1854 Composition Book by a Direct Descendent of Iowa Pioneer Hardin Nowlin, a Wise 16-Year-Old Who Was Ahead-of-His-Time and Died at Age 17

On offer is a fascinating composition book dating to the mid-19th century in pioneer America.

This composition book was written by T.D. Nowlin. Nowlin was born in 1838, likely in Iowa as his family was closely involved in the creation of the State of Iowa. He was 16 years of age when he wrote this. Sadly, he passed away in January of 1855 at the age of 17. Our informal research has not found any additional biographical information.

The book contains 15 compositions which cover a variety of topics - some likely suggested by his teacher and other probably chosen from his own interests. These include Tobacco, Ode to a Gray Mare, The Rifle and one entitled What Is Education. An excerpt from What is Education follows:

“...That is a question that is easily asked but not so easily answered. But I imagine that I hear some one say that education is a knowledge of books well here I agree with him. But I ask is this all that forms an education…” [p 33]

This, from a composition entitled The Fate of the Unfortunate Indians displays an outlook and attitude that was ahead of its time:

“... The white men came over the ocean in fourteen hundred ninety two. They were treated kindly by the Indians and were fed on the best fish and venison they had but for all this kindness were ungrateful in return ... " [p. 16]

This composition is also interesting because Nowlin's family settled on Indian land that was confiscated from local indigenous tribes.

Our author, T.D. Nowlin, was related to one of the key figures in the creation of the State of Iowa - Hardin Nowlin. Hardin Nowlin was one of the earliest of the pioneers of Iowa. He was born in 1804. He moved to Dubuque in 1833 before the "Black Hawk Purchase" was incorporated into Michigan Territory. In 1836, when it was a part of Wisconsin Territory, and there were but two organized counties west of the Mississippi River, Mr. Nowlin was chosen one of the Representatives from Dubuque County to the Legislative Assembly.

When the Territory of Iowa was created in 1838, Nowlin was again elected to its First Legislative Assembly. He thus participated in the framing and enactment of the first laws extended over Iowa citizens. He died at Waterloo in 1892.

The book also contains two newspaper clippings about Hardin Nowlin and an extensive newspaper article about his life.

For a historian, this composition book is a direct line to one of the earliest pioneers in what is now Iowa. It also shines a light into the thinking of the boy as he considered various social questions or issues.

How much more might he have contributed if he hadn't passed the following year?

This hard-cover book measures 7.5 inches by 6.25 inches. It contains 102 pages and is about 40% complete. The covers are intact but show clear signs of wear due to age. The binding is still intact but is loose. Several pages are loose and 6 pages have been torn out. The handwriting is fairly legible.