In the spring of 1845, the first settlement by white men was made in the territory now comprising Bremer County. This book follows the early settlers up to 1883, the date of original publication. Topics of interest include: topography and agriculture; county government and political affairs; town plats' courts; the medical profession; the press, including the Bremer County Herald, Bremer County Argus, Deutsche Volks-Zeitung, Waverly Democrat and many more area newspapers; the role of the county in the Civil War; education; societies and public meetings. The text also covers the townships of Douglas, Franklin, Dayton, Frederika, Fremont, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leroy, Maxfield, Polk, Sumner, Warren, Washington and the city of Waverly. Another chapter is devoted to the reminiscences of notable citizens such as Charles McCaffree, M. Farrington, Herman A. Miles and S.F. Shepard. Illustrated, with a new surname index.