Oberlin, the county seat of Decatur county, is an incorporated city of the third class, located a little northwest of the center, on Sappa creek and at the terminus of a branch of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy R. R. It has electric lights, waterworks, fire department, sewer system, an opera house, flour mill, foundry, creamery, grain elevators, county high school, public library, 2 banks, 3 newspapers (the Times, the Herald and the News), telegraph and express offices, and an international money order postoffice with six rural routes. The population in 1910 was 1,157. The town was platted in 1878, and in September of that year consisted of two stores, a hotel and a blacksmith shop. In 1882 the population was 300. In 1885 Oberlin was incorporated as a city of the third class. The population in 1890 was 976. In 1882 the independent volunteer cavalry company (see Militia) of Oberlin was organized. Oberlin is in the midst of a prosperous farming district for which it is the receiving and shipping point.