First Marriage and First Birth::
Samuel Parkinson and Almira Stevens were united in marriage in 1854, and were the first couple married in Hardin township. John Caldwell, the first Justice of the Peace, performed the marriage ceremony. In due course of time a daughter was born unto this couple, which received the congratulations, and has the honor of being the first born in the town of Iowa Falls.
First Birth (in Township):
Oliver Townsend, son of Nathan and Sarah Townsend, was born in the fall of 1852, and was the first born in Hardin township. Grown to manhood, he has long since left the paternal roof, and now resides in California.
First Death:
The first death in Hardin township was that of Mrs. Daniel Lane, in 1855. She was buried on the hilllside near the Illinois Central depot.
Postoffices:
The first settlers of Hardin township received their mail at the Marietta postoffice, in Marshall county. They received but little, which was well for them, as the journey to and from Marietta required two full days. When the postoffice was established at Eldora, in January, 1854, their mail was then received from that office. This was much better, as the distance was but half so great, and with a smart team of oxen they could make the journey in one day, by getting up early and returning
late. Finally, it was decided an office must be established somewhere in the neighborhood of Rocksylvania, or at White's Mill, now Iowa Falls.
Iowa falls was the next office established, in the spring of 1857.
Educational: In the summer of 1854 John Caldwell and his neighbors gathered together and erected a log school house, in which George P. Griffith taught the first school in the township. This house was located on a small stream, now known as School creek, which was so named by Mr. Caldwell, after the erection of the school building, about two miles southeast of the present town of Iowa Falls. Mr. Griffith was subsequently elected County Surveyor, and served two terms. The township now boasts of fourteen good substantial school buildings.
The grade school of Iowa Falls, mention of which is made in the history of the town, is one of the best in the county, and ranks with any in the State in towns of its size.
Religious:
The first religious services in the township held under the auspices of the Society of Friends, in a log cabin on section 12, now owned by Isaiah Biggs.
Rev. E.C. Crippin was the first Methodist Episcopal preacher, and was here as early as 1855.
The history of the various churches are given elsewhere in this chapter.
Other Information:
Hardin township was organized in 1854, by Alexander Smith, County Judge. Its first election was held under a burr oak tree, but a short distance from the he present grist mill. The following named officers
were elected: Trustees, J.F. Simonds, Henry Pilgrim, William A. Bolden; Clerk, Edwin Terrill; Assessor, Benjamin I Tolbert; Justice of the Peace, John Caldwell.
In April, 1856, the election was held at the house of Joseph Wells, when 65 votes were cast, showing that the township was being rapidly settled. The following named officers were elected: Trustees, T.B. Knapp, J.F. Simonds, Jacob George; Clerk, James S. Smith; Justice of the Peach, William Jones; Assessor, David Mitchell; Constable, A.A. Wells; Road Supervisor, O.H. Foster. for restraining hogs running at large was voted for, resulting in a majority in its favor.
The August election was held at J.S. Smith's store, when 69 votes were cast. This was further increased at the November election for President to 119 votes.
Previous to this time the entire township was one Road Supervisor's district. The Trustees now divided it into four.
The annual election for township officers was held April 5, 1857, resulting in the election of the following named: Trustees, J.F. Simonds, J.H. Foster, John Airy; Clerk, J.S. Smith; Justice of the Peace; M.C. Woodruff; Constable, J.T. Lane; Road Supervisor, D.W. Mott. There were 131 votes cast.
At the April election, 1858, there were 137 votes cast, and the following named elected: Trustees, D.S. Gray, J.C. Waldron, John Caldwell; Clerk, Charles M. Question; Justice of the Peace, William Jones, Constable, J.T. Lane.
1859 -- Trustees, John Slayton, P.S. Gray, D.K. Smith.
1860 -- Trustees, D.L. Smith, J.K. Senter, P.S. Gray; Clerk J.H. Weiland.
1861 -- Trustees, George Griffith, P.E. Johnson.
No record of election has been made from 1861 until the present year. The following are the officers for 1882: Trustees, William E. Nichols, Sr., Joshua Collins, Emerson R. Calkins; Clerk, T.B. Knapp; Justices of the Peace, W.W. Bunce, J.C. Hammond; Constables, L.H. Phinney, R.D. Dutton; Assessor, S.W. Pyle.