CHAPTER VIII.
EDNA TOWNSHIP (CONT'D).
William Gardner, Samuel Whistler and Joseph Edwards are also worthy representatives of the settlers of '55. Mr. Gardner early showed his enterprise and his desire to advance the interests of the community by going to Missouri and getting the material for a bridge which he built across the Nodaway at his own expense. He afterward removed to Atlantic township.
Samuel Whistler was a resident of the township for twenty-one years and a strong character. When a young man he was engaged in business in Columbiana county, Ohio, but in 1851, with his wife and family, moved to a farm in Indiana, and four years later to Enda (sic Edna) township, this county. He settled in section 16, where he built a small log cabin and resided until a few years before his death in 1876. Ad a young man he had united with the Christian Church in Columbiana county, Ohio, and there began preaching in that denomination. When he came to Enda (sic Edna) township, although he industriously improved his farm and succeeded in supporting a large family, he continued his pastoral work and preached regularly until his death. Robert M., a son who was seen years of age when the father located in Cass county, was reared to manhood in the township and subsequently occupied the old homestead with hisown family and his widowed mother.
Joseph Edward's first settlement on section 14 dates from 1855. At this time, however, he did not remain long, but returned to Illinois, where he lived for three years. In 1858, with his family and all the household provisions and goods, he started with a team for the new home in Iowa. Upon reaching their destination the family pitched camp while the family erected a log cabin, which was their home for a number of years, when the increasing domestic circle and brightening circumstances induced the building of a large and comfortable frame house. Mr. Edwards became a member of the Board of Trustees and was otherwise publicly honored, while his homestead was developed into one of the finest in the township.
Samuel Wilson, who came from West Virginia to Edna township in 1856 and two years later settled at Edna Grove, died in the Union Service in 1863, and his widow afterward married John Erwin.
William Perkins settled near Edna Grove in the summer of 1858, and James and M. M. Edwards located in the township in the following year, but none of them remained long.
The above comprise the most prominent of the settlers in what is now Edna township, prior to 1860. The township limits were not fixed as at present until 1870.
"Compendium and History of Cass County, Iowa." Chicago: Henry and Taylor & Co., 1906, pg. 120.
Transcribed by Cheryl Siebrass, November, 2013.
