Winnebago County History and Information

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Winnebago was created on January 15, 1851 from Unorganized Territory. The County was named for the Winnebago Native American tribe. The County Seat is Forest City.

Counties adjacent to Winnebago County are Faribault County, Minnesota (northwest), Freeborn County, Minnesota (northeast), Worth County (east), Hancock County (south), Kosssuth County (west), Cerro Gordo County (southeast). Winnebago County Cities and Towns Include Buffalo Center, Forest City, Lake Mills, Leland, Rake, Scarville, Thompson.

Winnebago County was named in honor of the Winnebago Indian tribe that resided in the area. The term Winnebago means "Men of the Bad Smelling Waters," or "People of Stinking Water."

The county was established in 1851. The earliest white settler of Winnebago County was George W. Thomas in 1855. The county was organized in the fall of 1857, the following being the first officers elected: Robert Clark, county judge; C.H. Day, treasurer and recorder; B.F. Denslow, clerk of courts; John S. Blowers, sheriff; and C.W. Scott, superintendent of schools and surveyor. The first and only county seat of Winnebago County is Forest City. Forest City, which was platted by Robert Clark in 1856, was named after the abundance of timber found there.

The first courthouse was a two-room log cabin that was located on the courthouse square. In 1860 a petition was circulated calling for a more appropriate building. Soon after, $20,000 in bonds was sold for the construction of this building. After the construction had begun, the conservative members of the board opposed such an expensive building. Consequently, a less expensive, two-story soft brick building was constructed. This building, like the previous building, was located on the courthouse square. A frame addition was completed in 1877.

This courthouse was torn down and replaced in 1896. Architects Kinney & Orth and contractor F. A. Gross constructed a Romanesque style building made of red brick and trimmed with stone. The building was completed on January 6, 1897, at a cost of $20,496. See also County History for more details.

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Records at the Winnebago County Courthouse

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

Search Iowa Historical Records - Databases include Court, Land, Wills & Financial Records; Birth, Marriage & Death Records; Voter Lists & Census Records; Immigration & Emigration Records; Obituary Records; Military Records; Family Tree Records; Pictures; Stories, Memories & Histories; Directories & Member Lists and much more....

Researchers often overlook the importance of court records, probate records, and land records as a source of family history information.

PLEASE READ FIRST!!!! Please call the clerk's department to confirm hours, mailing address, fees and other specifics before visiting or requesting information because of sometimes changing contact information.

All Departments below can be contacted by clicking the link below, calling or visiting the Winnebago County Courthouse at Box 468, Forest City 50436; Tel: 641-585-4520. See Also Courthouse Street Addresses for current courthouse addresses for all Iowa Counties. NOTE: The record dates below are from the earliest date to present time. Winnebago County was attached to Boone & Webster County for a breif time. Some early records may be found there.

Winnebago County Recorder's Office has Birth Records from 1880, Marriage Records from 1890, Death Records from 1880 and Land Records from 1873.

The Recorder's Office was created in 1839 by the First Legislative Assembly. The Recorder continues to maintain official records of documents affecting title to real estate. Every real estate transaction that takes place begins in the Recorder's Office. One of the major duties of the office is the management of public records. As a result, accuracy and preservation of records are a must in the Recorder's Office. Instruments that are recorded are not only important for today, but serve as a historical library for all of the tomorrows.

In addition to real estate transactions, the Recorder's Office issues titles and liens; records veterans discharge papers; processes passport applications; accepts marriage applications and issues the subsequent license; issues certified copies of birth, death and marriage records as well as other numerous duties.

Winnebago County Clerk of Court Office has Probate Records from 1900 and Court Records from 1900.

In each of Iowa's 99 counties, a clerk of district court office manages and maintains all trial court records, including pleadings, evidence and orders. The clerks of court have hundreds of administrative duties. They accept and process fines, fees and court costs owed to the state, child support checks, and civil judgments owed to litigants. They maintain a record of liens on all real estate in the county. Clerks help with involuntary hospitalization cases. They have the authority to dispose of scheduled violations which are not contested and do not require a court hearing. Clerks are also responsible for informing state and local government agencies of court orders.

The Iowa district court has general jurisdiction of all civil, criminal and juvenile cases and probate matters in the state. The district court, which is also known as the trial court, is the point of entry in the court system for most cases. The Iowa district court is composed of different kinds of judicial officers with varying amounts of jurisdiction-judicial magistrates, associate juvenile judges, associate probate judges, district associate judges, and district court judges.

Below is a list of online resources for Winnebago County Court Records. Email us with websites containing Winnebago County Court Records by clicking the link below:

  • All Iowa Counties Clerks of Court Contact Information
  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • Winnebago County, Iowa Court Books at Amazon.com
  • Court, Land, Wills & Financial - Court records are an often overlooked, yet very valuable tool for finding information to assist you in your research. Land records, such as deeds, allow you to tie an ancestor to a specific place at a point in time. Other court records like those dealing with finances and estates often list related family members or give interesting details like the total value of property owned by your ancestors to add interest to your family history.
  • Immigration & Emigration - As our ancestors moved from one country to another, details about their lives were recorded on passenger lists and government documents. Immigration and emigration records can help you learn where your ancestors originally came from, where they went, when they left, who they traveled with, and more.
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Winnebago County Vital Records

See Also Vital Records in Iowa

Birth, marriage, and death records are connected with central life events. They are prime sources for genealogical information.

Iowa Department of Public Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, Lucas State Office Building, 1st Floor, 321 East 12th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319, (515) 281-4944 recording, Iowa prefers you get all Vital Records from the State Office in Des Moines and NOT at the County Clerk's office. They have the following records:

  • Birth, Marriage & Death Certificates:In Iowa, official registration of births, deaths, and marriages began July 1, 1880. All original records that have been registered are on file with the Iowa Department of Public Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics.
    • Cost: $15.00 per birth certificate & $10.00 per death certificate.
    • Processing Time: Filled requests take 30-45 days, depending on seasonal demands and mail service. Genealogy requests take least 60 days. When ordered by mail (Application) or 2-5 Days when you order online
  • Divorces: Divorces on file are Brief statistical records only since 1906.
  • Order Online: You can also order Order Electronically Online to obtain a certified copy of a birth, marriage, death or divorce record with a credit or debit card and get the certificates within 2-5 days by ordering from VitalChek Express Certificate Service.
  • Fees are payable by check or money order made out to the Iowa Department of Public Health. In-person requests may also be paid in cash. Checks must be drawn from the applicant's account; money orders must be in the name of the applicant. Fees must be paid at the time of the application.
  • Walk-In Service:  Walk-in service is available for in-person requests at the state vital records office between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 4:45 p.m., Monday through Friday, except for state-observed holidays. The office is located at the address listed below, just inside the main north entrance and to the right of the main lobby. The Lucas building is the first state office building east of the state Capitol building, on the south side of Grand Avenue. Written applications must be satisfactorily completed and signed. Applicants must also provide valid, current government-issued photo identification. Copies may either be picked up after two days or mailed to an entitled person.

Local registrars are located in county recorders offices and maintain records of birth, death and marriages that have occurred in that county. County registrars do not have code authority to have Birth, death, and marriage records between the years 1921 to 1941.

Below is a list of online resources for Winnebago County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Winnebago County Vital Records by clicking the link below:

  • VitalChek Express Certificate Service - Some documents are just too important to wait six weeks for. With VitalChek Express Certificate Service you won’t have to. VitalChek is the fast and convenient way to order certified government-issued vital records online. They make it easy for you to purchase the documents to which you are legally entitled. Beware of other online services that do not have relationships directly with the agencies that store your vital records. VitalChek's order process usually takes less than 10 minutes --And you can select express courier service for even faster delivery when time is running out.
  • Click Here to Search the Social Security Death Index for FREEicon - Search over 82 million death records and get genealogical information crucial to your family research. New content added weekly! Most comprehensive SSDI site online!
  • Research Death records In The World's Largest Newspaper Archive at NewpaperArchive.com! - Find thousands of historical Iowa newspaper articles about deaths. Search for local articles about an old family friend that died many years ago or a celebrity that committed suicide. Historical newspapers contain a wealth of information about the deceased.
  • Winnebago County, Iowa Birth, Marriage & Death Books at Amazon.com
  • Birth, Marriage & Death - Vital records (births, deaths, marriages, and divorces) mark the milestones of our lives and are the foundation of family history research. Vital records, usually kept by a civic authority, can give you a more complete picture of your ancestor, help you distinguish between two people with the same name, and help you find links to a new generation.
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Winnebago County Census Records

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

Few, if any, records reveal as many details about individuals and families as do government census records. Substitute records can be used when the official census is unavailable

Countywide Records: Federal Population Schedules that exist for Winnebago County, Iowa are 1860, 1870, 1880, 1890 (fragment, see below), 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930.Other Federal Schedules to look at when researching your Family Tree in Winnebago County, Iowa are Industry and Agriculture Schedules availible for the years 1860, 1870 and 1880. The Mortality Schedules for the years 1860, 1870 and 1880.There are free downloadable and printable Census forms to help with your research. These include U.S. Census Extraction Forms and U.K. Census Extraction Forms.

Below is a list of online resources for Winnebago County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Winnebago County Census Records by clicking the link below:

  • Census Online - Iowa Census Records
  • Iowa Census, 1838-70: This collection contains the following indexes: 1838 Territorial Census; 1840 Federal Census Index; 1840 Pensioners List; 1841-1849 Tax Lists; 1850 Federal Census Index; 1851 State Census Index; 1852 State Census Index; 1860 Federal Census Index; 1870 Federal Census Index.
  • Iowa State Census 1885: This database is an index to the 1885 Iowa State Census (U.S.A.). It covers several counties and contains the following information: the names of every member of the household, their genders, ages, birthplaces, lcation (town, county, state), marital status, and much more.
  • Iowa State Census, 1895: This database contains information for 91 counties from the 1895 Iowa State Census in the united States. Information listed includes the name of every member of the household, their sex, age, birthplace, and location (town and county).
  • Iowa State Census Collection, 1836-1925: This database contains Iowa state censuses for the following years: 1856, 1885, 1895, 1905, 1915, and 1925. It also includes some head of household censuses and other special censuses from 1836-1897. Information available for an individual will vary according to the census year and the information requested on the census form. Some of the information contained in this database though includes: name, age, gender, race, birthplace, marital status, and place of enumeration.
  • The USGenWeb Archives Iowa CENSUS IMAGES PROJECT
  • Winnebago County, Iowa Census Books at Amazon.com
  • Census & Voter Lists - A census is an official list of the people in a particular area at a given time, while voter lists show those who were registered to vote in a certain area. The valuable information found on census records helps you to understand your family in their time and place. Voter Lists serve as a confirmation of residence in between the years that the census was taken.
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Winnebago County Maps & Atlases

See Also Research In State Map Collections

Genealogy Atlases has images of old American atlases during the years 1795, 1814, 1822, 1823, 1836, 1838, 1845, 1856, 1866, 1879 and 1897 for other states.

You can view rotating animated maps for Iowa showing all the county boundaries for each census year overlayed with past and present maps so you can see the changes in county boundaries. You can view a list of maps for other states at Census Maps

You can view rotating animated maps for Iowa showing all the county boundary changes for each year overlayed with past and present maps so you can see the changes in county boundaries . You can view a list of maps for other states and State Department of Transportation Maps at County Maps. The Iowa Department of Transportation has county maps the show the locations of churches, cemeteries, roads, ect... free for viewing or download here

Below is a list of online resources for Winnebago County Maps. Email us with websites containing Winnebago County Maps by clicking the link below:

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Winnebago County Military Records

See Also Military Records in Iowa

Military and civil service records provide unique facts and insights into the lives of men and women who have served their country at home and abroad.

The uses and value of military records in genealogical research for ancestors who were veterans are obvious, but military records can also be important to re-searchers whose direct ancestors were not soldiers in any war. The fathers, grandfathers, brothers, and other close relatives of an ancestor may have served in a war, and their service or pension records could contain information that will assist in further identifying the family of primary interest. Due to the amount of genealogical information contained in some military pension files, they should never be overlooked during the research process. Those records not containing specific genealogical information are of historic value and should be included in any overall research design.

Below is a list of online resources for Winnebago County Military Records. Email us with websites containing Winnebago County Military Records by clicking the link below:

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Winnebago County Tax Records

See Also Research In Tax Records

The tax rolls for personal property and real estate were kept by the auditor or the treasurer of each county. A few of these records have been microfilmed and are available at the State Historical Society of Iowa. Original county tax rolls are usually not transferred.

Old age pension tax is a resource genealogists should consider in Iowa. A 1934 directive to collect an old age assistance tax was based on a list of all persons over twenty-one years of age. Although the tax was discontinued in 1936, the information included could be important: name, address, sex, date of birth, place of birth, and names of both parents. Many counties have had these lists microfilmed and they are available through the FHL.

Below is a list of online resources for Winnebago County Tax Records. Email us with websites containing Winnebago County Tax Records by clicking the link below:

  • Winnebago County Tax Assesors Office, ?
    The Treasurer is responsible for collection of property taxes and other fees for state, county, city, school districts, community colleges, and other taxing entities such as townships, fire districts, and drainage districts.
  • Winnebago County, Iowa Tax Books at Amazon.com
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Winnebago County Genealogical Addresses

See Also Other Iowa Genealogical Addresses

The Repositories in this section are Archives, Libraries, Museums, Genealogical and Historical Societies. Many County Historical and Genealogical Societies publish magazines and/or news letters on a monthly, quarterly, bi-annual or annual basis. Contacting the local societies should not be over looked. State Archives and Societies are usually much larger and better organized with much larger archived materials than their smaller county cousins but they can be generalized and over look the smaller details that local societies tend to have. Libraries can also be a good place to look for local information. Some libraries have a genealogy section and may have some resources that are not located at archives or societies. Also, take a special look at any museums in the area. They sometimes have photos and items from years gone by as well as information of a genealogical interest. All these places are vitally important to the family genealogist and must not be passed over.

Below is a list of online resources for Winnebago County Genealogical Addresses. Email us with websites containing Winnebago County Genealogical Addresses by clicking the link below:

  • ?
  • State Historical Society of Iowa, Capitol Complex, Des Moines, IA 50319
  • Iowa Genealogical Society, 6000 Douglas, P.O. Box 7735, Des Moines, IA 50322
  • State Historical Society of Iowa Research Library, 402 Iowa Avenue, Iowa City, IA 52240
  • State Historical Society of Iowa Library, Capitol Complex, Des Moines, IA 50319
  • National Archives; Central Plains Region, Kansas City, 2312 East Bannister Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64131-3011; Email: kansascity.archives@nara.gov; Phone: 816-268-8000
  • Newspapers & Periodicals - The Newspapers & Periodicals Collection lets you discover a wealth of information about your ancestors from many historical newspapers, magazines, and other periodicals. These types of sources can often supplement public records and provide information that is not recorded anywhere else. Here, you can learn more about your ancestor's possible daily activities by placing them in the context of their time.
  • Directories & Member Lists - Directories and member lists are typically compilations of information about people who belonged to various associations and groups or lived within city boundaries. They can be thought of as the predecessors to the modern-day phone book and usually list names, addresses, and sometimes the occupations of your ancestors.
  • Iowa Genealogical Society Books at Amazon.com
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Winnebago County Church & Cemeteries

See Also Church & Cemetery Records in Iowa

Obituaries can vary in the amount of information they contain, but many of them are genealogical goldmines, including information such as names, dates, places of birth and death, marriage information, and family relationships.

There are many churches and cemeteries in Winnebago County. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Winnebago County Tombstone Transcription Project.

Predominant church groups in Iowa include Catholic, Methodist, Lutheran, and Baptist. Less in size, but equally important in religious history in the state are the Quakers, Mormons, Mennonites, and Congregationalists. The first church building in Iowa, a Methodist church built of logs, was constructed in Dubuque in 1834. A year later the Catholics erected a parish building in the same city. In 1843 the “Iowa Band” of Congregational and Presbyterian clergy began ministering to the settlers in Iowa. In 1854 a small group of the Community of True Inspiration arrived from Germany, settling along the Iowa River in the mid-section of the state. A year later additional members of their group joined them, establishing the unique Amana colonies of present-day Iowa.

Many of the local chapters of the Iowa Genealogical Society have publications of cemetery records in their respective counties which can be ordered through the chapter. A state-wide publication listing is available through the state society. A large number of cemetery transcription collections as well as records of funeral homes, casket lists, and obituary indexes are held by the FHL

Below is a list of online resources for Winnebago County Cemetery & Church Records. Email us with websites containing Winnebago County Cemetery & Church Records by clicking the link below:

  • Find Obituaries in The World's Largest Newspaper Archive at NewpaperArchive.com! - Find thousands of Iowa obituaries to help you research your family history. Search for a Iowa newspaper obituary about your ancestor or a celebrity. Begin your search today and find death notices and funeral announcements printed in newspapers from Indiana.
  • IOWA WPA GRAVES REGISTRATION SURVEY - These records contain burials throughout much of Iowa that were compiled by WPA workers in the 1930 s, including grave markers which no longer exist today. Records may be searched within a county or state-wide.
  • Iowa Cemetery Records: These cemetery records represent seventy-six counties and Graceland Cemetery of Sioux City, Iowa, in the united States, that were transcribed by the Works Project Administration. Records in this database generally include the page number where the record can be found in the WPA index, the name of the deceased, birth date, death date, age, cemetery name, town name, and additional comments if any.
  • Iowa Civil War Soldier Burial Records: Listing of 30,000 Civil War veterans who served or lived in Iowa following the war.
  • Winnebago County, Iowa Cemetery Books at Amazon.com
  • Winnebago County, Iowa Church Books at Amazon.com
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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 Winnebago County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information. Email us with websites containing Winnebago 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: [ Winnebago 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.
  • Winnebago County USGenweb Archives
  • Winnebago County, Iowa Family Books at Amazon.com
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Extended History

 

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

Winnebago County is the middle one of the northern tier of counties in the state. It contains a superficial area of about 400 square miles, equal to 256,000 acres. The largest and most important stream of water flowing through the county is Lime Creek, a tributary of Shellrock River. It is from sixty to one hundred feet in width, of good depth, and affords good water power for mills. There are several small but very pretty lakes. Two of these, located near together, are called Twin Lakes. Rice Lake embraces an area of about one square mile. The water in these little lakes is always clear and pure. Good well water is obtained by digging from ten to twenty-five feet, and springs are found along all the streams.

The greater portion of the county is undulating or rolling prairie. The southeast part is somewhat broken, but is well timbered. The west half is rolling prairie, with very little timber, but excellent soil. The soil is a dark loam, with some sand, rendering it very productive. The county contains considerable timber land, mostly in the eastern half, bordering on Lime Creek. Near the center of the county there is a fine body of timber called "Coon Grove," a considerable proportion of which is black walnut.

No stone quarries have been opened, the stone used for foundations being the boulders found on the prairies, along the streams and about the borders of the lakes. Among them are found limestones which are used in the manufacture of quicklime. Good material for brick is obtained in sufficient abundance. The county contains at least two thousand acres of good peat land, some of the beds being at least six feet in depth. These beds of peat are mostly situated in the parts of the county least favored with timber. The dry rolling prairie usually comes up to the very borders of the peat marshes, so that they are in no way prejudicial to the health of the region where they are situated.

The earliest white settler of Winnebago County was George W. Thomas, who located on the north side of Rice Lake, in 1855. John Maben with his family moved into the county September 27,1855, taking a claim on the east side of Lime Creek, near where Forest City is now located. J. Gilchrist, J. C. Bonar and P. Tennis came the same season. Thomas Bearas took a claim near that of Mr. Maben the same Fall, but did not remain a permanent settler. John T. McMillan came also and took a claim, but soon returned to Mason City. During the Summer of 1856, the following with their families also settled, in the southeast part of the county; Robert Clark, John S. Blowers, A. T. Cole, Henry Allen, James L. Hitt, Robert Stephens, Ira Plummer and Daniel Martin. Cole, Clark and Blowers still reside in the county. In the Fall of 1856, a settlement was commenced in the northern part of the county, by Samuel Tennis, Archibald Murray and William Gilbert. Somewhat later came Charles D. Smith, William Porter, John and Lewis S. Anderson. In 1857, the nucleus was formed of the large settlement of Norwegians now in the county by the following persons with their families; Oliver Peterson, Colburn Larson, John Johnson. H. J. Knudson, John Iverson, Christian Anderson, Louis Nelson, and perhaps two or three other families. This Norwegian settlement received no further accessions until 1865, after which it increased very rapidly. A settlement at "Coon Grove" was commenced in 1867, by John Millington. Previous to this time, the settlements were confined to the vicinity of the groves along Lime Creek. They now extend to nearly all parts of the county.

The county was organized in the Fall of 1857, the following being the first county officers elected; Robert Clark, County Judge; C. H. Day, Treasurer and Recorder; B. F. Denslow, Clerk of the District Court; John S. Blowers, Sheriff; and C. W. Scott, Superintendent of Schools and Surveyor. The county seat was located in October, 1858, by the following Commissioners appointed by the Legislature; T. E. Brown, of Polk County; Dr. William Church, of Webster County; and Dr. William Farmer, of Boone County. The commissioners, after making examination of the different localities proposed, finally made selection of the east half of the northeast quarter of section 35, township 98, range 24, where in the Fall of 1857, Robert Clark had laid out the town of Forest City.

The first newspaper in the county was the Winnebago Press, the initial number of which appeared June 14, 1867, at Forest City, with J. W. Kelly as editor and proprietor. In September of the same year, he sold out to Arthur Linn and J. C. Harwood, since which time it has passed through various changes of ownership. The press on which this paper was first printed, has an eventful history. It was first used at Belmont, Wisconsin, when Iowa was known as the Territory of Wisconsin, and afterwards at Burlington, and was used for printing the second paper within the limits of Iowa, in the Spring of 1837. Afterwards this venerable "Foster Patent" started on a tour of service through the eastern and northern portions of the state, and we hear of it at Osage, at Mason City, and at Ellington, Hancock County, before it reached Forest City.

  • FOREST CITY. - This is the county seat of Winnebago County, and is located on the west bank of Lime Creek, a half mile from the southern boundary of the county. It is on high and rolling ground, mostly prairie, but protected on the east and northeast by extensive groves of timber. Towards the west and south the broad prairie stretches its undulating surface as far as the eye can reach.The town was laid out by Judge Robert Clark in the Fall of 1856. Mr. Clark erected a saw mill, the first in the county, in the Fall of 1856, and about the same time opened the first store in the county. A post office was established here in 1857, with Mr. Clark as post master. In 1861 the original court house building was erected, which was subsequently improved. In the Summer of 1873 the graded school building (three stories high) was erected. It is a good substantial structure, and is ornamental as well as indicative of the intellectual taste of the citizens. The Norwegian Methodist Church, built about the same time, is a neat and substantial edifice. Forest City has now some good business houses, and a fair local trade.The Winnebago Press was first established by Will Kelly, June 14, 1867. It is now under the editorial management of Colonel A. H. Chase, and is issued weekly, being now called The Winnebago Summit. Forest City has a prosperous lodge of Masons.
  • LAKE MILLS. – This place is located about fifteen miles northeast of Forest City near the north end of Rice Lake. It is situated in a grove of timber, and surrounded by a region well adapted to farming and stock raising. The village was laid out in the Fall of 1869, by Charles D. Smith. A post office was established here in the Spring of 1867, with S. D. Wadsworth as post master. The same year S. D. Wadsworth and C. D. Smith erected a steam grist mill, and connected with it a saw mill and wool carding machine. On the 31st of August, 1871, the buildings were burned, the loss being estimated at $15,000. A new and larger steam grist mill was soon erected. A store was opened by Mr. Wadsworth in the Fall of 1867. A fine two-story school house was burned, but the people of the village had the energy to recover from their misfortunes. Lake Mills has several stores and a weekly newspaper, the Independent Herald, ably conducted by M. Halvorsen, at this time the youngest journalist in Iowa.
  • BENSON GROVE. – This village is located in township 99, range 24. It is on the east side of Lime Creek, about six miles north of Forest City. A body of timber adjoins the town. It was laid out by J. B. Hill in the Summer of 1867, and a post office established the same year, with Mr. Hill as post master.The line of railroad from Fort Dodge, Iowa, to Wells, Minnesota, was surveyed and partly graded some three years since. When completed it will open up direct communication with the coal-fields of Central Iowa on the south, and the pineries of the north.
Winnebago County Courthouse

There are not many records in existence from the early days of Winnebago County, but it is known that the first courthouse, which was petitioned by the voters, was planned to cost $20,000. Little work was done on the building and eventually the board of supervisors disapproved of the courthouse plans for being too extravagant. The contractor built a smaller and cheaper courthouse.

Construction began on the present courthouse in 1894 and was completed in 1896. The building is made of brick and has a tall clock tower. The courthouse cost approximately $25,000 to erect.

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