on sturdy wooden framework near the back porch could be heard for miles calling in heavy melodic tones for men in the fields to come home for meals. A 50 foot rock-walled well was conveniently located inside this porch. It was equipped with the then well-known oaken bucket. What a refreshing drink was afforded by the dripping oaken bucket that came zooming up from the cool depths of the rocks bound well!

   In 1928 a cyclonic wind blew the old bell to the ground.  It was later-given to the Stennett Consolidated school where it was put into use and still stands. The well beneath the porch went dry in the early 1920's and so was abandoned.

   Many carloads of grain were shipped each year through the elevator which still stands. A large lumber yard furnished building and fencing material for surrounding territory.  Coal sheds, with several carloads capacity, were the source of fuel supply.  

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Modern Trends

  In 1918 the Farmers Mercantile Co. of Red Oak purchased the town's several enterprises from the Goods. In 1936 H. B. Turner and Delbert Holtmyer bought the interests of the Mercantile Company. The lumber yard was discontinued and the building removed. As hog buying was not carried on and since most livestock was shipped to market by truck at this time, the railroad soon sold the stock-yards and depot.

   In 1943 W. C. Baker bought the store and elevator from Mr. Holtmyer. In 1950 the stone store, a landmark of the township for well over half a century, burned and was not restored.

   Gerald Milner of Elliott later bought the elevator and now operates it as a shipping outlet on the railroad and for loading his grain trucks. He was installed a large truck scales near the former site of the lumber yard.

    In 1919 a consolidated school district was voted with a new building erected at Stennett in 1920.  The land upon which the building stands was purchased from the Becknell family. The playground includes some of the original land owned by Wayne Stennett.

   With the advent of the modern car and truck and development of hard surfaced roads, the town of Stennett has seen most of its businesses dwindle and die. Only those who experienced life in the heyday of the town, can visualize what once was a busy, thriving village in Sherman township in section 27.

Stratton Church, 1890

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Stratton Community

The Stratton Church

by Cora M. Granson   

The church on the hill

Where the highways meet

Is a beacon light to weary feet

Its beams shine forth o'er the country wide

To living lost souls to the Saviour's side.

Oh, I love that old church on the hill

It brings back sweet memories to me

Through childhood and youth

It guided my feet

So I'll love it till Jesus I see.

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Stratton Community Built Around Church

   In the early days when the first settlers came to the Iowa prairie, there were no land marks of any kind, so by mutual agreement boundaries were made and farms chosen. Later, land was offered for sale by the government at $1.25 per acre, surveys were made and settlers came first.

   In the fall of 1870, two young men from Illinois, Henry Kneedy and William Baker, came to in search of land suitable for homes. Mr. Baker chose his farm from the section on which the Stratton church now stands, and Mr. Kneedy selected the land directly south of Mr. Baker's. There were other early settlers who, no doubt, contradicted much to the community, but the date of their coming is uncertain.

   Probably the first community project in what is now known as Stratton was a day school taught by Henry Kneedy in his own home. This school soon out grew the accommodation offered by the home and a school house was built which became a community center. A Literary Society was organized and held its meetings there; it became the home for religious services, Sunday school and union church services.

   Among the ministers preaching in the school house were William Yockey, Mr. Bourne, A. C. Rawls, and C. L. Stratton.

   Through the religious zeal and untiring efforts of Mr. Stratton to promote the spiritual welfare of the community, a Methodist Episcopal church was organized. In 1889, articles of incorporation were drawn up and plans made for the building of a church. Mr. Wm. Baker donated the land for the building site. Subscriptions ranging from 25 cents to $100.00 amounted to $1,688.32, which was the total cost of the new building. It was dedicated August 17, 1890 as the Stratton church. Mr. T. M. Stewart preached the dedicatory sermon.

   The church was placed on a circuit with Elliott, Red Oak and Coburg. Later it was put on what was known as the Red Oak circuit and one pastor served Frankfort, Stratton and Hawthorne. After the closing of the Frankfort church the Stennett Community Church became a part of the Red Oak circuit.

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A Loyal Community

   On Sunday evening, May 9, 1913, the church was struck by lightning and buried to the ground. The following day while the embers were still burning, members and friends of the congregation gathered to view the ruins and discuss the disaster. With no soliciting, volunteer pledges for $1,530.00 were made, and this with $1,000.00 insurance was a substantial foundation for the coat of a new church that was begun immediately. A tabernacle was erected in the school yard across the road, and was complicated in time for worship services the very next Sunday.

   As time passes on and generations come and go, Stratton church and community lives on -- enthusiastic and devoted laborers, loyal men and women alert in the work of furthering the Kingdom of Heaven.