Rural Township was formed out of Coal Valley Township prior to 1839. The first settlers of the region were Thomas and Davis Goodlow. The first schoolhouse was built in the township in 1846. In 1848, the nearest habitation was in Milan (then Camden Hills), and the nearest post office was in Rock Island.[3]
Geography
According to the 2010 census, the township has a total area of 36.2 square miles (94 km2), all land.[2]