IAGenWeb Project - Allamakee co.

Li'l Bits

You never know what you will find on this page, but you can be sure it
will be interesting, and often information you will not find anywhere else


This page was updated 03/15/2010. Look for the
New! or Updated! items.


If you have any li'l bits of information to share, please contact Sharyl.

EXTRA EXTRA !! READ ALL ABOUT IT!
Bits of Information from various newspapers


1800's & 1950's updated in February 2010!
1945-1949 updated in March 2010!

Allamakee co. Newspaper histories, photos &c

Iowa Old Press - Allamakee
(off-site IAGenWeb Special Project)

Find your ancestors in the news at Iowa Old Press

Search the Allamakee co. section of Iowa Old Press
Check it out!

site search by freefind


or Search all of Iowa from the main website

 
ALLAMAKEE COUNTY DASTARDLY DEEDS.....
(updated 08/28/09)

*1857 Attempted Murder

*Punishment by Teachers in Iowa Schools, 1879

*Murder - Suicide at Lansing, 1893

*Couldn't keep the secret ... the deathbed confession of Michael Joyce, 1894

*Waukon Merchant Murdered in His Own Store, 1897

*"I killed her because she turned me down", 1921

*Klemme murder, Waukon, 1951

ALLAMAKEE COUNTY TRAGEDIES.....

*Terrible & Fatal Runaway At Volney, 1887

*A tragic romance? ..... Fred & Stella Boomer, 1892

*JS Excursion Steamer Fire, 1910

*Bulman family tragedy, 1919

*Two Inmates of County Home Perish & the Home Burns, 1935


Tid-bits and some Bigger-bits of information:
New! February 2010
Brothers Separated 39 Years Are Reunited At Postville

A Rip Van Winkle scene was enacted at Postville last week when Frank Daubenberger arrived in that city after an absence of thirty-nine years, during which time members of the family had never heard from him and they had long since given him up for dead. Upon his arrival the surroundings were strange to him and he inquired if George Daubenberger lived there-abouts. Upon being directed to the residence of his brother, the two strangers looked at one another a moment and after a few words were exchanged, brother clasped brother's hand in their first greeting in more than a third of a centruy. Mr. Daubenberger is farming near Duluth, Minn. ~LaCrosse Tribune (Wisconsin), March 16, 1921 -contributed by S. Ferrall
White Owl
A white owl was shot by a man with the gun habit in Allamakee county.  It measured five feet from "tip to tip," and was pronounced a rare speciment (sic). Such fowls were quite common in an early day.  They ventured forth in daylight when it was snowing and shocks of fodder afforded them a home during the cold winter.  They are covered in the winter season with a velvety down underneath the coarse white feathers.  They are habitants of the open prairies. ~Alden Times, January 13, 1921-contributed by Laura Blair
Allamakee co. Spelling Bee Champions
1927 - Washington, June 24 (by the Associated Press) - Product of a small rural school, 13-year-old Dean Lucas of Congress, Ohio, today has the title of national spelling champion and a prize of $1000. Lucas, who is in the eighth grade in his town of 150 population, last night "spelled down" 13 girls and three boys to win the championship which is annually conducted by 17 leading newspapers. The word "abrogate" gained him the victory which Ralph Keenan, of Waukon, Iowa, aged 13, failed to spell. Keenan took second place and a $500 prize. Minerva Ressler, 12 years old, of Lancaster, Pa., took third place. All the contestants had won regional contests before their participation in the national championship. Lucas was sent to the contest by the Akron Beacon-Journal; Keenan by the Des Moines Register, and the Ressler girl by the Lancaster New Era.
~Ogden Standard Examiner [Utah], June 24, 1927 -contributed by Sharyl Ferrall
-------
1936 - Best County Speller. Margaret Gelo [pictured at right] of Jefferson No. 8, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Gelo, won the 1936 Allamakee County spelling championship at the eleventh annual  "bee" held March 28th.  Margaret was runnerup in the written contest, and in the finals spelled down Jerry Cahalan, to be crowned the eleventh champion.  Margaret and her teacher, Mrs. Marilla Amundson, will go to Des Moines to take part in the finals for the state championship April 18th.  
~newspaper clipping -contributed by Janet Koozer
Margaret Gelo - 1936
News extracts mentioning Dr. T.H. Barnes of Waukon and others
These newspaper articles, 1879-1884, were collected by the contributor. Read them here!
-contributed by Robert Bee
Grand Meadow Country Club is 90!
This article & photos were originally printed in the March 15, 2006 issue of the Postville Herald-Leader and is posted here with permission of the Herald-Leader editor. Grand Meadow twp. is in Clayton county, Iowa, directly south of the town of Postville and the Allamakee county line. Many of the original and current members live in or have close ties to Allamakee county. Read the Article
-contributed by Errin Wilker
Advertisements

1850's & '60's Information Wanted Ads
Irish Immigrant Ads Placed in Irish Newspapers
-Contributed by Cathy Joynt Labath

   
Vote for "Dad" Advertising Campaign postcard
ca1905/1906
Vote for "Dad" Republican Candidate for Clerk of the District Court. Allamakee County. John G. Schimming (dad) and John Schimming (son)

-contributed by Errin Wilker
-Click the postcard to enlarge in a new window
-John G. Schimming Obituary
John G. Schimming and his son John Schimming
   
An Early Form of Advertising
ca1915
Jenny and Alex Woods stand with their horse and wagon in New Albin.  Whether they were dressed for a parade or what, we're not quite sure, but their horse is all decked out, his fringed blanket and collar clearly advertising Peerless Beers.
Allamakee Journal, 1990's
-Contributed by Errin Wilker
-Notes: Alexander Woods (b. January 1861 in MN) was a stock buyer & horse dealer in New Albin. Peerless Beer was brewed by the John Gund Brewery in LaCrosse, WI, 1854-1920, then by the LaCross Brewery until 1955. The photo of the Wood's advertising Peerless Beer is likely ca1915 or so.
Jenny and Alex Woods, New Albin
   

1924 Advertising Calendar ad
L.P. Medicus
General Blacksmithing, Horse Shoeing and Repair Work
New Albin, Iowa
-contributed by Errin Wilker

1928 New Albin
Vintage Advertisements from the New Albin Post
-contributed by Errin Wilker

1939 Postville area
Community Presbyterian Church Ladies' Aid Society Birthday calendar ads, Postville
-Contributed by Sharyl Ferrall

Advertising Ink Blotters
Kozelka's Advertising Blotters. William Kozelka owned a shoe store in Postville from the 1930's ... for many years. Ink blotters were a popular form of advertising in the 1930's and 1940's. .
-Contributed by Errin Wilker

1974 New Albin area
Grace United Methodist Church Centennial Cookbook Advertisements
-Contributed by Errin Wilker

Russian Famine Relief Committees, 1892
Allamakee county heard the cry for help and formed committees to solicit donations .... read on
-contributed by S. Ferrall
New Albin Collector's Item
James C. Valesh of New Albin, Iowa, loves steam engines and he is shown here in the cab of an eight-ton locomotive which he had imported from Germany and is now located in his backyard. It was built in Kassel, Germany, in 1935 and is the only one of its kind in Iowa. It is in perfect condition and ready to steam up. Valesh also has a large 75-horsepower Minneapolis threshing machine that was built in 1914.
~La Crosse Tribune, La Crosse, Wisconsin; 1963 (note: James C. Valesh died in 1980)
-Contributed by Errin Wilker
James C. Valesh of New Albin & his steam engine
FFA Proficiency Award Winners
These members of the Postville FFA Chapter were presented with proficiency awards at the chapter banquet here Monday, April 4, 1977.  The winners and their awards are, front row, left to right, Jeff Olson, placement in ag sales and service; Lavern Snitker, placement in ag prooduction; Tony Schlee, star agri-businessman; Drew Deering, swine production; Galen Heying, dairy production; and Marlyn Ohloff, public speaking and outstanding project. Second row, left to right, Randy Plaht, outstanding senior award and outstanding 5-star farmer; Kent Schultz, star chapter farmer; Jeff Huinker, home improvement; Ron Haltmeyer, beef production; and Loren Foels, star greenhand.  Not present for the picture was Bruce Stockman who earned the ag mechanics award.
~April 1977 Postville Herald clipping
-Contributed by Errin Wilker
Postville FFA Chapter, 1977
Graduate Student
ORVILLE CARL SCHULTZ, 1915-16, residence: Postville, Iowa. Born at Postville. Iowa, Oct. 29, 1892; earned B.Sc. at Iowa State College in 1915. Research Assistant in Botany, Rutgers College.
~from the 'Catalogue of the Officers and Alumni of Rutgers College'; Rutgers College, Association of the Alumni, 1916, pg 313
-contributed by S. Ferrall
Lansing Button Company ..... The Lansing Company was founded 75 years ago on tons of clams dug from the Mississippi river bottom to make pearl buttons which were worn the world over. Now, the same company, still in the same family, is one of the largest button distributors in the United States -- an almost completely computerized operation, which makes no pearl buttons, in fact, makes no buttons at all........... read the story, view the pictures
-Contributed by Errin Wilker
Claim of Edward Julson, 1912
The claim of Edward Julson asking for payment reimbursement from the U.S. Government for damages to his launch caused by collision with U.S. Towboats Ellen and Henry Boss. Click here to read.
Spring Creek Lutheran Cemetery, Normania Township, Yellow Medicine Co., Minnesota
Jacobson, Magnus - b. 1867 d. 1895,  son of Ole and Karen Dorthea (Doctey) born  Allamakee Co. Iowa
Jacobson, Olof C. - b. Jun 22,1856  d. Oct 20,1922,  Son of Ole and Karen Dorthea (Doctey) born in Iowa


Old Live Oak Cemetery, Division 14, Selma, Dallas co., Alabama
Lot # - 861W; Williams, Arthur Bowen; b. Jun 3, 1862 d. Jul 28, 1939; notes: Born Kington, England
Lot #- 861W; Williams, Annie Julia Werhan; b. Nov 22, 1866 d. Dec 16, 1961; notes: Beloved Wife of Arthur Bowen Williams; Born Allamakee County, Iowa


Masonic Memorial Park, Tumwater, Thurston County, Washington
Sires, Etta Celia - July 14,1882 b. New Albin, IA, married Frank June 26, 1902
Sires, Frank - November 4, 1879 - September 22, 1970 age 90, b. Allamakee Co., IA
Sisters Recall Fun of Clamming in Jefferson, Now a Ghost Town.
Though Jefferson, a southeastern Minnesota community, almost disappeared 30 years ago, life there is still vivid in the minds of two New Albin sisters. Clara Darling, 84, and Ella Zarwell, 82, were daughters of Mr. and Mrs. John Myers ....... read the whole story, view the photos (there's lots of New Albin history in this story)
-Contributed by Errin Wilker
Santa Claus' Workshop
Started as a button factory, the Lansing Company now devotes half of its time to Christmas toys... read the story, view the pictures
The Iowan Magazine, Shenandoah, Iowa, January 1955
-Contributed by Errin Wilker
A Character Extraordinary
According to information in the July 8, 1964 issue of the Allamakee Journal, John Sadd was regularly seen about town.  We assume he was related to Ed Sadd who, in this photo, stands in front of his log cabin home that was located between Lansing and New Albin.  On the back of the photo, Ed is referred to as "character extraordinary".
Allamakee Journal, 1990's
-Contributed by Errin Wilker
Ed Sadd
The Four Mile House ...known as the "Old Bill Young Place" or the "Old Stage Coach Stop" on Highway 9 was sold at auction to Martin VanBrocklin.  Even some of the Journal's younger readers associate Harold VanBrocklin with the place, as seen in this photo.  It wasn't all that long ago that Harold still walked the eight miles from town every day, summer and winter, to feed the mules he had housed on the property.
Allamakee Journal, August 29, 1990
-Contributed by Errin Wilker
The 4 Mile House & Harold VanBrocklin
New Albin Savings Bank presidents have long careers.
Read about Albert Fruechte & Earl Welsh's long service to the New Albin Savings Bank; and more ....... click here
-Contributed by Errin Wilker
McNally Log Cabin
Robert McNally, 86, who lives 1 1/2 miles east and 1/2 mile south of Rossville, is standing in front of the log house in which he was born. At that time it was located on the former Tommy Burns acreage on Highway 76 about 3 miles east of Rossville, and which is now owned by Gilbert Eadie. The house was moved around 1900 to the present Gilbert Eadie farm (the former Dan and Nettie Kelly farm), 2 1/2 miles east of Rossville, where it has been used since that time as a granary and is still in use. Many thousands of bushels of oats and wheat have been carried in sacks, some up the steps to be emptied into bins while the temperatures in the upper part of the house were 110 to 115 degrees. The hand-hewn logs still stand as a monument to the skill and craftmanship of our forefathers.
Allamakee Journal, July 7, 1976
-Contributed by Errin Wilker
Robert McNally in front of the log cabin where he was born
Lansing Home Coming ..... July 23, 24 25, 1928 ..... the program, committees, activities &c
-Contributed by Errin Wilker
Century Farms Search Turns up 3,065 Iowa Qualifiers
Allamakee county:
Orville Bakkum, 1853; John Baxter, 1875; John Beneke 1868; Daniel Brennan, 1852; Dennis Bresnahan, 1854; Joseph Buber, 1861; Delbert Bulman, 1855; Raymond Burke, 1866; Judson Campbell, 1858; PJ. Cawley, 1854; Donald Corrigan, 1861; Charles Cota, 1852; Mabel Deeny, 1858; Philip Dehli, 1851; Harold Deters, 1852.

Irvin Flage, 1876; Edward J. Grady, 1855; Robert F. Gronna, 1861; Harris Gruber, 1861; Elmer Hager, 1873; Nathan Hager, 1855; Reuben Hansmeier, 1870; Robert L. Hanson, 1873; Rudolph Hesta, 1850; James Jeglum, 1853; John Kelly, 1866; Donald Kerndt, 1854; Mary Grimm Kewley; 1874; Joseph Kirnan, 1865, Neil M. Krumme, 1873; Lloyd Labor, 1857; Clarence Leppert, 1853; Urban C. Manger, 1851; Wally Mahr, 1854; Harold Marti, 1869; J. E. McCabe, 1871.

John Meyer, 1867; Willard Meyer, 1870; James Moe, 1860; Sigurd Ness, 1850; C. A. Nicholson, 1864, J. Curtes, *Peggart, 1874; James Prestemon, 1874; Paul W. Pufahl, 1863; Mrs. Robert Rea, 1866; William Rea, 1869; Wayne Schmieden, 1858; Lorna Shafter, 1875; Ronald Snitker, 1875; Frederick W. Steiber, 1863; Robert Stock, 1854; Lester Thomson, 1869; Ruth Toney, 1869; Lester Turnmeyer, 1870.

-Cedar Rapids Gazette; August 10, 1975
Note: A total of 3,056 century farms were listed is for the entire state of Iowa, the above list is only for Allamakee county
-Contributed by Diana Henry Diedrich
Eldo E. Kluss, Ford Model "A" School exam, 1928
Letter from the Ford Motor co. to F.C. Ruckdaschel telling of the exam results & a copy of the test questions & answers
Click here for the exam, letter & some background info. about E.E. Kluss
-Contributed by S. Ferrall
The Boy Scouts of America presents the Prairie Farmer WLS Home Talent Show in the
Waukon Opera House - Waukon, Iowa; November 1938
Read all about it! Click here for the cast, advertisers & the program
-Contributed by Errin Wilker
Harper's Ferry Happenings
What do Thomas & Bridget Sullivan and Michael & Margaret (Riley) Degnan have in common?
To find out,
continue reading here
-Contributed by Betty Palmer
Early amusements
Amusements in earlier times were skating on moonlight evenings on sloughs-(the river being too swift to freeze over) -sleigh rides to and from spelling school and to melon parties in season, and to taffy pulls after the sorghum was harvested and "cooked". Temperance debating and Literary Societies flourished and J. Gilchrist conducted a singing class-all at Clear Creek schoolhouse. Oyster suppers and socials for the benefit of the church held at different homes were the vogue
- from a ca1920's newspaper article (likely from the Lansing Mirror) written by Mary Agnes Ratcliffe Bellows
-Contributed by Neva Auenson
1909 "Iowa Day" Celebration - Carson, Cheyenne Co., Colorado; Saturday, August 28, 1909
Dwyer, Mrs. T. R., Allamakee
Gerke, Anna, Allamakee
Nelson, H. C., Allamakee

full list & source of info. (off-site)

Former Iowans Now Living in California ca 1920 - Allamakee co. names & addresses
Some Clues As to Who Carved the Words On the Famous Paint Rock.
Some months ago Mrs. Sam Hoesly of this city received a letter from her former pastor, Rev. A.D. Gregg, who was pastor of the Presbyterian church at Frankville some years ago, but is now located at Sarcoxie, Mo. As this letter contains a clue that may clear up some early Allamakee Co. history as to who carved the letters on the famous Paint Rock ....... continue
-Contributed by Sharyl Ferrall
Frank Baker, Harpers Ferry, original images
-1900
veterinary certificate
-1902
letters of recommendation signed by citizens of Harper's Ferry, Rossville & Waterville
-1901
weight receipt for load of hogs
-1902
purchase of a registered foal
-1901
tax record
-Contributed by Stella Lee
Cooperative Extension Service in Allamakee co. - a brief history
Major Leaguer
Nathaniel Monroe "Nat" Kellogg; b. 28 Sep. 28, 1858 at Dorchester d. 1915. Played shortstop in 5 games for the 1885 Detroit Wolverines of the National League.
-Iowa Natives who Played Major League Baseball; compiled by Dennis L. Lorensen; Fall 1999 Hawkeye Heritage
-Contributed by S. Ferrall
Waukon Building Improvements -1890 ......partial list
-Contributed by Mary Durr
Waukon Pastor Has Tied 741 Knots In 42 years
Waukon - When the Rev. R. L. Van Nice celebrated his eighty-first birthday here Thursday, he recalled the 741 marriage services he has read and the 761 funeral sermons he has preached, since coming to this community 42 years ago. In 1889 he became pastor of the Presbyterian church here, serving for 35 years. Then he took a similar charge at Rossville, nine miles away. He still drives his car to the church there every Sunday. He has become known throughout this section of the state as the marrying parson. He was born in Crawfordsville, Indiana, in 1850. In 1879 he married Dora L. Fain, who died four years later. In 1885 he was married to Ida Turrentine.
-Contributed by Dorothy Gosse from an unknown source
100-year farms
Present owners of Iowa's century-old farms [Allamakee county]
Nathan Hager, Waukon
Curtiss Piggott, Waukon
Herman Kerndt, Lansing
Hall Swenson, Postville
William Klett, Harpers Ferry
-source: Newspaper clipping hand-dated 1959
-Contributed by Sharyl Ferrall
Iowa Century Businesses
'Hall Roberts’ was established in Postville in 1864 by Hall Roberts. The store sold general merchandise and grain. Hall Roberts passed away in 1916, and his son took over the business, naming it Hall Roberts’ Son.

View all Iowa companies founded in or before 1902 and continuing in operation since that time.
-Contributed by Sharyl Ferrall
Bryan at West Union, 1912
A list of Postville area people who went to hear William Jennings Bryan speak ...... click here.
-Contributed by Sharyl Ferrall
Chautauqua in Allamakee co.
Article & links to flyers.
-Contributed by Sharyl Ferrall
North Iowa Medical Society & Medical Register - 1883/84
Read the Allamakee names
-Contributed by Roseanna Zehner
Big-Four Institute Premium Awards - 1930
List of the premium awards made at the Big-Four Institute held in Postville, Allamakee Co. Iowa; Sept. 1930.
Page 1: Livestock, hogs, poultry, girls clubs and misc.
Page 2:
Corn, grains& seeds, vegetables and canned goods
Page 3:
Baked goods and fancy work
-Contributed by Sharyl Ferrall
Reuben Smith Bridge
...minutes of the Allamakee co. Board of Supervisors October meeting reported Mr. Stilwell of the Bridge Building Committee had told the Board, "We have covered the bridge at Reuben Smith's with new plank and put in all new floor joints; the bridge is one hundred and sixty feet in length, costing $250." In Post Township, this bridge spanned the Yellow River on the Reuben Smith's farm. - Waukon Standard November 10, 1870
-----
The Reuben Smith Bridge was still standing 100 years later and was listed in the Iowa Census of Covered Bridges.
Palimpsest; Covered Bridges in Iowa; Historical Society of Iowa; November 1970; pg 466

-Contributed by Mary Durr
The Whole Town Helped Make Flower Boxes
What an Idea and a Little Energy Did at Waukon, Iowa
-Contributed by Roseanna Zehner
Association of Teachers
In 1888, the principals and superintendents of the Fourth Congressional District formed an association. Some well known names appeared in that group, such as John B. Knoepfler, of Allamakee County, who succeeded Mr. Sabin at the end of the latter's first term as State superintendent of public instruction, and Edwin G. Cooley, later Chicago's superintendent of schools.
Northwestern Iowa, Its History and Traditions 1804-1926
, Vol. 1, by Arthur F. Allen
-Contributed by Roseanna Zehner
"Does the Name Shattuck Ring a Bell?"
News article, notes & photos
-Contributed by Nancy Shattuck
Creamery Patrons Get Checks
1930 patrons & photos
-Contributed by Sharyl Ferrall
Book Review
Alexander's History of Allamakee and Winnesheik Counties was delivered to subscribers here two or three weeks ago. There are undoubtedly many mistakes in the volume--it could not well be otherwise in the haste with which it was prepared, but on the whole we infer that it is sufficiently accurate for practical purposes and of great value in the preservation of our early history. [
read the book]
Postville Review, January 20, 1883
-Contributed by Sharyl Ferrall
ALLAMAKEE COUNTY HISTORICAL and ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY
On November 30, 1915, there was organized at Waukon, Iowa, the Allamakee County Historical & Archaeological Society, which in the constitution declared to be an "auxiliary to the State Historical Department of Iowa at Des Moines, the Historical Society of Iowa at Iowa City, the Waukon Public Library and the High School Library at Waukon" The objects of the Society are broad in scope, include the preservation of all records amd materials bearing upon the history of the county as well as relics & remains of the prehistoric inhabitants of this region. The membership fee is $1 per year. The following officers were elected to serve until the annual meeting which will be held on the 2nd Tuesday of January:
Charles F. Pye, pres.
H.B. Miner, vp
A.M. May, secretary-treasurer
E.M. Hancock, curator
In addition to these officers the list of incorporators includes Ellison Orr, Charlotte Honcock & and Miss Jessie Lewis.
Iowa Journal of History and Politics; Jan 1916, vol XIV, No.1; pg 149.
-Contributed by Sharyl Ferrall
FRITZ FAMILY BIBLE ENTRY
A Family Bible was given to Ludwig and Verena Fritz as a wedding present (1847) from his father, Johann Martin Fritz.  The notations are not in chronological order, sometimes questionable dates and names are entered by several persons over the years. Iowans are teased by us Wisconsin folks, a lot.  I thought the following notation from the Family Bible was funny.  It was by Ludwig.  He wrote:
"My son Wilhelm married on 24 November in the year 1887 after Christ's birth with virgin Marie Gruber in Lansing in the God forsaken state Iowa, U.S.A."
-Contributed by Jacob O. Fritz (I have no idea why he was sour on Iowa!)
1893 CHICAGO WORLD'S FAIR
Allamakee Attendees
-Contributed by Sharyl Ferrall

HOME