During a very volatile time in Iowa history (1830-1854), the Meskwaki Tribal Chief Poweshiek did a masterful job of maintaining peace, yet never sacrificing his strong principles – believing that all men should live in freedom. After the Black Hawk War (1832), Chief Poweshiek, Chief Wapashashiek, and Chief Totokonock led their people to relocate their Meskwaki communities onto familiar summer hunting grounds located near the Iowa River – in today’s Johnson County. The largest community, headed by Poweshiek, was about five miles south of today’s Iowa City. Just north of Poweshiek’s camp was another village led by Wapashashiek, while a third village, led by Totokonock, was twelve miles south of Iowa City on Sand Road at the mouth of the English River, just west of today’s Lone Tree. One biographer states…“those who knew Poweshiek called him a man of great energy, a wise counselor, and the soul of honor…one who remembered kindness, and his word could be relied upon.”

CHECK OUT THE COMPLETE BLOG SERIES – Iowa City’s Top 50 Influencers – Part I

Back in 1979 – The Iowa City Press Citizen ran a special seven-page section called Chronology 1841/1979 and it featured Iowa City’s famed historian – Irving Weber – and his look at 25 People Who Left Their Stamp On Iowa City. So, here we are – forty-four years later – and now, I’m offering these two posts – dedicated to those who have greatly influenced our city over the first 100 years or so. This page features the First 25, and as you can see, each of the 25 names has a brief overview with a link(s) to read more, if you like. Enjoy!

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