ALBIA, a new and thriving town, capital of Monroe county, Iowa, about 90 miles W. P. W. from Iowa city, and about 30 miles from Oskaloosa. It is situated in a fertile farming district, diversified by prairies and woodlands. Population, about 500. (Baldwin's New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States..., 1854)
ALBIA, the county seat [Monroe County, Iowa], is three miles east of the centre of the county, and fifteen miles from Eddyville, on the Des Moines Valley Railroad. It is laid off with a square in the centre, in which stands a substantial court house. It has a population of about 1,000, and contains Methodist, Presbyterian, and other church organizations. There are here twelve general stores, six groceries, four drug stores, one bank and one flour mill. (Hair's Iowa State Gazetteer..., 1865)