Cordova Township

Cordova Township

well up on the bluff and commands one of the finest views on the Mississippi River, which stretches away in both directions until lost bj' its windings; the Ijluffs at this point are rather abrupt.

The earliest settler of this place was Herdman East, who built a log cabin in 1836; John Marshall and family. Dr. Thomas Baker, Amazi R. Rathburn. Theodore and John Butcher coming the same year. William and George Marshall, Jonathan and K. S. Cool, and Joseph R. Sexton came in 1838.

The town was laid out in 1837 by John Marshall and Dr. Thomas Baker, and the first frame houses were built the following year by these gentlemen. Lime kilns were early established, and for some years this was a busy point. The first school was taught by Dr. Baker in his own house, where he instructed in a primiti\'e way his own children, together with those of his neighbors.

The first school house was built in 1863, and conducted under the common school laws of the state. Since Februar}' 16, 1865, a board of education, composed of six members, control school affairs. The especial pride to which the residents direct attention is their fine graded school which numbers upward of 300 scholars, under the supervision of an efficient principal and corps of teachers. The school also has a well equi]iped circulating library. The principal product of the locality is corn, of which large shipments are made. The first postoffice was established in 1839, John Marshall being its first postmaster, who also kept the first hotel. In 1853 the first grist mill was erected by Brigham and Marshall. A petition for village organization was filed March 16, 1867. An election was held and went against organization. In 1877 the subject was again submitted to the voters and affirmed in favor of village organization, and on the 23d day of April, 1877, the village was dulj- organized. Cordova is situated on the Mississippi River, and Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railwav.

Coe. surrounded by the townsliips of Canoe Creek, Port Byron, Zuma and Cordova, is considered one of the best agricultural jwrtions of the county. John Walker was the first settler in 1835, followed shortly by John Butcher; his brother, Burrall Butcher, coming in 1836, and in 1851 locating on his brother's section, his brother having left for California, but died on his way there. Samuel Allen came in 1837, moving from what was afterwards the village of Port Byron. Samuel Ennison came shortly after from Indiana. Henry Smith, Henry M. Stockton and Isaac Hollister also coming in 1837. Mrs. Charity Marshall, a widow with nine children, came in 1S38 from New Jersey. The first to wed in the township were Hiram Walker and Mary Ennis, and David Allen and Miss Remson.