Visser Family of Pella Built Fine Furniture in Early Iowa
The 1896 photo shows Cornelius Visser and family in Pella with a house and early brush factory nearby. John Visser later partnered with his father, and the couple’s daughters and Mrs. Visser helped plant tulips from Holland. The Vissers produced burnt wood art, cabinets, and fine brushes, preserving crafts in descendants’ homes.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
C. Visser
Pella
Cornelius Visser
Maggie
Nellie
John
America
South Holland
Netherlands
Visser
Nellie Visser
A. A. van Roekel
John Visser
Topsy
Valleyview Farm
Maggie Visser Hiemstra
Grandpa Visser
J. F. Hiemstra
Central College
Vissers
Pella Whiskey Riot of 1871 and its Aftermath
A historical chronicle recalls Pella’s open saloon era ending in a whiskey riot. Rioters clashed with Maasdam’s saloon, guards arrived with breech loaders, and law and order were restored after a dramatic show of force. Saloons closed, drink diminished, and the town embraced temperance and civic renewal. The piece notes subsequent fires and social upheaval linked to the period.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Pella
Mushall
Lee
Mdam
Maasdam
Garden Square
Cox
E Emies
Law and Order
Great scout and Indian fighter visits Pella in 1896
Diamond Dick, famed scout and showman, brought a roping and shooting exhibition to Pella with Indian performers from Tama. He and an aide performed daring feats as locals recall a prohibitionist pastor's chase for tickets and a brief jail stay. Years later in Omaha, Dr. J J Sybenga recognized him as Diamond Dick, now Dr. Tanner, a World War I veteran who had once stirred Pella.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chronicle
Diamond Dick
Pella
Tama Reservation
Harry
J. J. Sybenga
Carl Beyers
Omaha
Neb
Thational Legion
Sybenga
Henry Geezelle
Henry Ver
Schrubring
Gerrit Maasdam
American Legion Monthly
Nebraska
Dr. Tanner
St. Louis
Disasterous Fires Common in Old Days in 1880 Pella blaze
In February 1880 a fire swept a Pella Main street block starting in the north corner and destroying several merchants. Among those ruined were Banner G. Bowen merchant Van Der Zyl Bros meat market Wm. De Bruin saloon and John R. Johnson blacksmith shop. A year and a month later the
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Pella
Main Street
Banner G. Bowen
van der Zyl Bros
Wm. de Bruin
John R. Johnson
Bound for Gold First Caravans Through Pella Stimulated Business
The California gold rush boosted Pella trade as caravans arrived in near continuous flow for months. Travelers used oxen and horses, some even carried belongings in a wheelbarrow. Farmers sold staples at a dollar per bushel of corn oats and wheat and hay, and many borrowed from neighbors to finance travel.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Pella
California
Pioneer Ten Bosch family loses three sons on their voyage
Nicolaas ten Bosch and his wife, new Pella arrivals, traveled in 1864 with their family. On the 16 day voyage two sons died of cholera at sea Oct 10 and Oct 18, a third died Oct 25 near New York. Mrs ten Bosch kept the stillborn child on her lap on the train to Pella. The family settled near Pella, moved multiple times, and endured further tragedy including a train wreck in Illinois. Mrs ten Bosch died in 1894.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Pioneer Ten Bosch
Pella
Nicolaas Ten Bosch
Albert van Donselaar
America
Pete
Jacob
Ellis Island
William
New York
Jen Bosch
Eddyville
Maas van Domselaar
Ten Bosch
Peter Pella
Holland
Freinds
Tiskilma
Evertt Tysseling
George Gaass
Also Mentioned on This Page
C. W. Visse
Law
S. B. Fairbanks
C. C. Cory
Frank Garlic
Fairbanks
Ulrich
Cory
Call National Guard
Thomas Ryan
Iowa
Barker
Yeomanry
Temple of Peace
Main and
Franklin
H. Bomgaars
L. Bakker
H. Roebersz
L. Bach
van der Meulen Bros
Snow and Huber
Franklin Street
By George Ver Steeg
Schubring
Dom
Inic Westfall
Methodist
Reverend Westfall
Marshall Gerrit Massadam
van Dyke
U.S. Army
France
H. Tysseling
Chevrolet
White Way Auto Company
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!