With 21 years of experience in libraries, including over a decade in leadership roles, Hall has a proven track record in library management and staff development. She has served as Interim State Librarian since November 2024 and Library Program…
Born in Lingonier Valley, Pennsylvania on July 5, 1812, James Clarke grew up with youthful optimism and idealism. He became a printer in a newspaper office in Harrisburg and in 1836 moved west to work as an editor at the Missouri Republican…
Johnson Brigham was born on March 11, 1846 in Cherry Valley, New York, the son of Phineas Brigham and Eliza Johnson. In 1875 he married Antoinette Gano and they had one daughter, Anna. He began work as a newspaper editor and publisher in New York…
Laura C. Hudson was born August 1, 1850 in Hazelwood, Missouri, the daughter of Alexander McFarland Hudson and Sarah J. Young. Her father was a lawyer who helped the Union causes in Missouri and was assassinated during the Civil War in 1863. Laura…
Sallania “Lana” H. Hixson was born on April 21, 1849 in Greene County, Ohio, one of eight children born to Dr. Oliver F. Hixson and Elizabeth Dawson. The family moved to Marshall County, Iowa by 1856 where her father was a doctor. Sallania married…
John D. Denison was born at Clarion, Iowa, September 29, 1872, the son of John D. Denison and Triphena Gorton. John was raised on a farm. He graduated from Clarion High School in 1889, and Upper Iowa University, Fayette, Iowa, in 1893. John was…
John C. Merrill was born around 1850 in Pennsylvania. His father, Samuel Merrill, became Governor of Iowa in 1868 and John C. was appointed State Librarian the same year. He proved to be an energetic and efficient Librarian, introducing the…
Lemuel B. Patterson was the first State Librarian when Iowa became a state. He was born in Rushville, Indiana, Sept. 12, 1824. He came to Iowa City in the spring of 1841, and was admitted to the State bar in 1846. It is reported that while holding…
John Pattee was born in Canada on July 23, 1820. His father was a Methodist missionary and preached in Canada. He came to Iowa around 1850 and was a carpenter in Bremer County. John married Lidia Lanning on Aug. 23, 1855. That same year he was…
Sara “Sadie” B. Bushong was born in Columbian County, Ohio, February 12, 1837, the daughter of Jacob and Hannah Bushong. She attended the academies at Bryan and West Unity, Ohio, then taught from 1853 to 1858. Sara married William Maxwell in 1858,…
