CHAPTER II.
EARLY HISTORY OF THE STATE (CONT'D).

GRADUAL CREATION OF CASS COUNTY.

But while the lazy Pottawattamies were roaming over the fields, and along the beautiful valleys of Cass county, and mortal enemies from other tribes were skulking and murdering through the woods, eastern Iowa was settling so rapidly that the Territorial authorities of Michigan saw the necessity of extending civil government over the country under their jurisdiction west of the Mississippi river; this included the territory now embraced in the present States of Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Thus, on September 6, 1834, the Michigan Legislature created two counties on the west side of the Mississippi river, separated by a line drawn westward from the foot of Rock Island. North of the line was known as Dubuque, and south as "Demoine" county--in the latter division being what is now known as Cass county. Isaac Leffler was appointed Chief Justice of Des Moines county, his residence being in Burlington. In 1836 the Territory of Wisconsin was created and Des Moines county came within its civil jurisdiction.

In 1837 Cass county became a portion of Keokuk county, but continued under the general jurisdiction of Wisconsin until the organization of the Territory of Iowa in 1838; it was only theoritically, however, that the county was under any civilized jurisdiction, for practically it was sitll the camping ground of the Pottawattamies. Neither was it given the name of Cass county and its present boundaries established until 18561, when it was created and christened by the State of Iowa, and three commissioners were appointed to locate the county seat; but as they did nothing in fulfillment of their duty their names are not here recorded.

The General Assembly which met at Iowa City, December 6, 1852, provided for the organization of a number of new counties in the western part of the State, and among others the county of Cass, and in the following spring the seat of justice was located at Lewis, officers elected and the county government put in full operation. The organizing act of 1852 is therefore marked as a distinct division in the history of Cass county, and it is necessary at this point to note the progress made by white settlers in the advancement of their frontier into the Indian country.

"Compendium and History of Cass County, Iowa." Chicago: Henry and Taylor & Co., 1906, pp. 43-44.
Transcribed by Cheryl Siebrass, October, 2017.