Li'l Bits

FFA Proficiency Award Winners New! July 2008 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
Graduate Student New! July 2008 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
Advertising Ink 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. Click here to view Kozelka's Advertising Blotters.
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
A tale of romance? ..... or was it a scandal? ....... read about Fred & Stella Boomer -Contributed by S. Ferrall
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
1974 Advertisements Advertisements found in the Grace United Methodist Church Centennial Cookbook ..... click here for the Advertisements -Contributed by Errin Wilker
JS EXCURSION STEAMER FIRE - 1910 Burning Boat on Black Waters of Mississippi One of Most Awful and Magnificent Spectacles Photos and accountings of this disaster & and claims made against the steamer company afterward -Contributed by Jody Howard, Sharyl Ferrall & Errin Wilker
An Early Form of Advertising 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
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
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
New Albin Savings Bank presidents have long careers. New info & photos added! August 2008 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
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.
Two Inmates of County Home Perish & the Home Burns (1935) Waukon, Ia., April 16 -- Two incurably insane women perished as fire of an unknown origin completely destroyed the Allamakee county home, four miles northeast of Waukon, early today....... continue reading
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
Information Wanted Ads ..... Irish Immigrant Ads Placed in Irish Newspapers.... read the ads -Contributed by Cathy Joynt Labath
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
1939 Advertisements Complied by the Ladies' Aid Society of the Community Presbyterian Church in Postville on their birthday calendar. Advertisements -Contributed by Sharyl Ferrall
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
TERRIBLE AND FATAL RUNAWAY AT VOLNEY 1887 newspaper article and 'the rest of the story' written over a century later -Contributed by Sharyl Ferrall & Kathy Pike