This village lies in the northern part of Section 16, Poweshiek, and is very near the scene of the strange occurrences in 1848, growing out of the Knisely disappearance, related elsewhere. The vicinity of Greencastle was settled in 1846, by Joseph Slaughter and others, and the population increased somewhat for two or three years thereafter. It will be seen elsewhere that a school district was organized near Joseph Slaughter's in 1849, and that a school was taught therein in the Winter of the same year.

The people of Greencastle celebrated July 4, 1859, in ample form. The crowd convened at the school house, where they were formed in procession by the Marshals, John Polston and David Gish, and lead by the Greencastle String Band to the seats in the western part of town. George E. Baker presided, and the exercises began by the Sabbath school singing "There is a Happy Land." Rev. Mr. Carr read the Declaration of Independence, and Rev. A.H. Murray made the oration, followed in a short address by Rev. E.M.H. Fleming. A beautiful dinner was served, after which brief speeches were made by Rev. G. W. Schaffer and H.S. Winslow.

Fifteen buildings were erected in Greencastle during the first half of the year.

Dr. J.H. Knox, a homeopathic physician, settled here in 1866.

Fisher and Pfeiffer built a flouring-mill at Greencastle in 1875, which has a capacity of a hundred barrels a day. The building is four stories high, and cost about $10,000.

Although the Rock Island road runs about five miles to the south of this town, it holds its own very comfortably, and a considerable business is done. Most of the commercial travelers visit the town while staying at Colfax.

The Methodist society at this place have a house of worship that would do credit to a far more pretentious town.

The township in which Greencastle is located is one of the very best in Jasper County, it being well supplied with timber. It is well watered by Indian Creek and other tributaries to the Skunk, and its hills are underlaid with a thick bed of excellent coal.

It is hoped that no iconoclasts may spring up to change the name of this township, which was the last home adopted in Iowa by the Sac chieftain. The name is appropriate, and it is fitting to an excellent man, who was beloved by his own people and respected by the whites.

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