Floyd County, Iowa Genealogical Records Information

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Floyd County History and Information

Floyd County Facts

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Floyd was created on January 15, 1851 (Organized in 1854) from Unorganized Territory. The County was named for either William Floyd, a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence, or Charles Floyd, the only man to die on the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The County Seat is Charles City.

Counties adjacent to Floyd County are Mitchell County (north), Chickasaw County (east), Butler County (south), Cerro Gordo County (west), Howard County (northeast), Bremer County (southeast), Franklin County (southwest). Cities and Towns Include Charles City, Colwell, Floyd, Marble Rock, Nora Springs, Rockford, Rudd.

The first election was held with 85 votes cast. There was an intense rivalry for location of the county seat between the towns of St. Charles (now Charles City) and Floyd (geographic center of the county). St. Charles was the first county seat.

David Ripley was elected county judge in 1857 on the campaign pledge that the county seat would be moved to Floyd. He called an election in 1858, and Floyd received 453 votes to St. Charles’ 434. After the announcement, the boys of St. Charles marched on Main Street to the public square and lit bonfires, made speeches, burned an effigy of the county court, and held a mock funeral oration.

The people of St. Charles challenged the legality of the vote. The district court found the election legal and binding, but the Iowa Supreme Court reversed the decision and said the county seat was to remain in St. Charles.

Construction continued on the St. Charles courthouse, but those still in favor of Floyd as a county seat assembled to tear it down. Judge Collins (Ripley’s term had expired) addressed the crowd, saying, “If you tear down this building, your money will have to rebuild it -- if not on this site, then on some other site.

“Now my advice to you today is to tear it down, not to leave one stone upon another; and then return home and tear down your own houses, every one of them. They are yours, and your money has paid for them same as for this.” The crowd dispersed quietly upon hearing this speech.

The stone courthouse was finished in 1861 for less than $18,000. One June 7, 1874, a terrific thunderbolt struck the courthouse. The important county records were saved.

A local newspaper reported the thunderbolt hit the courthouse “just as the wrath of an outraged and wronged constituency has descended upon many a nest of courthouse rates in these latter days. We cannot guess which one of the officers the lightning was after this time . . .”

The courthouse burned down in 1881, and the question of the county seat was revived. Loud and long were the speeches for removal -- somewhere, anywhere, just so it moved from Charles City. Charles City once again weathered the storm and has remained the county seat to this day. A new courthouse was built in 1881 for $25,100. The cornerstone for the present courthouse was laid in 1940. This courthouse cost $265,000.

In 1901 C.W. Hart and C.H. Parr moved to Charles City and established the Hart Parr Factory, later changed to White-New Idea Equipment Company. In 1902, the first Hart Parr gasoline traction engine was finished. One day, Sales Manager W.H. Williams, puzzling over an advertisement, decided the words “gasoline traction engine” seemed too long. The word “tractor” popped into his mind and has been around the world used ever since.

On July 3, 1906, the Floyd County Board of Supervisors ordered the construction of a foot bridge over the Cedar River to the Chautauqua grounds. The county was to pay $1,200 toward its construction and Charles City would own and maintain it. This is the present suspension bridge (one of the oldest in the state) and was dedicated as a national historic site on July 2, 1990.

The destructive tornado that hit Charles City late in the afternoon of May 15, 1968 left the downtown area in ruins, but the courthouse itself escaped serious damage. Several trees on the grounds were destroyed, however. The courthouse served as headquarters for civil defense activities and for the police department following the tornado. See also County History and County Courthouse for more details.

The Floyd County Official Government Website
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Records at the Floyd County Courthouse

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. One June 7, 1874, a terrific thunderbolt struck the courthouse (The important county records were saved). The courthouse burned down in 1881, destroying nearly all county records.

All Departments below can be contacted by clicking the link below, calling or visiting the Floyd County Courthouse at 101 South Main Street, Charles City 50616; Tel: 641-228-7777. 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. Floyd County was attached to Fayette & Chickasaw County for a breif time. Some early records may be found there.

Floyd County Recorder's Office has Birth Records from 1880, Marriage Records from 1880, Death Records from 1880 and Land Records from 1855.
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.

Floyd County Clerk of Court Office has Probate Records from 1880? and Court Records from 1880?.
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.

Click Here to Search Iowa Court, Land, Wills & Financial Records! - Researchers often overlook the importance of court records, probate records, and land records as a source of family history information.

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

Floyd County Vital 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 Floyd County Tax Records. Email us with websites containing Floyd County Tax Records by clicking the link below:

Floyd 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.
Floyd County, Iowa Tax Books at Amazon.com

Floyd 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 Floyd County Genealogical Addresses. Email us with websites containing Floyd County Genealogical Addresses by clicking the link below:

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Local Iowa Researchers, Find a local researcher or become a local researcher.
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
Iowa Newspapers & Periodicals Records - Newspapers and periodicals are the diaries of local communities. They are excellent sources of family history details - often recorded nowhere else. Look for obituaries, marriages, legal notices, and more found in our Historical Newspaper Archives.
Iowa Genealogical Society Books at Amazon.com

Floyd County Church & Cemeteries

Click Here to Search Iowa Obituary Records! - This database is a compilation of obituaries published in U.S. newspapers, collected from various online sources. 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 Floyd County. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Floyd 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 Floyd County Cemetery & Church Records. Email us with websites containing Floyd County Cemetery & Church Records by clicking the link below:

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.
Floyd County, Iowa Cemetery Books at Amazon.com
Floyd County, Iowa Church Books at Amazon.com

Family Trees & Genealogy Tidbits

Click Here to Search Iowa Family Tree Records! - 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 Floyd County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information. Email us with websites containing Floyd County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information by clicking the link below:

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Floyd County USGenweb Archives
Floyd County, Iowa Family Books at Amazon.com

County History

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

Floyd is the fourth county west of the Mississippi River, in the second tier from the north line of the state, and is therefore within the section usually denominated Northern Iowa. It is somewhat less than medium size in superficial area, containing 504 square miles, or about 322,560 acres. The congressional townships are 94, 95, 96, and the south half of 97 or ranges 15, 16, 17 and 18.

The first settlement by any white man seems to have been made in Floyd County in the year 1850. In that year Joseph Kelley wandered up the valley of Cedar River in search of a location, and finally made selection of the site of an Indian village, where a bank of Winnebagoes, under their Chief White Cloud, had hitherto made their home. At that time the nearest white settlement was where Janesville is now located, thirty-five miles below, in Bremer County – a settlement then known as "Lower Big Woods." The heavy body of timber in the east part of Floyd County was designated as "Upper Big Woods." Having made his selection, Mr. Kelley repaired to the land office at Dubuque for the purpose of making his entries. "Why, man alive! Do you know where this land is?" said the officer. "I believe I do," replied Mr. Kelley. "Well," said the officer, "it is worthless to you – it is clean out of the world!" "No matter – I will take it," exclaimed Mr. Kelley, and walked off with his receipts.

Not long after Mr. Kelley settled at the present site of Charles City, a settlement was commenced in the vicinity of Floyd – six miles further up the river. Among the first here were C. P. Burroughs and H. M. Brown. Joseph Hewett, who subsequently became one of the pioneers at Clear Lake, also made a short sojourn in Floyd County prior to 1851. Rufus Clarke was likewise one of the early settlers, but removed to Minnesota. Among other early settlers of Floyd and vicinity we mention the names of William Carl, James Tatum, Jefferson Mutchler, Humphrey Hogan, M. B. Cook, and L. G. and J. W. Burroughs.

The first marriage license was issued February 6, 1855, to Wesley S. Ames and Delila Castleman. David Wiltse and O. P. Harwood were the first attorneys who located in the county.

In August, 1854, a county organization was effected by the appointment of the following officers; John M. Hart, Judge; S. C. Goddard, Clerk; David Wiltse, Prosecuting Attorney; William Montgomery, Sheriff; and Corydon M. Burroughs, School Fund Commissioner.

In January, 1855, O. P. Howard was appointed agent of the county for the selection of its swamp land, but soon after resigned; and in July, George Wyatt was appointed in his place.

The county was originally divided into four civil townships, to-wit; Union, Rock Grove, Floyd and St. Charles. At this time Cerro Gordo county was embraced as a part of Floyd, and in March, 1855, was made a separate township, for judicial and revenue purposes, and designated as Cerro Gordo Township. Floyd County is now divided into civil townships, as follows; St. Charles, Floyd, Rock Grove, Rockford, Ulster, Scott, Union, Pleasant Grove, Riverton, Niles, Cedar and Rudd.

Like many other counties, Floyd has passed through its struggle in regard to the location of the county seat. At the time of the organization, St. Charles was made the county seat, but the question of removal soon began to be agitated, and, in March, 1855, a number of citizens petitioned the county judge to authorize a vote to be taken. This, however, he declined to do, and in September, 1856, he ordered that proposals be received for the erection, in the village of St. Charles, of a stone court house, to be 50x60 feet in size. This movement met with violent opposition, and in January, 1857, another petition was presented to the county judge, asking the question of removal to be submitted to a vote of the people, which, after a protracted hearing on both sides, he again declined to do. It was finally proposed to vote on the question of locating it at the geographical center of the county, and, on the 3d of March, 1858, the county judge issued his proclamation, authorizing a vote to be taken on the 5th of April. The result was 453 in favor of removal to the center, and 434 in favor of St. Charles. It was therefore declared that by the result of this vote, the county seat was legally located at the geographical center of the State. The actual removal was never accomplished.

The county business continued to be transacted at St. Charles, where a large, substantial, and well-finished stone court house was erected, and the county seat has long since ceased to be a bone of contention.

CHARLES CITY - In the Summer of 1853, Mr. Kelley caused fifty-five acres of his land to be surveyed into town lots, calling the village St. Charles, in honor of his eldest son. In the early part of 1854, one log cabin was erected, and in the Fall of that year Mr. Kelley finished the building of a saw mill. The name of the town was subsequently changed to Charles City, but the township in which it is located, still retains the name of St. Charles.

In 1855, or about that time, Jarvis Rattan built a steam saw-mill at St. Charles, and lumber being more easily obtained, quite a number of buildings were erected in the latter place. About the same time seven capitalists from Rockford, Illinois, bought of Mr. Kelley, and other parties, the land adjoining the original town plat of St. Charles, and, forming themselves into a company, laid off a large additional tract into town lots. The following were the names of the persons composing the Town Company thus organized; Joseph Kelley, Duncan Ferguson, R. M. Waller, Milo Gilbert, William Hulin, Luke Joslin, R. M. Brantingham, and Jackson Spriggs. Since that time the town has enjoyed a steady and substantial growth, sufficiently rapid, but without outstripping the demands of the country.

It is situated on both sides of Cedar River, the greater portion, however, being on the east side. Beautiful groves surround the place on nearly all sides, and these, together with the river and its varied scenery, render the location one of great beauty. A substantial bridge crossed the river, connecting the two parts of the city. It is somewhat irregularly laid off, to conform to the course of the river, but has dry, handsome streets, which are kept in remarkably good order. The business portion of the town is chiefly on the east side of the river, from the bridge outward. The business buildings are, many of them, substantial stone blocks, of three stories. There are also some good buildings of brick. The handsome residences with which the place abounds, make a very fine appearance. The following is a summary of the leading branches of business: Five general stores, six grocery stores, three hardware stores, five boot and shoe establishments, two harness shops, three drug stores, two jewelry stores, four millinery stores, four sewing machine agencies, two clothing stores, two music stores, one tobacco and cigar dealer, three hotels, three printing offices, three banking houses, one of them a national bank, one brewery, one foundry, three planing mills, three agricultural machinery dealers, six blacksmith shops, four wagon shops, two feed stores, three meat markets, two barber shops, three paint shops, two bakeries, one photograph gallery, two merchant tailors, two cooper shops, ten lawyers, seven real estate agencies, two insurance agencies, five physicians, one abstract office, etc.

Both railroads have good depot buildings at the east side of the city. Upon the depot grounds of the Illinois Central there are three grain elevators and some half dozen warehouses. At that of the McGregor and Sioux City Road (more commonly known as the Iowa and Dakota Division of the Milwaukee and St. Paul, the operating company,) there are two elevators and about as many warehouses as at the former. At these elevators and warehouses a vast amount of grain is shipped, and Charles City is one of the best grain markets in Northern Iowa. There are two flouring mills, one propelled by water, the other by steam. The water power at Charles City is one of the best in the state, the fall being unusually great, and the banks upon either side, as well as the bed of the stream, are limestone rock, affording an excellent foundation for the dam. As yet it is improved only to a small extent of its capacity.

In the Spring of 1869 Charles City was incorporated by the election of a Mayor, Recorder, and five Trustees, Milo Gilbert becoming the Mayor. The present Mayor is W. D. Bulch, Recorder, A. W. French.

The city is an independent school district, and maintains its public schools in a most liberal manner. The citizens take especial pride in their schools, and, indeed, they would be an honor to any city in the state. There are two excellent school houses, one on each side of the river. The East Side school house was finished in 1867, is built of stone, 50x60 feet, and three stories high, including the basement. It is surmounted by a handsome tower, and has six large school rooms, besides one recitation room. The entire building is neatly finished, and furnished with the best single and double seats and desks. The cost was about $14,000. Since its completion it has been thoroughly remodeled internally and re-furnished, and is now furnished with all the modern improvements. The West Side building is also of stone, three stories high, and contains six good school rooms. It is similar in construction to that on the East Side, and equally well furnished. The schools are in charge of a principle, and are graded in four departments, high school, grammar school, intermediate and primary. The high school department is conducted solely upon the East Side.

The leading religious denominations are represented by the following organizations: Congregational, Baptist, Methodist, Episcopal, German Methodist, Christian, Catholic, Lutheran, and Adventist. All except the last have houses or churches for religious worship. Those of the Methodist Episcopal and Christian denominations are fine stone edifices, and the others are frame. The Methodist Episcopal Church, just finished, at a cost of $14,855, is a large and handsome building. The Catholics have the foundation laid for a superb edifice of very large dimensions to be constructed of stone. It will be completed next year.

FLOYD. – In July, 1855, the Town of Floyd was laid out by James Griffith and Henry C. Tatum. The first bridge in the county over Cedar River was erected at this point, but was carried away by the flood in the Summer of 1858. The town is handsomely located on the west side of Cedar River, six miles above Charles City. The Illinois Central Railroad depot is upon the east side of the river, and is easily accessible by means of a substantial bridge. The depot of the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad is some distance south of the town. The town has the advantages of an excellent water power upon which is erected one of the best flouring mills along the upper Cedar. It has considerable local trade and quite a number of good business houses. The independent district of Floyd has a fine stone graded school edifice, erected at a cost of $10,000. An abundance of good timber is convenient, and an excellent farming country surrounds the place on all sides. With these and other advantages, it will make a point of considerable importance. It has also the advantages of excellent stone quarries.

ROCKFORD. – This is one of the prettiest towns in this part of Iowa. It is situated on the west bank of Shell Rock River, at the junction of Lime Creek. The town was laid out in June, 1856, by several gentlemen from Rockford, Illinois. George Wyatt, acting as their agent, selected the location, and there is surely no more delightful site for a town in Floyd County. There is an abundance of limestone, timber, and clay for brick. The Shell Rock here affords excellent water power, which has been improved by the erection of a good flouring mill. A man named Brenton was the first settler in this part of the county. The town never had a log house in it. This town is an important station on the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Minnesota Railroad. Since the completion of this railroad it has built up rapidly and is now second only to Charles City in population. It is an excellent market and shipping point and has a large number of prosperous mercantile houses. Churches and schools are well maintained. A large, handsome stone edifice is provided for the latter. The Revillee, a handsome folio sheet of eight columns to the page, is published here by Mr. Robinson.

NORA SPRINGS. – This place is in the west part of the county, in a grove, on the east bank of Shell Rock River, in the Township of Rock Grove. A portion of the town was laid out many years ago, and was a place of considerable trade, owing in part to the fact that a fine flouring mill is situated here and a good bridge over the river. A railroad addition was subsequently laid out. The new portion of the town has rapidly improved, and a large number of residences and business houses have been erected. Both the Milwaukee & St. Paul and B. C. R. & M. roads have stations here, and the town enjoys a good local trade. The Floyd County Press is an independent Republican newspaper published here by H. H. Colt. It was established in 1872, and is a quarto sheet of five columns to the page.

RUDD. – This is a pretty little village and station on the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, between Floyd and Nora Springs, a little east of Floyd Creek. It is on a beautiful, rich prairie, surrounded by a country of great fertility, with a plentiful supply of timber on Flood Creek near. The town plat embraces fifty acres, and was laid out in October, 1869, by J. Swartwood.

MARBLE ROCK. – This is a village near Shell Rock River, in the southwest part of the county, and a station on the Burlington, Chicago & Milwaukee Railroad. It has considerable local trade and is a good shipping point. It also has a good flouring mill.

ROCK GROVE is a small village on the east side of Shell Rock River, two or three miles below Nora Springs. Watertown and Ulster are post offices.

Floyd County Courthouse

In Floyd County, early county records were kept in the homes or stores of county officials until construction of a two-story stone courthouse was completed. It was built at St. Charles for a cost of $18,000 and was completed in May of 1861. The building was graced with a dome and a self-supporting roof that was claimed to be a masterpiece of mechanical skill. On June 7, 1874, a bolt of lightning tore through the cupola and tore through the floor of the Recorder's office.

The building's condition deteriorated, until a fire destroyed the courthouse in 1881. Losses were estimated at $30,000 but most of the county records were saved.

A new courthouse was erected in 1881 on the foundation of the old building. It was built of the best brick, finished with stone trimmings, and handsomely designed. The total cost was $17,000.

In 1940, the second courthouse was demolished and the present courthouse was begun. It was made from tan brick, Bedford stone, and polished red granite. Today's courthouse was completed in 1941 and financed by a $240,000 bond issue.

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