The Welcome to Jewell Signs

     The Welcome to Jewell Signs:

     Published in 1937:  Mrs. L. E. Wehrheim is winner of the Five Dollar cash prize that will be paid by the Jewell Community Club in the Jewell slogan contest that closed last Saturday night.   And the winning entry which will be the official slogan of the Town of Jewell and will appear upon the two big highway signs that are to be erected on primary No. 69 at the north and south outskirts of town - through the courtesy of the Central States Electric Company.  It reads as follows:  JEWELL, A GEM IN A FRIENDLY SETTING.

     It is reported that Merlin Williams, Jewell's mayor 1935 to 1942, said "Not to be overlooked, by far, was the presence of Mrs. Anna Wehrheim, the only other living member of the Jewell High School Class of 1908.   It was she, who, while I had the privilege many years ago to serve as mayor, offered the winning slogan accepted by a committee as a greeting for the welcome signs being erected by the utility company for the town.   Her slogan: "A Gem In A Friendly Setting."   The slogan has always proved its worth."

     Anna Katharine Christensen, daughter of Sam and Christine Christenen, was born April 27, 1891, in northern Denmark, came to the United States at the age of three with her parents and two older sisters.   She has lived in Jewell ever since.   Anna attended Jewell schools, graduated from high school in 1908, attended C. C. C. College in Des Moines, and worked  for a time there.   She taught rural school in the Jewell area community for many years.   In 1918 she was married to Laurence E. Wehrheim of this community and they lived on a farm northeast of Jewell for some time, then moved into Jewell where she had since made her home.   She attended Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Jewell, was an active member in the ladies' aid there, and was a charter member and past president of the American Legion Auxiliary.  Anna died Saturday, June 29, 1974 having lived 83 years.