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 12/08/2011.
Look for the New! or Updated! items as you scroll the page.

ALLAMAKEE COUNTY DASTARDLY DEEDS.....

*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

The firm of Martin Brothers Funeral Home and Furniture Store of Waukon, Iowa in 1976 was celebrating 100 years of business. The fourth generation business was begun by Henry Martin in 1876. Henry's sons, Otto Martin and Willard Martin joined the company, followed by Willard's son Roger Martin. Roger, owner and operator in 1976, was joined by his son, Dave Martin to complete the fourth generation. ~Waukon Democrat, "Flashback Column", November 20, 1986 -Contributed by Connie Ellis

Published — A poem by George Bachelder, Postville high student, has been accepted for publication in "Tepies", a publication of the Iowa Tuberculosis and Health Association. The poem centers around an animated TB germ which strikes down a man who knows nothing about the disease. The title —"He Didn't Understand" ~Cedar Rapids Gazette, January 1, 1950 - Contributed by S. Ferrall

Miss Lizzie Mitchell of near Waukon recently sold forty-seven head of 2-year-old cattle and received the sum of $6,440. She purchased these cattle herself about three months ago and placed them on her farm and it is claimed she cleared $3,000 on the deal, and all say she is entitled to the title of cattle queen of Allamakee county. She also purchased a Ford to go to and from her farm in. ~Rake Register, August 1, 1918 - Contributed by S. Ferrall

• Irish Immigrant Ads Placed in Irish Newspapers (1850's & 1860's) ~contributed by Cathy Joynt Labath
  
• Wanted - Information of Patrick Phelan, born in Parish of Butlerstown, County Waterford, Ireland, about 1839. Left Pennsylavania with his brother-in-law, Dennis Byrne, in 1858. Last seen in Allamakee Co. Iowa; last heard from in the Union Army in the Rebellion. Company, regiment, and State of enlistment unknown. Union soldiers please take notice. Information as to his war record, death, or whereabouts, if alive, will be gratefully received by his sister, Mrs. Catherine Byrne, DeGraff, Swift Co., Minn. ~The National Tribune, March 24, 1898 (Washington D.C.) - Contributed by S. Ferrall

Mrs. Elmyra Reynolds, believed to be the oldest resident of Allamakee county, celebrated her one-hundredth birthday anniversary Friday. The Baptist congregation held a public reception in the church in the afternoon at which time a hundred or more friends called to pay their respects to the pioneer who has passed over 50 years of her life in Waukon. Despite her advanced age, she possesses remarkable health and takes an active part in her own business affairs. One of her remarks Friday was: "The first 100 years are the hardest." She was born at Pewaukee, Wis., May 25, 1834
~LaCrosse Tribune, Waukon, Iowa column, May 30, 1934 ~contributed by S. Ferrall

Attends 100th Birthday Anniversary of Aunt
Perry Brown, who is employed on the R.J. Reuerhelm farm east of town, left last Thursday for Waukon to attend the observance of the 100th birthday of his aunt, Mrs. Elmira Reynolds. Mrs. Reynolds has resided in Waukon for 57 years and is a highly respected citizen. As a token of esteem, the city mayor and council presented the honored guest a handsome birthday cake at the receiption held in the Baptist church Friday afternoon. Mrs. Reynolds has been a member of that church all her life. Mrs. Reynolds is hale and hearty for one of her age and takes care of her own room without assistance. ~Lake Park News, Lake Park, Dickinson co., Iowa, May 31, 1934 ~contributed by S. Ferrall

Mrs. Mary E. Minert, 520 Rural, is one of the few Emporians who have witnessed two total eclipses of the sun. The first eclipse seen by Mrs. Minert was in 1868 in Iowa, when she was 24 years old. "I was coming home horseback from Postville, a little town 4 1/3 miles from my home, when I saw the first indication of the eclipse." Mrs. Minert said today. "A yellow haze came on and then it gradually grew darker. I had to pass the cemetery before I got home and by the time I had reached there it was so dark that all I could see was the white tombstones. I was frightened for I had not heard of any eclipse and did not know what was happening. It did not stay dark and as it began to grow lighter again I got over my fright." The second eclipse seen by Mrs. Minert was in 1878, also at her home in Iowa. ~Emporia Gazette, Emporia Kansas, Jan 27, 1925 ~contributed by S. Ferrall

J.T. Bailey, of Postville, Iowa, writes: I have seen in several numbers of The Prairie Farmer articles on how to milk and the best kind of stools to use for the purpose. My mode of milking differs from any that I have seen. Take a stool having one leg, or three or four legs, and after seating yourself for milking, take the pail between the legs and hold it with the knees. It may be a little hard to do this at first, but it is the cleanest and nicest way to milk that I know; and if the cow should start you are less liable to have the milk spilled or wasted than if the pail rested anywhere else. ~The Prairie Farmer, Chicago, Illinois, August 19, 1871 ~contributed by S. Ferrall

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

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

• 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

These newspaper articles, 1879-1884, were collected by the contributor. Read them here! ~contributed by Robert Bee

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

Community Presbyterian Church Ladies' Aid Society Birthday calendar ads, Postville ~contributed by Sharyl Ferrall

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

Allamakee county heard the cry for help and formed committees to solicit donations .... read on ~contributed by S. Ferrall

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

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

John Blake and his wife reared 13 children in this log cabin (top right) , on Iowa Highway 13 just south of its junction with STH 119 near Dorchester. Blake, 97, moved from the cabin this summer and lives with a daughter, Mrs. Gertrude Larson, near Dorchester. A second daughter, Mrs. Donald Hegeman, Waukon, said the cabin was built before her father lived there and originally was one-room. Nearby on Highway 13 is another log cabin (below right), which long ago was abandoned to the elements. ~La Crosse Tribune clipping (undated, but other news clippings on the same page of the scrapbook were dated 1965.) ~contributed by Errin Wilker

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

...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

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

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. ~contributed by Diana Henry Diedrich

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

Read all about it! Click here for the cast, advertisers & the program ~contributed by Errin Wilker

What do Thomas & Bridget Sullivan and Michael & Margaret (Riley) Degnan have in common? To find out, continue reading here ~contributed by Betty Palmer

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

Dwyer, Mrs. T. R., Allamakee
Gerke, Anna, Allamakee
Nelson, H. C., Allamakee

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

1920 - Allamakee co. names & addresses

1940 - Twenty former Postville residents attended the annual Iowa picnic at Los Angeles, California February 24, 1940. The following were included: Grace McNeil Sebastian, Mrs. F. W. Hughes, F. E. Sutherland, Helen Henderson Handley, Ruby Webster Webb, H. D. Webb, A. L. Meier, Flora T. Shroyer, Edyth Ellis Couch, De Etta Carrick, Emma I. Turner, Mae Welzel, Anna Redhead Spirling, Olive Orr, Ethel Gray Withrow, Mrs. J.S. Westfall, Ella Barkley Mills, Berna Schultz, Mrs. Mamie A. Reeder, and Mrs. A. E. Cornell. ~Postville Herald, March 13, 1940 ~contributed by Connie Ellis New! December 2011

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

• 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
  

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 - 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

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

'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

A list of Postville area people who went to hear William Jennings Bryan speak ...... click here. ~contributed by Sharyl Ferrall

Article & links to flyers. ~contributed by Sharyl Ferrall

Read the Allamakee names ~contributed by Roseanna Zehner

List of the premium awards made at the Big-Four Institute held in Postville, Allamakee Co. Iowa; Sept. 1930. ~contributed by Sharyl Ferrall
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

• ...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 ~contributed by Mary Durr
• 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

Note: The bridge was removed in spring of 2011, and has been replaced by a modern day cement bridge. ~contributed by Connie Ellis

What an Idea and a Little Energy Did at Waukon, Iowa ~contributed by Roseanna Zehner

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

News article, notes & photos ~contributed by Nancy Shattuck

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

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

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!)

Allamakee Attendees ~contributed by Sharyl Ferrall