This is a photograph taken of Samuel H.M. Byers at the onset of the Civil War in 1861. Byers served in the Union Army during the Civil War and gained a great deal of inspiration for his poetic writing during the war. Byers's most famous work is a…
This is the title page to Manoah Hedge's history of Mahaska County. Notice the Penn College library stamp on the right side of the document. In 1933 Penn College became William Penn College and in 2000 change the name to William Penn University.
This is a still photograph taken of Manoah Hedge, who is credited with writing the first contemporary history of Mahaska County Iowa. His book entitled, Past and Present of Mahaska County, Iowa includes detailed, biographical accounts of citizens who…
This is a still photograph taken of J.A.L. Crookham sometime before his death in 1901. Crookham served as the first judge of Mahaska County, between the years 1851 and 1855. Crookham is also credited with organizing the Mahaska County State Bank. …
Scene of the Skunk River dam in 1896. Along with the Des Moines River, these two rivers served as natural borders for the layout of Mahaska County in the 1840's.
The Skunk River as scene through the eyes of the beholder in 1896. The Skunk River was once known as the Chiquaqua River by Native Americans and pioneers residing in the area in the early 1840's. Because of the Des Moines and Skunk Rivers, Mahaska…
Bridge going over the Skunk River in 1896. The Skunk River is a mid-size river in terms of both its width and distance. The Skunk River also consists of two branches: the North Skunk River and South Skunk River. The irony of the two branches is…
Like Mahaska County, many counties throughout Iowa have depended on their water supply from local rivers running within their community's vicinity. This photograph is an example of that. It also serves as an example of how long communities have…
Judge M.T. Williams can be credited for helping determine the official town name and Mahaska County seat of Oskaloosa in 1844. Moving from his native home state of Ohio, Williams came to Iowa in 1843 and set up a law practice located in Mt.…
The north half of the east side of Oskaloosa's town square as it appeared in 1868. Notice how roads were not yet paved and wouldn't become paved for almost another 30 years.
