SEVERANCE.
Severance was located in the summer of 1869, by C. C. Clonch, J.
Severance and Dr. Gunn, the original town site consisting of forty
acres, on the northeast quarter of Section 26, Town 3, Range 19.
The town received its name from one of its founders, J. Severance.
The post office was established during the fall of 1869, E. Gunn
first officiating as Postmaster.
L. E. Gunn established the first store, and opened with a general
stock.
In the winter of 1869, a hotel was built by Severance & Gunn.
About the same time, C. C. Clonch deeded every alternate lot to Messrs.
Severance & Gunn, in consideration of which they gave him a one-fourth
interest in the hotel.
A blacksmith shop was located in the fall of 1869, by A. Porter.
Dr. Granstaff, of Virginia, located as the first physician in
about 1872.
The first school was taught in 1873 or 1874, in a frame building,
erected for that purpose.
S. L. Ryan located in 1875, as the first lawyer.
The St. Joseph & Western Passenger Depot was built during the
winter of 1874, S. L. Ryan, Agent.
In 1877, the place was incorporated as a city of the third class,
and the first municipal election was held.
The Severance Silver Cornet Band was organized in 1879, George
Bird, leader.
Severance is located on the Wolf River, ten miles west of Troy,
the county seat, and is situated in the midst of the best agricultural
section in the county. The city, although it cannot boast of being among
the older places of the county, can lay claim to its being one of the
best business towns on the St. Joseph & Western Railroad in the county.
The Methodists and Presbyterians each have organizations, the
former possessing the only church edifice in the place.
There are at present the following business enterprises, trades,
professions and societies represented:
General stores, four; drug stores, two; harness-shop, one;
blacksmith shops, two; elevators, two; hotels, two; wagon and carriage
shop, one; boot and shoe store, one; restaurant, one; lumber yard, one;
meat market, one; hardware store, one; furniture store, one; millinery
shop, one; livery stables, two; grist-mill, one; agricultural depots,
two; barber-shop, one; lawyers, two; physicians, three; carpenters, ten;
contractor and builder, one; plasterer, one; stone mason, one; job
printer, one; and a lodge of Odd Fellows.
LEONA.
On the 15th of June, 1873, a stock company was organized and
incorporated under the laws of the State, J. W. Schock, President. The
object of the company was to establish a shipping point on the St.
Joseph & Western Railroad line, which would be easy of access to the
farmers of the western part of the township (Wolf River). They finally
chose the beautiful location on which the town now stands -- southwest
quarter of Section 17, Township 3,* Range 19.
footnote:)*The name Delno was first proposed as a suitable
name for the place, and it was sent into the Post Office Department, but
was refused, on account of there being a place called Delano in the
State. At the instance of David Kercher, the name Leona was proposed and
accepted.
The company bought the land, sixteen acres, of David Kercher, and
paid the Railroad Company in the neighborhood of $1,000, they agreeing
to erect a depot, and built a switch three hundred feet in length.
In February, 1874, the company sold their right, title and
interest to H. Gregg, for $400, he assuming its obligations.
The first building erected on the town site was a large warehouse
(20x80) now owned by H. Gregg. This building was built by the town
company in August, 1873, and was divided into three rooms; fifty feet
were used for storage purposes; twenty feet used as a store, operated by
Mailler & Bush, and ten feet for railroad purposes.
The Post office was established June, 1873, David Kercher,
Postmaster. The office was located for some time in his house.
Dr. S. F. Blakely, of Troy, located as the first doctor. Afterward
located at Severance.
In October, 1879, a school building was built in School District
No. 45, on the town site, Miss N. Nesbit and Dr. Tays, teachers.
In the fall of 1881, the Baptist persuasion organized a church and
held meetings in the schoolhouse, Rev. Alward, of Wathena, officiating.
Leona, at one time, had the reputation of shipping more grain than
any other station on the road, and now ships more grain, for its size,
than any other town in the County.
The following business enterprises, trades, professions and
societies are represented in the place:
General stores, three; hardware, two; drug store, one; meat
market, one; millinery and dressmaking establishment, one; black-smith
shops, two; agricultural depots, two; lumber yard, one; harness shop,
one; hotel, one; boarding-house; one; livery stable, one; elevators,
two; ware grainhouses, two; grain buyers, three; carpenters, two; wagon-
maker, one; blacksmiths, two; physician, one; one Odd Fellows Society,
and a public library.
EAST NORWAY.
East Norway, being founded by a company composed principally of
Norwegians, received its name from their native country, Norway.
In the spring of 1869, an incorporated stock company was
organized, composed of the following members: O. Nelson, G. Nelson, T.
Steanson, N. G. Nelson, P. Nelson and A. Bennett. Following were the
first officers : A. Bennett, President; N. G. Nelson, Secretary; O.
Nelson, Treasurer. Present officers: T. Steanson, President; N. L.
Nelson, Secretary and Treasurer.
The original town site consisted of eighteen acres, which was
bought of John Hoverson; consideration $860. During the year 1870, they
bought ten acres additional of G. Nelson, and donated it to the St. Joe
& Western Railroad Company, said company agreeing to build a depot and
side track.
Although the town was laid off in 1869, no buildings were erected
until two years later, when A. Bennett built a grain warehouse, which he
used for storing grain, and also for store purposes. During the same
year, the Evangelical, Lutheran denomination built a parsonage; this was
followed by the residence of A. Bennett.
In 1874, P. Welton and the Hardy brothers opened general stores,
and operated them until 1878, when they were burned down. The Hardy
brothers rebuilt soon after.
The post office was established in about 1873; I. W. Bennett,
Postmaster.
East Norway is located in the midst of a Scandinavian neighborhood --
the greater portion of whom are prosperous farmers -- and is a good
shipping point. A grain warehouse, owned and operated by A. Bennett, and
one general store comprise its business enterprises.
RYAN'S STATION.
Ryan's Station in 1869 was the terminus of the St. Joe & Western
Railroad for a short time, and during that interval efforts were made to
establish a town.
The original town site as laid off by Jewell Ryan, from whom the
town received its name; in November, 1869, consisted of about thirty
acres. The first buildings were put up in December of the same year.
S. L. Ryan and J. OUNiel built a store and kept a general stock in
January, 1870. In 1872, S. L. Ryan built another store, which was
operated until 1875.
The town of Severance, being only one mile west, and possessing
better advantages, soon took all the trade from this point, and in 1875
the station was discontinued and made a flag station.
UNION TOWNSHIP.
Previous to the organization of this township, July 10, 1878, a
meeting was held by representatives from the two great political parties
of the day, in which the name "Union" was agreed upon as a fitting
appellation for the township. The Republicans were represented by R. P.
Shulsky, William Denton, W. B. Gorden, D. W. Edwards and J. L. Blair; A.
W. Walters, William Gillen, B. Haney and S. Hays representing the
Democratic party.
A petition was presented to the County Commissioners on the 4th
day of June, 1878, "for setting off and organizing a new township; the
same to be set off from Wolf River Township, in said county, and whereas
a petition has been presented to said Board of County Commissioners,
signed by more than fifty electors residing within the limits of said
proposed new township, and it appearing by said petition that said
proposed new township embraces within its limits territory equal to at
least thirty (30) square miles, and at least two hundred (200)
inhabitants within the lands thereof; said new township being described
and bounded by 'metes and bounds' as follows, to-wit:
"All the territory or tract of land in Wolf River Township,
Doniphan County, Kansas, known as Congressional Township four (4) south,
and Range nineteen (19) east, containing six square miles, more or less,
* * * and that said new township be known by the name of Union Township,
and that the first election of officers for said township be held at the
schoolhouse, situated on the southeast corner of Section sixteen (16),
Town four (4) south, Range nineteen (19) east, in said township, on
Tuesday succeeding the first Monday in November, 1878, at which time the
proper officers of said township shall be elected, and said schoolhouse
shall be known, named and designated for election purposes, as Union
Precinct."
The township contains thirty-six square miles, or 23,040 acres,
about 22,000 acres of which is corn cultivated to the highest degree.
The surface of this township is all upland, rolling prairie,
excepting, perhaps, a mile strip on the eastern boundary of the
township, where, being within the confines of Independence Creek and
branches, it becomes more broken.
Although no large streams flow through this township, it is well
watered by small creeks and springs, there being scarcely a section of
land in the township but what living water may be found at all seasons
of the year. Well water can be obtained at depths from thirty to sixty
feet.
It has been demonstrated by the farmers of this township that the
high prairie land is equal in many respects to the bottom lands. Some of
the best farms in the county may be found in this township.
The two principal products are wheat and corn. In regard to stock,
Union Township claims to produce more swine than any other township of
its size in the county.
"Surface coal" has been discovered on the southeast quarter of
Section 10, and on the northwest quarter of Section 34, but has not been
mined to a great extent. In 1880, efforts were made to organize a stock
company for the purpose of developing the mineral resources of the
township, but as the scheme lacked the necessary enthusiasm and co-
operation of the people, the idea was abandoned.
The early history of Union Township being so closely identified
with that of Wolf River, it will be unnecessary to repeat what has been
given in connection with Wolf River Township.
In Union Township there are three religious organizations -- one
Methodist Episcopal Church, located on Section 4, and two Catholic
Churches, located on Sections 12 and 20 respectively.
NORMANVILLE.
A post office and trading point located in 1861, is situated on
the northwest quarter of Section 29, and was named Normanville in honor
of its first Postmaster, John Normil (sic). This is the first and
only post-office in the township.
WAYNE TOWNSHIP.
This township received its name from "Mad Anthony Wayne," of
Revolutionary fame, but was suggested by A. H. Denning, one of the first
County Commissioners, who came from Wayne Township, Missouri.
It was one of the five original townships into which the county
was divided at the first meeting of the County Commissioners, September
1, 1855, and its boundaries were fixed as follows: "Bounded on the north
by Washington, to the southwest quarter of said township; thence north
two (2) miles to the town line dividing Towns 3 and 4; thence west on
said line to Brown County; on the west by Brown County, on the south by
Atchison County, and on the east by Washington Township and the Missouri
River. "
J. A. Van Arsdale and William Shaw were appointed Justices of the
Peace, and Joshua Sarmaers, Constable.
The first election in this township was held on the first Monday
in October, 1855, at John A. Forman's hotel, in the town of Doniphan,
there being but one voting precinct allowed in each township.
On the 21st day of October, 1856, the east boundaries of this
township were changed so as to admit Marion Township.
On the 21st of June, 1859, a change was made and the present
boundary was fixed as follows: Commencing at the northeast corner of
Section 18, Town 4, Range 20; thence east to the northwest corner of
Section 14, Town 4, Range 20; thence north two miles; thence east to the
northeast corner of Section 3, Town 4, Range 21; thence south to the
northwest corner of Section 23; thence east one mile; thence south to
the Missouri River; thence with the said river to the Atchison County
line; thence with line to southwest corner of Section 31, Town 4, Range
20, thence north to place of beginning.
The surface of Wayne Township, in the main, is rough and "bluffy"
-- especially the southeastern part. The surface along Independence
Creek is exceedingly rough and rocky. Wayne Township shows more rock
formations than any other township in the county.
As a person travels west through the township, he notices that the
contour of the country becomes less abrupt, and on reaching the western
part of the township the surface is found more rolling.
The town is watered by Independence, Rock, Brush and smaller
tributaries. Brush Creek drains the eastern, Rock Creek the central, and
Independence Creek the western, leaving the township on Section 33, Town
4, Range 20, flows in an easterly direction until it touches the
township again at Section 6, Town 5, Range 21, forming the boundary of
the township until it empties into the Missouri River a short distance
below Doniphan.
One of the first settlers in the township was J. F. Forman, who
located in 1852, where Doniphan now stands. In the fall of 1854, he was
joined by his brother, J. W. Forman.
Among those who came and took up claims in 1855-56 were William
Shaw, George Waller, Dr. Hudnell, David Lee, Dick Vest, John Landers,
Col. A. G. Ege, S. Loyd, W. K. Leddington, John Hardin and others. Dr.
R. H. Hereford located on Rock Creek in 1854. B. S. Wharton first
located in the township in May, 1854, built a log cabin and left some
men to make rails until he returned -- April, 1855.
The first marriage was that of Dr. R. H. Hereford to Miss Amanda
J., daughter of John Tracy, who was then living on Rock Creek, near
where Brenner Station is now situated. The ceremony was performed in
1854, by the Rev. J. Devorce, of Rushville, Mo. Dr. Hereford settled in
the township from Marysville, Mo. To him credit is given as the first
physician in the township, and possibly the first in the county. In 1862
or 1863 he removed to Easton, Mo., where he remained until the day of
his death, May 7, 1881.
Probably the first birth in the township was a daughter of Dick
Vest, born in the summer of 1855.
In the winter of 1854-55 occurred, undoubtedly, the first death in
the township. The circumstances attending this demise are heartrending
in the extreme. B. S. Wharton, on arriving in the township in 1854, took
up a claim and set a number of men at work splitting rails. John
Stanliffs, his wife and her sister, a young lady eighteen years of age,
occupied one of the cabins that were built. One day in the winter of
1854-55, as this young lady was attending to domestic duties in the
cabin, she inadvertently approached too near the fire-place and in an
instant was enveloped in a mass of flames. Instead of running out to the
creek, that was not more than thirty steps distant, she ran around the
house until she dropped exhausted. Everything was done to alleviate her
sufferings within the means of those people, remote from civilization,
as it were, but of no avail, her death occurring the next day.
In the summer of 1857, a subscription school was taught on a
branch of Rock Creek, about two miles south of Brenner. The teacher, a
young man by the name of Heartly, managed to secure $20 a month for his
services, and taught four months.
A saw-mill was built in the fall of 1856, by James Forman and S.
B. Whorton, at Doniphan. Mr. Whorton retained his interest but six
weeks, when he sold out to a man by the name of King, who afterward
married a niece of Gen. James Lane. Tradition does not state how long
the mill was operated.
The products of Wayne Township are principally corn, wheat and
fruit. The township claims more acres of vineyards than any other in the
county.
DONIPHAN.
This place derives its name from the county itself, and was first
laid off by a town company.
The Doniphan Town Company was organized in St. Joseph, Mo., in the
fall of 1854. At their first regular meeting, November 11, 1854, T. H.
Christopher was elected President, J. W. Forman, Treasurer; Dr. J. H.
Crane, Secretary; and S. K. Miller, G. W. H. Lendon, J. F. Forman, Dr.
I. A. Chambers and Felix Robidoux, Trustees.
At the meeting held by the company, February 17, 1855, the report
of the Committee on Location was accepted, and J. F. Forman employed as
surveyor to survey the town site at $2.50 per block, and take his pay in
lots at the public sale.
Doniphan, like many other river towns, was the outgrowth of a
trading-post, established there by Joseph Utt, in 1852. Utt erected a
log cabin and sold goods to the Indians. The building remained standing
until about 1867, when it was destroyed by the encroachments of the
"Muddy Missouri."
The first building erected after the town site was laid off was
built by J. W. and J. F. Forman, in the spring of 1855. The lower story
was used as a store and the upper story as a printing office, occupied
by the Constitutionalist. The building has since been washed into the
river.
The town was incorporated under the Territorial Legislature at the
time of its organization, and held her first election March 1, 1855, in
the store owned by the Forman Bros.; 215 votes were polled.
The first sale of town lots took place April 15, 1855, lots being
sold as high as $2,000 in the street.
Mrs. D. Frank probably taught the first subscription school, in
the summer of 1856. Her school was held in a log cabin, owned by William
Poepges.
The first hotel was built by J. F. and J. W. Forman, in the winter
of 1856. It was run under the management of B. O. Driscoll until 1857,
when it was sold to A. Lowe. Lowe controlled it for about ten years, end
sold it to F. E. Mix, who ran it two years, when it was burned down.
In 1857, "Jim Lane" settled in Doniphan. He became a member of the
town company and laid off a large addition to the town site, which is
called "Lane's Addition." After staying about two years, he went to
Leavenworth, where he died.
A great deal might be said about "Jim," as he was then one of the
most notorious men in the State. But as it is not our purpose to enter
into personal history, we forbear.
A saw-mill was built as early as 1855 by S. Collins. The mill was
run but a short time under his management, when he met his death in a
shooting affray on the streets of Doniphan, in November of the same
year.
The United States Land Office was located at Doniphan in the
spring of 1857, and added much to the growth of the place. It remained,
however, but a short time, and was removed to Kickapoo in the spring of
1858.
Dr. John Welsh located as a physician April, 1857.
Following were the officers elected at a city election in 1858:
Trustees, J. W. Sheppard, James N. Graham, J. W. Forman and C. W.
Fisk; President, J. A. Vansdale; City Attorney, Albert Perry; Treasurer,
Adam Brenner; Assessor, J. A. Whitaker; Street Commissioner, George
Allen; Marshal, C. A. Estes; Clerk, H. Stratton.
To show the prospects of Doniphan in 1858, we reproduce a few
extracts from the Kansas Crusader of Freedom, of March 6, 1858:
Doniphan is situated on the Missouri River, thirty miles above
Fort Leavenworth, at the great bend of the river, exactly midway between
the mouth of the Kaw and the Kansas and Nebraska boundary line. It is
situated near the confluence of Independence Creek and the Missouri
River. Deer Creek and Rock Creek enter the Independence a short distance
above the mouth, and thus furnish good natural road beds, with easy
grades, In every direction in the interior of the county. The valleys
through which the river runs embrace large districts of the finest
bottom land in the west.
Smith's Bar lies one mile above the town and extends completely
across the river, which makes Doniphan the heed of navigation for heavy-
draft steamers.
* * * * * * * *
Doniphan is situated in a district of timbered land more extensive
and of better quality than is elsewhere to be found on the Missouri
River. Owing to this fact, timber is sawed by the Doniphan Mills at a
lower figure than at any other point in Kansas. Two extensive saw-mills
are in operation, another is nearly completed, and workmen have begun
preparations for the erection of a fourth, which will be completed in a
couple of months.
Doniphan is distant from St. Joseph, twenty miles; from Topeka,
fifty miles; from Lawrence, sixty miles; from Manhattan, eighty miles;
from Iowa Point, twenty-two miles, by land, while it is ninety-five
miles to the same place by water. This is owing to the great bend of the
river which extends into the heart of the country.
* * * * * * * *
Doniphan, by the last census, had a population of 1,500 souls.
Within the past seven months, 100 houses have been erected here.
Contracts have already been given out for the construction of sixty
houses in the spring. Provisions have been made for the manufacture of
2,000,000 brick within the next two months and 2,000,000 feet of lumber
provided for.
* * * * * * * *
At the beginning of the great rebellion the town declined so
rapidly that in 1861 there was not one store in the place. In 1862-63.
she roused from her lethargy, and did a good business. Among the
improvements during the year 1863 was the erection of a large brick
warehouse, used for an agricultural and implement depot.
A fine brick schoolhouse was built in 1873, at a cost of $8,000.
Doniphan has the following business enterprises, professions,
trades and societies:
General stores, three; drug stores, two; billiard halls, two;
wagon shops, one; blacksmith shops, two; wholesale liquor house, one;
meat market, one; hotels, one; feed stables, one; millinery and
dressmaking establishments, three; shoe shops, one; physicians, three;
carpenters, three; stone masons, three; plasterers, one; coopers, one;
surveyors, one; church organizations, three; secret societies, two.
GEARY CITY.
Geary City received its name from Gov. J. W. Geary, who was
Governor of the Territory at that time, and was located early in the
spring of 1857 by an association organized in Leavensworth (sic),
Kan.
The original town site consisted of about two hundred and sixty
acres, comprising the southeast quarter of Section 26, also a fractional
part of Section 27. The association bought the land of C. Lewis, who in
the summer of 1857, laid out an addition on a fractional quarter of
Section 35, and named it the "Lewis Addition" or "South Geary."
The first building erected on the addition was that of a Mr.
Hoestetter, who built a two-story frame structure and used it as a
dwelling.
C. Lewis erected the first store in "South Geary," and located it
on the levee.
Shortly after, the foundations for a large brewery were laid, but
the building was never completed.
In 1857, shortly after the location of the town, the association
got into a difficulty with W. Schudy, in regard to a fractional piece of
land that Schudy claimed to have pre-empted under the laws of the
Territory. The case was brought into the court, and the association
finding that their speculation had proved a failure, abandoned the
enterprise.
The first actual building was a log house built in 1854, and used
as a saloon.
In the spring of 1857, the association erected the first building
on the town site, on the corner of Second and Cottonwood streets, and
under the management of A. Skinner, it was used as a hotel.
The next building was the office of the Geary City Era. The
first store erected in Geary City proper was built on the levee or Water
street, and occupied by Mr. Clutter. Porter & Cooper followed with a
grocery store. The next business enterprise was that of J. L. Roundy,
who established a large furniture store. All these buildings were
erected on the levee, and about the same time, March, 1857.
Dr. F. Grubb, of Philadelphia, Penn., was the first to represent
the medical fraternity.
James McCahon, who afterward took a prominent part in Kansas State
affairs, located in 1857 as the first lawyer.
The first religious services were held at an early date by the
Rev. B. F. Bowman.
At an early date, Messrs. Frick & Grubb erected a circular
sawmill, and did a good business. The mill was operated until 1869, when
it was moved to Doniphan. About the same time, Messrs. Flickenger &
Langdon built what was then called a "muley," or upright saw-mill, which
was operated until 1859, and then torn down.
The post office was established in the fall of 1857, J. L. Roundy,
Postmaster.
In 1860, Messrs. Frick & Franklin erected a grist-mill.
The first municipal election was held in 1858.
BRENNER.
A station on the Atchison & Nebraska Railroad was located by the
railroad company in 1872, the depot being the first building.
The post office was established in 1874, James McDaniel,
Postmaster.
Harry Nesbit was the first depot agent.
Brenner is a good shipping-point for grain and stock. Not less
than $150,000 worth of produce was shipped during the year 1881.
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
This township was organized September 1, 1855, and no true
American needs be told for whom it was named; it stands self-explained
in the light of to-day, and the misty future will not tend to make its
origin less lucid.
It is one of the five original townships, into which the county
was divided, at the first sitting of the County Commissioners, and its
boundaries at that time were fixed as follows:
"Bounded on the north by Burr Oak Township; on the east by the
Missouri River; on the south by the second line, dividing townships 3
and 4, and on the west by the second range line running north and south
through Atchison." Albert Head and F. Mahan were appointed Justices of
the Peace, and H. J. Johnson, Constable.
The first election in this township was held on the first Monday
in October, 1855, "at the house of M. F. Moss, near Milton Bryant's." On
the 16th day of September, 1856, a change was made in the township, and
its boundary was fixed as follows: Commencing at the northeast corner of
Section 12, Town 2, Range 21; thence south on town line between 21 and
22 to the southeast corner of Section 12, Town 4, Range 21; thence west
six miles to the southwest corner of Section 7, Town 4, Range 21; thence
north two miles, thence west one and a half miles, thence north to the
Missouri River, thence east with said river to place of beginning.
On the 20th of October, 1856, the County Board caused one half
mile to be taken from the eastern part of Iowa and Wolf River Townships,
and attached to Washington Township. On the 21st day of October, 1856,
the boundaries of Washington Township were changed and fixed as follows:
"Commencing at the southwest corner of Burr Oak Township, as then
established; thence south on range line between Ranges 21 and 22 to
within one mile of the town line between Towns 3 and 4; thence east to
Peter's Creek; thence down Peter's Creek to the Missouri River; thence
north with said river to the south line of Burr Oak Township; thence
west to place of beginning.
On the 21st day of June, 1859, a change was made and the present
boundaries were fixed as follows: "Commencing at the northwest corner of
Section 12, Town 3, Range 21; thence east to the Missouri River; thence
with said river to the southwest corner of Section 33, Town 3, Range 22;
thence north one mile; thence west to the southwest corner of Section
25, Town 3, Range 21; thence north to place of beginning."
The surface of the township is quite broken, the best portion
being found on Peter's Creek. As the entire eastern and a large part of
the southern boundary is the Missouri River, nothing more can be
expected than rough and bluffy land after leaving the "first bottom."
The Missouri River bottoms, however, are very productive.
The township is watered principally by Peter's Creek and its
tributaries. Peter's Creek enters the township from the west, on Section
24; and flows east by south for about three miles, when it makes an
abrupt turn to the south.(sic) and flowing through Wathena
assumes a southwesterly direction, and empties into the Missouri River
at the southwest corner of the township.
The first actual settler that located in the township was James R.
Whitehead, who, in January, 1852, settled on the bank of the Missouri
River, near Bellemont. By permission from W. P. Richardson, then agent
for the Kickapoo Indians, he established a trading-post.
"In the spring of 1851, 'Wathena' (a Kickapoo Indian) built a bark
wigwam near the bank of Peter's Creek, a few rods from the present site
of Sniveley & Hedge's mill, at Wathena, and lived in it until the spring
of 1855."
"In April, 1852, B. Harding settled near what is now Wathena, and
established a trading-post. He also built a cabin and broke twenty acres
of ground and planted corn."
In 1853, Henry Thompson, who kept a ferry at St. Joseph, built a
house on the west site of the river and moved his family into it.
"In January, 1854, Daniel Vanderslice, then agent for the
Kickapoos, let a contract to Ebenezer Blackiston and H. Smallwood to cut
the timber from the road between Wathena and the St. Joe ferry, one
hundred feet in width. They, with L. Ralph and Robert McSparrow,
remained and became permanent settlers.
"In the spring of 1854, many persons came from Missouri and made
claims, by laying four poles in form of a square and inscribing their
names."
About the first marriage in the township was that of Samuel Piles
and a Miss Hazelwood, in the spring of 1856. The ceremony was performed
at Bellement (sic), by J. T. Braidy, Justice of the Peace.
The first white child born in Washington Township was a daughter
of J. R. Whitehead, in the fall of 1854. Of this child we find also the
first death, which occurred a few months after.
Undoubtedly the next birth was Charles H. Harding, born July 4,
1855.
An inquest was held in 1856 by J. T. Braidy, Justice of the Peace,
over a dead body found in the Missouri River, near Bellemont. Verdict of
the jury, "death by drowning."
Religious services were held early as 1854, in "Wathena's" wigwam,
on the present town site of Wathena, by a Methodist minister.
Several subscription schools were taught in the township early as
1856. Among those who taught about that time were Misses Creal and
Alward and Messrs. Patching and Clough. School District No. 1, at
Wathena, was organized in the spring of 1858, by B. Harding and others,
under the administration of Hon. John Bayless, first County
Superintendent. School sessions were held in a frame building, 20x30,
erected in 1856, and used up to the time of the first legal organization
(1858), as a subscription school.
Washington Township, among other things, is noted for its
adaptedness in raising fruits of all kinds, but principally grapes. One
of the early pioneers in fruit culture was C. Poirier, who located near
Wathena, in 1854, and immediately commenced raising fruit.
/TD> |