Hamilton County, Indiana - Chapter 10: Noblesville Township, 1915

Topography

When Hamilton county was organized, in 1823, it was originally divided into only two townships, White River on the north and Delaware on the south. These boundaries continued in effect until May, 1827, when the com¬ missioners re-divided the county into townships. This was done by dividing the southern area into three parts, namely : Fall Creek in the southeast corner of the county, Delaware west of it, in the southwest corner, and Noblesville township occupying all the center from White River township on the north to Fall Creek and Delaware on the south. On November 6, 1833, the present boundaries of Noblesville township were prescribed by the commissioners. It occupies the central position of the nine townships comprising the county and has forty-nine square miles. The soil is rich and productive and has excellent drainage, being crossed partially or entirely by the following streams : White river, Cicero creek, Hinkle creek, Stony creek and Dry branch.

Early Settlement

The early settlement of the township has been fully described heretofore, the first settlement in the county being at Horseshoe Prairie by the Shirts, Finch, Bush and Willason families, William Conner already being in the county. Besides the early settlers already named, the following came two or three years later: John D. Stephenson, Jonathan Colburn and wife, .Josiah F. Polk, Curtis Mallery, David Osborn, William Goe, William Ridgeway, Isaac Cottingham, Edward Dyer and George Wise. The Stoops, the Dales and the Cottingham families, with their many connections, were all early settlers.

Stephen Wall came to this township from Fayette county, Indiana, in 1824 and settled one-half mile east of Noblesville, on what is known as the Conrad farm. Twelve days after leaving Fayette county he crossed Fall (12) creek at the place where a bridge now spans the creek on the Noblesville and Greenfield pike. Soon after crossing the stream he came to a cabin and, it being toward night, he stopped and asked a night's lodging. He was in¬ formed by the occupant of the cabin that: he might spread his bed on the floor of the cabin. He took advantage of this offered hospitality, such as it was, and slept on the floor of the stranger's cabin. Before leaving the next morning he learned his host's name, which was Bridge. This same man participated in the murder of two Indians near Pendleton just one month later than this, for which crime he later forfeited his life by hanging.

The west side of Noblesville township was not settled until the year 1830. About two miles from town a settlement was formed by the Walls, Carey and Metsker families. Mr. Shirts says: "To the northwest all was woods and swamps. As late as 1830 the wolves came at nights to the first hill west of town and frequently kept up their howling until late at night."

Mr. Beaty bought land east of town from one of the Dales and lived upon it until his death. John Gascho and wife and family of nine children came in wagons from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. He purchased the above named land from the Beaty heirs and added to the original purchase from time to time until, at the time of his death, he owned in all six hundred acres of land extending from the eastern corporation limits nearly two miles on each side of the road. John Gascho and his sons were all farmers, making agriculture their life business. They devoted their. whole attention to farming and the wealth and influence of the family give ample testimony regarding their success. Neither John Gascho nor his heirs would sell their land bor¬ dering on the city limits for town lots, though it is understood some very flattering offers have been made for their land. The Gascho family preferred to see the rustling corn or the waving wheat field near their door to town lots with modern homes thereon. Evidently it was never a problem for Mr. Gascho "to keep his boys on the farm."

Early Churches

The first church in the township was of the Baptist denomination and was organized at Noblesville on December 8, 1827. Subsequently other de¬ nominations were organized, all of which are considered elsewhere in this history.

The history of the township is so closely related to that of the city of Noblesville that it would be but a repetition to give the events connected with Noblesville at this time.