Anna Millar

From Farm Fields To Phenomenal: Iowa Woman Appointed Manager Of Chicago Orchestra In 1896

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“In my opinion, there is no business in the world so large or so complicated that Miss Millar could not handle it with intelligence and success. I have not met with any one of clearer brain, greater tact or clearness.” A wealthy New York businessman couldn’t say enough good things about Anna Millar, the business manager of the Chicago Orchestra in 1896. Iowa History, a weekly column, appears at IowaWatch on Saturdays. Cheryl Mullenbach is the author of non-fiction books for young people. Her work has been recognized by International Literacy Association, American Library Association, National Council for Social Studies, and FDR Presidential Library and Museum.

Early Twentieth Century Iowa Woman Blazes Trails Working for the Railroad

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“My advice to women who wish to rise in the railway field would be to miss no opportunity to learn. Such opportunities must be more than welcomed, they must be sought,” Daisy Oden told Railway World magazine in 1915. Iowa History, a weekly column, appears at IowaWatch on Saturdays. Cheryl Mullenbach is the author of non-fiction books for young people. Her work has been recognized by International Literacy Association, American Library Association, National Council for Social Studies, and FDR Presidential Library and Museum.

Bank Robbery

Bank Bandits Get Away on Bicycles: It was 1896 After All

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Lake Mills residents were very excited on October 10, 1896, when word spread around town that a desperate and dangerous bank robber had been captured. Everybody believed he was one of two bandits who had robbed a bank in Sherburn, Minnesota, a few days before. Two innocent bystanders had been killed as the robbers sped out of town on Elgin Model A bicycles they had stolen from the hardware store. Iowa History, a weekly column, appears at IowaWatch on Saturdays. Cheryl Mullenbach is the author of non-fiction books for young people.

Iowa History

“Aunt Becky” Young Disregards Authority for Her Boys

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“I never had a rude word from a soldier in my life. I’ve met rebuffs from steamboat captains and paymasters and that kind of fish, but never from one of the boys!” Aunt Becky Young told a reporter with the Chicago Tribune in 1888.