In 1855, Samuel Kirkwood traveled west from Ohio to became a partner in the family business – Coral Mills in Johnson County. A successful businessman, Kirkwood’s nickname soon became Dusty Miller – a colorful reference to his occupation – a hands-on manager of a flour mill. Although he intended to leave politics behind when he left Ohio, Kirkwood’s friends summoned him from his mill, and while still coated in flour dust, gave a rousing speech at the founding meeting (February 1856) of the Iowa Republican Party – which positioned itself as a foe of slavery expansion. As a result, Dusty Miller Kirkwood was convinced to run – and win – a seat in the Iowa Senate (1856 to 1859), after which he was nominated for governor. After the Lincoln-Douglass debates changed American politics, gubernatorial candidates Samuel Kirkwood and Augustus Dodge crisscrossed Iowa debating the pros and cons of slavery. In 1860, Iowans chose rightly, sending Kirkwood to Des Moines, opening the door for a humble miller from Coralville to become Iowa’s famous Civil War Governor.
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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