VAN BUREN COUNTY, IA HISTORY AND LOOKUP

County History Books

The History of Van Buren County, Iowa by Western Historical Company, Chicago, (1878) – 602 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2023.12.18.2344.CD.AR

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa by Lake City Publishing Company (1890) – 670 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2025.09.02.2112.AR

Van Buren County, Iowa: A Genealogical Overview

Located in the southeastern corner of Iowa, Van Buren County is a historically rich region renowned for the scenic Des Moines River and its preserved “Villages of Van Buren.” A key area opened to settlement by the Black Hawk Purchase, its story is one of riverboat commerce, early pioneer farming, and a significant stop on the Mormon Trail. Its landscape is characterized by rolling hills, timbered valleys, and a deep commitment to preserving its 19th-century heritage.

I. County Formation and Evolution

Understanding Van Buren County’s formation from an original territorial county is essential for locating the earliest records for ancestors who settled in this part of Iowa.

  • 1836: County Formed: Van Buren County was established on December 7, 1836, by an act of the Wisconsin Territorial Legislature. It was formally organized in 1838.
  • Parent County: It was created from the western portion of Des Moines County, one of the two original counties of the Iowa District within the Wisconsin Territory. Records prior to 1836 for this area would be located in Des Moines County records.
  • Subsequent County Formations: Van Buren was a large county at its creation, but its present boundaries were largely set during its organization. It did not serve as a “mother county” to others after its borders were finalized.
  • Name Origin: The county is named in honor of Martin Van Buren, who was the 8th President of the United States at the time of the county’s formation.
  • County Seat History: The first county seat was Farmington. In 1838, the seat of government was moved to the more centrally located Keosauqua. The Van Buren County Courthouse in Keosauqua, completed in 1843, is the second-oldest courthouse in continuous use in Iowa and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

II. Settlement and Early History

  • Early Inhabitants: The region was the traditional land of the Sac (Sauk) and Meskwaki (Fox) peoples. The land was ceded to the United States in the Black Hawk Purchase of 1832, which opened the area to official American settlement starting in 1833.
  • Pioneer Settlement and Economy: American settlement began swiftly in the 1830s, with pioneers arriving from Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky. The Des Moines River was the primary artery for travel and commerce, leading to the growth of river towns like Keosauqua, Bentonsport, and Bonaparte. In 1846, thousands of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints passed through the county on their exodus west, an event commemorated as part of the Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail. The early economy was based on agriculture (corn and livestock), grist and sawmills powered by the river, and some coal mining.

III. Genealogical Records and Resources

This section provides practical information for locating ancestral records specific to Van Buren County.

  • Courthouse: Van Buren County Courthouse: Located at 406 Dodge St, Keosauqua, IA 52565.
    • The Clerk of the District Court holds probate (wills and estates), civil and criminal court cases, and some marriage records.
    • The County Recorder holds land records (deeds and mortgages) and is the primary repository for vital records (birth, death, marriage) registered in the county.
  • Vital Records:
    • Birth and Death Records: Statewide registration in Iowa began on July 1, 1880. Records from 1880 to approximately 1921 are typically held by the Van Buren County Recorder. For records after that date, researchers should also check with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. Records before 1880 are rare and must be sought in church, cemetery, or newspaper records.
    • Marriage Records: Marriage records from the county’s formation to the present are held by the Van Buren County Recorder.
  • Libraries with Genealogy Collections:
    • Van Buren County Genealogical Society: Located in Keosauqua, this is the most crucial resource for local family history, maintaining extensive collections of local records, family files, and obituaries.
    • Keosauqua Public Library: Often works in conjunction with the genealogical society and holds local history materials and newspapers on microfilm. The public libraries in the other Villages of Van Buren are also valuable resources.
    • State Historical Society of Iowa: With research centers in Des Moines and Iowa City, this is the main repository for statewide records, including newspapers, state census records, and military records.
  • Bordering Jurisdictions:
    • Jefferson County, IA
    • Henry County, IA
    • Lee County, IA
    • Davis County, IA
    • Clark County, MO

Please share any resources you have and will do lookups or links to resources you are aware of. Thanks