author
William Larrabee
1832–1912
A self-made miller, farmer, and reform-minded politician, he rose from frontier Iowa life to become the state’s 13th governor. His story blends practical grit with a strong belief that government should serve ordinary people fairly.
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About the author
Born in Connecticut in 1832, William Larrabee moved to Iowa in 1853 and settled in Clermont, where he taught school, farmed, and ran a flour mill. Those years gave him a close view of everyday economic life on the frontier and helped shape the plainspoken, hands-on style he later brought to politics.
Larrabee served for many years in the Iowa State Senate before becoming governor of Iowa, holding that office from 1886 to 1890. He became known as an outspoken reformer, especially on issues tied to railroad regulation, public education, and government accountability.
After leaving office, he remained an important public figure in Iowa. His home, Montauk, became one of the best-known historic governor's residences in the state, reflecting both his prominence and the lasting place he held in Iowa's political history.