FLORENCE.

pg 291

John B. Newhall, of Burlington, in his "Sketches of Iowa" says that he was at one time a part owner of the town site of Florence, and that it was at one time the home of Black Hawk and Keokuk. According to Mr. Newhall, it was the rallying point for the followers of Black Hawk before they crossed over into Illinois to begin the war of 1832. It was also the place known in the Indian treaty of 1832 as "Keokuk's Principal Village."

The town of Florence was not laid out, of course, until after September, 1836, but if it was ever platted there is no record of it now. It was a place of some importance from about 1838 until 1846.

William Phinney began keeping tavern there in April, 1S38. Philip B. Harrison was granted a ferry license by the District Court in April, 1837 "at the town of Florence."

John Deihl was appointed postmaster July 5th, 1839, and continued in that office, until it was discontinued on Feb. 11th, 1846. During most if not all of this time Mr. Deihl kept a store there. Silas Foster also kept store there in 1839, and Calvin Donaldson began mercantile business there in January, 1841.

---