Clinton County, Indiana - Chapter 29: Warrex Towxship, 1913

\\ arren township is in t he northeast part of the county, bounded on the north by Carroll and Howard counties, east by Forest township, south by Michigan township, and west by Owen township. It was originally included in Jackson township, but was made a separate township in 1834. At that time it was larger than at present, but it has been reduced in size by the formation of later townships, until now it is six sections east and west by five north and south. The surface is rolling, drained to the northwest by Middle Fork and its tributaries. The soil A a rich clay and loam, and was originally covered with a heavv forest of fine timber, most of which has long since disappeared.

The first white settler in the township was A. E. Whiteman, who located on Section 23 in 1830. He built a log cabin and began farming, without a neighbor; but in the same year John Gray came and located on Section 21. Mr. Whiteman continued to be "the oldest inhabitant" for many years, and put tip a substantial residence in front of the log cabin in which he made his start. In 1831 Zabina Babcock moved up from the southwest part of the county, and settled on the site of Middle Fork. James M. Popejov came in the same war, and also Jacob and Joseph Shaffer, who located on Section 28.

In 1832, George Trobaugh joined the settlement, locating on Section 21 ; also Andrew Bryant came in this year and settled on the Popejov farm. In 1833-4 the immigration became more rapid, including Joseph and Andrew Robinson, James Morrison, Beverly Williams. John Like. William Nixon, Steven Sims, A. Lynch and Thomas Chandler. Others who came prior to 1838 were Edward Dow, Reuben Magill, Dr. Young, John Daggy, Josiah Bate. Pierson Ticen, Andrew Catron. Isaac Stems, Andrew Proffit and David Beard.

The first white child born in the township was a daughter. Elizabeth, to the first of the settlers, A. E. and Mary Whiteman, and this event occurred on December 31, 1831. The first marriage in the township had already occurred, in the same year, when A. F. Whiteman, as justice of the peace, united Salathiel Dickinson and Mary Elston in the bonds of matrimony. The hand of death was not laid on the little settlement until 1833, when Joseph Shaffer was claimed by the grim harvester.

The scattered settlers had no school privileges until the winter of 1835-6, when Christian Beard undertook the instruction of the youth of the community in a log cabin. In 1836 the first school house was built, on the farm of John Gray. The next school house to follow this was on the farm of Zabina Babcock, and the third was on the land of James Morrison. It was in this third school house, on the Morrison farm, that the first religious meeting in the township was held by the Methodists, in 1840. The Xew Lights were the next denomination to hold meetings. Following them came the United Brethren, who built the first church in the township in 1843, on the farm of Jacob Gray.

The settlement of the township was steady and rather rapid, after it got well started. In 1850 the population had reached 770; in i860 it was 1,235; in 1870 it was 1.682, and in 1880 it was 1,843. The people were entirely agricultural, there being no formally platted town in the township, though villages sprang up at Middle Fork and Geetingsville. 1 lie township was never lucky enough to get a railroad. Its nearest line is the \ andalia, some two miles and a half west of the western township line, but the Kokomo traction line almost touches the southeastern corner ot the township.

It was anticipated in early times that Middle Fork would become a town of some importance, it being located on the Michigan Road, but the fortunes of railroad building were against it, and it never became more than a social and business center for the surrounding country. The first store in the township was opened here by William Sims, who was succeeded after a short time by John Evans. It was on the site well known to later residents as the establishment of Card & Mosher. The first postmaster at the place was John Purdum. and the second James Morrison.

The pioneer fraternal organization of the place was Middle Fork Lodge, Xo. 304, A. F. and A. M. It was granted a dispensation July 20, 1863, under which it worked for the first year, with the following officers; Perrine Ticen, Worshipful Master; P. W. Gard. Senior Warden; John Young. Junior Warden: James Morrison. Treasurer; A. A. Shaffer. Secretary; John Milner, Senior Deacon; B. I. Wilson, Junior Deacon: James M. Popejoy. Tyler. On Mav 26. 1864. a charter was issued to the lodge, and the same officers were continued under it. except that J. F. Han ter became tyler. The lodge still continues, with 50 members. Elmo Merrick is Worshipful Master, and Roy Whiteman, Secretary.

In 1871 the lodge made a joint arrangement with citizens of Middle Fork and vicinitv for the erection ot a building, the lower story of which should he used for church purposes and the upper story for a lodge room. This plan wa> carried into effect, and a building erected at a cost of $1,800. of which the lodge furnished about one-half, and the remainder was raised by subscription. The building committee consisted of John W. Guthridge. Cyrus Booker and Dr. M. L. Martin. The first trustees for the church, chosen by the people, were David Lehman. Oliver Card and Andrew Catron.

General Reynolds Post. No. 122. G. A. R.. was mustered at Middle Fork. December 8. 1882. with the following officers and charter members: Lewis Sims. Commander: Joseph Warrick. Senior Vice-Commander : John Elder. Tunior Vice-Commander; Thomas Chandler. Chaplain: J. L. Grene. Surgeon; Karl Reif. Ouartermastcr : J. P>. Sims, Adjutant; D. C. McKown. Sergeant Major: M. Younkin. Officer of the Day: M. D. Velty, Officer of the Guard: other members, D. Easterly, H. Walters. Samuel Baker and J. W. Adair. The post grew to about forty members, and continued for nearly twentv wears, but disbanded in tqoi.

Middle Fork Lodge, No. 810, I. O. O. F., was organized January 27, 1904. It has 40 members. Alba Catron is Noble Grand, and A. J. Reaves, Financial Secretary. Associated with this is Warren Lodge, No. 767, Daughters of Rebekah, which has a membership of 13 brothers and 13 sisters. Cecil Larimore is Noble Grand, and Soonie Catron, Financial Secretary.

Geetingsville is a small village in the northwestern part of the township, which was never platted as a town, but has been for a number of years a small social and business center, with a store and a blacksmith shop. Dr. M. V. Young, the first practicing physician in the township, was located here. The Presbvterians erected a brick church at this point nearly thirty years ago, and still have an organization of 158 members, of which Rev. B. C. Roberts is pastor.

Beard is a new village, in the southwestern part of the township, which shows signs of progress. Beard Lodge, No. 641, A. F. and A. M., was chartered May 28, 1902. It has 64 members. Christopher J. Crum is Worshipful Master, and Granville W. Sharp. Secretary.