Clara Hinton grew up in Hedrick, Iowa, where she experienced a difficult childhood. Her mother died when Clara was nine years old. Her aunt then adopted her youngest sister, while Clara helped her father take care of her two brothers and remaining…
Diary kept by Oliver Perry Myers (1856-1933), of West Chester, Iowa. Though Oliver worked many hours a week on the family farm, he also received a strong education. After completing high school, he attended the University of Iowa and graduated as the…
Diaries kept by Ellery M. Hancock (1850-1929) of Waukon, Iowa. His family moved to Waukon in 1856, where his father, Moses, worked as a butcher. His mother, Sally, raised Ellery and his nine siblings, many of whom died at an early age. His brother…
Diary kept by Linnie Hagerman (1852-1934), of Keokuk, Iowa. Born in Missouri in 1852, Linnie moved with her family to Keokuk at age 10, and remained there for the rest of her life.
Mary Elizabeth Wood grew up in Des Moines, Iowa, with five sisters and three brothers. Her father worked as a miner, and her mother and grandmother worked as domestic servants.
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Mary graduated from East High School and attended…
The Native American woman featured in this 1925 document asked to remain anonymous. She married when at age 19 years old and outlived two husbands, then became an influential woman in her tribe. Her community considered her a wise…
Diary kept by Louis Parsons of Burlington, Iowa. Parsons grew up in Burlington during the 1870s and 1880s. His father, Albion, owned a general store. while his mother, Mary, raised Louis and older sister Ella. When Louis was 13, his father…
