History of Council Bluffs, (Pottawattamie County) Iowa United States of America

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Biographies:

Amelia Jenks Bloomer, reformer, was born at Homer, Cortlandt county, N.Y., May 27, 1818; daughter of Ananias and Lucy (Webb) Jenks. She received a common-school education, and in 1837 became a governess, continuing in this occupation until 1840, when she was married to Dexter C. Bloomer, a lawyer and journalist. They took up their residence at Seneca Falls, N.Y., where Mr. Bloomer edited the village paper, to which his wife became an anonymous contributor, writing on political, social and temperance topics. On Jan. 1, 1849, The Lily, wholly a woman's paper, was started, edited by Mrs. Bloomer, who wrote for its columns many articles on temperance and woman's rights. She became deputy to her husband, postmaster at Seneca Falls in 1849, and in 1851 approved the idea of a new attire for women in The Lily, the costume to consist of Turkish pantaloons and a short skirt. She followed the example of Mrs. Elizabeth Smith Miller and Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and adopted the costume, which caused much newspaper comment and became known as the "Bloomer costume," although she repeatedly disclaimed to being the originator. This added to the subcription list of The Lily, and in 1853 she made a lecture tour through the West. She removed to Mount Vernon, Ohio, in 1853 became assistant editor of the Visitor, and in 1855 sold The Lily and removed to Council Bluffs, Ia. She also lectured before the Nebraska legislature in 1856. See Life and Writings of Amelia Bloomer by D.C. Bloomer. She died at Council Bluffs, Ia., Dec. 30, 1894.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Samuel Ryan Curtis, soldier, was born in Clinton county, N.Y., Feb. 3, 1807. His parents removed to Ohio when he was an infant and he was graduated from the U.S. military academy in 1831. After serving one year in the army he resigned to engage in civil engineering. He afterward superintended the Muskingum river improvements on which he was employed, 1837-39. He then studied law, became an active military officer, and was promoted captain in 1833, colonel in 1843, and adjutant-general in 1846. He served in the Mexican war as colonel of the 2d Ohio volunteers, and while in charge of the army stores at Camargo defeated an attempt of General Urrea to capture the place, driving his force through the mountains to Ramos and thus opening communication with General Taylor. He subsequently served on the staff of General Wool and was governor of Saltillo, 1847-48. He afterward went west and in 1855 opened a law office in Keokuk, Iowa. He was a representative from Iowa in the 35th, 36th and 37th congresses, resigning from the 37th congress before the extraordinary session of July 4, 1861, to command the 2d Iowa volunteers. He was one of the first western officers to receive a commission as brigadier-general, May, 1861, and organized and had charge of a camp of instruction near St. Louis, Mo., during the summer. He was in charge of the southwestern district of Missouri from December, 1861, to February, 1862, and commanded the army of the Southwest from February to August, 1862, taking possession of Springfield, Mo., February 13, and defeating the Confederates under Price and McCulloch at Pea Ridge, March 8, 1862, for which action he was promoted major-general. He continued his march 1000 miles south and occupied Helena, Ark., in July. He commanded the department of Missouri, 1862-63, and the department of Kansas, 1864-65. He checked the raid of General Price and helped to drive his army back into Arkansas. He commanded the department of the Northwest in 1865, and was U.S. Indian commissioner the latter part of the year. He was mustered out of the volunteer service, April 30, 1866. He was early interested in the Pacific railread and in September, 1862, obtained leave of absence to preside over the convention that met in Chicago, Ill., to inaugurate the enterprise, and was a commissioner to examine the road in 1866. He died at Council Bluffs, Iowa, Dec. 26, 1866.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Joseph Lyman, representative, was born in Lyons, Mich., Sept. 13, 1840. He entered Iowa college, but upon the outbreak of the civil war he enlisted as regimental clerk in the 4th Iowa cavalry. He was transferred to the 29th Iowa infantry and served as adjutant, 1862-65; was aide-de-camp and inspector-general on the staff of Gen. Samuel A. Rice in 1864; was promoted major of the 29th Iowa infantry, Feb. 21, 1865, and served till Aug. 10, 1865, and was aide-de-camp and acting assistant adjutant-general on the staff of Maj-Gen. Frederick Steele from Feb. 1, 1865, until he was mustered out of service. He was graduated from the law department of the State University of Iowa in 1866 and practised law at Council Bluffs, Iowa. He was deputy collector of internal revenue, 1867-70; circuit judge of the 13th judicial district from Jan. 1 till Dec. 31, 1884, and was a Republican representative in the 49th and 50th congresses, 1885-89. He died at Council Bluffs, Iowa, July 9, 1890.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor