WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP

This township corresponds with congressional township No. 79, range 16 west. It is bounded on the north by Grinnell, on the cast by Pleasant, on the south by Sugar Creek, and on the west by Jasper county.

Formerly Washington township embraced a strip of territory extending the whole length of the west side of the county and six miles wide. Chester, Grinnell and Sugar Creek have been set off from it.

There is a belt of timber extending from northwest to southeast through the township, and in this portion the land is considerably broken and hilly. Both the north and south portions of the township are more level and better adapted for farming, though there is very little waste land.

Oak Grove is the only post-office, situated near the center of the township, on the Central Railroad.

The Central Railroad of Iowa runs north and south through the center of the township. The Montezuma Railroad runs through the northeast corner.

This township was settled among the first in the county. It now contains a population of 802, and the legal voters number 154.

It contains three churches, three burying grounds, nine school-houses and five road districts. Some of the farms are large and well tilled, and many of the farmers are in independent circumstances. The intelligence and thrift of the citizens is above the average.

Among the early settlers were Robert Carpenter, John McNabb, George Beeler, William Prosser, James Wood, Daniel Prosser, P. S. Pearce and Dr. Willis.

In an old township clerk's book, marked "Records of Washington Township, Poweshiek County, Iowa," we find the following interesting records of the way they distinguished their stock in those early days:

"James F. Roberts' ear-mark is a swallow fork in each ear. September 12, A. D. 1852."

"Samuel Favours' ear-mark is a crop and under bit in the right ear. September 18, A. D. 1852."

"Daniel D. Prosser's ear-mark is crop off of each ear and a split in the left. March 7, A. D. 1853."

"Daniel Vantrees' ear-mark is a crop off the right ear and a split in the left. March 7, 1853."

At an election held on the 3d day of May, A. D. 1852, Peter S. Pearce was elected a justice of tho peace to serve two years from the first Monday in April (1852) last past; Robert 0. Carpenter, justice of the peace; Albert H. Carpenter and David M. Rutlege constables; Daniel D. Prosser, George M. Beeler and William McNabb trustees; James F. Roberts, township clerk.

The present township officers are:

Assessor—William Garrett.

Clerk—W. A. Taylor.

Trustees—James D. Evans, John S. Beeler, Thomas Keenan.

Justices of Peace—W. A. Taylor, B. Jenkins.

The Friends' meeting-house is at the Jasper county line, on section 19. The house was built a long time ago. There is a burying ground near it.

The M. E. Church is situated at what is called Blue Point, on section 23, and Rev. S. C. Smith is the present pastor.

There is another church near this one, occupied by the Protestant Methodists. It was built by the Christian Union denomination.

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