Francis Marion Duncan, 1854-1918

The Semi-Weekly Iowegian - 17 June 1918

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NUMA NEWS

  Mr. Duncan, an elderly man hose home is in Jerome, but who was working here as night watchman at the Walker mine, drank carbolic acid, with suicidal intent Saturday afternoon. When discovered by Charles Fox, he was suffering with convulsions. A doctor was quickly summoned, who, when he arrived, pronounced him beyond recovery.  He was conveyed by auto to his home in Jerome and we have not yet learned if his rash net (sic) proved fatal. 

The Semi-Weekly Iowegian - 20 June 1918

---------------------------------

JEROME NEWS

  Frank Duncan, who has been working at the Fox mine, swallowed carbolic acid last Saturday afternoon. He was brought to his home in Jerome and a physician called. He passed away Sunday. He is survived by his widow and four children, Mrs. Edith Fry, Mrs. Hazel Ponsettoand Mae and Charles of Jerome. Funeral sevices were held Monday afternoon at the M. E. church, conducted by Reverend Lawton, pastor of the M. E. church of Seymour.

NUMA NEWS

  Mr. Duncan, the night watchman at the Walker mine here, who drank carbolic acid last Saturday afternoon, succumbed to the effects and died Sunday at 10:00 a.m.  His funeral and burial was at Jerome on Monday. He was about 65 years old and a member of the U. M. W. of A. of this place.

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Iowa Deaths and Burial, 1850-1990

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  Name: Francis Marion Duncan; Gender: Male; Burial Date: 17 Jun 1918; Burial Place: Jerome; Death Date: 16 Jun 1918; Death Place: Lincoln Tp., Jerome, Appanoose, Iowa; Age: 64; Birth Date: 14 Feb 1854; Birthplace: White, Indiana; Occupation: Coal Miner; Race: White; Marital Status: Married; Father's Name: John Duncan; Father's Birthplace: Ireland; Mother's Name: Emretta Ridgway; Mother's Birthplace: Germany; Indexing Project (Batch) Number: B75147-3; System Origin: Iowa-EASy; Source Film Number: 1673930; Reference Number: p 357 #181.

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  Source "Iowa, Deaths and Burials, 1850-1990," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XVHM-9QH : accessed 24 Feb 2013), Francis Marion Duncan, 16 Jun 1918.

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Gravestone of

Francis Marion Duncan and Delila Ann McKern

Reavis E. Montgomery Beer, 1912-2013

Schmidt Family Funeral Home – 23 February 2013

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  Reavis Beer, age 100, of Centerville, Iowa, died Sunday, February 17, 2013, at Mercy Medical Center's Long Term Care in Centerville. She was born the daughter of Wayne and Charolette (Evans) Montgomery on blistery day of March 23, 1912 near Genoa, Iowa. She graduated from the Seymour Community Schools in 1931. 

Reavis Montgomery Beer

  On May 23, 1931, Reavis was united in marriage to Joe Ansel Beer in Centerville, Iowa. They first made their home near Jerome, Iowa where Joe farmed. She loved to cook and sew, and was asked to drive the tractor from time to time. They were both active in the Jerome United Methodist Church and were 4-H leaders for boys and girls clubs. In 1972, Reavis took a change of pace and opened a Merle Norman cosmetics store in Centerville. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Centerville, Iowa.
  She was preceded in death by: her parents; her husband, Joe Beer on June 10, 1996; sister, Jenny Montgomery; brothers, Lyndol and Yule Montgomery; son-in-law, Robert Kauzlarich; and granddaughter-in-law, Linda Kauzlarich.
  Reavis is survived by: her daughter, Judy Kauzlarich of Centerville, Iowa; a son, Jim Beer and his wife, Beverly of Menlo Park, California; grandchildren, John Beer and his wife, Suzie, Marty Kauzlarich, Rebecca Clay and Kristy Demry and her husband, Tom; great grandchildren, Megan Beer, Nicki Salisbury and her husband, Scott, B.J. Kauzlarich and his wife, Katie Jo, Jesse Clay and Jessica Demry; and one great great granddaughter, Ava Salisbury.
  Funeral Services will be held at 10 am, on Friday, February 22, 2013 at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Centerville, Iowa with Rev. Kay Singley officiating. Burial will follow in the Jerome Cemetery in Jerome, Iowa. Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 21, 2013 from 2 pm until 6 pm with the family present from 4 pm until 6 pm at the funeral home.

Gravestone of Reavis & Joe Beer

in th Jerome Cemetery

New Section, Block 23, Lot 8

  Memorials can be made to the Jerome Cemetery and left or mailed to the funeral home. The Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Centerville has been entrusted with the arrangements for the Beer family and condolences can be sent at: schmidtfamilyfuneralhome.com

Lydia C. Huffman Phelps Bateman, 1844-1915

Semi-Weekly Iowegian - 3 December 1915

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  Miss Lydia C. Huffman was born in Clay Col Ind., April 12, 1844, and came to Iowa at the age of 23. She was united in marriage to H. Phelps in the year of 1869. To this union were born five children, Cebina, Eliza, Viola, Lee and Stella. Mr. Phelps died in 1901.  Mrs.. Phelps was again united in marriage to Wm. Bateman on July 5, 1906.

  Mrs. Bateman died Nov. 27, 1915, at Jerome, Iowa, at the age of 71 years, 7 months and 15 days.  She united with the U.B. church in 1871. She leaves to mourn her loss two children, Lee Phelps and Stella Dooley of Jerome, and three step children, Wm. Phelps and Mrs.Mary Zimmerman of Lineville and Maranda Allard of Leon, and one sister, Linda Treasure of Lineville.

  The funeral services were held at the M. E. church Mondayafternoon by Rev. George L. Roper.

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Card of Thanks

  We thank every one that has helped us in our trouble.

Members of the family.

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Gravestone of Lydia Phelps

in the Jerome Cemetery
New Section: Block 6, Lot 2

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  Iowa Deaths and Burials, 1850-1990:  Name: Lydia C. Bateman; Gender: Female; Burial Date: 28 Nov. 1915; Burial Place: Jerome; Death Date: 26 Nov. 1915; Death Place: Lincoln Tp., Jerome, Appanoose, Iowa; Age: 71; Birth Date: 12 Jul 1844; Birthplace: Ind.; Occupation: Housekeeper; Maritial Status: Divorced; Father's Name: Hoffman; Father's Birthplace: Ind.; Mother's Name: Hook; Indexing Project (Batch) Number 875147-1; System Origin: Iowa--EASy; Source Film Number: 1673930; Reference Number: p 265 #115.

The Johnstons Buried in Jerome Cemetery

  William Johnston was born in December 1862 in England, son of Thomas Johnston and Julia Ann Walsh.  His parents were born and married in Ireland, according to the 1925 Iowa Census.  William immigrated to the United States in 1889 and was living in Superior, Douglas county, Wisonsin, with his mother, Julia Ann, in 1900, where he was working as an electrician.
  Cassie Criswell was born 19 September 1863 in Appanoose County, Iowa, daughter of John V. Criswell and Mary Ann Brennon, married William Johnston in Kansas City, Wyandotte county, Kansas, on 20 October 1903, and died in Kansas City, Jackson county, Missouri, on 18 September 1912, and was buried in the Jerome Cemetery (Old Section, Block 1, Lot 16) in Lincoln township, Appanoose county, Iowa.

Missouri Death Certificate for 

Cassie Criswell Johnston

  Ida May Criswell was born 8 January 1860 in Lincoln Township, Appanoose County, Iowa, daughter of John V. Criswell and Mary Ann Brennon, married William Johnston in Kansas City, Jackson county, Missouri, on 8 October 1913, died 19 April 1927 in Centerville, Appanoose county, Iowa, and was buried on 21 April 1927 in the Jerome Cemetery (Old Section, Block 1, Lot 16) in Lincoln township, Appanoose county, Iowa.

Jackson County, Missouri, Marriage Certificate

of William Johnston and Ida May Criswell

 Gravestone in Jerome Cemetery for
William, Cassie & Ida May Johnston 
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Source Information 

 Ida May Criswell Johnston's Death Record: "Iowa, Deaths and Burials, 1850-1990," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XVHM-798 : accessed 20 Feb 2013), Ida May Johnson, 19 Apr 1927.

  1925 Iowa Census for Appanoose County, Iowa: Ancestry.com. Iowa, State Census Collection, 1836-1925 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007.

  Missouri Death Certificates:  Missouri Digital Collection http://www.sos.mo.gov/archives/resources/deathcertificates/

  Jackson County, Missouri, Marriage Records:  http://records.jacksongov.org/search.asp?cabinet=marriage

  "Kansas, Marriages, 1840-1935," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FWLC-D8M : accessed 20 Feb 2013), William Johnston and Cassie Criswell, 20 Oct 1903.

   Year: 1900; Census Place: Superior Ward 7, Douglas, Wisconsin; Roll: 1786; Page: 18A; Enumeration District: 0076; FHL microfilm: 1241786.

Mary Ann Brannon Criswell, 1820-1909

The Semi-Weekly Iowegian - 5 November 1909

---------------------------------

IN COUNTY 50 YEARS - DIED AGE NINETY

Mrs. Mary Ann Brennen Criswell

Passed Away at Jerome at end of a Long Life

  To reach the ninetieth year is a privilege accorded very few, but such was the lot of Mrs. V. Chriswell, whose husband died in 1871, her death occuring Tuesday Nov. 2, at Jerome. Complications due to old age were the cause.

  Mary Ann Brennen was born May 20, 1820, in York county, Penn.  he was married to John V. Criswell March 29, 1847, and moved to Iowa in the early 50's, and has resided on the homestead in Lincoln township till two years ago when she moved to Jerome. She leaves a family of one son and five daughters, Mrs. Mary Crist, Seymour; Mrs. Carrie Jones, Jerome; Frank Criswell, Jerome; Miss Ida Criswell, Kansas City; Mrs. Thomas Banks, Bellair twp; Mrs. Wm. Johnston, Kansas City.

  Mrs. Criswell was a lovable woman, with many friends. She ws a member of the Presbyterian church in early life and affiliated with it in later years tho absence of a church from her vicinity prevented her maintaining active relations. The funeral was conducted Wednesday at 2:30 at the Methodist church, Jerome, by Rev. L. M. Beebe, pastor of the Presbyterian church at Seymour, and interment was at Jerome.

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Centerville Daily Citizen - 5 November 1909

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  Miss Mary Ann Brennen was born in York county, Pennsylvania May 20, 1820. She was married to John V. Criswell March 29th, 1847, moved to Iowa in the early fifties and has resided on the homestead until two years ago.

  Her husband died in 1871 leaving a family of one son and five daughters all of whom are living.

  Mrs. Criswell moved to Jerome two years ago where she died on November 2nd, 1909, in her ninetieth year respected and loved by all who knew her.

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Card of Thanks.

  We want to express our sincere thanks to our many kind friends and neighbors for the heartfelt manner in which they expressed their sympathy in our sorrow at the loss by death of our Dearly Beloved mother.

  Mrs. Mary Crist, Mrs. Carrie Jones, Mr. Frank Criswell, Miss Ida Criswell, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas W. Banks, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Johnston.

-----------------------------

Gravestone for
John V. and Mary Ann Criswell
in the Jerome Cemetery

Carrie Brannon Criswell Jones, 1856-1913

The Centerville Iowegian - 28 October 1913

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  Carrie B. Criswell was born March 7, 1856, in Appanoose county, Iowa, and died in Kansas City, Mo., Oct. 7, 1913.

  She was married to William Jones in Sept. 1876. He dying in 1897. She was a great sufferer for a long time before her death, but bore all patiently. She was a member of the Methodist church for over thirty years.
  She leaves three sisters and one brother to mourn her loss, Mrs. M. E. Crist, of Seymour, Mrs. Thos. Banks, of Cincinnati and Frank Criswell, of Kansas City, Mo.
  The remains were brought to Jerome for burial. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. L. C. Moore at the M. E. church Sunday morning at 11:00 o'clock.

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Missouri Death Certificate for

Carrie Brannon Criswell Jones

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Gravestone for 

Carrie Brannon Criswell Jones

in the Jerome Cemetery

Robert Franklin Criswell,1852-1934

Centerville Daily Iowegian and Citizen - 8 March 1934

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  Robert Franklin Criswell, son of John V. and Mary Ann Criswell, was born in Belmont county, Ohio, Oct. 10, 1852, the family coming to Iowa when he was a small child and settled on a farm northwest of Numa, Ia., where he spent the greater part of his life.  For the past seven years he has made his home with his sister, Mrs. Thos. Banks at whose home he passed away, Thursday, March 1 at 11:20 a.m., at the age of 81 years, four months and 18 days. He is preceded in death by four sisters. Besides his sisters the only other near relatives are a niece, Mrs. Dwight Hughes of near Centerville, and three nephews, Ray Crist of Seymour, Iowa, Clyde Crist of Richland, Kansas, Bert Crist of Cheyenne, Wyoming, and cousins and friends.

  Funeral services were from the Miller Funeral home Saturday, Mch 3, Rev. F. A. Wilder officiating. Interment at Plano.

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Iowa Death Record of Robert F. Criswell

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Name: Robert F. Criswell; Gender: Male; Burial Date: 03 Mar 1934; Burial Place: Jerome, Ia.; Death Date: 01 Mar 1934; Death Place: Centerville, Appanoose, Iowa; Age: 81; Birth Date: 10 Oct 1852; Birthplace: Ohio; Occupation: Farmer; Race: White; Marital Status: Single; Father's Name: John Criswell; Father's Birthplace: Ohio; Mother's Name: Mary Ann Brandes [Brannon]; Mother's Birthplace: Pennsylvania; Indexing Project (Batch) Numer: B75147-3; System Origin: Iowa-EASy; Source File Number: 1673930; Reference Number: p 26 #40. 

  Source: "Iowa, Deaths and Burials, 1850-1990," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XV41-PRF : accessed 18 Feb 2013), Robert F. Criswell, 01 Mar 1934.

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  Editor's Note: There is no gravestone for Robert Franklin Criswell in the Jerome Cemetery.  It is assumed that he is buried either in the Criswell family plot or the Thomas Banks' plot.

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Evelyn Mae Taylor Davison, 1929-2013

The Seymour Herald - 10 January 2013

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  Evelyn Mae (Taylor) Davison was born August 13, 1929 south of Iconium, Iowa.  She was the daughter of Fred and Alice (Murphy)Taylor. She attended Shanghai rural school south of Iconium and graduated from Moravia High School in May 1946. [She died 25 January 2013.]

  On December 25, 1948 she and Gerald Davison were married at the Udell Brethren Manse. He preceded her in death on January 16, 2004.  They and their sons farmed northwest of Moulton and west of Numa. They moved to Centerville in February 1967. She soon began her employment at St. Joseph's Mercy Hospital as a CNA. Fourteen years later she transferred to the laundry department.  She retired from the hospital after 30 1/2 years to care for her husband as he went to Ottumwa then Corydon for dialysis.

   She had several hobbies; such as crewel embroidery, counted cross stitch, crocheting, sewing for herself and quilts for some of the great grandchildren and gardening as long as she was able. he crocheted tablecloth, doilies, a bedspread and numerous afghans-baby and adult.

  She is survived by her two sons, Harold (Beth) and Donald (Debra)of Centerville, 5 grandchildren: Michelle (Richard) Blythe of Chariton, Deanna (William) Moorman of Centerville, Destry (Susie) Davison of Austin, TX, Melanie Dunphy of Griswold, Danielle (Ryan) Hodges of Centerville. 11 great grandchildren: Jared and Austin Ritenour, Jacen Reed,and Alex Blythe all of Chariton, Emma and Jacob Maass of Griswold, Garrett, Madison and Drennan Moorman of Centerville, Presley and Tage Davison of Austin, TX, a brother Fred Earl (Annabeth) Taylor of Ottumwa, sister-in-law Bethel Ballanger of Coatsville, MO.

  Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald, a 10 year old son Jerald Gene, her parents, 2 sisters, Ruth Brown and June Young of Seymour and a cousin Floyd Green who lived his earlier years with the family.'

  Graveside service was held Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at Jerome Cemetery with Rev. Kay Singley officiating.  Visitation was Monday with the family at Thomas Funeral Home. Memorials may be given to Jerome Cemetery or Mercy Medical Center- Long Term Care which may be left at or mailed to Thomas Funeral Home - 23548 Hwy 5 - PO Box 125 - Centerville, Iowa 52544. Condolences and video may be shared at www.thomasfh.com.  

Gerald Gene and Evelyn Mae (Taylor) Davison's

Gravestone in the Jerome Cemetery

Row 4, Block 30, Lot 11

Donna Maxine Cooper Rupalo, 1926-2012

From http://www.tributes.com

---------------------------------

  Donna M. Rupalo, daughter of Leo C. and Lennie M. (Hamm) Cooper was born November 12, 1926 in Mystic, Iowa. She passed peacefully from this life at the Mercy Medical Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa on January 13, 2012 at the age of 85.
  Donna graduated from Mystic High School in May of 1943 at the age of 16. She moved to Des Moines, where she lived in the Highland Park area, working for a local clothing store. She then attended Centerville Jr. College earning her teaching certificate, and later taught at the Swan rural country school. She became engaged to her only love, Walter Rupalo on January 16, 1947 later being married on May 22, 1947 at the Methodist Church in Centerville, Iowa.
  They made their home in Rock Island, Illinois, until February of 1952 when they bought their present farm on the south edge of Seymour. To this union three children were born; Duane, Beverly and Marilyn. Donna was a member of the Seymour Christian Church where she served as Secretary of the Board more than 25 years. During most of that time she was responsible for organizing dozens of courtesy meals for grieving church friends. As her eyesight and health failed the last few years, she missed the ability of attending church services and activities.
  Donna loved her family and spent most of her time seeing to their needs and planning for family gatherings. She particularly loved to host large family Thanksgiving dinners and Christmas Eve soup suppers. She took after her father believing there was no such thing as a small garden. She canned and froze vegetables so there would be plenty during the winter months. Donna was known as a wonderful cook and would take special orders for pie as she prepared for the many bake sales for the church. She also loved flowers and had a large variety growing in special spots around her yard.
  She took special enjoyment from her grandchildren and took pride in all their accomplishments. Whether it was a ballgame, school test, or job interview, she was always concerned regarding how they did and praised them. When she knew the grandchildren were coming she made sure to cook their favorites.
  Preceding Donna in death were her husband of almost 54 years, Walter Rupalo; her parents; her brothers, Charles Stanley Cooper, Dr. A. W.(Bill) Cooper, Dr R. E. (Dick) Cooper and Dr. Gary V. Cooper; her sister, Carol M. Cooper; a brother-in-law, Wayne Larson and a nephew, Bruce Cooper.
Survivors include son, Duane and his wife Sarah of Seymour, daughter Beverly and her husband Jerry Walsh of Bondurant Iowa and daughter, Marilyn and her husband Jeff Walsh of Pleasant Hill, Iowa, her grandchildren, Kelly and Deena Rupalo and Tyler, Shelby, Jay and Allison Walsh; brother, LeRoy and Joyce Cooper of Glen Carbon, Illinois; sisters Betty Larson of Des Moines and JoAnn and Jim Costello of Burlington, Iowa; sisters-in-law, Barbara Cooper of Seymour and Sharon Cooper of Centerville plus a host of nieces and nephews and many friends.

Daniel S. Larimers Celebrate Golden Anniversary

The Semi-Weekly Iowegian - 15 December 1908

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GOLDEN WEDDING

Of Mr. and Mrs. D. S. Larimer

Former Jerome Residents

  The following was taken from The Daily Independent Times of Streator, Ill.

  Mr. and Mrs. Larimer were residents of Jerome for more than 15 years and have many friends who extend congratulations and wish them many more years of married life. While most of their older friends have passed to the life beyond, there are many of the younger generation who remember Mrs. Larimar as a kind Christian woman. She was an enthusiastic worker and always took great interest in the children.

  Half a century ago back in Mercer county, Pa. Amanda C. McCormick and Daniel S. Larimer pledged love and constancy to the marriage vows and Monday afternoon Nov. 30 at the home on North Wasson street, in the presence of relatives and friends those vows were renewed during the celebration in honor of the 50th anniversary of their wedding.

  The home was filled all day with relatives and friends who called to extend congratulations to the aged couple and it was indeed a merry gathering.

  All of the children were at home with the exception of the eldest son, James, who is living in Oklahoma and could not get away at this time.

  Among the children present were three sons and a daughter, together with their families as follows:  Joseph M., wife and two children of Oskaloosa, Ia.; Mrs. Mollie Moore, husband and son, Jerome, Ia.; George and children, Galesburg, Ill.; John Larimer and wife of this city; Mrs. S. M. McCormick of Mercer Co., Pa.; mother of J. D. McCaughtry, who is a cousin of Mrs. Larimer; Mr. and Mrs. L. M. Larimer, Muncie, Ind.; Wm. Shonts and wife, South Bend, Ind.; John Shonts and family, Streator, and Mrs. Reese and Mrs. Snedeker of Grand Ridge, were the other out-of-town guests.

  At noon there was a joyous gathering of relatives around the festive board and again at supper time.

BORN IN PENNSYLVANIA

  Both Mr. and Mrs. Larimer are natives of Pennsylvania, the former having been born at Sheakleyville, Nov. 15, 1833, and is now 75 years of age. His wife was born Oct. 23, 1841, at New Vernon and is now 67 years old.

  On Nov. 30, 1858, they were married and continued to reside in Mercer county until the spring of 1870 when they moved with their family to Jerome, Iowa.

  On Oct. 21, 1885, Mr. and Mrs. Larimer moved to Streator and have since made this city their home. All four of their sons are employed on the railroad and are well known here, having identified with the Three-I road for many years. At present John of this city is the only one connected with this road, he being conductor on the passenger.

OVER ONE HUNDRED CALL

  Mr. and Mrs. Larimer received their friends during the afternoon and evening and over one hundred took advantage of the opportunity to call and pay their respects. During the afternoon the W.C.T.U. ladies called in a body to extend congratulations.  Mrs. Larimer has long been an earnest worker and her charitable activities are well known and appreciated.  The ladies presented her with a dress pattern and a rocker.

  A feature of the afternoon was the re-marriage of the couple, Rev. J. D. McCaughtry officiating.

  In the evening Mrs. Larimer entertained the boys of her Sunday school class from Park church, and two of the boys, Frank English and John Koff rendered a violin selection which was much enjoyed. The boys presented their teacher with a handsome gold watch chain.

  Mr. and Mrs. Larimer were the recipients of many beautiful gifts of gold aside from those already mentioned, and also a purse of money.

CALLED HOME

   The only unpleasant event which occurred to mar the day's pleasure, was a message which summoned the daughter Mrs. Mollie and her husband, to their home in Jerome, Ia., as their eldest son had met with an accident. The young man is a driver in a mine at that place and in some manner had broken his leg. Mr. and Mrs. Moore departed at midnight for their home.

New Book: Centerville: A Mid-American Saga

  A new history of Centerville and Appanoose County has been published: Enfys McMurry's Centerville: A Mid-American Saga [The History Press, 2013].

  From the moment that the surveyor set down his tools in 1846 to the instant that the Flying Farmers crossed the sky at the centennial celebration, the history of Centerville, Iowa, has gifted us with a unique insight into the mid-American experience. Though the population never exceeded 8,600, immigrants from more than forty different countries created a community that was both melting pot and crucible—just like the nation at large.

  The town forged an identity through the Underground Railroad, the Civil War, race relations, education debates and World Wars I and II. In a definitive history, Enfys McMurry captures both the particular feelings of Centerville’s citizens and how they reflected and participated in the larger American story. Read to learn how  Centerville experienced the dark history of Prohibition, crime, the Ku Klux Klan, the Mafia and the Depression.

  Read more about Enfys McMurry and Centerville: A Mid-American Saga on The History Press Blog, The Des Moines Register website, and the Daily Iowegian website,  You can purchase the book through Amazon or at the Appanoose County Historical and Coal Mining Museum in Centerville

History of Appanoose: Ghost Town of Bellair

Daily Iowegian - 15 April 2004

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By Bill Heusinkveld, Correspondent

  Bellair was a quaint little village created in 1854 by Alexander Jones. The village and the township of Bellair were named after the Ohio town of Bellaire, on the border near Wheeling, West Virginia. Bellair was surveyed and platted by John Potts. It was in Section 18 of Bellair Township between the waters of Shoal and Cooper Creeks.  There were just 20 lots. The principal streets were Main and North Streets running east and west and bisected by Washington and Jackson Streets going north.

  Gradually the town began to take shape.  J. Markin  built a store in 1855. There was a lime kiln and a saw mill. There were two blacksmith shops on the south side of Main St.  Two boot and leather workers also operated on the street.  Mrs. Tibbets ran a fancy millinery shop. Jim Cunningham was the first druggist. There was a general store, which also handled overland mail. No record of a saloon in Bellair has been discovered.

  The first Bellair school, in 1857, was a subscription school taught in a home, the seats being made of split logs. A post office was established in 1859. The Methodist Episcopal society was formed in 1857 with a stone building purchased in 1864 and converted into a church. The Christian Church was formed about 1858 with E. E. Harvey as one of its earl ministers. A house of worship 24 x 36 feet in size was erected at Bellair in 1871 at a cost of $1200. At one time here were about 300 members.

  The Bellair Masonic Lodge No. 133 was formed in 1857 and met in the upper story of the schoolhouse in Bellair. E. E. Harvey was a member. Later the lodge removed to Numa in 1871 and eventually to Cincinnati.

  The second school on the north end of Jackson St. was the most pretentious school house built in Appanoose County. It was a tall two-story frame building around which centered the intellectual life of the community. It became the first high school in Appanoose County and was conducted by Professor L. N. Judd, who was very capable and efficient. Wonderful entertainments were given at the school. The Bellair school had such a reputation that it drew young men and women from neighboring counties to seek knowledge they could not gain at home. Some of these students would have to board in various homes in Bellair.
  Later the school spirit seems to have moved to a more central location. The high school was abandoned and later became the barn on the well-known Jake Norris farm. A one-story building was built on the same site, later destroyed by fire. The third building was a frame one-story building with four rooms, but later it was sold.
  Finally a fine two story school was built for all twelve grades, he site being moved to the north side of Main St. I can remember it still being there when we first moved to Centerville. I asked John Broshar about it. He thinks the high school was discontinued sometime in the 1950s It may have stood vacant for a time, but Jerry and Betty Marshall have used it for some years as a combination archery school and for ceramics work.
  At the end end of Main St. stood the village inn, called the Brayman house. One son, Andrew, enlisted in the Civil War in Co. I, 36th Iowa Infantry and was killed at the battle of Marks Mills. Later the house became the Johnson Inn. Still later it was the Holshouser House (the home of the village capitalist). [1]
  One of the outstanding characters of the town was the beloved Dr. Ball who was a very present help in the time of trouble. He helped bring most of the youngsters into the world and smoothed the pillow for many a dying sufferer. Elijah E Harvey was also an influential citizen of Bellair. He and his brother Wallace M. Harvey had come to Appanoose County in 1855. Elijah was the well-known pastor of the Christian Church. He enlisted with the 6th Kansas Cavalry in August 12, 1862 and was Captain of Co. B. Later he helped lay out the town of Numa.
  In the early life of Bellair, the social life was quickened by music from the accordion.  Miss Nannie Fox was an artist on this instrument and was in great demand for her musical and vocal talents. Early fiddlers were also in demand. The singing ability of the Dukes family was noted, and the Hudsons were silver voiced singers.
  Bellair was a bustling town for seventeen years. Then in1871, the Chicago and Southwestern Railroad was built from Unionville to Centerville, then went, passing south of Bellair by almost one mile.  Coal mining activity and business began to develop and flourish along the railroad. The town of Numa was established.  Bellair had begun its long decline into oblivion. 
   In 1875 the people of Numa and Bellair met to have a picnic. Three hard cases, denizens of Wayne County named "Bud" Bland and William and Milton Richardson came to the picnic under the influence of liquor. hey picked a quarrel with C. M. Morrison, the manager of the celebration. He was assulted by the thugs and badly maltreated before the rowdies could be removed from his back.     A warrant was issued for their arrest, but they fled to Missouri for a few days so that it could not be served. The Richardson brothers, believing they were safe, returned to Seymour.  The Marshal there, John McCoy had instructions to arrest them, but was forced to resort to his revolver., In the melee that ensued, he shot and killed both of them. Then, as today, there were always people who would not accept the authority of the law, but the price was high. Just as the youth of today, who flee from the police, often meet with dire consequences.
  Today, tHere is almost nothing left of Bellair except that Main St. still exists as part of J-46, the entrance road into the north pamort of Numa  O. R. Parks and his crew have placed a monument in the fenced-inor playground park area in the south part of Numa to commemorate the former existence of the old ghost town of Bellair.

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Editor's Notes:  [1] Andrew Brayman's brother, Barney, later enlisted as a cavalryman in the Eighth Iowa Cavalry.  Orr Kelly and Mary Davies Kelly wrote Dream's End [Kodansha-America, Inc., 1998] which is a history of the Brayman family, mostly of Andrew's and Barney's experiences during the Civil War.  

  [2[ Bellair was platted and settled before Jerome.  In the early days of Bellair, it was the primary village in the vicinity of Lincoln Township before Jerome was founded.  The western edge of Bellair was on the Bellair-Lincoln border.  My great-grandparents' family, the David H. Hawkinses, lived in Bellair before and during the Civil War while David H. Hawkins served in Company B, 6th Kansas Cavalry.  When the Masonic Lodge was organized in Bellair, several Lincoln Township residents were key members of the Bellair Lodge (James Hagan, Peter Sidles, Gavin Morrison, John V. Criswell).  

[3]  There are two books which detail the history of Bellair and Numa: (a) Anna Langford (Mrs. Harold) Sayres. History of Numa, Iowa, Including Hibbsville and Bellair, 1850-1960[Centerville, IA: Iowegian Printing Co., May, 1960] and (b) Anna Langford (Mrs. Harold) Sayres. Homecoming, Bellair 1854 and Numa 1864 [S.N.: S.I., 1964].