Garrison I. Chizum, county treasurer, was born July 6, 1829, and is
the oldest son of William J. and Mary (Mathews) Chizum. The former a
native of Ohio, and the latter of Kentucky. Garrison spent the early
part of his life on a farm in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, where he
remained until eighteen years old, receiving meanwhile, a good common
school education. He then engaged in teaching until twenty-four years
of age, when he came to Iowa, first settling in Warren county, and in
March, 1854 came to this county, locating in Cass township, where he
pre-empted and entered several tracts of land. These lands he did not
improve, but had his home in Indiantown for a short time. Mr. Chizum
taught the first school in the county, and is therefore the pioneer
teacher of Cass county. A young man by the name of Taylor commenced
teaching in an old building on section 8, in 1884, but was
accidentally drowned, and Mr. Chizum took charge of the school. In
1878 he left his farm, moved to Lewis and engaged in the grocery
business. Then selling out, was in the real estate trade. Also had
business in connection with the office of justice of the peace; and
was mayor of the city. He remained in Lewis until his election to his
present position, in the fall of 1883. He is an efficient and
trustworthy officer, and the funds of the county are in honest
hands. He was married August 12, 1854, to Hannah Bradshaw, a daughter
of Jeremiah Bradshaw, who was among the earliest settlers of the
county. They have five children living -- John H., deputy in the
treasurers office; Carrie A., wife of J. P. Anderson, of Glenwood;
Jennie M., William J. and Ella C. Mr. Chizum has always been
prominently identified with this county, having held many offices of
trust and homor and always proving himself a deserving man, worthy the
respect and support of the people.

Source: History of Cass County, Iowa 1884 Springfield, Ill.,
Continental Historical Co., 1884. 1 v. in 2 parts. LaCrosse, WI:
Brookhaven Press, 2000. Reprint Chizum, G I page 358