Pg 651

         JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP. Jefferson is an irregular township in the southeast part of the county, and is bounded on the east by the Mississippi River, on the west by Wapello Township, on the north by Port Louisa Township, and on the south by Elliott Township. It was one of the earliest settled portions of the county. The first settler of the county, Christopher Shuck, was a citizen of this township. He was followed by Toole, Bird, Springer, Hale, Hook, Guest, Palmer, the Parsons and others. The first school in the township was taught by John B. Ferguson. William L. Toole was a member of the first Constitutional Convention.

The village of Toolsboro is situated on the northwest quarter of section 11, township 73 north, range 2 west. It was laid out and platted by William L. Toole, May 2, 1840. Mr. Toole was a native of Virginia, who came to this county in 1836, and was for many years a prominent citizen. He was a member of the first constitutional convention, and was also the first merchant in the village. He died here about 1878. The town is beautifully located on the west bank of the Iowa River, about eight miles from Wapello. The post-office was established shortly after the village was platted, and William L. Toole was the first Postmaster. Rev. Fisk, a Presbyterian minister, was the first to break the bread of life to the people in this vicinity. In 1848 a house of worship was erected by the Missionary Society of this denomination. It is now used by the Methodist Episcopal denomination, the only one represented in the place. The first Methodist Episcopal preacher was Rev. Nathaniel De Witt.

The first school was taught by John Ferguson. The next teacher was William Flack. The first school-house was erected in 1838, and was a log structure. It was used for several years, and later a brick school-house was erected. A handsome frame school-house now furnishes accommodation to the seventy-two pupils enrolled.