CHAPTER XX.
NOBLE TOWNSHIP.
When Cass county was reorganized in 1870 so that its sixteen Congressional townships should correspond to the civil divisions, the old township of Edna was divided into Victoria, Edna and Noble townships, the last named being technically known as township 74 north, range 36 west. It lies in the southern tier of townships, the second from the west, and is bounded on the north by Bear Grove, on the east by Edna, on the west by Pleasant township, and on the south by Montgomery county.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION.
Noble township is abundantly watered by Seven-Mile and Three-Mile creeks, and the Rose branch of the former stream, with numerous rivulets, some of them nameless but nevertheless materially adding to the fertility and value of the land. The west branch of the Nodaway also flows across a small southeast corner of the township, entering from Edna at the southeast quarter of section 36, and passing into Montgomery county at the center of the south half of section 34. The Seven-Mile creek enters the township from the north between sections 5 and 6, and winds along the dividing line between the western tiers of sections until it enters Montgomery county on the line between sections 31 and 32. The Rose branch of Seven-Mile creek rises in the northern part of the township about the center of School District No. 2, and, flowing south and slightly southwest, makes its exit into Montgomery county from the southeast quarter of section 32. The Three-Mile creek comes into the township from Edna at the southeast corner of section 1, and flows southwestwardly to its confluence with the West Nodaway, on the west line of the southwest quarter of section 35. It will thus be seen that Noble township has the main requisite for a good grain and live-stock country. Nature has been kind, and its intelligent, industrious and energetic settlers have done the rest.
The surface is beautifully diversified by its never failing streams, whose borders are fairly wooded. Many artificial groves have also been planted throughout the township, which, with its rolling farms and luxuriant meadows, makes an attractive picture, as well as one suggestive of comfort and even wealth. No railroad has yet been built through any section of the township, but, as the roads are good and stations and markets easily accessible, no inconvenience has been felt on this score. Noble has even no considerable settlements. It is simply a fine and prosperous agricultural township, which means that it is a country settled by some of the best and most useful people in Cass county.
SETTLEMENT BEFORE COUNTY ORGANIZATION.
During the fifteen years that the present township of Noble was a part of the original Edna, its settlement was slow. The first white man to locate was John Rose, who came in 1855, and his strange death, two years later, caused one of the few sensations which stirred the scattered communities of the early days. On a winter's day of 1857 he wrapped a shawl around his shoulders and throat, and started for Lewis to make some purchases. Arriving in that city, he stepped into the flouring mill on business, and while standing near the machinery talking to the proprietor, his shawl was caught by the mill gearing, drawn tightly around his neck, and before the poor man could be extricated he was choked to death. Both Mr. Rose and his family were well known, two of his sons afterward removing to Montgomery county. At one time a petition was presented to the Board of Supervisors suggesting the organization of what is now Noble township, under the name of Rose township. The Rose branch of Seven-Mile creek was named in honor of this pioneer settler; so his memory is perpetuated in the locality of his residence.
Little is known of Melton Smith, who came in the year of Mr. Rose's death; but Uriah Daft, the third settler, located on section 28, near the Rose branch, in 1858, and lived there until his death in 1873. Gathering their household goods at Ripon, Wis., he and his family started on an overland journey toward the southwest, inspecting the country as their team plodded slowly along. On the 18th of October, 1858, they camped on a beautiful spot in southwestern Iowa which they could not leave. So Mr. Daft staked out his claim and erected a cabin for the family--which proved to be the second house in the township. He was a respectable, industrious farmer, and maintained a good reputation among his neighbors, who gradually located around him, until the day of his death, December 6, 1873.
During the year of Mr. Daft's settlement, Thomas Davis purchased land in Noble township, and in 1860 married Amanda J. West, a native of Indiana. In 1861 they started with an ox team for Colorado; the young bride drove the team and the husband a bunch of live-stock. The journey lasted from May 4th until late in June, and when it terminated at Black Hawk City Mr. Davis engaged in teaming. After being thus employed for a year and a half, he returned with his family to Noble township, and purchased land in the southeast quarter of section 28, where he improved a fine farm and resided until his decease, September 6, 1883. He reared a large family of children, and his widow resided upon the old homestead a number of years after his death.
James Edwards was a temporary resident, who came late in 1859 and afterward removed to Union township.
"Compendium and History of Cass County, Iowa." Chicago: Henry and Taylor & Co., 1906, pg. 209-211.Transcribed by Cheryl Siebrass, October, 2017.
