This Day in Republican History 08/31/05

August 31, 1823 Birth of Speaker of the House Galusha Grow (R-PA); secured passage of Homestead Act, providing free land to settlers and ending plans of Democrats to open western lands to slave plantations The Homestead Act of 1862 has been called one the most important pieces of Legislation in the history of the United States. Democrats feared homesteaders would add their voices to the call for abolition of slavery. With Southern Democrats out of the picture in 1862, the legislation finally passed. Signed into law in 1862 by Abraham Lincoln after the secession of southern states, this Act turned over vast amounts of the public domain to private citizens. 270 millions acres, or 10% of the area of the United States was claimed and settled under this act. A homesteader had only to be the head of a household and at least 21 years of age to claim a 160 acre parcel of land. Settlers from all walks of life including newly arrived immigrants, farmers without land of their own from the East, single women and former slaves came to meet the challenge of "proving up" and keeping this "free land". Each homesteader had to live on the land, build a home, make improvements and farm for 5 years before they were eligible to "prove up". A total filing fee of $18 was the only money required.