What Cheer

As I was indexing for FamilySearch, I came across a couple, both of whom were born in the town of What Cheer, Iowa. I borrowed a little curiosity from cats and decided to learn something about the town with the odd name.

The United States Geological Survey's database states the town's name came from an English or Welsh greeting. The town's name was adopted in 1879. It is located in Keokuk County.

A Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from 1893 is available.

Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from What Cheer, Keokuk County, Iowa. Sanborn Map Company, Jun, 1893. Map. https://www.loc.gov/item/sanborn02871_002/.