Investing in Iowa: The Life and Times of F.M. Hubbell

Frederick Marion Hubbell lived the classic rags-to-riches story. He traveled to Iowa with his father in 1855, but when it was time to return to his East Coast home, the teenager balked and stayed behind. Hubbell perceived great opportunities in Des Moines and quirky took advantage of them. This led to a rapid rise in the business world that saw him piece together an empire based on real estate, railroads, insurance, and a waterworks. With these enterprises, Hubbell became a leading developer of Des Moines, and through his creation of the Hubbell Trust, he insured that his descendants remained involved in the city for generations. William B. Fredricks uses newly available records to bring to life one of central Iowa's most important figures. The result is a balanced and compelling biography, steeped in business, family, and Iowa history.