Norwalk township was organized June 6, 1873, and was named Norwalk by Mr. R. Foote in honor of Norwalk, Conn., where he formerly lived. It is bounded on the north by Neola, east by York, south by Hardin and west by Hazel Dell townships. The first settlers were Mormons, but finally they all went on with the last detachment to Utah. The principal early settlers were Joseph Holman, Ezekiel Downs, Asa Downs, William Cox, William Hendrix, Johnson Lane and William Yocum. They all arrived and settled from 1845 to 1850. William Yocum was a wreck physically. He came from Missouri and while there joined the mob at Horn's mill against the Mormons. During the fight he received seven bullets in his body, from the effects of which he never recovered. He died in Pottawattamie county. As early as 1847, Ezekiel Downs and A. Smith built saw and flouring mills on Mosquito Creek. They were two-story buildings of hewed logs.

In the winter of 1863-4 the first school was taught in Norwalk township. It was in a log cabin built by the farmers. The first teacher was Miss Jane Davis. In March, 1882, at Downs schoolhouse, there was organized a Society of Friends, under the auspices of Revs. Lewis and William Smith. The following is a list of the original members: George F. Ward and wife, Jane Ward, Archibald N. Ward, Mary Fleck, Catharine Whitney, her son William Whitney, A. Mott and wife, Martha Mott, Ada Mott, Lena Vezy, Albert Shaw, Lizzie Vezy, Drucilla Downs, Minerva Downs and Joseph Whitney.

The town of Underwood was started simultaneous with the advent of the Rock Island Railroad and has made steady growth since that time. The town has two churches, German Lutheran and Latter Day Saints. C. G. Reese is president of the board of education; F.T.C. Johnson, secretary, and K.W. Klopping, treasurer. The following are the township officers: Trustees, K.W. Klopping, Henry Bensen, and William Whitney; clerk, W.F. Schmaedicke; justices of the peace, E.F. Schroeder and C.D. Langfeldt; constable, George Keso; assessor, F. Lee Johnson.