CENTER TOWNSHIP
TOPOGRAPHY
In the center of
Hendricks county is located the township of Center. it is in townships
15 and 16 north, ranges 1 east and 2 west, comprising about forty six
square miles. It is bounded on the north by Union and Middle townships,
on the east by Middle and Washington, on the south by Liberty and Clay,
and on the west by Clay, Marion and Eel River townships. The west fork
of White Lick creek, its tributaries, and Mill creek drain the land
within the bounds of this township, supplemented today by a very
efficient system of artificial drainage. With the exception of the
deep, precipitous valley worn through the center of the township by
White Lick, the nature of the land is undulating and level The highest
elevation of land in the county is in Center township, gradually
sloping away to the border) Woodland once covered this territory, but
it has now been reduced to a minimum. It embraces a body of land
unexcelled for grazing and of very high rank for fruit and grain
production
EARLY
SETTLEMENT AND ELECTION
It is recorded
that the earliest settlement was made in Center township in the year
1823. Very few people ever lived in this portion of the county until
after the platting of the town of Danville, from which time it began to
grow. There was a general election held in Center township on August 7,
1826, votes being cast for congressman, senator, representative,
sheriff and coroner. There were about two hundred people in the
township at that time and sixty six persons voted. The list of voters
was as follows: Francis Barbee, Thomas
Hinten Richard Christie, Elijah Thompson, Dickison Thompson. James
Thompson, Jeremiah Cutbirth,
Thomas Nichols, William Moore, George Moore, Thomas Shelton, Jonathan
Wyatt, Nathaniel Kirk, Thomas Irons, Ezekiel Moore, William Crane,
George Moore, Jr.. Moses Williams, William Moore, Sr., John Green,
Samuel Gwinn, John Bryant, John Ristine, Martin Cooper, David Downs,
Eli Townsend, Samuel Harriman, Thomas Howell, Thomas J. Walker, John
Hanna, Thomas B. Clark, David Adams, Robert Cooper, Lemuel Hopkins,
Joseph Dunn. George W. Pope, William lierron, Stephen Cook, Jesse Cook,
Silas Bryant, Abel Stanley, Levi Kindman, Eli Morris, Job Osborn,
Daniel Clark, William Pope. B. Dunn, Andy Clark, John Dunn, John Calor,
James Downard, Preston Pennington, Nimrod Harrison, James Logan, John
Moore, John Downs, James Williams, David Matlock, Stephen Annel, Thomas
Walker, Jefferson Matlock, P. S. Dickens, David McDonald, Levi Jessup,
George C. Brightman and Erasmus Nichols.
CENTER
TOWNSHIP TODAY
Because of the
location of Danville, the county seat, Center township today occupies
in some respects the foremost place among the twelve townships of the
county. In richness, in agriculture and kindred vocation, she is not
superior to all of the townships, but holds a high position and is
deserving of much credit. The taxpayers are loyal and willing to
support any movement for the good of the township and consequently
civic pride and intelligent interest in the country has gained a
prominent place. The land surrounding Danville is very good farming
ground and a visit to the numerous estates will convince the critic
that the most modem and efficient methods are used by the farmer in the
cultivation of his soil. The homes dotting the broad farms are
attractive and equal to the home of the man with urban advantages,
something which twenty years ago would have been believed impossible.
Telephones, excellent roads, railroads and interurban lines, all
contribute to the easy communication with all parts of the county and
the state capital. Distance has ceased to be a factor in present day
life. The schools of Center township are of the first class, the
religious life is pronounced, and behind all there is a spirit of good
fellowship, progress and industry which prophesies greater and greater
things to come.
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