Sharon Township was organized in April, 1851, at which time it is ordered that this territory "be cut off from all or any townships to which it may have been attached," an unnecessary order, as it had, as yet, been nowhere attached. This would, however, save the officer the trouble of investigating that fact, and give a clear record. The first election was held at the house of Luther Teeple. The settlers did not locate in Sharon at so early a date as in many of the other townships, probably from the fact that in consequence of the absence of streams through this section, there was little or no timber except occasional oak openings. The land in the south and east is fine farming land, but the northwest part of the township is somewhat broken and rough.
Among the early settlers of this township are named David Smith, George Lillie, Arthur Lillie, Henry Armstrong, Luther Teeple, J. B. Current, John Wilcox, James H. Porter, the Gruvers, Jacob Burwell, George C. Read, D. D. Comstock, the Batchelders, Platt Armstrong, the Sandersons and others.
In the northwestern portion of the township at an early day, a large number of Swedenborgians located, known as the Church of the New Jerusalem. They are ministered to spiritually by Rev. Prof. Stephen Wood. Their former place of worship was at Burgess.
In the northeastern portion of the township, many German Dunkards, a Baptist sect, settled. They are a most worthy, industrious and peaceful people, having some marked peculiarities in custom, dress and religious rites, but are thriving and successful farmers.
There are two post offices in the township. Burgess, situated in Section 17, where also is a store, blacksmith-shop, etc., and where, for a time, there promised to be a business point, but the opening of the Sabula, Ackley & Dakota Railroad which passes through the town from east to west along the southern part, has transferred the business point to Lost Nation, a station in the southeast, and where quite a thriving little village has sprung up. The legend is that its name is acquired in this wise: A German named Balm was searching for some relatives near this point, while the country all about him was an unbroken prairie, and the prairie grass was man and horse high. He was asked where he was going, and in reply, said he was looking for the "Lost Nation."
Lost Nation is fast growing to be an important station on the S., A. & D. Railroad. It has a population of about three hundred, and, being surrounded by a class of able farmers, does a large business in handling grain, cattle, hogs, butter, etc.
There are two church organizations, both occupying the Union Sabbath School Church, in which a union Sabbath school is held each Sabbath. The Methodists occupy the church two Sabbaths in each month, and the Church of the New Jerusalem (Swedenborgian) has services once a month.
Comstock & Wood are a leading firm, carrying a general stock. The senior member is D. D. Comstock, who formerly was established at Burgess, and who removed here after the opening of the railroad. He is well known throughout the county, having represented Sharon for years in the Board of Supervisors. Mr. Wood is the Postmaster.
Beckon & Page also carry a general stock of merchandise. The following are principal business establishments at Lost Nation:
Clark & Skiff, general merchandise; E. P. Gillette, hardware; E. R. Dutt, cattle and grain dealer; J. E. Gable, lumber and coal dealer; Dr. J. R. Boyd, druggist and physician; Mrs. M. H. Boyd, millinery; Ludwig Balster, furniture; H. Steiniger, Garden City House; P. J. & J. D. Jenkins, house and sign painters; Robert Appleton, butcher; J. G. Stettler, dentist; C. C. Ruggles, agricultural implements; C. F. Hedager, Simon Johnson and J. W. Cramer, harness work; H. Hagadorn, shoemaker; J. Jorgensen, builder; Buck & Weldon, W. J. Martin, blacksmiths and carriage shops; L. H. Peck, restaurant; Scott & Tufts, Lost Nation Hotel; Myers & Mewes, grain-dealers.
SOURCE: Allen, L. P., History of Clinton County, Iowa, Containing A History of the County, it's Cities, Towns, Etc. and Biographical Sketches of Citizens, War Record of it's Volunteers in the late Rebellion, General and Local Statistics, Portraits of Early Settlers and Prominent Men, History of the Northwest, History of Iowa, Map of Clinton County, Constitution of the United States, Miscellaneous Matters, &c, &c., Illustrated. Chicago IL; Western Historical Company, 1879