| Notes |
- Shortly after their marriage, they came as pioneers to Mitchell County, Iowa, and suffered the hardships of early pioneers. They settled north of Brownville and attended the Brownville Church which was affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal Conference. In 1894 they bought a farm west of Pleasant Hill school house. Two years later they traded with Gil Morey for a farm one-half mile east of the same school house.
This farm of 160 acres is owned by Lowell Lappin Noble, Dale Ross Noble, Jo Ann Ruth Noble (who all are Joseph's grandchldren), and Robert Darrell Noble (Joseph's great-grandchild). Robert farms the land.
In July, 1996, the farm was recognized as a Centennial Farm by the State of Iowa since the land has been owned by the Noble family for 100 years.
Joseph and Annie had nine chldren: Floyd Allen, Elva Grace, Merwin Henry, Ruby Mozelle, Orpha Gladys, Ross Allen, Merdith Alida, Marian Lucille, and Pearl Florence. Elva died at 17 from a ruptured appendix. Marian, twin of Merdith, died at 6 years.
On July 17, 1942, five menmbers of Joseph's family brance traveled to English Settlement, Wisconsin, for the Centennial Reunion of the Noble family coming to America. Making the trip were Joseph, his children Floyd, Ruby, and Orpha and grandson Weston. Two hundred and fifty descendants of John and Marth Noble gathered at the English Settlement.
It was a rare treat for Joseph Henry to return to his birthplace and visit the church where he sang tenor in the Methodist choir and where Annie Haigh played the organ before their marriage.
At the Centennial program, each Noble division was represented by a descendant and was elected speaker for that group. Orpha Noble spoke most ably for the Henry Noble branch. There was singing. Ruby recorded "Never before or after have I heard such melodic voices."
The English Settlement Church sitll remains and is served by a Methodist pastor from another town. A Noble descendant, Ray Hankinson, installed a campanile in memory of his mother. Music resounds trhough the countryside. Tourists driving by, stop to listen to the hymns.
October 1996 marked 150 years for the English Settlement Church. Even now most members are Nobles.
After their marriage in 1885, Joseph and Annie left English Settlement and settled in Mitchell County, Iowa. They rented a farm north of Mossville, Iowa, from 1885 to 1894.
In 1894, Joseph and Annie next purchased land at 3015 Highway 9. This farm (also referred to as the Greeley or Mauser farm) is located on the north side of Highway 9, 3.75 miles west of Riceville. In 1896, they traded this farm with Gil Morey for land 2.5 miles west of Riceville. Over the next 96 years the "Greeley farm" was owned by several people who were not in the Noble family. In 1900 the land was purchased and is currently being farmed by Joseph's great-grandson, Robert Darrell Noble.
The land obtained in the 1896 trade is the Centennial Farm. The 160 acre farm is located 2.5 miles west of Riceville at 3161 Highway 9. Records indicate the barn was constructed in 1903 and the house in 1907.
For three years, Joseph moved most of his family to Evansville, Wisconsin, so the children could attend school. Floyd remained in Iowa to farm the land.
Joseph farmed the Centennial Farm until approximately 1920 when it was sold to son Merwin Henry. At that time, Merwin and Ruth moved to the farmstead.
After selling the Centennial Farm, Joseph moved to a farm located north of Riceville for 2 years. In 1922, Joseph and Annie moved to a house in Riceville located east of the railroad tracks. Joseph used to walk the 2.5 miles out to the farm quite often after he moved to Riceville.
Part of Joseph and Annie's retirement years were spent in Southern California.
After Annie's death, Joseph lived in his house in Riceville with daughter Pearl. Then he spent several years living in Osage with daughter Orpha. His final days were spent living with his daughter Ruby and her husband Aldis Dunton in Riceville.
One lasting memory of Joseph was his tenor voice. Joseph would lead group singing in English Settlement and Riceville Free Methodist Church. Joseph and his daughter Ruby would also sing duets at church services.
Joseph died at Riceville, Jenkins Township, Mitchell County, Iowa on 29 April 1944, at the age of 81 year 7 month 2 days. The cause of death was inanition. Maritial status was widower. He was buried at Riverside Cemetery, Riceville, Mitchell County, Iowa on 2 May 1944.
Taken from "Joseph Henry Noble and Annie Haigh Noble Family History and Genealogy"
NOBLE FARM CENTENNITAL CELEBRATION
RICEVILLE, IOWA - On Saturday afternoon, July 28, a centennial farm plaque was presented to Robert and Jayne Noble by Dean Kleckner, the American Farm Bureau Association's national president, in observance of the Farm Bureau's recognition of the preservation of family farms.
This past weekend over eighty members representing five generations of the Noble family arrived in Riceville for a family reunion to celebrate the Centennial of the Noble Farm. Activities included a picnic at Lake Hendricks Friday night, a tour of family landmarks Saturday during the day and a program at the Community Center Saturday night. A service at the family church, the Free Methodist Church on Woodland Avenue, clased the weekend on Sunday. Descendants journeyed from as close as the opposite side of Highway 9 to as far away as California and Hawaii. Others assembled from parts of Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Florida, Idaho, Oklahoma, New Jersey and Maryland.
According to taped conversations with Joseph's son, Merwin Noble (now deceased), in 1896 the land was "wild country" then, "mostly brush and timberland." There were lots of wolves and only ten percent of the land was farmable upon purchase. It was twenty years before the entire 160 acre farm was cleared. Floyd Noble and Merwin Noble both continued the family tradition of agronomy, tilling land on or near Joseph Noble's original homestead until Harlan and Russell Noble took over the operation. Harlan, Merwin's oldest son, combined both farms and Harlan's son, Robert Noble, continues the famly tradition farming the land originally purchased by Joseph Noble in 1896. Per Robert Noble, "Wolves," however, "are no longer a problem."
The oldest attendee is Joseph's daughter, Merdith Noble Vinson (96) of Laguna, CA, who represents the original settler family. Her brother Ross Allen Noble (98) was unable to attend. Merdith Noble's reminiscences included racing to Riceville High School in a buggy pulled by her Indian pony, Fan. Concerned "old-timers" outside the livery stable complained to her father, Joseph, that Merdith's high speeds were a hazard to the community, "She comes in every morning (to the stable) on two wheels and leaves on two wheels."
Merdith recounted other aspects of her family and farm life including attending the one room school at Pleasant Hill. (Jenkins #2). At the behest of Merdith's teacher, Merdith's mother admonished her daughter to obey everything the teacher says, even if it was Merdith's sister, Orpha.
Of the reunion clan, 23 are former students, 20 are graduates and three are former substitute teachers of the Pleasant Hill one room school house. As the school no longer stands Saturday morning's activities included a visit to the Buresh one room schoolhouse outside Cresco and a visit to Hayden prairie.
On Sunday morning, July 29, two ordained ministers in the Noble clan shared in the sermon, "Our Roots, Our Past and Future." They were Rev. Mervin Russell, currently residing in California and Rev. Jeff Vinson O'Grady of Princeton, New Jersey. Many of the women assembled were presented with flower leis flown in from Hawaii.
Coincidentally this summer also marks the restoration of the original Joseph Noble farmhouse by Tim and Sheryl Noble, who will occupy the house with their children, Matthew, Nicholas, and Michelle this fall. The children were able to identify and meet some of the former occupants of their future rooms. When Matthew endeavored to find out where to place his bed to avoid early morning sunlight, his great uncle Lowell told hm "I can't rightly say, stayin g in bed past sunrise was never an option in that house." Computer modem and fax lines, not included in the home's original construction in 1807, have been added to enable Tim Noble, a software engineer, to be the farmstead's first telecommuter.
For the enxt reunion the California delegation invited the clan to celebrate another centennial in Laguna, California, in the year 2000 to observe the 100th birthday of Merdith Noble Vinson. The invitation was enthusiastically accepted by all.
The Noble family's Riceville, Iowa roots are cherished. The weekend served both as a time to bond and to pass on family history to a younger generation of a family that continues to grow and, many commented, gets better looking with each passing year.
- Dean Weston Noble
NOBLE FARM CENTENNIAL FACT SHEET
Research by Lowell Noble in 1996
1803Iowa part of the Louisiana Purchase. "The early history of the Riceville area consisted of an old Indian trail which crossed the Wapsie at the fork of the river coming from the east and leading out toward the western prairies, and the old a
war trail that led to the north to the familus battle ground of the Sioux and the Chippewas. Numerous arrowheads have been picked up in this vicinity, and a large lance head was found where the post office now stands." (from the Riceville Centennial History.)
Jo Dynes, long time resident of the Riceville area, was born in 1897 and had a farm located four miles west of town. Dynes claims he could recall seeing Indians camp along the Wapsie and erect teepees on the Dynes family farm. The Dynes statement has not been confirmed by any other sources.
"Indian tribes in the area included the Chippewa, Sacs, Fox, Menomenies, Winnebagoes and the Sioux.... The Indian bands roving through the area during the time of the first white settlers in the 1850s were friendly and no trouble ensued." Mitchell County Memories.
1846Iowa becomes a state.
Sioux and Winnebagoes were moved to Dakota around 1850. "They went unwillingly and for many years large numbers returned annually to visit the haunts of their chldhood, and sacred mounds where slept the remains of their fathers." History of Mitchell County, 1883.
1850First European settler in Mitchell County.
1854First permanent white settler in Jenkins township, James Foster. James Foster and Gilbert Rice broke the first land in Jenkins township.
1857Post office established and called Doran. It was located in the old farm house where Harlan and Nadine lived (current residence of Bob & Jayne Noble).
1857Jenkins township was organized. Named after Col. James Doran Jenkins.
1859Jenkins No. 2 (Pleasant Hill) school was organized and held in a shanty. In 1870 a frame building was built for the school; this frame building probably existed until the school closed in 1958. Marian Schmidt was the last teacher.
1883Population of Riceville was 250. Population of Jenkins township, 830.
1885Joseph Noble and his wife, Annie Haigh Noble, migrated from Wisconsin to Mitchell County.
1896Joseph & Annie Noble purchase the home farm located 2 1/2 miles west of Riceville. Earlier this farm was homesteaded in 1857 by T. Young. Merwin Noble bought the farm in 1920 and owned it until his death in 1985. Merwin's seven children inherited the land now farmed by Robert and Jayne Noble. When Merwin owned the farm he bought the 80 acres across the road, increasing the farm to 240 acres.
1923Floyd A. Noble farm dded from Esther Mosher to Floyd Noble. The Floyd Noble farm (home 80) is located 3 1/2 miles west of Riceville. Originally homesteaded by F. Densmore in 1857. Owned by Henry Assfahl (as spelled on abstract) in 1867. Owned by Monroe Mosher in 1900. Esther Mosher inherited the farm in 1908 (Mrs. Martha Noble, age 20, was listed as an heir in 1922). Esther Mosher was listed as deceased in 1923 and the farm went to Floyd A. No1937ble. Floyd died in 1979. On August 25, 1979, the Floyd Noble estate sold the farm to Harlan and Nadine Noble. Robert and Jayne Noble now farm the old Floyd Noble farm as renters.
1937Samuel Haigh and A. G. Dunton (Guardian of property to Samuel Haigh) sell "Sam haigh 80" to Floyd A. Noble. Property was originally homesteaded by Elijah Staats in 1857. Annie Gooder sold to Samuel Haigh in 1889 (Assignment of Mortgage: Thomas J. Bottomley to Henry Noble in 1893, Henry Noble to Samuel Haigh in 1899, Samuel Haigh to Reeves & Co. in 1900). Floyd Noble sold to Harlan and Nadine Noble in 1979. Robert and Jayne Noble now farm this 80 acres as renters.
1953Though Russell and Evelyn Noble did not own the Centennial farm, they did farm it from 1953-1965. When Harlan was farming he rented the Centennial farm (now 240 acres) and he owned another 240 acres; his farming operation totaled 480 acres. Robert and Jayne now farm 640 acres including the 160 acre farm (the Greeley or Mauser farm) which they recently purchased.
THE FOLLOWING IS A TRIBUTE MADE BY NADINE NOBLE AT THE CENTENNIAL FARM CELEBRATION (and family reunion of all descendants of Joseph Henry and Annie Noble).
I am a Noble by marriage but 55 years with the family made me want to say something that comes right from my heart.
Merwin loved farm life. He loved his farm. He felt it was an ideal place to raise their family. Ruth was a wonderful MOther. They were a happy, healthy family and no matter what came up they were honest, trustworthy and responsible. Merwin was proud of everyone of his 7 kids and he told me good things about each one.
The last few years of his life, MH. and I would unload all the corn and beans while Har combined them. Merwin was the brains and I was the brawn. He knew so well how to do it and enjoyed it. He knew what to watch out for when backing up big loads to the elevator to unload. If something went wrong or got stuck, he knew which motor to shut off first so that the corn didn't just keep running over. He never got excited or lost his head. He was really a very wise farmer.
We spent hours visiting about friends, neighbors, religion, world problems and of course, the farm.
Although he lived to be 93 years of age, I can hear him say, "I won't live to see the farm in the family 100 years but I hope Harlan does. Little did we know Boy would come back after 6 years of colelge and 2 years at Montford in Colorado and want to farm Gramps land. So the 4th generation is now farming the Centennial Farm. As frosting on the cake, Dustin, the 5th generation, rides along in the big combine watching as his Dad harvests his crops.
Now Harland and Jayne are doing the unloading.
Uncle Floyd loved the land and a farmers life. We rented his farm from him for many years. He was always out to putter around fixing fences, etc. On the day of his death, at age 91, he was out mending the fence. After his death we bought his farm and it is still good land and has produced a lot of corn and beans for us. Now Bob rents it and farms it in even a better and more knowledgable way than Har and I. Uncle Floyd always treated us like a son and daughter.
Farming is not an easy life - not a quick way to get rich. But it is kind of like a partner with God. So much depends on how He sends the sunshine and rain. One day I worried about how dry it was getting. The corn leaves were starting to curl but Merwin did not worry. He said "It was been dry before but the rains came and they will come again this time."
This is a proud and happy occasion and it is wonderful to have all of you here to help us celebrate the Century year of the Noble Farm. Merwin's family are having a great reunion and time together and I know Aunt Mer's and Uncle Floyd's family are having fun together too. I hope all of you take home good memories of the Noble Century Farm Celebration adn reunion. We look forward to seeing all of you at the next reunion.
INFORMATION REGARDING PLEASANT HILL SCHOOL (JENKINS #2)
Three generations of Noble's attended Pleasant HIll School - located 3 miles west of Riceville on Highway 9 - children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren of Joseph adn Annie Noble.
It was organized in 1859 with first classes held in a shanty. In 1870 a frame building was put up and it is believed that this is the building that all 3 generation of Nobles attended.
All the children of Joseph and Annie, Floyd and Martha, and Merwin and Ruth attended Pleasant Hill. This made a total of 20 Nobles. Great grandchildren of Joseph adn Annie that attended the school were: Sharon and Douglas Noble (children of Harlan and Nadine), Sarah and Steve (children of Russell and Evelyn) and Jim and Jerry (children of Ken and Jean.
Pleasant HIll was a one-room country school. Children attended through 8th grade adn were required to pass state examinations before being allowed to begin their high school education in Riceville.
One teacher taught all eight grades!! She also served as janitor and had to start the fire in the coal and wood burning stove during the winter months.
The Noble have fond memories of recess and noon activities. Merdith said the girls often played the boys in ball and Orpha was frequently in charge of the girls team. Others remember the hours of sledding down the hill during the many snows of winter.
Noble who taught at Pleasant Hill were Rugy (1913-14), Orpha (1918. Dixie Noble, wife of Lowell, taught 2 years in a one-room school in Howard County.
GREENVILLE COLLEGE
Over the years Greenville College has played an important role in the higher education of the Noble family. Children of Joseph adn Annie that attended Greenville were Orpha, Merdith (2 yrs), and Pearl (1 yr). While at G. C. Merdith met Wes Vinson and they were later married. Merdith and Orpha were great lovers of sports and were often tennis champs while in college. Orpha held the distinction of being the first woman student boy president of G. C.
Leone Noble Russell, daughter of Floyd and Martha, attended G. C. and met his husband there - Mervin Russell. Their daughter, Joyce also attended the college and met her husband there - Bill Landrey.
Virginia Vinson Combs, daughter of Merdith and Wes Vinson, attended G. C. - thus representing the Family of Merdith Noble and Wes Vinson.
Children of Merwin and Ruth Noble that attended were Dale (2 yrs), Joe (1 yr), and Jo Ann (4 yrs). Joe taught at the colege for 3 years. Jo Ann spent most of her teaching career as a member of the Greenville College faculty: 31 years. She retired in May 1996.
The college is a 4 year liberal arts institution affiliated with the Free Methodist Church of North America.
A Service of Worship
Sunday, July 28, 1996
10:00 a.m.
Riceville Free Methodist Church
Riceville, Iowa
THE NOBLE FAMILY REUNION
The descendants of
Joseph and Annie Noble
PreludeJo Ann Noble
Welcome Rev. Jeffrey V. O'Grady
Invocation Rev. Merwin Russell
Call to Worship Ps. 42, 103 & 100 Joe Noble
Hymns All Hail the Power of Jesus Name p. 75
Great is Thy Faithfulness p. 43
Children's Sermon
Confession (in unison)
Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, maker of all things, judge of all people, we confess
that we have sinned, and we are deeply grieved as we remember the wickedness of our past lives.
We have sinend against you, your holiness, and your love, and we deserve only your indignation
and anger. We sincerely repent, and we are genuinely sorry for all wrongdoing and every failure to
do the things we should. Our hearts are grieved, and we acknowledge that we are hopeless without
your grace. Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father, for the sake of your Son, Our Savior, Jesus
Christ, who died for us. Forgive us. Cleanse us. Give us strength to serve you in newness of life
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amern.
Assurance of Pardon
Prayer/Lord's Prayer
Offering
Doxology
Hymn In the Garden (see insert)
Reflections:
The Past Rev. Mervin Russell
Hymn Faith of Our Fathers p. 421
The Future Deut. 8:6-18 Rev. Jeffrey V. O'Grady
Hymn When I Survey the Wondrous Cross p. 510
(stanzas 1,2 &3-benediction-stanza 4)
|
1863 - 1944 (80 years)
[1]