Plans were made to move as a result of the increasing population and the ever increasing price of land in the Dutch colony of Pella, so less wealthy people could difficult obtain an own piece of land ... In 1860 this autthor had to spend several weeks in Missouri. He saw how every day large numbers of cars with families, livestock and agricultural pass the Missouri river, wandering for homes in eastern Nebraska, he learned how all who had the courage to focus to establish on the prairies, found what they so desired.

Back in Pella, he spoke with some about the impressions he had received about emigration to the west. With Mr A.C. Kuyper, then Elder at the 1st Reformed Church in Pella, W. van Asch, W.Sleyster and G.P.H. Zahn, all now deceased, many conferences were held on the possibility to emigrate to those areas with some Dutch families. Even plans were devised for the purpose of buying lands and to obtain funds, but these efforts were crowned with disappointment, and loosely made plans fell apart.
Nevertheless, the need for emigration was felt more urgent and the desire to move became stronger.

Page 465: Chapter: "Sioux County, a daughter colony in Further West":

From 1860 prominent leaders in Pella as H. Hospers, A. C. Kuyper, W. van Asch, W. Sleyster and others, began to have meetings and make plans for a joint fund for the acquisition of land. Due to the civil war, these plans were not realized at this time, but the need to emigrate was felt more urgently and the desire to depart grew strongly.

The following year (1873) W. Sleyster, C. Hospers, A.J. Betten and P. Ellerbroek opened stores, while Pierce and Lewis opened a brokerage and A.K. Webb a legal office, etc. So the number of houses increased and the number of inhabitants reached a total of 151.