Alloway

ALLOWAY, RAPER, ARONOSN, MONTGOMERY, HOLCK, STEINBERG

Posted By: Peggy Webster Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/11/2014 at 09:42:32

Marion and Naomi (Raper) Alloway
By Alice Ann Holcks

Naomi (born February 17, 1907, Adair County) and Marion (born April 1, 1905) both grew up with their siblings (Noel and Norwyn Raper and Merle, Marjory and Athel Alloway) on farms south and west of Canby in Prussia Township, Adair county. Both of their parents, Alice (Aronsosn) and Bernard Raper, and Sarah "Sadie" (Montgomery) and Jonathan Alloway, were also born and raised in Adair County. Bernards's parents, Cornelia and George Raper, farmed land his father, John, had homesteaded, including land where the Canby Friends Church and Cemetery still stand. John was brought to America as a child by his parents from England.

Naomi and Marion both attended county school at Prussia No. 1, after which they both graduated from Greenfield High School. While attending high school they lived with their grandparents who had had built homes and retired in Greenfield. During the summers Naomi often stayed with her Grandparents Aronson in Earlham for extended periods of time, helping with household chores. After graduating in 1922 Marion began working and learning the dry cleaning business. Naomi graduated in 1924. She then attended college in Cedar Falls in the Iowa Teacher College now known as the University of Northern owa. Upon receiving her teaching certification she began teaching the Prussia No. 1. She taught two years at Zion School (east of Orient) before marrying Marion August 4, 1928, at her parents' farm home.

Their first home was Creston, Iowa, where their son, Ronald Marion, was born March 21, 1931. They moved to Cherokee where they bought the Pantorium Cleaners. Ronald died of complications from measles on May 19 1935. On January 9, their daughter, Marilyn Joice, was born. Daughter Alice Ann, was born August 22, 1940.

After their daughters were in school, Naomi helped Marion in their business. At the same time she became involved in leadership of their church and the Federal Women's Club. Bridge became an enjoyable way to relax, thanks to classes in adult education, and she still enjoys her club, which includes four four members 94 and over, including herself. She continues to live in the home she and Marion purchased as it was being built in 1964.

After retirement Marion loved growing roses and golfing. Taking off on long auto trips with Naomi was his favorite pastime. He loved driving, especially to see their five grand children, Tyler, Kristen and Alyson, children of Ann and Gary Holck, and Sabra and Shawn Steinberg, children of Marilyn and Howard Steinberg. Marion passed away September 2, 1970, at the age of 65.

Naomi looks forward to visits from her family who live in Nor Carolina, Colorado and California. Nine children, ranging in age from one to seven years of age now call her great-grandmother and enjoy her pot roast dinners.

Her encouragement and belief in a good education has resulted in dozens of undergraduate and graduate college degrees being received by her children and their families. She maintains strong ties with Adair County, as both sides of their families are buried in the Canby Cemetery, as are Ronald and Marion.

Transcribed from Adair County Iowa Sesquicentennial Edition 1851-2001
Page 189