In the early to mid-1800s, immigrants from Alsace — a region located on the French/German border — settled in the Waterloo County region. They made many of their own furnishings, such as this daybed, which incorporated features popular in Europe. Curved or flared ends were commonly used on similar furnishings in England, France and Germany from the 1780s to the mid-1800s. This daybed was made by and passed down in the Riehl family, who emigrated from Alsace to their new home in Erbsville, Waterloo County.