CHAPTER XX.
NOBLE TOWNSHIP.

FORMAL ORGANIZATION OF NOBLE TOWNSHIP.

The exact date of the setting off of Noble township from Edna was June 11, 1870. The election warrant was issued to Thomas G. Davis, and the election for purposes of organization was held at school house No. 1, in October, of the year named. At this election township officers were chosen as follows: Uriah Daft, Henson S. Liston and William E. Buckley, trustees; clerk, E. J.Shields.

EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATION AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

As organized in 1870, the township was divided into nine school districts, each comprising four sections of land. Each district is provided with a neat school house. The first school in the present limits of the township was taught in a private house, in 1859, and as it was in what is now District No. 8 the details are reserved for the sketch of that district.

District No. 1 erected its first school house in 1873, and it was opened by Mary Dickerson. The present structure is on the northwest corner of section 12.

The first school house for District No. 2 was built in 1868, on the southwest corner of section 4. It was sold to William Smith and a new one was erected on the northeast corner of section 9, Frank Sherwood being the first to teach in the second building.

District No. 3 has a school house on the northwest quarter of section 8.

The building used for District No. 4 is situated on the southwest quarter of section 17.

The present school building of District No. 5, which was also the first one, was erected in 1872. It is located on the northwest quarter of section 22, and Lizzie Ely opened it to the public.

The first house provided by District No. 6 for educational purposes was erected on the southeast corner of section 14, in 1878, and Edward A. Baer was the first school teacher.

School District No. 7 erected a house in 1875, and commenced its first term with John Andrews as its teacher. It is now located on the southwest quarter of section 25.

The first school in District No. 8, as well as the first in the township, was taught in a private house in 1859, by Mary Hardenbergh. In the following year a building was erected for school purposes on the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section 28. It was used for educational purposes until 1872, when it was sold and was afterward occupied for some years by Clark Davis as a dwelling. The same year another school building was erected on the southwest quarter of section 27.

District school house No. 9 was erected in 1871, and Frank Sherwood was the pioneer teacher. The present building is located on the southeast corner of section 30.

EDNA AND NEWLON'S GROVE POSTOFFICE.

The old Edna postoffice, established in 1853, was removed to Newlon's Grove without change of name, Cyrus Newlon being the first postmaster at the new location. He was succeeded by Samuel Newlon, and he again by H. S. Liston. Robert Magarell was the next postmaster, and he kept the office at his house in Bear Grove. It was discontinued while he was in office, but reestablished as the Newlon's Grove postoffice in 1876, with H. S. Liston as postmaster. Mail was received on the Atlantic and Villisca route twice a week. When the Atlantic Southern railroad was built in 1880, the postoffice was discontinued, Mr. Liston being the last to be in charge of it.

"Compendium and History of Cass County, Iowa." Chicago: Henry and Taylor & Co., 1906, pg. 214-215.
Transcribed by Cheryl Siebrass, October, 2017.