Historical Society of Marshall County

05/29/2026

Here are a couple items in the 1888 publication, "Marshalltown, Iowa: Queen City of the West." The first photo is the cover page. The second photo is a listing of what Marshalltown had for bragging rights in 1888, according to the publication. The third photo is a listing of what the editors thought Marshalltown needed or wanted in 1888. It's pretty interesting to see how many businesses we had at that time. In 1890, Marshalltown had a population of 8,914.

05/17/2026

Miller Middle School Extended Learning Program (XLP) Teacher Ann Jackson brings a unique passion to her role facilitating the National History Day (NHD) program there, and this year, she is among 78 nominees from across the U.S. — and the only one from Iowa — for the National NHD Teacher of the Year award.

Jackson, who has spent the last 10 years at Miller, said NHD allows students to learn about a wide variety of stories and gain exposure to history in a different way beyond the basic details.

“It focuses more on, or it can focus more on individual people’s stories, and it can really go in any direction that the student’s interested in. If the student’s interested in sports or music or art or whatever, they can choose that topic and then pursue it,” she said. “So I really like that part of it. It teaches those historical thinking skills in any topic area that fits the student’s passion.”

Link: https://tinyurl.com/y2nznuf6

05/15/2026

The Genealogy Interest Group of the Historical Society of Marshall County will meet Sunday, May 17 at 1:30 p.m. in Room B at Marshalltown Public Library, 105 West Boone Street.

The approach of Memorial Day brings plans to visit cemeteries near and sometimes far to not only honor military personnel who died in service but to remember deceased family members and friends. This month's meeting will focus on "Visiting Cemeteries." Various topical information will be presented, including how paying close attention to tombstone inscriptions, artwork, and symbols can add to what is known about an ancestor's life story. Helpful charts and forms will be available.

In addition, those attending will be encouraged to share how they traditionally observe Memorial Day, noting any special "decoration day" practices.

05/15/2026

For more than 90 minutes Tuesday evening at the Marshalltown Library, O.J. Fargo made the life of an Iowa Civil War soldier come alive.

Fargo, of Creston, portrayed Thomas Goodfellow of the Iowa 4th Iowa Infantry regiment in his compelling program “After the Battle Mother.”

Fargo was dressed in a Union military uniform and had “Goodfellow” written on his canteen and spoke in the first person during the presentation and afterwards during a question-and-answer session.

Link: https://tinyurl.com/bdhe4z47

05/05/2026

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT MIKE DONAHEY
641-750-7028

Acclaimed Civil War historian and re-enactor O.J. Fargo of Creston will bring his compelling first-person presentation about the life of a Civil War soldier Tuesday, May 12, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Marshalltown Public Library’s (MPL) meeting room B.
Fargo is a skilled researcher and re-enactor and will make the life of a Civil War soldier come alive at the event entitled “After the Battle Mother.”
It is co-hosted by Humanities Iowa and the Historical Society of Marshall County (HSMC).
“We encourage all central Iowa Civil War history aficionados and others interested in this seminal moment in American history to attend this event,” said HSMC president Michelle Roseburrough of Marshalltown. “Marshall County and Iowa men made significant contributions to the Union side during the war.”
Fargo will have Civil War memorabilia on display.
In addition, he has available for use a data base of Marshall County Civil War veterans.
The event is open to the public and free-of-charge.
The MPL is at 105 W. Boone St. Marshalltown. It is handicapped accessible with plenty of free parking.
For more information contact HSMC at 641-752-6664 or [email protected]

Send a message to learn more

05/03/2026

From Eastman to Glick avenues, rural road names for Marshall County roads are as unique as those of their city cousins in Marshalltown.

Some descriptions may be limited due to lack of resources needed at time of press.

Resources used were “The Continuing History of Marshall County 1997,” History of Marshall County 1955 ” by Gerard Schultz, and “Marshalltown Illustrated.” The latter is not dated and was published as a supplement to the Times-Republican under the supervision of the Marshalltown Retail Merchants Association. Also used was the “History of Marshall County, Iowa, 1867” and social media references.

Link: https://tinyurl.com/yt2mphr9

05/03/2026

A local businessman who started his career in 1972 and a woman with a passion for genealogy and history recently joined the Historical Society of Marshall County’s (HSMC) board of directors.

Rick Gooding of Marshalltown, who began his career at Lowe’s Flowers 54 years ago and became owner in 2006 – and Amy Howell (nee Brandt), also of Marshalltown, were elected to their positions by fellow directors earlier this month, said HSMC president Michelle Roseburrough of Marshalltown.

Gooding is also well known for his decades-long dedication to the Marshalltown Community Theatre (MCT) as an actor, director and promoter. He is also active in the Central Iowa Art Association, among other organizations.

Link: https://tinyurl.com/4z8ydu4s

04/29/2026

Here's an interesting obituary in our collection. Who's heard of this prolific character actor who once lived in Marshalltown and married a Marshalltown girl?

04/29/2026

Marshalltown School District just had its best-ever showing at the Iowa National History Day contest held on April 27 on the ISU campus. Here's some details:

MCSD had 38 students from MHS, Miller and Lenihan qualify for the State National History Day competition!

MHS and Miller had 15 students qualify for the National Competition in College Park, MD June 14-18

The group of Jacob Seberger, Parker Christen, Preston Johnson, Luke Stalzer & Colby Cross earned the Agricultural History Award for their project: The Granger Movement: How a Farmers' Revolution in the Midwest Sparked Nationwide Reformation.

Ailyn Pappas earned the William D. Bartine award for a project focusing on Civil War history for her paper: The Civil War Demands Change in Mail: How the United States Post Office Department Revolutionized Correspondence for the People.

Eduardo Banuelos won the William William D. Bartine award for a project focusing on Civil War history for his website: The Spark of the Civil War.

Conner Holman, Josue Corral Coronado, Jaden Schwartz, and Victor Gutierrez Cruz earned 2nd place and qualified for nationals with their senior group performance: Death and DuPont: How one lawyer revolutionized how people trust big corporations.

Collins Grant, Rachel Sher & Naysa Rottink earned 2nd place and qualified for the national competition with their junior group performance: Jane Goodall: A Scientific Revolution, a Contentious Reaction, and a Reformed Definition of Man.

The group of Jacob Seberger, Parker Christen, Preston Johnson, Luke Stalzer & Colby Cross earned first place and qualified for nationals with their senior group performance: The Granger Movement: How a Farmers' Revolution in the Midwest Sparked Nationwide Reformation,

Lydia Beek & Winner Moo earned first place and qualified for nationals with their junior group website: The Stonewall Inn: Catalyst for Revolution, Target of Reaction, and Engine of Reform.

Jaevier Patel earned 1st place and qualified for nationals with his senior individual website: JFK's Impact on the Space Race: Shooting for the Moon.

Ailyn Pappas was named an alternate to the national competition with her junior paper: The Civil War Demands Change in Mail: How the United States Post Office Department Revolutionized Correspondence for the People.

Jose Resendiz & Eliot Heitman were named alternates to the national competition with their junior group exhibit: Mastermind of the March: The Genius of Bayard Rustin.

Susan Hankins Fritzell
Gifted and Talented Program Facilitator
Marshalltown High School
Marshalltown, Iowa