Tag: Frank Baum

Homestead Act – May 20, 1862 – Daniel Freeman 1st Homesteader

By Thomas Jay Kemp on May 20, 2008

Abraham Lincoln signed the Homestead Act on May 20, 1862. It would take effect on January 1, 1863. The first homesteader to take “the required oath and [be] given the documents which made him possessor of 160 acres of land” was Daniel Freeman (1826-1908). Daniel Freeman was born April 26, 1826 in Lewisburg, Preble... (Read More)

Frank Baum 1856-1919 – Going Beyond the Obits

By Thomas Jay Kemp on May 15, 2008

Lyman Frank Baum, the author of the many books about the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, was born today – May 15, 1856 – in Chittenango, Madison County, New York.     When he died obituaries appeared in newspapers around the country like this obituary that appeared in the Duluth (MN) News Tribune (8 May... (Read More)