Posted on: VanBuren Co. Ia Query Forum Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Ia/VanBuren/11243 Surname: Hales, Herrington, Watson, Cox, Blackburn, Emmons, Baker ------------------------- It appears that I should again get into the Van Buren County, Iowa queries. Gary Blackburn, I too was born and reared in VBC. My tombstone in Center Chapel is the fourth generation of Hales there. My ggrandfather, Thomas Hales, is the grandfather of your Artensa “Tensie” (Cox) Blackburn (1879-1960) whose mother was Mary Elvira (Hales) Cox (1852-1923). After more than 40 years research, I have the Hales line back four more generations to Hugh (ca 1700-1749). It may be of interest to know when our Hales roots in VBC started. Thomas' older brother Moses (ca 1818-1845) left Carroll County, OH in early 1840 after he married Mary Jane Emmons on Feb. 26, 1840. One of the oldest estate probate records in the new VBC courthouse shows that Moses was apparently a successful business man with a mill, wool carding and store. However, he died young on 23 Sept. 1845 probably when “…In 1845 and 1846 there were but three families out of seven hundred people who were not ill. Bilious and intermittent fevers raged and there was a heavy mortality list in consequence.” From HISTORY OF VAN BUREN COUNTY. I do not know if Moses had children or where he may be buried. Burial may have been in the Oak Lawn Cemetery at Keosauqua. Thomas and Moses' uncle, Nathan Herrington (1808- 1887) and wife Julia Ann Baker(1812-1867) are buried there. Thomas Hales and wife Sarah Jane Watson came to VBC in the spring of 1864 with their eight of their nine children;William George was born in VBC. I will be happy to answer questions about these people as known to me. Charles Eugene Hales Sun City, AZ.