James and Belle [(FERTIG)] JARVIS, with their family, moved to Maloy, Iowa, from a farm near Delphos in March of 1926.

As a young man, Jim, as he was known, worked with his father, Philip JARVIS, in building a steel bridge across the Platte River just west of Maloy. The bridge was designed by Philip, who also was known as the only authentic inventor in the township.

Jim inherited some of these qualities and was quite an inventor himself, although he never pursued a patent for any of his inventions. Steam engines were fascinating to Jim, and he ran his saw mill and threshing machine with steam engines. C. T. MURPHY, superintendent of Maloy School, referred t o Jim as a genius.

Belle JARVIS was one of the first students to attend the newly organized Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska - during the 1890's.

Belle was a skilled seamstress and was kept busy with her large family. Music was also an important part of her life. She was a professional music teacher for many years and instilled her love of music into the lives of her children.

Jim and Belle were the parents of seven children. Fern, who married Carl QUICK the year the family moved to Maloy [August 22, 1932], had two sons.

Florence was married to Jim RICHMOND and they had two sons and a daughter.

Eldon married Ruth BALCOM of Clearfield and they were the parents of two sons and three daughters [James Eldon Jr., Ron, Sandra, Sharon and Linda]. Eldon's family lived in Maloy for several years where Eldon continued with the saw mill business. Ruth was the first cook when the Maloy School started the hot lunch program. Ruth and Eldon now live in Story City, Iowa.

Howard married Lavonne BUELL and they lived in the Maloy vicinity for awhile. They had two sons and two daughters. Howard will be rememered by the old times as an outstanding basketball player in the late 1920's.

Irma married Nels DODENHOEFT and for the past 43 years has lived in Denver, Colorado. They have one daughter.

Doris is married to Burnell SOUTH, who was a resident of Maloy. They resided for many years in the Maloy area where Burnell farmed. They have four sons [Robert Bernell "Bobby", Larry, Jerry and Jack]. Doris and Burnell now live on a farm north of Bedford.

Nerine married John HAGESTROM from Sioux City, Iowa, and they have two daughters. Nerine and John now live in Perry, Iowa.

Fern and Carl QUICK, Florence and Jim RICHMOND, and Howard and Lavonne JARVIS are deceased.

Maloy was home to the JARVIS family for many years. Pleasant memories still remain and some of the friends made while there became lifetime friends. Residents of a small town are like on big family. Maloy will always be close to our hearts.

NOTES: Philip JARVIS was born in 1810 in Ohio. He married Mary WOLF (born in 1810, Pennsylvania), and came to Ringgold County in 1865. Philip, a superintendent and builder of bridges, holds the distinction being the only authentic inventor of the township. He invented the Jarvis patent for bridges on March 4, 1879, and the Jarvis wagon brake on March 2, 1890.
~ Early Settlers of Benton Township and Maloy

James Eldon "Jim" JARVIS Sr. was born November 7, 1867, and died August 2, 1947. Belle (FERTIG) JARVIS was born November 19, 1873, and died December 26, 1967. They were interred at Redding Cemetery.

Fern A. (JARVIS) QUICK was born in Iowa May 29, 1899, and died at the age of 79 years in May of 1978. Carl Montgomery QUICK, son of William White and Eliza (MILLER) QUICK, a World War I veteran, was born July 9, 1891 in St. Paul, Nebraska, and died at the age of 88 years in December of 1979, Redding. They were interred at Redding Cemetery.

John William HAGESTROM, husband of Nerine JARVIS HAGESTROM, died in August of 2004.

P. Howard JARVIS was born in 1911, and died in 1955. He was interred at Redding Cemetery.

Doris E. (JARVIS) SOUTH was born in 1914 and married December 12, 1933 Burnell Oliver SOUTH who was born June 4, 1910, and died in 1999. Robert Bernell "Bobby" SOUTH was born in Maloy October 6, 1934, and died January 25, 2006. He was a veteran, serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. Jerry Lee SOUTH was born June 28, 1942, and died July 3, 2010. He was a vetern of the U.S. Army. They were interred at Redding Cemetery.

Patricia J. "Pat" (RICHMOND) JEFFERSON, daughter of James and Florence (JARVIS) RICHMOND, was born November 28, 1928, Grant City, Missouri, and died at the age of 81 years August 19, 2010, Gallatin, Missouri.

James Eldon JARVIS, Jr., son of James E. Sr. and Ruth S. (BALCOM) JARVIS, was born in Maloy June 26, 1935, and died December 14, 2010 at Peoria, Arizona. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps and was a Korean War Veteran. Jim married Roma L. WITCRAFT in 1959, Des Moines. He was interred at Redding Cemetery.

Sandra (JARVIS) LILLY, daughter of James "Eldon" and Ruth (BALCOM) JARVIS, was born in Maloy May 9, 1939, and died December 30, 2010.

SOURCE: Maloy, Iowa Centennial History: 1887 - 1987 p. 125.

Courtesy of Mount Ayr Public Library

Transcription and Notes by Sharon R. Becker, August of 2011