The original Nancy Drew mystery books were written by an Iowan, Mildred Augustine. She was raised in Ladora and graduated from the University of Iowa. The Nancy Drew author is credited with writing 23 of the first 30 mystery books in the 1930’s but was never identified as Ms. Augustine. The pen name of Carolyn Keene was used for all the Nancy Drew series. As a youngster I read the series that were available at the Perry library, obtaining them on Saturday nights while my mother was purchasing groceries for the upcoming week.
While it was hokey of me to suggest Nancy Drew was at Pleasant Hill, there is a mystery around Amelia Monroe, who is buried there. At her gravesite there is a metal stake with the emblem indicating she was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, abbreviated GAR. She has also been listed for several years as Civil War veteran on the Pleasant Hill Memorial Day program.
The GAR is composed of honorably discharged Union Veterans.
Jed Magee piqued my curiosity by bringing Amelia to my attention, questioning why a female was considered a veteran of the Civil War.
In digging into her history, I found that Amelia Monroe’s date of birth was 1807, and she lived to be 91 years old, having died in 1898. We further learned that at the time of the 1850 census Amelia was a 43-year-old widow, having been born in Kentucky. The name of her husband is not known, but based upon the birth of her nine children, he must have died sometime between late 1847 or early 1848. It is unknown when Amelia migrated to Iowa, but by the 1860 census the family was living in Greene County.
Based upon information from the 1870 census, Amelia was reported as “keeping house” and owning $2000 in real estate. Her son, Jefferson, was listed as a farmer so Amelia may have owned a small farm.
My cousin Barb McCuen and Jed led the research efforts, and in the FIND A GRAVE internet search it was identified that her birth name was Wall, but her parents were listed as Langwirth and a sibling is listed as Samuel G. Wall.
As recently as June of 2025, Pamela Wall Barnes posted a photo of Amelia on the FIND A GRAVE site. She left a statement, in remembrance for my 4th great-grandfather and grandmother’s daughter, Amelia. She looked so much like my dad in [her] facial features I wish I could have met her. Rest in peace.
I have attempted to reach out to Pamela Wall Barnes, searching on Facebook, and leaving a message on FIND A GRAVE, all without success.
I have come to the conclusion, since nothing can be identified in her history, that she was a part of the Civil War, that the GAR marker was inadvertently placed.
If any readers happen to know Pamela Wall Barnes, please share as we would like to know more about Amelia Monroe.
This past week we were all saddened by the death of Sid Jones, a leader and friend. He received my admiration and respect when he recognized and referred to the towns in Greene County outside of Jefferson as the suburbs. He was a visionary leader for us and while he left us a great legacy of wisdom he will be missed. May we all continue to abide by his philosophy and values.
VIEW FROM MY WINDOW is shared by Mary Weaver of rural Rippey.
