USA > Iowa > Dallas County > The History of Dallas County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c. > Part 65
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The present trustees of this church are John E. Lisle, J. Laubach, J. A. Bailey, J. W. Duck, and Joseph Lisle.
The stewards are Joseph Lisle and J. Laubach.
The church has been blessed with several revivals, and the active mem- bership at this time is about sixty. The church building is located in the northeast part of the northwest quarter of section 20, township 79, range 29, near the west side of Linn township, Dallas county, Iowa.
The township officers elected at the last election, 1878, were:
Township clerk-Thomas Hoyt. Assessor-Hiram Hoyt.
Trustees :
T. A. Thornburg, J. C. Hardin, J. C. Andrews.
Justices :
J. Balesbaugh, J. J. Seaman.
Constables:
John Cameron, P. S. Howell.
529
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
WALNUT.
This township is the second one from the south in the east tier of town- ships in Dallas county, and is known in the government surveys as con- gressional township 79, range 26, west of the the 5th principal meridian.
By the general division of the county into precincts, in March, 1850, the territory now included in Walnut formed part of Penoach precinct, and in the general division into townships, February 2, 1857, it was constituted as a township, including its present territory, and that of Grant township, and was then first called Walnut (see order). October 5, 1857, a strip two miles wide and six miles long was cut off the north end of Walnut and added to Des Moines, by order of the court. (See order under sketch of Des Moines.)
After this no other important change in its boundaries seems to have occurred, until in September, 1868, when Grant township was organized, which cut Walnut down to its present form, as bounded by the congress- ional township lines, and no record appears of any important change in its boundaries since that date.
It has no river passing through it but Walnut creek, with its two branches flowing in a winding course through different localities on the east side, and meeting a short distance before passing out through the east line about two miles north of the southeast corner, water and drain all that por- tion of the township.
The thickest settlements are along the east side and in the vicinity of the above mentioned streams, and some good and well improved farms are found throughout that locality.
In the eastern and northern portions are found a good many small ponds, which, while they are sometimes convenient for stock water, are rather too thick in certain localities to be profitable for farming and good road pur- poses.
There is still some unimproved prairie land in Walnut, and being situated so near Des Moines, farming land of all classes commands a good price and ready sale when there is any market for land.
Walnut has one town, Waukee, situated near the center of the south row of sections, a station on the Des Moines & Ft. Dodge R. R., about fif- teen miles from Des Moines. The railroad crosses the southwest corner of the township, entering the south side on section 34, and passing out at the west on section 18, leaving about five sections of land in the township southwest of the railroad; and has also one post-office, Waukee.
Walnut is an independent school district, and has eight good school- houses, beside the public school of Waukee.
Among the early settlers in Walnut township were John Betts, Henry Young, Paul Hoff, Liman Ellis, Lafayette Ellis, Frank Strahl, Loren Bing- ham and others, some of whom came at quite an early day. T. K. Duncan is, perhaps, the oldest settler now in the township. He settled in this. vicinity about twenty years ago, and still continues as an honored and highly respected citizen of the township.
In some parts of Walnut settlements were made at quite an early day, especially in the southwest portion, in what is known as the 'Coon settle- ment, in the vicinity of the North Raccoon river, and in that portion of the township there is some excellent, rolling farming land, and some large, well-improved farms. Also, northeast of Waukee, there is quite an old
530
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
settlement, in a good locality, and now has some good improvements, and extensive, well-arranged farms. Considerable stock is being raised in the township, and the gradual growth and prosperity is very perceptible.
The first election in Walnut township was, perhaps, held in the spring of 1857, soon after the order was issued for its organization for political purposes, and the township officers elected at the last election, 1878, were:
Township clerk-H. M. Whinnery. Assessor-W. Lackie.
Trustees:
A. F. Strahl, E. C. Herbert, T. K. Duncan.
Justices :
T. F. Howe,
B. F. Wood.
Constables:
J. H. Reynolds,
W. Bartlette.
DALLAS.
This township is situated in the northwestern corner of Dallas county, and is known in the government surveys as congressional township 81. range 29, west of the fifth principal meridian.
By the general division of the county into precincts, in 1850, the pres- ent territory of Dallas township formed part of Buena Vista precinct, and the first organization of a township in the county by the name of Dallas, was made March 3, 1856, as is shown by the following order of the county court, under the above mentioned date:
Ordered, That the following shall be the metes and bounds of an electoral township: com- mencing at the southeast corner of section thirty-six (36), township eighty-one (81), north range twenty-eight (28); thence north six miles to the Dallas county line; thence west on said county line to the northwest corner of Dallas county; thence south six miles to the south- west corner of section thirty-one (31), township eighty-one (81), north range twenty-nine (29); thence east on the range line to the place of beginning. To be known and called Dallas township. The first election to be held at the house of Adam Collins, in said town- ship, on the first Monday of April, A. D. 1856.
The above order made it to include the present territory of Dallas and Spring Valley, and in the general division of the county into townships, February 2, 1857, Dallas township remained the same as before. A little more than a year and a-half later, September 6, 1858, this township was divided in the middle north and south and two townships were formed of it (Spring Valley), each bounded by the congressional township lines, and at that time Dallas township was first constituted in its present form, as shown by the following order of court, given September 6, 1858.
And it was
Ordered, that the district of country included in the following bounds shall hereafter con- stitute the township of Dallas: Township No. eighty-one (81), north range No. twenty- nine (29).
531
· HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
We find no record of its boundary lines having been changed since that date.
The North Raccoon river flows through the north part of this township in a winding course, across nearly the entire north side, coming in about a mile east of the northwest corner, and at one place it bends down into the township more than a mile south of the north line, and then bends back again, passing out near the northeast corner and flowing down through Spring Valley. Several other running streams of minor importance are found also in Dallas township, and one beautiful lake, Swan Lake, situated near the center of the south half of the township, on sections 27 and 28, which affords quite a supply of fish and game and is a favorite resort for hunters and fishers during favorable hunting and fishing seasons. (See previous sketch-Water.)
The river in this locality has quite a belt of timber along its borders, which furnishes a good supply for all the township, and has one good iron bridge spanning it within the township bounds.
The prairie land in Dallas township is also of an excellent quality, suf- ficiently watered and drained for stock raising and general cultivation, with a fertile soil, and conveniently located to a good market, as Perry is only a few miles east, on the Des Moines and Fort Dodge railroad, and Grand Junction, in Greene county, on the C., N. W. R. R., is only about twelve miles from the north line of Dallas township. Though the town- ship has no towns within its own limits it is thus well supplied with thrifty neighboring towns.
There is no post-office yet established in the township, but Perry being so near on one side, and Brough post-office so convenient on the other, render post-office privileges quite convenient.
There are nine school-houses in the township, in each of which schools are taught during the average school months each year.
There are a good many large and well improved farms in the township, especially in the northern part, where many of the early settlers reside, and stock raising is becoming quite popular and extensive in the township. The township has one water power grist mill, Atkinson's mill, situated on the bank of North Raccoon. It was built in 1859, has two run of stone, is owned by J. F. Atkinson, and is situated in the heart of one of the oldest and thickest settlements in the township.
In the south and southwest parts of the township there are still found large tracts of fertile prairie land not yet brought under cultivation, much of it being held by moneyed men and speculators.
This township was settled at quite an early day in some parts up near the river in the northern portion of the township. Mr. Henderson was, perhaps, the first settler, who was soon afterward followed by several others.
R. D. Corry settled there in 1854; William E. Toll in March, 1855; W. H. Adams in 1856; and A. L. Towne in 1857. Others accompanied these, or soon afterward followed, making quite a settlement along the North Rac- coon river at an early day.
The first election in the township was doubtless the one held at the house of Adam Collins, on the first Monday of April, 1856.
532
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
The township officers elected at the last election, 1878, were:
Township clerk-I. T. Atkinson. Assessor-B. O. Witter.
Trustees :
W. B. Taylor, J. R. Summerson,
J. E. Finley.
Justices:
W. E. Tolle, John McElrath.
Constables :
C. A. Seckler, C. E. Taylor (never qualified).
SPRING VALLEY.
This township is the second one from the west in the north tier of town- ships in Dallas county, and is known in the government surveys as con- gressional township 81, north of range 28, west of the 5th principal meridian.
In the general division into precincts, in March, 1850, this was also a part of Buena Vista precinct, and in March, 1856, it was made to form a part of Dallas township. It remained in this shape and connection during the general division into townships, February 2, 1857, and until the division of Dallas township was made, September 6, 1858, when Spring Valley was first organized as a township, as shown by the following order of the court, made that date:
Now, on this day, comes J. H. Roberts and others, and file a petition praying for the form- ation of a new township in the township of Dallas.
Whereupon it was ordered that the district of country included in the following bounds shall constitute the township of Spring Valley: Township No. eighty-one (81), north of range No. twenty-eight (28). The first election to be held at J. Chiles'.
No record appears of any important change having been made in its boundary lines since that date, and it still remains bounded by the con- gressional lines of township eighty-one, range twenty-eight, west of the 5th principal meridian.
The North Raccoon river enters Spring Valley township near the north- west corner, and flows diagonally through it to the southeast, passing out at the south side, about two miles west of the southeast corner of the town- ship; and Beaver creek flows across the northeast corner of the township, cutting off about two sections of land. These streams furnish the township with plenty of timber, coal, building materials and mill privileges, and are spanned by several good bridges; one large wooden frame bridge east of Perry, across the North Raccoon river. There is also one good water-power grist mill on the North Raccoon, near the south part of the township, owned by Henry Thornburgh, and known as "Thornburgh's Mill ".
It was originally built as a saw mill, and some seven years afterward the present grist mill was built on the same site. It has three run of stone, two for grinding wheat and one for corn, and is doing a fine home custom work. There is also a steam mill at Perry, owned by Otis & Selby Brothers,
533
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
which is doing a good business, especially for all the northern part of the township and surrounding country, drawing the custom more or less from abroad, as the people come into Perry to trade, and dispose of their pro- duce.
The land in this township is pretty much all taken up and under good cultivation and improvement.
This township has only one post-office, which is at Perry.
Though there is considerable timber land, and some rough land along the river and creek passing through, there is still a predominance of valuable and fertile farming land in the township, and many large well-improved stock and graîn farms. Having a good railroad and one enterprising town in their midst, the citizens of Spring Valley largely partake of the same spirit of enterprise, and are constantly pushing general cultivation and im- provement along in a most encouraging and commendable manner.
Perry, the only town within its limits, is one of the most live, thrifty, pros- perous towns in the county, and quite naturally sheds the same influence abroad throughout the township, and the effects are becoming quite visible on all the surrounding community. The Des Moines & Fort Dodge R. R. extends diagonally through the township from southeast to northwest, enter- ing the township near the southeast corner, and passing out about two miles east of the northwest corner, leaving the town of Perry a little north of the center, and thus convenient to all parts of the township, giving them an excellent market and trading-point right at home.
Spring Valley is an independent school district and has nine school- houses within its limits, besides the schools at Perry, which receive due at- tention under sketch of the town.
The first settlement in Spring Valley township was made by Dutch Henry in the spring of 1848, on what afterward became the William Elder farm, situated west of the North Raccoon river, not far from the present site of Perry. Dutch Henry, however, did not remain very long in posses- sion of that claim, as he suddenly found occasion to disappear entirely from this part of the country, on account of the, to him, unwelcome presence of Ira Sherman, the wool grower at the house-raising, as before related; leav- ing his claim and improvements to be occupied and enjoyed by others. He had first settled in Sugar Grove township before going to the above men- tioned claim.
Cornelius Mckeon, Esq., settled in Spring Valley township not long after Dutch Henry's settlement. The above was a son of one of the McKeons who settled near the mouth of Panther creek, in Adams township, a short time previous. Not long after he settled in Spring Valley, numerous others came in and joined him, among whom may be mentioned Judge Thorn- burgh, Harvey Willis, John McMillen, Michael Shively, Wilson Minor, Jesse Bramfield and others.
This township soon increased quite rapidly in settlement, and has become one of the finest townships in the county.
The farmers are engaged quite extensively in raising stock, for which the township is well adapted, being admirably watered and supplied with farm- ing and pasture land; and having a good railroad passing through gives the citizens a good shipping point at Perry, not far from the center of the township.
The first election in the township was perhaps the one held at the house of J. Chiles in the fall of 1858.
534
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
The township officers elected at the last election, 1878, were:
Township Clerk-J. T. Davis. Assessor-Thomas Whitiner.
Trustees :
Thomas Scott. W. F. Cardell. L. P. Wilcox.
Justices : E. D. Lunt. A. G. Webster. W. Snyder. S. D. Gamble.
Constables :
A. W. Parmeter. A. D. Haskins. W. H. Harlan. I. S. Bibbins.
BEAVER.
This township is the second one from the east in the north tier of town- ships in Dallas county, and is known in the government surveys as congres- sional township 81, north of range 27, west of the 5th principal meridian. In the general division of the county into precincts in March, 1850, it was mostly included in Des Moines precinct, a small corner being in Buena Vista. February 2, 1857, It was constituted a township by itself, with its present boundary lines as shown by the following order of the county court on that date:
Ordered, By the court that the district of country included in the following limits shall form and constitute the township of Beaver. to-wit:
Commencing at the northeast corner of township No. eighty-one (81), north range twenty- seven (27); thence west to the northwest corner of the aforesaid township; thence south to the southwest corner of the aforesaid township; thence east to the southeast corner of the aforesaid township; thence north to the place of beginning.
In January, 1859, Beaver township, as thus constituted by the above order, was entirely cut to pieces and swallowed up by the extension of Des Moines and Sugar Grove townships, about one-half being thrown into each of these townships. (See sketches of Des Moines and Sugar Grove.)
June 3. 1861, the board of county supervisors issued the following order, again constituting the township of Beaver, with the same boundary lines as before:
Ordered, That the district of country included in township No. eighty-one (81), north of range twenty-seven (27), west of the 5th P. M. Iowa, form and constitute the township of Beaver; and that a warrant be issued for an election to be holden at the house of Seth H. Dayton, in said township, on the 8th day of October, A. D. 1861, for the purpose of perfecting an organization of said township; and that there be elected at that time and place, three township trustees, one township clerk, two justices of the peace, two constables, one assessor and such other officers as may be provided by law.
Warrant issued to Seth H. Dayton, June 14, 1861.
No record appears of the above described boundary lines having been changed since that date.
-
535
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
Beaver township has no river passing through its limits, but has several large creeks and running streams. ..
The big Beaver creek passes in through its west line about a mile south of the northwest corner, and flows diagonally in a winding course through the township, passing out at the east side about a mile and a-half north of" the southeast corner. The little Beaver creek flows into it from the north, a little east of the center of the township; and Slough creek flows into it from the south, passing through the southern part of the township, nearly centrally north and south, and emptying into the big Beaver on section 16. These three streams, each of considerable size, water and drain the entire township nicely, and together with the large tracts of fertile prairie and farming land contained within the township limits, render it an attractive locality for stock-raising and agricultural pursuits. There is considerable timber along some of these streams at different places, especially bordering on the Beaver creeks, and being so near the central part of the township is- quite convenient to all portions. The belt of timber along the North Rac- coon is not far distant from the western portion of the township, and the Des Moines river timber on the other side is comparatively convenient to all the eastern portion of Beaver township, so that all parts are well sup- plied with timber, coal, building material and milling privileges at conven- ient distances.
Though the township has no town within its own limits, it is conveniently located to the two thriving towns in adjoining townships, Minburn and Perry. The D. M. & Ft. D. R. R. passes through the southwest corner of the township, cutting off a small portion.
The township has no post-office located within its bounds, but is handy to at least four different ones, Perry, Minburn, Xenia and Snyder post- offices.
Beaver, though organized quite early as a township, did not progess in settlement and improvement so rapidly for a number of years, as it was at one time entirely divided up and thrown into adjoining townships, and did not, perhaps, take so much interest in its general progress as a township until after it was organized in June, 1861, in its present form; and since that time, especially of late years, it has been making marked progress. Though there is still a large tract of unimproved land in it, there are some well improved farms and some thriving settlements.
Spanning the Beaver creek, there are two wood frame bridges built by the county, within the township limits, each about sixty feet long, built by Jonathan Peppard, of Union township, and good roads are now being con- structed on the principal section lines throughout the township.
The first settler in Beaver township was Seth H. Dayton, who located there at an early day.
Among the early settlers of the township, also, were J. M. Townsend, Mrs. Gardner and family, C. C. Burdick, Mr. McConnell, and others, who came in about the same time and soon after those above mentioned.
This township was organized with seven voters, all of whom were Dem- ocrats, making the township for a long time the banner Democratic town- ship of the county, but of late years it has become Republican.
The Walworth family also came at an early day and settled in Beaver township among the very first, and built a mill on Beaver creek. There are nine school-houses in the township.
536
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
The first election held in Beaver township was, perhaps, the one held at the house of Seth H. Dayton, October 8, 1861.
The township officers elected at the last election, 1878, were:
Township Clerk-K. Cameron. Assessor-H. H. Hayes.
Trustees:
James Stephens. Ira Doty. D. Norwood.
Justices:
M. S. Conway. D. C. Bligh.
Constables:
Emerson Carleton. James Gardiner.
COLFAX.
This is one of the central townships in Dallas county, occupying the sec- ond place from the south and west in the tiers of townships, and is known in the government surveys as congressional township 79, north of range 28, west of the 5th principal meridian.
It has no river flowing through its boundaries; but the Panther creek en- ters near the northwest corner of the township, and flows diagonally through, passing out about two miles west of the southeast corner, giving it plenty of water and drainage facilities. There is not much timber within its bounds, except what is found along the Panther creek, but most parts of the township are near enough either to the North or South Rac- coon rivers and their heavy timber belts to make timber quite convenient and easily accessible to all parts of the township.
The beautiful tract of farming land contained in this township cannot easily be excelled.
It contains both high rolling prairie and beautiful fertile valley land, well drained and sufficiently watered by springs and running streams. It is not a very old settled township but shows thrift and enterprise on every hand, and has a good many large, well improved farms, which produce im- mense yields of corn and other crops, and the farmers are now beginning to raise and turn off large droves of fat hogs and herds of cattle.
Some fine tracts of prairie are yet found, that have never been brought under cultivation, being held principally by eastern speculators, which has held the township back somewhat in its progress and settlement; but the time is not far distant, doubtless, when all these vacant prairie lands will change hands, and be brought under cultivation, and when Colfax will be numbered among the thickly-settled townships of Dallas county. The ex- tension of the Des Moines, Adel & Western narrow-gauge railroad passes through the southern part of this township down through a beautiful, fer- tile valley, which extends from a little west of Adel on toward the Middle Raccoon river, and affords a valuable tract of farming land of great fer- tility.
537
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
During all the early years of the county, and in fact until quite recently, the territory now included in Colfax township was mostly attached to Adel, with occasional strips being cut off and attached to other adjoining town- ships, accordingly as the increase of settlement demanded, and it was not until January 4, 1869, that it was set off by itself, and constituted a town- ship with its present boundaries, as shown by the following order of the supervisors, which appears on record under the above date:
Ordered, That all that portion of congressional township, No. 79, range 28, heretofore included in the township of Union, and all that portion of said township 79, range 28, here- tofore included in the township of Adel be detached from said townships of Union and Adel, and that said congressional township No. 79, range 28, shall constitute a new township, to be called and known as Colfax township. And it is further ordered that John Tyre be ap- pointed to post notices of the organization of said township, in pursuance of the statute in such case made and provided.
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