CHAPTER XII.
GRANT TOWNSHIP (CONT'D).

THE ANITA OF TODAY.

Anita, situated near the center of Grant township, on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, is a place of about 1,000 inhabitants, and disputes with Griswold the second position in the county. It is acknowledged to be one of the best towns of its size in this section of the State. Its business structures are of substantial brick, its schools and churches are flourishing, and its citizens bright and enterprising. The town has two strong banks, two large hardware and farm machinery establishments, several general merchandise stores, and a score of other lines are represented, while two well conducted weeklies, the "Tribune" and "Republican," watch over the general interests of the place. The Masonic Temple and the Citizens Bank building are handsome structures, and the many attractive residences of Anita are further evidences of prosperity and good taste.

TOWNSHIP EDUCATION.

Grant township is divided into seven school districts, and the Independent District of Anita. The first school house erected in the township was on section 8 (now in district No. 8), near the old stage station kept by Dr. Morrison. In 1873 the building was removed to the town of Anita, where for some time it was used as a saloon. It was also used for a number of years as a religious meeting place, and the old Union Sunday School, afterward known as the Congregational Sunday School, of Anita, was organized there at an early day.

School District No. 1 comprises sections 29, 30, 31, and 32, the building being situated on the southwest corner of section 30, on the line of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, and on the main wagon road to Grove City and Atlantic.

No. 2 includes sections 25, 26, 35 and 36, the first school in this district being taught at the residence of D. C. Kellogg, on section 35, during the winter of 1876-77, by S. W. Scott. In the summer of 1877 a regular school building was erected on the northeast corner of section 35.

The school house of District No. 3 (comprising sections 13, 14, 23 and 24) is on the southeast corner of section 14.

School District No. 4 is composed of sections 1, 2, 11 and 12, and a building on the southeast quarter of section 2 was erected in the summer of 1879.

District No. 5, embracing sections 3, 4, 9 and 10, was organized in December, 1876, and in the summer of the following year a school building was erected on the northwest quarter of section 10. Emma Smith taught the first school in this district.

The school house of District No. 6, which comprises sections 5, 6, 7 and 8, was built in the summer of 1875 on the southeast corner of the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section 6, and Mrs. S. Scott was the teacher.

School District No. 7, organized in January, 1880, embraces sections 17, 18, 19 and 20, and in the summer of that year a building was erected on the southwest corner of section 17. Anna C. Brown was the first teacher in this building, although in the fall of 1879, George Wainwright had taught the first term of school in the district.

THE ANITA REPUBLICAN.

"The Anita Republican" was established in 1885 by its present editor and proprietor, J. M. Briggs. Its first issue was dated February 26, 1885. Since that date it has missed but one issue, appearing invariably on the day of its date, and always bearing in mind its motto, "Stand by the Right." As the name indicates, the paper is Republican in politics. It is non-sectarian in religion, and devoted to the best interests of Anita and the surrounding country.

"Compendium and History of Cass County, Iowa." Chicago: Henry and Taylor & Co., 1906, pg. 156-157.
Transcribed by Cheryl Siebrass, July, 2018.