Plumer Settlement
Oak Township, Mills County, Iowa
The area of Oak Township in Mills County, Iowa, that eventually became known as the “Plumer Settlement” was first settled by Johann Heinrich Plumer in 1851.
Below are the highlights of the main pages on this site. “Click” or “tap” on any of the “more...” links, or on the menu above, to see the full information. We hope you find our site to be interesting, informative and useful.
Announcements
Thank you and appreciation to Eugene Young!
The Salem Lutheran Association Board would like to express our thanks and gratitude to Eugene Young for his 20 years as board chairman. Eugene has decided to retire as chairman but will thankfully remain on the board he first joined 35+ years ago. Eugene is a significant contributor to the ongoing welfare of the church and cemetery. His historical knowledge and calm guiding leadership has been key in the preservation of Salem Lutheran for generations to come.
Please join us in thanking Eugene for the dedication and time he has devoted over many years. Thank you, Eugene!Thank you and appreciation to Keith Brandt, Mary Plumer, and the web site team!
After creating plumersettlement.org and managing it for many years, Keith is handing the day to day operations to his nephew Randy Beck and son John Brandt. Keith, thank you for your gift to the greater Plumer Settlement family.
Mary Plumer is handing over "Official Plumer Historian" responsibilities to her daughter Marcy Rappaport. Mary, thank you for your efforts and concern over the years to preserve our history.
Early History
In 1851, several German pioneer families migrated from near California, Missouri to Southwestern Iowa, settling in Oak Township, located in Mills County. The leader among these pioneers was Johann Heinrich Plumer (01 October 1795 - 02 April 1883), born
in Schobrink (Aschen), Kingdom of Hanover, Germany. The photo on the right courtesy of Mary Plumer. (“Click” or “tap” on the photo at the right for a larger version). Johann sent word to his former neighbors in Missouri of the rich land here. Many of them later followed, also building their log cabins. The area became known as “The Plumer Settlement”. Until about 1850, the area had been
mainly inhabited by Indians and by Mormons on their way westward. (more history...)
Salem German Evangelical Lutheran Church
Plumer Schoolhouse
The Plumer Schoolhouse was originally a log cabin constructed in about 1857 and served as a meetinghouse, church, and school. The log cabin building
was later replaced. It was renamed from Plumer School to Oak Bluff #2 during the 1899-1900 school year. The school was used until May, 1955. (list of teachers and more...)
Plumer Cemetery
First burials in the Plumer Settlement were made in “Saar's Field” on a farm owned by Henry Saar until the cemetery across the road from Salem Lutheran Church was established in 1872-1874. The “Plumer Settlement Cemetery” is well-maintained and is still being used for burials. (burial list, gravestone photos, obituaries, and more...)
Loess Hills Scenic Byway
Along Iowa's western border, the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway features 220-mile paved main route and 185 additional miles of excursion loops. Along the way, locations of importance are marked to help visitors understand a site's significance.
In 2024 the Salem Lutheran Association Board was contacted about placing an interpretative sign on the property due to its historical importance. The sign was designed by the Golden Hills RC & D and paid for by a Gilchrist foundation grant. Receiving the sign is an honor, and we hope it aids in the ongoing preservation of Salem Lutheran and the cemetery.
Acknowledgements
This website is maintained in memory and honor of ancestors and pioneer settlers of the Plumer Settlement. (more site acknowledgments and meet the site team...)