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Greene County History and Information

VEIW FULL SIZED D.O.T. COUNTY MAP

Greene was created on January 15, 1851 (Organized in 1854) from Unorganized Territory. The County was named for Nathaniel Greene, a general in the American Revolutionary War. The County Seat is Jefferson.

Counties adjacent to Greene County are Calhoun County (northwest), Webster County (northeast), Boone County (east), Dallas County (southeast), Guthrie County (south), Carroll County (west). Cities and Towns Include Churdan, Dana, Grand Junction, Jefferson, Paton, Ralston, Rippey, Scranton.

Greene County was established in 1851 with a population of 150 and Jefferson (for Thomas Jefferson) as the county seat. The county was named after General Nathanial Greene, a hero of the Revolutionary War.

The first courthouse was the log cabin of Judge William Phillips about four miles southeast of Jefferson. Jefferson was chosen as the county seat in 1854. A true courthouse was built in 1856. A new one was erected in 1870. The courthouse bell was used for calling court, curfew, and as a fire alarm. The present courthouse was built in 1917 for $179,752.66.

In the spring of 1857, rumors of a gold strike on a small stream west of Jefferson caused great excitement without much result.

Roads played an important part in Greene County history. In 1904, the first concrete span bridge in Greene County was built over Hardin Creek east of Jefferson on the old Lincoln Highway. In 1909, led by a Jefferson banker and good roads advocate, a small group of men spent several days filling holes on 35 miles of county road. This work was done to prepare for an auto touring caravan. The tourists stopped for 10 minutes or so and “sang the praises of our Greene County roads which they pronounced the best-kept country roads they had struck in their journey!”

For a few weeks early in 1926, all Jefferson banks had failed and were closed, making Jefferson the largest city in the U. S. without a bank.

Greene County was apparently a popular stop for presidential candidates. Governor Harold Stassen of Minnesota launched his 1948 presidential campaign by making an address from the south balcony of the Greene County Courthouse. In 1952, Dwight and Mamie Eisenhower made a whistle stop an Jefferson depot on a presidential campaign train tour. See also County History for more details.

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Records at the Greene County Courthouse

Greene County Vital Records

Greene County Census Records

Greene County Maps & Atlases

Greene County Military Records

Greene County Tax Records

Greene County Genealogical Addresses

Greene County Church & Cemeteries

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Greene County USGenweb Archives
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County History

From the A.T. Andreas Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Iowa, 1875

This county, which is in the middle tier, and the fourth east from the Missouri River, is on the forty-second parallel of north latitude, the same as ancient Rome, is twenty-four miles square, and contains five hundred and seventy-six square miles.

The first white settler in Greene County was Truman Davis, who in 1849 located near where the village of Rippey now stands. Enos Butrick settled at the mouth of what is now known as Butrick's Creek, while Richard Hardin located near the mouth of the stream which has since borne his name. Messrs. Wood, Valentine, Wm. R. Babb and William Crumley came in 1850 and located along the Raccoon River, while Josiah Bluncett, Thomas Greenup, and John Barr settled further up the river in 1850-1. These hardy pioneers were subject to many inconveniences, their nearest post office being at Ft. Des Moines, fifty miles distant, their mills being from fifty to one hundred miles away, and they were compelled to go to Warren, Marion and Mahaska Counties to obtain their supply of provisions and other necessities, with no roads to mark their course or bridges to cross the streams. Many are the hardships related of the early settlers. It is stated that one of the settlers left his family with a scanty supply of good, and went down, in the spring of the year, below Des Moines for a fresh supply of provisions. While he was gone the streams all raised so it was impossible for him to return for several days. The scanty provisions of the family gave out, and they were reduced to the extreme necessity of living on soap grease for a number of days. Another instance is related, by one of the citizens of the county, of a settler who left his family to go in quest of provisions. The high waters detained him, the provisions of his family gave out and they were on the verge of starvation. An Indian came to the house one day and asked for food. The lady of the house took him to the cupboard and the meal chest, and showed him that they were without a morsel of food. The Indian asked for the gun – it was given him – he left with it, and in a few hours returned with a couple of deer and gave them to the starving family. In a few days he returned again, and found to the joy of the family that the settler had returned with a bountiful supply of provisions, over which he seemed to rejoice greatly.

Game, such as deer and elk, was in great abundance until the winter of 1855-6. The snows of that Winter were so deep that it was impossible for them to escape the pursuit of men and dogs, and the number destroyed seems almost incredible. It is said that they were overtaken by men, boys, and even women, in the deep snows, and beat to death with clubs. Since then there has scarcely been an elk or deer seen within the county. Their rapid and sudden disappearance astonished every one.

The county was organized in 1854, having previously been attached to Dallas for judicial, revenue and election purposes. The first election held in the county after its organization was on September 14, 1854, for township officers. G. S. Walton and Elijah Norman were the first justices of the peace elected in the county, and S. G. Crumley and Leonard Chance first constables. The first democratic convention was held on the banks of Hardin's Creek, in the woods back of Phillip's house, three miles below New Jefferson, to nominate candidates for county offices, to be filled at the August election in 1855. Every person present was nominated for some one of the county offices. The following is the ticket put in nomination: For County Judge, William Phillips; Clerk, S. G. Crumley; Treasurer and Recorder, James H. Phillips; Sheriff, Isaac D. Crumley; Prosecuting Attorney, Norman S. Daniels; County Surveyor, Allen J. Currence; Coroner, John Barr. The ticket was successful, and the above named gentlemen had the honor of being the first county officers elected after the organization of the county. Politicians appear to have been as eager for the county offices when the salary was only $50 a year, as they are now.

The first county court was held August 25, 1854, and an order made for an election to be held the 12th day of September, 1854, for township officers. The following is a copy of the record of the first marriage license granted by William Phillips, County Judge:

"This court has this 4th day of September, A. D. 1854, granted license for the marriage of Moses Bowers and Mahala Young, and not being acquainted with the parties, Charles Hathway was sworn, who declared them both of age and of sound mind; whereupon this court issued license for the marriage of the above parties."

The second license was to David Rodgers and Margaret Young, October 19th, 1854. Judge Phillips solemnized the marriage.

The first tax levied was as follows; For state purposes, three mills on the dollar, for county purposes, six mills on the dollar; school purposes, one and a half mills on the dollar; road tax, three mills on the dollar; poll tax, 50 cents.

Moses Bates appears to have been the first person that died in the county, whose estate was administered upon. Charlie W. Johnson and B. F. Robinson were the first administrators appointed. Jacob Young made the first will, and Rezin McDaniels the second. The first money paid out on order from the county treasury was September 27th, 1854, to C. J. Niles, $20; Henry Owen, $15; Cornelius Beal, $36, for services in locating the county seat.

The first district court held in Greene County was by Hon. C. J. McFarland, Monday, May 19, 1856. There were three state cases and eight civil cases on docket. The court was held in a new building that had neither doors or windows. The grand jury held their session out on the prairie. The state cases were against three young women for assault and battery. It seems that the girls got to disputing about something, perhaps, some nice young man. At last one gave the other a saucy word or two, and she returned the insult by throwing an egg. The affair then commenced in earnest; a basket of eggs was soon used up, when they went at each other with fist and muscle, The combatants were parted, and it is agreed on all sides that it was one of the most fierce and terrible battles that has ever been fought on the North Raccoon River in the shape of a fist fight.

In 1858 a report came to New Jefferson that gold had been discovered in a run on Uncle Johnny Barr's farm, twelve miles west of town. The merchant threw down his yard stick, and locked his store, the physician his pill bags, the lawyer his Blackstone, the farmer left his plow, and all seized picks, shovels and tin pans, rushed to the new Eldorado, expecting soon to dig out fortunes, and return millionaires. After digging and washing a few days – some say they got the color, others say they found small particles of gold – they all concluded to return to their former occupations, thinking that they were more profitable than digging for nuggets in Greene County.

JEFFERSON - This town, the county seat of Jefferson County, is beautifully located on high table land between the North Raccoon River and Hardin Creek, being about half a mile east of the former and two miles west of the latter, and near the geographical center of the county. The town site has an elevation of some seventy-five feet above the level of the river. It was laid out in 1854, at a time when the financial condition of the county was such that it was necessary to effect a loan of two hundred dollars for the purpose of purchasing the site. That amount was borrowed of Hoyt Sherman, of Des Moines. At the first sale of lots those around the square brought $10 apiece, while those not so advantageously located were sold from $3 to $5 a lot. The first building erected on the town plot was by G. S. Walton, the second by Captain R. M. Rippey in 1855. It is said who should have the first choice, and that Phillips throwed Robinson, and had the honor of purchasing the first lot in Jefferson. Building commenced in June, 1855, but in consequence of there being no improved road, and the travel all going south through Adel to Council Bluffs, Sioux City, etc., it improved but very little for several years. The first mail route through the county was established in 1857, from Adel to New Jefferson, once a week. The town was named in honor of Thomas Jefferson; but in consequence of there being an old town of that name in Dubuque County, Iowa, the department refused to grant another office of the same name in the state, and suggested Jefferson, and the Post Office Department granted the office. The prefix "New" has since been dropped, and it is now known as Jefferson, as was at first intended.

It is a place of considerable importance, having one of the largest and best court houses in Western Iowa, an elegant public school building, and numerous substantial and commodious business houses and residences. Being the center of a fine and valuable farming country, having good railroad facilities, and a class of honorable, energetic business men, Jefferson is certain to become at no distant day one of the most important towns in the western part of the state.

GRAND JUNCTION. – This place is located at the crossing of the Chicago & Northwestern and the Des Moines & Fort Dodge Railroads, about seven miles from Jefferson, in the eastern part of the county. The place has grown up since the completion of the last named road, and has a considerable business.

SCRANTON. – This is a station on the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, in the western part of the county, and is a shipping point for stock and produce. It is about nine miles from Jefferson, in the middle of a well settled portion of the county.

RIPPEY. – This is a station on the Des Moines and Fort Dodge Railroad, in the southeastern portion of the county. The original town of Rippey was laid out in 1855, by Judge Daniels and Mr. Crumley, and named in honor of Captain R. M. Rippey, of the 39th Iowa Infantry. The present station of this name on the railroad is some distance from the site of the original town.

PATON. – This is a station on the Des Moines & Fort Dodge Railroad, in the northeast part of the county.

Greene County Courthouse

Jefferson was chosen as the first county seat in Greene County. The Thomas Phillips Building served as the first home for county officers. In 1856, a primitive frame courthouse was built for $1,825.

In 1870, a second courthouse was completed for a cost of $37,000. This brick building had an elegant courtroom and a bell in the cupola that called court, curfew, and served as a fire alarm. The courthouse was renovated and updated with electric lights, water and telephones in the early 1890's.

The third and present courthouse is a three-story Bedford stone building that is located in the center of the business district of Jefferson. The impressive building has a central rotunda that allows light to shine on the 14 foot mosaic tile reproduction of the official seal of Greene County. Four murals, painted by William Peaco, adorn the ceiling of the dome. They are titled "The Buffalo Hunt", "The Emigrants", "The Pioneer", and "The Modern Farm". The courthouse was dedicated in 1917 and cost $200,000 to build.

In 1918, the Abe Lincoln Monument was dedicated on the courthouse grounds. Another addition to the grounds came in 1966 when the Mahanay Memorial Tower was dedicated. This 165 foot tower with a reflecting pool contains four bells. The bells were specially made in the Netherlands for the $350,000 tower.

Greene County History and Information

Records at the Greene County Courthouse

See Also Iowa Land Records, Marriage Records, Court & Probate Records

Greene County Vital Records

See Also Vital Records in Iowa

Greene County Census Records

See Also Research In Census Records & Statewide Records that exist for Iowa

Greene County Maps & Atlases

See Also Research In State Map Collections

Greene County Military Records

See Also Military Records in Iowa

Greene County Tax Records

See Also Research In Tax Records

Greene County Genealogical Addresses

See Also Other Iowa Genealogical Addresses

Greene County Church & Cemeteries

See Also Church & Cemetery Records in Iowa

Family Trees & Genealogy Tidbits