Early Pioneers of Polk County
Transcribed from "Des Moines' Centennial Recalls These Pioneers", The Des Moines Register, May 16, 1943, pg. 55
"Just a hundred years ago, on May 20, 1843, Capt. James Allen and a company of dragoons raised a flag at the junction of the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers and established Fort Des Moines. The town of Fort Des Moines was incorporated 10 years later, and the city of Des Moines came into existence early in 1857. The city prospered and grew because of the vision and courage of Polk county's pioneers, many of whom are shown below." The article included a reproduction of a composite picture belonging to Mrs. F. M. Gray, a descendant of one of the pioneer families.