HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.     397
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                    CHAPTER VII.
 
GRASSY FORK - EARLY SETTLEMENTS - LAND ENTRIES - EARLY ELEC-
 TION - REMINISCENCES - COTTON RAISING - EUCHRETOWN  - TAMPICO - 
 SIDNEY.
 
GRASSY FORK TOWNSHIP belongs to that tier of town-
ships forming the southern part of the county, and lying
along the course of the Muscatatauk River. It received its name
from the creek that flows through it. In area it is not as large as
the average township of Jackson County. It was originally cov-
ered with a dense growth of forest trees, which has contributed in
no small degree to the wealth of the township. The soil is fertile
and well adapted to the cultivation of all products peculiar to this
climate. Concerning the mineral resources of the township but lit-
tle can be said. If there are any important mineral deposits,
they are yet undiscovered and undeveloped. It is particularly an
agricultural township, and but little attention has been given to
anything else, even around the little towns.
 
  
                  EARLY SETTLEMENTS.
 
It is said by some that the first settlement made in this town-
ship was in the fall of 1815, or the spring of 1816, by old Mr.
Burge, while others claim that Burge was preceded by at least
two or three families. There being no one now living who knew
the truth of the matter, the writer was content to let it remain in
doubt. Soon after the first settlement was made others came,
and, in 1819, we find that a dozen or more families had settled
and built rude log huts. Among the first were Isaac Burge, James
Smith, John Parks, William Russell, James Russell, John Blair,
Jesse Tuell, Wallace Sullander, Hezekiah Applegate, James John-