Emma Township was acquired from McPherson County. Emma was named after three like-named creeks which run through it. It is thought the creeks were named after the young daughter of an immigrant family. When she fell ill and died, she was buried beside the creek. Due to the tragedy of her early death, the creeks were named after the immigrant girl—resulting in West Emma, Middle Emma, and East Emma. Within the boundaries of Emma Twp are the City of Hesston and the site of the now non-existent village of Zimmerdale (originally named Trousdale). Image from Edward’s Map of 1882.