USA > Indiana > Madison County > History of Madison County, Indiana, from 1820 to 1874 : giving a general review of principal events, statistical and historical items, derived from official sources > Part 3
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FALL CREEK TOWNSHIP.
This township derived its name from the Falls of the creek. It is seven miles from north to south and six from east to west, and contains forty-two square miles. The number of inhabitants in 1850 was two thousand one hun- dred and twenty-eight; in 1860 it was two thousand one hundred and seventeen ; in 1870 it was two thousand four hundred and eighty-three, and in 1870 estimated at two thousand six hundred.
The number of acres of improved land in 1870 was four-
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teen thousand seven hundred and five ; value of farms and farm implements, $1,235,870; value of live stock, $124,829 ; value of all products, $270,937. The number of bushels of corn raised in 1870 was one hundred and fifteen thous- and nine hundred and fifty ; number of school houses, four- teen ; total value of school property, including grounds, etc., $8,000. The number of school children in 1858 was six hundred and seventy; in 1874 it was seven hundred and sixty-nine.
There is in the township four grist mills, four saw mills, one planing mill, one flax mill, seven blacksmith shops, four harness shops, one tailor shop, one printing office, one bank, one photograph gallery, two hardware stores, six dry goods stores, four groceries, two drug stores, one tin shop, two cooper shops, three wagon shops, one telegraph office, five churches, four Sunday schools, one Masonic lodge, one Odd Fellows lodge, six Granges, four local preachers, one dentist, two post offices, two lawyers, three warehouses, one hotel, two livery stables, twenty-eight miles of pike, two butcher shops, eight carpenters, seven miles of railroad, two milli- nery shops and one stone quarry.
Pendleton and Huntsville are both in this township. Among the first settlers of this township, commencing in 1820, were James Pendleton, Judge Winchell, Thomas Bell, Thomas and James Scott, Dr. Bordwell, .Elias Hol- lingsworth, the Richmond family and Israel T. Cox. Coming soon after were George Nicholson, Adam Dobson, Martin Chapman, William Williams, Enos Adamson, William and Thomas Silver, Isaac and John Busby, Palmer Patrick, J. T. Swain, B. F. Gregory, Judge Walker, William and James Brown, John H. and Ward Cook, A. M. Ulin, John J. Lewis and Neal Hardy.
The first physician was Lewis Bordwell. The first store- keeper was Israel T. Cox. The first church was organized in 1823 by the Rev. Cotton of the Ohio Conference. The first preacher afterwards was James Reader. The first white child born was at the house of Jacob Shells; the second was at the house of Elias Hollingsworth. The first
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MADISON COUNTY.
wedding was that of Stephen Corwin and Hanna Ellsworth, and occurred in the year 1821 or 1822. They had to go to Connersville for their license. After the ceremony the door was taken off of its hinges to serve as a table. Around this humble board the first wedding cake was broken and metheglin flowed in abundance. A good time was had gen- rally, in one small room, which served for kitchen, dining room and parlor.
Among those who served as Justices of the Peace were James Pendleton, Mr. Birk, Thomas Barnes, Thomas Silver, J. W. Walker, J. T. Swain, P. R. Maul, A. B. Caroll, T. B. Mitchell and E. O. Chapman.
The history of Fall Creek is interesting. It was here the first pioneers of the county settled, here the first eourt was held, the first white child born and the first wedding was celebrated. With Fall Creek township cluster many remi- miscences, pleasant to those who survive of the early band.
GREEN TOWNSHIP.
This township is situated in the southwest corner of the county, and is six miles from north to south, and four from east to west, and contains an area of twenty-four square miles. The Bellefontaine Railroad passes through the southeast corner. Fall Creek and Lick Creek pass through the south end of the township, and unite near the west line.
Among the first citizens of Green were Judge Samuel Holliday, Thomas and James Scott, Henry Hiday, Samuel Gibson, Abraham Cotrell, William McCarty, James and Isaac Jones, Saul Shaul, and Elias Ellis. Following soon after we find Wesley White, Washington Pettigrew, William A. Williamson, John Shaul, William Alfont, O. B. Shaul and Samuel Nicholson.
Among the first Justiees were Samuel Gibson and Evan Ellis. The present ones are C. Goodrich and N. West.
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The Noblesville and Pendleton pike passes through the north end of this township. The pike leading from the Hamilton county line to Pendleton also passes through the southern part of the north side on Fall Creek. The total length of both roads is nine miles. . Foster's Branch flows through the eastern part and empties into Fall Creek three miles southwest of Pendleton.
The township has six school houses, valued at (including grounds, etc.) $2,550. It contains three churches, two post offices, one blacksmith shop, one store, one physician, two saw mills, and in 1874 three hundred and twenty-eight school children.
The population in 1850 was seven hundred and forty-four ; in 1860 it was seven hundred and nine; in 1870 it was nine hundred and fifty-four, and in 1874 estimated at eleven hundred. The number of acres of improved land in 1870 was seventy thousand and seventy ; value of farms and farm implements, $482,303; value of live stock, $65,560; value of all productions, $1,938,000. The number of bushels of corn in 1870 was forty-seven thousand five hun- dred and seventy.
Among the prominent men who have filled county offices from Green, are Saul Shaul and Andrew Shanklin. It was also the home of Judge Holliday, of whom a personal sketch will be found in another place. Alfont is in the southeastern part, on the Bellefontaine Railroad, of which a full account will be given elsewhere.
In the southern part of Green township on Lick Creek and Fall Creek we find some of the finest cultivated farms in the township. With its wide spreading fields and green pastures it presented an inviting prospect when I was there in June last. It is now over half a century since it was first settled, and few, if any of the sturdy pioneers remain. The storms of time have swept them one by one away. The only one we call to mind is Thomas Scott, left solitary, like a strong tree after a tornado has swept over it.
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MADISON COUNTY.
JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
This township was named in honor of Ex-President Andrew Jackson. It is six miles from north to south, and is in the shape of an L, and contains twenty-eight square miles. White river runs through this township from east to west, and Pipe Creek through the northwest corner. Stony Creek has its source in the southeast corner. Per- kinsville and Hamilton are in this township, both of which are voting places.
The population in 1850 was nine hundred and fifty; in 1860 it was one thousand and seven, and in 1874 estimated at twelve hundred. The number of acres of improved land in 1870 was ten thousand one hundred and twenty -seven ; value of farms and farm implements, $724,539; value of live stock, $89,749 ; value of all productions, $141,676.
The number of bushels of corn in 1870 was sixty-six thousand four hundred seventy-five; number of school houses, ten ; the total value, including grounds, etc., $5,800. The number of school children in 1858 was three hundred and ninety-eight; the number in 1874 was four hundred and eighty-nine. The number of grist mills is one, of saw mills, four ; physicians, five; post offices, two; churches, five; blacksmith shops, three; harness shops, one; drug stores, one ; general assortment stores, two; tile factories, one; local preachers, three; Granges, five; Masonic lodge, one; Odd Fellows lodge, one; shoe shops, three; wagon shop, one; miles of pike, eight.
Among the first settlers, we find the following, who came here about the year 1825. James Perkins, T. L. Beckwith, A. B. Cole, Solomon Neese, Dr. Douglass, Joel White, John Ashby, Dr. Godell, Jacob Zeller. Coming soon after we find the families of Mcclintock's, McCoy's, Benefield's and Lee's. The Anderson and Perkinsville pike passes through this township on the north side of the river. The pike
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from Hamilton to Anderson extends throngh part of the township.
Among the first Justices were Henry Shetterly and J. N. Berreman. The present one is J. M. Garrettson. Among the first ministers we find the names of Nathaniel Richmond, James Perkins, H. Smith, James Havens and John H. Hull. Among the first merchants were Beckwith & Cole, and Hedrick & Bristol. Among the first physi- cians were Dr. Donglass, T. L. Carr and Dr. Clark. The trade of this township is divided between Anderson, Noblesville and Perkinsville. The northern and southern parts of this township are level; the central portion is inclined to be a little broken and is excellent land.
Among the prominent men who have filled county offices, are T. L. Beckwith and James H. Snell. The present Township Trustee is Martin Pruett. The township library is kept by Moses Genner.
LA FAYETTE TOWNSHIP.
THIS township was named in honor of LaFayette, whose name every American citizen reveres. It ocenpies a central position in the county. It is six miles from east to west, and five and three-fourths from north to south, and contains an area of thirty-four and one-half square miles. It is the only township that corresponds with the congressional town- ships, that is, beginning with section No. 1 in the northeast and ending with section No. 36 in the southeast. The first house built in this township was by H. Rye in 1830.
This township was originally embraced in the territory of Richland, but in the year 1836 LaFayette was created in compliance with the petition of the following :
James Hollingsworth, Samuel Moore, Enos Mustard, William Curtis, George Moore, George Wilson, John Ma- gart, Isaac Jones, James Finny, Samuel Felty, Jourdan
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MADISON COUNTY.
Ootan, Read Wilson, John Croan and Matthew Taylor, who were among the first citizens of the township.
Among those who have served as Justices of the Peace we find the following: John Magart, J. B. Peniston, Isaac Jones, Isaac P. Snelson, Lewis I. Bailey, John Ridgeway, James Hollingsworth, John Ootan, Jacob Newton, J. W. Hillegoss, Hamilton Scott and George D. Thompson.
The following have served as Trustees : James Hollings- worth, John Cowan, Jourdan Ootan, Enos Mustard, P. Miller, Robert Goodwin, Allen Sims, Thomas Stanley, Zail Raines, Thomas G. Clark, George Craighead, James Matchet, J. L. Jones and John Guston, now acting.
The number of acres of improved land in 1870 was nine thousand seven hundred and fifty-six ; value of farms and farm implement, $665,146; value of live stock, $95,104; value of all productions, $181,370. The number of bushels of corn in 1872 was seventy-six thousand two hundred and two. The population of the township in 1850 was six hundred and ninety-four; in 1860 it was one thousand; in 1870 it was one thousand four hundred and fifty-two, and in 1874 estimated at one thousand six hundred.
In 1858 it had four hundred and thirteen school children; in 1870 it had six hundred and nine. It contains nine school houses which cost $400 each, excepting school house No. 4, built in 1873, which cost $650. The total value of all school property, including grounds, etc. is $3,800. The Cincinnati and Chicago Railroad passes through this town- ship from southeast to northwest, a distance of ten miles. It has nine miles of pike. The number of stores is one ; number of post offices, one; churches, three; saw mills, two; physicians, two; local preachers, one.
Indian or Rich Creek passes through this township from northeast to southwest, and empties into White river near Hamilton. Among the prominent men of this township who have been more or less noted, are Thomas G. Clark, Dr. John Hunt, Isaac P. Snelson and G. W. Harris.
Florida station is in this township, a full account of which will be found in another part of this work. The
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surface of this township is very level, and is called, in jest, " lay-flat " township. From its eentral position, its railroad facilities and numerous other advantages, it is, notwith- standing its flatness, a very desirable place to live.
MONROE TOWNSHIP.
THIS township derived its name from Ex-President Monroe, and is the largest in the county, extending more than half way across the entire width of the county and containing an area of fifty-one square miles. In point of population it ranks third in the county.
Among the first settlers of this township were Joseph Hall, Peter Cassell, Baxter Davis, John Chitwood, Stephen Norris, Elija Snodgrass, Hildria Lee, John Brunt, Evan Ellis, John Cree, Jacob Price, Morgan and James James, John Banks, Elijah Williamson, Macajah Chanless, David Pickard and Lorenzo Carver.
Among those who have served as Justices of the Peace we find the names of Aaron Williams, David Pickard, Jesse Ellis, William Wilson, Daniel King, Moses Harris, Stephen Norris, Jesse Williams, Jacob Cassell and James Russell.
The population of the township in 1850 was twelve hun- dred and forty-four; in 1860 it was one thousand seven hundred forty-one; in 1870 it was two thousand two hun- dred and twenty-one, and in 1874 estimated at two thousand four hundred.
The number of aeres of improved land in 1870 was sixteen thousand seven hundred and seventy-seven ; value of farms and farm implements, $1,095,463 ; value of live stock, $161,596 ; number of bushels of corn, one hundred and thirty-four thousand five hundred and forty-seven; school houses, eleven ; value of school property, including grounds, houses, maps, charts, globes, etc, $8,000. The number of school children in 1858 was seven hundred ; the
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MADISON COUNTY.
number in 1873 was nine hundred and sixty-one, and in 1874 it was nine hundred and thirty-one.
Monroe contains two towns, Alexandria and Osceola, both spoken of in separate places. Pipe Creek passes through and flows in a southwesterly direction, and several of its smaller tributaries take their rise in this township.
The LaFayette and Muncie Railroad passes through from the southeast to the northwest. The township contains one grist mill, four steam saw mills, five churches, five physi- cians, eight stores, one tan yard, one planing mill, one harness shop, four shoe shops, two lawyers, two post offices one hotel, four local preachers, eight Sabbath schools and four miles of pike.
Among the public men who have filled county offices are William Wilson, Evan Ellis, Frederick Black, Dr. Pugh, D. K. Carver and Robert Cree. The first brick house was built in 1835 by Peter Edwards on the farm now owned by Abram Miller, south of Alexandria. In the year 1836 some small mills were built on Pipe Creek by James James, Peter Cassell, Daniel Franklin and Henry Hough. They are all numbered among the things of the past with the exception of one, three miles west of Alexandria, and now owned by David Festler. It does a small custom work.
In the year 1866 William Daniels built an extensive distillery at Alexandria, but it is not now in operation. Within this township lived and died the oldest man in the county, Moses Maynard, an account of whom will be given in another place.
Among the first physicians were W. F. Spence, David Perry and Cyrus Westerfield. Among the first ministers were Revs. Craig, H. Smith, James Havens, James Robie, M. G. Beeks, Wade Posey and J. H. Hull. The first school teachers were Henry Shark and P. H. Lemon. The first blacksmith was Joseph Finnemore. The first merchant was N. Berry. The present trustee is Daniel M. Scott.
Monroe township ranks among the first in the county and will most likely keep its position. On the completion of
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HISTORY OF
the LaFayette and Muncie Railroad it will have a market at home in place of hauling their produce to Anderson, of which they are getting tired. When this road is completed Alexandria will not only command its own trade but that of Boone and of Van Buren townships.
We have hastily glanced over the history of Monroe township. During a period of forty years it has grown from a few pioneers to a prosperous population of twenty- four hundred.
PIPE CREEK TOWNSHIP.
THIS township, with the addition of Monroe, occupies the entire width of the county. It contains forty-two square miles, and has nine in-and-out corners. Among its first settlers were Jacob Sigler, Isaac Mills, James Beason, Eli- jah Dwiggins, William Taylor, Joseph Miller, John Gough, Jacob Shepherd, Henry Plummer, and John Quick. Among the Justices who have served we find the names of James Beeson, Jonathan Reader, Francis Sigler, Henry Mills, Henry McElfresh, Richard Miner, M. Mills, J. M. Doughty, Tremelous Beason, Rudolph Brown, Alexander Wood and John Little. The population, in 1850, was one thousand five hundred and twelve; in 1860 it was one thousand six hundred and ninety ; in 1870 it was two thousand three hundred ; in 1874 estimated at two thousand five hundred. In 1870 it contained thirteen thousand five hundred and forty-six aores of improved land. The value of farms and farm implements was $835,170; value of live stock, $125,442; value of all products, $238,179. The number of bushels of corn in 1870 was one hundred and thirty-four thousand five hundred and forty-seven ; number of school houses, eleven. The total value, including grounds, etc., $11,900. The number of grist mills, three ; saw mills, five; post offices, two ; blacksmith shops, five; harness
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MADISON COUNTY.
shops,. two; shoe shops, five; physicians, six; drug stores, four ; dry goods stores, five ; groceries, three ; wagon and carriage shops, one ; local preachers, four ; sabbath schools, six; voting precincts, two; carpenters, eight ; Granges, five ; Masonic Lodges, two; Odd Fellow Lodges, two. Frankton and Elwood are both in this township. Pipe Creek and Duck Creek both pass through the township. The Cincinnati and Chicago Railroad passes through the central part, and the Lafayette and Muncie Railroad, now in progress, passes through the northern part, and is, at this writing, graded and ready for the ties. The first town started in this township was New Madison, and was built in 1835. Among the first ministers was Rev. Beach, who preached at the house of Jacob Sigler in 1825. The first school house was built at Frankton in 1830. The first Sun- day school was organized by John Snell in 1832. A sab- bath school was organized at Elwood, in 1855, by Joseph Anderson. The New Light Society first met at Hagerty's School House, in 1859, when there was preaching by J. Depboy. Among the first members of this society were William King and wife, Lewis Bailey and wife, Berry Etchison and wife, S. Hurst and Malinda Etcherson. The first United Brethren Church was organized in 1832, at the house of William Montgomery. Among the first members were William Montgomery and wife. It will be seen by . the above figures that Pipe Creek is among the foremost in the county, and its soil will compare favorably with the rest of the townships.
RICHLAND TOWNSHIP.
THIS township derived its name from the rich land within its borders. It is well named, for there is no township in the county containing as much good land proportionally. It contains twenty-seven square miles. It joins Delaware
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HISTORY OF
county on the east. It was settled in the year 1830, when we find the following were its pioneers : William Curtis, who built the first house in the township ; John Beal, B. F. Walker, Samuel Stephens, William McClosky, Solomon Nelson, J. W. Westerfield, James and William Maynard and John Hunt. These were followed by J. R. Holston, Randolph Chambers, Jonathan Dillon, John Coburn, Weems Heagy, Thomas Thornberg, and Madison and Samuel Falkner.
Big Kill Buck passes through this township from the northeast to the southwest. Little Kill Buck flows along the eastern side and empties into Big Kill Buck in the southwest corner of the township.
The Anderson and Alexandria pike and the Anderson and Kill Buek pike both pass through this township. The county poor farm is located in the southern part of this township.
Among the first physicians were John and William A. Hunt and Andrew McNear. It contains two excellent churches and seven school houses. In 1858 it had four hundred and one school children, and in 1872 it had three hundred and eighty-six. The total value of school property in 1872 was $4,500. The number of acres of improved land in 1870 was eleven thousand two hundredand ninety-eight. Value of farms and farm implements, $884,578. Value of live stock $96,203. Valne of all products, $219,641. Number of bushels of corn, ninety-five thousand eight hundred and ninety-fonr. The population of the township in 1850 was eight hundred and fifty. In 1860 it was nine hundred and twenty-six. In 1870 it was one thousand and fifty-six, and in 1874 estimated at one thousand two hundred. It has a foreign population of twenty-six.
Among the first Justices were Christian Lower and Jacob Beals. The present Trustee is David E. Croan. It has two woolen factories, two saw mills, one blacksmith and two physicians.
Prosperity is in this township, and formerly a place of some trade. It contained a Post Office and store, but these
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MADISON COUNTY.
have been discontinued. This township has furnished sev- eral prominent men who have served as county officers. They are as follows: John Hunt, John Coburn, David Croan, and Weems Heagy. Among those who have been more or less prominent we may mention B. F. Walker, William Parris, Samuel Falkner, Jacob Bronnenberg and William A. Hunt.
The general surface of this township is level, and as inti- mated above, very productive. The farm houses in this township are noted for being not only substantial, but taste- ful, and in many cases elegant. Thus surrounded, the citi- zens of Richland should be a happy and contented people.
STONEY CREEK TOWNSHIP.
THIS township contains an area of twenty-eight square miles. Among the first settlers were Thomas Busby, D. E. Studley, Charles Fisher, John Anshultz, John Anderson, George Reddick, Henry Studley, and David Bodenhorn. Among those who have served as Justices of the Peace we find the following : Thomas Busby, Henry Shederly, John Anshultz, Edwin Lemon, W. A. Fisher, Jacob Kellem, Phillip Anshultz, and Clinton Welch. The population of the township in 1850 was two hundred and ninety-one; in 1860 it was five hundred and ninety-seven; in 1870 it was- one thousand and eighty-two, and in 1874 estimated at one thousand three hundred. The number of acres of land in cultivation in 1870 was eight thousand seven hundred and twenty-four; value of farms and farm implements, $602,413; value of live stock, $67,911; number of school houses, nine; total value of school property, including grounds, etc., $4,400. The number of school children in 1858 was three hundred and seven; in 1874 it was four hundred and thirty. There are in this township one post office, three churches, four physicians, two stores, two pre- 4
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HISTORY OF
cincts, twelve miles of pike, two blacksmith shops, two saw mills, three local preachers, four Granges. The pikes from Anderson to Fishersburg, and from Pendleton to Fishers- burg, pass through this township. The railroad now in prog- ress from St. Louis to Anderson, by way of Noblesville, passes through Stoney Creek. The length of the line within the township is six miles. Stoney creek passes through the northwestern part. This and the township derived their names from the large amount of stone in the bed of this stream. The first merchant was Charles Fisher ; the first physician, James Barrett; first minister, Charles Bon- ner ; first smith, William Stanley.
UNION TOWNSHIP.
THIS township is the smallest in the county. It is six and one-half miles from north to south, and three miles from east to west, containing nineteen and one-half square miles. It derived its name from the fact that it joins Delaware and Henry county on the east. Although the smallest in the county, its history is interesting. Within its borders are the famous Indian mounds. The Bellefontaine, and the Cincinnati and Chicago Railroads, the White river, and the hydraulic canal pass through this township. Chesterfield is the place of voting. Among the first settlers were Allen Makepeace, Frederick Bronenburg, Sr., Daniel Noland, Amasa Makepeace, William Diltz, John Suman, Brasleton Noland, Henry and Jacob Shimer, Dr. Godwin, Wil- liam Johns, John Richardson, and George Makepeace. Among the first merchants were Allen Makepeace, Jacob Shimer, and George Makepeace. The first postmaster was Amasa Makepeace. The first physicians were Dr. Godwin, Samuel Weddington and G. W. Beninggall. The first blacksmith was John Rozell. The first shoemaker was Solomon Sawyer. The first grist mill was built at Chester-
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MADISON COUNTY.
field by Amasa Makepeace, in the year 1827. A tan yard was started at Chesterfield about the same time by Russell & Brother, and was afterward owned by Amasa Makepeace; next by Mr. Williams, and in 1869 was discontinued. In 1848, the school house in Chesterfield was built. It is a frame two stories in hight, and at that time was a very cred- itable house. The lower story has been used for a school- room, and the upper one for a Masonic hall. It is now old and dilapidated, and is not considered safe to meet in it. Among the first justices were Amasa Makepeace and Lewis Shroyer. The present ones are George Carpenter and Wil- liam T. Trueblood. On the completion of the Bellefontaine railroad, in 1852, an impetus was given to Chesterfield ; a depot was established; a warehouse was erected, and a large amount of wheat shipped from here. Soon after B. Noland built the grist mill near the railroad, and J. B. Anderson built the steam saw mill, both of which did a large business. The latter was moved away in 1870. Union township has at present two grist mills, one saw mill, eight miles of rail- road, two churches, one Masonic Lodge, one Grange Lodge, and five school houses, which cost six hundred dollars each.
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