Editor’s Note: This is the fourth in a series of several articles reporting on Marshall County residents of the mid to late 1800s whose names are posted on rural avenue road signs.

Part three of the series was published in the T-R May 2-3 — and reported on the biographies of county residents/towns Hart, Hopkins, Ingram, Jessup, Knapp and Lafayette. Series one and two reported on Arney Avenue through Glick.

Marshall County’s economy was agriculture and ag-related businesses in the 1840s and remains so. Consequently, three residents with signs named in their honor were listed as farmers and one of the three was also listed as “Temperance Reformer.” One resident was listed as a druggist and also a physician.

Marsh: Druggist

“Based on historical records, a physician named Marsh opened a drug store in the county circa 1850s, as noted in the Continuing History of Marshall County, Iowa (1884) by L.E.B. Holt, according to social media sources. This aligns with the early development of Marshalltown and surrounding areas during that decade.”

Meyer: Horticulturist/farmer

Three farmers named Meyer were listed. An Aggee Meyer, of State Center was born in Hanover, Germany in 1844. He owned 160 acres valued at $25 per acre. He was a member of the German Reformed Church. Secondly, Reinhard Meyer, also of State Center. He too was born in Germany in 1857. He also owned 160-acres but valued at $30 per acre. W. Meyer, farmer of Laurel, was also listed with no other information.

Newby: Farmer

Two farmers named Newby were listed and both resided in the same section 15 in Lamoille. They were Axum Newby and Samuel Newby. Samuel was born Dec. 9, 1844, in Grant Co. Ind. He arrived in Marshall County in 1865; owned 90-acres, valued at $40 per acre. He was a member of the Society of Friends and a Republican in politics. His wife, Martha C. Pemberton, was born in Miami Co., Ohio, May 31 1845. The couple was married April 21, 1864. To this union five children were born : Rosella, Jesse, Sarah, Ruthana and Clara.

Nichols: Farmer and temperance reformer

Nichols was a common name in Marshall County in the “History of Marshall County, 1878” with 33 references. Found were B.K. Nichols – a farmer in Sec. 33 – Green Mountain. Additionally, F. Nichols – farmer, Sec. 28, and J. Nichols – farmer, Sec. 20 of Marshalltown. Also listed were J.H. Nichols and S.J. Nichols identified as “grain.” Both resided in State Center.

County temperance reformers throughout the years were extremely active, driven by Methodist influence and local chapters of national organizations like the Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU), founded in 1873. These reformers, often termed “drys,” worked to combat alcohol consumption in small towns.

Key aspects of the temperance movement in the area included:

Active Organizations: The WCTU and local Methodist churches were pivotal in promoting abstinence, supporting both the moral case against alcohol and promoting legislative prohibition.

Influential Figures: Archives report that the WCTU enlisted prominent church and local elected officials to promote and implement legislative temperance.

Social and Religious Ties: The movement was intricately linked with evangelical Protestantism, particularly Methodist churches in the region.

Oaks: Butcher

First name John. Only information listed. The roadway runs north-south like other rural avenues in the county.