Planning for New Elementary School Building in Coon Rapids, Iowa

Planning for New Elementary School Building in 

Coon Rapids, Iowa

Here is a photo originally published January 14, 1955. It shows the CR CSD building committee, appointed to make recommendations on possible building a new community school building. At the time this photo was published, the committee had already met several times and this photo was taken at one of their final sessions. Pictured, in back around the table clockwise, were Laverne Smith, Myron Bundt, Elmer Stenstrom, Frank Clayburg, Al Headlee, Dean Lloyd and Glen Toyne. Also on this side of the table were Don Williams (head down), Mrs. Dale (Adalaide) Carpenter, and Mrs. Dale Betts. As part of their effort, members of this sub-committee visited new schools at Webster City, Eagle Grove, Humboldt, Lake View, Corning, Red Oak, Malvern, Avoca and Harlan for an idea of what a new school building should be like in Coon Rapids. According to a statistical report, the Coon Rapids enrollment was expected to be between 50 to 60 pupils in each elementary grade for the foreseeable future. Ultimately the committee recommended significant changes in the existing school building* while building a new elementary building to house kindergarten through sixth grades together with a lunch room. They suggested this new building should be erected on the two block area which was available to the district northeast of the existing school building. They recommended the new elementary building have one kindergarten classroom and two classrooms for each grade from first through eighth grade for a total of 17 elementary classrooms. *As far as changes made to the existing 1914 building, the committee concluded that the science room on the third floor was too small for a proper Physics or Chemistry course so they recommended removing the partition between the two English classrooms and making it into one science room. On the second floor the typing room was too small to handle as many students as could be supervised by the teacher, so they recommend- ed that the partition between the typing room and the principal’s office be removed to make one good classroom which would take care of typing class requirements as well as provide room for some tables for the bookkeeping students to work on. They also recommended turning over to the high school four elementary classrooms on the second floor. It should be noted the committee also recognized the need for an area for teachers to confer with parents when their classrooms are in use. Every school the committee members visited had a teachers’ lounge so they recommended that a small room on the ground floor be reserved as a teachers’ lounge.   

Source:    COON RAPIDS ENTERPRISE - THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2022 PAGE 5

Ancestor Artifacts - H & H Club Programs - Overview

 

Ancestor Artifacts - H & H Club Programs - Overview

In one of Mom’s (Eileen Smith) boxes of (totally random) artifacts and memorabilia, there is a zippered notebook, like we used in 1950/60s filled with stuff related to the H & H Social Club of women in the Star/Coon Rapids Community for the early 1940s thru the 1980s and perhaps beyond. I believe the first of the programs filed there, actually in order, pasted to pages in the notebook, is 1942-1943. This is an overview, so we’ll take a brief look at them from that perspective.

Those first two programs are 42-43 and 44-45. On further examination, it appears these programs were gathered and filed like this for the 25th Anniversary of the club in 1967. I’ll have more on this theory in the next post.

The first page has the scheduled fall 1942 program…

The next page has the spring of 1943 program dates and hostesses.

The next page goes into 1944… it looks like these may have been added by hand, later…

I’ve also included here the next pages, with the next year’ programs.

Any artifact like these tend to raise more questions than they answer, of course. Are these from when the club was organized? Do they relate to the 25th Anniversary? Why was the group organized? Who was invited? Was membership a formal thing? Were there dues? What would the programs be that were hosted by the various members? 

These were the “adults” as I was growing up, so I find great interest in each individual name. Some, but not all, were affiliated with the Star Methodist Church, but others lived in the nearby town of Coon Rapids. These are the questions we will work on in future H & H Club posts. 

I welcome comments at this point, and will reply to any questions in future posts. 

Families are Forever?

Ancestor Artifact - 29 The Star - Part 1

 

Ancestor Artifact

29 The Star - Part 1

This is a powerful Ancestor Artifact for me and my family as well as for many others in the Star Community a few miles north of Coon Rapids, Iowa, where I grew up… on several levels.

This 33 interior page booklet was prepared under the director of the teacher, Miss Clara Christy, by the members of the upper grades at the one-room Star School. My Dad, Pete (Leverne) Smith, was the only member of the eighth grade class that year. Ruth Thomas (Bolger), Nancy's Mom, was a year behind him and wrote much of the best material in the booklet. Both of their siblings are featured throughout the booklet along with the many other community student members. Pete’s father, William Smith (whom I was named after), was the Director of the School that year. Among many other things we will discover as we share these pages is that there is an extensive ‘alumni’ section, mentioning the others who had ‘graduated’ from the Star School in years past. And, of course, this is the same school where my wife and her siblings attended in later years as well. There are many contemporary photos…

The first page with writing is: “Our Slogan - We Are the Twinkle of the Star”

The next page has a “Dedication:
In appreciation of faithful and sincere cooperation, we dedicate this “Star” to the patrons of the Star district. The Editors”

These next two pages are devoted to “Clara Christy - Instructor” and a ‘Twenty-third Psalm’ focused on their feelings for her:

“Miss Christy is our teacher, We shall not want another.
She leadeth us through the pages of our books, She bringeth us knowledge, for our diploma’s sake.
Yea, though we walk into our classes We shall fear no E’s for she is with us.
Her questions discomfort us.
She prepareth an examination for us in the presence of our ignorance.
She annoiteth our papers with red marks; Our grades runneth low.
Surely, ignorance and failure shall follow us all the days of our life.
And we shall dwell in this old schoolhouse forever. - Arley Brown"

Arley Brown was the oldest son of Roy and Agnes (Rabuck) Brown. Arley was the grandson of Anna (Wilson) Brown. The Roy Brown farmstead was diagonally across the corner northeast of the Star School.

Closer view:

Clara Christy also had an older sister Josephine who taught in local area schools for many years. They were daughters of John and Maggie Christy of Coon Rapids, Iowa.

Families are Forever! ;-)
 

 

Ancestor Artifacts - Your Local Newspaper Archives - Part 1 of 3

 

Ancestor Artifacts

Your Local Newspaper Archives

Part 1 of 3

Working on another project, I just was reminded how valuable my hometown local newspaper archive is to my own research. The Coon Rapids (Iowa) Enterprise has published weekly since 1881 to present. All available now in an archive. Here is Page Two from a 6 Sep 1935 special issue boosting the 4-County Fair… but so much more to me.

In the second column is a neat story, taken from the initial 1881 issue of the paper which I find fascinating. Below that is a short column, “Woman’s Angle” - like what Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote for The Farmer (see image below). The three far right columns was why I have a copy. “Churches Play Main Role in Town’s Growth.” There is even a photo of the Methodist Episcopal Church. This article carries over onto half of page three. I’ll share that tomorrow.

Let’s see what the “Gossip From 1882 Issue…” had to say:

From the first issue of the Enterprise, then a four column, two page paper, gotten out October 13, 1881, on a job press by editor Stowell in the back room of a hardware store in “Old Town,” we print the following items:
It is only three weeks since we settled in the lively little town of Coon Rapids, and having secured the required number of subscribers, we present the citizens with this, the initial number of the Enterprise.
On account of the similarity of name between this berg and Cedar Rapids the railroad company will probably rechristen the town.
The new town east of here has been named Bayard in honor of Senator Bayard of Delaware.
Mike McDonald was elected representative from the adjoining district last week.
This is as good field for some tonsorial artist and we hope that some knight of the shears will soon put in appearance.
Tuesday settled the election in Iowa and the republican paper will quarrel no more about bolters.
The railroad agent at Glidden wants to know how it comes that Coon Rapids merchants are getting so many goods from Glidden. Because our merchant are hustlers.
The boys had a good joke on we, the The Enterprise. The editor printed a bill in which he spelled heifer “heifer.” Everybody came down on us with a thud.
The grand jury of the District of Columbia has found an indictment against Chas. Gâteau for murdering James A. Garfield,
The ague has a pretty firm grip on this section of the country, first time in twelve years.
John Pike has opened his new meat market and is supplying all kinds of meats.
Carroll county has seven new newspapers.
There are four columns of advertising in the first issue, leaving but four columns for news. The advertisers were: Louthan and Co., harness; Putnam and Morris, dry goods and groceries; C.C. Reynolds, restaurant; Hall and Kessellring, saloon and billiards; Thompson, Morrow and Jones, implements; J. M. Stowell, hardware; J. H. Foster, blacksmith; John Pike, meat market; Julius Garst, physician; J. D. Parrott, restaurant; S. Preston, real estate; Ed. M. Bachley, M.D.; J. W. Hall, stage line; E. Garst, postmaster.
There was no church or Sunday school in town and but one secret society, A.F.and A.M. C.E. Morris, W.M., and John Heater, secretary.

I love seeing the businesses listed. Note, for example, that the owner of the hardware store and the editor of the paper are the same person. 

Stowell noted "no church of Sunday school in town" but that is questioned in the accompanying article. No building, for sure, but much activity, it seems. More on that to come. Subheadings in the "Churches" article include: Methodist Episcopal Church; Church of Christ; Annunciation Church; Star Church (the one I was researching); and on Page 3: Trinity Evangelical Lutheran; Wesleyan Methodist; Pleasant Ridge Friends; Free Methodist.

See any familiar names from your ancestor lists?

Comments?

More tomorrow…

Families are Forever! ;-)

Wordless (Nearly) Wednesday - Buzzy Kinnick Class

Buzzy Kinnick Class

 Coon Rapids Iowa School

Wordless (Nearly) Wednesday

They would all be 92 or so now

Do you recognize your parent, grandparent or great-grandparent in the photo? About 4th grade, perhaps, 10-11 years old?? My Uncle Buzzy is 3rd from the right, back row! Great photo… ask around. Let’s share and see if we can identify anyone else. Thanks!!

 

Families are Forever! ;-)

Smith-Kinnick-Bolger-Thomas Connections

 

Smith-Kinnick-Bolger-Thomas Connections

As I anticipate increased posting to this blog, I’ve been reviewing past posts and am reminded how deep the connections are between my family lines and those of my wife. Of course, they are all rooted in living in Coon Rapids, Iowa, and the nearby communities, such as the Star Community, their entire lives (those of our parents, specifically). Much of this has come from reading my Mom’s diaries, of course.

Here is a post about a 1937 entry: https://drbilltellsancestorstories.blogspot.com/2012/03/eileen-kinnick-75-yrs-ago-week-11-march.html

Part of it reads: Week 11 (Mar 13-19):

On Sunday, March 14, Eileen noted that she and Dot T. spent the day together. Dot T. was Dorothy Thomas, sister of Wes Thomas and Ruth (Thomas) Bolger (my mother-in-law). Eileen had gone to choir practice, last week, and church (Methodist) this week - I'm confident that is how they connected this week.

Here is a photo of the Thomas five in 1960. Dorothy is front, left. Ruth is far left. Bill is front right, Wes is back center, and May is the younger sister, far right.

***

We have a couple of interesting photos in between these two dates, as well:

This one appears to be just after Wes joined the navy in early 1940s…Nancy appears to be, perhaps, 2, in between Carolyn and Bob. Adults are, from left, Ruth, Glenn, May, Wes, Dorothy, Lewis.

That one missed a brother, Bill… this one fills that in:

From left, May, Wes, Bill, Ruth, Dorothy


Many memories!

Families are Forever! ;-)

 

My Dad was on the Local School Board

My Dad was on the Local School Board

Coon Rapids, Iowa - 1957

This photo shows Board Secretary Edith Johnson and board members Don Halverson, Ken Betts, Wes Thomas, Don Williams, LaVerne Smith [Leverne Smith] and Superintendent Ellis Hanson. The board room was located on the second floor of the high school building.

Source: COON RAPIDS ENTERPRISE - THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2020 PAGE 4

In May, 1957, my Dad got to hand me my Diploma when I graduated from High School. Great memory from those years. Proud of his service on the Board.

Families are Forever!! ;-)

Sunday Obituary - Dennis Ford - 1938-2015

Sunday Obituary

Dennis Ford

1938-2015

Dennis was my first cousin, once removed, and in my graduating Class of 1957 at Coon Rapids, Iowa. [He outlived his doctor's 6-8 months by nearly two full years...]

Dennis Ford passed away May 18, 2015, at the Greene County Medical Center in Jefferson.  He was 76 years of age.  Per his wishes, no services are planned at this time.  A Celebration of Life will be held in the near future.  Memorials are suggested to the American Lung Association or the American Cancer Society.

Dennis Kinnick Ford was born December 1, 1938, at Carroll.  He was the son of Lillian Kinnick Ford and Delbert Ford.  Dennis graduated from Coon Rapids High School in 1957. Through his high school years, he participated in 4-H and FFA.  Dennis attended Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, studying accounting and business.

On August 28, 1960, Dennis was united in marriage to Sandy Fagan at the Glidden Methodist Church.  The couple farmed around Coon Rapids for a time, then farmed south of Glidden for 10 years, where they also had a small dairy herd.  They lived near Dunbar Slough for a few years and then moved to Lake View, and then back to Coon Rapids.  In 1973 they made their home in Jefferson where Dennis remained for the rest of his life.

Dennis worked as a welder at Parker Manufacturing in Jefferson, and then worked for 24 years in building maintenance and engineering for the Jefferson and Jefferson-Scranton School District.  He retired in November 2000.

Together, Dennis and Sandy mowed lawns and did snow removal in the Jefferson community for more than 30 years.  Dennis enjoyed playing cards and was an avid reader of western books.  He belonged to First United Methodist Church where he served as a trustee and was head usher for many years.  Dennis volunteered throughout the community by delivering congregate meals, working for the food pantry, Greene County Medical Center auxiliary, and securing  hosts for the seasonal operation of the Mahanay Bell Tower.

Dennis was a member of Morning Star Lodge #159 A.F. & A.M. (Masons), Za-Ga-Zig Shrine, and the Odd Fellows Lodge.  He loved being around people.  Comaraderie and service to others was important to him.

Surviving are his wife Sandy Ford of Jefferson; children Jeff (Terri) Ford and Deborah (Don) Wills of Jefferson, and Gene (Greg Lacey) Ford of Des Moines; grandchildren Jennifer (Brent) Oakes of Paton, James (Mindy) Ford, Josh (Jessica Wolf) Ford and  Megan Vaughan, all  of Jefferson,  and Jada Lacey of Des Moines,; six great-grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.

The family is assisted by Slininger-Rossow Funeral Home of Jefferson, 515-386-2171.

Source: http://greenecountynewsonline.com/2015/05/19/dennis-ford-1938-2015/

Families are Forever! ;-)

Hometown News - 75 Years Ago - March 29, 1940

75 Years Ago This Week

Hometown News

Coon Rapids, Iowa

From the Coon Rapids Enterprise, April 2, 2015, page 5:


75 Years Ago
March 29, 1940

In what almost might be called a photo finish, and with the vote tied until almost the last vote was counted, Mayor Alex nosed out Dale Carpenter in the mayoral race here Monday winning by ten votes. Out of a total of 551 votes cast, Mayor Alex received 273, Carpenter polled 263. Treasurer Paul Kinnick, running without opposition, polled 376 votes.
Ben Bowman was elected assessor, polling 306 votes; Mrs. Ethel Austin ran second with 173 votes; and B.M. Surridge, third with 33 votes. Elected to the town council and the number of votes polled:
Dwight Williams, 423; George Textor, 388; Freeman Mingus, 369; Wellman Kretzinger, 365; and John Tigges, 365. Defeated for town council were H.L. Cadden with 268 votes and C.A. Nelson with 186 votes. All members of the old council who ran were reelected. Dave Davis and Ralph Shannon were not candidates for reelection and Mingus and Williams will take their places on the board. Ben Bowman will be thenew assessor.



Leo Kinnick, employed by the First State Bank the past three months, has accepted a position
as book-keeper and teller of the Commercial Savings bank at Lanesboro [Note: This should say Lohrville, in Calhoun County - he stayed there for many years!]. Mr. Kinnick is already
at his work there and the family will move there the first of the week.


Note: Paul Kinnick was my maternal grandfather. Leo Kinnick is his oldest son, and my uncle.


Families are Forever! ;-)

Sunday Obituary - Bryan Wesley Kinnick

Sunday Obituary

Bryan Wesley Kinnick

[Image added to obit]

Lost this first cousin way too soon. 54 years old, husband, father, and grandfather. This may be how he'd like to be remembered, courtesy of his daughter, on first seeing a grand-child...

Bryan W. Kinnick
(September 29, 1960 - February 4, 2015)

Bryan "Buzzy" Wesley Kinnick, age 54, of Bayard passed away unexpectedly at his home near Bayard on Wednesday, February 4, 2015.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, February 7, 2015 at the First United Methodist Church in Coon Rapids with Rev. Joyce Webb officiating. Friends may call at the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Coon Rapids from 5 - 7 P.M. on Friday evening. The casket will be moved to the church at 9:00 A.M. on Saturday where visitation will resume until the time of service. Organist for the service will be Lula Garnes and soloists will be Cindy Seastrom and Peg Wiemers. Casket bearers will be Jeff McCool, Mark McCool, Tom Hoffman, Terry Hoffman, Justin Hein, Dave Wiemers, Keith Hilgenberg, and Doug Duff. Honorary casket bearers will be Bryan's grandchildren: Zoey, Hunter, and Jack. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Coon Rapids and online condolences may be left for Bryan's family at www.dahnandwoodhouse.com

Born on September 29, 1960 in Carroll, he was the son of Edward "Buzz" and Colleen (Davis) Kinnick. He grew up in Bayard on his family's farm and graduated from Bayard High School in 1979. Following high school he worked for Garst and Thomas Seed Company in seed production. Bryan has continuously worked for the company through its evolution which is currently Hartung Brothers. He was married to Cindy Snyder on March 20, 1982 at the First United Methodist Church in Yale by Rev. Art Hill. Bryan and Cindy met through the Bayard - YJB class share program in Jamaica. Bryan served on the Coon Rapids - Bayard School board for seven years. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Bayard and he was a member of Ducks Unlimited. Bryan enjoyed fishing, hunting, boating, camping, farming, and the occasional Bud Light. But most of all, Bryan loved spending time with his three grandchildren.

Bryan is survived by his wife Cindy of Bayard; a son Kory Kinnick and his wife Rachael of Kellogg; a daughter Kyla Kennedy of North Liberty; three grandchildren: Zoey, Hunter, and Jack; his parents Edward "Buzz" and Colleen Kinnick of Bayard; his mother-in-law Roberta Snyder of Yale; two sisters: Marcia Lewis and her husband Neil of Bayard and Cindy Franzeen and her husband Sid of Bayard; a brother Lon Kinnick and his wife Donna of Glidden; three brothers-in-law: Ron Snyder and his wife Amy of Marshalltown, Gary Snyder and his wife Stacia of Altoona, and Roger Snyder and his wife Brenda of Lake Panorama; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Bryan was preceded in death by his grandparents and his father-in-law Delbert Snyder. 

Courtesy of:
http://www.dahnandwoodhouse.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=2949247&fh_id=11383

Family photo from after the funeral, from Lexie Franzeen, on Facebook:

“Celebrating the life of Bryan "Buzzy" Kinnick today, such an amazing man who will be missed more than words can say. We love you so much! We are so blessed with this amazing family” 

Note: Three men far back right are my three youngest brothers... nice they could be there!

Front row are Bryan's son, Kory (wife, Rachel, and son, Hunter, behind), Buzz, Colleen, Cindy Sun, Brian's wife, holding grandson, Jack, and Kyla, holding Zoey [Hope I got those all right!].


Families are Forever! ;-)

Lon Kinnick - Coon Rapids - 100 Years Ago - My Hometown

 Lon Kinnick

Coon Rapids

100 Years Ago

My Hometown

From the 
Coon Rapids Enterprise - Thursday, January 29, 2015 - Page 5:

100 Years Ago
January 22, 1915

Three boys from town, who were hunting Wednesday on the Lon Kinnick farm with three dogs, came near causing Lon the loss of a valuable hog. The dogs, two of them bulldogs, chewed the sow up badly. The boys tried to beat the dogs off with the butt of their guns but were unable to do so though breaking the stock of their guns. Town dogs appear to have no sense about stock. If a hog or any other animal runs from them, they take after it. Country dogs, used to stock, know better. Lon has warned all hunters to keep off his place.

Photo of Lon Kinnick with his horse...

Alonzo Kinnick & prizewinning Percheron.jpg

Families are Forever! ;-)

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - Brother Jim at Farm House

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday

Brother Jim and Three cars at Farm House

Winter 1965-6? Perhaps

My mystery photo for the day... with others dated 1962... [Update: likely Winter 1965-66, based on age of the cars!] 3 very interesting cars. These photos are from my Mother's and/or Grandmother's box of photos... I didn't take them.

This is the Smith Family Farm, and my next younger brother, Jim, in the middle. Perhaps a younger brother on far left. Curious as to specifics on cars. Not terribly familiar... perhaps I'm just getting old (that really is not in question, of course!!).

Comments appreciated from family and friends! ;-)

Families are Forever! ;-)

Sunday Obituary - Ida Marie (Bell) Kinnick

Sunday Obituary
Ida Marie (Bell) Kinnick Obituary
13 Mar 1918 - 6 Jan 2015 (Age 96)

 

[Ida Marie was my aunt; wife of Leo, my mother’s older brother]

Ida Marie Kinnick, age 96, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015. She was born in Coon Rapids, Iowa, to Warren Raymond and Zula Agnes (Patrick) Bell, and was next to youngest of their six children: Opal, Irl, Lucille, Dorothy, Ida Marie and June.

Soon after graduating from high school, she married the love of her life, Leo Millard Kinnick, on Oct. 17, 1937, which led to them celebrating their 77th wedding anniversary just a short time ago — a milestone few couples ever reach. During this time, she lived in the Iowa towns of Coon Rapids, Rolfe, Lohrville, Fort Dodge, Lenox and Pella, as well as 20 years in Tucson, Arizona. 

Ida Marie's first jobs were as a farm girl, helping her family with the dairy farm, but also raising pigs and chickens. Like a lot of farm kids, Ida Marie learned to drive the pickup early, and long before getting a license, she drove the pickup for delivering milk in Coon Rapids, while her younger sister June delivered it to the doorsteps. After finishing high school, she took what was called "normal training" to be a teacher, and taught "all subjects" in two different country schools outside Coon Rapids — one term in Oakhill, and a second term in STAR School.

Marrying Leo Kinnick in 1937, they started their 77-year trek together on an 80-acre farm outside Coon Rapids. But she rode to town with her father-in-law each morning where she worked in the Jack Spratt grocery store. The next year Ida Marie and Leo followed her parents to their new dairy farm in the Bradgate/Rolfe area, to help with the milk cows and the 100-acre farm.  It was here that she started her dream job, combining life as a mother as well as a wife. Their first daughter, Karen, was born on the Bradgate/Rolfe farm.

About a year and a half later Ida Marie and Leo returned to Coon Rapids with baby Karen, where they ran a little hamburger cafe for about 6 months — living upstairs from the cafe. Ida Marie waited counter and served the food, and left Leo to fry the hamburgers and prepare the food. They sold a hamburger for 5 cents at that time! 

The next year Ida Marie and family moved to Lohrville, Iowa, where husband Leo had taken a job in the bank, and she dedicated herself to motherhood, adding three more children, Kathleen, Kelton, and Karla to the family over the next 10 years.  One of Ida Marie's main priorities was seeing that all her children got many of the chances in life that she didn't. She ensured that all four learned to swim, got music and dance lessons, and tried whatever sports interested them. And though it was long before "soccer moms" were ever heard of, she drove the kids to their activities stretching 30 to 50 miles in all directions from their home in Lohrville.  Ida Marie was also an accomplished seamstress — making many of the clothes for all four kids, all the way through their high school and college years, including formal dresses for the daughters and sport coats for her son. She made dance costumes by the dozens, as well as outfits for all the majorettes in the high school marching band. And the sewing continued for many of her grandkids as well — pretty much a life long passion.

In Ida Marie's early years in Lohrville, she was active in Methodist church support functions. But an early passion developed when good friends invited her and Leo, and several other couples, out to their farm to try square dancing!  Ida Marie was really skeptical of dancing in an old chicken coop, even though it had been cleaned out, but Leo convinced her to give it a try.  It was "spic and span clean", and they continued to allemande left, do-si-do and promenade for many more years. Another long term activity was helping with all the school activities for her kids, especially the band boosters — serving up thousands of maid rite sandwiches at the football games. When she and Leo moved to Lenox after the kids were grown and gone, the two of them took up bowling for the first time, joined a local league, and remained avid bowlers for several years — all to the amazement of their four children!

Ida Marie is survived by her husband Leo, her younger sister June Patrick, her brother-in-law August Edward (Buzz) Kinnick and his wife Colleen, her children Karen, Kathleen, Kelton and Karla, son-in-law Ken Lucas, six grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Obituary courtesy of Garden Chapel Funeral Homes, Pella, Iowa
http://www.gardenchapel.com/memorials/2015/010615-kinnick.html

100 Years Ago This Week - In our Hometown - Coon Rapids, Iowa

100 Years Ago This Week

In our Hometown

Coon Rapids, Iowa

 

From the Coon Rapids Enterprise, Thursday, April 10, 2014, Page 5:

100 Years Ago
April 3, 1914

Norman D. Wilson died at his home Monday night, being in failing health for a year or more, having kidney trouble. The community has sustained in his death the loss of an excellent citizen. He was a pioneer who helped largely in the development of the locality.

He was a staunch republican and for many years prominent in party conventions, county, state and also a faithful member of his church at the Star, always exerting good influence. He was a printer before the war and was therefore always interested in newspapering and always made at home in the print shops of the county which he visited often. He was a
loyal member of the Perry Wright Post and upon the death of “Dad” Mowder became color bearer.

A short history of his life, prepared a year ago and published in the Enterprise, is here re-produced.

Norman D. Wilson was born in Illinois, June 28, 1844. Following the trade of printer beginning his apprenticeship when he was but 10 years of age, which trade he followed until 1876, his last work being on the Prairie City News.

Enlisted in 1864, he was a member of Co. H 134th Illinois Infantry and was elected corporal on May 20 of same year. Come October, when the governor of Missouri wired the governor of Illinois that troops were needed to defend St. Louis against the army of Gen. Price, the entire nine Illinois regiments, which had just been mustered out, volunteered to protect Missouri’s capitol and arrived at St. Louis Saturday of the same week. They remained in Missouri about two weeks, Gen. Price in the meantime having retreated, and an engagement was thus
avoided. The regiments returned home, not receiving any pay for their two week’s service in protecting St. Louis.

He served under Gen. Rosecrans. Mr. Wilson has the distinction of receiving from President Lincoln, on the part of Governor Olegsive of Illinois and signed by President Lincoln and Secretary Edwin M. Stanton, a certificate of thanks for valiant service rendered as 100 day men in the closing days of the war.

Mr. Wilson is the only veteran at Coon Rapids or in the locality who has such a certificate. Of course he prized it very highly.

Norman D. Wilson was married to Miss Mary E. Offill November 16, 1871 at Newton. Five children, all living, were born to them: Mrs. Anna L. Brown, Mrs. Lulu Snyder, Mrs. Hazel F. Bolger, and Misses Laura M. and Rhoda L.

Mr. Wilson followed farming since moving to Coon Rapids in 1877, owning a good farm north of town known as Far View, from which point one can see a point for four miles of Panora, 25 miles distant, Coon Rapids, Scranton, Glidden and on a clear day almost to Jefferson.

The funeral occurred yesterday atthe Star church, a very large number of friends attending, the sermon being preached by his pastor, Rev. Carl Brown. The remains were interred in the Coon Rapids cemetery. The Veteran Drum Corps took a prominent part in all the services.

*****
A tribute to Norman D. Wilson was recently published by his great, and great-great, granddaughters, Nancy Smith and Annette Lamb. It is available to everyone at Amazon.com.

 

http://www.amazon.com/One-Hundred-Days-Norman-Wilson/dp/1493556134/


Families are Forever! ;-)

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - Sept 1955 Smith Family Gathering

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday

Sept 1955 Smith Family Gathering

All of the adults at the Smith Family Gathering.

Back row, from left: Toots, Orrin, Warren, Verle, Pete - my Dad, almost 40

Middle row, from left: (Is this Lyman Smith and wife?), LVene, Eileen - my Mom

Seated front, from left: Max, Mary, Irene, Betty

Just the Smith siblings - brothers and sister - in this one;

From left: Irene, Toots, Betty, Pete, Max, LVene

And, the Smith kids:

Back row, from left: Dave Thomas, Bill Smith (me), Gary Hilgenberg
Middle row, from left: John Tomas, Tom Smith, Becki Pierce
Front row, from left: Dan Smith, Margaret Smith, Jim Smith

Approaching 60 years ago... Coon Rapids, Iowa.


Families are Forever!  ;-)

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - 1928 Kinnick Family Gathering

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday

1928 Kinnick Family Gathering

This has been a couple of interesting weeks - far extended family contacts on both sides of my mother's family - that have led to me reviewing some of the old family photos - in addition to having resumed her diary daily entries on December 1.

I've posted some on Facebook, and talked about some here. I've shared some on email that are not on Facebook, and been posted to Facebook as it seems appropriate. Interesting exercises, for sure.

I'll share the back of the above photo, below, where all the names are mentioned, but, they are listed "backwards" in my view - behind the spot on the image, not in order as you look at it. So, I'll attempt to identify folks, right here. This was a family gathering at Wilson Herron's farm home, on March 25th, 1928. His wife, of course, was Lucile Kinnick - sister of Paul Kinnick, my maternal grandfather. Paul is third from the left, behind the two young men: Leo Kinnick on left and Wilbur Herron on right. Delbert Ford is on the far right. He is husband of Lillian Kinnick Ford, of course. She was most likely the one taking the photo! 

Wilson is sitting on the step, left, surrounded by children, a not uncommon experience. Donald H., Duane and Wilson Jr. (Ping) are two his left, in the photo. He holds one of the young twin girls - Geneva or Genevieve. Mother, Lucile, is holding the other one, in the back row. Also beside Wilson is daughter, Naomi. Next to Naomi is her sister, Pauline. Beside her, in the middle, is my mother, Eileen Kinnick - she would have been nine and a half years old. Brother, Buzzy, was still five months in the future to be born! 

In the back row, from the left, are Margaret Herron, Nettie Kinnick, Lucile, Dorothy (Sorensen) Kinnick, and Everett Brideson. Everett's wife, Gertrude (Kinnick) Brideson is in front of him, just behind Leo. I think that is everyone. Here is the back of the photo... written in my mother's handwriting... although is looks just like her Dad's - so there is always a glimmer of doubt! ;-)

Families are Forever!! For sure! ;-)

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - Air Force Transfer - 1963

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday

Air Force Transfer

1963 - 50 Years Ago

Lt. Bill Smith, at work in radar trailer

The Coon Rapids Enterprise
Thursday, October 31, 2013, page 5

50 Years Ago
October 17, 1963

First Lt. William L. Smith has been transferred to St. George, Utah from Winslow, AZ, as part
of Detachment 9, 11th Radar Bomb Scoring Squadron (Saco USAF).

Lt. Smith is second in command of the 80-man unit whose mission is to score electronically simulated bomb runs by Strategic Air Command B-58, B-52 and B-47 bombers. During the coming months, Lt. Smith will be engaged in training twenty-five new men in all phases of the detachment operations.

Lt. and Mrs. Smith and their daughter, Annette, 3, will make their home in St. George, Utah.

Lt. Smith is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Leverne Smith of Coon Rapids. Mrs. Smith is the former Nancy Bolger. Both graduated from the Coon Rapids High School in 1957.

Families are Forever! ;-)

The Book of Me, Written By You - Prompt 5: Your Childhood Home

The Book of Me, Written By You
Prompt 5: Your Childhood Home

"The Book of Me, Written By You" is a GeneaBloggers project created by Julie Goucher of the Anglers Rest blog. The concept: a series of blogging and writing prompts that help family historians capture their own memories and write about themselves.


Prompt 5: Your Childhood Home

Your Childhood Home - My parents rented farms the first couple of years of their marriage. I was about 2 or 3 when they bought the farm where I grew up - through High School - until I left for college. My parents and four younger brothers (who were each born while we lived here) continued to live there for many years after I left.

The farm was on 160 acres in Willow Township, Greene County, Iowa, about 7 miles northeast of Coon Rapids, Iowa. We were just a mile east of of the county line with Carroll County, Union Township. Most of our community relationships were there. The aerial photo of the farm was taken in the late 1940s. (Note: the one-room country school I attended through 7th grade was located a mile north of our corner - just to the left of the upper left corner of this photo!)



What was it like – describe it – each room. Fairly normal farm house, for the time, actually, with a couple of special features. Kitchen, Dining Room, Living Room, Bed Room on first level… this was my parents bedroom. Upstairs were two normal bedrooms, plus, over the kitchen, we made another bedroom (we called it the attic), that was used when brothers 3, 4, and 5 arrived. I got the first upstairs bedroom; later shared with one brother.

When Mom and Dad first bought the farm, there was a porch on the west (front - left, above), and also on the east (back) of the house. Early on, in the mid-1940s, the front porch was enclosed and made into a full bath room and entrance hall (though that door on the 'front' was NEVER used - everyone entered near the kitchen…on the side of the house). This was the status in the farm photo, above. In about 1949, the old, small porch, on the east, was replaced by THE PORCH. You can see it directly behind the family in the 1954 Easter photo. It was what we later called "a family room." Note: Entering that door, left, below, the kitchen was immediately to the left.

Bill holding Barry, Eileen, Pete, Thomas (T.K.) - brother Jim taking the photo

Was there a favorite room? THE PORCH was a special place for each of us. It was a large room. We moved the piano out there; there was always an upright freezer there, in later years, full of goodies. The east end was all mahogany bookcases built in the wall with a flagstone fireplace in the center. A long window seat under the big window. The television (we were one of the first in the neighborhood to have one) was in one corner - a Motorola. And, lots of space for boys to play. Couch and lounge chairs facing the fireplace. Many parties held here, family, friends, school, church, etc. 


Is there anything you particularly remember from the house? Everything. All family memories of the time are tied to this house, and the yard around the house. A very special place (of course!).



The road & area - We had a 'main' gravel rod running north and south west of the house. We also had an east to west road on the south side of the house - it ran to a house/farm a half mile east on a dead end. The drive came off the south road, past the house, and to the west. A nice lawn with apple and cherry trees occupied the corner, with walnut trees along the west road. Our farm was actually the 80 acres on the north and 80 acres on the south of that east-west road (this is the road you see along the bottom, in the photo. We later bought the land to the north, that is in the upper part of the photo, as well).

My additional comments: This was a fun exercise, because I always enjoy recalling those days, on the farm, the began my life. Thanks, for the memories!


Families are Forever!

Hometown Monday - 100 Years Ago This Week - Lem Williams News

Hometown Monday

100 Years Ago This Week

Lem Williams News

Last Friday, I posted a bonus piece from my home town newspaper from 100 Years Ago this week about my great-great uncle Lem Williams. His was a frequent name in the paper of the time because of the various blacksmithing, concrete, construction, ice man, and other projects he undertook. Many buildings that still exist had his hand somewhere in their construction. Here is another, today.

100 Years Ago in the Coon Rapids Enterprise, August 8, 1913:

"Lem Williams has contracted to build the new dam for the flour mill and the work will require several weeks. There will be more than a thousand loads of rock and cement used. The water is now
being pumped from the old dam by a rotary pump, preparatory to building the new. This is a new kind of work for Lem and a pretty big job but he will no doubt take care of it all right."

Families are Forever!  ;-)

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - Kinnick-Williams picnic photo

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - Kinnick-Williams picnic photo

This is a photo I took in 1955 in the basement of the 'new' addition to the Star Church of my youth, near Coon Rapids, Iowa. The occasion was a June gathering of what we then called the annual Kinnick-Williams (or Williams-Kinnick) picnic. It was the family of my maternal grandfather, Paul Kinnick - see this post for his siblings and their spouses - well represented above. His father, of course, was Kinnick; his mother was Williams.

The three in the middle, above, represent the "Williams" side - Francis (Williams) Keck (center, white hat), her son, Bill, behind her, her mother, Clara (Hull) Williams, in front.

From left, are Everett and Gertrude (Kinnick) Brideson, Robert Ford (daughter of), Lillian (Kinnick) Ford.

The large gathering sort of went away, for many years - however, in more recent years, the Kinnicks have been getting together in Coon Rapids - in June. I won't be there, this year, but did attend a couple of years ago. Fun family times!

Families are Forever!  ;-)