Preface
Writing a history of events and people that covers a period of time such as this book encompasses requires a lot of cooperation from a number of individuals. That cooperation was readily supplied by all with whom we worked. They have made this history of Pleasant Hill possible.
However, a history such as this is never complete. We do not want you to think this was all that happened. It was not. The town of Pleasant Hill, like the community of Youngstown before it, has been and is a busy place. Unfortunately, most of us ignore the historical significant of our everyday lives. We fail to record events when they take place, we do not take pictures as proof of those events, and when we do, we often forget to write down what the picture is of or who is in it.
So, out of this human nature, a historical record is sketchy at best. Facts tend to be grouped around certain time periods, often relating to significant events that everyone remembers -- for example, the first settling of Four Mile area, the coming of the coal mines, the loss of the schools, and the legal battles to become a town. The gaps between the significant events are vague memories and mysteries.
That is why it has been exciting to sit with people in their living rooms or kitchens to listen to them solve those mysteries. Memories are not always accurate and most people remember the order of events better than the dates. However, the events are eventually explained and a total history is created. Records exist that help to pin down dates. The story comes together. A history, though, is never complete. There is always one more person to talk to, one more fact to look up.
We hope that this history is looked upon as a beginning. People who remember events of long ago are not around forever. Their memories should be recorded so everyone will know “how things really were.” Also, history is being made today. The yearly recording of significant events by the city librarian will aid in the compiling of the 50th anniversary history.
We hope that this history is looked upon as a beginning. People who remember events of long ago are not around forever. Their memories should be recorded so everyone will know "how things really were." Also, history is being made today. The yearly recording of significant events by the city librarian will aid in the compiling of the 50th anniversary history.
We would like to thank the Silver Celebration Committee, chaired by Dick Henry, for its guidance and support. Also of great help has been Mayor Lawrence Hopper. He provided his office on numerous occasions and gave helpful directions. Vic Peterson and his wife, Daisy, proved invaluable in both the material they loaned and their memories. Ralph and Ruth Grant were also helpful, allowing us to call on them more than once.
Other people who gave us help by taking some time to reminisce are Murry Witzenberg, Harry Branscomb, Richard Delk, Sonja Churchill, Cliff Caldwell, Fred "Chick" Chmura and his wife Margery, Erma (Lovett) Stallings, Don C. Swanson, Lew Slade, Paul Kiner, Marion and Alta (Brown) Alexander, Phil Hildebrand, Mark Miller, Ruth Foster, Milton Price, C. P. and Gertrude Hurd, Hank Grant, Frank Stark, Jean Anderson, Don Kulisky, Sally Bowen, Nancy Hartshorn, Pat Rehder, Dean Martens, and Kathy Nothdorf.
Any person doing historical research in Iowa must acknowledge the invaluable help given by the Iowa Historical Library, the Iowa Archives staff, and the Des Moines Public Library. In addition, help was readily given by the Iowa Law Library, Iowa Mines and Minerals Bureau, and the Iowa Department of Public Instruction. Of course, the personnel of Iowa Power and Light Company were also helpful.
Mostly, a thank you should go to the people of Pleasant Hill who have created a town with a purpose for the future based on a strong past.