Hamilton County IN Archives History - Books .....Chapter II - The Second Settlement 1901 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/in/infiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com April 16, 2006, 5:07 pm Book Title: A History Pf The Formation, Settlement And Development Of Hamilton County, Indiana CHAPTER II. The Second Settlement. William Conner, George Shirts and Charles Lacy settled in what is now Delaware Township, but they were in the settlement known as the Horseshoe prairie settlement. In 1822 Josiah Brooks, Michael Wise, Peter Wise, Silas Moffitt, William Wilkinson, John S. Heaton, Aquilla Cross, Joseph Eller and John Deer entered land below the William Conner place near the river and on both sides of it. Ben-Hur Park is situated upon the land entered by Joseph Eller. In 1823 these persons, and probably some others, formed a settlement on both sides of the river, extending from the Eller and Moffitt land almost to the south line of the county. Moffitt's land was immediately opposite the Eller land, but was on the west side of the river. The river cut this settlement in halves, but the settlers overcame this by the use of the old-fashioned canoe. When the river was too high to ford communication was kept up by using the several canoes owned in the settlement. The men forming the settlement were all farmers, and they gave their entire attention to erecting buildings for their own protection and the protection of their stock, and in clearing and fencing their ground. Their manner of living was about the same as other pioneers who came before and after them. They depended upon the corn crib for bread and on the forest and streams for meat, their cows for milk and butter, and their gardens for vegetables. From this time on until 1825 the following list of names was added: Thomas Barrow, 1823; Colonel Daniel Heaton, 1824; Thomas Morris and Abraham Williams in 1825. A notable incident in connection with this township was the business relation and its dissolution between William Conner and his Indian wife. Mr. Conner had been married to his Indian wife at the time the Government bought the lands of her tribe. It was said that she was a daughter of an Indian chief and Conner had dealt with them and made a great deal of money. When the tribe to which Conner's wife belonged removed to the West, Conner's wife went with them. It has been said that she was attired the nicest of any of the Indians and that she owned and took with her sixty ponies. It was also said that these ponies constituted a part at least of the division of the property between them, but there must have been other considerations. Two sons had been born to them during their married life. The plat-book of land entries for Hamilton County shows that over 600 acres of land were entered in the name of William Conner and his heirs by an Indian wife. This would indicate a business arrangement between them at the time of their separation. I here note that George Ketcham, an Indian chief, remained in Delaware Township. For some years after the removal of most of the other Indians a part of his tribe remained with him. Of him I will have more to say hereafter. A Frenchman by the name of Brennett settled near what is now known as the south line of Hamilton County. Before the Indians sold their land he was an Indian trader, and made a great deal of money. He remained at the post until Ketcham and his Indians removed, but he was never considered in connection with the white people, who came for permanent occupancy. His purpose was to make money and to get away with it. Other notable events happened within the period of which I have written in connection with this township, viz: The opening of the Winchester State Road from Fort Wayne to William Conner's, where it intersected a road running from William Conner's house to Indianapolis; the starting of a horse mill and distillery by William Conner and the killing of one of the pioneers of this settlement, he being thrown off his horse during a race. No schools were taught or churches held in this township until 1829, and no mills were built within this period. These will be noticed in their order as to time. This settlement was formed with a view to benefits. Each settlement put their forces together in the erection of buildings, rolling logs, and any and all work that required more force than belonged to the pioneer owning the land where the work was to be done. They were also banded together as a rule for mutual protection and for school and church purposes. This settlement, however, did not differ in these respects from other settlements in the county. Of this township and the people who settled therein I will have more to say later on. Additional Comments: From: A HISTORY OF THE FORMATION, SETTLEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF HAMILTON COUNTY, INDIANA, FROM THE YEAR 1818 TO THE CLOSE OF THE CIVIL WAR. BY AUGUSTUS PINCH SHIRTS. 1901. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/in/hamilto/history/1901/ahistory/chapteri28ms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/infiles/ File size: 5.3 Kb