L.L. Northrup was a major factor in the development and settling of Iola and Allen County. He launched many successful businesses that he felt were vital to the communities’ growth. He launched the first bank in Allen County, a large lumber yard, a furniture business, and many more. He is one of a very few men that devoted his life to the betterment of Iola and always had an open purse in building and recruiting businesses to town. He was very influential in recruiting the railroads and electric railroad into town. He left quite a legacy to his three sons who took over his businesses following his untimely death in 1896.