[2] Appanoose County was formed on February 17, 1843, from open territory.

It was named for the Meskwaki Chief Appanoose, who did not engage in war against Black Hawk, advocating peace.

The present county seat was formerly called Chaldea, and was later renamed to Senterville in honor of Congressman William Tandy Senter of Tennessee.

The second courthouse was opened in 1864, and was burned down to the first floor during an explosive Fourth of July fireworks demonstration.

[3] In the summer of 1832 a company of cavalry set out from Davenport on a reconnaissance which extended as far west as Fort Leavenworth.

The route taken by the cavalrymen and another with a general north–south direction, passing through Washington Township, and known as the bee trace and used in the summer by honey collectors.

The first settlers say that it was a tolerably well-defined wagon road as far north as the Beetrace post office and that it could be followed easily into Taylor Township.

Another "bee-trace" ran from Missouri diagonally through Davis County and terminated near Unionville.

[5] Rathbun Reservoir, created by damming the Chariton River, is its main physical feature.