T-R PHOTO BY MIKE DONAHEY — Shown is Marshalltown's iconic Binford House. Attorney Thaddeus Binford and spouse Angelica Binford and family resided here. Their daughter Jessie Binford would later distinguish herself in the field of social work in Chicago and elsewhere. Binford Avenue, located on the west side of the county near State Center, is named in their honor.

Editor’s Note: This is the first in a series of several articles reporting on the history of avenue road names in rural Marshall County. Avenue names for signs were mandated by the E-911 county system effective June 16, 1986.

“The names were taken from the “History of Marshall County 1878,” sponsored by the Central Iowa Genealogical Society in Albion,” according to county documents. “In addition, a variety of professions were selected. Names used are no reflection on present county residents.”

From Arney to Lafayette to Zeller, rural road names for Marshall County road names are as unique as those of their city cousins in Marshalltown.

Listed below is the last name only on road signs followed by a brief description of the individual. Arney Avenue begins on the western edge of Marshall County and subsequent avenues proceed east.

Some descriptions may be limited due to lack of resources needed at time of press.

Resources used were “The Continuing History of Marshall County 1997” and “History of Marshall County 1955” by Gerard Schultz, and “Marshalltown Illustrated.” The latter is not dated and was published as a supplement to the Times-Republican under the supervision of the Marshalltown Retail Merchants Association.

The series begins alphabetically with Arney and will continue until Zeller.

Arney: School Director

Sources indicate it was named for a member of the John Arney family – who were prominent settlers and educators early in the county’s history according to Historical Society of Marshall Country (HSMC) archives. The family and their descendants resided in the Albion area.

Abbott: Grain Dealer

Sources indicate it was named for A.C Abbott. He was a prominent businessman in Marshalltown and an early Marshalltown settler. He also was an investor in a hardware store founded in 1860 and on Main Street. In October, 1862 – Abbott – along with several other men – had re-named Marshall to Marshalltown since U.S Mail intended for Marshall in Marshall County was being delivered to the village of Marshall in Henry County.

Binford: Attorney

Jessie Binford

Named for Thaddeus Binford. Born in Ohio, he came to Marshalltown in 1864 because relatives lived in the Marshalltown area. He established a law office with H.C. Henderson in the Woodbury Building. He built a home known locally as the Binford House – 110 N. Second Ave. His daughter Jessie Binford was influenced by the career of Jane Addams – who pioneered the field of social work while lending aid to immigrant families in Chicago. Jessie inherited the Binford House and donated it to the Marshalltown Federation of Women’s Clubs in 1930 as a memorial to her mother Angelica Binford and father Thaddeus. The historic property is managed by a board of directors; it is well-maintained and available for meetings and other functions.

Brown: Attorney

No information.

Canfield: Mason

A reference was found for Jud Canfield who in 1856 built a house in Marshalltown on the northeast corner of First Street and West Main with John McCarthey. They used lumber milled from Henry Anson’s mill.

Davidson: First claimed land in the county

On May 15, 1846, Joseph Davidson, 26, and his wife, Mary Ann (nee Ferrin) Davidson and their infant son Lucien, staked their claim on the eastern slope of the land about 1 ½ miles north of the present site of Le Grand, according to “The Continuing History of Marshall County, 1997.” The Davidsons later moved to Oregon.