USA > Indiana > Shelby County > Chadwick's History of Shelby County, Indiana, Vol. 1 > Part 9
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"Marion," which platting was executed before the county was really organized and recorded in Franklin county, of which this was then a part. It was platted by the first settler in the county, James Wilson, and bid fair to become the coun- ty seat, but finally the juggling process went on with the locating committee, who finally determined to place it at the best possible point within the county, hence located it at Shelbyville. "Marion" village is treated elsewhere in this work, hence need not here be repeated. It is among the long ago extinct plattings of this county.
The township and village were both named in honor of General Francis Marion, of Revolutionary war fame.
This township has no railroad or town at this date. It is an excellent farm- ing section and the farmers have subdued and kept alive the agricultural ele- ments, thus reaping their annual harvest in abundance.
Regarding the pioneer settlers much is found in the "Early Settlement" chapter concerning them and their methods of living in a new section of the country.
SUGAR CREEK TOWNSIIIP.
Sugar Creek township is in the second tier from the north line of Shelby county ; is bounded by Moral township on the north. by Brandywine on the east, by Hendricks on the south and by the county line on the west. In extent of territory it is four by six miles, containing thirty sections, or fourteen thousand seven hundred seventy-seven acres of land. It is traversed by two lines of rail- way-the main line from Indianapolis to Cincinnati that passes through its northeastein corner and the branch diverging from a point in Brandywine township passes through the southeastern part of Sugar Creek on into John- son county.
At an early date this township was conspicuous in the history of not only Shelby county, but the entire state, figuring as it did in the famous "Boggstown Resolutions," which amounted to acts of would-be secession, just at the break- ing out of the Civil war, and which proceedings are fully and fairly treated at another place in this volume. In 1900 the United States census gave the popu- lation of Sugar Creek township at nine hundred nine. In its public school sys- tem it has ever kept abreast of its sister townships, and at a very early date pos- sessed a great number of debating societies in which it is related that there were few great current problems before the American people which these debating societies did not attempt to solve, by their research and eloquence. At this time the number of school-houses within the township is six and the total enrollment of such schools in 1908 was one hundred eighty-four.
The property (assessed valuation ) of the township is according to the latest county records six hundred twenty-one thousand nine hundred forty dol-
.
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lars. It is a highly cultivated farm district and thrift is seen on almost every section within its territory.
The villages platted in Sugar Creek township are: Doblesville, platted October, 1837. which in 1875 had but ten population : Houghburg ( now Boggs- town), platted July 16, 1838, with a population as late as 1875 of seventy-five. An account of this village is given under the heading of "Towns and. Villages."
MORAL TOWNSHIP.
Moral is the extreme northeastern sub-division of Shelby county. It is south of the Hancock county line : west of Van Buren township and two sections of the territory of Brandywine township; north of both Brandywine and Sugar Creek townships and east of Johnson county line. The railroad from Indianap- olis to Shelbyville passes through the southwestern corner. The village plat- tings of Pleasant View and Brookfield, as well as London post-office, are within this township. Its territory comprises thirty-six sections of land, and is one of two of the largest townships within the county. In 1908 there was an assessed valuation of property to the amount of nine hundred thirty-eight thou- sand three hundred eighty-five dollars. The population in 1900, according to the United States Census returns was one thousand six hundred thirty-six. In educational matters this township is above the average in Shelby county. The superintendent's report for 1908 shows it to have had at that date an en- rollment of pupils of two hundred eighty-five, while it was supplied with ten school buildings. all of which were being used.
In religious life, the people of this township have been divided into many denominational classes. Churches have been built in both the villages and in the rural section, as well, has the matter of church services been carried on from the earliest settlement
From among the people of this township have gone forth into the va- rious callings in life. both men and women who have made for themselves a mark in the world, in both a financial and educational sense.
The fertile soil of this section of Shelby county has been carefully cared for and tilled year after year, in a manner in which the erops and profits have indeed been immensely profitable. The farm-homes, here and there over the township, are the best evidence of the thrift of the citizens and land-owners.
The names of some of the pioneer settlers of this township are given in the Early Settlement chapter of this work. For a history of the various vil- lages the reader is referred to "Towns and Villages," in this volume.
BRANDYWINE TOWNSHIP.
In the second tier of townships from the north and also second in number from the west side of Shelby county. is Brandywine township. It is situated south of Moral and Van Buren townships; east of Marion and Addison ; north
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of Addison and Hendricks, and east of Sugar Creek townships. It is a very peculiar, irregular shape and contains but twenty-two sections of land, amount- ing to thirteen thousand five hundred acres in round figures. The railway passes through the center of this township, in a diagonal direction from north- west to southeast. The village of Fairland was platted in the northwest part of the township, as now described, October 21, 1852, and in 1876 had a popu- lation of about five hundred and has never gained on this number, and has now four hundred seven. See "Towns and Villages" for the history of this hamlet.
The population of Brandywine township, including the village of Fair- land, in 1900 was one thousand three hundred fifty-eight. The township is pure- ly an agricultural section-one of the best in the entire county, in many re- spects. Its property valuation (assessed value ) in 1908 was five hundred seventy-eight thousand one hundred fifteen dollars. In schools it ranks weil with the average township of the county. It has been provided with six good school buildings, and the total number of pupils enrolled in 1908, as shown by the county school reports, was two hundred eighty-four.
Its population is largely of American birth and highly prosperous. The religious sentiment has always predominated here and churches, as well as school, have ever been uppermost in the minds of the inhabitants. Various denominations are here represented to a good degree.
ADDISON TOWNSHIP.
This township is the subdivision of Shelby county in which the county seat, Shelbyville, is located. In extent it is four by seven miles, being four miles wide from north to south, while it is seven east and west. It contains twenty- eight sections of land. equal to seventeen thousand nine hundred twenty acres. It is situated south of Marion and a part of Brandywine townships; west of Union and Liberty: north of Shelby and east of Hendricks and a portion of Brandywine townships. This township was created by the County Commis- sioners in 1840 when the county was re-organized into different townships from the four originally made. Shelbyville, the seat of justice for the county. is the only platted place within its borders. (See history proper of "Shelbyville City.") The first settlements in the county were effected in Marion and what is now known as Addison townships and this has been gone over in the chapter on "Settlement." hence will not be further referred to.
In 1900, according to the United States census reports, Addison town- ship, outside of the city of Shelbyville, contained one thousand five hundred two people. It had an assessed valuation of property amounting to nine hun- dred eighty-two thousand one hundred in 1908. In the matter of school- houses, the superintendent's annual report for 1908, gives six school buildings.
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with an enrollment of one hundred seventy-five pupils-outside of the city of Shelbyville.
Its religious and civic, as well as general social relations, are almost iden- tical with those of the city, and will be mentioned in its special history.
HENDRICKS TOWNSHIP.
Hendricks township is situated on the western line of Shelby county, the second from the southern border, with Marion county on its west; Sugar Creek and Brandywine on the north ; Addison and Shelby on the cast and Jack- son and a small fraction of Washington on its south. This was the name of one of the four original sub-divisions of the county, and up to 1840 included a fourth of the county, but in the re-organization of townships which took place in 1840 in the month of April, it took on smaller territory and is now de- scribed as being a territory six miles north and south and seven east and west, hence contains thirty-six sections, equal to twenty-three thousand eight hundred eighty acres of land. It had an assessed valuation in 1908 of nine hundred sixty-two thousand three hundred sixty-five. It now has two village plats - -Smithland and Marietta. It has no railroads or trading points at this date, but depends on the splendid facilities and inducements offered at the county seat-Shelbyville, which is only three miles from its castern border.
This township has ever taken a likely interest in educational affairs, and in 1908 was according to the county school superintendent's report, making use of ten school buildings, with an enrollment of three hundred thirteen pupils, instructed by an able corps of instructors.
Its population in 1900 was one thousand seven hundred five. The vil- lages mentioned as having been once in existence in Hendricks township were platted as follows: Marietta, June 19. 1839: Smithland, platted October 28, 1851. (See "Village History" for their description. )
Hendricks township is one of the several excellent farming sections of Shelby county, and its people have become independent and forehanded, with the march of years. While the carlier settlers had many hardships to endure. the present generation has been reaping from the sowing of their forefathers and grandfathers, especially, who bore the heat and the burden of the true pioneer times in Shelby county.
JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
Jackson is the extreme southwestern township in Shelby county, is bound- ed by the county lines on the south and west; by Hendricks township on the . north, and Washington township on the east. It is six miles from north to south and five and one-half miles from east to west. It contains about twenty thousand acres of land.
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One of the earliest settlements made in Shelby county was effected in this part of the county. It was what was long known as the "Haw Patch Settle- ment." three miles to the northeast of Edinburg. Many of the carly settlers of this township became prominent in the affairs of the county. The first coun- ty Clerk of Shelby county came from this township-Colonel Hiram Alldredge. He held such office until his death some time in the thirties. Other prominent settlers of this township were: Judge Joesph Dawson, Rev. James Clark. Moses Pruitt. Judge Joshua B. Lucas, Zachariah Collins. Rev. Alfred Phelps, Ivory H. Leggett. Dr. Benjamin Sanders, John Cutsinger. Jacob Wirtz, David. and Jesse Scott, Abner Connor, John and George Warner and Dr. A. T. Treon.
Mount Auburn is the only village platted within Jackson township. See "Towns and Villages" in this volume for its history. It now has about one hundred sixty population. It is situated at the exact geographical center of the township: is twelve miles southwest of Shelbyville. It was originally named "Black Hawk."
In 1900 the population of Jackson township was one thousand one hundred forty. The assessed valuation of the property in 1908 was nine hundred eight thousand six hundred twenty-five dollars. In schools this township is fully up to the standard of other sub-divisions in Shelby county. According to of- ficial figures in 1908 there were seven school-houses and an enrollment of two hundred pupils in this township.
The chief business of the inhabitants of Jackson township is that of up-to- date agriculture, with all that this means today. The many farms and excel- lent improvements here found disclose the fact that during the past the tillers of the soil have been ever busy at reclaiming and developing what was at an early time a wild and uncultivated section wherein many a hardship was gone through with in order to set the first stakes of true civilization.
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
Washington is the central of the south tier of townships in Shelby county, and borders on the southern line of the county. In extent of territory it is five and one-half miles by six miles, being six miles from north to south. It contains thirty-three sections of land. equal to twenty-one thousand one hundred twen- ty-five acres. Its early settlement has been included with the general early set- tlement of the county. In 1900 it had a population of one thousand six hundred ninety-two. Its school-houses numbered five, while its enrollment of pupils was in 1908, according to the County Superintendent's report. three hundred hity- eiglit. At the same date the township had an assessed valuation of property amounting to eight hundred eighty-three thousand nine hundred forty-five dollars.
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CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.
May 3. 1828, there was platted a town within this township as now de- scribed, but then in one of the four original sub-divisions of the county. This town was called Norristown and was on section 26. At one time it had a trading point history, treated at another place, under head of "Towns and Villages." It has long since been extinct. The only village within Washing- ton township at this date is Lewis Creek. a railroad station point.
Jackson township is to the west of this township: Shelby on the north, and Noble to the east, while the county line is to the south. Its farming com- munities are indeed excellent and its populace are among the well-to-do agri- culturists within the county.
From this part of Shelby county there have gone out into the great busy world many young men and youths who have made their mark in the various useful and honorable callings of life.
With good educational facilities, church advantages, telephone, free ru- ral mail service and railroads, this people are highly favored and with such modern-day improvements have made rapid strides in the way of advance- ment, ever keeping full pace with the sister townships of Shelby county.
SHELBY TOWNSHIP.
Shelby, named for the county, of which it is a sub-division, is the center township in the county, and the second from the southern line. It is four miles from north to south and seven miles from east to west. Its area covers twenty-eight sections of land. equal to 17.920 acres. It is one of the last townships created by the county commissioners, the date being June 26, 1882. It was settled. as was Addison, by pioneers whose names have already been mentioned in other chapters. In 1908 its assessed valuation was $836,450. The census of 1900 gave this township a population of 1.251. In 1908 it con- tained eight excellent school buildings, with an enrollment of 253 pupils.
The Pennsylvania (branch line) Railroad passes through this township from north to south, in a diagonal course. and has a station point at Fenns, in the southern part of the township, and about five miles to the southwest of Shelbyville. The railroad from Indianapolis to Cincinnati passes through the extreme northeastern corner of this township. This is another one of the feeders for the enterprising city of Shelbyville, where the majority of trading is accomplished by her hundreds of thrifty agriculturists. Possessing a good and fertile soil and having been duly appreciated and tilled for a long series of years, it has developed into one of the choicest portions of Shelby county.
Its social and religious interests are allied largely with the people of the city of Shelbyville. who are their near neighbors on the north.
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CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.
LIBERTY TOWNSIIIP.
(By Marie P. Higgins. )
Liberty township is on the eastern line of this county . is east of Rush county; north of Noble township, in Shelby county : west of Shelby and Ad- dison townships and south of Union township. In territorial extent this sub- division of Shelby county is four miles from east to west by six miles north and south. It contains twenty-four sections of land, amounting to about 15,000 acres. Its assessed valuation, in 1908, amounted to $686.495.
In its educational advantages, it has always ranked high with its sister townships. having in 1908, as per official reports, six school-houses, and an enrollment of 262 pupils, who are taught by none but competent instructors.
The population of this township in 1900, according to official count, was 1,420.
This was one of the townships made in the re-organization of townships in April. 1840.
The main line of the Indianapolis and Cincinnati railway passes through the extreme southwestern corner of Liberty township, with a station at the village of Waldron, a place of over four hundred population at the present time. (Sce "Village History.") Another village was platted within this township. June 19. 1829-known as Middletown, which was situated on sec- tions 25 and 26, but has long been numbered among the extinct places of which Shelby county boasts of so many of an early-day make. In 1875 this village had a population of near two hundred.
Cynthianna, another village, was platted August 19, 1835 ; had one hun- dred people in 1876 and now has increased to 202. It is located in the north- eastern part of the township. It is eight miles to the east of Shelbyville.
This with Union township on its north has been noted many years for the thrift and genuine prosperity of its excellent class of farmers.
NOBLE TOWNSHIP.
Noble township is the extreme southeastern sub-division of Shelby county. It is bounded on the east by the county line. also on the south and to its west is found Washington township, while to its north is Liberty and two miles of Shelby township. It has the distinction of being the only actually square township in Shelby county, it being made of thirty-six full sections of land. Its domain includes 23,040 acres of excellent agricultural lands. The Indi- anapolis and Cincinnati railway line barely touches its northeastern corner. It was one of the pioneer townships laid off in this county, being one of the original four sub-divisions, and continued so to be until April, 1840, when its territory was cut to its present size and shape.
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In 1900 it was shown to have a population of 1,576. Its assessed valua- tion in 1908 was, according to the official books, $896.340.
Its educational advantages are shown by the superintendent's report for 1908, in which it is given as having nine good school buildings, with an enrollment of. 285 pupils.
Within Noble township there have been numerous villages platted, includ- ing-Geneva, platted October 28. 1853: Mt. Pleasant, platted June 2, 1831 ; St. Paul, platted April 4. 1856. ( For an account of these villages the reader is respectfully referred to the chapter on "Towns and Villages" in this volume. )
The churches and schools of this section have kept pace with those of any other part of Shelby county. Its people are highly intelligent and for the most part, are today in a prosperous condition. As an agricultural section this township is indeed one of the best in all this part of Indiana in many respects.
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CHAPTER X. MILITARY HISTORY.
SHELBY COUNTY'S PART IN THE GREAT WARS OF OUR COUNTRY.
WAR WITH MEXICO.
War has ever been the way of settling great tribal and national differences, even from the first advent of men on this globe. With all that advanced thinkers, philosophers, theorists and non-combatants may have to offer against war, thus far no great progress has been achieved among the people of un- civilized and civilized, yes and Christian nations, save by the use of the sword and gun. That the day may come when all swords shall be beaten into plow shares or pruning hooks, is to be hoped. The idea of settling difficulties be- tween contending forces, states and nations, by means of cool. deliberate arbi- tration, has come now-a-days to assume a hopeful outlook, and will no doubt, sooner or later, obtain in the minds of the great nations existing on this earth.
The first of the great conflicts in this country after the organization of Shelby county was that known in history as the Mexican war. from 1846-48. Shelby county proved her loyalty in that short but decisive struggle. Two companies were raised and mustered into United States service for that war from Shelby county. The first of such companies left for the front in June, 18.46. This was Company H, of the Third Indiana Regiment of Volunteers. Its officers were Voorhis Conover, captain ; Samuel Mckinsey. first lieutenant ; William Aldridge. second lieutenant, and Jonathan Keith, third lieutenant. It was a full company and served one year. It was in no large engagements, save the battle of Buena Vista. It returned home in July, 1847. Another company was at once organized by Lieutenant Mckinsey, who was chosen captain. But little, at this late date. can be learned of the movements of this company, as the war soon ended after they reached Mexico.
At the date of April 8. 1909. there were at least three Mexican soldiers still surviving and living in Shelby county-William Elliott. of Shelbyville; Henry M. Ensley, of Fairland, and Benjamin Boon. of Fairland. All are over eighty years of age.
THE CIVIL WAR.
The Rebellion, or great Civil war. between the North and the South, beginning in April. 1861, and ending in the defeat of the Southern Confed-
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eracy, in the spring of 1865, is so well known in history that its cause will not here be entered into. It may be said in passing, however, that slavery was the real cause of this conflict, and that the world has never seen so great a civil strife, and one so far-reaching in its general influence in defining, for all time, the true meaning of the worl liberty.
The campaign of 1860, in which Abraham Lincoln was nominated for President, was one of unusual excitement in Shelby county. The fact that Thomas A. Hendricks, then of Shelbyville, was the candidate for Governor of Indiana, at that time, gave added interest and zeal in the campaign. Rallies were had in all parts of the county, heated discussions ensued, and men on both sides were fully abreast to the great conflict that was about to darken the po- litical horizon of the nation. The Republican "Wide-a-Wake" clubs and the Democratic "Hickory" chibs, each had much of the spirit of fire. Mr. Hen- dricks carried his home county by two hundred and forty-two votes, while he was defeated in the state by Mr. Lane, by almost ten thousand. This set the pace for party workers in the Republican ranks of Shelby county. At the fall election Indiana went strong for Lincoln, and in Shelby county his vote was one thousand nine hundred against two thousand forty-seven for Stephen A. Douglas, Lincoln was clected, having received one hundred eighty electoral votes out of the three hundred three cast for President. The news soon fol- lowed that secession of the Southern states was next in order, at which intelli- gence many a stout heart faltered.
Saturday, January 19, 1861, there was a call for a mass meeting "irre- spective of party" to be held at the court-house, in Shelbyville. Speeches were made by James M. Sleeth, James Harrison, and Thomas A. Hendricks, on behalf the Democrats, and by Captain Brandwine and Jasper H. Sprague. Republicans. A dispute arose and hence the double set of resolutions offered did not pass.
"The Famous Boggstown Resolutions," and the meeting at which they were offered. in Sugar Creek township. Shelby county, at a school-house, Sat- urday, February 16, 1861. were the subject of a well handled article by the secretary of that gathering-William R. Norris-and from it we make ex- tracts, and draw facts for this historic item, that it may be correctly recorded in the latest local history of the county, where the occurrences transpired.
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