Tama County Republican. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1867-1872, 1869-12-23
Special Correspondence Of the State Register:
TOUR OF IOWA COUNTIES.
Tnm0 County.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Tama is in the fifth tier of counties
from the south line OF the State, and in
the fifth tier from the north line. 1t is
likewise the fifth county west OF the
Mississippi River in that middle tier
of counties. II is bounded on the
north by the counties OF Grundy and
Black. Hawk, east by Benton, south by
Powesheik and west by Marshall and
Grundy. There are twenty Congress
sional townships, to.wit: ~, 83, 81, IS
and sc, of ranges 13, IA, Is, and 49,
The county is therefore thirty miles in
length north and south, by twenty -four
miles IN width east and west, and con-
tains an area of 720 square miles, or
AGO, 800 acres. For the purposes of
county government and organization,
it is now sub.dividcd into twenty -one
civil townships, the boundaries OF most
of which correspond with those of the
several Congressional townships. The
following arc the names OF the civil
townships: Buckingham, Carlton, Car.
roll, Clark Crystal, Columbia, Geneseo,
Grant, Highland, Howard, Indian
Village, Oneida, Otter Greek, Perry,
Richland, Spring Creek, Salt Greek,
Toledo, Tama and York.
WATER COURSES.
The most important stream in the
county is Iowa River, and indeed, in
many respects, it is one of the most
important in the State. This river en-
ters the county on the west side about
eleven miles north OF the southwest
corner, and flows in south-eastcrly
direction through five congressional
townships, passing out little north OF
the southeast courner OF the county.
In its various mcanicrngs, !; affords
to Tama county a river.llne of at least
thirty five miles. This river aud its
various tributaries drain nearly four
fiiths of the county. The principal
tributary flowing in on the south
side is ltichland Greek. which rises in
Marshall county, and enters Tama on
the west side, passing in an easterly,
direction nearly threc-tourths across
the county to its junction in Richland
township. Beaver Greek and Raven
Creek arc two other small tributaries
Of Iowa River flowing on the same
siIe, and draining a portion Of the
southwes, quarter Of the county
There are several large tributaries
flowing i'll on the north side, the most
important being Salt Creek, Otter
Greek, Deer Creek, and Sugar Creek,
all flowing III a south. easterly direc-
toin. Salt Creek rises in number or
branches in the central and eastern
parts OF the county. These branches,
uniting, torn stream OF considerable
size, which empties into the river near
the southeast corner OF the county
The next Tributary OF considerable
size above Salt Creek, on the same
side Of the river,is is Otter Greek. This
rises near the centre OF tho county,
and flows southeast, portion of its
course being almos. parallel with tie
river, and only short distance from
it. 1t forms its junction in Salt Creek
township, short distance below the
village and railroad station Of Chelsea.
Deer Creek rises i'll the west part OF
the county, and flows south east, until
within four or five miles ct its june.
ton, where it changes to nearly south,
passing west of Toledo and Tama
City, to it's junction near the latter
place Sugar Greek is in the west
part Of the county, and flows into 10.
wa River, nearly opposite the village
OF lndiantown.
Tie north portion of the county is
watered by Wolf Greek and its sey.
eral tributaries The main branch OF
this stream enters Tama from that
portion Of Grundy county which lies
east AMI thence flows a few miles in
south.casterly course, and then changes
to All easterly direction, passing out
into Benton county, and thence to its
junction as a tributary ofCedar River.
On the north side it receives several
tributaries of considerable size, the
largest Of which is called Twelve Mile
Creek. These streams water and drain
some six or seven townships. There
is not township in the county
through which one or more OF the
several streams mentioned does not
pass, so that it will be seen that the
county, Is well drained, as well as
abundantly watcrcd. There are many
other streams of considerable size and
importance not mentioned, but which
afford excellent water for stock all
the year round. The small streams
are supported by springs, many of
which are large, and afford a constant
supply of pure living water.
TIMER. E.
There is plentiful supply Of excel
lent timber in most parts of the coun-
ty, but especially in the southern
townships along the Iowa River, and
its tributaries. There are also some
large groves bordering. Wolf Creek,
in Buckingham and Perry townships.
The groves embrace the leading va
ricties of timber found in other parts
OF the State, including white, black
and burr oak, black walnut. hickory,
hard and soft maple, white aud red
elm, cottonwo ood, linn, ash, mulberry,
buttcrnut, &c. The extensive groves
along the Iowa River furnished
large amount Of material for the con-
struction of the Chicago and North.
western Railroad. The aggregate
amount of timber in the county may
be safely estimated at 10000 acres.
TOWNSHIPS DESCRIBED.
Lincoln.-Th,s, is the northwest
corner township, and embraces con.
gressional township Sc, OF range 10
The pripcipal stream passing through
it is Wolf Creek. 1t contains only
about 40 acres Of timber, known as
"Fittccn Mile Grove" and situated near
the west corner = There is a good sup
ply Of limestone. Accnrflino, IN the