The county derives its name from the powerful and, at one time, invincible Iowa tribe, whose hunting grounds engrossed the territory which has since proved the foundation of several states. Iowa is derived from the Sioux word "aiauez" meaning "sleepy ones".

Description from John W. Hunt's 1853 Wisconsin Gazetteer: "IOWA, County, is bounded on the north by Richland and Sauk, on the east by Dane and a portion of Green, on the south by Lafayette, and on the west by Grant. It was formed from Crawford by an act of the legislative assembly of Michigan October 9, 1829, at which time it included all of the present State of Wisconsin, south of the Wisconsin river, and west of  "a line drawn due north from the northern boundary of Illinois, through the middle of the Portage between the Fox and Wisconsin rivers." The seat of justice is at Mineral Point. It is watered by branches of the Peckatonnica river, Blue river, and Mineral and Pipe creeks. The county contains about 750 square miles, and is eminently a mining county, but is also equally valuable for its agricultural resources. The soil is not surpassed in fertility by any in the State. Prairie and timber land in about equal proportions. The wheat or corn crop along the Wisconsin river never fails. The population is composed of Americans, Germans, English, Welsh, and Irish. The whole northern portion of the county, to a distance of eight or ten miles from the Wisconsin river, is peculiarly an agricultural country, and unsurpassed for stock raising. South from this, the mineral region extends in every direction, over prairie and woodland. The central and southern portion of the county is a mining country, but none the less adapted to farming, for its rich soil and abundant water render any part of it attractive. Prairie and timber alternately predominate. Streams of water meander through every ravine, furnishing not only irrigation for the land but a large quantity of water power. The ague and fevers of the West are unknown here. The advantages of this county are briefly, health, mineral wealth, agricultural resources, and abundant water power. The railroad to State line and connection with Chicago will give the settlers here a constant market. The population in 1830 was 1,589; 1836, 3,218; 1838, 5,234; 1840, 3,978; 1842, 5,029; including Richland;1846, 14,905; 1847, 7,963; 1850,10,479."

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Iowa County, Wisconsin

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[Source: History of Iowa County, p.438 and Wisconsin 4H Leader, April 1, 1948.]