From Grandmother's scrapbook A Memorial Record for Friends and Relatives In Memory of Mrs. Roxana Barron Stout Born February 9, 1887 Madison County, Missouri Entered into rest April 1, 1949 Near Liberty, Iowa Services held from the Stewart Funeral Home Leon, Iowa Sunday, April 3, 1949 at 2 o'clock p.m. Clergyman Rev John L. McCurdy Final resting place Leon Cemetery Soloist Mrs Flossie Gillham Accompanist Mrs. Nina Calhoun Bearers John Fulton, Julian Frost, Neil Smith, Walter Stover, Chas. M. Pyfer, Walter Blakesley Crossing The Bar Sunset and evening star, And one clear call for me! And may there be No moaning of the Bar When I put out to sea, ************************* For tho' from out our bourne of time and place The flood may bear me far, I hope to see my Pilot- face to face When I have crast the bar. -Tennyson

From My Grandmother's scrapbook. In Memory Of Frank a. Keller Born June 5, 1887 Decatur County, Iowa Passed Away Wednesday, April 13, 1949 Home in Leon Final Resting Place Leon Cemetery Funeral Service conducted from The Slade Funeral Home Friday, April 15, 1949 2 o'clock Rev. Bernard Weetman Officiating Bearers John Barrett, Herbert Cozad, David Jones, Oscar Midgorden, Bert Redman, Orville Stout Music Soloist Flossie Gilham Accompanist Hazel Hines Selections Ivory Palaces, Sunrise The Slade funeral Home Leon, Iowa Comfort There is a day of sunny rest For every dark and troubled night. And grief may bide an evening quest But joy shall come with morning light For God hath marked each sorrowing day And numbered every secret tear, And Heaven's long age of bliss shall pay For all His children suffer here William Cullen Bryant

Great find! Lena Dennis, the teacher, was my aunt, sister of my mother, Belva Dennis Collins. Lena never married and died a few years ago about age 96. Helen Evans and Virginia Evans, sisters, are my first cousins, daugthers of my mother's sister, Dale Dennis Evans (who married Clarence "Doc" Evans, who was Mayor of Davis City when I was a child). Helen and Virginia (Jenny) were also nieces of Lena Dennis. Lena, Dale, my mother and four others were children of George Wesley Dennis and Louisa Burrell Dennis - My grandmother Louisa was a daughter of Jacob Burrell, son of Asa, pioneer in Decatur County and for whom Burrell Twp. is named. I have reached a dead end on the forebears of Jacob's wife and my ggrandmother, Harriet Monette Maxwell. Would love to hear from anyone with information. I have the commencement booklet for the Leon High School graduating class of 1923 that my mother saved - I think she must have had a boyfriend in that class, although she would never say. I will post it soon. Thanks for posting this! Marilyn Costa, Texarkana, Texas

I sent a copy of the class photo to cousin Sarah (Hamilton) Hagler in Lamoni and then talked to her on the phone. She got out the photo, looked at it for the first time, went through the people, and read me off most of their names - she just reeled off the names and spellings like she knew them from yesterday. Amazing! This is the list I have so far from family members and list members. Please let us know of any corrections. Thanks. Steve Puckett ------------------------------------------- Teacher: Lena Dennis Back Row 1. ? 2. Leola Tellier 3. Pat Hamilton 4. Helen Evans 5. Alice McDonald 6. Ray Lincoln "Bud" Puckett 7. ? 8. Earl Fugate 9. ? Bernizer 10. Bobby Keown 11. ? 12. ? Bernizer 13. Maurice Davis 14. Neicy Sly 15. Gloria Cheseldine Teacher: Helen Wales Middle Row 1. Margaret Piper 2. Kitty Lou Burrell 3. Berneice Craig 4. Dorothy Ollie Turpen 5. ? Nye (or Nigh) 6. Eva McCleary 7. Virginia Evans 8. Virginia Latta 9. Gracia Forkner 10. Dorcas Fugate Front Row 1. Gerald Cartwright 2. ? 3. Jack Black (grandson of Stoneburner) 4. Carl Lee Lovett 5. Jim Hendriks 6. ? 7. Hollis McClaran 8. Bobby Forkner

I have obits, old newspaper articles, and other stuff that I could post about people and events in and around Leon. I would like to know if there is a cut off date for information that would go on this web site? For example dates in the 1950's or 1960's that might be about people still alive. Barry

Thanks Donna---I was sure I'd read about it but hadn't taken time to go back through the posts. You've saved my fingers from having to "do the walking". :-) Was the Opera House pictured or just the information? I, (like many others here), would LOVE to have a copy of the book but I guess they're few and far between. I guess this is a good time to mention that. At any rate, since the Opera House burned in 1909, I'm guessing the "Opera House Block" is what replaced it. Do you, (or anyone else), know what might have been contained in the NEW buildings? Enjoying Spring----Sherry > [Original Message] > From: Donna V Vann <donavann@grm.net> > To: <IADECATU-L@rootsweb.com> > Date: 5/2/2005 1:27:58 PM > Subject: [IADECATU] VW Opera House > > The Van Wert Opera House is in "A Century Of Memories Van Wert,Iowa 1880-1980" > It had programs in 1909 also 1912. In February 1915 the entire block > that contained the Opera House burned. Details can be found on pages > 129-130. > On page 77 it states High School and jr. High went to Osceola in the > Fall of 1962 and the elementary went to Weldon in 1966 which totally > elimenated Van Wert school system. > Hope this answers some questions. I own the book listed. > Donna > > > ==== 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

The Van Wert Opera House is in "A Century Of Memories Van Wert,Iowa 1880-1980" It had programs in 1909 also 1912. In February 1915 the entire block that contained the Opera House burned. Details can be found on pages 129-130. On page 77 it states High School and jr. High went to Osceola in the Fall of 1962 and the elementary went to Weldon in 1966 which totally elimenated Van Wert school system. Hope this answers some questions. I own the book listed. Donna

IOWA OFFICIAL REGISTER 1933-1934 BIOGRAPHIES OF STATE REPRESENTATIVES ISAAC WALTER OSBORN, Leon. - Representative from Decatur county, was born on a farm near Davis City, March 30, 1878, and resided on the farm for thirty-six years. Moved to Leon, Iowa, in 1914. Was united in marriage to Nelle Mae Jackson November 2, 1898, and to this union six children were born, four girls and two sons, one of whom, Marion J., has passed to his reward. Attended rural school and graduated from the Davis City high school, 1898. In early life taught rural school. Was a boy scout leader six years. Member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Served as township assessor twelve years; secretary of school board eight years; county auditor two terms; and county agricultural agent twelve years. Clerk of local draft board during World War. President of Leon board of education since 1928. Member Masonic order, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias and Modern Woodmen. Elected to legislature in 1930 and re-elected in 1932. A democrat. http://www.iagenweb.org/history posted at this site with Debbie's permission

Website Addition today is pages 1-10 of Leon from the 1885 Iowa State Census. You can find it at _www.rootsweb.com/~iadecatu/census.html_ (http://www.rootsweb.com/~iadecatu/census.html) . Stacey McDowell Dietiker County Coordinator Decatur County, Iowa IAGenweb

Hi all, First piece is an obit and it mentions a son CARL. Does anyone know if this CARL is the same person mentioned in the second piece that wed Grace M. Matheny? Thanks, Deborah The Chariton Leader, Chariton, Iowa Thursday, March 26, 1908 WILLIAM H. ATHY was born at Leon, Iowa, Oct. 15th, 1863 and died at Clarinda Hospital on Monday, March 16th, 1908, at 9:45 p.m. His remains were brought home to his stricken family at Chariton and the funeral services held from the family residence on Thursday morning, March 19th at 9 'clock a.m., conducted by Rev. C.E. Wells, Pastor of the christian Church, and interment will take place at Leon. MR. ATHA was married to MISS JENNIE JARSONS at Leon, January 15, 1882, who survives him. From this union were born 7 children, 6 of whom are living. MRS. GEO. SAGE, CHAS. M., OTIS L., CARL, HAROLD, and FRANK H., all of whom live in our city. MR. ATHA has lived in Chariton 19 years. He became a Christian 12 years ago was baptized during a revival held by Rev. Harold J. Morsor, and has been a consistent member of the Christian Church ever since. He was also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the I.O.O.F. of Chariton Lodge, No. 64. He was a good husband, and father and until the unfortunate necessity of his being detained at the hospital was a cheerful, honest citizen of our city. Many sympathetic friends join the suffering family in their bereavement. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert February 7, 2005 iggy29@rnetinc.net http://www.rootsweb.com/~ialucas/Main.htm The Chariton Leader, Chariton, Iowa Thursday, December 10, 1908 MARRIAGE LICENSES: RAY E. SELLERS, 21 to GRACE LARIMER, 20. CARL ATHA, 19 to GRACE M. MATHENY, 17. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert April 19, 2005 iggy29@rnetinc.net http://www.rootsweb.com/~ialucas/Main.htm

If that "opera house" was in Decatur City, I sure would like a copy of the photo. My father and mother both sang in it and my father played basket ball in it (they had to shoot around a roof support post) and, last but not least, that's where my cousin and I learned how to smoke........tobacco! mac @ killeen, Texas ----- Original Message ----- From: Sherry Balow To: IADECATU-L@rootsweb.com Sent: Tuesday, April 26, 2005 12:41 AM Subject: [IADECATU] A couple of things...Kizzire and Van Wert I received an e-mail that helps clarify a KIZZIRE link to HAMPTON's for those "sleuthers" routinely stuck with a ? for a name. John Kizzire, who was married to Hannah (some of us have Hill, some have Elkins), was married to a Nancy ? Turns out it was NANCY HAMPTON, and it's likely she was a sister to Levi (Elizabeth Hill's first husband) and Mary Jackson Hill's first wife). Let me know if you want this info forwarded. Regarding Van Wert: I just received a picture of THE VAN WERT HIGH SCHOOL. This school would have been attended late 1800's through at least 1916. I've forwarded it to Stacey but will be happy to also forward to anyone with "roots" in Van Wert that may have attended this school. Also, ran across a photo of THE OPERA HOUSE (forgot I had it from my Iowa trip)---haven't scanned it yet but will for anyone interested. (Will also send it to Stacey.) Spring has sprung, my roses have gone nuts, and I'm thoroughly enjoying YARDWORK! Happy Spring to all--- Sherry Sherry Balow balowmsg@earthlink.net ==== 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

I'd misplaced the photo but found it and now see it's described as "Opera House Block"---and it is in Van Wert. Perhaps someone will know if this isn't the building that housed Jones Drug Store. ?? While on my trip last October it seems a brick building, much like this, was described as having been the drug store. Help me out here, Mac!!! Sherry > [Original Message] > From: Rmcclure <rmcclure@hot.rr.com> > To: <IADECATU-L@rootsweb.com> > Date: 4/26/2005 4:51:58 PM > Subject: Re: [IADECATU] A couple of things...Kizzire and Van Wert > > If that "opera house" was in Decatur City, I sure would like a copy of the photo. My father and mother both sang in it and my father played basket ball in it (they had to shoot around a roof support post) and, last but not least, that's where my cousin and I learned how to smoke........tobacco! mac @ killeen, Texas > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Sherry Balow > To: IADECATU-L@rootsweb.com > Sent: Tuesday, April 26, 2005 12:41 AM > Subject: [IADECATU] A couple of things...Kizzire and Van Wert > > > I received an e-mail that helps clarify a KIZZIRE link to HAMPTON's for > those "sleuthers" routinely stuck with a ? for a name. John Kizzire, who > was married to Hannah (some of us have Hill, some have Elkins), was married > to a Nancy ? Turns out it was NANCY HAMPTON, and it's likely she was a > sister to Levi (Elizabeth Hill's first husband) and Mary Jackson Hill's > first wife). Let me know if you want this info forwarded. > > Regarding Van Wert: I just received a picture of THE VAN WERT HIGH SCHOOL. > This school would have been attended late 1800's through at least 1916. > I've forwarded it to Stacey but will be happy to also forward to anyone > with "roots" in Van Wert that may have attended this school. Also, ran > across a photo of THE OPERA HOUSE (forgot I had it from my Iowa > trip)---haven't scanned it yet but will for anyone interested. (Will also > send it to Stacey.) > > Spring has sprung, my roses have gone nuts, and I'm thoroughly enjoying > YARDWORK! > > Happy Spring to all--- > Sherry > > > Sherry Balow > balowmsg@earthlink.net > > > > > ==== 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 > > > ==== 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

FYI: The old school in Van Wert was closed in the late 1950's or the early 1960's. Both of my parents attended the school. My father was there for a few years and remembers the "Deviled Egg Incident" (food poisoning thanks to the deviled eggs that were left out too long. Thankfully, he never got sick because he thought the eggs tasted funny and traded another kid for something else. Needless to say, it took him nearly 2 DECADES to eat deviled eggs again!). All students at Van Wert were required to go to the hospital. The old Decatur Co. Hospital (now a head start center located next to the current hospital) was jam-pack with students with food poisoning. Dad remembers gurneys side by side in the hallways with sick kids. My mom was there for about a year. The school closed and she was shipped to Weldon (where I attended Kindergarten through fourth grade). Dad was older and lived in The old Dr. Dekalb place, he was shipped to Leon to attend school. The Van Wert School was torn down several years back. The gym still stands but is in terrible shape. I remember as a kid, the old Van Wert School was used for a "Haunted School" each Halloween was was pretty creepy. Tracie, IA =) Sherry Balow <balowmsg@earthlink.net> wrote: I received an e-mail that helps clarify a KIZZIRE link to HAMPTON's for those "sleuthers" routinely stuck with a ? for a name. John Kizzire, who was married to Hannah (some of us have Hill, some have Elkins), was married to a Nancy ? Turns out it was NANCY HAMPTON, and it's likely she was a sister to Levi (Elizabeth Hill's first husband) and Mary Jackson Hill's first wife). Let me know if you want this info forwarded. Regarding Van Wert: I just received a picture of THE VAN WERT HIGH SCHOOL. This school would have been attended late 1800's through at least 1916. I've forwarded it to Stacey but will be happy to also forward to anyone with "roots" in Van Wert that may have attended this school. Also, ran across a photo of THE OPERA HOUSE (forgot I had it from my Iowa trip)---haven't scanned it yet but will for anyone interested. (Will also send it to Stacey.) Spring has sprung, my roses have gone nuts, and I'm thoroughly enjoying YARDWORK! Happy Spring to all--- Sherry Sherry Balow balowmsg@earthlink.net ==== 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!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

Sherry wrote >...ran across a photo of THE OPERA HOUSE... Some day I would like a copy of the Opera House photo if it is the Davis City one. Dad told me yesterday that a rock from the old Opera House was in the back yard of his grandparent's (John Alexander & Sarah Ann (Burrell) Hamilton) house in Davis City. We have been going through old photos trying to spot it. He doesn't know what eventually happened to the rock. Steve Puckett

Well, Sherry ... look at it this way, it is just like getting a new husband! There is always more genealogy to do that way! Gayle in Kansas Sherry wrote regarding the historian's lament that ended Twas then my darling mother, who is not long for this earth, > Casually informed me they'd adopted me at birth! I think I could have helped hurry her departure! ;-) Good one, Jack. Sherry

I received an e-mail that helps clarify a KIZZIRE link to HAMPTON's for those "sleuthers" routinely stuck with a ? for a name. John Kizzire, who was married to Hannah (some of us have Hill, some have Elkins), was married to a Nancy ? Turns out it was NANCY HAMPTON, and it's likely she was a sister to Levi (Elizabeth Hill's first husband) and Mary Jackson Hill's first wife). Let me know if you want this info forwarded. Regarding Van Wert: I just received a picture of THE VAN WERT HIGH SCHOOL. This school would have been attended late 1800's through at least 1916. I've forwarded it to Stacey but will be happy to also forward to anyone with "roots" in Van Wert that may have attended this school. Also, ran across a photo of THE OPERA HOUSE (forgot I had it from my Iowa trip)---haven't scanned it yet but will for anyone interested. (Will also send it to Stacey.) Spring has sprung, my roses have gone nuts, and I'm thoroughly enjoying YARDWORK! Happy Spring to all--- Sherry Sherry Balow balowmsg@earthlink.net

Hello, I am seeking information on where to send for 1899 marriage license'. I'm not sure if that would fall under the state archives or the county the marriage occurred in. Anyone out there know where to send for the license? Also the cost if you know it. The web pages do not always reflect current fee amounts. Thanks, Shirley in OK.

> Twas then my darling mother, who is not long for this earth, > Casually informed me they'd adopted me at birth! I think I could have helped hurry her departure! ;-) Good one, Jack. Sherry > [Original Message] > From: <jscott@parkspringscommunities.com> > To: <IADECATU-L@rootsweb.com> > Date: 4/21/2005 5:59:52 PM > Subject: [IADECATU] family historian's lament > > time for some more humor ... jack > > I've been doing family history for nearly 30 years, > Diligently tracing my illustrious forebears. > >From Pigeon Lake to Peterborough, Penrith to Penzance > My merry band of ancestors as led me quite a dance. > There's cooks from Kent and guards from Gwent and chimney sweeps from Chester. > There's even one daft fisherman lived all his life in Leicester. > There's no-one rich or famous, no not even well-to-do, > Though a second cousin twice removed once played in goal for Crewe. > I've haunted record offices from Gillingham to Jarrow. > The little gray cells of my mind would humble Hercule Poirot. > I've deciphered bad handwriting that would shame a three year old, > And brought the black sheep of the family back to the fold. > My bride of just three minutes I left standing in the church, > As I nipped into the graveyard for a spot of quick research. > Eventually I found an uncle, sixty years deceased, > That was far more satisfying than a silly wedding feast. > After three weeks of wedded bliss, my wife became despondent > She named the public records office as the co-respondent. > I didn't even notice when she packed her bags and went > I was looking for a great-grandad's will, who'd died in Stoke on Trent. > But now my 30 year obsession's lying in the bin > Last Tuesday week, I heard some news that made me pack it in. > Twas then my darling mother, who is not long for this earth, > Casually informed me they'd adopted me at birth! > > Author unknown > > > ==== 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 got this from My Aunt Ethel Bridger Crees while on a visit several years ago. Not sure where to send so will just send to Dec. Site as I think I recall someone asking about a Beatty. This is a 1933 Grand River High School Commencment announcment 1933 The Senior Class of the Grand River High School announcess its Commencment Exercises Tuesday Evening May Sixteenth eight o'clock M.E. Church On the inside is as follows. Class Color Pink and White Class Flower Carnation Class Motto " Be to big to be to little" Class Roll Donna Bone Gene Boyd Ward Beatty Maxine Brammer Oella Carr Dorothy Crees Winifred Clymer Vera Gibson Eugene Jones Billy Lamoree Walter Merrell Phyllis Street Chester Smith Goldie Woods Ocia Wills Sent by Wanda Bridger Myers Wanda __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

Decatur Detectives, I found one of my families on one the 1856 Census pages at ftp://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/ia/decatur/census/1856/morga01.txt I believe there is at least one more family member across the county line in Wayne County, Iowa in 1856. I went to Wayne County's website and it looks like they don't have the 1856 Wayne Co census on-line. Is the 1856 Wayne Co. census on-line somewhere? Or could someone with better access lookup John J. Bentley, William Bentley, and any Fugit, Fugate, or Fugitt in Wayne County for 1856? Thanx, Elaine http://home.att.net/~johnjamesbentley