Hamilton County IN Archives History - Books .....The Townships 1901
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Book Title: A History Of The Formation, Settlement And Development Of Hamilton County, Indiana

CHAPTER X. The Townships.
Delaware Township.

   In 1822 Joel Brooks, Peter Wise, Michael Wise, Silas Moffit, John Deer,
Aquilla Cross, Benjamin Mendenhall, John S. Heaton and Joseph Eller entered land
in this township. In the year 1823 they erected cabins upon the lands entered
and with their families occupied the same. Thomas Baron came in 1823. He was
followed in 1824 by Daniel Heaton and Thomas Morris, who were followed in 1825
by Abraham Williams and Captain Throckmorton. In 1826 came George Metsker and
Thomas West; in 1827 David Dawson and Dorothy Heady; John Kinzer and David
Kinzer in 1828, and in 1831 William Slater. Alexander Mills, Isaac Ballenger,
William West, Samuel Carey, John Phelps and Eli Phelps; in 1832, James
Williamson, John Green, William McElvaine, Alexander Bovard, Isaac Jessup, Peter
West and Joseph Green; in 1833, Samuel Hockett, William Murphy, John A. Shaffer,
Sylvanus Carey, William Fultz and Humphrey Irwin. New settlers continued to
arrive until 1836, at which time about all the Government land had been taken
up. Those who first settled in this township selected lands near White River on
both sides thereof. They joined hands in the erection of buildings and rolling
logs and in all work that the pioneer was unable to do with his own forces.

   The river divided this settlement, but communication was kept up, when the
river could not be crossed on horseback, by means of the old canoe.

   These people came to this country for the purpose of making homes for
themselves and families. They soon began to petition the Board of Commissioners
of the county for the location of roads. They usually asked for the location of
roads connecting points of interest to them, and as a rule asked that they be
laid out over the most suitable lands. This meant that the viewers should avoid,
as far as possible, wet, swampy lands and ponds, which were at that time numerous.

   For work done in those early days by one settler for another in the way of
erecting buildings, rolling logs and like work, no account was kept and no
charges made. These people had no pasture for their stock except what was found
in the woods. The rule was to fence in the cleared lands for the protection of
crops and turn all stock into the woods.

   The settlers on the east side of the river did their milling, as a rule, at
the Betts mill on Stony Creek. On the west side of the river they had their
grinding done at the Conner mill on White River. For a number of years these
pioneers raised but little upon their farms to sell. Their purpose in the early
days was to raise a sufficient amount to supply the needs of the family. They
were all, or nearly all, good hunters and trappers. The woods were full of wild
game, which belonged to all alike. The skins taken by hunting and trapping were
at all times salable, and in this way they managed to get along fairly well.

   A man by the name of Bruitt had located in the south part of this township on
the west, side of the river before these settlers came. He had a small stock of
such goods and trinkets as was usually kept in store for the Indian trade. He
bought all kinds of furs. The little trading these people did in those days they
did at Bruitt's trading post, at Conner's trading post, and, after Conner's
store was opened, at Noblesville, they did their trading there.

   The wolves were very plentiful and were very bold and troublesome, frequently
coming near to the buildings and picking up pigs and lambs and carrying them
off. They sometimes attacked young calves, so that the pioneers^ in addition to
the vast amount of hard work to be done, were compelled to be on the watch for
these and other wild beasts. The wolves were shot to death whenever and wherever
found. They were also caught in traps. In fact, a regular fight was made against
them with a view to their extermination. In these respects, however, this
neighborhood did not differ from other neighborhoods in the county.

   The following is a partial list of the persons who settled in this township
from the year 1825 to the year 1836: James Heady, George Medsker, Thomas West,
David Dawson, Dorothy Heady, John Kinzer, Jacob Kinzer, William Slater,
Alexander Mills, Isaac Ballenger, William West, Samuel Carey, John Phelps, Eli
Phelps, James Wilkinson, John Green, William McClain, Alexander Bovard, Sylvanus
Carey, Humphrey Irwin, Isaac Jessup, David Redwine, Ebenezer Osborn, Elijah
Brock, William Roberts, James Farley, Reuben Stinson, George Kirkendall, Moses
Mills, John Darrah, Jacob Faucett, John Demoret. The above named persons settled
in various parts of the township. James Farley settled in the southwest corner;
Williamson settled near him. A school house was built on Mr. Farley's land and a
cemetery laid off not far from the school house. The school house and the
cemetery were called respectively the Farley school house and the Farley
cemetery. In an early day Mr. Farley laid off and set apart several acres of his
land to be used as a park for deer. This park was surrounded by a high rail
fence. Mr. Farley was very proud of his deer park, and maintained it for a long
time. The first school in this township was established in 1830 in a cabin on
the land of Abraham Williams. This was a subscription school. In 1832 a school
house was erected and a Mr. Lynch was employed to teach. This was a subscription
school also. The Farley school house was built in 1837. Johnson Farley was the
first teacher in this school house. About this time there was a school in a log
cabin on the land of George Wise. Joseph Gore taught this school. These schools
were all subscription schools.

   About the year 1830 religious services were held on the east side of the
river at the house of Dorothy Heady by Rev. Ray, of the M. E. Church. The
Friends' Church, near Carmel, is in Dalaware [sic] Township, but the membership
is made up of people from both Clay and Delaware. A description of this church
will appear elsewhere. Hezekiah Smith, a local preacher of the M. E. Church,
held religious services at private houses on the west side of the river as early
as 1836. He was followed by W. D. Rooker, who was also a local preacher. In the
year 1838 a class was organized, of which he acted as leader for a number of
years. The meetings were held in the Farley school house until 1852. In that
year a house was built on section 33 and was called White Chapel, and is yet so
called. The Carmel M. E. Church will be noticed in connection with Carmel.

   Silas Moffit erected a brick house on his land in 1827. William Wilkinson
built a brick house in the same or the next year on Cool Creek, now owned by one
of the children of W. W. Rooker, deceased. Both of said houses are well
preserved. The Moffit house is now owned by one of Silas's sons. The title to
the Moffit land has never changed hands. It came to the present owner by
partition after the death of Silas in 1832.

   W. D. Rooker erected a grist mill on Cool Creek. It received its motive power
from that stream. Its capacity was limited, but was equal to the wants of the
settlement. He subsequently added a saw to the machinery. The settlers began to
tear down their log cabins and build frame buildings in their stead. Mr. Rooker
did a thriving lumber business. Amasa Bond succeeded Rooker. Peter Wise and son
succeeded Bond. Wise & Son operated the mill for a time, when it was abandoned.
William Wilkinson erected a sawmill on Cool Creek in 1840. It was west of the
brick house built by him. He afterward added two rims of burrs, one for wheat
and one for corn. The flour ran into a box in which it was carried to the
bolter, which was operated by hand. Mr. Wilkinson afterward built a better mill
on the same site. Mr. Wilkinson came from Pennsylvania. He carried a cross-cut
saw with him to this county. He also carried a pack made up of goods carried in
those days by the pack peddlers. From the sales made on this trip he derived in
the way of profit a sufficient amount of money to defray his expenses.

Noblesville Township.

   The first settlement made in this township was at Horseshoe Prairie, a little
west of south from Noblesville. This settlement has been fully described. There
were a few persons settled in an early day a little east of north of
Noblesville. Among them were Popejoy, Learning and Potter. In the immediate
vicinity of Noblesville no settlement was made until the land had been surveyed
and was ready for entry. A few of those who first came and settled near
Noblesville have been noticed. We note others in this connection. The Dale
family was somewhat numerous. They all settled near to Noblesville. The Stoops
family, with its many connections, were early settlers. As many as four
different families bearing the name of Cottingham were early settlers. Many
members of these several families subsequently became identified with
Noblesville as merchants and mechanics and assisted in its development.

   In 1824 Stephen Wall came to this neighborhood from Fayette County, Indiana.
He settled a half-mile east of Noblesville on what is now known as the Conrad
farm. An incident in his career is worthy of note. On the evening of the twelfth
day after leaving Fayette County he crossed Fall Creek at what is now known as
the bridge across Fall Creek on the Noblesville and Greenfield Road. Soon after
crossing the creek he came to a cabin and asked if he could be accommodated with
lodging for the night. He was informed that he could spread his bed on the floor
of the cabin. He learned before leaving the cabin that the name of the man who
lived in it was Bridge, the same man who one month later assisted in the murder
of the Indians above Pendleton, and who was afterwards hanged for his crime.

   The west side of Noblesville Township had no settlers until after the year
1830. About that time a cabin was built two miles west of Noblesville. A
settlement was formed soon after by Walls, Carey, Metsker and a few others. But
to the northwest all was woods and swamps. As late as 1830 the wolves came at
night to the first hill west of town and frequently kept up their howling until
late in the night.

   Mr. Beaty came later than those I have mentioned. He bought from one of the
Dales the land east of Noblesville and lived upon it until his death. John
Gascho purchased this land from the Beaty heirs. Mr. Gascho, wife and family of
nine children came in wagons from Lancaster County Pennsylvania. At the time of
his death, or before that time, he owned 600 acres of land. He and his sons were
all good farmers. East from Noblesville, on the Pendleton road, the Gaschos own
the land from the corporation limit on either side of the road for a distance of
very nearly two miles. These men were farmers and gave their entire attention to
their business.

White River Township.

   A settlement was formed as early as 1820 in what is now White River Township,
extending from a point two miles below Strawtown to a point very near the east
line of Hamilton County. This settlement was near the river and did not extend
into the forest. The first persons who settled in this locality were John
Shintaffer and a Mr. Bennett. Shintaffer built his cabin near the present site
of Strawtown and Bennett built his cabin about two miles below Strawtown, near
the river. Both of these men bought furs from the Indians, or rather, they
received them in exchange for articles kept by them for sale. They were both
called Indian traders. There was an Indian village not far from Strawtown at
that time. On the 24th of September, 1822, Jesse McKay, Zenas Beckwith, William
Dyer, John Collip, Henry Foland, Jesse H. Wood and Lambert Heath entered land
near White River in White River Township. Some of these persons had built cabins
upon the lands so entered by them before purchasing them and lived upon and
improved the same to some extent. The exact date of their settlement is unknown
to me. Zenas Beckwith built his first cabin near Strawtown before the land came
into market. He failed to enter the land at once, so it was entered by another
person and Beckwith subsequently entered land further up the river. He was
permitted to occupy his first cabin and have the use of his improvements for one
year, which was all the compensation he received for his improvements. The
cabins built by the pioneers in this settlement were of the same description as
those built by the pioneers who settled near the Horseshoe Prairie, which have
been described.

   The first incident of note in this settlement was the fight between
Shintaffer and the Indians, in which one Indian lost his life. The second
incident was the killing of one Indian and Benjamin Fisher at Shintaffer's
cabin. The third was the establishing of the first toll-gate in the county. A
trace, or partially opened road, leading from Anderson to William Conner's, by
the Indian village near Strawtown, crossed a creek some two or three miles above
Strawtown. This creek was very difficult to cross. Horses and cattle would
frequently stick fast in the mud. A squatter hunter and trapper built him a
cabin near this point and built a bridge across this stream and demanded toll
from all travelers passing that way. The travelers were as a rule land-seekers,
and they paid the small fee rather than quarrel with the hunter.

   The first school taught in White River Township was for this neighborhood and
was taught by Amos Palmer in a cabin near Strawtown. The second school was
taught in the same place by the same teacher. The third school was taught in the
neighborhood of William Dyer's, probably in the year 1826. These schools, as
well as all others in the new settlements, were subscription schools, the
teacher receiving from the parents of each pupil from one and a quarter to one
and three-quarter dollars for his services. As a rule he boarded with the
parents of the pupils alternately. Itinerant preachers occasionally passed
through this neighborhood and were well received by the pioneers. Preaching
services were held at the cabins.

   These pioneers were all good marksmen and got most of their living from the
spoils of the chase. Meat for the family was acquired thus and the skins and
furs of animals, killed or caught in traps, were sold to traders in that line.
The first mill built in White River Township was built in and for this
neighborhood. It was built near Strawtown on Duck Creek, on what has been known
lately as the Couden farm. It was called a corn cracker. The Kemp family, very
early settlers in this township, built a mill on White River some distance above
Strawtown, on what is now known as the Shepherd farm. This mill ground wheat and
corn. A still-house was also built and operated in an early day by the Kemp
family, also a sawmill, and subsequently a carding machine was added to the
grist mill and still-house. Navigation on White River ended at this point.

   There were numerous other persons who were early settlers in this settlement.
The family of Michael French, Mr. A. Johnson, two Friel families, a Mr. Peck and
others. Elias Hoddy, a single man, came early. J. K. Learning opened the first
general store for this neighborhood, and Bicknell Cole the second. James Hughy
opened the first grocery store, and he also sold liquors. The first tavern was
kept by William Wallace. The first blacksmith was Robert Hoddy. The first death
was the wife of Benoni Friel. The first marriage was Benoni Friel to the widow
of Benjamin Fisher, the man killed by the Indians at Strawtown.

   Zenas Beckwith built a two-story brick house on the land he entered in 1827.
This house has been in continuous use ever since and is now in a good state of
preservation. There is an old-fashioned bake-oven built into the kitchen. A barn
built by Mr. Beckwith in 1824 is still standing and in good condition. A barn
built in 1829 is also in a good state of preservation. This farm has never been
transferred out of the family and is now owned and occupied by a granddaughter
of Mr. Beckwith. This land was entered in 1822 or soon after. It is doubtful if
another such case can be found in the county.

   Dr. Amos Palmer, while teaching school at Strawtown, made his home with John
Finch, four miles southeast of Noblesville. His habit was to leave the vicinity
of the school house on Friday evening and Finch's on Sunday evening. On one
occasion, there being good moonlight, he left the Finches after nightfall.
Palmer was making the trip on foot. The route was mainly through the woods. He
followed a trace leading from the Finch place to Strawown. This trace crossed
Stony Creek near the north line of lands now owned by Charles Zeis. There were
plenty of wolves and panthers in the woods and occasionally a bear, so Palmer
secured a good stout stick before starting from Finch's. Soon after crossing
Stony Creek he was suddenly attacked by a number of wolves. Although taken by
surprise, he used his stick as best he could and succeeded in keeping them off
of himself. He finally found a low limb upon a tree, which he believed he could
reach by a vigorous leap. He made the effort and succeeded. He was for the time
being safe, although the wolves made several attempts to reach him, but without
success. How long he remained in this tree he could never tell. The welcome
crack of the rifle and the barking of dogs gave him great comfort. The wolves on
hearing the gun crack and the dogs bark left at once and Palmer was safe. To a
party of hunters near by with their dogs Palmer owed his escape.

   Benjamin Fisher settled on Government land in Hamilton County, Indiana, not
far from the present site of Strawtown, in June, 1820. At this time John
Shintaffer, with his family, lived in a log cabin near the present site of
Strawtown. Shintaffer was a trader in a small way, mainly with the Indians, as
there were but few white people in the county. A man by the name of Bennett
settled below Shintatfer about this time and he also did some trading. Both he
and Shintaffer sold whisky and bought furs.

   Shintaffer, probably for the purpose of drawing the trade of the white
people, procured and hung a good grindstone, which was the only one in the
neighborhood. There were at this time quite a number of roving bands of Indians
in that vicinity and an Indian village northwest of Strawtown. Early in the
spring of 1821 two or three Indians, possibly more, dropped in on Shintaffer and
commenced trading and drinking. A quarrel ensued between one of the Indians and
Shintaffer, resulting in a fight. Shintaffer got the better of the Indian and
purposely or otherwise threw the Indian into the fire and held him there until
he was so badly burned that he died. One of the other Indians and Shintaffer
also fought, and this second Indian was also thrown into the fire and badly
burned, but recovered.

   In June, 1821, Benjamin Fisher took his chopping axe to Shintaffer to have it
sharpened. Two or three other white men were there for the same purpose. Before
the white men were ready to leave some eight or ten Indians came to Shintaffer's
cabin. They had no guns, but each had a tomahawk and a sharp knife. The white
men present at once took up the cause of Shintaffer and entered his cabin with
him. A regular battle with clubs and stones ensued. The white men finally
charged on the Indians and drove them from the premises, but were afraid to
follow them for fear of being ambushed. Then the Indians again advanced, and so
the battle raged for some time. In one of these advances by the whites, Fisher
stumbled and fell and was cut to pieces by the Indians. The Indians then
advanced upon the whites, who were all inside the inclosure which surrounded the
house, the Indians being outside. One of the Indians threw a club at Shintaffer,
striking him on the head and knocking him down. The Indians then advanced, knife
in hand, for the purpose of scalping Shintaffer, and when in the act of crossing
the fence the foremost Indian was met by Jacob Hire with a mattock handle in his
hand. He struck the Indian with the mattock handle, killing him almost
instantly. This ended the battle. The Indians secured the dead body and
retreated to their village across the river. That night Shintaffer loaded all of
his household goods and also his family into a large canoe and disappeared and
was never heard from. There was but little excitement caused by these incidents.
The Indians continued at their village until their removal west. None of the
white men who went to the assistance of Shintaffer were ever molested by the
Indians. There was a general feeling of unrest for a time, but it all blew over.

North White River Township.

   John Newby, Sr., settled four miles north of Strawtown in February, 1836.
William James was at that time living a half mile south of Newby. James moved
away in about ten days after Newby arrived. James and Jesse Justice lived at
that time one and a half miles southeast of Newby's cabin. William Edwards came
in two weeks from the arrival of Newby and settled one mile southwest of Newby.
James Carey lived southeast of Newby's place. When Newby came William Wyant and
Peter Carey lived near James Carey. Ebenezer Holloway lived a mile and a quarter
from Newby. He owned a grindstone, the only one in the neighborhood. John V.
Morris and William Birch lived on the Carey farm. Birch owned a yoke of cattle
with which he hauled the logs for Newby's house. William Parker lived one and
three-fourths miles from Newby, near Holloway. Mr. Mann lived two miles and a
half from Newby on Bear Creek. These parties united for mutual benefit in
building cabins, rolling logs and all other pioneer work. They constituted the
first pioneer band north of the settlement made along and near White River in
White River Township. These men cut the roads partly used by them in coming to
their new homes. This neighborhood relied on the Kemp mill for their meal and
flour. They did their trading at Woodville, now called Strawtown.

   Kemp operated a still-house and secured a road from his mill to Logansport.
This road ran through the eastern part of this settlement, and was the only road
in existence for some time except the roads cut by the settlers. The first
school Newbys attended was taught by Colburn Birch in a log cabin on the Carey
land. After this a log cabin was built on Newby's land and school taught there
for some time. The first teacher was a Mr. Daugherty. The first church in the
neighborhood was at Mr. Carey's house. Elder Havens and probably Mr. Carey did
the preaching. This was a Methodist denomination. The second church service they
attended was at the house of Rev. Blount, near the north line of Hamilton County.

   After Kemp's mill burned these people got their grinding done at Shryock's
mill, two miles below Strawtown, on White River. Mr. Hier owned a corn mill on
the creek near the old Cowden farm. A still-house was attached to this mill. The
Indians sometimes came here to get whisky.

   Northwest of the Newby place Allen Sumner, S. Mendenhall and Dan Lister
settled. The Newby and Carey settlement extended from the west line to the east
line of the township, and north from the Strawtown settlement to the Ault,
Leeman and Ransom Smith settlement. These people lived pioneer lives in pioneer
cabins; came to and conquered the wilderness and made it bloom and bring forth
an abundant harvest.

   North of this settlement in 1838 George, William and Cornelius Leeman settled
between the present site of Omega, and Aroma, Harvey, Ault, Smith, Carpenter,
Brown and others whose names I have not been able to procure constituted the
settlement at the north end of White River Township. These men built the
regulation cabin and began pioneer life in the same manner that other settlers
did. In that township they did their milling at Perkinsville and their trading
at Strawtown. This neighborhood attended church at three different places.
Harvey was a Quaker. A Quaker church was built on his land at a date unknown to
me. The Leemans and all persons in that neighborhood believing the doctrine
preached by Alexander Campbell, attended meetings held by that demonination
[sic] in a log church on lands owned by Rev. Blount near the north line of
Hamilton County. They continued to attend these meetings until the Christian
Church was built at Omega. A cabin was built for the United Brethren Church on
the lands of Henry Ault. Services were held in that cabin for a number of years.
They were finally discontinued. What was known as the Ironwood Seminary Building
was built upon lands owned by Cornelius Leeman at this time, but afterwards sold
to Mr. Harvey. Jabez Brown built this house with money raised by subscription.
He was the first teacher therein. This school building was largely patronized
and was the best building for school purposes at that time in the northern part
of the township. The men composing the neighborhood herein spoken of were of the
hardy pioneer class. They found plenty of hard work to do and were willing to do
it, and their labors were crowned with success.

The Mounds.

   The mounds in White River Township near Straw-town will ever be a mystery.
William Conner, who had a better opportunity than any man in the county to learn
their origin or purpose, was unable to learn anything definite concerning them.
He said he had conversed with the oldest Indians of his acquaintance, and all
that he could learn was that they were here when the Indians came, and that was
all they knew about them except what could be seen.

   The main work is a circle about 300 feet in diameter, thrown up in the
center, but apparently level, and surrounded by a ditch that fifty years ago was
about six feet deep.

   Fifty yards to the south of the large circle there is a small circle about
fifty feet in diameter and now almost obliterated.

   The site of these works is on the second bottom of White River about a
quarter of a mile from the bank and thirty feet above the overflow. Between the
earth inclosure and the river there is a mound which commands an extensive view
up and down White River. The large inclosure is one of the very few in the
Mississippi valley that have the ditch on the outside, and it is, therefore,
worthy of more careful study. From the examinations and measurements made
subsequently the following additional data are ascertained:

   This principal inclosure is situated about 700 feet west of the river and
about 1,000 feet northwest of the center of section 3 on an elevated point of
land extending in a northwesterly direction into the bend of White River.
Surrounding the major part of the northwest quarter of the same section, this
elevated point overlooks a strip of low bottom land, varying in width from 400
feet on the east to 2,000 feet on the north and about 3,000 feet on the west,
widening to the southwest and south. White River now occupies the outer
boundary. High bluff land borders the opposite side. The low bottom land just
described is composed of light sand of loam or alluvium, indicating that when
those works were erected White River covered the entire area, with the
fortification little more than one hundred feet from its margin. An accurate
measurement of the works shows, a diameter of 280 feet from the middle of the
embankment on one side to that on the opposite side. From this point the outer
slope to the middle of the ditch surrounding is about twenty feet, the ditch
having been about thirty feet wide and nine feet deep. The earth and gravel
excavated therefrom forms the embankment. The material excavated appears to have
been in large proportion composed of coarse gravel, with a fair admixture of
sand and loam inside the inclosure. The middle area was originally, no doubt, of
equal elevation with the surface outside, since the embankment is still visible
from the inside and apparently two or two and one-half feet high.

   The purpose of this construction, it can scarcely be doubted, was for
defense, the ditch on the outside being designed to resist assault. Within the
inclosure numerous specimens of ancient pottery have been found; flint arrow
heads of various designs and degrees of skill in workmanship were discovered,
indicating with reasonable certainty the character of the works.

   Almost directly to the west, near the western extremity of the elevated
peninsula before described, and about 600 feet from the earthworks, is situated
a sepulchral mound and general burial place for the occupants of the fort. Its
location commands a fine prospect to the north, west and south and was well
adapted to the purposes of a lookout station in case of expected invasion by
enemies approaching along the river. On the site of this mound skulls and other
human bones have been exhumed or otherwise uncovered in the process of
cultivating the ground. Many fine and comparatively well preserved fragments of
vessels, such as are supposed to have been used for sepulchral purposes, have
been found here since the county was settled by white people. It is highly
probable, also, that careful examination of these works would bring to light
many valuable mementoes of the ancient inhabitants of this locality, who were
interested .in the fabrication of these archaeological monuments.

Fall Creek Township.

   Two brothers by the name of Thorp each built a cabin on what is known as
Thorp Creek. This was after the hanging of Bridge and Sawyer, mentioned
hereafter in this work: These brothers did not remain long. They gave the creek
the name it now bears. It has never been made clear to me whether they came
before or after McNutt.

   McNutt was the first man, from what is now Fall Creek Township, sued in the
Circuit Court of Hamilton County in a civil action. The suit was in trespass. As
will be hereafter shown in this work, a man by the name of Bridge and a man by
the name of Sawyer built the first cabins within the present bounds of Fall
Creek Township, and the location of their cabins are given in a subsequent
chapter. After Bridge and Sawyer were hung for the murder of the Indians, an
account of which will be given, their families removed from the county. So the
settlers who came after them found their cabins empty. This was a mystery to
them, and this mystery was never disclosed in print until it was done in this work.

   The first white man who made permanent settlement in this township was James
McNutt. He settled not far from the cabin built by Bridge. He was an Irishman.
Hiram Coffee, John Whelchel and Abraham Helms followed McNutt in the order
named. F. Kinkaid, Samuel Holliday, Richard Curry and Francis Whelchel followed
those last named. They all built and lived in pioneer cabins of the times. These
were the men who were the first to penetrate the wilds of Fall Creek Township
and inaugurate the struggle which terminated in the triumph of pioneer courage
and endurance over the obstacles which stood opposed to their advance in
civilization and wealth. Wild animals were found in this as well as other
localities in the county. Game and fish were abundant in the woods and streams
near by. The settlers were all good hunters and made use of their rifles to
supply the family with meat. They found at that point grain for sale to supply
them until they could clear and cultivate their own ground. The Indians had not
all left this country when these persons settled this township, as the following
incident will show:

   Among the first pioneers of what is now known as Fall Creek Township was the
father and mother of Wesley and Silas Helms. Among their earthly possessions
they counted a fine specimen of the canine tribe. At a time in their pioneer
life, before the red men had left this part of the State, Mr. Helms was called
from his home on some kind of business. Some time during the day a heavy snow
storm came upon them, and whilst the storm was raging in all its fury a very
large Indian, armed with rifle, knife and tomahawk, appeared at the door of the
cabin.

   Having secured the attention of the mother, the Indian pointed with his
finger to the fast falling snow and then to the northeast and then to the door
of the cabin, indicating that his cabin was some distance away, the storm severe
and his desire to enter the cabin. The chimney to the cabin was on the outside
and the roof extended some two or three feet over from the wall, affording some
shelter. Mrs. Helms directed him to deposit his gun in the shed thus created,
and while he was thus engaged she placed the dog in the hands of Uncle Wesley
Helms, as we now call him, with instructions to let him go at the signal from
his mother. She then secured a knife her husband had made from an old file,
which was long of blade and sharp at the point. This knife she secreted in one
sleeve of her dress. Being thus prepared, she invited the Indian into the cabin.
The Indian came in, took a seat pointed out to him by Mrs. Helms and sat there
almost motionless until the storm abated. He then arose, making signs that he
could go on his way and also his thanks, secured his rifle and departed. As the
matter turned out it is clear that Mrs. Helms' visitor was what was then called
a good Indian. The pioneers were of that kind of people who believed in
educating their children. They were also, as a rule, church-going people.
Itinerant preachers came occasionally to this neighborhood and preached the
gospel to the pioneers. Among the first preachers who visited them was John
Richmond, of the Baptist persuasion. Nathaniel Barnes was the first Methodist
preacher. Benjamin Legg was the first man of the Christian ministry who
preached. A Mr. Stuart, a United Brethren, was the first of this denomination to
preach in this township.

   These services were, as usual, held in the log cabins of the pioneers. The
first school house was built on the Arnett farm. The first church building was
built in the Kimberlain neighborhood and was called Perseverance. Abraham Helms
was the first man elected justice of the peace, but he soon resigned his office.
He was conscientiously religious, and it was said that while he acted as justice
he also attended the house raisings and log rollings, and on these occasions he
heard more or less swearing; and as he understood the law, it was his duty to
cause the arrest of all persons using profane language; but, as these men were
his neighbors, he did not wish to do this, nor did he wish to avoid the
performance of his duty, as he understood it, so he resigned. L. M. Ogle was
appointed to fill the vacancy occasioned by this resignation.

   The first store was opened in this township by James Davis on the lands of
Thomas Arnett. Samuel Arnett opened the next store, and the third store was
opened by Wesley Helms near the present site of Olio. Samuel Harrison opened the
first blacksmith shop in the township. James Patterson was the first regular
carpenter. The first grist mill in the township was built and operated by David
Jones. This mill made both meal and flour, and was built on Fall Creek. The
first saw mill was built on Thorp Creek by Abram Helms and one of the Kinnamans.
This was the first place where lumber could be purchased, or timber could be
sawed on the shares in their own township, and the people were proud of those
two industries. The first distillery was erectd [sic] by Hartman & Rice. The
first carding machine was started by John Doran. The first bridge over Fall
Creek was built near the Marion County line. The first school taught in this
vicinity was taught by John P. Holliday in a cabin near what is known as the
Arnett cemetery. This was a subscription school and was taught on the same terms
as other schools in those days. The second school was taught by one of the
Kinnamans in a log cabin near the residence of Abram Helms. These cabin school
houses were built on the same plan as the pioneer residence cabin. They, as a
rule, had a log cut out on one side and greased paper for a window light. The
table for the pupils who studied writing was placed under this window.

Clay Township.

   In 1824 Francis McShane entered land in the southeast corner of what is now
Clay Township, and in the year 1825 built upon it his cabin. He was the first
white man with his family to make permanent settlement in the township. He had
no neighbors in Hamilton County for some time. A settlement had formed, in
Marion County near him, so for the time being he joined forces with them for
work and for school purposes. After putting up the necessary building the work
of improving his land was begun in earnest. James G. McShane, who now resides
upon and owns the land entered by his father, was at that time old enough to
attend school. A vacant cabin stood in Marion County a half-mile south of the
Marion and Hamilton County line, north of Broad Ripple. In this cabin the
McShane children attended their first school. Two Indian boys, sons of George
Ketcham, attended this school. The family of Francis McShane consisted of
himself and wife and two sons, Edward and James G. A daughter named Sarah was
afterwards born to them. This was the first birth in the township.

   In 1826 James Gray entered land partly in Marion and partly in Hamilton
County. His cabin was built on the Hamilton County side of the line. A few years
later he burned brick and built a brick residence on the Marion County side of
the line. In 1830 the first death occurred. The victim was a daughter of James
Gray. She was interred in the Whitinger cemetery.

   Franklin Hall settled in Hamilton County west of McShane and Gray, in 1832.
Soon thereafter Isaac Sharp and others settled north of Hall and together with
McShane they formed a settlement for school and church purposes. The first
school in this neighborhood was in a cabin on the land of Isaac Sharp and was
taught by Hannah Griffith; the second by Stephen Conner. The first church
service, in this settlement was at the same place where the first school was.
The first preachers were Asa Beck and Hezekiah Smith.

   Robert Barnhill entered land in what is now Clay Township two miles west of
the land afterwards entered by Franklin Hall. At the same time he entered land
in Marion County, the county line dividing it. He settled on this land in
September, 1828. A part of his buildings were in Hamilton and a part in Marion.
Benjamin McDuffee, in September, 1828, entered 160 acres west of the land
entered in Hamilton County by Barnhill and settled on it in October of that year.

   A man by the name of Standridge was living in a cave with a hut over it on
the land entered by Barnhill in Hamilton County. He moved a half mile north when
Barnhill came, and as he was a hunter and trapper and soon moved away, I do not
count him a settler.

   Barnhill and McDuffee were the only settlers at this point at that time. In
1830 John Harden settled near the present site of Clay Center school house on
land now owned by Isaac Powell. Samuel and Robert Morrow settled, in 1830, near
John Harden. In 1832 Henry Cruse, Samuel P. Seely and Henry Davis settled near
Barnhill and McDuffy, Davis, Seely and Cruse joined hands with Harden and the
Morrows for log rolling, house raising and such work as required that amount of
force.

   About 1835, new settlers having arrived in sufficient numbers to support a
subscription school, a cabin was built where Clay Center school house stands.
This school did not receive any support from Barnhill, McDuffy, Seely or Davis.
Seely attached himself to the Sharpe school. Davis, Barnhill and McDuffy sent
their children to a school in Marion County.

   Joshua Wright settled in 1832 on the land now owned by the Hussey heirs. New
settlers continued to arrive until very nearly all the land in this neighborhood
was taken up.

   The men who composed this neighborhood were hard working men. The task of
clearing the land was apparently an endless one. There was but little money with
which to supply the wants of the pioneers; true they did not need as much money
as we do now. In addition to the hard labor of the men in their clearing, many
other things had to be done. The pioneer had to learn to turn his hand to almost
any trade. Mr. Barnhill made tubs and buckets for the neighborhood. He also made
shoes and repaired gun locks. Much of this work was done after night. Henry
Davis was a wheelwright; he could also make chairs and looms. Some stocked
plows, others repaired old wagons. The women carded the wool into rolls, spun
the rolls into yarn and wove the yarn into cloth.

   John Harden built a saw mill on William's Creek near his place and John Smith
built a saw mill lower down the creek. Both of these mills were clumsy affairs
but they furnished rough timber for the neighbors.

   No church was established in this neighborhood for a number of years. No
grist mill was built until 1865. In that year the Carey brothers, of Carmel,
built a saw and grist mill on the land of James G. McShane. They did not remain
there long.

   A settlement was formed west of Robert Barnhill's in an early day, partly in
Marion and partly in Hamilton County. This settlement extended west to the
Michigan Road. Elijah Patterson, Peter Daubinspeck, Manuel Michaels, Nathan
Wilson and others whose names I do not now recall were of this settlement.

   The school house for this settlement was on land owned by Michaels. In 1836
or 1837, a class was organized and met at the house of Nathan Wilson. These
people continued to worship at- private houses for a year or more. A lot was
donated by Elijah Patterson to the society and upon this lot a hewed log church
was soon thereafter built. This was called Poplar Grove Church. It stood until
1856. Early in that year Nathan Wilson donated a lot east of this log church
upon which a neat frame building was erected. The Baptists formed an
organization at an early day but had no established house of worship. The houses
of members of the congregation and the school houses were the places in which
the services of their church were conducted until the year 1867. In that year
John Williams donated a lot on his farm to the society upon which they erected a
neat frame building.

   In 1827 Benjamin Mendenhall settled near the present site of Carmel. Charles
White, John Morris and William Hawkins came in 1838. Harmon Cox, Timothy Sumner,
Barnaby Newby, Daniel Warren and Jonas Hoover came in 1831. Stephen Hiatt, Eli
Johnson, Jacob Cook, Isaac Rich and Charles Davis came in 1832. From 1832 to
1835 the following named persons came: Zimri Cook, Jonathan Carey, Eli Phelps,
Abraham Jessup, Jonathan Evans, William Comber, Samuel Small, George West,
Nathan Harold, Joseph Randall, Jr., Isaac Davidson, Benjamin Wells, John Kinzer
and others. These people formed the settlement around Carmel. Their story would
be the story of the other neighbors as to labor and hard fare. The nearest cabin
west of this settlement was on the Michigan Road eight miles from them. .The
nearest south was the McShane cabin heretofore spoken of.

   When it was found that there was a sufficient number of children of school
age to enable the parents to employ a teacher, a subscription school was opened
in a cabin northwest of Carmel. This cabin stood on land now known as the
Wilkinson land.

   In 1830 a few Friends met at the house of Harmon Cox one and a half miles
northeast of Carmel, to consult about a place to hold public meetings for
worship, and this cabin was agreed upon. For nearly three years this continued
to be the meeting place of those upright Christian families who formed the first
meeting of Friends in Hamilton County. Subscription schools were taught here
also for about three years. The most of these people came from North Carolina,
coming through Kentucky.

   When the first of these pioneers came they found Charles Ketcham and his
family living in a cabin on the Hawkins' eighty-acre tract north of Carmel. He
had good title to it and afterward sold it to a white man. He was an Indian
Chief and was waiting for his tribe to get ready to go west. George Ketcham had
a son, Charles, 18 or 19 years old. He was a great hunter and trapper and had a
great many deer and coon skins. Daniel Warren had a good silver watch which
Charles wished to buy, so he asked Mr. Warren if he would trade the watch for
furs. Mr. Warren said yes, so Charles said bring your wagon to our cabin. Mr.
Warren did so. Charles threw deer and coon skins into the wagon until Mr. Warren
told him to stop. Mr. Warren passed the watch to Charles and drove his wagon
home. The next day Charles called on one of their neighbors and told him about
his trade with Warren and said "white man bad, watch bad." The white man saw
that the watch had run down, so he asked Charles for the key with which he wound
the watch and started it, then pointing to the setting sun, he made Charles
understand that at that time each day he must wind his watch. After that Charles
said "white man good, watch good."

   These people procured their grinding at the little mills on Cool Creek and at
the larger ones on White River. Before the days of Bethlehem, now Carmel, they
did their trading at Indianapolis. The road from Westfield to Indianapolis was
the first one opened. A road from Robert Morrow's place led out to this road.
The balance of the roads for a long time were cut by the pioneers to suit
neighborhood purposes. They were merely brushed out and never worked, but they
got along with them.

   In about the year 1840 Josiah Senior settled on lands in Clay Township, a
part of which is now used for church and school purposes at Poplar Ridge. Robert
Ellis and others settled in that neighborhood about that time. Josiah Senior was
a member of the Christian Church and through his influence a .log building was
erected upon the lands above mentioned. This log house was used by persons
belonging to the Christian Church as a place of worship as long as Mr. Senior
owned the land. In 1849 ^r- Senior sold his land and the society erected a
church building southwest of the old house in what was called the Tanner
neighborhood. This neighborhood extended to the west line of the County and ran
north for some distance. The Tanner family, the Nichols family, the Beard
family, the Debruler family and others were of this neighborhood.

   In the year 1849 Jonathan Wilson, of the society of Friends, bought the lands
of Josiah Senior above referred to, consisting of 240 acres. Those of the
Society of Friends living in this neighborhood in 1850 were Jonathan Wilson,
Sylvanus Carey, Isaac Harroll, Evan Jessup, Samuel Wilson, Cyrus Carey, Stephen
Macy, Thomas Charles and others.

   Hezekiah Collins came in the latter part of the year 1850. At this time the
nearest Friends' Church was at Carmel, so the Friends in this settlement asked
for the ..organization of a church. This request was granted and Jonathan Wilson
donated land upon which to erect a building to be used for church purposes and
for school purposes. In the early autumn of the year 1850 a good hewed log house
was erected and a Friends' Church was organized on the 26th of December, 1850.
The land donated by Jonathan Wilson was two acres of the north end of the land
purchased by him from Mr. Senior. Two years later a frame church building was
erected to which was given the name "Poplar Ridge." This society took an early
stand in favor of a higher education than was thought necessary in many other '
neighborhoods at that time. A good school building was also built by this
society. Good teachers were employed. A few years later, through the influence
of Mr. Wilson, a seminary building was erected, which was intended for a graded
school building. This neighborhood increased very rapidly after the
establishment of a church and school as above described. The school and church
both prospered, and it became a desirable neighborhood in which to reside.

Jackson Township.

   The first settlement made in this township was in the vicinity of the present
site of Cicero by Henry Jones, William Taylor and Mr. Blanch in the year 1828.
Henry Jones settled three miles west of Cicero on the line of what is now known
as the Cicero and Lafayette Road. William Taylor settled four and a half miles
west of Cicero. Mr. Blanch settled a half mile west of Cicero on the bank of
Cicero Creek. All of these persons built cabins upon the lands entered by them
and cleared for themselves each a farm. Mr. Blanch subsequently removed from
that vicinity.

   In 1831 Elijah Redman, Dennis Picker ell and James B. Freel settled within
the present limits of Cicero, and, as will be hereinafter shown, Pickerell and
Freel after that date, laid out the town of Cicero. John Harbaugh, John Clark,
William Rollings, Adam B. Wildes, William Jones and the Hall family settled at
an early day in this vicinity. There was at that time an Indian trail leading
from Strawtown to Lafayette. This trail led past Henry Jones' cabin. When the
emigrants passing from Strawtown to Lafavette wished entertainment, they found
it at the cabin of Mr. Jones between Cicero and White River.

   Some of the land in this vicinity was entered by Germans, among whom were Mr.
Mapes, who came early, Nicholas Zelt, the Gardeners, and others whose names I do
not recall. Whether these men formed a neighborhood independent of those who
settled at Cicero and west of that place, I am not able to say, but they have
preserved their identity and have ever been known as hard working men and women.
These men by honest toil cleared the lands and converted them into beautiful
farms. As a rule the lands are still owned by the children and grandchildren of
these pioneers.

   William Taylor built what in those early days was called a horse mill, the
capacity of which mill was limited, but answered a good purpose. This mill was
built in and for the neighborhood above named.

   In about the year 1834 the first school in the township was taught in a log
cabin standing in the woods at or near the present site of Cicero, the town not
having been laid out then. In 1835 a school was taught in a cabin on the land of
William Taylor. Both were subscription schools.

   In 1833 David Anthony, Joseph Hadley, William Pickett, Jesse Beals, Jacob
Hadley, William Ramsey, Levi Cook and Elihu Pickett settled near the present
site of Deming. A small mill was built on Hinkle Creek and for a time this
neighborhood had their corn ground at this mill. School was taught at or near
Hinkle Creek Church. At this church the Friends in the neighborhood worshiped
for a long time.

   The next settlement in this township was made west of the present site of
Arcadia in 1833 and soon thereafter. This settlement was composed of the Jones
and Bishop families. Mr. Wells came next. Phillip Bowser came in 1834 and John
Miller in 1836. His cabin was east of Arcadia. The Martz brothers, Moses and
Isaac, came in 1838. These men all entered land and at once began the pioneer
work of converting the wilderness which surrounded them into fine, producing farms.

   The first school taught in this vicinity was in 1840 in a log cabin on what
is now known as the Burgess farm. The teacher was William Harrington. The next
school was at the present site of Arcadia, taught by William Stewart in the year
1841.

   The first church was a small barn on the farm now known as the Shearer farm.
It was a Dunkard church.-The first Christian church in this township was
organized southwest of Arcadia. C. W. Harrison, Lockhart and Stinson were among
the first preachers. The first church service by the Methodist denomination was
held at the house of Samuel Caylor three miles west of Arcadia. Mr. Caylor
settled at this point in 1831 or 1832. A Lutheran church was established in an
early day in this township northeast of Arcadia. John Keffer was the first
preacher. This church has been well supported and is still in existence. Thomas
Luther was the first Methodist preacher. About the year 1835 a number of
Lutherans settled in Jackson and White River Townships. Rev. Abraham Reck and
Rev. John Garver, residents of Indianapolis, came on horseback to visit this
people and preached for them in private houses. In 1837 a congregation of
fifteen members was organized and a church council was chosen. Rev. John Garver
was pastor during the first year. Five new members were added to the fifteen.
The minister received for his services for one year $20. Arrangements were now
made for building a house of worship. Peter Achenbach donated a lot situated
near Cicero Creek, east of Arcadia, and a neat frame church was erected thereon
during the next year. Many of the members were Germans and the preaching was
mainly in that language. Ministers came from a distance for several years.
Finally the Rev. David Smith of Noblesville was secured and retained as pastor
for several years. The membership of this church grew rapidly, but was seriously
weakened by the withdrawal of the German members, who erected a building of
their own east of Arcadia.

   The above mentioned Bishop built a corn cracker on Little Cicero Creek, west
of Arcadia, in 1839, and Phillip Bowser erected a mill east of Arcadia on Cicero
Creek in 1840.

   An Indian tradition, much discussed at this time, was to the effect that a
lead mine existed on the farm of Elijah Redmond; that the Indians, before the
white men came, supplied themselves with lead from this mine, but that since the
white men had come among them, the Indians had carefully concealed its locality.

   In 1837 the colored neighborhood, as it was called, was settled by John
Roads, Micajah Waldron, Dolphin and Stephen Roberts, Elias, Jonathan and Hansel
Roberts, Bryant Waldron and Harry Winburn, all colored. In 1841 they erected a
church and school house. These colored men were peaceable, law abiding, hard
working men. They cleared the lands they had purchased and soon made for
themselves and families comfortable homes. Before building their church, they
assisted in paying white school teachers, and their children received their
share of the benefits.

   In 1836 Michael Shiel came to this township and built his cabin near the
present site of Atlanta. Allen Sumner and George Tucker settled near the Shiel
cabin on the east side of the Lake Erie & Western Railroad. Later came James M.
Thompson, Alexander Smith, Jacob E. Whisler, John Ehman, Frederick Smelce and
Caleb Sparger. Sparger's land laid west of Shields, adjoining his tract. Phillip
Roads and Peter Miller settled south of Shiel's. Soon after this Daniel Smith
and his brother, whose first name I do not know, settled in this neighborhood.
Soon thereafter came Daniel and William Haskett. John Harrington settled early
east on Cicero Creek. John and Jacob Crull, George Illyis and Jacob Whisler were
also early settlers. The above named persons constituted the pioneer settlement
at and near the north line of Hamilton County, and banded themselves together
for work. The lands were covered with a very heavy growth of timber and a very
heavy coat of undergrowth, making it hard to clear. In this neighborhood there
were many ponds, in which water stood most of the year. These ponds caused the
people to suffer a great deal from chills and fever.

   Church services in this neighborhood were held at private houses, in school
houses and in log barns before a church building was erected. Dr. Blount, John
Stin-son and Carey W. Harrison did the preaching. The first church building was
erected in old Buena Vista. It was called Union Church. It was built by all
denominations and by those who were not members of any church, was open to all
regardless of nationality or color, and was well attended. This building was
used for other purposes as well as a church. The first physicians in this
neighborhood were Dr. Blount and Dr. Driver. Jameson, Butler, Stanford and Amos
Pettijohn were afterwards added to the list.

   The first mill was erected on Cicero Creek east of Atlanta. This mill was a
saw and grist mill combined. The next mill on Cicero Creek, below Tucker's, was
erected by Henry Gascho. These mills sawed lumber and ground corn only. Elias
Johnson and James Bishop erected a saw mill and corn cracker on Little Cicero
Creek. None of these mills could be relied on in time of long drouth. Then the
settlers were compelled to go to the White River mills heretofore spoken of.

   Peter Miller was the first shoemaker for this settlement. He was a coarse
workman, but the work to be done in that line was coarse work. Shoes for boys
and girls were made from the same kind of leather, viz.: Cow hides tanned in a
country tan yard.

   Schools were in log cabins having puncheon floors and slab seats with no
backs to them. The teachers were (1) Wiley Watkins, (2) Jacob Whisler, (3)
George Howard and (4) Henry Sowers. Salaries were small and were paid by
contributions from the patrons of the schools.

   After the dates herein named this township improved rapidly, both in
population and wealth. It is impossible to name all the grand men and women who
came to this wilderness to fight the battle of pioneer life. Each and all are
entitled to the lasting gratitude of their children and grandchildren.

   The only roads in this township prior to 1830 were the Indian, trail from
Strawtown to Lafayette, heretofore spoken of, and such byways as were used by
the early settlers in passing from one cabin or one settlement to another. As
has been stated, the Board of Commissioners of this County, about the year 1830,
by order of the State, caused a road to be surveyed and laid out, which road was
known as the New Castle and Lafayette State road. A road was also surveyed and
laid out by order of the State, known as the Cicero and Thorntown State road.
Later the Indianapolis and Peru State road was surveyed and laid out. These
roads all passed through this township.

Washington Township.

   In the year 1831 Harmon Cox settled in Washington Township south of the
present site of Westfield. In 1832 Asa Bales, Simon Moon, Paul Wood and Mr.
Osborn settled north of Cox in and around Westfield. Soon after this date Isaac
Williams, Mr. Bowman, Mr. Rams, Nathan Parker, Mr. Washburn, Mr. Jackson and Mr.
Hunt came, and soon thereafter came Zachariah Rees, Isaac Baldwin, Moses Coffin,
David Baldwin, William Patterson and others. Among them were the Whites,
Roberts, and Newbys. These parties joined hands in raising their cabins, rolling
logs, building stables and all other heavy work. They supported a subscription
school. They attended the same church. They also waited upon the sick in the
neighborhood. Their milling was done for a time at the Conner mill, two miles
below Noblesville.

   The next settlement was made three miles north of Westfield by Nathan Beals,
John Moore, Edward Bray, Anderson Scott, Ernsley Wade, Eli Morris and others.
John Moore lived on the land afterward bought by Aaron Lindley, now owned by
Thomas J. Lindley. Nathan Beals lived on land immediately south of Moore. The
first school house built in Washington Township was in this settlement on Nathan
Beals' land. It was a log cabin. The first teacher was William Legne, an Ohio
man and a good teacher. The next school in the neighborhood was taught at the
Westfield meeting house by Laban Hammer. Afterwards the people in the Beals
neighborhood sent their children to Hinkle Creek school. Those who attended the
Friends' church attended at Hinkle Creek Church. For two years after this
settlement was formed the grain was ground at Conner's mill before mentioned.
After that the grinding was done at Cook's mill at or near Deming. Here the
flour was bolted by hand. This mill did not stand many years. The community also
had grinding done at John Shryock's mill on White River, five miles north of
Noblesville. This settlement was near what was called Dismal. It was infested
with wolves and panthers, many of which were killed by the settlers in those
early days.

   In 1833 a small settlement was made in this township near the present site of
Eagletown by Henry Woodruff, Mr. Bowman, Mr. Gilpin, Mr. Jackson, Ephraim Stout
and others. This settlement was on Little Eagle Creek, as it was then called.
Ephraim Stout erected in 1837, on Eagle Creek, a small corn mill, the capacity
of which was about ten bushels per day. The roads at that time were so bad it
was for a large portion of the year almost impossible to get to White River or
to Indianapolis with a load. Corn bread, milk and butter constituted the
principal diet, together with game "which, was abundant and easily captured, so
that for meat they had plenty. School was in private houses for some time and
until a school house was built. Their trading was done at Westfield and at Eagle
Village, a small town southwest of the settlement, situated in Boone County on
the Michigan road. Those among them who belonged to the Friends, attended
service at Westfield.

   About the year 1833 a settlement was formed near the west line of Washington
Township on both sides of Little Eagle Creek. Among the first settlers in that
vicinity were William Harvey, John Price, Frederick Brendel, Benjamin Dye, Lewis
Miller, Daniel Miller, Francis Joseph, Phillip Stultz, Benjamin Wagoman, Jesse
Lane, William Bragg, Cyrus Bowman, Mr. Mower, Mr. Smith and Mr. Osborn. When
these pioneers came to this township they cut their own roads, following blazed
traces made by hunters, which they knew would lead them in the vicinity of their
destination. In many cases bridges had to be made by each of the settlers in
this as well as in the other settlements in the township.

   The first school in this neighborhood was in a cabin east of William Harvey's
house. Lucinda Hunt was the teacher. Schools in this neighborhood were
maintained by subscription. There was no church building nearer than Eagle
Village in Boone County, five miles distant. Many of the settlers attended
church service there. They usually went on horseback, those having children
taking them up on the horses with them. The passage through the woods was
difficult. There was constant danger of being swept from the horses by
overhanging limbs. Some of the pioneers loaded their family into wagons drawn by
two horses or sometimes a yoke of oxen. It was more difficult to get through the
woods in this manner than on horseback, but it was either this way or stay at
home. Finally they began to have meetings at private houses. After barns were
built, meetings were frequently held in them.

   They had their grain ground at Co_er's mill or at Foster's, both on White
River, one below and the other above Noblesville. They sometimes had corn ground
at Stout's mill near Eagletown. What trading they did at stores was mainly done
at Eagle Village.

   In about the year 1836 Aaron Lindley came to the township. He bought the land
where Thomas J. Lindley now lives. In 1837 he erected the first brick house in
the township. In 1833 Simon Moon set apart from his land a small tract of land
and donated it to the Society of Friends for a place of interment. The cemetery
is located south of the town of Westfield. The first corpse interred in the
cemetery was that of Mr. Moon. In 1832 the first white child in the township was
born to Harmon Cox and wife. In 1833 the first marriage ceremony performed in
the township occurred. The contracting parties were William Hiatt and Mary Moon.

   The first road laid out in this township was the Noblesville and Lafayette
road. The second was from Noblesville past the present site of Westfield and
Eagletown and west to the county line. The next road laid out was the one from
Westfield to Indianapolis. Other roads in this township were made by the early
settlers for their convenience. Soon after the events herein narrated the land
in this township was taken up and improved rapidly. All of the eastern part of
the township was settled by Friends, including the settlement near Eagletown.
They preserved their identity for a long time and to some extent do so yet.

Wayne Township.

   John and Israel Finch settled on government land near the Horseshoe Prairie
in 1819. When the land came into the market they failed to enter the tracts upon
which they settled and the land was entered by other parties. . They entered
land four miles a little south of east from Noblesville. The land entered by
John Finch is now known as the Sohl farm and the land entered by Israel Finch is
now known as the Zeis farm. These men built cabins upon each tract of land in
1823, and occupied them by moving their families into them later in the same
year. David Osborn settled northeast of the two Finches, about one mile. The
following year Milo Bush, Clement Passwater, William Davidson, Peter Passwater
and Elijah Gufly settled near the Finches. William Passwater came in 1825. These
persons constituted the Finch settlement. At that time John Finch was a gunsmith
and Israel Finch was a blacksmith. They worked some at their trade, but a great
deal of their time was spent in clearing and fencing their lands. They both made
knives, hatchets and a fine article of hoes. They carried on a good trade with
the Indians, taking furs from them in exchange for knives, watches and such
other articles as the Indians wanted. A log cabin was built northeast of Bethel
Church on land now owned by Mr. Zeis. In this cabin the first two schools were
taught. The first was taught by Mary Finch and the second by Rebecca Finch.
These schools were taught in summer time and were supported by the parties above
named. After the second school was taught the cabin burned down.

   David Osborn was a man of some means and by this time his cabin had been torn
down and a two-story hewed log house had taken its place. There were two rooms
below and a kitchen in the rear. The second story was one large room in which
the carding, spinning and weaving were done. The first winter school was taught
by Henry Scarce, the second by Theodore Gilleland and the third by Thomas O.
Scragg in this room. These schools were supported by the same parties who
supported the summer schools. The Osborn house was sold by George Stephens, who
now owns the land, to Allen Shoemaker, an adjoining land owner, and is- now
doing service as a barn.

   The state early established a road, called the Winchester State road, which
run through the township from northeast to the southwest, passing near the
residences of William, Peter and Clement Passwater. It also run through the
lands owned by Osborn, the two •Finches and William Davidson. About this time a
road was laid out leading from Noblesville to the Betts mill on Stony Creek,
crossing the creek below the dam, thence up the creek until it intersected the
Winchester road near William Davidson's. These were the only roads in the
township at that time except such as the settlers cut out for their own
convenience.

   Near this time Benjamin Purdum, Parnell Cover-dale, Nathan Shoemaker and
Benjamin Shoemaker settled in the Finch neighborhood. They were industrious men
and went to work with a will, making for themselves and posterity good homes. In
1827 Calvin Granger settled north*of Israel Finch but died soon afterwards.

   In the fall of 1823, after the Finches had settled in the township, Joseph
Waddle, James Hare, John Hare, Sr., John Hare, Jr., James Stephenson and William
Waddle settled north of David Osborn on the north side of Story Creek. This was
known for a long time as the Hare and Waddle settlement. They sent their
children to school in the Finch settlement. They were not very long, however, in
deciding to build a school house for themselves, which was known as the Hare and
Waddle school house. The names of the first teachers cannot be learned. In this
school house and at private residences the Methodists held their meetings as
early as 1826, the first church in the township being built by the Methodists at
or near what is now known as Bethel, in the Finch settlement.

   In the year 1831, or thereabouts, a neighborhood was formed north of the Hare
and Waddle settlement. This was called the Castor settlement, and it extended to
the north line of the township. Schools were taught in private houses and church
services held there until the two neighborhoods went together and built a church
in the Hare settlement. At an early day Samuel Fisher, William Aldred, John
Zimmerman, William Stephens, James McKinzie and many others settled east of the
Finch neighborhood. In the year 1830 a settlement was formed at the present site
of Clarksville. Among the early settlers were Peter Lennen, Samuel Lennen,
William and Solomon Bratton. Joseph Dean, John Addison, John Wiseman, Henry
Burcham, Joseph Whetsell, Thomas Richardson, Peter Boyer, Martin Barnhizer, N.
W. Commins and Jacob Wiseman. These men came to make a permanent settlement and
they converted the swamps and forests into farms. Their first school house was
erected on the lands of Mr. Davis west of Clarksville, and the first term of
school was taught by Henry Burcham. No religious services were held in this
settlement, so far as I am able to learn, until some time afterwards. The west
portion of the settlement attended at Bethel. Peter Lennen settled near the line
of the county where the Pendleton Road now crosses the line. East and west of
his house the land was low and marshy and the road was almost impassable in the
spring time. Lennen kept one yoke of oxen ready to pull wagons over these bad
roads for hire. There is nothing of interest to relate that occurred in this
neighborhood that differed from other settlements.

  William Davidson owned and operated the first saw mill in this township.
Persons wishing to have sawing done could do so "on the shares." Mr. Davidson
opened the first stone quarry in the county. He used an ox team for the purpose
of hauling the stone to Noblesville where it was sold. The mill and quarry were
on Stony Creek, four miles east of Noblesville.

Adams Township.

   George Boxley was the first white man that made permanent settlement in what
is now Adams Township. His cabin was built on the knoll north of the present
site of Sheridan. An excavation was made in the ground about four feet deep by
fifteen feet square and his cabin set over this hole. Boxley was in many ways a
very peculiar man. He was a Virginian by birth and had served with distinction
in the war of 1812. He was a man of wealth and the owner of a large number of
slaves, but upon this question he became conscientious and liberated them. From
that day he fought the hated institution of slavery, often giving aid to slaves
who were escaping from bondage. In some one of the acts done by him he violated
the penal laws of Virginia. He was arrested, tried, convicted and sentenced to
death, but before the day of execution he escaped from prison. His wife, who was
given permission to see him, carried a small saw to him with which he sawed his
way out. Leaving his family and his wealth behind him, he made his way to
Pennsylvania and from there to Ohio, where he was again arrested on the old
charge but again escaped. He traveled a great deal in the west under an assumed
name and finally settled in Hamilton County, where he remained undisturbed until
his death. He was kind and generous to his neighbors and taught their children
in a cabin on his own land before a school was organized in the township. Milch
cows were scarce in those days and Mr. Boxley would loan his to the neighbors,
exacting only the increase. By his kind acts he became one of the most popular
men of the township in those days. He was opposed to banks and to all forms of
government that required the payment of taxes. He was opposed to the collection
of debts by-legal process. At one time he was induced by B. F. Cogswell to
purchase cloth for a cloak on credit. When the debt came due he refused to pay
the bill. Cogswell brought suit against him and obtained judgment by default. An
execution was issued and placed in the hands of an officer who levied upon and
advertised for sale some of Mr. Boxley's cattle. When the day fixed for the sale
came the cattle could not be found and a second advertisement was made, when the
cattle were taken to Noblesville for safe keeping, but were driven back to
Boxley's place to be sold. The officer deputized nine men to go with him to see
that the sale went off without interference. W. W. Conner was there as agent of
Mr. Cogswell and was instructed to bid the cattle in in [sic] payment of the
debt. During the morning men came in from the surrounding country armed as was
the pioneer custom until there were as many as fifteen persons present. When the
officer stepped upon a bench and offered the cattle for sale notice was given by
the neighbors of Mr. Boxley that any one buying in the cattle would be in danger
of bodily harm. The odds in numbers were in favor of Boxley, so Conner very
wisely concluded not to bid and the sale failed. The men who appeared for Boxley
were men who had received aid from him in time of need. Cogswell never collected
his debt.

   At another time a tax collecter [sic] levied upon some cattle belonging to
Mr. Boxley to satisfy a claim for delinquent taxes. The officer started for
Noblesville, taking the cattle with him. Boxley mounted a horse and followed the
officer until they came to a thicket when he uttered a peculiar call which the
cattle understood. When they heard this they broke from the officer and he was
unable to stop them. The tax collector was compelled to return to Noblesville
empty handed while Mr. Boxley returned home with his cattle.

   The first settlement was made in this township by Thomas Spencer, John
Blanch, James L. Masters, Z. Acord and Washington McKinsey a little west of the
present site of Boxleytown. This settlement was made soon after George Boxley
settled near Sheridan. Soon after this James Mann, Thomas and William Harbaugh,
Payton Harris and Reuben Tansey joined this settlement. James Harbaugh, Eben
Teter and others came later. This part of Adams Township was called at that time
Boxley's swamp. Two trails, one leading from Noblesville to Lafayette, the other
from Strawtown to Lafayette, were the only roads in the township at that time.
The people who came in from 1830 to 1833, made their own roads and in doing so
they kept to the high ground, avoiding the ponds and swamps that existed in this
township. When they came to the "slashes" the old corduroy bridges were built.
This was done by laying two large logs parallel and a few feet apart across the
"slash." Then across these were laid a number of smaller logs until the entire
creek or branch was bridged. At the sides strong stakes were driven to hold the
first and last logs in place. In some cases dirt was thrown on top of this
structure to make it smooth.

   The school taught by George Boxley in the cabin on his land was the first
school taught in the township prior to the year of 1838.

   The following persons formed a settlement in this township near the present
site of Bakers Corner, between the years 1831 and 1837: Christopher Williams,
Mr. Hodson, Stephen Masters, James Lackey, George Rushton, William Davis, Daniel
Smith, Leroy Fitzpatrick, George Ramsey, James Higbee, John B. Hammock, Nathan
John Baldwin, J. Dunn, N. Pearson and James Hawkins. For some time after this
settlement was formed schools were taught at private houses until a cabin was
built for that purpose near Bakers Corner. These schools were supported by the
parents of the pupils on the subscription plan. A majority of this settlement
belonged to the Friends' church. They had no meeting house of their own, but
attended at Hinkle Creek church until the West Grove church was built. There
were a few Wesleyan Methodists among them and they held services at private
houses and at the school house until the Mount Pleasant church was built. These
settlements comprised the population of the township at that time. They had
their milling done at the Shryock mill, five miles north of Noblesville, and at
the Fallis mill, two miles south of Noblesville, until a mill was built on
Cicero Creek in Jackson Township.

TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES.

   About the year 1859 the present system of doing township business was
established. Between that date and the year 1866 the following named persons
served as trustees:

Adams Township.
Caswell Boxley from 1859 to 1862. 
Fred Smith from 1863 to 1864. 
Wash McKenzie 1865.

Jackson Township.
E. Summer 1859 to 1860. 
A. E. Teal i860 to 1864.
A. W. Dewey 1865.

White River Township.
W. Dick 1859 to l864
J. C. Peck 1865.

Washington Township.
B. M. Smith 1859 to 1863.
Addison White 1864.
P. Cardwell and Henry Bray 1865.

Noblesville Township.
T. T. Butler 1859 to 1860.
J. L. Evans 1861.
E. K. Hall 1861 to 1866.

Wayne Township.
Abraham Nicholson 1859 to 1861. 
Jacob Crull 1861 to 1864. 
George Paulsel 1865.

Clay Township.
Jonathan Wilson 1859 to 1861. 
Alfred Jessup 1861 to 1863. 
S. Carey 1864. 
A. G. Jessup 1865.

Delaware Township.
Samuel Campbell 1859. 
Ira Mendenhall 1860 to 1861. 
C. W. Heady 1862. 
A. Myers 1864.

Fall Creek Township.
John C. Kinnaman 1859 to 1866.


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.



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