Development of Railroads Brought Greed and Speculation
In Iowa during statehood’s early years, 1856 land grants financed four cross state railroads prompting land withdrawals to deter speculators. Immigration slowed by withdrawals. Homestead filings rose during and after the Civil War, with a later rush to final lands once railroads completed. Speculators and large firms acquired millions of acres via dummy entries and other evasion, while 800,000 acres of the last uncommitted land were cashed out, denying settlers.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Iowa
State University of Iowa
Paul W. Gates
Cornell University
Midwest
Iowa City
Mississippi
Sioux City
Omaha
Plattsmouth
Missouri River
General Land Office
The
With
Congress
Iowa Homesteaders Flourish Amid Railroad Speculation
Wealthy promoter John J. Blair bought 21000 acres near rail lines to gain land value, while 1860s rail ads sold unimproved tracts for 5 to 15 dollars an acre. In 1869 1870 and 1872 thousands of tracts were filed by homesteaders, Dutch immigrants to Pella, and large purchases by Rufus Hatch and others, with final entries and patents rare.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
John J. Blair
New Jersey
Iowa Falls
Sioux City
Illinois Central
Rufus Hatch
New York
Cherokee
Plymouth
Iowa
Pella
Sioux ‘Eof
Cards of Thanks and Hospital Gratitude Collected
A collection of thanks from several residents expresses appreciation for help after a storm and for hospital and home support. Names include D C Reitveld Alvin Bensink Ron ney Bensink Douglas Van Gor kum Steve Meulpolder Ray Meulpolder Gerald Terpstra Vernon Boot and others. Special thanks to Rev De Kruyter Palma Dr Lemon Kanis and nurses at Pella hospital.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Town City
de Kruyter
Rev
Palma
C. H. Keuning
Card of Thanks from Mrs. Jimmie Koopman
Mrs Jimmie Koopman expresses gratitude to friends and neighbors for cards and gifts during her hospital stay. Special thanks are given to Dr Bos Dr Van Zee Dr Kanis and the nurses and aides for their excellent care. These acts will be long remembered.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bos
van Zee
Kanis
Jimmie Koopman
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Public Safety
Oskaloosa
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C. S. van Hemert
Liberty Street
Poland
China
Chester
Wayne Beukema
Newton
Hiway
Washington St
Town
Don's
S Radio & TV
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Heighton Town
Robert Mitchell
M. M
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Monroe
EARE
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Fairbanks-Morse
Dempster
Stover and
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Yardley
Orangeburg
de Jong Floral
Taintor
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J.D
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de Jong
van Dyk
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Drm
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Red Rock Dam
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National Institute of Farm & Land Brokers
John M. Vann Dyk
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Matic
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Biscayne
Mercury
Buick
Ford
van Berkum Appliance
Bertha van Sant
Nelis Bensink
Vogelaar
Gary
Ben Voge Jaar
Van's
Oskaloosa St. Pella
Electrolux Sales and Service
John Sprague
E. 17Th St
Newton, Towa
Hessel D. van Ryswyk
Maple St
Vis
Schiebout Tire
Victor
Knoxville
Bob Smith
Towa
Superior Sire Service
Roozeboom
Richard Postma
van Gorp ‘Hatchery
Firestone
Klyn
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Franklin MA
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J. E. Knudsen
D.O
Sully
Gosselink IV
Jacob J. Ver Meer
Robert van de Kamp
Grand Rapids
Michigan
Gerrit Wassen
Dean Sadler
Pella Chronicle
James V. Lankelma
Otley Reformed Church
District Court of
Marion County
Robert W. Rouwenhorst
Jack B. Carpenter
Marian Flanders
Dubuque and
Sioux City Journal
County Board OF Education
U. S. Thomas
Sendent
County Board of Education Total
Board of Education
Bes
NEW Smith-Corona Galaxie
Smith-Corona
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!