Greene County, Iowa: History
Greene County was formed on January 15, 1851, and from 1854, self-governed. It was named after General Nathanael Greene, a hero in the Revolutionary War. The first European settler was Truman Davis. He settled on the Raccoon River.
The first courthouse was built in 1856 from wood. Previously, court was held in a log cabin southeast of Jefferson. The second courthouse, of red brick, was built in 1870. The present Greene County Courthouse used today was built in 1917.