Things like this always amaze me at how ingenious people were years ago.
All made without computer technology...Patent 6/5/1923

All of a sudden an idea hit me that I just couldn't resist.

With all of the talk about the "Green New Deal" you better get one of these tools.
With plastic banned among other things we'll be going back to the days when this tool came in handy.
This particular one is way before my time but the ones I remember and used had the same purpose.

Now the BIG question is - will the younger ones pushing the Green New Deal even know what this is and that they'll be needing one - among a lot of other hand operated tools and machines???

Now some people won't appreciate my tongue and cheek humor along with some reality, but I like to "tweak" people who maybe don't quite understand that they are proposing the rest of us should just follow them like lemmings over a cliff.

I recently purchased these two paper milk bottle caps which gave me even more ideas to respond to some of the politicians and their amazing promises to take care of us from cradle to grave...either for free or make someone else pay for it.
You can just ignore my commentary but I still suggest you read the historical information about Manning's early history below.
I have several areas highlighted in yellow that pertain to my commentary and will be at the end of the history lesson...
Some of you may have a copy of the 1981 Manning Centennial book but probably have never read/studied it from cover to cover.

1981 Manning Centennial book
MILK BEFORE REFRIGERATION
Long before there were milk trucks running on our paved streets to supply customers with the milk they needed, and before the grocery stores had milk for sale in their modern refrigerators, the people of Manning depended upon small milking businesses or owning a cow of their own to supply their milk needs.
Several of these family businesses operated in Manning for many years. One such business was owned by Mr. and Mrs. Henry Rohr Sr. They had three or four cows, Jersey or Guernsey, whose milk tested higher in butterfat. The cows were kept in a barn in the winter on the Rohr property and driven to and from a pasture west of the Northwestern track in the summer.
The business was a family project. Mrs. Rohr would strain the milk thoroughly and then dip it into small pint and quart sized pails with tight fitting lids. As for sanitation, the pails and everything used in the milking process had to be thoroughly scrubbed and scalded after use. Cows had to be tested for tuberculosis to insure the safety of the customers from contracting T.B. from the milk.
Since there was no refrigeration in those days, the basement floor or a box lowered down into the well were the next best thing. Milk left over would be put into a crock and cooled until the cream would rise to the top. This would be skimmed off until enough was saved for butter making in the old fashioned churn. Buttermilk was used for drinking or for buttermilk soup. Any left-over skimmed milk was made into cottage cheese so there was very little waste.
Whether or not it was a money-making affair is very questionable. But it did supply the family with its milk, besides keeping them busy and out of mischief.

Julius Rostermundt

As fast as the prairie land was turned into town lots, Manning began to bustle with business activity. By December 29, 1881 -- four months after the first lots were sold -- the town had 112 buildings either up or in the process of construction; 69 of these were businesses.
"It is claimed by commercial travelers and others who are in a position to know that more business is conducted in Manning than in any other town of the same size in the State of Iowa," states the 1906 Carroll County Atlas.
During the past 100 years, Manning's business directory has shown many things: changes made as old ideas became obsolete and new products became available; the stability of long-time firms; and the continuous growth of services and enterprises.
A business review of Manning's first year, made in 1882, showed 94 firms; in 1906, there were 120. For this centennial book, over 140 businesses and professional services were listed.
Manning now has firms which our pioneer fathers never dreamed of: hybrid seed corn dealerships, a rural water system, a motorcycle shop, a pizza house. New buildings have pushed the business district to the north and west edges of town, and the Urban Renewal Agency has promoted the Bavarian look for the downtown area. Trucks hauling soybeans to the processing plant, hogs to the buying station, parts to the manufacturing plants, and equipment brought for repairs, show license plates from a wide radius of the town.
Erwin Hansen, Manning's senior attorney, sums up the growth this way: It is noteworthy that Manning's population has remained constant over the decades. In earlier days, many more people were needed to man the shops, provide the services, and run the factories; today, methods have become more mechanized and automated, resulting in the call for fewer employees. Manning has therefore grown, providing new jobs for the laborers, new prospects for the store owners, and new lines of industry.
As we look at the histories of Manning's businesses, we should keep in mind the changes the community has faced, and the success our business leaders have made in keeping up with the changes. We have not attempted to list every storekeeper who has conducted business in Manning, but instead hope to show the trends of the past 100 years.

MANNING CREAMERY
The Manning Creamery was built in 1883 by G.W. Coe, who operated it a number of years, then sold it to a Mr. Wilson. The creamery stood idle for some time, then purchased by Hoelker Bros. of Halbur. A.T. Bennett bought it in the summer of 1898; his manager, F.W. Miller, a professional dairyman and buttermaker, purchased the business in February 1899. The following March, Miller sold it to Wiese Bros. and Sweger, who had also purchased creameries in Irwin, Aspinwall and Botna, and were making plans to build one at Manilla. Adam Wiese and Sweger ran the creamery, while Charles Wiese ran the merchandising business.
The Manning Creamery was incorporated February 17, 1912, and began manufacturing butter and ice cream in early April. The original facilities were purchased from the Fairmont Creamery of Omaha, Nebraska. About 70 local business men and farmers were stockholders and the first officers were: C.H. Reinholdt, president; H.C. Darger, secretary; D.W. Sutherland, treasurer; H.A. Sweger, vice president and general manager.
During early years all cream was gravity-separated on farms, and was brought to the creamery in two, three, and five gallon cans by individual farmers or shipped by rail in the baggage cars which were a part of every passenger train. The only method of cooling cream on the farm was by placing the cans in a water tank. The first cream haulers were J.H. Schleeter and Peter Lohmeier; by 1917, the delivery fleet consisted of one small truck and one horse.
Later, truck routes were established and the cream was separated by mechanical separators and picked up at the farms and at cream buying stations in other towns. There was at least one cream station in nearly every town. Finally, only grade A milk was gathered by tank trucks from refrigerated stainless steel tanks owned by individual milk producers.
Distilled water block ice was manufactured from 1914 until 1946, when mechanical refrigerators had pretty well replaced the ice box. Ice was used along with rock salt to pack ice cream for delivery; it also was delivered to local homes by horse and wagon and later by truck. Ice was also supplied to railroads and several neighboring towns as time passed.
In 1919, two new coal burning, hand fired steam boilers and one Corliss steam engine were purchased from Murray Iron Works, Burlington for $4761.00. This required the building of the first of many additions to the original building. The steam engine was used to drive one large ammonia compressor, which produced the refrigeration for the ice plant, and one generator which supplied electricity to the entire operation. When the engine was not in use, electricity was purchased. These boilers were later converted to coal stokers, were later replaced by oil burning boilers, and finally natural gas was the primary fuel used.
J.A. (Jake) Bruck became general manager in 1917 and served in this capacity until his death in 1942.
It was during this period that the business volume and trade territory grew until Manning butter, ice cream, cottage cheese and milk were sold in most towns within 50 miles of Manning. The company truck fleet in later years numbered about 20.
Bulk butter was shipped by rail and later by truck to markets in Chicago and New York. During the 1930s, up to one and a half million pounds of butter were produced annually. The manufacture of butter was discontinued in 1958 and thereafter Manning butter was custom manufactured and packaged by Crystal Springs Creamery at Kimballton.
Originally, bulk butter was packed in wooden tubs which were replaced by cardboard boxes holding 64 pounds each. For many years, each stick of packaged butter was wrapped and placed in one pound cartons by hand.

During early years, ice cream was packaged only in bulk, in five gallon metal cans. The cans were in turn packed in crushed ice and rock salt in wooden tubs. The retail stores employed wood chests, refrigerated in the same manner, into which the cans were inserted through the top into metal sleeves. The only "packaged" ice cream was hand packed in the retail stores and soda fountains.
The first ice cream bars were "Eskimo Pies" which were cut by hand with a large knife from quart blocks or "bricks" of ice cream, hand dipped into a pot of melted "Hershey's" milk chocolate, then hand wrapped in their familiar foil wrappers.

For a while there was a Holstein-Friesian museum in Manning
sadly the contents was given to another museum a number of years ago.

Back to my commentary
Manning, like so many small rural communities, was self-sustaining in the beginning.
Then because of many various reasons things started changing.
Manning had multiple dairies and eventually the creamery. There was a slaughter house and meat locker. Clothes and shoes were made locally. Food was grown locally and sold to the local grocery stores. There were blacksmiths that made tools and simple machinery. Harness shops took care of the many needs of the horse population...and on and on.

Then new technology started eliminating the smaller businesses.

One of the biggest negative impacts on the food services were politicians and law makers who thought they knew better and had to start regulating everything. Big businesses in the cities would use their clout to persuade politicians that regulations were needed for safety, but the end goal was basically putting the smaller companies out of business.

I mentioned there was a meat locker in Manning. I remember it well and when it closed, dad purchased the lockers and we did some inside renovation such as removing the concrete floor in the refrigerated room in back and also replacing some of the flooring.
The slaughter house is still standing in the alley behind - next to the bowling alley...now used for storage.

It can be debated but along came rules and regulations and inspectors that would eventually put this company out of business.
The lockers were painted steel, of course lead-based but of no concern back then - freezer paper was used to separate the meat from the metal.
There was an overhead track that took the large cuts of meat from the slaughterhouse, into the locker area. The track was simply out in the open over the alley.
Along came the regulators and new rules requiring stainless steel lockers and no outside exposed areas during the handling of the meat.
For decades no one became sick but rules eventually shut the business down.

415 Main Street - George Wenzel on left
Marvin & Naomi Wiemann were the last ones to operate this business.

Even though the Manning Creamery upgraded many times, and attempted to keep up with the safety regulations, it too became impossible to continue with ever increasing rules and the expenses of keeping updated...so it eventually sold out.

Now many politicians today want us to basically go back to live like the early days of Manning.
It could be accomplished in the small rural communities but would be complete mayhem in the cities and urban areas.
But even in the small towns there is NO way anyone would be able to operate a small business because these same politicians of today, are worse than the people who destroyed the businesses years ago with over-regulation and rules.

Also, today's litigious society would sue these small businesses into oblivion...they wouldn't last a month.

Now my commentary may be over-simplified and many people will disagree with my conclusions and argue that we need all of these governmental rules and control but somewhere along the line we'll need to figure out how to get back more control over our lives before we lose all of our freedoms.

Early years

1950

1925 Masonic Lodge 2 quarts sherbert

sterilization room

July 15, 1956

July 15, 1956

farm industry visitors

boiler February 10, 1956

Frank not only served his country during WWII & Korea, he served the Manning community his whole life...just read his obituary and you'll see how much!
Frank's Uncle Ken served during WWII and was wounded at Iwo Jima - he saw the famous flag raising. Frank's brothers, Russ & Robert, and their sister, Louise, also served in the military, so this is a very patriotic family - like so many other families in Manning's history.
Here are a few snapshots from Frank's funeral service.

Frank's confirmation class (lower left) in the church display

Iowa National Guard presented the flag and played taps
The soldier on the left told me he has participated in 1500 funeral services.
They teach flag etiquette and respect at school events and for the Boy Scouts.

Flag unfolding & folding & presentation ceremony presented by the Guard.

Flag unfolding

Flag re-folding

Flag re-folding

Flag salute

Flag presentation to the family

Flag presentation to the family

Flag salute to the family

Manning Color Guard & salute

Manning Honor Guard & salute

Iowa National Guard - Taps

Gene Steffes with his large patio umbrella
Another great volunteer of the Manning community!
He doesn't like recognition for his efforts but it needs to be acknowledged.

Manning Honor Guard

Manning Color & Honor Guard

Manning Honor Guard

Gene Steffes with his umbrella

Gene Steffes with his umbrella

Then we have all of the great church volunteers who serve the luncheon.

In case you haven't seen it yet, the tribute to Frank and the Mohr family is farther down below...

To all visitors of my web pages who are Mohr, Sonksen, Fischer, Asmus, etc relatives and descendants - if you have military pictures and information for any of the Mohrs, any old Manning family/community pictures, PLEASE e-mail me. I would like to scan your items to include in the Manning Historical digital database.

Just look at all of the things coming up and going on here in Manning...

Wolf Care flier

Window painting for IKM-Manning Homecoming Spirit Week

1976 Bulldog

Jackie Hinners & Tami Larsen 1988

Would you like the IKM-Manning cheerleaders to paint your business windows for Homecoming Spirit Week? Homecoming is Friday, September 20th. If you would like your windows painted, please contact cheerleader sponsor Katie Boell or Messenger to let her know. The group will be painting the windows on Sunday, September 15th & Monday, September 16th.
Get fired up! Go Wolves!!!

Healthiest State Initiative walk - On October 2nd at noon, a group led by MRHC's Infusion Clinic will be walking in support of Breast Cancer survivors. Join us at the front entrance of MRHC at Noon on October 2nd and wear pink to support these survivors. The walk will be approximately 2-3 miles.

Women Supporting Women T-shirts - Short sleeve, tank tops, long-sleeve t-shirts, and hoodies are available to show your support for breast cancer and women's health. Order forms will be announced on Facebook soon. Here is the link for those interested. Orders are due by September 20th and will be available in time for the Healthiest State Initiative walk.

Pink Out! - During the week of September 30-October 5th, pink out your business and show your support of Breast Cancer & Women's Health. We will have breast cancer survivors as judges and prizes will be awarded. Lots of ideas have been posted on the MRHC & Chamber Facebook pages. Complete a form so we know to promote/judge your business!

Floral Arrangements - We are partnering with Kristina's Flowers to send surprise floral arrangements to breast cancer survivors who have been nominated, every day September 30-October 5. If you'd like to sponsor an arrangement, you will be included in daily promotions, and can be part of the surprise delivery! Cost is $40 for the arrangement and delivery.

Women Supporting Women Event - Join us October 5th for a variety of events at MRHC from 7am-Noon.

7am-8am - Workout live on the lawn* with Motivated. Jenny Wiebers All fitness levels are encouraged to join in. (* - weather permitting, otherwise it will move indoors) 8:30-Noon - 1st 100 attendees receive a gift bag with goodies.

15-30 min workshops by women, for women (already committed are Hope Jensen, Kristina Muhlbauer, Jenny Wiebers)

Vendor Fair - free for all who participate. We will line the halls of MRHC.
Department tours - as you peruse the vendor fair, visit departments such as respiratory therapy, radiology/mammography, recovery center, and the specialty clinic with infusion bays.
We are welcoming all area businesses to participate, especially those who are woman-owned/managed. Please contact Jackie Blackwell as soon as possible if you wish to participate.

Ging Hudson Retirement Party

Volunteer Ging Hudson at the 2003 German Heritage Days

Exhibits at the school parking lot: Iowa Corn Trailer, ISU FLEX virtual reality, DNR trailer, John Deere field data, Puck Custom Enterprises, Ambulance, Drones, Lineman 360, Manning Utilities, Manning Police, Wiese & Sons, Blankman Aquatic Resource Management.

Jeremy Carroll showing kids how to run an excavator

Loess Hills

I don't know whose idea it was and don't want to take away from the other exhibits, but I think first 3 pictures where kids were able to operate an excavator did the most to open their eyes to the real world - that a joystick is used for something other than playing games.
Very few kids today, even on a farm, are able to experience hands-on how to operate machinery.
Kids as young as 8 were given a chance to run the Bobcat...I would guess probably the first time for most of them to operate anything larger than a lawn mower.
They had to move the controls to pick up the safety cone and move it to the other side and place it in a ring on the concrete.
As I observed the kids you could see this was much more than "playing" and "having fun" - they were really concentrating on the motions made by moving the joy sticks...they were LEARNING!!!

The other exhibit that really caught my eye was the Loess Hills project.
The first question I asked the instructor is "Are you taking this class into the big cities of America?"
As I visited with the instructor, she noted that she observed a child in one of her classes drawing a cow brown...she asked the kid why brown and the kid said "to get chocolate milk."

Another comment that was related to her about a child who asked their grandmother why she was putting green beans in some jars. The child assumed the grandmother had opened a can of beans and then was transferring them to the jar. Then it became apparent that the kid knew nothing about gardening and canning vegetables and fruit.
Kids today aren't experiencing/learning the little things that those of us who are much older, just take for granted.

For those of you who have never attended a STEM event, it is the modern day version of the School Science Fairs we had years ago.

Greg Sporrer, Brad Muhlbauer, Matt Vogel January 2002 fourth grade science project

1995 Clint Stammer

1992-93 Science fair winners - Back: Jim Keegan, Molly Ulrickson, Amy Muhlbauer, Chad Stammer
Front: Chad Irlmeier, Tiffany Jahn, Heather Odendahl

Clint Stammer, Jenny Knueven, Chad Jensen, Matt Detlefsen, Jason Irlmeier
1990-91 eighth grade science fair

1972 Tim Kienast - science fair in Des Moines

1971 Jon Ahrendsen got First Place in Manning.
He then went to the State Science Fair held in Veterans' Auditorium where he got 2nd place.

A side note about Elnor

The other STEM picture at the beginning of this feature shows the Loess exhibit.
Soil and the Nishnabotna Creek has fascinated me since I was a kid.
My dad and uncle talked about farming with horses and how bad the erosion was from the extensive tillage that was used - all they had at the time.
Then in the early to mid-1960s dad gave up the plow as the main tool of tillage and used farming techniques that eventually became known as minimum tillage...later, after his death, we started using No-till.
While growing up, the creek that runs through our farm was a major source of fun but also a lot of work.
I liked to build dams in the creek and played in and around the creek, but since dad had a cow-calf herd with pastures, we had to fix fences in the creek after floods...down in the creek there was no wind, it was hot, and mosquitos were abundant. We had to pound posts by hand and working in the mud and water and along the steep banks with barb wire was always an interesting challenge.

Getting back to soil - in 1974 we purchased a soil mover and I've been hauling soil from the bottoms, back up into the hills ever since.
Working with the soil has taught me a lot about nature and the environment and is why the Loess exhibit caught my attention...along with the Bobcat excavator exhibit.
If any of the kids who operated the Bobcat during the STEM event happen to look at the pictures I took of them, they can now see a real-world use for an excavator below.

Note the original black soil that was covered up by the clay that washed off the sidehills.

Trenching in tile lines on a sidehill seep or wetspot.
Our Bobcat is the next size bigger than the one the city of Manning has.

Hauling soil from the bottom ground and putting it back where it ONCE was.

Have you ever heard of the word Loess?
Do you know how to pronounce it?
The word Loess comes from the German word Löß which means "wind-deposited" soil.
Since it is an umlaut word it is more difficult to pronounce if you only know English, but of you say "luss" you will be fairly close to the original German pronunciation.
Since Iowa was settled by a lot of German immigrants, they had a big influence on names of towns and aspects such as the origins of the word loess.

I'm sure a lot of you have driven by the bluff hills down by Council Bluffs, Iowa.
BUT I'll bet you never took the time to learn about or really take in how this wonder of nature came into existence.
My mother, now 96, tells me about the dust in the air during the "Dust Bowl" days of the 1930s. We did not have the severe dust clouds and drifts of soil here in this part of Iowa, or the dust clouds so thick that the sun was completely blocked like other parts of the Midwest.
BUT now imagine dust storms so large that they created the bluffs of Western Iowa - which is basically an enormous "snow drift."
Once the glaciers receded after the Ice Age, there was no plant life to hold the soil in place, so the powdery soil that washed into huge flood plains eventually dried out allowing huge dust storms from the prevailing westerly winds.
Most of Iowa is covered with this Loess soil.

While we need to protect our farmland/soil and be concerned about erosion caused by agricultural activities, the erosion caused by man's activities is nothing more than a sneeze when compared to the destructive power of nature that bulldozed the rocks and soil with glaciers and then blew soil into drifts over 350 feet high.

Eventually grasses moved in and seeds distributed by birds and animals took root and turned the barren ground into the Great Prairies of the Midwest.
I have never read about estimates on how long this process took but it would have taken hundreds to maybe a thousand years for the healing process to be completed after the glaciers retreated.

Order Chamber Brats

I'm always asking for people to just bring me their "Stuff" to scan...to not pick and choose a few pictures and historical items for me to scan but let me go through what they have.
Like usual, with this recent batch of items to scan I saw something very unique. I've seen various aspects of this theme but not on a scrapbook cover.

If the person would have just picked a few pictures from this scrapbook for me to scan I would have never seen this amazing piece of history...the owner had a different idea about it - until I told them what it represents and stands for.

Kroeger family scrapbook

For the most part the pictures in this album were of non-military subjects but there is one Veteran who I'm hoping we'll be able to ID.
The rest of the pictures give a glimpse as to what rural life was like during WWII.

Unknown WWII Veteran

This is an over-exposed picture but it might also be showing the ground white from hail.
Generally these type of hail storms are isolated in small areas but are devastating to the farmers who get hit.

Threshing day

Henry Kroeger - father of Orville Kroeger who married Virgene Kruse

One of the boys is Russell Kroeger

Unknown lady

Unknown kids

Not sure who is who: Emil Gosch, Clara (Hinze) Rickers, Lillian Kuhse, Ella, Otto

Emil & Mamie (Wegner) Gosch

Otto & Hilda Gosch

Gosch brothers

Back: Norman
Front: Roger, Clement

Otto Kroeger

Otto Kroeger

Otto Kroeger - Company I 350th Infantry, Camp Dodge, November 1917

I have to assume there are other Manning connected Veterans in this picture.

Franklin was inducted into the Army September 6, 1946, at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. He took a train to his basic training site in Aberdeen, Maryland. There he was taught to assemble and disassemble a MI rifle and to fight on the firing line. Every weekend foot locker and barrack inspections were held along with a full dress parade and uniform marching inspections. There was a PX on base where the men could buy candy, snacks, and personal items. After eight weeks of basic training, he was allowed to go home for a two week furlough before reporting back to an army base in California.

From there Franklin boarded a troop ship for Japan October 15, 1946, and while crossing the Pacific he witnessed severe storms with "waves so high they looked like mountains." Their boat bobbed around like a rowboat. "I was sick for seven days," Frank related. As they traveled to Japan, they did various jobs on the ship to get it ready for inspection when they reached shore.

Reaching Japan, Franklin and four or five others were loaded on jeeps and taken to Tuatara, Japan. The city was in a state of total devastation. "It looked like a pile of tin cans," Frank remarked. At the air base he served in security patrol and there were numerous army vehicles from jeeps to huge trucks that they guarded. Frank was there for nine months when the Farm Draft Law was passed, and all men who had served nine months and were farm workers could go home. Frank left the army with a technical rating of a T-5, a World War II victory medal, and an honorable discharge June 2, 1947, at Camp Stoneman, California.

He came back to Manning and began working for Wiese and Sons until the summer of 1951 when he again received "a letter from his friends and neighbors" to come back to the army. Because he hadn't served in World War II for a full twelve months, he was inducted into the Army Military Police for the Korean War. On August 2, 1951, Frank boarded a train for Breckenridge, Kentucky, where he had a refresher course in basic training. There the men practiced crawling under machine gun fire, trained again in the use of weapons, practiced more marching, and again prepared for inspections. After two weeks of training in Breckenridge, he spent an eight day furlough at home and then reported to a marine base in Seattle, Washington. From there Frank was sent by ship to Taejon (now Daejon), Korea. While on the ship going overseas, the men were given a chance to work voluntarily. Frank volunteered. He was given a job baking bread and made about a hundred loaves each night. They used a huge mixer that looked somewhat like a cement mixer. When he arrived in Korea, he was given a MI with a bayonet on the end and prepared for hand-to-hand combat. He was with the 77 Deuce MP Battalion and took a train to Taejon, Korea, where he was stationed for a year.

It is interesting to note that at this time there were three Mohr brothers serving in the military. Bob was with the army in Germany, Russ was in the Pacific, and Frank was in Korea.

In Taejon Frank rode guard on supply trains to and from the front lines. The trains were equipped with a machine gun on the front and one on the back. Two GIs and eight Korean police were on guard on each train. As he crossed the country, he noted that the country of Korea was a land of mountains and rice paddies. The Koreans' diet consisted mainly of rice and fish heads. After a year in Taejon, he was sent to Kunsan, Korea, and again rode guard on supply trains going from there to the front lines at Yang Dong Po. Later he was put in charge of this detachment and made corporal. The ironic thing about these trains, Frank said, was that the guards rode in open gondolas in the winter where they froze while in the summer they were given a coach car with a top on it to ride in the heat.

Corporal Mohr was honorably discharged from Camp Carson, Colorado, July 2, 1953, after twenty months and sixteen days in Korea. He received a Korean Service Medal, W-2 Bronze Service Stars, a United Nations Service Medal, and a ROK Presidential Citation. Frank commented: "It was an honor to serve my country."

After his discharge Franklin came home to Manning and worked for Wiese and Sons for another year. In 1954 he married Arlene Mohns and started farming northwest of Manning. There Frank and Arlene raised their nine children. Franklin has participated in many clubs and associations over the years. He was an active member of the Mid-American Dairy Association. He served on the board and served time as president of the Crawford County Pork Producers. He was a member of the Manning Easy Riders and served a term as president of that club. He and his family have all been involved in 4-H, and Frank served on the County 4-H Extension Board for over twenty years. He is a member of Zion Lutheran Church and has held various offices as a member of that congregation.

Arlene Mohns

Mike Mohr showing for Steve

Becky Mohr

April 18, 1943 confirmation

Back - Ruth Musfeldt
Middle: LeRoy Kienast, Franklin Mohr, Leo Rostermundt, Maynard Kienast
Front: Patricia Siem, Pastor Ansorge, Donna Fae Mohr.

From the 1981 Manning Centennial history book
George Mohr, son of Chris and Marie Mohr, was born August 5, 1900. Christina (Sonksen) Mohr was the daughter of Jens and Dora Sonksen. She was born November 17, 1905. They were both raised and educated in the Manning vicinity. February 17, 1926, they were married and moved to a farm in Lincoln Township where they lived 35 years until they retired to their home in Manning in 1963. They bought the former Les Rowedder home. God blessed them with six children: Franklin, Robert, Russell, Louise, Allen, and Sandra. They are all members of Zion Lutheran Church.
Franklin married Arlene Mohns October 3, 1954. They have nine children: Steven, Deborah, Michael, Daniel, Rebecca, Jonathon, Elizabeth, Mary Ann and Michelle. The family farms north of Manning.
Robert married Myra Schroeder August 16, 1953. They have six children: Randy, Ricky, Monica, Mark, Robin and Marcy. Randy married April on August 24, 1974, and Ricky married Judy Wenkleman May 26, 1979. They live at Oakland.
Russell married Joan Rowedder February 20, 1955. Their children are James, Jay, Jeffery and Rhonda. Jim married Cherri Ramsey August 12, 1977 and they have a son Ryan born July 26, 1978; Jeff married Mary Esdohr May 26, 1978, and they have a daughter Julie born September 27, 1978.
Louise and Terry Mishler married December 29, 1978. They have two adopted sons, Keith and Karl. They live in Citrus Heights, California.
Allen and Lola Borkowski were married April 29, 1962, and have four children: Scott, Vaia, Lisa, and Holly. They live at Cockrave, Wisconsin.
Sandra and John Holtz married April 1, 1967. They have four children, two adopted. They are Christine, Johnny, Michelle and Jennifer. The family lives at Ukiah, California.

Frederick & Marie (Kruse) Mohr with children: George, Pete, John, Maggie, Chris
Great-grandparents of Frank Mohr

Chris & Marie (Nuppnau) Mohr January 26, 1898
Grandparents of Frank Mohr

Children of Chris & Marie Mohr

Back: Elsie Siem, George, Emil
Front: Verna Wegner, Leona Asmus, John "Jack"

Herman & Leona (Mohr) Asmus

Back: George, Emil, John "Jack," Elsie
Middle: Verna, Christian, Sr., Kenneth, Marie, Leona
Front: Marcella, Christian, Jr.

9th Grade picture of the class of 1946

Then while helping Mona on her Rudnick/Reickman family tree, I ran across a short Monitor article in my database about Otto Rudnick who served during WWI.
I couldn't find an Otto Rudnick who matched the era to have served but I found a Reinhardt Otto Rudnick whose age matched perfectly. So I e-mailed one of my Rudnick helpers and she confirmed that this was the Otto I was looking for. She also added that he died from the Spanish Influenza in 1918 and that she did not have any pictures or military information about his service.

So I'll continue to look for and gather names, pictures, and information for more Manning connected Veterans. I still hope/plan on publishing a Manning Veterans' book but as long as I have hundreds of names with no pictures and/or information and as long as I keep finding new names on a consistent basis I'll do what I do best which is to find, collect, and then digitize Manning's history before it is all gone.

Dewey's nephew's wife is wearing his uniform

Four generations

Linda (Erps) Rambo, Julius Pruter, Lida (Pruter) Erps, Frank "Franz" Pruter
Frank married Augusta Kruse
Their children: Caroline Molter, Julius, Gustav, Frank, Emma Miller

Frank Pruter diary

This is truly an amazing piece of history that gives us some insight into how our ancestors adapted and learned in the "New World."

Many of the pictures weren't identified or partially identified and I haven't had time to go through some of the genealogy information to make the connections and figure out some of the names, but I hope to get some help when the Pruter descendant picks up their pictures - then we'll go over more IDs.

Charles Schultz, father of Laurena (Schultz) Pruter

Edmund Erps WWII

Laurena Kathryn Schultz - mother of Lida

Schultz - Arlene, Lida, Dolores, Dora

Lida & Ronald Pruter with their tire swing

Emma Miller, John Miller, Lida Pruter, Florence Schultz, Augusta Pruter

John Miller, Lida Pruter, Laurena Pruter - wheel barrow ride

Standing: Frank Pruter, Charles Schultz, Augusta Pruter
Kneeling: Julius Pruter, Walt Miller
Front: John Miller, Emma (Pruter) Miller, Lida Pruter, Laurena Pruter

Plowing

Threshing

Farm equipment

Ronald & Lida Pruter

Laurena Pruter feeding geese

Mowing the lawn 1939

Reynold Gehlsen, Ralph Gehlsen, Ronald Pruter 1939
My helper was pleasantly surprised to find some pictures of his Gehlsen relatives in the Pruter collection.

Back: Lida Pruter
Front: Ronald Pruter, Judy Gehlsen, Ralph Gehlsen
Judy later married Lyle Joens - parents of Brian & Brad.

Ronald Pruter on Pruter farm 1937

I'm still looking for military pictures and information for John Miller and also Gustav Pruter - featured down below.
John Miller owned operated the Miller Implement Company in Manning (Alice Chalmers). After Walt retired from farming, he joined his son, John, in the business.
The round domed building that is part of the present day grocery store is where John had his business.

Dave & Jane Miller - 1968

Even more help from another one of my Manning historical helpers who found Julius Pruter's obit.
He knows the granddaughter of one of the Pruter family members and has contacted her - we are hoping she might have some military pictures.
Once I read the obituary of Julius Pruter, a brother of Gus, I noticed that Walt Miller married Julius' sister. This now connects to John Miller, who was a Korean Veteran.
I only have his VFW commander picture and just a little information from 2 other Manning Veterans who knew John.
So hopefully a relative of the Miller/Pruter family will come forward with pictures and information about John's service.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Ohde Funeral Home here for Julius W. Pruter, 67, Crawford County farmer, who died at 9:20 a.m. Saturday, November 10, 1956, at St. Anthony Hospital in Carroll.

Dr. F.E. Hamlin, minister of the Manning Presbyterian Church, will officiate. Burial will be in the Manning Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Louis Gehlsen, Reynold Hagge, Irwin Thiedeman, LeRoy Schumann, Harry Schroeder, and Herman Anthony.

Mr. Pruter, who had been in ill health for some time, had been admitted to the Carroll Hospital November 5. He had previously been in an Omaha hospital about four weeks.

Born July 27, 1889, in Hayes Township, Crawford County, he spent his life on the same farm.

Survivors include his wife, the former Laurena Schultz; one daughter, Mrs. Edmond (Lida) Erps, Chicago; one son, Ronald Pruter, Westside; his father, Frank Pruter, Manning; one brother, Frank Pruter Jr., Oakland, California; one sister, Mrs. Walter (Emma) Miller, Manning; and one granddaughter, Linda Erps, Chicago.

His mother, one brother, and one sister preceded him in death.

Note: Julius' first wife, Anna (Hansen), died during pregnancy in the first year of marriage.

When I read the obituary, I was amazed at the amount of his military information that was included in his obituary...even part of a letter to his sister about being wounded in action.

I know there are more Manning military pictures and information out there somewhere - lost somewhere in a box, or the person doesn't even know they have what I'm looking for.
If more Manning connected people would help me preserve Manning's history, they would soon realize that they will also find more information about their own family.
The Schroeder descendant who sent me this obituary is always looking for Manning history for me, while she looks for her own family information. This is the type of helper I need...someone who is willing to look beyond their own personal family information.

Hopefully a Pruter descendant/relative will come forward with some pictures of Gustav - another one of our GREAT AMERICAN VETERANS who did so much but asked for so little.

Gustav Pruter is Buried at Manning
Young Man Who Was Born and Raised in Carroll County Died in Illinois Hospital
Gustav Pruter was born on a farm near West Side, April 19, 1891, and passed away in Edward Heinz hospital, Maywood, Illinois, on the morning of June 1, 1926, at the age of 35 years, 1 month, and 15 days. He grew to manhood on the farm where he was born. In 1916 he went to Egan, South Dakota, where he engaged in carpenter work until he went into the service of his country in May, 1918.

He was sent to Camp Lewis, Washington, where he received early training until July when he was sent to France. He was a member of Company A, 348th machine gun battalion in the 91st division which was known as the "Pine Tree" division. He saw service on the Belgium front where he was wounded. He tells about his experience in a letter to his sister which was written at Birmingham, England, November 10, 1918, which is in part as follows: "Dear Sister: Am writing with my left hand and I hope you can read it. I have a broken right arm, got it on the Belgian front about 5:30 a.m. October 31. I was hit by a piece from a high explosive shell, causing a compound fracture above my elbow. I walked about 2 miles to a first aid hospital and from there I was taken to a field hospital and from there I was taken to a field hospital where they put a stretcher on my arm. By night I was in another field hospital near Roulers, Belgium. Here I was examined with an X-ray and at 2 o'clock at night it was my turn on the operating table, and I woke up in a real bed, something I hadn't seen for four months. Two days later I had a ride on a French Red Cross train and landed at Boulogne, France. Stayed 4 days and crossed the channel, and am now in an English hospital, a fine place, getting the best care, and 4 good meals a day." He was released from the hospital after 10 months but had to return at different times and never regained full use of his arm. He was discharged at Ft. Snelling in August 1919.

On June 7, 1922, he was united in marriage to Miss Ella Hobson in Kansas City, Kansas. From there they moved to Chicago where he worked at the carpenter trade.

On March 13, this year, he went to the hospital where he died June 1. He made a brave fight for health but the ravages of his wound were too severe and claimed its victim. Again we are reminded how terrible is war and at what a great price it is waged.

He is survived by his wife and son, 3 years old; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Pruter of Manning; two brothers, Julius, of West Side and Frank, Chicago; two sisters, Mrs. Ed Molter, Egan, South Dakota, and Mrs. Walter Miller, West Side.

Funeral services were held at the Presbyterian Church Sunday and were attended by a large crowd. The American Legion attended and marched to the cemetery. Rev. E.E. Zimmerman had charge of the services and paid high tribute to the deceased for his military service. His body was laid to rest in the Manning Cemetery with military honors.

Emilie (Behrens) Eickelkamp

Emilie Behrens baptism document

Abby Hornacek

Fifth Grade 1956

Anselm Theodore ("A T"), son of Engelbert and Frances (Schlichter) Irlbeck, was born November 9, 1909, in Templeton, Iowa. On March 4, 1935, he was united in marriage with Wilhelmina Steffes at Sacred Heart Church in Templeton. They farmed all their lives near Manning, with the exception of five years when they lived at Auburn. A.T.'s wife died on December 3, 1969.
A.T. siblings: W.E. Irlbeck, Albert Irlbeck, Alphonse Irlbeck, Felix Irlbeck, Sylvester Irlbeck, Frances Kemper
A.T. & Minnie children: Merlyn, Ronald, Patricia Loats, Floyd, Elaine Dammann, Joyce Nelson

Minnie & A.T. Irlbeck
We believe it is Frank Handlos on the left.

Mother of Abby

Stacy Nelson MHS 1981 - a Manning Centennial graduate

Chris Nelson MHS 1982 - uncle to Abby

Aaron Nelson MHS 1988 - uncle to Abby

Declam

Sophomore Homeroom A

Great-uncles & Aunts of Abby

Elaine Irlbeck MHS 1960

Floyd Irlbeck MHS 1958

Merlyn Irlbeck

Patricia Irlbeck MHS 1957

Ron Irlbeck MHS 1955

Other relatives of Abby who live/d in Manning

Brenda Irlbeck MHS 1983

Brett Irlbeck MHS 1982

Back: Gloria, Brett
Front: MaKayla, Michelle, Melissa

Brian Irlbeck MHS 1979

Back: Theresa, Brian
Front: Jamie, Bryce

Jamie Irlbeck MHS 2000

Jessica Dammann MHS 1982

Allen Dammann MHS 1987

Cindi Dammann MHS 2002

Joe Dammann MHS 1999

Good Ole Days 1971
A.T. Irlbeck riding on the binder

This was during the time I was working on the Manning Quasqui history book project and starting the Manning Schools history book project, so I wasn't able to scan all of the Frank pix and I know I didn't get to every box they had with their treasure trove of historical pix.
So I asked Russ & Linda's children if I could go through them this winter. They were happy to let me borrow them to go through things again...they said they were just basically storing them for now.

Other than the Hoffmann collection I've worked on from Dean Hoffmann - the Frank collection is the biggest one I've run into and worked on.
To me it is like candy to a kid - I just drool when I can go through old precious history like this...

The tragedy is that most of these old family collections have been thrown away over the last 4 decades or parts of them divided up and taken to the four winds by various descendants of a parent/grandparent who died.

When I ask someone if I can go through their old stuff and scan those things, some won't because of various reasons, others will offer the scans they have made, or make hard copies, but for whatever reason won't let me scan them into my database...then years later I find out the next generation just threw them away or lost them one way or the other.

I've heard the "we won't throw them" comment from just about everyone I contact, but sadly I end up being correct about most collections ending up in the trash heap of history.

8 tubs for me to scan this winter...

Because I've scanned hundreds of collections, I've digitally preserved thousands of historical pictures and documents that people later lost track of, or accidentally threw away.
Occasionally I get people who have bad memories and don't take care of their old stuff will come back to me to say I did not return their things.

Anyone who has paid even the slightest attention to my web pages since 1996 can tell that I'm not the problem, but the owners of their family pictures and history end up being their own worst enemy because of their carelessness and lack of organization - they lost their pix & history...or they gave them to another relative, which they forgot...or someone in the family stashed them away and forgot where - I could write a book on the ways people lost their own pix.
Of course they never thank me when I can give them the scans of their pix and history on a DVD - after they lost their originals.

Having worked on Manning family historical collections for 40 years, I've learned of dozens of family collections that were simply thrown away by the next generations...EVEN after I made contact with some of them, asking them to let me go through that old history before they start throwing and dividing up stuff among family members.

This first image below is a perfect example of how thorough I am and the detailed work I do to preserve our history. While going through Amanda Lamp's night school papers I noticed a letter head for Herman Lamp's purebred business.

Amanda used some of Herman's blank pages to write down recipes. There were other recipes written down on plain paper, index cards, and scrap paper, but if I had not taken the time to look at each piece of paper I would not have found this letter head.

Herman Lamp's letter head with Amanda Lamp's handwriting

Next you see the old suitcase that Ann (Voge) found in the attic of her dad's house. I scanned the first item on top that Ann found in a safe. I remember Gerhardt telling me about it and wanted to make sure I scanned it because I had never seen this type of FFA MHS school letter.

Suitcase full of old pictures and documents

Gerhardt Voge's 1940 FFA school letter

I've been busy with various projects on the farm but will soon get back to finish scanning the Kuhl scrapbook.

So the reason why I'm showing this letter of thank you is that it gives a shining impression of the people of Manning and how they treat total strangers who visit here.

Some people see just a baby picture.
Much of the time baby pictures are not identified.
What I see is a daughter, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother...because I know who she is.

Johnnie Meggers - cousin of the girl...

Marcus Kuhl

Marcus Kuhl & Ida (I think his sister) postcard from Hot Springs, Arkansas

Kuhl farm

1910 H.E "Ed" Kuhl farm home

C.L. Jahn, Lena (Jahn) Kuhl, Elsie Kuhl, Herbert Kuhl, H.E. Kuhl
C.L. Jahn - hired hand - brother of Lena

More coming as I find time and get more pix scanned.

Kinderfest June 16, 2019
where past and present meet

From the very beginning of Manning's existence in 1881, the citizens realized that all work and no play would not make for a quality of life needed for a healthy community.
So in the fall of 1881, the very first event to celebrate the life of the community and entertain the kiddies was called the "Thanksgiving Hop."
Then each year thereafter an annual event was held specifically for the children and on February 9, 1882, the Manning Schuetzen Verein (incorporated under the State of Iowa laws on April 11, 1879) officially organized and later in the year held the first Kinderfest (children's festival) which has continued each year except 1 year during WWI and 2 years during WWII...While probably debatable and maybe not provable, Manning's Kinderfest can lay claim to the longest consecutively run community event in Iowa.
While there were much older community events around the state, they eventually died out.

Today, we have a few children and their families living here whose great-great-great-grandparents attended Kinderfest in their day.

Here are a few more sneak preview images - later on I'll add the full complement of pictures and some background information about them.

June 17 2:00 p.m. Rain

Manning Hillside Splash

Click for a printable flier

In January of 2018, I created this historical perspective linked below about recreation in Manning and also information and graphics for the current proposed project for the Rec Center.
It shows how projects don't get done overnight and also how very important volunteers and donations are to every project.

Update on the Hillside Splash project
On May 15, 2018, the city council approved $400,000 in matching funds for the proposed Hillside Splash project. JEO Consulting has been working on design ideas and a proposal to complete this project in 3 phases.
Phase 1 will begin in 2019-20 with construction beginning in 2020-21, or as soon as funds are raised.
A zero-depth pool with some play features are planned in phase 1, with the slide aspects in phase 2, and a spray pad for phase 3.

Click on the link below to see some very interesting history on how Manning achieves so many amazing things and is now working on another unique project.

I saw this item on E-bay and purchased it. It caught my eye from the standpoint of several historical aspects so I felt it needed to be preserved in my Manning Historical Database.

An observation I made during Orland's funeral was the lack of attendance by business people and Manning citizens in general. I realize many of them paid their respects at the viewing the day before and the church is relatively small but having attended funerals for 50+ years and knowing Manning history...society has changed a lot - it was quite common when a businessman passed away years ago that the businesses on Main Street closed down during the funeral and most of the owners attended the funeral.
Here are just two examples.
Ulysses L. Patton
July 30, 1908
ONE OF OUR OLDEST PIONEER CITIZENS PASSES AWAY LAST SUNDAY AFTERNOON.
Was a Member of the City Council for Fifteen Years and on School Board for Nine Years.
Mr. Patton has been in the stock business in Manning for a number of years and was associated in the business with his son, Dwight, at the time of his death. As a token of the esteem in which Mr. Patton is held by the business men here every place of business in the city was closed from 10 to 12 o'clock, during the time of his funeral and all public work was suspended the entire day.

John Frahm, Prominent Business Man Died Tuesday
Entered Into Rest May 28, 1940 At Home Manning
The spacious funeral home and every, available place around the premises was occupied by friends during the services. Every business place in town was closed in his respect during the services.
The deceased leaves many memories and some heritages which will endure through Manning's history. He was one of the towns leading citizens; a man of pleasing personality; jovial; kind and honorable. He was a good friend to have and he had a host of friends. The Chamber of Commerce, Manning, 3-Mile House and 5-Mile House Schuetzen Verein, of which he was a member, and other organizations always found him a willing worker and liberal giver. The town and community will feel his departure in losing a faithful helper and progressive citizen. He was a faithful husband and a kind and loving father in his home and gave himself unselfishly for the comforts and good of his family.

Military honors

Another reason why more citizens should have attended the funeral was to honor and show respect to Orland for his military service...a Veteran of the Korean War.

Now these comments are solely my own and not intended to judge/criticize anyone but just as an observation of change over the years.

Orland Fara
June 25, 1931 - April 22, 2018

Visitation Wednesday April 25, 2018 , 3:30 PM - 7:00 PM at Ohde Funeral Home, Manning
Funeral Service Thursday April 26, 2018, 10:30 AM at First Presbyterian Church, Manning
Visitation resumes at church at 9:30 AM.
Interment with Military Honors will follow the funeral at the Manning Cemetery

More information and pictures coming...

For those of you who are occasional visitors to the Manning Exchange - please make sure to click on the "archived articles" section where previous featured stories are kept.

1 example from the Logeland Studio wedding packets.

There are still quite a few Logeland Studio wedding packets available.

Click to read about this important project.
It will help to financially support the Manning Veterans' history book project.

We would like to hear from you, the "1983 Leaders of Tomorrow" who have relatives and chums in your hometown of Manning, Iowa.

In their own words
Attention "1983 Leaders of Tomorrow"

Who is the sister of the meteorologist linked below?
Click to see the answer in her own words

Who grew up on a farm south of Manning, has chased tornados, and is now a meteorologist for the National Weather Service?
Click to see the answer in his own words

Note: Your story does not have to be as thorough as found at the link above but at least send us a couple paragraphs to bring us up to date from 1983. Here is the DIRECT link to the 1983 web page.

Parents of the "1983" kids - please encourage your children to send in their updated information and any pix they may want to include.
Sometimes a little nudge by mom or dad will get the ball rolling!
Each 1983 "Leader of Tomorrow" has interesting family history.

Here are the names of the "1983 kids" who we are looking for an update from...
Aaron & Courtney Potthoff, Adam Croghan, Andrew & Amanda & Brandon Puck, Alex & Abbey Ranniger, Allison & Megan Keese, Angela & Heather & Michele Hass, Angie & Alan Irlbeck, Bradley Christensen, Bryan & Nathan Rohe, Chelsea Souter, Christin Ann Fara, Christopher Wegner, Cole & Ty Henderson, Dale & Vanessa & Derek Hargens, Daniel Wayne Tibben, Daniel & Janelle Stribe, Dawn & Derrick Rohe, Dawn & Michelle Willenborg, Elizabeth & Jamy Zinke, Ericka & Andrea Ehlers, Gary & Beth & Tim Ferneding, Heather & Jessica & Jimmy Switzer, Jackelyn McKeighan, Jamie Jo Irlbeck, Jeffrey & Joey & Jeremy Irlbeck, Jeffry & Kelli & Jason Lorenzen, Jeremia Rex Macumber, Jennifer & Jason & Renee Knueven, Jennifer & Jeremy Misselhorn, Jeremy Puck, Jessica Rasmussen, Jill Kienast, Joe Stein, Joseph & Mackenzie Hinners, Kasie & Andrea & Amy Lorenzen, Kenzie Kae Kerkhoff, Lauren & Shad Bauer, Marte Wanninger, Matthew & Mandi Weitl, Melissa & Angie Pfannkuch, Michael & Amy & Jeremy Kasperbauer, Michael & Michaela Hargens, Melissa & Michaela Vinke, Michael & Matthew Siepker, Michaela & Crystal Ehlers, Natasha Vonnahme, Ryan & Rachel Pfannkuch, Sabrina Lee, Sarah Kaszinski, Sheri & Trena Bell, Tara Zeman, Stephen & Ryan & Darren Andersen, Tonya Jo Wurr, Tiffany & Michelle Jahn, Tim & Matt Hugeback, Brian & Katie & Steph Beck, Troy & Robin Wanninger

If you send me some information about yourself, I may also be able to find some pictures of your parents, grandparents, family members that I have in my database (as shown above).
We can use them in your story along with your "1983" picture.

"Let it be known that he who wears the military order of the purple heart has given of his blood in the defense of his homeland and shall forever be revered by his fellow countrymen."
George Washington, August 7, 1782

Just as a reminder: the Manning History book committee continues to work on a Manning area Veterans' history book project.
For those of you who are Veterans or have/had Veterans in your family - will you come forward?
The history book committee will do their best to get as many pictures and information about the 1000+ Manning Veterans but we can't do it all by ourselves.

How many small communities do you know have published 5 history books? The first one was the History of Manning 1898, then the 1981 Manning Centennial book, next the 2006 Manning Quasqui book, and most recently the 2009 Manning School history book. Probably the last book to be published will be the upcoming Manning Veterans' book - unless someone comes forward in the next generation to take over these projects after I'm gone. Will you help with the Veterans' history book project? If you are a Manning connected Veteran or are presently serving and do not submit your military connected pictures and infomation you probably won't be in this once-in-a-life-time Manning Veterans' history book. With a limited number of volunteers we can only do so much on our own but will try to get pictures of as many Veterans as we can. There are over 1000 Manning Veterans so we have a long ways to go before the book can be published.

Manning Veterans are slowly coming forward and below is another example. We hope to eventually get more pictures and information for Mike to put in the book but for now this is what I have to show to you.

Amos Rutz WWII

One thing that many Veterans and people who are submitting information have not fully understood is that this next Manning history book is specifically a Veterans' only book. It won't be like the Centennial or Quasqui history books were, where there is a Veterans' section along with other community aspects. We are aiming for a 2-volume book (around 1090 total pages) which will really be unique!!!
This book will be ALL Veterans' information (and the post auxiliaries) - hence it won't be a "Name, Rank, and Serial Number" only history but we want a complete history for each Veteran.
For instance - below is Louis Boell's picture and the information that was published in the Veteran section of the 1982 Aspinwall Centennial history book. It has the basic information but we are looking for more and I spoke to Louie by phone and he sent more pictures and information - also for his brothers.

To see what Louis submitted click on the link underneath "Are you a Manning Veteran" shown below.

Note: we also want some family background such as parents and grandparents. All too often you will only see just the Veteran's name with their basic military information but without the family connections it will be difficult for future historians and genealogists to know for sure who this person belongs to.

Please e-mail me about your Veteran questions manningveterans@davidkusel.com

The United States flag
is proudly displayed here and NO other flag is as IMPORTANT!

1 Manning citizen served in the War of 1812
48 served in the Civil War
1 served in the Indian War
3 served in the Spanish American War
300+ served during WWI
550+ served during WWII
87+ served in the Korean war era
65+ (more names need to be found) served in the Vietnam era
55+ (many more names need to be found) served from 1975 to present

26 paid the ultimate price with their lives defending the U.S. Flag

Click to see the tutorial

If you simply don't want those old family pictures you inherited please don't throw them - send them my way.
A lot of times I can recognize a face or location in those old pix.

One thing to keep in mind while you are looking for pictures - if they are glued in old scrap books please do NOT try to pull them out or cut them out. I can scan the whole page of the scrapbook and crop out the pictures you want to use in the book. If you attempt to forcibly remove the pictures you will probably damage them and when I scan them that damage will probably show up. This means I'll either have to use my graphics program to touch up the damage which can take a lot of time, or if they are badly damaged I just may not even take the time to scan them.