USA > Indiana > Carroll County > History of Carroll County, Indiana : With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 68
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EARLY SETTLEMENT.
In Monroe, as in several other townships of the county, the question as to who was the first white settler has never been decided. Thomas Ross was certainly among the first who came here to live. He came from Tennessee in the year 1828, and lo. cated upon a tract of land in Section 9. where he continued to reside about a year. At the end of that time his father, Samuel Ross, emme and located on the same tract. and, in 1832. mado formal entry of it at the land office in Crawfordsville. Shortly after the arrival of his father. Thomas Ross removed to the State of Georgia. Nine years later, he returned to Carroll County. and, during a period of seven years. lived ou rented land. At the end of that time, he purchased the farm upon which he now resides, near the village of Bringhurst. He was one of the first settlers, and has always been one of the leading citizens of the township, taking an active part in its public enterprises, and identifying himself in many ways with its improvement.
On the 14th of November. 1827, Joseph Beckner entered the northeast quarter of Section 4, and, some time during the year 1828, came with his family to live on the land he had purchased. For years afterward. he resided on that tract of land, and con- verted it into a fine farm. During his residence here. he was a prominent citizen. and took an active part in all public matters. He sold his farm. in later years, and removed to another locality.
Among the early settlers was Amos Ball. He settled in the township early in 1829. and. on the 23d of October of the same year, entered the northeast quarter of Section 18. He cleared and improved his land, and was engaged in its cultivation until his decease. He was a good citizen, and possessed the esteem and good will of all who knew him.
On the 9th of October, 1829. John Flora entered the south- west quarter of Section 3, and immediately afterward returned to his home in Preble County, Ohio. In September. 1830, he came with his family to live on the land he had purchased, and was thenceforth identified with the interests of Monroe Township until his labors closed in death. The village of Flora was platted on his farm, in 1872, and received the name of its founder.
Very soon after his own arrival. Mr. Flora was surrounded by
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MONROE TOWNSHIP.
neighbors. William Odell entered the land adjoining him on the west. and Philip Moss entered the tract adjoining him on the north. Both came with their families to occupy their lands im- medintely after purchasing, and took their places among the leading pioneers of the township. On the 14th of April, 1829, Jacob Zook entered the west half of the northwest quarter of Section 10, and, in 1830, came to occupy his land and prepare it for cultivation. After remaining here for a munber of years. Mr. Zook disposed of his property aud located in Jackson Township.
George Cline, formerly a citizen of Butler County. Ohio. came to the township in 1830, making the journey with a two- horse wagon containing his family and household effects. He traversed the wilderness from Indianapolis to La Fayette, thonce. by way of the Battle Ground, to Delphi. where he loft his family while he attended the public sale of canal land at Logansport. There was a great deal of competition, and prices ran too high for him, so he went to the land office at Crawfordsville, and there entered the land in Section 1, where he continued to roside during the remainder of his life. This traet is now occupied by his son, George W. Mr. Cline was probably the first white set. tler in that portion of the township. His neighbors were Potta- watomic Indians, and their boys were the play-follows of his children. They were quiet and peaceable, and the most friendly feelings always existed between them and their white associates.
Once the friendly relations were threatened during the period that threw the settlements of Indiana and Illinois into a state of the most intense excitement. We refer to the Black Hawk war. Early one morning in May, 1833, word came to the effect that Black Hawk, with a large band of hostile Indians, had reached the bluffs near Pittsburg. The alarm spread rapidly, and both the whites and Indians were in a state of the greatest consterna- tion, viewing each other with umtual distrust. The settlers of this vicinity all loft their homes, forming a rendezvous at the farm of Joseph Beckner, on Bachelor's Run, for purposes of do. fonse. From this point. sconts were sent ont. who, after uriking a thorough investigation. reported the alarm false and the country quiet. It was fortunate for the settlers that such was the case. Their pursuits were those of peace, and they were not prepared for war. They returned to their homes with nothing more serions than a good seare, and the friendly feelings and mutual confidence between themselves and the Indians were soon re-es- tablished.
In the northern and northeastern portions of the township. new settlers continued to arrive every year. Jonathan Barnard ! came in 1831. and entered land in Section 2. npon which he located with his family shortly afterward. Rudolph Landos on tered a iract in the same section in [$30, and located here in the following year. Ho cleared his farm. and was engaged in its cultivation until death. Alexander Sanderson came in 1532. and entered land in Section 1, and also in other sections of the town. ship. For a number of years, he was engaged in the enltivation of his land, but finally removed to a farm near Camden, where he now resides. Henry Lythe came in 1833. and outered land in Section 1. After improving his farm, and cultivating it for a number of years, he removed to where he now resides, near Del. phi. John Ridenour entered the sontheast quarter of Section 3, in November, 1831, and onme to live in the township in the fol- lowing year. Benjamin Eikenberry came in the fall of 1832, and entered lund in Section 10. About twenty-five years ago, he disposed of his property here, and romoved to the State of Iowa, where he still resides. Isaac Eikenberry camo in the
fall of 1832 and located upon a traet of land in Section 13, where he still rosides. He was accompanied by his son-in. law. William Mellon, who entered an adjoining tract in the same . section. John Botz entered land in Section 4 in September. 1532, and resided on his farm antil his decease. Lawrence Ted- rick settled in Section 7 in 1932, and was engaged in the culti- vation of his farm for many years. He removed to Putnam County, Ind .. a few years ago. and still resides there.
During the years 1838 and 1834, there were numerous acces. sions to the community. Peter Clawson settled in Section 7 in 1833. aud Matthew Brown located in the same section in 153 1. remaining in the township until death. William Saulsbury settled in Section 14, in 1534, and, after clearing his farm. he cultivated it for a mulher of years, and finally remove l to Clin- ton County. Ind. Jonas Flora settled in Section 15. in 1531. where he cleared and improved a farm. David Sylvester and Taylor Bard both entered land in Section 17. and were identified with the history of the township for a number of years. But both finally removed to other localities. George Hartman and William Dyer entered land in Section 19. in 1935, and clearod and improved farms. The year 1836 witnessed a large addition to the munber of famihes in the township. Prominent among those who came in that year were Isaac Cooper, who settled iu Seetion 2, and now resides in Jackson Township: Albert. G. Hanna, who settled in Section 7. and remained in the township until death: Noah Stanford, who settled in the same section, and died in the township: Thomas Gasaway, who settled in Section S, and removed to another locality after residing here for soute year's: Burrell Bell. who settled in Section 12: Zonas White, in Section 14: Willis B Goodwin. in Section 15: Henry Jordan. in Section 23, and Seth Barris, in Section 24. Sammel Myer came to the township in 1835, and engaged in assisting his brother in-law. Jonathan Barnard, to clear his land. In Jannary, 1536, Mr. Myer went on foot to Crawfordsville, to enter a small tract of land for himself in Section 10. He returned, and began at once the labor of clearing it, and. in 1840, was married in Wayne County, Ind. He still resides in the township, and is recognized as one of its best citizens.
It would be an impossible task to mention the names of all who were. in any mamer, associated with the pioneer history of this township, and within the period covered by our review of the carly settlement, it is probable that some families came here whose : eames do not appear in this connection. Yet we have presented as complete a list as conid be obtained from reliable sources. For a period of perhaps ten years subsequent to 1886, those who settled in the township might properly be classed as early set. flere; yet a list of names covering that period could not be ob. tained in full. and. at any rate, such a list would only add length to our history without enbanring the interest, and it is deemed proper to close our account of the early settlement with what was, in reality, the close of the pioneer period.
RECORD OF LAND PURCHASES.
The following is a summary of the various traets of land purchased of the Government, through its agents nt. the Craw- fordsville Lund Office. Among the purchasers will be found the nunes of many who were carly settlers of the township, while some whose names appear in this connection, were speenlators who bought the land nt " Government price " ($1.25 per ucro) and held it for advanced prices.
Section 1-Tho lands in this section were purchased by
316
HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
George Cline. September 6, 1831: Alexander Sanderson, October 27. 1832: Henry Lytle, September 28, 1833: John E. Gripe. January 18. 1834: John Sanderson. March 21. 1835.
Section 2-Rudolph Landes. October 6. 1830: Peter Dunkin, October 8. 1831; Jonathan Barnard, October 18. 1831: Abraham Probasco, January 1, 1836: Jacob Zook, January 2, 1836: Isaac Cooper. August 2, 1836: Samuel Ridenour, Angnst 22. 1836: Emily J. Gordon, June 23. 1837.
Section 3- Samuel Wise. May 3. 1828: Jacob Harter. Octo- ber 21, 1828: John Flora. October 9. 1829: Lewis Hoff. Angust 5, 1831: John Ridenom. November 18, 1831: Joseph Ridenour. May 13, 1833. .
Section 4- Joseph Beckner. November 14, 1827: William Odell, January 1, 1829; John Betz. September 14. 1832: David Robertson. November 7. 1533: James Wilson. June 11. 1835.
Section 5 -Francis Thompson. November 17. 1831: William Griffin. October 26. 1835: Hugh Morgan. June 22. 1836: Henry Kneff. July 25. 1836: Christian Kneff. October 21. 1836: James Thompson. September 13. 1837.
Section 6-Joshna Crawford. July 12. 1830; Francis Thomp- sou. November 17. 1830 : Charles Marquess. April 22. 1533: Sarah Clawson. February 22. 1836: Jonathan Knight. February 25. 1836: William Kerr. July 15. 1836: Ziba Holt. October 13. 1836.
Section 7-Lawrence Tedrick. Jr .. May 16. 1831: John Ball. March 9. 1833: Peter Clawson. May 27. 1833: Matthew Brown. December 22. 1834: John Briggs. December 25. 1834: Noah Sandifer. June 7. 1836: Hannah Green. June 9. 1836: Albert G. Hanna. June 20. 1836: Lewis Lines. July 11. 1536 : James Elliott. August 18. 1836.
Section 8- James Griffin. October 17. 1531 : George R. Hanna. September 5. 1834: Thomas Gasaway. February 4, 1835: David Sylvester. February 4. 1835: David Morgan, June 2, 1836: William Kerr, July 15, 1836.
Section 9- William Odell, November 6. 1832: Samuel Ross. November 19, 1832: John Parker. October 26, 1535: Jacob Zook. March 12, 1836: William Roose. July 22. 1836: George Haas. September. 29. 1836.
Section 10 Jacob Zook. April 14. 1829: Nathan Aldridge. May 21. 1829: William Aldridge. May 29. 1830: Abraham Myer. November 18. 1831: Benjamin Eikenbeny. October 24. 1832: Samuel Myer. January 29. 1836: John Flora. August 26. 1836.
Section 11 -- Rudolph Landes, October 6. 1830: Henry Eiken- berry. October 20. 1832: John Myer. May 14. 1833: Jonathan Barnard. February 6. 1836: John MIyer. Jr .. September 29. 1836; George Haas. September 29. 1836.
Section 12 -- Henry Eikenberry. October 22. 1832 : John Eikenberry. May 14. 1834: Jolm Stanford. November 14. 1835: Birell Bell. November 16. 1835: Lorenzo Gard and George D. Gard. February 24. 1836: Alexander Sanderson. September 24. 1842.
Section 13 --- Frederick Smoyer. November 2. 1830: Isaac Eikenberry. May 21. 1832: William Melling. October 15. 1832: Joseph Eikenberry. May 13. 1833: Henry Eikenberry. June 4. 1834.
Section 14-William Saulsbury. October 27. 1834: Zachariah Martin, October 27, 1834, William Griffin, October 29. 1834; Zenas White, July 22, 1836.
Section 15-William Moore. October 14. 1831; Jacob Flora, October 27, 1832; Jonas Flora, May 14, 1834; Willis B. Good- win, January 19, 1835.
Section 17 -Jeremiah V. Black. May 14, 1832: John Ball. September 25. 1832: Robert G. Hanna, December 1, 1832: Will- iam Moore. March 8. 1833: Robert M. Larimore, September 10, 1834: David Sylvester. February 4, 1835: Taylor Bard. May 14. 1835: George Hartman, January 13. 1836.
Section 18 - Amos Ball (160 acres), October 23, 1829: Thomas Hight (480 acres), Angust 9, 1833.
Section 19- George Hartman (316 acres). May 28, 1835: William Dyer (313 acres). October 21. 1835.
Section 20 Whitley Hatfield. September 9. 1835 : Zonas White. October 19, 1835: George Cropp, December 17. 1835: William Lines, January 13, 1836.
Section 21 -Jobn Nesbitt. August 21, 1834: Whitley Hat- field, December 17. 1835: David Morgan. June 21, 1836.
Section 22 -Thomas Salisbury. October 27, 1834: Zachariah Martin, October 27. 1534: Willis B. Goodwin. September 12. 1835: Ann Rinker, June 24. 1836: John Myer. June 29. 1836.
Section 23- Henry Jordan. September 5. 1835: James Mc- Elhaney. October 26. 1535: William Griffin, October 26. 1835: William Byrum. January 17. 1836: Richard Jordan. February 4. 1836: Vincent Vandervoor. September 27. 1836: Fanny Eiken. berry. October 21. 1536.
Section 24 Heury Eikenberry. June 4, 1834: Jonas Flora. January 2. 1836: Soth Burris. February 4. 1836: Thomas Hus- ton. February 14. 1836 : Alexander Sanderson. December 14, 1841.
ORGANIZATION.
The territory now comprised within the bounds of Monroe was originally a part of the township of Jackson, and the citizens were compelled to go to Camden to vote. This cansed some in- convenience. and. the population having reached the proper limit. the residents manifested a desire that the locality in which they lived might be invested with a separate civil existence. A pe- tition to this effect was presented to the Board of Commissioners of Carroll County, at a session of that body convened in March. 1840. In response. it was ordered "that all that part of the Great Miami Reservation which is attached to Carroll County for judicial purposes, lying east of the Carroll County line. and south of the line dividing Congressional Townships 24 and 25, be, and the same is hereby. formed into a separate and independ- ent township. to be known by the name of Monroe Township." At the same meeting of the board. it was ordered that Isaac Price be appointed Inspector of Elections, and that an election for township officers be held on the second Saturday of June, 1840. James C. Todd was elected Justice of the Peace. and re-elected in 1846 and 1851. Moses Plank was elected Justice of the Peace in 1855, and has served continuously over since. Charles Gau- mer was elected in 1955: John C. Brown in 1858, and re-elected in 1861. serving to 1874. William Bridge was elected in 1874. and still holds the office.
The following is a partial list of the Constables who have served in this township since its organization: John T. Penny. elected 1842: John Green. 1846: Cyrus White. 1848: Samuel Huff, 1850: Henry T. Sylvester, 1851: Aaron Ford, 1853: Thomas J. Brown. 1854: Horace H. Deyo, 1855: William S. Clark, 1858: Aaron Ford. 1860: re-elected in 1861 and 1862: Aaron Moore, 1863: Joel Garrison, 1864; Samuel D. Ball, 1867; D. F. Sheri- dan, 1868; John D. Heffner, 1869; Aaron Ford. 1870; Joel Gar- rison. 1871; Daniel Garrison, 1872; Benton Retherford, 1874; Jonathan Mummert, 1875; Cyrus C. Brown, 1876; Charles Gil- pin, 1878; Daniel Black, 1880 and 1881.
MONROE TOWNSHIP.
SCHOOLS.
About the year 1833, a log schoolhouse was erected on the land of Amos Ball. Prior to this date, many of the school chil- dren of this township attended the Knittle Schoolhouse, in Jack. son Township, as there were none nearer. The building erected in that year, corresponded with the average schoolhouse of the pioneer days, and a description of its apppearance would only involve a repetition of what is familiar to all our readers. The salary of the teacher was contributed by the parents of children attending the school, and this continued to be the method by which the schools were conducted for many years subsequent to that date.
On the land of William Aldridge stood a little cabin of round logs, in which ho had once lived. It was abandoned. however. . for a better dwelling, and, in the winter of 1836-37. it was con- verted into a schoolhouse, and a man by the name of Carpenter employel as teacher. In the year 1537, a log schoolhouse was erected on the same farm by John Flora, Benjamin Eikenberry. William Odell, Jacob Zook and others, who were patrous of the school taught therein during the winter of that year. Dr. James C. Todd was employed as teacher, and his salary made up by the above-named gentlemen and others living in the neighbor. hood. A few years later, a schoolhouse was built on land owned by Henry Eikenberry, and at various times thereafter, log houses were erected for school purposes at different points in the town- ship. The subscription system still remained in vogue, and a chronological history of the schools wonkl disclose no new font- ures, save the difference of names and dates, until the system of public education was improved by the law of 1851-52. pro- viding for free schools and inaugurating the present system. In this township, there was but slight opposition to the tax-levy necessary for their maintenance, and the first tax was assessed for this purpose abont the year 1853. In the meantime, the public schools of this township have increased in their sphere of usefulness, and their effect npon the morals and general intelli- gence of the community has been for good. There are now in the township eight schoolhonses, four of which are brick and four frame buildings. The value of the schoolhouses, grounds, apparatus, etc. is $12,450. During the school year of 1880-81. the total number of pupils enrolled was 486, and the average daily attendance 230. The average length of the school form was 106, and the average daily compensation of teachers, $1.97.
The finances of the township schools are set forth in the fol- lowing report by the Trustee:
ACCOUNT OF REVENUE FOR TUITION.
Amount on hand September 1. 1880. $2.937 29
Amount received in February. 1881 1.119 31
Amount received in June, 1881. 1.157 23
Total. ..
Amount expended since September 1, 1880. .83.166 75
Amoont now on hand. 81.611 11
ACCOUNT OF SPECIAL. SCHOOL REVENTE.
Amount on hand September 1. 1880. $1.200 83
Amount since received. 2.813 11
Total ..
$4,066 60
Amount expended since September 1, 1880. 2.257 61
Amount now on hand .. $1.808 99
CHURCHES.
German Baptist .- Among the carly settlers of Monroe, a majority were adherents of that religions order denominated Ger-
were conducted under the anspices of that society. As early as 1830 or 1831, they united and formed an organization at the honse of one of their members, and regularly thereafter hold meetings at private houses or in barns. About the year 1554, a lot was donated to the society by Emaunel Shanks. npon which they erected a frame church during that year. The building is situated near Flora, on Bachelor's Run. For a period of per- haps fifty years, the church prospered, and its course was marked by harmony. but in October. ISS1. differences which had long been at work, finally enlminated in a division of the church. A part of the members held views to which those of the old school could not subscribe, and this class constituted a majority. In consequence, the ofil members withdrew from the society. leaving the church in the possession of the new or " progressive." party. and began the erection of a house of worship on the farm of Abraha'n Flora. This faction has a membership of 126 persons. Jacob Flora is the present Eller, and Abrahan: Flora and Abra ham J. Flora are assistants.
The "progressiste," who still hold the old church. have a membership of abont 200 persons. Isaac Eikenberry and Chris tian Laish are the Elders of this society, and Sandford Seawright and Baltzer Gordon are assistants.
Erangelical Lutheran St. Luke's Congregation. About the year 1546, Rev. Samuel McReynolds and others of the Lutheran denomination, bogan to hold services according to rites of their church. at the houses of Jacob Cline and other members. They were surrounded by persons belonging to religions orders inimical to their own. and their church was not foundled without a struggle. At times, they were permitted to holl their meetings in the Flora Schoolhouse, and at others, this privilege wonkl be denied them. The houses of members was the next resort, but these were small and incommodious, so that in time they were driven to the free. tion of a church. Their membership was smal. consisting of Jacob Cline and wife, David Shirar and family. Mrs. Rutter, Charles Gaumer, Mrs. Albach and family and a few others as constituent members, and a few who nited with the church be- tween the date of its organization and the oroction of the house of worship. This event took place in 1858. the lot having been purchased of Thomas Shirar in that year. The church struggled along in debt, and finally a number of its members removed to Kansas: others nnited with St. Paul's Congregation at Flora, which was organized in 1875. The congregation of St. Luke's was thus practically disorganized. and it was deemed advisable to sell the church. Accordingly, the building was purchased by citizens living in the vicinity, who made it a union church -free to all denominations. After paying the indebtedness the church officers contributed the remaining funds to St. Paul's, where the former members of St. Luke's now attend services. Rev. D. H. Snowdon. of Camden, is the pastor in charge.
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