A Narrative History of The People of Iowa with SPECIAL TREATMENT OF THEIR CHIEF ENTERPRISES IN EDUCATION, RELIGION, VALOR, INDUSTRY, BUSINESS, ETC. by EDGAR RUBEY HARLAN, LL. B., A. M. Curator of the Historical, Memorial and Art Department of Iowa Volume IV THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Inc. Chicago and New York 1931 WILLIAM F. GHORMLEY. Of the men who are identified with the various forms of insurance at Des Moines, the career of William F. Ghormley, president of the Harvester Horticultural Mutual Insurance Association, is probably one of the most interesting and unique. When he started in this business it was as a solicitor of hail insurance in Minnesota, at a salary of fifteen dollars a week. Today, as a result of his own industry and business ability, he is at the head of one of the largest enterprises of its kind in the Middle West. Mr. Ghormley was born at Yates City, Knox County, Illinois, October 14, 1858, and is a son of William C. and Elizabeth (Coyner)Ghormley. He is a direct descendant of Gorm the Old, who in 920 united all the small Danish states, and his grandson, Sweyn, who became the head of a powerful kingdom as a result, began the conquest of Norway and of England, which was ultimately completed by his son Canute. Gorm the Old served as king of Denmark for forty-one years, had six sons who served as kings, and his daughter married three kings and two of her sons were kings. Later generations changed both the name and the habitation of the family, and Hugh Ghormley, came to America from North of Ireland prior to 1766, settling in Pennsylvania, where was born his son, Thomas. The latter moved to Greenfield,Ohio, the birthplace of Hugh Ghormley, the grandfather of William F. Ghormley. William C. Ghormley, the father of William F. Ghormley, was born at Greenfield, Ohio, where he met and married Elizabeth Coyner, a native of the same place, and a daughter of Robert Coyner, who was born in Virginia, but lived the greater part of his life in Ohio. He was a slave-owner in his earlier years, but eventually set his slaves free, and in Ohio devoted himself to the pursuits of agriculture, in which he became very successful. He was also a prominent and influential man in his community, where he served in the capacity of justice of the peace. He was a son of Luther and Susan Coyner, and a grandson of Martin Coyner, the ninth son of Jacob and Margaret (Diller) Konadt, as the name was then spelled. Jacob Konadt or Coyner was born in Wurttemburg, Germany, and came to America in the early 1700s, here marrying and founding the family in Pennsylvania. William C. Ghormley came to Iowa from Illinois in 1877 and purchased a farm in Greene County. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, a Republican, a prohibitionist and an abolitionist. Both he and his worthy wife have passed away. They were the parents of eight children, of whom two survive: William F., of this review; and Rev. Newton B., a minister of the Free Methodist Church of Butte, Nebraska. The common schools furnished William F. Ghormley with his early educational training, following which he pursued a course at the Omaha Commercial College, Omaha, Nebraska. He then was engaged in farming in Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas and Colorado until he was thirty years of age, and it is recorded that within the space of two years he owned at different times fifty-four farms in the State of Iowa. His first work after he had given up farming was as a solicitor of hail insurance in Minnesota at fifteen dollars a week, and later he was advanced to eighteen dollars and then to twenty-three dollars. Subsequently he was given a district agency, and from that time to the present his career has been one of rapid and constant advancement. In 1900 Mr. Ghormley founded the Horticultural Insurance Company, of which he still holds the charter, and which he operated successfully for a period of more than two decades. In 1921 he disposed of the business of this concern for $275,000, and in Des Moines purchased the Harvester Horticultural Mutual Insurance Association, a strictly hail insurance business, of which he has since been president. He has achieved a big financial as well as personal success, and is one of the best known and most highly esteemed men in the insurance field. His commodious offices are located in the Valley National Bank Building. In 1880 Mr. Ghormley was united in marriage with Miss Martha Fross, who was born at Madison, Wisconsin, and died in 1896. They became the parents of six children, of whom three are living; Bertha, the wife of Glen Tidrick, an insurance man of Des Moines; Elinor, also the wife of an insurance man of Des Moines, Charles A. Housh; and Grace, the wife of Leland Parr, who taught at the University of Chicago, for five years, has been a teacher of biology in Egypt for years, and is now a professor on the faculty of the American College, Beirut, Syria. In 1900 William F. Ghormley married Frances L. Gardner, of Leon, Iowa, and they have one son, Hugh W., who was educated at Drake and University of Chicago, was formerly a member of the faculty of Butler University, Indianapolis, Indiana, and since the age of seventeen years has been a preacher of the Christian faith. William F. Ghormley is a member of the Christian Church and of the Board of Elders thereof. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Brotherhood of American Yeomen and the A. O. U. W. Politically he is a Republican, and at one time served as secretary of the Laymen's Civic Union. http://www.iagenweb.org/history/index.htm posted at this site with Debbie's permission *Check your facts, don't know how accurate.

Thanks, Deborah, for including the website at the end of this message. I'd never seen this before and can hardly wait to check it out. Jan Lund ----- Original Message ----- From: <Alohawahine75@aol.com> To: <IADECATU-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, October 21, 2005 7:37 AM Subject: [IADECATU] Frances L. (Gardner) Ghormley ~ Leon, Iowa > > A Narrative History > of > The People of Iowa > with > SPECIAL TREATMENT OF THEIR CHIEF ENTERPRISES IN > EDUCATION, RELIGION, VALOR, INDUSTRY, > BUSINESS, ETC. > by > EDGAR RUBEY HARLAN, LL. B., A. M. > Curator of the > Historical, Memorial and Art Department of Iowa > Volume IV > THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Inc. > Chicago and New York > 1931 > > WILLIAM F. GHORMLEY. Of the men who are identified with the various forms > of insurance at Des Moines, the career of William F. Ghormley, president > of > the Harvester Horticultural Mutual Insurance Association, is probably one > of > the most interesting and unique. When he started in this business it was > as a > solicitor of hail insurance in Minnesota, at a salary of fifteen dollars a > week. Today, as a result of his own industry and business ability, he is > at > the head of one of the largest enterprises of its kind in the Middle West. > > Mr. Ghormley was born at Yates City, Knox County, Illinois, October 14, > 1858, > and is a son of William C. and Elizabeth (Coyner)Ghormley. He is a direct > descendant of Gorm the Old, who in 920 united all the small Danish states, > and > his grandson, Sweyn, who became the head of a powerful kingdom as a > result, > began the conquest of Norway and of England, which was ultimately > completed by his > son Canute. Gorm the Old served as king of Denmark for forty-one years, > had > six sons who served as kings, and his daughter married three kings and two > of > her sons were kings. Later generations changed both the name and the > habitation > of the family, and Hugh Ghormley, came to America from North of Ireland > prior > to 1766, settling in Pennsylvania, where was born his son, > Thomas. The latter moved to Greenfield,Ohio, the birthplace of Hugh > Ghormley, > the grandfather of William F. Ghormley. > > William C. Ghormley, the father of William F. Ghormley, was born at > Greenfield, Ohio, where he met and married Elizabeth Coyner, a native of > the same > place, and a daughter of Robert Coyner, who was born in Virginia, but > lived the > greater part of his life in Ohio. He was a slave-owner in his earlier > years, but > eventually set his slaves free, and in Ohio devoted himself to the > pursuits of > agriculture, in which he became very successful. He was also a prominent > and > influential man in his community, where he served in the capacity of > justice > of the peace. He was a son of Luther and Susan Coyner, and a grandson of > Martin > Coyner, the ninth son of Jacob and Margaret (Diller) Konadt, as the name > was > then spelled. Jacob Konadt or Coyner was born in Wurttemburg, Germany, and > came to America in the early 1700s, here marrying and founding the > family in Pennsylvania. > > William C. Ghormley came to Iowa from Illinois in 1877 and purchased a > farm > in Greene County. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, a > Republican, > a prohibitionist and an abolitionist. Both he and his worthy wife have > passed away. They were the parents of eight children, of whom two survive: > William F., of this review; and Rev. Newton B., a minister of the Free > Methodist > Church of Butte, Nebraska. > > The common schools furnished William F. Ghormley with his early > educational > training, following which he pursued a course at the Omaha Commercial > College, Omaha, Nebraska. He then was engaged in farming in Iowa, > Nebraska, > Kansas and Colorado until he was thirty years of age, and it is recorded > that > within the space of two years he owned at different times fifty-four farms > in > the State of Iowa. His first work after he had given up farming was as a > solicitor of hail insurance in Minnesota at fifteen dollars a week, and > later he was > advanced to eighteen dollars and then to twenty-three dollars. > Subsequently > he was given a district agency, and from that time to the present his > career > has been one of rapid and constant advancement. In 1900 Mr. Ghormley > founded the > Horticultural Insurance Company, of which he still holds the charter, and > which he operated successfully for a period of more than two decades. In > 1921 he > disposed of the business of this concern for $275,000, and in Des Moines > purchased the Harvester Horticultural Mutual Insurance Association, a > strictly hail > insurance business, of which he has since been president. He has achieved > a > big financial as well as personal success, and is one of the best known > and > most highly esteemed men in the insurance field. His commodious offices > are > located in the Valley National Bank Building. > > In 1880 Mr. Ghormley was united in marriage with Miss Martha Fross, who > was > born at Madison, Wisconsin, and died in 1896. They became the parents of > six > children, of whom three are living; Bertha, the wife of Glen Tidrick, an > insurance man of Des Moines; Elinor, also the wife of an insurance man of > Des > Moines, Charles A. Housh; and Grace, the wife of Leland Parr, who taught > at > the University of Chicago, for five years, has been a teacher of biology > in > Egypt for years, and is now a professor on the faculty of the American > College, > Beirut, Syria. In 1900 William F. Ghormley married Frances L. Gardner, of > Leon, Iowa, and they have one son, Hugh W., who was educated at Drake and > University of Chicago, was formerly a member of the faculty of Butler > University, > Indianapolis, Indiana, and since the age of seventeen years has been a > preacher of the Christian faith. William F. Ghormley is a member of the > Christian > Church and of the Board of Elders thereof. Fraternally he is affiliated > with > the Brotherhood of American Yeomen and the A. O. U. W. Politically he is a > Republican, and at one time served as secretary of the Laymen's Civic > Union. > > http://www.iagenweb.org/history/index.htm > posted at this site with Debbie's permission > > *Check your facts, don't know how accurate. > > > > > > ==== IADECATU Mailing List ==== > Stacey Dietiker, Momdit@aol.com: Decatur County List Administrator, > Website Coordinator, Decatur County IA Genweb - > http://www.rootsweb.com/~iadecatu > > ============================== > View and search Historical Newspapers. Read about your ancestors, find > marriage announcements and more. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13969/rd.ashx > >

Deaths Lovett, Grace, 94, of Princeton, Missouri, formerly of Garden Grove, Iowa died June 30, 2005 at the Pearl's II Eden for Elders in Princeton. Funeral services were held Wednesday, Jyly 6 at the Greenlee-Middleton Funeral Chapel in Princeton with Rev. Gary Ponder Williams officiating. Burial was in the Garden Grove Cemetery in Garden Grove, Iowa. (Daughter of Carlton Andrew and Olive May (Freeman) Norsdstrum, was born in Humboldt, Iowa on March 28, 1911. Grace married Arnold Thomas Lovett on June 16, 1934, in Garden Grove, Iowa. Arnold died on January 10, 1990. Grace was raised on a farm in Humboldt, Iowa. She was a graduate of the Iowa State Teacher's College in Cedar Falls, and taught English and Music in Searsboro, IA.) Evans, Frances Bohn, 99, of Grand River, Iowa, died July 2, 2005 at Westview Acres in Leon. Funeral services were held Wednesday, July 6 at Slade-O'Donnell Funeral Home in Leon with Rev. Terry Roberts officiating. Burial was in Grand River Cemetery, Grand River, Iowa. Memorials may be given to the Grand River Meal Site. (Daughter of Anton and Thora (Westvold) Bohn, was born February 21, 1906 near Harvey, South Dakota. Nicknamed Sassy and graduated from high school in Hurdsfield, ND. Worked at local bank and was robbed twice in six months. Husband was Wayne Evans, who was working the harvest fields of North Dakota. They married on Oct. 4, 1930 and made their home in Grand River. Bryant, Richard, age 67 and fromerly of Leon, died Saturday, July 2 at his home in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Services are pending through Slade-O'Donnell Funeral Home in Leon.

I have checked the history books I have and find that Ladislaus Madarasz came to the US from Hungary with Francis Varga, a young attorney. Ladislaus was the Secretary of State in the Province........I will read more and send you a sketch of what is written. He is mentioned in both the Down 100 Years book and one written by historian and Leon resident Himena Hoffman. They settled in Decatur County in an area they named New Buda in honor of the capital in the homeland. New Buda the home of the refugees, was established on land to which the government gave the Hungarians an option. MOre later. from Irma ----- Original Message ----- From: Dennis Pedersen To: overwi@lisco.com Sent: Thursday, October 20, 2005 8:15 AM Subject: Down 100 years Referring to your e-mail "on donw 100 years" ---Could you tell me if there is any specific referrence to the Madarasz family? My grandmother, Flora M. Madarasz was born in Leon in 1871 and her father Ladislaus came to Decatur County about 1851. I would sure appreciate any information you could give me. Thanks Dennis Pedersen

I'm also fortunate enough to have this book. It is good. I also was fortunate enough to get the 2 volume set The History of Decatur County. I believe the Decatur County Historical Society had this reprinted as one Volume in 1981. It's a marvelous book as well. Stacey is undertaking a big job and all of us should thank her. Jackie Moore Goeken ----- Original Message ----- From: "Janice Lund" <JAN4GEN@verizon.net> To: <IADECATU-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, October 19, 2005 6:41 PM Subject: Re: [IADECATU] re: Down 100 years by Dale Ahern > I have this book too, Irma. I agree, it has good stories. > > Jan > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "irma" <overwi@lisco.com> > To: <IADECATU-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Wednesday, October 19, 2005 2:55 PM > Subject: [IADECATU] re: Down 100 years by Dale Ahern > > > > Has anyone ever read the above named book? I have one in > > my possession and will copy the preface for you written by the > > author: > > In the preparation of Down One Hundred Years, I have had the > > unfaltering support of W.A. Reed, William Zunkel, Burbank > > Halstead, John Lundquist, Grover Hamilton, Ernie Michael, > > Olin Rippey, Dr E.J. Hines, Arvid Miller, Dr C.D. Scott, and > > Pete Iltis. I am greatly indebted to these men for their splendid > > cooperation. L. Dale Ahern copyright 1938, Winterset, Iowa. > > There are many interesting stories in this book. > > When I have time, I might include some of the stories if anyone > > is interested. > > I may be mistaken but believe Mr Ahern was a teacher in the > > Leon Schools in the 30's. Jack you might know about him. > > Irma O > > > > > > ==== IADECATU Mailing List ==== > > Stacey Dietiker, Momdit@aol.com: Decatur County List Administrator, > > Website Coordinator, Decatur County IA Genweb - > > http://www.rootsweb.com/~iadecatu > > > > ============================== > > Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the > > last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: > > http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx > > > > > > > > ==== IADECATU Mailing List ==== > Stacey Dietiker, Momdit@aol.com: Decatur County List Administrator, > Website Coordinator, Decatur County IA Genweb - http://www.rootsweb.com/~iadecatu > > ============================== > Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the > last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx > >

CONGRATULATIONS!!! It just keeps getting BIGGER AND BETTER because of people like you that take time out of their lives to CONTRIBUTE. Everyone that supports the site, even if it's just as they pass out kudos to those adding something, deserves a pat on the back themselves---FOR STAYING INVOLVED. Good job keeping it all together Stacey. Sherry > [Original Message] > From: <Momdit@aol.com> > To: <IADECATU-L@rootsweb.com> > Date: 10/19/2005 7:38:19 AM > Subject: [IADECATU] Fall Review Results > > Hi Gang - The Decatur County, Iowa IAGenweb Website passed the Fall Review > with flying colors and only a broken graphic and some clean up on the boards > for problems. Thanks for all of your help and contributions! My goals for > the website before the next review in April 2006 are to complete the 1885 Iowa > State Census transcription and complete the 1915 biographies just as a start. > If I can get everything to cooperate that should be no problem. Just a > note here - I don't have access to a notebook computer until next week. I have > my stack of requests for the 1915 biographies right here so not to worry! I > will hopefully have a few more completed and online by next week. I am also > continuing to update the look of the pages one by one. Did you know we have > over 2300 obituaries on the website? That was a surprise to me. I've never > taken a count. Wow! > > Stacey Dietiker > momdit@aol.com > Decatur Co IA List Administrator > Decatur Co IA Website Coordinator > > > ==== IADECATU Mailing List ==== > Stacey Dietiker, Momdit@aol.com: Decatur County List Administrator, > Website Coordinator, Decatur County IA Genweb - http://www.rootsweb.com/~iadecatu > > ============================== > New! Family Tree Maker 2005. Build your tree and search for your ancestors at the same time. Share your tree with family and friends. Learn more: http://landing.ancestry.com/familytreemaker/2005/tour.aspx?sourceid=14599&ta rgetid=5429

Has anyone ever read the above named book? I have one in my possession and will copy the preface for you written by the author: In the preparation of Down One Hundred Years, I have had the unfaltering support of W.A. Reed, William Zunkel, Burbank Halstead, John Lundquist, Grover Hamilton, Ernie Michael, Olin Rippey, Dr E.J. Hines, Arvid Miller, Dr C.D. Scott, and Pete Iltis. I am greatly indebted to these men for their splendid cooperation. L. Dale Ahern copyright 1938, Winterset, Iowa. There are many interesting stories in this book. When I have time, I might include some of the stories if anyone is interested. I may be mistaken but believe Mr Ahern was a teacher in the Leon Schools in the 30's. Jack you might know about him. Irma O

I have this book too, Irma. I agree, it has good stories. Jan ----- Original Message ----- From: "irma" <overwi@lisco.com> To: <IADECATU-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, October 19, 2005 2:55 PM Subject: [IADECATU] re: Down 100 years by Dale Ahern > Has anyone ever read the above named book? I have one in > my possession and will copy the preface for you written by the > author: > In the preparation of Down One Hundred Years, I have had the > unfaltering support of W.A. Reed, William Zunkel, Burbank > Halstead, John Lundquist, Grover Hamilton, Ernie Michael, > Olin Rippey, Dr E.J. Hines, Arvid Miller, Dr C.D. Scott, and > Pete Iltis. I am greatly indebted to these men for their splendid > cooperation. L. Dale Ahern copyright 1938, Winterset, Iowa. > There are many interesting stories in this book. > When I have time, I might include some of the stories if anyone > is interested. > I may be mistaken but believe Mr Ahern was a teacher in the > Leon Schools in the 30's. Jack you might know about him. > Irma O > > > ==== IADECATU Mailing List ==== > Stacey Dietiker, Momdit@aol.com: Decatur County List Administrator, > Website Coordinator, Decatur County IA Genweb - > http://www.rootsweb.com/~iadecatu > > ============================== > Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the > last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx > >

Hi Gang - The Decatur County, Iowa IAGenweb Website passed the Fall Review with flying colors and only a broken graphic and some clean up on the boards for problems. Thanks for all of your help and contributions! My goals for the website before the next review in April 2006 are to complete the 1885 Iowa State Census transcription and complete the 1915 biographies just as a start. If I can get everything to cooperate that should be no problem. Just a note here - I don't have access to a notebook computer until next week. I have my stack of requests for the 1915 biographies right here so not to worry! I will hopefully have a few more completed and online by next week. I am also continuing to update the look of the pages one by one. Did you know we have over 2300 obituaries on the website? That was a surprise to me. I've never taken a count. Wow! Stacey Dietiker momdit@aol.com Decatur Co IA List Administrator Decatur Co IA Website Coordinator

Hello all, Douglas Chrysler is looking for further information on this family, please contact him at: dchrysl@yahoo.com Sylvanus and Clarisa were my great-grandparents from my mother's side of the family. Her father was Edmond Culver. I know a great deal about Sylvanus, but very little of Clarissa. All had died before I was born, so any information you (or anyone) could share would be well appreciated. D. Chrysler Clarissa S. Clark was born in Hartsville, Steuben County, New York, March 23, 1840, and died near LeRoy, in Garden Grove Township, Decatur County, Iowa, June 14, 1895. Her early life was lived near the famous Alfred Baptist College and she was a strick adherent to the faith, but never united with any church. Deceased was married to Sylvanus Culver of Tompkins County, November 16, 1857 at Andover, Allegany County. Their family consisted of a son who died at the age of 8 months, Lafayette, Cornelia E., wife of John Kirby, Rudolph, an adopted son and Edmund E., now 17 years of age and six grandchildren. Mrs. Jacob Crowley, of Woodburn, Iowa, a sister and another sister in the east survive her. Mr. and Mrs. Culver removed to Scott County, Iowa, 1863, and to this place in 1872. They rented land for some years, kept a great many cows, raised good horses and were uncommonly successful in general farming. The good wife's butter was eagerly sought and was as noted as the "Orange County" of New York, used to be. Three years ago, they sold their detached farms and bought the old home of the late A.G. Buffum for so many years, a place where peace and plenty had an abode. They have helped to improve the country and by habits of industry and economy made money and friends. Their home was a hospitable one. Although not strong the mind dominated the body so our neighbor performed a great amount of labor and was always ready do help others, especially in sickness, where she will be missed so much. Her memory will be held dear by others than her own, and it is a great satisfaction to her husband that so much respect was shown at the funeral. Reverend Dunn of the M.E. Church of LeRoy and Derby, conducted services at the residence on Saturday morning, in the midst of a sympathetic company and tenderly she was laid away in the beautiful cemetery at Garden Grove. -D. Leon Reporter-Iowa June 30, 1895 http://www.rootsweb.com/~iadecatu

Deaths McMorris, Robert, of Omaha, Nebraska, formerly of Decatur and Leon, Iowa died in Omaha. Memorial services were held in Omaha on July 20, 2005. Graduate of Leon High School and University of Iowa. Worked with Omaha World-Herald for 40 years. He spent the majority of those years as a daily feature columnist. Articles included many stories of his Iowa family and growing up years in Decatur and Leon. There were prior list articles on Robert McMorris. Morrison, Meredith John, 63, died on July 19, 2005. Following cremation memorial services were held Tuesday, July 26 at Mt. Ayr First Christian Church in Mt. Ayr, Iowa with Pastor Walter May officating. Burial was in Elk Cemetery, west of Decatur, Iowa. He was born on May 4, 1942, in Grand River, Iowa to Lucille and John Morrison. Walters, Donely Cleo, 81, of Leon, Iowa, died July 22, 2005, at the Decatur County Hospital in Leon. Funeral services were held July 25 at Slade-O;Donnell Funeral home in Leon with Reverend Richard Arrowood. Iowa District Superintendent of the Assemblies of God, and Pastor- elect David McPherson of the Leon Assembly of God Church, officiating. Burial was in the Leon Cemetery. Son of Leslie Joseph and Oma Fern (Ferguson) Walters was born October 14, 1923, in Crocker, Missouri. He worked for the Grand River Mutual Telephone company in Lamoni, he met Pearl Alberta Smith, a young telephone operator and was married December 5, 1948. Webster, William L., 79, of Rogers, Arkansas, died July 22, 2005 following a battle with pancreatic cancer. Funeral services were held July 24 at VFW Post 3031 in Rogers, AR and graveside Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 30 at the Leon Cemetery, Leon, Iowa with lunch following at the Leon Community Center. Photo with Obit. He was born December 15, 1925 in Carke County, MO near Khnka, the son of George and Allie Finkbone Webster, one of eight children. He grew up and was educated in Decatur County, Iowa. He served in the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific. Bill married Mildred Johnston in 1946. He had his own business, W.L. Webster Construction, in Leon, Iowa. Clements, Wilma H., 99, of Clinton, Iowa, formerly of Leon, died Saturday, July 23, 2005 at the Alverno Nursing Home in Clinton. Funeral services were held at the Loving Chapel United Methodist Church in Leon July 26 with Rev. L. Duane Churchman officiating. Burial was in the Decatur Cemetery, Decatur, Iow. Arrangements were by Clinton Chapel Snell-Zorning Funeral Homes and Crematory. Memorials be made to the Iowa chapter of the Alzheimer's Assoc. Photo with obit. Wilma Henrietta Phillips was born on February 12, 1906 in rural Decatur County, Iowa, the daughter of William Henry and Ida (milsap) Phillips. Whe married Rev. Albert Clements, United Methodist Clergyman and United States Navy Chaplain, on April 24, 1929 in Boone, Iowa; he later died in November 1983. She was a graduate of Decatur County Schools, Iowa State University and graduated from Drake University in 1955. She was a teacher in Decatur and Boone Counties. She published two books of poetry, "Canny Wi' the Sugar" in 1984, and "Tunes For a Five Hole Whistle" in 1982.

While goingthrough my files I found this info. I am sure this is one of my family members but as yet no proof. Death of Fred L. Williams died July 3, 1911 , Ensworth Hospital, St. Joseph, MO Fred was born in Lamoni, Iowa his age at death was 23 years and he died at 8:01 A.M. His funeral services were held at his residence of 1501 N. 12th on July 5, 1911 @ 2:ooPM. Fred is buried in the Ashland Cemetery St. Joseph, MO Son of George W. and Mary Williams. Wanda Wanda --------------------------------- Yahoo! Music Unlimited - Access over 1 million songs. Try it free.

From: Pam Swiler Date: 10/11/05 05:59:48 To: MIIONIA-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Original CURTISS Diaries From the 1800's I got this from my Curtis mail list - If you are interested...I know there are several CURTISS families out there that may be interested. Pamela K. Swiler, President Ionia County Genealogical Society P.O. Box 516 Lake Odessa, MI 48849-0516 http://www.rootsweb.com/~miionia/ -----Original Message----- There are two old diaries that were handwritten by Edward Curtiss of Warren, CT ( Litchfield County ) for sale on eBay. Mr. Edward Curtiss married Hattie A. Barney of Watertown Ct. These diaries belong in the hands of family descendants, so I'm posting this with hopes that this will help bring the diaries "home". Here are links to the auctions: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=29223&item=6568873484 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=29223&item=6568881097

More additions today include: A photo of Brick Masons of Davis City from the 1930's contributed by Sherry Balow. If you can identify the building or any of those pictures please email me! Also a new photo of the Leon Courthouse from about the 1950's on the Court Records Page also contributed by Sherry. Some new Puckett Family Photos on the Puckett Family Photo Page contributed by Steve Puckett. Also a few updates and corrections to the Surnames Pages. Find all of these additions by going to the What's New Page at: _www.rootsweb.com/~iadecatu/whatsnew.html_ (htt p://www.rootsweb.com/~iadecatu/whatsnew.html) Stacey McDowell Dietiker County Coordinator Decatur County, Iowa IAGenweb Website

Sirnames: Gilreath and O'Grady both of Grand River Betty Scheetz scheetz8@comcast.net

Thanks so much, Stacey, for all you do for us. I found my Grands and Great Grands (Chastain and Albaugh and allied families) which I didn't have before. I hope you know know VERY MUCH we all appreciate your transcribing and your diligence in making the Decatur County, Iowa the BEST site on the web. I'll never forget how sad I was years ago when I didn't find Decatur County represented in the Iowa webpages. It was worth waiting for!!!!! Also, thanks to your family for sharing you with us. I know you have another "life" and it takes a lot of time to do this. You take care - you ARE appreciated!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH ! Jan Lund Jan4Gen@verizon.net

Here's the link for the what's new page. You can get to all of the updates from there: _www.rootsweb.com/~iadecatu/whatsnew.html_ (http://www.rootsweb.com/~iadecatu/whatsnew.html) Stacey

Website additions today include: Five new biographies from "The History of Decatur County Iowa And Its People" c. 1915 - V. R. McGinnis, Elba Shewmaker, James R. Smith, Melbern Thompson, and J. O. Cherry. Pages 29-36 of Eden Twp. 1885 State Census of Decatur County, Iowa which completes Eden Twp. I want to note here that there were several odd things in these last several pages of Eden Twp. Page 31 was marked in the columns for Father a Native and Mother a Native with everyone's father Foreign and everyone's mother Native. The census taker used ditto marks for the most part in these columns and I think he just simply forgot to change the father's designation back to Native. Page 35 is the census of the Poor House. There were also some very different names and name spellings here. Note too that the spellings for Indiana and Tennessee were not my own but the census taker's spellings. If something looks odd to you please email me and I will try to answer your questions. I have copies of the actual pages here at home. Surnames included are: Finch Evans Rumley Cruikshank Albaugh Gammon Chastain Walton Wilkinson Mullin Trembly Hubbard McDaniel Pitman Frazier Bruer Vandflugt Foster Bowman Moore Wakefield Campbell Hall Wisdom Barrett Cowles Hatfield McCoy Hinklin Hullinger McNelly Wells And the Surnames from the Poor House Burrell Craig Houchan Vandle Willis Scott McDonald Coslie Hazzard Kling Atwood Fairall Evans Boydston Bryant Irish Sly Stacey Dietiker momdit@aol.com Decatur Co IA List Administrator Decatur Co IA Website Coordinator

Just wanted to let you know that my sister is kindly allowing me to borrow her laptop computer so that I can transcribe the biographies from "A History of Decatur County Iowa And Its People" copyright 1915, at the library. It's going to take a while to do this. Most of the biographies are at least two pages long. So I will be working on these biographies once a week at the library and working on the 1885 State Census at home. Next week the genealogy part of the library will be closed so that they can have their carpet repaired and I won't be able to transcribe but the week after I will be there. I would like to take requests first and then transcribe the rest of the biographies. Please look at the index already on the website at: _www.rootsweb.com/~iadecatu/bioDocs/BIO1915.html_ (http://www.rootsweb.com/~iadecatu/bioDocs/BIO1915.html) If there are biographies there that you are interested in please send me a request with the name and page to _momdit@aol.com_ (mailto:momdit@aol.com) . I will transcribe them in the order I receive them and then go on to the biographies that haven't been requested. Stacey Dietiker momdit@aol.com Decatur Co IA List Administrator Decatur Co IA Website Coordinator

hello site is there anyone out there that can identify a picture a person who we think may be Jacob Mancherster with several other people includeing his daughter Matila that married Benton Latta my grandfather will be happy to send a copy of the picture to anyone who thinks they can help thanks very much Bill O