Palo Alto Church brings history to life
Special to the Daily News
The Palo Alto Cemetery came alive with stories from the area’s past during the recent cemetery walk and tour of Palo Alto Church. The event, attended by more than 125 people, was sponsored by the Jasper County Historical Museum, Newton Community Theater and Palo Alto Church.
Eight members, dressed in period costumes, portrayed historical figures from the past. Joseph Wilcox (John Keller) read letters he wrote to his mother while serving in the Civil War and expressed gloom and shadow of despair which hung over the soldiers upon hearing of the assassination of President Lincoln. Private Wilcox introduced Gary Larsson, who demonstrated a Civil War rifle and shot one round to salute the fallen soldiers.
Annie Hill (Betty Samson) shared her life with husband Robert M. Hill after settling in Jasper County in 1854 and establishing the Palo Alto Church with five other families. Arriving by ox-cart, Mary Rees Badger (Barb Wyatheler) gave $60 to pay for land to erect the new church because the men thought the parcel only worth $15.
The grieving Emma Snook (Bev Curtis) told of the mining accident that took the life of her husband (Robert S. Snook, who owned Snook’s Coal Bank) with whom she had 11 children. She was born in Yorkshire, England, and met Robert in Wisconsin.
Successful farmer James M. Vance (Bruce Curtis) had a lovely tenor voice and enjoyed leading the church choir after the arrival of the first organ, which meant moving the pulpit from the west end of the sanctuary to the north side. Several members thought it ruined the “lovely stately interior of the church”.
Living to be 106 years of age, Milt Addicks (Ron Grisby) was adored and admired by all who knew him. Active in his church and many civic organizations, he served as leader when needed.
Wanderlust was evident in the life of Rowland Lafayette Rees (Korry Stephenson), who lived in nine different states before being laid to rest at the age of 92 at Palo Alto Cemetery.
Serving 20 years in the Iowa State Senate, Sen. Eugene Hill (Travis Padget) retired from politics to become a full-time tree farmer and continue caring for the 200,000 trees planted 40 years previously. Hill was educated at Iowa State University, taught vocational agriculture and served in the Marine Crop during World War II.
The history of the Palo Alto Church was presented by Bev Nearymyer, whose ancestors were the first settlers in the area. The interior of the church held two cast iron stoves, piano, pulpit, original pews and sloping pine floor.
Members of the Sherman Sunbeams 4-H Club assisted the Nearmyer family in cleaning the church as a community service project as well as serving refreshments. Many who attended were successful in locating burial sites of family and obtaining ancestor’s history.
