Would like the obit of Lea Pauline Bethards. She is a cousin by marriage. Thank you, Ruth Hurst, Obit: Lela Pauline Bethards Lela Pauline Behtaards, 83 of Leon, Iowa, the daughter of Lloyd "Speed" and Ora Lavica (Parson) Hill, was born June 26, 1921 in Decatur County, Iowa. She died at the Decatur County Hospital on Saturday, April 9, 2005. Pauline grew up in Decatur County and graduated from Leon High School. On September 8, 1940 she married Delbert Davis Behtards at Princeton, Missouri. Eight children were born to this union. Pauline spent her life as a mother and homemaker. She taught Sunday School and Bible School at the Van Wert Assembly of God Church, Where she was a member. She enjoyed cooking, sewing, gardening, and canning. She loved being with her grandchildren. She liked watching the crops and cattle grow. Preceding her in death were her parents; a stillborn infant son; son Larry; daughter-in-law Andrea Bethards; and grandson Daniel Bethards. Survivofrs incllude her six childdren; Jim Bethards and Pam of Caneron, MO; Joe Bethards of Van Wert; Vickie Parmer and bubby of St. Joseph, MO; Dennis Bethards of Leon; Gary Bethards and Star of Van Wert; and Ben Bethards and Darlene of Van Wert; 23 grandchildren; Eight brothers and sisters: Gerald Hill of Leon; Arlene Rauch and Tommy of Des Moines; Betty Mullins and Don of Osceola; Kenneth Hill and Louise of Rogers, Arkansas; ann Scholl of alexandria, Vriginia; Shelby Hill and donna of Boone; Bill Hill and Mary of Lake Ozark, MO; and Bob HIll and Marge of Leon; nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.

B.R.WEST, please send copy of LELA BETHARDS, I have Bethards , but, can't quite prove these later families. I also needed ELSTON'S, but, rec'd copy of Sherry's, can't quite fill in that family either back to mine. THANK YOU, marie, iowa -----Original Message----- From: BRWest@aol.com [mailto:BRWest@aol.com] Sent: Sunday, August 28, 2005 5:14 PM To: IADECATU-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [IADECATU] obits: Wednesday, April 20, 200r Journal-Reporter Let me know if your want any of the obit below. Jones, Lannie, 80-, of Ottumwa, Iowa, formerly of Lineville, died March 16, 2005 Wilson, Richard "Dick", 79, of Leon, died at his home Sunday, April 17 Elston, Ronald Jerry, 65, died April 16, 2005 at the Decatur County Hospital Leon, Iowa. Lela Pauline Bethards, 83 of Leon, Iowa, daughter of Lloyd "Speeed" and Ora Lavica (Parson) Hill, died April 9, 200r. ==== 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

I would like Ron Elston's obituary. He was in my class at the old Leon High School. Don't think he graduated though. Thanks in advance. I want it for my scrapbook. Loretta Obit Ronald Elston Ronald Jerry Elston, 65, died April 16, 2005 at the Decatur County Hospital in Leon, Iowa. Ron was born July 3, 1939 in Andover, MO, to parents Charles and Vondene Elston. He attended school in Davis City and Kansas City. He returned and finished school in Davis City, graduating in 1957. Ron followed in his father's footsteps and began working construction in Des Moines. In 1958 Ron Married Florence Shakespeare. Four children, Greg, Jeff, Rhonda, and RoVawn, grew up on a farm northwest of Decatur City, Iowa. Ron continued construction work along with operating a small acreage. During this time, Ronnie became an avid outdoors man, passing onto his children his love for hunting, fishing, and nature. Ron and Flo divorced in 1978. Ron continued working as an independent carpenter. He became united with Kaathryn England and daughter Kellly Jo of Lamoni in 1978. The family lived in Lamoni, Pleasanton, and Dexter, eventually moving into the Elston family home in Davis City. In 1984, Renee Joyce was born to the couple. Ron, Kathy, and Renee acquired the Reynolds family farm where they enjoyed animals, hunting, fishing, and gardening. Ron loved spending time with Kathy, Renee, and his family and friends, but cherished most playing with his youngest grandchild, Shira. Ron is survived by his parents, Charles and Vondene Elston and brother Mike Elston of Des Moines; wife Kathryn of Davis City; daughter Renee and son-in-law Aaron alley of Davis City; daughter Kelly and husband Terry Cozad of Weldon; daughter RoVawn and husband Riccardo Spellman of Milwaukee, Oregon; Daughter Rhonda and husband Ron Mickelson of Lamoni; son Jeff Elston and daughter-in-law Marcella Laasch of Studio City, CA; son Greg and wife Barb Elston of Elizabeth, CO; 10 grandchildren: shira, Teran, Bryce, Anthony, Sydney, Nate, Matthew, Joseph, Matt, and Travis; aunt Doris Kirkman of Livonia, MI; niece, nephew, cousins, and many friends.

Let me know if your want any of the obit below. Jones, Lannie, 80-, of Ottumwa, Iowa, formerly of Lineville, died March 16, 2005 Wilson, Richard "Dick", 79, of Leon, died at his home Sunday, April 17 Elston, Ronald Jerry, 65, died April 16, 2005 at the Decatur County Hospital Leon, Iowa. Lela Pauline Bethards, 83 of Leon, Iowa, daughter of Lloyd "Speeed" and Ora Lavica (Parson) Hill, died April 9, 200r.

Leon journal-Reporter April 20, 2005 Eva McBride's birthday as she turns 82 with and open house at Eagles in Osceola from 1:00 to 3:30 o'clock in the afternoon Saturday, the twenty-third of April, two thousand five. Eva McBride wass born May 2, 1923 in Grand River, Iowa. She married Robert L. McBride December 7, 1940. They have been blessed with eight children: five daughters, Iris Jane (husband Vernon) Lafollette of Camanche, IA; Judy McBride (companion Krell McBroom) of Osceola; Ranetta Mills (husband Roger) of Polk City; Dawn Smith (husband David); three sons: Rober and wife Debbie, Harry Jo and wife Deanna, Randy and wife Sally, all of Osceola. She is also blessed with 18 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.

Maybe someone knows if Ronald's father, Charles, was a brother of Frank Elston. ??? Frank was a friend of my family---visited us often when I was growing up. One of those names that "rings bells" every once in awhile, this one brings fond memories to mind. Sherry > [Original Message] > From: <BRWest@aol.com> > To: <IADECATU-L@rootsweb.com> > Date: 8/28/2005 5:16:08 PM > Subject: [IADECATU] obit Ronald Elston > > I would like Ron Elston's obituary. He was in my class at the old Leon High > School. Don't think he graduated though. Thanks in advance. I want it for > my scrapbook. Loretta > > Obit > Ronald Elston > Ronald Jerry Elston, 65, died April 16, 2005 at the Decatur County Hospital > in Leon, Iowa. Ron was born July 3, 1939 in Andover, MO, to parents Charles > and Vondene Elston. He attended school in Davis City and Kansas City. He > returned and finished school in Davis City, graduating in 1957. > > Ron followed in his father's footsteps and began working construction in Des > Moines. > > In 1958 Ron Married Florence Shakespeare. Four children, Greg, Jeff, > Rhonda, and RoVawn, grew up on a farm northwest of Decatur City, Iowa. Ron > continued construction work along with operating a small acreage. During this time, > Ronnie became an avid outdoors man, passing onto his children his love for > hunting, fishing, and nature. Ron and Flo divorced in 1978. > > Ron continued working as an independent carpenter. He became united with > Kaathryn England and daughter Kellly Jo of Lamoni in 1978. The family lived in > Lamoni, Pleasanton, and Dexter, eventually moving into the Elston family > home in Davis City. In 1984, Renee Joyce was born to the couple. Ron, Kathy, > and Renee acquired the Reynolds family farm where they enjoyed animals, > hunting, fishing, and gardening. Ron loved spending time with Kathy, Renee, and > his family and friends, but cherished most playing with his youngest > grandchild, Shira. > > Ron is survived by his parents, Charles and Vondene Elston and brother Mike > Elston of Des Moines; wife Kathryn of Davis City; daughter Renee and > son-in-law Aaron alley of Davis City; daughter Kelly and husband Terry Cozad of > Weldon; daughter RoVawn and husband Riccardo Spellman of Milwaukee, Oregon; > Daughter Rhonda and husband Ron Mickelson of Lamoni; son Jeff Elston and > daughter-in-law Marcella Laasch of Studio City, CA; son Greg and wife Barb Elston of > Elizabeth, CO; 10 grandchildren: shira, Teran, Bryce, Anthony, Sydney, Nate, > Matthew, Joseph, Matt, and Travis; aunt Doris Kirkman of Livonia, MI; niece, > nephew, cousins, and many friends. > > > > > ==== IADECATU Mailing List ==== > Stacey Dietiker, Momdit@aol.com: Decatur County List Administrator, > Website Coordinator, Decatur County IA Genweb - http://www.rootsweb.com/~iadecatu > > ============================== > Jumpstart your genealogy with OneWorldTree. Search not only for > ancestors, but entire generations. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13972/rd.ashx

Additions to the website the last few days - Several more Bios on the Reflections of Grand River Page and some reformatting: _www.rootsweb.com/~iadecatu/bioDocs/BIOGR.html_ (http://www.rootsweb.com/~iadecatu/bioDocs/BIOGR.html) Pages 16-20 of Decatur Twp., 1885 Iowa State Census now on the Census Page plus a lot of reformatting on the Census Page: _www.rootsweb.com/~iadecatu/census.html_ (http://www.rootsweb.com/~iadecatu/census.html) Surnames: Creveling Campbell Cook Creas Covington Dobson Day Dunn Daniels Eiker Euritt Freedman Fowler Fletcher Frost Flowers Gipson Geeting Gardner Hilliker Harrow Houston Hamilton Hammond House Hopkins Harger Henderson Holmes Hall Johnson Jones Jennings Keller Kendall Koger Kelley Kohlman Kier Littl Lany Lee Monroe Woodard Mullen Matier Myeres Marvin McCrosky Miller Moore Lillard McLaughlin Millsap McCalla Porter Perdew Pryor Piburn Pollok Robbins Rumley Robbert Cooby Riddle Robison Shinn Stanley Shy Smith Snavely Stacey Dietiker momdit@aol.com Decatur Co IA List Administrator Decatur Co IA Website Coordinator

Stacey, Just finished previewing some of the Website changes....What I've seen so far are GREAT!!! Thanks so much. Jackie in KS ----- Original Message ----- From: <Momdit@aol.com> To: <IADECATU-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, August 23, 2005 9:47 AM Subject: [IADECATU] Website/List News > Hi Everyone - > > Website Statistics - > Looks like the website has been much busier this week. We've had several > first time hits so it looks like a lot of newbies out there now that school is > starting again. Welcome to all the new list members! > > Thanks to Barry West- > Thanks to Barry for all of his recent posts and volunteering to help out so > many people! > > Check the Website Often- > Be sure to check back on the website often to see if there have been > updates. I don't always post the updates to the list when they are minor changes. > The Home Page has been changed a little in the last week. See what you > think. I'm trying to make it easier to see what is on the Early Decatur Pages and > I have the Town Histories on their own page now. Many of the pages are > undergoing some cosmetic reconstruction right now so if something looks a little > funny don't worry about it too much. It's probably just a page I've been > working on. If you find something you like be sure to let me know! I want to > make this website the best there is! > > October Website Reviews- > Reviews coming up in October again so if you find a link that isn't working > you can email me at _momdit@aol.com_ (mailto:momdit@aol.com) and let me > know. > > 1885 Iowa State Census- > Still an ongoing process. I have several more pages to upload in the next > week. If you have a hit be sure to let me know! > > 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 > > ============================== > View and search Historical Newspapers. Read about your ancestors, find > marriage announcements and more. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13969/rd.ashx > >

Hi Everyone - Website Statistics - Looks like the website has been much busier this week. We've had several first time hits so it looks like a lot of newbies out there now that school is starting again. Welcome to all the new list members! Thanks to Barry West- Thanks to Barry for all of his recent posts and volunteering to help out so many people! Check the Website Often- Be sure to check back on the website often to see if there have been updates. I don't always post the updates to the list when they are minor changes. The Home Page has been changed a little in the last week. See what you think. I'm trying to make it easier to see what is on the Early Decatur Pages and I have the Town Histories on their own page now. Many of the pages are undergoing some cosmetic reconstruction right now so if something looks a little funny don't worry about it too much. It's probably just a page I've been working on. If you find something you like be sure to let me know! I want to make this website the best there is! October Website Reviews- Reviews coming up in October again so if you find a link that isn't working you can email me at _momdit@aol.com_ (mailto:momdit@aol.com) and let me know. 1885 Iowa State Census- Still an ongoing process. I have several more pages to upload in the next week. If you have a hit be sure to let me know! Stacey Dietiker momdit@aol.com Decatur Co IA List Administrator Decatur Co IA Website Coordinator

Survivors include her niece Clella Hill and husband Roy of Leon; note from Mom Roy Hill mentioned here is my second cousin. I knew Roe Pouch real well years ago. I know I knew this Willa Pouch but for the life of me I can't remember what she looked like.

Obit Patricia Ann Baker, daughter of Russell Lewis Reed and Loura Betty (Adams) Reed, was born on July 20, 1942 in Osceola and died on Sunday, March 13, 2005 at her home in Murray at the age of 62. Patty attended grade school and high school in Van Wert where she played on the basketball team. She was united in marriage to Dwight Baker in 1961. To this union, three children were born-Kenneth Lee, Debra Diane and Mark Lewis. She later married Williard Parmer, and they had a daughter, Emily sue, who died in infancy. Patty bartended most of her adult life and she enjoyed helping out with the farm. She also worked at the Osceola Redemption Center, Super 8 Motel, and Lakeside Casino. She was member of the Osceola Eagles Auxiliary and attended the first Christian Church. Patty loved to sew, garden, and spend time with friends and family- esp especially her grandkids. She loved to travel, taking extended vacations. Patty was a wonderfully caring person. She enjoyed helping others. She enjoyed playing cards with her friends. Patty was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Emily Sue in infamcy; sister, Susan Reed; and aunt, Pearl Emiley. Patricia left behind to celebrate her life her three children, Kenneth Baker and wife Joni, Debra Baker, and Mark Baker and fiance Jennifer Todd, all of Osceola; granddaughters, Kylee Baker of Marion, Caitlin Mateer, Kyshya, Krysti and Karolyn Baker, all of Osceola; grandsons, Russell and Darold Baker of DeSoto, Clay and Cole Baker of Osceola; brother, Leon Reed and wife Kay of Scottsdale, AZ; sister, Carolyn Nelson and husband Max of Lake Havasu City, AZ; special cousin, Barb Davis of State Center; special companion and friend, Allen Heston of Woodburn; many other friends and relatives.

Thank-you for writing back but my family was related to Earl Reed. Earl Reed was married to Essie Boyer. I hope the Patricia obit helps some other people. It looks like she had a large family. Thank-you for the posting Roz Boyer On Aug 22, 2005, at 20:04, BRWest@aol.com wrote: > Obit > Patricia Ann Baker, daughter of Russell Lewis Reed and Loura Betty > (Adams) > Reed, was born on July 20, 1942 in Osceola and died on Sunday, March > 13, 2005 > at her home in Murray at the age of 62. > > Patty attended grade school and high school in Van Wert where she > played on > the basketball team. She was united in marriage to Dwight Baker in > 1961. To > this union, three children were born-Kenneth Lee, Debra Diane and Mark > Lewis. She later married Williard Parmer, and they had a daughter, > Emily sue, who > died in infancy. > > Patty bartended most of her adult life and she enjoyed helping out > with the > farm. She also worked at the Osceola Redemption Center, Super 8 > Motel, and > Lakeside Casino. She was member of the Osceola Eagles Auxiliary and > attended > the first Christian Church. > > Patty loved to sew, garden, and spend time with friends and family- > esp > especially her grandkids. She loved to travel, taking extended > vacations. Patty > was a wonderfully caring person. She enjoyed helping others. She > enjoyed > playing cards with her friends. > > Patty was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Emily Sue in > infamcy; > sister, Susan Reed; and aunt, Pearl Emiley. > > Patricia left behind to celebrate her life her three children, > Kenneth Baker > and wife Joni, Debra Baker, and Mark Baker and fiance Jennifer Todd, > all of > Osceola; granddaughters, Kylee Baker of Marion, Caitlin Mateer, > Kyshya, > Krysti and Karolyn Baker, all of Osceola; grandsons, Russell and > Darold Baker of > DeSoto, Clay and Cole Baker of Osceola; brother, Leon Reed and wife > Kay of > Scottsdale, AZ; sister, Carolyn Nelson and husband Max of Lake Havasu > City, AZ; > special cousin, Barb Davis of State Center; special companion and > friend, > Allen Heston of Woodburn; many other friends and relatives. > > > ==== IADECATU Mailing List ==== > Stacey Dietiker, Momdit@aol.com: Decatur County List Administrator, > Website Coordinator, Decatur County IA Genweb - > http://www.rootsweb.com/~iadecatu > > ============================== > Search Family and Local Histories for stories about your family and the > areas they lived. Over 85 million names added in the last 12 months. > Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13966/rd.ashx >

Could you send the information on Patricia Baker. I would like to know what Reed family she belonged to. Thank-you Roz Boyer On Aug 22, 2005, at 14:33, BRWest@aol.com wrote: > Let me know if you want the following Obits from the Wednesday, March > 23, > 2005 newspaper. > > Beckmann, Philip Haynes, 84 40 years at Graceland > Baker, Patricia Ann "Patty", 62 Van Wert High School basketball team > (Reed > maiden name) > Pierson, Edgar Owen, 87 Humeston and Garden Grove area > Gray, Frankie Wayne, 82 Married to Genevieve Burrell in Leon > Margaaret "Maggie" Nelson, 871936 Van Wert High > > > ==== 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 >

BRWest. Thanks I would appreciate the one on Frankie Wayne Gray/Genevieve Burrell. Marie, iowa Obit Frankie Wayne Gray Fraankie Wayne Gray, 82, of Evansdale, Iowa, passed away peacefully at Ceday Valley Hospice, Waterloo, on Wednesday, March 16, 2005 Wayne was born on September 16, 1923 in Leon, Iowa, the son of Matt and Tressie (Pullen) Gray. He married Genevieve Burrell in Leon. Wayne had worked for the street department for the City of Evansdale for 24 years, retiring in June, 1987. He was a member of the St. Marks United Methodist Church in Evansdale. Survivors include: wife; two sons, Dennis Gray and Wife Sarah of Evansdale; Fred Still and wife Laura of Linneus, MO; one daughter, Janice Parker and husband Kevin of Waterloo; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and three brothers, Geral D. Gray and wife Pauline of Evansdale, Donald G. Gray of Waterloo, and Raymond Gray and wife Linda of Waterloo. He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Dan Gray; one daughter, Jennie Gray; two brothers, Morgan and Kenneth Gray; and two sisters, Dorothy Early and Alberta Lane.

Let me know if you want the following Obits from the Wednesday, March 23, 2005 newspaper. Beckmann, Philip Haynes, 84 40 years at Graceland Baker, Patricia Ann "Patty", 62 Van Wert High School basketball team (Reed maiden name) Pierson, Edgar Owen, 87 Humeston and Garden Grove area Gray, Frankie Wayne, 82 Married to Genevieve Burrell in Leon Margaaret "Maggie" Nelson, 871936 Van Wert High

Yes, Irma I knew the Davis family quite well. My granddad, Fred Welling was a partner with Clint on the station that was built adjacent (and north) of the Leon Hotel. At the time my folks were married Fred sold out and built a station in Maryville, MO - which was closer to relatives. Also, he gave the house to my folks as a wedding present. The Davis family made fine contributions to Leon. It was Leon's loss when they left. By the way my spam blocker doesn't understand NOT to block my stuff from the "list." Maybe because each entry has a different number -- I dunno. The result is that Brownie sez another generation has come and gone while I'm answering. ... jack

Does anyone know if there are city directories for the Hamilton Township area? I'm interested in any records after 1860. My great grandparents, James and Lucinda HUMPHRIES disappeared after the 1860 census. Around 1870 their children, John G., Elizabeth, Martha A. and Perry S. turned up in Jackson Co., MO. Can not find James and Lucinda though. Thought maybe city directories may give me an idea as to when they left Iowa, or if they did. The surname is sometimes spelled HUMPHREYS. The 1850 census in Illinois had it as Umphreysus. Any help or ideas where to look for James and Lucinda after 1860 would be greatly appreciated. Thelma in Colorado, USA

Lamoni's Passing Parade Page 146 J. O. Moon With the coming of the first cement sidewalks to Lamoni there were many residents who foresaw a rapid decline of the old board sidewalk then universally in use, and an immediate switch in favor of this more attractive and also more permanent type. The difficulties in making this anticipated change were many, and when one who contemplated adding the new improvement investigated the possibility of proceeding with the project, he found the prospects anything but encouraging. Among those interested in the new project was J. O. Moon, a successful retired farmer and a veteran of the Civil War, who maintained a neat little home on North Linden street. He had watched with interest the installation of the first sidewalk of this kind when it was installed in front of the George Derry & Son harness shop, and he decided that such an improvement would add value to his home; but when he tried to contract with workmen to make the installation he found there was no one in Lamoni who had sufficient experience in working with cement to justify them in laying the walk for him. The first sidewalk in the business district had been laid by contractors from out of town and apparently it was not convenient to engage them, but he was determined to find a local man who would undertake the project. At that time thee were several residents who had experience in the plastering trade and who followed this line of work as their means of livelihood, but concrete construction was a new thing in this part of the country and very little of it had been done. Finally he persuaded one of these men, who though hesitant about it finally agreed to undertake the job, and work got under way shortly afterward. My knowledge of these activities came through my associations with the youngest member of the Moon family, an auburn-haired lad named Fred, with whom I developed a great comradeship which holds a very bright spot in my memory. We were there together that day when the men came to begin work on the new sidewalk, but for some reason the father decided Fred should go on some sort of errand to his brother Charlie's farm, a short distance south of town. We would much rather have stayed to see the work on the new sidewalk get under way; but if Fred must go, I of course chose to go with him, so we mounted our bicycles and departed. When we arrived at the farm, instead of going directly to the house and taking care of the errand with which we had been instructed, we went out into the orchard. Once there we found the shad so cool and inviting that we spent considerable time there just lying in the soft grass beneath the spreading leafy branches, recuperating from the exertion put forth in pedaling the distance between town and the farm. We were thus occupied when we heard the sound of voices and a moment later saw two little boys, carrying a little tin pail, coming out into the orchard, apparently headed directly toward the spot where we were resting. "It's Walt and Willard," whispered Fred, endeavoring to avoid attracting their attention. "Let's hide behind a tree before they see us." And a moment later he had crawled to a concealed position behind a large apple tree, where I quickly followed. Then a few moments later when the two little fellows advanced to a position but a few feet from us and started filling their pail with apples which had fallen upon the ground, he began making a series of noises intended to throw a scare into them. Of course I joined him in the effort and like two mischievous older boys trying to frighten two younger ones, each tried to outdo the other in the hideousness and gruesomeness of these sounds. Our efforts were rewarded far beyond our expectations, for the two little fellows dropped their pail and stood as though paralyzed with fear while they screamed in terror as loudly as two husky voices were capable of screaming. Genuinely startled by the success of our efforts, we immediately emerged from our place of hiding, where Fred, really an affectionate uncle, gathered them in his arms and tried by every means in his power to reassure them. At first they were too badly frightened to recognize him, which only added to their terror; but in time his soothing words began to have effect and in time he had them sufficiently quieted that we felt it safe to accompany them to the house. Through all this I was an interested but uncomfortable observer, for I feared Charlie might hear their cries and appear upon the scene before Fred could complete a reconciliation; however, my fears were groundless, and as a comforter I think Fred was a complete success, as I have met Walt and Willard many times since that day, and even though these meetings have been face to face they bear no visible indication of being afraid of me. When we returned to town that day we made our report to Uncle John, mentioning only the incidents of the trip which had bearing upon the errand upon which he had sent us, and for our diligence and strict observance of duty he repaid our efforts by giving each of us a large lump of maple sugar. John Moon had come to Lamoni from Michigan, where maple sugar was a local product, and he considered it so essential to the family diet that each year he received direct from the makers with whom he was personally acquainted a large shipment of this incomparable delicacy-enough for his own use and some to sell to his neighbors. For this reason, in my early acquaintance with Uncle John Moon I knew him best as the maple sugar man. The new sidewalk did not turn out to be a success. Made by inexperienced hands, its construction was not favorable to successful concrete manipulation, and with the freezing and thawing to which Iowa soil is constantly subjected, in a short time it became cracked and broken; and sometime later, when Lamoni workmen became more familiar with modern concrete construction, it was finally replaced with one similar to the kind we have today. The fact that John Moon was an active member of the G.A.R. at that time kept him very much in the public eye, and then, too, he was one of the type who made many friend and was known by everyone-grown-up and youngster alike. The veterans' organization was very much alive in those days and had a prominent part in all of the patriotic events of the community; and between times these old wearers of the blue often met in informal groups in the business houses or upon the streets, where the main topic of conversation was generally war experiences. I remember especially one summer when we had been having quite a protracted hot spell-when it was really too hot to put forth any energy that was not absolutely necessary. Each afternoon a small group of these old soldiers congregated in the shade just outside of the store where I happened to be employed, and there, day after day, they whiled away the time in much the same manner. In fact, I think the heat wave lasted long enough that they had about exhausted their supply of stories, but upon this particular day I stepped out where they were lined up in chairs along the sidewalk just as Uncle John Moon started telling one of his favorite experiences. I was always interested in hearing war stories, so I stopped to listen. "We had been in camp for several days with but little action taking place," he began, while his companions gave him their undivided attention. "We knew there were plenty of Rebs in the woods, because some of our detachments had encountered scattered groups upon several occasions, and we knew an attack was coming, but just when it would come we did not know. The weather turned terribly cold and during the night several of our mules froze to death, and the following morning we received the order to advance. In a short time there was a sharp battle which lasted but a few minutes, and the Rebs took to their heels. Some of us were walking cautiously through the timber in pursuit when we came upon a couple of wounded Confederate soldiers so badly shot up that they were unable to travel. Someone had given them small branches off a tree, with which they were trying to brush the flies away from their wounds----" "Just a minute, John," interrupted one of his companions derisively. "You said the mules froze to death the night before. Where were the flies then?" "Oh, by gal, I didn't mean that," exclaimed Uncle John confusedly while all his comrades laughed uproariously and kidded him unmercifully. Nevertheless he started anew and tried bravely to correct the error to make the continuity of his story more consistent, but he never did recapture the complete attention of his hearers that he had held at the beginning of the story. But what of it? The embarrassment of this moment would quickly pass. Tomorrow one of his comrades might probably made an error and then it would be his turn to laugh. In this way these boys of '61 relieved those days which to them were so all important and which today brought forth memories which furnished the undying spark of youth in bodies now growing worn with age. Uncle John Moon, in spite of his years, retained much of the old spirit of vigor and aggressiveness. He enjoyed mingling with the youth of the community and was quite a favorite with all, and the spirit of fight that had prompted him to volunteer for service in the army in '61 remained with him throughout life. He was one person who was determined not to be pushed around, and at a ripe old age he demonstrated that spirit to quite a degree, especially when he and one of his aged friends crowded a friendly argument to the point that they attempted to settle it with a display of fistic technique, which terminated about as quickly as it began when Uncle John's wife appeared upon the scene and seized him by the collar. "By gal, I had him coming," exclaimed Uncle John in telling of the affair sometime later. "If the woman had stayed out of it I would have soon convinced him who was right." This scrappy instinct was probably more or less responsible for the existence of circumstances which robbed John Moon of associations which at his age were sorely needed, and which he craved above anything else in the world. Like many fathers he felt he had failed in retaining the comradeship of his son Fred, and realizing that I was one of Fred's closest friends, he often came to me in the hope that I might in an inconspicuous way help to bridge the gap he felt existed between them. Some years later, when Fred contracted an incurable disease, he had opportunity in measure to make up for some of the differences which had existed and to provide every attention within his power. But when, after a long illness, his son, who had so recently matured into manhood, passed away, the old man's hear was broken. From that time on he redoubled his efforts to make friends with all the youngsters about town. He interested himself in their activities, he bought them treats, he loaned them money-anything that would in a measure relieve his conscience regarding any neglect he felt he might have shown his son. But scars upon the heart are slow to heal, and from that time on he was never a happy man. As a long-time resident of this community John Moon was well and favorably known. As one of the pioneers in this locality he assumed his part in the developing of the community and was one of the essential cogs in its wheels of progress. He lived a long and useful life, made many friends, and left to his descendants many traits of character they treasure as worthy of emulation. As a personal friend, I consider any memories of Lamoni and Lamoni people of those days as incomplete which fail to include J. O. Moon. I prize those memories of his friendship and his confidence, and I think of him as an honorable resident and a true veteran in Lamoni's passing parade.

Some of you Leon old timers will remember this family.....Saw in Des Moines Register today that the above had passed away. His father was Clinton Davis who owned the service station on the Highway near the south hotel for a number of years. He had three sons, Clinton Jr., Walter and Stanley, and two daughters, Mildren and Helen. Clinton Jr age 93 yrs was a long time dentist in DM. Jack, I'm pretty sure you will remember this family. Hadn't thought about this family for a long time, but brought back recollections of especially nice people. from Irma

Forwarding message I just received. Please respond to Mr. Wiley directly at _David.Wiley.dawiley_99@yahoo.com_ (mailto:David.Wiley.dawiley_99@yahoo.com) Stacey. I believe that my father, Harold L. Wiley was born in Decatur County and I know that he lived in Lamoni Iowa for a while as a child. His parents were Corwin and Stella(Green) Wiley. At some point they moved to Waterloo. Looking for information about the Wiley's of decatur County that might be related to my dad or his parents. Thanks D. Wiley