Contains webpage links to various Fayette Co. surnames and history projects.
Iowaz Index Page
The photo hosting site contains material regarding history, maps, genealogy of Fayette, Co, Iowa
Iowaz Photo Hosting Site
Material has been increasing on the Fayette.Co.IA Genweb site, which can be searched:  http://iagenweb.org/fayette/

Page chronology:   2012Nov25, rough draft of an old project uploaded at a 'stopping' point.

...Web page objectives:   share data, jump start others, make contacts, use a simple web page format.
...Do not trust as totally valid any tree/report data...it will be the best guess at the time of working on a specific project.  Often World Connect or Ancestry trees/data were utilized as a foundation upon which to add material gleamed from obits, articles, histories, biographies, stories, burials, censuses and other data collected.  Ancestry, along with other sources have many inconsistencies.
 

Nefzger burials
 in Fayette Co, Iowa
There are some panoramic cemetery pics of Grandview, Lima, Mt. Pleasant....browse to locate albums of the Iowaz Photo Hosting Site
Material has been increasing on the Fayette.Co.IA Genweb site, which can be searched:  http://iagenweb.org/fayette/

Colored rows = info/data updated; white rows = not updated, needing data. 

Nefzger
Basic descendent tree of the major surname line in Fayette Co, Iowa.
Trees are recreated from online, census, burial info so there will be speculations/best guesses.
Trees can be added too or corrected should anyone want to copy/paste/email info.

Maps
Notes follow.

Jacob Nefzger 1798-1875, entered land in sec 1, Union.Twp, Fayette.Co.IA, in Oct 1852,
which means the Nefzger's were exploring for Fayette.Co.IA land at least by early 1852, or between 1851-1852.
Jacob 1798-1875 located the family early in 1855 from OH to sec1, Union.Twp and farmed with son George 1823-1892, who would take over the original Nefzger farm.
Son Christian 1825-1905, located as a very successful merchant in West Union, and also later had a farm in sec 4 of Westfield.Twp, and land in other loccations.
Son Simon 1821-1907 would come from Ohio to the sec 2, Westfield.Twp & the Frog Hollow/Albany area by 1859.
Simon would run the Nefzger Albany store and farm, plus was a registered distiller with Hiram Marvin until the early-1880 prohibition laws.

Notes
Generally in chronological order, with the only objective of collecting some insight into the surname and activities.

 1790 Census
Naffsger, Maths (Mathias), Tulpehocken, Berks Co, PA

1800 Census
Naffsger, Mathis, Bern, Berks Co, PA
Noffeker, Henry, Hamilton, Franklin Co, PA.

1810 Census
Nofsker, Henry, Guilford, Franklin Co, PA

1820 Census
Neffsher, Henry, Donegal, Lancaster Co, PA
Nafzger, John, Lebanon, Lebanon Co, PA
Nofsker, Jacob, Green Twp, Harrison Co, OH
Nophsker, Jospeh, North Twp, Harrison Co, OH

1830 Census
Nfsker, Henry, Maytown, Lancaster, PA
Nofsker, Jacob, German Twp, Harrison Co, OH, Jacob is bet. 40-50. There is also an Abraham Nofsker of the same age in German Twp, and Samuel Nfsker in Archer Twp, Harrison Co, OH

1840 Census
Nofsker, Jacob (age bet 20-30, thus not Fay Co, IA, Jacob), E. Donegal, Lancaster, PA
Nofsker, Mary, E. Donegal, Lancaster, PA
Nofsker, Samuel, Woodberry, Huntingdon, PA
Nofskor, Emanuel, Red Bank, Armstrong, PA
Nofsker, John (age 60-70, with 3 sons 20-30, possible father of Jacob?), Westmoreland Co, PA
There are numerous name analogs in 1840 PA but no Nefzger or close.
Nefker, Jacob, Chatfield, Crawford Co, OH, this is Jacob Nefzger of Fayette Co, IA.

1850 Census, Chatfield Twp, Crawford Co, OH
...Nefsger, Jacob, 53y, b. abt 1797 Germany, farming, value real estate owned $800, dwelling 2066; wife Magdalena (Schub or Schube) 56yGermany; son Christian T or F 25yGy, farming with father; son Jacob 11y, b. OH. (Note: I have not found confirmation there was a dau Mary. All four son's are accounted for in 1850 Ohio. There is a large age gap between Christian and Frederic.
...Nefsger, George 27yGy, dwelling 2067 next to father Jacob, carpenter; wife Sarah 20yOH
...Nefsger, Simon 29yGy dwelling 2002, grocer $1300; wife Christina nee Kunzi 27yGy; dau Emily 4yOH; son Christian 2yOH, boarder Jonathan A. Burkrapt 20yGermany shoemaker.
...Hipp, Frederick 26yGy, dwelling 2000, wagon-maker $700, wife Catherine nee Kunzi 23yGy, Jacob5OH, Henry3OH, Louisa2OH. 
Note:  Fred Hipp is the b/law by marriage of Simon Nefzger and also John Fauser of the post.1850 Albany.IA.  Simon and Fred were merchants but also ran a mill for ten years in the Chatfield.OH area before Simon came to Iowa.  It is in Crawford.Co.OH that Simon Nefzger became a merchant, farmer, miller, and presumably a distiller. bz/2012.

History of Crawford.Co.OH.1881: As in all new countries, where settlements are made, various industries began to arise in different parts of the township. David Shaffstall built a saw-mill on Sycamore Creek, as early as 1834. The building was a frame structure, sided with rough walnut and poplar plank sawed at the mill. It was run by water-power, and was located at a place where there was quite a slope of the land toward the mill on the  opposite side from the stream. Often in winter,  when the ground was covered with ice, advantage was taken of the slope and the slippery  condition of the bank to roll the logs down near the mill. Woe unto the man who got in the way of one of these descending logs. David Shaffstall operated the mill for nearly twenty years,  when it was sold to Frederick Hipp, Jr., and his brother-in-law, Simon Neffzer. These men added some improvements, and, after running the mill for about ten years, sold it to other parties, when it was soon afterward abandoned. 
Note:  This is the only Nefzger mentioned in the Crawford.Co.OH history.  There were multiple surnames involved in distillery attempts in Crawford.Co.OH by the time Simon Nefzger moved to Fayette.Co.IA, bz/2012.

1852Oct10, John S. Nefzger...Land Entry in Fayette.Co.IA: 218a in NE1/4 of SE1/4, sec 1, Union.Twp, Fayette.Co.IA, $1.25/a cash, (2mi NE of West.Union).
Note:  Assume this is Jacob1797 Nefzger, 'father' of the Nefzger's of Fayette.Co.IA.  The middle initial on the record definitely is 'S', possibly for Simon or Samuel.  The Oct 1852 date indicates Jacob/John1797 Nefzger (an probably son's Christian and George) explored for land entry in Fayette.Co.IA, either in 1851 or 1852.  The unbroken farm land in sec 1 would not have been left alone for very long so it can be assumed Jacob and likely son George, with possibly Geo. Heiserman (b/law of Geo.Nefzger) were working on the section 1 farm before they moved permanently.  The families may have been brought from Ohio later, perhaps between the 1854-1856 census.  Son Christian T. Nefzger came by 1856 and apparently went right to West Union village to start merchandising, similar to what the Nefzger's were doing in Chatfield.Twp, Crawford.Co.OH.  Christian also had a farm/land in Union.Twp in the Otter Creek valley area. Son Simon remained in OH and probably came between the 1856 Census and early 1859, settling in the Albany plat, bz/2012.

First Villages platted in Fayette.Co.IA.
West Union-June 1850,
Westfield -July 1851 (1/2mi W of Main.St, Fayette.IA),
Auburn-1851,
Volga City (Lima)-Oct 1851,
Taylorville-Feb 1852 (2mi NxNE of Arlington.IA)
West Auburn-Sept 1853 (adj. to Auburn on its west side, 'Douglas' would be the P.O. name of the area of Auburn).
Centerville -May 1854, (adjoining Taylorville)
Albany-July 1854 ,by Albert Albertson & Edwin Smith.  
Note:  In 1852, Edwin Smith and in 1853 Albert Albertson settled in West Union, then platted Albany in 1854, where Albert Albertson opened a complete merchandising store and built the first water saw mill.  Richard Earle bought the Albertson saw mill around 1855, as Albertson was already making the move to Chickasaw village, in Chickasaw.Co.IA, where he again was building their first mill and would open a store.  Richard Earle is reported to have opened the first store in Albany and 'became' postmaster, however Earle would have bought the stock and perhaps building from Albertston, and offered a location for postal pick up from the early post office in Westfield village, however Albany was never an official post office, thus no official postmaster, other than both being self-assigned.  Richard Earle would run Albertson's first generation mill at Albany until in 1865, Earle would build a major third generation water mill which would operate in Albany until just before the 1910 census.  Marvin's Mill two miles upstream ceased to operate about 1883, when the Marvin's trade the farm and mill land for the Marvin Mill location at the north end of the Fayette bridge.  The Lima Mill two miles downstream from Albany operated about the same number of years as Earle's Mill.  bz/2012.
Elgin-Feb 1855,
Fayette-June1855.

1854July, Albany, Westfield.Twp, Fay.Co.IA is platted as Albertson plat, by Albert/Mary Albertson & Edwin/Mary Smith.  Name changed shortly to Albany.  From Chats with Old Timers:   Albany was the third town started in Westfield township.  The original proprietors of the town plat, and the main promoters of the town were Albert Albertson and Edwin Smith.  A Mr. John Dollarhide apparently started into the venture with them but sold out to Albertson and Smith before the plat was recorded.  Albany became quite a thriving and aggressive village.

The first Villages platted in Fayette.Co.IA-- West Union-June 1850, Westfield-July 1851, Auburn-1851, Volga City (Lima)-Oct 1851, Taylorsville-Feb 1852, West Auburn-Sept 1853, Centerville (adjoining Taylorsville)-May 1854, Albany-July 1854, Elgin-Feb 1855, Fayette-June1855

Survey Explanations
...Albany, Westfield Township, Iowa, is located on the east half of the southwest quarter of section 14, township 93, range 8 west of the 5th prime meridian.
...There are eight streets each 60 feet wide; Main, Water, North, Church, Hale, Clay, Mill and South Streets which cross each other at right angles. A stone planted in the center of each street.
...There are five alleys 12 feet wide running through blocks 2, 5, 8, 11, & 14 parallel with Main and Water Streets.
...The standard size lot is 50 x 100 feet, with the lots along the west hill being 50 x 166 feet.
...The place for commencing future survey will be found at the North East corner of Block No. 1 where a stone is planted.
..."I certify that the foregoing plat and explanations are correct to the best of my knowledge and belief. July 25, A.D. 1854, H. Jones, Surveyor.

1854-1855,  The 1878 Fay.Co.IA Hist. states:  The first cabin on the plat area of Albany was built by Sidney Hopkins in 1850, with his son Sidney Jr. the first child born.    Albany was platted by Albert Albertson & Edwin smith in 1854.  Albert Albertson built a first generation saw-mill at Albany and opened a large store in 1854.  In the Fall of 1855 Albertson sold the mill property to Richard Earle, who in 1865 rebuilt a large 3story, with basement, 30x36ft frame, second generation flouring-mill.  The mill dam was of interlaced timber filled with stone, 160ft long x 10ft tall, with a 27ft base.   Simon Nefzger kept the General Store after about 1860.  E. Matsell was the early blacksmith, followed about1876 by George Dow.  J.B. Oelbert ran a tailor shop.  Jacob Fauser was a rug and material weaver.

The Albany Store
Note:  The first store at Albany would have been started/stocked by Albert Albertson. probably by the summer of 1854, as he was already a merchant in West Union.  Simon Nefzger did not open the first store in Albany.  Simon would buy the lots/store in 1859, that had been started by Albertson. Simon's land transaction for his sec 2, Frog Hollow farm, is needed for a better indication of when Simon started looking at Fayette.Co.IA.  His father and siblings had been in Fayette.Co.IA since about 1855.  Richard Earle of Earle's Mill, is said to have come to Albany in 1854 and opened a store and became postmaster.  Lot transactions do not show this one way or another.  Richard Earle's store would have been another operation, and not Albertson's Store.  Albany is not listed as ever having a postmaster however the Albany store apparently served to acquire and make mail available.  Simon Nefzger is reported to have the Lima store and be postmaster at Lima, which is likely in error, and would have been at his Nefzger's Albany Store, where he would run a self-appointed postal service when mail was brought out from Westfield/Fayette.  Only Lima had a recognized Iowa post office, and a Nefzger was never listed as Lima postmaster.  Simon would buy the Albertson's Albany store operation in 1859.  Richard Earle was more involved in milling, than merchandizing.  bz/2012.

Albany, from the 'Chats with Old Timers,' by O.W. Stevenson in the Fayette.IA paper abt 1940:
...Albertson's Store at Albany in 1856: A little breeze of the national political winds that were blowing in 1856, and something to stimulate some memories of the more glorious days of our neighboring village of Albany, come to us (O.W. Stevenson) out of this old advertisement found in the Pioneer (Fayette paper) commencing March 17, 1856. "KANSAS MUST BE FREE:" 1000 volunteers wanted immediately, to meet at Albany, armed with the "needful," to buy at Prime Cost Albertson's large and extensive stock of clothing, dry goods, groceries, glassware, hardware, woodenware, hats and caps, boots and shoes, paints and oils, dyestuffs, drugs, and medicines, notions, trimmings, etc.  Having determined to emigrate to Kansas the present season (Spring 1856), I now offer my entire stock of merchandise at Prime Cost, for "Pay Down," or approved paper on time.  A good opportunity is offered to a person wishing to engage in the mercantile business. For particulars, inquire of C.A. Newcomb, West Union, or the proprietor, at Albany. All those indebted to the subscribe either on notes or accounts due, are requested to call and settle immediately. Albert Albertson, Albany, March 17, 1856.
...Indian Politics at Albany---There may be some political inspiration abut the valley at Albany. I believe the folks over there for many years were the predominating political group in Westfield township. When Lamont Perry, one of my school mates, in abut 1898, I think, prepared his high school graduating speech he discussed his subject with me, which was something about the Indian life in Fayette county. I remember his telling me some of the things that his uncle (by marriage) Andrew J. Hensely, who came to Fayette county before the Indians were moved away, had told him. The only point I remember now was that once there was a meeting of Indians in the valley at Albany, at which meeting they chose a chief. I have never seen this in any history.
...Albertson a Promoter of Albany---The advertisement of Albert Albertson in the Pioneer (Fayette paper) made me curious about the man. I find no biography in any county history. The deed records and old newspapers, however, indicate that he was one of the most enterprising of our local pioneers. He was one of the first investors and business men at West Union. From December 14, 1853, to May 17, 1854, he ran one of the largest advertisements in the Fayette County Pioneer for his General Merchandise store in West Union, in which he referred to the business as The Arcade Saving Bank. As one of the first advertisers in the county he surely "praised himself highly." May 24, 1854, Levi Fuller and H. Chandler began advertising their opening of a wholesale and retail hardware "stand" at West Union in "the well known stand formerly occupied by Albert Albertson as a store room."
...Albertson's Later Career---May 30, 1855, there was published a dissolution notice (dated May 3^rd) of the firm of Albert Albertson and Edwin Smith at Albany and it was announced that Albertson would continue the business. In the March 17, 1856, issue of The Pioneer Albertson began running his closing out ad printed before in these columns. Dec. 6, 1856, he asked debtors to meet him at C.A. Newcomb's office in West Union between Jan. 1 and Jan. 6^th, 1857, to pay their accounts. Whether this Albertson who was an early booster in two Fayette county towns did, as advertised, go to Kansas, I do not know. The last trace of him I find is a quit claim deed, for a West Union lot, executed Nov. 21, 1865, in which his residence is given as Chicasaw county, Iowa. Did he move a little further west from Fayette county and pioneer more towns or enterprises?

Albany, from the 1878 History of Fayette County Iowa, p516:  
...Albany, Westfield.Twp.  This village is the outgrowth of Lima (platted as Volga City in 1851), and commenced its existence as a village in 1854.  Albert Albertson and Edwin Smith, proprietors.  Mr. Albert Albertson, who removed from Stephenson.Co.IL, built a saw-mill at this place and opened a large store in 1854.  He sold his property in the Fall of 1855 to Richard Earle (coming from Freeport, Stephenson.Co.IL), who in 1865 built a flouring-mill 30x36 ft, three stories high, including basement.  The dam is one of the best on the river being 160ft long, 10ft high, and 27ft on base, built of heavy timber filled in with stone, making it very strong.
....The school house at Albany is the best in Westfield.Twp outside of Fayette, it having cost over $1,000.  The first school taught in this building was in the Spring and Summer of 1877, by Ms. Phillips, of West Union.
...The business of Albany; besides its milling interest is represented by a general store, kept by Simon Nefzger, and E. Matsell, blacksmith, who succeeded George Dow about two years ago (1876).  There is a tailor shop also, kept by J.B. Oelberg. 
...The first house on the ground occupied by Albany was built by Sidney Hopkins in 1850.
...The first child born was Sidney Hopkins, Jr., and the first marriage was Mr. McGray and Ms. L. Albertson.
...NOTE:  From 'Chats,' John Dollarhide apparently started into the Albany venture but sold out to Albertson and Smith before the plat was recorded. Albany became quite a thriving and aggressive village

1856Census. Union.Twp: farming in sec 1, 2mi ExNE of West Union. Nefzger Jacob58, Magdalina61, Jacob17: plus family of son George J. Nefzger22Ger carpenter, Leah26OH, Theo6OH, Cyrus4OH, Lorinda3OH, Amelia2IA, George Heiserman24GY farming.
1856Census. West Union village, Union.Twp:  Nefzger Charles T. 23Gy merchant, Martha25OH, Ida0IA.
1856Census:  Jacob's son Simon Nefzger is still in Brycrus, Chatfield.Twp, Crawford.Co.OH.

1858, Businesses of Albany 1858July04---advertised in the 'Fayette County Journal' by C.O. Meyers.
Northern Iowa Cabinet and Turning Shop---At Albany, Iowa, operated by E.E. Chandler, advertises their workmen among the best in the county; announce to citizens of Fayette county, and the rest of the world, they will furnish all kinds of cabinet furniture, bedsteads, bureaus, tables, whiffle-trees, neckyokes, hubs, etc.
F. (Fleming) Jones---at Albany, has in operation a chair factory and is prepared to furnish on shortest notice chairs of all descriptions, warranted for one year, and delivered at any place within four miles.
 James K. Kent---at Albany, was still to be found at the old shop.  Blacksmith, horses shod $2.75 per span, or $3.25 on time.  All other work for cash in proportion.  Oxen shod for $3.25.A
Note:  The furniture 'factories' were associated with the water mills to utilize belt power for machines; Earle's Mill at Albany and Marvin's Mill upstream from Albany, bz/2012.

1859Fall, Simon Nefzger bought building in Albany plat from Albert Albertson.  Simon wife's obit states they came to Iowa, the Fall of 1859.
Note, bz/2012:  This would be the Albertson store, lots 1&2 in block 11, which would then become known at the Nefzger Store or Albany Store the remainder of its history. 

The Albertson family after the 1856 Census, moved to Chickasaw village, Chickasaw.Twp, Chickasaw.Co.IA.  However, in 1854, Albert Albertson was involved in building a grist mill at Chickasaw.
...1883 Hist of Chickasaw.Co.IA     http://iagenweb.org/chickasaw/history1883chickasawalexander.htm
...1894 Hist of Chickasaw.Co.IA    http://iagenweb.org/chickasaw/historypowers1894.htm
"The town of Chickasaw was started with a desire to develop the water power, and to build up a rival town to Bradford. John W. Taylor, of Dubuque -- Tucker being the local active agent in pushing the enterprise -- was its backer. After it had figured quite extensively on paper, a gentleman started to pay it a visit, and reaching the town site, no town appeared to materialize. Seeing a boy, be asked where Chickasaw was, and was informed that "the store is in that log house, but Tucker is down at the mill." On arriving at Chickasaw one of the most striking things that I found was the firm (milling) of Albertson, Waite & Baldwin. Albertson was six feet two inches in height, Baldwin six feet three inches, and Waite six feet seven inches. If Tucker's legs had been as long in proportion as his back, he would have outmeasured them all. On remarking as to the size of Waite's hand, "Bro." Whitmore declared that " it was as big as the hand of Providence." In those days Chickasaw was a little "loud," and Sunday was a great day for sport."
...1913Hist of Chickasaw.Co.IA   http://iagenweb.org/chickasaw/history1919ch13.htm
"1854 - The town of Chickasaw, located on the Cedar River,  was surveyed and platted. William Tucker opened a store in this place and a post office was located here.  1854 - Mr. Brink was the first postmaster, and the condition on which the office was granted,  and the postmaster appointed,  was that the people of  the village should arrange for carrying the mail from Cedar Falls, Black Hawk, County for the proceeds of the office,  leaving the postmaster to serve without salary. In no case was the Government to be liable for any expense. Mr. Tucker,  says he served as mail carrier part of the time,  and that he made seven trips,  in the winter of 1854, to Cedar Falls and return,  a distance of  40 miles,  requiring  four days.  He made the trip through snow and all kinds of weather, at his own expense,  and three times out seven he says that he found no mail had come through Dubuque, Iowa. The splendid water power afforded by the Cedar River was an inducement for the establishment of mills and manufacturing enterprises,  and gave promise of making a prosperous town of Chickasaw, 1854 - Work on erection of a saw mill and grist mill was commenced,  to be operated by water and steam power.  The contractors for building were:  A. Albertson,  Russell Baldwin,  and Morris Waite. 1855 -  Mill completed and operated by  Mr. Garlinhouse.  New houses were built, stores, blacksmith shops, and other enterprises making Chickasaw a thrifty town with a prospect of becoming a commercial center.

2 ALBERTSON, Charles b: 1859 in Chickasaw, Chickasaw.Co.IA

1860
1860Census.Westfield.Twp, Albany plat:  Simeon Nefzger 40 farming $2k/850, Cathrine36, Christen12, MaryS5, Simeon9m; Charles August not listed?.
1860Census.Union.Twp, sec 1:  Jacob Nefzger 62 farming $100/300 near son Christian, Magdelena65, son Jacob21 farm hand.
1860Census.Union.Twp, sec 1:  J. George Nefzger 35 farming $2800/500, L.30, Theo10, C.8, Florinda6, G.W.3, J.G.2m.
1860Census.Union.Twp:  C.T. Neftzger 34 farming $2k/1k, Martha27, Ida4,  son C.T.6m.

1865...Iowa Gazetter, mills advertised:  Hiram Marvin sawmill at Albany, Fayette.Co.IA (1.5mi upstream from Albany);  Harry Cole (water mill at Big.Rocks); John Dunham (steam in the NE corner of Westfield.Twp., Richard Earl (water flour at Albany).
1865...Iowa Gazetter:  Hiram Marvin and Simon Nefzger, Distillers at Albany.

Iowa Tax Assement, 1866
1866...Simon Nefzger, Distiller, Iowa Tax Assessment, Special District.
1866Feb...Simon Nefzger, Distiller of Spirits, Albany.IA,  monthly Iowa Tax Assessment, 27gal, rate $2/gal, total tax $54.
1866Mar...Simon Nefzger, Distiller of Spirits, Albany.IA, monthly Iowa Tax Assessment, 29gal, rate $2/gal, total tax $58.
1866May...Simon Nefzger, Distiller of Spirits, Albany.IA, monthly Iowa Tax Assessment, 552gal, rate $2/gal, total tax $1104.
1866June...Simon Nefzger, Distiller of Spirits, Albany.IA, monthly Iowa Tax Assessment, 60.5gal, rate $2/gal, total tax $121.
1866Dec...Simon Nefzger, Retail Dealer, Albany.IA, monthly Iowa Tax Assessment, total tax $2.50.
  Note, in 1868:  Simon was operating a general store in Albany, farming the 111a in sec 2, three miles north of Albany, plus distilling with Hiram Marvin at Marvin's Mill.
1866Mar...Ignatz Bilger, Brewer in Auburn.IA, 34.5 barrels of beer, rate $1/bbl, total tax $34.50.
1866May...Ignatz Bilger, Brewer in Auburn.IA, 45 barrels of beer, rate $1/bbl, total tax $45.
1866June...Ignatz Bilger, Brewer in Auburn.IA, 45 barrels of beer, rate $1/bbl, total tax $45.

1868 Plat, Fayette Co, Iowa
Nefzger, John George., West Union Twp, sec 1 (farmstead)
Nefzger, J. (John George) Pleasant Valley Twp, sec 7 (field near farmstead)
Nefzger, Simon, Westfield Twp, sec 2
Brother Christian was running a mercantile/grocery in West Union.
Father Jacob opened an entry farm in sec 1, Union.Twp and was likely with son George on the farm most of the time.

Albany.IA Plat
Block 5
1865Feb04.Albany.IA.Plat:  Simon Nefzger bought from Joseph McGee, lot 7, bk 5.
1868Dec04.Albany.IA.Plat:  Simon Nefzger bought from Fay.Co.IA, lot 8, bk 5.
Block 6
1868Dec04.Albany.IA.Plat:  Simon Nefzger bought from Fay.Co.IA,  lots 4,5,6, in block 6.
1882Sep14.Albany.IA.Plat:  Simon Nefzger sold to Edwin Wing,  lot 4 in block 6.
Block 7
1868Dec04.Albany.IA.Plat:  Simon Nefzger bought from Fay.Co.IA, lots 1,2,7 in block 7.
Block 11  (Nefzger's General Store)
1854Jul:  Albany.IA platted by Albert Albertson and Edwin Smith.  Albertson had opened a complete merchandising store.
1856Sep19. Albany.IA.Plat:  Albert Albertson sold to Elisha Adams, lots 1&2 in block 11 (Albany.store).
1857Oct08.Albany.IA.Plat:  Elisha Adams sold to Daniel Crist, lots 1&2 in block 11 (Albany store).
1859Aug16.Albany.IA.Plat:  Simon Nefzger bought from Daniel Crist, lots 1,2 in block 11. 
Note:  Lot 1, bk11 is the Nefzger's Albany Store location.  It is likely Simon had located on the sec2 farm, Westfield.Twp, a bit before buying the Albany store and lots, bz/2012.
1877Feb12&Mar26.Albany.IA.Plat:  Simon Nefzger bought from Alva Rice & J.G. Hensley, S1/2 lot 5 & lots 6,7 in block 11.
Block 14
1861Oct07 Albany.IA.Plat:  Simon Nefzger bought from Fay.Co.IA, lots 7&8, block 14.
1862Mar25 Albany.IA.Plat:  Simon Nefzger bought from Charolotte Penrod,  all of block 14.
1905May20 Albany.IA.Plat:  Simon Nefzger sold to son Henry Simon Nefzger, lots 1 & 2, block 14.
1908Mar27 Albany.IA.Plat:  Simon Nefzger sold to Mary L. Earle, lots 3,4,5,6,7,8, block 14.
1918Sep23.Albany.IA.Plat:  Mary L. Earle sold to Archie B. Earle, lots 3,4,5,6,7,8, block 14.
Block 15
1868Dec04.Albany.IA.Plat:  Simon Nefzger bought from Fay.Co.IA, lot 3 in block 15.
1890Dec02.Albany.IA.Plat:  Simon Nebzger sold to John Doland, lot 3 in block 15.

1870
...1870Census, Union.Twp (Sec1):  Nefzger, Jacob 72/Baden, farming, $1k/100; wf Magdalena75/Baden.  Note: 'Father' of the Nefzger line in Fay .Co.IA.
...1870Census, West.Union village:  Nefzgar (Nefzger), Christian T. 44Baden retail merchant $10k/10k;  Martha37OH, Ida13IA, Bion10IA, Maybell/Mabel 8IA, Grant6IA.
...1870Census, Westfield.Twp, Albany:  Nefzger, Simon 50/Baden, merchant $2k/2k; wf Christina48/Wurt (with Lacy?); Christian Charles21/OH, Mary15/OH, August10/IA, Henry6/IA.  Note:  Simon is operating a general store in the Albany plat, bz/2012.
...1870Census, Westfield.Twp, Nefzger, Hiram, 63/NY, lawyer $5k/1k; Abigail63/NY, Hiram17/IL.  Note:  Located adj to Peter Graff 42/Holland, farming $9k/1830.  Peter has an extensive farm in sec 23, overlooking the Albany from the SE hill and the Volga River area to the south, with Marvin's Mill just west.  Hiram Nefzger is probably living in a cabin just south of the Albany plat, however that does not explain the $5k valuation on real estate and $1k on personal property.  Hiram could not be found in the census or on Ancestry with the normal spelling analogs, bz/2012.
...1870Apr02.  Per a deed transfer:  John M. Fauser and Louisa Fauser sold land described as the following to Simon NEFZGER; "24 acres of East side of 43 acres off North end of 60 acres off West side of SW quarter section 14 (Westfield.Twp) township 93 Range 8 West except 1 acre lying in NW corner of said land. Also 7-1/2 acres as follows; commencing 60 rods East of NW corner of SW 1/4 of Section 14 (Westfield.Twp) Township 93 Range 8 running East 20 rods thence South 60 rods thence 20 rods thence North 60 rods to place of beginning." I have copy of deed, (Ron.Fauser.2012)
Note: the above plot of land, the hillside just west of the Albany plat is shown under S. Nefzger ownership on the 1879 plat  just west of the Albany plat in the SW1/4 of sec 14, Westfield.Twp.  This was basically all hill pasture/timber land. 

1877Spring/Fall, The 1878 Fay.Co.IA Hist. states the Albany school house costing over $1k was the best outside of Fayette, opening the Spring/Summer of 1877, taught by Ms. Philips from West.Union.IA.

 1879 Plat, Fayette Co, Iowa
Nefzger, Christian T.,  West Union Twp, sec 14, 15
Nefzger, Christian T., Westfield Twp, sec 4
Nefzger, Christian T., Windsor Twp, sec 12
Nefzger Jacob, Pl. Valley Twp, sec 7
Nefzger, John George, West Union Twp, sec 1
Nefzger, Simon, Westfield Twp, sec 2, 14

1880
1880Census, Westfield.Twp: Nefzger, Simon 59/Baden, variety store; wf. Christina58/Wurt variety store, August20 laborer, Henry17 laborer.
1880Census, Fayette, Westfield.Twp: Nefzger, Christian 31/OH grocer on Main.St Fayette, boarding, (son of Simon Nefzger).
1880Census, Windsor.Twp: Nefzger, Freddy 13/IA, nephew with Stevens family, father b. Gy, mother England.
1880Census, West.Union village:  Nefzger, Christian T. 54Baden, dry goods merchant; Martha49OH, BionE.20IA dry goods clerk, Mable18IA,  Grant16IA.

1882, The Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul RR, arrived through Lima coming up the Volga River valley through Wadena, Lima, up Frog Hollow to hub at West.Union.

1882Sep26Fayette.IA, Nimble Sixpence Grocery at Fayette.IA...Christian Charles Nefzger (son of Simon), dealer in groceries and confectioneries, such as Teas, Coffees, Spices, & c.  Choice Cigars a specialty.  One door south of new printing office.

1882Nov07Fayette.IA, A party of railroaders got too much aboard (drank too much) and "went for" Simon Nefzger's stock of goods at Albany.  Constable George Earle followed and arrested them and bought them here (back to Albany) when they settled the matter with Mr. Nefzger and were discharged.

1882Dec12Fayette.IA, A petition is being circulated for a daily mail between Fayette and Lima.  It should win, although it will be a "star route."

Lima.IA Plat
1872Jul10.Lima.IA.Plat:  Andrew Jackson Hensley bought from Chicago, Dubuque & Minnesota RR Co. all of Block 10.
1883Nov19.Lima.IA.Plat:  Juneo J. Oelberg bought from A.J. Hensley,  E1/2 of lot 6 and all of lots 7,8 in Block 10 (Lima Store Property).
1883Nov10.Lima.IA.Plat:  Albert R. Oelberg bought from bro. Juneo J. Oelberg, E1/2 of lot 6 and all of lots 7,8 in Block 10, the Lima Store Property.
Note:  The Oelberg Store in Lima was the main business at 1883, although stores were in operation during the early years.  Simon Nefzger being a store owner in Lima is 'a question', as he appears to have never left left the Albany store or operated a second in Lima, bz/2012.  

1883Jan16Fayette.IA,  It is probably we shall have daily mails from Lima when the Post Office Dept gets to it.  Then if the stage returns immediately on the arrival of the Dubuque train, we can get the morning times by 10:30am.  So we shall possibly get some good out of the Volga Valley railroad.  That will also come very handy as an eastern outlet

1883Jan23Fayette.IA, From Lima:  The Lima Union Church is nearly completed.  The school is in fine condition under S.P. Beardsley's skillful management.  N.J. Henry at the mill has quite a force of men & teams busy getting out logs, ties, and wood.  R.E. Matsel's general variety store, keeps a fair stock of goods.  S. Schribner is the blacksmith, and A.J. Hensely runs the city scales.

1883Feb06Fayette.IA, Petition are in circulation for a daily mail to Lima and the West Union state line also.
1883Feb20Fayette.IA, Fayette and Lima, daily stage route, leaves Fayette twice daily to connect with all trains.  P.G. Widger, Proprietor.

1883Mar06, Married at West Albany, Iowa, by John Hutchinson, J.P., Mrs. A.C. Nefzger of West Albany and Johanna Hummel of Wadena.IA.

1883Jul03Fayette.IA, There is no depot at Lima, we discovered the other day, not even a platform for passengers to get on and off.  There is something resembling an inverted hog tough that answers the purpose.  There are accommodations there for hogs and cattle, but no storage for gain.  It resembles a flag station, minus the flag.  Simon Nefzger is building a store building (this is likely a comment that he is building the Oelberg store, bz/2012).

1885
1885Census, Albany, Westfield.Twp:  Nifzger(Nefzger) Simon, 63Gy store operator, bk11, lot2 in Albany:  wf Christina62Gy, son Henry21IA laborer.
1885Census, Union.Twp, Nefzger Christian Charles 36OH (son of Simon), farming; wf Clara A Rush33WI.
1885Census, Albany, Westfield.Twp, Nefzger, August 25/IA (son of Simon), laborer; wf Johanna20/IA.
1885Census, Union.Twp,  Nefzger, J. George, 62/Gy, farming, Leah56OH, G.W.28IA, L.C.24IA, D.G.19IA.

1885Mar06Fayette.IA, The saloon of Simon Nefzger, at Lima, in this county,  was raided night before last and a small quantity of whisky found yesterday morning. (Note:   Lima is an error.  The Nefzger saloon was at the north end of the Albany plat and not Lima, bz/2012)  Nefzger and his clerk were both arrested for selling and the trial fixed for today. They came by their attorney, L. L. AINSWORTH, of West Union, proposing to quit the business totally and forever and pay all costs and expenses, including attorney for prosecution. Being satisfied that the proposition was made in good faith and would be adhered to, the prosecution did not appear. The costs were promptly paid and there is one less saloon in Iowa. It does prohibit." 
Note:  The Iowa prohibition movement and laws of the early 1880's put all of the family brewers and distillers out of business.  Numerous people such as the Czech's around Spillville resisted, as did others, but by the mid 1880's, the 30+yr pioneer industries were 'arrested' and closed, shutting off a market for local grains and products associated with brewing and distilling.  Simon Nefzger had been distilling in the Albany area starting with Hiram Marvin probably about 1856+, bz/2012.

1885Jul03Fayette.IA,  Mrs. C. (Christana nee Kunzi, wf of Simon) and son Henry, of West Albany, returned last Saturday, from a visit to her sister (Catherine nee Kunzi), the wife of Fred Hipp probate judge of Crawford Co., Ohio, and other relatives and friends whom she had not seen for 28 years.
Note:  Frederick Hipp and Simon Nefzger operated a mill in Chatfield.Twp, Crawford.Co.OH for about ten years before Simon came the Albany area.  They also diversified as both were merchants and farmers.  There were numerous distillers in Crawford.Co.OH.  It can be assumed that Simon likely had already learned not only milling operations and merchandising in the Chatfield area but also became a practicing distiller.  He would either have come to Albany with a barrel size still or two, or quickly brought them inland from probably Dubuque by oxen using sled or wagon, bz/2012.

1885Jul12Fayette.IA, A serious accident , seeming almost a miracle that it terminated without the loss of life, occurred on last Sunday, July 5th. Mrs. C.C. (Christian Charles) Nefzger, in company with Miss Mary Halverson, was returning in a buggy with single horse from the funeral of David Thompson. They turned west from the Clermont road just this side of Mr. Mabb's farm, thinking there would be less dust. They had not driven more than forty rods when Mrs. Nefzger in looking back noticed a team coming at breakneck speed, having already broken loose from the conveyance they had been driven to. She did not see them in time to get out of the way entirely, although she whipped her horse and turned him out of the road thinking to give the runaways the entire track, but they were coming so fast that she could not get out of the way. One of the horses jumped into the back part of the carriage and the other over the wheel at the side, the first one getting his feet caught in the wheel and spring in such a way that he could not get loose. While in this condition both horses were exerting every nerve to get away. The entire top of the carriage was crushed over the head of Mrs. Nefzger, while her companion was shoved through the dashboard with the carriage top onto the back of their horse. Finally the horse at the side of the carriage broke loose from his mate and ran away. Mr. Dan Thompson being just in advance managed to control his team and tied them to the fence, and then returned to the assistance of Mrs. Nefzger, who finally succeeded in crawling out over the front end of her buggy to the ground. Mr. THOMPSON then helped her and her companion into his wagon and they reached home, both very badly bruised. The carriage was entirely demolished, every spoke in one wheel being broken out, both thills broken, the top, seat, and box being literally torn to pieces, and in fact, the entire vehicle was destroyed. We understand that the team was one owned by Mr. Asher Simer.  One of them is an old runaway and the other a blind horse, that is also fond of a race sometimes. It seems that the team had been driven to the funeral by Mrs. Simer, her daughter, a couple of boys and several children, and that on their return the team became frightened and ran away. Several of the occupants of the wagon were jarred somewhat, but we do not know at this writing to what extent. Mrs. Nefzger is under the care of Dr. Darnall.

1887Oct05&12Fayette.IA, Lima Letter;  The one great event this week was the moving of the post office on the 1st.  P.M. (Postmaster) Hastings has moved into the new store (at Lima).  He has everything new and convenient and handles the mail; F.T. Pilkngton is duly installed as assistant and will look after Uncle Sam's interest in the absence of P.M.   Daniel Hensley has returned after a long absence and concluded to settle down in Lima.  R.L. Hensley & Finch Brothers are preparing to build new houses this fall.  Lima is gaining a reputation as a butter and egg market, the highest price in the county being paid.  Mrs. Bass and family will removed to West Union this week.  Rumor says our boys (men) will get into trouble if they do not quit playing ball on the Sabbath.  Trains now pass through at 10:45am, and you can go either east or west.  G.G. Shepard took a load of potatoes to Oelwein and got the same price he could at home.

1887Dec10Fayette.IA, Lima Letter;  Postmaster Hastings is in Chicago this week taking in the sights.  A car of hogs and cattle were shipped by Owens & Cook.  Hoop poles and wood are coming in lively.  M.L. Meyer is overseeing the hoop business and expects to make it hum his winter.  Pilkington & Wing sent two cars of wood to Dakota.  G.R. Earle finished the Finch Bro's new house and can now be found at his ship in Lima.  Out literary society continues to flourish.  A movement is on foot to get the telephone line extended into Lima.  Ms. Hattie Selders of West.Union will teach the Lima school for the winter term.  Jo Lewis returned home from Chicago with his long looked for bride, to settle upon his farm here.  A car of hogs and cattle were shipped by Owens & Cook.
1887Dec24Fayette.IA, Lima Letter; Pilkington is buying lots of hoop poles and will ship a car of hoops this week. Geo. A. Campbell has moved to Lima and engaged in the hoop business for Pilkington.  P.H. Hastings is buying hogs for Owens & Cook.   The Lima creamery is running full blast, shipping butter every week.  The Turkey crop is a good one this year and every farmer has a load or two to sell.
Note:  Hoop Poles...long, straight sapling rods of ash, hickory, oak, hazel, etc, often pruned in the woods for the purpose of cutting later.  Usually hoop poles were harvested in the winter when farmers were not as busy.  They were stripped bark and shouts for the purpose of making hoop poles which were used around the farmstead as bases under haystacks, rollers to move heavy loads, split for basket weaving or to make barrel hoops, as iron was at a premium.  Hoop poles had many other utilitarian uses and were often shipped as a 'cash crop.'

1888Jan07Fayette.IA, Lima Letter; The snow is two feet deep in the woods.  Dr. Jones, now in Elgin, spent time with his family in Lima this week.  F.T. Pilkengton shipped a car load of hoops.  A. Thompson is picking up all the black walnut logs in these parts.   There is scarcely a day without enquires for a hotel in Lima, which is something we need to accommodate the traveling public....who will supply the want?  Warren Ward has located at Volga City.

1888Apr21Fayette.IA,  Andrew J. Hensley has moved from Fayette back to his Lima farm.
1888May05Fayette.IA, A portion of the Lima bridge broke down with a team and two men, dropping the whole outfit 15-20ft.  Nobody maimed for life. May12.. Supervisor Dooley settled with Wing, who went through the Lima bridge for $10.

1890Nov07Fayette.IA, David Shaffer will have a public sale at his farm on the Dunham and Albany road.

1895
1895Census, Albany, Westfield.Twp; Nefzger, Simon 76wid merchant, son ChristianC 45wid merchant.
1895Census, Hawkeye area, Windsor.Twp; Nefzger, Leroy36 laborer, Amelia34, Guy6.
1895Census, Sec 1, Union.Twp, Nefzgar (Nefzger) LeahC  65 wid, son GeoW36 farming,  dau G.D. 28.
1895Census, Smithfield.TWp; Nefzgar (Nefzger), Fred28 farming, Clara27, Ervin0.
1895Census, Albany, Westfield.Twp; Nefzger, ChristinaC 71/GY wid, Henry Simon 32 running Nefzger's Albany Store, wf MaggieM nee Hamrick 23/Benton.Co, dau EssieM5, son ElmerS2.
1895Census, Westfield.Twp; Nefzgar (Nefzger) AugustC 35 farming, Johanna29, Earnest Clyde9, ChasH7, MabelM5, VidaC2.

1896Jan31Fayette.IA,  "A Party of Bold Gentlemen from Growler's Gulch Get Into Trouble"  "Simon Nefzger, merchant and postmaster of Lima, was robbed last Friday night. The thieves took between $20 and $30 in cash, about fifty pairs of pantaloons, a dozen coats, two sacks of flour, a bolt of muslin and a miscellaneous collection of jack-knives and pipes.  The robbery occurred early in the evening. The clock had not yet struck seven. Mr. Nefzgar was alone in the store. No thought of danger had entered his mind, for pirates are not given as a usual thing to swooping down upon Lima and carrying away booty in armfuls. Even when the door opened and an elderly man entered, his suspicions were not awakened. The man, who by the way was the senior Wartham, the king of Growler's Gulch, said that he was on his way to Wadena from West Union. He had forgotten to get kerosene and wanted to buy some. This was reasonable enough, so Mr. Nefzgar went to the cellar to get the oil, and Mr. Wartham accompanied him to hold the light.  While in the cellar, Mr. Nefzgar thought he heard some one in the store, and communicated the impression to Mr. Wartham.  Of course Mr. Wartham had heard nothing. He went to the cellar to hear nothing, and that's what he heard and nothing more.  When they climbed the stairs the store was empty. Soon Frank HELMS, a patron of the office, came for his mail and departed. Mr. Wartham tendered a dollar in pay for the kerosene. Mr. Nefzgar went to the till for change, and then the game became to unfold itself.  I've been robbed!, he exclaimed.  The king of the Gulch was astonished. You don't say!, he said; must have been that fellow who was just in here."

1896Jan28WestUnion.IA, "Growler Gulch" Gang Gobbled.   Growler's Gulch is again in evidence and out new sheriff, Alf Hockings, has been lucky enough to score a brilliant point as almost his first official act.  A sled containing four strangers drove up to the store of Simon Nefzger at Lima, a small village a few miles SE of West Union.  The four occupants tied their team and went into the store, where they engaged Simon in conversation.  They were after a jug of kerosene and it was necessary for Nefzger, an old man upwards of 70yrs of age, to go to the cellar after it.  The youngest member of the party, a boy of 17, went with him to hold the light.  While the proprietor and boy were gone the other three raiders helped themselves to all the goods they could carry out while the old man and boy were gone.  They managed to gather in 50 pairs of pants, 25 coats, 20 shirts, a box of men's caps and to rob the till of $18 in cash.  In the till was a counterfeit dollar.  That was found on a member of the raiding party when they were captured this morning.  Soon after the four were gone the old man discovered his loss and notified his son/law, who at once came to West Union to notify the Sheriff, who hooked up and started out with his deputy about midnight.  They struck the trail just south of Lima and in the bright of moonlight and on the freshly fallen snow were able to follow it unerringly.  Southwest of Lima the track turned northward toward the big of "Growler's Gulch."  A few miles NW of town (Lima?) the officers overhauled a sled containing  Ben Warthan and C.B. Richardson.  These men were arrested and the contents of the sled examined, when the goods enumerated above were found.  A few hundred yards ahead another team was seen.  Sheriff Hocking took possession of the rear team and sent Deputy Thomas ahead to gather in the remainder of the gang.  When he ordered them to stop they started the team on a run.  He pulled his gun and fired when one of the fellows jumped from the sled and cut across the fields.  Thomas gathered in the team and Perry Warthan, the 17y old son of the leader of the gang.  The prisoners captured proved to be Ben Warthan and C.B. Richardson and Perry Warthan.  The fellow who got away is unknown but is thought that his early capture is certain.  After leaving Lima the goods were placed in sacks and when overtaken by officers the rear sled apparently contained a load of grain.  If these rascals are convicted, the bad gang in "Growler's Gulch" will be pretty effectually weeded out.

1896Mar26Fayette.IA, Prisoners sentenced for their evil deeds by the Fayette County Court.  Judge Hobson closed a three weeks term of court, his final act for the season being the sending of five criminals to the penitentiary as Anamosa.  Ben Wartham and C.R. Richardson, Growler's Gulch notables, each go over the road for five years for robbing old Simon Nefzger at Lima a few weeks since.

Note:  The Wartham, Richardson, Gardener, Albertson families settled very early around Chickasaw village, Chickasaw.Co.IA, or the location where Albert Albertson was involved with building the first mill in 1854/1855 and moved to Chickasaw at that time to become a merchant, as he had done when platting Albany in 1854..  Thus many of the Albany/Lima, through West Union, Auburn and into Chickasaw.Co.IA knew and associated with each other in the later half of the 1800's.  bz/2012

1896 Plat, Fayette Co, Iowa
Nefzber, Simon, Westfield Twp, sec 14
Nefzger, August Charles (son of Simon), Westfield Twp, sec 15
Nefzger, Chlora A., Dover Twp, sec 34
Nefzger, G.W. Estate, West Union Twp, sec 1

1899Apr21Waterloo.IA,  Patent granted (bicycle frame) to Simon Nefzger (b.1821) of Lima.  Note: Simon was living in the Albany plat, bz/2012.

1900
1900Census, Westfield.Twp;  Nefzger, JosephJ, May1839/IL, wid, father b. England, mother OH, millwright, see Doland & Rogers.
1900Census, Westfield.Twp, Nefzger, August 1859Aug; Johanna 1865Mar/PA 6ch/5living, Clide1885Jun, Chas1887May, Marybell1889Feb, C.1892Jun.
1900Census, Westfield.Twp; Nefzger,  Christian Charles.  Aug1848 wid, store operator; HenryLMay1862, wf Maggie Feb1871, EssieM Jul1889, ElmerS Oct1892, Bessie May 1899; with son C.C. are Simon Nov1821Gy landlord and wf Christina Jun1822.
1900Census, Windsor.Twp; Nefzger, GeoC Mar1860IA wheelwright; Amelia Jun1862OH, son GuyG Aug1889/IA.
1900Census, Smithfield.Twp; Nefzer (Nefzger), Ferdinand Sep1867 farming; Clara Aug1867IN, Irvin Feb1895IA.

1900Dec19Oelwein.IA, Mrs. Simon Nefzger died at her home in Albany at 11:25pm Wed, surrounded by her entire family now living, consisting of her husband, Simon Nefzger, her three sons, Christian, August and Henry and her only daughter, Mary.  Christina Catherine Kunzi Nefzger was born in Wittenburg, Germany, June 20, 1822.  When 14 (1836), she came to America with her parents and settled in Ohio in 1845.  At the age of 23 she was married to Simon Nefzger at Chatfield, Crawford.Co.OH.  They removed to (Fayette.Co.) Iowa in the fall of 1956 (joined parents & brothers who came in 1855).  They were blessed with six children, four boys and two girls, four of whom with her husband are left to mourn her death.  The funeral was held in the Albany school house, Nov 30, 1900, with Luth. Rev. St. John of Fayette conducting, after which her remains were laid to rest in the Lima Cemetery.

1901Jun27, Another rural free delivery route will be established Aug 1, 1901, running 22 miles out of Fayette, population served 788, carrier W.W. Peterman.  The Lima post office will be supplied by the rural carrier.  This makes four routes out of Fayette.

1904Sep25Fayette.IA, Mrs. Louisa Kunsey Fouser was born in Wettenburg, Germany, Feb. 8, 1828, and departed from this life Aug 23, 1904.  She came to this country with her parents at the age of three (1831).  they settled in Ohio where she grew to womanhood, and helped to share the privations of pioneer life.  She was married in 1851 to John Martin Fouser who died in 1880.  This union was blessed by six children, 4dau and 2sons.  One dau, died in infancy, and Mrs. Christina Reynolds. of Wilcox.WA, died Mar 22, 1902. The other four survive.  Louisa Kunsey joined the German Lutheran Chruch in girlhood, and later the United Brethren, and lastly the Methodist Church at Albany, living in the faith until her death.  Mrs. Fouser had been in poor health for the past five years during which she endured much suffering, which she bore patiently, and died in the hope of a blessed immortality.  The funeral was conducted by Rev. Cattermole at 2pm Wed, and interment made in Grandview Cemetery (at Fayette).

1907Apr06...Simon Nefzger Dead:  Simon Nefzger was born in Baden, Germany, November 20, 1821, and died at his home at Albany, Fayette county, Iowa at noon April 6, 1907 after a long and painful illness, at the advanced age of eighty-five years, four months and seventeen days. In 1856, in company with his father's entire family, he emigrated from his Fatherland, coming directly to Fayette county, and in 1859 to the village of Albany, where he has since resided. In 1845 he was united in marriage with Miss Christina Kunzie, who faithfully and lovingly journeyed with him till death called her away six years ago, a period of fifty-five years. Five children were given to this union, three sons and two daughters, four of whom are left to mourn his loss; Christian, Mary L. (now Mrs. Earle) August and Henry;, all living in the immediate vicinity. Emile died in infancy. Mr. Nefzger also leaves seventeen grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. In his early life he united with the Lutheran church of which he remained a member until his death.  He was in poor health for a number of years, and while his death was not unexpected the blow was none the less severe. A patient sufferer through all his illness, rational to the last moment, he expressed his willingness to return to his Maker, saying he was ready and willing to go. Mr. Nefzger was upright in his dealings, neighborly and accommodating in his intercourse with others, and kindly, though not demonstrative in his disposition. Funeral services were held at Albany on Monday, April 8, conducted by Rev. J. L. Pain, music being rendered by the Lima church choir, and the remains were laid to rest beside those of his wife in the Lima cemetery.

1907Apr11Fayette.IA, Mr. Simon Nefzger of Albany, died April 5, 1907.  The funeral was held at the Albany school house April 7, and the burial in the Lima Cemetery.

1907Apr15Oelwein.IA,  Land Transaction:  Simon Nefzger to Henry S. Nefzger, e24 N, 42a  W3/4 of NE1/4 of NW1/4, sec33?-91  $1500.  Simon Nefzger to Henry S. Nefzger, part of SE1/4 of NE1/4 sec14, T93N, R8W, $1.

1910
1910Census, Albany, Westfield.Twp;  Nefzger, AugustC 50 stone mason, Hannah45.
1910Census, Albany, Westfield.Twp; Nefzger, ChristianC 61, divorced, alone,  retired merchant.
1910Census; Albany, Westfield.Twp; Nefzger, ClydeE 24, laborer; Flossie19, Orna2m.
1910Census; Albany, Westfield.Twp; Nefzger, HenryS 47 farming; MargaretM38, Elmer17 farm laborer, MaudeB11, FloydC7.
1910Census; Illyria.Twp; Nefzger, Mabel, 21, domestic with a Talcott family.

1920
1920Census, Albany, Westfield.Twp; Nefzger, Henry56 farming,  Maggie49, Maude21, Floyd16.
1920Census, Otter.St, West.Union, Union.Twp; Nefzger ClydeE35 laborer; FlossieG29, OmiaJ9, RichardM4y6m, WesleyW2y6m, VirgilH8m.
1920Census, Wadena, Illyria.Twp; Nefzger, Clarence27 farming; Pearl20, Doyle5m.

1925
1925Census; Illyria.Twp; Nefzger, Elmer 32, Pearl25, Dolye5, Opal4, Dale2.
1925Census; Union.Twp; Nefzger, Floyd, 21 boarder.
1925Census; Union.Twp; Nefzger, ErnestC39, Flossie34, Oma15, Richard9, Wayne7, Virgil5, Jean1.
1925Census; Albany, Westfield.Twp; Nefzger, Henry Simon 61; Margriet52, Floyd21.

1926Sep16Fayette.IA, Another long time resident passed away.  Henry Nefzger lived on the same farm for 64yrs.  His father Simon Nefzger, bought the farm which is located at Albany in 1859.  There Henry was born in March of 1862.  Had 6ch.

1930
1930Census, Albany, Westfield.Twp; Nefzger, HenryS69 farming, wf MaggieH58.
1930Census, Lima.area, Westfield.TWp; Nefzgar, ElmerS37 farming; PearleE31, DoyleH10, OpalO9, DaveW7, DuaneC3, RobertJ4m.
1930Census, West.Union.village; Nefzger, FloydC29 buttermaker; wf Bernice25.
1930Census, West.Union.village; Nefzger, Oma20, servant; neice with Elsworth49 & Pearl Cornish42.

1930 Poem of Albany.IA (describing about the1865-1910 era)
by August Charles Nefzter, living in Vida.MT, sent to the Fayette.Leader, son of Simon Nefzger (Nefzger's Albany Store).

...August Charles (Bud) Nefzger, b. 1857Aug17/Albany.IA, d. 1942May02/Vida,McCone.Co.MT, married 1883, Johanna Hummel b. 1865Mar04/Wadena.IA, d. 1928/Jun10, Vida, McCone.Co.MT.  Had six children at Albany.IA, bet 1885-1895.
Note:  August Nefzger identifies numerous important long forgotten and today unknown landmarks of Albany village, bz/2012.

Albany Poem:
...How well I remember the home of my childhood.
...On the banks of the stream where the old elm tree stood,  (Elm tree would have been just downstream from the mill dam & just E of the Nefzger store).
...And just up the steam right across from the hill
...You could hear the rumble of the old grist mill.   (Earle's Mill abt. a 100yds SxSE of the Nefzger store)
...A dam ran across to the bank covered with grass,
...And the pond full of fish where you could catch bass, 
...And the boat on the pond all equipped with wood oars
...Where you could ride amid cheers and encores,
...Then just up the stream a half mile or so  (near the end of the mill pond, at the bend of the Volga turning westward).
...Where the old wooden bridge stood years ago
...A road ran across this bridge and up the ravine (to the SE and across the old Graff farm)
...Where on the right side the old lime kiln could be seen  (at the beginning of the upward trail)
...Then on up the ravine and the road was rough
...Till you came to the fields at the top of the bluff;
...The first thing you saw on the left hand side
...Was the old Graf orchard, so long and wide.
...Where all kinds of apples grew year after year
...And you could walk in and eat without fear.
...Then on the road till you struck the highway (the dirt road coming south out of Lima)
...And the old Parker place that always looked gay.
...And now back we go right over the ridge
...To the Volga River and old wooden bridge,
...And on up the stream not more than a mile
...They built a new bridge that would make you smile (the abandoned steel bridge still standing at Albany in 2000+)
...One end on the rocks, the other on the sand
...Where it took lots of work to make an abutment stand.
...Than on up the stream about a mile and a half
...Was the old Marvin mill; it would make you laugh
...To see them saw logs into all kinds of lumber;
...They would saw night and day and disturb your slumber
...Then on up the river a mile or so more
...Was the big rock that tumbled in from the shore.  (not the big rocks of Fayette)
...Where we used to set traps and catch muskrats,
...And right back of this rock was a den of wild cats.
...Now memory goes back to the old elm tree
...That stands right down from the town Albany
...Right west from this tree and on Main Street (using Water St. as the 'Main St.'') 
...was a nice little store where they sold things to eat.  (Nefzger's store)
...Then down the street a block or two
...Was where they made baskets and sewed up your shoe,
...And down still farther and across the street
...Was where they wove carpets, oh so neat.  (Fauser's, the weavers)
...And now we cross over to street number two
...With a saloon on the corner that calls to you (Nefzger's saloon)
...And where they sold whiskey made from corn  (Simon Nefzger & Hiram Marvin were actual distillers starting by the late 1850's.)
...And where they kept open from morn to morn;
...Then on up the street the old tailor shop stood,  (Oelberg's, the tailors)
...Where they did all kinds of sewing and did it good.
...And next was the cabinet shop run by Dow,
...Next was a blacksmith shop where they sharpened your plow;  (Wing bro and others)
...Then came the school house and the two oak trees
...From which hung the swing that swayed in the breeze
...Where the teacher and children had just lots of fun
...From the time school let out till the last bell rang.
...And now we go back to the old elm tree
...That stood on the bank of the old Volga;
...Right across from this tree on the side of the hill
...Was where they made lime in the old lime kiln;  (a 2nd lime kiln, across the Volga, east of the store)
...Just west of the lime kiln, down over the hill
...Flowed the Volga river so silent and still
...And at the edge of the stream where Big Rock stood
...Us boys found fishing that was very good;
...Then just down the stream ten rods or so
...you could cross on the stones when the water was low.
...then down we go while the water does sing,
...The next thing we come to is the good old spring
...Where the town folks all got water to drink
...And once in a while you got sight of a mink.
...Then down the river forth rods or more
...Where the road from the town came close to the shore,  (just north of the Albany plat)
...Was the old California Hole so deep and clear.  (large, wide, favorite fishing location from the high west side bank)
...Where us boys used to swim and shout and cheer.
...Then down the river past the Dan Andrews place
...Where the water ran over the riffle, swift as a mill race,  (starting to approach the Lima plat form the west)
...Then on down stream with banks so green
...And the most beautiful trees you ever have seen
...Then the next thing we come to is the old Lima mill (water mill off the S end of the Lima plat)
...And then across the river right up to the hill;
...Then right below this was the old Lima bridge  (abandoned, still standing, 2000, mill was just W of the N end of the bridge)
...With the school house in sight right on up the ridge. 
...Now back to the starting point we go with a sigh,
...And with nothing more to write, I will bid you good bye!
A.C. Nefzger, Jan. 23, 1930, Vida, Montana

1931Mar26Fayette.IA, The Lima Post Office will not be closed.  The postal department issued an order last week announcing the closing of the Lima post office, to take effect Sunday, and that Lima mail would be routed through the Fayette office.  But this order was annulled, and the Lima mail pouch will be taken care of in the usual manner over the Milwaukee (RR).  (The Lima post office was discontinued 1935).

1935Jun27Fayette.IA,  The postoffice at Lima wlll close June 29, and after that date patrons will be served by a rural Fayette rural route

1938May11Fayette.IA,  Henry Nefzger of Lima (error,  Albany), Passes 76th Birthday on Sport Where He Was Born - Lima (error, Albany) - Henry Nefzger celebrated his seventy-sixth birthday May 6. He still lives in the house in which he was born in 1862, and which was bought by his father, Simon Nefzger in 1859 from Albert Albertson.. Albertson and Ed SMITH laid out the town in 1854 and called it Albertson, but this name was later changed to Albany. A part of the original house is still in use, and this part is lathed with hand split lath. More recent additions have been made on the house Mr. and Mrs. Nefzger will celebrate their fiftieth wedding anniversary next August.

1938AugFayette.IA, "GOLDEN WEDDING - HENRY NEFZGERS August 24, 1938- -Lima Couple Will Celebrate Next Sunday; Have Many Relatives - - Mr. and Mrs. Henry Nefzger will celebrate their golden wedding anniversary next Sunday with a family gathering at the Albany park, which is owned by Mr. Nefzger. Relatives from Mason City, Waterloo, Oelwein, Maynard, West Union, Fayette, and Rochester, Minn. are expected to attend. Mr. and Mrs. Nefzger's anniversary was Aug. 17, and on that day they were guests in the home of a granddaughter, Mrs. Frank RICHARDS, Fayette. Their two daughters, Mrs. John Doland and Mrs. James McCarron, and granddaughter, Mrs. Harold Mullins, and baby were also present. Mr. Nefzger was born May 6, 1862, in the house where he still lives, the son of Simon and Christena Nefzger. He has one brother living, August (Bub) Nefzger, Vida, Mont., who was seventy-eight on Aug. 17. Mrs. Nefzger was born at Belle-Plaine, Iowa, Feb. 25, 1872, the daughter of James and Ida HAMRICK, and came with her parents to Albany when she was about thirteen years old and she has resided there ever since. Mr. and Mrs. Nefzger have four children: Essie, Mrs. John Doland, Fayette; Elmer, on a farm near Albany; Maude, Mrs. James McCarron, Fayette; Floyd, butter maker in West Union. They have eleven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.  Mrs. Nefzger has one sister, Mrs. Will Reed, Maynard; two brothers, Charles Hamrick, Fayette; and John Hamrick, Maynard; also, one half-sister, Mrs. Eugene Palmer, Waterloo, and four half-brothers: Lester Fauser, Fayette; Arthur and Paul Fauser, Oelwein; and Peter Fauser, Fayette; a half brother, Grover, A World war veteran, died a few years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Nefzger are in good health doing the work of home and raising chickens and garden and doing other chores. Ninety-five people attended the golden wedding anniversary of and Mrs. Henry Nefzger. Several beautifully decorated cakes were presented, and a nice sum of money was given to them. They had many calls in the afternoon from old friends and neighbors."

1944April.Fayette.IA, Mrs. P.G. WIDGER, who had been in poor health for a number of months, passed away Sunday, April 23, 1944, at Independence. As Mary Louisa FAUSER, she was born May 3, 1856, near Lima, the daughter of John M. and Louisa FAUSER. She was one of six children, the others being Henrietta, [Christine], Adolph, Samuel and Catherine. She lived almost her entire life in Fayette county. After spending her girlhood days in the Lima vicinity, she married Peter G. WIDGER May 3, 1879. Their home was in the northeast part of Fayette for many years. Mr. WIDGER died in 1933 and the daughter Doris Widger FARRELL died in 1831. Mrs. Widger is survived by her grandson, Gerald FARRELL of Waucoma and several nieces and nephews. She was united with the Methodist church in her girlhood.

1946JunFayette.IA, Mrs. Henry Simon Nefzger obit, June 1946 : SUCCUMBS at NEW HAMPTON HOSPITAL WEDNESDAY; BURIAL AT LIMA - Mrs. Henry S. Nefzger, 74, passed away Wed. evening at the New Hampton Hospital following an illness of several week's duration.  Margaret Mae HAMRICK was born Feb. 25, 1872, at Belle Plaine, Iowa, the daughter of James Edward and Ida HAMRICK. After the death of her father, the family moved to Fayette County, Iowa, where she grew to womanhood and attended the rural schools. Soon after coming here, her mother married Adolph FAUSER, who was a beloved father to the children. Margaret was united in marriage to Henry S. Nefzger August 17, 1888, and came as a bride to his home at Albany, where they lived for nearly fifty-six years. To this union four children were born, all of whom besides the husband survive. They are Essie, Mrs. John DOLAND; Maude, Mrs. James McCARRON; Elmer, all of Fayette, and Floyd of Forest Park, Ill. Mrs. Nefzger's home was always her first interest but she gave her time unselfishly to friends and neighbors who needed her assistance.  Besides the beloved husband and children she leaves two brothers, Charles HAMRICK of Yacolt, Wash., John HAMRICK of Maynard, a sister, Mrs. Will REID, of Fayette, one half-sister, Mrs. Eugene PALMER of Waterloo, three half-brothers, Arthur FAUSER of Westgate, Lester and Peter FAUSER of Fayette, thirteen grand children, and three great grand children. Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon at the Lima church conducted by Rev. G. W. UKENA. Casket bearers were Doyle NEFZGER, Duane NEFZGER, Paul DOLAND, Ralph PIXLER, Harold MULLINS, and Harley CUE. Interment at Lima cemetery."
". . . Due to failing health, Mr. and Mrs. Nefzger sold their farm to their grandson, Dale Nefzger, and moved to Fayette so that they might be near their children. . . . Burial was in Lima Cemetery with three grandsons and three grandsons-in-law as pallbearers. . . . One brother and two half-brothers preceded her in death."

1950Oct15...Henry Simon Nefzger, 88 years, died Sunday morning, Oct. 15, at the home of his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. James A. McCARRON, with whom he had made his home since the death of his wife, June 12, 1946.  Mr. Nefzger had been in failing health for some time, but his death came unexpectedly Sunday morning about 8:30.  Mr. Nefzger was born May 6, 1862, near Albany, east of Fayette. His parents were Simon and Christina KUNZIE Nefzger. He lived his entire life on the farm east of Fayette where he had been born, until about seven years ago when he and his wife retired and moved to Fayette.  He was married to Margaret HAMRICK, August 17, 1888, in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. They had four children, Essie, Mrs. John DOLAND, Elmer, and Mrs. Maude McCARRON, all of Fayette, and Floyd of Forrest Park, Illinois, all of whom survive. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, two sisters, Mary and Emily, and two brothers, August and Christian.  Funeral services were held Tuesday, clipping says August; obviously should be Oct. 17, in the Belles Funeral Home. Burial was in the family lot in the Lima cemetery.

(1969) "NEFZGER RITES HELD AT FAYETTE FRIDAY - FAYETTE - Funeral services for Dale Nefzger, 46, who died suddenly last Tuesday were conducted at 2:30 p.m. Friday from Belles-Wright Funeral Home with Dr. George Carl officiating. Interment was in Grandview cemetery with William NELSON, Jr., Clermont; Robert LOBAN, Oelwein; Harold HOMEWOOD, Russell DICKINSON, William ORR, and Robert STEINBRONN as pallbearers. Dale William Nefzger was born on a farm near Fayette on Dec. 6, 1922, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Nefzger. He grew up and went to school at Albany and Fayette, graduating from Fayette High school in 1940. He attended Upper Iowa College, Fayette, and was later employed at aircraft factories at Glendale, Calif., and Omaha, Neb. He entered the U. S. Army in 1946 and served with the infantry in Korea. After returning from overseas duty in the Pacific theater he was discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant. The past 20 years he engaged in farming near Fayette. Surviving are his wife, Linda, a daughter, Shelly; two daughters by a previous marriage, Dalyn and Charla, Oelwein; a stepdaughter; his parents, four brothers, Doyle, West Union; Duane, Oelwein; Robert, Fayette; Richard, Independence, and two sisters: Opal, Mrs. Ralph PIXLER, West Union; and Joan, Mrs. Gordon SMITH, Fayette.Relatives from a distance attending funeral for Dale Nefzger were Floyd Nefzger, Chicago, Ill., and daughter, Mrs. Jack LASCHINSKI, Wheaton, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. Larry HARRISON, Rochester, Minn.; and others from West Union, Independence, Decorah, Waterloo, Arlington, Clermont, Maynard, and Oelwein."

1973Jun14Fayette.IA, Elmer Simon Nefzger passed away June 8, 1973, at Palmer Memorial Hospital in West Union, at the age of 80.  He was a lifetime resident of the Albany and Fayette area, and retired farmer.  Elmer was born Oct 28, 1892, the son of Henry Simon and Margaret Hamrick Nefzger.  On Jan 19, 1915, he married the former Eva Pearl Scott.  They had seven children.  He is survived by his wife, four sons, Doyle of West Union, Duane (Bud) of Oelwein, Robert of Fayette, Paul (Dick) of Independence; two daughters, Mrs. Ralph (Opal) Pixler of West Union and Mrs. Gordon (Joan) Smith of Fayette; one sister Mrs. James (Maude) McCarron of Fayette; one brother, Floyd of Brookfield.IL; 15 grandchildren and 5 g/grandchildren. 

1980JulyFayette.IA, Floyd Nefzger, son of Henry & Margaret Nefzger) July 10, 1980 - "Funeral services were held at Belles-Wright Funeral Home July 17 for Floyd C. Nefzger, 77, Pastor David Poganski of Grace Lutheran Church, officiated, and burial was in the Grandview Cemetery. Nefzger died July 2 in Brookfield, Ill.; services had been held there Saturday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church. Survivors are Mrs. Jack (Marilyn) LASCHINSKI of Carol Stream, Ill.; one son, David, of Washington, D.C.; three granddaughters; two sisters-in-law, Mrs. Pearl NEFZGER of Fayette, and Mrs. Martha HOMEWOOD of West Union; and many nieces and nephews. Casket bearers were Doyle NEFZGER of West Union; Duane NEFZGER of Independence; Russell DICKINSON and Scott OSTRANDER of Fayette. Nefzger was a former Fayette and West Union resident. He was a butter maker in West Union for many years."

"Nefzgar Burial Services - Graveside services were held Wednesday morning at Grandview Cemetery, Fayette, for Mrs. Floyd Nefzgar, Brookfield, Illinois, a former Fayette and West Union resident. She is survived by her husband; one daughter, Marilyn, of Chicago; __ sisters, including Martha HOMEWOOD, West Union; two brothers, including Walter PIERCE, Fayette; one sister-in-law, Pearl NEFZGAR, Fayette; three grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews in the Oelwein, West Union, and Fayette area."

Eva Pearl Nefzger, 91, of Fayette, died Tuesday, Feb. 20, at Maplecrest Manor, Fayette, of natural causes; survivors include four sons, Doyle of West Union; Duane "Bud" of Apache Junction, Ariz.; Bob of Fayette; and Dick of Independence; two daughters, Opal PIXLER of Oelwein; and Joan SMITH of Fayette; 15 grandchildren; three step grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; two step great-grandchildren; and a sister, Alta COPEMAN of Grundy Center; she was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer, in 1973; a son, Dale; two sisters, Tina and Maude; two brothers, Vern and Bert; two half brothers, Clifford and William; a grandchild; and a great-grandchild; services will be 11 a.m. Friday at Becker-Milnes Funeral Home, Fayette; burial in Grandview Cemetery, Fayette; friends may call after 5 p.m. today at the funeral home and one hour before services

1990) "Doyle Nefzger - WEST UNION - Doyle Nefzger, 71, died Tuesday morning at Palmer Lutheran Health Center, West Union. He is survived by one son, Larry, and a daughter, Mrs. Deanna MILLER, both of West Union; one grandchild; two step-grandchildren; a great-grandson; two sisters, Opal PIXLER, Oelwein, and Joan SMITH, Fayette; three brothers: Duane (Bud) Nefzger, Apache Junction, Ariz.; Robert (Bob) Nefzger, Fayette; and Richard (Dick) Nefzger, Independence. As private services will be held there will be no visitation. Burnham-Wood Funeral Home, West Union, handled arrangements. Mr. Nefzger was a retired Fayette County employee."

(Sun - Aug 13, 1989) "Shirley Nefzger - WEST UNION - There will be no services for Shirley Nefzger, 53, of West Union; she died Thursday night (Aug. 10) at Palmer Lutheran Center, West Union, of natural causes; survivors include her husband, Doyle, of West Union; a son, Larry Nefzger of West Union, a daughter, Deanna MILLER of West Union; three grandchildren; her mother, Eva BAILEY, of Fayette; a brother, Arthur BAILEY, of Huntington Beach, Calif.; and a sister, Dorothy FROMMELT, of Elkader; she was preceded in death by her father and a grandson; there will be no visitation; Burnham and Wood Funeral Home, West Union, are in charge of arrangements."

Example only.

Nefzger & Marvin, Distillers

Simon Nefzger and Hiram Marvin were pioneer Iowa distillers starting sometime after 1860.
They would have been located near the Marvin Mill, a mile upstream from Albany, Fayette.Co.IA.

1865...Iowa Gazetter, mills advertised:  Hiram Marvin sawmill at Albany, Fayette.Co.IA (1.5mi upstream from Albany);  Harry Cole (water mill at Big.Rocks); John Dunham (likely a steam mill in the NE corner of Westfield.Twp., Richard Earl (flour mill at Albany).
1865...Iowa Gazetter:  Hiram Marvin and Simon Nefzger, Distillers at Albany.

Iowa Tax Assement, 1866
1866...Simon Nefzger, Distiller, Iowa Tax Assessment, Special District.
1866Feb...Simon Nefzger, Distiller of Spirits, Albany.IA,  monthly Iowa Tax Assessment, 27gal, rate $2/gal, total tax $54.
1866Mar...Simon Nefzger, Distiller of Spirits, Albany.IA, monthly Iowa Tax Assessment, 29gal, rate $2/gal, total tax $58.
1866May...Simon Nefzger, Distiller of Spirits, Albany.IA, monthly Iowa Tax Assessment, 552gal, rate $2/gal, total tax $1104.
1866June...Simon Nefzger, Distiller of Spirits, Albany.IA, monthly Iowa Tax Assessment, 60.5gal, rate $2/gal, total tax $121.
1866Dec...Simon Nefzger, Retail Dealer, Albany.IA, monthly Iowa Tax Assessment, total tax $2.50.
  Note, in 1868:  Simon was operating a general store in Albany, farming the 111a in sec 2, three miles north of Albany, plus distilling with Hiram Marvin at Marvin's Mill.
1866Mar...Ignatz Bilger, Brewer in Auburn.IA, 34.5 barrels of beer, rate $1/bbl, total tax $34.50.
1866May...Ignatz Bilger, Brewer in Auburn.IA, 45 barrels of beer, rate $1/bbl, total tax $45.
1866June...Ignatz Bilger, Brewer in Auburn.IA, 45 barrels of beer, rate $1/bbl, total tax $45.


Simon Nefzger came from Chatfield.Twp, Crawford.Co.OH to Albany:  "Scores of men living in this and adjacent townships, were accustomed to visit the distiller, where liquor free from strychnine and other alkaloid poisons could be obtained for less money than the impure articles then circulating in commerce. Jugs were taken and filled, and when the supply had failed, another visit was made for more. The greater portion of the liquor manufactured was consumed at home."

Some general notes on making spirits:
The web is full of information.

Frontier Whiskey and Beer:
...Next to water, beer and whiskey were the drink of early white settlers, and generally universally utilized. 
...Manufacturing breweries and stills would spring up along streams, often in close association with early water grist and saw mills. 
...As an article of commerce beer and whiskey were often the first commercial items in local demand, thus offering pioneer farms a close market for their barley, rye, corn and other grains. 
...In Fayette County, Iowa, the Nefzger/Marvin distillery operation at Albany was certainly the first and probably the only commercially taxed operation from about 1856+ to the early 1880's
...Iowa activated prohibition laws in the early 1880's that would put all breweries and distilleries out of business.

Stills, big or small:
...Distillery operations of any size opened a market for the surplus rye and corn, which the people exchanged for whiskey, which they could use or exchange for goods at any of the stores in the country.
...Settlers would be stimulated to increase grain crops because of a local market, as it was impossible to transport their grain to more distant markets over the almost impassable roads of early times.

Distilled Spirits:
Distilled spirits were an important part of the culture and economy of the American colonies.  A rum distillery in Boston was operating by the late 1650's.  Run production became the largest industry of New England within a generation. 
...Whiskey production, originating in Scotland and Ireland, would be the preferred way to convert surplus grains to a more valuable commodity.  It was more readily transported and non-perishable.  American colonists use whatever grains were available, but with corn being a native American crop, as its production increased, corn would often become the bases for American whiskey.
...Before even wagon/cart roads, farmers could distill whiskey and transport it by animal or water for barter or cash.  At one time most farmers made whiskey and used it as a medium of exchange.
...As settlement increased in an area,  larger 'distilleries' became a central location to 'sell' extra grain.   Larger distillers where often located along streams and near grist mills.
...At the time of the Rev. War, when the British blockade molasses importation for rum production, whiskey production increased, meeting the demand for spirits for the general public and the Continental Army.
...The tax on whiskey after the Rev. War, led to the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794, the first test of Federal power, when Pres. Geo. Washington ordered troops to put down the uprising.
...After leaving office Geo. Washington became the largest whiskey distiller in America.
...In 1810,  1,760,000 gals. of whiskey were being produced by abt. 2000 distillers.

Moonshine basics:
Making Corn Whiskey or Moonshine on the Frontier:   http://www.iowaz.info/missouri/shine.htm
...Corn Whiskey or corn Liquor is made from a mash of at least 80% corn, with wheat and rye used.
...It is usually a high % or proof of alcohol, then cut with water to not less than 40% of 80 proof.
...Is is not always aged in oak barrels to reduce harshness and pick up color/flavor; often ages less than 6 months.
...Need a good copper still, with an elbow shaped pipe coming from the top and tapered down to about a 4 to 1 diameter.
...Attached to the end of the elbow is a long coiled copper pipe, called the 'worm.'
...The worm is looped inside a barrel kept full of cold water during the distillation process of the 'sour mash.'
...Sour mash contents varied to include local grains but often was just a mix of corn and/or rye plus water left sitting in 'mash barrels' for a period of time.
...Then malted (sprouted then heated) barley for sugars and yeast for fermentation were added.
...After a couple of days depending on temperature, the fermenting mash mixture begins bubbling for several days during fermentation.
...When fermentation stopped the solid mash was removed leaving the liquid wort which was put in the still.
...A wood fire was stoked under the still 'boiled' off the various liquids in the mixture, each chemical having its own boiling point.
...Ketones, alcohols and other organic vapors rose and were condensed into liquid as it passed through the coiled worm in the cooling barrel.
...The fire level controlled the speed of the process.
...A stream controlled to a bit larger than a pencil with a small still, was called high wines and run into wooden tubs/casks or pottery jugs.
...The first of the lot were the dangerous methel alcohol and ketones, with the desired ethanol coming after about 180deg.
...The early portion of the condensing ethanol was the highest proof as the later liquid had more water boiling off with it.
...The end of a batch was called low wine or singlings and had to be run through the still again to increase proof.
...The hot liquid left in the still was called the backings.

Note:  Simon Nefzger and Hiram Marvin were not moonshiners at Albany.  They were making whiskey and distributing on a commercial level as taxed distillers.  Their operation was much larger than the small stills of frontier whisky makers, with a still probably similar to the size of the moonshiners of the early/mid 1900's shown by doing a Google images search.  The Marvin farm/mill property was traded to Hammond, a Bee Keeper for the brick house and lots north of the Fayette village bridge in 1883.  The Hiram's son Joseph Marvin would go on to conducted a major saw and flour mill and steam machinery business at the north end of the Fayette bridge.  The Marvin move from Albany was about the same time Iowa prohibition laws put brewers and distillers out of business for good.  Simon Nefzger would have continued some distilling and selling at Albany until arrested in 1885 and promising to quit.   Iowa breweres and distillers either quit or were arrested and forced to discontinue production by the mid 1880's.

WHISKEY basics.
...Basic items needed were grain, water and yeast or sour mash starter.  A copper still and fuel.
...Example: use four bushel of shelled corn or about 220lb of grist plus 150+gal water to produce a mash.
...In theory 4bu of corn/grain should yield about 10 gal of 100% alcohol, from which about 20+ gal of 80proof (40% alcohol) whisky could be 'aged.'
...Usually corn or rye would be ground into course meal or grist the same type of grind as for beer.  Wheat and other grains can be added or used.
...Mashing occurred next. In brewing and distilling, mashing is the process of combining a mix of ground malted barley with a grist of other traings such as corn, rye, wheat, sorghum, which is called the 'grain or mash bill.'  The grain bill has water added to become the 'liquor.'  The liquor is heated with pauses at certain temperatures, generally about 115deg, 145deg, 165deg F.  The pioneer distillers being without thermomoters would just learn by 'feel' what to do and when.  Mashing allows enzymes in the malted barley to break down the starch molecules into sugars, with a high concentration of maltose, and the malty liquid becomes 'wort.'  The final product of mashing is 'mash.'  How much time this process takes was well known by experience by the brewers/distillers and depended on temperature, size of the tank and amount of mash.
...To separate the wort (malty liquid) out for fermenting, the liquid would be drained/sieved to a fermentation tank and the remaining wet mashing grains would be used as animal feed or disposed.
...Unless using sour mash for a yeast starter, new brewing/distilling yeast (strains/types) have to be used for each new batch of liquid wort ferment fermented.  Wild yeast could be used but often produced undesirable results.
...Fermentation, usually took 2 to 3 days once the yeast or sour mash was added, with best results at about 95degF, thus either in warm weather or a protected building.
...Distilling, or concentrating the alcohol content follows fermentation.  The number of times the liquid is run through the still depends on the taste the distiller.  Every run through the still increases the purity of the whiskey.
...If using a regular pot still, only a little more than half of the water content is actually removed per time.
...Traditionally, American Whisky and Irish whiskey are distilled three times while Irish whiskey two times.
...The unwanted 'runoffs' while distilling, the "heads", are undesirable and poisonous liquid, and boil off first at lower tempratures, before the ethanol begins to evaporate off.  The heads have to be discarded for safety. 
...The first vapors/heads are referred too as 'high-wines.'
...The 'tails' fall below 80 proof and do not add to the quality of the whiskey so were distilled again or discarded.
...The ideal distillate for a whiskey falls around 80 proof (abt 40% ethyl alcohol). 
...Whiskey matures best in oak casks. The legal minimum when aging good whiskey is 3 years, however, pioneer whiskey was used/sold after only a few months.
...During aging/mellowing, the whiskey in an oak barrel/cask gains aroma, flavor and color. Aging takes the edge off the raw whiskey and creates what is considered a 'smoother' whiskey. During aging a small percentage of the alcohol evaporates, slightly reducing the proof of the product.

Bourbon basics:
 ...The typical grain mixture ('mash bill') for bourbon is about 70% corn and 30% wheat and/or rye, plus malted barley.
 ...'Wheated' bourbon in produced without rye.
...The grain mix is course ground into a grist, and then mixed with water as with any whiskey.
...Usually mash from a previous distillation is added to ensure consistent pH (acid/base level) from batch to batch.  This is 'sour mash' whiskey.
...Yeast is added; the mash is fermented into the 'wash,' the distilled typically in a pot still to a clear liquid between 65-80% alcohol (130-169 proof).
...The clear spirit is placed in charred oak barrels and aged, gaining color and flavors from carmelized sugars of the charred oak. 
...Evaporation, oxidation and other chemical combinations also effect the end product.
...As Bourbons mature and improve with age they gain in color and flavor up to a point, after which they become woody and chemically unbalanced.
...After aging, bourbon is withdrawn from the oak barrel, diluted with water to produce 40-75% or 80-151 proof Bourbon.
...'Barrel proof bourbon' would be undiluted product, but rarely sold.  Bourbon sold below 80 proof is 'diluted bourbon'.
...Bourbon is not mixed a blend of whiskies and clear ethanol, and it is aged as produced in oaken barrels.

American whiskey
...North American whiskies are spirit variants produced from a thin mash mixture of corn, rye, wheat, barley and other grains.
...Typically corn is the high majority grain.  Rye adds 'spicy' flavor; wheat 'dull' flavor.
...After distillation, aged in new/used, charred/uncharred wooden barrels depending on the type of whiskey being made.
...The U.S. government eventually set the minimum standard for all whiskies; 
...They are made from grain mash and distilled at above 90% (abt 180 proof) ethanol.
...Then reduced with water to no more than 62.5% (abt. 125 proof) before being aged in new charred American white oak barrels.
...Then cut with water and bottled at no less than 40% (abt. 80 proof) to be labeled whiskey.

What is mashing?
...Mashing for whiskey is the process of heating a thin water and grain grist enough that the starches are released.
...The enzymes in added malted grain (usually barley) then can convert the starches to sugars upon which microbes will consume producing waste products as esters and ethers (various alcohols).
...The ethyl alcohol (ethanol) is what the distiller is attempting to extract in its purest and highest concentration.
...The other by products of the fermentation are generally very dangerous to consume.
...The thin mash is then cooled; open fermentation follows.
...After fermentation grist and all are distilled in a column/barrel still.

What are malted grains?
...Grains sprouted, which produce enzymes called 'amylases',  that will convert starch to sugars.
...The sprouting/growth is stopped generally be heating to save the enzymes.
...The malted & dried grain is ground to a grist, and added into the grain mash.
...The 'amylases' convert grain starches to sugars which the yeast use for metabolism/fermentation.
...One of the many 'waste' products of microbial/yeast fermentation is the desired ethyl alcohol (ethanol).
...However, acetic acid, esters, ethers, mehtanol are produced, most seriously dangerous to consume.
...The various waste products 'boil' off at different temperatures.
...The distillers objective is to get the purest amount of grain or ethyl alcohol (ethanol) as possible.
...The beginning and end products of the distillation are dangerous and very undesirable.
...Thus consumers of spirits were/are trusting and at the mercy of the distiller/moonshiner.

What are Pot Stills?
...Pot stills are simply a copper pot/barrel with a gooseneck top/lid, leading to a copper coil inside a water container to cause vapors to condense.
...Continuous stills are tall columns with numerous condensation areas/plates inside.
...Moonshiners and pioneer distillers used pot stills.
...Pot stills do not control vapor temperatures very accurately, but some think produce better product, so add to the 'art' of distilling.
...During the first distillation of a run, the early runnings or foreshots are removed, which contain a high concentration of acetic acid, esters and any methanol.
...In second and/or third runs through the still, fusel alcohols are removed by stopping the distillation process as the vapor temps rise.

What is Sour Mash?
...A certain amount of a previously fermented mash is added to a new batch, thus adding yeast and lactobacilli bacteria.
...The acidy of the new batch is slightly increased by the lactobacilli bacteria, making fermentation easier for the yeast and harder for other unwanted microbes.
...Also the yeast strains from batch to batch tend to be similar and available, especially for the pioneer distiller.

Making Moonshine....How?? 
A 'modern' Kentucky moonshiner's experience gives some insight into pioneer spirit making.
...Use 55 gal. barrels or 53 gal. oak whiskey barrels.
...Put 100 lb. of cracked air-dried yellow corn into a 55gal barrel or 53gal oak whiskey barrel.
...Add about 40 gal. of good water into a cooker and heat to about100 degrees.
...In buckets full of the warm water, fully dissolve 50-60lbs of sugar in small batches.
...Pour the sugar water over the cracked corn in the barrel.
...Do not add yeast, especially baker's yeast.
...In 90deg weather, mash works 5-7 days.  In colder weather longer and harder to complete.
...When mash has large individual bubbles coming up 20-30 seconds apart, mash is ready to 'cook off' in the still/boiler.
...Better to cook/distill a day early than day late.  Mash will have a sour taste.
...Drain off the liquid 'beer' from the mash barrel and put into a copper cooker.
...In a copper still/cooker of about 50 gal, using two propane burners, shine will start running after about an hour.
...For cooling/condensing vapors from the cooker, use a 55gal barrel with a 40ft coil or worm of 5/8 copper pipe.
...Cold water runs into the top of the cooling barrel, with openings to allow controlled run out of warmed water from midway to the bottom of the barrel.
...The first run or distillation is usually about 120-125 proof (60+%), and let it run down to about 80 proof (abt. 40%).
...The first run is strained through a heavy white felt hat, with sometimes about a quart of crushed hickory charcoal in the hat.
...The first run of about 4 gals of 80-125 proof is set aside to keep.
...But the first run is kept going from 80 proof down to abt. 45 proof, called singles, this is about another gallon.
...The cooker is stopped at 45-50 proof; the contents is allowed to cool to around 100deg.
...Removed 2-3 gal. of mash from the barrel and put about 2 gal of fresh mash back.
...Mix 60lbs of dissolved sugar into the warm mash, back in the mash barrel, to work off again, which will take a similar number of days.
...For the second run through the still, put the 'beer' and gal. of singles saved into the cooker.
...The second run should be about 135-140 proof for about the first gal, and may stay at 120 proof for about an hour before dropping off.
...Quit saving when it gets to 80 proof, which usually takes 2 1/2 to 3 hrs, making about 9 gal.
...Keep the second run going until down to 45-50 proof, making about 2gal of 'singles.'
...Continue the whole process 2 or more times, but each time keep taking old meal out and adding the amount of fresh back, plus pouring the singles back into the cooker.
...The proof of shine per run is never above 140 proof, but runs generally yield from 9-11 gals
...Before the last cooking, put all past runs of 80-140 proof into one container.
...On last cooking, keep adding the 'makings' to the 80-140 container, stirring and checking proof until reaching the final proof wanted,
...which is usually 97-100 proof moonshine, which can be consumed/sold as is,
...OR if wanting better, put the finished shine mix back into the cooker, cook again, letting it come out at 170 proof and run to abt. 150 proof.
...Put this run in container and mix with good water to get the proof down to about 100 proof, which will be about the same amount as before the final run.
...Three runs makes about 22-23 gals of final shine.

Growler's Gulch in Fayette and Chickasaw Co's:
Local reference from the late 1800's for the deep valleys of the Little Turkey watershed of the Auburn area between Alpha and Eldorado, and into Chickasaw.Co.IA.

1892Sep22Oelwein.IA,  Waucoma.IA, Sept19, 1892..As S.E. Cloyer, a business man of this city was returning from a neighboring town late last night he came up with a pedestrian.  Cloyer took into his buggy.  Upon arriving here the man jumped out and disappeared.  Cloyer soon discovered that his vest and trousers' pockets had been cut with a knife, and his gold watch and pocketbook stolen.  He was one of a notorious gang living in a den at Growler's gulch, in Fayette.Co.IA.

1894Nov08Oelwein.IA,  Waucoma.IA, Nov 1894.  Emanuel Gardner, a tough character at Growler's Gulch succumbs from the effed of rifle shot wounds.  A few weeks ago he was shot with a shotgun, but not seriously wounded.  The later part of last week he was shot with a rifle.  Gardner was a tough character.  The coroner and sheriff and sheriff were notified by the man who did the shooting, but he has not been arrested and probably will not be.  In fact, it is said the sheriff has been trying for a year to get evidence to hold Gardner.

1894Dec27ElginEcho, A Bad Man Caught.  That locality of Fayette county commonly referred to as Growler's Gulch had been divested of another of its ornaments, and the sheriff of Howard county has taken him to Cresco to answer to a charge of forgery.  The sheriff of Winneshiek county has also been looking for him, because he is wanted at Decorah for grand larceny, his name is William McCarty.  He is a tall man with a "stoop," and does not look to be the smooth fellow he is.  Not only is he wanted for forgery and larceny, also for several other things which have developed since the chase was begun, and the officers feel a considerable sense of elation in having gathered him in.  Sheriff Howlett, of Cresco, is a man who never says die.  When he begins upon something it is almost impossible for him to stop before he reaches the end.  He had been looking for McCarty for six weeks, merely stopping for sleep and food, and at last made up his mind that he would find the man in Fayette county.  He communicated the belief to Sheriff O'Neal and DeputyPhilips.  Last Monday and Tuesday morning Mr. McCary was an inmate of the back room at the official residence of the sheriff, having been captured by Deputy Philips single handed.  After hearing Sheriff Howlett's suspicions the deputy at once formed a theory and by putting his and that together decided tht he knew where the man was.  He went to the house in the Gulch where McCarty lived.  Mrs. McCarty said her husband was at the sawmill.  He wandered around back of the house and found the man he wanted chopping wood.  McCarty accepted the situation gracefully.  He apparently chose not to believe in making trouble in any but a quite and refined manner, and in this differs somewhat from other characters who make their home in that (gulch) region.  Two weeks ago he want to within five miles of Cresco and sent another man into that town to get his family.  Prior to that he had lived alone in the Gulch, while the officers of Howard and Winneshiek counties searched high and low for him.  He might have been there yet had it not been for Deputy Philips.

1895Mar14Elgin.Echo,   District Court at West.Union.IA; The State of Iowa vs Max Bysong for assault with the attempt to commit murder, being the result of a quarrel among the good citizens of Growlers Gulch, was continued on account of the sickness the defendant.

1895Apr11Hawkeye.IA, Dan Chase's steam sawmill, located about seven miles NE of Hawkeye, in Growler's Gulch, was burned to the ground last Sat.  The fire caught from the engine, loss was about $1309.

1896Jan31Fayette.IA,  "A Party of Bold Gentlemen from Growler's Gulch Get Into Trouble"  "Simon Nefzger, merchant and postmaster of Lima (Albany), was robbed last Friday night. The thieves took between $20 and $30 in cash, about fifty pairs of pantaloons, a dozen coats, two sacks of flour, a bolt of muslin and a miscellaneous collection of jack-knives and pipes.  The robbery occurred early in the evening. The clock had not yet struck seven. Mr. Nefzgar was alone in the store. No thought of danger had entered his mind, for pirates are not given as a usual thing to swooping down upon Lima and carrying away booty in armfuls. Even when the door opened and an elderly man entered, his suspicions were not awakened. The man, who by the way was the senior WARTHAM, the king of Growler's Gulch, said that he was on his way to Wadena from West Union. He had forgotten to get kerosene and wanted to buy some. This was reasonable enough, so Mr. Nefzgar went to the cellar to get the oil, and Mr. Wartham accompanied him to hold the light.  While in the cellar, Mr. Nefzgar thought he heard some one in the store, and communicated the impression to Mr. Wartham.  Of course Mr. Wartham had heard nothing. He went to the cellar to hear nothing, and that's what he heard and nothing more.  When they climbed the stairs the store was empty. Soon Frank HELMS, a patron of the office, came for his mail and departed. Mr. Wartham tendered a dollar in pay for the kerosene. Mr. Nefzgar went to the till for change, and then the game became to unfold itself.  I've been robbed!, he exclaimed.  The king of the Gulch was astonished. You don't say!, he said; must have been that fellow who was just in here."

1896Jan28WestUnion.IA, "Growler Gulch" Gang Gobbled.   Growler's Gulch is again in evidence and our new sheriff, Alf Hockings, has been lucky enough to score a brilliant point as almost his first official act.  A sled containing four strangers drove up to the store of Simon Nefzger at Lima (Albany), a small village a few miles SE of West Union.  The four occupants tied their team and went into the store, where they engaged Simon in conversation.  they were after a jug of kerosene and it was necessary for Nefzger, an old man upwards of 70yrs of age, to go to the cellar after it.  The youngest member of the party, a boy of 17, went with him to hold the light.  While the proprietor and boy were gone the other three raiders helped themselves to all the goods they could carry out while the old man and boy were gone.  They managed to gather in 50 pairs of pants, 25 coats, 20 shirts, a box of men's caps and to rob the till of $18 in cash.  IN the till was a counterfeit dollar.  That was found on a member of the raiding party when they were captured this morning.  Soon after the four were gone the old man discovered his loss and notified his son/law, who at once came to West Union to notify the Sheriff, who hooked up and started out with his deputy about midnight.  They struck the trail just south of Lima and in the bright of moonlight and on the freshly fallen snow were able to follow it unerringly.  Southwest of Lima the track turned northward toward the big of "Growler's Gulch."  A few miles NW of town the officers overhauled a sled containing  Ben Warthan and C.B. Richardson.  These men were arrested and the contents of the sled examined, when the goods enumerated above were found.  A few hundred yards ahead another team was seen.  Sheriff Hocking took possession of the rear team and sent Deputy Thomas ahead to gather in the remainder of the gang.  When he ordered them to stop they started the team on a run.  He pulled his gun and fired when one of the fellows jumped from the sled and cut across the fields.  Thomas gathered in the team and Perry Warthan, the 17y old son of the leader of the gang.  The prisoners captured proved to be Ben Warthan and C.B. Richardson and Perry Warthan.  The fellow who got away is unknown but is thought that his early capture is certain.  After leaving Lima the goods were placed in sacks and when overtaken by officers the rear sled apparently contained a load of grain.  If these rascals are convicted, the bad gang in "Growler's Gulch" will be pretty effectually weeded out.

1896Mar26Fayette.IA, Prisoners sentenced for their evil deeds by the Fayette County Court.  Judge Hobson closed a three weeks term of court, his final act for the season being the sending of five criminals to the penitentiary as Anamosa.  Ben Wartham and C.R. Richardson, Growler's Gulch notables, each go over the road for five years for robbing old Simon Nefzger at Lima (Albany) a few weeks since.

1900Aug29Oelwein.IA,  Randalia news; Mr/Mrs Waltham have rented Mrs. Liscum's house and came wed.  They are from a place northwest of West Union, called Growlers Gulch.  We hope they are not growlers.

1910Sep08West.Union.IA, Roy Billings and James Warthan, young married men of Growler's Gulch neighborhood, were arrested and brought to the county seat last Wed by Sheriff Clark, charged with breaking and entering.  They had their hearing Thus after Justice J. J. Berkley, waived preliminary trail, and were bound over to the September Grand Jury under $1000 bonds.  On Friday, Billings gave bond, but was rearrested the same evening on charges of stealing chickens.  He had another hearing Sat, this time before Justice J. K. Montgomery, and again was placed under $1000 bond which this time he did not give.  Sheriff Clark unearthed robes, blankets, and harness rings where they had been 'planted' by someone and holds them as evidence.  The report is made that 600 chickens have lately been taken from residents of Auburn, Eden, Windsor, and Bethel townships, and that all kinds of farm property--poultry, feeds, tools, harness and everything loose---has had a habit of disappearing for many years past.

1920Dec16West.Union.IA,  Samuel Smock of Brainard, who until recently was of the Growler's neighborhood north of Hawkeye, was convicted of seduction Wed evening, the jury being out only 35min.  His sentence is 6m and $500.  The Smock case brought about another criminal prosecution.  Gilbert McElree, a witness for the defense, admitted on the stand that his testimony just given was at variance with that he had given before the grand jury, so County Attorney Comstock had him arrested on a charge of perjury. He gave bond.

1927Apr28Oelwein.IA,  Mr/Mrs Roy Richards entertained the teachers of the Waucoma public school Sunday, taking them for a picnic through the caves and in the vicinity of Growler's Gulch.  It was a little chilly for a picnic, nevertheless they had a most enjoyable time.

1966Sep08Sumner.IA,   Pheasants:  Except for migratory waterfowl, the hunting of game birds in this area is pretty well confined to the familiar ring-necked pheasant.  While there has been an open season on quail for quite a few years, it seems there are hardly enough of these birds around to justify any shooting at all.  Prairie chickens, once common have been eliminated by intensive farming.  The pheasants of North America are hybrids of several races but generally closest in appearance to the ring-necked of eastern China.  For some living old timers left, hunting upland game birds meant going out after prairie chicken or quail.  The late Dr. T.N. Walsh of Hawkeye is reported to have been instrumental in establishing the first small flock of pheasants in Fayette county.  He and several friends, enthusiastic hunters, became concerned that prairie chickens were fighting a losing battle against the plow and mower, at about the time the pheasant was being introduced into states to the east, hoping they would adapt to intensive farming.  Walsh's group obtained a clutch of pheasant eggs and with the aid of a Mrs. Mayo, hatched them beneath one of her setting hens.  The young pheasants were reared and released in the vicinity of the Mayo farm several miles north of Hawkeye, in an area known as Growler's Gulch.  The Gulch was probably a favorable site because of its roughly ten mile stretch of semi-wild country bordering the Little Turkey River between Alpha and Eldorado.  Enough farmsteads had been hacked out of the timber before the turn of the century (1900) to provide feeding and nesting sites, but not enough farming going on to prove a hazard.  Presently the pheasant is in no danger.  Note: By the late 1900's the pheasant population in NE Iowa had approached the fate of the quail and prairie chicken populations, nearly total loss of habitat to survive,  bz/2012.
 

Do not trust as totally valid any tree/report data.  Often World Connect or Ancestry trees/data were utilized as a foundation upon which to add material gleamed from obits, articles, histories, biographies, stories, burials, censuses and other data collected.  My primary interest is generally the pioneer history and includes linking village and neighborhood surnames together for several of the early generations.  Family connections, locations and other data may have to be speculated in order to continue a complex series of inter-related projects.  My web pages are primarily personal study projects for note keeping, but can also jump start others.  I have a huge number of projects started and rarely return to edit/update material unless interest is rekindled.  Any web pages online are usually linked off the 'Index Page.'  Numerous projects are not put on web pages but are in draft form or in the form of photo albums on the 'Photo Hosting Site.'   I may have material for research use in storage, plus will/can upload other people's material if appropriate.

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Barry Zbornik
Hannibal, MO