History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century/3/Counties/Belknap

by Benjamin F. Gue

BELKNAP COUNTY was created by act of the General Assembly in 1874, embracing townships seventy-four, seventy-five, seventy-six and seventy-seven in ranges thirty-eight, thirty-nine and forty in the eastern portion of Pottawattamie County. In compliance with the Constitution the proposition to establish this county was submitted to a vote of the electors residing in the county of Pottawattamie which it was proposed to divide and at this election was rejected so that Belknap County ceased to exist. The name was given in honor of General William W. Belknap, a distinguished Iowa officer in the Civil War and afterwards Secretary of War in the Cabinet of President U. S. Grant.