Our Yesterdays

Washington Bancorp announced that it intends to merge its two banks, Rubio Savings Bank of Brighton and Washington Federal Savings Bank with its branches Richland Federal Savings and Wellman Federal Savings, into a single financial institution. Rubio Savings Bank was founded in 1906 in Rubio, Iowa. The main office was moved to Brighton in 1941. Washington Federal was founded in 1934 as a savings and loan institution. Washington Bancorp was formed in 1995 and became the holding company for Washington Federal in 1996 and for Rubio Savings Bank in 1998.

1979 … 44 years ago

The ‘Blizzard of ‘79’ hit Richland. The storm began on a Friday night with freezing mist turning to snow later in the evening, falling throughout the night and temperatures dipping below zero. Drifts started forming and the state snowplows were called out. Their efforts were fruitless as the snow continued to fall and winds were strong. All mail service was canceled on Saturday, but resumed on Monday. An unofficial fourteen inches of snow fell in the area. The National Guard got national coverage when they airlifted bales of hay to Kenny Coffin’s 61 head of cattle stranded on a farm south of Richland. Gov. Robert Ray declared Eastern Iowa ‘an emergency disaster area.’ Flights in and out of area airports were canceled along with other transportation being slowed down or stopped.

Rex Chacey, Ollie, was elected chairman of the Keokuk County Extension Council on January 8. The Council is responsible for planning the extension educational program and budgeting local tax funds to pay expenses and order supplies.

Jim Williams, 12, son of Richard and Karen Williams of Ollie, has been chosen the 1979 Southeast Iowa Easter Seal Child. Jim will represent the handicapped Iowans living in southeast Iowa who were assisted during the past year by the Easter Seal Society of Iowa.

A semi-trailer truck driven by Gregory Brain ran off the road and struck a tree. Brain attempted to pass a truck turning into a farm driveway, lost control, and went off of the highway, took out a large portion of fence, and hit a tree. The semi-trailer is owned by Hedrick Elevator. No one was injured in the accident.

Lori Nordyke was named Jefferson County Pork Queen during the annual banquet held by the Jefferson County Pork Producers. Other candidates were Candi Hoskins and Christine Meyers. They are all students of Pekin High School.

1969 … 54 years ago

The Pekin Community Board of Education is currently studying the feasibility of creating a separate Junior High School facility for the sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students in its district. The current educational structure includes students in kindergarten through eighth grade in each of the four elementary attendance centers with ninth through twelfth grades in the new Senior High School.

Mrs. Claire Hoekstra returned home from University Hospitals where she had been a patient for sixteen days following an eye injury.

1959 … 64 years ago

The interior of the Bret Davis garage at Ollie was extensively damaged by fire. The car of Rex Reinier, which was being repaired, was badly damaged. The Packwood and Richland fire departments assisted the Ollie fire department in controlling the blaze. No damage was done to the Frank Darby residence only a few feet away.

On Jan. 26, one of Richland’s former citizens, Mrs. H.M. Allerdice, will observe her 100 birthday. Her husband, Hugh Allerdice, died in January 1929. For many years, he operated a hardware store on the west side of the square and was a prominent businessman.

Officers and directors of the Union State Bank of Richland were reelected at the annual meeting of stockholders. Capital stock of the bank was increased by $25,000 to a total of $75,000. Miss Helen Bridger was reelected president of the bank, Faye B. Shultz as cashier, and Ralph Steel as assistant cashier.

1949 … 74 years ago

It was a happy occasion at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Stewart, south of Richland, on Jan. 11 when they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary.

Open house was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Roy D. Nordyke on Jan. 16 to help their mother, Mrs. Alice Vastine, celebrate her 90 birthday. A large number of relatives and friends came to pay their tribute to Mrs. Vastine who had spent all of her years in or near Richland.

Students at the Rubio School were enjoying the purchase of a new Victrola.

1939 … 84 years ago

Ralph W. Eckley, Superintendent of the Ollie Schools for the past six years, has resigned, to take effect January 21. He will go to Menlo in Guthrie County, a town of 500. The district is consolidated with an enrollment of 235 and employees eleven teachers.

An ad for Lola’s Beauty Salon, located on the north east corner of the Jesse Smith Building, offered an ‘oil permanent wave’, complete with haircut, shampoo and finger wave for only two dollars.

1933 … 90 years ago

The dissolution sale of Luithly and McCreedy was attended by a large number despite threatening weather. Auctioneer Jake Hendrickson reports cows averaged around $50.00. They were high grade dairy cows that always bring good prices. Hogs, of course, sold low. Corn sold for fourteen cents, hay around $4.00. Farm machinery brought about what it was worth.