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 Mets-ker 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 Delaware 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 Li 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 Shifitaffer'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.
    Zeilas 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 Straw-town, 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 Strawtown. 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 ax 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 denomination 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 Strawtown 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 mementos of the ancient inhabitants of this locality, who were interested in the fabrication of these archaeological monuments.
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 raising 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 erected 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 Willams 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 Mr. 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 Pickerell 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 Lafayette 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 Shiel's, 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 Stinson 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 drought. 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 Beais, 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, Eph-raim 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 Conner'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 Guffy 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 Coverdale, 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 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 collector 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.

Return To The Main Index Page