Anamosa - A Reminiscence 1838 - 1988

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Stone City Store. photographed by Bernard “Barney"Bunce,May25.1964.
Jackson township. east of Anamosa, was named for
the seventh U.S. president, Andrew Jackson. It was settled
in 1838. The first settlers were James Sherman
and Adam Overacker. Sherman later became a justice
of the peace. Overacker, when Newport was named as
the county seat. built the log cabin courthouse. He was
instrumental in having the county seat located there,
although the county seat was moved to Lexington the
following year. No court was held at Newport. Mr.
Overacker also ran a ferry across the Wapsipinicon at
from scheduled bands.
In 1979, a group of Stone City citizens raised $3,000
necessary to remodel the discontinued school house for
use as a community building. (More on the community
building and volunteers may be found in another
chapter.)
In 1959, William C. Weber, bought out his partner's
interest. The partner was C.B. Dewees of Marion. 'Bill',
making a big business of quarrying stone. acquired
rights to four quarries. Bill operated the quarries until
his retirement in 1980, when his son-in-law, Frank
Duetmeyer, purchased the business. He employs 30
men.
The present day owner is reaping the unwanted
"rewards" of the former quarrymen whose expedient
dynamiting techniques have played havoc with beds of
stone, fragmenting it so as to become unusable for
building.
How many times have folks in years past, in the surrounding
area, and as far away as Anamosa, heard the
booming sounds from the quarries. “They are blasting
at the quarry." one would say to the unknowing. During
World War ll, these sounds. for kids, could be likened
to the sounds of battle at the movies. Only
the prior owner, during that era, could know whether
he was aware of future problems. Perhaps technology
will provide the answer. During the last 100 years,
tremendous strides have been made in this industry. At
present, a new hydraulic cutter is being installed at the
Weber Stone Quarry which will make it possible to produce
the large blocks of stone used many years ago in
bridge abuttments and large retaining walls, by
pushing a lever.
A building, built one hundred years ago at the Champion
Quarry, is now housing a computerized planer
machine. designed by the Weber Stone Co.. which will
smooth out nature's ripples, formed in the stone.
In 1903, quarry owner John Ronen erected the third
large home in Stone City. It was operated by the
previous buyers as a bed and board inn. The sevenbedroom
home has recently been purchased by Dr.
Geoffrey and Sally Miller, and is being renovated for use
as a private home.
Jackson Township Families
by Bertha Finn
116
that place.
Levi Cronkhite and David Myers were also early
settlers in this area.
In 1846 the Byerlys arrived on the scene, and were
instrumental in settling the new county, for Francis
Byerly brought his wife. six sons and two daughters to
the green lush Iowa prairies and woodlands. His sons
were Michael, Jacob, Andrew, John, William and
Adam. One of his daughters was married to William
Benadom. The other daughter became Mrs. David