Zearing, Iowa 1956 History

New York. Sally Churchill was the mother of Zenas. She was born in Vermont.

Zenas married Samantha Emma Wright. Samantha Emma was born in Illinois. Zenas served with an Illinois regiment during the Civil War.

Zenas and Samantha Emma were the parents of three children. They were Leona M., Harris E., and Zenas C. Jr.

Zenas died on February 27, 1924, at Rockwell, Iowa. We do not have the date of Samantha Emma's death.

Burgess :

Two highly regarded Burgess families were pioneer residents of our community. Chester served as the mayor of Zearing in 1886. John Quincy was a prominent farmer in Lincoln township.

Chester A. Burgess was born in Pennsylvania on April 17, 1823. As a young man he moved to Manitowoc, Wisconsin. There he established a business, built and furnished a home. After completion of the home, Chester traveled by boat to Racine, Wisconsin.

Chester went to the Coplan home in Racine. He found Mr. Coplan in the garden planting beans. Chester hold him that he was in Racine to marry his daughter, Rachel Ann Coplan. Rachel Ann was born on September 18, 1826, at Racine, Wisconsin.

Chester and Rachel were charter members of the town of Zearing, Iowa. Chester was a cobbler.

Chester and Rachel were the parents of five children. They were Walter C., William, George, Emma Burgess Lukens, and Julia Ellen Burgess Townsend.

In the early 1900's the Soldiers Home at Marshalltown, Iowa, had rooms available for rent to people who were not veterans. Chester and Rachel Ann spent their last days there. One night Chester died. The next morning Rachel Ann died.

Information about John Quincy Burgess was difficult to obtain. From the information we have we understand that John's wife was named Alice. We also understand that there were no children in the family.

Milton Boster of Maxwell, Iowa, said that he knew J. Q. and Alice. He said that they were fine people. J. Q. was elected to a county office and moved from Lincoln township to Nevada, Iowa.

Ellis Lewis said that J. Q. lived on a farm north of Zearing when he was acquainted with him. Ellis said that J. Q. was a handsome man. He was quite dignified, rather reserved, and very discreet. In fact, according to Ellis, he was so popular that he was elected to a county office.

Alice Burgess was a nice looking lady and very gracious, according to Ellis.