125 Years Ago – 1896
The Sinclair hotel and restaurant changed hands again. Mrs. Countryman retired and a gentleman from LeMars took possession Tuesday.
For a dollar bill, Marcusites can go to Sioux City and return, to see the “Last Days of Pompeii”.

110 Years Ago – 1901
Mrs. W. H. Lysaght of Cherokee was struck and killed by a bolt of lightning Monday morning. She and her husband were in a rowboat on Lake Okoboji doing some early morning fishing.

115 Years Ago – 1906
Sunday was very hot and sultry but Monday was 30 degrees cooler. Quite a change.
The explosion of fireworks in Mullen’s Drug Store caused quite a bit of excitement. No damage, except to the fireworks.
Marcus was very quiet over the 4th of July. Many people went to Cherokee and others had picnics in the rural areas

105 Years Ago – 1916
J.E. Wiese of Meriden sold Ford cars to Louis Johnson and James Christy, an Overland “Six” to Walter Gordon and A Buick “Six” to Roy French..
Lightning struck the Weart and Lysaght Lumber Co’s sheds in Marcus and burned them to the ground Thursday evening. Loss was figured at $25,000 with about 2/3s of it covered by insurance.
Amherst Township has a village of some 20 persons, road builders. They have a canvas barn in which they stable 30 horses. They are working on the main road that goes into Marcus. Mr. Hobbs and Mr. Simons are out with their engines and grader working on the east-west roads between Mr. Specht’s corner and Simpson Bethel Church.

95 Years Ago – 1926
Edna Booth and Ira Bulyer of Marcus were married Wednesday, June 30 at Elk Point, SD. Mr. and Mrs. Roy Galigan of Marcus were witnesses. They will make their home in Marcus where Is a mechanic in Peters Bros. Garage.
Mr. and Mrs. E.A. Hobbs are the parents of a daughter, born Wednesday, June 23 and named Carrie Allan.
The J. B. Boss family will motor to their new home in Canon City, CO in a new Essex Coach purchased of Nagle Bros.

90 Years Ago – 1931
Stanley Smith has completed remodeling their home which he purchased from the McQueen estate. A full basement has been dug, bathroom fixtures installed and hardwood floors installed and a sun porch added.
Due to the extremely dry weather, many farmers are digging wells in the Cleghorn area.
Fred’s Place is the place to keep cool, where good friends meet and the sun always shines, Fred Knox. that is.
David M. Prunty, 85, the last Civil War Veteran in Cleghorn, died June 25. Burial was in Liberty Cemetery.

85 Years Ago -1936
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Waldstine and daughter, Astrid,, former Marcus residents, were guests in the Carl Anderson home Tuesday.
Jimmy and Audrey Smith recently appeared at the World’ Fair in Chicago. They will perform here July 3rd and 4th.
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Alesch are the parents of a girl born Sunday, June 28th. Mr. and Mrs. George Neir are the parents of a son, born June 15th, named John Harry.
Newlyweds, Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Briggs, were greeted by a large crowd of merrymakers at the Otis Briggs home.They were treated to goodies and beverages.
80 Years Ago – 1941
Joyce Kenney of Marcus and Harold Walter of Arnold’s Park were married Friday morning, June 27, in Marcus Holy Name Church. Attendants were her sister and brother, Bonnie and Robert Kenney. They will be at home in Correctionville.The ring that united her mother and father twenty-two years ago, was used in this marriage.
Melvin Dorr, manager of Dorr Hatchery and Feeds, entertained his employees with a picnic at Storm Lake last week.
Nearly all corn in Cherokee County is “laid by” and is knee high and looking great. Soybeans are also making good progress. Oats are said to be thin and short, due to poor seed and hard rains.

75 Years Ago -1946
Mrs. Helen Sweet of Marcus paid her 60th subscription to the Marcus News. She and her husband, John Sweet, arrived here in 1887.
Ten little friends helped Rodney Ogren celebrate his 5th birthday Wednesday afternoon in the parental Mr. and Mrs. Paul Ogren home. A treasure hunt, games, opening gifts and lunch filled the afternoon.
Clark Gable and Greer Garson star in “Adventure” showing in the Lyric for four nights. Clark plays a rough and tough boatswain who becomes involved with Greer, a prim librarian.

70 Years Ago – 1951
John Sand drove to Omaha Saturday where he met four of his grand- daughters, Jeannine, Maurine, Eilleen and Kathleen Krause, of Los Angeles, CA. They will spend the summer months in the Sand home.
The Marcus Redwings won 2 softball games this week to remain undefeated in 8 games. They defeated Cook’s paints from Sioux City 8-4 and Grand Meadow-Washta 8-2.
One of my favorite leading men, John Wayne, stars in “Operation Pacific” with Patricia O’Neal, showing in the Lyric. It portrays the submarines battles with enemy surface craft.

65 Years Ago -1956
Margaret Ann Nicholson and Nancy Ohm of Struble are spending this week in the home of Margaret’s aunt, Mrs. John Sand.
The 4th of July picnic held in the Marcus Park proved to be a huge success with a record crowd attending. A band concert opened the evening with races, egg tossing, a softball game and an elaborate fireworks concluded the event.
Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Delaney and family are spending the remainder of the summer in Marcus. Mr. Delaney has been serving as a lawyer and judge with the civil administration in Okinawa.

60 Years Ago – 1961
The Jerry Golden family moved to Round Lake, MN over the weekend. He has been basketball coach at Holy Name and has accepted a similar position there.
Norman Kolb finished a nine month auto body and fender repair course at Universal Trade Schools in Omaha. He will work at Stoos Brothers Body Shop at LeMars.
Cary Grant, Deborah Kerr, Robert Mitchum and Jean Simmons star in “The Grass Is Greener”, showing in the Marland Sunday and Wednesday.

55 Years Ago – 1966
Rev. Robert Truitt is the new pastor at Grace Methodist Church in Marcus. He succeeds Rev. Donald Cutler.
MM3 Bill Robinson, U.S.S. Spiegel Grove, is spending a 3 week leave in the parental Bernard Robinson home in Meriden. His base is Norfolk, VA.
Mr. and Mrs. John Clarkson have taken over the Kimber Variety in Marcus as of July 1. It will be known as the Clarkson Variety and will open for business Friday, July 1st.

50 Years Ago – 1971
The Marcus Centennial has chosen the slogan, “With Pride in the Past and Faith in the Future”. Hans Rasmussen, 92, won the prize for the whitest beard and Curt Grauer won for growing the most luxuriant beard. Mrs. Rachel Addy was selected as Queen and Barbara Snyder as Princess.
Susan Nielsen has been chosen to sing the lead in the Cherokee Summer Theatre production of “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying”. Alfred Nott will direct the production.
Darlys Sumption of Frederick, SD and William Miller of Marcus are planning a September 5th wedding in Frederick.

45 Years Ago – 1976
Pam Anderson, a 1976 graduate of Meriden-Cleghorn high school, departed for Pieksankoski, Finland to spend 6 weeks as a member of the Lions Youth Exchange Program. She will share her experiences with the area Lions club members on her return.
James R, Scharff, 30, a 1964 graduate of Meriden-Cleghorn, is thought to be the youngest superintendent in Iowa. He served as principal for 4 years at Primghar and now is Supt. Scharff.
Greg Foresman returned from a 16 day trip to Holland, Germany, Czechoslovakia and Austria.

40 Years Ago – 1981
The Merle Treinen farm has been named a Century Farm. Bishop Sylvester Treinen of Boise,ID will offer a Mass of Thanksgiving at the farm Sunday, July 11th, followed by a hog roast and a dance.
Candidates for the school board this year must file official reports of their campaign contributions and expensives if the total exceeds $100.
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Ducommun of Cleghorn celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Sunday, June 28 with an open house at the Cleghorn Christian Church. It was hoated by their sons, Gilbert and Don and his wife.

35 Years Ago – 1986
Lynn Galles of Remsen and Joseph Galles, formerly of Marcus, are planning an August 9th wedding in St. Mary’s Catholic church in Remsen.
Jake and Bernie Dixson hosted a Harman family reunion at their home Saturday. A totsl of 68 family members and 4 guests attended. They celebrated the birthdays of Dr. Hayden, Jake,Jr. and John Dixson.
Jerry Bertrand of Marcus was elected to membership in the American School Band Directors Association, June 19.

30 Years Ago – 1991
Granville celebrated its Centennial June 28, 29 and 30.
Holly Marie Hanson of Brandon, SD and Richard Theisen of Marcus are planning an August 24th wedding in Marcus Holy Name Church.

25 Years Ago – 1996
Father James Fangman has been reassigned to St. Michael’s Parish in Kingsley. He has been in Marcus since 1989. Father R.R. Remmes will replace him in Marcus.

20 Years Ago – 2001

15 Years Ago – 2006