IC gene society to hear about Iowa’s underground railroad

Posted 5/11/22

The May 21 program of the Iowa City Genealogical Society will be presented by Joel and Cathy Helman. Cathy’s great-great grandfather was Joel Garretson, an Underground Railroad …

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IC gene society to hear about Iowa’s underground railroad

Posted

The May 21 program of the Iowa City Genealogical Society will be presented by Joel and Cathy Helman. Cathy’s great-great grandfather was Joel Garretson, an Underground Railroad “conductor” who assisted fugitive slaves advance from the home of Henderson and Elizabeth Lewelling in Salem, Henry County, Iowa to the next “safe house” during their escape northward to Canada.

The National Park Service includes the Lewelling home as an important site in the nation’s “Network to Freedom.” Lewelling, Garretson and their Quaker neighbors were strong-willed abolitionists during the pioneer days of Iowa and the period leading to the Civil War. Dave and Cathy will also trace the ancestry of Garretson, Lewelling and Edwin Coppock, a co-conspirator with abolitionist John Brown.

The meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the LDS Family History Library, 2730 Bradford Drive, Iowa City. A wheelchair accessible entrance is available from the east parking lot. Masks are encouraged and social distancing will be practiced.

It is also possible to participate in the meeting via Zoom. Send an email to icgsnews@gmail.com to receive details on how to join the meeting.