1878 History of Jewell County, Kansas

Highland Township

is situated in the extreme northwest corner of the county. It was originally a portion of White Mound, but was erected into an independent township February 12, 1874. The most of the township is high rolling upland, but is rich and productive. It is well watered by Ash and Amity creeks, along whose banks considerable timber is found. Every quarter section of land in the township is taken and nearly all contain actual settlers. The people are highly intelligent, and the society good.

The First Settlers

were William Gettys, J.R. Lyman, James Mitchell, R.W. Bullock and Harrison Davis, all of whom settled here in 1871. William Gettys was the first settler, coming April 1871, the others during the summer and fall of that year.

The First Election

was held April 7, 1874, at which W.M. Wright was elected trustee; J.F. Webb, clerk; G.W.S. Michaels, treasurer; Joseph Blair and Elbridge Hill, justices of the peace, and P.N. Hoge and A.D. Brown, constables.

There are six school districts in the township, all of which have good school houses and regular terms of school. There are three church organizations -- the United Presbyterians, United Brethren, and Methodists, all of whom have regular preaching and Sunday schools. The United Presbyterians have a nice stone church building [word I can't read [?]]

The Present Township Officers,

elected November 6, 1877, are Elbridge Hill, trustee; E.E. Shute, clerk; E.C. Smith, treasurer; Sylvester Hill and Joseph Blair, justices of the peace, and A.N. Patmore [?] and G.H. Simpson, constables.