In 1854 – many in the North – including Iowa – were fed up with a political system that refused to stand up for those in our midst who were enslaved – treating them as property instead of human beings. You see, in the 1850’s, the political system across America was failing to address a very sad truth. Here in Iowa, for example, while we were, technically, a “free state”, there were still many in both the Democrat and Whig Parties who either supported the practice of holding slaves, or simply believed it best, politically, to ignore the subject.
Now, with James W. Grimes as the new Governor – many see him today as the Father Of Republicanism – the die had been cast – not just here in the Hawkeye State – but across the North. Soon, the many anti-slavery voices – groups like the Wide Awakes, the Free Soil Party, and other abolitionist groups will consolidate their strength and focus on the birth of one new political organization – the Republican Party – which went on in 1860 to nominate one young man from Illinois for U.S. President. You might recognize him – Abraham Lincoln.
CHECK OUT THE COMPLETE BLOG SERIES – Iowa City’s Top 50 Influencers – Part II
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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