Men and Women of Iowa Biographies »
Compiled by the Reference Department of the Des Moines Public Library. Men and Women of Iowa Biographies contains newspaper clippings about prominent figures in Iowa's history from 1909 through the present day. The clippings are primarily taken from the Des Moines Register and Tribune with clippings from other publications found throughout the set.

Amelia Earhart »
Amelia Earhart was an American aircraft pilot who set numerous records, including being the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic. She was born in Kansas on July 24, 1897, and disappeared on a flight over the Pacific Ocean on July 2, 1937.

Bonnie and Clyde »
Notorious Depression-area criminals Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, along with Clyde’s brother Buck, Buck’s wife Blanche, and their accomplice W.D. Jones, were nearly captured in Dexter, Iowa, about thirty-three miles west of Des Moines, in 1933.

Hollywood Connection »
A number of well-known actors and actresses were born or raised in Iowa, some very famous, some lesser-known. How many have you heard of?

Ronald Reagan
Ronald (Dutch) Reagan, movie star, governor of California, and president of the United States from 1981-1988, lived in Des Moines
for a time in the 1930s, when he worked as a sports announcer
for WHO radio.

Population of Des Moines »
Des Moines’ population has varied over the years, generally increasing, sometimes decreasing, and peaking in 1960. The next census, to be taken in 2010, will update these figures. Here’s how the city has changed since its founding.

Des Moines Mayors »
Early Des Moines Mayors (or highest official listed) as presented in the 1943 Des Moines Municipal Code, pages 1-8. Includes information provided by the Des Moines Mayor's Office.