Old Pottawattamie County was organized Sept. 21, 1848. The first Counblessadur ty Commissioners were: A. H. Perkins, David D. Yearsley and George D. Coulton. They held their first session in the house of Hiram Clark in Kanesville. T. Burdick was the first Clerk and also the first County Judge. Alexander McRea was the first sheriff.

When it was first organized it was a very large County and included all of what is now Cass County and parts of all the counties adjoining on the North and South of these two counties as they are formed today. In 1852 it was divided into three Civil Townships; Rockford, Kane, and Macedonia. Rockford was located in the Northwestern portion, Kane in the Southwest portion and Macedonia, the largest of the three, comprised all the Eastern portion. In 1853, what is now Cass County was made a Township of Pottawattamie County and was named Cass Township, by act of the 4th General Assembly of Iowa. In June 1856 Center Township was formed and in July the same year, Walnut Twp. was formed, which included all of Wright and Waveland Townships as they are formed today.

The first Court House in Pottawattamie was a large log house which was purchased from the Mormons in 1851, and a smaller building for the jail. The jail was constructed of three inch planks and filled with large spikes, so the inmates could not saw their way out.

In 1866 it was voted to issue $42,000.00 in County Bonds for the building of a new Court House. The site where the present Court House now stands was purchased for the sum of $3,500.00. The jail which was made in the basement and the offices on the first floor, were completed the following year, but the Court room was not completed until the Winter of 1868, when it was formally opened. Prior to this time Court was held in Council Hall and after it burned in 1869, Burhop Hall which was built in 1865, was used for holding Court in the day time, dancing at night, Church services on Sunday, while the bar on the ground floor was open for business every day and night.

Now that we have Old Pottawattamie County organized and the Court House built we will journey eastward to about the center of what was then Macedonia Township which would not be far from the present Griswold, and take up the early settlements there, traveling in a clockwise direction, starting with the first settlement near the present town of Macedonia.

THE OLD POTTAWATTAMIE MILL

In 1853 Council Bluffs was a staggling frontier village, founded by the Mormons in 1846 and boomed by the gold rush of '49. A row of frame store buildings with square fronts lined the one principal street and the Missouri River was about three miles away across the sunflower-covered bottoms. The most interesting place in or near town was the old Pottawattamie Mill, located about three miles to the northeast, then in the heyday of its existence. Stutely E. Wicks was the miller.

By a treaty made at Chicago on Sept. 26 and 27, 1833, several scattering bands of Pottawattamie, Chippewa, and Ottawa Indians in Illinois and Indiana, who had not been removed under previous treaties, surrendered their occupancy of lands in those States and consented to removal west of the Mississippi River.

The mill, fully equipped, was ready for use in the early part of 1841. A dam extending across the creek from north to south was in the neighborhood of forty feet long and from eight to nine feet high. It was constructed of timber-built cribs filled from earth, having an apron below to prevent washout from the backflow of water and a spillway at the south end. The sawing department consisted of a shed of hewn timber roofed and partly enclosed, about thirty or thirty-five feet long and twenty feet wide, fitted with an upright saw and automatic feed carriage. The grist -mill was a two story frame building, well finished with a single pair of granite grinding stones, about thirty inches in diameter, and cloth bolt capable of removing the bran from corn but not suitable for the manufacture of fine flour.

The miller was required to operate the mill free of charge to the Indians for whose benefit it had been built, though authorized and instructed to grind grain and saw logs for any other parties who might apply, just compensation being demanded for such service. Business was light at first, inasmuch as the Indian agent reported the Pottawattamies who resided in the vicinity planted little corn and the need for timber was limited.

Late in 1845, the Pottawattamies, without asking permission from the Indian Office, visited Washington and asked to surrender their Iowa land and go to Kansas, where the main body of their tribe had been located some years before.

In September, 1847, the Pottawattamies began leaving Council Bluffs for their Kansas home.

In 1866, the old Pottawattamie mill at Council Bluffs passed from the control of the United States and thereafter became "Wick's Mill". He operated the old mill until early 1862, when it was seriously damaged by flood. The old mill fell victim to the element from which it drew its life and power.

by Mrs. Merritt Powell

Andrew J. Nielsen [known as Andy] pioneered aviation in this area, bringing the first airplane to Pottawattamie County. After being a flyer in World War I and being desirous of promoting aviation, in the spring of 1919 he bought a war surplus plane from the Canadian Government. He first considered Omaha, as he was asked to bring the plane there, but decided on Council Bluffs. He rented pasture land near Lake Manawa, where Lakeview school is presently located. He built a hanger to house the Curtis training plane and then added a small building as an office. The venture was incorporated as Nielsen Aero Company. Many people in the community took their first airplane ride at a cost of $25.00 for a trip over the city. He also trained a few students and sold some planes. Also, Mr. Nielsen was the first to fly an airplane over the Chautauqua Circuit, displaying air stunts in the afternoon and lecturing at night about air navigation before huge crowds under the big tents. Also, he was in great demand by numerous County Fair Boards throughout the middle west to exhibit his dare devil stunts to the multitude at the fairs. As more interest developed in flying and as there was a rapid change in motors and style of planes, Mr. Nielsen closed out his place in Council Bluffs and moved to Omaha, Nebraska in 1926 where he set up the Omaha Airways.

THE BOOMER-HAZEL DELL MUTUAL PROTECTIVE ASSN.

The Boomer-Hazel Dell Mutual Protective Assn. of Pott. County is one of the Vigilance groups which came into existence after the Civil War and operated under the State Grand Order. It was founded in 1876.

This group was concerned with law and order, thievery, since the horse was the mainstay of most Pioneer families. The Assn. was organized both to protect property and as a secret society. A Captain was elected in the group to lead the chase after crooks. It is known that all who were called upon had to go immediately to the aid of their fellow members.

Secretary was paid for his job as much as $12.75 in 1890 but the salary was dropped during the depression days of the 1930's.

All new members are to be approved by the group.

The Mutal Protectionists Fourth of July picnic was one of the biggest events in the area each year.

After the turn of the century, the work of the M.P.'s tapered off for several years, The County Sheriff and his men were probably becoming more effective with better methods of transportation and communication.

In 1932 there was an era of chicken and poultry thefts.

This organization is still in force, having three meetings a year. Strictly all men. by Ralph E. Spencer, President 1977-78

POTTAWATTMIE COUNTY HISTORICAL SQUIRREL CAGE JAIL

Located just north of the new Courthouse is the unique Squirrel Cage Jail. The only three tier jail ever built. The jail built in 1885 at a cost of $30,000. The rotary jail is basically a three story drum surrounded by a gridded, stationary cage which was bolted to the flagstone floor and to the iron plates in the ceiling. The inner drum is divided into three levels of decks, each containing ten pie-shaped cells with double bunk beds. There is only one door per deck. As originally built, the inner drum rotated continuously. Water supplied the power to rotate it. Entrance or exit to the individual cells was gained by stopping the water.

The design provided good security. Though condemned many times by grand juries and judges it was not closed until 1969. Now owned by the city of Council Bluffs the jail is leased to the Pottawattamie County Historical Society. The Society is engaged in a project to restore the building, planning to make it into a museum and tourist attraction. Application has been filed to have the jail declared a National Historical landmark.

EAST POTTAWATTAMIE SOIL CONSERVATION

The East Pottawattamie Soil Conservation District was officially formed and approved as a governmental subdivision of the State of Iowa on November 20, 1942. The District is governed by Commissioners. The first three were L. V. Coons, Carson; W. W. Wiese, Avoca; and Frank McArthur, Oakland. At the first meeting of Commissioners Frank McArthur was elected Chairman.

Then, as now, the Commissioners established goals and priorties for the important work of natural resource conservation. The general attitude of farmers toward soil concervation was good, as shown by accomplishments during 1943. They were: contouring, 12,000 acres, terraces -- 39.1 miles [on different farms], waterways --8,500 feet, and open drainage --8,270 ft.

The production efforts required for World War II competed with soil conservation efforts, but accomplishments continued high throughout the decades. 1977 accomplishments are contouring 2,600 acres, terraces 189.6 miles, tile drainage 122,000 feet, and livestock pollution control, 3 systems.

The Bee-Jay Watershed Project is located just west of Oakland in Belknap and James Townships. This project covers nearly 17,000 acres. Interest in development started in 1954 and financing was suthorized in 1961. Structure construction was completed in late 1977.

Throughout the years, the district has worked on permanent conservation, i.e., terraces, as the first priorty. Problems and priorites are keyed on our natural resources. Water quality is becoming more important to the general public. It is still strongly influenced by our farming operations. Therefore, the Soil Conservation District currently is working toward improvement of individual tracts of land through soil conserving practices, as always, but also promoting those activities which reduce water pollution. Often both benefits are received from a single program.

As farm equipment and farming methods change, so must the soil conserving practices. The first terraces were built for two row equipment and spaced as close as 40' and as wide as 200', as they were staked level but parallel. Now we build for at least four rows, and often 6 or 8. The spacing is uniform, as the terraces are paralleled everywhere possible. Terraces are built with steep backslopes to make the farmed areas flatter.

WEST POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY SOIL CONSERVATION

In December 1942, a soils district program was set up with the assistance of Carl Smith, Extention Soil Conservationist from Ames. A named committee reviewed plans and requirements to form a district. 125 committee men carried petitions to contact farmers. 150 farmers had signed by April -- 400 signatures were required. The 1943 committee formed a soils district and another 150 farmers signed. The Missouri River flooded and 52 sections of land were covered with water.

In January 1944, 463 farmers had signed petitions to form a soils district. In February, Soils District Commissioners were elected and they submitted a request to the Sec. of State to form a soils district in West Pottawattamie County. The request was granted . Ernest Harms was elected chairman and Clifford Johnson, secretary. Soils, water conservation problems and needs were listed.

Brome and canary grass were distributed in the county and program on soils was started for rural and high schools.

The early programs included contour corn yield contest, 4-H soil conservation programs, Jr. Cattle Feeders, Pasture-Grain contests. Soil loss limit regulations were adopted.

The long time average annual rainfall in the district is aobut 28.5 inches. The monthly summer temperature ranged from 82.2 July 1974 to 73.1 in July 1959. The average frost free periods is from April 25 to October 10.

The 1977 Soil Conservation District Commissioners are Eldon Ravlin, Derold Blois, Floyd Fischer, Lloyd Brockman, Clint Goos, Louie Fahrenkrog and C. W. McManamy.

FARM BUREAU

Farm Bureau was first organized in 1918 in East Pottawattamie. Farm Bureau is a free, independent, non governamental voluntary organization made of farmers and urban members. It is organized to provide a means by which farmers can work together toward the goals upon which they agree.

The first officers were President - B. E. Whipple, V. P. - Chas. Hanley, Secretary - Edwin Davis, Treas. - Felix Setz, Presidents during the years have been: B.E. Whipple, Chas. Hanley, Frank Zentmire, H.F. Hayes, Wm. Vogt, J.W. Robinson, L.E. Dool, L.V. Coons, R.C. White, James A. Bolton, J.H. Eggerstedt, P.W. McMartin, Otto Matthies, Harry L. Pond, Chas. Bircher, Ivan Forristall, Chas. King, Jr., James T. Andersen, Dwight Parker, Clifford, V. Heyne, Boyd Nilan, Earl Clymer, Dale Bolton, Elwood Buckingham, Robert Bingham, Bryce Parker, Jack Denton, E. J. Niemann, Wayne Paulsen, Willard Fritz, Wendell Wolkens, Dean W. Hunt, Jack Drake and Steve Pierce.

Women's chairmen have been Miss Myrtle Putnam, Mrs. H.F. Hays, Mrs. C.A. Parker, Mrs. James A. Bolton, Mrs. Jette Clark, Mrs. L.V. Coons, Mrs. R. H. Bingham, Mrs. S.T. Rogers, Mrs. James Beatty, Mrs. H.O.B. Humbert, Mrs. Mildred Carley, Mrs. Chas. King, Jr., Mrs Elmer Harder, Mrs. Orvie Fischer, Mrs. Henry Beatty, Mrs. Dwight Parker, Mrs. Mervin Applegate, Mrs. Dale Bolton, Mrs. E. J. Niemann, Mrs. Leonard Koehler, Mrs. Rallph Pierce, Mrs. Bryce Parker, Mrs. Robert Bates, Mrs. Willard Fritz, Mrs. Kenneth Parkhill, Mrs. Clarence Sick, Mrs. John Lees, and Mrs. Dean W. Hunt.

In 1968 on the 50th anniversary, Mrs. James A. Bolton, Edwin Davis and Roy Schuttloffel were honored as 50 year continuous members.

Farm Bureau Fieldman have consisted of Don Trumbo, Harold Bergman, Donald Butcher, Paul Boyd, Robert Scott, Gene Roe and our present fieldman - Lumen W. Jacobsen.

There have been a total of ten office assistants during the 59 years since Farm Bureau was organized. They include: Velma Jarrett, Bernice Greenfield, Nelle Rodwell, Betty Cleaveland, Doris Gillespie, Karen Rogers Brewer, Elva Lyttle, Cheryl Keast, Shirley Jones and Dorothy Swope.

Miss Bernice Greenfield was the office assistant in Oakland during 1926-1967 for a total of 41 years until her retirement in 1967, when Dorothy Swope took her place and has been the Farm Bureau Office Assistant for the past 10 years.

The Farm Bureau building located on the North Edge of Oakland is 40 ft. x 60 ft. and the cost of the building in 1955 was $20,000 and the lot was $2,500. One half of the building has been rented to the Extension service since the building was built. The basement of the building is also rented out for family dinners, showers, etc.

1918-1919 First worker with youth Professor Allbough of Macedonia employed for three summer months, hired jointly by the local school board and the Extension Department of Ames. 27 enrolled in Poultry Club, 10 in Garden Club, 32 in Canning Club, 5 in the Acre of Corn Contest, and 5 in Market Pig Club. Boys Pure Bred Gilt Club originated by 16 members in 1920. Leader, George Lippold, Avoca.

1922 - 48 boys and girls enorlled and completed the pre-bred gilt club work. The pigs were secured May 15 and the club closed at a fair on August 25.

1923 - 4 girls clothing clubs were organized or reorganized. These were Belknap, James, Pleasant and Washington.

1924 - Girls 4-H finally got off with the forming of the first County Club Committee. Members were Mrs. Virgil Vance, Mrs. Roy Cross, Mrs. J.W. King, Mrs Ed Rogers, Mrs. Arthur Snapp, and Miss Mary L. McComb - advisory member. A new club was formed in Valley and Lincoln townships, making the county total 4 clubs [Belknap, James, Valley and Lincoln] and the membership of 68.

1925 - Farm Bureau resolutions passed at the annual county meeting prevent girls from non-Farm Bureau member families from participating in club work. This proved to be a very serious handicap to club work and only 29 girls finished the club year. Farm Bureau had a less prominent part in the County Fair, due primarily to the failure to organize club work.

1927 - By now there were 10 clubs, 18 leaders and 133 members.

1935 - Ten boys clubs were organized , and eight girls clubs organized. Bread making was the main project for the girls and the boys carried various livestock projects. Girls elected to be county officers at Rally Day were: President - Betty Dool, Hancock, Vice President - Ester Maassen, Avoca, Secretary-Treasurer - Ruby Anderson, Walnut, Reporter - Mary Pierce, Oakland, Historian - Ellen Crisler, Macedonia.

1940 - Ten active girls clubs - Leaders and clubs were: Mrs. Wayne Carr - Carson Clever Clippers, Mrs. Ralph Parker - Center Chummy Champs, Mrs. H. Nissen - Layton Willing Workers, Mrs. Max Purdy - Lincoln Lovely Lassies, Mrs. L. V. Coons - Macedonia Wide Awakes, Mrs. C. J. Wisecup - Pleasant Peppy Plotters, Mrs. W. Simmonds - Valley H.H.H.H., Mrs. C. Bryant - Valley Willing Workers, Mrs. Robert Bane - Washington Wonder Workers, Mrs. Glenn Hurlbutt - Waveland Peppy Farmerettes. Their project for the year was food preservation.

Dean L. Stanley was County Agriculture Agent; Mrs. Louise A. Scott, Home Demonstration Agent. Bernice Greenfiled was office Secretary.

The Health Program was a big thing and each health girl was presented on the Achievement Day at the County Fair. All doctors and dentists who assisted in the health examinations were invited to the 4-H party. Dr. Smith of Shelby was initiated as an Honorary memember into the Pleasant Peppy Plotters club and presented with a gift. Other doctors who helped were each presented with three quarts of canned fruit. County winner in the Health Program was LaVaughn Koester of Valley H.H.H.H. Leland Kohlscheen of Walnut received the Health Program award for the boys. Phyllis Nissen of the Layton Willing Workers was elected State 4-H Girls President for 1940-41.

There were nine local boys livestock and crop clubs organized with 112 boys and 4 girls enrolled. 34 boys and 1 girl enrolled in the baby beef project, 10 in dairy, 34 in pig clubs, and only 2 in garden. County Club Committee members were: Harvey Schnackel, Lloyd Davis, Hugo Paasch, Keith Matthies, and Mervin Martin. Club leaders and clubs were: Ora Gress and Richard Brown - Lincoln; Ivan Forristall and C. H. Merchant - Macedonia; Richard Fammac - Carson; Harry Pont and Elmer Billingsley - Pleasant; J.W. McClymonds - Wright; Everett Rossmann and Kenneth Fredrecksen - Layton; Kenneth Bentley and V. L. Vance - Washington; Harvey Schnackel - James; Mrs. Frank O'Neill - James.

Boys 4-H officers were: President - Donald Barton, Vice President - Donald Turner, Secretary - Phillip Brougham, Treasurer - Sherwood Bentley, and Reporter - Robert Jones.

1945 - Club work continued with 8 organized girls clubs and 84 members. Boys organized clubs had dropped to 2 with 24 members in various areas of the county.

Winner of the Girls Better Grooming Contest ws Maxine Eggers. Helen Sue Henry was chosen to participate in the camp fire ceremony at 4-H camp at Blair, Nebraska. Extension work continues to be carried on in the county through the County Farm Bureau.

1954-55 - The County Extension Educational Program was prepared by the County Extension Program Planning Committee. This committee consists of three farm men and three farm women, and others appointed by the committee to further determine the problems confronting the people of the county. The County Extension Educational Program is divided into four phases: 1.] Producation and Marketing; 2.] Family Living; 3.] Youth and Community Develpoment; and 4.] Public Policy. They are tied together to work toward the common goal of improving living for rural people. A new council was elected in township elections and took over complete supervision of the Extension Educational Programs. On August 1, 1955, Mr. Carl Evans administered the oath of office to the elected committee. This marked the removal of the Extension programs from sponsorship by Farm Bureau.

1956 - Twelve organized boys Clubs - 163 members; 19 organized girls clubs - 259 members. Don Applegate was elected State Vice President and was selected as winner of the L. W. Plager Memorial Award for showing outstanding leadership. County Committee members were: Mrs. Joe Davis, Mrs. Harold Jacobsen, Mrs. Clifford Heyne, Mrs. Robert Bane, Mrs. C. G. Watkins, Bob Bingham, Kenneth Fredricksen, Fred Pierce, Lynn McClure, Kenneth Parkhill and Blaine Smith.

1957 - Roger Applegate elected to State Secretary. First joint boy-girl camp at Madrid, 96 4-H'ers, leaders, and extension personnel attended. Total cost $15.10. First highway welcome signs was erected near Avoca.

1959 - Craig Davis state historian.

1965 - First year for booths in the girls building at county fair. First year to weigh all livestock on the Sale Barn scales. 12 organized boys clubs - 188 members; 13 organized girls clubs, 189 members. County officers were: LuEllen Bolton - Bob Beedle, Presidents; BEcky King - Richard Hobson, Secretary-Treasurers; Cindy Sievers - Lyle Abel - Historians. Outstanding intermediates were Charles Vance and Mary Leigh Kaven.

1976-77 - 4H continues strong in East Pottawattamie with 10 organized girls clubs. They were: Carsonettes with 11 members, Mrs. Homer Brumley of Carson Organizational Leader; Center Clover Club with 12 members, Mrs. Fred Hamilton, Oakland. Org. Leader; Future Fixers with 9 members, Mrs. Carl Tiekotter, Macedonia, Org. Leader; Homemaking Lassies with 22 members, Mrs. Wilfred Troll, Walnut, Org. Leader.