Seward Township

Seward Township

was organized June 8, 1859. It formerly formed the east side of Franklin. In creating Seward a strip fonr miles wide and extending tlie full length north and south was taken from Franklin. Milo R. Barber was appointed trustee. The tirst election held in the township in 1860 was at the house of Jesse Paxton, near Yellow Creek Lake. Milo R. Barber was elected trustee, and held the otiice two consecutive terms. Abner Wood and Jesse Paxton were elected justices of the peace.

The first actual settler was Samuel Bishop, who came in the spring of 1836. Alone, save with the aid of a jiair of horses, he erected a cabin, and afterward cleared up a fine farm.

James Garvin was the second comer, and in the autumn of 1835 he erected a cabin upon the tarm now owned by his widow. About tliis cal:)in, which is yet standing, much of interest might be said. In it was born the second white child in tiie count}-, Jerusha Garvin, October 30, 1836, and the first in Seward Township.

The first religious services were held in the cabin of John Robinson in the autumn of 1839, Rev. Asa Johnson officiating. After the completion of the school-house in 1842, Rev. Alexander Lemon, of Presbyterian faith, held meetings regularly, until the society in 1850 erected a log church on John Robinson's hind. In 1840 James Garvin was a prime factor in securinw from the State Legislature aid to survey a road through the township from north to south. The same was done in that year by George R. Thralls, with Dan Underhill and David Garvin, viewers; Amos Joy and Andrew Nye, carriers; William Stapleford, blazer.

There are a number of beautiful lakes in Seward Township, Beaver Dam Lake, on section 33, and Willow Creek Lake, on section 27, being the largest. All are well stocked with fish, and upon the bosom of the lakes hundreds of wild ducks maybe seen. Seward Township is the home of a number of men prominent in the history of this county, among whom may be mentioned Milo R. Barber, its first commissioner, now eightythree years of age, and one of the building committee when thefirst building was erected; Elias McClure, John Robinson, Philip Siioke, Ephraim Wells, present county commissioner; John L. Merritt, township trustee, and Joshua Tucker, ex-township trustee.

The United Brethren church was organized at the house of G. W. Hutchings March 29, 1859, by Rev. jS'. W. Castle. Fairview church, their first meeting-house, was erected on section 27 in 1873.

He cut the lumber for the first residence, also for the first business house, the drug store now occupied by Adam Horn, which was erected bv Thomas Benton Sarber.

The second building was a hotel erected jointly by Horace Tucker and Peter Blue. This when completed was conducted by Samuel and Mrs. Banks, who with their tamily were the first residents of Burkett.

In the spring of 1882 J. J. Mohler opened a hardware store that was soon afterward purchased by John Sarber, who sold to George W. Nellons, who has largely increased the stock, and in 1885 had a cash trade of 83,400.

David H. Petry was the first dealer in grain, soon succeeded by Mr. Nellons who, since his ownership, has purchased over 45,000 bushels of wheat exclusive of other cereals.

J. L. Newby opened the first stock of drugs, but Adam Horn is the first permanent druggist, and may be correctly termed a pioneer in that line.

The postoffice was established the same spring with Absalom Kistler postmaster. Adam Horn is the present official, and is the first postmaster in the new town under Democratic rule, his commission bearing date April 28, 1885.

Dr. John Heffiy, was the first practicing physician, but remained only a short time. He was succeeded by Dr. Ensenberger, and he by Dr. Freeman A. Williams, an accomplished physician who located hez'e in April, 1885.

The principal industry of this village is the manufacture of lumber, three mills running constantly. The principal one is owned by Samuel Banks, and the estimated cut and shipment exclusive of local sales of the three mills for the past three years is 5,500,000 feet. A sufficient quantity of timber still remains in the vicinity to keep them running for ten years. The third building erected, was used jointly as a drug store and saloon and was operated by John Newb}\

The business may or may not have been profitable, but after the drugs were taken from the stock it frequently changed owners. The present proprietor is Harvey Bybee.

Burkett was named in honor of its founder, and is a prosperous village containing 300 inhaliitants. There are two large general mercantile stores, two hardware stores, an excellent drug store in which the postoffice is also located, blacksmith and wagon shop, furniture store, milliner}' and jewelry store. The K^ew York, Chicago & St. Louis Hailway furnishes excellent shipping facilities, and the location of the town on the northeast quarter of section 9, places it in the best part of Seward Township.