Here you can find everything you may need to live or visit Palmer, IA, located in Pocahontas County. Palmer was originally named “Hanson” in honor of Neil Hanson who owned the 25 acres used as a town site. Due to the confusion with the similar sounding town of Manson, the post office recommend a change. Neil Hanson and William Bell, the first settlers, homesteaded Section 10 of Bellville Township in March 1869. The township was named in honor of William Bell.