Wright County, Iowa
History, Records, Facts and Genealogy

Wright was created on January 15, 1851 (Organized in 1855) from Unorganized Territory. The County was named for Silas Wright, an U. S. senator from New York and sixteenth governor of New York; and Joseph A. Wright, an U. S. senator from Indiana. The County Seat is Clarion. See also County History for more details.

Counties adjacent to Wright County are Hancock County (north), Franklin County (east), Hamilton County (south), Webster County (southwest), Humboldt County (west). Wright County Cities and Towns Include Belmond, Clarion, Dows, Eagle Grove, Galt, Goldfield, Rowan, Woolstock

Prior to 1854, only hunters and trappers had seen the area known today as Wright County. But in August 1855, the first elections were held in the county, at the log cabin home of S. B. Hewett. The first county seat of Wright County was Eagleville, but this town was a "paper town" and the county seat was moved to Liberty (Goldfield) by election in 1858. The first courthouse of Wright County was a two-story framed building built that same year. It served the county until the county seat was moved to Clarion in 1866.

Due to its exact location in the center of the county, Clarion was chosen as a better site for the county seat. Clarion was originally named Grant, but it was changed to Clarion -- after Clarion, Pennsylvania -- in June 1870. After the removal of the county seat from the town of Liberty (Goldfield), a decision on whether to move the old courthouse from Goldfield to Clarion or build a new one could not be reached. The problem was finally resolved in November 1865, when the courthouse committee contracted Perry & Nees to build a two-story, frame building for $5,600. Due to additions, the final cost of the second courthouse was $5,950.

In an 1890 election the voters approved the building of a new courthouse and jail. When the results were released to the public there was much celebrating done. Some of the residents of Clarion were so excited that they soaked the jail in oil and set it on fire.

The current courthouse was built in 1891-1892 at a cost of $50,000. It is constructed of red brick, and in 1974 it under went an extensive remodeling to the interior and exterior. The remodeling and an addition to the sheriff's office cost $350,000 which was paid with federal revenue sharing funds. See also County Courthouse for more details.

The Wright County Official Government Website
Search for Local Iowa Researchers or Earn Money by becoming a Local Iowa Researcher!
Search the Iowa USGenWeb Archives
Wright 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 450 million articles, obituaries, marriage notices, birth announcements and other items published in over 2,800 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.
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....

Records at the Wright County Courthouse

Wright County Vital Records

Wright County Census Records

Wright County Maps & Atlases

Wright County Military Records

Wright County Tax Records

Wright County Genealogical Addresses

Wright 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 Wright County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information. Email us with websites containing Wright 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: [ Wright 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
Nichols and Related Families of Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virgina.
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.
Wright County USGenweb Archives
Wright County, Iowa Family Books at Amazon.com

Extended History

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

The meeting for the organization of Wright County was held in the log cabin of S. B. Hewitt, on the Boone River. The election was held in August, 1855, and the first officers elected were; David Dean, County Judge; C. H. Martin, Clerk of District Court Anson Brassfield, Treasurer and Recorder; S. Crapper, Sheriff; S. B. Hewitt, Jr., County Surveyor; William Davis, Coroner; and N. B. Paine, Attorney.When the county judge system was abolished, the county came under the government of a board of supervisors, who held their first meeting in January, 1861.The county has eleven organized townships. Originally it contained but eight. Previous to the present organization it was attached to Webster County, which also comprised what is now Hamilton and Humboldt. The county contains five hundred and twenty-six square miles. The soil is of the richest, and is in all respects well adapted to farming and stock raising. It is well watered with numerous creeks, streams, and lakes. The pasture fields of this county, with their nutritious grass in abundance, and streams of ever living water, their sheltering hills and beautiful valleys, fully equal those of any other section. The Boone River flows southerly along the extreme west line of the county, and the Iowa along the eastern edge. The banks of these streams are covered with groves of timber, which, being protected, are larger in extent than when the county was first settled. Along these streams are lands of the first quality. In the center of the county from north to south is one grand and beautiful panorama of prairie, with farm houses dotting its surface, and cattle in large herds feeding upon its luxuriant grasses; while a number of beautiful lakes add grandeur and loveliness to the picture.Lake Gertrude, of late years called Twin Lake, is located in the northern central part of the county. It is about two miles long by half a mile wide, and near to it on the south is a smaller lake. A few miles further south are Cornelia and Elm Lakes, possessed of considerable beauty. The first was so named in honor of Miss Cornelia Eastman, of Clarion, and the latter derived its name from a stately elm on its southeast border. This lake is in Clarion Township, its waters are very clear, and it is a place of considerable resort for pleasure parties.Wall Lake is the largest in the county, and is some three miles long by two miles wide. It was so called from a wall of earth and large boulders which surrounded it, but more especially so on the northwest sides. This lake is located out on the prairie about equi-distant from both rivers, where such boulders are to be found. A great deal of wonder has been expressed whether the wall was a work of art, or of nature; but we venture to presume that it was formed by the ice freezing fast to boulders on the bottom of the lake, and in the Spring the winds dashed the ice on the shores, leaving the boulders as the ice melted. The process must have been slow, but thousands of years would accomplish much. On the south bank of this lake is a beautiful grove, and the lake has sand and gravel beaches. It is quite a resort for parties in search of recreation, who find excellent boating, gunning and fishing. This series of lakes constitutes a prominent feature in the scenery and beauty of this country, and adds greatly to its attractiveness to settlers.As yet this county has no railroads; but the Iowa Pacific, being already graded on the route indicated on the map of the county, will doubtless soon be in running order.

The pioneer settler of this county, Major W. Brassfield, settled on the Boone in 1854. In the following year he built a saw mill and grist mill, which were the first erected in that section. During the year 1854 several other settlers located in different parts of the county, and during the following year many families came in to the county, and it has since then rapidly settled. The first merchant in the county was John Melrose, Esq., who built a store in 1856, in the village then called Liberty. Previous to this date the settlers were obliged to go a long distance for supplies, sometimes sixty or seventy miles.The first marriage celebrated in Wright County was that of Alexander Usher and Lucy Ann Brassfield, who were married by Judge Dean, on the 27th of December, 1855. The first school house was built of logs, 12x14, in Troy Township, in which the first religious services were also held.The first newspaper was started at Liberty in 1861, by G. D. Ingersoll, and was called the Wright County Free Press, but lived only a short time. In January, 1868, Mrs. Mary Reed edited and published the Wright County Register for about one year in the same village.No difficulties ever occurred with the Indians, but at the time of the massacre at Spirit Lake the settlers were filled with alarm. Many fled, but a portion of the men in northern parts of the county organized themselves into a military company, with Doctor Cutter as Captain. A mud fort was hastily constructed on the west side of the river at Belmond, overlooking the river. For better security, the women were all gathered into one log cabin, while the men remained in the fort and established regular military discipline. Pickets were established and sentinels posted, but no enemy came. After several days scouts reported all the settlers as having fled to Webster City. The cause of all danger having passed, the people returned to their homes.The number of acres in the county is 358,328, of which the census of 1875 reported in cultivation 28,957, or about every thirteenth acre, --thus showing a vast field for new settlers.There are in the county 57 school houses, and the cost of maintaining schools was, for 1874, $16,750. The education is advancing in this county is evident from the number of new school houses being constructed.

CLARION - This is the county seat, and situated in the geographical center of the county. Up to 1865, Liberty was the county seat, and, upon its location at Clarion, the county purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land as a new site. The following year, 1866, a court house was erected, and very soon other buildings, were constructed until a handsome village has grown up, with hotels, newspapers, bank, schools, church, and business houses.The Wright County Monitor was established here in 1869, by W. Smith, and is now published by Messrs. Gates and Hathaway.The Township of Clarion was organized in 1868, and is the central township of the county, and was made from portions of Iowa, Liberty and Eagle Grove Townships.The population of Clarion Village is about 100, and of the township 261, and voters 65. This is from the census of 1875, as are also those of other localities mentioned.
BELMOND- This is the largest village in the county, and situated on either side of the Iowa River in the northern part of the county. It was laid out in the Summer of 1857, by A. Dumond, E. Rogers, and J. Elder. It originally bore the name of Crown Point. The first house put up in the village was built by Dr. L. H. Cutter, in 1856. In the same year he also built a flouring mill and a saw mill, which were carried off by a flood, and replaced the next year by a steam mill, which was afterwards removed to Kansas. In 1856, a school house was built, and numerous private residences, and the village has constantly increased in size and business. There are three churches, Methodist, Congregational, and Catholic; one bank, two hotels, mill, and the usual complement of stores and shops. The Belmond Herald is published every week by J. H. Brayton, and has reached its fourth volume. The first settlers in Belmond Township were three families, who came here in 1854, but owing to fear of the Indians they did not remain. The next year A. Dumond, T. Oliver, and Dr. L. H. Cutter became permanent settlers. They built a log cabin in which no less than twenty-one persons lived all through the Summer. At that time the prairie was covered with game, and as many as forty elk have been seen at one time feeding on the prairie. The population of Belmond Village is about 300; the township, 398; voters, 90.
WALL LAKE. ---This township derives its name from the beautiful lake heretofore described. It was originally part of Vernon Township, but in 1868 it was formed into a separate township. The first settler here was E. P. Purcell, who, in 1856, settled on the southeast border of the lake, and was said to be the only settler there for five or six years. But of late years it has rapidly filled, and new settlers are fast occupying the fertile prairies. Waterman post office is in the southwest corner of the township. Population, 229; voters 45.
WOOLSTOCK. —This was organized into a township in 1868, and was formerly the east half of Troy. Eagle Creek and White Fox Creek run through this township. All along the banks of Eagle Creek, as far north as G. Perry's fine farm, are groves of timber. The first settlers came here in 1858, and were G. Perry, J. Boring, and R. Brewer. Woolstock post office is on the southern border of the county. Population, 216; voters, 45.
PLEASANT. —This township is in the extreme northeast corner of the county, bounded on the west by the Iowa River. The first settlers were Wm. Gray, H. Luick, and Anthony Overacker, who came in July, 1855. On the 13th of that month they planted several acres of corn, which yielded a good crop and ripened well, there being no frost that year until the 29th of November. It is right named, and is a pleasant township with several groves and streams which empty into the Iowa. Population, 446; voters, 94.
IOWA—Is the next township south of Belmond; the Iowa River passes through the center, and on its banks are numerous groves of timber. Fryeburg post office is in the center of the township, but the early settlers found the post office at Eldora, forty miles distant, and quite often went to Davenport for groceries. It contains some excellent farms and fine groves. Population, 288; voters, 71.
VERNON. —In the most southeastern part of the county is Vernon Township, which originally included Wall Lake. The Iowa River runs along the eastern border, and the banks are covered with good timber. The soil is classed with the best in the county. According to the State geologist, this township contains "fifty acres of fine peat, from six to eight feet deep." Otisville and Dry Lake are post offices. Vernon has a population of 237; voters, 16.
TROY. —The first settler in this township was William Striker, who, in 1854, located in Bach Grove. During the next year several others settled. Provisions were hauled seventy miles, and this continued until about 1859. Bach Grove covered three thousand acres of timber, and black walnut, elm, and oak grew to large size. A post office is established at Bach Grove. Population, 406; voters, 85.
EAGLE GROVE. —This is one of the western tier of townships, and the Boone River, with its valuable groves of timber, passes through the western edge. The first settler here was William Davis, who only remained about a year. Afterwards W. B. Taine and others built a log cabin on the Boone, and in this the meeting to organize the county was first held. This party brought with them four large wagon-loads of provisions from Davenport, a distance of nearly three hundred miles. The nearest post office was then thirty miles. Eagle Grove post office was once an Indian village of five hundred wigwams. Population, 279; with 51 voters.
LIBERTY. —Here the first settlement in the county is supposed to have been made by W. Brassfield. The Boone River passes along the western border, and Otter Creek empties into the Boone near the original Village of Liberty, which was laid out in 1855 by H. B. Martin. Among the early settlers where John Melrose, W. Nees, Barnes, Doty; and others. Goldfield post office is in the south edge of the township. Population, 306, voters, 83.
BOONE. —This is the northwest township of the county. The first settler here was C. H. Martin, who settled on the banks of the Boone in 1855. This is the largest township of the county. The Boone River here, as elsewhere, is lined by groves of timber, while the eastern part is an unbroken prairie for ten miles. By the census of 1875 it was a population of 178; voters, 30.

Wright County Courthouse

The first court sessions in Wright County were held in a log cabin in 1855. When the county seat moved to Liberty, a two-story frame building became the courthouse. In 1866, the county seat again moved, this time to Clarion. The former courthouse in Liberty was torn down in 1913.

The second courthouse was built very well and showed hardly any signs of wear after 50 years. This building was turned into the greater part of the Avondale Hotel.

The third and present courthouse was built for about $50,000 and completed in 1893. The courthouse is three stories high except for the clock tower, which rises high above the multi-gabled roof. It underwent extensive renovation in 1974.

Wright County, Iowa
History, Records, Facts and Genealogy

Records at the Wright County Courthouse

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

Wright County Vital Records

See Also Vital Records in Iowa

Wright County Census Records

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

Wright County Maps & Atlases

See Also Research In State Map Collections

Wright County Military Records

See Also Military Records in Iowa

Wright County Tax Records

See Also Research In Tax Records

Wright County Genealogical Addresses

See Also Other Iowa Genealogical Addresses

Wright County Church & Cemeteries

See Also Church & Cemetery Records in Iowa

Family Trees & Genealogy Tidbits

Extended History

Wright County, Iowa History, Records, Facts and Genealogy

Records at the Wright County Courthouse

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

Wright County Vital Records

See Also Vital Records in Iowa

Wright County Census Records

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

Wright County Maps & Atlases

See Also Research In State Map Collections

Wright County Military Records

See Also Military Records in Iowa

Wright County Tax Records

See Also Research In Tax Records

Wright County Genealogical Addresses

See Also Other Iowa Genealogical Addresses

Wright County Church & Cemeteries

See Also Church & Cemetery Records in Iowa

Family Trees & Genealogy Tidbits

Extended History

Wright County, Iowa
History, Records, Facts and Genealogy