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.
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.
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.
Dr. Hiempsal S. Dodd, born in 1828 in Wooster, Ohio, exemplifies success through dedication to his calling. A medical scholar, he served in the Eleventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War, later becoming a hospital steward, which advanced his medical knowledge. After moving to Iowa, he established a prosperous lumber and grist business in Marion County, Arkansas, where he also became a community leader by creating Dodd City and serving as postmaster. Throughout his life, Dr. Dodd actively contributed to local development and remained politically engaged as a Republican.
Eldred Lloyd Eaton, born on November 23, 1876, in Hillsboro, Iowa, is a prominent lawyer based in Cottonwood Falls, Kansas. With a diverse background in teaching and business, he entered the legal profession after graduating from law school in 1911. He gained experience in Kansas City before settling in Chase County in 1917, where he established himself as a leading attorney. A Republican, Eaton is married to Lillian Bankin, and they have one daughter, Edith. His family’s agricultural roots and his expansive legal library reflect his dedication to his profession.
Tolbert T. Glenn, born on June 22, 1844, in Wapello, Iowa, has significantly contributed to the development of Union County since its inception. After moving to the Grande Ronde valley with his family, he became an accomplished farmer, cultivating over 1,000 acres. He married Sarah Meyers in 1868, and together they had eight children. While not politically ambitious, he participated in local governance. His successful farming career reflects his diligence and integrity, establishing him as a respected figure in his community.
Edward P. Ashby, a successful agriculturist and stockman in Union County, arrived in 1871 with limited means. After several years in the Willamette Valley, he returned to Union County, where he ultimately acquired a well-improved farm and a residence in North Powder for better educational opportunities for his children. Born in Michigan in 1855, Ashby partnered with his father in stock raising until he took over the homestead in 1893. He married Francelia Hewitt in 1879 and has nine children. Ashby is respected for his integrity and community involvement.
George W. Ruckman, born on April 2, 1848, in Wapello, Iowa, is a prominent figure in Union County’s agricultural and industrial development. After moving to the Grande Ronde Valley in 1871, he cultivated 680 acres, specializing in sugar beets and livestock, including mules and cattle. He also engaged in milling and agricultural implement sales. Ruckman, married to Lucretia Neville, has five children and remains active in local politics and community organizations, contributing significantly to education and industry in the area.
J. T. Hollenbeck was born on October 14, 1835, in Indiana and later moved to various counties in Iowa before settling in Jewell County, Kansas, in 1871. A merchant and farmer, he specialized in stock-raising and operated under the firm name Faidley, Hollenbeck & Smith. Hollenbeck served as Justice of the Peace in Walnut Township and was a soldier in the Union Army during the Civil War. He married Mary Hepker in 1855, and they had five children, while he owned both farmland and town property.
W. C. Buttman, born on March 10, 1874, in Louisa County, Iowa, has greatly contributed to agricultural development in Washington County, Oklahoma. After training as a harness maker, he moved to Oklahoma in 1903, working in various capacities before purchasing an eighty-acre farm near Ochelata in 1917. Embracing modern farming techniques, Buttman cultivates a variety of crops and raises livestock. He is politically active, aligned with the Republican Party, and is dedicated to community welfare. He and his wife, Maggie, have five children.
Rev. O. I. Bennett, born on September 13, 1867, in Iowa, is a dedicated pastor and chiropractor who has significantly contributed to both spiritual and physical wellness. Educated in theology and chiropractic, he has served congregations across multiple states since beginning his ministry at nineteen. In 1915, he graduated from Davenport’s Chiropractic College and combined this profession with his pastoral duties. Bennett founded the Boynton Christian Church and has been active in community upliftment. He has been married twice and has four children, while also being involved in various fraternal organizations.
Tolbert Thomas Glenn, born June 22, 1844, in Wapello, Iowa, passed away on January 6, 1912, near Summerville, Oregon. He moved with his family to Grande Ronde Valley in 1862, later becoming a successful farmer and stock-raiser, amassing over 1,500 acres of land. Married to Sarah Myers in 1868, they had eight children. A dedicated member of the Presbyterian church, Glenn also served as a school director. His legacy endures through his family and contributions to the community.
Dwight L. Ball, aged 76, passed away on December 8, 2005, in New London. Born on July 25, 1929, he was the son of John F. and Gladys Rebecca Morrow Ball. He worked as a dairy farmer and spent 34 years at J. I. Case. Dwight was an active member of the New London United Methodist Church and involved with his local golf club and cemetery board. He is survived by his wife, three daughters, one son, and several grandchildren. A memorial has been set up for the New London Rescue Unit.
Mrs. Margaret Ann Ormsby, aged 72, passed away at her home in Nampa, Idaho, on July 27, 1953. Born on February 18, 1880, in Hopkinton, Iowa, she married William Ormsby in 1897. The couple settled in Nampa in 1928 after living in various towns. Mrs. Ormsby was active in the Methodist Church and local organizations. She is survived by her four children and several siblings, along with 22 grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for Thursday at the Edmunds Chapel, with burial at Kohlerlawn Cemetery.
H. W. Magee, born in October 1847 in Coles County, Illinois, came from a farming family with roots in Kentucky. After various moves, including returning to Coles County during border troubles in Missouri, he settled in Louisa County, Iowa, by 1872. Magee began his legal career as a deputy clerk before attending Michigan University’s law program, graduating in 1872. He was admitted to practice in both Michigan and Illinois, establishing a law practice in Mattoon. He married Ellen J. Barnes in 1873 and has one daughter, Gracie.
Iowa Cemetery Records Jones to Lyon Counties
S.R. Geddis, born on February 12, 1838, in Pennsylvania, became a prominent figure in Kittitass County, Washington, after moving there from Oregon. He achieved wealth through hard work, integrity, and wise financial management, starting with nothing but a good reputation. A veteran of the Rogue River War, Geddis settled in Kittitass County in the late 1860s, cultivating 120 acres into a successful farming enterprise. He is respected in his community, known for both his substantial wealth and upright character, and is the father of ten children.
John Marshall McCall, born on January 15, 1825, in Pennsylvania, was a significant figure in Southern Oregon’s development. A pioneer, he moved to Iowa in 1840 and later traveled to Oregon, where he worked a mining claim in Jackson County. During the 1855-56 Indian War, he defended his community and later served in the Civil War as a lieutenant and then captain. McCall contributed to local industry by establishing the Ashland Woolen Mills and a mercantile business, and he served in the state legislature. He had two marriages and three children.
William B. Fair, born in 1833 in Fivemiletown, Ireland, learned carpentry from his father. At 40, he immigrated to America in 1875, settling in Wapello, Iowa. After marrying Rachael Pierce, he established a life on the prairie, enduring challenges and raising a family. They had several children, though three died young. The Fair family prioritized faith and community, hosting church services and visiting preachers. Their story reflects the persistence and resilience of early settlers in the American Midwest.