CHAPTER XVIII.
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.

Prior to 1870 Washington township had no existence, even in name, but was one of the many sub-division created during that year, under the general State law, by which the civil and the Congressional townships were made uniform. Its territory, taken from the old townships of Cass, Brighton and Pymosa, was given the technical description of township 76 north, range 37 west.

The order for its official organization was issued to John A. Spoor on June 11, 1870, and the election was held in the following October at Watson's school house. The officers then chosen were as follows: William Worth, B. D. Shepherd and M. Kirkpatrick, trustees; Eli Watson, road supervisor; M. W. Watson, assessor, and E. D. Hawes, clerk. At that time the township had a population of 468.

LOCATION AND DRAINAGE.

Washington is in the last western tier of townships, and the second from the north. Its bounds are Brighton township on the north, Grove on the east, Cass township on the south and Pottawattamie county on the west. Water courses for the drainage and irrigation of the land are so plentiful that there is hardly a section without its running stream, large or small. Indian creek, rising in Audubon county, first touches the township between sections 5 and 3, and, flowing in an almost southerly course, leaves the township from the southwest quarter of section 32. Spring creek has its source near the north line of the township and flows southward until it passes into Cass from the southwest quarter of section 32. Spring creek has its source near the north line of the township and flows southward until it passes into Cass from the southwest quarter of section 33. Largest of all the streams, the Nishnabotna first enters Washington township, on its downward course, at the east line of section 12, and, flowing southwestwardly, passes into Cass township from the southwest quarter of section 35.

GOOD ROADS AND MARKETS.

Good roads intersect each other frequently, most of them at right angles, and many of them following the section lines. There is no postoffice or market place in the township, but good, accessible towns are within a few miles from any side of its boundary lines. The branch of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific road from Atlantic City cuts through the southeastern portion of the township. So that ample means of transportation and communication are afforded the substantial farmers of Washington, as well as abundant markets for their crops and live-stock.

Shady groves, both natural and artificial, good improvements, the best of lands and well-kept farms, with the advantages already mentioned, make Washington township a most desirable residence section of the county.

GEORGE REEVES, THE PIONEER.

It is regrettable that George Reeves, who came to Washington township in 1851 and settled on section 25, had not a reputation above reproach, for, beyond doubt, he was its pioneer settler. He built a cabin, but otherwise made very few improvements on his land, and seems, on the whole, to have been of rather an unreliable disposition. He was found dead in his wagon, while driving along one day, in 1856.

Johnson Brandom came in the winter of 1851-2, and settled on section 27. He died in the county, and shortly afterward the family removed to California.

A GOOD OLD DEMOCRAT.

Thomas Coon, who settled on section 26, in October, 1852, and the next year removed to section 13, where he passed the remainder of his life, is chiefly remembered for his Democracy, which was assuredly of the rock-ribbed kind and remained unshaken while life lasted. In his old age he was fond of relating stories of the early 'fifties, and especially connected with the great Mormon exodus. He used to tell of one occasion when 3,000 Latter Day Saints passed his place, in a body, on their way to Salt Lake City.

OTHER EARLY SETTLERS.

Wade Hampton Holt came from the Southern States in 1853, and took up his residence with George Reeves. He remained here after Reeves' death, but in 1857 returned to the South. He afterward joined the Confederate service, and was killed in battle.

James M. Watson came West from Ohio and resided for many years in Henry and Madison counties, Iowa, prior to his location in Washington township, in 1854. At that time he bought a claim of George Reeves, and commenced to deal quite extensively in Cass county lands. He had resided here less than two years, when he was accidentally killed. One afternoon in January, 1856, he was chasing a wolf, and when near Spring creek his horse threw him, fracturing his skull. It is not known whether he was killed outright by the injury, or perished by the cold after having been rendered unconscious.

William M. Watson, brother of the above, located in 1856, being accompanied by his widowed mother, his sister Abigail and her husband, E. B. Bell.

In the spring of 1855 John A. Spoor, the younger brother of Nelson G. Spoor, one of the founders of Iranistan, bought 160 acres of land on section 31, which he commenced to improve the same year. In October, 1855, he returned to his home in Massachusetts, married and immediately brought back his bride to Cass county. They spent the following winter at Indiantown, but in the spring of 1856 settled on his farm and became a well to do farmer and a leader in township matters. His two daughters, Jennie and Jessie, were born in this township, where his wife died in 1883.

In the spring of 1856 William Marshall settled on section 35, on land which afterward was included in the large farm of James Walker. Mr. Marshall only remained one year, removing to Missouri, where he died not long after.

Patrick and James Blake, brothers, emigrated from Ireland in the 'forties, and lived in Pennsylvania until they came to Washington township in 1856. The party consisted of the brothers, a sister, Mrs. Patrick Blake, and her three children. James Blake was married in 1876. Both became prosperous, the latter becoming the eventual owner of 320 acres and the former (Patrick) of 360 acres of finely cultivated and improved land.

Jesse Waggett came in the spring of 1857, from Henry county, this State, and purchased land on section 35. He remained but a year, when he removed to Missouri.

William Hopley settled in Washington township, in 1858, and established the first dairy in the county. In April, 1865, he removed to Atlantic township.

Edward Manley also located in the township, at an early day, settling on section 26. He afterward became a resident of Kansas.

"Compendium and History of Cass County, Iowa." Chicago: Henry and Taylor & Co., 1906, pg. 201-203.
Transcribed by Cheryl Siebrass, October, 2017.