| Iowa State Census Project | 1836 Census of Iowa from Wisconsin Territorial Census | |
The Wisconsin Territorial counties of Dubuque and Des Moines covered the area to become Iowa Territory. |
| Year | Transcriber | Status | Date | County Transcripts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1836 (Wisconsin Territorial Census) | Eleanor (Lynn) B. McCleary | Complete | 12 Jun 2009 | Des Moines, Dubuque, index |
This 1836 census was the first census taken of the first settlements in what is now the state of Iowa. Dubuque and Des Moines counties were separated by a line drawn westward from the foot of Rock Island, Illinois, which cut through present day Muscatine county. To help determine the location of settler population in 1836, have a look at the 1840 Population Map. To further narrow-down the location, also see the Indian Territory Accession Map and accompanying text (above the map). From this information, it appears the majority of the population existed within the 1832 Black Hawk Purchase. Source: Census of Iowa for the year 1905
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume I, 1911, pages 18-20
After the "Black Hawk Purchase" immigration to Iowa was rapid and steady, and provisions for civil government became a necessity. Accordingly, in 1834, all the territory comprising the present states of Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota, was made subject to the jurisdiction of Michigan territory. Up to this time there had been no county or other organization in what is now the state of Iowa, although one or two justices of the peace had been appointed, and a post office was established at Dubuque in 1833. In September of 1834, therefore, the territorial legislature of Michigan created two counties on the west side of the Mississippi river--Dubuque and Des Moines--separated by a line drawn westward from the foot of Rock Island, Illinois. These counties were partially organized. John King was appointed chief justice of Dubuque county and Isaac Leffler of Des Moines county was appointed by the governor.
In October, 1835, General George W. Jones, in recent years a citizen of Dubuque, was elected a delegate to congress. April 20, 1836, through the efforts of General Jones, congress passed a bill creating the territory of Wisconsin, which went into operation July 4th of the same year. Iowa was then included in the territory of Wisconsin, of which General Henry Dodge was appointed governor; John S. Horner, secretary; Charles Dunn, chief justice; David Irwin and William C. Frazer, associate justices. September 9, 1836, a census of the new territory was taken. Des Moines county showed a population of 6,257, and Dubuque county 4,274.
Contributor: Eleanor B. McCleary
Sources: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume I, 1911, pages 18-20
1836 Wisconsin Territorial Census. Historical Society Wisconsin, Madison, WI. Microfilm #: HA 377.A6
Pages: Stephen D. Williams, 11 Jun 2009
Sample Census Pages:
Submitted by Eleanor B. McCleary, May 24, 2009
(Transcription taken from microfilm)
1836 Territorial Census of Wisconsin
microfilmed by the
State Historical Society of Wisconsin
Archives Division
Photo copied April 25, 1950
(Microfilm pg 1 )
9
On the 13th day of July 1836 His Excellency Henry Dodge delivered to the Secretary,
for Record as his official Act the following
Circular
Elk Grove, Iowa County
July 13th 1836
Executive Department
Sir:
Under the organic law of Congress establishing the Territorial Government
of Wisconsin, approved the 20th day of April 1836 by the 4th Section of that Law it
is made the duty of the Governor of the Territory to cause the Census or
enumeration of the inhabitants of the several Counties in the Territory to be taken
by the Sheriff of the Counties respectively and returns made by the said Sheriff to
the Governor.
You will, in conformity with the provisions of said Law proceed to take the Census
or enumeration of the inhabitants of your County and you will appoint an assistant
or assistants should it be necessary to assist you in the duties required of you and
before the commencement of your duties By yourself or Assistants you and each of
them will be duly sworn before a Justice of the Peace according to the existing Laws
of Michigan for the faithful performance of the duties required of you By Law in
taking the census or enumeration of the inhabitants in your County as the Law
requires the Governor in the first instance shall apportion the representation
according to the ratio of the population (Indians excepted) as nearly as may be And
as the qualified voters of the Territory are declared to the free white Citizen of
the United States at over the age of Twenty one years who was an inhabitant of the
Territory on the 4th Just; you are hereby required that you cause the number of the
inhabitants of your County (Indians excepted) to be taken as follows, the said
enumeration shall distinguish the sexes of all free white persons under the age of
twenty one years and those that are above that age and those that are above that age
residing in your County on the 4th of July wit: that you take such a enumeration by
an actual inquiry at every dwelling House or by personal inquiry of the head of
every family or of the person so enumerated and that you will designate such free
white Males and Females in district columns showing the number of each with the
aggregate number of the whole your return with will be made.
(Microfilm Pg 2)
Census Returns
Executive Department for the
Territory of Wisconsin
September 8, 1836
Return of the different Sheriffs of the Census enumeration of the Inhabitants of the
Territory of Wisconsin
Pop n Rept Council
Des Moines County 6257 7 3
Iowa County 5234 6 3
Du Buque County 4274 5 3
Crawford County 850 2 0
Brown County 2,706 3 2
Milwauke 11,683 2,893 3 2
22,214 26 13
H. Dodge
Delivered to the Secretary of the Territory 8th Nov 1836
(Microfilm Pg 3)
Executive Department for the
Territory of Wisconsin
September 8, 1836
Return of the different Sheriffs of the Census enumeration of the Inhabitants of the
Territory of Wisconsin
Pop Rep Council
Des Moines County 6257 7 3
Iowa County 52341 6 3
Du Buque County 4274 5 3
Crawford County 850 2 0
Brown County 2,706 3 2
Milwauke 2,893 3 2
22,214 26 13
H Dodge
****
Order of counties on micro film was Brown, Crawford, Des Moines, Dubuque, Milwaukee
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