125 Years Ago – 1896
Mrs. H.J. Wilson sold her hotel and restaurant to E.M. Sinclair. He has leased it to Mrs. Countryman, who will do a creditable job.
M. McKeever sold Joe Hobbs 22 shoats that were 10 months old and averaged 390 lbs.

110 Years Ago – 1901
Only 17 votes were cast at the Monday school election, with William Naffziger being chosen as director over P.N. Brown.
The Citizens Bank has added an up-to-date burglar alarm that can be heard a block away. Mr. Barnes has redecorated the inside of the bank.

115 Years Ago – 1906
We have been experiencing the coldest weather of the winter. Those who were contemplating sowing wheat and oats have postponed operations indefinitely.
H.B. Robeson is visiting with old friends here. Rumor has it that he will erect a residence in the southeast part of town to replace the one there now.

105 Years Ago – 1916
Miss Elizabeth Perkins will speak on Equal Suffrage at the Idle Hour Theatre on Tuesday evening, Mar. 28. No admission, but a free will offering will be taken. The women’s organizations of Marcus are sponsoring this.
Sam Schessler, night watchman here since last fall, has succeeded John Baertling as town marshal and street commissioner J.O. Williamson is the new nigh watchman.
Dr. F.E. Loomis was elected to succeed himself as president of the school board. All grade school teachers will be paid $60 a month. Supt. L.F. Smylie will be paid $100 a month for the year.

95 Years Ago – 1926
Joe Dempsey is the sole proprietor of a new business venture in Marcus. It will be known as the Marcus Auto Exchange and will occupy the Olson Building on Main Street.
Mrs. William Garvin, proprietor of the Garvin Hat Shoppe, and Edna Healy returned Friday from Omaha where they attended Market Week.

90 Years Ago – 1931
Elaine Geibe and Lloyd Townsend were married Saturday, Mar. 14, in Dakota City, Neb.
Mrs. Floyd Hamilton plans to start a kindergarten in her home beginning Apr. 6 for two months. Children from 4 to 6 years of age will be accepted.
Delma Blietz, 6 year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Blietz, was ill this past week with a peculiar affliction believed to have been caused by poisoning from house plants.

85 Years Ago -1936
John Greff, who has lived on a farm west of town for about 46 years, has moved in to Marcus and is making his home with his daughter, Cecelia, and son John, Jr.
Mrs. Katherine Rassel, 82, passed away Mar. 21. She was a Cherokee County resident for nearly 53 years. She is survived by a daughter, Teresa, and three sons, John, Joe, and Frank.

80 Years Ago – 1941
About 15 feet of the old brick water tower on the school ground has been removed. The bricks are dropped inside the circular wall and trucked to the site of the old firehouse where they are being cleaned. They will be used in the construction of the new community building. The town whistle will be placed on poles back of Claude Grey’s garage and the fire truck is kept in Ament’s garage.
Ralph McConnell is driving a new Studebaker Commander delivered to him by L.M. Miller.

75 Years Ago -1946
Mrs. W.L. Gund was named local school board president, replacing E.P. Quirin who retired. Mrs. Gertrude Loomis is remaining as secretary and W.L. Gund as treasurer. Other board members are Ralph McConnell, Melvin Dorr, Dr. G.R. Hobson, and R.R. Satterlee.
James Smith, Ronald Dorr, Paul Norris, Tommy MeCarl J. Dorr has purchased the Dixson Dairy and will make daily deliveries beginning Apr. 1.
Vernace Kinzel and Charles Miller exchanged wedding vows in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Goodrich in Cleghorn on March 2. After a wedding trip to Waco, Tex., they will make their home on his father’s farm.

70 Years Ago – 1951
Duane Oswald, 18, son of Mr. and Mrs. Leo Oswald, was killed instantly about 3 p.m. Sunday when the car he was driving was struck by a westbound Illinois Central passenger train. The accident happened at the crossing one mile east of Marcus during a blinding snowstorm.
Art Long has purchased the W.E. Woodall home on Sunset Hill and will move into it about Apr.1.

65 Years Ago -1956
Mr. and Mrs. Bill Horstman are the parents of a 7 lb. 9 oz. daughter born Wednesday, Mar. 14, named Renee Ann.
Mr. and Mrs. Earl Davis are the parents of twins born Saturday, Mar. 17. Patricia Michelle weighed 3 lbs. 8 oz. and Patrick Michael weighed 4 lbs. 5 oz.
Rosaline Apel of Marcus and Stanley Kessenich of Kingsley are planning a mid-summer wedding.

55 Years Ago – 1966
Henry Vogelman, former football coach at Marcus High, and his wife are the proud parents of a 9 lb. 4 oz. son, Hank, Jr., born last week in Denison.
Ron Galles and Rocky Bork made the 1965-66 War Eagle All-Conference first team. Tom Gates made second team.
Groundbreaking ceremonies for the new Grace Methodist Church will be held Sunday morning, Mar. 21, just west of the high school.

50 Years Ago – 1971
Harold Hipple announced his retirement after 25 years of teaching at Marcus High.
Jane Bird was elected unanimously to the girls all-conference first basketball team. Janice Grauer and Marlene Wallet were also chosen to first team. Barb McIntire and Terrie Rassel were elected to second team.

45 Years Ago – 1976
Jeff Gross, Steve Beaton, Loren Mohning, and Ray Addy were guests of the Marcus Rotary. Loren reported on school activities.
Marcus Holy Name Parish will sponsor a St. Patrick’s Dance at the Remsen Avalon on Saturday, Mar. 20. Music will be by “Gentle Persuasion”.

40 Years Ago – 1981
Lisa Dorr of Marcus and Terry Derby of Sioux City are planning a May 16 wedding.
Steve and Margaret Keffeler will hold a public auction of machinery, livestock, and buildings on Tuesday, Mar. 24. The Keffelers have purchased the Timber Ridge Motel & Campground at Ouray, Colo., and will make their home there.

35 Years Ago – 1986
Lea Larson, 50, became the pastor of the Christian Churches in Cleghorn and Pierson this past month.
Marcus Lady Eagles defeated the Denison Monarchs 77 to 75 in the first round of state tournament play in Des Moines.

30 Years Ago – 1991
The Marcus Jaycees are happy to support the drive to maintain the Marcus Clinic and have contributed $1,000 toward the $15,000 needed.

25 Years Ago – 1996

20 Years Ago – 2001

15 Years Ago – 2006