Our Yesterdays

Three buildings on Brighton’s main street were torn down. The Dunbar building, old Keeley’s Tap building, and a clay tile building at the back were brought down by Leichty & Son of Wayland.

The Richland Plainsman Clarion office will move to 107 N. Richland Street between City Hall and the Richland Federal Savings Bank on the square. The present office has been located on S. Oak Street for the past twelve years after a fire destroyed the building their office was located in on Main Street.

Dale and Rosamond (Hadley) Sasseen celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on January 29. They were married in 1938 in Burlington at the Evangelical Church with Cedric and Mabel Wolcott as their attendants. After their marriage, they farmed in the Richland area for a few years, then bought the Blakesburg Telephone Exchange. In 1952 they bought a hardware, plumbing, and heating business from Harold Greeson in Richland. They operated this business for twenty-five years before retiring.

1963 … 60 years ago

The Jefferson County hospital will receive a bequest estimated at $50,000 from the estate of the late Mr. and Mrs. William Cotter, members of the board of trustees have announced. The bequest is the largest ever received by the hospital in the 50-year history of the hospital. Mr. and Mrs. Cotter operated a farm in Jefferson County for many years before retiring and moving to Richland.

Miss Alice Glass announced the sale of the Young American Shop, ending a 45-year business career in Fairfield. The new owner is Victor DeRose of New York City. Mrs. Ila Finney, a longtime employee of the store, will be the new manager. DeRose is a 1951 graduate of Parsons College. Miss Glass came to Fairfield from Ottumwa with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. D.L. Glass, in 1905. Her father formed a partnership with his brother, C.M. Glass, in the Glass Brothers Grocery store in quarters now occupied by J.C. Penney Co.

1953 … 70 years ago

One of the pioneer homes of Keokuk County was destroyed by fire. The Van Williams home, six and one-half miles northwest of Richland, was totally destroyed. The home, originally built of heavy timbers, a log structure with an addition, was entirely consumed by the blaze.

Bob Pfeifer has sold his Standard Oil Service station business in Richland to John Reighard of Bright-on. Mr. Pfeifer is at present working at Dexter Company at Fairfield. He and Joyce have operated his station for the last two and one-half years. Mr. Reighard was formerly connected with the Brighton Telephone company as a maintenance man. Mr. Reighard is a brother of Glenn Reighard, manager of the Richland and Hedrick phone exchanges. Mr. Reighard and family will move to the property owned by Raymond Hadley.

Glenn Hawley has been named to serve as Richland postmaster. He takes the position held by Mrs. Hazel Horning until her death last month.

1923 … 100 years ago

Mr. and Mrs. Lon Humphrey, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Kessel and family, and Mr. and Mrs. C.J. Leech spent Sunday with Mrs. Sarah Orr in Pleasant Plain.

E.E. Swank came over from Kalona Monday and assisted loading their household good onto trucks and the same were hauled across country to Kalona where Ed has a good position as manager of a Farmers Cooperative store. Mr. and Mrs. Swank will be greatly missed from the business and social circles of Richland.

Next Tuesday evening, the Strand Theatre will be reopened to the public. Mr. Steele, the new manager, informs us that he expects to secure the best in the picture line, and just as soon as he can get a line on the productions, the public will be kept informed ahead of what is coming.

Mr. and Mrs. Will Sable and little daughter visited at the parental Verona Jones home Sabbath.

Mr. Hinshaw and daughter of Kansas visited at the Whig Bond home last Thursday and Friday.