SALEM, a post-village of Henry co., Iowa, about 30 miles W. from Burlington. (Baldwin's New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States..., 1854)
SALEM is in the south-western part of the county [Henry County], ten miles from Mt. Pleasant, and fourteen miles from Ft. Madison on the road to Fairfield. It contains three churches, Congregational, Methodist and Friends; also Salem Lodge No. 17 A. F. and A. M., Salem Lodge No. 48 I. O. O. F., and Salem Lodge No. 211 I. O. G. T. It has four general stores, two groceries, one drug store, and one flour and saw mill. The township is well watered and has an abundance of the best timber and bituminous coal. It is well adapted to raising fruits of all kinds. Potters' clay is found in considerable quantities. There is a fine educational institution here called “Salem Free School Seminary.” Population 500. (Hair's Iowa State Gazetteer..., 1865)