The southern portion of this township is prairie land and contains some of the finest farms in the County. The Northern and central part, along the Iowa River and Richland Creek is somewhat broken and is principally timbered land. Its first settlement was in 1852 and the first house built on section 23 by A. P. Rich.

The township is well watered, and is fine farming land. Richland Creek passes through the central portion of the township emptying into the Iowa River on section 13, and on the north it is watered by the Iowa River running through the entire township, furninshing living water at all seasons of the year.

The township was organized in the year 1854. It lies in township 82 north, range 14 west, of the 5th, P. M.

G. B. Dunnells, J. Heath, Thomas Skiles, H. Davenport, Thos. And Jas. Marshall, E. Deeter, I. Walters, J. M. and C. E. Ramsdell, J. D. Smith, H. Day and others were among the first settlers of the township.

The township was named after Richland Creek. James Hanna taught the first school in the year of 1855 in a small log cabin, on section 22, which had formerly been occupied by H. Davenport as a residence.

The first marriage was Elias H. Price, and Miss Sarah Hatfield being united in the “holy bands of wedlock” on the 30th, day of May, 1855, by N. B. Hiatt, a Justice of the Peace.

The first death was Jas. Hatfield, who died in the year 1854.

There are two villages in the township, Helena and Eureka. For sketch of these towns the reader is refered to the history of the towns.

The township has one Flouring mill, situated on the Iowa River at Helena, which was established and run by E. Deeter until the year 1863, when it changed hands to B. F. Crenshaw its present owner.

The Chicago & North-Western Railroad passes through the northern part of the township coming in on section 5 and passing out on section 12.

No better improved farms are to be found than in Richland township, and herein live some of the most wealthy and honored of our citizens. Their hospitality is unbounded, the latch string always hangs out and the weary traveler finds a hearty welcome.

Justices: T. Marshall, C. Hanna, N. F. Taylor, W. Bale, C. Homan N. B. Hiatt, G. Hollenbeck, L. H. Beadle, D. forker, A. H. Hisey, T. A. Bourner, J. B. Louthan, H. Sabin, H. Cory, F. H. Ramsdell.

Trustees: E. Deeter, J. Ramsdell, J. Flathers, U. B. Hiatt, J. B. Louthan, A. Wilkinson, H. L. Barnes, J. W. Hiatt, L. H. Beadle, P. Rich, H. Davenport, E. Hatfield, a. Hatfield, I. W. Graham, G. Reed, C. Barns, J. W. Clem, T. Forker, H. Clay, H. Sabin, S. gould, G. Hollenbeck, J. Gray, J. F. Cram, L. Coolidge, J. J> Huston, O. McKeen, G. W. Bale, E. A. and C. A. Flint, J. Smith, J. Hiatt.

Clerks: J. Marshall, C. Homan, J. Hoag, N. f. Taylor, R. M. Clem, S. Lewis, T.A. Hopkins, a. Beadle, S. Jackman, H. Sabin, J. F. Cram.