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From: Merle C Rummel <>
Subject: Re: [BRE] Iowa Migrations
Date: Sun, 27 Sep 2009 17:47:52 -0400
References: <14100.18346.qm@web81807.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
In-Reply-To: <14100.18346.qm@web81807.mail.mud.yahoo.com>


> I'm intrigued here with something I've never read before. It's the mention of "...two migrations to Iowa in 1854-55." Could you please elaborate and/or cite some reference where I can get additional information about this migration? I have Brethren ancestors who made the trip from Somerset County, PA to Benton County, IA about this time.


There were 2 main Brethren migrations from Indiana to Iowa in the mid
1850s that I have research on (there were likely others). These were
led by Brethren of the Four Mile Congregation, Union Co IN.

The 1854 migration went to Monroe Co IA. This migration was led by
Elder Daniel Miller (son of Elder Jaoob Miller of the Miami River OH,
living on the Raccoon Creek in Putnam Co IN, the Ladoga churches) and
his nephew, Elder Daniel Miller (son of Potter John Miller) of the Four
Mile Congregation. These included many of the Lower Four Mile Church,
so much so that it eventually closed its doors. It included those from
the Raccoon Congregation, many of whom had earlier come from the Four Mile.

The 1855 migration went to Greene Co IA. This migration was led by
Elder Philip Moss (son of the Four Mile Elder, William Moss) It
included many from "Wabash Country" - Carroll Co IN/Howard Co IN/Clinton
Co IN/Miami Co IN/Cass Co IN, and it is probable that others collected
there before the migration. Since the Wabash Country was settled
considerably from the Four Mile Congregation in Indiana (after the
Cholera Epidemic of 1833), and from the Twin Creek Congregation (Preble
Co OH) and the Miami Congregation (Montgomery Co OH) - and since many of
all three of these congregations were directly or indirectly related,
much of the migration included kin.

I have a listing of identified families for these two migrations (and
others known to have moved west) in my Virginia Colony Book, chapter 8
-New Lands West. The book is on-line at the Union County IN Library -
http://www.union-county.lib.in.us/GenwebVA4mile/Table%20of%20Contents%204M.htm

I know there are Brethren Histories on Iowa, and probably Jane Davis can
help you even more.

Merle C Rummel

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