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From: "Robert & Carolyn Strong" <>
Subject: Coal Mines in Central Iowa
Date: Sat, 24 Oct 1998 15:37:27 -0400


I'm sending this to the IAPOLK List with the hope that someone can provide
some new information. I am interested in the history of the coal mines in
and around Swan, Marion County and Southeastern Polk County, Iowa.

My grandfather, George Nixon immigrated from Shildon, County Durham,
England in about 1883 with his wife Barbara Colling Nixon and two small
daughters, Mary and Isabella. He was a coal miner. Another daughter,
Melissa Jane Nixon was born at Swan, Marion County, Iowa on March 10, 1884.
Barbara Nixon died at Swan in December, 1886.

My grandmother, Jane Ann Hopper Stamford (or Stanford) immigrated from
Loftus, Yorkshire, England in 1885 with her husband, Cornelius Stamford, a
miner. Cornelius died in South Des Moines, IA in July, 1885.

George Nixon married Jane Ann (Hopper) Stamford on August 27, 1887 in Swan,
but their marriage was registered in Polk County. They had three children
born at Manbeck, Polk County, IA, then one in South Des Moines, IA and two
at Runnells, IA. I believe George worked in the coal mines at all of these
places, and possibly at the Carbondale Mines southeast of Des Moines until
the 1920s. Some of his sons also worked in these mines. Most of the
family is buried at the old Youngstown
Cemetery (now Oakwood cemetery) at Pleasant Hill, Iowa, where the
Carbondale mines were located. My parents and some other family members are
buried at Laurel Hill Cemetery. My father, Edward Hopper Nixon was born in
Runnells and lived most of his life near the State Fairgrounds.

I would really appreciate any history of these areas, especially anything
pertaining to the life of the coal miners of that time period. I have most
of the vital statistics on my grandparents and their family, now I am
interested in learning more about their life, and finding any remaining
relatives. I know that Mary Nixon had two sons, named Leonard and Orvel
Welshons. Melissa Nixon had at least one daughter, named Catherine
McCauley. I wonder if any of their families are still in the Des Moines
area.

Carolyn Strong
Jacksonville, FL

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