Prairie Township

Prairie Township

This township was organized March 8, 1838, and the large portion of prairie land caused the early settlers to locate. The northern boundary is Jefferson; east. Plain; south, Harrison, and west, Etna Township. Jacob Smith and wife are the only couple of the original settlers yet living. The first to locate was John Powell, March 31, 1833, and his cabin, erected on section 21, was the first in the township*. Four days later came James H. Bishop, and settled on section 1. Jacob Smith the same summer settled on section 13. James Garvin, Samuel D. Hall and William Bowman came in 1835. The first was afterward elected Representative, S. D. Hall to the State Senate, and William Bowman erected a forge and was the first blacksmith in the township. All were good men, and were alike respected. In 1835 Dr. Harper settled in the township, and for many years practiced his profession, and as most of the pioneer doctors were obliged to do, received his pay in anj'thing that could be disposed of, furs, i)elts, etc., being staple as cash.

1840, which was attached to the Leesburgh circuit. Tiiis denomination built tiie first liouse for public worship (a hewed log building), which was destroyed by tire a few months later. In 1843 a frame cluirch was erected on section 17. About the time the frame church was built, another eliurch of the Methodist faith was organized at the house of Elisha Dunnnck. They met for worship at his residence for a number of years, and in 1859 erected a frame church building on section 6, which was dedicated by Rev. J. Coldclazer the same year, and Rev. James Doiuihoe placed in charge of the congregation, which was then made a part of the Atwood charge. The church is known as Pleasant View Methodist Episcopal Church, and the Sunday-school that was organized with Elisha Dunnnck as superintendent, on the day the church was dedicated, has been uniformly prosperous to this date.

Feli.x Miller laid out this village in 1846, and a general store was opened the same year by Eli Summy and William Biggs. It is a small village with a fertile country surrounding, which supports well those who are engaged in the mercantile trade.

Felix Miller donated a lot for a church building, and the United Brethren erected a house of worship in 1877. Galveston is known as " Clunette," that being the name of the postoffice. It is a small hamlet, and unimportant in a business sense.