Polio outbreak in Russell

An outbreak of polio in Russell

The Americas were declared polio-free in 1994, due to effective vaccines, and it was hoped that the same could be said for the world by 2018. But as October turned to November in 1949, that infectious, crippling and sometimes deadly disease still was very much on the mind of most Lucas Countyans.

No cases had been reported here during 1947, but two Lucas County youngsters, Tommy Mays and Johnny Fisher, were among the 1,247 affected statewide during 1948. Both survived, but remained under treatment well into 1949. Three-year-old Eric Atha, of Chariton, hospitalized at Blank Childrens Hospital in Des Moines on August 4, was the first case of 1949.

Then everyone's attention turned to Russell when The Chariton Leader carried this report on the front page of its Nov. 1, 1949, edition under the headline, "Polio Strikes Russell Vicinity."

FLASH: As we go to press, another case has been tentatively diagnosed as polio in the Russell community. It is that of John Boozell, 39, who was taken to Des Moines just before noon today.

The first case to be reported was that of Larry Turbot, son of Mr. and Mrs. Hilton Turbot. He was taken to the Blank Memorial Hospital in Des Moines Sunday.

Yesterday, two young girls were stricken. They were the Brong sisters, Mary, 6, and Martha, 7, daughters of the Rev. and Mrs. Donald Brong. The girls were taken to the Blank Memorial Hospital last night. Their cases were said to be light.

Mrs. Clyde Milnes, chairman of the Lucas County Infantile Paralysis Foundation, reports that her organization is ready with every available resource and will do everything possible to stem the outbreak and halt the spread of the disease. She is going to Russell this afternoon to survey the situation.

A meeting of the Russell school board was called this morning and school was dismissed for the week, the children being sent home right after the meeting. Pending further developments school is tentatively scheduled to reopen next Monday.

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The situation had not changed by Thursday, Nov. 3, when The Herald-Patriot reported, "As far as can be determined as we go to press today there is nothing new in the Russell polio epidemic. To date four cases are reported. They are Larry Turbot, Mary and Martha Brong and John Boozell. A couple of others are reported ill, but polio is not indicated, advices say. All public meetings have been banned for the week and schools closed until Monday in the Russell community."

The Leader of Nov. 8 was able to report "Russell Back to Normal --- Information from Russell today is that the situation is again normal after the polio scare of last week in which four were sent to Des Moines for treatment. There are no new cases reported. Schools opened as usual Monday morning and other public meetings are held as necessary. Condition of the patients has not been determined."

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Of the four Russell cases, I believe that Mary Brong and John Boozell were the most severely affected, handicapped to an extent for the remainder of their lives. Mary's father, Donald Brong, was pastor of Russell's First Baptist Church at the time.

Nine more cases of polio were diagnosed in Lucas County during 1950, but nothing quite like the concentration in and near Russell occurred again.

Introduction of the Salk, then Sabin, vaccines eventually assured that polio was not among the various diseases and disorders Lucas Countyans need worry about.

Posted by Frank D. Myers at 7:12 AM No comments:

Monday, November 11, 2019

Martha Allen's 90th Birthday

Bob Parker Celebrates 100th Birthday

From the Chariton Herald-Patriot August 24, 2017

click on the picture to read the article

Betty Cross 88th Birthday

Pierschbacher Family

Shawn and Anna Pierschbacher are the proud parents of twin baby boys. Oscar Shawn and Justus Shawn Pierschbacher, born July 31, 2015 at Pella Regional Hospital Oscar weighed 6 pounds 8 ounces and was 18.5 inches long. Justus weighted six pounds eight ounces and was 19 inches long.
To welcome them home are siblings: Lily Anna, Shanna, Amellia, Annabelle, Megan and Tate.
Grandparents are Alekandr and Lilya Primakov and Merlin and Becky Pierschbacher.
Great grandparents are June Thomasson and the late Marion Thomasson and Betty Pierschbacher.
Congratulations to the family!

Alice Glassinger 90th Birthday

Gary and Connie Lazear 50th wedding anniversary

In celebration of Gary and Connie Lazear's 50th anniversary on Sept. 17, 2015 their children would like to honor them with a card shower. Cards of congratulations can be sent to 28618 highway 34, Russell, IA 50238. Their family is looking forward to celebrating with them.

Bob Parker, Celebration of His 97th Birthday

Robert H. Parker (Bob) will be celebrating his 97th birthday on August 4, 2014.  His family will be hosting a card shower to help him celebrate.  He will be remembered by many as their rural mail carrier out of the Russell Post Office.  Please send birthday wishes to:  Bob Parker 1110 N. 6th St.  Apt 2, Chariton, IA  50049.

Don and Grace Holmes Celebrate 60th Wedding Anniversary

Randy Nickell Retires from DOT after 31 Years

Chariton Leader, April 8, 2014

Bill Howes, Associate Editor

For over the past three decades, Randy Nickell has been a constant with the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT).  Nickell is a highway tech associate with the Iowa DOT and he's retiring after 31 years of service on April 10th.  He works at the DOT Maintenance Garage by Pin Oak Marsh south of Chariton on Highway 14.

Nickell, 57, has held the same position with the DOT for the past 31 years.  His position title has changed as it was called an Equipment Operator I when he started in 1983.

Nickell and his wife, Wendy, live in Russell.  Wendy is the city clerk of Russell and they've lived there for 30 years.  They have been married for 38 years.  There will be a retirement coffee for Nickell at the DOT Maintenance garage on April 10, from 1-3 p.m

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Peggy Christensen Retires from Morton Buildings after 40 Years

Chariton Herald-Patriot April 3, 2014

Bill Howes, Associate Editor

When Christensen started working at Morton Buildings, Richard Nixon was still President. Christensen has worked through eight different U.S. Presidents during her tenure at Morton Buildings.  Two months before she started, the speed limit had been lowered to 55 miles per hour on highways.  About two weeks after she started on April 8, 1974, Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth's all-time  home run record with his 715th career home run.

Peggy is also known as Mrs. Claus.  She and her husband, Dick, live in Russell and they will celebrate 45 years of marriage in June.  They have also lived in the same house for 45 years.

Many people know the Christensens as Santa and Mrs. Claus as well for the times they've played the Clauses at different places.  

Peggy said that she will miss the people, both the employees and the customers, most in her retirement.  She will also miss the everyday challenge of the work.

Gayla (DeBok) Posch named 2014 Elementary Teacher of the Year

Tomahawk Elementary fourth grade teacher, Gayla Posch, was nominated by her building colleagues as a candidate for Olathe Public School's 2014 elementary teacher of the year last fall.  Olathe is a district of 23,000 students.

On Nov. 6, 2013 a district committee narrowed nominations by choosing three highly qualified elementary educators as semi-finalists in the state wide award program.

The semi-finalists were then videotaped in an interview and while teaching.  Following this, the selection committee met on December 9th to select one district finalist and Gayla Posch was selected as the 2014 Kansas Teacher of the Year nominee for the Olathe Public Schools, and will now submit an application to the Kansas State Department of Education in the spring for Kansas Elementary Teacher of the Year.

Gayla Posch considers her fourth-grade students to be little banks that she invests her time in, and reaps the benefits when she asks for their attention and enthusiasm in return.

"My greatest accomplishment has to be the relationships I've built with my students and their families," said the 14 year district educator. She often attends her students' games, recitals and other events and loves hearing about and from former students who say she had an impact on their lives.

Gayla DeBok Posch is the daughter of David and Shari DeBok of Russell, granddaughter of Jo and Charles DeBok of Boone and Helen and the late Floyd Coulson of Russell.  She was a 1995 graduate of Russell High School and received her Bachelors of Education and Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction at Mid America Nazarene University in Olathe, Kansas, and received an ELL endorsement through Kansas State University.  Gayla and her husband, Jason, 6 year old daughter Addie and 3 year old daughter Jordyn live in Gardner, Kansas.

Winner of the Holiday Giveaway

Barb and Wayne Riggs 50th Anniverary

Bob and Kathy Willits Celebrate 50th Wedding Anniversary

Farm Bureau News

At the September 9 Lucas County Farm Bureau board meeting a unanimous motion was made to re-elect all officers for the October 2013 - September 2014 year.  Those officers are pictured left to right, row 1:  President - Danielle Van Ryswyk; Vice President - Brian Beatty; row 2:  Secretary - Marshal Schlutz; Treasurer - Dan Harrison

Wendy Blue at Sisters Craft Show

Russell Horse Team Does Well at State Fair

Mike Beaty, with his young Belgian team of Doc and Duke, competed in the 2013 Iowa State Fair all breed Draft Horse Farm Team Competition.  Mike purchased the team in April and worked over the summer training them to compete.  His hard work and patience paid off as Mike and his team won the farm hitch obstacle class, the log skidding, the antique machinery; won 2nd in the barnyard horse pull, the cultivator class and; 3rd in the feed team race.  Mike finished the day as the high point man and the team was 2nd in the best matched team.  

Grand kids Mikenzy, Macey and Blayne Beaty, and Kasyn Paige were there to cheer for him.  Blayne waited patiently all day to take control of the reins for the matched team competition.

Brian Harryman and Rebecca Clark Married

Congratulations to them both.  They were married on August 24th.

Mitteness Family of Russell

This article appeard in the Chariton Leader 8/6/2013

Mitteness Family Receives Good Farm Neighbor Award

Rick and Page Mitteness were awarded the July "Gary Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award" during a ceremony attended by nearly 75 people at their farm on July 30.  Rick and Page own and operate a diversified row crop operation and an Angus cow-calf herd along with their son Aaron.

Steve Moline with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship presented the Mitteness family with the award in front of family and neighbors.

The Wergin Good Farm Neighbor award, sponsored by the Coalition to Support Iowa's Farmers (CSIF), recognizes Iowa livestock farmers who take pride in doing things right.  This includes caring for the environment and their livestock and being good neighbors.

"We are honored and  humbled to receive this award.  This is a great award that means a lot to us and it's also a great way for us to get together to see our friends and neighbors.  Raising livestock has always been a passion of ours and has allowed us to keep our family working together on the farm," said Rick Mitteness.

Martha Allen, a friend and neighbor, nominated the Mitteness family for the award for their willingness to help her and the other neighbors no matter what they need or what time of day it is.  Martha can always count on Rick to check in on her as well as get snow moved for her in the winter.  "The Mitteness family shows remarkable commitment and passion for their livestock, the environment and their community," says Allen.  "Although they are extremely busy, they still maintain one of the prettiest farmsteads in the county as well."

"It's great to recognize a farm family like the Mitteness's who are so appreciated by their neighbors, devoted to their land, livestock and community.  The Mitteness family is another great example of a farm family that is passionate about agriculture, their neighbors and doing things right on the farm,: said CSIF executive director, Brian Waddingham.

If you know of another deserving person or family that is a good neighbor, please contact:  Brian Waddingham, Executive Director, 1-800-932-2436.

Russell Community Club Elected Officers for 2013-2014

The Community Club elected new officers on July 25th for the coming year.  They are President-Deb Mason; Vice President-Don Sellers; Secretary-Karen Werts and Treasurer-Mike Beaty.  New members are always welcome.  They meet the last Thursday of every month at the Community Building,  usually at 6:30 p.m.

July 4th Chariton Parade

Russell High School Class of 1973

The Russell High School Class of 1973 met for their 40th class reunion on May 24, 2013 at Carpenter's Hall for dinner and reminiscing.
Front row L-R:  Carol (Fenton) Ziel, Melodee (Jeffries) Irving, Wendy (Werts) Blue, Pam (Huntsman) Sandy, and Mike Gookin.  Second row L-R:  Mike Bear, Bill Messamer, George Norris, Lee Sandy and Steven Fuller.

Peanut Day Celebration in Chariton

"1948"

The following is a poem that was misplaced at the Russell High School Reunion on May 25, 2013.  

It was written by Margaret (Wilson) Ruby, classmate of "1948" Russell High.  This poem was written September 20, 2007.

A Tribute to Classmates of 1948

To live in the hearts of those left behind is not to die,

We cherish the memories of our classmates of Russell High.

Namely Stanley, Wendell and Barbara Lou.

The class of "1948" gives special tribute to each of you.

You were all special, each in your own way;

We cherish the memories from day to day.

We know our journey, here on earth, will someday end,

We were honored to have each of you, as a classmate and friend.

We bid Stanley, Wendell and Barbara a farewell and good-bye, 

As our classmates of "1948" from Russell High.

Russell Cheerleaders

This is from Facebook by Wanda Frye Horn  June 2013 

Russell Class of 1963 at 2013 School Reunion

The Russell Class of 1963 celebrated their 50th reunion at the Russell all school reunion on Saturday, May 25, 2013.  Pictured above are:  Bottom from left:  JoAnn Miller Hoffman, Linda Sellers Christensen, Rosemary Atwell Jeffries, Ann Boldt Dilley, Cody Green Koch and Bonnie Palmer Knust.  Top left to right:  Bill Callahan, Dennis Garton, Ray Wilson, Gary Collins and Richard Arnold.

Farm Bureau Hall of Fame

Lucas County Farm Bureau President Danielle Van Ryswyk presented Robert "Bob" Cain, pictured below, with Retired Teacher of the Year Award Monday June 10th.  Bob is known for his stellar coaching career.  Cain is another longtime resident of Lucas County.  He is a familiar face through his teaching career in the Chariton School District.

Max Arnold, pictured below, was also honored as the 2013 Agribusiness man.  Arnold is a longtime Lucas County resident.  Arnold and his wife Gwendolyn ran the Russell lumber yard for thirty-five years.  He has owned a farm since 1941 and currently owns 660 acres with a mix of cattle, corn and beans and hay pasture.

Martha Milnes Receives Award

Pictured at left is Martha Milnes, the 2013 recipient of the Presidents Volunteer Services Award which was presented at the recognition luncheon held at Lucas County Health Center April 27. This award can only be presented to a volunteer who has given over 4,000 hours of volunteer time. Pictured at the right is LCHC CEO Veronica Fuhs.  

Emery and Sherry McDonald Celebrated 40th Anniversary

Emery and Sherry McDonald celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary with their children hosting them with an open house at the Cornerstone Community Church on Saturday, May 11th.