USA > Indiana > Tippecanoe County > Past and present of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, Volume I > Part 18
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BATTLE GROUND CITY.
This town ( although given the name "city") besides having the advan- tage of being near the memorable battle ground, has a beauty of location not surpassed by any town in this part of the state. It is located on a gravelly flat, the purity of its water, the health-giving qualities of its Chalybeate springs, the fertility as well as fine scenery of its surroundings, its excellent schools, nearness to Lafayette, as well as the high moral tone of its popula- tion, as well as the religious advantages had there, makes it an ideal place at which to reside or even visit for a month in midsummer.
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Of its church history the reader is referred to the religious chapter of this volume, which will be read with interest.
Politically, the place was equally divided before the formation of the Republican party, but since then that party has ever been in the majority. From an early day the township has been one given to the advancement of temperance. Since the founding of Battle Ground City there has never been a saloon within its borders.
Battle Ground Post, No. 464, Grand Army of the Republic, was estab- lished June 14, 1886, by Capt. J. B. Shaw, of Lafayette.
The population of this town at present is about five hundred and the business interests are chiefly confined to the usual retail trade found neces- sary to supply the people there, as well as in the nearby rural districts.
For much more relative to this historic spot the reader may be informed by a study of the various chapters which directly touch upon this township.
Ash Grove is a little hamlet ten miles north of Lafayette having a popu- lation of twenty.
Cairo is another village in this township, having a small collection of houses.
WEA TOWNSHIP.
Wea township is directly south of Fairfield township, north of both Randolph and Lauramie townships and between Sheffield and Union town- ships. It contains thirty-six sections, hence is six miles square. Prior to 1857 this territory was included in the territory of Fairfield, Randolph and Lauramie townships. Its surface consists largely of rich prairie lands known as "White Plain." But little timber land is found within its limits. Hence the settlers who first invaded its fair domain were not obliged to make clear- ings before they set about the work of improving their lands.
As early as 1822, possibly a year earlier, the first settlers came to this township for the purpose of making themselves a home. These pioneers were Levi Thornton and Samuel Black. Until the following springtime they were the only settlers within the township as now described. That season they were joined by Judge Wiley, John I. Davidson, Judge Provault, William Burke, Stephen Kennedy, Samuel Gwinn and William Jones. In the follow- ing autumn came Thornton Parker and Joseph and George Broderick, with their widowed mother. Other early and prominent settlers were Billings Babcock, Dr. Mendenhall, Daniel Bugher, Stephen Waymire and John Hoover. In 1825 came others, including Philip Harter, who entered a hun- dred and sixty acres of land, upon which he built a carding mill, the first in
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Tippecanoe county. He entered this land at Crawfordsville in 1824. but did not occupy it until 1827.
During the years 1826-27 came quite a number of additional settlers, prominent among whom were John and Philip Crose, G. H. Rondebush and John Miller.
In 1827 John Miller opened a small distillery, which he continued to operate several years.
The first surveys were made by Jolin I. Davidson, who rendered valu- able services in locating farm lands prior to the appointment of L. B. Stockton as county surveyor.
The first log house was erected by Levi Thornton and Samuel Black. the first settlers of the township, in 1822. With the arrival of each newcomer to the little pioneer settlement the others would help to "raise" a cabin for them.
In 1827 George W. Kirkpatrick bought a tract of land, partly in Shef- field and partly in Wea township. Upon that portion lying in Wea township he built a rough log house, in which he lived for two years, after which he built a hewed log house on that part of his estate in Sheffield township, to which place he removed his family, thus his name appears as being an early settler in the histories of both townships.
In 1825 a subscription school was taught in a log cabin on the farm of Samuel Black, and was known as the "Black Schoolhouse." In 1827 Joseph Tatman taught school in a cabin located on the banks of the Little Wea creek. Several years later a school was taught on the farm of Stephen Kennedy, known as the "Yount Schoolhouse." The first attempt at main- taining a free school was inaugurated by some of the older boys of the township, who assembled during the winter evenings for mutual consulta- tion and mental improvement. The teacher or leader, as he was styled, was chosen from among their number by ballot, and the meetings were conducted under his directions. This was superior to the other schools, as the young people could make much more rapid advancement. However, this system did not long continue. Other and better schools soon took their place. The total enrollment of pupils is now two hundred and six.
The first church erected was that built by members of the United Breth- ren denomination and was known as the "Otterbein church." It was located near the Black schoolhouse, and for several years was the only house of public worship within the township. While it really belonged to the United Brethren people, Presbyterians and Methodists also occupied it. Later on other church buildings were found necessary and the Spring Grove Union
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church, Wild Cat church and the Methodist Episcopal church were all liber- ally supported by the citizens of the township.
The first justice of the peace in the township was Mr. Kennedy, elected in 1828.
The first custom grist-mill was erected by Philip Harter in 1829. Before that date the only means of obtaining grinding was the rude contrivance known as "Indian mills," corn being the only article ground by them.
The first death in Wea township was that of a child of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Bugher.
Among the earliest, if not the first marriage, was that of William Trim- mer and Miss Keziah Talbert.
Wea Lodge, No. 450, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was instituted April 30, 1874. There were ten charter members.
Other items concerning this township will be found in other sections of this work, and there the churches and schools will be named.
Wea township has three small towns within its present borders-Crane Station, with about one hundred and fifty population; Culver Station and South Raub, the latter having but about fifty people within its limits. The population of this township in 1900 was one thousand and twelve.
FAIRFIELD TOWNSHIP.
Fairfield township is that portion of Tippecanoe county in which the city of Lafayette, the county seat. is situated. It is all that portion of congression- al township No. 23 north, and in range 4 west, lying east of the Wabash river. Its history is really the same as that of the city of Lafayette, given elsewhere in this volume. Some of the most fertile and highly cultivated farms within the county are to be found in this township. Population in 1900 was one thousand, six hundred and eight.
The town of Linwood is a suburb of the city and was platted May 2, 1856, by Nathaniel Hull, and since then several additions have been made to the original plat. It was named after Austin P. Linn, a resident of Lafayette. The town was incorporated May 8. 1864, and in 1886 had grown to a popu- lation of about a thousand inhabitants. At the date last named the town contained a fine brick school building, two large cooper shops, Greenbush cemetery, a park at the north end of the street car line, but no halls or churches. as it is so close to those in Lafayette. The history at that time mentions the fact that the streets are lighted by kerosene lamps and water was obtained only from private wells. Linwood has always been one of
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those peculiar corporations-a town within a city! Its southern boundary is also an oddity, as it is not defined by any street, road, alley or anything visible. Originally, it was supposed to "run cross-lots" between houses and vacant lots, meandering around back yards, terminating at Ninth street, which constitutes the western boundary.
With the passing of time the lines have almost been obliterated and as a town independent it has long since lost its identity.
Elston, another hamlet two miles south of Lafayette, has a population of two hundred and fifty.
PERRY TOWNSHIP.
Perry township is just to the east of Fairfield township, on the eastern border line of the county, and south of Washington township. It is one of the few square and regular shaped civil sub-divisions of Tippecanoe county, and contains the full thirty-six sections of land described by the congres- sional township known as township 23. range 3.
Here as in so many of the connties and townships within Indiana, those who sought ont a proper name for this part of the county thought of some military hero. It was named for old Commodore Perry, author of the famous saying, constituting one of his military dispatches, "We have met the enemy and he is ours."
The first white man to locate in this township was Daniel Underhill, who effected his settlement in 1823. locating on the west half of the south- west quarter of section 11. The same year. but a little later, he was joined by Matthias Luce and family. Thomas Mahan, John Hedrick and Henry Kitchen. For two years they were sole occupants, as far as actual white settlers were concerned. and were monarch of all they found within the thirty-six sections, making up what is now styled Perry township.
In 1827 came Charles Sewards with his wife and three step-sons. James H., David and A. J. Patton. The following season the settlement was increased by the coming of William Virgin. Elias and Joseph Girrard. Michael Gunkle. Joseph Buck, John Lesley, John Shively, David Ulery, Wil- liam Gaddis. Martin Staley and his son John, and Lot Pierson. There were perhaps some others who came to the township between 1828 and 1832. but at present the records do not mention their names.
During 1832 came Thomas Leary, Daniel Peter and Henry Miller ( who was familiarly known as "Ohio Henry" to distinguish him from a gentle- man of the same name who emigrated from Kentucky at about the same
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time). The same year, though much later in the season, came Charles, Mahlon, Sewell, Shockley, Isaac and Joseph Cleaver, all young men, bring- ing with them their mother and three sisters.
In the autumn of 1828 Daniel Underhill and David Cleaver were elected justices of the peace, and Henry Rerick constable.
The first ground was broken by Daniel Underhill, who also raised the first crop and built the first log house in the township.
John Thompson, who emigrated from Ohio, opened a subscription school in which he was liberally patronized.
The first sermon preached within the limits of Perry township was by Rev. Robert Brown, of Lafayette. His congregation of not to exceed a score of persons assembled in the forest, near Daniel Underhill's house, hence worshiped in "God's first temple" beneath the stately forest kings. The improvised (by Nature) pulpit was a poplar log from which the pioneer minister of the gospel preached an eloquent and forceful discourse. For a number of years religious meetings were held at the farm homes of Ephriam Tucker. William Gaddis, Samuel Lamb and Elias Girrard, by ministers of the United Brethren denomination, the Methodist and Baptist churches, respectively. For further church history of Perry township, the reader is referred to the religious chapter.
The first grist-mill in this township was erected in 1830, by Samuel Lamb; later a corn-cracker was put in operation by Cleaver brothers, and subsequently they added a run of buhrs and ground wheat.
Connected with the first marriage ceremony within the township still lingers an interesting romance.
It was late in the autumn of 1832 when a young couple came to the settlement, both riding on one pony, carrying a small package which con- tained their sole earthly possessions. They were entire strangers to every- one in the settlement, and none seemed disposed to ask any questions con- cerning their mysterious arrival in the new country in the condition they arrived there. Speculation, however, was rife concerning their appearance and the singular circumstances surrounding them. Dame gossip at once pro- nounced them a run-away couple. Their dialect indicated that they came from some foreign shore-their appearance being that of Italians. The young man immediately accepted employment with a number of men engaged in digging the mill-race for Cleaver brothers mill, while the young lady cooked for the men. Within a week after their arrival they were united in marriage by Squire Bush, of Dayton, Indiana. They remained citizens of Perry town- ship for many years, and were highly respected by all who knew them.
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The next marriage union in the township was that of Thomas Mahan and Miss Frances Underhill, in 1833; also the same year, at the same time, were united Daniel Peter and Miss Mary Burkhalter.
The first death that saddened the pioneer settlement was a Mr. Roberts, who, while in the employ of Daniel Underhill, in putting the yoke on a vicious ox, received a kick which resulted in his death. The remains of the unfortunate man were buried in the woods near Mr. Underhill's house.
Concerning the schools of the township it may be said that Perry has always been well up to the standard in educational matters, and in ISS6 had twelve schools within her borders, and eight months was made the school year. These district schools were presided over by competent instructors, thus the pupils rapidly advanced. thus showing that the people of this portion of Tippecanoe county were fully abreast with all that tended to elevate and instruct the rising young. At this date ( 1909) there is an enrollment of one hundred seventy-five pupils.
In Perry township the villages and hamlets have never been prosperous, as they are situated so near to the city of Lafayette. Monitor postoffice is located on section 21, has about twenty-five people : Pettit on section 26, about fifty population; Heath, about twenty-five people, and Archerville.
The 1900 United States census gives the population of Perry township at one thousand three hundred and seven. As an agricultural section, few, if indeed any, of the thirteen townships in Tippecanoe county will outrank it. There are many large farms besides the usual number of well tilled smaller tracts. Stock raising has been very profitably followed by many of the people of this part of the county.
SHEFFIELD TOWNSHIP.
Sheffield township is south of Perry, east of Fairfield and south of Wash- ington, with the line of the county for its eastern border. In form it is square and contains thirty-six sections of most excellent land. To become known as the pioneer settler of so goodly a township as Sheffield has come to be, is indeed an honor, and such honor rests on the names of James Paige and Richard Baker, who entered this part of Tippecanoe county in the month of March, 1823. For a week or more their only abode was the wagons in which they had come to the county. In the meantime they set about clear- ing away a patch of timber land, cut and hewed logs with which to build the cabin. Within two weeks after their arrival in this green, glad solitude, they were cheered by the coming of two families from the East. These
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were the Thompson and Luther Corbin families, who located at or near where Wyandot now stands. The next summer came Adam Spring and Mr. Skinner.
In 1824 came Jonathan Lupton, with his family and two brothers, un- married, and still later came Dr. Timothy HIorram, who settled on what later became the Davis farm. In the southern part of the township settled James Wade, whose home was on the banks of Lauramie creek. Late in the same year came William Bush and Samuel McGeorge. The former located near Dayton, while the latter purchased the Richardsville Reserve, in the center of the township, fourteen hundred acres of which was subsequently sold to William Heaton.
In 1825 came in the family of Mr. Carr, who located on the banks of the Wild Cat creek, in the southern part of the township; the families of Alex- ander and Frank Booher located on Lauramie creek, the Parishes also choos- ing the same part of the township for their home.
Several families located at Dayton, including the Franchers. Bensys, Chisoms and Wolcott. John Heaton, Andrew W. Ingram and Bruce Wilson came to the township about that date.
FIRST EVENTS.
There always lingers around the first events of any given community a certain interest that even follows down into later generations, and it is for this reason that in this connection will be given some of the more impor- tant events styled "first" in this township. The virgin soil was first broken by the plow of James Paige, the first settler, in the early spring of 1823. the first corn being planted by him a few weeks later. Around this corn field was constructed the first rail fence of the township. That autumn he sowed the first wheat planted in the soil of this part of Tippecanoe county, the seed for which he brought from Terre Haute in a pirogue. This pirogue was made at Wyandot, loaded with honey and run out by the Wild Cat creek into the Wabash river, thence to Terre Haute, from which point it was brought back laden with three bushels of wheat. a barrel of flour, and a small supply of groceries. The cutting of that wheat on the Fourth day of July following was the first Fourth-of-July celebration in the township. All the neighbors within a radius of several miles participated in the fes- tivities of the occasion, the crowning feature of which was a bountiful repast prepared by the genial host and his most excellent wife.
The first grist-mill in the township was erected by Carr & Scircle, in 1828, and two years later William Heaton erected a mill on the Wild Cat
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creek, near Wyandot. About 1829 a saw mill was built east of Dayton, by Mr. Stafford, who soon after sold and removed from the county.
To James Paige is also due the honor of building the first brick house in the township: this was in 1827, and while rather rude, was much superior to those had by his neighbors.
The first religious meetings in this township were held at the house of James Paige, in the autumn of 1823. The first minister was of the Methodist Episcopal faith-the then venerable Rev. James A. Carnahan. He was fol- lowed by Revs. Crawford and Post. The Presbyterians erected the first house for public worship in this township in 1833. (See "Religious Chap- ter" elsewhere in this book. )
The first school was taught by Mrs. Richard Baker, in 1825. This was a subscription school taught at her own home. On Sunday she con- verted it into a Sunday school, and there, in addition to the Sunday school lesson, taught the elementary branches to the young. Schools have kept pace with the times and at present the total number of student enrollments in this township is two hundred and twenty-three, while the township is sup- plied with modern school buildings.
The first marriage in the township was solemnized in the fall of 1825, the contracting parties being James Wade and Mrs. Bailey. The next mar- riage was that of John Holloway and Miss Emily McGeorge.
The first birth in the township was the daughter born to Mrs. Richard Baker, in the fall of 1824.
The first death in the township was Mrs. Thompson, whose husband and two children followed in less than a month. All died at the house of James Paige. Their coffins were made of puncheons, split from black wal- nut logs by the neighbors, who bore the remains to their last resting place.
VILLAGE HISTORY.
This township has no large towns, but has had several plattings of vil- lages. In 1827 William Bush divided a portion of his land into town lots, and to such platting gave the name of Fairfield, but it soon developed that there was already another town by the same name in Indiana, and the postal authorities forbid two of the same name within the same state. About the same date Dr. Horran divided eighty aeres into town lots and gave it the name of "Marquis." In 1830 David Gregory platted and laid out a north division to the town, and at his suggestion the name was changed to Dayion.
The first merchant in Dayton was Samuel Favorite, who later removed
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to Lafayette. David Padan was also among the earliest to engage in mer- chandising in the place.
Dayton Lodge, No. 103. Free and Accepted Masons, was established at an early day and is still maintained.
Grand Army Post, No. 160, was formed at Dayton in 1882, by Captain J. B. Shaw, of Lafayette. Dayton now contains about four hundred popu- lation.
WYANDOT.
This was another town of some importance in this township. It was about 1828, when William Heaton purchased fourteen hundred acres of the Richardsville Reserve, and a year or so later platted the town of Wyandot. The name was suggested by the name of the Indian village of like orthog- raphy, and which was about half a mile to the north. This town once figured quite largely as a trading post. A mill was there erected and for a number of years a lively trade was conducted, one of the major industries being the large export of hogs and cattle. But in the seventies the course of the creek was changed, the mill went to decay and the business interests of the embryo town soon went to naught. It is now in the environments of a beautiful farming section.
The churches of Sheffield township are treated in the portion of this volume entitled "Religious Chapter."
The population of the township in 1900 was one thousand two hun- dred and six.
UNION TOWNSHIP.
Until March 10, 1871, the west half of the territory now comprised in Union township was attached to Wayne, the south portion of the east half to Randolph, and the north portion to Fairfield. A movement was inaug- urated during the year just named to organize a new township. and after a slight opposition the measure carried. From the fact that its early history is interwoven with that of the parent townships from which it was taken. it is more difficult to trace out its first settlers. Its topography consists, for the most part, of level prairie land, broken occasionally by gentle hillocks. The Little Wea creek flows through the northeastern portion of its territory.
It was in the spring of long ago 1824. when Joseph Hawkins and Wil- liam Jones entered this fair and fertile domain and planted a crop of corn
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and small grains, remained until autumn and returned to their respective homes, but soon came back accompanied by their families. During the same season came in Baker Guest, Polston Stidham, James Ellis and Wil- liam Dimmitt. These constituted the little colony which passed the first winter alone within this township-the winter of 1824-at least so far as the eastern part of the township was concerned.
The next spring-1825-the settlement was increased by the arrival of John Murdock, John Provault, John Little, Mordecai Mendenhall, Joseph and William Hollingsworth, Abel Jenny, Isaac, Samuel and David Johns, Phineas Heston, James West, Peter Hughes and Dr. Durkee.
The first school in the township was opened in 1826, and ever since the educational interests of this portion of the township have kept pace with the growth of the country. Today ( 1909) there are good school houses and the township has an enrollment of seventy-five pupils.
The religious element of Union township, especially in the south por- tion of the territory, is composed of members of the Friends Society, who originally were very numerous. The first meeting house was erected by them in 1827.
A grist mill was put in operation in 1827. by Joseph Hawkins, same being propelled by the fast flowing waters of Wea creek. For three years he controlled the milling industry of the township, and with great profits to himself. It was divided, however, after 1830 with the mill erected by a Mr. Waymire.
The first marriage within Union township was that which united John Huff and Miss Bessie Piatt, in 1826.
Death first visited the newly organized township in 1824, when Miss Harriett Jenny, daughter of Abel Jenny, was called from earth, while the father was absent from home to a grist mill several iniles distant.
In 1851 a Farmer's Institute was formed in a school house on the south- ern line of this township, by the contributions of a few citizens. It was successfully conducted as a private society for two years, with an annual attendance of seventy-five students. Following this a stock company was formed, the capital increased, and improvements made, including a boarding house. A few years later this school was ceded to the Society of Friends, who made further improvements and successfully managed the school sev- eral years longer. The original trustees were: P. Ellis, Elihu Hollings- worth, Buddell Sleeper and Milton Hollingsworth. Joseph Fisher was the first principal. This school was still holding its regular sessions in 1887.
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