By 1835, settlers from the Peoria colony arrived, and within 45 years, the population reached 978, including those in Osceola and Elmira.

The land is largely scenic, featuring spacious homes with manicured gardens.

Fields are neatly bordered by hedges, and willow trees grow for shade.

The township is bordered by Henry and Bureau counties to the west and north, with Osceola and Toulon to the east and south.

[5] According to the 2010 census, the township has a total area of 35.31 square miles (91.5 km2), all land.