Dallas Township
History of St. Clair County, Missouri, 1883, page 1047:
Dallas township lies in the southeast corner of the county, being bound on the
north by Polk Township, east by Hickory County, south by Hickory County and
Collins Township, and west by Doyal Township. It was established, and being
congressional Township 37 of Range number 24, on June 5, 1872. Originally, and
for a number of years, Dallas Township as now known, was a part of Polk; in fact
Polk Township covered this territory up to the above date. Elijah Rice may be
said to be among the earliest settlers in this township. He came in 1837 and
settled on the southeast quarter of section seven. R. Eads and Francis Yoast
built the first water mill in the township in 1844, and sold to John J.C. Wolfe.
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A History of Henry and St. Clair Counties, 1883:
Dallas Township, page 1048 - Dallas Township, taken together, may be said to be
a good stock raising and cereal growing township. There is quite a large portion
broken land, somewhat hilly and rough, but still excellent stock ranges. Her red
land is good what land and her bottom lands none better for corn. It is mostly
timbered, very little prairie in proportion.
Sandstone, excellent for building purpose, is found, perhaps too much of it. The
limestone soil is strong, and some flint is found. The township may be said to
be rolling, as a general thing.
In 1880, Dallas Township had a population of 635, this being its first census
recorded except in 1876, when its population was 548. This would show that it
had received little or no immigration.
The King Prairie, so called, is the most noted in the township, covering some
three sections. The Kings came in 1834 or ’35, and owned some 400 acres, and
from them it took its name, and is as pretty a piece of land as can be found
anywhere. Rolling enough to have good drainage, the soil deep, rich and
fruitful, it is looked upon as the garden spot of Dallas Township.
One curious thing in connection with this township is that a few deer and wild
turkeys are yet found within its limits, but this probably arises from its close
proximity to Hickory County, which may be considered one of the finest counties
in the state for the home of wild animals.