Was originally a part of the vast
Territory of Louisiana, ceded to the
United States in 1803.
The first settlement by Europeans was made by
Julian Du Buque, who, in 1788, obtained a grant of a large tract, including the site of the city of
Dubuque and the mineral lands around it. There he built a fort, and manufactured lead and traded with Indians until his death, in 1810.
The
Territory was placed under the jurisdiction of
Michigan in 1834, and in 1836 under that of
Wisconsin.
It was erected into a separate Territory June 12, 1838, and included all the country north of
Missouri between the
Mississippi and the
Missouri and the
British line.
This comprised a greater part of
Minnesota and the whole of the present
Dakotas, with an area of 94,000 square miles.
The government was established at
Iowa City, in 1839.
In 1844 a State constitution was formed, but an application for admission into the
Union was denied.
The admission was effected Dec. 28, 1846, and in 1857 the capital was established at
Des Moines.
This State,,
[
63]
lying westward of the
Mississippi River, with a population of nearly 700,000 and a loyal governor (
Samuel J. Kirkwood), was quick to perceive the needs of the national government in its struggle with its enemies, and was lavish in its aid. When the
President called for troops (April, 1861) the governor said, “In this emergency
Iowa must not and does not occupy
a doubtful position.
For the
Union as our fathers formed it, and for the government they framed so wisely and so well, the people of
Iowa are ready to pledge every fighting-man in the
State and every dollar of her money and credit.”
That pledge was redeemed by sending over 75,000 men to the front.
The present constitution of
Iowa was framed by a convention at
Iowa City early in 1857, and was ratified Aug. 3.
The clause confining the privilege of the elective franchise to white citizens was stricken out by act of the legislature, and was ratified by the people in 1868.
In 1900
Iowa ranked as the first corn-producing State in the country, with an output of 305.859,948 bushels, valued at $82,582,186; the first in hay; and the second in oats.
The equalized valuation of all taxable property was $539,673,691; and the total bonded debt was $10,937.
During the past five years the bank deposits have more than doubled; nearly 1,500 miles of railroad are under construction, which will make the entire mileage about 5,000.
The population in 1890 was 1,911,896; in 1900, 2,231,853.
See
United States, Iowa, vol.
IX.
