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.
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. …
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 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 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 a portrait of John R. Needham, founder and editor of Oskaloosa, Iowa's most famous newspaper; the Oskaloosa Herald. In addition to his passion for news and writing, Needham was also politically active, so much so that he eventually became…
This is a photograph of Nancy Lacey Smith, sister of Congressman John F. Lacey from the 6th Iowa District in the U.S. House of Representatives between 1890 and 1906.
This is a photograph of John Mills Lacey, father of Congressman John F. Lacey, who represented the 6th Iowa District in the United States House of Representatives between 1890 and 1906. John Mills Lacey raised his family in West Virginia until he…
This is an image of Congressman John F. Lacey's daughter, Bernice, goofing around on the family tennis court circa 1900. Women's apparel around 1900 was not the most comfortable, especially if playing a sport like tennis, as seen here. Congressman…
This is a photograph of Martha (Newell) Lacey in her carriage outside of her home circa 1890. Congressman Lacey and Martha, who he referred to as Mattie, lived at 301 North Market Street for a number of years. Eventually, after Congressman Lacey…
