Zearing, Iowa 1956 History

infancy. The others were Leslie M., James Lawrence, Donald M., Robert H., and Helen M.

James Lawrence and Donald M. were charter members of Post 116, The American Legion. Robert H. served as the mayor of Zearing.

James died on April 8, 1918. Jessie died on October 23, 1949.

Fred E. Smith was one of the leading merchants in the history of our community. Fred was born on March 15, 1880, at Shenandoah, Iowa. Gertrude Ann Schmidt was born at Independence, Iowa. Fred and Gertrude were married at Iowa Falls, Iowa, on July 5, 1904.

They do not remember the exact date they moved to Zearing. However, we know that they lived in Zearing in 1907.

A son, Fred Jr. is living in California in 1956.

Fred and Gertrude are living in Zearing, Iowa, in 1956. Fred is a traveling salesman.

SNIVELY :

We do not have complete information about the Jacob Snively family. We are listing the information we have.

Jacob Snively was born in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, on September 26, 1827. He moved from Pennsylvania to Knox county, Illinois. Jacob married Martha Strow on May 15, 1851. Jacob was living in Zearing in 1893. We do not have the list of the children of Jacob and Martha.

Jacob died on November 19, 1903. We do not have the date of Martha's death.

Sparrow :

The pioneer Sparrow family lived in north Sherman township, Story county, Iowa. However, after Zearing was founded there was no doubt that the members of the family considered the new town as their home town. The Sparrow family was active in church work and community affairs.

Ephraim Sparrow was born in Suffolk, England, on April 8, 1839. He came to the United States in 1857. Ephraim settled at Sycamore, Illinois. Jennie M. Sowers was born at Perrysville, Vermillion county, Indiana, on May 23, 1841. In 1842, the Sowers family moved to Sycamore, Illinois.

Ephraim and Jennie were married on January 23, 1863. In 1873, they moved to a farm in Sherman township, Story county, Iowa. A grandson, Ross Sparrow, lives on the family farm in 1956.

Ephraim and Jennie were the parents of seven children. They were Hattie May, Elmer Ellsworth, Elva Edith, Frankie James, Mary Luella, Elnora Netta, and Florence Etta. Frankie James died