A number of land entries were made in the township during 1835.  It’s proximity to Washtenaw County-- which had been opened for settlement earlier in the 1800’s-- probably accounts for this large number of property purchases.  During 1836 nearly the entire township (then a part of Unadilla)--or at least all of the desirable lands had been located.

 George C. Wood was the first inhabitant of the territory now known as Iosco Township.  His father, John Wood, then a resident of Ann Arbor, made the fourth entry of lands there, purchasing land in section 11 on Nov. 24, 1835.

 Upon that purchase, George Wood began his residence in late May of 1836.

 He however, left the area at an early date, moving to Milwaukee.

 During the latter part of the summer and early fall of that year several other families took up residence.  Among them were Ard Osborn and his son Nelson.  The former was the first supervisor and treasurer and purchased several hundred areas situated upon sections 30 and 31. 

 Richard Guggins purchased lands upon sections 19, 20, and 21 early in the summer and during the same season settled early enough to harvest a crop of marsh hay.  George McIntosh from Oakland County and Andrew Lytle from Washtenaw County also settled about the same time.

 Asel Stow, from Weybridge Addison County, Vermont, first visited the township in June of 1836 and purchased from Richard Guggins, land situated upon section 19.  He then returned to Vermont and in September of that year, returned to settle.  With him were his wife, Luana, and two children, Isaac and Eliza Ann, along with Seth G. Wilson and wife-– Mr. Wilson being a brother-in-law.

 The travelers journeyed via the Erie Canal and Lake Erie.  At the same time, Nathan Jones, another brother-in-law, started from Vermont with a horse-team and wagon, belonging to Stow.  Those were, in turn, the first horses owned in the township.

 Asel Stow, during his lifetime, was prominently identified with public interests.  He was one of the first assessors elected in 1838 (when the township was formed) and was re-elected during all the succeeding years until 1852 when the office was discontinued.

 His son, Isaac, later followed in his footsteps, serving as township supervisor.

 Seth Wilson located on 160 acres, built a log house, and over the years built a fine farm.

 He was elected as the first justice of the peace in 1838 and held the office for eight years.

 He and his wife were instrumental in forming the Wilson class and he was class-leader for most of his life.

 James Wright emigrated from Manlius, Onondaga County, New York in Oct. 24 1836.  He was accompanied by a large family of sons- William, Isaac, S.A., Walter, John W., Elisha C., Thomas, Lewis J., and Leonard W.  Also with him were Richard Acker, a son-in-law, and Abram VanBuren, who was married to his niece.

 He was the first settler on section 29 and inaugurated the first religious meetings in the township, those being of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

 It is believed that prior to the beginning of the winter of 1836-37, John Wood, the father of the first settler, located upon the southeast corner of section 17, near where the creek crosses the highway.  Here he anticipated the establishment of a village, and tradition saith that this village was laid out (on paper), called Woodville or Woodbridge, and lots were sold in the East.

 The ensuing panic that hit the country shortly afterwards was probably the cause for this village remaining on paper.

 John Wood became the first postmaster about 1838, and the road from his residence south into Unadilla Township was the first opened.  In the spring of 1837 he was elected justice of the peace and school inspector of Unadilla (Iosco still being part of that township).

 In March of 1837 Daniel Person, with his family, came in from Erie County, Pennsylvania and made the first settlement on section 24.  He was also a prominent member of the township during its first years.

 Other settlers who arrived during those first years were Peter J. Kuhn, Henry Wood, Silas Munsell, Levi Munsell, Putnam Smith, Peter Chase, James Grimes, Elbert Parker, Peter Wilhelm, Daniel Van Sickel, Isaac Wright, James Miller, Jeremiah Nicols, Simeon Backus, Caleb Barber, Samuel Barber, Lorenzo Backus, Henry Canoll, Lorenzo Canfield, William Caskey, Simeon Disbrow, Alfred Denio, David Denio, William Davis, S. Ferguson, John Green, Joab Grover, John Hilton, Thomas Hoyt, Lawson Judson, Josiah Loree, John Loree, William Miller, Anson Niles, Patrick Quinn, David Storms, Henry Sharp, James Upton, and Joseph Williams.

 Also Aldred Wells, Lyman Beach, William Post, Elisha Noble, Lorenzo Davis, Joseph Cole, Washington Wing, Joseph Post, William Hines, Isaac Ray, and A.M. Odell.

 At the time of the first township meeting, which was held at the home of Jeremiah Nichols, the first assessment roll showed 53 resident taxpayers.

 Elected as officers at that meeting were: Ard Osborn, supervisor; Elbert Parker, township clerk; Asel Stow, Levi Munsell, Lorenzo Backus, assessors; Seth Wilson, James Wright, Lawson Judson, justices of the peace; Joab Grover, Chelsey Topper, Washington Wing, highway commissioners; William Wright, Henry Canoll, Simeon Disbrow, school inspectors; Josiah Loree, collector; Richard Guggins, Lawson Judson, directors of the poor; and Caleb Barber and Josiah Loree, constables.