Start your family tree. We'll start searching. It's FREE. - Enter a few simple facts about recent generations of your family. We'll use what you enter to try and find more about your family in the world's largest online collection of historical records and family trees.

Johnson County History and Information

VEIW FULL SIZED D.O.T. COUNTY MAP

Johnson was created on December 21, 1837 (Organized in 1838) from Cook, Dubuque & Muscatine Counties. The County was named for Richard Mentor Johnson, the ninth vice president of the United States. The County Seat is Iowa City.

Counties adjacent to Johnson County are Linn County (north), Cedar County (northeast), Muscatine County (southeast), Louisa County (southeast), Washington County (southwest), Iowa County (west), Benton County (northwest). Cities and Towns Include Coralville, Hills, Iowa City, Lone Tree, North Liberty, Oxford, Shueyville, Solon, Swisher, Tiffin, University Heights. Unincorporated communities Include Elmira, Williamstown (Frytown), Amish (Joetown), Morse, Oasis, River Junction, Sharon Center, Sutliff, Windham.

Until the late 1830s the area known today as Johnson County was nothing more than wilderness and a hunting ground for the Fox and Sac Indians. Between 1832 and 1837 the Indians were stripped of their lands by treaty. Soon settlers began to move into the county. The county was established in 1837. By 1838 there were two towns competing for the county seat--Osceola and Napoleon. An Act of the Wisconsin Assembly selected Napoleon as the county seat on June 22, 1838. A two-story log cabin courthouse was then constructed at Napoleon.

When the First Legislative Assembly of the Territory of Iowa met at Burlington a bill was approved to locate the seat of government for the Territory of Iowa. The site was to be within the boundaries of Johnson County, and it was to be named Iowa City. Three commissioners met and selected a site two miles north of Napoleon on May 1, 1839.

On December 31, 1839, an Act was passed to relocate the county seat of Johnson County with orders to keep present and future populations in mind. The site of the new county seat was easily chosen as Iowa City, the "capital" of the Iowa Territory. In January 1855, the Fifth General Assembly voted to move the state capital to Des Moines.

The first courthouse built in Iowa City was a temporary two-story structure constructed of bricks. This courthouse burned to the ground in 1856. In 1857 this building was replaced by another courthouse, which was insured for $30,000. This brick building was used until 1899, when it was condemned.

The cornerstone of the present courthouse was laid on December 2, 1899. It was constructed by James Rowson and Son at a cost of $135,000. Bands, balloons and a parade were part of the dedication ceremonies held on June 8, 1901. See also County History for more details.

The Johnson County Official Government Website
Search for Local Iowa Researchers or Earn Money by becoming a Local Iowa Researcher!
Search the Iowa USGenWeb Archives
Johnson County, Iowa History Books at Amazon.com
Family History Library - The largest collection of free family history, family tree and genealogy records in the world.
Search Historical Newspapers from Iowa (1814 - 1900) - Quickly find names and keywords in over 125 million articles, obituaries, marriage notices, birth announcements and other items published in more than 500,000 issues of over 2,500 historical U.S. newspapers. New content added monthly!
Stories, Memories & Histories - Stories and histories compiled by others researching a person or area can be an amazing source of information about your ancestors. Not only do they generally contain dates and places of vital events like birth, marriage, and death, but they often relate stories and memories that help you really get to know the character of your ancestors.

Records at the Johnson County Courthouse

Johnson County Vital Records

Johnson County Census Records

Johnson County Maps & Atlases

Johnson County Military Records

Johnson County Tax Records

Johnson County Genealogical Addresses

Johnson County Church & Cemeteries

Family Trees & Genealogy Tidbits

The use of published genealogies, electronic files containing genealogical lineage, and other compiled sources can be of tremendous value to a researcher.

When view family trees online or not, be sure to only take the info at face value and always follow up with your own sources or verify the ones they provide. Below is a list of online resources for Johnson County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information. Email us with websites containing Johnson County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information by clicking the link below:

Search 60 Years Of Everton Data: For the first time ever you can get access to more than 150,000 pedigree files and family group sheets from Evertons. Learn More
Search the Family Tree DNA Project- Use DNA testing to break through your genealogical barriers!
Sites on USGenweb: [ Johnson County ] [ Iowa ] [ Main Page ]
[GenForum Message Boards] [Rootsweb Message Boards]
Genealogy Encyclopedia: General Abbreviations, Early Illnesses, Nickname Meanings, Worldwide Epidemics, Early Occupations, Common Terms, Censuses Explained, Free Genealogical Forms
Iowa Family Group Sheets
Family Trees - Ancestry has thousands of family trees shared by other members. They can help you identify how ancestors are related and give you clues about birth, marriage, and death information. Family trees are an excellent resource for filling in gaps in your research or even to simply know where to begin.
Pictures - One of the more exciting discoveries in doing family history research is finding a photograph of your ancestors or their residence. Finding historic postcard photos and drawings of towns and important events throughout history can also give you a visual look into your ancestors lives.
Reference Materials & Finding Aids - Reference materials, including dictionaries, encyclopedias, and other how-to books, can be tremendously helpful in finding and interpreting historical documents. Many of these books can help you learn where to look for more information and how to use what you've already found to uncover more clues.
Johnson County USGenweb Archives
Johnson County, Iowa Family Books at Amazon.com

County History

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

In 1836 an Indian trader by the name of John Gilbert had a rude hut or trading house in what is now Pleasant Valley Township. Although the honor of keeping the first store in Johnson County is claimed by others, it undoubtedly belongs to Gilbert, as his stock in trade was certainly as much entitled to that name as the basket of groceries usually designated as the pioneer store. In the Fall of that year Gilbert met at Rock Island Philip Clarke and John Myers, from Northern Indiana, traveling westward on horse-back in search of a location, and obligingly offered to show them one having all the advantages they could desire. They accepted his invitation, and proceeding to his trading house, elected claims in the vicinity, built the body of a cabin on each, then leaving them in Gilbert's care returned home. They arrived again in May, 1837, accompanied by several others, bringing teams and a few indispensable tools, and commenced improvements. The season of 1837 brought considerable many accessions to the settlement, among whom were Samuel and Joseph Walker, William Wilson, S.C. Trowbridge, Henry Felkner, Pleasant Harris, William Sturgis, George W. Hawkins, John Henry, Jacob Earhart, John Cane, S. B. Mulholland, A. D. Stephens, Samuel Bumgardner, Jonathan Harris, and S. H. McCrory. In 1838 immigration increased; it could scarcely be called a tide, however. The pioneers came solitary and alone, or by twos and threes, and each located as it suited his fancy, without regard to the proximity of others. It so happened that settlements were made in different parts of the county, often distant from each other, almost simultaneously. Convenience to timber was of first importance, as the only means of supplying those prime necessities, shelter and fuel. Convenience to water was of next importance. Less attention was given to the nature of the soil and beauty of the surroundings, for the soil was every where fertile and nature lavish of her attractions. Markets and ways of communication were things of the future altogether, and were scarcely considered at all; that they must follow his steps was enough for the pioneer to know concerning them. A location chosen, a rude habitation was next provided by "raising" a few logs and filling the crevices with mud. A few rude plank or "puncheons," fashioned with an ax, served for floor, benches, and door, and if a roof was provided of "shakes" split with a "fro," it was considered an excellent dwelling. The household furniture usually consisted of a cast iron bake oven, a water bucket, coffee pot, frying pan, two or three tin cups, and as many plates, knives, and forks. A sack of meal, a side or shoulder of bacon, and a little salt, were the principal contents of the larder. The proprietor of this scanty store was usually generous and free hearted, and on leaving his cabin in the morning would generally leave a baked "pone" and other provisions cooked for the refreshment of any hungry wayfarer who might chance to call during the day. He was a law unto himself, and without any of the restrains and conventionalities of more advanced society. When any considerable number had settled in a locality, their first effort toward the organization of civil society was the formation of a "claim association," for mutual protection in possession of their homes from the "land sharks" who immediately followed them, until they had an opportunity of purchasing from the government. For this purpose they drew up a constitution and by-laws, elected a president, secretary, and treasurer, and woe to the luckless adventurer who had the temerity to trespass on their sacred rights. Disputes between themselves in relation to claims were also settled by the association.

The typical pioneer was a hardy, frank, honest, and generous person, by no means unsociable or indifferent to civilization. On the contrary he was generally as intelligent as his tastes and habits were simple, and actuated by a desire of laying the foundation for the enjoyment of better advantages for himself and his children, in the higher walks of life, than his humble circumstances permitted in the thickly settled districts where the way upward was slow and painful to his enterprising spirit. How well he has accomplished his desire let the picture of to-day answer. As a class he is now no more, but his blood, his spirit, and his enterprise animate the scene now so strikingly in contrast with its humble beginning.

In the Annals of Iowa, Captain F. M. Irish, of Iowa City, gives the following record of the first settlements of the county; In Pleasant Valley and Tremont Townships, William Kelso, Mr. Sweet, Robert, Samuel, and Joseph Walker; in Scott Township, John Parrott, Mr. Teneick, Charles Jones, John Mathews, Isaac Bowen, Dr. Jesse Bowen, and Green Hill; in Graham Township, Nathaniel and E. K. Morse, and James Nolan; in Cedar, James Buchanan, Allen Sutliff, and James Cavanaugh, in Big Grove Township, Mr. Pratt, Mrs. Lyon, W. Stiles, W. Spurrier, and Mr. Lingle; in Monroe, Martin Harless, George Wein, E. Dollarhide, John Azlein, and David Crozier; in Clear Creek Township, N. Fellows, John Hawkins, B. and I. Dennis, J. and R. Douglass; in Union and Washington, James Seahorn, A. Davis, Mr. Fry and his family of sons, William Ford, and S. H. Bonham; in Liberty, P. Harris, Jacob, Henry, and John Earhart, Jacob and Joel Overholtzer, J. and C. Hartman. By the close of the year 1840, the county numbered 1,504 inhabitants, and the wide spaces between settlements were rapidly receiving immigrants.

The first settler of Johnson County, was a somewhat remarkable character, of whom a short sketch may not be amiss. The facts are drawn mostly from the Annals of Iowa, of 1868. His real name was John W. Prentice, and he was a cousin of the celebrated George D. Prentice, of Louisville, Ky. He was originally from the State of New York, where a train of serious troubles, among them heavy losses in canal contracts, induced him to abandon his home at Lockport and change his name and business. He entered the service of the Green Bay Trading Company in Michigan, learned the Indian language, secured their confidence by his faithfulness and capacity, and was sent to various points among the Indians to establish trading posts. In this capacity he came among the Foxes on the Iowa. Here he died in March, 1839, and was buried near his old trading house. His remains were afterward removed to the Iowa City Cemetery by the old settlers, who cherished a grateful remembrance of many valuable services he rendered them during their first years in the county.

As the white settlements increased the Indians south of Iowa City removed some sixteen miles north, and were soon afterward removed to a reservation further west by the general government.

During the Autumn of 1838 Samuel C. Trowbridge received a sheriff's commission, from Governor Lucas, of the newly organized Territory of Iowa, authorizing him to organize Johnson County. He thereupon called an election at Gilbert's trading house on the 10th day of September, at which Henry Felkner, Abner Wolcott and Samuel Sturgis were elected commissioners. The names of the other officers have not been handed down to us. Robert Walker held also a commission from the Governor as first justice of the peace for the county. The commissioners held their first meeting at Phelps' trading house. Soon afterward Gilbert and Clarke laid off a town called Napoleon, which became the county seat, remaining such until after the location of the Territorial Capital at Iowa City, whereupon it was removed to Iowa City, and Napoleon became a farm. The first court was held at Gilbert's trading house by Judge Williams, and the grand jury in attendance had the broad prairie for a jury room. The second election for county officers took place at Napoleon in 1839.

IOWA CITY.

The first session of the Territorial Legislature of Iowa, which convened at Burlington November 1, 1838, appointed Robert Ralston, of Des Moines County, John Ronalds, of Louisa, and C. Swan, of Dubuque, commissioners, with instructions to locate the Territorial Capital in Johnson County, and in May, 1839, they selected the present site of Iowa City. Mr. Swan was then chosen by his colleagues as Acting Commissioner to proceed with work on the grounds and Capitol. A section of land was donated for a site and $20,000 in money appropriated for building purposes by act of Congress. Mr. Swan came on the ground in June, with Thomas Cox and John Frierson, surveyors, and a corps of workmen. Between the heavy timber northward and southward was a dense growth of hazel brush and scrub oaks. The work of clearing this away was begun and prosecuted as far as the Capitol site by the Fourth of July, and then the place of Jonathan Harris, four miles below, and brought to the ground on wagons. The location of the capital and the commencement of work at once made Iowa City a center of attraction, and inhabitants flocked rapidly. Now, indeed, immigration became a "tidal wave." Being intent on other things, they neglected to register the date of their arrival, which became the occasion of much dispute in after times when it became a point of distinction. Samuel B. Mulholland, Mathew Teneick, Andrew Stein, George T. Andres, Walter Butler, and Charles Pinney were some of the first permanent settlers. It is stated that Mathew Teneick's was the first family that located here, Doctor Henry Murray the first physician, William L. Gilbert the first attorney, and Mr. Fenn the first preacher of the gospel. Mr. Teneick brought a herd of cattle and a supply of provisions, and boarded the commissioners and surveyors. He built a block house on the corner of Iowa Avenue and Dubuque Street. The first frame building was a store erected by Wesley Jones, south of University Square. The first hotel was erected in the Fall of 1839, by Walter Butler. Previous to this there was a boarding house known as "Leanback Hall," built for a sudden emergency, and containing one bed said to accommodate thirty-six men. Lumber was scarce, and several of the first houses were sided with boards split from oak trees and afterwards shaved. Pine lumber could be obtained at Muscatine, but as it came down the Ohio River and up the Mississippi, it was expensive. Henry Felkner erected a saw mill upon Rapid Creek, but could not supply the demand. In the Spring of 1840 Mr. Sylvanus Johnson opened a brick yard, which furnished an important supply of building material, of which the first brick building was erected for William Bostwick, by George T. Andrews. About this time Edward Foster and son, who, the year previous, had opened a small stock of goods at Napoleon, removed hither and opened store on Capitol Street. Up to this time the hats of persons going to and fro between this point and Muscatine, were the principal postal facilities, but now a weekly mail route from that town, and a post office were secured, with Samuel H. McCrory for post master.

The present city government of Iowa City was established by act of the General Assembly, approved January 25, 1853, and went into operation on the 6th day of April following with Jacob P. DeForrest, Mayor; Anson Hart, Recorder; C. H. Buck, Treasurer; R. Hutchinson, Marshal; and nine aldermen, three from each ward. A fourth ward was created in 1857, and since 1863 the title of trustees has superseded that of aldermen.

THE CAPITOL

Returning now to the work of Commissioner Swan, we find that the surveys were so far advanced that the first sale of lots came off on the 18th of August, 1839, and among the bidders were many eastern capitalists. The proceeds amounted to about $75,000. A second sale took place in October, amounting to $30,000. These sums, the Congressional appropriation of $20,000, and one of $40,000 by the Territorial Legislature, comprised the building fund. Skean and McDonald, of the firm of Rague & Co., the contractors, came on and broke ground for the building in April, 1840, and in June the foundation was ready to receive the water-table. Here the contractors abandoned the work in consequence of the poor quality of stone furnished. It was continued, however, under charge of Mr. Swan, but made slow progress. Excepting the water-table, which was brought from Cedar County, twenty miles away, the stone for the first story was obtained within the city limits, and the Fall of 1841 found the walls only to the second floor. Meanwhile Mr. Butler and others of Iowa City tendered the Legislature the use of a temporary building, in which that body convened December 6, 1841. During the ensuing session Mr. Swan's office was abolished, and honorable John M. Coleman appointed Superintendent of Public Buildings. Under his able supervision the work was begun with energy early in 1842. Excellent stone was found on the bank of the Iowa, several miles above the city, and brought down on flat-boats, and the work proceeded rapidly to its completion. In this building the furniture and effects of the capitol were kept until 1857, when they were removed to Des Moines. In the Autumn of 1839 two incidents occurred which curiously illustrated the state of the country at that time. Robert Lucas, Governor of the Territory, accompanied by his two daughters, visited Iowa City, traveling on horseback, and accompanied by a guide from Muscatine. There was only one cabin in the place which could boast of an attic where the ladies could find lodgings, and this was reached by means of a ladder. Travelers often lost their way on the prairies, especially between here and Dubuque, and to remedy this a furrow was plowed on the nearest practicable route to Dubuque to mark the way.

Johnson County Courthouse

The first courthouse of Johnson County was erected in Napoleon, Iowa in the year 1838. A short time later the county seat moved to Iowa City. A jail and temporary courthouse were completed there in 1842. The courthouse was 56 by 28 feet, two stories high, and made of brick.

A second courthouse was built, but the records are unclear as to specifications. By 1897 cracks in the walls of this courthouse were endangering valuable records.

In 1899, construction began on the present courthouse. The cathedral-like building is an example of Romanesque Revival architecture. There are impressive stone carvings above the entrance. It cost approximately $111,000 to build.

Johnson County History and Information

Records at the Johnson County Courthouse

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

Johnson County Vital Records

See Also Vital Records in Iowa

Johnson County Census Records

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

Johnson County Maps & Atlases

See Also Research In State Map Collections

Johnson County Military Records

See Also Military Records in Iowa

Johnson County Tax Records

See Also Research In Tax Records

Johnson County Genealogical Addresses

See Also Other Iowa Genealogical Addresses

Johnson County Church & Cemeteries

See Also Church & Cemetery Records in Iowa

Family Trees & Genealogy Tidbits