My great-grandfather, Joseph A. Roth Sr., felt the call of his adopted country and enlisted for the Civil War. He was in Company C, 96th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and he served for three years. He was injured and took part in Sherman’s March to the Sea. He was discharged in 1865. Because he was a Civil War veteran, Mr. Roth was entitled to homestead 160 acres instead of 80 acres. He staked out his claim in Lyon County, Iowa. His homestead grant was signed by President Ulysses Grant.
Myrtle May Duin
George, Iowa
Back in 1955 a call went out from the editors of the then CAPPER’s Weekly asking for readers to send in articles on true pioneers. Hundreds of letters came pouring in from early settlers and their children, many now in their 80s and 90s, and from grandchildren of settlers, all with tales to tell. So many articles were received that a decision was made to create a book, and in 1956, the first My Folks title – My Folks Came in a Covered Wagon – hit the shelves. Nine other books have since been published in the My Folks series, all filled to the brim with true tales from CAPPER’s readers, and we are proud to make those stories available to our growing online community.
