The sub-division of Worth county that is known by this name, lies in the southern tier, and comprises all of congressional township 98 north, range 21 west, of the 5th principal meridian. The western and southwestern parts of the township are well watered, two sufficient streams supplying an abundance of that needful element. The more important of these creeks traverses in a general southerly direction, a little inclined to the east, sections 7, 18, 19, 20, 29 and 32. Lime creek touches the southern boundary of sections 31 and 32, and a small stream rising in the center of section 21, runs southeasterly out of the county.

The natural timber, as a matter of course, follows the course of the streams, but so many groves have sprung up, under the fostering care of the settlers, that the general appearance is of a well wooded country. The general inclination of the land is rolling, and is usually good arable land. Whatever land there is that is low and wet, furnishes such long succulent grasses, making fine pasturage for stock, that but little, if any, land can be called waste. The soil is generally a dark sandy loam, with a drift or gravelly subsoil, and contains all the elements of fertility to a very large extent.

This is wholly an agricultural community, no town or village dots its fields, no railroad crosses its meadows, and there is but one postoffice within its limits.

The entire township is probably best adapted to stock-raising, but it is rapidly being brought to a high state of cultivation.

Danville township received its name from Reuben Wiggins, one of the early settlers of Bristol township, after his native town in Massachusetts.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

The honor of the first settlement in Danville township belongs to John Trebilcock, who, in the spring of 1865, pushed his way into the limits of it, and planted his pioneering stakes around an excellent farm-the north half of section 23. Here he built him a frame house, 15x26 feet in size, one and a half stories high. The lumber and other material was partly hauled from Bristol, and a part from Waverly, in Bremer county. Mr. Tribelcock remained here, tilling his land and enjoying himself until the 6th of February, 1869, when he was called to another sphere and was buried on his farm.

The second settler was A. C. Blackmore, who, in 1866, located on the southeast quarter of section 30.

EARLY REMINISCENSCE.

In February, 1858, during a severe spell of cold weather, two brothers by the name of Daniel and Reuben Williams, were caught in a snowstorm near Mason City and endured suffering severe enough to have killed many men. While they were floundering among the banks and drifts that the wind had raised around them, might came on and death stared them in the face. Daniel was so near frozen that a dozen times or more he was on the point of giving up, but Reuben was made of sterner material and struggled on, dragging his now almost dying brother. The gale blew the snow so that they could not see where they were going, and howled and roared about them like a beast deprived of its prey. The night wore on, and yet this heroic man struggled onward, striving hard to preserve his life and that of his brother, and just when tired nature could endure no longer, and he was about to give up, they reached shelter and help. Their hands and feet, particularly the latter, were so badly frozen as to deprive them of these useful parts of their anatomy. Daniel now lives in Danville township, and Reuben, in Pipestone Co., Minn. Both of these sufferers were brothers-in-law of ex-sheriff A. L. Towne, of Hartland township.

ORGANIZATION.

The township was organized in obedience to an order emanating from the county board of supervisors, and an election was held in concurrence therewith at the Trebilcock school house, which stands on the northwest quarter of section 26, Nov. 5, 1872. Previous to this, a caucus was held to appoint judges of election, when Abraham Beyer was chosen chairman, and Jonathan Williams, Samuel Tribelcock and Francis Lang, were chosen judges; Alexander Baker and A. C. Blackmore, clerks.

At the election there were fifteen ballots cast and the result was that the following officers were chosen to fill the respective offices of the township: Abraham Beyer, Francis Lang and Jonathan Williams, trustees; A. C. Blackmore, clerk; Alexander Baker, assessor; Samuel Trebilcock and Alexander Baker, justices of the peace; Robert Trebilcock and Frederick Beaver, constables.

The present officers of the township are: Francis Lang, William Giles and S. M. Storre, trustees; A. C. Blackmore, clerk; John O. Paulson, assessor; A. C. Blackmore and S. M. Storre, justices; Frank Hanby and John E. Fosse, constables.

FIRST ITEMS.

The first school was in district No. 1, and was taught in the summer of 1869, at the Trebilcock school house, which had been built on section 23. Miss L. Boget was the teacher of this initial school, and had an attendance of five scholars.

The first marriage in the township was that of Stephen Parker and Elizabeth Trebilcock, the second daughter of John Trebilcock, the first settler in the locality. This marriage took place March 7, 1869. This couple continued to reside here for about three years, when they removed just across the line into Cerro Gordo county, where they still live.

The first death in the township was the honored sire, John Trebilcock, the first settler. He was called hence on the 6th day of February, 1860, and was buried on the farm, where first he stuck his stake on coming to this vicinity.

EDUCATIONAL.

The first school was taught during the summer of 1869 at the Trebilcock school house, by Miss L. Boget, as has been stated. This was in district No. 1. In district No. 2 a school was taught the summer of 1873, by Miss Christiana Beyer. This school was held in the granary of Jonathan Williams, and had an attendance of fourteen. Miss Beyer married David Williams, subsequently, and is still a resident of the township.

There are now eight school districts in the township, with seven school buildings, all good substantial structures and suitable for the purpose intended. The size of all of them is 22x32 feet, with the exception of that in district No. 4, which is smaller. District No. 8 has as yet no building, but a tax has been already voted for the erection of an edifice, and it will be completed by next summer. There is a total attendance of 188 children at all of the schools of the township, and the efficiency of the teachers is highly commended by all who are thoroughly conversant with the subject, and Danville township can compare very favorably with any of her sister townships in respect to the educational facilities and interests.

RELIGIOUS.

The first religious services were the funeral services of John Trebilcock, by the Rev. Mr. Mason, of Mason City, a minister of the Congregational Church of that place. Mr. Trebilcock, being a member of that particular faith, Elder Mason, during his last sickness, visited him several times, and upon one of these, Mr. Trebilcock engaged him to preach his funeral sermon, which he did on the 8th of February, 1869, at the house of the deceased.

The first regular preaching was at the school house in district No. 2, known as the Willow Creek school house, by the Rev. C. W. Wiley, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in 1874. An organization was effected at that time, and the Church has an appointment in sub-district No. 2, with a small membership.

In 1874 the Rev. George Coffee, an evangelist, or Free Methodist, came to this township and held services and effected the organization of a society or class, under his leadership, of eight: Robert Trebilcock and wife, Mrs. John Trebilcock, George Trebilcock and wife, Jesse Cooper and wife, and Amanda Trebilcock. Mr. Coffee held regular services during the following years of 1875, 1876 and 1877. The Church still has a regular appointment at the school house in sub-district No. 1, and has also an interesting Sabbath school attached, of which Samuel Trebilcock is superintendent.

The union Sabbath school of Danville township was first organized in May, 1873, in the granary, on the farm of Jonathan Williams, on the southwest quarter of section 28. The school at its inception had an attendance of twenty-four scholars, with Abraham Beyer as superintendent. That same fall the school was removed to the Willow Creek School house, where it was held until in the fall of 1880, when it was allowed to disband for the winter, but was not reorganized until the 1st of January, 1882. After it had fairly got under headway it was removed, in March., 1883, to the school house, No. 7, on the southeast corner of section 28. It has now an average attendance of about twenty-two scholars, and is still under the able superintendency of Abraham Beyer.

POSTOFFICE.

Hirondelle postoffice was established on the 20th of July, 1880, and Mrs. J. M. Lang was appointed postmistress. The office was kept at her dwelling on the southeast corner of the northeast quarter of section 30. Mails were received from Manly Junction twice a week, until in July, 1883, when the route was changed so that now this place receives its mail from Northwood twice a week.

Transcribed by Gordon Felland, July 27, 2008