Carlton township lies in township 84 north and range 16, west. The land is prairie and timber. The timbered portion affords abundance of fuel for the consumer. The prairie portion is fine and productive.

The first settlements were in 1851-2, and the first cabins were built on section 30, by Anthony Bricker, Levi and D. D. Appelgate, who entered their lands, and opened their farms. In the Southwestern part a settlement was founded in the year 1853, now known as the Dobson Settlement. In their part of the township are some fine farms, the land being of good quality. The Dobsons, J. S. Haynes, J. S. Lewis, D. Gray and Wm. Conant came in at an early day, entered land and opened farms.

The township was named in honor of Judge Carlton, Judge of the 4th Judicial District, of Iowa who is well known by many in the County.

Carlton township was organized in the year 1854, and the first election was held at the house of Wm. Murty, on the first Monday of April of the same year.

Silas McClain has the honor of having taught the first school in a small log cabin erected on land owned by Anthony Bricker.

Rev. J. S. Mason of the Presbyterian denomination, preached the first sermon in the township, at the house of J. Laughlin. In the year 1865 a church was erected, known as the Rock Creek Church and now has 40 members. The church is in good standing with Rev. James Stickle as pastor.

Justices: S. Dobson, A. Bricker, G. Rider, W. Krause, H. L. Dobson, T. L. Dunn, C. E. Heath, R. Parker, J. Craig, M Babcock, R. Bunn, J. X. Chambers, T. M. Mudgett, J. Rose, W. G. Dobson.

Clerks: H. L. Dobson, C. e. Heath, S. Strong, T. L. Dunn, J. Craig, E. O. Bowen.

Trustees: J. Lamin, S. Ricker, G. Laughlin, a. Donaldson, B. Clark, G. Finch, R. Fay, F. Hollingshead, J. Peterson, W. Conant, S. Dobson, J. Filloon, G. B. Rider, T. M. Mudgett, S. Strong, S. Myers, R. Parker, C. Bratt, H. L. Dobson, J. Donaldson, S. Berry, D. Gray, L. Myers, J. Rokes, C. Dobson, L. N. B. C. Burt, A. Mericle.