Sigourney Iowa

Biography of Bertha Louise Ahrens

Bertha Louise Ahrens (B. Feb. 26, 1857), missionary teacher among the Choctaw Freedmen of Indian Territory since 1885, and principal teacher at Oak Hill Academy, 1905-1911, is a native of Berlin, Prussia. Her parents, Otto and Augusta Ahrens, in 1865, when she was 8, and a brother Otto 5, came to America and located on a farm near Sigourney, Iowa, after one year at Bellville, Illinois; and four, at Harper, Iowa. The schools and Churches first attended used the German language. Her first studies in English were in the graded schools at Sigourney and here at seventeen, she became a … Read more

Brown, Walter ‘Junior’ – Obituary

Walter “Junior” Brown, 78, of Sigourney, died Mon., May 12, 2003, at his home. He was born June 1, 1924, in rural Kirkville, the son of Walter and Maggie Brown. He was raised and educated in the Kirkville area. He was united in marriage to Rosemary Failyer on Nov. 8, 1941, in Lancaster, Mo. He farmed his entire life in the Fremont, Ottumwa and Sigourney area. In later years he worked at Keoco Auction in Sigourney. He was a member of the Eagles. He enjoyed square dancing, western movies, showing mules at the Keokuk County Fair, the Keokuk County Expo, … Read more

Biography of David T. Miller

In both the military and political service of his country David Truxton Miller has won distinction by his loyalty to the public good, his fidelity to the trust reposed in him. On southern battle-fields he has followed the stars and stripes to victory, and in the civic department of the nation’s service he has labored to promote the principles which underlie good government and form the foundation upon which all stable prosperity must rest. He has inscribed his name high on the roll of Boise’s distinguished citizens, and is now serving as deputy collector of internal revenue there. Born in … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Mary Allison Harrison

In the summer of 1875, Will came West to live 5 miles north of Schaller, in Sac County, and “broke prairie.” Wm. E. Harrison was the son of John and Susan Harrison, born June 6, 1851, at Sigourney, Keokuk County, Iowa. He moved with his parents when a small boy to a farm located near Hopkinton, in Delaware County, Iowa. He returned to Delaware County to be married to Mary Ellen Allison, daughter of Samuel and Emmeline Allison, Dec. 21, 1875. The spring of 1876, Will drove a team and wagon to his land north of Schaller, Iowa. Mary and … Read more

Hearing, Mary E. – Obituary

Lostine, Wallowa County, Oregon Funeral services were held Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at the Lostine Christian church for Mary Elizabeth Hearing, Wallowa County pioneer, who died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Otto Dolkey near Medford, May 29, 1929. Rev. Arthur Harriman of Wallowa conducted the services. A quartet, Mrs. Orval McArtor, Mrs. Roy Haun, Roy Haun and Chas. Bridwell, sang appropriate hymns, with Mrs. S.L. Magill at the piano. Interment was in the Lostine cemetery. Mary Elizabeth Conner was born in Sigourney, Iowa, July 28, 1846, and crossed the plains to Portland, Oregon in 1853 at the age … Read more

Lawson, Mary Jane Howard – Obituary

Mrs. John Lawson, who resides three miles west of Hedrick died Tuesday June 17. Mr. and Mrs. Lawson were residents in Sigourney many years ago. Mr. Lawson was in business with Mr. Gaston. The deceased was a sister of Mrs. L. McCoy of Battle Creek, Michigan. Keokuk County News, June 9, 1902 Contributed by: Shelli Steedman