JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP

Jefferson township occupies the extreme northeast corner of the county, and coincides with regular township No. 81, range 13. It is bounded on the north by Tama county, on the east by Iowa county, on the south by Warren, and on the west by Madison, township. It is well watered by numerous small creeks, nearly all of which take an easterly course. Walnut Creek, the largest, enters from the west, in section 7, and passes out of the township at the very northeast corner of section 1. Timber grows along the water-courses, but no large tracts are found. Enough wood for fuel and fencing can, without difficulty, be obtained by all tho farmers. The soil is well adapted for the cultivation of corn, which forms the staple product.

No township in the county has better natural facilities for raising cattle, and the enterprising farmers show that they arc awake to their best interests, in the fact that there are now more than thirteen hundred head of cattle of all ages in the township. Except during some of the most inclement winter weather, stock remains with perfect security from wind and storm, sheltered in the many timber nooks and hill slopes.

Scattered all among the little hills are frequent springs of never-failing water, and creeks that never go dry.

Much of their corn is fed on the farm, and the same natural facilities which favor cattle raising applies equally well to swine. Eighteen hundred hogs, within the past year, have been fitted for the market, and it is certain that there will be a greater number this year. There are five hundred and forty-nine horses, which shows that they are not all needed for work, since to every legal voter there are two and three-fourths horses.

The population in 1880 was 935, and the number of votes cast at the general election in 1879 was 171.

Nine good schools, located within easy access, furnish every child the very best means of becoming acquainted with the fundamental principles of education. In the year 1854 only one school was taught within the present limits of the township. The teachers name was Daniel Kennedy, and he had an attendance of less than twenty pupils. The school-house in which he taught was constructed with logs, and the necessary funds for its completion were raised by subscription. Many of our present well built and well furnished school-houses would never have been undertaken if we were obliged to depend on voluntary subscriptions.

Mr. Kennedy, the pioneer teacher of Jefferson, now resides in Belle Plaine, Tama county, wherehe became the first mayor of that thriving city.

The first frame school-house was erected on the northwest corner of section 12.   It cost $400. 

The township, though by no means the oldest in the county, has been organized twenty-six and a half years. Settlement however began  three or four years earlier. m

It is yet a question who was the first pioneer settler, but the following named persons were among the earliest:

Daniel Winslow, a native of North Carolina, in the year 1851, settled in section 2. Mr. Winslow emigrated at an early date to Illinois, where he lived several years, then, as above stated, came to Iowa.

Norman Parks, in the year 1852, settled in section 3. He was an Indianian by birth, and lived in that State till coming here. Mr. Parks, from the first, became one of the prominent men of the township. At his house occurred the first township election, April 3, 1854.

In the same year, L. T. Blake settled on section 6. Mr. Blake, by birth a " Hoosier," resolved to try the fortunes of a new country, and first sought a home in Illinois, but hearing of fairer prospects in the " Hawkeye" State, he came to this county and found what he called " the best land in the Union."

J. R. Duffield came from the State of Illinois, and after searching for the best location to build his future home, he took a claim in section 9, in the summer of 1853.

James Sumner, S. Brewer, James Brewer, Hulett Davenport, Jonathan Boyl and H. L. Ainsworth were also among the early settlers. These names figure prominently in the early history of the township, and all who resided there in those early days, knew them well. The hardships they endured and the sociabilities they enjoyed together were not much unlike others

placed in similar circumstances. They frequently were compelled to go to Iowa City to mill, and sometimes, being detained by bad roads and weather, their provisions were greatly reduced before they again reached home.

The order of court has been preserved, and we give below a verbatim copy showing how and when the township was organized. It was written and signed by Judge Richard B. Ogden:

"Organization of the township of Jefferson, county of Poweshiek and State of Iowa, to-wit: At a meeting of the county court, held at the court-house in Montezuma, on Monday, tho 6th day of March, A. D. 1854, it is ordered by the county court that a township be laid off, by the name of Jefferson, described as follows*. Congressional township number eighty-one thirteen west, hounded as follows: commencing at the northeast corner of Madison township, thence south to the line dividing townships eighty (80) and eighty-one (81) thence east on said line to the eastern line of said county of Poweshiek, thence north on the line dividing the counties of Poweshiek and Iowa, six miles to the place of beginning, And that an election be held at the house of Korman Parker, in said township, on Monday the third (3d) day of April A. D. 1854, for the purpose of electing township and such other officers as the law directs.

Witness my hand and seal, this 10th day of March, A. D. 1854.

"Richard B. Ogden,

"County Judge of Poweshiek Co., lowa"

At the election as provided in the foregoing order, the following named persons were elected: Justices, Norman Parker, James Brewer; Constables, Eli M. Doughty, George Lukecart; Trustees, G. Lukecart, E. M. Doughty, Norman Parker; Assessor, James Brewer; Clerk, H. L. Ainsworth; Supervisor, Eli M. Doughty.

The first marriage in the township was J. H. Doughty and Miss Mary Jane Winslow.   Rev. Robert Duncan performed the ceremony.

The first white male child born was a son of Wm. and Cornelia Doughty His name was Monroe Doughty. The first white female child born in the township was Helen Blake, daughter of George Blake.

The first regular practicing physician was Dr. Barton, who formerly came from Ohio.

The first minister of the gospel was Rev. Jamison, a preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He came out from Marengo and held meetings in a school-house.

The first weaving was done by Mrs. Smith, now the wife of James Sumner, of Tama county.

Andrew Wilson, in the year 1856, built and operated the first saw-mill in  Jefferson township. It was situated on Walnut Creek, in section 1. It is said that he would go down to his mill every day, and for weeks together work entirely alone.   Other men would haul him logs, but in sawing them he asked no assistance.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Jefferson was organized in the year 1854, with only a few members, but it increased in numbers and in strength till now there is a membership of twenty-five, and they have a neat little house of worship. The church was built in the summer of 1872 at a cost of $850. It is situated on the southeast corner of section 2. Rev. J. B. Hardy, who served this church for some time, is said to have preached the first sermon in Poweshiek county.

There are two burying grounds, one in section 11, which first been used a long time and contain about 150 graves; the other is in section 27, and has now only ten graves, having been recently laid out.

The present officers ofthe township are:

Justices
J. A. Elliott, L
O. White.

Trustees
James Scott, A.
S. Kizer, C. E. Cone.

Constable
Wm. Noble.

Assessor
L O. White.

Clerk
Andrew Ostrom.

There are two Indian graves on the opposite sides of Walnut Creek, in section 1. These red men were buried many years ago, but the mounds where rest their bones are still plainly visible, facing the creek. They belonged to the same tribe, but eternal hatred made them mortal enemies. For several years they cherished this deadly hatred and many times set upon one another, but each time some one happened to be near to separate them. Finally it was agreed to let them light till one or both were killed. The whole tribe assembled to witness tho terrible duel. The combat was long, but finally both fell mortally wounded. The chief ordered them buried on opposite sides of the creek to prevent their contending together in "the happy hunting ground."

In the fall of 1870, while engaged in threshing, J. P. Salton was caught by his clothing on the tumbling rod, and being hurled backward was carried around a score of times till life was nearly pounded out. This occurred on section 86.

John Huntoon lay very sick with fever in November, 1874, when his house took fire. Before the fire was discovered it was far beyond control. The neighbors rushed in, seizing the sick man in their arms and carrying him out just before the roof fell in.* The man was saved but the house was a total loss.

Source: The History Of Poweshiek County Iowa 1880
Transcribed and Contributed to Genealogy Trails by Barbara Ziegenmeyer