Source: The Illustrated Historical Atlas of Mills and Fremont Counties, Iowa 1910.

Township Organization

When Mills County was organized and given its name in August, 1851, it was divided into five townships. At this time political parties were hardly considered. In March, 1853, there was another township added, which comprised all of the territory in said county lying east of the Nishnabotna River, and gave it the name of Montgomery Township, in which there were twelve legal voters.

This township was first divided in 1856 and the north part, now Anderson township, was called or given the name of Nishnabotna. The townships were then allowed to rest in place until 1857, when there was a general reorganizing of townships. The county was divided into eleven townships, when this was given the name of Indian Creek Township. This name was given by the reason of there being an Indian village located in said territory and also the creek which runs from east to west, through said territory and empties into the Nishnabotna River at Hastings, and which retains its original name to the present day. Some years after Deer Creek and a part of White Cloud Township was taken from this territory. This township in 1857 was organized and its first officers consisted of the following named persons: Justice of the Peace, William Hutchings; Clerk, A. Carey; Trustee, L.D. Silkett; Constable, William Eaton. The first school taught in the township was by Mrs. Julia Hoyt, in her own cabin in 1854, located in Section 20. Owing to scarcity of books, the younger pupils were taught their A,B,Cs by the teacher printing them on a board.

Firsts in Indian Creek

The first school house was built by donations in the spring of 1855, located in Section 21, first school was two months subscription of same year and taught by Ambrosia Morse.

First death in the township was a man named Huntsman. He was murdered by his nephew with a hoe in 1853. The murderer fled to the west farther among the wilds. J.W. Chambers was frozen to death in this township in 1855.

First land entry by citizens of this township was in March 1853 at the land office in Council Bluffs by Nelson Hanson, which is now known as the Arch Bowen farm.

First Protestant ministers who held religious services in these parts in 1853 were Rev. Harry Rumler, a missionary from Dayton, Ohio and Rev. Armstrong, known in early days as Horse Armstrong. Also Rev. P. Landon, missionary to the territory of Nebraska.

First white child born in township in 1852 was Maude Alvira Huntsman. First marriage was J.W. Cox to Ambrosia Morse in 1858. Many notable and important events occurred here in the township from 1850 to 1860.

The Railroad

The B.& N. R.R. made its way through this township and was connected from east to west and completed near the west side of this township by its superintendent driving the last silver spike Nov. 5, 1869. Sidney and Carson branch built through township in 1878.

The Township in 1909

This township has advanced and so many great improvements have been made since the year 1852, when the subject of this sketch settled in this township and when deer and elk and other wild animals roamed over the broad prairie.

As space will only admit of mention of a few important events in this prosperous year of 1909, this township can proudly boast of her two incorporated towns, Emerson and Hastings, with 1,000 population, six church buildings, six denominations, M. E., Presbyterian, Baptist, U.P., fine schoolhouses, six fraternal societies, Masons, IOOF, K.P. and Eastern Star, Rebekah Pythian Sisters and International Insurance, M.W.A., W.O.W. and Yeoman. Its political complexion is now republican. Its present township officers are: D. Sandiland, B.J. Combs, Ivan Durbin, S.B. Hutchings, trustees: S.B. Hutchings, justice of the peace; Milton Honeyman, clerk; W.C. Donner, assessor; T.F. Alfrey, constable.

Towns of Indian Creek Township

Source: History of Mills County Iowa 1881

This town is situated in the midst of a rich and well settled farming district, on the line of the C.B. & Q. R.R. and near the line of Montgomery county. As might therefore be expected, its business opportunities and advantages are great, and of considerable importance. The town is hardly more than a decade old, but it has already evidenced the wisdom of its founder in the selection of its site, and the liberal inducements offered to promote its growth in population.

Concerning the history of this place it has been possible to glean nothing save a few facts relative to its earliest settlement, and these acknowledgments are due to Judge Tubbs. The first child born in the limits of Emerson was a male, John Rowhouser, son of David J. Rowhouser and Martha A. Rowhouser. This event occurred October 29, 1870. On December 10, of the same year, was born Alice Tomblin, daughter of D.M. Tomblin and Anna Tomblin, the first female child born in the city. The first marriage occurred May 17, 1873, and was that of G. F. Waterman and Eliza Stewart. The Rev. Eber Loomer performed the ceremony. Along with these events of a happier nature came also the summons of death. Carrie B. Sheldon was the first to fall, she dying August 25, 1870. The first physician was L. Carr, from Ames, Iowa, who subsequently moved to Pendleton county, Kentucky, where he is now practicing. The first clergyman was Eber Loomer, of the Baptist denomination, who conducted religious services in the depot of the C.B. & Q. R.R., in August 1870. In the same year was opened the first school, one on the subscription plan, conducted by William Rice. His pupils numbered seventeen, and his compensation was some twenty-five dollars per month. He subsequently removed to Yankton, Dacotah. In 1873 the number of pupils had so increased that the town erected a school building at the cost of three thousand five hundred dollars, to supply the need for suitable accomodations. These are all the facts relative to earlier history that can be gleaned.

See Emerson Street Map, 1910

Source: History of Mills County Iowa 1881

This village is situated at the crossing of the C.B. & Q., its Avoca extension northward, and Sidney branch southward. The proprietors are the railroad company and E.J. Hale, of Boston, Massachusetts. It was platted by A.B. Smith, of Plattsmouth, in the summer of 1870, but was not put into the market until 1872. The site of the town as platted contains some four hundred and forty acres. The building was one used as a section house, erected for its own purposes by the railroad company. The first business house was put up by C.W. Brandon, and is now occupied as a drug store, by James Gray. The first residence was put up by James Mullooney, on the north side of the track. George Edson soon after came and erected the first blacksmith shop. These are all the facts that can be gathered respecting the early history of this new and flourishing town.

Civic societies are represented by Hastings Lodge, No. 397, IOOF., which was instituted on the 12th day of September, A.D.,1879, I. Oberfelder, D.D.G.M., of Council Bluffs, officiating. The charter members were Lewis Robbins, H.C. Robbins, H.C. Ayres, H.A. Russell and C.H. Painter.

See Hastings Street Map, 1910

Congregational Church, Hastings - organized 1878

Methodist Episcopal Church - SW corner, Section 34

St. John's Lutheran Church

Emerson School Fairview School - Middle of E side, Section 12 First School, Mrs. Julia Hoyt home, 1854 - Section 20 First Schoolhouse, built 1855 - Section 21 Forester School - Middle of E side, Section 34 Golden Hill School- SE corner, Section 3 W Hastings School McLain School - SW corner, Section 15 North Grove School - Middle of N side, Section 29 Sandiland School - NE corner, Section 8 Wearin School - SE corner, Section 15 W First School was in Section 20 in 1854 in home of Mrs. Julia Hoyt First schoolhouse built was in 1855 in Section 21.

To Plat Map

Mills Co. Township Index