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         The earliest residents in this vicinity were James Posten and family, after whom the timber received the name of Posten’s Grove. He settled July 8, 1836, on the farm now owned by George Francey, Section 1 and 12, Township 80, Range 1, west 5th P.M., and built a cabin near the section line. A few years later, Charles Posten came and settled near his brother, where he afterward died. Mr. James Posten now lives with his sons in Taylor County, Iowa, and with his daughter, Mrs. Jack Parker, in Scott County. Mr. Posten was one of the first settlers in the county.

         In 1839, J. C. Hallock, afterward of Mt. Vernon, Iowa, was induced by J. P. Cook, to settle on the old territorial road, between Davenport and Marion, and open a tavern for the accommodation of passing travelers, on the present farm of John Ackerman. The latter, with his father, was also among the earliest settlers. They settled on the farm, now owned by Mr. Drake, in 1838. Thomas Murray settled on the farm now owned by Henry Moore. He, together with John Ackerman, went to California, renting his farm to S. McClelland, with his sons Samuel and John, who now live in Springfield Township. On the death of his father, John Ackerman returned and is now a resident of Inland Township.

         Thomas Curtis came, in 1850, to the farm now owned by him, having moved West, to Cook County, Illinois in 1835. Mr. Curtis was the first settler at the village of Inland, and his original log house is still standing, south of his present residence. He kept a public house and established a wagon shop.

         Marketing was then done at Davenport, thirty miles distant. Mail was received from Big Rock, where George Goddard was Postmaster. J. C. Hallock afterward secured an office at his house. The second Postmaster was Mr. Tucker, then Reuben Bauchman, E. L. Bassett and A. E. Young, who has officiated for many years. In 1856, Mr. Young opened at store at Inland, where he has continued in business to the present time—twenty-two years.

         About 1867, Wallace Willey built a store room at Inland and a grocery was opened by Andrew Sparks and Wallace Willey. Mr. Willey afterward sold his interest to Mr. Sparks and erected another store room, where he opened a boot and shoe shop. Mr. Spark’s store had been closed out and the other store was continued by James Marks for some time, as a general store, but has been discontinued and the building sold to Mr. Uhland, who opened a grocery store, but soon transferred it to Thomas Flater.

         The first blacksmith shop was opened by Wallace Willey, three-eighths of a mile from Inland and was afterward rented to John Bond who discontinued it. . . .

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. . . Jack Ferguson built the first shop at Inland, and John M. Treadwell built another, which is still in operation with a wagon shop, by Frank Seitz. Albert Allay operated a wagon shop there for several years.

         The first tavern or inn was kept by M. Willey, who settled at Inland in 1850, and is now continued by C. M. Willey. Mr. Willey, who settled in 1850, was a prominent resident of Inland for many years. The first physician was Dr. P. B. Clark, now of Tabor, Iowa, who came about 1858, and sold his practice to Dr. N. B. Cotton, in 1874, who is now in practice there.

         A photograph gallery has been established at Inland by W. A. Young, but is not now in operation.

SCHOOLS.

         Instruction was first given to the children of the pioneers in private houses. In the Winter of 1849-50, a log school house, sixteen feet square, with a window having four small panes of glass, was built near the site of Nicholas Agnew’s residence.

         School as first taught here by William Henry, a student of law. The Summer school was taught by Mrs. Hard; and the Winter term again by Mr. Henry. The school broke up under his management, and the next teacher was Celinda Parker.

         In 1853 or 1854, a school house was erected on the site of the present school, in which C. A. Pound and Abbie Bass taught in 1856.

         In 1877, a new one-story frame school house was erected. The school is now taught by A. P. Hargrave, B.S.

RELIGIOUS.

         Methodist services were held irregularly in 1850, on week days, by Rev. Mr. Woodford, of Tipton. Rev. Julius Reid preached occasionally in 1850 and 1851, though Rev. Rufus Ricker first preached sermons on the Sabbath.

         A Class was formed about that time, which has continued to the present time. Among the Pastors officiating were Rev. Mr. Critchfield, Elder Henry Wharton, Revs. Messrs. Gilruth, Blake, Amos, Paine, Hodges, Wertz, Manning, Albert Miller, L. P. Dosche, G. W. Rodgers and the present Pastor, O. D. Bowles.

         A good substantial church was built in 1866. It was dedicated July 22, by Rev. R. W. Keeler, D.D., under the pastorate of Rev. G. R. Manning. A good parsonage is located near the church.

         A Sabbath school of 100 members is held during the entire year, J. W. Drake, Superintendent.

         Congregational.—The first Sunday services of this denomination were held in the school house, on the first Sabbath in January, 1851, by Rev. Mr. Keith. He was followed by Rev. Mr. Cobb, then by Revs. Messrs. J. R. Upton, Doolittle, S. N. Grout, Harrison and George W. Smith.

         In 1867, this Society erected a church building immediately east of the residence of Thomas Curtis, but as they became unable to support a Pastor, the building was sold to the Christian Disciples, in 1874, since which time the latter denomination have held services there.

         Rev. Pardee Butler, who came there in 1850, Revs. Messrs. Posten, C. E. Phinney, Atkinson, Garrison and others have officiated there.

         Sabbath school is held during the Summer, Mr. Joshua Dobbins, Superintendent.