[WED]Wedmore to Iowa

[Bob & Sandi McGinnis]

The book on Dyersville written in 1939 takes up the question of why the
English left England to come to the states, Iowa & Dyersville particularly.
The author felt that they were not fleeing any specific problem but came
because they wanted to better themselves and had learned of the
opportunities available from letters written by the earliest settlers.
As to a specific religion, I agree it didn't seem to be a reason for the
English settling at Dyersville and surrounding area.  There was & still is a
large German Catholic settlement there but that was not an influence for the
English as far as I can tell.  My family left Wedmore via Bristol to NY and
then to Burlington, Racine County, Wisconsin in the late 1840's and the 3
Roper sisters--married to a Tincknell, an Evans & a Curry --were in Iowa
just west of Dyersville farming by 1853.  Their father, Hugh Roper, was
Baptist but after reaching Iowa the families joined the Methodist church.
Sandi McGinnis