Shawnee County History
Rossville Twp.
"History of Shawnee County and Representative Citizens," James L. King, 1905
Rossville Township � This township lies in the extreme northwest
corner of the county, and was carved out of Silver Lake township in 1871.
The Kansas River forms the southern boundary of the township, and Cross
Creek runs through the township north and south. The creek was first known
as "Metsepa," the Indian name for Cross, the idea being suggested to the
Indians by the cross formation where the creek makes a junction with the
river. Rossville township was named for W. W. Ross, a Pottawatomie Indian agent in 1862.
There were white people in the boundaries of the present township in
1847-48, the records showing the names of John Barsho, Stephen McPheson, William Martell, Alexander Rodd, Francis Bargeron, Anthony Tacier,
Joseph Lawton and William Nassecau. James Baldan came in 1855, and
George James, George Stackhouse and Cyrus Higginbotham in 1858. Dr.
R. S. Gabbey was also one of the early settlers. A river ferry was operated
in 1849 by Charles Beaubien and Louis Ogee. There were hundreds of Indians (Pottawatomies) in the vicinity of Cross Creek from 1847 to 1870.
Some of the principal chiefs were Half-Day, La-Fromboise, Mazha and
Wee-wee-sa.
GROWTH OF ROSSVILLE.
The Union Pacific Railroad runs across the southwestern corner of the
township, and the town of Rossville is located thereon. The town was
established in 1871, originally known as Edna, but early changed to correspond with the name of the township. The town company was composed of
A. C. Sherman, George W. Veale, H. H. Wilcox and Fielding Johnson, all
residents of Topeka. The town-site, 100 acres, was purchased of Anthony
Navarre, a Mormon preacher, and his Indian wife, So-na-ne-qua. A. C.
Sherman moved to the new town in 1871, built the first hotel, engaged in
the hardware and grain business, became postmaster, and was closely identified with the business of the town for many years. He subsequently removed
to Topeka, where he still resides. Other prominent business men of Rossville were: W. C. Sherman, Thomas L. Ross, S. J. Oliver, O. Leroy Sedgwick, George E. Allen, Samuel Kerr, Samuel B. Maxwell, Dr. Henry H.
Miller and Dr. E. R. McIntire. Rossville was made a city of the third class
in June, 1881.
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