Buchanan County Genealogical Society

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Buchanan County Genealogical Society This turned into a lengthy project and the book “Buchanan County, Iowa, Cemeteries, 1980" was published.

During the 1976 Bicentennial celebration, the Buchanan County Historical Society decided to research all the cemeteries in Buchanan County, while the tombstones were still legible. The Buchanan County Genealogical Society was formed as a branch of the Historical Society. Since that time thousands of obituary/cemetery cards have been filed and are updated weekly. Our library is staffed entirely by volunteers who help researchers when they visit the library or by mail or email.

50 Years Ago from the Independence Bulletin Journal for August 15, 1975:Schmit Antiques: from Horn chair to hall tree. b...
20/08/2025

50 Years Ago from the Independence Bulletin Journal for August 15, 1975:
Schmit Antiques: from Horn chair to hall tree. by Nancy Kimball

An 1865 Texas longhorn chiar, with a bobcat-skin-covered seat; a mammoth hand-carved walnut bed and campanion dresser; an elongated smoking pipe imported from Germany three generations ago; a depot lamp with rare cranberry glass shades. Sound enticing: Thenb don't stop here - experience these and many more exquisite antiques at an open house to be held today... at the late Joe Schmit residence located near the Gayla Ballroom...
..Joe Schmit and his wife Orpha, founders of the Gayla and for 15 years Independence residents, practiced a 25-year hobby of collecting antiques. This past year they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. Then six months apart during the first half of 1975, they both passed away, leaving their children the accumulated treasures. The seven children chose to auction off the pieces at a sale this Saturday rather than try to divide them equally among the family members. But before the collection is dispersed for the final time, they want to let the public view it in its entirety...

What's Cooking with the Raethers, by Bobbi Mathis from the Bulletin Journal, August 15, 1975:"Our interest are varied," ...
18/08/2025

What's Cooking with the Raethers, by Bobbi Mathis from the Bulletin Journal, August 15, 1975:
"Our interest are varied," says Mrs. Dean (Judy) Raether of Independence, "but are mostly those oriented toward a family with small children. Fishing, camping, picnicking, golfing, gardening, and now especially traveling. After just returning from two weeks on the Oregon and Washington coasts, we have definitely decided traveling is in our blood."

Dean is owner and operator of Dean's Barber Shop in Independence. He grew up in the Westgate area and graduated from high school at West Central of Maynard. He attended what is now the Waterloo school of Hairstyling and served his apprenticeship in Manchester, He came to Independence in 1959 and began barbering in the former Scanlon Barber Shop. In 1972, he became owner and manager of the shop and changed the name to Dean's Barber Shop.

"As my father is in the school business, we did some moving while I was growing up and lived in three local communities, Walker, Rowley and then Winthrop, where I graduated from East Buchanan High School," says Judy. She attended UNI for three years, working toward a degree in elementary education. She and Dean were married in February 1969. Judy worked the first few years of their marriage, first at the registrar's office at the Mental Health Institute, then attending summer school at Upper Iowa University, and finally working for 3 years as teacher associate at the Middle School.

The Raethers have two children, Scott, 5 years old, who will start kindergarten this fall and Pam, 2 years old, who is "mother's second pair of hands." They are members of Immanuel Lutheran Church and Dean is currently serving a three year term on the church council. He is a charter member of the Wapsi Kiwanis Club and is on the board of directors.

Judy has been a substitute Sunday School teacher and has taught vacation Bible school for the past three years. With two lively children, being shop bookkeeper and taking care of her home, Judy keeps very busy.

Don't forget the Undergound City Indepedence tour today! Stop by and see our extensive collection of historic records or...
16/08/2025

Don't forget the Undergound City Indepedence tour today! Stop by and see our extensive collection of historic records or purchase a history book!

What's Cooking with the Lynes? by Bobbi Mathis  from the Bulletin Journal for August 8, 1975:Collecting unusual penny ba...
14/08/2025

What's Cooking with the Lynes? by Bobbi Mathis from the Bulletin Journal for August 8, 1975:
Collecting unusual penny banks and gold rimmed dishes and playing golf are the hobbies of Al and Arlene Lynes of Independence. They are both native northeast Iowans, with Arlene from Charles City and Al from Plainfield. Al attended Wartburg College in Waverly and went into banking in 1948. He is presently exectuive vice-president of Security State Bank in Independence.

The Lynes family came to Independence in 1960, when Al started working for the bank. Arlene went back to school at the University of Northern Iowa in 1970, when her children were grown. She earned her B.A. degree in business education and graduated in 1974. In August of that year, she became Manpower Specialist II with the Iowa State Employment Service and manages the Independence office.

Al and Arlene have been married for 26 years and have four grown children. They are community minded citizens. Al served on the Independence Community School Board for several years. He is presently serving on the board of trustees for the Municipal Light Plant, treasurer of the Senior Citizen House in Independence and on the Industrial Development Commission. Arlene is a member of Ladies Musical Society, treasurer of the General Missionary Society and vice president of her circle at First Baptist Church.

50 Years Ago from the Independence Bulletin Journal for August 8, 1975:Winners from the Buchanan County Fair!1) Grand Ch...
12/08/2025

50 Years Ago from the Independence Bulletin Journal for August 8, 1975:
Winners from the Buchanan County Fair!
1) Grand Champion Steer "Ed" owned by Neal Rathbun
2) Grand Champion Lamb, owned by Beverly Hoeck
3) Grand Champion Pig, owned by Neal Rathbun

Mark your calendars! Saturday, August 16th will be the annual Underground City tour. The Genealogical Society will be op...
10/08/2025

Mark your calendars! Saturday, August 16th will be the annual Underground City tour.

The Genealogical Society will be open too, so please stop by and peruse our vast collection of historic information. The records begin in the 1850s!

"What's Cooking with the Gaffneys?" by Bobbi Mathis from the August 1, 1975 Bulletin Journal:Camping is a way of life to...
06/08/2025

"What's Cooking with the Gaffneys?" by Bobbi Mathis from the August 1, 1975 Bulletin Journal:
Camping is a way of life to the Robert Gaffney family of Jesup. The Gaffney's not only own a camper, they sell them. Bob and Marie have lived in the Jesup area for approximately 25 years. They were married in 1946 while Bob was a second lieutenant in the Army, stationed in Korea during World War II. Bob worked as an electrical contractor for 20 years. In 1967, they purchased a travel trailer, which led to their present business selling and displaying all different types of recreational travel vehicles.

They have 3 children: Gary, 20, a junior at the University of Iowa; Mark, 14, an 8th grader at Jesup Community School; and Jean, 11, a 6th grader at St. Athanasius Catholic School. Gary has been helping with servicing trailers since the age of 14. Mark can be found moving trailers with a tractor. Jean helps her mother around the house in between softball, swimming, CRD and Girl Scouts.

Bob is vice president of St. Athanasius Credit Union, a member of Pump-Scheer American Legion Post and has been active in the CCD program at St. Athanasius. Marie is active as bookkeeper and salesperson in the family business and is a member of the Catholic Daughters of America. The family has traveled extensively in trailers and among the places they have visited are the Black Hills in South Dakota, Minnesota lakes, Indiana lakes, and New Orleans, La.

This 1687 map is one of a thousand maps at the State Historical Society Library & Archives in Iowa City. The photograph ...
06/08/2025

This 1687 map is one of a thousand maps at the State Historical Society Library & Archives in Iowa City. The photograph is one in a collection of over 1 million images that represent all ages and all forms of photography recording life in Iowa since the mid-19th century. Photographs and maps are just two of the collections that are being transferred to the smaller Historical Library in Des Moines. These materials include but are not limited to letters, diaries, books, newspapers, oral histories, and films that represent our Iowa heritage. Upon the imminent closure of the State Historical Library in Iowa City these collections are being transferred to the much smaller historical library in Des Moines. There they will sit in a basement for at least 3 years until new shelving is completed. The basement has temperature fluctuations, poor air flow, and exhaust form outside sources. The collections will be susceptible to leaks from overhead pipes, dusty HVAC conduits, and inadequate fire suppression in areas never intended for collection storage. The 1 million photos and negatives, for instance, are extremely sensitive objects, composed of chemicals that will quickly degrade if not properly protected.
Only 40% of the Iowa City Library is being transferred to Des Moines. The other 60% of this Library which started in 1857 will be dispersed and destroyed. Please help to stop this travesty by signing a petition at change.org. Here is the link: https://chng.it/4gHPgjhDhT
Over 3,000 have signed the petition but we need your signature too in order to make the strongest case possible. Please share this information with friends and collegues that care about Iowa's heritage.

50 Years Ago from the Independence Bulletin Journal for August 1, 1975:The old power plant located on the east bank of t...
04/08/2025

50 Years Ago from the Independence Bulletin Journal for August 1, 1975:
The old power plant located on the east bank of the Wapsie across from the mill was being converted into an art center. Ed and Jane Vinson, newcomers to Independence, were the driving force behind the transformation.
1) Exterior of the old power plant.
2) Ed and Jane Vinson working on the interior.

"What's Cooking with Mrs. Thom?" by Bobbi Mathis from the July 25, 1975 Bulletin Journal:A familiar face at the Buchanan...
22/07/2025

"What's Cooking with Mrs. Thom?" by Bobbi Mathis from the July 25, 1975 Bulletin Journal:
A familiar face at the Buchanan County Fair is featured this week... Mrs. Marjorie Thom, has been director of the agricultural hall for many years. Her husband, Orville, is president of the fair board and has been active in working with the fair for several years. Marjorie became director of the flower exhibits first and later took over the agricultural hall. Both Mr. and Mrs. Thom are from this area, with Orville raised on the farm they operated northeast of Winthrop and Marjorie seven and one half miles from Independence, near Jesup. They farmed until 11 years ago, when they moved into Winthrop. They have been married for 36 years and have two sons, William and Robert.

William, who is married to the former Carlene Sauer, recently received his doctorate and teaches at Mississippi State University in Arkansas. They have two children, Larry and Nancy. Robert has his own mechanic business in Palmer, Alaska, and is married to the form Marilyn Kaufman, who works for a bank in Palmer. They ahve 4 children, Randy, Kristy, Sheri and Barry.

Both the Thoms were active in 4-H and in the Order of Eastern Star, with Marjorie being a past worthy matron. Marjorie is a member of the United Church of Christ in Winthrop and is past president of the Women's Society. Orville is also a member of the Masonic Lodge in Winthrop.

50 Years Ago from the Independence Bulletin Journal for July 12, 1975:1) Construction on an extension for the Independen...
21/07/2025

50 Years Ago from the Independence Bulletin Journal for July 12, 1975:
1) Construction on an extension for the Independence Municipal Airport
2) New officers installed for Knights of Columbus - Robert Murphy, Ralph Weber, and Paul Carroll are pictured

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