On February 9, 1836, the Mississippi Legislature divided the land secured from the Chickasaws into counties. On February 14, 1836, the Legislature appointed commissioners in each of the ten newly created counties to get the counties organized. The commissioners appointed for Itawamba County were James Rowland, William Coats, Lewis Gideon and David Walker. As instructed by the Legislature, these commissioners called for an election and five men were elected: James Spears Bourland, Alfred G. Lane, John Beene, Elijah Spearman and Eliba Allen. These men were known as the Board of Police. The Board of Police called an election and the following men were elected as officers for the new county of Itawamba: Charles Warren, sheriff; C.H. Ritchie, probate judge; Lewis Gideon, probate clerk and Russell O. Beene, circuit clerk.
With the organization of the county came a large influx of trans-Appalachian settlers. The 1836 tax list of the county shows there were approximately 280 families living in Itawamba County. Itawamba County has a long and colorful history. From the pioneer days of the county through antebellum times, the Civil War and America’s Great Depression, Itawamba County and its people have persevered. The people have met and conquered challenges and today, 173 years after the county’s founding the citizens of this county have entered the 21st century, looking ahead, but not forgetting it’s rich history and heritage. To discover more about Itawamba County’s rich history and heritage, visit the Itawamba Historical Society.