History

A group of early settlers came from Ohio, Pennsylvania and other eastern states in 1836 and settled along a stretch of timer and a stream of water about a mile and a half northwest of what is now Mechanicsville. Many log cabins were built through the woods. One man built two cabins, one for his family and the other for a store and post office. The post office was established in 1847. This settlement was called “Pioneer Grove.” The land running south was on a ridge and swampy, but further south was open prairie. Joseph Strattan in 1850 claims this ridge land but soon sold it to Geo. Weaver. This land is the present Mechanicsville. Weaver then sold his interest to John Onstott who with Daniel A. Comstock plotted the original village of Mechanicsville. This parcel of land when surveyed was about 60 acres. Mr. Comstock soon sold his rights in the land and moved away, leaving John Onstott sole owner of the village site.

During the year 1857 David Dorwart became the owner of a tract of land situated east of the original village, but not immediately joining the eastward boundary of the same. An unplotted parcel of about 40 rods in width lay between the village and the Dorwart purchase which was at that time termed the Iroquois tract and was owned by John Onstott. Dr. Dorwart completed an arrangement with the Northwestern Railroad shortly after the Iroquois land came into his possessions, whereby 40 acres of the tract were to be plotted as a village site, the railroad receiving for its compensation every alternate lot. In order to unite the 2 plots and secure the harmonious development of both, Mr. Onstott at once surveyed the strip of land between his own village and the new site which consisted of about 20 acres, thereby extending the general plot so as to include 120 acres.

The railroad then located its depot on the present site instead of on a point originally suggested in the original plan. Thus the village plot was made and as then made, it still remains.

As the village was made up of hard working men, carpenters, masons, wheel wrights, John Onstott decided “Mechanics” and –ville would make a good name for the “village”, so thus it was named and still remains. Mechanicsville with a population at one time of around 1,200, but at present, 1974, it has a population of 1,010 people.

Stores began to be built as the village soon began to grow. Small homes were built and John Onstott built a one room school house. Most of these first cabins were built without any certain dimensions, without nails, screws, bars of iron of any description. Most cabins had fireplaces and were often built without lime. Yet everyone lived happily. Schools and churches continued to be built as more people joined the first settlers. There were several 2 story buildings made of brick and stone plus many one story wood buildings. They were built on a 2 block area running east and west. Many of the wooden buildings have either burned or been torn down and new cement and brick buildings replaced them.

First Election

On April 6, 1868, the first election of the incorporated town of Mechanicsville was held and a total of 147 votes were cast. T.C. McClelland was elected mayor; I.I. Huber was elected as town recorder. Trustees elected were Isaac Johnson, Andrew Pettie, John Osterlich, Vincent Keith and J.E. Rice.

The council met for its first session April 20, 1868 and elected George Eagerty town treasurer. James Melton was named street commissioner at a salary of $2.00 a day.

One of the first ordinances they passed prohibited the townspeople from letting their horses, mules and hogs roam the streets as the hogs wallowed in the mud on the streets and the animals were hard on the lawns and gardens.

There was much difficulty getting people to abide by the law, and several of the marshals resigned when the pressure became so great because of divided feeling regarding prosecution for allowing animals to run at large.

Ordinance #6

An ordinance to provide against riding or driving on the sidewalks or pavement:

Be it ordained by the mayor and council of the town of Mechanicsville, Cedar County, Iowa:

1^st That if any person or persons shall hitch, tie or fasten any horse, mule or other animal so as to stand upon any pavement or sidewalk or shall ride or lead any animal thereon or drive any carriage, buggy, wagon or vehicle thereon, such person shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined a sum not less than One Dollar, nor more than Five Dollars at the discretion of the Mayor and costs of suit together with any damages shown to have accrued from such trespass. Damages accruing to said pavements or sidewalks shall be recovered by action before the Mayor or any court having jurisdiction of such cases.

2^nd This ordinance shall be in force and effect from and after its passage and publication as provided in ordinance No. 1 of said town. (Passed May 26, 1891, published May 27, 1881)

This is one of the early ordinances of the Town of Mechanicsville.

Mechanicsville’s Pioneer Families

Just as every family has its early beginnings, in a man and a woman, so every Community owes its origins to the families which settle, established homes, businesses, schools and churches.

It has rightly been said that “we grown on the backs of giants.” The men and women, who chose our land to people, were pioneer, giant types. They came to a new land, inhabited by unknown others. They left communities, friends, and often times families, and established life to break new, untried paths. A vision of a good and prosperous life sustained them in the face of uncertainty, hardship and the unknown.

On the occasion of our hundred and twenty years of Mechanicsville life we salute some of those pioneers. And they join us in the memories of days gone by, and look with us into the futures of our tomorrows.

James Boyles-James Wilson

Among the early settlers of this community was James Boyles, a Native of Pennsylvania, who settled on 120 acres in Pioneer Township in 1854. He married Nancy Reid in 1827 and they were the parents of William, Robert, Thomas, Caroline, Margaret, George, James, Lyman, Albert and David. They were Charter Members of the First Presbyterian Church. They were buried in Pioneer Cemetery and later removed to Rose Hill Cemetery.

Their son, David, married Elizabeth Wilson, daughter of James Wilson.

James Wilson was also a native of Pennsylvania and he came to a 120 acre farm in Pioneer Township in 1854. He was married to Fannie Alexander in April of 1835 and she died in September of that same year. On April 30, 1837, he married Eve Sines. They were the parents of Alexander, Fannie, John, Mary, William,

Matilda, Elizabeth, MaryAnn, Samuel and Jacob. The Wilson’s were also charter members of the First Presbyterian Church and are buried in Rose Hill Cemetery.

David and Elizabeth Wilson Boyles were the parents of four daughters: Nora (Mrs. John Jackson), Alice (Mrs. W.J. Glasgow), Nancy (Mrs. Leslie Rhoads) and Inez (Mrs. Frank Boyles). Inez Boyles operated a restaurant here for many years. She is now a resident of the Cedar Manor Nursing Home in Tipton.

Mr. and Mrs. W.J. Glasgow were the parents of three children: W.D. Glasgow, Inez (Mrs. Leander Crock) and Evelyn (Mrs. Weldon Woods).

Three of the Crock children, Jack, Herb and Mrs. Betty Hart all reside in the Mechanicsville vicinity.

Mr. and Mrs. Weldon Woods are the parents of Neva (Mrs. Harold Eiler, Tipton) and Mrs. William W. Woods, Mechanicsville.

CHARLES BROWN

The Brown families of Mechanicsville date back 120 years to their forbearers in England.

Charles Brown and Maria Smith were the coachman and the cook for a physician in Cambridge shire, England in the 1840's. Europe was wracked with wares, and although English soil was as yet untouched, taxes for the defense of the British Isles made it impossible for most commoners to acquire a place of their own. Charles had a brother in Iowa, who already was a farm owner, a dream come true. Charles shred the same dream.

First, Charles proposed marriage to Maria, the cook. She hedged a little by protesting, "Charles, you don't want me. I am ten years older than you and I have false teeth." Charles replied, "I don't care--I love you just the same." So they were married, and in 1846 (the year Iowa attained statehood) they embarked for Iowa with their precious English recipes and traditions and a few treasured pieces of house wares.

When they arrived at the east bank of the Mississippi River, the travelers found the river frozen over; they walked across on the ice. They proceeded on into Iowa to the Coon Creek area, home of his brother.

Charles and Maria Born's resources were exhausted; he arrived with 25 cents in his pocket. He was given work by Mr. Stein on his farm. Mr. Stein was the grandfather of the late Claude Stein, who was the brother-in-law of Mrs. Retha Houle, who presently resides in Mechanicsville. Mr. Stein was blind, so he hired Maria to read to him.

In two years, Charles and Maria bought their farm of about 120 acres for $1.25 per acre. It was purchased from land dealers who bought government land and sold it to incoming pioneers. Farm land further north near Mechanicsville was selling for 50 cents per acre, but Charles felt it important to live near a water source.

They raised two sons, Henry and William. A daughter, Emily, died in childhood.

Henry married Elizabeth Ehresman and was the father of Charles Brown, now retired at Stanwood; also Emily, now deceased, who married Christopher Kerslake. Emily was the mother of Roland Kerslake of Lisbon and Dorothy Kerslake Gallmeyer of Lisbon. A third daughter was Nellie Brown Kamberling, who children live near Lisbon.

William, the youngest son of Charles and Maria, married Sarah Hunter and they had one child, George E., who is retired but continues to live on the farm five miles southwest of Mechanicsville. He and his wife, Mary Puffer Brown, have six sons and one daughter: Three sons are operating Brown Farms, Inc: David, Joel and Robert. Robert is married to Dixie Davis and they have one daughter, Jennifer. The other children are Douglas, married to Patricia Lidrich; they are the parents of two daughters, Lisa and Beverly. Max, married to Sally Ahrens, is the father of Valerie, Christopher and Eric. Roger lives in Lancaster, California; and Nancy lives in Waterloo with her husband, Larry Durnan and their son, Brian.

George had sisters and brothers who are now deceased.

GILL BURLEIGH

A name from those early years, with no known descendants, is that of a Gill Burleigh. It is recalled that during the Civil War, Mr. Burleigh was a United States Indian agent in the Dakota Territory.

A native of Pennsylvania, he was impressed with the fertility of the Iowa soil. After the War, he returned to Iowa and purchased two large farms northeast of Mechanicsville and a third farm three miles west of town. He returned to Pennsylvania, disposed of his holdings there, and brought his family, including his wife, two daughters, a brother and a maiden sister back to Iowa. He also brought the nucleus of a herd of purebred Hereford cattle, reportedly the first herd west of the

Mississippi. He imported stock from England, including some animals of the Anxiety family, a strain that is still popular today. The Moffit herd, which was popular for many years, got its start from those of Gill Burleigh.

When his brother, John died, Mr. Burleigh sold the farm west of Mechanicsville.

Subsequently he built a small house on East First Street for his sister, Kate, where she spent her remaining years.

After his wife's death, Mr. Burleigh took his two daughters and moved to Southern Pines, North Carolina. Accompanying him were two Hatcher brothers, carpenters, who were to build his new home.

Mr. Burleigh returned to Mechanicsville a number of times to look after business interest and to visit friends. His last trip was in 1918; while here he became ill and was taken to a hospital in Battle Creek, Michigan, where he died.

Joseph Davidson

Joseph Davidson was born and reared in Ireland and there he married Elizabeth McClellan. They came to America shortly after their marriage and settled in Connecticut until 1861, when they journeyed to Iowa. They were the parents of two sons: George and Joseph; and three daughters: Mrs. Mina Pieper, Mrs. Hattie Sanely and Mrs. Emma Young.

A son George Davidson was born in 1853 in Connecticut. In 1881 he married Mary E. Jackson, daughter of Richard and Nancy Jackson. They made their home on a farm east of Mechanicsville until 1912, when they moved to the City of Mechanicsville. George and Mary Davidson were the parents of six children: Joseph R., Fred, Harry, Mabel, Lucile and Ethel. Lucile, who makes her home in Mechanicsville, is the sole surviving daughter.

George Davidson's son, Harry Davidson, married Verna Guthrie and they were the parents of two childre: Kathleen and Verle, both deceased. Verle married Lillian Connor and they were the parents of two children: Verlynn, Jessup, Iowa; and Harry G., "Butch". Butch resides in Mechanicsville and is married to the form Carmen Kadlec. They are the parents of four children: Jeffrey, Bradley, Timothy and Nicole.

Joseph was born in 1854, also in Connecticut. He married Martha Jackson in 1895, a second daughter of Richard and Nancy Jackson. They established their home on a farm southeast of Mechanicsville were Don Davidson now resides. They were the parents of Ralph, who passed away at the age of 5, and an adopted son, Alvin. Alvin married Louise Dahoff, and his surviving sons, Don Joseph and Robert farm in the Mechanicsville area.

Don married Jean Shrope and they are the parents of a daughter, Mary Jo.

Robert married Joye Scott and they are the parents of four children: Barbara, Nancy (Mrs. Brooks Haesemeyer) Susan and Scott.

Herbert Eagerty

Herbert Eagerty was born and lived his entire life in Mechanicsville. At an early age he entered the dry goods business established in 1860 by his father. "Bert" was known by all and the Eagerty store was a town landmark.

The Eagerty estate sale held July 10, 1957 in the yard of the old Eagerty residence was one of the big events in Mechanicsville. The many antiques advertised brought a large crowd from near and far.

Claudis Ferguson

In 1848 Claudis Ferguson and four brothers came from Pennsylvania by train to Clinton, Iowa and on to Mechanicsville by stage coach. They built a log cabin on what is now the Robert Davidson farm. In 1849 two of the brothers left for the California gold rush. They were never heard from again.

That same year Claudis returned to Pennsylvania, took a wife, Polly Steele, and brought his bride west to their new home. It was a three room log cabin just across the road from the Robert Davidson home. Eight children were born in this cabin home: James C., John, Ruben, Oliver, Alice, Irene, Emma, and Janette. James, Oliver and Irene (Mrs. Chris Brown) lived all their lives in the Mechanicsville area.

Irene had one son, Ray, who died in the 1940's. Oliver lived on the home farm until 1916 when he moved southeast of Mechanicsville. He was married to Budget Nolan, and they were the parents of four boys: Elmer, who did in 1910; Glen, Lawrence and Claude, all deceased. Lawrence had two daughters: Betty Emrich of Tipton and Mary Ellen Nassif of California.

Claude had three children: Tom, Mary Lord and Jean Netolicky, all of Lisbon.

A son, James C. Ferguson, married Oceana Brookman who was from Connecticut. In 1880 they built the east one-half of the present home of Gladys and Everett Ferguson. Here eight children were born: Ross, Howard, Frank, Everett, Morris and three children who died in infancy. Everett is the only surviving member of this family. Everett's family is Barbara

Wallick, Deerfield, Illinois; Richard, Tipton; David, Lisbon; and Walter, Vienna, Va.

Dorothy Herring of Mechanicsville and Ruther Peterson of Cedar Rapids are children, living in the area, of the Morris Ferguson family.

H.E. Gibeaut

The history of Mechanicsville would not be complete without mention of a man who contributed much to the community as Mr. Harry E. Gibeaut. Mr. Gibeaut was born and reared in Mechanicsville. By hard work and thrift he was able to gain an education, graduating from the local high school and the College of Pharmacy at the University of Iowa. For many years he was cashier of the Helmer and Gortner State Bank. He was always tireless in his efforts to benefit the community and always willing to listen to another's problems and ready to offer advice and assistance.

Mr. Gibeaut occupied a unique place in the community and was held in high esteem by all who knew him.

Myron Wells Gleason

Myron Wells Gleason was an early settler in Cedar County, coming to Iowa with his wife, Amanda Walbridge Gleason, in the spring of 1843.

They had five children before she died in 1856. Mr. Gleason then married Hannah Strahorn in 1856 and they were the parents of three children. (The Strahorn families were also early settlers.)

One of the sons, Frank K. Gleason, told his son, Glen Gleason, about the Indians that camped at the fork of the creek that ran through the farm now owned by the George Browns. The Indians got the measles one year; they became overheated in the teepees and jumped in the creek to cool off. Many of them died as a result of the sudden chilling.

Glen also recalls the first telephone in Mechanicsville. It was in the drugstore. If anyone in the town received a call, everyone came to listen to the conversation. There was only one wire strung on the poles and it was often knocked out by electrical storms until someone thought of putting a spare wire above the one in use to catch the lightning.

Myron Gleason died in 1893 and is buried in Rose Hill Cemetery. No descendents are living now in the area. Among the last of the family were Guy Gleason, who died in 1946; Kathryn (Mrs. Alfred Gleason Shilling); and Charles Gleason, Solon.

James Charles High

James Charles High migrated from Indiana to Scott County, Iowa in 1851 with his family of seven. The James Highs were the parents of eight children. (Charles Wilson High was born in Scott County in 1857).

The family moved four years later to Jones County, Iowa and later to Cedar County, settling at Pioneer Grove in 1864. The

Pioneer Flour Mill was erected in 1872 by James Charles High who came from a family of millers.

Charles Wilson High, son of James Charles High and Betsy Wilson, married Anginline Colby in November of 1886. Miss Colby was the daughter of Julius and Mary Colby.

They made their first home at the Mill Pond with Charles High carrying on the milling operation for a number of years. Later

the family moved to a farm near Olin, Iowa. James High, a long time resident of Mechanicsville was born on this farm.

In 1902 the family moved to Jones County line and built the farm home now owned by James High, grandson of Charles W. High. This farm home was the birthplace of Alice Laverne High (Mrs. Peter Klimek).

Charles and Anginline High continued to farm the home place until 1911 when they moved to Mechanicsville. Here Charles and his son, Julius, operated a grocery store in Mechanicsville for three years. In 1920 they razed the old Boozer Photography

Studio and proceeded to build a modern brick garage building in the north side of Main Street.

This building was occupied by the McCasline Service and the Cedar Theater. The Theater was operated by Alice and Peter

Klimek. The building was later sold to High Lamont and became the Lamont Dealership.

Charles High died April 11, 1941, at the age of 84, the victim of a grass fire. Anginline High died in December, 1949. James

Charles High still owns and farms the homestead.

Eda Bernadeen Helme

Eda Bernadeen Helme, a resident of Mechanicsville for over 25 years, was born in Cedar Rapids in the early 1890's and now in her 80's she is residing at the Nursing Home in Clarence, Iowa. She is quite mentally alert and still carries on a rather regular correspondence with friends and relatives.

After finishing high school in Saugatuck Michigan and college in Valparaiso, Indiana, she entered nurses training at Butterworth Hospital, Grand Rapids, Michigan, graduating in

October, 1915.

In 1917 Miss Helme answered the call of our country and in December of that year she was on her way across the Atlantic with a group of doctors and nurses from Grand Rapids. The ocean crossing took 21 days and they landed in Liverpool, England. From there they were transferred to France where she served in Evacuation Hospital No. 5. This was a TENT hospital, not far behind the front lines. She has many interesting stories of her experiences. The group returned to the United States in May, 1919.

Following her service in France Miss Helme returned to her wok in Grand Rapids, but in the spring of 1928, while serving as a Registered Nurse for the Board of Education, she offered to drive a little boy home from his doctor's office. The little boy was ill with what was later discovered to be poliomyelitis and Miss Helme was also stricken with the dread disease a short time later. She was left an invalid and since then has been unable to carry on in her chosen profession.

Miss Helme's grandparents were pioneers in Cedar County, Iowa. Her mother, Amelia Emily Rate, married in 1882 to Ezra A. Helme of Shabbona, Dekalb County, Il was born Feb. 27, 1857, the first of five children of Mr. and Mrs. Edward F. Rate on their farm near Buchanan. Mr. and Mrs. Rate also raised several foster children. Mr. Rater emigrated from London, England and settled in Iowa before the State joined the Union in December, 1846.

While still farming near Buchanan, Mr. Rate started the manufacturing of husking gloves as well as cotton flannel gloves. He hired as many local people as possible, but the business

grew so that it was found necessary to move to Iowa City were he established the E.F. Rate & Sons glove factory. Many Iowa City people were employed there and the firm was represented by outside salesmen. Women's gloves were also added to their line of products.

Mr. and Mrs. Rate, as well as their daughter and husband, Mr. and Mrs. Helme, enjoyed long and full lives, each of the succumbing well after reaching their 80th birthday. And the farm south of Buchanan is still in the hands of a Rate descendent. (Presented by Eloise Helme McLaughlin, niece of Eda B. Helme)

Richard Jackson, Jr.

Richard Jackson, Jr. was born February 24, 1863 at Rock Island, Illinois, the son of Richard and Nancy Jackson. The Jackson family moved to Fremont Township, Cedar County, Iowa in 1865. He had three sisters Mary (Mrs. George Davidson), Jennie (Mrs. William J. Dallas) and Martha (Mrs. Joe Davidson). He had two brothers, Will and John. All are now deceased.

Richard Jackson, Jr. was married to Margaret Crystal Mois, March 23, 1892 and started farming in Fremont Township. Here they established their home until 1896 when they moved to Linn Township south of Mechanicsville where they spent most of their lives. Richard and Margaret Jackson were the parents of fiver children: Bertha (Mrs. Gover McNee), Allen D., Mina Mae (Mrs. Rudolph McNee), Nancy Ann (Mrs. Glen McKibben), and Harry Richard. Richard Jackson, Jr. was a member of the Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder for many years. One of the surviving grandsons, Roland McNee, continues to farm in the Mechanicsville area.

John T. Johnson

John T. Johnson and Susan Mowery were married March, 1858 and lived on their homestead two and a half miles south of Mechanicsville until Mr. Johnson passed away in November, 1896. They were the parents of a. daughter, Artaresa Johnson Miller, and five sons: Albert, Wilson, Oliver, Frank and James and a son who died in infancy. Mrs. Johnson continued to live on the farm with her youngest son, James until 1898 when he married Cora A. Wagaman. In that year she established her home in Tipton where she lived until her death in 1914.

James Johnson bought the family farm from his father’s estate in 1914 where they lived until his wife’s death.

Mr. and Mrs. James Johnson were the parents of a daughter, Lola Marie, who was married to Forest Shrope August, 1921 and since 1928 have lived on the Johnson family farm.

Mr. and Mrs. Forest Shrope were the parents of three daughters: Margaret (Mrs. Robert Tonne), Jean (Mrs. Don Davidson), and Marie (Mrs. James Phillips, deceased). There are five grandchildren: Mrs. Kathryn Tonne Lamont, Merle and Lyle Tonne, Mary Jo Davidson and Jeff Phillips, and two great-grandchildren: John and Chris Lamont.

O.B. Judd

O.B. Judd came to Mechanicsville in 1864 from the area of Cleveland, Ohio. He purchased what is now known as the Gortner farm, which lays south of the railroad tracks, and which included that portion of southeast Mechanicsville which is south of East First Street.

He built a small house on the farm, and then returned to Ohio, and the following year he returned to Iowa bringing with him his wife and five children. He engaged in farming and later acquired extensive land holdings in northwestern Iowa.

He was considered one of the wealthiest men in Cedar County. From the home which he built on East First Street, Mr. Judd engaged in a business of loaning money.

Mr. Judd was a man interested in his community. Included in his activities was the promotion of the Tn-County Fair which was held in Mechanicsville and helping to establish the Rose Hill Cemetery.

One of the Judds’ daughters married a local physician, Dr. N.E. Hubbel. The other daughter married Parley

Sheldon, who was a banker and business man in Ames. The only living descendant of the Judd family is Miss Berniece Moffit of Felton, California.

Martin Kahler

Martin Kahler, father of Charles B. Kahler, came to the Mechanicsville area at the close of the Civil War. He had enlisted in the Union Army, the 115th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, at the age of 19. He came to Iowa because relatives of his deceased mother, the Krumroy family, had settled in the Mechanicsville community.

In the late 1860’s he married Sarah Edith McKay, daughter of Rachel and David McKay. The McKays had come to Mechanicsville from Ohio and settled in the Pioneer Grove settlement in 1853. David McKay was a minister in the Methodist church, riding circuit to preach. He was killed by a threshing machine in 1856. One son enlisted in the Iowa Volunteer Infantry from Mechanicsville during the Civil War and died of disease contracted in the army.

Martin Kahler and his wife, Sarah E. McKay Kahler, moved to the farm north of Mechanicsville in 1874. The farm is still owned by his descendants. Their three children were Charles B., Clara E. Kahler Risley, and Ray.

Charles B. Kahler was born in 1870 and died in 1955. He spent his entire life of 85 years in and near Mechanicsville. He married Dora H. Smith on Jan. 25, 1910. Dora Smith’s father, Charles C. Smith and mother, Mary Johnson Smith, were from pioneer families, both of whom arrived in Cedar County in 1854. Mrs. Dora Kahler died in 1969 at the age of 91.

Mr. Kahler was educated in rural schools near Mechanicsville and graduated with one of the first classes. He often told of clearing trees and brush from the fields with axes and teams of horses, and of fencing fields with “stake and rider” log fencing or by planting hedge (Osage orange) fences. He also told of the Indians who traveled each summer to camp on the banks of Pioneer Creek. They hunted roots and berries in the timber and begged produce from the settlers. Rattlesnakes, wolves and prairie chickens were a common sight in those pioneer times. He would also point out traces of an old wagon road crossing a timber pasture and continuing on into neighboring fields and tell of the night settlers fled down the road toward Mechanicsville to escape the devastation of a tornado that had swept through the White Oak community. As a young man, he had often joined ice skating parties on the mill pond north of Mechanicsville.

Charles and Dora Kahler were the parents of twin daughters who died in infancy and another daughter, Adria (Mrs. Leon Ralston), who received her education in the Mechanicsville schools, graduating with the class of 1933. She was married to Leon D. Ralston in 1942. Leon Ralston’s maternal grandparents, August (Gus) Pieper and Mollie Cameron Pieper, were descendants of pioneer Cedar County families. The Ralston’s have two children, Lynn (Mrs. Duane Mesnard) and L. Derell, both of whom were born while the family resided north of Mechanicsville.

Thomas McAllister

Niece McAllister and his wife, Nancy Craig McAllister, left Ireland and moved to Canada in 1825. They lived in

Canada until 1852 when they moved to Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. McAllister had three children: Thomas, who married

Elizabeth McCluskey, Mary (Mrs. Samuel S. Pfautz) and Margaret (Mrs. Oliver Ferguson).

Thomas McAllister was nearly 30 years old when he established his home in Iowa. He bought 160 acres of prairie land on which he built one of the first brick farm houses in the country. The bricks for this house were fired in his own kiln located near his home. It was to this house that the pioneer Catholics came to worship on horseback, by wagon, on foot and on a crude handcart that traveled on the newly laid railroad tracks.

Thomas and Elizabeth McAllister had seven children: John, Bernard, Mary, Nancy, Elizabeth, James and Agnes, who was adopted at the age of 11. Agnes married Lewis E. Hudachek and they became the parents of two children, John and Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Hudachek lived on the McAllister farm until 1964 when they moved out of state. Mrs. Agnes Hudachek died in 1968.

Adam Krumroy

Adam Krumroy, the son of Francis Krumroy, was born July 4, 1847 in Sumner County, Ohio. During the mid 1870’s he left his home state and came to Iowa, settling on a farm four miles north of Mechanicsville, now known as the Gorman Robinson farm.

During the year 1877 he married Lydia Kohl of Jones County and, for 32 years, they lived on the farm homestead until they moved to Mechanicsville in 1908.

Mrs. Lydia Krumroy was born Aug. 2, 1856, the daughter of William and Hannah Kohl. Adam and Lydia Krumroy were members of the Mechanicsville Methodist church. Mr. Krumroy was one of the organizers of the Mechanicsville Trust and Savings Bank.

They were the parents of five daughters and three sons, all deceased: Clemma (Mrs. Bert Humbert), Ida (Mrs. Joe Kohl), Gertie (Mrs. Dave Minish), Grace (Mrs. Ira Hempy), Pearl (Mrs. Arthur Vanderbilt), Frank, Edward and Kenneth Krumroy.

Mr. Krumroy died Dec. 8, 1926 and Mrs. Krumroy, on Jan. 7, 1937. Direct descendants of the Krumroy family living in the Mechanicsville area are Violet Hempy Clifton and Kay Don Krumroy.

John Ezekiel McKibben

John Ezekiel McKibben was born March 3, 1868 the youngest son of Ezekiel and Annamelia McKibben. He was one of 11 children raised on the McKibben homestead southwest of Mechanicsville.

John E. McKibben was united in marriage to Anna Louise Cook, Jan. 13, 1892 and they farmed the family homestead for a few years. Two children were born there: a daughter, who died in infancy, and a son, Glen Ezekiel McKibben. The John McKibbens moved to their farm in Linn Township southeast of Mechanicsville where they farmed until 1926 when they moved to Mechanicsville.

The son, Glen McKibben married Nancy Ann Jackson, and they make their home in Mechanicsville.

The Moffit Family

Alexander Moffit was born April 24, 1829 near Ballinmallard, County Tyronne, northern Ireland, the youngest of ten children. Older sons of the family came to America in 1828 and one of them, Andrew, came to Cedar County in 1838. He was so impressed with the country that he wrote his father, then fi5 years old, to sell the family holding of 13 acres in Ireland and come to Iowa.

The elder Moffits and six of their younger children started the journey early in 1840. They came by ship to Philadelphia, Pa.; by wagon and canal boat to Pittsburgh, then down the Ohio River and up the Mississippi to Muscatine where they arrived nine months and 18 days after leaving Ireland. The family located south of Mechanicsville near Mason Grove in Linn Township.

In April, 1852, Alexander and his brother, Francis, set out for California with a covered wagon, six oxen, two milk cows and a pony. Alexander returned by the Isthmus of Panama only to make a second journey to California before settling in Cedar County. He bought his first land in 1858, paying $1,061 for 157 acres. Other purchases listed in the family records are 80 acres bought for $640 in 1864; another 80 acres in 1869, costing $1,800. By 1869 he owned 960 acres.

Alexander Moffit married Martha Poteet, a neighbor’s daughter, in 1859. Of the 11 children born to this marriage, eight survived infancy.

In 1880, Mr. Moffit purchased his first purebred Hereford, the bull, Curly 6070. He was so pleased that in 1882 he paid $3,000 for four imported cows and $800 for an imported bull, purchased from Badwell and Burleigh, an importing firm. After Alexander’s death, two of the sons, Albert and Edwin, continued the Hereford breeding. Both died in 1941 and the herd was dispersed Dec.29 and 30, 1942.

On Monday, Sept. 20, 1909, Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Moffit celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary. It was planned by their eight children, John T. Moffit, Tipton, Iowa; Cassius C. Moffit of Brewster, Minn., who later returned to Mechanicsville to farm; William A.; Albert H. Edwin B; Lulu Moffit; Martha J. Stookey of Mechanicsville; and Mary L. Reeder of Tipton.

Alexander Moffit maintained a lifelong interest in public affairs. Politically he was a Republican; he held various township and school offices; was a member of the Cedar County Board of Supervisors; and was a member of the States’ 16th General Assembly. He was an active member of the Presbyterian church of Mechanicsville.

In 1867, a brick home was built about one half mile east of Highland Crossing. The brick for the home was brought from Muscatine. In 1968 Mr. and Mrs. Alan Weets bought the land and the buildings. Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Smay and Mr. and Mrs. Forest Moffit, grandchildren of Mr. Moffit, still own and farm some of the original land.

Alexander Moffit died in November, 1919. He was preceded in death by his wife, Martha on Sept. 1, 1914. The Alexander Moffits are survived by nine grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

Mr. & Mrs. Harland Maurer

Although Mr. and Mrs. Maurer were not born in Mechanicsville, no one had more interest in the activities and history of Mechanicsville. With the help of Mr. Maurer, Mrs. Maurer kept a scrap book of the two for over 50 years. A good deal of the information which appears in the centennial history came from this scrap book, thanks to the Maurer’s.

They both were members of many town groups and were willing to lend a helping hand to all. Mr. Maurer was a lawyer. He also served as postmaster from 1923 to 1936.

William Kohl

Duane Kohl was born near Reading, Pa., on July 21, 1853. He was the son of William and Hannah Fetterling Kohl, both natives of Pennsylvania. The father, a farmer, was engaged in agricultural pursuits in the Keystone State until 1855. Attracted by the advantages offered by the West, he became a resident of Iowa, locating in Jones County. There he purchased a farm of 165 acres upon which stood a log house and a log stable. He became prosperous in his undertaking and continued activity in agriculture until he died June 3, 1901.

On June 3, 1860 all of the buildings on his farm were blown away by a tornado; although no lives were lost, Duane and his father were badly injured. The family of Mr. and Mrs. William Kohl consisted of 13 children, seven sons and six daughters. Three sons enlisted for service in the Civil War. Duane attended country school and assisted his father in farming.

On Dec. 22, 1875, Duane Kohl married Laura Scott. After his marriage he continued to farm until Feb. 20, 1900. He then moved to Mechanicsville where for four years he bought and shipped stock. For one year he was in the restaurant business. He then engaged in a business venture dealing in poultry, butter and eggs while he continued to manage his farm. He became one of the organizers of the Mechanicsville Savings Bank, and one of the promoters of the Mechanicsville Telephone Company, of which he was a stockholder.

Four sons and one daughter were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kohl: Oscar, who was a businessman in Clinton, father of Albro and Hazel; Joseph, who was a farmer; Thomas also a farmer and father of Glen; Alvin, who was a druggist and pharmacist, and father of Harrison; and Mae Staab, who had a daughter, Mary.

Harrison Kohl is the Executive Director of the Sun Bowl.

A few interesting experiences happened to Laura Kohl. She fell in a cistern while living in her home where her daughter, the late Mae Staab Hatcher, lived. The cistern was behind a small house where the John Jackson’s lived as neighbors. The house was located where the Methodist Sunday School building stands. It is believed she was rescued by firemen and recovered after being given a drink of whiskey.

One other time she was struck down while crossing the street to visit a friend. The driver of the vehicle turned out to be a preacher from Clinton. He said, “I am pleased to meet you.” Laura replied, “I’m not glad to meet you!”

When she was 77 years old, Mrs. Kohl presented a quilt to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The flag quilt with all the stars and stripes of the American flag was pieced together with hundreds of tiny stitches. The President received it on his 53rd birthday. Laura received a note of thanks from his private secretary, M. A. Lehand, saying he was delighted to accept the quilt, and more than grateful for the spirit which prompted her to send it.

Duncan McNee

One of our early pioneer families was that of Duncan McNee. As a boy of 12 he had journeyed with his parents from Perth, Scotland to Perth, New Brunswick, Canada. At the age of 33 a married man (Catharine McIntyre) he started westward into the United States.

In the spring of 1837 he walked to Davenport, Iowa, and up the Old Indian Trail to Section Two, Linn Township, Cedar County. Here he made a homestead claim. He had wanted to locate near Cedar Bluffs, but there were too many Indians in that area and he was afraid they might steal from him.

He returned to Perth and in the fall was joined b