The first settlements in the township were built in 1848 and 1852. The first school house was erected in the McClain neighborhood. The school house served as a meeting place not only for school, but for social, religious, and political meetings. One of the first births in the township was Mary Angelina McClain. She was ten years old when she passed. She was laid to rest in the McClain Cemetery. The early settlers produced their own domestic goods, such as clothing and carpet. The nearest trading post was Fort Des Moines, which was a long trip as the roads were not good. Mrs. Olive McClain was known and listed in historical books as being skilled weaver. Olive McClain’s grave is also in the cemetery. She passed away November 30, 1860, at the age of 43. Olive’s husband J.D. was also a notable Iowa transplant. J.D. McClain was born in Virginia, in 1810. He married Olive in 1836 and moved to Henry County Iowa in 1845, relocating to Jefferson Township, Polk County in 1851 to pursue farming. He served as Deputy Assessor of Polk County in 1852 and then Justice of the Peace until 1874.
JD died July 27, 1880.
Please be respectful of the cemetery. You will find there are very old tombstones and also some more recent ones. The cache is located in the fence line of the property.