Cheryl Mullenbach/Iowa History
Clayton County, Iowa, Teen Competes In 1927 London Cattle Show
“Girl From Iowa Farm Leads Men in Quest for World’s Cattle Prize”. The headline in the Anniston (Alabama) Star newspaper in July 1927 was similar to others in newspapers across the country.
Cattle Queen Becomes Lawsuit Magnet: From Iowa History
Mary Harrah had been a popular teacher in Newton in 1890. Within just a few years she had made a name for herself in the family cattle business. The Des
110 Years Ago: Women Not Welcome
Early in 1906 a group of former Iowa residents living in New York City decided to form a club they named the Iowa Society of New York. It was described
Transition From New York City Lawyer To 1800s Iowa Cattle Rancher Included Stagecoach Robbery
Two shots rang out, and the stage lunged forward as G. Smith Stanton made his way by stagecoach across the Iowa prairie in the early 1860s.
That Iowa Mansion You Thought You Owned in 1900? It Was Just A Mistake
Bert M. Bills, a Vinton jeweler, and his young wife got a very nice Christmas present in 1900. Bills had purchased a raffle ticket for a dollar and was rewarded
The Perils And Excitement Of An Iowan's Floating Marine Biological Laboratory Of 1893
At Bahia Honda the mosquitoes were so thick no one slept for two nights. And, although the insects were annoying, the group of Iowans from a “floating marine biological laboratory”
How One Egg Sparked A Romance In Iowa 117 Years Ago
“Lizzie Gilday, Fort Dodge, Ia. May this reach my true love.” The message was written on an egg that Charles Percy H. Smith held in his hands in his office
The Last Iowans Whose Fathers Served In The Revolutionary War
When Ira Lepper died in January 1908 a Sioux City newspaper claimed he was the last surviving son of a veteran of the American Revolution in Iowa. Within a day, another Iowan stepped claimed he was also a son of a revolutionary soldier.
White House Secrets Revealed By Iowa Woman in 1920s
“Mrs. Jaffray evidently believes it is entirely proper to bring the public into the very bed rooms of the presidents.” The Oakland Tribune ran a review of a newly published book written by Elizabeth Jaffray in 1926. "Secrets of the White House" was based on her life as head housekeeper for four pres
Schools Forced To Observe Iowa Day 100 Years Ago
We are planning to observe Iowa day in the schools …to place special emphasis upon the things of great importance in the state…,” wrote A.M. Deyoe, state superintendent of public instruction, in a bulletin sent to all Iowa schools in December 1915.
An Iowa Artist Almost Wins A World's Fair Award...Almost
Charles Holloway was an accomplished artist who was named the winner of the 1903 St. Louis World's Fair emblem competition. Somehow, though, he didn't get to make the emblem.





