Chief ‘Wapello (1787-1842), for whom the county was named, was a chief of the Foxes, and second in command to Keokuk of the federated tribes of the Sacs and Foxes. He realized the changes that the white man could bring, and tried to lead his people in friendship and peace.
Born in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin in 1787, Wapello was one of many Native Americans who were moved farther, and farther west with the signing of each new treaty. He was at Rock Island, Illinois when Fort Armstrong was built shortly after the War of 1812. In 1829 he moved his village to the Muscatine slough on the west side of the Mississippi River. Following the signing of the treaty after the “Black Hawk War” in 1837, over a million acres of land in eastern Iowa was ceded to the U.S. At this time Wapello and his people traveled westward and settled along the banks of the Des Moines River just south of the present town of Ottumwa. Here he became a fast friend of the Indian Agent, General Joseph M. Street, who had
followed a similar geographic pattern to reach Wapello County. The two men worked together to create a peaceful coexistence.
General Street suffered ill health from the time he arrived at the Iowa Agency, and died there in 1840. He was buried at the Agency, and land was given by the Indians to the wife of their dear friend, to sustain her and her family. Wapello expressed the desire to be buried near his friend when he too died. In 1842, Wapello died while on a trip along the Skunk River, and he was laid to rest at the side of his loyal white friend, General Joseph M. Street. Today their graves, and those of Mrs. Street, their children and Major John Beach (son-in-law of Street, and Street’s successor as Indian Agent), have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Chief Wapello Memorial Park just east of Agency, Iowa.’ https://www.cityofottumwa.com/files/ottumwas_historic_treasures.pdf
