of
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| History of Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume I, 1911, pages 52-53
FIRST OFFICIALS CHOSEN TO GOVERN THE SETTLEMENTS. At the time the settlers at Burlington began to feel their strength, in the way of growth in population, measures were considered providing for laws governing the colony. The laws of Michigan territory prevailed in 1834, for in the spring of that year this region was attached to Michigan territory for judicial purposes and Des Moines county was organized. In the fall of 1834 an election was held and the following officers chosen: William Morgan, supreme judge; and Henry Walker and Young L. Hughes, assistants; W. R. Ross, clerk; Colonel W. W. Chapman, district attorney; Solomon Perkins, sheriff; John Barker, justice of the peace; W. R. Ross, treasurer and recorder; John Whitaker, probate judge; Leonard Olney, supreme judge; John Barker and Richard Land, justices of the peace. In the fall of 1835, George W. Jones was elected a delegate to congress from the territory of Michigan. These were the officials who presided over the destinies of the then unorganized county of Muscatine.
The bill creating the territory of Wisconsin was approved April 20, 1836, and Henry Dodge was appointed by President Andrew Jackson governor. Governor Dodge issued his first proclamation September 9, 1836, convening the territorial legislature at Belmont on the 25th of October. An election was held on the second Monday in October, at which time a delegate in congress was elected and members of the legislature. At that time there were five counties; Brown, Milwaukee, Iowa, Dubuque and Des Moines, the two latter counties containing a population of 10,521. From Des Moines county were sent to the legislature the following: Council---Jeremiah Smith, Jr., Joseph B. Teas, Arthur B. Inghram; House----Isaac Leffler, Thomas Blair, Warren L. Jenkins, John Box, George W. Teas, Eli Reynolds, David R. Chance. By the second act passed by the legislature, judicial districts were established. Charles Dunn became chief justice of the supreme court and presided at the first district; David Irvin, associate in the second, and William C. Frazier, associate in the third. The permanent seat of government for the territory was fixed upon Madison, and Burlington was selected as the temporary capital.
To recapitulate: On September 21, 1832, this portion of Iowa was ceded by treaty and purchase from the Sac and Fox Indians to the United States and possession was given June 1, 1833. June 30, 1834, the Purchase was attached to Michigan and on July 3, 1836, it came under the laws and jurisdiction of Wisconsin. July 4, 1838, it became the territory of Iowa, with a population of 22, 859. Robert Lucas, a former governor of Ohio, was appointed governor of Iowa territory.
Back to Historical Index Page