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From: "Marthann Kohl-Fuhs" <>
Subject: Re: [IAHARRIS-L] cemetery
Date: Sun, 14 Dec 2003 13:54:30 -0600
References: <MFMBM030NxeWNfKXDxH0000793e@mfmbm030.myfamilycorp.local>


Here's a link to the Harrison County Cemetery page:

http://www.rootsweb.com/~iaharris/cemetery.htm

Here's a little info about "Hard Scratch"

JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP
REEDER'S MILLS
The vicinity known as Reeder's Mills. at an early day was styled "Hard
Scratch" and is frequently so called at the present time(1891). Much of the
historic interest clusters about this locality. It is an important
post-office of the county and its history dates back to 1857, when Jasen
WHITINGER and Norman SQUIRES brought a sawmill from Guthrie County, Iowa,
and set it in motion at this point, which is within the upper end of Harris
Grove, on section 35, near Harris Grove Creek.

These gentlemen operated this mill several years, then sold to Thomas and
William REEDER, who added a set of burrs, thus converting it into a combined
saw and grist mill. They sold to John D DOW, who ran the same two years and
sold the saw-mill to Samuel DEAGLE, and removed the burrs and other grinding
machinery to Needmore, in Cass Township. The old saw-mill bought by DEAGLE,
was sold to Joseph CHILDS, who made a barn of it. The engine was removed to
the Cherokee Nation in 1879.

The first store put in Reeder's Mills was the one opened by Thomas CALVIN
and Cyrus BROADWELL, in the fall of 1866. They conducted it about two years
and then removed the building, as well as the stock of goods to Logan. In
the fall of 1867, MCCOID Bros. (James and Aaron) built a building at
Reeder's Mills and put in a general stock of goods. Two years later, James
sold to his brother Aaron, who continued until 1872, then removed to Logan.

Charles Kemmish started a general store, and a year or two later Aaron
MCCOID returned from Logan and bought him out, operated it for two years and
sold a half interest to W.D. ARMSTRONG -- the firm being MCCOID & ARMSTRONG.
MCCOID sold to ARMSTRONG, who ran the business until fall and formed a
partnership with James HANER, consolidating their stocks and changing the
firm to HANER & ARMSTRONG.

A post-office was established at this point in 1858, with Jasen WHITINGER as
postmaster. He continued in the ofice until 1863 and was succeeded by John D
DOW, who was postmaster until 1867, then came N.H. VANARSDALE from 1867 to
1974. James HANER then took the office and is still(1891) holding the
position, which is one of usefulness, though not a lucrative one.

A wagon-shop was started at the place in 1867 by P.C. KEMMISH, who ran it
about six years and removed to a farm. J.P. COWAN started a wagon shop in
1879, and still(1891) works at his trade at this point.

*** EXCERPTS from the 1891 Harrison County Iowa History ***

----- Original Message -----
From: <>
To: <>
Sent: Sunday, December 14, 2003 12:51 PM
Subject: [IAHARRIS-L] cemetery


This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list.

Classification: Query

Message Board URL:

http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/0k.2ADE/2017

Message Board Post:

I am looking for a cemetery that was called "hard scratch" cemetery between
magnolia and piscah iowa. What can you tell me about it.



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