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

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

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-

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.

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

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

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.