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EDNA TOWNSHIP, Cass County, Iowa
Excerpt:
....."EDNA TOWNSHIP is located in the southeastern part of Cass County, the second township from the east, and joined by Adams county on the south. The township had rich fertile and well drained soil, with the Nodaway River running completely through it from the northeast corner to the southwest corner. It has a number of tributaries, and more timber than most of the nearby townships. There were three named natural groves in the early days – Brenton’s, Edna and Round Grove. The first homes established were in or near to these groves.
Edna Township originally was all of Noble and Victoria Townships until Cass County was reorganized in January, 1870. There is no record of when the township was organized. It is recorded that there was a population of 56 people in Edna Township in 1856. The Mormon Wagon Trail crossed Edna Township, a monument was erected and a dedication was held in 1926 at the Reno Methodist Cemetery.
William S. Townsend, a Kentuckian built a log cabin near Indiantown in 1850, thus becoming one of the first three settlers in this section. In 1852, he and his wife located on Section 20, where he erected another log cabin. Through Mr Townsend's efforts a post office was established and it was named after his wife, Edna. It was on the direct route from Afton to Iranistan. The mail was carried on horseback and the postmaster was Mr. Townsend. In 1855 John Irwin succeeded him as postmaster. After several years, the post office was moved to Seven-Mile, or Newlon's Grove, which is in Noble Township across the road from the Baptist Church which was in Section 6. C. S.
Newlon was postmaster until it was moved to Cumberland. As the population grew the mail was carried by Harley Howell in an automobile, but when the roads were muddy or bad a team and buggy was used. Later, Dave Hair had the same problem. Today the roads are graveled.
When the township was organized, about the time of the establishment of the post office, it was also named Edna. The first religious services in the county were held at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Townsend in 1854 by Rev. James rand, a Methodist Episcopal minister and the first death in the township was that of their infant child. The second death was that of Mary Miller, daughter of Branch Miller whose rude hunter's cabin , near Edna Grove, represented the home of the second permanent settler in the township. His daughter was about eighteen years of age, and her remains were interred on the present site of Edna Cemetery. Benjamin Archer made the coffin from side boards taken from his wagon.
The cemetery is located in Section 21,
and the ground was donated by EDWARD PORTER.
A cement building was erected at the cemetery and everyone in the township goes there to vote.
It has less settlers now, but larger farms due to the large machinery. It produces corn, soybeans, oats, hay , cattle, hogs and a few sheep. It still has more timber than most townships, this making good wildlife refuge and hunting. George Wakefield was called Cattle King of Southwest Iowa because he was the earliest settler to raise and sell the most cattle. Some other large cattle feeders were William Wohlenhaus, Elmer Edwards and William Anstey.
Several new homes have replaced the old ones. The oldest house, in the township, though not occupied, is that of Albert Peterman's who in 1898 tore down a log cabin, and rebuilt it, finishing the log home in 1903 in Section 28.
As the town of Reno began fading away and buildings were either torn down or moved elsewhere. Some were moved to Cumberland, to be close to the railroad. The need for a general store became more in demand, Timothy Saunders, who had a garage and sold cars lived in Section 21. He purchased the property in 1903, then moved to Atlantic in 1932, selling to George Conrad.
In 1926, Clarence Havens also built a store on the west side of Highway N28, in Section 21. The land is now owned by Lloyd Schrier. This was called Longview. Four years later Oscar Zappe built another store across the road in Section 22, which burned down. It was thought that sparks from fireworks at the Fourth of July celebration caused the fire. With these two stores in operation, the people could take their chickens, eggs and cream to sell and be able to get whatever supplies they needed. Virgil Coughlin operated one of the stores for two years.
In 1936 Joe and Ted Johnson purchased the first store and moved it one-half mile south where with the assistance of their sister, Atha, they continued a successful business for several years. They sold the business to their nephew and wife Donald and Alberta Merritt Erickson. The store burnt and was rebuilt of brick. The Ericksons had a residence in the back of the new store. Another operator was Dale Adams, Ronald and Betty White Cullen, who were the last owners. They sold out lock, Stock and barrel at a public auction.
With the war going on in the 1940's , people not being able to go very far, it was always a pleasure to go one night a week in the summertime to an outdoor free movie, and gather with friends at the little country store. This was a big night for the store. And Oh! how we could get a three or four dipper ice cream cone for a dime. this was a real treat after a long hot day's work. Joe Johnson's son Larry and wife Zoe and family lived in the building for several years before moving to their present residence in Section 34.
It was in 1974 that Gerald Wheatley and wife Coleen gave up farming and purchased the building and some joining ground. Their son Rick resides in the building now, while his parents live in a trailer house behind the building. The Wheatleys erected another large building just to the south of the former store, which is known as Wheatley manufacturing Co. They manufacture bale loaders, which are attached to the tractors by hydraulic cylinders, so the farmers can haul their large 3000 pound bales of hay to their cattle much more easily.
Reno, located in Edna Township was platted in 1876 by Edward Porter, a Pennsylvanian by birth and the father of 13 children. In 1882 he made an addition to the town. Businesses were J. J. Steen and Breen and Dyer Merchandise; John Dyer Sr (the first), William Smith and John Dyer Jr., McCoslin later operated by John Archer Blacksmiths; Jacob Walters Wagon shop; Dr Mosher (first), J. H. Hume and Dr Snelson-physicians and Dr. Snelson’s Drugstore.
The postoffice established in 1853 with Jacob Steen first postmaster. Mail was carried on horseback. It was later moved to Newlon's Grove and discontinued in 1898.
The first birth was Edna Brenton in 1855.
First marriage was John Dyer and Mary Porter, daughter of Edward Porter in 1856.
A flour mill, a frame structure, sixteen by thirty-two feet with sixteen foot post, furnished with two runs of stone-one for corn and one for wheat and had balls for making flour, built and operated by A. J. Stewart. School was held in the log cabin of W. S. Townsend with Nancy Brenton the first teacher. A school house was built in 1860.
With the railroad going to Cumberland, Reno faded away. All that remained was the church which was built in 1891. It played an important role as the center of spiritual life. The first religious service held in Reno was at the residence of W S Townsend in 1854. The church celebrated its fiftieth anniversary in 1941 while Rev. C W Woolard was minister. Weekly services were held until 1947. The members transferred to Cumberland. In 1948 the church was sold at auction.
William Gardner, Samuel Whisler, John Leslie and Joseph Edwards, early settlers contributed much to the town. Mr Gardner went to Missouri and got material for a bridge which he built across the Nodaway River at his own expense......"
[end of excerpt]
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SOURCE:
Iowa GenWeb
Cass County Index Page
http://www.rootsweb.com/~iacass/index.htm
ALSO SEE:
Cass County Township Histories Page
http://www.rootsweb.com/~iacass/townshiphistories.htm
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