History of Windsor
Township
from the 1878 History of Fayette Co. Iowa - Page 539
"The territory composing Windsor Township (94-9) is almost entirely gently rolling prairie, the soil being very fertile. The southern sections are not yet all improved, but the breaking plow will soon destroy all traces of the prairie grass yet remaining on a good many desirable sites for farms. The grade of the Davenport & Northwestern Railroad passes through the southwestern corner, and when the track is laid, the farmers of Windsor will be eligibly situated as regards markets. As Windsor is still a pioner settlement, as regards the accumulation of wealth, grain growing is the principal industry with the laborious farmers of that township, who hope ere long to embark in the more remunerative occupation of stock growing. Considerable flax is grown in the southwestern part, Benjamin Farrell having thirty or forty acres in 1878. This is raised for the seed only, which goes to Cedar Rapids to be made into oil.
This township was set apart by Thomas Woodle, County Judge, February 6, 1854.
The first election was held at the James Austin School House April 3, 1854. David H. Downs was called to the chair. James Austin, George W. Campbell and David H. Downs were elected Judges of Election, and Isaac Howe and David Downs, Clerks. The election resulted as follows: Oliver A. Brown and David H. Downs, Justices of the Peace; Thomas Turner, Andrew Woodson and Robert Dutcher, Trustees; Rhodolphus Eddy and George W. Thomas, Constables; Washington Corey, Town Clerk; Isaac Howe, Town Assessor. The first action of the Trustees recorded is as follows:
' Resolved and agreed to by them, that the
hands in the east part of the township should work to the center
of the township west:
the hands in the west part of the township should work to the
center of the township east. s/ Orison Wickham,
Supervisor for the west part of the township. Jerome Millard,
Supervisor for the east part of the township.'
In 1878 a school election was held, at which A. H. Fox was elected President.
On the 11th of April, 1867, Artemus Craft attempted to cross the Turkey River below the dam at Thompson's Mill. The horses were taken off their feet by the water and floated to a deep hole a little way below. There the wagon became uncoupled, and in clinging to the forward part Mr. Craft lost his life and his team was drowned also.
Mrs. Nicholas Kaler committed suicide by hanging on the 3d of August, 1867, while temporarily insane.
Patrons of Husbandry
Hawk Eye Grange, No. 1083, was instituted March 4, 1873, at
the Centre School House, with thirty charter members, when the
following officers were elected and installed, viz.: George
Schrock, M.; James Graham, Overseer; G. F. Colby, Lecturer; G.
W. Kibbee, Steward; J. J. Schrock, A. S.; P. P. Hancock, Chap.;
D. W. Wilbur, Treasurer; C. T. Parker, Secretary; I. Goodspeed,
G. K.; Mrs. J. Goodspeed, Ceres; Mary Schrock, Pomona; Mrs.
Hancock, Flora; Belle Kibbee, L. A. S.
Officers 1878 - J. J. Schrock, M.; A. J. Merton, Overseer;
George Richmond, Lecturer; R. Hughes, Steward; E. Goodspeed,
Assistant Steward; D. W. Wilbur, Treasurer; James Graham,
Secretary; G. W. Kibbee, G. K.; Mrs. M. Goodspeed, Pomona; Miss
Belle Kibbee, Ceres; Mrs. E. Hughes, Flora; Mrs. A. Schrock, L.
A. S. Meetings monthly, on the last Saturday before each full
moon at the place of organization."
Windsor Township Residents - 1878 History of Fayette Co. Iowa
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