Miami County, Indiana - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 14 of those read), 1887

HARRISON TOWNSHIP lies in the south part of Miami County, and embraces a geographical area of twenty -four square miles, bounded as follows: Butler Township on the north, Harrison on the east, Cla}' on the west and Howard County on the south. The principal water course is Pipe creek, which flows in a westerly direction through the northern part of the township, entering in section 3 and leaving from section 6, township 25, north, range 5, east. Deer Creek flows through the southwest corner of the township, and affords ample drainage for a large area of the territor}'. The eastern part is watered and drained by the tributaries of Pipe creek, several of which flow through the country in different directions. The general surface of the countr^ is low and level, and the character of the soil may be judged from the heavy growth of black walnut and other varieties of valuable timber, which was found in great profusion by the first settlers. There is also a h^avy growth of oak, maple, elm, beech and the other forest trees indigenous to this latitude. Large quantities of lumber were at one time exported from the township, and the revenue from walnut alone, to those who were so fortunate as to hold these trees, was quite lucrati\-e, as much as $400 and even more having been realized from the timber, growing on a single acre. That part of the township lying adjacent to Pipe Creek presents an exception to the general monotonous surface of the county, being slightly undulating, the banks of said creek being in some places quite precipitous. The lower portions of the township were originally quite wet, but of late a successful system of tile drainage has been resorted to, by means of which a large area of valuable lands have been reclaimed and put in cultivation. Agriculture is and always has been the pursuit of the citizens of the township, and all the crops common to this part of the State are raised in abundance.

The first settlements within the present limits of Harrison were made a short time prior to the "land sale" by Imri Murden and William Smith, the former in February, 1844, and the latter some time the following spring. Mr. Murden moved from near Mexico, on Eel river, and "squatted" upon a tract of unsurve}ed land near the southwest corner of the township, which he purchased from the Government in 1847. He made substantial improvements and was an honored resident of the township for a number of years. He afterwards disposed of his possessions here and returned to the northern part of the county where he has since resided, his home at this time beinjj near the town of Denver. Mr. Smith mo\ed to his new home under many unfavorable circumstances, chief among which was the almost impassable condition of the country, caused bv the spring freshets. The creeks were all "bank full" and in crossing the larger ones some of his household effects were very seriously damaged. He experienced his greatest dithculty in getting across Pipe Creek, the waters of w hich were entirely too deep and too rapid to be forded, thus obliging him to swim and ferry his goods across as best he could. He reached his claim in due time, and going to work at once soon had a cabin erected and several acres cleared and under cultivation. The site of his settlement is what is now the Elias Mummaugh farm, near the western boundary of the township.

Among the next comers was one Joshua Dixon, who made a few impro\ements and started a blacksmith shop on the Graham farm near the Cla}- Township line, some time in the summer or fall of the above year. He was one of the earliest mechanics in the southern part of the county, and operated his shop from the date of his arrival until some time in the sixties. Joshua Tharpe came as early as 1844, and settled on the place now owned and occupied by Richard Crane in the northern part of the township. He was a true type of the pioneer huntei- of forty years ago, and nothing afforded him greater pleasure than the wild, free life of the back, woods. Another settler, reported to have come as early as 1844, was Jacob Stitt, who made his first improvements on what is known as the Plotner farm, on Pipe Creek, near the northeast corner of the township. After 1844 settlers began to arrive quite rapidly, although the land was not at that time opened for settlement subject to entry, being a part of tile Miami Reservation, which did not come into market until about the year 1847. The desire to secure homes was so great, howevei", that before the survey was completed the little pioneer cabins could be seen scattered over the greater part of the countr)', and in some localities quite respectable farms were cleared and in cultivation. Among the various comers whose arrival antedated the land sale, were Samuel Spurgeon and William Burnett, in the western part of the township: James and Simeon Dryer, not far from the town of Santa Fe; Eli Stitt, brother of Jacob Stitt, in the northeast corner of the township, and a Mr. Reeves, who pre-empted land in the western part.

one mile west of the village of North Grove. Z. C. Smith made a settlement as earlj- as 1846 in section 16, and subsequently moved to a place about one-quarter of a mile south of North Grove. Levi Willis came about the same time, as did also Solomon Hauck, and settled in sections 9 and 3 respectively. Among other early comers were the following: Tillman Hall, where Mr. Lee now lives in section 10; Stephen Reeves, a transient settler, on the Darius Wilson place: Jacob Miller, near North Grove: William and James Love, a short distance southwest of Santa Fe: George Copper, in the southern part of the township; Emsley Overman, the first Justice of the Peace, near the eastern boundary, and George C. Smith, whose place of settlement was not learned, all of whom made claims as early as 1847. During the years of 1847 and '48 a number of substantial men secured homes in the township, but it will be impossible at this late date to mention them in the order of their arrival. In the early part of the former year A. M. Ratliffe was Hving on the Joel Barnhart place, near the eastern boundary of the township, and a little later. Smith Donohue, a man noted for his fine social qualities, made an improvement not far from the central part. An eccentric character in an earlv dav was one John G. Miller, a diminutive German, who settled in section 10, some time during the above vears. He was known far and wide for his wonderful conversational powers, and his marvelous propensit}- for talking early became proverbial throughout the entire southern part of the county. He would talk with every passer-by until thev became thoroughly worn out, and when he started on an errand his wife never expected him home until after dark, as

James Graham was one of the pioneers of 1847 and is still living where he originally settled, in the western part of the township. His neighbor in an early day was John Wilson, for manv years a leading citizen of Harrison. Other pioneers were Marshall Greathouse, who located where his family still reside; Daniel Myers, who lived in various parts of the township; Joshua Sullivan, a transient settler, whose original location is not known ; David Rowe, where B. Busbv now lives. Joseph Overman in the southeastern part of the township, where he still resides; Eli Overman, on the place now occupied by C. Edwards; Charles Cox, in the northern part of the township, on the Crane farm; William Mowbray, in the northwest corner; Moses Hershberger, near the Howard County line; Benjamin Shrock, on the Delphi Road in the southern part ; Michael Gearhart, south of the Shrock place; Charles Barnhart, near the southern boundary, where his son still lives; John Myers, near Deer Creek, on the Stetler farm; Abraham Hostetler, where he still lives;Jolin and M. \'innedge, in the southeast corner of the township; Abraham Garver, on the Delphi Road; Benjamin Benbovv, in the southern part; Edmund Lamb, near the eastern border; Peter Reger, a short distance south of North Grove; Joseph Cantle, not far from the south line of the countv; Jacob Livingood, on the site of McGraws- \ille and Abraham Hershberger in the southern part of the township.

Tinvuship On^'aiiization. - This township was set apart as a separate jurisdiction in 1846, and named in honor of the great soldier and president, William Henrv Harrison. The first election was held the same \ear at the residence of Mr. Smith, Sr., and for the several township officers then chosen, but eighteen votes were cast. The lirst Trustees were John Moorman and David Roe - Solomon Hauck was elected first Justice of the Peace and x\bel Hauck, Constable. Emslej' Overman and M. Vinnedge held the office of Justice of the Peace in an early da}% and William Mowbray, Jesse Lee, Harvey McCoy and Lewis Hensler served as Trustees, a number of j'ears ago. The Trustee at this time is Eli Shrock, the Justices are Henrv Rose and William T. Bowden.

Earlv Events. - Perhaps the first deaths that occurred in Harrison Township were those of the wife of a negro known as "Black Bill," some time in 1847, and Mrs. Wm. Wineburn, who departed this life the same ^-ear. "It being impossible to get through the woods with a wagon at that time, her coffin was carried from Santa Fe, a distance of four miles."

The first birth in the township, so far as known, was that of Sarah A., daughter of Imri and Rebecca Murden, born in the year 1846; a son, Henry Murden, was born to the same parents in October of the following year. "January 4, 1848 there was born to Marshall and Elizabeth Greathouse a son, George, which was also one of the earliest births in the township.

One of the earliest marriages was that of William Love and a daughter of William Smith, solemnized in the spring of 1847. " The same year Henry Daggy was married to Elizabeth Burnett." A marriage deserving of special mention was that of Joseph Tyler and Miss Tharpe, daughter of Ichabod Tharpe, celebrated sometime in the j-ear 1848. The father of the bride made elaborate preparations for the happy event, and, in order to have a sufficient amount of meat for the feast, to which were invited all the festive 3'oung people within a radius of several miles, stole from the neighboring woods a fat porker, which, with a generous supply of boiled cabbage and corn bread, constituted the sum total of the bill of fare. Several of the invited i^uests had wisely provided themselves with goodly sized flasks for the occasion lilled with a certain semi-transparent coffee colored liquid, which, when partaken of b}' the crowd, had a tendency to make them all uproariously funny long before the time fixed upon for the celebration of the nuptials. In due time the smiling groom, arrayed in a gorgeous outfit of homespun, made his appearance upon the scene and was immediately surrounded by his noisy comrades, one of whom, in a spirit of mischievous merriment, tripped up his (the groom's) heels letting him fall in a large mud hole near the cabin door. This was the signal for a fresh outburst of fun, and, b}- the time Mr. Tjler escaped from the mud bath, his white "tow breeches" presented very much the appearance of the map of Africa dressed in deep mourning. Everything passed off good-naturedh*, however, and, at the appointed time, were said the words which united the happy couple as man and wife.

Casualties. - The burning to death of old Joseph Dixon, about the j'ear 1866, was an event that cast a sliade of gloom over the entire community in which he had resided for vears. He lived for some Aears entirely alone in his blacksmitli shop near the western boundar)- of the township, aad had become seriously atfiicted, so much so that at times he could scarce!}' use his limbs. One cold morning his little shop caught fire and before help could arrive the roof fell in, burying the unfortunate old mechanic in the ruins. When taken from the fire he was burned bevond recognition.

About the year 185 1 Henley Thomas met with a violent death b\' being crushed beneath the wheels of a heavilv loaded wagon. He was driving down hill at the time, and in trving to check the speed of the horses, fell in front of the \\ heels

Industries. - As is well known, Harrison is a rich farming region, consequently agriculture has been the principal pursuit of her citizens. But little has been attempted in the way of manufacture, except in lumber, much of which was sawed during early years of the countrj-'s settlement. The first saw mill was built on Pipe Creek, opposite the village of Santa Fe, about the 3'ear 1846 or '47, by Matthew Fenimore, who subsequently erected a flouring mill near the same place. The latter has passed through various hands and is still in operation. The present proprietor is John Thomas. A large steam saw mill was built at the village of Snow Hill, a number of 3-ears ago, by Jacob Miller and Elijah Lieurance, who operated it successfully for some time. It was subsequently purchased b)' the Nicum Brothers, who moved it from the township.

A tannery was started near the eastern boundary of the township, in the earh' days, by Henley Thomas, who did a good local business for several years. Thomas sold out to other parties who finall}- allowed the enterprise to fall into disuse.

Hclig'ioiis. - The religious history of Harrison Township dates from the year 1848, at which time Divine services were held at the cabin of Charles Cox, by Rev. Mr. Richardson, of the Methodist Church. Elder Richardson preached at regular intervals for some time and his efforts were the means of awakening quite a religious interest in the community. Rev. John Leach was a pioneer preacher also, and his meetings at the residences of James Graham and John Wilson as long ago as 1S48, were well attended by the early settlers of that part of the county. A class of the U. B. Church was subsequently organized, which still meets at the village of North Grove, where in 1870 was built the first house of worship in the township. This society, at one time quite strong and influential, has greatly decreased in numbers during the last ten years, and is now in a very weak condition.

The Methodists early organized a societj^ in the northern part of the township, and some time in the above year erected a neat frame building on the land of Henry Powell, near the Clay Township line. This societ\' has been the means of accomplishing much permanent good in the community, and is reported in a fairly prosperous condition.

At Cary, near the boundry of the township, is a society of the Wesleyan Methodists, and in the southeast corner of the township is a society of the Friends or Quakers, both of which are reported in good condition.

bv the Amish, a branch of the German Baptists, a religious sect noted for their strict discipline, rigid morality and plain manner of living.

Siiozi' Hill. - A defunct village which formerly stood in Section 3, township 25, north range 5 east, was laid out in May, 1853, by Jacob Miller and Elijah Lieurance, whose large steam saw mill was the first industry of the place. A blacksmith shop was started soon after the building of the mill and about the same time of the platting of the village, a man by the name of Lawson opened a general store. Mr. Lawson subsequently met with a violent death while hauling a load of goods from Peru. In crossing Pipe Creek, a large limb fell from a tree near the edge of the stream, striking him on the head, causing almost instant death. The -goods business was afterwards represented by other parties, and at one time the village became the chief source of supplies for a large neighborhood. A good store with stock representing a capital of over $3,000 was carried on for several years, together with several blacksmith and a cabmet shops. The latter was opened by one Jesse Miller, specimens of whose handiwork, in the shape of bed-steads, stands, chairs, bureaus, &c., are still to be seen in many of the older households of the township. The completion of the Pan Handle railroad through the county, a couple of miles from Snow Hill, proved a death blow to its aspirations, and from that time the fortunes of the place began to wane. Its business men and mechanics sought other and more favorable localities, the population gradually drifted to other parts, and at this time a cultivated field is all that remains of the once promising little town. Jesse and George Bower purchased the lots from time to time and succeeded in getting the plat vacated.

North Grove. - From a dead town we now turn to the history of a live one. North Grove, on the Pan Handle railroad, twelve miles southeast of Peru, was laid out and recorded under the name of Moorefield. The original plat consisting of - lots, lies in Section 16, Township 25 north. Range 5 East. The villajre is an outgrowth of the railroad and earl\- became an important point for the shipment of lumber, grain and live stock. Among the earliest residents were William North, a man by the name of Ranck and John Parks, a farmer, who lived in the near \icinitv. The first business house was erected by Abraham Color on the the corner now occupied by the large brick store room of Stitt & Lee. Messrs. Cescart and McKinstry sold goods in the same building about the time the railroad was completed and did a verv successful business for several years. John Hartebroad was an early merchant, as was also Jackson Reynolds who, after carrying on a fair business for a short time.

sold out to Lee & Son. Stout and Kessler opened a general store early in the seventies and in 1874, William Kessler engaged in business but sold out after a short time to Messrs. >Iiller and Weaver. William Parker erected the building occupied at this time by H. D. Dispennett, and was identified with the mercantile interests of the village for some time. Prior to his arri\al however, a Mr. Truitt sold goods in a little building which stood on the same corner near where Main street crosses the railroad. Ashberry Kessler, D. A. R. Holton, J. M. Lee & Co., were among the merchants who did business in the village at different times. The last firm was succeeded by Messrs. Stitt & Lee, the present energetic and wide awake merchants. Prominent among the business men of the town was W. C. Yarnall who opened a store in 1873 and continued the same until within a comparatively recent date. He was Postmaster, railroad and express agent for a number of 3'ears, and did as much if not more towards the building up of the town than any other citizen of the place. He sold out to Ira Smith who ir» turn was succeeded by the present proprietor, C. E. Miller.

The first industry of the place was a large steam saw-mill, erected in the southwest part of the village about the year iSsO' by Jacob C Miller, who operated it for several years. The next mill was built by Mr. Dugan in 1867 or '68, and in 1870, the Chicago mill, operated by Charles Somers, was brought to the place. The latter was operated on quite an extensive scale for some vears. The present saw-mill is operated by Draper & Shambo, who report their business good. Ira Smith engaged in the manufacture of drain tile in 1876, and still carries on the business. Messrs. Draper & Shambo operate a tile kiln also. Long, Draper & Co. have at this time a large grist mill in the course o£ construction for the manufacture of flour bv the roller process, which, when completed, will be one of the best mills in the county. The building is a large frame structure, and its presence in the village will doubtless draw a great deal of business to that place.

The physicians of North Grove have been the following, viz.: Drs. Brandon, Barnes, Friermood, Holton and the present M. D.'s, T. F. Ijams and A. J. Gray.

The present business of the village is as follows: General merchants, H. J. Dispennett, and the firm of Stitt & Lee: druggist, C E. Miller: confectioner, C. A. Boland: saloons, Thomas Collins and Ilenrv Zimmerman; grain dealer, Eugene Fletcher; carpenters, Martin Grandstaff and Christian Sanderson: blacksmith and wagonmaker, Andrew Ranck. The United Brethren have an organization and a neat frame house of worship, and the beautiful and commodious graded school building was recently erected at a cost of $4,240.

McGravjsviUe is a small railroad town on the line dividing Clay and Harrison Townships, about three miles northeast of North Grove. It has one general store, a blacksmith shop, and a church, the latter in Clay Township. The village is surrounded bv a good country, and is likely to become a place of considerable local importance. D. F. Deisch is now the principal merchant.