Jones County, Iowa
History, Records, Facts and Genealogy

Jones was created on December 21, 1837 (Organized in 1839) from Dubuque County. The County was named for George Wallace Jones, , U. S. surveyor, 1st delegate to Congress from Wisconsin Territory, and U. S. senator from Iowa. The County Seat is Anamosa.

Counties adjacent to Jones County are Delaware County (northwest), Dubuque County (northeast), Jackson County (east), Clinton County (southeast), Cedar County (south), Linn County (west). Cities and Towns Include Anamosa, Cascade, Center Junction, Martelle, Monticello, Morley, Olin, Onslow, Oxford Junction, Wyoming.

Jones County was established in 1837 and originated from 1838-1847. The county has had three county seats, the first of these being Edinburgh. A small log cabin was built and used as a courthouse. Although it was the county seat, the town showed no signs of growth. Angered at having a "city of grass" as a county seat, the citizens voted to remove the county seat to one of two places—Newport or Dale’s Ford. Newport was selected as either a joke or due to political maneuvering, because no courthouse was ever built there nor was any court ever held there.

The town of Lexington was selected as the third county seat in a spring 1847 election. Lexington was later renamed Anamosa, after the daughter of Winnebago Chief Nas-i-nus.

County business was conducted in private homes until a courthouse was constructed in 1848. It was a simple two-story frame structure costing $800 to complete. This building was used until 1864, when all of the county records were moved uptown to a new brick building owned by H. C. Metcalf. Following this, the county conducted business in rent-free rooms. In 1935 the county finally approved the construction of a real courthouse. Total cost, some of which was paid via a federal grant, was $200,000. This building was dedicated on September 10, 1937, and 55 years later is still serving Jones County.

A memorial honoring Jones County residents who died while serving our country was installed on the east lawn of the court house and dedicated on Memorial Day, 2002. Engraved in the black granite memorial are the names of Jones County residents who died while serving in the armed forces, beginning with World War I. Flags from the five branches of the armed services surround the memorial. The project was designed and funded entirely by two local veteran’s groups. See also County History for more details.

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County History

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

The surface of the country in this county is rolling, not in waves, but thrown into heaps and low conical hills, the valleys winding in every direction, with considerable timber along the water courses, and here and there groves of oak, maple, walnut, ash, and cottonwood on the prairies. The soil is fertile and produces wheat, corn, oats and potatoes abundantly, the climate salubrious, and the whole county well watered by the Maquoketa and Wapsipinicon Rivers, which run in a southeasterly direction, and are fed by numerous tributaries. Flourishing orchards of apples, cherries, wild plums and small fruit are rapidly growing in all parts of the county. The chief employment is grain and cattle raising and the dairy business. There are several cheese factories in the northern part, and some fine horses and blooded stock are exported from this county.

The first settlers located at Bowen's Prairie and at Monticello, in 1836, in Fairview, Scotch Grove, Washington and Clay Townships in 1837, and at Anamosa in 1838. Wyoming, Rome, Jackson, Wayne, etc., were selected about this time, and some of them before 1838.

The facts herein recorded have been obtained from the old settlers themselves, from papers which have been published at old settlers' meetings, and from the records. The early records of this county, however, have been lost, and testimony depending upon the memory of county officials, etc., is the best that can now be obtained.

We state, in passing, that some claim to have settled in the county in 1835, but since they assert that they came a year after certain other parties who have left a written record that they came in 1837, there is evidently some mistake about it.

Jones County derived its name from George W. Jones, then United States Surveyor, who had an office at Dubuque. It was a part of a strip one hundred miles in width, including all the counties from Dubuque to the Missouri line, called the "Blackhawk Purchase."

The first general election for delegates to the Territorial Legislature, was held September 11, 1838, at the house of Barrett Whittemore, on Bowen's Prairie—eleven votes were cast. Later the same year Jones County was set off with its present boundaries by act of the Territorial Legislature; and January 24, 1838, the county was duly organized, the first preliminary meeting being held at the house of said Whittemore. Honorable Thomas S. Wilson, Judge; William Hutton, Clerk. The military road from Dubuque to Iowa City, laid out by the United States Government through Jones County, greatly increased the population, and the act of the Territorial Legislature establishing public schools, January 1, 1839, encouraged immigration from the Eastern States.

July 24, 1839, the first political caucus was held in Clement Russell's house for nominating county and territorial officers, and George H. Walworth was nominated for the Assembly. August 5, following, at the second general election, Bowen's Prairie precinct cast 42 votes. At this time there were three precincts in the county, viz; Bowen's Prairie, Fairview, and Rome. Walworth was elected.

January 24, 1839, the Legislature appointed Simeon Gardner, of Clinton County; Israel Mitchell, of Linn County; William H. Whiteside of Dubuque County, to locate the county seat. In the Spring of 1840, the commissioners came to Jones County and with George H. Walworth, examined different locations, and finally going to Scotch Grove, fixed on a central point and laid out a town, and named it Edinburgh, which they intended for the county seat. A few years afterwards it was moved to Newport, and in 1847, to Lexington. Edmund Booth, the deaf and dumb editor of the Eureka, gives the following amusing account of these early capital removals, and the state of the county at that time;

"In 1847, by vote of the people, the county seat was removed from Newport—three miles from what was then called Rome—to Lexington. Newport had but a single building made of logs; the dwelling of Adam Overacker, now in California. The county seat had been removed by a similar vote from Edinburgh to Newport two years previously, and the district court had been convened to meet there. Judge Thomas S. Wilson of Dubuque, one of the territorial judges, the lawyers, jury, witnesses, and the usual throng came in, and there was no court house, and only the small log building of Adam Overacker. Judge Wilson, naturally enough, was disgusted, and rather than hold court in the bushes and the tall wild grass that grew luxuriantly everywhere, he adjourned the court and went home. Of course the crowd followed his example, and there was no court.

"At the next session of the Territorial Legislature, a law was passed authorizing a free choice by popular vote. The law of two years previous had authorized the County Commissioners to name two places, and the people to select one or the other, and thus the choice was between Cascade and Newport, in opposite parts of the county. On the first vote—the point to be selected optional to all voters—no one place had a majority over all the votes cast, and, as provided by the new law, the two highest only were then voted on. This brought the county seat to Lexington."

At Lexington (now Anamosa) was held the next meeting of the Board of County Commissioners, consisting of Charles P. Hutton, Ambrose Parsons, and Matthew Simpson. William Hutton was county clerk then, and had been for several years previous. The first lawyer who established himself in the county was C. C. Rockwell, who subsequently became clerk of the Senate.

June 15, 1840, the first census of Jones County was taken by Hugh Bowen, and footed up as follows; Males, 290; females, 185; total, 475, --so rapidly did the settlers come in during the first three or four years.It is proper to state here that the first public land sales for Jones County, took place at Dubuque, and Barrett Whittemore was selected to bid off the old settlers' claims.

March 22, 1841, the district court was held in Edinburgh, probably the first in the county. Judge Wilson, presiding; Hugh Bowen, Sheriff.

The old records having been lost, renders it difficult to state with accuracy the early proceedings.

The following is a detailed account of a few of the first settled towns;

MONTICELLO - Was first settled by Daniel Varvel, who erected his cabin in the Fall of 1836, and a few weeks afterwards was joined by William Clark. During the latter part of the Winter of 1836-'7, Richard South and wife settled in the vicinity. From this period up to 1840, T. J. Peak, B. Beardsley, J. McLaughlin, T. Galligen, John Stephenson and others arrived. Honorable Ansel Briggs, first Governor of Iowa, secured a mail contract from Dubuque to Iowa City via Monticello, and a two-horse coach was put on the route in 1839. The first couple married was T. J. Peak and Rebecca M. Beardsley, in 1840-a journey of sixty miles being necessary to secure the license. Mr. Varvel married Margaret E. Beardsley the same year.

In 1841 a post office was established, William Clark post master. The same year James Skelly came. The military road was laid out in 1842, through Monticello. Doctor W.B. Selders opened the first office in 1849, and was the first resident physician. In 1850 the Township of Monticello, including Richland and Castle Grove, was laid out, and the following year it was reduced to its present limits. In 1852 the first blacksmith shop by Dunlap, and the first hotel by Holstein were opened, and the first sawmill and store the following year. September 29, 1853, D. Varvel and G. H. Walworth platted the town, and James Finton purchased the first lot. John Tabor was appointed the first justice of the peace in 1855, and Mr. West erected a dry goods and grocery store. The first notary was D. C. Quimby. M. M. Moulton was the first coroner in 1856, and F. Reiger built the first wagon shop in 1857.

In 1858 the railroad question was agitated; the school district established; Lodge No. 117, I.O.O.F., instituted; the first lumber yard, by J. L. Davenport; and the first flour made in the E. M. mills. In 1859 the first locomotive on the Dubuque & Southwestern Railroad went through Monticello; the graded school building erected; a tin shop on Main Street; a dry goods store west of the railroad; the first grain warehouse built; and the first law office opened, by A. J. Munroe.

In 1860 the Congregational Church and Sunday School were organized; a stone and brick store, by E. C. Wales, a photograph gallery, by D. B. McDonald, were erected; the following year the Methodist Episcopal church, lodge of Good Templars, and the first cooper shop, by Hoyt & Stowell, were commenced.

In 1862 H. H. Fuller opened a drug store; Company H, 31st Iowa Infantry, S. S. Farwell, Captain, was organized; and the year following C. C. Gilman built the first elevator, Houser & Gurney opened the first furniture manufactory.

In 1864 "Bradstreet's addition," of fifty-nine lots, and "Turk's addition, of forty-six lots, were made, and the first exclusively brick building built. The following year M. M. Moulton and O. D. Crane established the Monticello Express-first issue July 10, 1865; the first telegraph office, bakery, horse fair, horse protection society, Burn's Lodge, No. 173, were also established.In 1866 Varvel's addition, of twenty-eight lots, the Disciples' church, Academy, were opened.

In 1867 Monticello was incorporated as a city; S. Y. Bradstreet elected the first mayor; the Episcopal Church, Library Association, Young Men's Christian Association, were organized, and the corner-stone of the Congregational Church laid.

In 1868 a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons was convoked; a foundry and machine shop started; Catholic Church, Baptist Church, Presbyterian Church and fire company were organized.

At this date (1875) Monticello contains six dry goods stores, eight groceries, four drug stores, four boot and shoe stores, two clothing stores, two book stores, two butter, egg and poultry stores, three hardware stores, eight grain, cattle and produce dealers two toy and fancy stores, five millinery stores, three agricultural establishments, seven blacksmith shops, four wagon shops, two meat markets, two furniture stores, three jeweler shops, one foundry and machine shop, five shoe-makers' shops, two gun and pistol shops, two merchant tailors, four paint shops, two flouring mills, two lumber yards, one glove and mitten factory, one well auger factory, one wood-sawing machine factory, four sewing machine offices, three harness shops, one brick yard, six stone masons, two hotels, seven saloons, two livery stables, one trotting park and fair grounds, two elevators, three churches, four church organizations, one graded and high school, one Masonic lodge, two law offices, four notary publics, one internal revenue office, six physicians, one dentist, two express offices, one bank, two printing offices, two photograph galleries, two railroads, two ice houses, one laundry , two barber shops, two dairy milk factories, one library (of eight hundred volumes) and reading room, one literary club, and a fine unimproved water power on "Kitty Creek."

SCOTCH GROVE - Was first settled in 1837, by a colony from the Red River of the North-Lord Selkirk's country. They made a journey of a thousand miles with ox carts, drawn by a single ox, and not a particle of iron about the whole vehicle. The principle men were John and Alexander Sutherland, James Brimner, David McKoy, Alexander McLain, and their families—in all thirty persons.

In 1839 Donald Livingston, E. and D. Sutherland, Donald Sinclair, David Eason, with their families, numbering thirty-three, joined their friends at the Grove. They were an industrious and hardy people, and are now in prosperous circumstances.

October 31, 1872, the Applegates platted and recorded a town named Scotch Grove.

FARM CREEK, in Washington Township, was first settled in 1836 or 1837, by Abraham Hostetter, John Rafferty, M. Lupton and others, in all eleven persons. They built their cabins along the creek north of the Maquoketa River. In 1838 Charles P. and James Middleton and families—in all twenty persons—came into the same neighborhood.

CLAY TOWNSHIP. —Ben Collins, an old hunter, settled south of the river, on Clay Township, at an early day.

Among the old settlers were Cyrus Blancet, John French, Peter Smith and son, Mr. Hanna, James Hutton, D. K. and Daniel Barnhill, Chaucey C. Butler, widow Randall, J. Ingraham, Jesse Tomlinson, Chaucey Gowen, Jacob Bodenhoffer, Isaac and Peter Waters, M. C. Walters, James Hall, F. J. Tyrone, etc.

ROME. —Richard J. Cleveland, about 1837; Horace and N. B. Seeley, Isaac Simpson, Daniel and Solomon Garrison, Orville Conkright, Hiram Stewart, William Hamilton, John Merritt, and others came before 1840, erected their cabins, and commenced the work of civilization.

At WYOMING, Thomas Green, about 1839; William Knight, Taylor, Joseph and Richard Van Valkenberg, and their father were among the first.

LANGWORTHY was settled very soon after Anamosa, and some of the first pioneers are still living. The town was laid out January 2, 1858, by William T. Shaw. The Browns, Joslins, Peets, Crows, and Parsons were the first on the south side of the Wapsipinicon, and Clement Russell is said to be among the first, if not the first in Fairview.

CASTLE GROVE. —Among the first settlers in this township were, Simon Forman, Isaac R. Orcutt, Joshua R. and James Clark, Scott, Thomas S. Hubbard, Enoch, George and Albert Higby, P. Mitchell, George and Horace Gill, D. Bartholomew, D. M. Hogan, J. S. Lathrop, and others. The Indians occupied the country until 1847. The last elk was killed by Joseph Collyer, in 1842, and young buffalos were taken near Clear Lake as late as 1849. There is one cheese factory in this township, and the dairy business is rapidly increasing.

ANAMOSA. - The present county seat of Jones County, was named from an Indian girl, the daughter of Nasinus, a chief, and signifies White Fawn. The name was chosen by Gideon H. Ford and Edwin Booth, and was suggested by the following incident; About 1842, three Indians—a man, woman and daughter—came into the hotel in the town, which was then called Dartmouth. At a glance it was seen they were not the common skin-dressed, half-wild and dirty class. They wore the look of intelligence, quite different from the general dull aspect of their race. The man and woman were dressed mostly in the costume of white people, with some Indian mixed, but the girl, bright and pleasant-faced, apparently about 8 or 10 years of age, was wholly in Indian dress, as became the daughter of a chief. She was really a handsome girl, and wore ornamental leggings and moccassins, having the appearance of a well dressed Indian belle. They were free from that wary watchfulness of their race, and although somewhat reserved at first, were possessed of an easy dignity. They became cheerful and communicative, and, when the name of the girl was asked, the parents replied, An-a-mo-sah. The daughter laughed the pleasant, half-bashful laugh of a young girl, showing that she understood the question, but did not speak. From this moment these gentlemen determined that the town should be called Anamosa, and it was some years afterwards changed by order of the court, Judge Wilson, presiding. The city seal bears the White Fawn.

The first settlers at the "Buffalo Forks of the Waubisipinicon," as the old maps have it, were George Russ and Sherebiah Dakin, both of Maine, who came May 15, 1838, and claimed sections 2,3,4, and ¼ of 9 and 10, in what is now Fairview township, for milling purposes. They employed J. H. Bartlett and family, Messrs. Smith and Carpenter, and D. G. Dumars, who came the same year, and commenced building their cabins. In August that sickness which extended over Northern Illinois, Indiana, and Southern Michigan prevailed here also, and before October, Russ, Smith and Carpenter were dead.

A son of Major Russ (George H.) came a few days after his father's death. Gideon H. Ford arrived about the same time, and found them all disheartened, and anxious to sell. Ford bought them out, and in the Winter of 1838-'9 sold two-thirds of the claim to Timothy Davis and George H. Walworth. The claim included the whole site of Anamosa. It was all government land, and was not brought into market till the Summer of 1840. In the Spring of 1839 they commenced building a saw mill, which was undermined the following year. Two brothers and two sisters of Mr. Walworth moved to the Forks in 1839, and Edwin Booth arrived there August 18th of the same year. He says he "found a settlement consisting of eighteen log cabins, extending along the south border of the timber from Highland Grove to Viola." Clement Russell and family came into Fairview township, July, 1837, and John G. Joslin, Aug. 29, of the same year. Those who came in 1838 were Lathrop Olmsted, Silas, James and Ambrose Parsons, Benoni Brown (who died age 103, lacking three months), Calvin C. Reed, Samuel Kelly et al. In the Spring of 1839 came Gideon N. Peet, Henry Van Buskirk and family, and others.

The first settlers within the corporation of Anamosa were Colonel David Wood and his brother-in-law, Edmund Booth. They built the first frame house, in 1840, at the present intersection of Brown avenue and High streets, near the grove. In this house E. Booth was married by J. G. Joslin, justice of the peace. He had no form. Queen Victoria had just been married, and the ceremony was in the papers. The justice took that form, and the happy couple were pronounced husband and wife after the manner of the Church of England.Colonel Wood died the following winter, and his widow married Gideon H. Ford, now of Webster City. The first blacksmith shop in Anamosa was put up by G. H. Ford in 1842. The first shoe shop by Henry Waggoner, the first justice of the peace was Harry Mahan, the first child born was Maria, daughter of G. H. and Hannah Ford. She afterwards married Joseph Fisher, and resided at Webster City.

The town has borne three names, viz; When Col. Fox, of Bellvue, was here surveying the country seat (Edinburgh), he accompanied G. H. Walworth to Buffalo Forks, and the next day laid off a new town. Walworth perplexed his brain for weeks for a name, and finally called it Dartmouth, in honor of Dartmouth College. Two or three years later, John Crockwell and Harry Mahan laid off-just west of Dartmouth, including the penitentiary grounds-a plat, and named it Lexington, and placed it upon the record. Dartmouth was never recorded as such, and so was dropped. In 1846, or 7, by vote of the people, Lexington became the county seat, and the name was afterwards changed to Anamosa, as above described. In 1856 it was incorporated as a village, and in 1872 as a city-Robert Dott being the first Mayor.

The present city officials are; Mayor, Robert Dott; Aldermen, E. B. Alderman, -, Rigley, J. S. Belknap, L. Scoonover, C. M. Failing, Geo. Watters, E. V. Eaton, J. B. McQueen; Treasurer, W. S. Benton; Clerk, L. D. Peck; City Solicitor, G. W. Field.

At this date, 1875, Anamosa contains seven dry goods stores, twelve groceries, four drug stores, five boot and shoe stores, four clothing stores, three book stores, three butter, egg and poultry stores, four hardware stores, five cattle, grain and produce stores, four fancy goods and toys stores, four millinery stores, three agricultural establishments, seven blacksmith shops, five wagon shops, one meat market, two furniture stores, two jewelers, one foundry, six shoemaker shops, one gun shop, two merchant tailors, three flouring mills, one lumber yard, two wood-sawing machines, four sewing machine offices, three harness shops, three brickyards, twenty-five stone masons, three hotels, five saloons, two livery stables, two elevators, five churches, two schools, one high school, one Masonic lodge, one Chapter, two Odd Fellows' lodges, one Good Templar's, ten law offices, six doctors, two dentists, one express office, two banks, two printing offices, three photograph galleries, two railroads, three ice houses, two laundries, three barber shops, one dairy milk factory, three libraries, two reading rooms, two literary clubs, two dramatic clubs.

Jones County Courthouse

The first Jones County Courthouse was a 30 by 40 foot structure, built for $800. It was first occupied on January 3, 1848. The building was vacated in 1864 when the board of supervisors decided that it was better fit for bats and owls than for court. It was destroyed by fire in 1875.

The county rented space for offices and court until a county seat contest heated up between Center Junction and Anamosa. Anamosa appropriated $6,000 to purchase the second floor of Shaw's block to be used by the county so long as the county seat remained in that city.

On September 10, 1935, an election was held, resulting in 76.8 percent of the voters favoring a new courthouse. The building was completed at a cost of $200,000 in 1937.

Jones County, Iowa
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Jones County, Iowa History, Records, Facts and Genealogy

Records at the Jones County Courthouse

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Jones County Vital Records

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Jones County, Iowa
History, Records, Facts and Genealogy