G. I. CHIZUM
G. I. Chizum, the present treasurer, was elected in October, 1883, and commenced the labors of the office, January 1, 1884. Garrison I. Chizum, county treasurer, was born July 6, 1829, and is is the oldest son of William J. and Mary (Mathews) Chizum. The former a native of Ohio, and the latter of Kentucky. Garrison spent the early part of his life on a farm in Tippecanoe county, Indiana, where he remained until eighteen years old, receiving meanwhile, a good common school education. He then engaged in teaching until twenty-four years of age, when he came to Iowa, first settling in Warren county, and in March, 1854 came to this couuty, locating in Cass township, where he pre-empted and entered several tracts of land. These lands he did not improve, but had his home in Indiantown for a short time. Mr. Chizum taught the first school in the county, and is therefore the pioneer teacher of Cass county. A young man by the name of Taylor commenced teaching in an old building on section 8, in 1884, but was accidentally drowned, and Mr. Chizum took charge of the school. In 1878 he left his farm, moved to Lewis and engaged in the grocery business. Then selling out, was in the real estate trade. Also had business in connection with the office of justice of the peace; and was mayor of the city. He remained in Lewis until his election to his present position, in the fall of 1883. He is an efficient and trustworthy officer, and the funds of the county are in honest hands. He was married August 23, 1854, to Hannah Bradshaw, a daughter of Jeremiah Bradshaw, who was among the earliest settlers of the county. They have five children living--John, H. deputy in the treasurer's office; Carrie A., wife of J. P. Anderson of Glenwood; Jennie M., William J. and Ella C. Mr. Chizum has always been prominently identified with this county, having held many offices of trust and honor and always proving himself a deserving man, worthy the respect and support of the people.
Contributed by Lisa Varnes-Rex from "History of Cass County, Iowa. Together With Sketches of its Towns, Villages and Townships, Educational, Civil, Military and Political History: Portraits of Prominent Persons, and Biographies of Old Settlers and Representative Citizens." Springfield, Ill.: Continental Historical Company, 1884, pg. 358-359.
