USA > Indiana > Posey County > History of Posey County, Indiana > Part 7
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Frederick Rapp, county agent, resigned and Thomas E. Casselberry was appointed in his place and served something over one year. In November, 1818, he reported the proceeds from the sale of town lots as $2,866.25, which would indicate that there was a good demand for property in Springfield. Good clay for making brick was found at the town-site and James P. Drake, who was made county agent to succeed Thomas E. Casselberry, was ordered to let the contract for making the brick and delivering them to the public square ready to be used in building the new court house. As the board had plenty of money from the sale of town lots, which could not be used for anything except public buildings, they decided to build a good, substantial court house.
The contract for making the brick and doing the mason work was given to Joseph Spaulding. The building was to be forty feet square and two stories high. The contract for the carpenter work was given to James Carter, but Frederick Rapp took his place and finished the building. This house is still standing, was converted into a school building several years ago, and is still used for that purpose. The total cost of the building was about $4,500. This was the first brick court house built in Southern Indiana.
Up to this time the county had expended about $6,000 for its build- ings, a large portion of it having been collected from the sale of lots.
Elias Roberts, one of the leading attorneys of the county, was ap- pointed county agent, but he did not hold the office long. His suc- cessor was Alexander Mills. James P. Drake collected during his term as county agent $1,087.50 for lots in Springfield ; Elias Roberts, $1,175. In November, 1820, Alexander Mills reported the proceeds from the sale of lots, collected by him, as amounting to $750. He was succeeded by Peter Saltzman in May, 1822, and John Schnee became the county treasurer, succeeding Samuel Jones.
The method of doing the county business had been changed by law. All the justices of the peace formed a board for transacting the county
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HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY
business instead of a board of three commissioners. Their first session was held in September, 1824, and was composed of the following men : Peter Jones, William Moffatt, Robert Denny, Josiah Downen, James Conlin, Joseph Spalding, William J. Lowry and Peter Saltzman.
Although the town of Springfield was a central location for the county seat it did not have the natural commercial advantages to make a flourishing town. In those days the rivers were the commercial thoroughfares of the country. Mt. Vernon, being thus advantageously situated on the Ohio river, rapidly grew into prominence as a trading point and soon surpassed every town in the county, while it was plainly evident that Springfield had nothing in its favor that would ever give it any importance except the fact that it was the county seat.
In February, 1825, the legislature passed a law authorizing a change in the location of the county seat of Posey county, and appointed a board of commissioners for that purpose. This board of commissioners made their report to the board of justices on special session on the tenth of May, 1825.
Accordingly, at this same session, the clerk and recorder were directed to move their offices to Mt. Vernon, suitable buildings having been pro- cured for them.
The first session of the county board held in Mt. Vernon was con- vened on Monday, the fourth day of July, 1825, and was made up of the following men: James Conlin, William Moffatt, Jonathan Robinson, Robert Denny, John Graddy, James Dunn, William J. Lowry, James Swift, Peter Jones and John Williams. John Graddy was president. Their first act was to order the sheriff to dispose of the court house and jail at Springfield at public auction. The court house was sold to Darius North for $380 and the jail to William Hutchinson for $10.
Liberal donations to the county in land in and around the town were made by Jesse Y. Welborn, John Burlison and Darius North in order to secure the location of the county seat at Mt. Vernon.
The county agent was ordered to lay the land out in town lots. The first sale of lots took place on July 4, 1826.
The new court house was built by Jesse Y. Welborn, free of cost to the county, a number of the leading citizens donating liberally.
The value of town lots in Springfield had depreciated in value and to reimburse the property owners the legislature in May, 1827, passed an act for their relief. Town lots were not so much in demand as they were in Springfield and the lot sale was a little slow.
In 1831 the law was changed so that the county business was again transacted by three commissioners, but four years later it was changed again, giving the board of justices power and authority to transact the county business.
In March, 1836, a contract was let to William J. Lowry to build a
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HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY
fire-proof clerk's office for $2,580. It was completed and accepted in June of the next year. It was located near the southwest corner of the present court house.
In January, 1837, the contract for building a new jail on the public square was given to Eben D. Edson and Charles Hovey for $3,800, but Arza 'Lee soon after assumed the responsibilities of the contract in their stead and completed the job on time. It was located near the east door of the present court house.
In 1839 the board of three commissioners came into power again. In that year a strip of land 87 feet wide was laid off along the north side of the public square into four lots and offered for sale.
At the organization of the State under the new constitution the coun- ties were to be governed, and ever since have been, by three commis- sioners.
The first board elected under this new order of things were John Moore, James Wilson and A. E. Fretagoet.
In March, 1855, John R. Hugo was given the contract to build a new jail for $7,603. It was to contain four cells, was to be built of brick and iron, and be attached to the old jail. It was completed and received by the commissioners in November, 1855. It remained in use until the present one was built in 1878 at a cost of $17,700. The building con- sists of a prison and sheriff's residence combined. The sheriff's residence, occupying the front of the building, is built of brick and the prison is built of heavy limestone with a roof composed of iron and slate. There are fourteen cells, separated into five wards, the doors, made of grated prison iron, are made secure by the May lever locks, the levers all ter- minating at the main entrance to the prison, from which place they are operated.
The present court house was built in 1876 at a cost of $95,000, including an iron fence enclosing the square, the fence having been replaced since by concrete curbing. The building is 105 feet in length from north to south and 75 feet from east to west. The base of the building and the cappings and sills used in ornamenting the windows and doors are of stone brought from Bedford, Ind.
The building is of of Romanesque style of architecture, with a roof of slate and copper and has a handsome dome with an apex reaching 119 feet above the foundation. The first story of the building contains the county offices and is made entirely fireproof by the use of incombustible materials, and rests on a system of arches, affording a very substantial foundation.
The court room, which is located on the second floor, is in the form of an elliptical circle, with a gallery surrounding it. Its acoustic prop- erties are exceptionally good.
A list of the county officers is here given :
Senators-Thomas Givens, William Casey, Charles I. Battell, Joseph
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HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY
Lane, John Pitcher, William H. Stockwell, Enoch R. James, William Greathouse, Cyrus K. Drew, Magnus T. Carnahan, Thomas C. Jaquess, Thomas J. Hargrave, Jasper Davidson, G. V. Menzies, Albert G. Hol- comb, 1890-1894; V. P. Bozeman, 1894-1898; William E. Stilwell, 1898- 1902 ; John D. Roche, 1902-1906; Charles W. White, 1906-1910; George William Curtis, now serving.
Representatives-Dan Lynn, William Casey, Jesse R. Craig, John Schrader, Jesse Y. Welborn, Richard Daniel, George S. Green, Robert D. Owen, Charles I. Battell, Arza Lee, Samuel Annable, W. B. Southard, Eben D. Edson, James C. Endicott, John Hall, M. T. Carnahan, George W. Thomas, Adam Lichtenberger, Felix Mills, Horatio C. Cooper, Silas Cox, H. S. Casselberry, Joel Hume, Urbin Marrs, William P. Edson, William C. Pitts, Hazel Nelson, Joseph P. Edson, Edward T. Sullivan, Elijah M. Spencer, George Wolfin, Wolfgang Hynes, James M. Whit- worth, Joseph F. Welborn, Russell Blockey, John Walz, Leroy Wil- liams, James W. French, William H. Whitworth, John C. Smith, 1891- 1895; S. Jett Williams, 1895-1897 ; Taylor I. Record, 1897-1899; Herdis F. Clements, 1899-1901 ; Joseph R. Haines, 1901-1905; Frank N. Wade, 1905-1909; Henry Demberger, 1909-1911; Chilton R. Pleasants, 19II- 1913; Charles Nix, 1913-present incumbent.
Judges of the Common Pleas Court-John Pitcher, from October, 1852, to November 5, 1866; Andrew L. Robinson, from November 5, 1866, to November 4, 1867; Morris S. Johnson, from November 4, 1867, to July II, 1871 ; William P. Edson, from November 6, 1871, to July 13, 1872; J. B. Handy, from November 4, 1872, to March 12, 1873. This court ceased to exist after 1880. The State causes in the common pleas court were transferred to the jurisdiction of the circuit court.
Judges of the Posey County Circuit Court-
Isaac Blackford, from 1815 to March 18, 1816.
David Raymond (appointed by Governor Thomas Posey), from March 18, 1816, to August 16, 1816.
William Prince, from August 16, 1816, to March 17, 1817.
David Hart, from February 16, 1818, to March 8, 1819.
Richard Daniel, from March 8, 1819, to March 3, 1820.
James R. E. Goodlet, from March 20, 1820, to February, 1832.
Samuel Hall, from February, 1832, to September 13, 1835.
Charles I. Battell, from September 13, 1835, to 1836.
Elisha Embree, from 1836 to March, 1846.
James Lockhart, from March, 1846, to September 21, 1851.
Alvin P. Hovey (appointed by Gov. Joseph A. Wright), from Septem- ber 21, 1851, to April, 1854. (Appointed to fill vacancy on supreme bench, May 18, 1854.)
William E. Niblack, from 1854 to March 29, 1858; Ballard Smith (ap- pointed to fill vacancy occasioned by the resignation of William E. Nib- lack), from March 29, 1858, to April, 1859.
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HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY
Michael F. Burke, from April, 1859, to September, 1859.
William F. Parrett (appointed to fill vacancy caused by death of M. F. Burke), from September, 1859, to March, 1869.
James G. Jones, from March, 1869, to November, 1870.
David T. Laird, from November, 1870, to March 7, 1873 (when a change in the judicial district by an act of the legislature deposed him).
William F. Parrett (appointed by Gov. Thomas A. Hendricks to fill the vacancy caused by an act of the legislature deposing David T. Laird), from March 7, 1873, to January 1, 1889.
Robert D. Richardson, from January 1, 1889, to August, 1895.
Oscar M. Welborn, from August, 1895, to October 25, 1909.
Hardis F. Clements, from October 25, 1909-present incumbent.
County Clerks-William E. Stewart, from the organization of the county in January, 1816, to June, 1817; David Love to 1819; James P. Drake to 1829; W. E. Stewart to 1839; Turner Nelson to 1861 ; William' P. Edson to 1865; Turner Nelson to 1867; William Nelson to 1875; George W. Curtis, November 1, 1875, to November 1, 1883; Oliver M. Fretagoet, 1883 to 1891 ; George H. Wilson, November 1, 1891, to No- vember 1, 1899; Paul Maier, November 1, 1899, to January 1, 1904; Joseph L. Blase (died in office), January I, 1904, to January 28, 1904; Lawrence E. Barter (appointed to fill unexpired term), January 30, 1904, to Jan- uary I, 1905; Lawrence E. Barter, January 1, 1905, to January 1, 1913; Kelly De Fur, January I, 1913-now serving.
County Treasurers-It is probable that Samuel R. Marrs, the county agent, acted as county treasurer up to 1817, when Samuel Jones was appointed and served until 1822; John Shnee to 1826; J. W. Swift to 1829; James Robb to 1830; Felix Mills to 1833; George S. Green to 1837 ; Eben D. Edson to 1839; John Pitcher to 1840; William J. Lowry to 1844; John Cox to 1847; John M. Sanders to 1853; Felix Mills to 1857; John M. Sanders to 1859; John B. Gardiner to 1861; Joseph F. Welborn to 1863; William B. Smith to 1867; Thomas Stephens to 1869; Joseph Showers, 1873; John C. Young to 1875; George Naas to 1879; Nicholas Joest to 1884; Andrew Wasem to 1888; John Herrmann, 1888 to 1892; John Walz, 1892 to 1896; George L. Hoehn, 1896 to 1900; Henry Fischer, 1900 to 1904; Fred O. Morelock, 1904 (died in office in 1907) ; Joseph R. Haines, 1907 (filled out unexpired term) ; Christ Reister, 1908 to 1912; Andrew A. Schenk, 1912-now serving.
County Auditors-Thomas F. Prosser, 1844 to 1863 ; John B. Gardiner to 1871; F. D. Bolton to 1875; Alfred D. Owen, from March 6, 1875, to March 6, 1883 ; George S. Green, March 6, 1883, to March 6, 1891 ; Thom- as J. Johnson, March 6, 1891, to March 6, 1899; Silas G. Howard, March 6, 1899, to January 1, 1908; Paul Maier, January 1, 1908, to January I, 1912; Joseph R. Haines, January I, 1912-now serving.
County Recorders-Prior to 1851 the county clerk performed the duties
.
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HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY
that now devolve on the recorder. In May of that year Thomas B. Holt was elected recorder and served to 1855. His successors have been George R. Latham, 1855, serving but two months; John D. Hinch to 1863; George W. Thomas to 1867; F. A. Pentecost to 1875; Philo A. Hutchinson to 1879; Aaron Lichtenberger to 1883; Vincent Cartwright, 1883 to 1891 ; John E. Anderson, 1891 to 1899; George W. Price, 1889 to 1908; G. W. Thomas, 1908-present incumbent.
Sheriffs-John Carson to 1817; William Boyle (one year) ; James Robb (one year) ; Aaron Bacon (four years) ; John Carson (four years) ; Felix Mills (four years) ; William James (four years) ; John Cox (two years) ; Felix Mills (four years) ; Aaron C. Moore (two years) ; John Patterson (two years) ; Joseph Showers (two years) ; Felix Mills (six years) ; Jo- seph Showers (two years) ; Aaron Lichtenberger (two years) ; Alexander Crunk (four years) ; John S. Wheeler (four years) ; Alexander Crunk (four years) ; Edward S. Hays, August 31, 1883, to August 31, 1887; Samuel C. Dixon, August 31, 1887, to August 31, 1889; Edward E. High- man, August 31, 1889, to August 31, 1893 ; Holman Freeman, August 31, 1893, to August 31, 1895 ; Paul Maier, August 31, 1895, to August 31, 1897 ; Enoch E. Thomas, August 31, 1897, to January 1, 1902; James F. Mc- Fadden, January I, 1902, to January 1, 1906; Alonzo K. Grant, January I, 1906, to January 1, 1910; Joseph M. Causey, January 1, 1910, to Jan- uary I, 1914; Marshall H. Hall, January I, 1914-now serving.
Prosecuting Attorneys, Common Pleas Court-Henry Kaiger, 1852 to 1854; Joseph P. Edson, 1854 to 1856; E. M. Spencer, 1856 to 1858; Wil- liam P. Edson, 1858 to 1860; E. M. Spencer, 1860 to 1862; Ellis Lewis, 1862 to 1864; Charles G. Bennett, 1864 to 1868; William M. Hoggatt, 1868 to 1870. After 1880 the State causes were transferred to the juris- diction of the circuit court prosecutor and the office ceased to exist.
Prosecuting Attorneys, Circuit Court-Ebon D. Edson, James Blythe, Thomas B. Holt, Richard Clements, H. G. Barkwell, A. L. Robinson, ' Nat Usher, James M. Shanklin, September, 1857, to September, 1860; Ellis Lewis (pro tem.), September, 1860, to June, 1862; Blythe Hynes, June, 1862, to September, 1863; Charles E. Marsh, September, 1863, to September, 1864; 'Lewis C. Stinson, September, 1864, to 1866; W. P. Hargrave, March, 1866, to March, 1869; William P. Henning, March, 1869, to April, 1871 ; C. A. DeBruler, April, 1871, to October, 1873; John Brownlee, October, 1873, to October, 1879; William H. Gudgel, Octo- ber, 1879, to November, 1883; Phil W. Frey, November, 1883, to Novem- ber, 1887 ; Andrew J. Mccutcheon, 1887 to 1891; John W. Spencer, 1891 to 1895 ; John R. Brill, 1895 to 1897 ; James Kilroy, 1897 to 1899; William Espenscheid, 1901 to 1905; George William Curtis, 1905 to 1909; San- ford Trippet, 1909 to 1913; Harvey Harmon, January 1, 1913, to March I, 1913; Roscoe U. Barker, March I-now serving.
County School Superintendents-Robert McCann, from June, 1861, to
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HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY
June, 1865 ; M. W. Pearse, June, 1865, to June, 1868; James B. Campbell, from June, 1868, to June, 1875; Harrison O'Bannon, from June, 1875, to November, 1875; James B. Campbell, from November, 1875, to June, 1877; James W. French, from June, 1877, to June, 1881 ; James Kilroy, from June, 1881, to June, 1887 ; O. L. Sewell, 1887 to June, 1891 ; Walter W. French, from from June 1, 1891, to September 2, 1895; Charles A. Greathouse, September 5, 1895, to August 24, 1905; William O. Wilson, August 24, 1905-now serving.
Coroners-Jacob Fisher, from August, 1851, to August, 1855; Joseph Spaulding, from August, 1859, to October 30, 1861; John Conyngton, from October 30, 1861, to November 2, 1863; Adam Lichtenberger, from November 2, 1863, to November 2, 1865; Marcus S. Blount, from No- vember 2, 1865, to November 1, 1867; S. H. Pearse, from November I, 1867, to October 25, 1870; Jesse Kuykendall, from October 25, 1870, to October 25, 1872; Adolph Matzdorf, from November 12, 1872, to July 20, 1873; Cyrus O. Thomas, from August 22, 1873, to October 9, 1874; William Hendricks, from October 12, 1863, to 1890; John Doyle, 1890 to 1894; Henry Weisinger, 1894 to 1906; Merle A. Weisinger, 1906- still serving.
County Surveyors-John Talbert, Matthew Williams, Ebenezer Phil- lips, William F. Phillips, J. W. Whitworth, Aaron Baker, Moses John- son; Thomas J. Johnson, March 1, 1881, to March 1, 1891; William H. Whitworth, March 1, 1891, to death; Ezra Stephens (by appointment to fill unexpired term) ; George W. Sarlls, March 1, 1893, to January I, 1899; Elias Anderson, 1899 to 1901; George W. Sarlls, 1901 to 1903; Thomas J. Johnson, January I, 1903-still serving.
POSEY COUNTY INFIRMARY
CHAPTER V.
ESTABLISHMENT OF TOWNSHIPS.
APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS - FIRST ELECTIONS - EARLY SETTLERS - LAND ENTRIES.
At the first session of court held in Posey county, which convened January 6, 1815, at the house of Absalom Duckworth, John Graddy was recommended to the governor for justice of the peace for Lynn town- ship, Peter Wilkinson and Nathan Ashworth for Big Creek township, William Wagner and S. R. Marrs for Casselberry township. For these three townships, respectively, were recommended Charles Symmons, Samuel Canady and Robert Denny for constables, John Talbert for county surveyor and Samuel Jones for coroner.
For the administration of the public affairs of the townships, the following offices were established: Inspector of elections, assessor, overseer of the poor, school superintendent, constable and justice of the peace.
At the March term in 1817 the board of commissioners appointed all the township officers in each township, and ordered an election held in each township on April 12, 1817, to elect justices of the peace, fixing the places for holding the elections as follows:
For Marrs township at house of William Hutchinson.
For Black township at house of Thomas Givens.
For Robb township at house of Langston Drew.
For Smith township at house of George Smith.
For Wagnon township at house of William Johnson.
For Lynn township at Harmonie.
BLACK TOWNSHIP.
Black township was named after the three brothers, Hugh, William and Thomas Black, who were highly respected by their acquaintances, and who were among the early pioneers of this part of the county. The township was organized March 24, 1817, by the county commissioners who were in session at Blackford, and included what is known now as Point township, but from August 14, 1821, till May 13, 1822, was called
-
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HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY
Daniel township, in honor of John Daniel, the first permanent settler in that part.
The first election held in this township was at the house of Thomas Givens in Mt. Vernon.
The early land entries were as follows: James Moore, 1816; Amos Robinson, 1807; Thomas Duckworth, 1817; Absalom Duckworth, 1811; Sylvester French, 1818; Anson S. Andrews, 1818; Daniel A. Willis, 1818; Elisha Phillips, 1818; James Duckworth, 1817; Samuel Phillips, 1818; Absalom Willis, 1816; Alexander Willis, 1813; Daniel Barton, 1817; Edward Blount, 1817; Joseph Culley, 1819; Reason Cavin, 1816; F. and S. Culley, 1817; Joseph P. Coburn, 1818; Aaron Moore, 1819; David R. A. Bradley, 1819; William Moffit, 1818; Aaron Burlison, 1818; Andrew McFaddin, 1812; James Moore, 1817; B. W. Moore, 1812; Samuel Gill, 1807; John Bradley, 1819; Solomon Nelson, 1813; Christo- pher Nelson, 1818; Edward Trafford, 1818; Samuel Jones, 1816; William Russel, 1818; John Burlison, 1819; Elijah Culley, 1819; David Thomas, 1814; Robert Castles, 1817; Thomas Nesler, 1816; Samuel Jones, 1807; Samuel Gregg, 1814; Thomas Templeton, 1815; Samuel Aldridge, 1813; Thomas Givens, 1807; William Wier, 1807; Gen. William Henry Har- rison, 1807 (section 8, town 7 south, range 13 west) ; Henry P. Colvin, 1818; John Russel, 1817; Jabez Jones, 1807; John Caldwell, 1815; Thomas Miller, 1814; John Warrick, 1811; Peter Wilkinson, 1817; Jo- seph Johnson, 1816; John Goad, 1819; Charles Allison, 1818; Jacob Kern, 1818; Samuel Eblin, 1816; Francis Miller, 1816; Aaron Robinson, 1808; John Phillips, 1816; Mark Barrett, 1816; Thomas Willie, 1817; Lowry Hay, 1812; John Walker, 1817; James Black, 18II.
In 1810 James Black built the first mill in the township. It was a horse-mill. In 1817 he built a water-mill on Big Creek and afterwards moved his horse-mill to the same place for use when the water was too low.
In 1820 Hugh Todd built a horse-mill about eight miles northwest of Mt. Vernon.
In 1831 Darius North, Virgil Soaper and Andrew McFadden built the first steam mill in the township at Mt. Vernon. It was at first a saw- mill, burrs being added later for grinding corn, and finally changed to a grist mill and distillery.
In 1832 John Weir built a water mill within the city limits of Mt. Vernon, but soon after moved it to the river bank and changed it to a steam mill.
The first tannery in Posey was built by Adam Albright in 1810, on the farm known as the "Old Jordan Place," five miles northwest of Mt. Vernon. This was before the quick process of tanning was known.
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HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY
LYNN TOWNSHIP.
Lynn township was organized by the board of county commissioners in 1817, and embraced at that time a part of Harmony township.
It was named after Dan Lynn, the first representative of Posey county in the legislature, and who was also a member of the convention that adopted the constitution when Indiana was admitted into the Union.
The first election in this township was held in New Harmony, or Harmonie, as it was then known.
Among the early settlers of the township were: Samuel Eblin, who settled in the township about 1814. John Server was a Methodist class leader, a justice of the peace and a kind of lawyer. The Goad family, who were prominent in the township, came from Kentucky. Henry Kivett and Samuel York were two other early settlers. Billy Alexander, another settler, had sons: John, William and Silas. John Noel came from Ohio and settled in the township in 1820; he raised quite a large family.
Early land entries were: George Rapp and association, 1815; Alex- ander Heyman, 1816; John Saltzman, 1816; Frederick Rapp, 1817; Aquilla Mathews, 1816; Michael Saltzman, 1816; David Lynn, 1815; Abel Mathews, 1816; Robert Wilson, 1815; John Wilson, 1816; Thomas Miller, 1815; Absalom Kinson, 1819.
John Turney and Elias Altizer were the first overseers of the poor. Altizer was inspector of elections before the township was separated from Harmony township.
John Curtis and David Love were constables in 1818, and Frederick Rapp was appointed superintendent of school section for Lynn town- ship in March, 1817. James Black, in 1817, built a mill on Big Creek, near the upper New Harmony and Mt. Vernon stage route. This was a water mill and in 1823 he built a horse mill near by. The same year William Wier built a horse mill on Mill creek, in Lynn township, and Abner Coates built a mill on Coates' creek in the same township in 1825.
George W. Thomas built an ox tread mill on Big creek in 1836, and it burned down in 1841, but it was rebuilt soon after and changed to a steam mill. This was burned also in 1848, but Mr. Thomas erected a new mill, which he used till it was worn out. Grafton now marks the location of it.
POINT TOWNSHIP.
Point township was organized in May, 1822, and so named for the reason that it is the extreme point of Posey county, and of the State. For a short time previous to its organization, it was known as Daniel township, in honor of John Daniel, the first permanent settler there.
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. HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY
Early settlers were: Thomas Jones, Corduff, Samuel Black, Nathaniel Miller, Robinson family, Roach, Summers, George Henchet, James Con- ner, William and Isaac James, Squire Love, Capt. Henry Stripe, and the families of Dixon, Greathouse and Bacon.
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