Iowa County History and Genealogy Books Online
These are free books online where you can research your Iowa ancestry. This list contains county and local history, genealogical and biographical books, as well as atlases and farm plats.
Keokuk County IA
Iowa Atlases, Farm Directories, and Plat Books
This collection contains digital atlases, farm directories, and plat books for all 99 Iowa counties. We have collated these from a variety of online sources, and provide them here as a single source for all online Iowa County Atlases, Farm Directories, and Plat Books.
Biography of William Henry Folmsbee
William Henry Folmsbee was born on June 22, 1831, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Orphaned at a young age, he was raised and educated by Dr. William Ensign, beginning his medical studies early. He graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Keokuk, Iowa, in 1855 and established a medical practice in Richland, Iowa, before moving to Gallatin. Folmsbee served as a captain in the Missouri State Militia during the Civil War and was elected to the State Legislature, participating in the Constitutional Convention of 1864-65.
Biography of Hon. J.R. Blakaby
Hon. J.R. Blakaby, a notable pioneer of Malheur County, was born on April 12, 1861, in Iowa. After completing his education, he moved west, engaging in farming and education before entering politics. He served as a deputy clerk, postmaster, and in the state legislature, where he contributed to beneficial legislation. In 1891, he became a prominent general merchandise operator in Jordan Valley. A respected banker and community leader, Blakaby has had a lasting impact on the county’s development and prosperity. He was married to Mary J. Bauch and had five children.
Biography of Dr. James W. York
Dr. James W. York, born March 27, 1851, in Iowa, has established a respected career in medicine over his thirteen years in Billings. A dedicated physician known for his integrity and compassion, he has garnered a loyal patient base. After graduating from Keokuk Medical School in 1874, he served as a government physician in the Indian Nation before settling in Billings in 1880. He is also successful in the drug business, having built a substantial property portfolio, and is actively involved in community affairs. York married Olive Napper, and they have two daughters.
Biography of John Hornbeak
John Hornbeak, born on August 12, 1830, in Warren County, Tennessee, became a prominent merchant in Sparta, Missouri. His parents, James F. and Sarah Hornbeak, were early settlers in Greene County, Missouri. Hornbeak’s business career began in merchandising in Ozark, expanding to several locations before settling in Sparta in 1883. He served in the Civil War, attaining the rank of major, and was politically active as a Republican, elected twice to the state legislature. Hornbeak was known for his strong character, community contributions, and successful business endeavors.
Biography of David T. Miller
David T. Miller, born in Ohio in 1843, distinguished himself through military service in the Civil War and in civic duty. A member of the Fifteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, he participated in significant campaigns, serving without injury. After the war, he pursued education and was admitted to the bar in 1870. He practiced law in Ottumwa until relocating to Boise in 1891, where he became influential in local politics. Recognized for his leadership, he served as speaker of the Idaho House and as deputy collector of internal revenue. He is married with two children, embodying progress and patriotism throughout his career.
Biography of James A. Paull
James A. Paull, current county treasurer of Ellsworth County, Kansas, has deep familial roots tracing back to Alsace Lorraine. His ancestor, Richard Paull, arrived in America in 1635. Born in 1865 in Iowa, James grew up on a farm in Kansas, later working in various roles including county clerk and treasurer. He is also involved in oil development, holding significant leases around Ellsworth. Married twice, he now resides with his second wife, Merne, and their daughter, Chloris. Paull is an active community member and a Democrat.
Biographical Sketch of F. C. Hoyt
F. C. Hoyt, a prominent banker in Oklahoma and Southern Kansas, has built a successful career marked by conservative judgment and financial acumen. Born in 1873 in Iowa, he moved to Kansas as a child and gained diverse experiences, including a stint as a journeyman printer. Hoyt was an early settler in Oklahoma, launching several banks, including the First National Bank of Seiling and the Union State Bank in Wichita, where he currently serves as president. Active in politics, he supported key legislation in Oklahoma but declined nominations for state offices.
Biographical Sketch of D. H. Dillon
D. H. Dillon was born on October 12, 1846, in Keokuk County, Iowa, and served in the Forty-eighth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He moved to Jewell County, Kansas, in 1873, where he established a homestead and began a general merchandise business in 1878. Dillon served as postmaster for North Branch and, along with Malen Lamb, helped to lay out the town named after the post office. He married Emma Folger in Warren County, Iowa, on April 30, 1866.
Biography of James McGrew, Hon.
Hon. James McGrew, a significant figure in Kansas history, was instrumental as a free state proponent and served as the state’s lieutenant governor. Born in Pennsylvania in 1822, he migrated to Iowa and later to Kansas, where he became a prominent merchant and helped establish the packing industry in Kansas City. McGrew held various political positions, including mayor of Wyandotte and senator, and played a key role in shaping local affairs. He married twice and fathered five children, passing away in 1911 at his home, McGrews Grove.
Biographical Sketch of Henry McGrew
Henry McGrew, born on April 18, 1857, in Iowa, was raised in Wyandotte, Kansas. A prominent lawyer, he served as city and county attorney in Wyandotte before transitioning to real estate and business ventures. Since 1904, he has been largely retired from law, focusing on developing Kansas City’s residential and commercial sectors. Politically a standpat Republican, McGrew is involved in local banking and cement manufacturing. He married Julia Townsend in 1881, and they had three sons, continuing the family’s legacy in the region.
Biography of J. Edward Cook
J. Edward Cook, born on November 13, 1864, in Iowa, developed the King Ni-Ko system for curing tobacco addiction, emphasizing individualized treatment over a one-size-fits-all approach. After a diverse career as a clergyman and healing institute superintendent, he established his business in Wichita in 1901, successfully treating tens of thousands with a 100% cure rate when the system was properly followed. Married in 1913 to Lillian Lane, Cook’s family legacy includes his esteemed parents, both of whom served in ministry.
Hearing, Mary E. – Obituary
Mary Elizabeth Hearing, a pioneer of Wallowa County, Oregon, passed away on May 29, 1929, at her daughter’s home near Medford. Funeral services took place at the Lostine Christian Church, led by Rev. Arthur Harriman, with hymns performed by a local quartet. Born in 1846 in Iowa, she moved to Oregon in 1853 and married George Hearing in 1865, raising eleven children. Survived by six children, 23 grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren, she was known for her kindness and dedication to her community.
Goodman, Miles W. – Obituary
Miles W. Goodman, a resident of Lostine, Oregon, for 31 years, passed away on November 22, 1917, after a lengthy battle with stomach cancer. A former justice of the peace, he had endured significant health challenges, including a serious injury from a buggy accident three years prior. His funeral, held at his home, featured Masonic rites, reflecting his 28-year membership in the fraternity. Goodman, born on October 10, 1851, in Iowa, is buried at the Lostine cemetery.
Goodman, Mary S. Mrs. – Obituary
Mary S. Goodman, widow of M.W. Goodman, passed away on January 21, 1930, at her daughter’s home in La Grande due to complications from influenza. Born on January 15, 1858, in Iowa, she and her husband were early settlers of Wallowa County, contributing to the founding of Enterprise. After multiple relocations, she permanently settled in Lostine following her husband’s death in 1917. She is survived by five children and four brothers, remembered fondly for her gentle spirit and steadfastness throughout her life.
Biography of R. P. Kelley
R. P. Kelley, a distinguished lawyer since 1884, originally from New England, has balanced his legal career with substantial business interests across the country. Born in Newburg, Maine, in 1850, he came to the West in 1870, eventually earning his law degree in Iowa. After practicing law in Iowa, he settled in Eureka, Kansas, where he built a significant civil practice. A politically independent figure, Kelley has refrained from seeking office, though he served as regent for the State Agricultural College. He married Harriet Whitney in 1879.