USA > Iowa > Tama County > History of Tama County, Iowa. Its cities, towns and villages, with early reminiscences, personal incidents and anecdotes and a complete business directory of the county > Part 5
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BUCKINGHAM.
This is one of the oldest settled townships in the County, having been organized in the year 1853. To David Dean, and his two brothers belong the honor of the first settlement, they having built their cabin on sections 33 and 34, in the year 1852. But a short time after these gentlemen settled here A. M. Dun-
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
, Mr. Springmire, Pat Casey, and John Connelly, * came in, settling in the vicinity of Buckingham. From this date the migration increasedquite rapidly. A large number of the first tlers still reside in the township, and nearly all have fine farms I are prominently identified with the history of the township, l County,
Buckingham township is principally prairie, though having in onsiderable timber along the streams and southern part. The d is of good quality, and in it are some of the best farms, the est residences and most substantial improvements found in the unty. As a stock producing township it ranks among the best. Here is the home of J. T. Ames, Esq., one of the largest far rs and hog raisers in the County. He has carried away from ferent Fairs in the State many blue ribbons. D. and S. Ewing, Gravatt, J. V. B. Green. J. W. Fleming and A. Cummings o devote a great deal of labor and attention to this branch of lustry and are now heavy farmers,
The southern part of the township is watered by Twelve Mile eek and on the east it is watered by Rock Creek and its tributa- s.
From some of the early settlers and the records of Tama County we gather s strange history of Mr. Connolly's life. As shown by the testimony of his at the preliminary examination. He murdered his wife on the 15th of March, 9, by striking her a blow on the head, and finding her dead he burried her for w days under the straw and coarse manure in his stable, and then removed one evening. by his son's aid and burried her on the farm of Mr. T. F. Clark ew years after the son's wife becoming dissatisfied with Connelly's treatment, closed enough of the transaction to lead to his arrest, on a warrant issued by Fisher J. P. of Toledo and by whom, after hearing the evidence of the case he s held to appear before the next District Court for indictment and trial. He s placed in the custody of constable H. C. Foster at the close of the trial, who k him home with him that evening, intending to start with him the following rning for the jail at Marion, in Linn County.
When it was nearly dark, and while Connelly and Foster were seated near the en door in th front room of the latter's house, Connelly asked for a drink of ter. Foster went back to his kitchen, got the water but when he returned re was no Connelly there to drink it nor has there been to this day.
Foster immediately reported to the town his loss, and the people turned out to ist in the search, but could not find him in the darkness. nor have they ever ce in the day light. The residents of that time speak of it as a very singular cape.
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
The township was organized in April, 1853, and comprised what is now Crystal, Genesco, Perry, Clark and Grant townships. (see page 20) The first election was held on the first Monday in April, 1853.
In 1855 the town of Buckingham was founded and named after ex-Governor Buckingham of Connecticut. The land on which the town is situated belonged to G. Lyman and the Connell brothers, purchased by them of West Wilson, Esq., who entered it in July, 1853. Dr. H. C. Stanley opened the first store, and afterwards sold to D. Connell. Others came and the little Western Village soon comprised four stores, two blacksmith shops one shoe shop, one wagon shop, one tin shop, two churches, one large school house, post office and several dwellings; but no sooner had the town realized success than it was plucked in the bud by the founding of Traer in 1873, within three-fourths of a mile, which attracted the attention of all business and the town of Buckingham was soon a dilapidated ruin, to be no more.
Mr. Horton, an old settler of the township, and son while crossing Wolf Creek, near the present home of W. K. Snow, then known as Indian Ford, was drowned. It seems that they had been working on the opposite side of the creek from the house, and in the evening when returning found that the stream had swollen to a great depth, and that the only way for them to cross was by swimming. Their team, which consisted of four yoke of oxen, was driven into the water and by some cause, both Horton and son were thrown from the wagon into the water and drowned. The bodies, which had been carried down stream a considerable distance were soon recovered.
The first marriage in the township was Mr. Harrison Hill to Miss Charlotte Helm, the fall of 1864, by John Connell J. P.
The first death was a son of M. Spade, in August, 1853.
In 1855 Leander Clark erected a Saw Mill on Wolf Creek, near W. K. Snow's present residence.
The following is the list of township Justices, Clerks and Trustees since the organization of the township.
Justices: J. Connell, D. Dean, T. K. Shiner, L. Clark, J. C.
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
Wood, C. Gay, N. Reed, G. Jagna, W. T. V. Ladd, T. L. Drew. E. M. Ungher, W. W. Blanchard, P. II. Mason.
Clerks: J. P. Wood, J . B. Dean, II. T. Gaston, W. A. Dan- iels, O. Gravatt, B. Roberts, B. F. Thomas, J. Kingery, J. M. Winn, A. N. Bates. B. L. Keeler.
Trustees: D. Dean, N. J. Osborn. S. Dunkle, I. Taylor, J. L. Wood, T. R. Shiner, II. Smith, C. Gay, H. C. Green, J. T. Ames, J. B. Hankison, E. Murdock, A. Gordon, D. S. and W. T. V. Ladd, R. Connell, J. Kingery, D. C. Underhill, M. S. Belknap, H. A. Owens, A. Antram, A. Wood, H. E. Davis, O. Gravatt, A. Cummings. J. Phillips.
RICHILAND.
The southern portion of this township is prairie land and con tains some of the finest farms in the County. The Northern and central part, along the Iowa River and Richland Creek is somewhat broken and is principally timbered land. Its first settlement was in 1852 and the first house built on section 23 by A. P. Rich.
The township is well watered, and is fine farming land. Richland Creek passes through the central portion of the town- ship emptying into the Iowa River on section 13, and on the north it is watered by the Iowa River running through the entire township, furnishing living water at all seasons of the year.
The township was organized in the year 1854. It lies in town- ship 82 north, range 14 west, of the 5th, P. M.
G. B. Dunnells, J. Heath, Thomas Skiles, H. Davenport, Thos. and Jas. Marshall, E. Deeter, I. Walters, J. M. and C. E. Ramsdell, J. D. Smith, H. Day and others were among the first settlers of the township.
The township was named after Richland Creek.
James Hanna taught the first school in the year 1855 in a small log cabin, on section 22, which had formerly been occupied by H. Davenport as a residence.
The first marriage was Elias H. Price, and Miss Sarah Hatfield
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
being united in: the "holy bands of wedlock" on the 30th, day of May, 1855, by N. B. Hiatt, a Justice of the Peace.
The first death was Jas. Hatfield, who died in the year 1854.
There are two villages in the township, Helena and Eureka. For sketch of these towns the reader is refered to the history of the towns.
The township has one Flouring mill, situated on the Iowa River at Helena, which was established and run by E. Deeter until the year 1863, when it changed hands to B. F. Crenshaw its present owner.
The Chicago & North-Western Railroad passes through the northern part of the township coming in on section 5 and passing out on section 12.
No better improved farms are to be found than in Richland township, and herein live some of the most wealthy and honor- ed of our citizens. Their hospitality is unbounded, the latch string always hangs out and the weary traveler finds a hearty welcome.
Justices :- T. Marshall, C. Hanna, N. F. Taylor, W. Bale, C. Homan N. B. Hiatt, G. Hollenbeck, L. H. Beadle, D. Forker, A. II. Ilisey, T. A. Bourner, J. B. Louthan, H. Sabin, H. Cory, F. H. Ramsdell.
Trustees :- E. Deeter, J. Ramsdell, J. Flathers, U. B. Hiatt, J. B. Louthan, A. Wilkinson, H. L. Barnes, J. W. Hiatt, L. H. Beadle, P. Rich, H. Davenport, E. Hatfield, A. Hatfield, I. W. Graham, G. Reed, C. Barns, J. W. Clem, T. Forker. H. Clay, H. Sabin, S. Gould, G. Hollenbeck, J. Gray, J. F. Cram, L. Coolidge, J. J. Huston, O. McKeen, G. W. Bale, E. A. and C. A. Flint, J. Smith, J. Hiatt.
Clerks :-- J. Marshall. C. Homan, J. Hoag, N. F. Taylor, R. M. Clem, S. Lewis, T. A. Hopkins, A. Beadle, S. Jackman, H. Sabin, J. F: Cram.
SALT CREEK. -
Salt Creek township is the south eastern township in the
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY
County, and lies in eighty-two north, thirteen west. It contains two towns, Chelsea and West Irving.
This township has a fine growth of timber along the banks of the Iowa River which crosses it in a south eastern direction, en- tering into Benton County. Along the course of the river the land is rough and broken. With this exception the surface is of a general undulating character. It contains some of the finest tracts of land in the County. Salt Creek, which meanders through the County some forty-seven miles enters the Iowa River in this township near the southeast corner, on section 36. The Chicago & Northwestern Railroad passes through the township.
With the exception of Indian Village, this is the oldest settled township in the County, and was first settled by Robert, Anthony and William Wilkinson, who came in the year 1849. G. Mc- Chambers, R. W. Wilson, J. A. Willey and L. Marsh, were also old settlers coming in at an early day and improving farms.
The township was organized in the year 1856, and named after Salt Creek.
The first school was tanght by Mr. Howard.
The first birth was a son of Wmn. Wilkinson's in the year 1851 and died the same year making the first death.
The first marriage was G. McChambers to Miss. A. Lux.
At West Irving, there is a grist mill which was built in 1871, by Fitz, Barrett & Kenner. At an earlier day there was a saw and grist mill owned and operated by G. S. Williams in the same płac ..
The following list of township officers we comobile:
Justices: H. Loomis, A. Hale, L. MeChensey. J. W. Taylor, A. J. Stewart, W. Benson, D. A. Stevens, C. R. Smith, E. E. Vickery, M. Smith, J. Hutchison, W. H. Graham, T. Roach, G. McChambers, H. II. Williams, C. C. Coats, T. Finch, J. Gitz and S. Smith.
Clerks: B. Pearson, H. L. Smith, C. S. Barton, J. Collister, W. P. Forsyth, E. E. Vickery, S. Hopper, J. H. Ross, E. A. Stockon, W. Camp, S. Smith, J. Shaler.
Trustees: A. J. Stewart, L. Johnson, A. Kile, T. G. Arbuth-
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
Dot, S. Dudley, A. Wilkinson, J. Roberts, H. H. Williams G. Crittenden, C. E. Conell, P. D. Smith, A. Wolf, A. J. We; el, B. Rector, M. Smith, R. Wilkinson, E. Hancox, J. Fitz, S. C. Bailey, P. Spence, S. Prill, T. Park, A. Hall, L. Marsh, H. W. Searls, B. Collins, J. A. Willey, S. Miles.
CARLTON.
Carlton township lies in township 84 north and range 16, west. The land is prairie and timber. The timbered portion affords abundance of fuel for the consumer. The prairie portion is fine and productive.
The first settlements were in 1851-2, and the first cabins were built on section 30, by Anthony Bricker, Levi and D. D. Ap- pelgate, who entered their lands, and opened their farms. In the Southwestern part a settlement was founded in the year 1853, now known as the Dobson Settlement. In their part of the township are some fine farms, the land being of good quality. The Dobsons, J. S. Haynes, J. S. Lewis, D. Gray and Wm. Conant came in at an early day, entered land and opened farms.
The township was named in honor of Judge Carlton, Judge of the 4th Judicial District, of Iowa who is well known by many in the County.
Carlton township was organized in the year 1854, and the first election was held at the house of Wm. Murty, on the first Mon- day of April of the same year.
Silas McClain has the honor of having taught the first school in a small log cabin erected on land owned by Anthony Bricker.
Rev. J. S. Mason of the Presbyterian denomination, preached the first sermon in the township, at the house of J. Laughlin. In the year 1865 a church was erected, known as the Roek Creek Church and now has 40 members. The church is in good standing with Rev. James Stickle as pastor.
Justices: S. Dobson, A. Brieker. G. Rider, W. Kranse, H L. Dobson, T. L. Dunn, C. E. Heath, R. Parker, J. Craig, M. Bab-
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
cock, R. Bunn, J. X. Chambers, T. M. Mudgett, J. Rose, W. G. Dobson.
Clerks: II. L. Dobson, C. E. Heath, S, Strong. T. L. Dunr, J. Craig, E. (). Bowen.
Trustees: J. Lamm, S. Ricker, G. Langhlin, A. Donaldson, B. Clark, G. Finch, R. Fay, F. Hollingshead, J. Peterson, W. Conant, S. Dobson, J. Filloon, G. B. Rider, T. M. Mudgett, S. Strong, S. . Myers, R. Parker, C. Bratt, H. L. Dobson, J. Donaldson, S. Berry, D. Gray, L. Myers, J. Rokes, C. Dobson, L. N. B. C. Burt. A. Mericle.
GENESEO.
Geneseo township lies in 86 north, and 13 west. Is well wat- ered by Wolf Creek. or Big Creek, which takes its rise in the north western part of the County. ' This flows almost east across the township coming in on section 30 and passing out on section 24; with its several tributaries it affords plenty of water for all purposes, and drains the township sufficiently, while along its banks can be found abundance of timber. Stone can be found in this township near the timber, of which there is sufficient for all necessary purposes. The township consists of a fine farming surface; the soil rich and productive.
J. Hill and J. Riley, were the first to settle in the township, coming in and taking claims in section 24. N. Spencer, G. Buss- ler, J. Tedford, L. and T. F. Clark are also among the old settlers who improved farms in different parts of the township.
The township has within its limits one town-Mooreville, a name given it by G. E. Moore, who established a Flouring Mill at that point about the year 1870. The first store was opened by Win. Davidson, who after doing business a number of years re- moved to the town of Dysart and engaged in business at that point. Mooreville to-day has one store and post office with C. A. Williams & Bro. Proprietors, one flonring mill operated by B. & A. Bruner, and one blacksmith shop, by Bugbee & Barns, who established it in 1878.
S. Slade, taught the first school in the fall of 1856.
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
The first marriage was A. Goodparter to Miss Mary Hill, April 30th, 1854.
The first death was James Riley who died in the year 1855.
The first birth was Louisa, daughter of J. and C. Riley in 1854.
The township was named by N. Spencer, it being the name of a township in New York where he formerly resided.
The township was organized February 5th, 1856. Application made by Nathaniel Spencer.
The land is of good quality. In the township are many fine farms and farm residences and the most substantial buildings found in the County. As a stock raising township it ranks among the best. In number and quality of hogs and cattle they excell. M. Casey, T. F. Clark, A. MeElhinney, J. Riley, L. D. and G. W. Hill. and HI. Wager, are among the heaviest farmers.
COLUMBIA.
Columbia township lies in township eighty-two, north, range fifteen, west, and is watered in the north by the fowa river. Along through the Southern and Central portion, Richland Creek and its various tributaries dråin the township. The Southern part of the township is principally prairie land, while the portion lying between Richland Creek and the Iowa River is quite rough and is more or less timbered, though containing some fine farms.
The first settlement effected in this township was in the year 1851. Eli Chase was the first settler, erecting a cabin on section 1. Wm. West, E. and H. Morrison, T. Evert, Wheaton Chase, an old Indian interpreter for the Sacs and Fox Indians, J. Burley, J. Waltz, R. Metz and Wagoner are settlers number- ed with the first. The most of these men are yet living, or have decendants living in this township, all, we believe, well-to-do farmers and excellent business men.
Thetownship was organized Febuary 5th, 1856 and the first electa ion was held at the house of J. Burley for the purpose of elect- ing township officers.
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
The first school taught in the township was in a log cabin ou section 16 by Elvira O. Stoddard in the year 1855.
The first death was Martha Chase, daughter of W. and E. A. Chase.
First birth was a son of E. and N. J. Chase, March 1st, 1853.
The first marriage was Mr. John A. Carlton to Miss Sarah A. Stoddard, in the year 1855.
The following is a list of township officers since its organiza- tion.
Justices: J. D. Gettis, W. Stoddard. G. W. Morrison. W. T. Hanley, I. Toland, J. Fife, M. Bostwick, J. Roads, J. Yates, J. A. Eshbaugh, J. C. Burley, F. Sanborn, S. Wilkinson, T. M. Malin. Win. Cory. J. H. Fee, W. Hartsock, C. Spire, L. Stod- dard, W. F. Eshbaugh.
Clerks-L. F. Stoddard, C. J. Rhoads, Win. Cory, W. G. Malin, C. Spire, A. P. Leavitt, D. E. Peek.
Trustees-G. W. Morrison, J. W. Coe, J. D. Gettis, G. H. Stoddard, J. Trowbridge, W. M. Voge, J. Waltz, W. Stoddard, J. Fife, H. L. Biggs, S. J. Cady, J. Croskrey. J. Hoag, J. Cory, J. Ross, I. Toland, H. Cory, N. Randolph, T. M. Malin, S. C. Babb. W. E. Eshbaugh, B. C. Berry, H. Bissell. J. G. Sanborn, J. Stokes, T. Trowbridge, A. Zehrung, W. G. Malin. L. Cary, J. Duffey, L. Sexton.
CRYSTAL.
Crystal, one of the finest agricultural townships of the County, joins Spring Creek upon the east, Perry on the west and is bound- ed on the north by Grant. on the south by Howard.
Wolf Creek flows directly through it from west to east and with its numerous tributaries renders it well watered. Along Wolf Creek there are several fine groves of natural timber, while numerous large and beautiful plantations of trees add to the scenic effect.
The township was formed in 1857 by an order issued by J. C. Vermilya, then County Judge, to J. S. Bishop directing him to
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
call an election. It was a separation from Buckingham township and the formation of Crystal. The first township election was held at the residence of Nelson Felter on the first Monday in April, A. D. 1857. The township was named by Mrs. C. L. Davis from the Crystalline purity of the air.
Nelson Felter and family were the first settlers in the township. They removed from Cook Co., Ill., in 1854 and settled upon section 15. A rude log house 16 by 18 feet was ereeted upon the banks of Wolf Creek in which the family resided several years, enjoying health and happiness.
Their rude home was open to all travellers and many a weary searcher found shelter with then.
In the course of a few years a number of families had settled around them, among whom we mention J. S. Bishop, V. Shultz, J. W. MeCune, A. Quinn, M. Martin, Robert Wylie, A. D. Hoag, J. S. Townsend, C. L. Davis. These settled in various parts of the township, each erecting a rude cabin or rail pen poorly roofed and without floors as a temporary shelter. The first child born was Lyman Felter.
The first school was taught in the Bishop school house by Miss Nettie M. Cyrenus.
Religious meetings were first held at the house of J. S. Bishop by an itinerant Methodist preacher. In the year 1856, a society was organized called the Salem Presbyterian Church, with Robert Wylie and J. S. Townsend as ruling members. The Society has been in' prosperous existence to the present time. The number of mem- bers enrolled at its organization were 15, at present the member- ship numbers 66. The first minister was Rev. W. J. Lyons. A Sunday School was organized about the same time with D. S. Dickey as Superintendent.
The township cemetery was largely laid out upon one of the highest and most beautiful hills in the vicinity. It is well cared for and contains some tasteful monuments. The land was do- nated by C. L. Davis.
The first burial was a little daughter of J. S. and P. Bishop.
Many amusing incidents and experiences of the early settlers
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY
might be given did space permit we give only the following:
Live stock and provisions were exceedingly scarce among the car- ly residents and many schemes were resorted to in order to make the limited supply go round. Gilbert McMillen had a number of nice young hogs but was without corn; one day Jas. Vertrees came to him and proposed that as M. had plenty of hogs and no corn, while he had corn and no hogs, they combine and raise hogs upon the shares, he would take the shoats and fatten them and give M. one half of the pork.
The proposal was accepted and Vertrees accordingly took home two of the shoa's. In about a week he killed one of these and according to contract divided it, splitting it from the nose to the end of the tail and sending home one halfto M. As the side of pork was not much thicker than a board it suddenly dawned upon M. that there was something thin about the contract as the time of "feeding out" seemed decidedly short.
Crystal postoffice was established in 1868, and at the same time a store was built by James Aitchinson. It is now owned and kept by J. M. Foster.
There is also a blacksmith and wagon shop at the same place owned by J. S. Gethman, and another in the south west corner of the township owned by Frank Frohm who has also a hotel and dancing hall which is quite a resort for the German settlers.
Crystal township is noted for the number of its fine stock. West Wilson has a large herd of thoroughbreds and grades while many others are entering more or less extensively into the business of fine stock raising.
There are many heavy tax payers among the farmers of Crystal. Men who, although they came to the country with limited means, have acquired wealth and a competence by honest hard labor. We have space to mention only J. S. Townsend, Peter and Thos. Whannel, and West Wilson.
We glean the following officers from the Clerk's books.
Justices :- R. Wylie, W. Wilson, J. S. Bishop. W. Guilford, O. J. Rice, R. J. Hall. J. B. Wylie, J. A. Phmk. A. Wheatley, G. McCune, W. McTurk. P. Quinn.
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
Clerks :- J. S. Townsend, J. S. Bishop, W. Wilson, J. A. Bowdle, R. J. Hall, G. MeCune, J. D. Hall, W. Wilson, J. R. Felter, A. Wheaticy, N. W. Morton. E. Lynde.
Trustees :- J. W. McCune, R. Wylie, O. Burright, N. Felter, R. R. Chambers, C. L. Davis, J. Vertrees, L. Loupee, G. Mc- Millen, O. J. Rice, P. Quinu, J. Morton, S. Reed, J. S. Town- send, R. J. Hall, R. Crawford. J. B. Hill, G. McCune, J. B. Wylie, J. B. M. Bishop, T. Whannel, W. MeTurk, O. P. Jones, J. Black.
TAMA AND TOLEDO.
We speak of these two townships connectively from the fact that they were originally one, and continued so until 1868, when they were divided, the North two-thirds assuming the original name, Toledo, and the South one-third that of Tama, in respect of Tama City.
The original township was organized Feb. 14th, 1856, on ap- plication made by T. Brown, and lies 83 north 15 west, and is about equally divided between prairie and timbered land. William Blodgett was the first settler erecting a cabin on section 26, in the year 1851, now in the Tama division, In this same year R. A. Redman, J. C. Vermilya and G. Carter came in and improved farms, also W. L. Brannan, J. Unbarger, S. J. Murphy, J. Il. and W. T. Hollen came in remaining but a short time. Bran- nan, Unbarger and Murphy, returned to Marengo, during the winter, while the Hollens returned to Indiana, and in 1851 came back to Iowa, stopping that winter in Marengo and in the spring of 1852 removed to this County, settling on section 27. Nu- merous others we might mention as old settlers but will not stop to make note.
The growth of timber in various parts of the township is of a thrifty and heavy growth of different varieties, such as cotton wood white and red oak, ehm, hickory, ete, furnishing plenty of stove wood. The harder varieties are manufactured into lumber and other necessities to a considerable extent. The prairie land
.
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
affords the best of tillable soil and numerous are the bountiful farms.
The Northern portion or Toledo township, is watered by Deer Creek and its tributaries and the Iowa River passes through the Southern part or the Tama division, affording good water facilities. We mention elsewhere the usefulness of these streams in affording power for manufacturing purposes. In this respect the township is far superior to any in the County.
In 1868 the voters of the Southern one-third part of Toledo township, which included Tama City, presented to the Board of Supervisors a petition requesting that the South third of Toledo township be set apart as a new township to be known as Tama township. The reasons urged for this division by the petitioners were that they would bemuch better accommodated with township officers, and it was also understood that it would to a great ex- tent tend to allay the unpleasant strife between the two towns of Toledo and Tama City, growing out of their rivalry. The petition was accordingly granted and the division made.
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