Iowa is a state in midwest USA. Iowa was formed from the territory obtained from France by the purchase of Louisiana. Its name, signifying the beautiful country, was derived from the river of the same name. The first settlement in the State of Iowa was made by Dubuque, a Frenchman from Canada, in 1788, on the site of the city which now bears his name. After the organization of Missouri, in 1820, the territory to the north was neglected by Congress until 1834, when it was made a part of Michigan. In 1836 it was added to the Wisconsin Territory, and in 1838 the Territory of Iowa was created. Application for admission as a State was refused by Congress until December the 28th, 1846, when Iowa became a State.
In 1882 an amendment to the Iowa State Constitution prohibiting the manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors was adopted by a large popular majority, but was declared void because of informalities in its passage.
Abbreviations
Gazetteer
Research Iowa