Douglas Township |
| From: Reflections 1855-1980 Named after Stephan A. Douglas, who ran for president against Abraham Lincoln in 1860. The first settlements were along the river in the southwestern corner of the township. At first Douglas was cut off from Jackson township in 1860 and at that time it ran to the western edge of the county and was one of three townships in the county, each being 24 miles across. The settlers in 1855 and 1856 in what is now Douglas township were Martin Deardorf, who claimed land directly west of M.S. Lee farm on the river. he soon tired of the country and sold to George Stocker for $500 and moved to Kansas. Mr. Stocker came from Indiana, went east soon after buying the land here, and did not return until 1867, accompanied by his family. Other early settlers were Wm. Montgomery and a sister, who came in 1856, the first man married in the county; Adam Vetal, who came in 1855 and claimed land in what later was known as Lee's grove; Robert Quail who took up land just south of the Lee Place in 1856; Wm. Wine, grandfather of L.A. Wine of Sac city, who came from Indiana with a large family; Wm. McDeid, Trowbridge Rounsevell, Sylvester Tounsevell and James Gordon. The first burying ground was in section 15, east of Galbraith Church, but this was later abandoned. Rush Lake, in section 9. north and west of the Galbraith church, was noted early day swamp and lake, but due to modern drainage is now fertile farming land. |