1875 Andreas Atlas


EARLY HISTORY.


Guthrie County was named by Theophilus Bryan, in honor of his friend, Captain Guthrie, who served in the Mexican War. The first white settler was John Nevins, who made a claim and built the first log cabin in Jackson Township, in the southeastern portion of the county, in 1848.

The county was organized July 8, 1851, by Theophilus Bryan, organizing Sheriff. He died October 8, 1856. At that time the county was divided into two civil townships, or voting precincts, the north half being called Cass, and the south half Jackson. The same territory is now divided into sixteen townships. The first election for county officers took place on the first Monday in August, 1851, the citizens of Cass Township voting at the house of Andrew Brumbaugh, while those of Jackson met at the house of Fredrick Fry. At this time, the county had a total population of two hundred and twenty-two, and the number of votes cast was seventy-two. The following county officers were chosen at this election: Theophilus Bryan, County Judge; Silas G. Weeks, Clerk of the District Court; S. M. Bayles, Treasurer and Recorder; and M. Messenger, Sheriff.

The county seat was located on the southeast qauarter of section 32, township 80, range 30, and the place named Panora. This being well toward the eastern boundary of the county, as settlements extended westward the question of removal soon bewgan to be agitated, and a rival town was laid out in 1855, at the geographical center of the county, to which the name of Guthrie Center was given. In 1859 the friends of this point succeeded in obtaining a vote on removal, with successful results. They retained it only about two years, when it was returned to Panora. In 1873, the county seat was a second time removed to Guthrie Center.


Transcribed by Cheryl Siebrass, February, 2024 from "A. T. Andreas Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Iowa" Chicago: Andreas Atlas Co., 1875, pg. 469.