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Page 64 of 354
Thomas Rinehart 1813-189 Also pg 50
William Swayze 1853-1911
Charles Rexford 1880-1962 Also pg 260
Rexford William 1909-1957 Also pg 69, 230
Loyd Charles 1939-1998 Also pg 113, 312
Rexford Lowell 1974-1985 See pg 76
This is the tombstone of Loyd Servigna Hughes, (son of Ryan Hughes, son of Dale Hughes) who was born and died on 15 Feb. 2007 in Provo, Utah and was returned to Pleasant Grove by his parents.
Left: Norman Rexford 1936-1944 Also pg 75

Loyd Charles
and Norman are
brothers.

It is quite unexpected for a cemetery in central Iowa as small as Pleasant Grove to have a male representative of each of seven consecutive generations of one family buried within. There are also brothers and sisters and wives of these four older fellows. One exception is Sarah, wife of William Swayze, who is buried in Ames because she felt that “Pleasant Grove will some day turn into a weed patch and, by golly, I don't want to be laying in a weed patch!”

1939 Bridge from the Northwest
The new Soper's Mill Bridge: On a cold overcast day in Jan 2007, the snow packed road crosses the South Skunk River headed to the southeast and curves gently to the left and goes up the hill to the Pleasant Grove Church and Cemetery area. This new bridge was opened in the summer of 1939 at a cost of about $22,000 with the Public Works Administration supplying a $9,900 grant in Oct of 1938 with work to start as soon as possible. The mill would have stood just about where the far end of the bridge is now located. The original Soper's Mill Bridge, if it were still in existence, would be just out of the picture to the left.
Early Settlers' Money Problems

In an Atlas published in the early twentieth century, a brief history is given of the financial problems encountered by the early settlers. The financial panic of 1856-'57 added to the problems of the settlers of Story County. Money became almost unknown as a medium of exchange for a long time. The paper currency, of which a few of the later arrivals had a very small amount, became worthless, only gold and silver would purchase goods. A notable exception was the bill of the "Bank of Nebraska" commonly called by many as "Red Dog" money. Occasionally a bill on the "State Bank of Indiana" would be seen and every loyal Hoosier "religiously" believed it was a little safer than a government bond. Edit:"Red dog" money, as a term, (or yellow dog money) came into general use as describing depreciated notes (often up to 60%) issued by other states and by banks in states other than Indiana.

Ol' Milford Farmer say: Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from bad judgment.

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Page 64 of 354

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