Hugh BRECKENRIDGE (1836 - 1900), wife Harriet RICHARDS (1843 - 1930), and family moved to Tingley in 1865 from Barlow, Washington Co., Ohio. They had two sons: Henry Ellsworth, born March, 1862, and Andrew Frank, born January 1874. Frank died in 1892. Henry E. (1862 - 1936) married Mary "Luella" MORRISON (1860 - 1936) in January 1882. Three sons were born to them: Ellsworth Morrison (1883 - 1959), Elmer Andrew (1885 - 1962), and William Shafer (1895 - 1979). Henry E. farmed south of Tingley for many years - later becoming a livestock buyer. The family moved to town in 1907.

NOTE: Hugh BRECKENRIDGE, the son of John and Margaret (RALSTON) BRECKENRIDGE, was born in Ohio on May 26, 1836, and died at the age of 64 years on November 2, 1900, Tingley. He was a Civil War Veteran, serving in Company F of the 148th Ohio Infantry. He married in Washington County, Ohio on May 2, 1861 to Harriet P. RICHARDS. Harriet, the daughter of Andrew Samuel and Betsey (CORNFIELD) RICHARDS, was born in Illinois on December 4, 1843, and died at the age of 87 years on September 15, 1930, Tingley.

Frank BRECKENRIDGE died at the age of 20 years on March 2, 1894, Tingley, Iowa. They were interred at Tingley Cemetery.

Henry Ellsworth BRECKENRIDGE was born in March of 1862 in Ohio, and died at the age of 74 years, 1936, Tingley. Mary "Luella (MORRISON) BRECKENRIDGE was born in February, 1860, Illinois, and died in 1936. They were interred at Tingley Cemetery.

William S[hafer]. "Bill" was born on the the farm. He graduated from Tingley High School and was employed by Fender and Adams for a few years. He went into military service in 1918 and spent a few months in training before going to officer's candidate school. The war ended before his schooling was completed, and he elected to return to civilian life. He worked at the local elevator until May 1921 when he opened a grocery store.

William married Lola B. ROUSH (1899 - 1976) in June [14] 1919. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. O[tto]. W[illiam]. [and Ellen Marilla (GRIMM)] ROUSH of Tingley. To this union five children were born: Reba Belle in 1920, Lois Fern in 1921, Mary Jean in 1923, Dean "Bud" Roush in 1925, and Billy Ray in 1926. Bill, Lola, and 5 children were graduates of Tingley High School.

In 1930 they purchased Grandmother BRECKENRIDGE'S home, located one block south of the Tingley schoolhouse. They lived here for 50 years. This house was built by Elmer BRECKENRIDGE for his family. When he left the community, Mrs. Hugh BRECKENRIDGE bought the house and lived there until her death [1930].

As a young man Bill was active in sports. He played for area semi-pro baseball teams as was a good basketball player. In later years he was a golfer and a bowler. He was an avid sports fan, attending all local sports events. At his death, money contributed in memoriam was donated to the new Tingley Sports Complex.

Besides his work with the store, Bill had put a lot of effort into improving his home town. He became involved with the Tingley State Savings Bank in the middle 1940's and served as its director, vice-president, president and chairman of the board. He was a charter member of the American Legion and the Lions Club. He also served on the school board.

Lola was an accomplished seamstress. She completed a correspondence course in sewing after she was married. In later years her hobbies included jewelry making and woodworking. She was active in the American Legion Auxiliary.

Bill's sons joined in the operation of the store when they returned from service in World War II. He assisted at the store until his death in 1979. Lola and Bill were married for 57 years prior to her death in 1976. At the present time [1983] there are 8 grandchildren and 15 grea-grandchildren.

  NOTE: William Shafer BRECKENRIDGE was born November 24, 1895, Tingley, Iowa, and died at the age of 83 years on May 7, 1979. Lola Belle (ROUSH) BRECKENRIDGE was born July 4, 1899 at Alexandria, Nebraska, and died at the age of 76 years on February 15, 1976, Tingley. They were interred at Tingley Cemetery.

Reba Belle ERICKSON ws born May 31, 1920, in Tingley, Iowa, to William S. and Lola ROUSH BRECKENRIDGE. She was graduated from the Tingley High School in May 1937 and in the fall of that year left Tingley to attend the American Institute of Business in Des Moines. After graduation from A.I.B. as secretary, she worked at the State Board of Social Welfare in Des Moines until January 1943.

On January 9, 1943, Reba was married in Dallas, Texas, to Kenneth Eugene ERICKSON, son of John Edward and Alma MASON ERICKSON of Story City, Iowa. For the next two years, Kenneth worked for North American Aviation in Dallas and Inglewood, California, and Reba was secretary to the president of Liberty Mutual Insurance Company of Dallas. Kenneth Eugene, Jr. was born in Culver City, California, on March 30, 1944. They returned to Iowa and in 1945 Kenneth went to work for Globe Machinery and Supply Company in Des Moines at the order desk and later was transferred to Moline, Illinois, as a salesman for the same company. Reba was a legal secretary to an attorney in Moline. During this period, they lived in Rock Island,Illinois.

In 1950 Kenneth and Reba both went to work for Corry's Machine and Tool in Davenport, Kenneth as a salesman and Reba as office manager. In 1952 the company was moved to Bonaparte, Iowa. They both stayed on with the company in the same capacities, Kenneth eventually becoming president.

In May 1959, the ERICKSONS moved to Story City, Iowa, and on January 1, 1960, founded the K. E. ERICKSON Machinery Company, dealers in new and used machine tools, Kenneth as president and Reba as secretary and office manager.

Ken, Jr., graduated from Story City High School in May 1962, and attended Iowa State University for the next 2 1/2 years. He was married to Dorothy Elaine STEARNS, daughter of Earl and Ella STEARNS of Story City, on November 24, 1963, in Story City. To this union were born three children: Kelly Renea, February 22, 1965; Kent Eugene, January 21, 1968; and Kurt William, September 18, 1969. They make their home in Story City. Ken Jr. stated out with the K.E. Erickson Machinery Company in service work, progressing on to salesman, sales manager and now president.

Kenneth and Reb remained active in the company until they retired on December 31, 1980. They still [1983] maintain their home in Story City.

NOTE: Kenneth Eugene ERICKSON, Sr. died at the age of 79 years on October 26, 1999, Story City, Iowa. Kenneth and Reba were interred at Story City Cemetery.

Lois Fern BRECKENRIDGE, second daughter of William S. and Lola B., was born in Tingley, Iowa, on July 19, 1921. She graduated from Tingley High School and attended the American Institute of Business, Des Moines, Iowa. She was employed as a bookkeeper by the Production Credit Association in Creston, Iowa, later in Davenport, Iowa.

Lois was married to John Harlan JENSEN, son of John and Minnie C. of Council Bluffs, Iowa, in June 1951. He was employed by Northwestern Bell Telephone Co. in Keokuk, Waterloo, and Davenport, Iowa.

Their two sons were born in Waterloo, Iowa: James Douglas in November 1953; and Andrew Breck in November 1956. They moved to Davenport in 1957. Lois was active in PTA and in hospital auxiliary work; John held offices in the Telephone Pioneers. They both were involved in sports booster clubs.

Both sons graduated from Davenport Central High School where they excelled in sports and won state titles in Field and Track. Each attended the University of Iowa on athletic scholarships - James in football and Andrew in track. Both received their bachelor degrees in Business administration. Andrew was the recipient of an athletic academic award each of his four years.

James signed with the Dallas Cowboys football team following graduation in 1976. In 1977 he joined the Denver Bronco football team and played with the Green Bay Packers in the 1981 season. He married Brabara REICHARDT of Des Moines in June 1976. She was graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in political science. A daughter Jessica Lee was born in November 1977; a son William Cody was born in October 1970. Their home is in Denver, Colorado. James is an accomplished artist; wildlife is his favorite subject.

Andrew was employed by International Harvester Co. following his graduation in 1980. He married Amy STASI of Iowa City in June 1981. She graduated from the University of Iow in 1982 with a bachelor degree in marketing.

John retired in 1978 from Northwestern Bell with 32 years of service. He and Lois continue to make their home in Davenport but spend the summer months at their home on Rose Lake in Minnesota. John is a veteran of World War II with over four years service an the rank of major.

Lois (BRECKENRIDGE) JENSEN died at the age of 81 years on January 12, 2003. John Harlan JENSEN died at the age of 84 years on September 29, 2001. They were interred at Rock Island Arsenal Military Cemetery.

Mary "Jean" BRECKENRIDGE, daughter of Wm. S. and Lola BRECKENRIDGE, was born in Tingley August 18, 1923. She attended Tingley School and graduated in 1940. Jean attended Iowa State Teacher's College for one year. She worked at the Office of Price Administration office in Mt. Ayr, Cessna Aircraft Plant in Dallas, Texas, Coleman Lamp and Stove Company in Wichita, Kansas, The Farmers' Mutual Life Insurance Co. in Des Moines, and taught school in Shannon City one year. She has been an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary for many years.

Harry SKARDA, son of J. V. and Josie SKARDA, was born on a farm near Tingley on December 25, 1921. He attended Hiawatha and Pleasant Hill country schools and was graduated from Tingley High School in 1939. He was very active in baseball and basketball. Harry joined the Naval Air Corps in February 1943, attended his first schooling at Mt. Vernon, Iowa, and aws later stationed at several bases around the United States. He graduated at Corpus Christi, Texas, as an Ensign then joined Squadron 23 at Seattle, Washington, as a qualified carrier fighter pilot. He was discharged November 18, 1945.

Harry and Jean were married on February 12, 1948. They lived on a farm northwest of Arispe for four years, then purchased a farm two miles east of Tingley and one-fourth miles south. They have lived there for the past thirty years. Harry was active in baseball the early years of their marriage, pitching for the Mount Ayr town team and the Creston Elks. He is a very avid outdoor sportsman. He belongs to the American Legion and the Mount Ayr Golf & Country Club.

  

NOTE: Jean (BRECKENRIDGE) SKARDA died November 30, 1999. Harry SKARDA died at the age of 86 years on August 10, 2008. They were interred at Tingley Cemetery.

Dean Roush (Bud) BRECKENRIDGE, oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. S. BRECKENRIDGE, and Karen Lue (Kaye) THOMPSON, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. B. THOMPSON, were married April 30, 1950, in Creston, Iowa.

Bud was born and raised in Tingley, graduated from Tingley High in 1942, and in April, 1943, was inducted into the Army Air Corps. His assignment overseas consisted of sixteen missions over enemy territory for which he was awarded the Air Medal, Oak Leaf Cluster, three battle stars, and the Presidential Citation. He was discharged in November, 1945, and became a partner with his father and brother at the BRECKENRIDGE General Store until 1967 when the partnership dissolved.

He started his own business of carpentry, his lifelong hobby, known as BRECKENRIDGE Builders. In 1973 he built his own home at Sun Valley Lake where he and Kaye now [1983] reside.

Kaye graduated from Creston High School in 1949 after moving there in 1945 from Hatfield, Missouri, where she was born and raised on a farm.

Our home was richly blessed with three sons, all of whom were born at Greater Community Hospital in Creston, Iowa. They all three share their father's profession of being home builders.

Michael Dean was born in 1951 and graduated from Mt. Ayr High School in 1969. Identical twins, David Eric and Dennis Paul, were born in 1953 and graduated from Mt. Ayr High School in 1972. They were baptized at the Tingley Methodist Church where we are members.

Mike married Twyla Lynette TAYLOR in 1974. They are the parents of two daughters, Ashley and Abby.

Dennis married Sandra Kay FROST in 1974. They are the parents of a daughter, Tracey Jo, and a son, Ryan Dean, who was the 11th great-grandchild and the first BRECKENRIDGE boy.

David married Janet Lee PACKWOOD in 1972. They are the parents of a son, Adam David, the second BRECKENRIDGE boy to carry the family name for that generation.

The sharing and caring of our rural atmosphere, friendliness of the people, and doing things together as a family makes a small community very special to us.

Billy, son of the late William (Bill) and Lola ROUSH BRECKENRIDGE, was born November 14, 1926, in the Creston Community Hospital. He is the youngest of five children. He started school with Miss Ina FREEMAN as his teacher. Billy graduated in 1944 from the Tingley High School, joined the Navy in August, 1944, and was discharged in 1946. He returned to Tingley and resumed work with his father Bill and brother Dean (Bud) in the grocery and hardware store.

On August 17, 1947, he married Minnie SHELDON, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Orville SHELDON of Mount Ayr. Their first home was built for them by Herbert DUFTY and was located just north of Johnson's Service Station. The land belonged to O. W. ROUSH, Billy's grandfather. It was later enlarged. Billy and Minnie presently [1983] live in one of the homes Frazier built and have lived there 29 years.

On February 22, 1949, in the Creston Community Hospital, a daughter Sally Ann was born. Joining the family July 22, 1952, was a son Billy Ray Jr., who was born in the Ringgold County Hospital. Both children attended school in Tingley and graduated from the Mount Ayr Community School.

Sally married Phillip DRAKE, son of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond DRAKE, on August 20, 1967. Phillip attended the Mount Ayr Community School and graduated from Iowa State University with a bachelor degree in Agricultural Engineering. He is presently Chief Engineer for Crane and Monorail Systems Division of Babcock Industries and has his professional license in mechanical engineering. They make their home in Fairfield. Sally is office manager for Royse J. HUFF Associates, an insurance agency. They have three children: Anthony (Tony) Phillip, born May 14, 1969; Andrew Patrick, born March 17, 1972; and Arica Noelle, born December 30, 1973.

Bill was united in marriage with Diane TAYLOR, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin TAYLOR, of Bolckow, Missouri, on June 22, 1975. Both graduated from the Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville with bachelor degrees in Industrial Business and Elementary Education. They now [1983] live in Des Moines. Diane teaches fourth grade at the Crestview Elementary School.

Bill worked three years with Aid Insurance Company and now is Commercial Lines Supervisor with Hawkeye Securities Insurance Company. They are the parents of two daughters: Emily Anne, born March 25, 1979, and Andrea Marie, born November 8, 1981.

Billy and Minnie still own and operate the BRECKENRIDGE Store which was started by Wm. S. BRECKENRIDGE in 1921. This store has served Tingley over 60 years. Billy enjoys golfing and all the family enjoys the cottage on Sun Valley Lake near Ellston.

  NOTE: Billy R. BRECKENRIDGE died at the age of 65 years on June 4, 1992, Tingley. He was interred at Tingley Cemetery.

Elmer Andrew, second son of Henry E. and Luella BRECKENRIDGE, was born May 21, 1885, in Tingley, Iowa. He married Cora Sophia STEINKAMP on November 6, 1906. She was the daughter of Henry John and Rebecca STEINKAMP.

A son Keith was born December 13, 1911. Cora died December 31, 1911, and Keith was cared for by his paternal grandparents for a few years.

Elmer married Veda Frances EMRICH (b. 12-31-89) on May 26, 1914, and moved to California in 1916, settling in Grass Valley the following year. To this union two children were born: Doris Jean, January 15, 1917; and Louis Hugh, April 23, 1922.

Elmer died August 28, 1962, and Veda, May 22, 1973.

NOTE: Cora Sofia (STEINKAMP) BRECKENRIDGE was born December 24, 1885, and died at the age of 26 years. She was interred at Tingley Cemetery.

On March 20, 1883, Ellsworth Morrison was born to Mary Louella MORRISON and Henry Ellsworth BRECKENRIDGE. He was married to Bessie Dell STEINKAMP, daughter of Rebecca Ann STULL and Henry John STEINKAMP of Tingley, on June 29, 1904.

They were the parents of two children: Chester Henry was born April 2, 1905. He married Eula LAWLER of Des Moines. Two daughters were born to them: Patricia and Sherry.

Ermal Fae was born March 31, 1907. She was married to Dr. Ray McFARLAND of Des Moines on July 11, 1931. They have no children.

Ellsworth was a former Mayor of Tingley, also was engaged in farming and insurance and had a service station at one time.

Ellsworth died in 1959 and Bessie in January, 1968.

NOTE: Ellsworth died at the age of 76 years, Tampa, Florida, on December 20, 1959. Bessie was born in Nodaway County, Missouri on October 5, 1883, and died at the age of 84 years on January 6, 1968, Tingley. They were interred at Tingley Cemetery.

BRECKENRIDGE Store, Tingley, Iowa

SOURCE: Tingley, Iowa Centennial: 1883 - 1983. Pp. 231-38. PSI, Inc. Belmond IA. 1983.
Courtesy of Mount Ayr Public Library, September of 2011

Notes and transcription by Sharon R. Becker, September of 2011