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CHAPTER I.GEOGRAPHY, TOPOGRAPHY, ETC. (CONT'D)From History of Audubon Co., Iowa (1915)
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NAMES OF RIVERS AND PLACES.It has been said that the government surveyors gave the name to Troublesome creek. While surveying the land through which it flows, the water was high and they had frequent occasion to cross it, hence the name. It should be remembered that the streams carried more water in early times than at present. Crooked creek, a tributary of Troublesome, undoubtedly received its name from the form of its channel. Unexpected creek (or Pleasant run), in section 35, near Hamlin's, was named by the surveyors, who came upon it unexpectedly, and so gave it that name. Sifford creek was named for John Seifford, who settled on its bank near where T. J. Essington lived. The name of Buck creek was suggested from the large number of deer found there in early times, according to the account of Doctor Ballard. David's creek was named for David Edgerton. Anderson creek, at Exira, was named for David Anderson. Four-mile creek was so called because it was four miles from Exira. William Brice, who lived in section 31, Greeley township, bestowed the name Honey creek upon the little stream there where he resided. The early settlers discovered a patch of blue grass in the little grove on the present poorfarm in this county. It was supposed the seed was scattered there by Mormons in their journey westward. The place was called Blue Grass grove and the creek near it received the same name. East branch, in Melville township, received its name in early times from its direction from the principal river of which it was a tributary. West Botna, in Lincoln and Douglas townships, takes its name from the principal river. Indian creek and Little Indian probably received the name lower down on the stream. There was an old town on the stream near the town of Lewis, called Indian Town. The name of Lone Willow, in Douglas township, suggests its origin. Exira was named for Miss Exira Eckman. Her father, Judge John Eckman, from Ohio, was here visiting his relatives, the Cranes, at the time the town was laid out and platted. Mr. Edgerton, the proprietor, had intended to name the town Viola, for his daughter. Mr. Eckman proposed if Edgerton would name the town Exira, for his daughter, he would buy a town lot, which was agreed to. Viola township was named for the daughter of Arthur L. Sanborn, who was a member of the board of supervisors when the township was organized. Melville township was named for James Melville Graham, the lawyer at Audubon, a son of Samuel A. Graham, who was a member of the board of supervisors when the township was organized. Leroy township was named for Leroy Freeman, a Union soldier, killed in the Civil War, and brother of our well-known citizen, Ethelbert J. Freeman, who was an early and prominent settler in that township. Leroyville postoffice, now obsolete, was named after the same manner. Hamlin Grove post office, now obsolete; the old town of Hamlin, also obsolete; Hamlin township and Hamlin Station were all named in honor of the first settler, Nathaniel Hamlin. Cameron township was named in honor of the Cameron family, several members of which were early settlers in Viola and Cameron townships. Brayton was named for the civil engineer who worked on the railroad during its construction, 1878-79. Oakfield was named by Elam W. Pearl, a resident there, after a place of the same name in New York state. Gray was named for its proprietor, George Gray. Towhead was the name of the high point of land three miles east of Exira. Years ago there were two oak trees there, which served as a landmark for miles around in most directions. The trees have long since vanished and the name is nearly obsolete. |
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Transcribed by Cheryl Siebrass, September, 2019, from History of Audubon Co., Iowa (1915), by H. F. Andrews, page 44-45. |
