Tipton County IN Archives History - Books .....Liberty Township 1883
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Book Title: Counties Of Howard And Tipton, Indiana

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP.
BY GEORGE C. WOOD.

   Liberty Township is in the north-central part of the county. It is seven
miles long east and west, and five miles wide north and south, containing
thirty-five square miles. The greater portion of the township is in
Congressional Township 22 north, Range 4 east. There are six sections on the
north in Township 23 north, Range 4 east, and one section in Township 23 north,
Range 5 east. On the east end of the township there are four sections in
Township 22 north, Range 5 east. The township is bounded on the north by Howard
County, on the east by Wild Cat Township, on the south by Cicero Township, and
on the west by Prairie Township. Its surface is level. It has a deep, rich soil,
and was in its primeval state covered with a dense forest, consisting chiefly of
walnut, poplar, oak, sycamore, elm, beech, maple, hickory and ash.

   Mud Creek enters the township a little south of its center on the west, flows
northeast and leaves the township just south of the corner section. North Creek
rises in the extreme southwest corner of the township, flows northeast, and
empties into Mud Creek, one mile and a half east of Sharpsville. Turkey Creek
crosses the extreme southeast corner of the township, being confined almost
within the southeast quarter of the corner section.

INDIAN HISTORY.

   All the northern portion of the county once belonged to the Miami
Beservation. Hunting parties from this tribe of Indians visited the township
every fall and spring until about 1852 or 1853. At this time, raccoon, turkey
and deer, were found in abundance, and occasionally "old bruin " was to be
encountered, though the number of black bears in this region was never
very-numerous.

   The Miamis had a camping ground just south of Sharpsville on the Grishaw
farm, also one east of Nevada, where John B. Reeder's house now stands; one west
of Nevada where Mr. Coate now lives, and another southwest of Nevada, where Mrs.
Schaefer now lives. Just south of Reeder's house is the grave of an Indian chief
by the name of Shockamore. Tradition has it that several of the chiefs, who were
jealous of his promotion and influence in the tribe, while in a drunken carousal
killed him. The mound beneath which he is said to have been buried has been
pointed out to numbers of the settlers, but no one has ever dug into the grave
to verify the story. There is another Indian grave on the Sippy farm. On the
Bowlby farm there are two Indians buried, a man by the name of Pete Cornstalk
and a squaw, by name "Over-the-garden-wall." The latter name is probably
fictitious, but these graves, as well as that of the one buried on the Sippy
farm, remained for many years inclosed by pens built of round logs.

EARLY SETTLERS.

   It is probable that the first settler in Liberty Township was a man by the
name of Kaywood, who built a cabin north of the creek on what is now the Needham
farm. Kaywood was a frontier man and soon moved away. Whence he came and whither
he went are not now known. Perhaps the next settler was William Riggs, who came
from Madison County and pre-empted land where Fish now lives. He afterward sold
his claim, and pre-empted land where William Jarrett now lives, two years before
the land came into market. Riggs returned to Madison County in 3853, where he
still lives. Frederick Parsons pre-empted what is now known as the McGee farm.
He sold his claim to Frank McGuire in 1846 and moved to Howard County, where he
died in about 1870. McGuire went to Iowa in 1858, thence to Missouri.

   Caleb Richardson and his wife Celia came from Boone County and pre-empted
what is still known as the old Richardson homestead in 1845. Unto them were born
sixteen children, fifteen of whom lived to have families of their own. Their
names, though not in the order of their ages. were William, Charlotte, Jane,
George, James, Stephen, Jackson, Strange, Caleb, Emeline, Cynthia, John, Joel,
Mary Ann, Jonathan and Francis Marion, the last dying when he was an infant. Mr.
Richardson died several years ago, but Aunt Celia is still living. She is now
about seventy-seven years old, and has seen all her children buried but five.
Richardson was one of the first settlers in his neighborhood. His house was a
home for the traveler and the land seeker. He was the founder of Methodism in
this part of the county. For several years his house was the place of meeting.
He helped establish the Pleasant Grove Association, and with David and P. Hutto
built the Pleasant Grove Meeting House. His infant child, Francis Marion, was
the first to be buried in the Richardson Graveyard. A remarkable fact connected
with the history of this graveyard is that there were sixteen children buried in
it before any grown person.

   Thomas Cole, born and reared in Kentucky, came to Shelby County in 1835. From
there he moved to Liberty Township in 1847, and preempted a quarter-section of
land where he now lives. James Cole, brother of Thomas, came from Henry County,
Ind., in the spring of 1848 and bought the claim where he lived the remainder of
his years, dying in 1870.

   Granville Wilson came from Shelby County in the fall of 1848 and bought the
land where James H. Chase now lives. James Maze came from Butler County, Ohio,
to Shelby County, Ind., in 1827; thence he moved to Liberty Township in 1848,
where he entered the tract of land on which he has lived ever since, with the
exception of one year he lived in Terre Hall, Howard County.

   William Jarrett came from Greenbrier County, Va., to Decatur County, Ind., in
1847; thence he moved to Madison County and thence to Liberty Township in 1851.
He entered the farm that Mr. Needham now owns, and bought the place on which he
is now living in 1853. Benjamin Denny, William Sims and William Marshall were
the first settlers in the northeast part of the township. They came from Madison
County in 1850. Benjamin Denny died there in 1855, and William Sims in 1863.
William Marshall went to the army and died in service in 1864. Lindsay Ballew
came from Howard County and settled in Nevada in 1854. He is still living in the
township. Other early settlers in that part of the township were John Smith,
William Smith and James Barrow. Among the early settlers in the southeast part
of the township were Alexander Mills, Esq., Jesse Smiley, Messick Turner,
Jonathan Hayworth and Lilburn Cox. Among a great number who entered land in
1848, the following were first: Lewis Small, George Stewart, James Bennett,
Larkin Ward, John W. Pike, George B. W. Parks, W. M. Hutto, W. Caldwell, Wesley
Umfreys, E. M. Sharp, P. H. Smiley, Jesse Wells, William Bess, Francis McGuire
and Henry Goar. These early settlers underwent all the hardships and privations
which were common to pioneer life. Their houses were log cabins with clapboard
doors and puncheon floors.

   The corn huskings, raisings and log rollings were occasions never to be
forgotten by "ye old settlers." For supplies in the way of milling and what few
groceries they could afford the early settlers in the west part of the township
journeyed to New London, Howard County, and La Fayette; those on the east went
usually to Perkinsville on White River. The following incident, illustrative
of-the hardihood of the women of those days, is told and its accuracy vouched
for by a living witness: The Widow Van Horn moved from Wayne County and settled
south of Sharpsville in the fall of 1851 or 1852, bringing with her a roan mare.
One day the following winter, when the snow was five inches deep, and the
mercury below zero, the mare got out of the rail inclosure near the house and
started to return to their old home. Toward night her escape was discovered.
Mrs. Van Horn set out in pursuit on foot. She trailed the mare in a southwest
course, the trail leading through Tetersburg and Boxleytown and thence
southeast, crossing the Peru road between Cicero and Noblesville. She came up
with the mare in the neighborhood of Perkinsville. Mounting her, she made her
way back, reaching home before daylight the next morning.

THE FIRST DEATH.

    The first death in the township was probably that of an old man by the name
of Praul, who lived on the farm Dr. Baxter now owns. Praul, it is supposed,
started to go to the settlements in Grant County, and on his way froze to death.
If Praul's death was not the first, then the first must have been that of Messic
Turner's son. This boy was about fifteen years old, and was killed by a tree
falling on him. He was buried on the Turner farm, which Calvin Holman now owns.
The first to be buried in the Sharpsville Graveyard was a child of William
Riggs, that died of scarlet fever in 1850. The second was William Bowlby's
child, and the third a young man by the name of Joseph Van Horn. The first to be
buried in the Nevada Graveyard was John Smith, who died in 1848. The first in
the Richardson Graveyard was the infant son of Caleb Richardson. It is not now
known who was first buried in the old Mud Creek Graveyard. The first in the new
graveyard south of the road was John McGee.

MARRIAGES.

   The first marriage license issued in the county was that of John G. Brown and
Lorinda Sharp, July 31, 1844. The marriage was solemnized by John B. Cole,
Justice of the Peace, August 8, 1844. The following is a copy of the second
marriage license issued in the county, the contracting parties living in this
township:

STATE OF INDIANA, ) 
TIPTON COUNTY,    )  Greeting:

   To any person empowered by law to solemnize marriage. You are hereby
authorized to join together as husband and wife Hickman Smiley and Elizabeth
Mills, and make return of said marriage to this office as required by law.

        In testimony whereof, I, Newton J. Jackson, Clerk of the Tipton Circuit 
[SEAL.] Court, have hereunto set my hand and seal this 3d day of August, 1844.

STATE OF INDIANA, ) 
TIPTON COUNTY.    )

   This is to certify that on the 8th day of August, 1844, I joined Hickman
Smiley and Elizabeth Mills as husband and wife, according to law. Given under 
my hand and seal, this 30th day of August, 1844.
                            JOSEPH GOAR, Associate Judge,    [SEAL.]

   It will be noticed that these two couples were married on the same day, viz.,
August 8. It is claimed that Smiley's wedding was the first in the county, the
marriage having occurred earlier in the day than that of Brown. The next parties
to wed in this township were John Brown and Philena Kaywood, who were married
February 2, 1845. The third marriage was that of George B. W. Parks and Cynthia
Richardson, which took place July 26, 1845, Judge W. H. Nelson officiating.

EARLY SCHOOLS.

   The first school in Sharpsville was taught in a little log house where Edward
Roswog now lives, by Martha Ann Grishaw, in 1852. She returned to Ripley County
and married G. W. Holman in 1853; she is still living. The next school was
taught by Lizzie Smith in a little frame house south of the square. Miss Smith
taught two or three terms, the last in 1855. She died at Zionsville in Boone
County, of erysipelas. John Vaughn taught a school in the winter of 1853, and
John W. Grishaw one in the summer of 1854. These were all subscription schools,
and nothing definite can be learned as to the number of scholars or the price of
tuition.

   In the Richardson neighborhood, the first schoolhouse was a little round-log
house just in the edge of what is now Prairie Township. It had one window and a
fire-place. It is not known who taught the first school in this house. The
second school was taught by L. Adams, who is now in Benson County, Iowa. He
received $2 per scholar for a three -months' winter term. The second schoolhouse
in the neighborhood was built near where Granville Wilson now lives in 1849 or
1850. Matthew Hawthorn, who now lives in Kokomo, was among the early teachers,
also L. Adams, At this time each school district had three trustees. Thomas Cole
and G. M. Wilson were two of the first Board of Trustees in this district.

   The law for the establishment of public schools was passed in 1852. A new
house was soon after built on the present site. It has always been known as the
Cole Schoolhouse. The first public school taught in it was by L. Adams. John
Ballinger taught the second term. Other early teachers were Dr. Chew and John King.

   The first school in Nevada was taught by James H. Martin, who is now in the
dry goods business at Fairfield, Ind. He had fifteen or sixteen scholars and
taught in a little old, deserted log house. Other teachers were John C. Riley,
J. Hyatt and George Wise, the latter teaching in a portion of his own house. The
first free school was taught by Jesse Morgan and the second by Lizzie Morgan.

CHURCH HISTORY.

   Poplar Grove Separate Baptist Church was first organized in the old log
schoolhouse where the Jackson Cemetery now is. The society afterward held
meetings in Sharpsville for a year or two, and finally built the church on James
Maze's farm. This building was torn down only a few years ago, the church
organization having been broken up in 1862. The early members were: Reuben
Jackson and wife, George Wiseman, James Bess, James Maze and wife, J. A. Maze
and wife, Maj. Bennett, Oliver Brown and Andy Mills and wife. Elder Joy Randolph
was its founder and attending pastor for many years. No one who ever heard the
old man preach will ever forget the fervor and earnestness which characterized
the delivery of his sermons. Other pastors who attended the church were Reuben
Jackson, A. J. Graham and Robert Sharp.

   The Old School Baptist Church was organized on the third Saturday in
September, 1864, by a council composed of Wilson Thompson, John A. Thompson, A.
B. Nay and George S. Weaver. The original members were Jesse G. Jackson and
wife, W. J. Tyner and wife, Elizabeth Tharp, Charity Jackson, Joseph
Hendrickson, James Powers and Elizabeth Lyon. The church was organized at the
Lutheran Meeting House. The present church edifice was built in 1866. Elder
Jesse G. Jackson has been the pastor in charge ever since the organization. The
total membership at present is fifty-four.

   The Richland Evangelical Lutheran Church of Sharpsville was organizpd by Rev.
A. H. Scherer in Mud Creek Schoolhouse on the 23d day of June, A. D. 1857. At
this time John Long was elected Elder and Jonathan Ulrick, Deacon, for two
years. The number of members of the organization was nine, viz.: John Long,
Jonathan Ulrick, Henry Swing, Oliver Saunders, Jane Long, Barbara Swing, Martha
Ann Saunders, Sallie Swing and Ladoskey Swing. The church edifice, two and a
half miles southwest of Sharpsville, was built in 1863, at a cost of $900. Since
the 8th day of January, 1879, their meetings for the most part have been held at
the Cole Schoolhouse, on account of greater convenience. The present membership
is twenty-four. Rev. A. H. Scherer has been the pastor in charge most of the
time since its organization. Other pastors who have preached for the church are
Alonzo Scherer, S. P. Snyder and Samuel McReynolds. The present board of
trustees consists of Jonathan Ulrick, Jacob Platt, Daniel Coon, E. G. Becker and
E. W. Ulrick.

   Hopewell Presbyterian Church, two and one half miles east of Sharpsville, was
organized February 22, 1873, by Rev. J. S. Craig, by consent of the Presbytery
of Muncie, Synod of Northern Indiana. The organization consisted of eight
members, viz., William Bowlby, John C. Henderson and wife, Abraham V. Voris and
wife, Martha E. Voris, Ann Caldwell, Lydia Kirkpatrick and Olivia M. Davis.
William Bowlby and John C. Henderson were elected and ordained Ruling Elders,
and Abraham V. Voris Deacon; William Bowlby, John C. Henderson and John
Kirkpatrick were elected Trustees, and steps were immediately taken toward
erecting a church edifice. The building was completed the following summer at a
cost of $1,600, and dedicated in October by Rev. J. S. Craig. Rev. Craig has
been pastor of the church ever since its organization, preaching every four
weeks. The membership at present numbers fifty-six. A Sabbath school is held
every Sabbath, with forty-one scholars and three teachers.

   The Rock Prairie Church, four miles southeast of Sharpsville, was organized
by Elder Joy Randolph in 1852, with nine members. The successive pastors have
been Elders Langman, G. W. Turner and W. H. Spurlin, the last having been the
pastor in charge since 1878. A very good frame church building was erected at a
cost of $1,200, and dedicated in 1876 by Elder G. W. Baumgardner. This church
has had a slow but steady growth, its communicants now numbering eighty.

   Rev. Richard A. Newton was the pioneer preacher in Liberty Township. In the
fall of 1851, he preached at three different points in this township, viz.,
Sharpsville, MeGee Schoolhouse and at Uncle Cale Richardson's. A portion of what
afterward became the Hopewell class was organized by him at the McGee
Schoolhouse in 1851. The Methodist Episcopal Church at Sharpsville was organized
in the fall of 1852, by Rev. Hopkins, who was preacher in charge of the Normanda
Circuit. The first class was composed of the following members: Madison Grishaw,
America Grishaw, James Comer and wife, Washington Grishaw, Caleb Richardson and
wife, George Richardson and wife, Callaway Pierce and wife, V. C. Wisner, and a
few others whose names cannot now be ascertained. In 1854, Milton Mahan, of
Logansport, was Presiding Elder, and Nathan Shackleford preacher in charge,
assisted by W. K. Hoback. Martin Morrison was appointed in the fall of 1854,
re-appointed in the spring of 1855, and failed to fill the charge. Rev. Richey
was appointed in 1856 by Elder Lamb to fill the place. The district was then
known as the Peru District. In the spring of 1857, J. J. Cooper, Presiding
Elder, appointed William Bradford, who remained two years. Under his
supervision, the Methodist Episcopal Church building was commenced. Then
followed Rev. George Havens, from 1859 to 1861, who finished the church edifice,
which was dedicated by his father, Rev. James Havens. J. W. T. McMullen was the
preacher in charge in 1861. The following year, Rev. William Edmonson was in
charge. [The dates attached to some of the foregoing are, perhaps, incorrect,
and there is perhaps one preacher omitted between Richey and Bradford. With that
exception, they are probably given in the exact order of their ministrations.]
The following spring (1863), Joseph Shackleford was appointed and remained two
years. In the succeeding spring came D. F. Streight, who remained one year.
After that came Silas Stout, one year; James Black, one year; and W. J.
Martindale, six months. The Presiding Elder employed C. W. Stafford to fill out
Martindale's time. Then was sent Charles Martindale, one year, who was followed
by J. E. Erwin, the Rev. Keeler, Rev. C. Brock and H. C. Clingle.

   In the spring of 1869, Sharpsville was set off from Tipton and made a
separate circuit. In 1870, Rev. L. R. Streeter was sent here and remained three
years. During his pastorate, Nash's Chapel was built. Then followed T. J. Elkin,
who remained three years; A. H. Currie, three years; D. D. Powel, two years; T.
H. C. Beall, one year; and F. A. Fish, one year. The Rev. Mr. White is the
preacher in charge at this writing. The Methodists held their meetings at Uncle
Cale Richardson's house for some years before they moved to town. In town they
first met in an old vacant dwelling house south of the square, and then in the
schoolhouse until the church was built.

VILLAGE OF SHAEPSVILLE.

   E. M. Sharp, the founder of Sharpsville, came from Washington County, Penn.,
to Morgan County, Ill., in 1831, thence going to Jennings County, Ind., in 1838,
and to Liberty Township in the spring of 1849. At the latter date, there was no
road between Tipton and Kokomo, except in the vicinity of Fairfield. The first
settler in the present limits of Sharpsville was a man by the name of Wiseman.
The second was Reuben Jackson, who kept a small store in the south part of town.
This was the first business enterprise ever started in the town. A plat of the
town was made May 24, 1850, and recorded May 27, by Sylvester Turpen, Recorder.
The town was laid off with the expectation that it would be the county seat, and
accordingly a public square was left. This expectation having failed, the square
was indeed a public one until the township trustee built the brick schoolhouse
on it. This house is a two-story brick with three rooms, one above and two
below. The town was subsequently incorporated, and the School Trustees fenced in
the square and set out quite a number of beautiful shade trees. It is now the
most beautiful school property in the county. When the house was built, Mr. and
Mrs. Sharp signed a quit-claim deed to the grounds.

   The first mill for grinding corn was a horse mill in the Balser neighborhood.
The second was a corn-cracker attached to the saw mill then owned by a man by
the name of Sumner. The mill was built in 1851 or 1852. It subsequently burned
down and was never rebuilt. Mr. Sharp commenced building a flour mill in the
summer of 1852, completed it in the summer of 1853 and commenced grinding in
September of 1853. This mill was 60x70 feet on the ground floor, and three and
one-half stories high, with four runs of buhrs, three for wheat and one for
corn. It contained storage room for 20,000 bushels of grain, and at that time
was the largest and best equipped mill in this region of country. Mr. Sharp ran
the mill till about 1862 or 1863, and then sold to Cornelius Barlow. Barlow sold
the mill in about 1865 to Franklin & Thompkins, who continued to run it till
March 28, 1868, when it burned down, resulting in a total loss, as there was no
insurance. Franklin associated with him John C. Halley, and immediately rebuilt
The new mill was rnnning in just one hundred days from the time of the fire. The
firm continued to operate the mill till 1871.

   The first saw mill was built in what is now Needham's meadow, in 1851, by a
man of the name of Strickland, from Ripley County. Strickland sold the mill to
Eli Sumner, who put in a corn-cracker, as mentioned elsewhere. The mill was
afterward burnt and never rebuilt. Thompson subsequently built a mill south of
the creek, sold it to Robinson & Bland, and they to Squire Armstrong, who
afterward moved it to Prairie Township. List & Blunk built a mill just north of
town, Webb & Co. succeeding them. Miner & Howard next built a mill in town,
Miner eventually selling his interest to Howard. While Howard owned the mill, it
was burned and rebuilt on the same site. Howard sold out to J. H. Hoback in
1869. The mill burned again in 1873 and was rebuilt. L. D. Thomas took a half
interest in 1878, and the same year the mill was a third time burned and
rebuilt. Berryman & Bates bought the mill in 1881, A. L. Bates succeeding to the
business.

   Murzy Adams built a saw mill on Mud Creek in an early day, and several years
afterward added a grist mill. This mill was eventually moved to Normanda by
Milton Mozingo.

   The first mercantile business started in Sharpsville was by Reuben Jackson,
who kept a store in the south part of town. Jackson afterward went to Missouri,
but the date of his coming and the time he left can not now be determined. It is
believed that Forbes & Fugit succeeded Jackson, and in about 1853 moved their
stock to some other town.

   The second mercantile business started in Sharpsville was by Madison and
Washington Grishaw in 1853, in a store room fronting the railroad, where the old
building now owned by Haynes, Grishaw & Shook stands. Washington Grishaw
succeeded to the business and the house was burned in 1856.

   J. A. Franklin came to Liberty Township in the fall of 1850, from Hancock
County, and settled on what is now the Merrill Townsend farm. He came, to
Sharpsville in the fall of 1851 and started a dry goods and grocery store in the
south end of his residence (the building now be longs to J. W. Grishaw and is
rented as a residence), having associated with him N. Spaulding. They sold goods
there till the fall of 1854, and then sold out to Fish & Hill. Franklin, after
going to Kansas on a prospecting tour, returned and built what is now the I. O.
O. F. building in the spring of 1855, and went into business again, the firm
being Franklin & Haynes. In 1857, the name of the firm was changed to Franklin,
Haynes & Co, Silas Needham being a partner. In the fall of 1858, William Haynes
died, the firm thus becoming Franklin & Needham. It remained so till 1859, when
Needham sold out to W. P. Gard. The firm of Franklin & Gard continued in
business till the fall of 1865, when Franklin took the whole stock. In 1866 or
1867, Franklin associated with him J. W. Stratford & Bro., and finally sold the
entire stock to them. Stratford & Bro. continued till October, 1869, when they
sold a third interest to N. W. Halley and an equal amount to Moses Samples. The
remaining one-third was sold to I. J. Henry in January, 1870. The firm of
Samples, Halley & Co. continued till June, 1870, when Samples & Halley succeeded
to the business. Samples finally bought out the whole business and continued
till March, 1873, when he sold a one-half interest to John W. Grishaw, Sr.
Grishaw & Samples continued in business till 1875, in the meantime buying the
remnant of goods belonging to Randolph, and moving across the street to the Fish
& Hill building. In 1875, J. W. Grishaw succeeded to the business and continued
till 1876. In that year Calvin Holman came in as a partner. The firm of Grishaw
& Holman continued till 1877, when H. E. Wooley came in as a partner, the firm
then being known as Grishaw, Holman & Co. Holman retired in the fall of 1877,
and Grishaw & Wooley continued till the fall of 1878, when Wooley died, and
Grishaw continued the business till March, 1879, when he sold to N. Spaulding.
Spaulding continued in business till March, 1882, when he sold to George W.
McGee & Co. W. E. Richards of this firm retired in the fall of 1882, the firm
name remaining the same. In March, 1883, the stock was sold to John W. Grishaw, Jr.

   The history of the business done in the Fish & Hill building previous to the
time it was occupied by Samples & Grishaw is about as follows: D. A. Fish and
Ellison Hill bought the stock of goods in Franklin's residence from Franklin &
Spaulding in the fall of 1854. The next year they built the business house on
the corner. They continued in business until 1857. Hill succeeded to the
business, and in 1858 sold out to William B. Hill. William B. Hill sold the
stock to Wishard & McGuire in 1862. They continued in business till 1864, when
McGuire succeeded to the business and moved the stock of goods to Windfall. D.
A. Fish put in another stock of goods in the building in the spring of 1865. In
1866, McGuire became a partner. Fish & McGuire sold to Harlin & Bolin in 1868.
They continued the business two years, when Harlin sold his interest to Bolin &
Son. They sold to Andy Wallace, and Wallace to Randolph.

   George W. Mix commenced business in the dry goods line in the building by the
railroad in September, 1865. In November, 1865, George V. Haynes became a
partner. They continued until July, 1867, when the firm name changed to Haynes,
Mix & Grishaw. In April, 1870, the firm assumed its present name, Haynes,
Grishaw & Shook. In the latter part of 1875, they built the magnificent brick
structure which they have since occupied with a large stock of goods. The firm
took a one-half interest in the Tipton store in December, 1877, and assumed full
control in February, 1882.

   The store room north of the road running by the church was built in 1855, and
Thomas T. Walker commenced business in the dry goods and grocery line. He
continued till 1858, and then moved his stock of goods to Tennessee. Mix & Brown
next started business in the same building. They sold out to Nathan Spaulding,
who continued in business for a number of years. The remainder of the history of
this building is narrated elsewhere, commencing with its occupation by W. N.
Heath & Co. Stratford & Bro. put in a stock of drugs in their back room while
they were in business, and sold that part of their business to Dr. W. N. Heath &
Co., in September, 1868. Heath succeeded to the business. In February, 1870, a
stock of groceries was added and the whole stock moved north of the road under
the firm name of Heath & Co. In April, 1870, this stock was sold to J. N.
Davenport & Co, and the business continued till August, when Davenport succeeded
 to it. In February, 1871, the stock was closed out by Sheriff's sale to Joseph
Cooper. Cooper sold the stock to James F. Merrick. Then followed S. C. Seiler
and Drs. Franklin and Alman. The stock ran down in quantity as well as
reputation, till finally the whole business "turned up its toes to the daisies."

   In 1875, after J. W. Grishaw had vacated the Odd Fellows' building, Louis
Mehlig started a drug store in it. In 1881 a stock of groceries was added. In
1882 Mr. Mehlig moved to his present commodious quarters in the building erected
by Thomas & Hoback.

   For several years previous to 1872, J. E. Ballenger was proprietor of a
grocery in a small building next to the old Haynes storehouse. In that year, L.
D. Thomas became a partner. They continued till 1878, when Thomas succeeded to
the business and built the storehouse now occupied by Mehlig. When the stock was
removed to the new building, J. H. Hoback became a partner. Thomas & Hoback
continued in business till July, 1881, when they made an assignment.

   The lodge of the Free and Accepted Masons received its dispensation December
26, 1854, H. C. Lawrence, G. M. The officers and charter members were Silas
Needham, W. M.; George W. Rose, S. W.; Levi Moorly, J. W.; James A. Dunnigan, S.
D.; Robert McLain, J. D.; J. A. Franklin, Secretary, and N. Spaulding,
Treasurer. The charter was granted May 31, 1855, with A. C. Downey, G. M., and
Silas Needham, W. M. In 1863, on account of so many of its members having gone
to the war, the lodge was compelled to surrender its charter. John N. Daly was
then W. M. The charter was restored in 1868, with Silas Needham as W. M. The
preliminary meetings for the organization of the lodge were held up-stairs in
Silas Needham's house. During the dispensation and until 1855, under the
charter, the lodge met in a building now known as the old barracks, then owned
by S. F. Randolph. In 1855, and for several years subsequent, its meetings were
held in what is now the Odd Fellows' building. The lodge next met in a room over
what is now Seiler's blacksmith shop, and continued to meet there until the
Masonic building was bought and fitted up. Silas Needham was W. M. from the
organization of the lodge in 1854 to 1861. N. R. Griffith was the second W. M.,
and John N. Daly the third. When the charter was restored in 1868, Silas Needham
was again W. M. until 1871. G. M. Hawthorn was probably his successor. Then
followed Hiram Heath, 1872 to 1876; William N. Heath, 1876; J. K. Baxter, 1877
to 1879; J. K. Shook, 1879 to 1881; and J. K. Baxter, 1881, to the present time.
This lodge has been one of the most prosperous in the county, having, perhaps,
made more Masons than any other. Owing to death and the removal of many of its
members, the membership now only numbers twenty-three.

   The I. O. O. F. Lodge was organized May 18, 1870, with J. A. Wildman, G. M.
The charter members were Simeon Massena, N. G.; M. E. Clark, J. E. Rumsey,
William J. Franklin, William Dickson, G W. Boyer, George V. Haynes, D. E.
Gilbert and W. S. Armstrong. The lodge was instituted June 2, 1870, and the
following persons initiated: John Baker, Peter P. Illyes, I. W. Gardner, J. L.
Grishaw and George Wooldridge. The first Trustees were George V. Haynes, W. J.
Franklin and I. W. Gardner. This has always been a prosperous lodge. Its
membership numbers forty-three. B. F. Hall is the present N. G.

   The first doctor of Sharpsville was Reuben Jackson, who came from some point
in Boone County in 1849 and left in 1853, going to Missouri. Dr. James P.
Lindsay, the father of medicine in Sharpsville, came from Decatur County in
1850, and has lived here ever since and been engaged in the active practice of
his profession. Dr. Chew came from Clinton County in 1852 and remained till
1854, when he moved to the west part of Howard County. Dr. Cross came from
Madison, Ind., in 1855, left in 1857 and returned to Madison. Dr. Cummings came
from New Marion, Ripley County, in 1856, and went to Jennings County in 1857.
Dr. New came from Vernon in 1856, and left the next year and went to Kentucky.
Dr. J. K. Baxter came from Jefferson County in 1855, continued in practice till
1871, when he moved to his farm in the country. Dr. Basey came from New London,
Howard County, in 1854, and went to Spiceland, Henry County, in 1856. Dr. Grooms
arrived about the year 1857, was elected County Treasurer in 1862, and died in
Tipton. Dr. I. W. Stratford came in 1865, and left about 1869, going to
Indianapolis. Dr. W. N. Heath came from Jefferson County in 1868, and is still
in the practice. Dr. A. B. Pitzer came from Prairie Township in 1868, was
elected County Clerk in 1879, and is now practicing medicine in Tipton. Dr.
Houser came in 1875, and left the next year. Dr. W. L. Price came from Carroll
County in 1878, left in 1879, going to Windfall, where he is now engaged in the
practice. Dr. A. I. Wilson came from Prairie Township in 1879, and went to
Colorado in 1881. Dr. D. P. Rubush came from Jefferson Township in 1879, and
remained here in the practice. The summer and fall of 1855 are memorable as the
sickly season. Intermittent fever, complicated by fatal congestive chills, was
terrible in its devastation. On one day Dr. Lindsay visited every family in
Sharpsville except that of William Heaton. The groans of the sufferers could be
easily heard from house to house. The malady was equally severe in the country.
The next year was much the same, though the disease did not assume so severe a
form.

   The first hotel in Sharpsville was built in 1853 by Cornelius St. Clair, on
the corner where T. L. Armstrong now lives. A gentleman by the name of McClellan
was the second to occupy the building. The third was Daniel Campbell, who was
host for a number of years. At present there are two hotels, R. S. Fish being
proprietor of one and Edward Roswog of the other.

   The first blacksmith shop was started by James Comer in about 1852. The
second, by S. C. Johnson, in March, 1854, who has worked at his trade here ever
since, with the exception of one year in the army and three years that he was at
Indianapolis.

   Sharpsville was incorporated in 1873. Monroe Grishaw and G. M. Hawthorn were
two of the first Trustees. William Harrold was elected Marshal, and T. Adkins,
Treasurer. The corporation was voted down in 1881.

   The first Postmaster in the township was John Ballenger, who kept the office
on the old Henry Swing farm. The next was Thomas Cole, in about 1849, who had
the office one year and kept it at his house. At that time letter postage was 25
cents and paper postage 50 cents. There were only two papers that came to the
office, one taken by Thomas Cole, the other by Caleb Richardson. Before the Peru
Railroad was completed, the mail was carried from Indianapolis to Peru once a
week. When the office was moved to town, Reuben Jackson was the first
Postmaster; then in order of their appointments came Arthur St. Clair, Allen
Franklin, Dr. Grooms, William Griffith, Thomas Lambert, D. A. Fish and W. A.
Robinson, who has held the office continuously now for eighteen years.

   The present business enterprises of Sharpsville are as follows: Haynes,
Grishaw & Shook, general store; Louis Mehlig, drugs, groceries and hardware;
John W. Grishaw, Jr., dry goods and groceries; Robinson & Wells, harness; J. A.
Ballenger, groceries; George I. Daugherty, restaurant; Edward S Green,
restaurant; George W. McGee, dealer in grain and live stock: S. C. Johnson,
blacksmith; John Seiler, blacksmith; M. Hoffman, wagon shop; Edward Roswog,
saloon; Logan Renner, saloon; V. C. Wisner, shoe shop; Daniel Lance, shoe shop;
A. L. Bates, saw mill; Ed Weser, saw mill; William Smith, grist mill.

VILLAGE OF NEVADA.

   Benjamin Denny was the first settler in what is now Nevada. He came from
Madison County in about 1850. At the same time came William Sims and William
Marshall. Lindsay Ballew came from Howard County and settled in Nevada in 1854.
He has been a resident of the town almost ever since, and the following sketch
is for the most part given by him: Nevada was laid off by Samuel Denny and
William Marshall in October, 1852, and recorded October 28, 1852. Sylvester
Turpen was then Recorder and proposed to charge nothing for making the record if
the people would let him name the town. He named it after a town in Mexico.

   A post office was established in Nevada in about 1850. William Wooley was the
first Postmaster. The mail route was the C. & C. Railroad. James Morrison was
the next Postmaster from 1854 to 1857. Preston Ballew served from 1857 to 1872,
Lindsay Ballew acting as his deputy from 1858 to 1872. Garrett Rickets served
from 1872 to about 1874; John B. Reeder from 1874 to 1876: John C. Riley from
1876 to 1881, and Mr. Coate from 1881 to the present.

   The first business enterprise was a general store started by William Wooley
and George W. Wise, in about 1850. Lindsay Ballew succeeded them in 1854 and
continued till 1862. John W. Wright succeeded him and continued until 1865. Dr.
John Summers bought Wright's stock in 1865 and continued the business till 1867.
He then sold to H. Allan and W. Ballew, who continued till 1870. The proprietors
then were Lindsay Ballew, from 1870 to 1873: Garrett Ricketts, from 1873 to
1875; Swoveland & Kessler, from 1875 to 1877: Walter P. Ferguson, from 1877 to
1879; John B. Reeder, from 1879 to 1881; John C. Riley, from 1881 to the present
time. D. L. Coate & Co. started the second general store in 1881, and still
continue.

   The first grist and saw mill combined was built by Lindsay Ballew in 1854.
The first settlers had their milling done either at Jonesboro or Perkinsville,
in Madison County, until the Sharpsville Mill was built in 1853.

   The United Brethren have preached in Nevada from an early day, but have never
organized a church.

   A Methodist class was organized in the fall of 1858, by John B. Fish, of
Sharpsville, who was a local preacher and traveled extensively in that capacity.
He also filled vacancies in circuits sometimes, and was one of the pioneer
Methodists. He died at his home in Sharpsville in 1879. Some of the original
members were William Stockdale and wife, Wesley K. Bailey and wife, and A. D.
Doggett and wife.

   The first wedding that occurred in Nevada was that of George Wise and
Jeannette La Flesh.

EARLY ELECTIONS.

   Previous to 1849, Prairie Township extended to Sharpsville, and then Wild Cat
began. The first elections were held at Circle's, about where Mr. Baldwin now
lives, and the next where old man Kirtley lived. Afterward they were moved back
to the Evans neighborhood, where they remained till Liberty Township was
organized. The oldest record that can be found at the court house shows that
Richard Humphries was elected Justice of the Peace August 27, 1845, and
qualified December 12, 1845, with the following sureties: Jesse Harding, David
Humphrey. Willis Ball and Caleb Richardson.

ORGANIZATION OF LIBERTY TOWNSHIP.

   At the June term, 1849, of the County Board of Trustees, it was ordered "that
there be a new township organized out of the west part of Wild Cat Township, to
be called Liberty Township, to be bounded and described as follows: * * *
(Making the township five miles square, the west line running north and south on
the road by the church in Sharpsville.) Also that the foregoing boundaries form
and constitute one road disrict [sic] to be called Road District No. 1, Liberty
Township, and that the place of holding elections should be on the place now
owned by Aaron H. Hensley, in Section 4, where Hugh Smiley now resides." Hugh
Smiley was at that time appointed Supervisor, and Jesse Horton Inspector of
Elections till the spring election following. The board also ordered an election
be held the first Monday of August, 1849, to elect one Justice of the Peace. At
the September term of 1851, the board ordered that a two-mile strip from Prairie
Township be added to Liberty Township on a petition headed by William Brookbank
and thirty-five other citizens of both townships. The board ordered that
thereafter the elections should be held at the village of Sharpsville.

COUNTY ROADS.

   The first one laid out was a road beginning at the county line on the north
on Range line No. 3, thence one and a half miles south, then in a southeast
direction to Tipton. Harvey Wells and Thomas Cole got up the petition for this
road in the spring of 1848, and Cole took it before the County Board. The next
road was between Sections 22 and 23, beginning at the range line and running to
Nevada. This was in the fall of 1848.

WAR RECORD.

   During the civil war, Liberty Township furnished her full quota of the men
for the service. Capt. M. O.Holman raised two companies, officered as follows:
Company C, Twenty-sixth Indiana, 1861-M. C. Holman, Captain; W. P. Gard, First
Lieutenant; Robert Sharp, Second Lieutenant; L. Gardner, Orderly Sergeant.
Company G, One Hundred and Fortieth Indiana, 1864-____ Guthridge, Captain; M. C.
Holman, First Lieutenant; William Burton, Second Lieutenant; George W. Mix,
Orderly Sergeant. John C. Halley succeeded Mix as Orderly. Besides these two
companies, many men enlisted in other companies not  accredited to the township.

RETROSPECT AND PROSPECT.

   The inadequacy of a description of the township in early times, except it be
written by an eye witness, is apparent. When white men first began to erect
their cabins in different parts of the township, it was one continuous dense
forest, with its gigantic trees of oak, walnut, poplar and sycamore, many of
which served as land marks to guide the pioneer when out hunting to his cabin.
Winding paths led from one settlement to another. Swamps, the draining of which
at that time was never thought of, spread their weary lengths in all directions.
Mud Greek was a river so far as breadth was concerned, lacking only the two
elements of depth and a current. In the summer, as the waters would begin to dry
up and a thick green scum form over its surface, the chills and bilious fever
would set in and follow it from its source to its mouth. This phenomenon
occurred with the regularity of the seasons, and the doctors were never
disappointed. At one time, in the streets of Sharpsville, logs were used on the
side-walks to keep pedestrians out of the mud and water.

   But a great change has been wrought. Roads have been opened out on almost
every section line: the fine timber which was not destroyed by the early
settlers in order to get rid of, has all been worked into lumber and staves.
Swamps have been drained and the forests cleared away. With her two gravel roads
already built and the two others soon to be built; with her numerous large open
ditches; with her enterprising and energetic farmers, who are draining their
farms and clearing them of stumps, building fine houses and beautifying their
homes; with her two railroads; with her school privileges and churches, Liberty
Township is destined to bud and blossom as if touched by the magic wand of some
magician, and become one of the most wealthy and beautiful in the county.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

COUNTIES OF HOWARD AND TIPTON, INDIANA.

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL.
ILLUSTRATED.

CHARLES BLANCHARD. EDITOR.
CHICAGO: F. A. BATTEY & CO.
1883.


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