Re: John Vardy VA, Iowa, Texas
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In reply to:
John Vardy VA, Iowa, Texas
Carol Ansley 10/29/00
Carol,
I just found this message and thought I would provide a couple of corrections.
#1. John Vardy died in Marquez, Leon Co., TX and is buried there in Clear Creek Cemetery. #2. John Vardy built the first frame house in Cedar Rapids, Linn Co., IA not Des Moines. I have a picture of the house and a frame made from the wood, which appears to be maple.
Below is an article published concerning the Vardy home.
"In July 1841 John and Esther Vardy moved from Virginia to Cedar Rapids, IA. He was a cabinet maker by trade, but proficient in any kind of carpentry. He built the first frame house in Cedar Rapids. They were members of the Presbyterian Church and the first Presbyterian preaching in Cedar Rapids, was held in the Vardy house and the first Sabbath school was held there in 1843/44. The first school opened at the Vardy House with Esther as the teacher. John and Esther were charter members of the First Presbyterian Church of Cedar Rapids organized 9 Jul 1847. The Vardy house was moved to a park in Cedar Rapids as a Historical site, but vandals so damaged it that it could not be saved. The old Vardy house heard the roll of drums in three wars and four times heard the spikes driven for new railroads. The beams and rafters were made of native lumber taken from the banks of the Cedar River; much of it walnut and oak. It's joints were fastened with wooden pins instead of nails. The man who razed the old house held a bit of history to be valuable and made six picture frames from the wood. One is now in possession of this compiler. The Vardy house came to it's end on 10 Nov 1937 according to the Cedar Rapids Gazette published that date."
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Re: John Vardy VA, Iowa, Texas
Cindy Abshire 5/04/09