Was formed in 1817 of territory taken from Kingston township, and embraces a portion of one of the "certified townships." Stewart Pearce says that Ephraim McCoy, a Revolutionary soldier, built the first log cabin in 1797 near the site of old McClellandsville (Dallas borough). Some unknown party had years before built a small floorless cabin near the same spot, it is supposed for the purpose of camping and hunting, but it had long been deserted before McCoy came. William Briggs was the next settler. The next settlers in the order of coming as is supposed were Daniel Spencer, John Wort and John Kelley (Revolutionary soldiers), and Elam Spencer, J. Mears, John Honeywell, Sr., and Jr., William Honeywell, Isaac Montague [p.543] and two Ayers brothers. William Honeywell came in 1808 and purchased 500 acres of land and built a log house and the next year a frame addition—the first frame in the township. R. M. Duffy was the first house carpenter.
Judge Baldwin built on Tobey creek, in 1813, his sawmill. In 1818 Christian Rice built his sawmill on the same creek. The place descended to his son, Capt. Jacob Rice. This mill was in use until 1875. The area of the township (less Dallas borough) is twenty-one square miles and is mostly cleared farm lands—the hill farms proving productive. Stewart Pearce says, in 1866 improved farms here were valued at $30 to $45 per acre; that there were eight sawmills and two stores at that time in the township. At that time he says many farmers were turning their attention to dairying and the township was noted for the excellence of its butter.
It is a tradition that the first clearing in the township with the intention of settling was made in 1777 or 1778, by Charles Harris and his father. They lived in the adjoining section of the country; started out prospecting and found a place that suited them and spent a day chopping and clearing; returned home, and, as soon after was the Wyoming massacre, their return was thus delayed a considerable time and they never were able to again find the spot, although they hunted faithfully for it.
The township as stated is purely agricultural since the sawmills have cut most of the once heavy timber that prevailed all over it. But two mills now remain. An account of them will more fully appear in that of the borough.
Kunkle Village has its origin and name from J. Wesley Kunkle, was thus designated when it was made a postoffice and he was appointed postmaster. The place has a tannery and a grange hall. It is in the north part of the township and a mile from the railroad.