Willie Godfrey Roggow was the eldest son of William and Anna Roggow, born March 31, 1900 at Lindsay, Neb.  He was 11 years of age when his family came to their Lucas area farm.  Here they lived through many pioneer hardships such as having to haul household and drinking water a long distance and going to bed in the long cold winter days to keep warm and conserve fuel.  The family traveled by horse and wagon or buggy.  The three quarters of land were farmed with horses and small machinery.  Willie attended school one mile east of Lucas.  There were 40 pupils in an overcrowded schoolroom where eight grades were taught.

                  Willie G. Roggow was married in 1925 to Ione King of Merrill, Iowa, a teacher in the Lucas area.  Ione was born March 6, 1904 to Warren J. King and Birdean Lydia Poyzer of Adaville, Iowa.  Warren was a homesteader’s son.  Warren was born on a homestead north of Sioux City, Iowa claimed by his parents, Oliver, and Olive Ann Heaton King.  Oliver King had been a Civil War veteran from Morrison, Illinois.  Birdeon Lydia Poyzer was born at Strawberry Point, Iowa to Charles and Lydia Poyzer. Birdean was a teacher in the Adaville schools and was also the organist, the vocalist, and a Sunday school teacher in the church.
                  Willie and Ione Roggow moved to the William Roggow farm east of Lucas.  William gave the farm to his son, Willie.  Willie in turn, invested in the farm due to debt contracted through the drought, grasshoppers, and depression years.  Six of Willie and Ione’s children were born on the farm.  A move was made to the William Roggow farmstead and their daughter Darlis was born there.   Willie and Ione farmed, raised, and educated their family and they prospered.

                  Willie G. Roggow died September 24, 1963.  He had lived and farmed in the Lucas community for 52 years.  Willie and Ione Roggow were the parents of seven children:  Vilas married Amy Wetzler, children Dwight, Marlene and Shaunda; Calvin married Mary Smith, children Lowell, Carla and twins Beth and Brian; Darrel married Naomi Parrish, children Douglas, Lynnae, Kerry and Tammy; Stanley married Shirley Holmgren, daughter Shirleen; Avis married Dwaine Swift, a son David; Larry married Donna Snow, sons Brent and Chad; and Darlis married Hugh Townsend, a daughter Heidi.

Submitted by Gregory County Coordinator--family photos saved by Mrs. S.A. Jones, a sister of Mrs. Willie G. Roggow