Jasper Co. IAGenWeb
Past and Present of Jasper Co.

CHAPTER XXII
ROCK CREEK TOWNSHIP

Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa
B.F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, IN, 1912


Rock Creek Township is on the eastern border of Jasper County and the second from the north line of the county. It comprises all of Congressional Township No. 80, range 17 west, except section 31, in the southwest corner, which belongs in Kellogg Township. Hickory Grove Township lies to the north; Poweshiek County to the east; Richland Township at the south and Kellogg Township on its west. In the central and eastern portions is a fine body of native timber. Rock Creek, a beautiful stream, with its branches affords ample drainage for this township, which for the greater part is made up of excellent prairie farming lands, now of high value on account of the price of land and its exceptional fine productive qualities. The Rock Island Railroad runs through its domain from east to west, bearing to the southeast in its course.

According to the state census reports in 1905, the population of Rock Creek Township was seven hundred and twenty-four. It takes its name evidently from the stream of the same name, a tributary of the Skunk River.

Among the first original entries of government land within this township may be mentioned Theodore Whitney, in the northwest of section 9, on October 27, 1848; Charles G. Adams, in the north half of the northeast quarter of section 27, and the south half of the southeast of section 22, on the same date.

This township was set off from Lynn Grove Township September 4, 1854. The first election was held at the house of James Elliott. This subdivision of Jasper County was described as being Congressional Township Nos. 80 and 81, range 17 west. Later Hickory Grove was formed from its northern half.

Among the fatal accidents in this township is recalled by those living there in 1874, that of Washington Young, who was struck by lightning on September 19th of that year and instantly killed, while standing in front of his blacksmith shop. A man and boy standing near him were badly shocked, but not materially injured. During the same thunderstorm, a barn belonging to J. H. Russell, living five miles southwest of Newton was set on fire by lightning and totally destroyed.

Rock Creek is purely an agricultural district and has hundreds of most excellent, well-improved farms, upon which reside a happy, contented and prosperous people.

To show the general sentiment of the township, in April 1855, when the prohibition of the sale of liquor came up through a vote in Jasper County, it may be stated that the vote stood eight for the law and twelve against.

In 1878 the total assessed value of all personal property in the township was $38,805, including that levied on 477 head of horses; 17 head of mules and 989 head of taxable cattle.

In 1877 the total valuation of both personal and real estate was $275,590, on which the sum of $5,280 was paid into the county treasury.

The reader is referred to the table in the County Government chapter on total valuations of the various townships in Jasper County as in comparison to the figures of this year.

The schools and churches are mentioned at length in chapters especially on these topics for the whole county.

THE VILLAGE OF TURNER

Turner is a little hamlet on the Rock Island Railroad on the line of sections 23 and 28 of Rock Creek Township, fourteen miles east of Newton. It affords a good trading point, in a small way, for the adjacent community of farmers. The recent dealers there are: General merchandise, Lena Diehl; creamery, E. B. Elliott; postmaster, O. J. Turner; live stock, coal and lumber, O. J. Turner.

Transcribed by Ernie Braida in July 2003