Clinton County, Indiana - Chapter 19: Jacksox Towxship, 1913

When Jackson tow nship was organized, at the first meeting of the county commissioners, on May 15, 1830, it included the eastern two-thirds of the county. It was gradually reduced in size by the formation of new townships until 1872, when Center township was formed, and Jackson township was left with its present boundaries. It was the largest of the townships originally, and still retains that distinction, being eight sections wide, from east to west, by five and one-half sections north and south. It is the south central township, lying immediately north of the Boone county line, and bounded on the east by Kirklin. on the west by Perry, and on the north by Washington and Center townships.

Its soil is very rich, its boundaries including most of the Twelve Mile Prairie; and is well drained to the west and south by Potato creek. Brush creek, and other tributaries of Sugar creek. It has no villages within its borders, but Cyclone is on its east border, and Manson on its west border, while Frankfort is only a mile from its north border. Its transportation facilities are very fair. The Yandalia railroad crosses the northwest corner of the township, and the Monon the northeast comer. The T. H., I. & E. traction line crosses the township from north to south near its center. The Big Four is but little beyond its southwest corner, with Colfax within five miles, and Thorntown within four miles of the township lines.

It was natural that the rich prairie land should bring early settlement. The first comers were Walter and Anthony Leek, who settled on Sec. 4 in 1828. Quickly following, in the same year, were William Hogin, who located on Sec. 4; Mordecai McKinsev, who was very prominent in the early history of the county, but moved to Nebraska in 1855, who located on Sec. 36; Job Harriman, whose son and namesake is the noted Socalist leader at Los Angeles. Cali., who located on Sec. 2; John Wright and William Wynkoop, who settled on Sec. 31; Isaac Cook, who settled on Sec. 11; Hiram Harrison, on Sec. 32; W. Ross, on Sec. 22, and William Wagoner, on Sec. 6.

The influx of settlers continued in 1829, Edward Cunningham settling on Sec. 1; James Mundell, on Sec. 11; John and Manuel Martin, on Sec. 32; Nicholas Cunningham, on Sec. 31; Elihu Buntin, on Sec. 1; Jacob Martin and David Martin or Sec. 32 ; Hezekiah Strange and Robert Buntin on Sec. 6; Alex Rogers, on Sec. 14; Thomas Canby, on Sec. 30; Samuel Mitchell, on Sec. 23; James Allen, on Sec. 32, and Samuel Allen, on Sec. 35. In 1830 John Morehead settled on Sec. 28; John Coon, on Sec. 5; Abraham Cook, on Sec. 30; Thomas Rogers, on Sec. 12, and a number of others came in 1830 and 1831. among w hom may be named. Samuel Hutchinson. Isaac Miller, Henry Hopkins, R. Reagan. Abraham Chenoweth, Andrew McEntire, Elbridge Hopkins, Edward Miller, William Jenkins, John Thomas, Jefferson Chenoweth, Thomas Meyers and Andrew Bowldin. Soon after these came Joseph Coon. Benjamin Lucas. Joseph Wood. Thomas and Samuel Lyons, John Kinder. Robert Wright. Lee Winscott, John Thurman, William Hodgen, X. McKenscy. John and Andrew Buntin. Robert Dunn, William Boler. Robert Moore and William Breckenridge.

Until the organization of the county, in 1830. these settlers were under the local government of Washington township, which included all of Clinton county, and had been added temporarily to Tippecanoe county in 1828. On Mav 15. 1830. Jackson township was created, and on the second Saturday in lune of that vear the first election for officers of the new township was held at the house of Samuel Mitchell. After that the elections were held in E rank fort for a number of years. After Center township was created, in 1872. the Jackson township elections w ere held at the Irwin school house. Up to that time Jackson township was not only the largest township in territory, but also had the largest population. In 1830 the census showed 2.642 residents: in i860, 3.335: in 1870. 3,932: in 1880. it dropped to 1,545, on account of the division mentioned.

There was a strong religious sentiment among the early settlers. The first religious meetings recorded were in 1830, at the house of John Harland, bv the New Lights. Mr. Harland was the preacher. In the same year the Presbvterians held meetings at the house of Samuel Mitchell, where Rev. James Carnahan preached. Neither of these denominations, however, built churches for more than ten years: and the Baptists made the record of building the first church in 1840, on what was known as the Strange farm. All three of these denominations have persisted, in the township. The Presbuterians made their first formal church organization on August 14. 1854, with the following members: John A. Brookie and wife, R. S. Tnvin and wife, Roland Rogers and wife, Samuel Bynum and wife, James Davis and wife,

J. \Y Allen and wife, Mary Sims, Jane Ashman, \Y. Maddox, Mary A. Hodge, Catherine, Mary and Sarah M. Brookie, Sarah MsKensey and John Rogers. The first pastor was Rev. J. Wilson, and services were held at various places until 1S73, "'hen they erected a frame church on section 6, in the eastern part of the township. This is known as Sugar Creek Presbyterian Church. At present it has seventy-two members, and sen ices are conducted by Rev. G. W. Rowe. of Dayton, Tippecanoe county.

Mr. Rowe is also in charge of Prairie Center Church, which is located on section 21, in the northwestern part of the township. This church was organized in the spring of 1S74. among the first members being George Major and wife, A. C. Irwin and wife. Thomas Moore and wife, John Fernald and wife, Robert and Melissa Irwin, Mrs. William Jenkins, Eliza Jenkins, Mrs. and Miss Strouse, Benjamin Fernald and Mrs. Beckenridge. The first pastor was Rev. James Haige. The congregation worshipped in the school house for one year; and in 1875 built their brick church, at a cost of $2,600. The church at one time had sixty members, but went down on account of many moving away. It now has forty-nine members. The attendance at both this and the Sugar Creek Church is usually more than the membership.

The New Lights also maintain their church organization in Jackson township, the church being known as Antioch Church. The}- also have a church at Manson, on the west line of the township. The Christian's (Disciples). who are often confused with the New Lights, have a small church at Cyclone, on the east line of the township, of which Rev. Fan's Stevens is pastor.

Recurring to the early events in the history of the township the first school was taught by a Mr. Groves, in the winter of 1829-39. The first death in the township was that of Elizabeth Buntin. which occurred in 1829. She was buried in what is known as Buntin's graveyard. The first birth in the county was that of Tames Hopkins, son of Elbright and Martha Hopkins, in 1830. The first marriage celebrated within the township was that of Nehemiah McKensev and Lenia Wagoner.

Owing to its complete lack of towns and villages, and the great fertility of its soil. Jackson is preeminently the agricultural township of Clinton county. It has 23.470 acres in farms - nearly 4.000 more than Perry, w hich stands second, and 5.000 more than Warren, which is third. Of this 3,141 is pasture land, which is less than either of the next three townships of largest farm area. Owing to the original prairie condition is has only 123 acres of timber land, or less than one-sixth of the next lowest in timber;

It is the banner corn township, having, in 1912, 11,032 acres in corn, with a product of 483,000 bushels. It had, in 1912, 1,854 acres in wheat, with a product of 27.081 bushels; 4.539 acres in oats, with a product of 255,- 105 bushels; 1,418 acres in timothy, with a product of 1,696 tons; 334 acres in clover, with a product of 221 tons of hay and 182 bushels of seed. It is the leading township in sheep, those sold in 1912 numbering 1,589, of a value of $6,421, leaving on hand 699 valued at $2,283. But its wool clip was only 3,407 pounds, which w as exceeded by three other townships. This means that Jackson township raises sheep for mutton rather than fine-wool sheep.

- Jackson township leads in the horse-breeding industry, having sold 218 in 1912, leaving on hand 1,162 valued at $109,650. Of cattle, 974 were sold, leaving on hand 1,325 valued at 845,927. Of hogs, 3,922 were sold, leaving on hand 3,242 valued at $30,027. There were 472 cows milked, with a product of 165.750 gallons of milk, and 40,664 pounds of butter made. Of poultry 948 dozen were sold, valued at 86.602. There were 942 dozens of laying hens, with a product of 60.086 dozens of eggs, valued at $12,087.