English River Township - Towns Histories
Last updated 04 March 2021
Kalona
The town of Kalona was platted in the middle of a field on August 6, 1879, named Kalona for some unknown reason by employees of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids, and Northern Railway which was just starting through the territory at that time.
In 1882 the town boasted one drug store, owned by Jesse Longwell, one hardware store, a post office located in the Parker store, a dry goods store, and two saloons.
The dry goods, or second general merchandise store was opened by Abner Boone, whose sons, Ben and Alonzo lived in Kalona and operated it.
Soon came a hotel, the Kalona House, owned and operated by Lawrence Shillig. It had been a school at Richmond, moved to Kalona, for a hotel building. A blacksmith shop was opened by Tony Welt, and a lumber yard owned by Amos Mellinger was not long in materializing.
Stock buyers began to locate in town. George Abbott was the first one, and Cal Grady was one of the early ones. Grady and Abbott came to town about 1881 and 1882.
There was no church at first but religious service was held in the upper story of the frame school building which stood where the present Kalona school building is now located. Rev. Dorrell was the minister and professed to be of the Church of God denomination. Later, about ten or twelve years after the town was started, a Methodist Church was organized and tech Snyder Chapel belonging to the Snyder brothers was brought into town to be used for a church. It served for many years, until the present Methodist Church was built.
The first doctor came in 1880 or 1881, and tended to all the ills of the community. His name was Franklin Rownd and he was bought out by Longwell the first druggist.
William H. Palmer, the first agent for the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern Railway was cashier of the first bank to be organized.
Most of the earlier buildings in Kalona have burned or have been destroyed. there are, however, a few residences in town that were in existence in the early days, probably built around 1880.
Source: WCGS Fall/Winter 2005 newsletter and Atlas of Keokuk and Washington Counties, Iowa (1971). This page was prepared and posted by Norma Jennings Dec 2012
Middleburg
In workRichmond
One of the most productive parcels of land, and a pleasing location as there is in the county, fell into the hands of Thomas B. Dawson, who in the fall of 1840, conceived the idea of building a city, and as a result of this idea there was laid out the town of Richmond.
The town was laid out in November, 1840, and is located in the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter and the northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section 30. In May, 1856, Mr. Dawson laid out an addition to the town, and in June the same year, John Bull laid out another addition.
In writing of Richmond years ago, the editor of the Washington Democrat said: "Richmond is situated in the north part of the county, in English River Township, it contains a population of 300 or 400, three stores, as many groceries and the usual number of mechanics. It has a good frame school house, and the largest Catholic Church in the county, the congregation being large enough to support a resident priest."
I. N. Arnold of Kalona provided the Journal with some interesting bits of history. "For a few years, " Mr. Arnold recalls, "the town of Richmond was larger than Washington. Richmond was platted in 1840, one year after the platting of Washington. All the traveling then was by the mail stage. Richmond had a stage office and barn. They did a good business when Iowa City was the capitol of the state."
In the early 1840's and '50s, English River Township had the largest population of any township in Washington County.
Some of the pioneers of English River Township were: L.L. Tevey, David Bunker, Gideon Bear, Cyrus Cox, Mr. Mac Ilre, Mr. Hines, Henry Rathmel, James Galliger, Michael Weir, Peter Shilig, Isaac Farley.
Source: WCGS Fall/Winter 2005 newsletter and Atlas of Keokuk and Washington Counties, Iowa (1971). This page was prepared and posted by Norma Jennings Dec 2012
Washington Co. Home
Or hit back arrow to return to previous page