Clinton County, Indiana - Chapter 26: Ross Township, 1913

Chapter 26: Ross Township

Ross township is one of the original townships of the county, established on May 15, 1830. As then formed it was a rectangle, in the northwest corner of the county, seven miles east and west by six miles north and south. It has been changed less than either of the other original townships, the north and east boundaries remaining the same, and also parts of the south and west boundaries. The only change has been taking something over twelve and one-half sections out of the southwest corner, and adding them to Madison township. As it now stands the township covers about twentynine and one-half square miles. The surface of the township is more uneven than that of the remainder of the county, and it is well drained by the Middle Fork of Wildcat, together with Campbell's run, Hog run and smaller tributaries. The soil is in general a productive, dark loam, and originallv had a heavy growth of timber.

The settlement began before the formation of the county, led by Solomon Miller, who settled on section twenty-one in March, 1828. He made enough of a clearing to raise a small patch of corn that summer. In- the fall of the same vear Daniel Underwood located on section twenty, as did also Mr. Arthur; and Matthias Widner on section thirty-two. In 1829 the settlement was increased by more than half a dozen families. John Cripe located on section thirty-four, and Samuel Cripe also came that year. Shadvick Bowen located on section twenty-four; Aaron Parcel on section thirty; Esom Scott on section twenty; William Peters on section thirty-one; Andrew Major on section twenty-three, and Samuel Seawright adjoining the site of Rossville.

In 1830-1, Jacob Cripe located on section thirty-three; John Smith on section twenty-six ; William Smith on section thirty : Andrew Wavmire on section twenty-two ; William Price on the same section ; David C. Clark on section thirty-six; and John Logan on section twenty-five; also John Carrick and Thomas Major on section six; and Mr. Bradford on section seven, which are now in Madison township. In 1832 Thomas Ewing located on the site of Rossville and put up the first log cabin of that town. Others who came in 1832-3 were Samuel J. John, George Ewing, William Robinson, Cyrus McGill, Peter Jacobv. Henry Peters, Hamilton Stein. William Perrin, John F. Shaw, Jonathan, Reuben, Emanuel and William Peters, John Major, David Lefever, Benjamin Ashley, Michael Shuttler and Edward Buckhalter. Immediately following the immigration of these years, came John H. Smith, Noah Gaddis, Thomas Smith, Jacob and Joseph Blickenstaff, John, Stephen and Andrew Metzger, Noah and George Sharp, Peter Greybill, William Gochenauer, Peter, Michael and John Widner, James Taylor, Joseph Hayes, Philip and Daniel Slipher, Jacob Bailor, Jacob Shively, Cyrus McGill. Jonas Clark, and Hugh McClintock.

Immediately following the organization of the county, an election was held at the cabin of David Lefever. John Smith was elected justice of the peace; and James Gaddis, David Clark and Thomas Ewing, trustees. The reason why only one justice was elected in the township was because a justice had been elected in 1829, while the region was still joined to Tippecanoe county; but who this first justice was has not been discovered in the records of either Clinton or Tippecanoe counties. Most of the notable first events occurred in this early period. Noah Miller, the first white child born in the township was born October 21, 1828. The death of Mary Miller, which occurred in 1829. was the first death. The marriage of Daniel Stogden of Lafayette to Emily Scott, in 182c), was the first marriage.

The earliest recorded religious meeting was in 1830, by the Methodists, at the house of William Smith, who was the fir>t preacher. Soon after this the Presbyterians held a meeting at the house of Solomon Miller, where James Carnahan preached. The fir>t church organization was made by the Methodists in 1831, at the house of William Smith. A number of the settlers in the earlv thirties were Dunkards, from Pennsylvania, and they held religious meetings from an early date. The first church used by the people of the township was just across the county line, in Carroll county. This church, built in 1833, on the land of Jacob Watson, was a union church, used bv all denominations. Not long after, the first church in the township was erected on the farm of William Peters.

Ross township is a strong agricultural township, though of its 17,513 acres reported in farms, 2,332 are in timber - the largest percentage in the countv. There were 2,666 acres in pasture in 1912. and 138 in orchard. Of wheat there were 2,856 acres, with a product <>f 32,037 bushels; of corn 4,852 acres, with a product of 260.025 bushels; of oats 2.640 acres, with a product of 163,2 1 < > bushels; of timothy 705 acres, with a product of 852 tons; of clover 1.750 acres, with a product of 1,510 tons of hay and 901 bushels of seed. There used to be considerable tobacco raised in the township. especially by settlers from Pennsylvania, and there was a tobacco factory operated at Rossville for three years in the later forties. For the past five years no tobacco has been reported from Clinton county.

The valuation of the township in 1012. outside of Rossville. which is the onlv incorporated town, was real estate. $893,635 : personal and corporation. $480,150; polls. 175; total taxes levied. $10,263.18. To this Rossville added, real estate. $140,240; personal and corporation. $148,200; polls. 94; total taxes levied. $5,762.81. Tn i$86. when the township was of the same extent as at present, the valuation was real estate. $319,015; personal and corporation. $280,230; polls. 325; total taxes levied. $12,503.54. In 1845, before the division of the township, the valuation was real estate. $125,420; personal, S27.168: polls. 164; total taxes levied. $842.55.

Rossville, the one incorporated town, and one railroad town, in the township, is located in the northeastern part on sections twentv-four and twentv-five. In 1832. Thomas Ewing, with bis wife and infant child, came to Clinton countv and located on the site of Eo->\illc. entering one hundred and sixty acres of land north of wli.at is now Main street. In 1834. Mr. Ewing and Thomas Smith platted the town of Rossville. their chief ambition at the time being to get a blacksmith shop located at that point. The location proved attractive, ami tile \ illage grew sleadilv. The first 'tore was opened bv William Seawright: the first saddler was John. II. Smith, and the first phvsician. Dr. James Wilson.

On October 22, 1870. a petition was filed for the incorporation of the town, the accompanving census showing sixtv-six heads of families, and three hundred and thirty-nine residents. The incorporation election, held on November 5, resulted thirty-five for and nineteen against; and on December 1, 1870. the town of Rossville was dulv declared incorporated. The completion of the Motion railroad in 1883 gave new life to the town, which is a station on this line. It is now a prosperous business center for the adjacent countrv. Its financial interests are cared for bv the bank of Rossville. which is organized as a private bank.

The Methodists were the first denomination to organize a church in the township. In 1831. Andrew and Hannah Waymire. William David. Thomas and Ann Smith. Jacob and Amy Saylor. Mary, Elizabeth and Rebecca Quick, and others formed this organization. They worshipped at various places until 1837, when they built a church in Rossville. Their first preacher was Rev.

Clixtox Couxtv, Ixdiaxa

H. Freedenberger. In 1870 they erected their present church building, at a cost of $4,500, and in 1884 built a parsonage at a cost of $1,000. The present pastor i> Rev. C. B. Smith, who also serves the churches at Sedalia, Moran and Killmore. There are five hundred and seven members in the four churches, and six hundred and twenty-five in the Sunday schools.

In March. 1834. Reuben White. David Cloe and wife. Sarah John, Nathaniel Campbell. Mr. Dawson, and a few others organized a Baptist church. They held services in the school house and the Methodist church until 1840. when they erected a frame building of their own. which was later replaced bv a brick building. Their preacher was Rev. William Reece, and the second Rev. William Moore. The church at present has sixty member''. but has no regular pastor, being supplied from Crawfordsville.

In 1835-6 a Presbyterian church was organized by Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Ewing. Mr. and Mr-. Richard Wilson. Mr. and Mrs. John Black, Mr. and Mrs. Van Huvsen. and Mr. and Mrs. Lafever. and others. Their first [treacher was Rev. Carpenter. Th.ev worshipped for several vears in the school house, and elsewhere, and in 1840 erected a church building. The church at present has one hundred and ten members, and the pastor is Rev. C. F. Fowler. Associated with this church is Pleasant Mill church, southeast of Ros'-ville. which is ah" served bv Mr. Fowler.

It may be mentioned here that a considerable portion of the early settlement of Ro» township was b\ Pennsylvania German' who were allied with the Dunkard church, and there are now tw o Dunkard congregat* ms »n the t< >w n ship.

Rossville Lodge No 185. !.().() I .. was organized lanuarv 27. 1857. w ith the follow ing officers and charter members: George Lvdick. noble grand; Alex Amlerson. vice grand; I. I. Perrin, treasurer; I. (_). A. Perrin, recording secretary; and Lewis Xebeker. The lodge now has eightv-seven members. M. C. Savior is noble grand, and \\ . L. Wright financial secretary.

Rossville Lodge No. 318. A. F. X A. M. was originally organized May 24. 1865. but it' charter was taken up in 1 87c). It was rechartered May 28. 1895. and now has fortv-seven members. James Stephenson is worshipful master and James R. Crouse secretary.

Masters, William Roth, J. J. Ramey, Isaac Horn, Joshua Hunt, George Logan, W. M. Knapp and Lafayette Everett. At present the post has eighteen members, and William Malone is commander.

Rossville Lodge No. 278, K. of P., was instituted October 22, 1890. It now has seventy-eight members. H. R. Smith is chancellor commander, and Adrian Smith keeper of records and seals. Saco Tribe No. 207, Improved Order of Red Men, was instituted June 6, 1895. It has ninety-one members, and W. L. Wright is C. of R. Rossville Tent No. 15,191, Modern Woodmen of America, was organized September 9, 1910. It has twentytwo members, and A. P. Butz is clerk.

Edna Mills is a pleasant village, some three miles west of Rossville. It was here that the first mill in the township was built by Daniel L'nderwood; and the mill, under various owners, has always been the central feature of the place.