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NORA ESTELLE ROSS

AN IOWA PIONEER DAUGHTER

It was a happy day last Tuesday for Nora Ross. Friends and family gathered to celebrate her 92nd birthday over cake and punch. It was a catching up time for everyone with some renewing acquaintance after 40 years.

Nora will tell you she has much to be thankful for and has had a good life. She was born Nora Estelle Tool in rural Tool's Point which is now Monroe. Monroe is located in Jasper County southwest of Newton. Nora's parents were pioneers in Jasper County and she has the unique recognition of being the great-granddaughter of the first white man to stay over night in Jasper County. Her mother's family, the John Woody family settled near Monroe in 1849.

Christianity has been the guiding influence in her family. While the Tool family was deeply steeped in Methodism, the Woody family had very strong Baptist ties. After grave deliberation it was decided that it would be proper and fitting for Nora's mother to embark on Methodism, since her husband was a lay Methodist Minister. Nora's father attended Pella College and was a "Circuit Rider" preaching at Tool's Chapel - the first Methodist Church in Iowa established by and erected on land which was given by great-grandfather Tool - on Sunday morning, then going to either Galesburg or Reasoner on Sunday evening. Nora tells us that it was her privilege and delight to ride with her father in the buggy over dust, mud, snow and sleet to preach the Gospel.

On February 10, 1909, Nora married Zell Stanley Ross, a neighbor boy. In those days March 1st was moving day, so they were all ready to set-up housekeeping on their first farm when moving day arrived.

It was a busy yet sad first year in their new life. As well as making preparations for their first baby, the cloud of death settled over the family, as Nora's sister died leaving a six month old infant daughter. Even though baby Mabel was not raised in Zell and Nora's house, the precious time they had together left an indelible influence on all their lives. To this day she is lovingly included as part of the family.

Their first son and daughter were born in Iowa, then the call of the "West" came. There were reportedly bigger opportunities in Dakotas. Stories of bumper wheat crops reaching Iowa ears. Zell's father had purchased land in South Dakota whose enthusiasm was intimately felt by Zell. Zell made preparations to move his family West. The fall prior to the move, Zell and his brother went out and built a small house for them. Moving day, March 1, 1917 arrived. Livestock, poultry, machinery and household effects were loaded into a rail car and the young family boarded a train for their new home and new venture.

Another son and daughter joined the family after their move to Dakota and their lives were filled with the activities of daily living. This prevailed for eleven years. At the end of eleven years, having only three "good" crops, it was decided they had had enough, they would sell out and return to Iowa. They loaded their livestock, poultry and household effects into the railroad car, the family piled into the Model "T" and they headed for Iowa City. They settled on a farm west of Coralville, "Up" on the hill, as Nora puts it, in the fall of "27" to begin again.

By this time depression had already cut deeply into the lives of everyone and Nora gratefully recalls the many hungry people she fed at her table from her garden. She reflects that a total of 13 people had made their home with them for a period of three months to 21 years.

More sadness shrouded the family at this time. Zell's brother's wife died leaving five small children. Here again these children were not raised in Zell and Nora's home, but the children spent extended periods of time in their home and a special love and concern grew out of these encounters.

1933 saw a move to Coralville and Zell pursued excavation and landscape work. This type of work allowed his love for horses to prevail and he continued in it until his 78th year.

Death knocked again in 1935 when Zell's youngest sister died leaving an infant daughter. Baby Grace joined the family as one of their own.

1941 was a sad year for our Country. The pangs of war tugged at many heart strings and like many families, they sent their #2 son off to the service of our Country. This void was overcome with plans and moving to their newly purchased home in West Coralville. It was an ideal acreage - enough for a few chickens, a garden and Zell's horses. Contentment abounded - Zell was happy in his work; Nora had her garden, grandchildren and chickens - she attended her church activities and the families lived close enough to stop occasionally.

By the time Grace finished college, Zell had decided upon a part time retirement and the very sad sad say finally arrived and the horses had to retired, too, so they were "Put to pasture and full retirement for man and beast had arrived.

Life's full deteriorating processes took their toll and it became apparent that Nora must find a place to live where she could feel secure with Zell's deteriorating condition.

In 1966, a place called Oaknoll was built off West Benton St. and Nora told Zell she wanted to see that place. Daughter Mildred took Zell and Nora to visit during the open house. Nora was satisfied. Oaknoll would be the place for them.

So it was. They sold their Coralville home in the summer of 1972 and they moved to Oaknoll in the fall of 1972.

Nora will tell you that her life has been fulfilled and her prayers answered when she could take care of Zell until his death in 1976. It has been her strength with the help of those at Oaknoll that this has been possible.

Nora's words are, "I can never give God thanks enough for giving me strength to take care of Papa until the end."

Our thanks to you all at Oaknoll.

The family of Nora Ross

A THANK YOU FROM MRS. NORA ROSS: I want to thank all at Oaknoll who helped to make my birthday a wonderful one. I appreciated all the cards and good wishes.

Published in the newsletter of the Oaknoll Retirement Home, 1981.