Early Residents and Settlers of Pocahontas County, Iowa


Here are the township and range numbers of the county
as originally platted.

Development of the townships

Des Moines township was the first township formed in 1859. It encompassed the entire county. To accomodate voters in the county it was divided into two voting precincts: Des Moines and Lizard.

In 1860, responding to a petition signed by many legal voters of the county, a new election precinct was established. It was called Clinton. In 1861 and 1862 the boundaries were adjusted to better reflect the school and voting precincts. Pocahontas counties three townships looked like this during that time -
1862

In December of 1862 the Board of Supervisors made yet another change to the boundaries of the townships.
1866
In September of 1866 the township of Nunda was established. According to Flickinger "Although records do not show it, this township orginally embraced also the two townships west of it now called Washington and Swan Lake. Later, the south half of Swan Lake was annexed to Des Moines" (page 195). The township Nunda was changed to Powhatan on April 20, 1867. In June, 1874 the name changed from Powhatan to Jackson. In January of 1878 the township name changed again from Jackson back to Powhatan.
1868
In 1868 Des Moines township annexed the southern tier of section 93-31 from Clinton township.
1870

In June of 1870 several more townships were established that affected the map of the county. Bellville township, Cedar township and Grant townships were all established June of 1870. A petition was presented to establish Colfax township, but it was not granted and the land was separated from Lizard and annexed to Cedar township.
Also in the summer of 1860 townshps 91-31, Lake, and 91-32, Lincoln, had been removed from Clinton and attached to Lizard.

It is not clear in the source material exactly which township was annexed to Center, later Roosevelt, township at this time. There is a question mark until it is resolved.
1870

In September of 1870, Dover township was established from what had been part of of Lizard and Clinton townships.

1871

In June 1871, township 92-34 (now Marshall) was attached to Dover. In September 1871 two new townships were established. Colfax and Swan Lake townships were added to the county.
1872

In June 1872, township 91 range 32 was established as Carter. On September 7, 1872 Center township was established.
1876
In 1873 Carter township was changed to Lincoln township as reflected on the map. On September 5, 1876 Washington township was established. It consisted of townships 93-33 and 92-33 (Washington and Sherman townships)
1877
In June of 1877 township 91-31 (Lake) was established as Burke township. The name was changed to Lake on September 5, 1878.
1880
In April, 1880, Sherman township was established. Township 92, range 33.
1882
In June, 1882, Marshall township (township 92 range 34) was established as Laurens township. In September 1882 the name was changed from Laurens to Marshall.
1898
By 1898 the townships appear more like they do today. Also on this map are the locations of Old Rolfe, Lilly, Lizard and Rusk.



Pocahontas County today has 17 townships. For many years there were 16 equally sized townships. The City of Pocahontas (indicated by red square on map, left) is located in Center township, made up from land in following townships: Sherman township, Roosevelt township, Grant township, and Lincoln township . (see detail map, right)


It is unclear to me at this time, as to when Center township became Roosevelt township, and when it Center township was platted in its present location. Hopefully I will be able to let you know soon.

Information researched, transcribed, compiled and arranged by Tim Meyer
Copyright 2003 - 2004