Wisconsin Real Property Listers Association

About the Office: I am part of the Register of Deeds office. I have a 1/2 time assistant.

About the City/ County: Walworth County, located in southeastern Wisconsin, is one of the oldest and wealthiest counties in the state. The growth of the county has been steady and permanent. In 1836, 27 families lived in the county in log houses, and by 1990 the population has grown to 57,000. The first residents of Walworth County came principally from New York State. Other states represented were Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Illinois. Of those that came early to the wilderness, the English were predominant. Norwegians purchased land here after 1838, the Irish came after the famine of 1847, and the Germans arrived after the revolution of 1848. It was only after many hardships of the early pioneers that Walworth County became a "place of peace, comfort, and security." Walworth County was first organized in 1838 when Milwaukee county was subdivided. It was named after judge Rueben H. Walworth, chancellor of New York state. The first election of officers was in the fall of 1838 and in December of 1839, Elkhorn was made the county seat. Shortly after, the first county board was formed. The first courthouse was built in 1839 by Rockwell in the north part of Elkhorn.