First Birth:
Charlotte, daughter of Dr. John Crawford, was born in the winter of 1852-3, and was the first child born in the township. She is still living.
First Death:
Mary Ann, daughter of William and Julia Myers, died July 28, 1853. Her body lives buried in the Alden cemetery. This was the first death in the township.
Educational:
The first school was taught by Martin Pritchard, during the winter of 1856-7, in a building erected by the purpose, and now owned by Mrs. Neill, on section 18, township 89, range 21. This was the beginning of the education work in the township, which has now been well developed. There are now eleven good and substantial school buildings, nine of which are of frame and two of brick, the latter being in District No. 4. There are now 400 children of school age in the township, having during the year 1880-81 an enrollment of 375 and an average attendance of 194. The school property is valued at $10.000.
Religious:
The minister of the gospel soon found his way into Alden township, proclaiming the "unsearchable riches of Christ." Philemon Plummer, a minister of the Christian or Disciple's Church, was the pioneer preacher in this township. In the early part of the summer of 1853 he delivered a discourse in a log house on section 18. The house was crowded to overflowing. Since that time, ministers of nearly all the leading denominations in this part of the State have preached in the township. For some time the cabins of the early settlers were used for religious services; next, the school houses were used, and last of all, church buildings erected for and dedicated to the service of a living God. There are no church edifices outside the town of Alden. For a history of these and the denominations worshipping therein, see the history of the town of Alden in this chapter.
Organic:
Alden township was organized in 1856 by the County Judge. The first election was held at the house of George B. Nelson, April 7, of that year. The following named officers were elected: Trustees, Sumner Kemp, Henry Alden, J.W. Cowles; Martin Pritchard, Clerk; Lott Clover and James Holden, Justices of the Peace; George B. Nelson, Constable; O. Bigelow, Supervisor; S. Elwood, Assessor.
The present officers of the township are as follows: John Barrett, S.L. Pierce, E.W. Crockett, Trustees; W.W. Jones, Clerk; John Tomlinson, Assessor; M.H. Davis and C.D. Pritchard, Justices of the Peace; J.Y. Fiddler, O.J. Thomas; Constables.
Poughkeepsie:
In 1855, W.H. Foote laid out upon section 16, township 89, range 21, a village, to which he gave the name of Poughkeepsie. The plat of the town was never recorded, and all attempts by Mr. Foote to establish here a town was soon afterwards abandoned. In 1855 a postoffice was established here, under the name of the town. It was discontinued by the Postoffice Department in a short time.