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         MORNING SUN TOWNSHIP. THIS township comprises a portion of township 73 north, range 3 west, and a portion of township 73 north, range 4 west, comprising in all a fraction over one Congressional township. The township was first known as Florence, its name being given it by William Harrison. In 1853 it took the name of Morning Sun, after the village of that name. There are two streams running through the township, Otter Creek and Honey Creek. The first settlement was made about 1836. Jonathan Harkeman, of Ohio, settled on section 25. He was a blacksmith by trade, and was the first to work at that branch of business in this township. He was also the inventor and manufacturer of the first diamond plow. After remaining here for a time he removed to Mahaska County, Iowa. John A. Lewin came from Virginia and settled on section 18, where he made a farm. He was a member of . . .

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. . . the Baptist Church, and it is stated by some that the first services were held at his house. He afterward removed to Polk County, Iowa. John Hamilton settled on section 20. He was a native of Ohio. Zadok Jarvis settled at Virginia Grove, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was a native of Indiana, and became a prominent farmer and stock shipper. John Vaughn, a veterinary surgeon by profession, is also numbered among the first settlers. Religiously, he was a Seventh-Day Baptist, and services of that denomination were held at his house.

The first religious services were conducted by the Rev. Johnson, a Baptist minister. The first organization was that of the Associate Presbyterian, and their first meetings were held in a building owned by W. P. Brown, and which was used for school purposes. Rev. M. Jackson was the first minister of that denomination. The next church organized was that of the Reform Presbyterian or Covenanters, the first regular pastor of which was Rev. M. McDonald. The Presbyterians organized the next society, Rev. Bell officiating on the occasion. The first house of worship was built by the Associate or United Presbyterian Church, on a plot of ground given by W. P. Brown, which they were to have and hold as long as used for church purposes. The building was finally moved to the village of Morning Sun, and used for school purposes and afterward as a wagon-shop.

The first school was taught two miles north of Morning Sun, on land owned by W. P. Brown, who erected a building free of cost. The first school was taught by T. P. Brown, son of W. P. Brown, who died in 1856.

The first mill was erected on Honey Creek in 1840, by John Rose. It was a water mill. The early settlers used to carry their grist on horseback to this mill, giving one-half for grinding.

The first wagon-maker was Hugh Edwards, who did quite a business at an early day.

The first merchandise was sold by J. C. Brown, who opened up a stock of goods Aug. 10, 1850, in a hewed log house which he subsequently removed to the village of Morning Sun, where he continued in business for thirty-three years. The second store was opened by a man named Wright, who soon afterward disposed of his stock to H. C. Blake.

The first marriage was that of W. H. Mickey and Sarah Garner.