Untitled Document

RURAL TOWNSHIP

The history of Rural township is interwoven with that of Coal Valley township, until the separation between the two, in 1871.

The township comprises governmental township 16, north, range 1, west of the Fourth Principal Meridian. Its boundaries are as follows: by Black Hawk township and Coal Valley township on the north; on the east by Henry county; on the south by Mercer county and on the west by Bowling township.

While it lacks some of the magnificent scenery of those more closely bordering on the Mississippi River , this township is better fitted for agricultural pursuits, and honestly bears its name. A trip through, its peaceful confines proves that the modern agriculturist is a person to envy.

The magnificent farms, with their broad fields, which in season are either yellowing with grain, or dotted with sleek stock; the comfortable white farm houses; the commodiouss red barns, built according to the latest approved sanitary regulations; the windmills or electric power plants which oftentimes furnish water supply for the house and barns, as well as stock; the well-kept fences, and neat premises, all indicate that the farmers not only know how to acquire property, but what is still more important, keep it in shape after securing it.

Many of these farmers have elegantly furnished houses, and own automobiles, and almost all of them keep a comfortable amount of ready cash in the banks in the neighboring towns. It is such men as these who are the real bulwarks of Americanism.

Supervisors

The members of the Board of Supervisors from Rural township from 1873 have been as follows; in 1889 the term of office being made two years:

Andrew Donaldson, 1873-4; Miles B. Wright 1875-6; R- D. McCreery, 1877; Andrew Donaldson, 1878; A. L. Sayre, 1879; John A. Wilson, 1880-1; John A. Jordon, 1882; John Warnock, 1883; Stephen E. Goodlow, 1884-6; J. A. Wilson, 1887-96; J. M. Hutchison, 1897-98; J. M. Hutchison, 1899-00; J. M. Hutchison, 1901-02; J. M. Hutchison, 1903-04; Paul Wadsworth, 1905-06; Paul Wadsworth, 1907-08; Paul Wadsworth 1909-10; Paul Wadsworth, 1911-13.

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