Clinton County, Indiana - Chapter 30: Washington Township, 1886

Chapter 30: Washington Township

Dksobtption. - Oeigin of Name. - Early Settlement. - "William Clakk and His Followers. - Growth of the Settlement. - Early Events. - Organization. - ^Township Officers. - Statistics OF Agriculture. - Population. - Railroads. - Valuation AND Taxation, 1845 and 1886. - Political. - Jefferson Village. - History. - An Interesting Ruin. - Biographical.

Washington lies in the western tier of townships of Clinton County, and is bounded on the north by Madison and Ross townships, on the east by Center, on the south by Jackson and Perry, and on the west by Tippecanoe County. Boone and Clinton counties were at an early day called "Washington Territory," bur, when tliey were organized as counties and divided up into townships, the territory within the above bounds retained tiie name of Washington. It contains tliirty-two sections or square miles. The land is rich and admirably adapted to agricultural pursuits. The surface in the southern part is very level, while in the northern it is quite uneven. It is watered by the Killmore and Wild Cat creeks.

Witliin the borders of Washington Township was made the first settlement in Clinton County. As early as 1826, wiiile what is now Clinton and Boone counties were united under the name of " Washington Territory," a man by the name of William Clark fixed his home on section 12, just north of the village of Jefferson, and entered the land on which the barn of Abner Baker now stands. Although his selection of land was a good one, the prospects were gloomy and uninviting; the Indian with his stealthy tread, the hiss of serpents, and the dismal howling of wild beasts added to the dreariness of the deep solitude. Surrounded as we are to-day, it is difficult to imagine the hardships undergone by the early settler. The motive which prompted him to leave a home (89D of comparative comfort and plenty for one of hardship and want is, perhaps, illustrative of the restless spirit of man - the constant longing for something new. While at times this spirit of restlessness is to be highly condemned, at others it is equally commendable. Guided by this spirit, the name of "William Clark will go down in history as the leader in the march of civilization in Clinton County. For several months Mr. CiarJi and his family were alone in this dense wilderness, but, early in the spring of 1827, they were joined by David Kilgore and family who settled very near Mr. Clark.

Before the close of 1827 four more hardy men fixed their homes in the township. They were: Zabina Babcock, who settled on section 1; Charles Asher, on the same section; Joseph Hill, on section 3, and John Kilmore, who resided but a short time in the township.

In 1828 there were added to this little colony the following wellto-do men : Judge John Ross, who settled on the present site of Jefferson; David Young, on the southwest quarter of section 6; Samuel dinger, on the lot now occupied by the residence of Abner Baker, and Samuel Thompson, on the northeast quarter of section 1. In February of 1829 came Abner Baker and Aaron H. Southard, and settled in Jefferson. Mr. Baker is still a resident of the township, and has ever manifested a deep interest in the affairs of this, the home of his early adoption. He has always been a man of industry and enterprise and has accumulated, besides a handsome property', a large amount of useful and general knowledge. Others of the same year were: Benjamin Abbott, who settled on section 10; John Hood, in the village of Jefferson ; William Anderson, on section 2; Samuel Aughe, on section 7; John Gamble, on section 11; Josiah Cooper, on section 10; William Miller, on section 9; John Star key, on section 17; James Gilmore, on section 5; James Stinson, on section 17; John Benson, on section 10, and Captain Bracken, on the same section.

In 1830 the settlement increased very rapidly, and among those who came in that year we name: Stephen Allen, Joseph Heavilon, John Jackson, Mr. McNutt, John Blair, Benjamin Hart, William Wilson, Jacob Troup and Jesse Byan. Other early settlers, whose exact date of arrival is not known, were: John and Moses Allen, Ellis Squire, Morris and Ira Parcel, William Winship, Jacob Anderson, Henry Harshman, Taylor Heavilon, Joseph D. Suit and John Cooper.

Eakly Events

In 1829 tlie population had increased to such an extent that the demand for the establishment of a trading post, wliere the pioneer might obtain some of the necessaries of life, began to be generally felt. To this demand Abner Baker was the first to respond. In the spring of 1829 he purchased for $5.00 the lot on the corner of Washington and Main streets. With a gentleman "by the name of Murden he contracted for the. building of a store-room. This was to be completed, ready for occupancy, for the sum of $10.00, with the exception of a door, which Mr. Baker brought with him - this being a coverlet given him by his mother. Into this house was brought the first stock of goods ever known in Clinton County. It being the only store in the county, quite an extensive trade was carried on both with the white men and Indians. A few years later, as the population and the trade increased, a second storehouse was built. This was erected at a cost of $19.00.

The first postofBce was established here in 1830, and Robert Watts was the first postmaster. At this time a daily mail was carried from Indianapolis to La Fayette, and from that time until the present, this section of the country has been favored with a mail every day.

There being mn ch travel at this time between Indianapolis and La Fayette,and this thoroughfare passing directly through this township, a hotel for the accommodation of travelers soon became a necessity. The first to engage in this business was Judge Ross. The next was Samuel dinger. So great was the travel that these two houses failing to furnish sufficient accommodation, Charles Hand engaged in the same enterprise.

The first religious meeting in the township was held at John Hood's, in 1829, by the Presbyterians, James Thompson preaching. James Carnahan, of the same denomination, and still living at Dayton, Tippecanoe County, was the next minister. The same year, 1829, John Strain, of the Methodist Episcopal denomination, preached at Charles Hand's. The United Brethren were the next in the township.

The first church was built in Jefferson, in 1835, by the United Brethren; the second was by the- Presbyterians; third, by Christians or New Lights; and the fourth by the Methodists.

About 183iS, John P. Crnthers came from Oxford and located in Jefferson, with tlie design of establishing a college. Mr. being an energetic man, and being assisted by the citizens, who were highly pleased with the prospect of an educational institution in their midst, a two-story frame building was soon erected, and he advantages of a first-clais educ itioii offered to the sons and daughters of Clinton and adjoining counties. The leaders in the enterprise failed to remember that the assistance of each member of the family in those early times was required to obtain a living. The time and money necessary for a collegiate course could not be spared. Hence tlie school ran but a short time, when, for want of proper support, it was abandoned.

The first marriage in this township was that of James Timmons and a Miss Nichols, in 1829, and the second was that of Aaron H. Southard to Eebecca Hood. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. James Thompson. These occurred while it was yet Wasliington Territory. Abner Baker and wife (the latter lately deceased) were the first persons marrji^ after the organization of the county.

The first regular grist-milliC the township, and likewise the first in the county, was bnil\^y Jacob Anderson, in 1831, on what is now the Heavilon estate, and known as the " Spring Mill."

At an early day there was an Indian village just south of where Knox Baker now resides. The Indians were always peaceable and friendly. Mr. Abner Baker informs us that he has slept many a night in his store while the Indians were encamped near by. He had nothing but a coverlet for a door, and nothing to hinder them from robbing him of his money and goods, but they never molested him. Mr. B. highly extols the many good traits of character within the liearts of the noble red men, and well he may, for they never gave him cause to complain, and that is more than can be said of the white race.

Organization

The township was organized Saturday, May 15, 1830. The commissioners, at the same time, authorized an election to be held at the house of John Ross, in Jefferson. John Benson was appointed inspector for that year. Before the organization of the township, and while the county was yet a territory, Zabina Babcock served as jnstice of the peace. After the organization, Abner Baker was chosen to fill this office. The business of justice in tliose early days was very extensive. Mr. Baker informs us that in one day he placed on docket thirty-two cases.

In improvements, being one of the first townships settled in the county, Washington possesses many fine farms under a most excellent state of cultivation; gravel roads traverse the township in various directions.

The present township officers are: J. M. Leibengnth, Trustee; S. M. Tarr and A. T. Heavilon, Justices of the Peace; Willis Stafford, Assessor; James Leach and Thomas Oraig, Constables.

Statistics Of Agkicultuke

The number of acres of wheat sown in Washington Township for 1886 is 3,701; corn, 3,651; oats, 763; number of acres in timothy, 858; clover, 1,348; wild grass, 408; acres of new land brought under cultivation for 1886, 148; timber land, 3,350.

In 1885 there were 394 gallons of sorghum and 333 gallons of maple molasses made. The number of gallons of milk taken from cows was 123,075; pounds of butter made, 29,838.

Population

Washington has about ten miles of railroad within its borders, with only one station, at Jefferson, on the Toledo, Cincinnati & St. Louis Railroad, which passes in a southwesterly direction through the southern part of the township. The Lake Erie & Western railroad traverses the northern portion in a northwesterly direction.

Valuation And Taxation, 1845

It will be interesting in the future to refer to these items, and compare them at different periods. The items of valuation and taxation for 1845 were :

Valuation And Taxation, 1886

In political sentiment Washington is usually a Democratic township. In 1884 Cleveland's majority was forty-seven. We give the, vote of the local general election, November 4, 1884, for President and State and county otEcers: tlieonly village in the township, was laid out in 1829 by John Ross, Samuel dinger and David Kilgore, to which the following additions have been made: One in 1830 by David Kilgore, another in 1837 by Abner Baker and John Jackson, another in 1838 by "William Clark, and another in 1846 by Mathew Hall. This is the oldest village in the county, and for many years was the leading business point. Upon the organization of the county there was a hard struggle for the county aB'at; some of the leading men of Jeflferson used their every eflfort to secure it at that point, but without avail. , /

The business of pork-padKiiig was for several years extensively carried on here. Jefferson supplied Indianapolis with its salt which had been brought here by wagons from La Fayette. It was here that tiie first courts of the county were held, and the board of commissioners first met. Here, too, was the first store opened, and the first postoffice established.

Around that little cabin reared by William Clark, more than sixty years ago, has grown up this beautiful county of Clinton, and may its people give due honor to him who broke the dense forest and laid the foundation of this fair and grand county.

With the location of the county seat at Frankfort, Jefferson soon began rapidly to sink toward the western horizon, and the busy hum of industry has been lost in the distant past. Its business men of the present (1886) are: S. M. Davidson, general merchant; J. D. Miller, carpenter and builder; John W. Page, blacksmith; J. W. Marsh, postmaster. Its population now numbers about 250.