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GROWTH AND PROSPERITY
Historic Communities along the 1833, when the territory was officially opened mayor of Keosauqua in 1884, and was treasurer
Des Moines River to settlement following the Black Hawk War. of the State of Iowa between 1885 and 1891. He
Its economy was based on coal and limestone left public service and took the position of presi-
Most of the settlers who moved into Iowa when mining. As it grew, the town obtained a cigar fac- dent at the Home Savings Bank in Des Moines,
it was open for settlement by the U.S. Govern- tory (1840), a flour mill (1844), and a carriage retiring in 1901 (1890 Portrait and Biographical
ment were interested in land. Both European and wagon manufacturing shop (1878) (Sheets Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties,
immigrants and Americans from the east came 2007:11–17). Iowa; Anderson 2004:17).
seeking new opportunities. The rich, well wa-
tered soils of the state were a powerful draw. Voltaire P. Twombly was born in Farmington in BENTONSPORT – 1836
Along with the farmers came the industries and 1842. Twombly rose to fame during the Civil
merchants that supported the settlers. The Des War. He mustered into the Union Army at age Bentonsport was settled at a river crossing that
Moines River provided a major access route 19, joining Company K, 2nd Iowa Infantry. He had long been in use by Native Americans. It
drawing people from the Mississippi River valley fought and was wounded in several battles, rising was founded in 1836 as the “Ross Settlement”
into the interior of the state. As a result, some to the rank of captain. Twombly was awarded and later platted as the village of Bentonsport
of the earliest American settlements were estab- the Congressional Medal of Honor for leading in 1839 (Claudle 1971:3; Sheets 2007:33). The
lished along its course. Milling, mining, manufac- a Union charge in the Battle of Fort Donelson. town name derives from the fact that Missouri
turing, and river transport formed the bases for The capture of Fort Donelson advanced the Senator Thomas Hart Benton was instrumental
their economies. By the late 1830s thriving com- Union control of Tennessee and Kentucky. in getting a steamboat dock established at this
munities had been established. They grew up at
key points along the river where fords or ferries The national flag carried
provided crossing points for trails and roads. by Corporal Twombly has
They also became the locus of cultural develop- 34 stars, and was report-
ment supporting schools, academies, and opera edly returned after the
houses. Many significant architectural features battle and placed in the
and other structures along with archaeological State Capitol in 1894.
properties associated with this period of devel- It is being conserved as
opment are still extant, and many are listed on part of Iowa’s Battle Flag
the NRHP, either singly or as Historic Districts Project (http://www.io-
(see Table). wahistory.org/museum/
exhibits/medal-of-honor/
FARMINGTON – 1833 sf-02-twombly-cw).
Farmington is the oldest incorporated town in After the war Twombly Phoenix Hotel (a.k.a. Mason House Inn), Bentonsport, Iowa. John Wenck, Iowa DNR.
Van Buren County. It was one of the first six served as the treasurer
towns established under Iowa territorial law in for Van Buren County for
eight years, was elected
The University of Iowa Off ice of the State Archaeologist 41
