mrs. Annah Judy, a sister of Mrs. Applegate.
Annah Judy renamed her Josephine Judy. They lived 3 years
in their first home, where Harley H., Ward W. were born. They
then moved to the home southeast of old school, where they
lived until George died in 1943. Here, Harriet E., Shirley
I. were born. Shirley, May 1922 died here August 1941. Josephine
Applegate died in Avoca, October 1945 at the home of her daughter,
Harriet [Mrs. Don Larimore].
As a coincidence, another pioneer, Charles F. Schilling, who
resided in Avoca, was a salesman for Fay Stocking Company.
He would travel to Oakland by train, spend day selling stockings
to local residents, frequently eating lunch at George Applegate's
home. His grandson, Don Larimore, many years later me and
married Harriet Applegate. They have no children.
Harley Applegate married Margaret Jorgensen at Avoca in 1946.
Cynthia Ann and George Neil are their children.
Ward Applegate married Kathryn Cavanaugh at Camp Crowder, Mo., 1942. Now, lives in
Council Bluffs, Iowa. Their children are: Shirlee Marie, Nancy Jo, Brian, Douglas,
Donna Jo.
LYLE EDWARD ARMSTRONG
Lyle Edward Armstrong, long time farmer of Pottawattamie County,
was born August 2, 1913 on a farm northeast of Lewis in Cass
County, Iowa. In 1916, he with his parents, Clarence Edward
Armstrong and Hester [McCarty] Armstrong, moved to a farm
west of Lewis. The farm, which is located in the northwest
quarter of Section 13 of Wright Township and a half mile south
of Wright Schoolhouse #1, is the site of his present home.
On February 6, 1934 he married Letha Leota Walter, daughter
of Arthur Walter and Ada [Worth] Walter of Lewis.
Their family consists of six children: Lyla Louise born December
4, 1934; Teresa Marie born March 11, 1940; Mildred Elaine
born October 11, 1941; Raymond Lyle born July 14, 1943; Linda
Lorraine born February 5, 1949; and Carol Lynn born June 18,
1960. Lyla, Teresa, and Elaine graduated from Mercy School
of Nursing at Council Bluffs, Iowa. Raymond owns and operates
Armstrong Plumbing and Heating in Atlantic, Iowa. Linda graduated
from Bergan Mercy School of Nursing in Omaha, Nebraska. Carol
is enrolled at Creighton University School of Nursing in Omaha,
Nebraska.
Clarence Edward Armstrong was born north of Walnut, Iowa,
April 9, 1882. He was occupied as a farmer, thresher and corn
sheller of 67 years in Pottawattamie County. He first began
shelling with horse power, gas engine, tractors, and finally
a mounted sheller on a truck body. Clarence married Hester
McCarty, daughter of Michael McCarty and Mary [FitzPatrick]
McCarty on September 19, 1911. Their family consisted of Lyle
Edward born August 2, 1913; Mary Louise born 1914-died 1919;
Gail born January 4, 1916; and Mildred born May 19, 1919.
Mrs. Lyle Armstrong [Letha Walter] recalls her great grandmother Mrs. Grandville Pierson
telling how she rescued her daughter [Mrs. Thomas Worth] from a band of Indians who
had captured the child. The Indians were camped near the Grandville Pierson home,
Northwest of Griswold in Section 24 in Pottawattamie County. The Pierson's woned a
large section of land reaching to the town of Griswold, also a large section of land
in Council Bluffs [approximately where the railraod tracks are located today].
ERWIN J. ARNDT
Erwin John Arndt was born September 22, 1924, in Kennan, Wisconsin,
the son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Arndt. He is one of a family
of eight children. His grandparents were of Schleswig-Holstein,
Germany. His mother Huld Tegen Arndt, was the daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Tegen, of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany.
Erwin attened grade school in Kennan and graduated from the
Phillips, Wisconsin High School in 1942. In November, 1942,
he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving as Chief Electrician
on the U.S.S. Dempsey. He was
Page 97
discharged in 1946, and went into business with his father,
an electrician, in Kennan.
On July 10, 1948 he married Roma Lehnhardt, daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. Harry Lehnhardt of Walnut, at the Congregational
Church in Oakland, Iowa. They are the parents of one daughter,
Karen Louise, born July 29, 1950, at Phillips, Wisconsin.
In the fall of 1950 Mr. and Mrs. Arndt and baby moved to Council
Bluffs, Iowa where Mr. Arndt was employed with the Union Pacific
Railroad, as an electrician.
Erwin Arndt and family came to Walnut in 1951 and opened an
electrical business under the firm name of Arndt's Electric.
In 1958 they sold the business to his brother, Ralph, who
continued the business until 1964. Mr. and Mrs. Arndt and
Karen moved to the farm owned by her parents in February,
1958, located 10 miles south of Walnut and reopened the electical
business under the name of Hancock Electric.
In 1966 they purchased the building where they are presently
located [1977] from Paul Burke and Marie Bailey of Omaha,
Nebraska. At this time the store was enlarged to include housewares
and giftwares as well as electrical supplies. The name was
changed back to Arndt's Electric at this time [1966].
On November 16, 1974, Karen Arndt was united in marriage to
Terry De Winter of Marshalltown, son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter
De Winter of San Diego, California. They have one daughter,
Andrea Suzanne, born March 17, 1977. ANTON
AUSDEMORE
Anton [Tony] Ausdemore was born on Jan. 5, 1898 in Dunlap,
Iowa. He is the oldest child of Joseph and Elizabeth Fischer
Ausdemore. When Tony was about 7 years old, the family moved
to Neola and Tony farmed in the area all his life.
In April 1924, he married Helen Remmes of Dunlap. Helen was
the daughter of Frank and Wilhelmina Grote Remmes. Her father
died when she was 2 years old. She had 1 brother Frank and
he worked the farm for his mother until his death in April,
1946, Helen's mother passed away on June 30, 1948.
Tony and Helen have a family of 7 children. Donna was born
June, 1925 and married John Sobotka in Sept. 1954. John was
a World War II veteran and they have lived on a farm outside
of Omaha since their marriage. Irene was born July, 1927 and
married John Konz in May, 1947. The are the parents of 11
children, Gerald married to Sandra Merkert and is farming
near Minden. They have 4 children; Matt, Sheila, Michelle
and Scott. Robert served in the US Army from 1969-70 and is
now farming near Shelby, William is married to Kristie Clausen
and live on a farm near Avoca. Their children's names are
Todd, Stacey, and Brian. Marilyn and her husband, Dennis Jipsen
are living on a farm near Griswold with theisd in Minden,
Shirley is married to Timothy Cannon and resides in Omaha,
Nebraska. Her major is Elementary Ed. and Psychology. Colleen
is enrolled at NWMSU in Maryville, Missouri and is majoring
in Business. Vicki, Julie and Danny are attending St. Albert
High School.
Leonard was born April, 1929. He married Laura Miller in April
1960 and they are engaged in farming in the Neola area. Laura
is a registered nurse, and they have 6 children; Leonard,
Patrick, Ann, Teresa, Susan and Janice, all students at Underwood
School. Walter was born inAugust 1931. He served with the
U.S. Army in the Korean conflict and married Rosemary Ring
in May, 1957. Rosemary is a regustered nurse and employed
at Mercy HOspital in Council Bluffs and the family is engaged
in farming. They have 5 children; Gary, farms with his father,
Sally, a nursing student at Nebraska Methodist School of Nursing
in Omaha, Amy, Tony and Ron, all students at Underwood School.
Ruth was born in June 1933 and was married to Ervin Kinz in
May, 1954. Ervin served in the Marine Corps in the Korean
conflict. They are engaged in farming and have 4 children;
Marcia is a registered nurse and married to Charles Dusing,
Jr.; Elaine is a Special Ed. major at Clarke College in Dubuque,
Iowa, Don and Ken are students at St. Albert High School.
Harry was born in March 1935 and married Lucille Bruck in
Nov. 1957. He is engaged in farming in Harrison County. They
have 3 sons; David, James and Dennis, all students at the
Tri-Center Schools at Neola. Mary was born May 1942 and married
Richard Cronk in July 1960. Richard is on the Council Bluffs
police force and they have 5 children; Jean, Kelly, Angela,
Valerie and Sheryl, all students at St. Albert's school system
in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Tony and Helen celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in
a private celebration with their family on April 29, 1974
and on June 2, 1974, they had open house for friends and relatives.
Helen passed away on June 20, 1974.
JOSEPH
AUSDEMORE
Joseph Ausdemore was born Sept 30, 1868 in Merzen, Germany.
His parents were John Theodore and Maria Anna [Wellmann] aus
dem Moore. He had 2 older brothers, Theodore and Heinrich
and a younger sister, Wilhelmine.
The family name has been traced back to 1797 in Germany when
it was spelled aus dem Mohre. By 1848, the spelling had
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changed to aus dem Moore. Through immigration process, as
the family came to America, the name became Ausdemore.
About 1882, Joseph's brother Theodore came to America and
settled with his Uncle Henry in Crofton, Nebraska. In 1885,
Henry sent for Joseph to come to Crofton. After farming for
5 years with his uncle, Joseph moved to Neola, at the age
of 22 and worked on the farm of Jim Langin about 7 years.
In 1897, Joseph was married to Elizabeth Fischer at St. Patrick's
church in Dunlap, Iowa. Elizabeth was born June 25, 1879 in
Co. Bluffs and lived in Neola. Joseph and Elizabeth settled
at Dunlap; while there, 3 of their children were born.
The oldest Tony, was born Jan.5,1898, married Helen Remmes
in 1924. They farmed at Neola and have seven children; Donna
[Sobotka], Irene [Konz], Leonard, Watler, Ruth [Konz], Harry
and Mray [Cronk]. Veronica, the 2nd child of Joseph and Elizabeth,
was born June 2, 1899 and died in 1902.
Barbara was born Sept. 10, 1904 and married Garrett Brummer
in 1920. They farmed at Dunlap and had 3 children; Edward,
Geraldine [Reinart] and Regina Mae [Jones]. Barbara died in
1964. On Feb. 11, 1903, Joseph and Elizabeth bought a 147
acre farm south of Neola from J.G. and Estella Bardsley. The
location is SE¼ SE¼, Sec. 36, 77.42 and W½
SW¼ and NE¼ SW¼, Sec. 31, 77.41. They
built the house on this land in March, 1905.
On Jan. 3, 1909 their fourth child, Helen was born. Helen
married Ted Stamp in 1937. She taught in Pottawattamie county
school for 20 years. In Nov., 1977, Helen was chosen Iowa
Master Farm Homemaker of 1977. They farm outside Persia and
have 3 children; Babetta [Lucke], Dannie and Nadine [Ridder].
Another daughter Regina, was born on Dec. 16, 1911. Regina
married Fred Hadfield in 1932. They farmed outside Neola and
had 5 chldren; Joseph, Mary [Danker], George, deceased, Fred
and Betty [Darrington]. On March 1, 1912, Joseph and Elizabeth
purchased an additional 40 acres from G.W. and Maude Gusie.
This land joins the original famr and is located SE¼
NW¼, Sec. 31, 77.41.
A second son Francis, was born to Joseph and Elizabeth on
SEpt. 21, 1915. Francis served in the Army during World War
II as an M.P. He married Regina Hookom in 1949. They settled
in Torrance, California and had two daughters; Frances and
Barbara. Francis died Oct. 29, 1971.
Another son Ambrose was born Oct. 18, 1917. He served in the
Army in the European front during World War II. He married
Cecilia Temme in 1948. They farm the home place of Joseph
and Elizabeth. Ambrose and Cecilia have 6 children; Dale,
Sharon [Thonvold], Karen [Scholl], Marion, Lynn and Pam. Joseph
and Elizabeth's 8th child is Joseph, Jr. born June 29, 1922.
Joe married Maude Matthis in 1951. They farm at Walnut and
have 2 sons; Duane and Dean.
Joseph Ausdemore died Nov. 20, 1936 at the age of 68. Elizabeth
lived on the farm with her sons Ambrose and Joseph until her
death, Feb. 9, 1943.
RUBY MATTHEWS BAILEY
Ruby J. Matthews was born Nov. 15, 1917, daughter of Orrin
L. and Sadie Matthews. She went to Oak Grove Rural School
and graduated from Oakland high school then worked at various
jobs for several years. She married Raymond Bailey in 1951,
a pair of twins were born to them, Mary and Robert (who
died at birth). Mary is now married to Marine Sgt. Robert
Blevins and they are stationed on the Marine Base in Kansas
City. They have one girl, Misti. Ruby's older son, Norman
Roggasch was born in 1942. He lived and went to school in
Omaha, Neb., went into the Navy in 1959 and was stationed
on the Air Craft Carrier Ticonderoga. He was discharged
in 1963 and married Dianne Ray. They have two boys Norman
Jr. and Billy.
DONALD D. BAKER
Donald Dean Baker married Helen Joanne Zauche, June 8,
1958 at Dubuque, Iowa. Don Baker was the oldest of three
sons born to Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Baker, Hastings, Iowa on
August 14, 1936. Helen was the youngest of two children
born to Mr. and Mrs. Carl Zauche; Peosta, Iowa, December
31, 1935. Don grew up on a dairy farm; Helen grew up on
a Hereford farm. Both attended country schools and after
high school graduation in 1954 they met at Iowa State University
in 1955. Both worked at the Memorial Union at Iowa State
while attending college. Helen graduated with a Home Economics
Education degree in March, 1958; Don graduated with an Agricultural
Education bachelor's degree in November, 1958.
They lived at Charles City, Iowa where Helen was employed
as Floyd County Extension Home Economist until Nov. 30,
1959. Don was employed there at various jobs until his active
6 months duty with the National Guard. Upon completion of
the active duty he taught the Veterans-on-the-Farm classes
at Charles City.
Phillip Dean Baker was born January 1, 1960--the New Year's
baby for Floyd County. The family moved to Newton, Iowa
when Don began working as a fertilizer salesman for Swift
& Co. Steven John Baker was born Sept. 12, 1962 at Newton,
Iowa. The family was then transferred to Mason City, Iowa
by October 1st for Swift & Co. In March, 1964 the Bakers
moved to the Fort Dodge area where Don managed a fertilizer
plant for Monsanto Co. at Moorland, Ia. Susan Lynn Baker
was born at Fort Dodge, June 18, 1965. Soon after her arrival
Don chose to work for the Iowa State University Extension
Service. The family moved to the Denison area in November,
1965 and Don worked as a 4-H and youth leader for Monona
and Crawford Counties. In the fall of 1967, Helen started
teaching junior high Home Economics at Ute, Ia. The family
moved to Ute and Don went back to Iowa State University
a year later to work on his Master's Degree which he received
in November, 1969. The family moved to Oakland in Feb
ruary, 1970, though Don had begun his work in East Pottawattamie
County in November as County Extension Director.
Helen taught Home Economics at Avo-Ha starting in the fall
of 1970. The family bought the home of Mary Vieth at 901
Palmer St. and moved into the town of Oakland during that
Christmas vacation. Prior to that the family had rented
the farm home belonging to Edna Tyler, four miles west of
town. Helen continued teaching at Avo-Ha for four years.
When the Golden Rule store announced they were going out
of business in Oakland, Helen decided to quit teaching and
open a fabric shop "Helen's Stitch 'N Time" in
August, 1974. Her first fabric store was in the green cement
building north of Rubacks. Within less than a year the space
was outgrown and the fabric store was moved to what had
formerly been Potter's dime store. The building is now owned
by the Oakland Historical Society. The north part houses
the museum and the south section is the fabric store.
Helen's father, Carl Zauche, was brought to the Oakland
area April 26, 1974. He resided in nursing homes in Council
Bluffs and Omaha until there was an opening for him at Oakland
Manor in Sept. 1974. He is presently under their tender
loving care.
The Don Bakers are active members of St. Paul's Lutheran
Church, Oakland.
This completes our history through Dec. 1, 1977. By Helen
Baker
THE BAMFORD FAMILY
The Bamford family moved to Washington Township in Pottawattamie
County from eastern Iowa in the early 1870's, coming across
the state in a covered wagon. Our mother, Mary Kerber, grew
up in Indiana but came to Iowa to be near her brothers who
had come West. There were three children in our family.
I have a sister, Phyllis, and a brother, Oscar.
I always enjoyed hearing our father, George W. Bamford,
tell of the pioneer days. He and an older brother had helped
break prairie, using a team of oxen on the plow; when they
were very young boys. For a while they had to go six miles
to get their mail before rural routes were established.
Needless to say, it was very helpful when telephones were
installed in the country, even though there were ten families
on one line.
Our father was a Justice of the Peace for many years and
was later elected as a Township Trustee. He was on the Council
of Defense during World War I. Being on the Election Board
meant that it took many hours to total the votes after the
polls were closed.
I recall that the bob sled was the means of travel for
winter as we usually had heavy snows. It was a thrill to
me as a child to go the four miles to Mt. Hope church in
the sled on Christmas Eve to attend and take part in the
Christmas program. A Christmas tree with lighted candles
was beautiful. Some people took gifts to put on the tree
and there was always a sack of candy for each child to take
home. We attended Sunday School and Church regularly, going
with a team of horses on a carriage when weather would permit.
We had a Sunday School orchestra for several years and Oscar
and I played in it. I also played piano for Sunday School
and church for several years.
We enjoyed attending country school and usually walked
with neighbor children. It was always exciting to prepare
a program and have a Box Social at our school.
During the cold winter days many people would work to cut
blocks of ice from the creeks to fill their ice houses for
summer use.
There were many chores each day as we had cattle, hogs,
and chickens to care for besides the work horses. Of course,
we churned cream for butter for ourselves and sometimes
had some butter to sell.
One of the special events of the year was when the threshing machine came to our
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neighborhood to thresh grain.
We raised a good garden each year and canned fruit and
vegetables, also dried apples and sweet corn. Our father
liked to have a large patch of melons so we had extra melons
to share with relatives and friends. He has a potato planter
which he gladly loaned to anyone who wished to borrow it.
He usually planted a large patch of potatoes.
There have been many changes since the days when we had
to depend on horses for all farm work and transportation.
After the death of my parents, I moved to Council Bluffs.
I accepted the position of housekeeper for the Historic
Ogden Hotel, a position I held for more than twenty years.
Since retiring, I have done volunteer work for my church,
the T. B. Association until they closed the County office,
the Red Cross, and the American Cancer Society.
Oscar and his wife, the former Ollie Hughes, lived in Council
Bluffs a few years and then moved to Denver, Colorado. Phyllis
and her husband, Glen Best, and I have been residents of
Council Bluffs for many years.
GEORGE BAMFORD
I remember my father, George Bamford, telling many things
about the pioneer life when, as a young man, he came to
Washington Township, Pottawattamie County from eastern Iowa
in the early 1870's. He came with his parents, three brothers,
two sisters and one grandparent. He met and married Mary
Kerber from Indiana, who was housekeeping for two brothers
in York Township.
Many people got lost as there were no roads--just trails--and
no fences. Many of the houses were log cabins. Their first
house was a dug-out with a branch and sod roof.
Hunting was good--prairie chickens, quail, rabbits, etc.--so
there were many hunting trips. Life was pretty rugged but
with gardens and their own meat people were quite self-sufficient.
Butchering was done every winter. Soap making was an early
tradition that has been handed down to this day.
The Bamford's raised lots of potatoes and many bushels
were hauled with team and wagon to Council Bluffs and Omaha.
This meant leaving home at 4 o'clock in the morning to reach
the market in time. There was no bridge across the Missouri
River, which was crossed on a ferry.
Later they raised sorghum cane and made molasses in the
fall. This was a very busy time as they kept the fire under
the evaporator going day and night. This also meant stirring
and skimming constantly.
The Bamford's helped start two churches--Fairview in Washington
Township and Mt. Hope in Hardin Township. One Bamford brother
became a minister and later generations have followed in
his footsteps. Many were farmers in the early generations
but now there are many occupations represented in the family.
By Phyllis Bamford
WILLIAM OSCAR BANE
William Oscar Bane (1855-1935) was the son of Ephriam Bane
(1819-1899) and Josinah (Ricky) Bane (1825-1918) who were
married Dec. 25, 1891 and came by covered wagon from Harvey,
Penn. in 1865 to Ill. where they lived for a time. Two daughters
were buried there. Thence they came to Anderson, Iowa near
Sidney in Fremont County.
William Oscar or W. O. as he was so well known in later
years, met Sarah Ann Young Phillips (1853-1933) while she
was visiting near Sidney. Sarah Ann was from Washington,
Iowa, daughter of John (1811) and Mary Jane Adams Young,
who both came from Flemingsburg, Ky. where they lived on
a farm inherited from his father. They emigrated to Washington,
Iowa where Sarah Ann was born the sixth of nine children.
W. O. and Sarah Ann were married April 4, 1878. They moved
to eighty acres given to them by her father in Section 29
in southern James Township six and one-half miles northwest
of Oakland, which is now the home place. They added to this
as years went by.
They arrived at their new home Dec. 1878 which was a homesteader's
shack with no wood of any kind. They burned straw in which
their household goods were packed and about froze. The next
day W. O. drove to Big Grove for firewood. They soon planted
a big grove around the place. Sarah Ann always said "I've
stepped over every one of these trees."
W. O. and Sarah reared a family of six children, Mary Phillips
Ellicott, whose father, William Phillips, died when she
was a baby, Lillie Bane Applegate, Isaac Oscar, Grace Chilson
Killion, Manuel H. and John Young. Three children did not
reach adulthood.
W. O. and Sarah moved to Oakland in 1909 where they lived
until their deaths.
Isaac Oscar Bane (1886-1969) married Mae Dell Potter (1888-1975)
daughter of George C. Potter and Ida Mae Rinehart, the second
of nine children, LeRoy, Mae, Edith, Rubye, Hazel, Beulah,
Sybil and infant daughter. Her mother died when she was
twelve years old. Her father later married Zada Phillips
Totten. They had two children, Opal Plumb and Milton.
Isaac and Mae moved onto his father's farm and lived there
for the next forty years. They raised six children, Doris
Mae, George Oscar, Kenneth Elton, Marjorie Louise (Mrs.
Leslie Stevens), Robert Austin and John Alexander. Robert
lives in Minden at the present time. All the rest of the
children live on farms near Oakland or in Oakland.
Isaac, better known as I. O. or Ike, was one of the first
to sell solid tired Republic trucks in the county. He and
his brothers, Manuel and John, were the first ones to haul
livestock to Omaha in these trucks. Also used G.M.C.'s later
long before the roads were paved. Ike was one of the first
to start soil conservation by building dams in ditches to
catch water and soil.
After retiring in 1945 Ike and Mae bought a cottage on
a lake in northern Minn. near Deer Lake where they spent
their summers. In the winter they lived at various places
in Florida, Texas, California and Mexico. They bought a
house in Oakland in 1967 and spent their remaining years
there.
BARRY BANE
Barry Oscar Bane and Sandra Kay Seibold were married August
10, 1963. They have lived on the Archie Stude farm in Pottawattamie
County ever since.
Barry is the first son of Oscar and Mona Bane of Oakland,
Iowa. He was born on a farm west of Oakland, has always
lived in or near Oakland area. He graduated from Oakland
High School and served 3 years in the Army. Barry spent
over 2 years in Germany working in the Army Security Agency
at Baumholder. Since then, Barry has been very busy farming.
Sandra is daughter of Edgar and Margaret Seibold of Springfield,
Nebraska. She graduated from Nebraska Methodist Hospital
School of Nursing and has been employed as an RN at Jennie
Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs since their marriage.
After 13 years, Barry and Sandy were blessed with the arrival
of their son, Roy Oscar, born March 27, 1976, then with
their daughter, Sara Kay, born July 31, 1977. They have
many hopes for their two new little citizens of Pottawattamie
County. Maybe, someday they will also, be a farmer and a
nurse.
DORIS MAE BANE
Doris Mae Bane, oldest child of Ike and Mae Potter Bane
was born in a small house just west of the present Bane
home place. She attended rural school, James #8, Oakland
High School and University of Northern Iowa. She taught
in country school James #8 and #9 a total of five and one-half
years. For the next thirty-four and one-half years she taught
in Macedonia, Oakland, Estherville and Waterloo, Iowa schools.
>From May to October Doris spends her time in Deer River,
Minn. in her home on Deer Lake. The rest of the year she
spends in her home in Oakland. She enjoys oil painting,
fishing, gardening, reading and playing bridge.
HOWARD AND DOROTHY (DORT) BANE
Howard Austin Bane was born Feb. 6, 1925 to Manuel and
Hattie Keplinger Bane, on his parents' farm located in James
Township, Sec. 31. He attended James #9 to the seventh grade
and took seventh grade through high school at Oakland.
He married Dorothy Ann Eyberg, Feb. 22, 1948. She was born Oct. 7, 1925 to Arthur
J. and Hattie E. Guttau Eyberg, in Washington Township, Sec. 32. She was a member
of Zion Congregational of Treynor and Oakland Congregational Church after her marriage.
She is a graduate of Treynor High School. Her two sisters are Vernetta Liddell and
Wanda Denton and two brothers Hugo and Dean Eyberg.
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Howard and Dorothy have four daughters, Linda Frizzel, Denise Bever, Cheryl Karas
and Connie Bane. Also three grandchildren, William J. and Machell Frizzel and J.
W. (Jack) Bever.
Howard is a member of the Grand Lodge of Iowa, Scottish
Rites Low Twelve Club, Scottish Rites 32 Degree. He has
twenty-five miles of terraces on his farm. He was the recipient
of the Iowa Soil Conservation Achievement Award in 1964;
Goodyear Conservation Merit Award 1974. They have a large
hog raising set-up. Starting in 1971 with two sows and sixteen
pigs to 1976 with 177 sows and 1603 pigs.
Cheryl Eileen Bane Karas, born June 22, 1955 in James Township
in Sec. 32. She, like her sisters, was very active in athletics
in the Oakland Community High School. She graduated in 1973.
After graduation she chose to live at home and help with
the livestock and farming. On August 31, 1974, she married
Doyle Karas and they farmed with his father in Cass County.
Nov. 25, 1977 they moved to the former Manuel Bane home
place and are farming in partnership with her parents.
Connie Marie Bane, born Sept. 19, 1957 in James Township
in Sec. 32. She is a member of the Congregational Church
of Oakland. She is a graduate of the Oakland High School
(1976), where she was interested in sports; won an Industrial
Arts Award; was in Who's Who Among High School Students
(1974-75) and again in 1975-76. She was a member of the
National Honor Society in 1975-76. She attended Iowa Western
Community College where she studied Building Construction.
She and Whip Wilson were the first girls to enter the class.
She enrolled at William Penn College where she was the first
girl to major in Industrial Arts. She is also majoring in
Recreation. She is planning a trip to Europe in 1978.
Linda Bane Frizzel and Denise Bane Bever's histories will
be found elsewhere in this book.
JOHN ALEXANDER AND MARY ELIZABETH TAYLOR BANE
John Alexander Bane was born March 8, 1919, the youngest
son of Isaac Oscar and Mae Dell Potter Bane, farmers in
James Township. Brothers and sisters include Doris, Oscar,
Kenneth, Marjorie (Mrs. Leslie Stevens) and Robert A.
He received his grade school education in country school
James #8. His teachers included Vera Applegate (Dermyer),
Avice Anderson (Danford) and Mildred Miller (Bolton). Due
to the poor health of his mother, the family spent several
winters in a warmer climate and he was taught by his mother
and sisters. He graduated from Oakland High School in 1937,
where he was active in many sports.
The summer of 1934 John, brother Kenneth and cousin Harold
Chilson launched their home made boat in the Missouri River
near Omaha and sailed downstream to St. Louis, where they
were met by their parents. John, nicknamed Skipper, returned
home to enter his sophomore year in high school. Kenneth
and Harold continued on to the Gulf.
August 1939 he was married to Mary Elizabeth Taylor. They
became the parents of two sons, Terry Roger and Robert Michael
and one daughter, Beth Ann (Lesley).
John attended Lincoln Aeronautical School, earning his
A & E Mechanics License. Later he became a pilot and
flight instructor. He was a test pilot for Glenn L. Martin
in Omaha, Nebr., testing B-25's, B-26's and B-29's until
he was inducted into the army. Due to the shortage of A
& E mechanics he was put in the air-force reserve serving
as a mechanic for Western Air Lines.
In 1950 he started farming and now farms in partnership
with his son, Robert. It is interesting to note that John
bought his land in an eight year period and the price ranged
from $325 to $900 an acre.
Mary Elizabeth was born Dec. 30, 1917, the 12th child of
Orval Oscar and Louise Osler Taylor of Macedonia. She attended
grade school until 5th grade in 'Donia, moving to Carson
and graduating from High School in 1934. She participated
in music and athletics. She and her brother, Johnny, sang
and danced at many functions. Brothers and sisters include
Ora, Earl, Opal (Smalley), Laurence, Itol (Smith), Elton,
Harold, Kenneth, Lucile (Hardiman, Wilfong), Frances (Musselman,
Hicks), John and Joyce (Gochanour). Her main interests are
sewing, writing poems and enjoying the three grandchildren.
John and Mary enjoyed bowling for a number of years with
the Farm Bureau League. Are members of the Oakland Methodist
Church. John is a member of the Masonic Lodge. Mary is a
member of Eastern Star and Women's Federated.
Terry Roger, born October 12, 1941, on his Grandmother
Taylor's 64th birthday. Graduated from Oakland High School.
Attended the Air Force Academy for three years until both
knees were injured. He received his degree in Electrical
Engineering from Iowa State College. He and wife, Deborah
(Kendzora), live in Phoeniz, Ariz., where he is employed
by Micor as a Systems Engineer.
Robert Michael was born Oct. 11, 1944. Graduated from Oakland
H. S. and attended Iowa State College. He served four years
in the Air Force. He is married to Carole (Kunze). They
are the parents of Michael Douglas, Corey Robert and Kimberly
Sue. After his tour of duty he was employed by R.C.A. and
began farming in 1970.
Beth Ann was born Dec. 30, 1947. Graduated from Oakland
H. S. Attended University of Iowa and ECPI in Omaha. She
is married to Cloyd Lesley. Both are employed in Detroit,
Michigan as Computer Programmers.
JOHN Y. BANE
John Y. Bane, youngest son of William O. and Sarah Ann
Bane, was born in James Township. He attended District #8
grade school and was graduated from Oakland High School
in May 1917.
On December 21, 1920, he was married to Ruth Setz, daughter
of Felix and Ethelinda Sets of Washington Township.
After their marriage they moved to a farm five miles northwest
of Oakland in James Township. They lived on this farm until
1951 when they moved to a ranch near Sallisaw in Sequoyah
County, Oklahoma.
He served eight years as trustee and as a member of the
election board of James Township.
They have two sons, Charles and William both of Sallisaw,
Oklahoma.
Charles was married February 28, 1948, to Betty Orchard
of Omaha, Nebraska. They are the parents of two sons, Paul,
who is pastor of the Free Methodist Church in Claremore,
Oklahoma, and Mark, a senior at the University of Arkansas.
William (Bill) was married April 24, 1954 to Margaret Black
of Sallisaw, Oklahoma. They are the parents of Sarah Lynn,
a senior at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Douglas,
a senior, and Rebecca, a junior, in Sallisaw High School.
The family are members of the Free Methodist Church.
KENNETH AND DOROTHY McPHERRIN BANE
Kenneth Elton Bane was born March 30, 1912 in James Township,
Sec. 29, second son of Isaac Oscar and Mae Potter Bane.
He is living on the farm where his father and grandfather
lived. He has two planes and flies them on pleasure and
business trips to Florida, Minnesota, Texas, California
and Wyoming. His sons also fly the planes.
He was a member of the C. A. P. and helped with floods
in Council Bluffs. He was a Past Master of the Masons, member
of the Soil Conservation Service and the Oakland School
Board.
He and his three sons farm 1300 acres in partnership. He,
his brother, Johnnie, and a cousin Harold Childon, built
a boat and sailed it down the Missouri, Mississippi and
around the Gulf of Mexico to Corpus Christi, where they
sold the boat and were brought home by their parents, who
came after them.
Kenneth Bane married Dorothy McPherrin, daughter of John
and Dorcas Thompson McPherrin. Dorothy was one of triplet
daughters born on a farm in Belknap Township, Sec. 5. Dorothy
is interested in lapidary. She collects rocks while traveling
to California and other parts of the country.
Kenneth and Dorothy have four children, Kenneth Mac (1939) married (1964) to Doris
Sindt (1943) of Reinbeck, Ia. and have two
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daughters, Teresa (1966) and Melinda (1969). Mac and Doris live on the farm where
his mother was born. They have built a new house there. Mac is a Past Master of
the Masons and served in the Air Force National Guard. He graduated from the Iowa
State University.
Rodney Bruce (1940) lives on the homeplace. He was in the
Air Force National Guard. He is a graduate of Iowa State
University. He enjoys skiing in Colorado.
Sally Dee Bane Lynas (1942) married in (1966) to Richard
Lynas (1938) of San Diego and lives at Imperial Beach, Calif.
Sally graduated from Iowa State University and was a member
of the Delta Zeta Sorority.
Joel Richard (1947) married (1974) to Pamela Williams (1948)
of Crescent, Iowa, in Council Bluffs. They live a mile straight
south of his Dad's place in James Twp., Sec. 32. Joel is
a graduate of Spartan School of Aeronautics and served with
the army in Vietnam. He and Pam enjoy skiing in the mountains.
Since retiring Kenneth and Dorothy spend their winters
in California and summer in Iowa and Minnesota.
MANUEL AND HATTIE BANE
Manuel H. Bane, born May 16, 1893, fourth child of William
Oscar and Sara Young Bane, on the Bane home place in James
Township, Sec. 29. He attended rural school, James #8 and
graduated from Oakland High School in 1914. He went to the
University of Iowa and earned a Degree in Dentistry in 1917.
While in college he met Hattie (Kep) Keplinger, born June
24, 1893, at Bedford. Her father was a doctor there. She
graduated from the University with a major in music. They
were married August 1917.
Manuel made arrangements to use the office of a local dentist,
Dr. Curran, to make his father, W. O. Bane, a set of false
teeth. The family joke is that they were the most expensive
false teeth in the country, as this was the only such dental
work he did.
Jack, as Manuel was called, and Hattie decided to farm
at first because he was being drafted, however the armistice
was being signed before he had to go. He continued farming
with his brother, Isaac. They later moved to a farm in Sec.
31, in James Twp. and lived there until his death in Sept.
1954.
They had one son, Howard Austin, who farms the home place
besides other land. Hattie (Kep) taught school at James
#9 for several years, she also taught piano. She passed
away in May 1973. She and Manuel are buried in Oaklawn Cemetery.
Manuel and Kep have four granddaughters, Linda Frizzel,
Denise Bever, Cheryl Karas and Connie Bane; three grandchildren,
William J. and Machell Frizzel and J. W. (Jack) Bever.
Kep was an only child while Manuel had one half-sister,
Mary Phillips Ellicott; two sisters, Lillie Applegate and
Grace Chilson Killion; two brothers, Isaac and John Y.
MARY PHILLIPS BANE
Mary Phillips was the daughter of Sarah Young and William
Phillips. After the death of her father, her mother married
W. O. Bane. Mary did not use her father's name; but went
by the name of her stepfather, thus Mary Bane.
Mary Bane married in 1899, to Joseph M. Ellicott. He had
come to Iowa from Toledo, Ohio, where his parents settled
after leaving Canada. They had two daughters: Ruth Frances
and Lois Ioma. Mary and Joseph lived on a farm west of Oakland,
Iowa. Both daughters were born there. They gave up farming
later and moved to Sidney, Iowa; later in 1914, they moved
to Council Bluffs, Iowa, where they lived until their death.
Ruth Frances is married to Daire Farrell. They lived in
Council Bluffs, Iowa. They had a daughter, Cleo, and a son,
Dennis. Cleo married and had two daughters and two sons
living in Council Bluffs. Sue married and is living in Des
Moines, Ia. She had two sons and one daughter: Wayne, Jennifer
and Justin.
Amy is married and living in Council Bluffs, Ia. They have
a son and a daughter: Jacob Alexander and Aubrey Ann.
Kim, the oldest son, is not married and is living in Iowa
City, Ia. Mark the youngest of the family, is not married
and living in Denver, Colo.
Dennis Farrell is married and has two daughters: Lisa Ruth
and Laura Kathleen. They are living in China Lake, Calif.
Lois Ioma is married to John C. Brooks. They are living
in Council Bluffs, Iowa and have three sons: James Gordon,
Robert Bruce and Richard Allen. James is married and lives
in Council Bluffs, Ia. They had two daughters: Linda and
Janet.
Linda is married and living in Sioux City, Ia. They have
one son; James William, and one daughter; Christy.
Robert Bruce, married and living in Louisville, Ky. They
have one son and two daughters: Richard, living in Minnesota,
Susan, married and living in Louisville, Ky. (no children)
and Debbie, living with her parents in Louisville, Ky.
Richard Allen is married and has three daughters: Jane, Emily and Carol. Jane is
married and has one daughter, Kara. Emily is married and has one daughter, Karen.
Carol is not married. They all are living in St. Louis Park, Minn.
OSCAR AND MONA BANE
George Oscar Bane was born Jan. 1, 1909, to Isaac Oscar
and Mae Dell Potter Bane in James Township, Sec. #29. He
went to the elementary school at James #8 and attended Oakland
High School. He had three brothers, Kenneth and John of
Oakland and Robert A. of Minden; two sisters, Doris and
Marjorie (Stevens) of Hancock. He was married to Mona Ruth
Winans, Jan. 1, 1931, at her parents' home west of Carson.
Mona was born Nov. 1, 1912, one mile west of Carson, Sec.
3, to Zaidie Lucinda French and Everett Malin Winans. She
had two brothers and three sisters, John, Dean, Hope (Cleaveland),
June (Chilson) and Gail (Frost). She received her education
at Carson Consolidated School and Simpson College.
Oscar and Mona lived on a farm in Sec. 31, in James Township
till 1941 when they moved to Oakland and Oscar ran the gas
truck for Standard Oil Co. In Feb. 1951 they moved back
to James Township, Sec. 28, living on the farm formerly
owned by Oscar's uncle, John Y. Bane, now of Sallisaw, Oklahoma.
To this union were born three children, as they grew older,
were very active in sports and school activities.
Barry Oscar Bane was born Feb. 8, 1935. He graduated from
Oakland High School, later he spent three years in the army
in Germany as a member of the Army Security Agency. On August
10, 1963 he married Sandra Kay Seibold, of Springfield,
Nebr., a registered nurse. They have two children, Roy Oscar,
born April 27, 1976 and Sara Kay, born July 31, 1977. Barry
lives in James Township, Sec. 20 and farms with his father.
Carole Annette Bane, born Aug. 31, 1936. She graduated
from Oakland High School and attended Wesleyan College.
Nov. 10, 1956 she married Stanley Danker of Minden. They
moved to a farm in York Township, Sec. 20, where they still
reside. They have six children, Roshell Lucia, born Dec.
1, 1957; Peter Lance, born March 24, 1959; Yvette Dara,
born Oct. 18, 1961; Dellana Dee, born June 26, 1964; Paul
Derrick, born Dec. 5, 1969. They attend Oakland Public School
except Roshell. She is taking Pharmacy at Creighton University.
James Justin Bane was born Sept. 20, 1959. He graduated from Oakland then spent
three years in the service as a Lab. Technician. He graduated from Dana College
with an A.B.S. Degree and from Clarkson School of Laboratory Technology and received
an A.S.C.P. Degree. He attended Nebraska College of Medicine and received a M.D.
Degree. He took his residency at the university. He moved his family to Alliance,
Nebr. in 1975, where he is associated with three other doctors in General Medicine
and Surgery. James married the former Ellen Dau of Oakland on Oct. 20, 1962, a registered
nurse and they have three children: Mark Nathan, born Oct. 15, 1964; Daniel Justin,
April 13, 1968 and Diana Ellen, July 27, 1970.
ROBERT M. BANE AND CAROLE (KUNZE) BANE
Robert Michael Bane was born Oct. 11, 1944 in Cheyenne,
Wyoming to John A. Bane and Mary (Taylor) Bane. His paternal
grandparents were Isaac O. Bane and Mae (Potter) Bane and
maternal grandparents were Orval O. Taylor and Louie (Osler)
Taylor. He was the middle child with an older brother Terry
R. and younger sister Beth Ann. He attended Oakland Public
School where he was active in sports and band, graduating
in 1962. He joined the Air Force in July, 1962 and served
four years.
Carole (Kunze) Bane was born to Mary (Pierce) Kunze and Clarence H. Kunze Oct.
1, 1943 in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Her paternal grandparents were Oscar Kunze and
Laura (Boehem) Kunze and maternal grandparents Sara (Ireland) Pierce and Arthur
W. Pierce. Carole has a younger brother Douglas. She attended school at Bentley,
Carson and graduated from Oakland High School in 1962 where she was active in sports
and band. After high school she attended S.U.I.
Page 102
In 1959 her father died after being ill several years. He is buried at Oaklawn Cemetery.
Her mother taught school during her father's illness and after his death. She made
many sacrifices during these years which I (Carole) can appreciate now.
June 22, 1963 Robert Bane and Carole Kunze, after meeting
in high school, were married. They lived in Rapid City,
S.D. where he was stationed and their first son Michael
Douglas was born May 11, 1964. After the service they moved
to Ames where Robert attended I.S.U. Oct. 24, 1968 their
second son Corey Robert was born in Omaha, Nebr. where Robert
was employed with RCA. In 1970 the family moved back to
rural Oakland to farm with Robert's father John. July 10,
1971 Kimberly Sue was born, completing their family.
Robert, Carole and Mike are members of Oakland Methodist Church. Carole is a member
of the ABC Mother's Club. Mike is in the same 4-H club, Westside Feeders, as his
father was as a boy. He is also active in sports and band at school. Corey and Kim
attend elementary school in Oakland.
BARNETT FAMILY
FOUR GENERATIONS
After working two years for the Union Pacific Railroad
as a "mule skinner" and being present when the
"Golden Spike" was driven, William Polk Barnett
(1847-1927) went to Missouri to locate his brother and sister.
Their parents had passed away when they were very young.
He had been raised with Miles, Uan, Lietha and Sarah Hall.
Lietha married Loren Parish. Sarah married Maurice Hough.
Both families lived in Hazel Dell Township.
While he was in Missouri he met and married Theresa Caton
(1856-1935) in 1870. She was 14 years old when they were
married. They were born in the same house but did not know
this until after their marriage. They lived in Missouri
5 years. Two daughters, Frances (1871-1949) and Ida (1874-1876)
were born while living there. W. P. came to Hazel Dell by
covered wagon and his family came to Council Bluffs by train.
They lived on a farm east of the township hall for several
years. In 1884 they moved to the present Barnett farm.
Fannie married Dr. Addison Jones, a dentist, and lived
in Iowa City. Hugh was born in 1877 and died 1894. Reu Lee
(1879-1954) became a doctor and practiced medicine in Cumberland
and Atlantic, Iowa. He married Florence Cady. They had three
daughters; Evelyn, Doris and Joyce.
Cora married Walter Cleary. They farmed in Canada a few
years and then returned to Underwood, where he had a well
drilling and pump repair business. They had two children.
An infant son died in Canada and Genevieve (1918-1977).
She married Orville Hanson. They had a son, Jack, who lived
in Pennsylvania. Bessie--1885-1887. Katie (1887-1962) was
a teacher and taught school in this area.
Ray born 1891, married Ivy Wild, and farmed in Hardin Township
until they moved to Council Bluffs. Their family included
Donald, who served in the army during WWII, married Marion
Goodrich, of Council Bluffs. He moved to California. Alice
married William Sewing. They lived in Glenwood. Bill sold
Oliver Machinery. Gene, WWII veteran, married Marjorie Truscott,
a registered nurse. They live in Council Bluffs, where he
works in the Real Estate Business. Their children are Ellen,
Paul, Laura and Ruth.
The youngest son of W. P. and Theresa was Ralph, born 1894.
He and Ray farmed together on the Barnett farm after their
father became disabled. In 1917, Ray, who was married a
year earlier, moved to a farm he had purchased. Ralph continued
farming the home place until he was drafted during WWI.
He was in France when the war ended. Chris Larsen ran the
place for him while he was in the army. Ralph came back
to the farm and in 1921 married Gertrude Hampel of Cumberland,
Iowa. She was a nurse, who had been caring for his ailing
father in Council Bluffs.
Ralph and Gertie had four children. William, Zolabeth,
Bruce and Jack. "Bill" married Alma Kortmeyer
from Burke, South Dakota, who was a nurse in the same class
as Zolabeth, at the Jennie Edmundson Hospital. They farmed
near Woodbine and Oakland. In 1969 they purchased the Hans
Jensen farm, on Hiway L-34, west of Underwood. Their children
are Nancy (Dennis Flattre), a registered nurse, of Springfield,
Missouri. They have two daughters, Julia Dawn and Amy Janae.
A daughter Mary, works at the Council Bluffs Savings Bank
in Council Bluffs. Ralph E. works at the Western Electric
Warehouse in Underwood. He married Connie Jensen. They have
one son Kelli Scott.
Zolabeth, a registered nurse, married Ivan Leonard. They
own a farm northeast of Logan, Iowa. Their family includes
John, who played tuba in the U.S. Army band at West Point,
while he was in the service. He teaches music at Barhead,
Canada. Jane (Mrs. Rodney Weis), an Operating Room Technician,
lives on a farm east of Woodbine. They have two children,
Trudy and Michael. The youngest son Robert is serving in
the U.S. Air Force.
Bruce married Virginia Crowl of Council Bluffs. Their children
are David, working with his dad, on the farm. Duane, married
to Melody Carlisle, and works at State Bank and Trust in
Council Bluffs. Denise and DeAnn are attending college.
Bruce served in the Army during WWII and has possession
of the Barnett Farm. He farmed with his father before taking
over the farm., which has been in the family for 93 years.
He also has a trucking business.
Jack married Kathryn Reninger of Council Bluffs, a registered
nurse. Jack served in the Army in Germany during the Korean
War. They have two children. Joseph is married to Sandy
Raymor of Council Bluffs and works for the Union Packing
Co. in Omaha. Theresa plans to become a nurse and has been
accepted at the Iowa University School of Nursing at Iowa
City. by Wm. O. Barnett
STEVE BIRT BARNEY AND EDNA SWANSON BARNEY
Steve Birt Barney, born Feb. 24, 1884, Csaszlocz, Czechoslovakia,
died July 15, 1969, Oakland, Iowa, buried Walnut Hill Cemetery,
Council Bluffs, Iowa. Father was George Barany, born Ungwar,
Czechoslovakia, mother, Maria Kandur Barany, born Csaszlocz,
Czechoslovakia. Grandfather was Steve Barany, grandmother
Elizabeth Kayla. Grandfather, master cabinet maker, grandmother
school teacher in Czechoslovakia. Father, George Barany,
also became master cabinet maker. Mother came from people
who were professors and educators. Steve Barney (had name
changed from Barany to Barney) had 3 sisters, one sister
still living, Elizabeth Poncgracz, 85 years old in Manville,
New Jersey.
George Barany, father decided to come to America, traveled
by boat here, worked as cabinet maker for large furniture
concern, decided to bring family over. His wife, Maria Kandur
Barany refused to come to America, so eldest 3 children,
Veronica, Anna and Steve were brought over, Steve being
youngest, settled in Pennsylvania, father took moonlighting
job in coal mine, was killed in explosion. Three children
separated, Veronica, married, went to Canada, now deceased;
Anna, Buffalo, N.Y., married, Steve to Ohio working for
railroad. One sister, Elizabeth, left in Czechoslovakia,
married Michael Pongracz. He came to America and she came
later, settling in New Jersey.
Steve Barney worked for railroad, coming west and eventually
settling in Council Bluffs, Iowa. In December, 1921, married
Edna May Swanson at Papillion, Nebr., living in Council
Bluffs. To this union were born, 2 daughters, one baby dying
as infant, 1923, buried Walnut Hill Cemetery, and Marjorie
(Marge) Barney Vance, born, Dec. 25, 1927, presently living
with husband, Claire Carse Vance (see family history) and
three children in Section 7, Belknap Township, west of Oakland,
Iowa.
Steve Barney retired after working for more than 40 years
for the railroad.
Edna Swanson Barney, born south of Woodbine, Iowa on farm,
Feb. 17, 1897, died Sept. 8, 1950, Council Bluffs, Iowa,
buried Walnut Hill Cemetery, Council Bluffs. Edna taught
school and worked for the government in Omaha, Nebr. prior
to marriage. Edna Swanson Barney and Steve Birt Barney lived
in Council Bluffs until moving with daughter, to acreage
east of Iowa School for Deaf, Section 4, Lewis Twp. in 1928.
This property sold in 1951, shortly after Edna's death,
Steve living in hotel in Council Bluffs and with daughter
part time at Oakland, Iowa until illness forced him to Oakland
Manor Nursing Home 2 years prior to his death.
Edna Swanson Barney's parents were Lawrence Jorgan Swanson,
born Sept. 29, 1866, Vejby, Denmark, came to U.S. 1889 to
Omaha, Nebr., died July 9, 1948, Council Bluffs, Iowa, married
Ida Marie Hansen, September 1, 1892, born, Sept. 20, 1871,
Langland, Denmark, came to U.S. 1889 to Omaha, died Fall
of 1955, Council Bluffs, Iowa, both buried at Walnut Hill
Cemetery, Council Bluffs, Iowa. They moved from Omaha to
farm near Woodbine, moving later to farm 8 miles NW of Neola,
Iowa, building a new home around 1932, moving to Council
Bluffs in elder years. Edna Swanson Barney had six brothers
and sisters; Helen Swanson Carolson, Neola, Iowa, now deceased;
Verna I. Lee, Council Bluffs, Iowa, Howard Swanson, Neola-Walnut
area, now living Council Bluffs; Albert Swanson, Council
Bluffs, now deceased, Glen Swanson, Neola, now deceased,
and Merrill Swanson, presently living on home farm Northwest
of Neola.
Page 103
BILL LEE BARRIER
Bill is the third child of five children born to Max and
Edna Barrier. Bill was born May 16, 1934, in Neola, Iowa.
He attended Neola Public School and graduated from high
school in 1952.
Constance Marlene Stebbins was the only living child born
to Harry and Emma Stebbins. Connie was born January 18,
1937, in Neola, Iowa. Connie and her parents lived on her
grandparents', Tom and Clara Gardner, farm one and one-half
miles south of Beebeetown, Iowa. Connie attended school
at Beebeetown for ten years. She came to Neola for two years
and graduated from high school in 1954.
Bill was drafted into the army in May, 1956. On December
29, 1956, Bill Barrier and Connie Stebbins were married
before family and friends at the Neola Presbyterian Church
by Reverend Stephen Jones. In February, of 1957, Bill was
sent to France. He was stationed just outside of Bordeaux,
Connie followed in May and spent the following year there.
Once back in the United States in 1958, Bill and Connie
settled in Omaha for ten years. Bill attended electronics
school part time and then worked for Communications Supply
for four years. Connie worked for Northwestern Bell Telephone
Company. In August, 1964, Bill incorporated in business
with John Mulford of Council Bluffs, calling it, "Allied
Communications Equipment Supply, Inc." Just two years
later, Mr. Mulford sold his half to his partner, Bill. Since
that slim beginning, the company has moved from a $30 a
month garage to a large 28,000 square foot building near
Lake Manawa and employs 29 people. The purpose of the Company
is to furnish and repair equipment for telephone communications
to railroads, pipeline companies and telephone companies.
The family has lived at Neola since 1968 and are members
of the Neola Presbyterian Church. There are three children
in the family. Gregg Allen born September 24, 1962, Ronald
Lee born October 18, 1967, and Candace Marlene born November
11, 1970.
For the past six years, the Barriers have had Quarter horses
and are raising colts. Gregg enjoyed four years of 4-H,
in which he showed horses and the family dog, Tanya. His
achievements included Grand Champion Showman with his dog
and Grand Champion Pony and Horse. His fourth year, he won
the District horsemanship award and went on to win the Boys
Horsemanship at Ak-Sar-Ben over 75 other contestants. He
was awarded a saddle for this achievement. He now shows
in Registered Quarter Horse shows in various events, his
favorite being roping.
The hobby has now become a business called, "Bilcon,
Inc." with 30 Quarter horses and P.O.A. ponies. Ron
and Candy are now showing ponies locally and gaining experience.
This will be Ron's first year in 4-H competition.
DARRELL D. BARRIER
Darrell D. Barrier, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Barrier was
born April 3, 1930 at Brayton, Iowa. He and his parents
moved to Neola in 1930 where he spent his childhood days,
attending grade school and graduating from high school in
1947. During grade school years he delivered papers and
did janitor work for the N. W. Bell Telephone Company an
also for the town Bakery. When his father opened his business,
The Barrier Tire Shop, he spent his time helping there.
A year after graduation from high school, he enrolled in
college at Mt. Vernon, Iowa, and attended one semester,
returning back to Neola to help his father in business.
August 13, 1950, he married Georgene D. Susie, daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. John Susie of Cushing, Iowa. Georgene was
born on a farm near Battle Creek and attended a rural school
near there, and graduated from Cushing High School in 1946.
She attended Commercial Extension Business College in Omaha,
graduating in 1947 and was employed as a secretary at Roberts
Dairy Company and later at Merchants Biscuit Company in
Omaha. After moving to Neola in the spring of 1951, she
was employed by Rief's Hardware Store in Neola until Darrell's
enlistment in the Air Force in February of 1952.
Darrell had his basic training at Lackland Air Force Base
in San Antonio, Texas, and upon completion, spent two years
at Shepard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas, as an
Instructor and two years at Amarillo Air Force Base where
he was an instructor. While serving in Wichita Falls Gary
Ivan was born October 10, 1952. On March 31, 1955, Susan
Ann was born at Amarillo, Texas.
After serving four years in the Air Force, the family moved
back to Neola, and Darrell joined his father and brother
Arlen in the tire business. He served several years as a
member of the Neola Volunteer Fire Department, coached Little
League Baseball and the Cubs and Midget Clubs. He also organized
a Girl's Softball team called "Duke's Dolls."
He served several years on the Pottawattamie Board of Health.
He also served on the Neola Park Board and was responsible
for the planting of trees near the Baseball Park. Is a member
of the American Legion Post #330 and Georgene is a member
of the Auxiliary.
The family are members of the Neola First Presbyterian
Church. Darrell has served as a Trustee and Elder of the
Church and Georgene served many years as Treasurer. Both
are members of Agatha Chapter # 192, Order of Eastern Star
and have served as Worthy Matron and Worthy Patron in 1976.
Georgene is the 1977 Secretary of the Chapter. Darrell is
a member of Agate Lodge #423, A.F. and A.M. and has served
as Worshipful Master, is a member of the Scottish Rite and
the Tangier Shrine of Omaha, and is a member of the "A"
Patrol of the Shriners. Both are active in the Republican
Party. Georgene served as President of the N.W. Pott. County
Republican Women's Club for two years, 1976 and 1977.
Their son Gary graduated from high school in 1971, and
then graduated from Bemidji State College at Bemidji, Minnesota
in 1975 with a B.S. in Social Work and Psychology. Susan
graduated from high school in 1973 and is graduating from
the University of Northern Iowa in December of 1977 with
a degree in Special Education. In 1976 Gary ventured to
Alaska where he worked on the construction of the Alaska
Pipeline at Valdez. At present he is making his home in
Anchorage, Alaska.
After Ivan's retirement from the Barrier Tire Company,
Darrell has been a partner with his brother Arlen until
1977.
JOSEPH BAKER BARRIER
Joseph Baker Barrier, son of Elijah Barrier and Frances Jane Tuttle, was born March
5, 1862 in Coopersville, Ky. He had six brothers and three sisters. The small town
of Barrier, Ky., named for his family, is nestled in the mountains not far from
the Tennessee border. He remembered being carried on his brother's back, into the
mountains during the Civil War, to hide from the Yankee soldiers. He came to Iowa
at the age of fifteen years. He obtained employment on a farm and saved his money
until he could return to Kentucky and bring his father and mother, brothers and
sisters, to Iowa. On September 29, 1887, he married Belle Sena Sargent in Council
Bluffs, Iowa. She was born Oct. 16, 1869 in Biggsville, Ill. They reared a family
of seven sons and five daughters--Willard, Alvin, Clarence, Ivan, Max, Ellsworth,
Evert, Winnie, Hilda, Lula, Elva and Edith. He was a farmer but after he reached
middle age, he became a garage owner and operator, one of the first in S.W. Iowa.
He had
a successful business for thirty years but never learned to drive a car. He died
Sept. 1, 1947. His beloved wife, Belle, died March 19, 1955. by Mildred Powell,
Granddaughter
Page 104
KENNETH LOWELL BARTLETT
Kenneth Lowell Bartlett (Bart) married Joan Johns April
24, 1947 in Denver, Colorado at Trinity Methodist Church.
From this marriage was born Thomas Johns Bartlett, March
29, 1948 and Jeffrey Lowell Bartlett November 21, 1952.
All became members of Oakland United Methodist Church.
Kenneth, one of three children born to Rupert Lee Bartlett
and Caroline Taha Bartlett, was born in Omaha, Nebraska
January 3, 1920. Lorene, the first born, died as a young
girl and is buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Omaha with
her parents. Gladys Virginia Bartlett Ziegler was married
to Roy Ziegler of Dalton, Nebraska. She was born June 23,
1913 and died July 10, 1969, was a loving mother, active
church member, and was survived by two sons, Gary and Larry,
and her husband.
Rupert was born December 25, 1886 at Schuyler, Nebraska.
His parents were J. W. Bartlett and Laura Fireover Bartlett.
He was one of three children. Rupert died February 14, 1974
after many years of illness.
Caroline Taha Bartlett was born February 20, 1888 at Prescott,
Iowa being one of ten children born to Jacob Taha and Anna
Kosar Taha who migrated to Iowa from Bohemia, Czechoslovakia.
Caroline died April 15, 1977.
Kenneth graduated from North High School in Omaha and attended
the University of Omaha. In 1940 he was inducted into the
Army from Washington, D.C. where he was employed by the
War Department. After numerous transfers between military
bases and attending training schools, he became a Night
Fighter Radar Instructor on a two-man Link Trainer; was
then stationed at Orlando, Florida and Fresno, California
until discharge from Air Force in 1944.
Joan, one of two daughters born to Homer P. Johns and Bonnie
Puryear Johns was born August 4, 1924. Her sister Judith
Johns Fritz was born April 6, 1919. They were raised on
the Johns farm 1 mile east of Oakland and attended Evergreen
Country School and then Oakland High School. After graduation
Joan worked for the Office of Price Administration in Oakland
and then as a clerk for the Civil Service in the Engineering
Division in Omaha and after marriage, part time employee
of the Eckels Memorial Library in Oakland.
Kenneth and Joan who were employed in Omaha, met there
and were married in Denver, worked there for awhile, then
returned to Oakland and have resided there since. Kenneth
with some help constructed the family home on Palmer St.
in Oakland.
Kenneth is a member of Ark Lodge 335 AF AM and Joan is
a member of PEO and former member of Rainbow and Eastern
Star.
As of this year, 1977, Kenneth has worked for Northern
Natural Gas Co. for 27 years at the Oakland plant, South
Omaha District and the Main office in Omaha as an Inventory
Control Coordinator.
Thomas and Jeffrey both attended Grade and High School
in Oakland. Tom attended college at Silver City, New Mexico.
He then settled in Columbus, Ohio, was inducted into the
Navy and became a Communications Specialist, serving at
Guam and Hawaii. After being discharged from the Navy, he
was employed as a civilian in the capacity of Communications
Technician in Bangkok, Thailand for three years, then to
a remote base in Greenland for a year (1976-77).
Jeff attended an electronics school in Des Moines, worked
part time doing farm work, and is presently employed at
the Northern Natural Gas Plant at Oakland. On September
20, 1974 he married Nancy Jane Luth Farmer at the Trinity
Lutheran Church in Avoca. Nancy was born January 2, 1952
to Henry and Mildren Luth of Walnut. Jeff and Nancy have
two children; Jeremy Lee, born September 7, 1971 by a former
marriage of Nancy's, and Adam Lowell, born June 20, 1976.
JOHN A. BATES
John Anderson Bates, was born in Mercer County, Illinois,
Feb. 27, 1857. He came with his parents overland by ox team
to Big Grove, now Oakland, in the spring of 1863, at the
age of five years. Here he grew to manhood. He married Miss
Annie M. Myers, Sept. 14, 1879, in Macedonia, Ia. Miss Myers
was born in Ross County, Ohio, Aug. 25, 1862. She came with
her parents to Knoxville, Ia., when seven years of age.
Her parents later moved to Macedonia, Ia., when she was
13 years of age. Here she grew to womanhood. Mr. and Mrs.
Bates had five children; one died in infancy; Lenna, Mrs.
Charles C. Jefferson of Huron, S.D. (later of Council Bluffs);
Clifford I. Bates, Ira O. Bates and Enos C. Bates, all of
who farmed in the Oakland Area. There were 12 grandchildren.
Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Bates moved to Oakland.
And in the fall of 1892 they purchased the farm, 1 mile
west of Oakland, where they spent the rest of their lives.
On Sept. 14, 1929 they celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary.
Mr. Bates passed away June 5, 1934, and Mrs. Bates died
Sept. 30, 1938.
ROBERT AND CLEONE BATES
Robert Melvin Bates and Georgia Cleone Duffield Bates live
on a farm in Center Township. They are the parents of Penny
Ann (May 12, 1947), Peggy Jean (June 12, 1948), Bobette
Marie (September 14, 1950).
Penny is married to Robert H. Akers of Exira. Their children
are Paula Ann, Troy Laine and Robyn Lynn.
Peggy is married to Dale G. Hunke of Pilger, Nebraska.
Their children are Deanna Jean, Michelle Lee and Mark Robert.
Bobette, a graduate of Buena Vista College, is single and
lives in Davenport.
Bob is the son of Clifford I. and Sarah Warren Bates (September
24, 1924). Grandson of John A. Bates. He was born west of
Oakland in Belknap Township. His brothers and sisters are
Mervin (deceased), Marie (deceased), Jessie Fender, Leota
Chiburis, Ruby Reiff and Maxine Putnam.
Bob is engaged in farming and has been since the age of
14 when he took over the responsibility of his father's
farm. Bob has the reputation of being a good and truthful
farmer. He is a member of the Farm Bureau organization,
A.S.C.S. committeeman, Livestock Feeders Association and
Saddle Club. His hobby is hunting and he enjoys quarter
horses, and snowmobiling.
Cleone is the daughter of Melvin and Frances Overman Duffield
born in Chariton County, Missouri, April 19, 1929.
Cleone moved to Iowa in 1935 and to the Oakland area in
1943. She attended high school in Oakland. She is a member
of Friday Book Club, Town and Country Mothers Club and Friday
Fact and Fun Club. She is employed as the Extension 4-H
Program Aide. Her hobbies are cooking and reading.
Cleone's brother and sisters are Bettye Jo Hansen, Jerry
Duffield and Judith Ann Hagstrom.
They are members of the Disciples of Christ Church in Oakland.
GALEN BATTEN
Galen and Marjorie Batten live four and one quarter miles east of Carson in Grove
Township. Galen was born April 10, 1930 at Silver City, Iowa. One of seven children
of Ray and Sylvia (Carr) Batten. Other family include: Merlin of Springfield, Nebraska,
Mrs. Reggie (Phyllis) Pendergraft of Carson, Mrs. Joe (Wilma) Lewis of Edina, Missouri,
Glen of Red Oak, Mrs. Don (Lois) Corbin of Griswold and Wayne died in infancy. Their
father farmed in the Silver City, Henderson, Macedonia and Hastings area. Mrs. Batten
passed away January 8, 1958, Mr. Batten moved to Red Oak and was employed at the
Murphy Memorial Hospital until retiring in 1969. He passed away February 20, 1975.
Marge was born July 25, 1933 at Carson. The daughter of
Lynn and Vera (Lehigh) Achenbaugh. The other family include:
Wendell of Henderson, Mrs. Richard (Nancy) Schroder of Carson,
David of El Toro, California. They lived in Macedonia area
until the early death of their father in 1946. Their mother
moved to Carson and later married Chester C. Davis in September
1964. They operated the Coffee Cup Cafe until retiring.
On April 17, 1977, Chet was fatally killed by an angered
cow while helping to sort cows and calves on the farm. He
was 80 years old. Vera now lives in Carson. Galen and Marge
both graduated from Macedonia High School in 1950. In November
of that year, Galen joined the Navy. On March 4, 1951, they
were united in marriage at Yuma, Arizona. After serving
four years in the Navy, he received his discharge in September
1954.
Their first child, Cynthia Ann, was born June 12, 1954.
Now, 23 years old, she was united in marriage to Donald
E. Haack, July 19, 1975. Don served in the Air Force, is
a graduate of Marysville College and presently employed
with the Internal Revenue Service of Nebraska. They live
in Council Bluffs.
Galen farmed with his father for two years at Hastings
after his discharge and also two years in the Henderson
area.
On February 10, 1956, their second child, Edward Wayne
was born. Ed, now 21, lives at home and intends to farm
with his father.
In March of 1959, the family moved to the farm where they
have lived for nearly nineteen years. In 1963, they purchased
the 240 acres from John H. Schnepel and later added another
87 acres. He also, farms 160 acres that joins on the south.
On May 29, 1962, a son, Johnie Kent was born. He is 15
and attends Carson-Macedonia School. To complete the family,
a daughter, Julie Vera was born March 12, 1965. She is 12
years old, in the seventh grade.
They are members of the United Methodist Church. Marge
presently teaches Fifth and Sixth Grade Sunday School, also,
holds other positions with the work of the church.
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Galen is Commander of the American Legion and Marge is President of Legion Auxiliary.
He is also, Co-President of C-M Booster Club which promotes various fund raising
events to buy needed items for different Athletic departments.
One enjoyment the family has is a picnic area on their
farm which has hosted quite large crowds and enjoyed by
many. Galen also started the Barbeque hog craze by using
a barrel made barbequer. The Batten family live where a
tornado following Jordan Creek killed the Osler family and
destroying property in the 1880's.
CLIFFORD VERNON BECKENDORF
Clifford Vernon Beckendorf was born 1919. He is the son
of Mr. and Mrs. Ira Beckendorf. He was active in 4-H clubs.
He had his own trucking business before he was drafted.
He served in the U.S. Army three years in India. He was
awarded the Air Medal and the Distinguished Service Medal.
He married Dorothy Glissman, 1921, daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. Jerry Glissman, in 1946. They own and farm land in
Lincoln Township.
They have two daughters, Connie Irene Beckendorf, born
in 1947. She graduated from Oakland High School. She married
Wylie Busse, 1939, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Werner Busse, in
1973. They farm near Hancock. They have a daughter, Rachel
Danelle, born in 1976.
Donna June Beckendorf, born in 1949. She graduated from
Oakland High School. She was an airline stewardess and has
traveled all over the world. She married Sebastian Astuto,
born in 1944, son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Astuto, in 1971.
They now live in Omaha. They have two sons, Jason Sebastian
Astuto, 1975, and David Sebastian Astuto, 1977.
IRA CHRISTIAN BECKENDORF
Ira Christian Beckendorf, son of Mr. and Mrs. Christian
Beckendorf, was born in 1889 on a farm East of Walnut in
Layton Township. He was ten years old when the family moved
South of Walnut in Lincoln Township.
He married Anna Leona Fries, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George
Fries, January 1, 1913. They started to farm just South
of his brother, Elmer, in Lincoln Township. They had four
children.
Ivan Christian Beckendorf was born in November 1913. Orville
Leroy Beckendorf, born 1916, was active in 4-H clubs and
attended Walnut High School. He joined the Navy in 1934.
He was lost at sea in the Pacific in 1942. Clifford Vernon
Beckendorf, 1919. Lorene Evelyn Beckendorf, 1924.
Anna Beckendorf died 1930. Ira Beckendorf and Lorene moved
to Walnut. She graduated from Walnut High School. She was
active in band and graduated with honors. They moved back
to a farm in Lincoln Township. In 1945 they moved to Council
Bluffs. Ira Beckendorf retired in 1954. He died in 1961.
Lorene Beckendorf was a beauty operator and worked for
Edna Kline for a number of years. She has been active in
Business and Professional Women's Club. She married Gene
Knowles, 1926, son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Knowles, in 1968.
IVAN CHRISTIAN BECKENDORF
Ivan Christian Beckendorf, 1913, was the son of Mr. and
Mrs. Ira Beckendorf. He was active in 4-H Club and was graduated
from Walnut High School. He married Betty Balch, daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Balch, of Port Angeles, Washington.
They lived in Port Angeles for a number of years and now
live in Crescent City, California.
They have two children, Mary Ann Beckendorf, born in 1945.
Ivan Christian Beckendorf, born in 1949.
The family have cared for more thatn thirty foster children
in their home. Ivan is retired and Mrs. Beckendorf is a
school teacher. She was the first woman rabbit judge in
California. She is active in youth activities.
LILLIAN BEEBE
Lillian (Houser) Beebe was born Dec. 20, 1896, on a farm
at Columbus, Nebraska, the daughter of Henry H. and Louise
(Zingg) Houser. Her father came to this country from Germany.
Her mother came from Switzerland. She attended country school
and graduated from high school in 1914. She attended Nebraska
University where she studied Home Economics. In 1945, she
married James Beebe, a barber for many years in Neola, and
moved here to make her home. He died in 1965. She is a member
of the Neola Presbyterian Church, the Garden Club, O.K.
Club and Alpha Delta Pi.
VERNE AND VERA BEEBE
The Beebe name was first recorded many years ago in England.
The early emigrants settled in the New England states, later
moving by covered wagon to Plainwell, Michigan. Verne's
father, Louis, worked there in the painting trade. He moved
on to Oklahoma and Denver before coming to Minden in 1909.
In 1911 he was married to Dora Halm. They had four children;
Glen, Ruth, Joseph and Verne.
As a young boy, Verne helped his father with the painting
business. In 1942, he joined the Navy where he spent almost
four years in the Puerto Rican area.
In 1944 he was married to Vera Schnieder of Hallam, Nebraska
and graduate of University of Nebraska at Lincoln, who came
to this area to teach.
After he was discharged from the Navy in 1946, the Beebes
returned to Minden to continue in the painting business.
In 1965, Vera returned to teaching and is still active
in teaching as well as in many community activities. She
had directed the Junior Choir of the United Church of Christ
for thirty years and serving as Junior Superintendent of
the church school for many years. She is presently chairman
of the Town Library Board and one of the library organizers.
The family now includes Kent and Annelle, both graduates
of Iowa State University. Kent joined his father's business,
which now is in its third generation. Annelle makes her
home in Denver, Colorado and is employed there.
G. B. BAUMANN
Gustave B. Baumann, born Mar. 9, 1869, son of Samuel and
Christian Baumann, Allamakee Co., Ia. One of 15 children
living in a log cabin with a dirt floor, the family was
friendly with Indians living nearby. As a boy he took turns
tending the fires of the family lime kiln. At night resting
his head on a limestone rock he studied the sky watching
the movement of the stars and planet. It was then he decided
to enter the ministry and astronomy became his hobby.
He taught school and gave piano lessons to earn money to
enter Chicago Theological Seminary where he graduated. While
attending Christ German Congregational Church he met a Sunday
School teacher Elizabeth Gollner. They were married June
18, 1896. He served churches in Waukegan, Ill. and Polar,
Wisc. before pastoring the church where he met his wife.
She was born in Germany and came to the U.S. at age 7 with
her mother, three sisters and a brother. The father preceded
them to America to find work and establish a home. The mother
studied to become a doctor and delivered many babies in
the neighborhood for a fee of $10.00 for a delivery which
included post natal care for a week.
The Baumann's had three children; Harold attended school
in Minden where the family lived during World War I. When
the family moved to Dubuque where Rev. Baumann served Immanuel
Congregational Church, Harold graduated from high school
and later received a Degree in Education at University of
Dubuque. He married Myrtle Brunkow, moved to Chicago where
he was associated with an uncle in the plumbing business,
later working for an oil company and Westinghouse. After
retiring he taught adult education in the Chicago school.
Have 2 daughters: Diane Jason of Canada and Karen at home
and twin granddaughters.
>From Dubuque the Baumanns moved to Treynor to serve
the Zion Congregational Church and St. Paul's Evangelical
and Reformed Church. The second child, Elsie,
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taught rural school after her graduation from high school, and later graduated from
Iowa State Teachers College (now University of Northern Iowa) and the University
of Omaha. She (m) Lyle S. Klahn. Elsie resumed teaching. They had one daughter,
Nancy (m) Howard Byram. Nancy earned a Ph.D. in Psychology and is in private practice
in Glenview, Ill. where Howard, who graduated from the University of Iowa with a
Master's Degree in Physical Education has been teaching in the Skokie, Ill. schools
for 25 years. The Byrams have 4 children, Scott, Forest, Barbara and Debra.
Ada, the youngest, was born in Chicago, graduating from
high school in Treynor and received a degree in Music from
Northwestern University at Evansville, Ill. Married a classmate,
Raymond Altrock and lived in Omaha, except for a few years
during World War II. They have 2 sons: Richard of Sun Spot,
N.M., who has a doctorate in Nuclear Physics. He and his
wife, Jan have twin sons. Robert and his wife, Kathy live
in Omaha with their son and daughter. After the death of
Raymond, Ada (m) Henry Weise of Kennard, Neb. and resides
on a farm near there. She retired from the Corps of the
U.S. Engineers after many years of service.
After the death of Lyle Klahn, his wife, Elsie married
Glen Bryant of Silver City. They live in Treynor where Elsie
is mayor of the city.
After living in Treynor, Rev. and Mrs. Baumann returned
to Minden, where they again served the Minden Church. At
their retirement, after serving the Lord for more than sixty
years, they moved to Omaha to be near, daughter, Ada who
took loving care of them. Gustave died in 1959 and Lizzie
in 1960.
ALVIN THOMAS BEATTY
Alvin Thomas Beatty, born Mar. 9, 1891 in James Township,
Pottawattamie Co., Iowa. He was one of a family of five
and he received his education in rural and Hancock schools.
Alvin's parents, Thomas J. and Clarissa (Brown) Beatty
came from Penn. and eastern Iowa in early life. He was farming
and she taught school. Children: Austin (dec.), Ann, Boulder,
Colo.; Alvin (dec.); Mary (dec.); James (dec.).
Alvin was engaged in farming with his father. On November
23, 1916 Alvin and Rachel henry were married and are the
parents of four sons, Henry A., Donald T., Max E., and William
G.
The Henrys, Wm. J. Henry, born in Muscatine Co., Iowa and
Barbara Armstrong Henry born in Canada.
Alvin retired and moved to Hancock in 1946. He died in
1959.
Henry lives on the old home place and received the honor
of being in possession of the Beatty land that has carried
the family name over a long period of years.
Don farms, Hancock, Max is in construction work Calif.,
Wm. (Bill) and family live in Atlantic and is the president
of the Atlantic State Bank. Donald, Max and Bill all gave
some time in the service of their country. Mrs. Beatty (Rachel)
lives in Hancock.
DONALD THOMAS AND BEULAVON (HEFT) BEATTY
Mr. and Mrs. Don Beatty have farmed in James Township since 1945. Their present
operation, Beatty Thoroughbred Farm, is devoted to breeding and raising thoroughbred
horses, and much of the Beatty stock has frequently appeared in the winner's circle
at neighboring Nebraska racetracks and in other states. Mr. Beatty owns 374 acres
of land in James and Pleasant Township, and in addition to the horses, feeds cattle
and grows the usual farm crops.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Beatty are natives of Pottawattamie County.
Mr. Beatty was born October 12, 1919, the second son of
Alvin T. and Rachel (Henry) Beatty. He graduated from Hancock
High School in 1937 and served in Europe in the Army Air
Corps during World War II.
Mr. Beatty has participated in community affairs, serving
as a trustee of James Township and was a member of the Avoca-Hancock
School District Reorganization Committee. He is active in
the county's Democratic Party, a member of the Iowa Thoroughbred
Breeders and Owners Association, American Legion, and Farmers
Union.
Mrs. Beatty is the youngest child of Carl E. and Edna (Harris)
Heft. She attended school in Oakland and graduated from
Avoca High School in 1936. She was a charter member of the
Oakland Rainbow Assembly for Girls.
The Beattys have three daughters; all were born in Council
Bluffs and graduated from AvoHa Community School. The eldest,
Mary, attended Iowa State University and graduated from
the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia.
She and her husband, John Martin, have two children, Steven
and Carla, and presently live in Virginia.
Joan is a graduate of Clarkson Hospital School of Nursing
in Omaha and is now employed as a surgical nurse at Clarkson
Hospital.
The youngest daughter, Jane, had the distinction of being
the first baby born in Pottawattamie County in 1952, arriving
at 31 minutes after midnight, January 1. Jane graduated
from Iowa Methodist Hospital School of Nursing in Des Moines
and is married to Gregory Johnson, a graduate of Creighton
University College of Pharmacy.
DETLEF BEBENSEE FAMILY
Detlef H. Bebensee, son of Henry H. Bebensee and Ella (Guttau)
Bebensee born in Keg Creek Twp., Dec. 5, 1893. Had one brother,
Herbert, and two sisters Hilda (m) Lawrence Fahrenkrug and
Olga (m) Irvin Goos.
Detlef married Marie Volkens, daughter of Bernhard and
Annie (Heesch) Volkens, Feb. 7, 1917. They celebrated their
60th wedding anniversary last year. They lived on the same
farm 45 years before moving to their present home in Treynor.
They had one child, a son, Bernard (Bernie) born May 7,
1938 who married Karen Schumacher Dec. 5, 1958. They now
own and farm the home place. They have four children, daughters,
Machelle, 17; Jolene 16 and Beverly 14 and a son James 9.
Mr. and Mrs. Detlef Bebensee are charter members of Zion
Congregational Church where he was treasurer for 15 years.
They were also active supporters of the Farm Bureau as are
the son and family. Mrs. Bernie Bebensee is an organist
at Zion Church and the daughters are all musicians.
Detlef's grandfather was born in Germany in 1823, bought
land in Keg Creek Twp. in 1876.
MR. AND MRS. CHRISTIAN BECKENDORF
Christian Beckendorf was born in 1851 in Westerau Province,
Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. He was orphaned at an early
age. He came to Davenport, Iowa in 1872. In 1878 he and
Lucy Zortman of Muscatine County were married. They moved
to Layton Township, Pottawattamie County in 1881, where
they farmed for twelve years. In 1893 they bought the farm
in Lincoln Township where they lived the remainder of their
lives. They were parents of two sons, J. Elmer and Ira.
Ira married Anna Fries.
J. Elmer Beckendorf was born near Davenport, Iowa in 1879.
He married Frances Port in 1905, daughter of John and Susan
Royer Port of Davenport. They lived on the Lincoln Township
farm owned by his father. He lived there fifty years before
moving into Walnut, where they spent the rest of their lives.
They had two children, Margaret (Deceased) and Joe, who
was born in 1910. He lived on the home farm until 1933 when
he married Dorothy Croghan, daughter of Sherwood and Velma
Reynolds Croghan. They farmed three years in Lincoln Town-
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ship and eight years in Layton Township, moving to the Beckendorf home farm in 1944.
In September 1969 they moved into their new home in Walnut. They belong to the First
United Presbyterian Church. They have three children, Betty married to Darrell Sunderman,
Bob married to Beverly Zimmerman and Boyd (deceased).
Bob Beckendorf and his wife Beverly, daughter of Harry
and Elsie Hallcock Zimmerman farmed one year in Lincoln
Township and in Center Township thirteen years before moving
to the Beckendorf home farm. Bob makes the fifth generation
of Beckendorfs to live there covering 85 consecutive years.
Bob and Beverly have four children: Larry a 1977 graduate
of Buena Vista College, now teaching at Eagle Grove, Iowa;
Russell attending college at Ankeny, Iowa; Sherri, and Mark
in Walnut Community School. Bob is a director of the school.
They are members of Oakland Methodist Church.
HENRY THEODORE BEEDLE
Theodore Beedle was born May 16, 1916 to Perry Henry and
Frankie (Griffith) Beedle on the family farm in York Township.
He was one of eight sons. On January 10, 1943, he was married
to Pauline Chaney, daughter of Earl and Sibyl (Turner) Chaney.
They lived on a farm in York Township about ten miles south
of Minden until 1947, when they moved to a farm in Knox
Township about five miles northeast of Avoca. In 1954, he
purchased and moved to a farm about seven miles southeast
of Avoca in Valley Township.
Mr. and Mrs. Beedle are the parents of four children: Carol
Elaine, who died of leukemia at the age of 9. Ronald Theodore,
who resides on a farm southeast of Hancock. He and his wife,
Pamela (Jacobsen) have three daughters, Kathy Sue, Kristy
Jean and Kerri Ann.
Phyllis Jeanne, married Charles Linquist, lives in Weston
and has two children: Michael Scott and Alana Sue.
Gary Dwayne and his wife, Doris (Dunn) live southeast of
Hancock, have two children: Stacey Marie and Brent Alan.
PERRY HENRY BEEDLE
Perry Henry Beedle was born in Fremont County near Thurman.
He was the son of Henry Jess and Dora (Proctor) Beedle.
In 1911, he moved to a farm in York Township. One year later
he was married to Frankie Griffith, daughter of Frank and
Alice Griffith. They lived on this farm their entire married
life. Mrs. Beetle died in February 1947. About two years
after his wife's death, he and one son, John, moved to a
farm east of Carson where he resided until 1951, when he
moved to Council Bluffs. He died in August 1954. Mr. and
Mrs. Beedle are buried in Fairview Cemetery in Washington
Township. Mr. and Mrs. Beedle were the parents of eight
sons, one who died in infancy. Everett, who was killed accidentally
in 1944; Theodore married Pauline Chaney; William married
Elsie Tyson, divorced, married Virginia (Killion) Carspecken
(He was killed in a tractor accident in November 1977);
Perry Henry Jr. married Hilda Feignbutz; Jess married Jacqueline
Croft; John married Doris Archer; Mervin married Joan Martens.
BEHRENS -- WEDEL
Karl Edward Behrens married Delphine Marie Catherine Guttau
born August 11, 1911 on the old Guttau Homestead at rural
Neola, Washington Township. She was the daughter of Gustav
Guttau and Emma Heesch on January 25, 1938. She was graduated
from Treynor High School. After an extended illness she
passed away on October 18, 1965. (See Gustav Guttau). Karl
was born in Carson on October 4. 1909 a son of Johann Gertz
Behrens and Marie Koester. He is now resting at the Baptist
Memorial Home in Harlan after having to give up his lifetime
profession of farming, being a brittle diabetic. He and
Delphine owned a farm two miles north of Treynor. It was
there they raised their two children, Bryce Gene born December
5, 1943 at Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs,
and Karla Louise born October 21, 1948 also at the Jennie
Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs.
Bryce graduated from Treynor High School in 1962. He married
Ruthalee Cary in November 1968 and a son was born to their
union on September 1, 1969. They were divorced. Bryce is
now living in Council Bluffs and is employed at Wright and
Willhelmy in Omaha.
Karla was graduated from Treynor High School in 1966 and
went on to Stewarts School of Hairstyling and graduated
from there in July 1967. State Boards were successfully
completed and passed in August and she married Gary Lee
Wedel on September 8, 1967. They were the last couple to
be married in the old Zion Congregational Church in Treynor
where Karla was baptized and confirmed. She practiced cosmetology
at Marges Beauty Shop in Neola for a year.
Gary was born January 30, 1947 at the Mercy Hospital in
Council Bluffs a son of Orville Laverne Wedel and Betty
Jane Derby. (see Wedel) He graduated from AvoHa High School
in 1965. He operates Wedel Dental Laboratory in Council
Bluffs. They are now both members of the Minden United Church
of Christ where Gary is Senior High Sunday School Superintendent
and Karla keeps attendance records for the Sunday School
and enjoys singing in the adult choir.
Sewing is a favorite pastime for Karla while Gary enjoys
sports of all kinds. Bowling, golfing, hunting and with
Karla fishing and playing mixed league softball. He also
has a ventriloquist doll named Randy and they entertain
at various events.
Gary was chairman of the Minden Centennial Committee in
1976 and drew the Centennial Seal. He was chosen to have
his name printed in the 1977 edition of Outstanding Young
Men of America. He is a member of the Council Bluffs Optimist
and at present is serving as Rifle Club Chairman for the
Youth through this organization. He built the home in which
they reside in Minden with their three daughters.
Delene Luann was born December 20, 1968 at the Jennie Edmundson
Hospital in Council Bluffs. She enjoys tap, ballet and acrobatic
lessons and likes art. She also sings in the youth choir
and attends Sunday School.
Wendy Joell was born April 19, 1971 at the Jennie Edmundson
Hospital in Council Bluffs. She also enjoys tap, ballet
and acrobatic lessons, attends Sunday School. Her favorite
thing is to read.
Michelle Lea was born June 9, 1976. She was the youngest
member of the town of Minden as they celebrated their Centennial.
She helped her mother at Sunday School since she was three
months old thus attended class at the young age of two years.
As a family they enjoy boating at DeSota Bend and on the
Missouri River. This stems back to Grandfather Johann as
he was born on a sailboat on the waters of the North Sea,
Oldenburg, Germany. He became a sailor at the age of 14
as was his father and uncle before him. For ten years he
sailed the seven seas, visiting every port in the world.
JULIUS BENDT
Julius Bendt was born January 28, 1852, at Harmsdorf, near Oldenburg in Schleswig,
Holstein, and was married to Lena Rosberg (born June 8, 1856) in 1880. To this union
were born six children: Bertha (born October 17, 1880) who died in early life; Otto
(born July 5, 1883); Herman (born November 23, 1886); Dora (born May 9, 1889); Ella
(born May 13, 1892); and Paula (born May 12, 1894). In April of 1885 they came to
America and settled in the Mineola area where he rented various farms. On March
20, 1903, he purchased a 240 acres farm in Keg Creek Township for $65.00 an acre
from T. Basch. They resided here until 1915 when he retired and moved to Mineola.
Julius Bendt passed away June 13, 1919. Julius' son Herman, who was renting the
farm at the time,
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purchased 160 acres with the buildings from the estate on November 29, 1919 for
$145.00 per acre, and Julius' son, Otto, purchased the other 80 acres. Herman Brendt
married Helen Hansen (born June 25, 1890) on March 31st, 1915. They had 5 children:
one died in infancy; Vera (born January 20, 1916) married to Herman Schroeder; Mildred
(born March 17, 1917) married to Ersal Powles; Anita (born August 23, 1918) married
to George Marshall; and Earl (born March 23, 1928) married to Phyllis McCoy. Herman
mortgaged the farm on March 29, 1932 and sold it on April 20, 1936. He continued
to farm it until 1938; and then he moved to Mills County where he continued to farm
until 1954. After he retired, he moved to Silver City and worked for various farmers
in the area. In 1960, he had planted corn for 60 years. His wife, Helen passed away
February 25, 1972, the last member of the Hansen family. On November 23, 1977, Herman
was 91 years old and living in the Nishna Care Center in Malvern, Iowa. He is the
last living member of his family. By Edward Marshall
EDWIN AND NEVA BENTLEY
Edwin Harold Bentley has been a resident of Pottawattamie
County his entire life. He was born November 13, 1906 in
Oakland, Iowa, the son of John B. Bentley, (1867-1930) a
native of Pennsylvania and Edith Pierce Bentley (1880-1954)
a native of Pottawattamie County.
John B. Bentley was a butcher and meat market operator
in Oakland, then in 1910 he moved with his family to a farm
in Washington Township where Edwin grew to manhood with
his six brothers, Orris, Walter, John, who died in 1970,
Kenneth, Donald, who died in 1931, and Sherwood and one
sister Leona Bentley Coleman. Edwin attended rural school
in Washington Township and Oakland High School.
Edwin's interest has always been in farming and livestock.
On May 20, 1936, he was united in marriage to Neva Coleman,
a graduate of Oakland High School and a teacher in the rural
schools of Washington Township. Neva was the daughter of
Roy Archie Coleman (1889-1955) and Mabel Hetrick Coleman
(b. 1890) both Pottawattamie County natives.
Edwin had rented and moved to the Hetrick farm of 160 acres
in York Township in March, 1936, so he took his bride back
to the home where she was born in 1914. Her grandfather
Philip E. Hetrick had purchased the farm in 1898 from his
father's estate and her parents farmed the land from 1911
to 1919.
In 1959 Edwin purchased the farm and has always taken great
pride in maintaining and improving the land and homestead.
The most recent improvement was the new house built in 1971.
For fifteen years, he was in the Purebred Spotted Poland
China hog business and he served as York Township Committeeman
for A.S.C.S. for over 20 years.
Mr. and Mrs. Bentley are the parents of five children.
Kendall (b. 1938), a graduate of Agri-Business Course from
Iowa State University at Ames, is now farming the home property
since his father retired. He feeds a great number of cattle
and farrows and finishes hogs. He is a licensed pilot and
avid skier.
Sherryl (b. 1940), a medical secretary graduate and wife
of Donald Hoeppner, Associate Principal of Jefferson High
School, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where they reside. They have
three children, Kirk, Eydie and Mindy. She excels in sewing
and baking and is involved in church and charity organizations.
Meredith (b. 1942), a graduate of State University of Iowa
with a B.A. in Anthropology, served four years in the Army
Security Agency. He has traveled extensively and does much
research in genealogy. He is now a resident of Seattle,
Washington.
Marshall (b. 1943), a graduate of State University of Iowa
with a B.S. in Political Science, served four years in the
U.S. Navy and attained the rank of Lieutenant J.G. For several
years he was the Grants Administrator for Youth Projects
in San Francisco; but is now attending law school in the
city where he resides with his young son, Daum.
Layna (b. 1947), a graduate of Patricia Stevens Career
College and the University of Northern Iowa, resides in
Omaha, Nebr. where she is a fashion merchandising instructor
at N.C.E.
The Bentley's political affiliation is with the Republican
Party and they are members and regular attendants of Sharon
Presbyterian Church.
KENNETH HARRISON BENTLEY
I, Kenneth H. Bentley was born March 12, 1912 on the family
farm 9 miles west of Oakland. I have lived on this farm
all of my life except for the 4 years I spent in the army
during the second World War and the one year I lived in
town with my mother in 1951 and 1952.
My father was John B. Bentley. He came from Meadville,
Pennsylvania in 1900. He was married to Edith M. Pierce
in about 1902. He owned and operated a meat market in Oakland
for 10 years. He also delivered fresh meat to the rural
areas by team and wagon a couple times a week. People around
the community who had horses that needed breaking would
often ask him to drive their horses on his meat wagon and
it wouldn't be long before they were tamed. After selling
the meat market my folks and family moved to the farm where
we now live and where I was born.
I have one sister and five brothers living: Mrs. Ardath
Coleman (Leona), Edwin and Walter of Oakland; Orris and
Sherwood of Macedonia. I have 2 brothers deceased: John
in 1970 from a heart attack, and Donald in 1931 from an
infection as the result of a mule kicking him in his leg.
My father died in 1930 leaving mother and family heavily
in debt. We had quite a struggle keeping the family farm
during the drouth and depression of the 30's. Finally in
1937 we lost the farm to the creditors. We rented it for
one year and the next year we were able to buy it back for
$87.50 per acre. The years following were good years for
our farming operation. We raised hogs and fed light weight
cattle.
I graduated from Oakland High School in 1931. After graduation
I helped on the farm. I served in the U.S. Army from August
1942 to January of 1946. I spent 2 1/2 years overseas in
the South Pacific: Guadalcanal, Bougainville, and the Philippine
Islands. I was in the Signal Corps.
One of the fastest changes I have seen in my life was the
conversion from horses to tractors and power equipment during
World War II. We had about 20 horses and colts when I went
to the service and when I came home we had only 2 teams
left. After returning home I resumed farming operations
with my mother and my brother, Walter. My mother passed
away in July 1954.
I married Lorene Minnig December 27, 1952. We moved to
the family farm and continued to farm with my brother, Walter,
until we divided the 480 acre farm at the time we built
our new home in 1957. We became the parents of 2 girls and
2 boys: Janet (Mrs. Michael Bean) born February 12, 1953,
Mark born October 16, 1954, Carolyn born October 12, 1955,
and Keith born April 28, 1957.
Lorene was born August 7, 1919 at Bassett, Nebraska. She
grew up on a ranch 14 miles south of Bassett and graduated
from the Rock County High School in 1937. Her parents Wellington
B. Minnig and Caroline M. Bohl came to the Bassett community
from Auburn, Nebraska the year of 1915. That was before
there were any marked roads in that area. Lorene taught
country school for 3 years after graduation. She went to
business school for a year and afterwards she worked for
the Union Pacific Railroad in Omaha. After her marriage
she became a full time farmer's wife.
We are active members of the Sharon Presbyterian Church
located 4 miles west of Oakland on highway 6.
SHERWOOD AND MARJORIE BENTLEY
H. Sherwood Bentley, born November 27, 1922, son of John
B. and Edith M. (Pierce) Bentley married Marjorie M. Chaney
(born January 31, 1932) daughter of D. Earl and Sybil A.
Chaney, on October 28, 1945.
Both were raised on family farms west of Oakland, are graduates
of Oakland High School, moved to Mills County farm in November
1946, then purchased a farm southwest of Macedonia and moved
there
Page 109
March, 1951. Where they now reside. They have four children: Daughter--Marilyn Marie
born November 13, 1946, married Stephen C. Mickey (born November 15, 1947) on July
22, 1966. They have two sons, Craig Allen born September 22, 1967 and Ryan David
born June 28, 1977. All are engaged in farming and livestock.
Son--John Bruce, born December 7, 1947, married Ruby J.
Fahrenkrug (born August 17, 1948) on March 20, 1966. They
have four children: Brian Donald born June 26, 1966; Marla
Jo born December 4, 1968; Barbara LeAnn born April 28, 1972;
Jana Joe born March 16, 1976. Engaged in farming and livestock.
Son--Rodney Dale born June 21, 1949 married LuAnn Carol
Grove (born March 29, 1955) on June 15, 1974. They have
a son, Jeffrey Dean born November 3, 1977. Engaged in farming
and cattle raising.
Daughter--Marlene Sue born November 27, 1950 married Terry
Wayne Richardson (born October 29, 1950) on October 16,
1971. They have two sons: Todd Andrew born May 16, 1972
and Trevor Richardson born November 20, 1975. Live on an
acreage west of Macedonia, employed with A.T.&T. in
Omaha, Nebraska.
A. L. BESORE, M.D.
So my six Grandsons, you want to know about the Besore Family Tree. Well your Great
Great Grandfather, the Rev. Jacob H. Besore of Ida Grove, Iowa married Jemima Sherick
in 1867. He was also a Dentist. He made a gold ring as a Masonic ring for President
Harding and President Harding was buried with this on his finger. To this marriage,
your Great Grandfather, Albert Leroy Besore was born on June 30, 1879, the youngest
of four brothers, at North Liberty, Iowa.
He attended the University of Iowa at Iowa City and received
his M.D. Degree in 1904. He started his medical practice
with his brother, Walter Besore, M.D., at Macedonia, Iowa
and after a short time moved to Carson, Iowa, and later
to Bentley, Iowa. Bentley did not have a Drug Store at that
time, so he moved to McClelland, Iowa where a Druggist,
Mr. Horace Spears, operated a Drug Store and Ice Cream Parlor.
He met your Great Grandmother, Frances M. Duff, at a dance
in Neola, Iowa and on February 26, 1908 they were married.
She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Allen Duff
of Rural Neola. They were engaged in farming, and broke
the first prairie sod around what is now Mineola, Iowa.
They had one son, William M. Duff and three daughters, Lottie,
Frances and Clara. I would like to mention that your Great
Great Aunt Clara (Payne) presented a Birthday Cake to President
Truman at Pacific Junction, Iowa at a time when he was traveling
through on a Special Train. She received a personal letter
from him, thanking her for remembering his Birthday and
I still have this letter among other mementoes of years
gone by.
My father was what they called a "Country Doctor"
and for several years his country calls were made on horseback,
then in turn came the buggies, and then the automobile.
On his 75th Birthday in 1954, he had delivered more than
2500 babies and had delivered both the father and mother
of a new born baby. He was well in the third generation
of deliveries. The babies were delivered in the homes in
those days, rather than in hospitals.
During the great flu epidemic of 1918, he gained the reputation
as a flu specialist by not having lost a single patient
to the flu. He himself had a touch of the flu and for several
weeks your Great Grandmother drove the team on his calls.
Dad would lay in the back seat of the buggy, all bundled
up with blankets.
He was caught away from home during an Easter blizzard
one year and it was four days before he could return and
nineteen days before he was able to get his car home.
Dad always carried a pair of wire cutters with him and
when the roads were blocked with from five to twelve feet
of snow, he would cut the fences and go across the farmer's
fields in a determined effort to get to a sick patient.
All through his High School and College days, Dad was known
as "Bert" but as soon as he received his M.D.
Degree, this changed to "Doc."
I remember one night the phone rang and Dad answered it.
In a few minutes he was up, dressed, grabbed his black bag
and was gone. The next day I asked him who was sick and
he said "that was Floyd Leslie and he wanted to know
if I could come down right away" and he was happy to
report that the mother and three Pekingese pups were doing
fine. Floyd Leslie was the Druggist at this time.
During the depression of 1936, corn was selling for eight
to ten cents a bushel and Dad was giving the farmers .25
a bushel credit on their accounts. He had the coal bin,
chicken house, granary, and part of the garage full of ear
corn. Most of it was used as fuel and burned in the stoves
and furnace.
Dad never had a lot of money like most Doctors of the present
time, but we sure had plenty of good food. Dad would take
a steer, pig, chickens, potatoes, eggs, cream, milk and
sometimes fresh churned butter on accounts.
Forty-eight of his fifty-three years as a physician were
spent at McClelland, Iowa and on February 22, 1957, at age
of 77 years, he was called to rest and he is buried in the
Garden of Apostle in the Cedar Lawn Cemetery in Council
Bluffs, Iowa. His wife, Frances, died August 16, 1972 and
is by his side.
I was an only child, born July 10, 1913 at McClelland,
Iowa and my father assisted in my delivery at their McClelland
home. I was also an only born in the "Duff" family.
I met my future wife, Honor K. Prentice, daughter of Robert
and Stella Prentice of Crescent, while attending a dance
at Weston. We were married on January 4, 1939. This was
also her twentieth birthday.
Our first son, William Albert Besore was born on June 23,
1943, and he married Annina K. Jensen, daughter of Arnold
B. and Elna Jensen of Council Bluffs, on April 24, 1964.
You three Grandsons, Kort, Marty and Robbie, are their sons.
Our second son, Prentice Alan Besore was born August 23,
1946, and he married Judy M. Green, daughter of Kenneth
and Violet Green of Council Bluffs, on June 18, 1966. Your
three Grandsons, Andrew, Eric and Perry, are their sons.
So you see my six Grandsons, you are the descendants of
this Besore Family.
Prior to Retirement in 1974, I worked thirty-two years
on the Railroad and five years as a Deputy Bailiff and Deputy
Sheriff in the Municipal Court System in Council Bluffs,
Iowa. Your Grandfather, William J. Besore
DR. WALTER McKAY BESORE
Dr. Walter McKay Besore came to Pottawattamie County in
1898, where he practiced medicine in Macedonia. He was the
son of J. H. and Jenima Besore, born at North Liberty, Johnson
County, Iowa on Jan. 10, 1874.
He moved with his parents to Ida County, Iowa, Ida Grove
in 1884, where he graduated from high school, after which
he attended school for one year at Ames; then going to Iowa
City where he graduated from the medical course.
He was united in marriage to Nina E. Van Wagoner on Mar.
29, 1899. To this union three children were born: Mrs. James
(Gladys) Boland of Keswick, Iowa; Mrs. Berton M. (Marguerite)
Smith of Carson; and Walter R. Besore, now residing in Enterprise,
Kansas.
His wife passed away on Jan. 10, 1908. He then married Dale McKenzie on Apr. 14,
1909. To this union two children were born: Pauline and Donald. Mrs. Ray Foster
(Pau-
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