Sherman township, in the northwestern quarter of Jasper county, is located to the south of Independence Township, to the west of Malaka, Newton and Palo Alto Townships, to the north of Mound Prairie and Fairview townships and east of Poweshiek Township. For the most part the western borderline is the meanderings of Indian Creek, a branch of the Skunk River, which also forms the southwestern line of the township, thus making the township one of wedge shape. It contains about forty sections of land. This township is somewhat broken, with numerous small creeks and a lake within its borders. The natural groves are confined to the banks of these streams.

Highways run on almost all section lines, however, and the township is one of much value, lying near to the county seat as it does. There are no towns or villages within its borders.

It has an excellent lot of common schools and as these are included in the Educational Chapter they need not here be referred to.

One of the earliest land entries in this township is shown by the public records to have been Samuel K. Parker, in the northwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section 32, on June 14, 1849; William Rickey, in the northwest quarter of section 20, on May 15, 1849.

Much of the land in this township is underlaid with a good grade of bituminous coal, which has been mined in paying quantities for many years.

The Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad crosses the southern point of this township from east to west, the mileage in the same being about four miles.

ORGANIZATION, ETC.

Sherman Township was organized in 1868. According to the state census reports of 1905, the population of Sherman Township was five hundred and seventy-five.

As far back as 1877 the total valuation of property in this township amounted to $359,326, on which the people owning it paid into the county treasury the sum of $5,475.

In 1878 the personal tax was levied upon property valued at $75,622, inclusive of 793 head of horses, 29 mules and asses and 1,785 head of taxable cattle. By comparing these figures with those contained in the item of township valuations, found in the County Government Chapter of this volume, the reader will note the advancement in the last quarter of a century, of the township's history.