Dysart Mayor Tim Glenn (left) and Pastor Daniel Hartwig (right) stand next to the recently unveiled Joseph Dysart Memorial. The memorial project was facilitated by the Dysart Tree Board with funding and support from multiple organizations in the community. -- Darvin Graham/North Tama Telegraph

A Memorial honoring Dysart’s namesake and co-founder, Joseph Dysart was unveiled at the Dysart City Center on Wednesday, September 9th.

During the unveiling ceremony Pastor Daniel Hartwig spoke about some of the history related to Joseph Dysart and the impact of his contribution to the community more than a lifetime ago.

Mayor Tim Glenn was also on hand and gave some remarks before a small crowd that came out see the memorial on a rainy day.

The memorial is a project of the Dysart Tree Board. The project marks the 200th anniversary of Joseph Dysart’s birth and also celebrates the anticipation of the city of Dysart’s coming Sesquicentennial.

Joseph Dysart moved his family from Vinton to his Dysart area farm in 1863.

The historical biography contained within the Joseph Dysart Memorial.

In 1872 he assisted his friend, John Crisman, in laying out a new Tama County city along the newly constructed railroad line. John Crisman then named the new city “Dysart” in honor of his friend’s service to the new community, to Tama and Benton Counties, and to the State of Iowa.

The memorial’s bronze plaque tells a brief history of Mr. Dysart’s life and his many accomplishments.

The Tree Board was assisted in planning the memorial by the Dysart Historical Society and by former Dysart resident, Stuart Overton.

Joan Witter, local horticulturist, assisted in developing the landscaping plan for the memorial area.

The project was made possible through funding from a Norma Anders bequest, a Dysart Lions Club benefit breakfast, Dysart Community Foundation, Farmers Cooperative Telephone Company, Dysart Community Betterment Corporation, Dysart Historical Society, Dysart State Bank, Casey’s, individual contributions and memorials, and with cooperation from Tama Benton Cooperative Elevator.

Funding for the project is still being accepted and anyone wishing to contribute should contact Daniel Hartwig at 319- 939-8835.