Our Yesterdays

Bob Pfeifer has sold his Standard Oil Service station business in Richland to John Reighard of Brighton. 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.

Miss Nancy Ann Moore, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Williams Moore, became the bride of Eugene Leonard Kessel at Mother Cabrini Church in Richland. Mr. Kessel is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Kessel of Ollie. This is the first wedding in the new Mother Cabrini Catholic Church which was dedicated August 16, 1951. Mr. Kessel, father of the groom, is a trustee of the church and was on the building committee of the church. He and his sons assisted in the construction of the church, which was built by Father Wetzstein and the men of the parish. The women of the parish assisted in the finishing of the interior.

Dr. Ralph M. Irwin of Bradenton, Florida passed away. Born at South Salem, Ohio, he was married to Jessie Wagner or Richland, Iowa, and spent most of his life in the practice of dentistry at Richland. Dr. Irwin was one of the better known citizens of Richland who always worked for the improvement of the community. He served on the school board, was a member of the Commercial Club, and expended many an hour and day for the welfare of his community. He was also a member of the Masonic order in Richland.

Dr. Thomas R. Wolf, 28, will open his office in Richland on January 19 for the general practice of osteopathic medicine and surgery. Office will be located in the building provided by folks in the Richland community and is located on the northeast corner of the square. Extensive remodeling work will be completed this week. The building will have complete facilities for office, reception, and medical rooms. Dr. Wolf plans to maintain a complete laboratory and it is his desire to install X-ray equipment. Dr. Wolf is a native of Des Moines, a graduate of East High School, and attended Graceland College at Lamoni.

1928, 95 years ago

Oct. 15 was Grandma Tracy’s 97th birthday. She was Henrietta Farrell having been born in Henrysburg, Ohio in 1831.

She married Robert M. Tracy November 4, 1854. The same year they moved to a farm near Packwood. Nine children were born to this union, five of whom died in childhood. Mrs. Tracy is devotedly religious, her chief concern being the church and until a few months ago when her health failed her she was a regular attendant and was always happy in the service. She was especially versed in the scriptures and could repeat much of the New Testament.

The present Christian church was built in 1867 out of brick burned by Mr. Tracy as was also the house now occupied by the John Greenlee family. Mr. Tracy did most of the carpenter work on both these structures. Mrs. Tracy is the only living charter member of the church here, Mr. Tracy died in 1914, since which time Mrs. Tracy has made her home with her children, four of whom are still living. They are Mrs. Wm. Drummond, Richland, with whom she has lived for many years, Mrs. Laura Jay, Kansas City, MO; Robert Tracy, Long Beach CA, and H.V. Tracy of Weslaco TX.

David Jones of Cody, Wyoming and for several years a citizen of Richland in the mercantile business here with the Brady Brothers was here last week visiting his aged mother, Mrs. Pheobe Jones and other relatives. Mr. Jones has for many years been in the clothing business and has been successful.

Ed Ferrell was asked by a woman standing at the Milwaukee depot ticket window if she would have to pay full fare for the urchin by her side. He said from 5 to 12 is half fare, and then she asked him what time it was?

Mrs. Jacob Jones had the misfortune to step on a loose floorboard in the backroom of the store and received a number of painful bruises which kept her at home for several weeks. Mr. and Mrs. Jones have been in business here for over 40 years.