MADDEN’S GROVE

In 1854 Ruben Madden bought the claim belonging to Asa Ames, in section 27 of Platte township. In the book, Kent Next Four Exits, by Alfred Lucas, 1999, Lucas states that Madden’s Grove was located in the general area of the corners of sections, 21–22 & 28–27, Platte Township.  It is believed that Lucas gathered this information from Madden descendants and descendants of the Pioneer families in the Township.   The name Madden’s Grove does not appear on any maps that I could find, so this is probably the best information we have for the location of Madden’s Grove.   Lucas also states that in 1861 John Lathrop, opened a two room log store, which he later sold to McLain and Allen who sold the store to Ruben Madden Sr.

  At that time, the nearest railways were at Ottumwa, Iowa and Savannah, Missouri.  Merchandise for the store had to be freighted from these points, which were also the nearest points of shipment for cattle and hogs.  According to Union County history books, Madden’s Grove became a post office in 1865 after the closing of the post office in Union City.    It remained a post office until 1874 when the post office was moved to Kent.   No documents were found that prove Madden’s Grove was a post office.   1874 was also the year that Ruben Madden passed away, and his son, Edmund, opened a  store in Lenox, Iowa.  So ended the brief existence of Madden’s Grove.