A brief historical reminder: In 1834, lands now known as Michigan, the Dakotas, Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota, were attached to the Michigan Territory. Wisconsin Territory was established on July 3, 1836, from Michigan Territory and consisted of the present states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and the eastern portion of the Dakotas. Louisa County was formed on Dec. 7, 1836. Iowa Territory was organized on July 4, 1838. Iowa gained its statehood on Dec. 28, 1846.
The first Marriage book for Louisa County is kept in the vault in the Louisa County Recorder's office with the county's other vital records. Edges are gone, some pages (7 & 8 are missing and possibly others) are blank or missing. The remains of the book have been laminated. Each page contains the license information and the marriage record of one couple.
On the first page of this marriage record book it is written the following: "Territory of Michigan, Des Moines County. United States vs. Henry Hamel (prosecution for the murder of William C. Richardson on the 15th of June 1835.) Henry O. Hamel is about 5 foot 10 inches high of sandy complexion, about 22 years of age. Emigrated from Allegheny County, Md., to the county in the spring of 1835. William C. Richardson, 27-30 years of age, emigrated the spring of 1835 and remained until in death in Burlington, 18th June 1836." Signed Z. C. Inghram, deputy sheriff.
Our deepest thanks go to Norma Jennings, Amanda Wilson, Janice Hoehle, Beverly Gerdts, Beverly Witmer and members of the Louisa Co. Genealogical Society for making this Marriage Index possible.
