Dear Deborah, et al: Found some sections of interest about LaGrange, Lucas Co., Iowa, which no longer exists. History of LaGrange, Lucas Co., Iowa -- excerpts from the ... History of Lucas Co., Iowa, 1978 edition [LCGS] p. 13: segment from Early History of Lucas ounty, Iowa: "Settlement in Lucas County was rather slow ..., it was attachedt to Monroe County for 3 years after being outlined as a county. Named after Robert Lucas, first territorial governor, it is not know by this writer [unstated in book] whether or not Governor Lucas ever was in Lucas County. It is known that several first settlers stopped in Monroe County before coming onto Lucas County. For example, the Waynick Brothers made their first claims on the west edge of Monroe County [on way to Lucas County] for awhile, but sold out to David J. Prather and came on to the Chariton area. Naturally, the east part of the county was settled faster than the west. The town of LaGrange on the east edge of Lucas County organized by Samuel Prather in 1852 was perhaps larger than Chariton, the county seat, for some time. It continued to serve as a stagecoach stop for several years. Early settlers came to Lucas County in various ways, some in their covered wagons ready to settle on a claim, others riding along or on horse back to se the area before moving. The stage coach became a major means of transportation before the railroads but just when it started there seems to be no record. However, before Chariton was organized, it is known that Chariton Point was the terminal for a stage line. ..." p. 16: "... Probably the first mail for Lucas County settlers in the east end of the county was from a place called Lindville in 1849 just across the road from the later town of LaGrange with David J. Prather postmaster for a short time. An interesting account in regard to LaGrange is revealed by the records mentioned. Although the town of LaGrange in Cedar Township was organizes in 1852 it did not have a post office until 1855. From the 'Annals of Iowa' ...we note the names Linn, Lind [May 30, 1850] and LaGrange in Section 30 Township 72 Range 19 Monroe County, V.H.H. Lind appointed postmaster March 19, 1851. The methods of mail delivery in early days is a fantastic story. Government Mail contracts were gien to stage lines, horse back riders, and even men on foot. This required thousands of horses and men to cover the frontiers. In the early 1850's the Westsern Stage Company established 4 horse coaches that ran from Iowa City in all directions. One of these routes in 1854 was from Iowa City, Fairfield to Chariton at 4 a.m. with a mail contract. Antoher in 1859 was by Western Stage, Eddyville to Nebraska City through LaGrange, Chariton and other towns. Another interesting note is that the first stage followed the Morman Trail through 12 counties: Lee, Van Buren, Davis, Appanoose, Wayne, Decatur, Lucas Clarke, Union, Adair, Cass, and Pottawattomie. Lucas County Early Day Post Office Map Numbered in alapabetical order shwoing dates and first postmasters .... 13. LaGrange, Cedar Township, 1855-1862, Thomas Stewart. ... 15. Linn, Cedar Township, LaGrange. ..." p. 19: Abandoned Towns of Lucas County: "LINN: A post office in the early 1850's at or near the later town of LaGrange." p. 23 LAGRANGE " LaGrange was one of the earliest and most prosperous settlements in Lucas county. Today, [1978] the spot where once otels, stores and post office were located and where a busy community once lived, waves fields of corn. Furrows of plowed ground have replaced Main Street and now horses graze whee the feet of children romped. Samuel Prather of Cedar Township, owned the southeast quarter of section twentyfive, adjoining the county line of Monroe. Forseeing that the county would be populated and the towns must exist, he concluded to lay out a town. He employed Nelson Westcott on the 17th and 18th of October, 1852, who surveyed and platted his 40 acres into 12 blocks, containing 88 lots and an additional large lot containing over three acres. This lot on the plat he called 'Lone Tree Lot" because of a large oak tree, which for many years stood on it, and was the only tree of any size in the neighborhood. The blocks were disignated [sic] by the letters of the alphabet. The town was christened LaGrange. On the first day of October, 1856, James Robinson and Noble Olmstead employed W. K. Karimer, then deputy county surveyor, to survey and plat a part of the north west quarter of the northeast section 36 into 21 town lots which they called the Robinsons and Olmstead additon of LaGrange. The prosperity and future of teh town was soon decided when the Western Stage Company located it on their main thoroughfare through the state. For many years, it held the position of second town in the county. In addition to having the station of the stage company, there wre the post office, two hotels, four dry goods stores, one drug store, two blacksmith shops, one wagon and repair shop, one chair shop, a cabinet maker, and furniture shop, a shoe shop and three doctors. A large amount of business was transacted but in 1866 the railroad, which made and unmade towns, came along and left the town two miles in the country. since the town gradually declined while her rivals, Russell and Melrose, being on the railroads, were growing and gradually assumed the business LaGrange had once enjoyed. Chariton Point, July 15, 1846 -- William McDermit, president, secretary and treasurer of teh LaGrange Chamber of Commerce is petitioning the stage coach line running between Burlington and Ottumwa, to extend it's travel service across Kiskkekosh county and into the eastern edge of Lucas county. McDermit is a typical C. of C. official and clais LaGrange has increased 500 per cent in the past few months, now boasts of sic people with many more expected shortly. He also claims the county has a permanent population of nearly 100, many of whom are potential passengers for the first stage line entering the county. The commissioners are expected to hold a public hearing on the petition at an early date in the capitol building at Iowa Citiy. " On 21.09.2004 at 07:13:02, <[email protected]> wrote: > Morning all,> > Can anyone tell me where LaGrange is located? > Thank you, Deborah > > The Chariton Leader, Chariton, Iowa > Thursday, January 18, 1906 > > A quiet wedding was solemnized yesterday afternoon, January 17, 1906, at 2:30 > o'clock, at the home of MR. and MRS. G.M. WHITTLESEY, the > contracting parties being MR. VANCE FOSTER and MISS NANCIE FEIGHT. The impressive ceremony was performed by Rev. F.B. Palmer in the presence of only a few relatives and > intimate friends. The bride was attired in a dainty and becoming gown of white wool trimmed with lace, while the groom wore the conventional black. After spending > a few weeks with relatives the worthy couple will go to their future home near Lamoni.> > The bride is a daughter of MR. and MRS. J.H. FEIGHT of Marion County and for the past six months has been employed here in the Eureka Cafe. She is a modest, refined young lady and is in every way fitted to preside over a home. The groom is a son of JOHN FOSTER of LaGrange. He is an industrious, energetic young farmer and in every way worthy of his charming bride. Both have a host of warm friends who will wish them a long, happy and prosperous wedded life. > ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert > September 20, 2004 > http://www.rootsweb.com/~ialucas/Main.htm > > ==== IALUCAS Mailing List ==== > David, [email protected]: Lucas County List Administrator, Website Coordinator, Lucas County IA Genweb - > http://www.rootsweb.com/~ialucas/Main.htm

This is just wonderful!! Thanks so much for sharing all this interesting information. It's written in such a way, that I felt I was really there when reading about it. You are a blessing to this List. With abundant appreciation, Nancee ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, September 22, 2004 10:36 PM Subject: [IALUCAS] History of LaGrange, Lucas Co., Iowa > Dear Deborah, et al: > Found some sections of interest about LaGrange, Lucas Co., Iowa, > which no longer exists. > > History of LaGrange, Lucas Co., Iowa -- excerpts from the ... > History of Lucas Co., Iowa, 1978 edition [LCGS] > > > p. 13: segment from Early History of Lucas ounty, Iowa: > > "Settlement in Lucas County was rather slow ..., it was attachedt > to Monroe County for 3 years after being outlined as a county. Named > after Robert Lucas, first territorial governor, it is not know by this > writer [unstated in book] whether or not Governor Lucas ever was in > Lucas County. It is known that several first settlers stopped in > Monroe County before coming onto Lucas County. For example, the > Waynick Brothers made their first claims on the west edge of Monroe > County [on way to Lucas County] for awhile, but sold out to David J. > Prather and came on to the Chariton area. > Naturally, the east part of the county was settled faster than > the west. The town of LaGrange on the east edge of Lucas County > organized by Samuel Prather in 1852 was perhaps larger than Chariton, > the county seat, for some time. It continued to serve as a stagecoach > stop for several years. > Early settlers came to Lucas County in various ways, some in > their covered wagons ready to settle on a claim, others riding along > or on horse back to se the area before moving. The stage coach became > a major means of transportation before the railroads but just when it > started there seems to be no record. However, before Chariton was > organized, it is known that Chariton Point was the terminal for a > stage line. ..." > > p. 16: > "... Probably the first mail for Lucas County settlers in the east > end of the county was from a place called Lindville in 1849 just > across the road from the later town of LaGrange with David J. Prather > postmaster for a short time. > An interesting account in regard to LaGrange is revealed by > the records mentioned. Although the town of LaGrange in Cedar > Township was organizes in 1852 it did not have a post office until > 1855. From the 'Annals of Iowa' ...we note the names Linn, Lind [May > 30, 1850] and LaGrange in Section 30 Township 72 Range 19 Monroe > County, V.H.H. Lind appointed postmaster March 19, 1851. > The methods of mail delivery in early days is a fantastic > story. Government Mail contracts were gien to stage lines, horse back > riders, and even men on foot. This required thousands of horses and > men to cover the frontiers. In the early 1850's the Westsern Stage > Company established 4 horse coaches that ran from Iowa City in all > directions. One of these routes in 1854 was from Iowa City, Fairfield > to Chariton at 4 a.m. with a mail contract. Antoher in 1859 was by > Western Stage, Eddyville to Nebraska City through LaGrange, Chariton > and other towns. > Another interesting note is that the first stage followed the > Morman Trail through 12 counties: Lee, Van Buren, Davis, Appanoose, > Wayne, Decatur, Lucas Clarke, Union, Adair, Cass, and Pottawattomie. > > Lucas County Early Day Post Office Map Numbered in alapabetical > order shwoing dates and first postmasters .... 13. LaGrange, Cedar > Township, 1855-1862, Thomas Stewart. ... 15. Linn, Cedar Township, > LaGrange. ..." > > p. 19: Abandoned Towns of Lucas County: > "LINN: A post office in the early 1850's at or near the later town > of LaGrange." > > p. 23 LAGRANGE > " LaGrange was one of the earliest and most prosperous > settlements in Lucas county. Today, [1978] the spot where once otels, > stores and post office were located and where a busy community once > lived, waves fields of corn. Furrows of plowed ground have replaced > Main Street and now horses graze whee the feet of children romped. > Samuel Prather of Cedar Township, owned the southeast quarter of > section twentyfive, adjoining the county line of Monroe. Forseeing > that the county would be populated and the towns must exist, he > concluded to lay out a town. He employed Nelson Westcott on the 17th > and 18th of October, 1852, who surveyed and platted his 40 acres into > 12 blocks, containing 88 lots and an additional large lot containing > over three acres. > This lot on the plat he called 'Lone Tree Lot" because of a large > oak tree, which for many years stood on it, and was the only tree of > any size in the neighborhood. The blocks were disignated [sic] by the > letters of the alphabet. The town was christened LaGrange. > On the first day of October, 1856, James Robinson and Noble > Olmstead employed W. K. Karimer, then deputy county surveyor, to > survey and plat a part of the north west quarter of the northeast > section 36 into 21 town lots which they called the Robinsons and > Olmstead additon of LaGrange. > The prosperity and future of teh town was soon decided when the > Western Stage Company located it on their main thoroughfare through > the state. For many years, it held the position of second town in the > county. > In addition to having the station of the stage company, there > wre the post office, two hotels, four dry goods stores, one drug > store, two blacksmith shops, one wagon and repair shop, one chair > shop, a cabinet maker, and furniture shop, a shoe shop and three > doctors. A large amount of business was transacted but in 1866 the > railroad, which made and unmade towns, came along and left the town > two miles in the country. since the town gradually declined while her > rivals, Russell and Melrose, being on the railroads, were growing and > gradually assumed the business LaGrange had once enjoyed. > Chariton Point, July 15, 1846 -- William McDermit, president, > secretary and treasurer of teh LaGrange Chamber of Commerce is > petitioning the stage coach line running between Burlington and > Ottumwa, to extend it's travel service across Kiskkekosh county and > into the eastern edge of Lucas county. > McDermit is a typical C. of C. official and clais LaGrange has > increased 500 per cent in the past few months, now boasts of sic > people with many more expected shortly. He also claims the county has > a permanent population of nearly 100, many of whom are potential > passengers for the first stage line entering the county. > The commissioners are expected to hold a public hearing on the > petition at an early date in the capitol building at Iowa Citiy. " > > > > > On 21.09.2004 at 07:13:02, <[email protected]> wrote: > > > Morning all,> > > Can anyone tell me where LaGrange is located? > > Thank you, Deborah > > > > The Chariton Leader, Chariton, Iowa > > Thursday, January 18, 1906 > > > > A quiet wedding was solemnized yesterday afternoon, January 17, > 1906, at 2:30 > > o'clock, at the home of MR. and MRS. G.M. WHITTLESEY, the > > contracting parties being MR. VANCE FOSTER and MISS NANCIE FEIGHT. > The impressive ceremony was performed by Rev. F.B. Palmer in the > presence of only a few relatives and > > intimate friends. The bride was attired in a dainty and becoming > gown of white wool trimmed with lace, while the groom wore the > conventional black. After spending > > a few weeks with relatives the worthy couple will go to their future > home near Lamoni.> > > The bride is a daughter of MR. and MRS. J.H. FEIGHT of Marion County > and for the past six months has been employed here in the Eureka > Cafe. She is a modest, refined young lady and is in every way fitted > to preside over a home. The groom is a son of JOHN FOSTER of > LaGrange. He is an industrious, energetic young farmer and in every > way worthy of his charming bride. Both have a host of warm friends > who will wish them a long, happy and prosperous wedded life. > > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- --- > > Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert > > September 20, 2004 > > http://www.rootsweb.com/~ialucas/Main.htm > > > > ==== IALUCAS Mailing List ==== > > David, [email protected]: Lucas County List Administrator, > Website Coordinator, Lucas County IA Genweb - > > http://www.rootsweb.com/~ialucas/Main.htm > > > ==== IALUCAS Mailing List ==== > David, [email protected]: Lucas County List Administrator, > Website Coordinator, Lucas County IA Genweb - http://www.rootsweb.com/~ialucas/Main.htm > > ============================== > Gain access to over two billion names including the new Immigration > Collection with an Ancestry.com free trial. Click to learn more. > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=4930&sourceid=1237 > >