WAPELLO COUNTY, IA HISTORY AND LOOKUP

County History Books

History of Wapello County Iowa by Capt. S. B. Evans, (1901) – 692 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2023.12.18.2345.CD.AR

History of Wapello County, Iowa Volume. 1 by Harrison Lyman Waterman, 1914 – 538 Pages
Source: Family Search
Book ID: CH.2025.06.17.2246.FS

Portrait and Biographical Album of Wapello County, Iowa by Chapman, Firm, Publishers, (1887) – 592 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2025.11.20.1448.AR

The History of Wapello County, Iowa, Containing a History of the County, Its Cities, Towns, &c. by Western Historical Co., Chicago, (1878) – 672 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2025.11.21.1100.AR

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Wapello County, Iowa: A Genealogical Overview

Located in southeastern Iowa, Wapello County is a region defined by the Des Moines River, which flows through its center. Its history is a classic Iowa story of agricultural settlement transformed by the arrival of railroads and the boom of the coal mining and meatpacking industries. Centered around its county seat of Ottumwa, the county’s heritage is a blend of Native American history, pioneer farming, and industrial labor.

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I. County Formation and Evolution

Understanding Wapello County’s formation from unorganized territory and its stable boundaries is key to locating early records for ancestors who settled in this part of Iowa.

• 1843: County Formed: Wapello County was established by an act of the Iowa Territorial Legislature on February 17, 1843. Its government was organized in 1844.
• Parent County: The land was part of a large tract ceded by the Sac and Fox (Meskwaki) tribes. Before its own government was organized, it was attached to Jefferson County for administrative and judicial purposes. Records from this brief period (1843-1844) may be found in Jefferson County.
• Subsequent County Formations: The boundaries of Wapello County have remained largely unchanged since its formation. It did not serve as a parent county for any subsequent counties.
• Name Origin: The county is named in honor of Chief Wapello of the Meskwaki (Fox) tribe, who was highly respected by both his people and American settlers for his leadership and peaceful nature.
• County Seat History: The first designated county seat was Ottumwa. It was briefly moved to Agency (then called Agency City) before a popular vote permanently returned the seat to Ottumwa in 1844, where it has remained ever since.

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II. Settlement and Early History

• Early Inhabitants: The region was the historical territory of the Ioway, Sauk (Sac), and Meskwaki (Fox) peoples. The treaties following the Black Hawk War, specifically the Second Black Hawk Purchase, opened the land to official non-native settlement on May 1, 1843.
• Pioneer Settlement and Economy: Settlers flooded into the area as soon as the land was opened, drawn by the fertile soil of the Des Moines River valley for farming. The economy was initially agricultural. However, the arrival of the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad in 1859, coupled with the discovery of extensive coal deposits, transformed Ottumwa into a major industrial and transportation hub. For over a century, the John Morrell & Co. meatpacking plant was also a cornerstone of the county’s economy.

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III. Genealogical Records and Resources

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

• Courthouse: Wapello County Courthouse: Located at 101 W 4th Street, Ottumwa, IA 52501. The Wapello County Recorder’s Office, in the courthouse, is the primary repository for land records (deeds) and vital records (birth, death, marriage). The Clerk of the District Court holds probate (wills and estates), civil, and criminal court case records.
• Vital Records:
  • Birth and Death Records: Statewide registration in Iowa began on July 1, 1880. Records from that date forward are held by the Wapello County Recorder. For certified copies, researchers can also contact the Iowa Department of Public Health. Records prior to 1880 are very limited and researchers should consult church records, newspapers, and cemetery transcriptions.
  • Marriage Records: Marriage records from the county’s formation to the present are held by the Wapello County Recorder.
• Libraries with Genealogy Collections:
  • Ottumwa Public Library: Located at 102 W 4th Street, Ottumwa, IA 52501. It has a dedicated Iowa Room with extensive collections for local history and genealogy, including newspapers on microfilm, county histories, and family files.
  • Wapello County Historical Museum: Located at 210 W Main Street, Ottumwa, IA 52501. This is a crucial resource for understanding the social and economic history of the area and may hold family papers and local artifacts.
  • Wapello County Genealogical Society: This volunteer organization is a key resource for local research and often partners with the library, maintaining indexes and providing research assistance.
  • State Historical Society of Iowa: (Located in Des Moines) The state-level repository holds a vast collection of records, including newspapers, maps, and state census records that are invaluable for Iowa research.
• Bordering Jurisdictions:
  • Mahaska County, IA
  • Keokuk County, IA
  • Jefferson County, IA
  • Davis County, IA
  • Monroe County, IA