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         MARSHALL TOWNSHIP also lies in the southwestern part of the county, and is bounded on the north by Columbus City Township, on the east by Wapello, on the south by Morning Sun, and on the west by Elm Grove Township. Among the early settlers were Joshua Marshall, James Chapman, Joseph Higby, Robert Coulter, John Nichols, Jesse Van Horn and Henry Churchman. The first birth in this township was James Higby, son of Joseph Higby, who was born in September, 1836, and in 1888 was the President of the Old Settlers’ Society of Louisa County.

The village of Cairo, situated on the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 28, was laid out by James H. Marshall, and surveyed by W. S. Kremer, June 15, 1865. The first building erected was for a pump factory, and was built by M. M. Carson, and is at present used as a hotel, known as the Louisa House. The next building was the store building now occupied by Murray Bros. as a general store. The first general store in Cairo was run by John S. Marshall. . . .

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. . . The first blacksmith-shop was run by S. McKinley. The post-office was started in the residence of John Marshall and afterward moved to the store of John S. Marshall. Later it was moved to the store of Mr. Darrow, and later to its present location in the store of Murray Bros.

The public school of this place was organized in 1870. The first teacher is supposed to be F. F. Kinger. The school building is a frame structure, 24x40 feet, with two rooms, and two teachers are employed. The building was erected in the summer of 1884, at the cost of $1,500.

There are two churches in the village: the Church of God, originally organized in Marshall Township, was removed to this place and a church building erected. The Free Methodists also have a church building here.

Cairo is healthfully situated on a rolling prairie, remarkable for its fertility. It was an active business center at one time, but the railroad starting other towns in its vicinity has decreased its trade.

The township cemetery is located three-fourths of a mile south of the town of Cairo, on the southwest quarter of section 33, and contains two and three-fourths acres. It was platted in 1886.

The Prairie Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church was built in 1857, and is a frame structure, the dimensions being 35x50 feet. It is situated on the southwest quarter of section 30, Marshall Township, and was erected at a cost of $1,700, on land purchased of Hiram Hunt; the committee which had charge of its construction consisted of Charles Butler, H. B. Kirkpatrick, William Ballain and H. Hunt, and the church was dedicated in 1857. It was started under very favorable circumstances, with a very large membership, which in its early history numbered 200. The first pastor was C. B. Reynolds, who was followed by William Orris. The first Trustees were Charles Butler and H. B. Kirkpatrick. In 1859 a revival was held, which added about 100 converts to the church roll. Many of the first members have now passed away, while still others have removed to different localities. The membership at the present time is about twenty-five or thirty, and services are held on the second and fourth Sundays of each month, Rev. Rose being the present pastor. Sabbath-school is held at 2:30 P. M. each Sunday, George Hill being the Superintendent, and has an attendance of about forty-eight students. The present Trustees are John Le Cornu, Lerand Bemiss and George Miller, and the present Stewards are George Hill and William Miller. The church is in a good condition financially, and is also in splendid working order.