1878 History of Jewell County, Kansas

Walnut Township

lays on the divide between the Republican river and White Rock creek; it is principally upland and considerably broken, but is nevertheless, rich and productive. There is considerable timber on the different streams, the principal of which is Walnut, from which the township takes its name. It is thickly settled by intelligent, industrious farmers, and the society is good.

The First Settlers

were J.G. Moon and A.J. Sprague, who settled her in the spring of 1870. The next were J.T. Hollenbeck, John Green, A.B. George, Abel Carter, Enoch Scott and Job Williams, who settled in 1871.

Walnut was originally a portion of White Rock township. It was organized as an independent township February 12, 1874.

The First Election

was held April 7, 1874, at which H.C. Huntington was elected trustee; O. F. Roberts, (now County Commissioner) clerk; J.T. Hollenbeck, treasurer; D. Richmond and J.P. Cole, justices of the peace, and A.C. Cox and O.B. Ford, constables.

Schools and Churches

There are five school districts in the township, three of which have good school houses. The other two hold school in houses erected for meeting houses. Regular terms of school are taught in all the districts. There are two church organizations -- the United Brethren and Quakers or Friends, both of which have regular preaching. There are three Union Sunday Schools, all in a flourishing condition.

The Present Township Officers

elected November 5, 1877, are A.A. Davis, trustee; E. Gardner, clerk; D. H. Dillon, treasurer; E.B. Ensign and J.T. Hollenbeck, justices of the peace, and G. Flynn and O.P. Mahoney, constables.