Bits of the Odd, "Corny," Unusual, Funny,  or Tall Tales

Obituary of "Jennie"

Submitted by Wilma J. Vande Berg of the Greater Sioux County Genealogical Society

(picture from the 1908 Illustrated Atlas)

 In the Le Mars Sentinel of Feb. 13, 1903 page 3 col 2

 From the Sioux County Herald -  Obituary of "Jennie"

'Jennie' perhaps the oldest mule in northwestern Iowa, died at the home of her owner.  Bert Van Pelt, west of Orange City on Friday of last week at the age of forty one years.  Jennie first saw the light of day in Marion County, Iowa, and with her mate drew a load of household furniture from Pella to Sioux County in 1869; this train of wagon teams being the very first settlers of the colony.  Jennie also bore the distiction of being one of the four mule teams which drew the county safe and records from Calliope in 1872 when the boys relocated the county seat without ceremony or ballot.  Jennie's mates, on this famous trip, preceeded her in muledom by several years.  In her late illness she was nursed like a child and her death was equally mourned.