Clinton County, Indiana - Chapter 22: Kirklin Township, 1886

Chapter 22: Kirklin Township

Geogeapht and Topogkapht. - Eaelt Settlement. - List of the Pioneers. - " Competition is the Life of Trade." - " A Little Mixed on the Poems." - Eaely Events. - First Churches and Schools. - Oeganization. - Fiest Maeeiage, Bieth and Death. - Impeovements. - Railroad. - Population. - Political. - Statistics OF Agriculture. - Valuation and Taxation of Peopeett, 18tl:5-'86. - Township Officees. - Kieklin Village. - Histoey. - Business. - School. - Lodges. - Chueches. - Biogeaphioal.

Kirklin lies in the southeastern part of the county, and is the second from the east in the southern tier of townships. It is bounded on the north by Michigan and Johnson townships, on the east by Sugar Creek Township, on the south by Boone County, and on the west by Jackson Township. It contains thirty-five square miles, and is in general five and a half miles from north to south, and six from east to west. A considerable portion of the township is watered and drained by Sugar Creek, and its several branches, which flow in a southwesterly direction through the center of the township.

This township was named in memory of Nathan Kirk, to whom is due the honor of being the first white man in the eastern part of Clinton County. Some claim that Kirk was the first man in the county, but it is probable, from the most reliable authority, that "William Clark settled on the west end of the Twelve-Mile Prairie a tew days earlier.

It is positively known that as early as 1826, while Clinton was designated as " Washington Territory," Nathan Kirk settled on the east end of the Twelve-Mile Prairie, on the farm owned by the heirs of Richard McEntire. Being an active, industrious man, his humble pole cabin, of crude and hasty construction, soon appeared in the forests, which for several years afterward was a (655)

Until about the year 1829 Mr. Kirk was the only inhabitant of the township. In that year came Thaddeus Fanburn, Daniel Hunter and William Wjnkoop. The first two were in the employ of Mr. Kirk and never made entry of land. The exact location of the latter is to us unknown.

In 1830 William Harris, of whom we will speak in the history of Sugar Creek Township, moved to Klrklin Township, and settled on section 2, and others of the same year were Henry Percifield, who settled on section 23; John Russell, on section 6; David Galbraith, on section 10, and John Foster, whose exact location is unknown.

In 1831 came John Gallaher, and located on section 6; Joseph Bickley, on section 1; John Wheeler, on section 33; Barney Step, on section 28, and John Mitchell, whose place of settlement could not be ascertained.

In 1832 Benjamin Bickley, father of C. H. Bickley, settled on section 1; William Boils, on section 2, and Adam Vencill, on the same section.

In 1833 A. HoUcraft, still a prominent citizen of tlie township, settled on the farm where his son-in-law, Robert Cramrock, lives. This gentleman has takeu an active part in the affairs of the township, and by his industry and careful management is classed among her largest land-holders. We mention here the fact that Mr. HoUcraft has in his possession a relic of considerable value, being bound in a single volume - the copies of the Maryland Gazette, as published from the year 1776 to 1781. This carries the reader through the greater part of the struggle of the colonies for independence. Hence there is found within its pages much of rare and varied importance.

Continuing our list of early settlers, we mention as coming in the year 1833 John Thompson, Edward Miller, John Bland, James Hollcraft and Anson Beech. The latter was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, and is now living at Thorntown in rather destitute circumstances.

among those who came soon after 1836 we mention Andrew and William Bogan, John Fulkerson, Jacob and Cleland Harley, George Wimbourough, S. Moore, Uriah Jones, James Davis, James Bogan, James Clark, John Swisher and a Mr. Brackenridge.

In the winter of 1839 and 1840, an event transpired which did more to benefit the township financially than anything which occurred before, or perhaps since. Coon, as was always the case in a new country, were very plenty. Their skins, when dressed, sold from 6 to 25 cents apiece. Walker & Co. were the only buyers. At the time mentioned above, however, John Fury, agent of the Northwestern Fur Company, came and contracted with Nathan Kirk to act as agent for him in buying fur. Mr. Kirk was rather reluctant to engage in such an enterprise, but, being assured by Mr. Fury of abundant means to compete successfully with any firm, his agents were soon scouring the country in every direction in search of fur. Walker & Co., not wishing to be driven from the field without a show of resistance, began to advance the price of skins. So great was the strife between the contending parties that soon the current price of a good coon skin was one dollar and fifty cents. It was an easy task to catch in a single night from one to six coons. This waj a rare opportunity for every ablebodied man to better his financial condition, and it is almost needless to say that all profited by it. In the spring an immense amount of fur had been collected by Mr. Kirk. This was to be conveyed to market by wagons. Three of the wagons bore each a coon skin nicely dressed, trimmed in blue ribbon, with the following inscriptions: "Competition is the life of trade," "John Fury against the world," "lam not to be bought for a quarter.'''' As the teams passed through the villages and cities on their journey they were loudly cheered, and general excitement pervaded the country.

McKinney had been recently elected to his responsible office, and was as innocent as the new-born babe of any knowledge of the forms of law. When, therefore, Asa B. Keach was to be married and called upon the " 'squire " to make ready to tie the knot a few hours later, McKinney found it necessary to consult his books. Having found the proper statutes, he repaired for consultation to the saloon of Jim Hollcraf t, near by, where it was deemed best to rehearse the approaching ceremony, with the assistance of several by-standers. It took a number of rehearsals to satisfy tbe " 'squire " that all would go smoothly. Between times all hands would " liquor up." After two dummies had been married many times, and most of the men were well under the " infiooence," tbe company repaired to tbe house of the bride. Here the now confident justice of the peace requested the contracting parties to "jine right ban's," and then began, promptly^and dignifiedly, "You do

Early Events

The first religious meeting in the township was at William Boils's, in 1833, by the Methodists - Anson Beach preaching. Tbe next denomination was tbe Missionary Baptist, who held their meetings at the house of George Wimborough, about 1839, Mr. Hill being the preacher.

The first church was built on the Joseph Bickley farm, by the Methodists, in 1840 and 1841. Previous to this, school-houses had been used as places for worship.

In 1846 and 1847 the Christians, or Disciples, built a church on the Clark farm. Messrs. Lockhart and McKinney were the early preachers of this denomination.

About the year 1836 tbe first school in the township was built on tbe Joseph Bickley farm. The next was on tbe land of Isaac Miller, tbe year following. About the same time (1837), another was built on the Thompson farm.

Kirklin Township was organized at the March term of the Commissioners' Court in 1837. At the same time, an election was authorized to be held at Nathan Kirk's. A. Hollcraft was appointed to act as Inspector; Joseph McKinney was chosen Justice of the Peace; James Hollcraft, Constable; Messrs. A. Hollcraft, Sample and Hamilton, Trustees.

In improvements, Kirklin has nearly kept pace with its sister townships. It possesses a large body of fertile land which has been brought into a good state of cultivation by the energetic and enterprising citizens. Many large modern dwellings have taken the place of the rude log cabin of the pioneers, and here and there have been erected neat brick school-houses and pleasant frame churches.

The Louisville, New Albany & Chicago Eailroad crosses this township diagonally from the northwest to the southeast corners, with two stations within its borders. Kirklin is the principal station and Cyclone is the other. This railroad was built through this section of the county in 1883 and has proved a valuable enterprise to the citizens of Kirklin Township, giving new life and impetus to the little village of Kirklin, and affords ample means for transportation.

Population

The population of Kirklin Township has not had a rapid increase but a steady natural growth. In 1850 it was 740; in 1860 it was 955; in 1870 it was 1,266, and in 1880 it had reached 1,461.

In political sentiment, Kirklin is one of the reliable Republican townships. In 1884 Blaine's majority was only 112. We "ive here the vote at the last general election, November 4, 1884, for President and State and county ofiicers:

Valuation And Taxation, 1845

An interesting matter of record in the history of Kirklin Township are the items of valuation and taxation in 1845, compared with those of 1886. For the first named year they were:

Valuation And Taxation, 1886

The officers of Kirklin Township for the year of 1886, are as follows: W. A. Huffine, Trustee; A. W. Ward, Hiram Searcy and A. P. Parker, Justices of the Peace; W. D. Amos, Assessor; F. M. HoUis, Gr. W. Barnett and Newton McKay, Constables.

This village was laid out in 1837, by Nathan Kirk, for whom it was named. As early as 1830 Mr. Kirk opened a tavern at the crossing of the New Castle and Michigan State roads. The New Castle road was laid out first, and on the opening of the Michigan road it was thought that where the latter would cross the former a town of considerable importance would spring up. Hence, when the Michigan road was being laid out, several men were waiting anxiously to make entry of the land at the crossing. Nathan Kirk, however, having his horse concealed in the wood near by, as soon as he observed the place of crossing, mounted his horse and rode hastily to Crawfordsville, where he entered the land desired. The town for a number of years and frequently at the present, is designated as " Kirks X Roads." In point of size, Kirklin perhaps never reached the dimensiuns expected by her founder. Mr. Kirk, on whose land the town was laid out, built the first house on block 10 which was never subdivided into lots, and which was in tlie western part, of the present village. Daring the year 1837 several other buildings were added making it a promising village. Edward Miller erected a log store, the first at this point, which was torn down many years ago. William Wynkoop built a frame hotel on the west side of the road, or Main street; this is still standing in the center of the village. William Benson bnilt a store which has been moved some distance east and is now used for a furniture shop; he also built a dwelling on the present site of the principal brick block. One Wells put up a dwelling where is now Kane's meat market. The next building 'to go up was fliram Dougherty's cabinet shop. James HoUcraft (first justice of the peace of the village) also built a residence and saloon this same season in the south part of the village.

. Other early comers were John Foster (afterward son-in-law of Nathan Kirk), William Handlin, M. Z. Saylor (first physician of the village), Peter B. Kennedy, John Heffner (first blacksmith), "William Davenport and Columbus Kemp. Kemp was the first tanner of the village, carrying on his business in a shop erected by Davenport.

F. Nickey, grist-mill and grain-buyer; Gnirl & Palmer, saw-mill; K. Stoops, stave factory; Thomas Hodge, tile factory; F, W. Moss, hotel; F. M. Hollis, shoemaker; Mrs. Searcy, dress-maker; P. T. Gorham, postmaster; W. G. Dickey, station agent; J. B. Pate, telegraph operator; James Niles, livery; Mrs. J. M. Merchant, millinery; Henrj'Kane, drayman; Gallaher & Major, blacksmiths; J. E. Wills, barber.

The village was incorporatfed in 1878, and its present officers are: W. A. Hnffine, S. L. Kutz, J. K. Hinkle, W. G. Dickey and Charles Wills, Trustees; H. V. Stevenson, Clerk and Treasurer; Michael Mclntire, Marshal.

In 1883 there was erected here a large brick school building, containing four rooms, at a cost of $5,600. The school is in session about nine months of the year, and there are in attendance abnit 200 pupils who are divided into three grades, thus giving employment to three teachers. This village is not behind its sister villages in educational matters.

Secret Oeders

EirkUii Lodge, No. HB, A. F. c& A. Jf., was instituted May 29, 1872, with the following first members: A. C. Littleton, Worshipful Master; W. A. McDonald, Senior Warden; Nathen Hendricks, Junior Warden; Francis Boyer, Eev. J. L. Miller, T. Stowers, Dr. D. Stowers and E. W. Bogan. Considerable interest is manifested to make this lodge well up in its work. Its membership is about forty, and its present officers are: Hiram Searcy, Worshipful Master; William Gray, Senior Warden; A. W. Ward, Junior Warden; J. N. Irvin, Secretary; Clark Mathews, Treasurer; S. M. Hollis, Senior Deacon; Luther Cloud, Junior Deacon; James Waddle, Tyler.

Kirklin Lodge, No. 299, /. 0. 0. F., was chartered Novum ber 20, 1867, with the following charter members and first officers : John Barnett, Koble Grand; P. T. Gorham, Vice-Grand; C. H. Smith, Seci-etary; G. T. Purdy, Treasurer. The lodge at the present has twenty-seven members and is in good condition. They own their hall and are out of debt. The present officers are: H. A. Langton, Xoble Grand; F. W. Moss, Vice-Grand; G. W. Barnett, Secretary; Samuel Steward, Permanent Secretary; J. P. Furgeson, Treasurer; J. N. Niles, Deputy Grand Master.

Southard, Commander; W. W. Wilds, Senior Vice-Commander; W. H. Wiley, Junior Vice-Commander; Samuel West, Adjutant; W. H. T. Holmes, Surgeon; R. S. Wright, Chaplain; E. McKenzie, Quartermaster; U. E. Hordesty, Officer of the Guard; N. Bennett, Officer of the Day; F. M. Hollis, Sergeant-Major; J. P. Furgeson, Qurtermaster-Sergeant. The post now lias thirty-one members and is in good condition. Its present officers are: R. E. Burns, Commander; J. P. Furgeson, Senior Vice-Commander; M. Wellman, Junior Vice-Commander; C. T. Madison, Quartermaster; W. A. Huffine, Chaplain; W. F. Baldwin, Officer of the Day; William Gray, Officer of the Guard; John Stephenson, Surgeon; W. H. Wiley, Adjutant ; John Whittaker, Quartermaster-Sergeant.

TAe Presbyterian Chtireh was organized in 1867, with Rev. J. ' B. Logan as itsjfirst'pastor. Among the early members were: G. M. Myers and wife, L. Fitzpatrick and wife, Dr. Elisha Bogan, J. T. Wilds and wife, and Mr. and Mrs. Kingsoliver. They erected a large frame church the same year. The present pastor is W. P. Kontz, and the membership numbers about fifty-five.

The Methodist Episcopal Church was the first church organized in the township. It was first located about a mile from town. Anson Beech was the first preacher. They worshiped for some time in a school-house, and in 1840 built a church known as " Salem Church." The present pastor is Rev. Jesse Hill, and the membership numbers about forty-five.