Person:Theodrick Spain (1)

Peoria, Iowa was laid out 21 May 1853 by Theodrick Spain and others (George Westlake and Sanford Haines.) T. Spain also laid out Granville, IA.

Nicknamed "Speck" because of all his freckles.

Moved to Iowa in 1851.

He built the first church in 1856, the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Served as Justice of the Peace in 1854

Oskaloosa Herald Newspaper - January 5, 1876 - submitted by John Jacobs, Rose Hill, Iowa. The towns of Richland Township of Mahaska County, are Peoria and Granville, and are described as follows: PEORIA is situated in the northwestern part of the county, about eighteen miles from the county seat, and two from the classical Chicaqua (Indian name for Skunk). Av very quiet unpretending little village, nestled cozily among the hills, surrounded on all sides by good farms. We have some life, wide awake farmers in our vicinity. Men willing and ready to do anything towards building up and elevating society. We have three Churches in our village; the M.E., Christian and the Methodist. The M.E. is a fine house 40X60. The Christian not quite so large but well built and finished. These houses would speak well for a much larger place. Peoria may well be proud of her churches. Both have large and interesting societies. Our school house is entirely too small, and will be replaced at an early day by one adequate to our wants. In our town we have two stores. One run by Messrs. Brown and Kelly, the other by Messrs. Spain and Smith, both of which have a live business trade. The latter are doing a good business in the way of shipping poultry and produce. Blacksmith shops two. The principal one carried on by J. L. Glotfeldter. Two wagon maker shops, run by Hunt and Shere. One harness shop by C. C. Joy & Sons. One cooper shop by J. Spain. One Peoria hotel "Peoria House" proprietor, C. C. Joy. We have one physician, Dr. Woodworth, who has been a resident of our place for about eighteen years, and is considered by all a successful physician. Two miles south of town on the Skunk, is situated R. B. Warren’s flouring mill. He has all the late improved machinery and a first class mill, (by the way Ezra Craven is again foreman in the mill, and they are doing business on a large scale). Two good steam saw mills within a mile and a half of town. Our winter schools are now in session. One department, (the principal) taught by Miss Mollie Riser. The primary, by Miss Emma Forker. The former has taught quite a number of terms here and has been always considered a first class teacher but this term she is excelling herself. The latter is teaching her first term in this place, is giving general satisfaction. GRANVILLE This is a beautiful prairie town, settled by a good class of citizens, has two stores, post office, shops, inc., and a very fine school house. The country around is rich and fertile, and the village enjoys a fine trade. It is not designed to become a place of great importance, but will be a good trading point, and a splendid place to live, among a thrifty and intelligent people.

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 Source (164).
2. ↑ Source (217).