The county of Crawford is twenty-four miles north and south by thirty east and west. It contains twenty Congressional townships, or a superficial area of 720 square miles, and lies on the Western Slope, the second county east from the Missouri River, in the fifth tier from the northern and southern boundaries of the State. It is well watered by running streams, the largest of which is the Boyer River, which traverses the county diagonally from northeast to southwest, entering five miles west of the northeast corner, and passing out three miles east of the southeast corner. East Boyer River, its most important tributary, enters Crawford from Carroll County, flows in a southwesterly direction, and unites with the main stream at Denison, a little southeast of the center of the county. Other important tributaries of the Boyer are Dunham’s, Walnut, Ernst, Buss, Welsh, Paradise, Buffalo, Otter, Boone, Coon and Buck Creeks. The Nishnabotany River and Williams Creek, with their several branches, water the southeastern portion of the county. Soldier River, which crosses the northwestern corner, receives a large number of tributaries, among which may be mentioned Beaver Creek. A branch called East Soldier also passes through the northwestern part of the county, with a by no means inconsiderable tributary called Spillman Creek. Willow River waters a considerable portion of one township in the southwestern part of the county. All of the above streams are small, with the exception of the Boyer River, but all afford an abundance of water for stock throughout every season of the year. In a number of places fine springs are found, and good well water is obtained at moderate depths. The water of the running streams is excellent for drinking and domestic uses, and is usually clear and cold.

The finest groves of timber are on the Boyer and East Boyer Rivers, a number of groves being scattered along some of the smaller streams, however. The largest body of timber in the county is Mason’s Grove, beginning about five miles northeast of Denison. This grove includes about 2,000 acres along the east side of the Boyer River. Dunham’s Grove, on the East Boyer, six miles east of Denison, contains about 300 acres of timber, among which is a quantity of black walnut. In other parts of the county are groves of good timber, principally on or near the Boyer River. The timber lands of the county aggregate about sixteen sections, or 10,240 acres—about one acre of timber to each forty-five feet of prairie. The following varieties are included: Black oak, burr oak, black walnut, black and white hickory, linn, hackberry, soft maple, ash, elm, cottonwood, cherry, etc. The shrubberies are principally ash, sumac, hazel, pith-alder, etc., which generally grow in the valleys, or about the edges of the timber. There is an abundance of walnuts, hickorynuts and hazelnuts. Wild fruits grow in abundance; there are plums, grapes, raspberries, strawberries, gooseberries, cherries, crab apples, wild currants, and occasionally blackberries. In consequence of the scarcity of native timber, many of the farmers have planted groves of silverleaf maple, cottonwood, black walnut and box elder, all of which have grown with astonishing rapidity; so much so that the former boundless expanse of prairie has within a few years become dotted with beautiful groves, which ere long will re-arrange the nature of the country, as they have already diversified and improved the landscape, affording, moreover, as great additions to the principle of utility as they have already made in the direction of ornamentation.

[…]

The soil and climate are well adapted to the production of wheat, oats, rye, barley, corn, beans, peas, potatoes and other vegetables and grains indigenous to the Temperate Zone. The yield of spring wheat, which is the variety principally raised, has been from fifteen to forty-five bushels to the acre, with a probable average of about twenty-five bushels. Comparatively few farmers have engaged in the cultivation of tame grasses, but it has been fully demonstrated that timothy and blue grass will succeed well, while clover also does reasonably well, so far as it has been tried. There is [sic] a number of orchards in the county, which have been yielding for a number of years, and which give promise of assured success in the future. Much attention is being paid to fruit culture, which is destined to become one of the important industries of this section. Cherries, vines and all small fruit do well, growing luxuriantly and producing excellent varieties of fruit.

The Chicago & Northwestern Railroad enters Crawford County a little north of the center of the eastern boundary line, and running southwest down the valley of the Boyer, a distance of over thirty-one miles, makes its exit near the southwest corner, affording good communication with the eastern and western markets.

In May, 1849, Cornelius Dunham, of Jackson county, Iowa, brought Franklin Prentice and his wife to the county, and left them at the place known as Dunham’s Grove, on East Boyer River, about six miles east of the present town of Denison. Mr. Prentice built a cabin for Dunham, who came with his family in the autumn of the same year, accompanied also by a man named Reuben Blake. This was the first settlement in Crawford County. The same year, Prentice took a claim at the mouth of Otter Creek, on Boyer River, near Mason’s Grove. The next settlers were Jesse Mason and family, and George J. and Noah V. Johnson, all of whom came in June, 1850, and settled at Mason’s Grove. […]

John A. Dunham and Rufus Richardson came the same year [1854]. […]

The first births in the county were David and George Jesse Mason, twin sons of Jesse and Eliza Ann Mason, born in 1852. The first marriage ceremonies took place at Mason’s Grove, October 12th, 1853, at which time and place Rev. Thomas Dobson united in marriage George J. Johnson and Elizabeth Ann Mason, Noah V. Johnson and Jane Mason, Calvin Horr and Elizabeth Mowery. The first death was that of John A. Dunham, in the winter of 1854–5. The first entry of Government land was made August 21st, 1854, by John Gilbreath. The first school house erected was at Mason’s Grove, in the autumn of 1856, in which Morris McHenry taught the first school, a term of three and one half months, commencing November 4th, 1856. The first sermon was preached Sunday, October 19th, 1856, by Rev. William Black, of the M. E. Church, and the same day, after the sermon, the first religious society was organized, with seven members, as follows: George C. King, Mrs. E. R. King, O. S. Wright, Tabitha Wright, John B. Huckstep, Martha A. Huckstep, and Rufus Richardson.

Deloit is a very busy little town. Its shipping facilities are fine as we have the C. & N. W. and the I. C. railroads. Team after team in long processions often come in town from among the thriving farmers with loads of hogs, and we see great herds of cattle brought in to ship. They are shipped mainly to Chicago, some to Omaha. The railroads afford good opportunity for travel going and coming. One can leave here early in the morning and spend several hours in Denison and return in the evening.

We are justly proud of our little town. We have one general store owned by F. A. and J. W. True. The dry goods department is in charge of Mrs. F. A. True, Miss Edith Dobson assisting, who has been clerking for them for the past three years which is a good recommendation for her. Nearly everything one needs in the dry goods line may be found there. The grocery and hardware department is in charge of J. W. True who has an eye for business and is always ready to please his customers. He is assisted by William Worley who has been in their employ the past four years. The True Mercantile Co. also have an implement building where all kinds of machinery can be bought. J. W. True has charge of this. The long distance telephone is installed in their store, also the Crawford Co. and the Farmer’s.

Then we have L. A. Meyers. an enterprising young merchant who carries groceries, dry goods, shoes etc. He has a nice line of goods and is always pleasant and ready to wait on customers. He delivers goods over the town twice a day at eleven and four o’clock which the people of town greatly appreciate.

Mrs. A. Prentice and daughter, Mrs. L. Childress is post mistress and assistant and have a line of groceries, novelties and stationary etc. These ladies are among the busy ones taking care of Uncle Sam’s business and waiting on trade. They are always alert to please their customers. B. E. McKim is Rural Carier and the past seven years we think his record for losing days on acount of bad roads and weather cannot be beaten.

Doctor N. N. Smith is occupying a new building neatly equipped for a doctor’s office and is enjoying a good practice.

The old bank building is being used by our young men as a place of amusement where they do all kinds of gymnasium stunts. Over head is the True Mercantile hall. This hall is used by the Modern Brotherhood of America lodge for their meetings also the Modern Woodmen, and the Botherhood of America Yeomen lodges.

A large hall under the mangement of a company of Germans has been erected which is large and commodious for all kinds of gatherings and is a great help to the town. ,

Restaurant is almost completed and will soon be ready for business. Mrs. Hess and Mrs. Noeks do dressmaking and are kept busy.

We have one of the nicest little banks made of brick and is fire proof and a great credit to the town. The door and fixtures to the vault are made of very heavy steel, a great invention and very expensive which can only meet the admiration of all who see it. The bank is in charge of Mr. Guy Martin and is doing a good business and we greatly appreciate its benefits. Hereafter people will not be required to go to Denison to pay their taxes as Mr. Martin has arranged so the people may pay their taxes at the bank here which will make it much more convenient. Mr. Martin is also a good musican and is giving music lessons on different instruments and is a great help to our band.

Myron Meyers is still our genial barber and is equipped with new barber fixtures, a large glass that all may see “what manner of man he is”, a large town directory of the business places may be read there neatly painted on a large sign. Mearl assists in the shop on Saturdays and both are kept busy.

The cream station is in charge of Guy Johnson, a young man of good habits who has been in the employ of the creamery company for the past few years. The territory around Deloit makes a great deal selling cream and find it much easier and more profitable than to make butter.

Mr. Smith, one of the old soldiers, has fitted up a shoe repair shop and is always ready to do business.

C. G. Monahan has a veterinary office and is often called out in his line of business.

W. A. Steuck is a druggist and is nicely located with a full line of drugs and other things that go to make up a good drug store.

Mr. William Jepson and wife have charge of the hotel and everything is kept up in first class shape. They enjoy a good patronage of which Mrs. Jepson is worthy as she has the name of being a splendid cook.

Mr. Moeller owns the saloon, which is a neat building and he has a large trade.

The elevator and lumber yard are owned by the Nye. Schneider Fowler Co. and does a good business with Abram Galland as foreman and Ralph Beaman as assistant. They not only deal in lumber and grain but buy and ship hogs.

Mr. Fisher is blacksmith and has been kept busy in his line of work. The blacksmith shop is owned by John Newcom.

The livery barn is large enough to afford a great many team accommodations and is owned and managed by Millard Turner. Jimmie Turner is kept busy with the town dray and is at every ones command ready for business.

Guy Martin and Mrs. S. Horr are Notary Publics, James McKim and Bert Delaney and E. K. Patchin are the carpenters, Mr. Delaney, Bert McKim, Charles Campbell and S. Browne do cement work.

The schools are in two departments, the primary, under management of Mrs. Johnston and the higher grades under Mr. E. Smith.

Last but not least we have two churches.

At the M. E. church with Rev. Ralston as pastor meetings are held every sabbath, Sunday school at 10.00, preaching at 11.00 and 7.30 and prayer service on Thursday evening.

At the L. D. S. church with Elder C. W. Winey pastor, Sunday school is held at 10.00, services at 11.00 and 7.30 on Sunday, prayer services on Thursday evening and Religio Tuesday evening. We have two societies of helpers in church work, the Ladies’ Aid society of the M. E. church which, by their efforts help along a good cause a great deal financially. The Willing Workers of the L. D. S. church have been organized four years and have accomplished a great work. assisting in the expenses of keeping up the church house and donating to the Sanatarium, the Children’s Home and doing acts of charity. They have now under consideration the buying of a street lamp to be placed in front of the church to light up the way on dark nights.

We have a band consisting of boys and young men of whch we are very proud. They organized a little over one year ago and are doing nicely. Their names are Dan Fink, John Fink,Percy Fink. John Riggleman, Leonard Lingle, Jessie Shives and Mr. Guy Martin who takes the lead. There are one or two others taking lessons fitting themselves to join the band. Young men who start out in life with unceasing efforts to make the best of life never fall short of winning what they undertake in life.

Nestled on the hillside at the head of the turn of the great Boyer valley is the town of Deloit. This town is rich in reminiscence of the early days of our county, when the first settlers blazed the trail for those who were to follow. Across the river from the town, among the wooded hills, was where the first real settlement was made in Crawford county. It was here that Jesse Mason, the mighty hunter, first built his cabin. Along the fringes of this wood the Dobsons, Skinners, Horrs, Johnsons, Wicks and other families built their abode and said “this land shall be my home, these people my people.”

While a Review representative was passing through Deloit Monday afternoon he chanced to see men engaged in remodeling an old frame store building, which is said to be the first frame building in Deloit. This building was erected in 1856 and in it H. C. Laub entered the mercantile field, he furnished the stock, which was sold on commission by B. F. Dobson. Orren Kenyon is now remodeling and repairing this grand old building and will move his family into it as soon as it is ready for occupancy. The front, which was a type of the first stores, is now being changed, and it will soon blossom forth as a residence. It is claimed that during the past years nearly every family in Deloit has resided in this building.

In a prominent place along the main business street may be seen a flag staff which was erected this summer. It is said that the first celebration of our national anniversary in Crawford county was held July 4, 1857, in Deloit. We are informed that about fifty persons were present and they assisted in raising a flag staff, the first one ever raised on the soil of Crawford county. While there were not many present at the first flag raising, it is true, but in the recent raising of flag staffs in our county, no gathering excelled in patriotism those hardy old pioneers who, with heads uncovered, cheered the red, white and blue.

Deloit was the second town in the county to be surveyed into town lots, Denison being first, although Deloit was the older settlement. To Deloit is given the honor in Crawford county as the birthplace of our county’s civilization. Long may she wave.