 Chief Poweshiek |
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 Poweshiek
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Early Poweshiek County
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Grant Township
Grant Township was originally known as Grinnell Township, but in 1920 the name was changed. The earliest town in the township was known as Westfield, built on the old Stage Road. It was once a large and thriving town It withered when the railroad was built to the north. In March 1854, J.B. Grinnell and three companions stopped at Westfield to eat. Grinnell is the gentleman to whom Horace Greeley advised, "Go west, young man, go west." He was a Congregational minister. He and his friends Homer Hamlin, another minister, Henry M. Hamilton, a surveyor, and Dr. Thomas Holyoke staked a claim north of Westfield and built a rough house. They later bought land and established the town of Grinnell.About a year after Grinnell was platted, another town was started about a mile to the west. It was known as Jerusalem, but did not fair well, and became a ghost town and since has been absorbed by Grinnell.
The first organized church service was held in a log cabin about three miles west of Grinnell at a location known as Matteson Corner in 1854. In 1855 the Congregational Church was organized. The first Baptist Church was built in 1858. A major cyclone struck the Grinnell area June 17, 1882.
Grinnell was organized with the idea of a college being part of the community. Professor L.F. Parker established an academy, which merged with Iowa College and later became Grinnell College.
