Seymour's Old Settlers Celebration

The Seymour Herald - 14 July 2011

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Excerpts from Keepin' In Touch by Vickie

  Our weekend weather for Old Settlers couldn't have been much better. With a bit of a breeze, the warm temperature didn't seem so bad, especially if you could stay in the shade.

  Our annual celebration is a very good example of donation of time and talent by many volunteers. If it weren't for the work of so many people, the entire event just couldn't happen. There are just so many people involved, it would be nearly impossible to name them all. People observing our community just can't say enough good comments about how well Seymour does at putting our celebration together. So "Job Well Done" to ALL involved!

  2012 will be our 3rd effort of an All School Reunion for Old Settlers to be the second Saturday of July which will be July 14th weekend. The Harl Reunion now coordinates with Old Settlers each year, so members of that family can enjoy several attractions while in the area.

  Plans are already in the works for next year's celebration. Mark your calendars for July 13-15, 2012 Old Settler's/All School Reunion and suggestions, ideas and volunteers WELCOME!

  I think the McElvain family coordinates their reunion with Old Settlers, so several of that family (Harold's kids and families) gathered at the local cabins and enjoyed the weekend together.

  Somehow Seymour people always enjoy out of town guest who like our town. College friend of Caleb Housh says Old Settlers is his favorite weekend of the year. Simple pleasures of life are some of the most enjoyed.

  Olivia Power told her grandmother, Jill Housh, that Old Settler's is her "FAVORITE holiday of the year!"

70th Annual John & Christina Rigler Harl Reunion

The Seymour Herald - 14 July 2011

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  Descendants of John T. and Christina Rigler Harl met at the Seymour Community Center Sunday, July 10, for the 70th annual Harl Reunion.

  Arthur Bryant asked the blessing on the potluck dinner. Following the dinner, President Lynn Holdeman conducted the business meeting. Reports were given by family members and for family members who could not be present. Family photos and memorabilia were shared and displayed.

  New officers elected to serve for the 2012 Harl reunion are Ray Cook, president; Don Bryant, vice president; and Elaina Tuttle, secretary-treasurer. Tentative date for the 2012 reunion is Sunday of the Seymour Old Settlers celebration.

  Twenty eight persons registered for the day. They were Don and Millie Kerr of Bella Vista, Ark., Don and Sue Bryant of Jackson, Tn., Dr. Neil and Darlene Harl of Ames and their guests, Dick and Faye Mullenix of Red Oak, Arthur and Mary Jane Bryant of Indianola, Dennis and Elaina Tuttle and Sherry and Randy Middlebrook of Corydon, Brian and Lynn Holdeman of Madrid, Carolyn Wickam, Ray and Shirley Cook, Henry, Barbara and Ruth Adams, Devon, Heather, Ashlynn and Landen Sharp, and Wendy and Rich Choponis of Seymour.

Harl Family Reunion, Sunday, 10 July 2011

The Seymour Herald - 23 June 2011

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  Descendants of John T. and Christina Rigler Harl will meet at the Seymour Community Center Sunday, July 10, 2011, for the 70th annual Harl Reunion. The Center will open at 10:30 a.m.  A potluck dinner will be served at 12:15 p.m. followed by a business meeting.

Ruth Winifred Harl Cook, 1919-2008

The Daily Iowegian - 20 May 2008

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  Ruth Winifred Cook, youngest of six children of E. E. (Dick) and Winifred (Bales) Harl, was born March 25, 1919 in Franklin Township in Appanoose County, Iowa. She passed away May 17, 2008 at The Continental Care Center at Seymour.

Ruth Winifred Harl Cook, 1919-2008

  Ruth attended the Hayes Country School in Franklin Township in Appanoose County  with Pauline Barger as her teacher, then graduated from Seymour High School in 1936. She enjoyed attending her 70th class reunion and riding in the Seymour Old Settlers parade. She was teaching school at the Hayes Country School when she was united in marriage to J. W. Cook on December 25, 1938.

  As women teachers could not be married, they kept their marriage secret until school was out in May. She taught again during the war years (43-44) at Brush College Country School and North Wilson in Lincoln Township (44-45). They made their home in Franklin Township, Appanoose County, Iowa. To this union two children were born, Reva Grace Cook and Ray Stanley Cook. Ruth was a housewife and worked on the farm with her husband. They moved to Seymour in January 1979, retiring from the farm.

  She was proud of attending the Iowa State Fair every year of her life after marriage until last year when her health prevented her from attending. She worked alongside her husband running the Stock Pavilion at the Iowa State Fair for many years and enjoyed raising their granddaughter, Lynn (who was the apple of her eye) at the horse shows.

  Through the years, Ruth enjoyed driving her red and white Dodge pickup, quilting, playing cards at the Seymour Community Center, playing bingo at the Legion, and driving her B Farmall tractor (that she and J bought in 1946) in the Old Settlers parades. Ruth was known for her sharp mind and keen memory and shared dates and details with those who seeked her out for items of history.

  Ruth accepted Christ as her Savior early in her marriage along with her husband, J. W. and was a member of the United Methodist Church in Seymour.

  Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, E. E. and Winifred Harl; her five brothers and sisters along with teir spouses, Bessie and Reo Bryant, Edna and Addis Staggs, John and Louise Harl, Herbert and Bertha Harl, Grace and Calvin Miller; her husband J. W. Cook; a daughter Reva Cook; and a granddaughter Cindy Lynn Cook.

  She is survived by a son, Ray, and daughter-in-law Shirley Cook of Seymour; and a granddaughter Lynn Holdeman and husband Brian of Granger; and a step great-granddaughter Nicole Holdeman; and a sister-in-law Lena Mae Collins. She will be remembered by a host of nieces and nephews, many relatives and friends.

  Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 21, at the Randolph Funeral Home in Seymour with Pastor Leroy Perkins officiating. Organist will be Mary Parker with Milton Albertson as vocalist. Musical selections will be "In the Upper Garden" and "Take My Hand, Precous Lord." Pallbears are Dennis Darrah, Milton Albertson, Kenny Johnston, Dennis Doggett, Larry Sales and Marvin Ryan. Honor bearers include Ron McDannald, Maurice Stamps and Bill Eastlick.

  Interment will be in Southlawn Cemetery in Seymour.

Harl Wins Honor At Iowa State

  Neil Harl, son of Mr. and Mrs. H. B. Harl of Numa, is a new initiate of the Iowa State College chapter of Tomahawk, national sophomore activities honorary.

  A sophomore in agricultural education within the Division of Agriculture at Iowa State. Harl was nominated by the Agricultural Education Club for the honor. 

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  Transcribed from The Seymour Herald of Thursday 19 March 1953.

Pvt. Harl Receives Far East Orders

  Pvt. Richard A. Harl, son of Mr. and Mrs. H. P. Harl of Numa, has been assigned to the Far East, following a 13-month tour of duty at The Quartermaster Replacement Training Center, Fort Lee, Va.

  While at the QMRTC, Pvt. Harl was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company and worked as company mail clerk, in charge of receiving and distributing mail and packages to the personnel of the unit.

  A graduate of Seymour high school, Pvt. Harl has been in the Army for 14 months.

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  Transcribed from The Seymour Herald of Thursday, 1 January 1953.