Dougherty township was organized in 1870 and was named Prairie, but in 1871 the name was changed to Dougherty in honor of its first settler, Daniel DOUGHERTY.

The first school in Dougherty Township was built on Section 36, in 1864 near Daniel DOUGHERTY's old homestead, and was taught by Miss Elizabeth IRVIN of Clayton county, the families of John HUMPHREY and Daniel DOUGHERTY furnishing the scholars. Today [1910] there are nine public schools and a parochial school [Saint Patrick's] in the township, the latter presided over by five Sisters of the Presentation Order of Dubuque. ~ History of Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, 1910

Dougherty Schoolhouse #7 was located four miles west of Dougherty in District Number 7, Dougherty Township. The 1895 Plat Map places this schoolhouse in the southeast quarter of sec. 30 on land owned by John F. ORMSBY (Deerfield School No. 7).

Photograph & Student Roll Submission by John McLaughlin
Updated by Sharon R. Becker, February of 2011