Since 1922, the Van Cleve Alumni Association (VCAA) has met regularly while promoting pride in its churches, girls’ basketball teams and more.

On Sunday, approximately 30 members joined for its last meeting at the Anson Park Shelter House in Marshalltown, according to President Jan Breja.

Breja, of Kirksville, Mo., has been active in the group for decades, she said.

“My mother and father were active in VCAA too,” she said. “They passed down to me and others the legacy of our village and the importance of passing on the accomplishments and more of village-area residents. The church and school were pillars of our village and many of us socialized around their respective events.”

During the business meeting several members thanked Breja for her efforts over the years. She scheduled and presided during meetings and more.

“We were fortunate to have Jan as president,” said VCAA member Marjorie (nee Smith) Grimes of Marshalltown.

Central to the meeting was the announcement that the group would be closing their accounts and donating the final balance of $2,778 to the Historical Society of Marshall County (HSMC) in Marshalltown.

Julie Lang, a VCAA member and HSMC board member, told attendees the money will be applied to expenses for a HSMC new museum — which is in the planning stages.

“We are grateful to the VCAA for this sizable donation,” she said. “Due to lack of space and other issues, HSMC has had many valuable artifacts in climate-controlled storage.”

The HSMC will catalog and display VCAA memorabilia. A key part of HSMC’s mission is to preserve and catalog important county artifacts.

Some of them are from one-room county school houses, other schools and more – all crucial to the county’s development.

As a result, visitors to its museum at 503 W. Main St. – also known as the Mowry-Irvine Mansion — may tour the historic dwelling with period artifacts.

Lang, a 34-year Marshalltown Community School District educator who is now retired, works aggressively to schedule and hosts several hundred area school children annually for a 1913-school day reenactment at the HSMC-owned Taylor School No. 4 – also known as the Weatherbee School.

It is a completely restored one-room school house in the 100-block of North Second Ave. It was originally north of Marshalltown and served Taylor township residents for years. The school house was moved to Marshalltown approximately 20 years ago.

History of Van Cleve

Located in Logan Township, Van Cleve was named by J.B. Grinnell, founder of Grinnell. He was one of the promoters of the Iowa Central Railroad which at one time connected Van Cleve to other villages and towns, according to the “History of Marshall County 1955” by Gerard Shultz.

“While traveling, Grinnell had become acquainted with a young man from Ottumwa who cared for his horses and was employed on a nearby farm. His surname was Van Cleve – and having flaming red hair was called ‘Reddy” by acquaintances. Grinnell was impressed with him.”

He named the village in his honor.

The first business housed in Van Cleve was a hardware store built in 1881, by Issac Milhous. The lumber for the building was hauled from Marshalltown by horse teams. In 1925 the railroad from Van Cleve to State Center was removed because of lack of business. A “Y” was built and for 13 years the train operated from Newburg to Van Cleve.

Van Cleve Congregational Church

“In December, 1869, Rev. George Poage, Congregational minister, began preaching in school house District no. 6 Logan township, In 1870 Poage organized a local church of seven members. In 1877 efforts were made to build a church. The church was built and dedicated in 1884. In 1923, the church was raised, remodeled and modernized. It was re-dedicated in 1924 with Rev. Charles Bruce as pastor.

Van Cleve School

The school operated from 1914 to 1960.

“We had several successful girl’s six-on-six basketball teams nicknamed the ‘Rockets’ among other school accomplishments,” said Lang. “Those of us who played were saddened when the school consolidated with Marshalltown which did not offer the sport for girls then.”

“I will miss our meetings and the fellowship from a special group of people,” said Breja.