There are two Jones County Histories and 1 genealogical record (genealogical record is at http://www.idea.edu/staff/hanson/jones/surnames.html). The Jones County History was published in 1886 and is available through the Anamosa Public Library, Anamosa, IA 52205 and the Iowa State Historical Society at 400 E. Iowa, in Iowa City, IA 52245. There is a 1916 version in which Jones County is lumped together with another county, and I don't remember which one right off hand, also available at both the places above. The genealogical record was done to collect genealogies, no actual history and the index is available online. Regardless, Cascade is actually in 3 counties, Jones, Dubuque and Clayton. FYI, Varvel, the first white settler in Monticello, was a southern sympathesizer during the Civil War and was almost tarred and feathered. He later removed to Nebraska and died there. The Military Road ran from Dubuque, through Monticello, Anamosa, Martelle, and down to Iowa City. It follows highway 151 (fairly closely) and then highway 1 and became one of the most important settlement routes in eastern Iowa, as well as a military inroad. One thing people not know about is that there is, in the possession of the Jones County Historical Society (NOT Genealogical Society!) a trunk full of old orange post cards which people had to sign (or make an X) in order to receive their mail, starting in 1837, at the Historical building just east of Jones County Home on the Amber Road, where the first county seat was formed. The cards predate the 1840 and 1850 census and have NEVER been indexed. There are approximately 3,000 of them in this trunk. The first postmaster (whose name I forget) was a very educated, college man from the east and did a very good job of keeping track of things. Unfortunately, no one here has ever had time to index these cards. People who only passed through the county, and never made the census may be in these cards! I also have a copy of all the township maps for 1867 with the names of the plot owners on it, if anyone if interested. Diana Anamosa, IA -- Diana Hanson, Administrator, Iowa Digital Education Association Professional Genealogist ************************************************* What good is magic if it can't save a unicorn? ************************************************* http://www.idea.edu/index.html (Idea School) http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Parthenon/5327/ireland.htm (Original IrelandGenWeb Resource Pages and Passenger Lists) http://www.idea.edu/courses/general/gen/index.html (Free Genealogy Classes) http://www.idea.edu/staff/hanson/hubbard/index.html (Mother Hubbard's Cupboard)