This territory lies in the western tier of townships of Worth county, and is bounded on the north by Kensett, on the east by Union, on the west by Danville, and on the south by Cerro Gordo county. This comprises all of congressional township 98 north, range 20 west, and contains about 23,040 acres. Lincoln is one of the best watered townships in the county. The Shell Rock river crossing the western sections, and several other streams and affluents running parallel to it, at various distances from each other, across the township, gives an abundant supply of running water, one of the first elements of successful stock raising, the farmer's sheet anchor.

The land is gently rolling prairie for the most part and there are many very desirable farms within its limits. Groves of timber to some extent dot its surface and the land is fair to look upon. The soil is a dark, sandy loam, in general, but in some sections it is composed of light clay and vegetable mould. The drainage of the land is good and the district is fast filling up with an industrious, thrifty class of people.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

The first settler upon the virgin sod of this township was Darius Gardner, who came to Lincoln township on April 5, 1856, and located in the southeast corner of what is now Lincoln township. Here he built him a house and here he resided until the 1st day of March, 1879, when he was called hence to the reward of the just and the good. A beautiful tribute to the memory of this one among the first settlers, was the obituary pronounced on him by one who knew him well, which may be found among the archives of the old settlers, contained in this volume. This contains his biography drawn by the loving hand of a friend and none could draw it with a more graphic pen or with more tenderness of heart.

The next party to make a permanent settlement within the limits of Lincoln township was Joseph Pennell, who, in 1857, first planted his stakes on the virgin prairies of section 36 and commenced to develop the land. After a short stay, having suffered from a fire which destroyed his all, he left the country.

The next settler was S. P. Cravath, who the following year, of 1858, located on section 5, where he has continued to reside until a short time since, when he sold out, preparatory to going to California. A man of extreme opinions, but of solid judgment, and highly respected by all with whom he came in contact.

ORGANIC.

The township of Lincoln was set off from that of Kensett, of which it had hitherto been a part, by an order of the board of county supervisors, in April, 1876, and an election, for the purpose of electing the necessary officers, ordered to take place Nov. 7, 1876. S. Morgan was instructed to post the proper notices. On the date above mentioned the organization of the new civil township was perfected by the election of the following officers: Theron Gordon, W. B. Hildreth and John Kinney, trustees; A. J. Perkins, assessor; W. H. Russell, justice of the peace; D. A. Mitchell, constable; Bjorn Asbjornson, road supervisor; John W. Russell, township clerk. The present township officers are as follows: W. H. Russell and H. B. Cornick, justices; D. A. Mitchell and Lewis Oleson, constables; N. Knudson, township clerk; Joseph Albrecht, assessor; C. F. Jewett, William J. Inman and H. K. Leyford, trustees; road supervisors, district No. 1, G. P. McKercher; district No. 2, Gunder Marverson; district No. 3, G. W. Inman, and district No. 4, Frank Howbetz.

HISTORICAL CRUMBS

The first marriage in the township was that which united C. C. Wattson and Salome T. Cravath in the hymeneal bonds. The knot was tied on the 7th of May, 1864. They are now in California.

The first birth was that of William Pennell, who first saw the light during the year 1858.

The first school was opened in the school house now in sub-district No. 5, or what is known better, perhaps, as the Pennell school house. This was during the year 1871, and the teacher was Alpheretta Overholt.

EDUCATIONAL

The school district was organized at the same time that the township was set off as a separate civil township, in 1876.

There are now seven sub-districts in the township, each of which has a good, substantial frame school house, 24x30 feet in size,and erected at an average cost of $500. Educational matters are well looked after, only the best men in the community being elected to the important office of director. The interest shown by the citizens generally, reflects upon the schools and teachers, shows an efficiency not second to any in the county.

THE VILLAGE Of MANLY

In the midst of a beautiful, gently rolling prairie, rises the flourishing town of Manly. " Thirty years ago the plain where Manly now stands, was a howling wilderness," does the embryo orator credit, but does not do justice to the town, or the wilderness. Ten years ago this was a clear expanse of prairie, except here and there a lonely farm, but the virgin soil of the present town was then unbroken, except by the path of the iron horse, then operated by the Iowa Central Railway Company. A large portion, if not all, of the land upon which the town now stands belonged ostensibly to Salina Todd, wife of R. M. Todd, of Rock Falls, in Cerro Gordo county.

It is laid out upon the southeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section 21, township 88 north, range 20 west. It owes its existence to the junction, at this place of two main lines of railroads—the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern, and Central Iowa. In the summer of 1877 the former road made a junction here with the latter road, on it way to Albert Lea, and hence the birth of the town. The plat, although properly surveyed, has never been placed upon record, owing to some defect in the title, there having been some incumbrance upon the property. Deeds for lots are, however, given, but the description has to be given by metes and bounds instead of by block and lot.

Among the earliest to recognize that here there must arise a considerable town, and make a settlement there were: N. E. Knudson, A. W. Harris, G. L. Bosworth, H. N. Keeler and George Hildreth. These are the earliest settlers of the village, and the date of their settlement was identical with the inception of Manly Junction.

HOTELS

The Manly House, the first regular hotel of the town, was erected the same summer of 1877 that saw the village emerge from the field of waving grain. It was built by George Hildreth, but he sold it to R. M. Todd, the virtual owner of the town site, who in turn, disposed of it to D. D. Knowles, the present proprietor. The patrons of the house think that there is no better host in this section.

The Mitchell House was instituted during the spring of 1883, and under the management of Mrs. Rossetor, is already doing a fair share of the business of the burg in that line.

MERCANTILE.

The first store in Manly was opened by A. H. Harris, who kept his groceries, etc., in a small frame building in the town during the fall of 1877, but kept it open only about eight months.

The first general merchandise store, however, was instituted, by H. N. Keeler, in a frame building, in the spring of 1878. From the small beginning he made at that time, he has increased his stock until now it would do credit to much larger places, a fact which is appreciated by his numerous patrons.

In 1880 N. E. Knudson also opened a store for the sale of the varied goods, known under the name of general merchandise, and which he has found profitable to continue to the present writing. Mr. Knudson had a restaurant previous to this which he had opened as early as 1877, but changed to the regular merchandise trade at the time above mentioned. He has a nice, airy store building, and a good stock of goods in dry goods, boots and shoes, groceries, etc.

During the year 1880 Wabasse and Lee, merchants in Mason City, opened a branch hardware store in Manly, under the managed of a Mr. Cogswell, who was also the general clerk, in the branch dry goods store, established at the same time by A. B. Tuttle, of Mason City.

In February, 1883, J. E. Knudson, initiated a store for the sale of stoves and and general hardware. He has met with a deserved success, so far, and bids fair to work up a large and lucrative trade in that line. The first lumber sold in the village, was by H. H. Harris, who, in the fall of 1877, opened a small yard for that purpose.

This was succeeded, in 1878, by the establishment of the large and complete yard of G. S. Bosworth. This latter, with that of J. P. Nelson, opened in 1880, have the monopoly of all the business in that line, and both do a fine business, being noted for integrity, and respected as men of their word.

CREAMERY

This enterprise, which was established during the year 1880, by that public-spirited firm, Mitchell & Wadsworth, was operated by them, in the building which they had erected, until 1881, when the business was disposed of to Klinefelter & Knowles, who are, at the present writing, operating it, and turning out about 850 pounds of first-class butter weekly. Although this laudable enterprise is con- ducted with the strictest economy and care, it can hardly be called a very successful venture, so far, owing rather to the lack of cows in the vicinity, than to any other cause, but that will not remain long, for the farmers are beginning to realize the importance of sustaining such improvements, and are purchasing more stock.

MECHANICAL

In May, 1882, Herum Bros, opened a rival blacksmith shop, having bought out a Norwegian who had located a short time before, and B. Logerman has since opened another, and thus the village of Manly rejoices in three forges of these sons of Vulcan, who all meet with a large patronage.

William Linderman, in October, 1882, established himself here as a harness maker,and has had his proportionate share of the trade of the community. He still continues to be the only one in that business in the township.

In 1877 N. E. Knudson threw open, to the public, the doors of the first saloon in the town. Manly has, since its inception, been one of the grain centers of this section, and in consequence, five warehouses, for its storage, are located here. They belong to the following parties, who are all engaged in the business of handling the great cereals of this section: G. L. Bosworth, D. A. Mitchell, G. B. VanSwan and R. W. Bennett & Co.

POSTOFFICE

The postoffice was established in Manly during the year 1877, and A. W. Harris was appointed the postmaster. This continued to be the state of affairs until in 1880 H. N. Keeler succeeded Mr. Harris as postmaster, a position he holds at the present. The office is located in the store of Mr. Keeler, where he can attend to it, and at the same time not neglect his numerous customers and patrons.

Transcribed by Gordon Felland, July 31, 2008