Dorothy Louise Owen, 1908-2004

The Daily Iowegian - 14 February 2004

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  Dorothy Louise Owen was born April 26, 1908 at the family farm west of Jerome, Iowa, the oldest child of Samuel Owen and Vera (Sedgwick) Owen. She passed away at the age of 95 on February 6, 2004 at her home in Centerville. She was blessed with five younger brothers, Thomas, Hobart, Richard, Kenneth and Donald whom she was very fond of. Along with her parents and her brothers, a nephew Thomas and sisters-in-law Ethel and Frances preceded her in death. She enjoyed living on the farm with all of its adventures. The old home place is still in the family and she was able to visit and reminisce about the good times she shared with her family. Dorothy would relate many wonderful stories about growing up there with her grandparents, parents, brothers and the many neighbors and cherished those memories until her death. She often mentioned how she felt a little guilty not helping her mother more while growing up, and admitted she was much more content working outside with her Dad and brothers. She loved helping with the horses and livestock.  

  Dorothy attended grade school in Jerome, Iowa and graduated from Centerville High School. She went to Iowa State Teacher's College (now University of Northern Iowa) in Cedar Falls with the intention of taking a two year teaching course. While she was there, the state passed a law requiring Physical Education as part of school. She wanted this degree, for she enjoyed athletics, and with the new law, there would be a need for many physical education teachers in the state. As a result, Dorothy stayed on a total of four years and received a bachelor's degree with a Physical Education major in 1929. Of course, this year was the beginning of the Depression and many graduates were without jobs. Teachers doubled up to teach required courses and physical education, and women found themselves the first to be unemployed. Dorothy went home and was unemployed for six months... this was a time when women were expressing a change in their attitudes... stockings were rolled, dresses were shorter, sleeves were not necessary and hair was bobbed. Life was more rebellious. The plane had arrived and the automobile was making it a more mobile society. 

  Amelia Earhardt was one of the young women she admired. Dorothy wanted a career in a time that was not always conducive to women in the workforce. She had a four year degree which was not a common thing in a rural community of the 1930's. Her life was about to change. Her professors at Iowa State Teacher's College got in touch with Dorothy and asked if she would come back to the campus at Cedar Falls to substitute for an ill teacher. She jumped at the opportunity... this was her first job. There were some downsides. She had never played basketball though she was acquainted with the game, and she had never had any training or experience with ballroom dancing. Of course, these were two courses she was required to teach. Dorothy finished the semester in the spring. She thought she made a wonderful salary for a substitute teacher, plus she was frugal and saved enough money to continue her education. A year later, she received her Masters Degree from Columbia University and returned to Centerville to begin teaching American Government and Physical Education at Centerville Community College, receiving $90 a month. Dorothy also became the assistant girl's basketball coach to Mr. Forney, where the CHS girls won Iowa State Basketball Championships for two years. She loved teaching and coaching, but most of all she loved the students. 

  While teaching and coaching, Dorothy took classes at the University of Iowa on Saturdays. She would drive up Friday after school, go to classes on Saturday and drive back to Centerville. Dorothy placed great value on education. Then the Centerville High School burned, classes were held all over town and there was no gym, so Dorothy accepted a Physical Education teaching and Librarian position at Iowa Wesleyan College in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. In the summer of 1940, she attended the University of Illinois to get her Library Training and returned to Mt. Pleasant to continue teaching. On December 7, 1941, she drove her new Plymouth Coupe to Springfield, Illinois to visit a friend. She didn't think life could get any better. Then Pearl Harbor happened. 

  At the beginning of WWII, Iowa Wesleyan was taken over by the Air Force, so after her term was over, she enlisted in the Waves. Although she could have enlisted as an Officer, that wasn't appealing to her. She wanted to become an airplane mechanic. She became a "Specialist T" after taking an aptitude test and earned her stripes one, two and three. Boat training was at Hunter College in New York State, and then she went on to Atlanta, Georgia for Link training at the Air Base there. After passing the Link Navigation, she moved to Providence, Rhode Island to teach Air Force cadets for two years. Women were not encouraged at that time to advance or to make a career in the military. She came back to Iowa. Her mother Vera was diagnosed with a brain tumor, so Dorothy was her care-giver until her death in 1952.   Dorothy was secretary for her brother, Kenneth, during his terms as State Representative in the early 1950's and commuted daily to Des Moines during the Legislative sessions. In November, 1955, she began working at the Drake Library and remained there until her retirement in 1988. It was a job she loved and was devoted to. Although the library was old and stuffed full, she gave it a home-like atmosphere for this was her house, her home for 33 years. She loved books and wanted everyone to have the opportunity to read, learn and travel to new places... if only in their hearts. When library funds were low, she was known to purchase books herself for the shelves, although she would never admit to it. She was a special lady with so much love to give. Her relationship with the Lord was an important one. She rarely missed a Sunday of Morning Meeting or Evening Meetings on Wednesdays and Sundays at the Gospel Chapel in Centerville. Her love of animals branded her as the neighborhood lady who took in homeless animals in need of a little food, water and love. A stray was never turned away. She appreciated life in a way so few people do... never complaining and so accepting of everyone. She was never too busy to listen to us, teach us and learn from us. 

 Those close to you, Dorothy, are going to miss you because we loved you as dearly as you loved us.
  Dorothy is survived by sisters-in-law Marilyn Owen of Centerville, VA, Carolyn Owen of Omaha, NE, and nieces Paula Franks of VA, Kelly Jerosch of VA, Diana Glenn of Centerville, Jean Orr of NE, Judy Owen of CA, Linda Polizotto of IN and Pam Owen of FL, nephews Keith Owen of Centerville, Samuel Owen of CO, KC Owen of CO and Stanley Owen of CA plus many great-nieces, great-nephews and friends.
  Her body is at the Thomas Lange Funeral Home in Centerville where a private service will be held. Interment will be at the Jerome Cemetery. A Celebration of Dorothy's life will be in May of this year in which her friends and acquaintances are welcome to attend. Time and place of this will be announced at a later date.
  Any pictures, memories or stories of Dorothy would be appreciated and can be left at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to either the Drake Public Library or the Heartland Humane Society. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Thomas Lange Funeral Home 1900 S. 18th St. Centerville, Ia 52544.

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Gravestone in Jerome Cemetery

Obituary: Richard C. King

Rockford Register Star (IL) - 4 October 2003

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  ROCKFORD - Richard C. King, 82, of Rockford died Thursday, Oct. 2, 2003, in Rock County Health Care Center in Janesville, Wis. He was born Sept. 19, 1921, in Jerome, Iowa, the son of Arthur Charles and Bessie Bolton King. Richard was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II and the Korean War. Member of YMCA Retired Men's Club.  
  Survivors include daughters, Jill (Richard) Hertzing of Rockford and Kitty (Darrell) Davis of Murray, Ky. grandchildren, Peter (Kara) of Carbondale, Eric and David Hertzing of Rockford, Michael Davis of Murray and Shawn (Hillary) Davis of Portland, Ore. great-granddaughter, Madison Davis of Murray sister, Wanda Anderson of Mission, Kan. and a niece and nephew. Predeceased by parents.
  Graveside service will be at 1:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6, in Scandinavian Cemetery, with Pastor Richard Likeness officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials to: Alzheimer's Association, Greater Illinois Chapter, 479 Golf Road, Suite 1015, Skokie, IL 60076. Arrangements by Fitzgerald & Associates Funeral Home, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Road. 

Obituary: Mary Elaine King Pickering

The Daily Iowegian - 6 June 2007

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There will be a graveside memorial and commital service for Donna M. King (Mrs. Wilbur) and Mary E. Pickering (Mrs. Vernon) at 11 a.m. June 9 at the Jerome Cemetery.

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Mary Elaine King Pickering was the daughter 

of Wilbur V. and Donna M. King.

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The Arizona Republic (Phoenix AZ) - 5 November 2006
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  Mary Elaine Pickering passed away Saturday, October 28, 2006. Her kindness and generous spirit will be greatly missed by her family and many friends. She was a devoted and loving wife to Vernon who preceded her in death along with daughter Martha. She was a dedicated mother of daughters Celia and Lee Ann (Rick), and treasured the time she spent with her grandchildren, Erin (Scott), Michael, Kiley, Bryan and Eric and her great-grandchildren Samantha and Hunter.

  She is survived by brother Jim (Kathy) and sisters Jeanne, Gerry (Don), Nancy, Julia (David) and Ann and numerous nieces and nephews.

  Mary worked at General Electric for 10 years and with the Phoenix Union High School District for 20 years. She enjoyed playing golf and bridge, going to the symphony and opera, having a monthly lunch with former Iowa residents, and was a faithful and active member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church, where she served in many areas for many years. She will be remembered for her strong Christian faith, her selfless generosity and constant willingness to help others. Mary's philosophy was that you will never be happy if you live for yourself alone. She lived that philosophy with a lifetime of serving others.

  A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 11, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 3530 N. 32nd Street, Phoenix, AZ 85018. Donations may be made to Aldersgate Church. Arrangements by Paradise Sunset Chapel Funeral Home.

The Waubonsie Trail Across Iowa ------- From Dirt Trail to Asphalt and Concrete

The Daily Iowegian - 20 & 22 February 2006

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James Fisk, one of the local area’s historians, has 

written a book about the fact that Highway 2 was once an Indian trail. Called “The Waubonsie Trail Across Iowa,” the book tells about Chief Waubonsie of the Pottowatomie tribe, how the trail became a highway and lists towns located on Highway 2 (even those that no longer exist).

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  It is believed that Lewis and Clark were the first white men to set foot on Iowa soil. Before 1673, this land had long been the home of 17 different native Indian tribes. These included the Ioway, Sauk, Oto, Mesquaki, Sioux, Pottowatomie and Missouri tribes.
  The birth place of Chief Waubonsie, of the Pottowatomie tribe is unknown. Some think he was born in western Indiana, others believe it was near Cleveland, Ohio. The exact date is unknown.
  Waubonsie and other chiefs negotiated a treaty which ceded their land in Indiana to the U.S. Government and they were moved to a locality that is now Chicago, Ill. The center of Waubonsie’s village, called Waubon, was believed to be about where a shopping center exists today.
  Waubonsie was well known for his peaceful ways and often helped early white settlers by detaining the blood-thirsty Saux and Fox tribes when he learned of their plans to attack. By the time he released them the settlers had packed up their belongings and moved to the safety of Ft. Dearborn, located near the place where Chicago was settled.
  Chief Waubonsie was known in Illinois during the early 1800s. His name means “Early Dawn” or “Break of Day.” He was a large proud man, his height was believed to be 6 foot, 4 inches. The center of his city was called Waubon, located near the present day city of Aurora, Ill. His tribe hunted and fished in the areas known as Fox Valley Villages where a series of swamps and streams existed before the lands were drained. The braves hunted deer, ducks, geese, quail and small birds. The women gathered berries and planted vegetables.
  Waubonsie and other Indian chiefs signed a treaty on July 22, 1814 to end the war with each other. He was the first one to take hold of the hatchet handle signifying that they were burying the hatchet with their old enemies. He was one of the chiefs who negotiated the Treaty of the Wabash in 1926.
  During the wild celebration that followed, Waubonsie was accidentally stabbed by a warrior who fled in fright. After his wounds healed he invited the warrior to return, saying “A man who runs off like a dog with his tail down, for fear of death, is not worth killing.”

  In 1829, the federal government informed the Indian tribes in western Illinois that they must move across the Mississippi River into Iowa. The U.S. government claimed ownership of this Illinois land as a result of the Treaty of 1804. Chief Waubonsie at first refused to move but later led and encouraged his people on this difficult journey across Iowa until they reached their destination and settled near present day Nebraska City, Neb.
  In 1837 all Indians were rounded up and sent to Chicago. There they met with other branches of the Pottawatomie from Michigan and Indiana and began a difficult walk to Missouri and Kansas that later became known at the “Trail of Death.” Dozens died on the trip and those who couldn’t continue on were buried along the road.
  In June of 1843, Waubonsie was present at a great assemblage of tribes in the Indian territory. It was said at that time he was 87 and was treated with great respect by those off tribes present.
  In 1845, Waubonsie made his final trip to Washington. This laid the groundwork for the treaty of 1846. On the return trip the stagecoach overturned near Cincinnati, Ohio. The old man by then was suffering from age and the many battle scars that had been inflicted over the years.
  Iowa roads were mostly dirt until the coming of the automobile in the early 1900s. This invention revolutionized life in Iowa and elsewhere. Now that people could travel faster and farther, changes needed to be made to in our road system. In 1883, a Good Roads Movement began and was seeking ways to provide more and better road work with greater efficiency at the township level and later at the county level.
  The Good Roads Convention, established in 1911, brought about a movement to improve Iowa roads. The 10 counties spent thousands of dollars improving roads by cutting down hills, filling up hollows, putting in concrete bridges and culverts, going around hills, grading and draining roads with man made ditches.
  During 1911, daily newspapers were flooded with articles and pictures showing the improvements and reporting on future changes to the Iowa road system. Much work was done to improve the Old Waubonsie Trail, and with improvements, was designated as Highway No. 3, now known as Highway 2.
  Bad roads meant economic loss to farmers due to frequent inability to get their products to market. But even with obvious hardships, there was much negative reaction to the Good Roads Movement. This was due to distrust caused by giving less power to the townships trustees. The county board of supervisors were given more responsibility for the upkeep of roads. Also the road taxes were too be paid in money instead of labor as in previous years, Heated state legislative arguments went for several years.
  In 1904 legislation was enacted to improve the road administration with the establishment of the State Highway Commission at Ames. Service stations and garages sprang up in every town. Maintenance of roads was being provided by those persons living along the road with a home made drag or harrow to smooth out the deep ruts. People dreamed of being able to travel across the state from river to river. Some graveling was done but was rather rare since it was hauled by horse and wagon and spread by hand with shovels.
  The following is a list of towns and villages in Iowa that one would pass through while traveling east or west along the Waubonsie Trails. Those that no longer exist are marked with asterisks.
  Acasto*, Allerton, Ashland*, Bloomfield, Bridgeport, Cantril, Centerville, Chalo*, Charleston, Clarinda, Conway, Corydon, Council Bluffs, Davis City, Donnelson, Farmington, Glenwood, Gravity, Harvard, Highpoint, Jerome, Kellerton, Keokuk, Knox*, Lamoni, Leon, Lewisberg, Milton, Moulton, Mount Ayr, Mount Clara*, Mount Sterling, New Boston, New Market, Norwhich, Primrose, Promise City, Pulaski, Randolph, Shenandoah, Seymour, Sidney, Tabor, Tuskeego, Waverly and West Groove.
  The Waubonsie Trail Association was organized to promote the improvement of a continuous highway across Iowa, measuring 289 miles. The starting point was to be a Nebraska City and extend to Keokuk. The association was to be in Shenandoah. C.F. Mitchell was appointed as president and C.A. Wenstrand its secretary. The color for the signs and designs were to black and white. The president and secretary appeared before Alta L. Miller, Notary Public of Page County, Iowa on Feb. 2, 1915 to sign the necessary papers to make the association official. The papers were filed with the Department of Transportation on Feb. 4, 1915.
  There were no numbered roads in Iowa before 1927. Roads were marked in various ways, often by painting fence or telephone posts, where available. The Waubonsie Trail was marked at every crossroad or intersection by a road sigh, 18 inches and 4 feet long. The signs had the name of the trail with names of adjacent towns and the distance to each. In addition to the road markers, at every crossroad or intersecting road, five telephones poles or post put up for that purpose, were painted with white bands, 12 inches wide, and a black band 6 inches wide, above and below. These markings were to be made 8 feet from the ground.
  The Hart-Parr Tractor Company began advertising their tractors with claims that any road machinery operated by their tractor will do more work in one day than can be done in two days where horses were used. The tractors use cheap kerosene and can be operated by one man and costs nothing while setting idle. An old calendar has an advertisement and picture that describes the 1930 Hart-Parr tractor with a whole new design, including an upright rather than horizontal engine. This was the result of the Oliver and Hart-Parr merger of 1939. This model “A” was the 80th one built. Later these were called the 28/44, then it became the Oliver 90 in 1937 and the Hart-Parr was dropped. Standard tread models could be equipped with any one of nine choices of rear wheel lugs.
  At the height of interest in the Waubonsie Trail, a short description of towns were given. The following was the information given about Centerville.
  Centerville is a growing young city with a population of 8,000 people. It is the largest city between Omaha and Keokuk with up to date public improvements, visitors are always welcome. Centerville has a fine government building with all of the modern luxuries and conveniences, a free public library, four fine churches, eight miles of paved streets, complete sewage and water system. The city has industries and 100 coal mines. Appanoose County is the third largest coal producing county in the state and Iowa is the ninth coal producing state in the Union. Take the Waubonsie Trail and you will pass through the finest country in the state and Centerville, the best city in southern Iowa.
  Three railroads pass through the city along with an electric street railway and interurban system. It boast town newly equipped garages and one good auto supply company. It was two good first class hotels and the best diner of all the night stops on the trail. Centerville has a fine Elks Lodge with modern up to date equipment.
  An “Official Inspection Car” was used to drive across Iowa to examine the results of the work completed on Waubonsie Trail. The car was followed by 50 other automobiles in celebration of the event. The tour was completed in six days. Nearly 400 photos of the trail were taken by Mr. Babcock, the official photographer of the association and many were published in various newspapers. Mr. Thomas McDonald, the secretary of the Iowa Highway Commission made several suggestions regarding ways to improve the road. The map making car of the Iowa Publishing Company crossed the state several times via the Waubonsie Trail and has added much to the “Good Roads” enthusiasm all along the way. In many communities farmers argued about the best ways to improve certain stretches of the road.
  Researching the material for the history of the Waubonsie Trail has been rather frustrating since little information was available. A search on the internet did produce some interesting items. I did discover that there is a Waubonsie Trail in Cantril and a Lewis and Clark Trail at Hamburg. There is a Waubonsie High School in Kansas and Waubonsie Consulting Firm in Richmond Calif.  Some information was printed by the Iowa State Historical Society in 1959 in a booklet, “Annals of Iowa” but was out of print.

Obituary: Arnold Keith Van Blaricome

The Daily Iowegian - 8 December 2005

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  Keith Van Blaricome, 64, of Bettendorf died Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2005 at Trinity at Terrace Park Hospital, Bettendorf, following a sudden illness.

  Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, at McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Chapel in Bettendorf.

 Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 8, at the funeral home.
  Contributions may be made to the family for a future memorial in his name.
  Arnold Keith Van Blaricome was born Jan. 12, 1941 in Jerome, the son of Andy Beal and Dorothy May Violet (Thompson) Van Blaricome and was a 1959 graduate of Seymour High School. On April 12, 1962, he was united in marriage to Judith Muriel Miller in Davenport.
  He was employed as a journeyman pipe fitter at the Alcoa Company, Davenport Works and retired as a supervisor in 1993 after 33 years of service.
  Keith was a former member of the United Steel Worker‚s Union Local #105 and a member of the Alcoa Retirees. Among the things he enjoyed were fishing and camping. He especially loved to watch his grandson, Brandon, play baseball.
  Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Judith; his daughter, Kelli Van Blaricome of Bettendorf; his son, Brian Van Blaricome of Bettendorf; his grandson, Brandon Van Blaricome; his sisters, Eva Shriver of Centerville, Lucille Ross of Earlham, Julia “Judy” Stout and her husband, Jeff, of Ottumwa and JoAnn Miller of Palouse, Wash.; his brothers, Paul Van Blaricome of Drakesville and Max Van Blaricome and his wife Bev of Numa; and many nieces and nephews.
  He was preceded in death by five sisters, one brother, his parents and his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Bill and Dorothy Miller.

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Similar obituaries appeared in The Quad-City Times of 8 December 2005 and the Bettendorf News of 16 December 2005.

The Gladstone Coal Mine

The Daily Iowegian - 10 August 2006

By Bill Heusinkveld - Correspondent

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  The settlement of Marsdenville developed in Section 35 on the south side of Hwy. No. 2 on land owned by John C. Felkner. There were about 15 miners‚ homes just south of the highway and west of the railroad. The town was established by Pete Marsden, the operator of the Big Joe Mine there, and later the operator of Gladstone No. 2 in Jerome. A Post office was established briefly May 29, 1893 with John J. Stone postmaster.
  The Gladstone Coal Co. started out to be Big Joe Block Mine No. 1. Coal was mined commercially at least by 1897. It was a shaft mine of 80 feet. The tipple was on the west side of the tracks, on the south edge of the new village of Marsdenville, the home of all the workers for the mine.
  During its operation, there was a tragic accident in the Big Joe. In 1905 Peter Gallows, an Austrian, was on the second landing, ready to step on the cage to go down. Someone called his attention to something else for a few minutes. While they were talking, the operator raised the cage to the first level. Visibility was very poor with the shaft a dense fog of steam. Gallows stepped off calmly to where he thought the cage was and fell to instant death a hundred feet below.
  The Big Joe Mine became Harkes Mine No. 1 in 1910 and Gladstone Coal Co. Mine No. 1 in 1913 after which it was closed. There was a total area of 203 acres mined out between 1897 and 1913.
  In 1939 a new 100-foot shaft was drilled on the north side of the highway just west of the tracks, and it was called the New Gladstone Coal Co. Mine. It had a separate slope entrance for the ponies to pull the coal cars out. Shetland ponies, shorter than other breeds, were used to pull the coal cars up the steep slope to the surface. It must have been a long, hard pull for the small ponies. The ponies were housed in a barn on the north side of the road, on the Paul Felkner farm for many years. This mine was in operation for a long time until 1971 and a total of 50 acres were mined. The town of about 25 families disappeared, and the homes were moved out.
  Mining operations would usually be shut down during the summers when coal was not needed for heating of the homes. The miners had a hard time making a living with such part time work.  The railroads gradually switched to diesel engines for locomotion and home heating was converted from coal to natural gas. The coal was of poor quality and mines could not compete commercially. It was also quite costly to get it out of the ground because the seam of coal was only about three and a half foot thick. Most of the later mines were truck mines for local markets. Mine after mine was closed throughout the first part of the 20th century.
  The Gladstone Mine was the last to close in March, 1971 in conjunction with the reconstruction of Highway No. 2, including the modern railroad viaduct. The closing of the mine ended an era, not only in Appanoose County, but all over Iowa. The Gladstone Mine was the last pony mine operating in the country.
  Before the mine was completely closed and sealed, Iowa State College in Ames came out and made a 23 minute videotape of the mine operation, including the ponies pulling a load of coal to the top and the trip mechanism to unload the coal. It is very dark in the mine in spite of the carbide lamps on the miners‚ caps and it is very difficult to take pictures. The ponies in the film happen to have a white blaze on the front of their faces which show up as soon as the ponies approach the surface daylight. This tape is now available for viewing at the Centerville museum.
  Former workers in that last pony mine re-opened the mine and started the machinery long enough to make the film. They were people like Louie Noble, Charles Fox, Joe Bunyan and Frank (Chesco) Massa. The mine was owned by Wayne Arbogast of Numa.
  The railroad was later called the Soo Line and is the only through railroad still operating in Appanoose County today. There is now a railroad underpass under Hwy. No. 2, so the railroad is hardly noticeable when traveling down the highway. The New Gladstone Mine is pictured here. I have a little correction to make concerning my article of last week. It was about John Buban, having been hit on the head by a piece of falling slate in the Sterling Mine (Sunshine No. 2) east of Brazil and was unconscious in the hospital for three days. Upon awakening, he spit out a piece of chew he’d had in his mouth the entire time.  I referred to Mr. Buban with the moniker, “Cat” Buban. His daughter Kathy called me and said I had it wrong, that he was really called “Cap” Buban. So I am glad to make the correction.

Milwaukee Railroad Comes to Jerome

The Daily Iowegian - 17 August 2006

By Bill Heusinkveld - Correspondent

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  The Milwaukee Railroad came from Moravia and Mystic through the Jerome area in 1887. When it arrived there was already a thriving town. Some of the early settlers who came in the late 1840‚s and early 1850‚s to settle in the Jerome area were John Moore, William Becknel, Noah Stoner, C.R. Jackson, Henry Wilson, Peter Sidles and James Hagan.
  As soon as the early settlers constructed their houses, they began to establish a school and a church, thus starting a small village. Horace W. Lyon was an early merchant. Mr. Lyon was said not to have been popular in the community as many objected to his selling liquor in his store. However he had a blind son named Jerome who was very popular. The town Jerome was named for this son.
  The original town of Jerome was surveyed and platted in 1855. The east-west streets were named Main, Grand and Harrison. Mr. Lyon was the first postmaster of Jerome in 1856. A Methodist Church was organized in 1857 and services were held in homes until the construction of a school house. The first church was finished in 1871.
  The first school was known as School District No. 5. The site of 0.4 acre was purchased from Jacob Stoner for $10 in 1857. Mr. Stoner set aside three-fourths of an acre for a burial ground just to the west of the school at the same time. All of the early pioneers are buried in the south end of the plot. In 1883 the cemetery was enlarged with additional land deeded to the Jerome Cemetery by Benjamin Sedgewick. Most of the later burials are in the new section. It is a beautiful, well-maintained cemetery.
  The original school served until 1871, when a new school was built in the same location. One of the early teachers in this second building was Theodore P. Shontz, later internationally famous. After teaching at Jerome, he was graduated at Monmouth College, practiced law, and became interested in railroad building. He helped construct the Iowa Central Railroad and obtained controlling interest in the Missouri, Iowa and Nebraska road and the Toledo, St. Louis and Western road. His final achievement, for which he became famous, was to be the Chairman of the Panama Canal Commission in 1905-1907.
  When the railroad came through, a depot was added, The railroad called it Rowley, but the townspeople insisted that the name should remain Jerome. Several coal mines; the Big Four, Gladstone No.2 and Harkes Coal Co. provided much employment and caused a booming economy beginning in the late 1800s. A lumberyard, hotel, two-story Big-4 store, livery barn, and blacksmith shop were all built in the 1890‚s. They flourished for many years.
  In it its heydey, Jerome boasted a population of over 600 residents. There were two hotels, two boarding houses, a bank, a post office, two groceries, white elephant store, hardware store, clothing store, blacksmith shop, barber shop, shoe repair shop, a pool hall, a miners‚ hall, livery stable, lumber yard and stockyards. There was a public square with hitching posts and bandstand just north of Grand Street. There were several medical doctors.
  The third school building was built in 1894 due to the need for a larger school. Jerome‚s population had increased because of all the coal mining activity. It burned in 1920. The fourth school was a new brick building. It was also destroyed by fire in 1931. A fifth building was built. It was a large two-story building just east of the cemetery. A modern water system was installed and it was wired for electricity in 1936.
  The coal mining era ended in Jerome in about 1923 and the town‚s commercial life gradually deteriorated until all stores are now gone. The high school was closed about 1943 and the elementary grades soon after that. The building stood for a long time, neglected and lonely, but with fond memories. Only the Church and a small number of houses maintain the semblance of a town.
  The Jerome Methodist Church, which had been organized in 1855, carried on for over 100 years and held periodic re-unions through the years so that former members could fondly re-visit their old home town.

Obituary: Dorothea Frogge Embry

The Daily Iowegian - 5 September 2006

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  Dorothea F. Embry, age 92, of Centerville, died Friday, Sept. 1, 2006 at Centerville Nursing & Rehab Center in Centerville. She was born the daughter of George and Etta (Warnick) Frogge on May 23, 1914 near Jerome. She graduated from the Trenton Community Schools in Trenton, Mo. and later attended a Business College in St. Joseph, Mo.
  On Feb. 6, 1971, Dorothea was united in marriage to Dr. Maurice Embry in Merrillville, Ind. She was a store Clerk at the Montgomery Wards store in Dearborn, Mich. for many years. Dorothea attended the Church of Christ in Centerville and was a member of 18/80 Club, Eastern Star, UMW Circle and Sugar Belles all in Centerville.
  She was preceded in death by: her parents; husband, Dr. Maurice Embry on April 18, 1990; brothers, Jasper, Nova and Howard Frogge; sisters, Kay Owen and Helen Sickman.
  Dorothea is survived by: sister-in-laws, Lila Frogge of Centerville and Edna Frogge of Springfield, Ill.; several nieces and nephews.
  Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2006 at 11 a.m. at the Resthaven Memorial Gardens in Trenton, Mo. with Rev. Patrick Doherty officiating. Visitation will be held today, Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2006 from 2 to 8 p.m. at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Centerville with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
  Memorials can be made to the Church of Christ and can be left at or mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home at 501 North 18th Street in Centerville, Iowa 52544.

Obituary: Donna Mae Wright King

The Daily Iowegian - 13 October 2006

The Des Moines Register - 13 October 2006

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  Donna Mae (Wright) King, 99, died Saturday, Oct. 7, 2006 at her home at Wesley Acres Retirement Community in Des Moines. Her cremated remains will be buried at the Jerome Cemetery at a later date.  
  Donna was born on Jan. 3, 1907 in Centerville to Edward and Maude Wright.  She was married to Wilbur Valentine King and together they had nine children.  She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter Elizabeth “Betty”; son, Joseph; and three grandchildren.

  She is survived by seven children, Jeanne Koestner of Phoenix, Ariz., Geraldine (Donald) Ladendorf of Peoria, Ariz., Mary Pickering of Phoenix, Ariz., James W. (Kathryn) King of Jefferson, Nancy King Elliott of Louisville, Ky., Julia (David) White of Moraga, Calif., and Ann McDowell of Henderson, Nev.; 27 grandchildren; and many great and great-great-grandchildren.

  Memorial contributions may be directed to the Good Samaritan Endowment Fund at Wesley Acres 3520 Grand Avenue Des Moines, IA 50312

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Gravestone in the Jerome Cemetery

Obituary: Martha Hoover

The Daily Iowegian - 30 January 2007

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  Martha Hoover, age 92, of Centerville died Saturday, Jan. 27, 2007 at the Golden Age Care Center in Centerville.
  Martha was born Jan. 30, 1914, the daughter of Harry and Luna (Sanders) Hoover in Jerome.
  She graduated from Newton High School in Missouri and attended William Jewel and University of Missouri College to study education. She was a Girl Scout leader while in college and later coached girls volleyball. Martha was in the U.S. Navy (Waves). She was a superintendent and principal for schools in Rufus, Lebanon, and Milwaukee, Ore. She traveled the country and wrote about the historical facts to better teach her students. Martha loved cars and enjoyed driving her 1934 Model A in parades in Oregon and Iowa. She was a member of the N.E.A., and the Drake Avenue Christian Church.
  Martha is survived by two brothers, Joe Hoover of Oceanside, Calif., and James Hoover of Lake St. Louis, Mo.; one cousin, Martha Sanders; and many nieces and nephews.
  She is preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Luna Hoover; two sisters, Marjorie Halett and Jessie Hoover.
  Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. today, Tuesday, at Oakland Cemetery with Carl Heien officiating.
  Visitation was held Monday at the Thomas Lange Funeral Home in Centerville.
  A memorial has been established to the Drake Public Library of the Appanoose County Historical Society and may be mailed or left at the Thomas Lange Funeral Home, 1900 south 18th St, Centerville, Iowa, 52544.

Frankie Junior Zemo, 1934-2007

The Daily Iowegian - 12 February 2007
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  Frankie Junior Zemo of LeClaire, formerly of Riverdale, entered eternal life on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2007, surrounded by his family at Trinity Medical Center after a courageous 27-year battle with lung disease. Private family services were held at Cunnick-Collins Mortuary on Friday, Feb. 9.

  Frankie Zemo was born in Centerville on Aug. 7, 1934, where he attended Jerome Elementary and Seymour High School.

  He married Clara Jean Van Blaricome [Van Blaricon] on Aug. 18, 1955.

  He worked at Elliott’s Farm in 1951 in Centerville prior to spending his summers in Davenport where he worked at Burke’s Cleaners in 1951 and Sterdavant’s Dairy in 1953. From 1953 to 1955 he worked at DC Coal Company as a miner in Jerome. In 1955 he relocated to the Quad Cities and began working at Riverside Foundry. In 1957 while on lay-off from Riverside, he worked at various John Deere facilities. In 1958 he returned to Riverside (now known as Sivyer Steel) where he was employed as a molder and sand mixer until he retired in May 1984.

  One of his life-long passions included gardening which earned him the nickname “the tomato man” from selling produce as a “serve yourself” roadside stand in Riverside, as well as to local restaurants and establishments throughout the Quad Cities. He also greatly enjoyed his time on his farm in Exline. Frank loved riding in his hometown parade during Pancake Day in Centerville, accompanied by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchild in a 1929 Model A pickup which was a gift from his brothers and which they restored together.

  Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Clara Zemo of LeClaire; their four children and spouses, Sherry Cook of Bettendorf, Shelly Zemo and partner Marsha Voigt of Riverdale, Tina Zemo and partner Tina Murphy of LeClaire and Anthony and Anne Zemo of Riverdale in addition to grandchildren, Bobby Jo McHenry and her husband, Blake McHenry, of Bettendorf, Kane and Katie Zemo of Riverdale; and a great-granddaughter, Gracie McHenry of Bettendorf. In addition, he is survived by his brothers and their spouses, Marion and Jane Zemo of Centerville, Eugene and Linda Zemo of Tulsa, Okla., and Michael Zemo of Cedar Rapids, as well as several aunts, nieces and nephews.
  He was preceded in death by his parents, Frankie George Zemo and Mary Pauline (Starcevich) Zemo.