In the town of Benton (pop. 84) in Ringgold County, the mayor, clerk-treasurer and council members are women. The women took office in January, 1961, and in 14 months have erased the town debt of $552. From left: Mayor Helen M. BLUNCK; council member Wilma SCHLAPIA; clerk-treasurer Iona GROVES; and council members Viola NICKLES, Margaret LANE, Dorotha HALEY and Lela CAMPBELL. The women have a total of 26 children and 34 grandchildren. In back is Town Hall, which once was a jail.

Presenting a check to representataives of Benton community organizations is, (left) Dan WILEY, manager of the HEINOLD Hog Market, and community representatives, a check for $1,500 from the company for a rural development program started a Community Betterment project.

SOURCE: 1887 - Benton, Iowa Centennial - 1987. p. 116.
Courtesy of Mount Ayr Public Library
Transcriptions and notes by Sharon R. Becker, October of 2012

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