CHAPTER VIII.
EDNA TOWNSHIP (CONT'D).
Edna lies in the southern tier of townships, second from the eastern boundary of the county, and has Union township on the north, Victoria on the east, Noble on the west, and Union county on the south. Its surface is beautifully diversified with streams, hills valleys, groves and plains, and although it may be said to be generally rolling prairies, in places it is hilly and broken.
The township is intersected diagonally by the West Nodaway, which enters it on the east line of the northeast quarter of section 12, and crosses sections 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 29,30 and 31, making its exit on the west line of the southwest quarter of the latter. Whistler's branch, a tributary of this stream, has its head waters partially on section 2, and flows through sections 3 and 4 in a westerly course, and then bending to the south, crosses section 9 and 16, making a confluence with the main stream in the southwestern corner of the township, thoroughly draining the land and affording a bountiful supply of excellent running water for stock.
Several fine natural groves of timber dot the surface of the country, the largest and most important of which are Brenton's Grove, located on the west half of sections 14 and 23 and parts of sections 15 and 28. As is usual, all the first settlements were made in or about these groves, and in their vicinity the township has an older appearance than in its open prairies.
The soil of Edna township, in common with the rest of Cass county, is a rich, black loam, with a wonderful power of fertility, and richly repays the industrious, hard working farmer. There are therefore many fine commodious farm houses within its borders, and these and the general air of thrift which pervades the whole, are but outward evidences of the prosperity of an intelligent, enterprising and energetic class of agriculturists.
"Compendium and History of Cass County, Iowa." Chicago: Henry and Taylor & Co., 1906, pg. 121.
Transcribed by Cheryl Siebrass, November, 2013.
