Back in December 2017 there was a breach by hackers on Rootsweb which is the host for the Odebolt History Pages. It is now September, 11, 2018 and the site is FINALLY back on-line.
As we have time, Bonnie and I will be editing it and adding more history and photos. But in the meantime .... check it out! http://sites.rootsweb.com/~iaohms/townhistory.html
2018/09/11
2018/01/01
Odebolt history from the internet
Once in a while I run a search of the Internet, looking for items that are connected to Odebolt. Here is something I ran across lately.
Howard P. Johnson donates World War II letters, from a blogpost dated June 6, 2017, by Brad Kuennen, an archivist at The University of Iowa, Ames, IA.
I quote - "Howard P. Johnson, three-time graduate of Iowa State University ... and former Professor and Head of ISU’s Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Department, was contacting me regarding some World War II letters that he had. Dr. Johnson explained that he grew up on a farm near Odebolt, Iowa, and in 1943 was inducted into the military like many young men at that time. .... All during his military training and his service in Europe, young Pfc. Johnson wrote to his family back home in western Iowa–often several times a week–and his family wrote back. Howard would describe his daily routine, the duties he was assigned during training, and his experiences in Europe. His parents and siblings would respond with stories of family and community events, activities on the farm, and, of course, the weather.
The Johnson family World War II letters are part of the Howard P. Johnson papers, RS 9/7/15, located in the Iowa State University Library Special Collections and University Archives. The department is open to researchers from 9am-5pm, Monday through Friday."
It would be interesting to see what was going on in Odebolt from those letters!
"The Cherry Sisters Worst Act Ever?" from the NPR History Department
"In the early 20th century, the Cherry Sisters — a family of performers from Marion, Iowa — were like a meme. Simply invoking the name — the Cherry Sisters — was shorthand for anything awful."
... they were lambasted in Odebolt. The editor of the local Chronicle (Billy Hamilton) wrote in February of 1898: "Their long skinny arms equipped with talons at the extremities, swung mechanically, and soon were waved frantically at the suffering audience. Their mouths opened like caverns, and sounds like the wailing of damned souls issued therefrom."
This last vicious appraisal was reprinted in the Des Moines Leader and the Cherry Sisters, who had exhibited litigiousness over the years, sued both newspapers for defamation. In a landmark case, the Iowa Supreme Court eventually ruled in favor of a newspaper's right to freely criticize public performances.
There are also several pages on The Odebolt History Pages devoted to the Cherry Sisters.
 |
| Howard P. Johnson, 1943 |
I quote - "Howard P. Johnson, three-time graduate of Iowa State University ... and former Professor and Head of ISU’s Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Department, was contacting me regarding some World War II letters that he had. Dr. Johnson explained that he grew up on a farm near Odebolt, Iowa, and in 1943 was inducted into the military like many young men at that time. .... All during his military training and his service in Europe, young Pfc. Johnson wrote to his family back home in western Iowa–often several times a week–and his family wrote back. Howard would describe his daily routine, the duties he was assigned during training, and his experiences in Europe. His parents and siblings would respond with stories of family and community events, activities on the farm, and, of course, the weather.
The Johnson family World War II letters are part of the Howard P. Johnson papers, RS 9/7/15, located in the Iowa State University Library Special Collections and University Archives. The department is open to researchers from 9am-5pm, Monday through Friday."
It would be interesting to see what was going on in Odebolt from those letters!
"The Cherry Sisters Worst Act Ever?" from the NPR History Department
"In the early 20th century, the Cherry Sisters — a family of performers from Marion, Iowa — were like a meme. Simply invoking the name — the Cherry Sisters — was shorthand for anything awful."
... they were lambasted in Odebolt. The editor of the local Chronicle (Billy Hamilton) wrote in February of 1898: "Their long skinny arms equipped with talons at the extremities, swung mechanically, and soon were waved frantically at the suffering audience. Their mouths opened like caverns, and sounds like the wailing of damned souls issued therefrom."
This last vicious appraisal was reprinted in the Des Moines Leader and the Cherry Sisters, who had exhibited litigiousness over the years, sued both newspapers for defamation. In a landmark case, the Iowa Supreme Court eventually ruled in favor of a newspaper's right to freely criticize public performances.
There are also several pages on The Odebolt History Pages devoted to the Cherry Sisters.
2017/12/15
1967 Christmas in Odebolt
Merry Christmas from
the Odebolt History Pages
the Odebolt History Pages
A look back to Christmas in Odebolt fifty years ago.
The Odebolt Chronicle,
Thursday December 21, 1967. (36 pages)
The Odebolt Chronicle,
Thursday December 21, 1967. (36 pages)
CHRISTMAS GREETING ADS
The pages were full of ads from businesses.
Einspahr & Janssen Implement, Fran's Beauty Nook, Odebolt Drug Co., Singers, Johnson Jewelry, Ed Wolterman & family, Krusenstjerna Hardware, Dorene's Beauty Shop, The Clothes Shop, Darrell's DX, Odebolt Cleaners, The Fashion Shoppe, Einsphar Furniture, Robert Tiefenthaler Hog Buying Station, Odebolt Coop Elevator Co., Farber & Otteman Funeral Home, The Glass Tap, Standard Oil Tankwagon, Dwight Meyer Agency, Grassland Co., Odebolt Transfer (Larry Koster), Bridie's Variety, Iowa Public Service.
Mandernach Motors, Babcock & Son, Arthur Lumber Co., Kiron State Bank, Keller Barb Shop, Harden Oil Co., Swanson Insurance, Korneisel Cleaners, Jesse Purdy Plumbing & Heating, The Cracker Jack Co., Johnson Produce (Maurice & Leona Johnson), Friday Motors, Wm. Kies Dekalb Dealer, Skelly Bulk Tank (Ike McGonigle), Tiny's Teeny's & Sons, Stylist Beauty Salon, Odebolt Bakery, Noyd Oil Co., Paul's Repair, Reynolds DX, A. Lea Waggoner Insurance-Arthur, Wallace Soft Water Service, Dinges Hotel, Odebolt State Bank, Odebolt Super Valu, Henry Hausman Radio, TV & Electric.
Herm's Modern Upholstery, Ritz Paint & Glass, Duffy & Einspahr, Nelson Farm Supply, Wunschel Service and Wunschel Store, Gamble Store, Odebolt Hatchery, Adam Roeder American Family Insurance-Arthur, Odebowl Lanes, Don's Skelly, Eastlawn Nursing Home, Robert Tiefenthaler, Odebolt Chamber of Commerce, Arthur Elevator Co., Colonial Manors Nursing Home, Modern Inn, Rex Chevrolet Gulf Station, Rex Chevrolet Company, Jim's TV & Appliance, Gus Noyd, Gronemeyer Construction and Bill's IGA.
Full-page ad by P.E. Treman, DVM; Wm M. Schoeberl, DC; George W. Dresselhuis, Attorney; R.R. Landry, DO; John Hubiak, MD; C.L. Page, DVM.
Full page ad by The Chronicle staff
Richard & Gwen Wagner, Viola Wagner, Thelma Sonksen, Fred Stork, Irene Wardrip, Dean Hauser, Lois Ziegmann, Irene Wessling, Bill Lyons, Bob Miller, Corinne Down, Joann Roeder, Mark and Matthew Wagner, Mavis Benson-Kiron, Mrs. Ed Leeds-Boyer, Mrs. Ted Miller-Early, Delores Rabe-Arthur.
Full-page ad sponsored by Odebolt, Arthur, Kiron and Boyer churches.
We hope you enjoyed visiting 1967.
All the best for a happy & healthy 2018~
- Barb & Bonnie, editors
All the best for a happy & healthy 2018~
- Barb & Bonnie, editors
2017/12/09
1952 Skelly Station
Recently posted on the Odebolt History Pages:
THE ODEBOLT CHRONICLE, SEPTEMBER 25, 1952
Car Washing Bee Nets $173
See the names of all the below men and read about their fund-raising project.
2017/12/01
The Linden Collection
Some time ago Norman Linden, formerly of Odebolt, contacted me to see if I would like images of postcards he had collected over the years of Odebolt and of the Adams Ranch. Of course I said yes!
So Norman scanned all the postcards and transferred them to me. Due to problems the web host for the Odebolt History Pages was having, I was unable to access or edit it for some time and I apologize to Norman for the long delay. However, here they are, finally, and we hope you enjoy them. Thank you Norman for sharing this wonderful peek into the past.
Please allow time for the large images to load.
Postcards of Odebolt
Postcards of Fairview Farm (Adams Ranch)
See more historic photos at the Odebolt History Pages Photo Gallery.
So Norman scanned all the postcards and transferred them to me. Due to problems the web host for the Odebolt History Pages was having, I was unable to access or edit it for some time and I apologize to Norman for the long delay. However, here they are, finally, and we hope you enjoy them. Thank you Norman for sharing this wonderful peek into the past.
Please allow time for the large images to load.
Postcards of Odebolt
Postcards of Fairview Farm (Adams Ranch)
See more historic photos at the Odebolt History Pages Photo Gallery.
2017/11/18
Confirmation photo identities
Some time ago I was contacted by Amy Norton who gave me the identity of the minister in a 1928 confirmation photo from the old Mission Covenant Church in Odebolt. She said that the minister in the photograph was her great-grandfather, Rev. E. Fred Hall. She also attached a personal photo of her Great-grandfather with his family. Thank you Amy!
There are two confirmation photos on the page and we would appreciate any help that can be given on identities of the confirmands.
View the page & photos.
There are two confirmation photos on the page and we would appreciate any help that can be given on identities of the confirmands.
View the page & photos.
2017/11/11
Odebolt Veterans Memorial
In honor of Veterans Day 2017 we have reconstructed the Odebolt Area Veterans Memorial page that was once on odebolt.net.
This monument to honor Odebolt's veterans was finished in late 2003 by the Odebolt American Legion Roose Post #313 and Auxiliary. It is located in Odebolt Cemetery, about 1/2 mile south of Odebolt on Highway 39 (S. Des Moines Street).
On the memorial are listed 939 area veterans who served from in World War I, World War II, in Korea and in Viet Nam, covering the years of 1901 to 2000.
Please visit the page to see the list of veterans.
See more military history at the Odebolt History Pages.
On the memorial are listed 939 area veterans who served from in World War I, World War II, in Korea and in Viet Nam, covering the years of 1901 to 2000.
Please visit the page to see the list of veterans.
See more military history at the Odebolt History Pages.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)