Cora Amanda, daughter of Martin and Eliza OUDERKIRK, married Joe DALTON. They had one son, Gail Martin, who married Kate DANT. Gail and Kate moved to a little farm near Benton. They had two children, a daughter, Dorothy, and a son, Joe.

Our parents, Gail and Kate DALTON, were active and vital people. Gail was in the garage business all his working life. He owned garages in Benton, Maloy and Kate managed the farm and in latter years, bought the General Store and became postmaster at Benton. Kate and Gail were active in the community affairs.

My brother, Joe DALTON, served overseas in World War II. After the service, he moved to Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, and has worked many years for Douglas Aircraft. He married Wanda SCOTT. Joe had one son, Jimmy, and a granddaughter, Shelbie.

I married Marshal MATTHEWS, and after his Amry service, we taught school for several years. Then we purchased the General Store from my mother, Kate DALTON, and Marshal was appointed postmaster. Marshal served rural routes at Benton, Redding and Mount Ayr.

We are the parents of two children, Mary Kathryn GEPNER and Alfred Gail MATTHEWS. We have three grandchildren: Mike GEPNER, Gail and Angela MATTHEWS.

SOURCE: 1887 - Benton, Iowa Centennial - 1987. Pp. 161-62. Courtesy of Mount Ayr Public Library, Mount Ayr IA

Transcriptions and notes by Sharon R. Becker, October of 2012

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