Zearing, Iowa 1956 History

Harry was a fireman for the Baltimore & Ohio railroad before coming to Zearing. Harry died on February 14, 1949. Myrtle is living in Zearing in 1956.

Mead :

We are indebted to E. John Tisdale for the history of the pioneer Asa Mead family. Celia Mead Schuler furnished the information for the Asa Mead Jr. family. Many friends of the Mead family are living in our community in 1956. However, younger residents of our community would not remember them.

Asa Barkel Mead was born near Blenheim, Canada, on February 20, 1822. Rachel Scypes was born near Blenheim, Canada, on July 12, 1833. Asa and Rachel were married at Blenheim. They moved to Story county, Iowa, in 1867.

Asa and Rachel were the parents of seven children. They were John, Asa Jr., Maria, Marion, Nan, Alice, and William T. Nan married Oliver J. Thorne of our community. Maria was the wife of Julius P. Tisdale. Marion was the wife of Edward F. Bartlett.

Asa died in January, 1903. Rachel died in January, 1903.

Asa Mead Jr. was born in Canada. Amy Hix came from Illinois in 1872. Asa and Amy were married on September 4, 1877. They moved to Zearing, Iowa, in 1888.

Asa and Amy were the parents of three children. Guy died at Welcome, Minnesota, on April 1, 1946. Celia Mead Schuler lives at Welcome, Minnesota, in 1955. Vandora Mead Green is living at Lincoln, Nebraska.

Asa was a drayman in Zearing. Amy was a milliner and dress maker.

Asa Jr. died on April 4, 1920. Amy died on January 21, 1938.

There was another Mead family living in our community. However, we do not have a family sketch. George E. Mead was prominent in our community as a township clerk and town clerk. He moved to State Center, Iowa, to enter the grain business.

Bertha, Pearl, May, and Nellie Mead are listed on a country school roll call in this history.

MEEKINS :

The Meekins family moved to Illinois Grove in 1856. James G. Meekins came to our community after his marriage.

James Gilmore Meekins was born in LaSalle county, Illinois, on January 2, 1853. He was the son of Jesse and Ann Meekins. Mary Rebecca Fish was born on July 7, 1852, at Waterbury, Connecticut. She accompanied her parents to Illinois Grove in 1874,