Kim, Referring to our county histories, our county was organized and records began officially in 1824. Rochester was the last township formed within our present day county. By 1846 all current county lines were in place & remained unchanged. The index to Pioneer Women in the WR before 1850 does indicate that Mrs. Benj.Thomas (Polly Hoard) came to Rochester in 1834 from NY. Other early women who came that same year from NY to Rochester were: Mary VanTassel (Mrs. Anson Pearce); Clarissa Thomas (Mrs. Samuel Craig); Caroline Bonney (Mrs. Ed Stevens); Fear (Mrs.Aaron Welcher); Mary Rowland (Mrs. Alonzo Welcher). The Welcher's moved to Star, IA by 1896. Ed Thomas came to Rochester Twp.in 1835 from VT. -- Nancy