Clinton County, Indiana - Chapter 23: Michigan Township, 1913

Agriculture Valuation Michigantown

The township took its name from the Michigan Road that runs through it, the history of which has l>een given. The township consists of two-thirds of the south end of township 22 north, range 1 east and sections 1, '2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. 15. 16 - 36 square miles and 23.040 acres.

The surface of the land is nearly level along the two creeks, Killmore and Wild Cat, that flow through the township in a westerly course. There are some small hills. The soil is clay and black alluvial deposit and all is very productive.

The land was originally heavily timbered with oak, poplar, walnut, sugar, beech, and elm. with a considerable undergrowth of ironwood. dogwood. pawpaw, and hazel brush and redwood. Mahlon Shinn and Robert Edwards were the first settlers in the township, both settling on section 14, in 1830, and the same year David Kelly came, also Robert Johnson, who settled on land now in Michigantown : George Downs on section 15: Enoch Williams in Michigantown: William Phelps on section 27; John Whiteman on the northwest quarter of section 27. There were others who came the same year - Joseph Hill and more whose names are not known. In 1831, several families moved into the township. Richard Paris made his home on section 3, Carlton Kent on section 15, David Kelly on section 28, James Scott on section 11, Benjamin Saylor and a Mr. Laughlin in Michigantown.

In 1832. Wiley Holliday located on the northwest quarter of section 4. Henrv Whitman on section 27. A. Ernley on section 20. Phineas Thomas on section 10: his two brothers. Ephraim and William's location not known. In 1833, a few more settlers came in. James and Jeremiah Brown settled on section 26. From that time for several years a great many families came in to the town and country around, among them were Henry and Lewis Fewell.

Clinton Count V, Indiana

W illiam. Isaac and George Painter. Hamilton Davis, Fred Franklin. Peter Gay, John Roush, Obed and Alfred Miller, James Heaton, Jesse Brown, Jacob Strong, Jacob Barrett, Moses Fudge and Nathaniel Bell.

The oldest first settler now living in the township is Mrs. Ixezia Tillen. now eighty-four years old. She came to Michigantown in i S3 1 and lived there since and is in good health except crippled - uses crutches and wheelchair.

The early history is largely associated with Michigantown. which was laid out in 1830 by Joseph Hill and Robert Edwards, on both sides of the Michigan road, on sections 26 and 27. W illiam Lowclen has added two additions, one 1874 and one in 1876. These are at the north end of the old plat. These additions fill the gap between the original plat and the (what is now) Toledo, St. Louis and Western railroad. Said railroad was first built in 1873 as the Frankfort and Kokomo wide guage. made a narrow guage in 1881. In 1886. was made wide guage. In 1912. the Marion. Kokomo and Frankfort Electric Railroad was built and parallels the other railroad through the town.

The first store was started by Henry Fewell and Jesse Killgore. a trading store with Indians, a log cabin on the corner now owned by Elmer Miller established in 1833. They run the store three or four years and sold out to Peter Day who put in groceries and whisky which caused such a disturbance with the Indians that he soon sold out and went back to Tennessee.

Christly Baird taught the first school in 1833, in a log cabin with greased paper for windows. Edmond Dow taught the next in same house. The first school house was built in Michigantown in 1834.

The first church was built by the Methodist Episcopal denomination about the vear 1848. Prior to this, all services were held in the schoolhouse. Later the Baptists built in the northwest part of town and the Disciples on west side of town. The Christians however, held the first religious meeting and the preacher was James McKinney. The Baptists were next. John Hill preaching. The Methodists organized first and David Fudge was their class leader.

The first blacksmith was Enoch Williams. The first marriage occurred in 1832, when Enoch Williams and Mary Paris were joined in wedlock by Squire Samuel Thompson.

Robert Johnson died in 1831. the first death in township, and is buried in the old cemetery near the west edge of town and his was the first grave made in the township. Robert Johnson built the first cabin in town; Fewell and Killgore built the first hewn log house in about 1834. It is not known who built the first frame house. The first brick house was built by S. Rodgers on the west side of the street on lot it. Robert Johnson's widow kept the first hotel and postoffice. They received mail once a week and had to prepay all mail sent out.

A stage line was started from Indianapolis to Logansport about 1840. About 1848 the Michigan road was planked from Michigantown to Logansport. but the planking proved a failure after a few years. The first justices of the peace were elected on the second Saturday in April. 1831, and were James Brown. George Downs and Enoch Williams. The present township trustee is John A. Thompson and the assessor John Nagle, both having their postal address Frankfort, R. R. No. 3.

When Michigantown was laid out it was assumed that it would become an important place on account of its location on the Michigan road, and its first growth was fairly rapid on that account. In 1833 it was described as "a new but thriving little v illage on the Michigan road, in Clinton county, about fortv miles northwest from Indianapolis, containing about fifty inhabitants." Howe's State Gazetteer of 1861 said of Michigantown: "In the vicinity are two or three churches, and the village contains one Masonic lodge, one lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, three general stores, one drug ^tore. one hotel, one steam saw mill, and several mechanical trades;" rtlso that it was "connected by stage line with Frankfort and Logansport." The growth from that time was slow. In 1870 the population was 315: in 1880. 342: in 1S90 it dropped back to 298. In tqoo it reached high water mark, with 417: and in iqto it was 395.

The Gazetteer of 1861 gave the names of 39 persons in business. The doctors were John A. Barns. W. A. Gentry. R. D. Hutchinson and William Strange. The attorneys were William V. Johnston (also justice of the peace) and Nelson Purdum. R. Craig was the Baptist pastor and M. Heath the Methodist pastor. The school teachers were F. J. Benjamin and Miss S. F. Maxwell. William Boyl was running the hotel, saw mill and lumber yard. Henrietta Freeman was the dressmaker; Daniel Wilhelm the tailor; F. A. Gue and John Hedgecock boot and ^hoe makers: William Miller and Wilson Ulm saddle and harness makers: J. Black and H. J. Lillen carriage and wagon makers: f. D. Mercer. Daguerrean artist. At present Michigantown is a fair trade center, and has a bank of discount and deposit.

In 1912 Michigan township reported 22.742 acres in farms, of which 2.758 was pasture: 980 timber, and 133 orchard. It was the leading town- (22) ship in oats, having' 5,268 acres, with a product of 366,080 bushels. Of wlieat there were 2.845 acres, with a product of 27.081 bushels; of corn 4,176 acres, with a product of 167,040 bushels: of timothy 2.500 acres, with a product of 5,000 tons; of clover 548 acres, with a product of 822 tons of hav and 622 bushels of seed. There were 174 horses sold, leaving on hand 790. valued at 895,800; there were 200 cattle sold, leaving on hand 900. valued at 836.000; there were 5.077 hogs sold, leaving on hand 2.000. valued at Si 5.000; there were 50 sheep sold, leaving on hand 200. valued at Si. 000. The cows milked were 600. yielding 240.000 gallons of milk and 50.100 pounds of butter. Of poultrv 800 dozen were sold, valued at $6,400. There were reported 1,200 dozens of laving hens, with a product of 90.000 dozens of eggs.

Michiganu un was incorporated in the carle seventies, and it is now one of the four incorporated towns of the cou.ntv. outside of Frankfort The northern part of the town is sometimes caked Lowdenville. on .account of its being an addition to the original town -iic. laid out by William Lowalen. The Methodist church is the oldest in the place. The pastor is George A. Kenvon, who also officiates at Morris Chapel. Ml. Pleasant .and Bovleston M. E. churches There tire reported 200 members in the four churches, and 32T in the Sunday schools. The Christians 1 Disciples) are the strongest denomination. They worshipped for a number of years in a small frame church, but have recently erected a new one, at a cost of $12. coo. Rev. Mevers is the pastor. There is also a country church of this denomination, called Averv church. The Baptists have a small church, with some twentv members, but no regular pastor, supplied by H. IP Bronson, of Frankfort.

Herman Lodge Xo. 184. Ancient Free and Accepted Mason-, was organized at Michigantow n. September 19. 1855. The first officers were G. \V. Edgerlee. worshipful master: F. X. Stone, senior warden: A. B. Meneely, junior warden: Nathaniel Bell, treasurer: \Y. V. Johnson, secretary; Alex. Doughertv. senior deacon; T. P. Franklin, junior deacon; Joseph Holis, tyler: other charter members. Obed Miller. Robert Eubank. John Sager, and Fred-

The Odd Fellows were slightly ahead of the Masons. Clinton Lodge Xo. 165. Independent Order of Odd Fellows being chartered July r 7. 1855. with Benjamin F. Douglass. G. A. Barnes. Lewis Merritt. L. B. Sullivan. George A. Kent. Thomas J. Randle. R. D. Hutchinson. X. F. harrow. George \Y. Price and William Burkett as charter members. This lodge had some adverse experiences. Its effects were destroyed by re on May 19. 1863. In 1883 it became defunct, hut was resuscitated in 1892. and now has 29 members. Arthur Barnett is noble grand, and Charles G. Diehl. P.nancial secretary.

David R. Barnes' Post Xo. 453. Grand Army of the Republic, was organized in May. 188C, with the following officers: Col. X. \. Logan, commander:!. S. Hedgecock. quartermaster : J. F. Black, quartermaster-sergeant ; Perry Cox. surgeon: Samuel Heffner, senior vice commander: John Murphy, junior vice commander: John M. Miller, officer of the guard: Tames Cast, officer of the day: O. P. Hankins, chaplain: \Y. W. Barnes, adjutant: other charter member-, George W. Fads. John Lynch and John F. Brooks. This post surrendered its charter April 23. iS8<): and it' number was taken by W. T. Sherman post, of Bridgeport.

The other town in Michigan township K Boylestoii. a station on the. line of the Lake Frie and Western railroad. It was laid out Xovember i~. 1873. lw Lewis X. Bo vie. of Indianapolis, and two addition.' to it have been made, one be I. P. Maish. and one bv Jacob Ileise. The Methodists have a church here, at which Rev. George A. Kenyon, of Michigantown. officiates. The Baptists have a small church where services are held by Rev. T. J. Sparks, of Frankfort. The United Brethren have established a chapel Rev. B. F. Thomas, of Frankfort, preaches there.