BROWN
TOWNSHIP
TOPOGRAPHY
In the extreme northeast
corner of Hendricks county lies Brown township, comprising about twenty
five square miles of land in townships 16 and 17 north, ranges 1 and 2
east. On the north the township is bounded by Boone county, on the east
by Marion county, on the south by Lincoln township and on the west by
Middle township. White Lick creek, passing through the western side of
the township, drains the largest portion of the land, although Eagle
creek carries a large quantity of water from the high country along the
eastern border. The soil of Brown township is rich and productive, the
nature of the ground being rolling. The central portion is for the most
part very level and, before the excellent system of drainage used
today, was swampy and of little value. The clay and alluvial soil found
in Brown township is without a superior in the county or middle Indiana
and is now worth a high price per acre. Practically every acre is under
cultivation and made to yield to the utmost of its productiveness
without impoverishing the soil.
EARLY SETTLEMENT
Until the year 1863 Brown township
included what is now Lincoln township. Brown township was named after James Brown, who was the first
settler within its boundary. David
Sparks, however, was the first white man in this territory; he
came in the year 1827, three years before any definite settlement had
been made in this portion of the county. Owing to the unfortunate
location of the township it has no railroad or interurban line, ‘but
the general fertility of its soil largely makes up for this deficiency.
FIRST ELECTION
The first general election in Brown
township was in 1828. From the poll book and tally sheet the following
is taken: “At an Election held at the house of James Brown on the 4th day of August
1828 for the purpose of Electing one Governor one Lieutenant Governor
one Representative to Congress one Senator one representative to State
Legislator one Coroner the following is a list of the number of votes
taken and also the number each Candidate receives There were twelve
voters at this election, namely: James
Brown, Joseph Rimion, Joshua Newham,
William Harris, Thomas Nash, Daniel Newham, George Tyler, James R.
Smith, Shannon Foster, Edward Railsback, Jesse Smith and Nathaniel W.
Hults. Politically, the township has been strongly Democratic
from the beginning.
BROWN TOWNSHIP IN
1914
The statement has been made that
Brown township holds a singular place among the other townships, by not
having the usual transportation facilities and the lack of towns. This
fact by no means is evidence that the township is behind the others.
The farmers are intelligent and capable and the farms they manage are
modem and well kept. The science of agriculture has not been a
neglected art in this locality, in fact it has been much encouraged,
and the tiller of the soil embraces every opportunity to improve his
knowledge of the best methods of cultivation. Roads in this township
are excellent, of macadam and gravel and in a high state of
improvement. This lends quick access to the railroads and other points
in the county. Telephones, both local and long distance, have enabled
the people to come into closer communication with their fellows.
Schools are now set to a standard of high efficiency, the consolidated
school system rapidly coming into effect. Not only has the farmer paid
attention to his farm land, but he has built his residence and his
buildings in the most up-to-date fashion. All conveniences are found in
the present farm home the same as in the city Electric lights,
telephones, steam heat, water power and sewerage systems are but a few
of these.
