Zearing, Iowa 1956 History

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Community History, Zearing, Iowa

She was thirteen years of age when her parents moved to Earlville, Illinois. Levi and Harriet moved to our community in 1896.

Levi and Harriet were the parents of three daughters. They were Celia, Muriel, and Dora. Their married names were Celia Norton Cameron, Muriel Norton Schuler, and Dora Norton Cerka.

Levi was the last of the Norton brothers to live in Zearing. All of them were respected citizens and neighbors. Levi's grandson, Kenneth L. Cerka, is a prominent Zearing business man in 1956.

Levi died on October 19, 1949. Harriet died on January 27, 1931.

OAKES :

The name Oakes is prominent in our community in 1956. The name has been prominent in our community since 1862. James Oakes, born in 1954, is the great, great, grandson of the pioneer, Samuel X. Oakes.

Samuel X. Oakes was born at Williamsport, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, on September 17, 1820. Sara Jane Andersen was born on October 20, 1821, in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania. Samuel and Sara Jane were married on November 7, 1844. They moved to Winnebago county, Illinois, in 1855.

Samuel and Sara Jane moved to a farm on the Skunk river, near the present site of Randall, Iowa, in 1861. In the spring of 1862, they moved to our community.

Samuel and Sara Jane were the parents of the following children :

Asher D. Oakes, born September 28, 1846, died July 30, 1920.

Henry Clay Oakes, born July 1, 1848, died March 13, 1938.

Elmira Oakes Knepper, born November 20, 1850.

Mary Elizabeth Oakes Brown, born September 29, 1853, died December 7, 1916.

Eliphalet Andersen Oakes, born July 13, 1857, died September 2, 1890.

Margaret Ann Oakes, born April 30, 1860, died May 30, 1861.

Emily Jane Oakes Reed, born August 13, 1865, died January 31, 1931.

Samuel died on December 4, 1902. Sara Jane died on December 9, 1887.

Oldenburg :

John F. Oldenburg was a charter member of the Zearing G.A.R. He lived in our community until 1887. However, we haven't found anyone who remembers the family.

John F. Oldenburg was born in Marion, Ohio. He married Nancy E. Graham. John and Nancy were the parents of three children. They were Charles Jesse, Linna May, and Rollie W.