Waco Township Sedgwick County Kansas Genealogy Trails

Waco

Waco was settled as early as 1870. The name of the first settler cannot be ascertained. Mr. Jesse had a trading ranch on the Cowskin at an early day. Babcock and Wemple had a trading post on the same stream in 1871. Captain Wemple was one of the first settlers on the Cowskin. Among the early pioneers who have profited and made beautiful homes and fruitful farms, out of the rich deposits in the soil of Waco Township are Nupus, Blood, Simpson, O'Mealy, Owens, Barnett, W. H. and Melville Ranson, Cartwright, Balch, Robbins, Morgan, Hucklebridge, Weir, Wycoff, Bigelow, Snyder, Duncan, Mitchell Dunn, McKee, Hazen and Wilson. There are seven schoolhouses; three Methodist organizations and one Baptist. It is watered by the Arkansas, Cowskin and Dry Creek, with numerous tributaries. The eastern part of the township, averaging four miles in width, is sub-irrigated, never failing to produce a crop, making it one of the most desirable, as well as richest soil regions in the county. Corn is the main crop, though wheat and other grains do well; also vegetables, while its fruit producing qualities are unsurpassed. A great many farmers have, of late years, turned their attention to successful stock raising. The township was organized on May 2, 1871, by Charles E. Goodyear, one of the first settlers in this valley. Populaiton, 694; valuation of property, $265,387.(William G. Cutler's History of the State of Kansas, Sedgwick County, Part 2, Township Sketches)