I am hoping someone may be of any help. I have been trying to find what happened to my mother's half-sister Bessie Clark, born June 1888 most likely in Weldon, Decatur Co., Iowa the daughter of a Vincent Wainwright Clark and Dora Viola Lewis. And where is her father Vincent Clark buried? Following is what I do know of this family: Vincent Clark was born in Decatur Co. IA (Source: 1885 Iowa State Census) about 1863 the son of Charles M. Clark. Per the 1860 U.S. Fed. Census, the father Charles M. Clark was living in Center Twp., Decatur Co. IA, born New York, age 22, occupation Clerk. Vincent's mother was Sarah Wainwright, also born New York. Per the 1870 U.S. Fed. Census, the Clark family is still living in Center Twp. (Post Office Leon) and Vincent is 7 years old. By the 1880 U.S. Fed. Census, the Clark family had moved to Green Bay, Clarke Co., IA and Vincent is 17 years old. The census again verifies him as the son of Charles M. Clark and Sarah, the parents both born in New York and Vincent born in Iowa. On 20 October 1881, the father Charles Clark was listed in a book in the Clarke County Courthouse that describes stray animals, who found them, the date, where it was found, and who approved a payment for the animals' keep or dispensation of the case. Found By Date Where Approved By C.M. Clark 20 Oct 1881 Green Bay Twp. T.W. Finch E. Denly In 1885, Vincent Clark is age 22 years and is still living in Green Bay Twp., Clarke Co. IA. ****** Note: Sometime between 1885 and January 1, 1887, when Vincent and Dora Lewis married, Vincent moved back to Decatur County (borders Clarke Co. to the South). Per the marriage record, he was a Printer in Weldon, Decatur Co. when they married in Osceola, Clarke Co on January 1, 1887. Vincent and Dora apparently were living in Decatur County (probably Weldon) after they married and their daughter, Bessie Clark, was born in June 1888. However, Vincent was abusive and Richard Eggleston, the Clarke Co. Sheriff, went and got Dora and brought her home to Clarke Co.along with daughter Bessie. Vincent Clark and Dora divorced and in 1994 she married Richard Eggleston in Osceola, Clarke Co., IA. Bessie Clark is listed on the 1900 Iowa Census (Soundex Code E-242), age 12 years, living in Richard Eggleston's household as his step-daughter in Osceola, Clarke County, IA, but no longer living in the household on the 1910 census. Richard Eggleston was killed on duty in the big Osceola, Clarke Co. fire and explosion in 1917. Both his estate papers and his obituary name the children by his marriage to Dora, but do not list Bessie as a heir. Bessie is also not listed as a surviving child in her mother Dora Clark Eggleston Morain's obituary in 1936. I believe Bessie Clark deceased sometime between 1900 and 1917 or 1936. Any info on this Clark family, especially what happened to Vincent and Bessie Clark will be most appreciated. My email address is JWinter588@AOL.com. Thank you very much and happy hunting to everyone! Sincerely, Jeannie Winter

Unfortunately, nothing turned up. I still haven't given up on it, but ran out of time and the weather wasn't cooperating with me early yesterday morning. I will still try to find it (only when I can dedicate an entire weekend to search and pray the weather is decent) and will probably try to take on the task of finding the "Clinton Cemetery" also in that general area since I know who owns the land and the area quite well. Tracie, IA ----- Original Message ----- From: "Trace McB" To: Sent: Wednesday, May 18, 2005 10:05 PM Subject: [IADECATU] Another cemetery near DeKalb, research oportunity > Hi all, > > I just got off of the phone with my father (who is 55 and has lived in the Decatur Co. area all of his life). After my maternal grandparents sold their land around the old Dekalb area, another "cemetery" was "found" by surveyers. It is suppost to be across the road from where the old school house sat and is in state hunting land now. Dad said he heard that there are gravestones, but who know what kind of condition they are in. I will be going home this Sunday, but my little sister is graduating from high school. I will be home for Memorial Day and Dad and I plan on donning on the Deep Woods Off, jeans, and hiking boots for the sake of history. Anyone interested in knowing more about this mysterious cemetery, please email me at cy_hick@yahoo.com. > > If I have time, I may be able to check out some other cemeteries in the area for anyone also. I am currently about 90 miles away at college, but I do go home often so I can scope out cemeteries for anyone if needed (provided that I have the time). I can take pictures, but would have to charge a small fee to reimburst my costs. > > I also have access to old census records via the Iowa State University library and I have the Weldon Centennial book (1880 to 1980), so I can do some research for you. > > Thanks and take care! > > Tracie McBroom :) > > > --------------------------------- > Yahoo! Mail Mobile > Take Yahoo! Mail with you! Check email on your mobile phone. > > > ==== IADECATU Mailing List ==== > Stacey Dietiker, Momdit@aol.com: Decatur County List Administrator, > Website Coordinator, Decatur County IA Genweb - http://www.rootsweb.com/~iadecatu > > ============================== > Find your ancestors in the Birth, Marriage and Death Records. > New content added every business day. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13964/rd.ashx > --------------------------------- Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Small Business - Try our new Resources site!

MARGARET, it kinda sounds like a public cemetery. http://www.rootsweb.com/~iadecatu/cemeteryDocs/OakHill.html I will also send thru the Dec Co, Ia web site and if one of the members knows, they can advise you. marie, iowa -----Original Message----- From: MARGOWEBB@aol.com [mailto:MARGOWEBB@aol.com] Sent: Monday, May 30, 2005 11:16 AM To: mari@netins.net Subject: Oak Hill Cemetery, Grand River, Iowa Marie Sellers Hollinger I got your email off the Grand River, Iowa site. I hope you can help me. We have found the marked grave of my ggg grandmother Rachel Blair Vance in the Oak Hill Cemetery, Stanley plot. I am trying to get permission to place a small DAR emblem in front of her tombstone and I need to get permission from the owner/authority of the Oak Hill Cemetery to come onto the cemetery and place the emblem. Also, a short ritual will be made by descendants (I am at least one of them). Could you possibly know/find if this cemetery is private/public. Who would have authority to sign a letter stating permission is granted. It takes a long time to go through the process but I am anxious to mark my Rachel's grave with a DAR recognition as a daughter of John Blair, a Revolutionary War Soldier. Thank you. Margaret Vance Webb 116 Westwood Drive Knoxville,TN 37919

On this Memorial Day our thoughts go out to all those living and dead who made our country the greatest place on earth to live. This is a poem written by my great-uncle in memory of his young son who was killed in WWII. Pfc. James Harry Duffield, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Leo W. Duffield was born September 25, 1925 and was killed in action in Belgium, January 15, 1945. He was a grduate of Garden Grove High School with the class of 1942. James received his initial training at Camp Fannin where he specialized in radio. He was sent overseas, landing in England in October, 1944. From England he was sent to France and finally to Belgium. OUR JAMES by Leo Duffield Suppose he had said, "I can't be spared, I am needed at home," And never dared To repond so bravely To his country's call? Just like so many Who have not gone at all. Let's suppose that he Had had no pride, And had petitioned To be reclassified? Suppose he had thought Of himself alone And not of others, How could he atone? But remains the question, Who'd have taken his place? And just how, in fact, Would it alter the case? But No. OUR SON Had a noble heart. He was ready and willing To do his part. He shouldered his burden With a smile; It was nothing unusual It was just his style He was never known To rebel or lag. Moreover, he cherished His country's flag. He lived and died For his fellow man, Although why so abrupt We don't understand. We do get comfort In this thought, That he did his duty As he felt he ought. And that through the maze It is plain to see, He's gone back to God For all eternity. Just why such things Should have to be, In a home called brave And a land called free, Is beyond human power To comprehend or see, Though we hope and pray To be as brave as he. Realizing the while, We shall meet nevermore Until the judgment day, On the blissful shore. So the answer is simple, That his race he has run, As to taking his place--- Now, it cannot be done. His Commander had ordered, "Thou shalt not kill." To vindicate our brave hero, Later said, "Peace, be still." So the thought is consoling And so easily gleaned, For his Supreme Commander In his behalf intervened. So he answered the Beacon, All it took was a nod, He is still in the army, But the army of God. Yes, our boy's been promoted, Due to God's infinite love, He's been made a lieutenant In the mansions above. He is worthy of honor, For he had lots of pride, It was God's rewarding merit, That he's been reclassified. He had naught but dignity, He had nothing to atone, It was not his choice of action, So God's mercy has been shown. He had hoped to be a chaplain, But they said he lacked in years. Yet his Maker knew his talent, And he rewarded, it appears. And although our hearts are heavy We rejoice in his success, May god keep constant vigil And forever him shall bless. The Duffields lived west of Garden Grove where the Kobville County Park is located.

Any idea what school this is? Could it be Decatur?....mac ----- Original Message ----- From: BRWest@aol.com To: IADECATU-L@rootsweb.com Sent: Sunday, May 29, 2005 9:54 PM Subject: [IADECATU] feb. 13, 1936 Journal-Reporter Freshman Notes from grandmother West's scrapbook Barry West Freshman Notes C A milie Ear L Mar G uriette VondE ae El B a R ay M A rgie It brings hard work with it. This week we were taking up factoring. We find it quite complicated. In civics we are drawing maps of our community. We find declamatory work very interesting. Those of the freshman class who are starting out with their pieces are Earl Young, Ray Thorpe, Camille Tulis, Dorothy McMorris, Margueritte Meek, Charles Eaton. We wish you all Much success. ==== 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

from the Leon Journal_reporter In grandmother West's scrapbook Barry West Who pays the Taxes Below will be found a list of tax payers who pay $5 or more yearly High Point Township approximate 200 names with amount paid Hamilton Township approximate 200 names with amount paid Garden Grove Corporation approximate 250 names with amount paid Grand River Township approximate 200 names with amount paid Pleasanton Corporation approximate 100 names with amount paid If you want me to check for a name on the list e-mail me at _BRWest@aol.com_ (mailto:BRWest@aol.com)

from grandmother West's scrapbook Barry West Mr. Harger: What is meant by the long session of congress? Julia Maynard: When congress is in session for a long time. Three of the junior class members were selected to speak at the public declamatory contest to be held at our opera hall on Feb. 17. Those students are: Frances Smith with Education of a Democracy. Doris Young with School Program. Charles Plummer with the Unknown speaker Julia Maynard with Molly's boy

from grandmother West's scrapbook Barry West Freshman Notes C A milie Ear L Mar G uriette VondE ae El B a R ay M A rgie It brings hard work with it. This week we were taking up factoring. We find it quite complicated. In civics we are drawing maps of our community. We find declamatory work very interesting. Those of the freshman class who are starting out with their pieces are Earl Young, Ray Thorpe, Camille Tulis, Dorothy McMorris, Margueritte Meek, Charles Eaton. We wish you all Much success.

from grandmother West's scrapbook Barry West Doctor and Nurse race through blizzard to win from stork A physician and registered nurse raced the stork in Monday night's blizzard and won. They beat the old bird despite the fact that they had to travel roads that were thought to be impassable until the emergency arose. Monday evening Moss Callaway, who lives a mile north of Mahaska school house, called Dr. D. G. Reid, asking him to come to his home as quickly as possible. Dr. Reid, accompanied by Miss Velma Baker, R. N., drove to McDougal's corner, seven miles north of town, leaving their car at Ric Kemp's place. Robert Frame, Mrs. Callaway's father, driving a team hitched to a sled, met them at the corner and took them to Eldon Landes' place where they changed sleds, getting one with a box on it to offer them better protection against driving snow and bitter cold winds. Finally they reached the Robert Frame place where Mr. and Mrs. Callaway live. It took them more than two hours to travel the four miles in the sleds. Br midnight Mr. and Mrs. Callaway could announce the birth of a seven and a half pound daughter, infant and mother getting along as well as could be expected. The doctor and nurse started back to Bethany. Snow had been falling all evening with strong winds piling it into drifts. Mr. Frame's young team had rested but after fighting their way through neck deep snow drifts as far as the Landes place were unable to go farther. The party sopped at Landes' where they had borrowed blankets on the way to Callaway's. Hot coffee and a roaring fire in the heating stove thawed them out. At three o'clock Dr. reid and Miss Baker left Landes' cutting across fields and over fences to reach their car at the Kemp place. After getting the car started and bucking snow drifts back to town, they reached the hospital at four o'clock. Dr. reid said that they encountered drifts eight feet deep; that if it hadn't been for Callaway's young team of horses, and the Landes' kindness they would never have reached the farm home in time for important event. Harrison County Times.

from grandmother West's scrapbook Barry West Leon Journal-Reporter, Thursday, February 13, 1936 Professional Dancer of Hollywood will visit father at Decatur Miss Guen Shelton, 22, a professional dancer of Hollywood, will arrive within the next week for a visit with her father, Ralph Shelton at Decatur. Miss Shelton recently refused a foreign contract to dance in China due to the international strife in the far east and will visit with her father for a few weeks before entering on spring engagements in the west.

from grandmother West's scrapbook Barry West In memory of Staff Sergeant Warren H. Allen Born January 17, 1921 Near Kellerton, Iowa Entered in rest March 11, 1943 McDill Field, Tampa, Florida Services held from the Stewart Funeral Home Leon, Iowa Wednesday, March 17, 1943 at 2:00 o'clock p.m. Clergyman Rev. L. L. Spalding of the Presbyterian Church Military Services American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars Final resting place Leon cemetery Killed in World War II Son of Frank P. Allen

from grandmother West's scrapbook Barry West In memory of Ola May Hacker (Wife of Don Keith Hacker) October, 4 1885 April 3, 1978 Funeral Service conducted form Slade Funeral Home Thursday, April 6, 1978 2:00 p.m. The Rev. Ivan C. Bys Organist Teresa E. Tullis Vocalist Bud Hook Selections "Just a Closer Walk with Thee" "Beyond the Sunset" Bearers- Grandsons Edward Donahue Dennis Fierce Larry Gegner Jerald Heaberlin Glenn Hein Rick Joseph Louis McCullough Loren Stuvick Interment Van Wert Cemetery Slade Funeral Home Leon, Iowa

from grandmother West's scrapbook Barry West Bryon Hacker, a former will known Leon young man, who has been residing at Pine Bluffs, Wyoming, for the past few years, and is now in the service, was married July 23rd,. Bryon has many friends in Leon and Decatur county who extend congratulations and best wishes. The following notice of his marriage appeared in the Pine Bluffs Post of August 15th. On Tuesday evening, July 23, occurred the marriage of Miss Lola Mabel Martin and Mr. Bryon Lewis Hacker at Cheyenne, at the home of Rev. Mr. Stubblefield pastor of the First Presbyterian Church. As a joke the young couple succeeded in keeping it a secret untio Sunday, August 11, when Bryon returned home, having been granted a furlough until October 15 to care for his crops. The bride is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Martin of Torrington, Wyoming. She has been engaged in teaching for the past four years. Mr. Hacker is a son of Mr. J. F. Hacker, of Leon Iowa, he has been engaged in farming near Pine Bluffs for the past three years, until being called to the colors, July ?. Their many friends join in wishing the young couple much happiness and success.

from grandmother West's scrapbook Barry West Infant child of grandmother West (undated clipping) Infant West Child Dies The little infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clifton West of near Van Wert, which was born at the Decatur county hospital Monday morning, lived only a few minutes. A short service was held at the Stewart funeral home Tuesday afternoon with interment in the Leon cemetery. The little child was names Alice Louella West.

Vaughn Smith rang a bell. Ever since I was a teenager, I was a real nut about cameras. Saved my money and bought my first camera in Des Moines when we were visiting Leon from California. My Aunts and Uncles out here teased me by calling me "Vaughn" because I took so many pictures. I took that as a compliment! My Aunts and Uncles are all gone now but I have their pictures and some wonderful memories of them! Jan ----- Original Message ----- From: <jscott@parkspringscommunities.com> To: <IADECATU-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, May 28, 2005 7:20 AM Subject: [IADECATU] to Carroll > Here's a bit more about the northwest side of the square in Leon in the > late 20s and thirties - > > 1. Beyond the Strand on the north side was the bakery. When I was > young, it was run by Guy Stark and his sons. They moved their business to > Des Moines. Later, it was run by Leo Mundy who made, arguably, the best > pineapple rolls ever. Usually, it was run in front by Twyla Hardin. > > > > 2. Just past the bakery was the street which continued across the > north side of the town square. And then was one of our proud three story > buildings - Graham's Department Store. Above Grahams's were Doc > Maughan's office and Vaughan Smith's photo shop (until he moved it across > the street east.) > > > > 3. Then came Stewart's Furniture Store. > > > > 4. The telephone office (Central!) - where Faye Van Nostrand was the > peerless operator. > > > > 5. And then the north hamburger joint, also called the north beer > joint. > > > > 6. A Sinclair Gas Station on the corner with a plaster dinosaur in > front. > > > > ... ah, what memories ... jack > > > ==== IADECATU Mailing List ==== > Stacey Dietiker, Momdit@aol.com: Decatur County List Administrator, > Website Coordinator, Decatur County IA Genweb - > http://www.rootsweb.com/~iadecatu > > ============================== > Find your ancestors in the Birth, Marriage and Death Records. > New content added every business day. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13964/rd.ashx > >

Here's a bit more about the northwest side of the square in Leon in the late 20s and thirties - 1. Beyond the Strand on the north side was the bakery. When I was young, it was run by Guy Stark and his sons. They moved their business to Des Moines. Later, it was run by Leo Mundy who made, arguably, the best pineapple rolls ever. Usually, it was run in front by Twyla Hardin. 2. Just past the bakery was the street which continued across the north side of the town square. And then was one of our proud three story buildings - Graham's Department Store. Above Grahams's were Doc Maughan's office and Vaughan Smith's photo shop (until he moved it across the street east.) 3. Then came Stewart's Furniture Store. 4. The telephone office (Central!) - where Faye Van Nostrand was the peerless operator. 5. And then the north hamburger joint, also called the north beer joint. 6. A Sinclair Gas Station on the corner with a plaster dinosaur in front. ... ah, what memories ... jack

Was the creamery, at that time, Larson's creamery and ice house?.....mac ----- Original Message ----- From: jscott@parkspringscommunities.com To: IADECATU-L@rootsweb.com Sent: Friday, May 27, 2005 8:47 AM Subject: [IADECATU] United Food Markets I can add a bit to the question about the stores along the north side of the courthouse square in Leon. THis is a excerpt from a sort of autobio that I started writing for my kids: Starting at the NW corner and going east along the north side of the square was the Central Hotel in the back of which were a series of restaurants (Johnnie Boswell's Steakhouse was one of them in the late forties.) In fact after the busses stopped using Arch's Café they set their stop at The Central. Bill Sanger's barber shop was in the basement of the Central. Dad did dental work for him so I frequently had my hair cut there - a freebie. The US Post Office was in the Central building and when they built the new one you could buy the old boxes with their novel combination locks. Nub Harris' radio shop, Tallman's furniture store, Rippey's grocery store, the creamery and across the street east from the creamery was the county jail. It wasn't very secure. I have a photo taken from my dad's office (over the Strand Theater) at the time of the 1953 centennial celebration. It was intended to be a picture of the parade (and it is) but it also shows the old Central Hotel - and, up the street, Vaughn Smyth's photo shop. I'll send attached copies of that photo to Stacy and Darrell in separate messages. ... jack ==== 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

a very rough newspaper with wholes. Paper was addressed to Dr. W. C. Scholty, Leon, Iowa, 23may58 in grandmother West's scrapbook Barry West Activity In Leon In 1915 Photo The above picture and article was written and sent to this paper by Talph Thompson of Maxwell, Iowa, a former resident of Leon. The view shown in the picture was taken from the west side of the present site of the Hime Implement Company, Looking West. The machinery, with the large boulder in row, is headed south on Idaho street. I reading one's hometown newspaper, many names we remember appear, but a tremendous number also appear that memory fails to recognize. This, too, where 50 years ago we felt we knew about everyone. But, in retrospect, some names seem to stand out because of what their lives meant to the community. Reading your columns, it apparent that Harvey Park fills quite a niche in the lives of Decatur county people and their friends, especially during the picnic and summer months. This leads us to two names, Judge Harvey and J. D. Brown, both having been gone a long time. Both served too, I believe, as captains in the war between the states. Mr. Harvey, of course, presented the park to Leon, and Mr. Brown, a very colorful figure for many years in the role of farming and livestock life of the county, offered park officials a large boulder from his farm, two and one-half miles north of town. It rests now in the park with a bronze plaque on it bearing the name of Judge Harvey as donor of the park. This, in a sort of clumsy manner, leads us to the picture I am sending and "how the boulder found its way into the Park." Ernie Hamilton, with a new Case steamer, and myself, with a new Nichols and Shepard 25-50 gas tractor, hitched tandem, pulled the rock on skids to the pavement on the main street out of town. Town authorities fearing the heavy steamer might damage the pavement, asked us to use the tractor to complete the trip and to use plank under the wheels. The man near the machine, I believe, was the late Charles Rumley. The man next to the camera and in the cab is my brother, Lester Thompson of Colorado, a wheat farmer in that (missing) whose wife's father's (missing) J. F. Hacker, appears on (missing) cornerstone of the court (missing a line). Up to this time I believe the gas tractor shown was the first heavy internal combustion traction engine to come into that territory since people were slow to accept the gas motor as a source of power for such jobs. Permit me to add , that with this tractor, the writer, with the help of a cousin, Home Machlan, now of Portland, Ore., went on and built many miles of original grade in both Clarke and Decatur counties of the old Jefferson Highway, now Highway 69. this work followed in two years following the rock job which was done in the spring of 1915. Starting as I did with mention of Judge Harvey and J. D. Brown, both war veterans, I fear it has been easy to give this letter to much "military coloring." forgive me if it seems so. But at the very moment we were placing the boulder in the Park, the nations of Europe who were to become our allies later were at grips with Kaiser Wilhelm. It was soon to develop into a struggle that in scope and intensity the world had not yet seen its equal. 1917 came and our own country was actively preparing to enter the first World War. We were to employ conscription for the first time in our history, In June a small number were called, but the draft came. The tractor we have been talking about quit building roads and many such projects were suspended. A short time later, a body of young men appeared on the west steps of the court house there, I believe there were 82 of them, several of them fathers. Pictures were taken and that evening the good people of Leon served the boys a most wonderful supper in Harvey Park. To me there is a bit of irony suggested at this point, because the meal was eaten near and around the big rock. The next morning early, an untrained and yet awkward bunch of men walked down the hill to board the Burlington. Camp Dodge was next and in a few hours they were members of the 88th division. Of one thing we can now be doubly sure, no one of the boys in the Park that evening dreamed that within two decades, their very own sons would be engaged in another war and with the same adversary. Too it would be one of such magnitude that their Daddy's job was small as compared to the one assigned to them. Ralph Thompson

from the Leon Journal-Reporter Sept 27, 1975 in grandmother West's scrapbook Barry West Photo of students at High Point School No. 4, High Point Township, 1937-38 Harriet Zook, Teacher Back row, l to r, Carl Tuttle, John Reed. Isabel McVey; Front, Doris Tuttle, Joanne Reed, Robert Mendenhall. Submitted by Harriet Swain Second Photo High Point Township, 1938-39, Harriet Zook, teacher Left to right, Willard Coontz, Dorothy Lacey, Carl Tuttle, Lawrence Lacey, Robert Mendenhall, Doris Tuttle, Harriet Zook, Teacher Submitted by Harriet Swain

Doc Phelps office housed the Telephone Office for years.If I remember correctley, it still had his "stuff" there in the sixties. Larry