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.
Muscatine 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 Edmund Raymond Kinsey
Edmund Raymond Kinsey, born on January 24, 1873, in Muscatine, Iowa, was a prominent municipal engineer and public servant in St. Louis. After beginning his career under Robert E. McMath, he played a significant role in the Louisiana Purchase Exposition and later served as president of the city’s board of public improvements and subsequently the board of public service until 1921. Kinsey was also active during World War I, serving as a captain in the Home Guard. He was married to Inez Viola Wheeler and had four sons, all of whom have notable military or academic achievements.
Biography of Garrison G. Gray
Garrison G. Gray, a prominent figure in Malheur County, was born in Ohio in 1830. His lineage includes a Revolutionary War soldier, and Gray himself faced numerous challenges as a pioneer. He ventured across the plains in 1851, eventually settling in Oregon, where he built a successful life as a carpenter, educator, and farmer. Gray held significant roles, including the first postmaster of Dell. He married twice, fathering nine children, and remained active in community affairs and church, despite hardships faced during settlement.
Biography of Col. Homer F. Fellows
Col. Homer F. Fellows, a prominent figure in Springfield, was deeply involved in the city’s public enterprises and established the Springfield Wagon Company, a leader in manufacturing farm wagons. Born in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, he shifted from various business ventures and military service to become a significant industrial contributor. A staunch advocate for education and community development, he held multiple public offices, including mayor, and was instrumental in establishing the first telegraph and telephone lines in Springfield. He was married three times and had several children.
Biography of Franklin P. Ake
Franklin P. Ake, born on July 6, 1857, in Muscatine, Iowa, is a prominent figure in Elmore County, Idaho, known for his significant contributions to the region’s economy. His diverse background includes early ventures in freighting and real estate. Ake is recognized for developing a pivotal irrigation system that has greatly benefited local agriculture. He owns a substantial ranch and operates a meat market in Mountain Home. Ake has served as the county treasurer and is an active member of the Masonic fraternity, embodying strong business acumen and community involvement.
Biography of V. W. Sander
V. W. Sander, born February 4, 1857, in Germany and immigrated to the U.S. in 1860, rose to prominence in Idaho’s mercantile industry. He started his career as a clerk in Muscatine, Iowa, before moving to California and then Washington. In 1880, he settled in Coeur d’Alene, where he established a successful general store and co-founded the Idaho Mercantile Company in 1895, becoming its president. Married to Lulu Lohmann, he has four children and is active in the Knight of Pythias and Republican politics without seeking office.
Biography of Clement Smith, Dr.
Dr. Clement Smith, born January 19, 1866, in Batavia, Iowa, emerged as a pivotal figure in the treatment of hernia. After studying at Kansas Medical College and working in his father’s business, he co-invented Kansas’s first automobile in 1890. Following this venture, he focused on enhancing truss manufacturing and mechanical treatment for hernia, contributing significantly to related literature. A well-respected figure, he was deeply involved in charitable efforts, and was a prominent member of Masonic circles, attaining the thirty-third degree.
Biographical Sketch of Oliver Farrar Emerson
Oliver Farrar Emerson, born on May 24, 1860, in Traer, Iowa, was a notable university professor. After earning degrees from Iowa College and Cornell University, he held various educational positions, including superintendent of schools and principal of the Academy of Iowa College. In 1896, he became a professor of English at Western Reserve University. Emerson authored significant works on the English language and contributed to various academic publications. He was an active member of the Modern Language Association of America and served as president of the American Dialect Society in 1905.
Biography of Freeman E. Nipps
Freeman E. Nipps, born on July 14, 1865, in Muscatine, Iowa, is a distinguished figure in Kansas railroad history. Starting as a telegraph operator, he became the Missouri Pacific Railway’s agent in Topeka, a role he has held since 1888. Nipps has also actively contributed to local governance as chairman of the Shawnee County Board of Commissioners. His family roots run deep in Kansas, with a father who was a Civil War veteran and a respected community member. He is a dedicated republican, Mason, and family man, married to Mary Smith.
Biography of W. C. Buttman
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.
Callaway, Roy D. – Obituary
Roy D. Callaway, 84, of Keating, Oregon, passed away on August 14, 1982. A long-time employee of the Oregon Lumber Company, he was known for his dedication to the industry. Born on May 13, 1898, in Muscatine, Iowa, he moved to Baker County as a young man. He married Ora Burris in 1927 and had a large family, including two sons and four daughters. Callaway’s funeral will be held at Grays West Co. Pioneer Chapel with interment at Mt. Hope Cemetery.
Biography of Alexander McCrary
Alexander McCrary, born in 1825 in Ohio, was the son of Alexander and Mary McCrary. An early pioneer, he worked as a carpenter and bridge builder after moving to Iowa in 1856. His journey continued westward, settling in Kansas and later California, where he engaged in horticulture and railroad construction. By 1875, he focused on citrus and raisin grape farming in Riverside, California. A devoted Methodist and Republican, McCrary had five children with his wife, Martha, and became a respected figure in his community.
Biography of John Edward Stewart
John Edward Stewart, a distinguished figure in Springfield, Massachusetts, was a successful businessman and a Civil War veteran. As president of the John E. Stewart Company, he exemplified integrity and community spirit, significantly impacting the local manufacturing and printing trade. With Scottish ancestry, his family’s legacy contributed to various societal foundations. Stewart served with valor in the Union Army, earning a commission from President Lincoln. His personal and civic virtues fostered respect and admiration throughout his community, marking him as a vital and constructive element of Springfield’s progress.
The City of Davenport, Iowa
Davenport, Iowa, originally part of land granted to Antoine LeClair by local tribes, has transformed from an uninhabited region into a thriving city with a population of 23,000. Praised for its beauty, Davenport boasts elegant residences, impressive public buildings, and a network of street railroads. The Mississippi River is traversed by a grand bridge serving various railroads. Nearby cities—Rock Island, Moline, Keokuk, and Muscatine—also flourish, characterized by their industriousness, vibrant communities, and significant manufacturing operations, contributing to the region’s prosperity.
Iowa Cemetery Records Monona to Muscatine Counties
Iowa Cemetery Transcriptions, Monona to Muscatine
Biography of John Kimberland Scott
John Kimberland Scott, born on November 26, 1870, in Muscatine, Iowa, became the States Attorney of Rock Island County. His father, a Civil War veteran, influenced Scott’s strong Republican values. After moving to Rock Island in 1875, he excelled in school and pursued law at the State University of Iowa. Following his graduation in 1895, he served briefly as U.S. Consul before returning to practice law. Active in local organizations, Scott was noted for his efficient and compassionate public service and a strong family life with his wife, Amy Louise Huey.