In the late 1800s, the growth of the railroad system led Midwestern cities such as Minneapolis and Cleveland to become industrial centers.
That would be the bubonic plague or the black plague for a more common name.
Women would expect to make less money than men. This is because men were considered to be the "better" gender as they did "harder" jobs than women. Men were often found carrying heavy items, doing farm work and fixing things. Women would sow and if ever fallen pregnant, take care of the baby while the men earned money. Women would also expect to stay home and look after the house (clean) depending on their circumstances.