One account, found in a 1902 "Biographical Record Of Boone County Iowa", states that L. W. Babbitt first came to Iowa in the early 1830's with a company of Rangers commanded by Captain Nathan Boone. He became fascinated with the region and it lead to his eventual return. I'm not sure whether this can be documented, but it is worth mentioning.
Babbitt was described as being "A man of small stature, active movements, prepossessing manners, quick apprehension, and retentive memory". In 1859 he was the Democratic candidate for Lieutenant-Governor of Iowa, but was defeated.
His full name was Lysander Wilkins Babbitt.
