Putnam County, Indiana - The Touxships of Rutxa.m Cocxty.* Jacksox Towxship, 1910

The Touxships of Rutxa.m Cocxty.* Jacksox Towxship

Jackson township is formed of the full congressional township i6 north, range 3 west, embracing the northeast corner of Putnam county, and is bounded on the north by ^Iontgonier\- county, on the east by Hendricks county, on the south by Floyd township, on the west by Franklin township. It is divided diagonally from northeast to southwest by the Walnut fork of Ee! river, familiarly known as "Walnut." The other principal streams of the township are Lick creek, in the north. Rock branch, in the east, and Clear creek, in the southeast. There are many other small streams, but not of sufficient importance to deser\e special notice. The land near the streams is either hilly or gently undulating, originally covered with a heavy growth of timber, among which the sugar-maple and poplar predominate, though interspersed with white oak. chincapin. oak. black walnut and sycamore, immediately along the stream, as well as some hackbeny and honey locust.

The soil on the untlulating lands, near the streams, is a rich, clav loam; but back from the streams it is wet anil cold, interspersed with more elevated portions. It is in this township that the swamp lands of Boone extend into Putnam county. The soil is very productive. The black lands, especially, when properly drained, produce large crops of corn and other cereals.

William Welch and John Smith built their cabins in section 34. about the year 18^5 or i8_'6. being the first settlers of the township. George Sutherlin contests with these two the honor of making the earliest pennanent settlement in the township. In the year 182 j. Othniel Talbott. from Shelbv county. Kentucky, settleil in Jackson, where he found a Mr. Crabtree and Mr. Brown. Garrison Thompson and John John.son. father of the late J. B. Johnson, of Greencastle. also came in 18^7. In 182S came James Chitwood. Levi Woods. Martin BIythe and Henr\' Harmon, and about one vear later James Proctor settled in the township. Within the next two years tiiere was

*Cre(lit for the towng!iii) sketches in this chapter is due the late Gilliim Ridpath, who published a brief but very entertaining historical account of Putnam county in 1S79 and from whose worl; the greater part of the material in this chapter was obtained.

a large increase of population. Among those who came at that time may be mentioned John Keith, John Boyd, Wilson Warford, William Elrod, William Hillis, Edward and Isom Silvey, John Blake, James Goslin. James Duncan, John Leach. William Beecraft. Isom George, James Mooreland, the ]Mc- Clouds. the Pinkertons. the Rileys and the Barneses. This period also embraces the arrival of three more of the Talbott pioneers, Capt. John S. Talbott, Lorenzo Talbott, Aquila Talbott. In 1831 and 1832 there was a large immigration, embracing Richard Biddle, Rev. John Case, George Keith, James Dale, S. Shackleford, George and Harvey Jefiferies, Jacob Crosby, John and William ^Miller, and. perhaps, others equally worthy, who, with equal heroism, struggled with the hardships of pioneer life.

The first who died was the daughter of Wilson Warford. She was buried east of New Maysville, in a lot on section 26. which is yet used as a grave-yard.

The first mill erected in the township was built by Joseph Hillis. The next mill was erected by George Sutherlin. the ne.xt by .Abraham Hillis. The first named and the last were on \\'alnut. the second on a small tributary. The last named ground corn only, the other two ground wheat also.

D. Barnes and Othniel Talbott were the first ju.stices of the peace, followed by Thomas Watkins, John C. Goodwin. George Stringer. Wallace Perrv, L. T. Herod. O. Owsley. James [Moreland and Jesse Kendall, the last named having filled the office three different times, amounting in all to a term of twenty-five years.

The first postmaster was John 5. Talbott. the office having l^een established in his store in the year 1832. He was followed by William Long. John H. Roberts. William Epperson. R. C. Bo\-d and Jesse Kendall.

The Methodists held the first meetings in the township, at the house of lohn Johnson, under the ministry of Rev. William Smith. Shiloh church.

on the east bank of W'alnnt. erected by this denomination about the year 1834, was the first structure of the kind in the township. Rev. Thomas J. Brown dedicated the building and preached the first sermon within those venerated walls. Lorenzo Dow, E. Wood. L. Smith, Joseph White and Eli Farmer were the pioneer Methodist preachers of Jackson township.

The Regular Baptists organized a congregation here about 1S3J. John Case. William Hogan and Carter Hunter were among their first preachers. For many vears their church Iniilding was located on the farm of Jesse Eggers. The second house of worship in the township was built at Xew INIavsville bv this denomination, soon after the town was laid out.

The organization of the ^Missionary Baptists in the township dates from 1841. Elders Palmer. Davis. Kirkendall and Rhinerson were among the first pastors of this congregation.

The Christian church was organized in 1839, by Nathan Waters and Gilbert Harney. In 1840 they erected a church at New Maysville, which was occupied until 1856. when they built their present house in the same village. The early preachers of this denomination were Elders Thomas Lockhart. Oliver P. Badger. Wilson Barnes. Coombs. Blankenship and O'Kane.

There are two villages within the bounds of Jackson township. Xew INIaysville is located on sections 27 and 34. It was laid out in 1832. by Richard Riddle, on land owned by John Johnson, William Welch and Aquila Talhott. The place was named by Richard Biddle. after Maysville. Mason county. Kentuck}'.

Perhaps John Johnson did as much as any other for the moral and religious training of the people, as he had four sons who were circuit-riding preachers, and his family was of unimpeachable character. In regard to its moral status. Jackson stands as high, perhaps, as any other township in the county. ne\er ha\ing hatl a representative in the penitentiary, or e\'en in the county jad. The township has ne\er contained a saloon. Three of the leading religious denominations have a fair representation in the township. In politics the township is overwhelmingly Democratic; especially is this true of the north and northwest side of Walnut: on the southeast side of the creek the parties are more equally divided.

Franklin township, lying in the middle of the north tier of townships in Putnam county, comprises congressional township i6 north, range 4 west, and is bounded on the north by Montgomery county and on the east by Jackson township, on the south by Monroe township, on the west by Russell township. Its surface is rolling, presenting to the view a varied appearance. The township is drained by Raccoon creek in the north. North Ramp creek through the center, and South Ramp creek in the southwest, all of which take a westward course. The soil of the township is very fertile, producing five crops of grain and grass. The township was originally well supplied with timber, consisting principally of poplar, walnut, oak, hickory, beech and ash. The Louisville, New Albany & Chicago railroad crosses the township north and south, nmning through the eastern tier of the sections, and the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton railroad crosses it east and west. The township has one incorporated town, Roachdale. and two villages. Fincastle and Carpentersville. It is inhabited by an enterprising class of farmers who, improving its natural advantages, have placed it in the front rank of the townships of Putnam.

Franklin township was not settled until 1824. two years after the organization of the county. In that year. James Gordon and William Elrod settled in that part of the county, lieing the first to make their way thither. They were joined the next year by Garrett Gibson and James Fiddler. In i8j6 came Da\id Barnes, Thomas House, David House. Joshua Burnett. William Giddons. John Miller. Samuel Osbom and Thomas Batman. The newcomers for 18J7-28 were James Makemson. the LaFolletts. the Henkles. Mr. Brothers and Thomas Grider. During the ne.xt year. John Dickerson. A. Osbom. Samuel and Isaac Brown arrived, and were joined in 1830-31 by James Stephens. George Wright, the Catherwoods. Jesse Hymer. James E. Edwards. Philip Carpenter. A. S. Farrow and others.

The first habitation of the white man in the township was erected in the thirty-sixth section by the first white inhabitant. James Gordon. The first blacksmith forge that rang its peals in that neighborhood was put up and worked in 1828 bv Philip Lemon. The first store was kept by Philip

Putnam Couxty. Indiana

Carpenter, and was located south of the site of Carpentersville in the year of 1 83 1. The first white child bom in the township was James Gordon, son of Anderson Gordon. The first school was taught by a man named Elliott in 1839, in the neighborhood of Fincastle. William Elrod was the first justice of the peace. Henry Rogers located here in 183J. and became the first practitioner of medicine in the township.

The first church organization was effected by the Presbyterians, who at an early day held meetings at the house of George Pearcy. in section i, Monroe township, but soon removed into a church on section 32, in Franklin. This congregation was under the pastoral charge of Rev. James H. Shields. The Presbyterians now have a house of worship and a good membership at Carpentersville. The Christian denomination next organized about the year 1827. Elders Coombs. Haney. Harris and Girder were among their first preachers. Their present church edifice is located at Fincastle. The Regular Baptists were organized in 1829, at James Fiddler's house by Rev. Xathan Keeney. They at present have a fair membership, who worship in a church building in section 21. For some cause the Methodists did not push their organization into Franklin as early as into other townships of the county. Their history is. therefore, more meager than that of other denominations. They have a church at Carpentersville. where they are represented by a good membership. They have, also, a brick church at Fincastle.

Carpentersville. situated near the southeast comer of the township, on the Louisville, Xew .Albany & Chicago railroad, was laid out about the year 1840 by Philip Carpenter, who had been carrying on a tan yard there for several vears prior to that time. Logan Sutherlin was the first merchant and a Mr. Bradford the first blacksmith. William King taught the first school and Doctor Cross was the first physician. The Meth(vlist Epi.scopal church was the fir.st organized, and the Presbyterians followed soon afterward. Both of these denominations now have church edifices in the village.

Fincastle, located in the western part of this township, was laid out in the year 1838 by John Oberchain. A store was soon opened by Allen Pierson, and a blacksmith shop by the Conner brothers. The school was taught by Wilson Turner, who was also the first resident physician.

The town of Roachdale, located in the northeastern part of the township, is the latest accession to the list of towns in the county. It was incorporated shortly after the completion of the Indianapolis, Decatur & Springfield railroad, March 25, 1882. As the latter road crossed the Louisville, New Albany & Chicago railroad at this point, the town naturally experienced a very rapid growth, and has steadily held its own ever since. Its first town officers consisted of the following: John W. Hargrave, Sam B. Sweeney, Justice M. Ghormly, trustees; Samuel J. Hennon, clerk, John H. Grantham, treasurer; John Pinnell, marshal.

There are four churches in the town. Methodist, Christian, Presbyterian and Baptist. A beautiful and commodious school building, with modern conveniences, was built several years ago, containing seven class rooms and provisions for a commissioned high school. The school board consists of C. C. Collins, president; G. ^^'. Irwin, secretary-, and C. F. Rice, treasurer.

The following fraternal orders are represented : ^Masons : Levi S. Worrell, worshipful master: Otto K. Henry, senior warden: Sam W. Dodds. junior warden : O. A. Shepard. treasurer : G. W. Irwin, secretary ; Fred L. McAmick. senior deacon: John T. Sutherlin. junior deacon: \\'illard Gough. J. Ed Crosby, stewards ; Scott Wyatt. tyler.

Knights of Pythias : John Sutherlin. chancellor commander : Thomas Sutherlin. vice-commander: E. W. Webster, prelate: Oliver Bales, master of

Odd Fellows ; William Davis, noble grand ; Charles Mclntyre, vicegrand; Ernest Thompson, J. B. Gough, secretaries; B. L. Hall, treasurer; M. A. Eggers. warden; Jesse Young, conductor; William Radford, inside guard; Amos Wendling. outside guard: C. L. Airhart. chaplain.

The only bank in the town is called the Roachdale Bank. O. A. Shepard is president ; Joseph Cline. cashier, and Margaret Hanna, assistant cashier. The weekly paper is called The Roachdale Nezcs and is edited by L. L. Ware and R. E. Greene. The postmaster is Charles McGaughey. There is an electric light plant, two sawmills, a large elevator and the Putnam Veneer & Lumber Company, all doing a profitable and thriving business. In population the town ranks next to Greencastle.

The postmasters at Roachdale, with dates of their appointment, have been as follows: William B. Lewis, February 3, 1880; William B. Lewis. Februarv- 24. 1880; F. M. Ghormley. July 6. 1880; George 'SI. Cook. January 23, 1882; Francis M. Ghormley. April 10, 1882; John T. Cline, December II. 1884: George Justice. May 3, 1889: John Dodd. .\pril 5. 1893; George Justice, May i, 1897; Charles McGaughey, March 21, 1904.

This township was originally a part of Clinton, but in 182S Clinton was divided, and Russell was formed as it now stands. It occupies the northwest corner of the county, and is bounded on the north by Montgomer}- county, on the east bv Franklin township, on the south by Clinton township, on the west bv Parke county. This township is composed of congressional township 16. range 5. The streams that drain Russell are Raccoon creek and Ramp creek, with their several tributaries, all taking a southwestward course. The timber is of an excellent quality, and of a variety similar to that of the neighboring townships. The soil is excellent, especially in the northern and northwestern portions, the county around Russellville being charming in its natural character, and finely improved. The southwestern portion is considerable broken, though the soil is good, and there are many fine farms. The township, upon the whole, is considered one of the finest in the countv.

in 1820 and built his cabin on what is still known in the neighliorhood as the "Swank fann/'.in the northeastern part of the township, was the first settler. In the same year came Allen Elliott, who settled on Big Raccoon, near the center of the township; Austin Puett. who settled near the site of Portland Mills ; and Clark Butcher, who also settled on Big Raccoon.

In 1 82 1 came John Anderson. John Westfall. Christian Landis. Andrew Robertson, B. Rosencranze. William Sutherlin, John Gleason, Samuel Steele, Thomas Thompson. Jacob Beck and a brother. John Doherty and Andrew Boyd. John Fosher built his cabin on Ramp creek and removed his family thither in 1822. The year 1822 marks the arrival, also, of John Guilliams, Jacob Bickle and .\. B. Denton. From 1822 to 1825. Mark Homan. R. V. Garrott. Thomas Page. I. Aldridge. Jacob Stid and Thomas Norman became residents of the township.

Within the next five years, the ancestors of the Wilsons, the Evanses, the Clodfelters. the McGaugheys. Spencers. Burketts. Forgeys. Blakes and manv others were added to the pioneer population.

The first birth which occurred in the township is a matter of dispute. The priority belongs either to a child of Christian and IVIatilda Dearduff. or to Miss Guilliams. the wife of John McGaughey. who was born about the year 1823. The first marriage was that of John Guilliams and Miss Lydia Fosher, which took place in July. 1822. They were married by the Rev. Mr. Ouinlet. The manner in which this wedding was conducted serves to illustrate the character of the times, and the simple habits of the pioneers. Mr. Guilliams, who was busily engaged in plowing com. made arrangements with his intended wife that, on the day of the marriage, when the preacher should arrive, and she should be ready, she should inform him of the facts. In due time the preacher came, and a child was dispatched to notify the groom that all things were ready. Hitching his horse in the field, he repaired to the house where the ceremony was performed, when he retumetl to his labor, as though nothing unusual had taken place.

Daniel Anderson, who ministered unto the people of the township during the years of 1824 and 1825, was their first preacher. He was followed by William H. Smith. Lorenzo Dow. and others of the noble band which they represent. The first school house was built on the farm of John Fosher. in 1823. in which the first school was taught the same year. The first mill in the township was built by Jacob Beck and was long known as Beck's Mill. This was erected in 1820 and 1821. The buhrs of this mill were made by John Guy. from a boulder which lay near the mill site. The ne.xt was Swank's Mill, built in 1823. James Secrest opened at Blakesburgh the first

Store from which goods were sold in Russell township. In 1823 John Fosher established a tan-yard on Ramp creek, which was the first in this portion of the county. Col. James Blake erected a '"Sang Factory" at the same place, and operated it from 1826 to 1830. This factory gave employment to all who were not otherwise employed, in digging "sang." which fountl a ready market. Jesse Blake, also, had an interest in this factor}-. The first church was built at Russellville in 1830. When the town was laid out in iSj8. arrangements were made for the erection of a church, which was completed two years later. The first Fourth of July celebration was held on the farm of John Dougherty, near Portland ]\lills. in 1S28. Gen. George K. Steele acting as marshal of the day. Drs. James B. Clark. Copeland. Winslow. Rogers and John Slavens were the first practicing physicians in this community.

The only town in Russell township is Russellville. It was laid out in i8j8. but was not incorporated until early in the eighties. About that time it was reached by the Indianapolis. Decatur & Western railroad, which so added to its population that it was deemed proper to make an incorporated town of it. In early days its leading citizen was Jacob Durham, who emigrated frr;m Kentucky and set up the first blacksmith shop. Later he became the village merchant, was postmaster, justice of the peace and filled various places of trust and responsibility. As a business man ]\Ir. Durham was very successful. Although his early educational advantages were somewhat meagre, yet he was a man of unusually sound judgment and intelligence. He was alike shrewd, industrious and enterprising. He bought groceries in Xew Orleans, iron in Pittsburg, and dry goods in Philadelphia. These all reached Montezuma by water, and were carted overland to Russellville. His son recalls seeing his father set out for the market in Philadelphia, making the entire trip on horseback. He accumulated a snug fortune, much of which was represented by some of the finest farming lands in the county. About i860 he retired from active business and removed to Greencastle. where he resiiled in a beautiful suburban home till his death. August 11. 1864.

The present town officers are : Robert Brumfield. Romulus Boyd. Roy Carter, trustees; John Oliver, marshal: Samuel Brown, treasurer: George Scott, clerk.

There are three churches. Methodist. Presbyterian and Christian, and a handsome new school building with provisions for the lower grades and four grades of high school work. Russellville is also plentifully supplied with secret, fraternal and benevolent orders.

The newspaper of Russellville is published weekly and called The Searchlight. Erasmus Parrett is the editor. There is one bank called the Russellville Bank, of which James Durham is president and Ernest Durham, cashier.

The commercial and industrial facilities of the place are represented by one flouring mill, two sawmills, an elevator, lumber yard, two hardware stores, three general stores, one grocery- store, two restaurants, three barber shops, a furniture and undertaking store, meat market, drug store, millinery store, shoe shop and blacksmith shop. Three physicians guard the health of the inhabitants, who number approximately five hundred.

Clixtox Towxsiiip

Clinton township joins Russell on the south, and is the preceding congressional township of the same range. It is bounded on the north by Russell, on the east 1)v Monroe, on the south by Madison township and on the west by Parke count v. .\ small p(3rtion of Clinton is a little rough and broken, though most of it lies well, and the township altogether is a fine body of land and very well improved.

by Sampson Sutheiiin. August 2. 1S21 ; the fourth by Israel Limler. October 8. 1S21. Some of the entries of the year 1822 were made by the following named, in the order in which they are given: Alexander Johnson, Abner Goodwin, John Holt. John Dougherty. Isaiah Vermillion. Andrew McG. Walker. Andrew J. Walker and James Peakle.

Among the old settlers are named James Johnson. Arthur Walker. Thomas Hart. Edward Xewgent. Wilson Spaulding, Oliver McCoy. Moses Spurgeon, Stephen C. Burk. Jonathan Manker, ^lichael Etter. James Crawford, Oliver Tally. Eli Brackney, Robert Johnson. John Butler. Isaiah Ratliff. William C. Butcher. Jonathan Bee. Judge William McKee. Scady Chandler. Daniel Herron. William Angel. Mr. Shonkwiler, John Xewgent, Mrs. Ed Xewgent, John Raglan, Luke Gardner. Charles X'ewgent. Clark Hamilton and H. L. Hamilton. Andrew Sigler and Rev. Turpin Darnall were also among the earliest settlers of this township.

The first birth in the township was that of John Sigler, son of Andrew and Sarah Sigler. on December 15. 1825. Andrew Sigler and Sarah Heady were the first persons married in the township. The first blacksmith was a man named Twigg. The first grist-mill was put up in the year 1825 by Captain Goodwin, on Little Walnut creek. Like many others of those early days, it was a kind of wet-weather mill and could run only when the heavens gave a supply of water. Capt. William H. Thornburgh, so well known to the citizens of Putnam county, taught the first school in Clinton township at Captain Goodwin's mill. The first physician in the township was Doctor Hubbard, who lived where Dr. R. S. Hamihon resided.

The first church organized in this township was the Predestinarian Baptist. This took place about the year 1S31. and was conducted by Rev. Turpin Darnall. of Bainbridge. John Leatherman and Jesse McClain were among the earliest ministers of this congregation. A house was soon built and the organization was kept up for a number of years, but it is now disbanded and the house has gone to decay. The Methodist Episcopal church was organized about the year 18,52. by Rev. William C. Smith, and a log h(juse was built a year later. Revs. Wood. DeMott. Beck. Preston and Wright were the early ministers of this church. A few years later two other Methodist churches were organized in the township and the log houses were erected. All three of these buildings have been replaced with frame ones of suijstantial character. About forty years ago. the Tunker denomination organized a church in this township and built a good frame hou.se of worship, where they still hold regular service.s. (II)

X62 Weik S History Of

In Clinton township there are three villages, Portland Mills, Morton and Clinton Falls. The first named is an old town, and is so situated that a part of it is in Clinton and a part in Russell township. Putnam county, and a part in each of two townships in Parke county.

This township was one of the first settled and is one of the best in the county. It is congressional township 15, range 4. and is bounded on the north bv Franklin, on the east by Floyd, on the south by Greencastle. and on the west bv Clinton townships. The surface is mostly level in the north part, but more rolling in the south. The soil is a rich black loam, superimposed upon a yellow clay subsoil. Like the rest of the county. Monroe was originally covered with a splendid growth of \aluable timber, most of which has been cut and sold. The streams of the township consist of a few branches of Big and Little Walnut, the latter just cutting the southeast corner in section 36. The township is well improved. It has many gravel and macadamized roads : one of the most important runs north from Greencastle. and another west from Bainbridge. Along these roads lies some of the finest country in Putnam county; and the farms are well improved, presenting the evidence of care and skill on the part of their owners.

The first settlers were Jesse and Rollin James, Elias Gibson and John Powell, who built their cabins in 1821. in the western part of the township, not far from where Brick Chapel now stands. In 1822 came Isaiah Vermillion, Thomas Heady, Barnabas Frakes. George W. Howlett and Philip Ford. During the next two years. Levi Stewart. John. Abner and O. Goodwin and George Pearcy became citizens. Within the years 1825 and 1826 they were joined by William Randall, James \V. Hillis. Joseph Logan. Mr. McCorkle. William H. Thomburg, Andy Sigler. Captain Tumbrick, Jonathan, Aaron and Henry Myres, Mr. Glover. John and George Jackson, Mr. Baileys. Thomas Benge, William Moss. Reuben Slavens. Edward Parish, Andrew Byerly. Joseph Heath, Philip Slater. Hudson and Eli Brackney, Robert N. Allen, Thomas Starks. Mr. Busey. John Allen. Mr. Penny. Abraham Leatherman and Luke Gardner. The years 1827 and 1828 mark the arrival of Robert C. Brown. Addison and Josiah Lane. Samuel Job. Elswick Risk. George Gibson, John Frakes, J. and P. Clement and W. Hansel. There was a large increase of population in the following two years, among whom were James Montgomery. Daniel Chadd, James Fisk, Phelan and Corbin Priest, James O'Hair. John Brown. Henry Foster. Alexander Tolin. Peter Graves. John Gilkey, Hiram B. Slavens. Alexander Farrow. Thomas Tinsley. William Garrett, Sharp Spencer. Mrs. Brothers and her son. Robert Brothers, and Mr. Dale. Among these who came soon afterward may be named the Darnalls. the Starrs, the Thorntons and the FyfFes.

The first blacksmith was John Jackson, who built a shop in section 3J. on the farm now owned by Sylvester O'Hair. Thomas Heady was the first justice of the peace. Then came Reuben Slavens and Alexander Tolin as his successors in office. The first person who died in the township was a man named Lane. He was buried on the farm of George W. Howlett. The Brick Chapel grave-yard is one of the oldest in the tciwnship, and has a beautiful location. There is a grave-yard near the home of William Randall, called Randall's grave-yard, which is one of the oldest burying-places in Monroe township. The first school was taught by George Pearcy in section I. north of Bainbridge. About the year 1826, Addison Lane taught a school near the site of Brick Chapel, which was the first in that neighborhood. He was followed by Joseph Farley Hiram B. Slavens and John Slavens. The Christians held the first meetings in the township at the house of George W. Howlett in 1823. Gilbert Harney preached and conducted the services. This house was used as a place of worship for several years by several different denominations. Rev. Benjamin Jones, a Methodist minister, held services also at the house of Mr. Howlett, shortly after the Christian mee ings at the same place, and here the Methodist church was organized by Daniel Anderson and Benjamin C. Stevenson. This must have taken place in the conference year 1826-27, as Anderson and Stevenson were then pastors of the Eel River circuit. Meetings were also held in a log school house that stood where Brick Chapel now stands. The first church building was erected by the Methodists on the present site of the Montgomery Chapel. It was a small brick building afterward replaced by the present commodious edifice.

Bainbridge is a flourishing town on the Louisville, Xew Albany & Chicago railroad, in the northeastern comer of the township, occupying a part of sections i, 2, 11 and 12. It was laid out by Levi A. Pearcy March 5, 1831, on land owned by Allen Pearcy, John Elrod, Thomas Gordon and Mason Catherwood. The town has since been considerably enlarged. The first and second additions were made by Mr. Cooper. J. E. and D. A. Ouin made the ne.xt addition, and then came Corwin and Thornton's first, second and third additions.

Adam Feather was the first blacksmith in the place; Joshua Lucas the first tanner; John Cunningham the first merchant; James D. Carter the first saddler. William O. Darnall was also among the first merchants. D. C. Donnehue put up the first carding machine in the town, and was also the first justice of the peace there.

The first church organization was effected by the Presb}terians. The Methodist church was established mere in 1844, and the present house of worship was buih in the year 1S46. The founding of the Christian church was a little later than that of the Methodist. The Baptists have a congregation there, but no church edifice. The Catholics also have an organization, and a place of worship.

In 1847 Bainbridge was incorporated as a town. The name was suggested by the late Col. John Osborn, who then lived nearby and who later moved to Clay county, in honor of the gallant Commodore Bainbridge of the United States Xavy. The present olficers of the corporation are Jesse O. CoiYman, A. F. Ford and Sherman Murphy, trustees; Orlando R. Turnev, clerk and treasurer. In the early fifties Bainbridge took on new life and for a time enjoyed quite a boom on account of the building of the Louisville, New- Albany & Salem railroad, now the "Monon Route." which passed through the town. It was at that time one of Bainbridge's citizens conceived and carried to a successful termination the idea of building a mammoth gristmill. It was one of the largest concerns of its kind in this part of the state, but the enterprise ended in a financial failure, its collapse involving a number of the leading citizens of the village. It finally passed into the ownership of a Chicago man. who operated it for several years, shipping the greater part of its output to Liverpool and other European ports. It was the onlv mill that ever shipped direct to Europe flour made from wheat grown in Putnam county. The mill is still standing, though its capacity is much reduced, and supplies the wants of the local trade.

Bainbridge has a new brick school building erected last year. It contains all the modern conveniences and is both a beautiful and useful addition to the town's attractions. Six teachers are employed who teach all the common and high school grades. There are also five churches representing as many different religious denominations: Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist, Christian and Christian L'nion. A Masonic lodge was organized years ago in Bainbridge. of which Milton Brown is worshipful master and James L. Mc- Kee secretan.-; also a lodge of the Knights of Pythias, of which William Brown is chancellor commander, and Fred Steele is keeper of records and seal; a camp of Modern Woodmen, of which ^I. F. Parks is venerable consul, and Samuel Ratcliff is clerk, and a post - No. 463 - Grand Army of the Republic, of which John \\"ilkinson is commander, and George W. Starr is adjutant.

The town has one newspaper. Tlic Bainbridyc Xcws. published weekly, of which George W. Grames is the editor and proprietor, and (5ne bank, called the Bainbridge Bank, of which T. P. Moffett is president; J. M. Reed, vicepresident, and Charles AI. Moffett cashier. There are also the following manufacturing enterprises: Glove and mitten factory, owned by Horace Pherson; planing mill and lumber yard, operated by Lockridge & x\shby; sawmill, by L. C. Priest, and two factories for the manufacture of cement blocks and castings operated by Allee & Welch and Albert Hubbard & Son, respectively.

Bainbridge has a population of about five hundred. AbotiC two years ago a commercial club was organized to attract capital and new people to the place and to that end a tract of land was bought, platted and annexed to the town. Several lots have been sold and a number of houses are being built. The intention is to donate suitable ground for factory sites, etc. The officers are Milton F. Darnall, president, and Charles M. Moffett, secretary. The following have served as postmaster at Bainbridge : Joshua H. Lucas, February 13, 1835; D. C. Donnohue, February 13, 1841 ; Abiathar Crane, December 10, 1851; A. J. Darnall, November i. 1853; William W Gill, January 31, 1855; Charles M. Nye. June 23, 1855; John W. Cooper, February 6, 1856; William B. Walls, November 27, 1856; Thomas L. Ellis, August 4, i860; Amos K. Payne, April 15, 1861 ; Mary E. Darnall, January 5, 1864: B. F. Duncan, May 31, 1866; Mary E. Darnall, June 12, 1866; Marv Ellis. February 25, 1868; Mary E. Darnall, Alarch 25. 1869; Carleton McDaniel, July 18, 1882; George W. Hansel, May 25, 1885; C. C. Coffman. May 3, 1889; Milroy Gordon, June 20. 1893; Thomas J. Gordon, July 3, 1894: Anna M. Gordon. December 8. 1900; James F. Smith, September 11, 1903; Glen D. Lemberger, February 13, 1909. At Brick Chapel, which was discontinued as a postoffice on February 28. 1905. the following named served as postmasters: L. L. Maxwell. April 28. 1873: F. G. Albin. January 5, 1874; Willis P. Wood, July 14, 1874; discontinued November 5, 1875: re-established May 8, 1876; William M. Smith, May 8, 1876; R. M. Baker. November 10, 1876; William N. Scobee, July 9, 1877; R. F. Oakley. September 16. 1879: James L. Fisk, January 16. 1883; John Slavens. March 9, 1883; George S. Frank. July 28. 1885; J. W. S. Wyatt. February 17, 1887; William T. Overbey. June 15, 1889; Robert S. Harbison. April 18. 1890; Michael Rising. January 10. 1896.

Floyd Tovvxship

This township is the full congressional township 15. range 3. and is bounded on the north bv Jackson township, on the east by Hendricks county.

on the south by Marion, and on the west by Monroe township. The soil is good and compares favorably with the best townships of the county. Its surface is rolhng, but becomes broken along the streams, which are Walnut fork of Eel river, Warford's fork, Monachal's fork and their branches, all running in a southwest direction. The valuable timber of this township consists of poplar, walnut, oak. maple, ash, elm and hickory. Tl most peculiar feature of the county is the sandy ridge in this township. It e.xtends north and south a distance of three miles, at an elevation of forty feet above the surrounding level. The composition is of sand and gravel, and is entirely different from any other geological deposit in the vicinity.

The first settler was Joseph W. Warford, who located on section 33 in the year 182 1. In 1822 came Wilson L. Warford, Washington Weatherford. Readie Akers, Isaac Monnett, Lawson Monnett and Reuben Smith. During the year 1823 Thomas Purcell, Cuthbert Daniels, William Aldridge, Thomas Higgins and Harrison Monnett became pioneers of the township. From 1824 to 1826 came G. Xorrill, Zachariah Melton, Mr. Rowlett, William Collings, S. Collings, Har\ey CoUings, .-\. L. Collings, Abraham Wise and his sons San ford and Shadrach Wise. The years from 1827 to 1830 brought George Monachal, Anderson B. Matthews and his father-in-law, John Heavin. A. Pickett. William and Aquila Pickett, J. M. and H. B. Pickett. Isaac Yates, Mr. Howard. Thomas Ogle, Joseph E\'ans, William Arnold, James Miller. J. Kinder, Moses Lewis, E. Tarburton, J. L. Bird, J. C. Wilson. I. J. Wilson. A. Wilson, L. Gibson. J. Westhart, J. Kurtz and William Todd. The ne.xt three years witnessed the arrival of John Gregory. Doctor Stadley, Jacob McVey, Jacob Hoffman, Cooper Wilson, James Robinson. Dr. Josias H. Robinson, John H. Herod, Charles Hunter, Thomas Ellis, Lewis Ellis and James Ellis. Between 1834 and 1839, Joshua Iddings, .Archibald ?vliller, John Craver, Martin and Enoch Wright, Thomas Job. Henry Wain. Thomas Randall. John Millman, Levi Owen, James Shoemaker, George Hansell. Elijah Wilkinson, Samuel Shinn, John Shinn, Jacob Millman, Stephen Brown, \\'esley Figg, J. W. Chatham. Thomas Job, son of Samuel J(il). Harrison Monnett. Sanford Wise. Harvey Collings, William Todd. Susan Hunter, Delphia Busby, Francis Hughes, Joshua Iddings, Stephen Brown, Archibald Miller. Wesley Figg. J. W. Chatham and Sarah Ellis and Thomas Job.

The first marriage in Floyd was that of Wilson L. Warford and Nancy Monnett. daughter of Isaac Monnett. This occurred in 1823: and an incident in connection with the wedding that is worthy of recording was that the fainilv had no Hour to make bread, and therefore the feasi had to he en- joyed without that necessary article of food. Deha W'arford. born in 18^4, was the first white child born in that township. The first who died was a daughter of Joseph Warford, in 1822. She was buried on the home fann, once owned by Vincent Day. This was the first grave-yard in the township, but it has not been used for many years. The first sawmill was built bv Anderson B. Matthews, on section 2i3- in the year 1829. Within the ne.xt year he added a grist-mill. These were water mills, and stood on Warford's fork. Mr. Ogle built a saw and grist-mill on Walnut, in this township, in the year 1834 or 1835. William Arnold, who had a shop in section 20, in 1828, was the first blacksmith. Dr. William Matthews, son of Anderson B. Matthews, was the first resident physician in Floyd. He located in the south part of the township, and became quite a noted man in his profession. The Doctor was author of several medical works and correspondent of some leading journals in the country. At a later day, he remo\ed to Mason. Effingham county, Illinois, where he died some years ago.

In the year 1838 John Millman. Sr., erected on section 26 a factory for the manufacture of fur and wool hats, in which he continued to carry on business until the year 1863, a period of just a quarter of a century. During this time he manufactured hats by the hundred and by the thousand, and hauled them in wagon loads to neighboring counties where they were exchanged for furs and pelts. He was a prominent member of the American Fur Company, and collected furs in large quantities, which he hauled in wagons to the company's depot at Detroit, Michigan. Mr. Millman was a man of great experience in his business, and a splendid workman, having produced from his factory hats which were worn for thirteen years in succession. It was a claim of the old gentleman that he made the first hat ever worn by Bishop Simpson of the Methodist Episcopal church. The last hats he manufactured were sent to Scottsboro. Tennessee, during the Civil war. to be worn bv the Union soldiers. This old pioneer was a great lover of his countr\-. having sent three sons to the Mexican war. and five to the Union army in 1861. He died in the centennial year, at the age of eighty-seven years, and was buried in sight of his factory.

Andrew B. Matthews was the first justice of the peace, holding the office in 1828. and continuing in the same until the time of his death. He ser\ed for a number of years as president of the county board of magi.strates.

Daniel Anderson preached the first sermon in this township, in the year 1822 or 1823. at the house of Joseph Warford, which was a place of worship for a number of years. These meetings were held by the }ifethoitist>. who at an early day built "Wesley Chapel" and "Pleasant Grove." Their first minister was followed by S. Otwell. William H. Smith, Lorenzo Dow, Mr. Grimes, A. L. Collings, H. Collings, Isaac Owen, Mr. Cord and Matthew Simpson, with probably others worthy of record, if their names could be recalled.

The history of the Regular Baptists, in Floyd, dates from the year 1S26, in which they formed a society and built a house of worship called Enon. the same being the first structure of the kind in the township. They also built the second church in the township and named it Palestine. This denomination now has here three houses of worship. Charles and Carter Hunter, of Marion tow-nship, preached the first Baptist sermons in Floyd in the year 1826. They were followed by J. Cost, Spencer Collings and Thomas Broadstreet, who rank among the early Baptist ministers of this part of the county.

Marion township lies ininiecliate!\' south of Floyd, and is the full congressional township 14, north, range 3 west. It is bounded on the north by Floyd township, on the east by Hendricks county and Mill Creek township, on the south by Jefiferson township, and on the west by Greencastle township. Its surface is gently rolling: the soil good, and finely adapted to cultivation. The supply of timber was at one time abundant, consisting of poplar, walnut, white, red and burr oak. hard maple, beech, ash. and many inferior kinds, such as elm, gum and sycamore, with a plentiful supply of hickorv- on the more level portions. This township is drained by Deer creek, that stream having its source in the northeast corner and traversing the entire extent of the township to the southwest comer, where it takes its leave on section 31. The first settler in Marion township was Reuben Ragan, w-ho first came to the county in the year 181 8 and prospected the country comprising Putnam and surrounding counties during that and the following year. He then returned to the state of Kentucky, whence he again came to Putnam in the spring of 1820, staying two years in Greencastle township, west of the city. He entered land in the extreme north of Marion township in 1822, and became a permanent resident there in October of the same year, continuing to make that his home until the date of his death, August 19, 1869.

In October of the year 1824 Mr. Rag?n built a hewed-log house, which, having been w^eather-boarded and plastered, now forms the front portion of the family residence, and is the oldest building in Putnam county, having been in use as a dwelling for more than eighty-five years. Like all of the builder's works, it was well done, and it still stands firm, with the probability of still withstanding the shocks of time for years to come. Mr. Ragan was a noted horticulturist and possessed a fine talent for his occupation. He sowed seeds for an orchard on the farm of Mr. Thomas, west of Greencastle, in the spring of 1820, which were, doubtless, the first seeds of the kind to take root in the soil of Putnam county. A few years later he planted the first orchard in Marion township. He is still remembered by his neighbors as a man of vigorous intellect, pure mind and unscrupulously honest and upright in all his dealings.

From the time of Mr. Pagan's settlement in the township to 1824 he was joined by Judge Smith, Henry Wood, Mr. Davis, John Smith, Silas Hopkins and Samuel Hazelett. In the years 1825 and 1826 came William Bell, John Denny, William and James Smith, Bryce Miller, Isaac and George Legg, Jeremiah Nichols, Charles and Carter Hunter, Israel Moss, John Gregorv, James and William Denny. Mr. Acres, Enoch Stone, William Nicholson and Thomas Jackson. Within the next two years the population was increased by the arrival of David Wise, Henry Hunter, Bailey O'Neal, Daniel Chadd. John Benefield, John and James Agee, Daniel Brewer, Charles Knetzer, Jacob Shoptaugh, Eli Fry, Henry Keller, Peter Lunsford, Daniel Bridge water. The newcomers for the years 1829 and 1830 were Alexander Gorham, Ambrose Day, Thomas Jackson, Sr., William Frazier, John Runyan, Isaac Hope, Joseph Ellis, Anselm Mason, Henry Shields, Samuel Reeves. There probably were others equally worthy of mention. Some of these here named entered land, and, perhaps, lived near Greencastle before

Among the old settlers who have died within the past thirty vears were John Smith, familiarly known as "Uncle Jackey," Thomas Jackson. Mrs. Reuben Ragan. .Mrs. Catherine Smith. Mrs. Henry Hunter. Mrs. James Denny. .Afrs. Willoughby Leachman. Samuel Hazelett. who lived near Stilesville. and Daniel Brewer, at Coatsville. The last named was born m Holland on August 31, 1782. and came to Kentucky when two years old. From that state he removed to Putnam county, where he lived until almost a hundred years old.

On December 18, 1824, Arthur A., the son of John Denny, was born, being the first white child born in the township. Mr. Denny in 1850 moved to the Pacific coast and was one of the founders of the citv of Seattle. He represented Washington Territory in Congress in 1865-67. The ne.xt birth in the township was that of America, the daughter of Samuel Hazlett, December 24. 1824. She is still living and has never married.

The marriage of John Smith, son of John Smith, and Miss Willie Smith, daughter of Judge Smith, was the first that occurred in the township. The first grist-mill in the township was that built on Deer creek by Samuel Hazlett as early at 1826. It stood on section 17. It was in 1854 that .Mien Burk put up his horse-mill. James Agee. who. in 1828. had' a shop in section 20, was the first blacksmith. Shortly after Agee came Isaac Hope, who erected a shop near the old family residence in section 12. The first store was kept by Ahijah Robinson at Nicholsonville about 1845. The first postofiice was also kept by Mr. Robinson at the same place. It was afterward removed to Fillmore, but for several years thereafter retained its original name of Nicholsonville. William C. Hopwood was the first resident physician. He located in Fillmore in 1853. John Dennv was the first justice of the peace. He was followed by his brother. James Denny, who held the office for fourteen consecutive years. Then came Tames Mc- Achran. James Sill. R. M. Hazelett and Jacob P. Cox and their 'successors.

The Regular Baptist church was the first organized in the township. This was done November 25, 1826. at the house of William Denny, bv Charles and Carter Hunter and wives, Thomas Broadstreet. Enoch Stone and wife. William Nicholson and wife, and Isaac Monnett. They finallv built a house of worship on the farm of Carter Hunter. The Missionary Baptists were organized about 1841. Elders Jones and Arnold were among their first preachers. They have a good frame church, called Bethel, two and onehalf miles .southeast of Fillmore. The first meetings of the Christian church were held at the houses of Charles Knetzer and Ambrose Day. This was before the organization of the church, which took place about 1839, and a building, known as Old Union, was erected on the farm of Ambrose Day in 1840. John M. Harris was their first preacher, followed by James M. ^Mathews. Gilbert Harney. Xathan Waters, O. P. Badger. Chatterton. James and Perry Blankinship. Cooms. as well as many others. They have a church in Fillmore, which was erected soon after the town was laid out. The Methodists organized a church at what was called "Denny's Schoolhouse," at a very early date. John Denny was an active, zealous member of this congregation, and it became quite a flourishing church. In 1838 meetings were held at the houses of Matthew Brann and others. Rev. Owen Owen. Davis. Hancock. Forbes, President Simpson and Prof Cyrus Xutt were the first preachers of this organization. The first Methodist church was built on section 16. and called Mount Carmel. After the building of the new church in Fillmore. Mount Carmel was given or sold to the Regular Baptists. Soon after the erection of Mount Carmel, another Methodist church, named Liberty, was built on the farm of Abbott Robinson, in section II. This building remained until the congregation erected an elegant frame building, in 1871, on a lot given for that purpose by Morris Oliver.

Fillmore, the only village in the township, is on the Terre Haute & Indianapolis railroad, six miles northeast of Greencastle. It was laid out in 1852 by Benjamin Nicholson, James Sill and Leonard C. Catterlin, on land then owned by them, but formerly forming a part of Richard Sinclair's fami.

The first store in the town was kept by Hardin & Brown in 1852. followed bv Benjamin Xicholson, Hardin Wilcox and Moses T. Bridges, general dealers, and William D. Smith, who kept a grocery and provision store. Mr. Bridges did verj- much toward building up the town, having erected a hotel and in many other ways added to its prosperity.

There are also two churches, one Christian, the other Methodist. The Missionarv Baptists formerly had a church at Fillmore. The building is now used as a school house.

Putnam Col'N'Ty. Ixdiaxa. I J3

Bryce W. Miller taught the first school in the township, at his own cabin. He afterward taugiit at the neighbors' houses - a favorite place bein<y at John Smith's in what was called a three-faced camp, open in front and built up with logs on the other three sides. This stood on section 16. The next was a three-months school, taught by Alfred Burton, in a log cabin in section 29. that some one had built for a dwelling and then deserted. This school was broken up by a man named Nat Hammond, who, becoming dissatisfied with the school, went one night and pried down the chimney. The first school building was erected on the farm of John Denny, in section 28. about the year 1828, and was known as "Denny's Schoolhouse." John Evans taught the first school in this house. He was followed by Lawson D. Sims and Thomas C. Duckworth, who taught the first "six-months school" in the township. The township is now well supplied with good schools and education is in the ascendency.

Greexcastle Towxship

Greencastle township is the central one of the county, exactly coinciding with congressional township 14, range 4, and is bounded on the north by Monroe, on the east by Marion, on the south by Warren, and on the west by Madison. The surface of the township is generally rolling, thou^-h some parts along Walnut are broken and some in the eastern portion are flat. The soil is good and finely adapted for all kinds of agricultural pursuits suitable to its latitude. The creek bottoms are especiallv productive. It was originally covered with an abundant growth of as fine tim'uer as could be found in any part of the country. This consisted of the kinds common to such soil. The yellow poplar and the black walnut were especially attractive. With these were the other kinds common throughout the county.

The township is drained by Big Walnut, which crosses it diaCTonallv from northeast to southwest, running to the north and west of Greencastle. A heavy and valuable bed of limestone underlies the entire township, o-jying character to its topography. The township was one of the first settled and is finely improved. Enjoying the location of the countv seat near its center, it has special facilities for the development of its natural resources

Greencastle township was settled in 1821, by John Sigler, Thomas Johnson, John Miller. Benjamin Jones, Silas G. Weeks, Jubal Deweese, Amos Robertson, John F. Seller, David Deweese, Jefferson Thomas, Thomas Deweese and Samuel Rogers. In 1822 and 1823 came Abraham Coffman, Solomon Coffman, Isaac Legg, Col. Lewis H. Sands, Gen. Joseph Orr, James Talbott, Amasa Johnson, Robert Glidewell, P. S. Wilson, Ephraim Dukes, John W. Clark, William B. Gwathney. Michael Wilson, John Butcher, ^lasten and Spencer Hunter, William Talbott. Col. Daniel Sigler, Lawson D. Sims. Matthew Legg. Rev. John Oatman, Joshua H. Lucas, Greenberry Mulinix. Joseph Thornburg. Arthur Mahorney, Jacob Butcher, Robert Catterlin, James Trotter, Elisha King. Samuel D. Chipman, Arthur McGaughey, Reese Hardesty, Col. Mathew W. Bussey. Jesse Neese, Henry Canote, John Lynch. Thomas Jackson, Noble Meyers, John McNary, James Allen, Lewis Gibson, Solomon Tucker, Jesse Purcell, Daniel and Samuel Chadd. John Peck, Hiram Catterlin, Samuel Hunter, Edgar Thomas. James Duffield. Mr. Devoor, the Wrights, Joseph Thornberry, John and Benjamin Cunningham, and their father. During the years 1824 and 1825. George Secrest. Clark Burlingame (a Revolutionary soldier), and his sons. Abel and Spencer Burlingame. Gen. John Standeford. James Moore. James Day, Dr. Enos Lowe. John Gregory. Joseph F. Farley, George F. Waterman, Thomas Johnson, John Lockhart. and William Peck became citizens of the township. The next two years brought Isaac Ash. John S. Jennings. Ephraim Blain, Dr. A. C. Stevenson, Dr. L. M. Knight. Col. John R. Mahan, Isaac iVIahan, Lawson Seybold. John Hammond. John Cowgill. Peter Rowlett. William Holland. Philip Carpenter, Elisha Knight. John Knight and Wesley Knight, and perhaps many others whose names are lost among the increasing multitude who were rapidly filling the countr\-.

The histon,- of Greencastle township is so intimately involved with that of the county and of the city of Greencastle, that but little remains to be told. The first births and deaths, the first physicians and ministers, the first business enterprises and the organization of the religious denominations, the building of the first mills and factories are mentioned elsewhere.

The postoffice at Greencastle was established March 18. 1821. and Joshua H. Lucas was appointed postmaster. His successors were appointed and served as follows: Lewis H. Sands. November 20. 1826; James Talbott, June 19, 1840; James Jones. June 8. 1849; John Standeford, May i, 1850: James Jones, August 17. 1850; Henry W. Daniels. June 15, 1853: Edward R. Kercheval. March 13. 1856; Christopher W. Brown. March 19. i86r ; Edward R. Kercheval. M^y 12. 1865: John Osborn, July 12. 1866; George

The first tannery was kept by Walter and Rosea Wright, who were followed by the Gillespies, Milton F. Barlow w-as the first hatter. Arthur Mahorney was the first justice of the peace. Other early justices were Isaac Mahan. David Dudley, Reese Hardesty, John Cowgill, James M. Grooms. Samuel Taylor. Joseph F. Farley. John T. Taylor and Wesley White. The first constable was John Lynch, who held the office for many years. Even some of the younger portions of the community can remember he still discharged the duties of that office with promptness and energ>-. though bearing the weight of many years.

There are many improved roads through the townships connecting Greencastle with different portions of the country, and affording the farmers easy access to market, and along these at various points are to be seen many splendid farm residences displaying taste and liberality on the part of their owners.

The farmers of the township are largely engaged in raising livestock, and in their fields and stalls are to be found some of the finest animals in the state.

The village called Limedale is at the crossing of the Terre Haute & Indianapolis railroad and the Louisville. New Albany & Chicago (or Monon) road, and is located on section 29. Greencastle township, two miles southwest of the court house. It was laid out in 1864, by William Stegg and surveved by William H. Shields.

At Limedale the following postmasters served : Alpheus Morris. December 16. 1873: William Berigan. Jr., June 12. 1877; William J. Steeg. February is. 1878. The postoffice was discontinued on October 30. 1909.

In the vear 1856 a lime and stone quarrv- was opened at the Junction by Hellens. Butcher & Stegg, and carried on extensively, shipping stone and lime to the value of twenty thousand dollars per annum. It is now the property of William Stegg's heirs.

Madison township is formed of the congressional township 14, range 5. and lies immediately west of Greencastle. It is bounded on the north by Clinton, on the south by Washington township and on the west by Parke countv. It is drained by Little Walnut, along which the township is considerably broken. The timber and the soil of this township are similar to those of the adjoining townships.

The exact date at which the pioneers of this township came can not now be given. The first piece of land entered in the township was by Richard Moore, December 13. 1821 ; the third was by Benjamin Bell, April 2. 1821 ; and. in order of time, Isaac Wolverton, April 12, 1821; Isaac Matkins, December 20, 1821. Among those who made entries here in 1822 may be named Frederick Leatherman, Samuel Wright. Isaiah Wright. Benjamin Wright, Jesse Wright, John Dougherty, Jesse Oatman, Jacob Curtis and Henry Williams. In 1823 Joseph Thornburg, Abraham Wooley and George Hansel entered land in this township. Other early settlers of the township were Peter Stoner, Levi Mann. John Anderson, Andrew Frank, Amos Wright. William Torr, John McPheeters and his father. James S win ford. John Swinford, Jesse Latham, William P. King. Mr. Albaugh and Rowley. Some of these may have settled earlier than those whose entries are given above.

The following named were among the oldest settlers living in 1880: John Leatherman, Jesse McPheeters, Joseph Wells, who served on the first grand jury in the county, James Torr. Sr.. Joseph Grubbs and Joseph Brubaker.

The first death in Madison township was that of George W. Matkins, son of Isaac and Sophia Matkins: and the first birth was that of John Thomas ]\Iatkins. son of the same parents.

The first mill in the township was built by Benjamin Bell on the Walnut fork of the Eel river. It was sold in a few years to James Townsend. who laid out Putnamville.

The Predestinarian Baptists organized the first church in Madison township about the year 1S32. This took place in the woods near where John Leatherman now resides. About a year afterward, this congregation built a lo? house in which they worshipped for near a score of years, and then Iniilt a second log house, which they occupied until about thirty-five years ago, when they replaced it with a substantial frame building. Among the early ministers of this church were Benjamin Parks. Aaron Harlan. James Edwards. Reuben Slavens. Abraham Leatherman and John Leathennan.

About the year 1834. a Methodist Episcopal church was organized at the house of Isaac Matkins. This church was organized by Rev. William C. Smith, and the first ([uarterly meeting was held at the house of Isaac Mat- kins by Rev. Aaron Wood. The congregation continued to hold services regularly there for two or three years, when they built a log house, which they occupied until about the year 185S, and then built a good frame church to take its place. Among the other early ministers of this church were Revs. De Motte. Beck. Tanzy, PVeston. Wright and Fairhurst.

The Christian church was organized about the year of 1840 by Elder Levi Wright, who had been preaching for the congregation for several years before this time and continued to do so for a number of years afterward. They erected a log house in 1844. which they occupied until 1867. They then built a frame house on the hill west of Ezekiel Wrights. Noah Buchanan, John Harris, Xathan Wright. Lorenzo Dow, Cleghorn and Ezekiel Wright were the early ministers of this church. This church is a very thrifty one, and it has sent out from its fold four or ti\e evangelists who are doing acceptable work in the cause of the Master.

There are three limestone quarries in this township. The depth of the deposit is about forty feet. The thickness of the ledges varies from seven inches to five feet. .\t the bottom is a bed of flint rock seven feet thick. In the second and third strata above is a thickness of four or four and one-half feet of what Professor Co.x. state geologist, describes as "fine textured, grayish-white limestone, commonly known as lithographic stone." In connection with the quarries are three lime-kilns, managed by the same companies. Of the product of these kilns. Professor Co.x says, "The lime is remarkably white and pure, and belongs to the class technically called 'fat lime': that is. it sets quick and is superior for whitewashing and also for purifying coal gas."

In Madison township there have been two postoffices. Brunerstown and Oakalla. both of which have been discontinued. The postmasters who served at Brunerstown were: Isaiah Wright, Xovember 29. 1839: M. F. Wright. October 11. 1849; Coleman P. Wright. February 18. 1850; William Lane. October 7. 1850; Solomon Grifiith. .April i. 1851 : M. F. Wright, August 4. 1S51: Watson Dills, September 7, 1854: John Merrywether. October 11, 1854: M. F. Wright. Xovember 30. 1855: Peter Bird. .April 3. 1857; Thomas Ragle. -April 2-. I'^^'J : Jothum Hasty. January 9, 1858: Samuel H. Witt. -April 20. 1858. The postofiice was discontinued August 8. 1859. At Oakalla the following postmasters served: Charles Eppinghousen. June 4. 1872; Daniel Weaver. March 30. 1876: J. F. Burkhart. July 5, 1878: William .A. McKee. .August 21. 1878: F"ranklin Harlan. Februan,- 15. 1881: James A. Johnston. July 19. 1882: E. B. Early. May 31. 1889: Henry H. Hillis. June

Washington, the oldest of the townships, lies in the southwest corner of Putnam county, and is composed of township 13 and the north half of township 12. range 5. It is bounded on the north by ^Madison township, on the east by Warren and Cloverdale townships, on the south by Clay and Owen counties, and on the west by Clay county. The surface of the country in this township is rough and broken. There is a great deal of excellent bottom land along the streams, finely adapted to the cultivation of corn and other cereals. It was originally covered with the same character of timber as was found throughout the county, consisting principally of white oak, walnut, poplar, beech, hard maple, ash, hickory and sycamore.

- Thomas Frazier, Allen Jones. George Rightsell. William McCullough, Philip Shrake, Justice Goodrich. Warren Fellows, Reuben Wright, Luther Webster, James Bamett. Silas Mulinix, Solomon Simpson, Thomas McCullough, :\Ir. Deweese, John Funican, H. H. Athey, A. D. Hamrick, Daniel Boone, a lineal descendant of Daniel Boone, the pioneer of Kentuck7, Volney Smith, Edward Huffman. Christopher Crable, John Friend. William Risler. William

The first house in the township, that of James Athey, erected in the winter of 1818-19. stood ven,^ near the site of Robert Huffman's residence. The first mill in the township was that of Luther Webster. It stood on Deer creek, about one- fourth of a mile south of Manhattan. Lloyd B. Harris kept the first hotel in the township, at Manhattan. Thomas H. Clark was the first postmaster. The first shoemaker was Thomas Lewis. The honor of carrying on the first blacksmith shop belongs to John Hooton. Esquires Busick'and Athey were among the first justices of the peace in the township. It is worthv of note that Thomas McCullough was the tallest man that

The first church organized in the township was the Predestinarian Baptist, commonly called "Hard-Shell Baptist." It was organized at Manhattan, in the year 1828. bv Rev. Isaac Denman, who continued to preach for the congregation for a period of two decades. A house of worship was built at an early day, which continued to be occupied by the original owners until the year 1862. when it was sold to the Missionary Baptists. They in turn sold it. in the year 1875. to the Methodists, who fonned a congregation there about that time. The Methodists erected a new house on the same lot, but the old one stood until pulled down in the summer of 1878, having served as a place of worship for nearly half a centur}'.

The Christian church was established in Manhattan, in the year 1838-, by Elder John Harris, and it has ever since had a congregation at that place.

Manhattan is the oldest village in the township, having been laid out in the year 1S29 on the National road, by John M. Coleman and Thomas H. Clark. The first merchant there was Wilson Devore. Dr. Leno.x N. Knight was the first practicing physician. Mrs. Judge Clark taught the first .school. The first justice of the peace at that place was Lloyd Harris.

Old Squire Boone, brother to Daniel Boone, in the township, once lived in a house which stood on the ground which is now in the northeast corner of the township. On the 3d day of July, 1837, his house was. struck by lightning, bv which two of his children were killed. Three years later, his wife presented him with twin boys, whom he named Tip and Tyler. Some time after that in the same house, two of his daughters were married on the same day.

David Sublett. an old settler, it would seem, had more than an ordinary share of domestic trouble, many of his family having suffered violent deaths. About fiftv years ago. one of his daughters married Greenberry ;Mullinix. who murdered her within three weeks thereafter, for which he suffered death on the gallows. Since that time, two of his sons and one son-in-law have been killed by the railroad, and one son has been shot in Effingham, Illinois.

Warren township, comprising the first thirty .sections of the congressional township 13, range 4, lies immediately south of Greencastle township, and is bounded on the east by Jefferson, on the south by Clo\-erdale. and on the west bv Washington. The surface of the township is undulating and in parts quite broken. The soil is a clay loam, with some excellent bottom lands along Deer creek. The township was once heavily timbered with oak. poplar, hard maple and beech, with some groves of walnut and hickory, and a plentiful supply of sycamore along the streams. It is drained by Deer creek, together with its tributaries, which traverse the township from northeast to southwest. Along this stream there are numerous never-failing limestone springs. ^

One of the marked features of the township is an excellent stone quarry one-half mile west of Putnamville. on the National road. The ledges of rock in this quarry vary from two inches to five feet in thickness. The following analysis of this stone is given by Professor Cox. state geologist : "Lime, twenty per cent; sand, twenty per cent: gray granite, sixty per cent: almost, if not exactly, like what is called 'English firestone.' He also says, "Granite will last three hundred years, but this stone will last as long as time. lM)r foundation stone, there is probably none superior in America. It is not affected by any change of temperature, and can be f(uarried in winter just as well as summer."

Putnamville is the only postoffice town in the township. Westland, which was laid out soon after Putnamville. had one store for a short time, but now has no inisiness house of any kind. A few houses in close proximity on either side of the National road are the only indications left to remind the passer-by of its former existence.

Putnamville is situated on the National road, and was laid out by James Townsend in 1830 on land purchased from Edward Heath. Townsend also kept the first stiire in Putnamville. He was soon followed by a Mr. McKane.

Archibald Cooper built the first blacksmith shop and carried on the business for several years. John Akin also kept a shop about the same time.

The first grist-mill was erected on Deer creek one-half mile southeast of Putnamville. October 16, 1826, by Alexander Conley. Another was built on the same creek, one-half mile southwest of the town, in 1834. by Samuel Steele and Dr. D. W. Layman.

During the building of the National road the township improveu rapidly and business was quite brisk. In an early day Putnamville also rivaled Greencastle for the location of the county seat, and a little later made a very creditable effort to secure the location of Asbury University. To secure this end, her citizens agreed to give the university a donation of twentyfive thousand dollars.

The Methodist Episcopal church of Putnamville was organized in 1829, at the house of John S. Perry, Rev. Thomas J. Brown officiating. John M. Jenkins. John S. Perry. Luke Davis and wife, and John S warts and wife were among the first members. Soon after the first organization, they erected a neat frame building as a house of worship, which they continued to use until about the vear i860, when they purchased the brick house built by the Presbyterians.

The Presbyterian church was organized at this place November 7. 1830. at the house of James Townsend. by the Rev. Isaac Reed. The following members constituted the first organization : John Robinson. Samuel Moore.

Putnam Col'.Nty, Indiaxa

Mary Moore. Alexander Conley. Jane Conley. James Townsend, Catharine Townsend. Sarah Shell, Martha Ashbaugh and Julia Ann Merrill, not one of whom remains among the living. James Townsend was the first ruling elder. The first ministers were Rev. Jeremiah Hill (deceased). Rev. Samuel G. Lowery. Rev. James H. Shields. Rev. William W. Woods.

.\bout the year 1S34 they erected a neat and commodious brick church, which they occupied until 1849, when the Old and the New School members separated, and the Xew School built a good frame church, which was dedicated in February, 1850. A few years afterward, the Old School sold the brick church to the Methodists. Some of the members joined the Xew School and some went to other churches.

The Rev. Ransom Hawley came to Putnamville in the year 1 841, and acted as pastor of the Presbyterian church till 1S65. a period of twenty-four years. The length of his pastorate is ample evidence of the acceptability of his ministry and the uprightness of his life.

The Christian church was organized by Elder O. P. Badger in 1871. This congregation had a good frame house, erected soon after their organization, in which they still hold services.

Dr. D. W. Layman, who came from Virginia, settled in Putnamville in 1 83 1, being the first medical practitioner in the town or the township. He was so successful in his practice no other physician ever continued long in the attempt to compete with him. For many years he was easily the most prominent and influential citizen in the community. He was a man of upright habits and pleasing manners but of very pronounced political views. He was an ardent Union man during war times and later supported the pnnciples of the Republican party, but he never sought an office or any other political preferment.

.A storv is told that in the fall of 1864 a number of boisterous Warren township citizens who had been attending a Democratic meeting at Greencastle returning home on horseback after night, passed by Layman's house and. knowing his pronounced L'nion sentiments, very loudly and repeatedly cheered for Jeff Davis. Being hidden in the darkness on the opposite side of the road, the Doctor was unable to distinguish the riders as they noisily flew by, but his ire was so instantly and completely aroused he picked up a stone and hurled it with all his might in the direction of the noise. A little later a man came riding up to the Doctor's house and asked the latter to accompany him down the road to see a man who was hurt and needed medical attention. "At first." related the Doctor years afterward, '"I was a little suspicious, but as I had never failed to answer a call for my professional services I complied at once and set out for the scene of trouble. A short distance down the roadside we came upon a group near the fence, in the centre of which reclined a man who was bleeding profusely from a wound in the head which his companions explained had been caused by a fall from a horse. A light was procured and there by its dim rays I gave the wounded man the medical and surgical attention the case seemed to require. Of course there was some risk, and I kept my eyes peeled all the while, but I pretended to be as innocent as they and so far as I could observe there was not the slightest attempt to molest me. In fact, later, the injured man, still maintaining an air of innocence, came to my office and offered to pay me for my services, but I declined, meanwhile reminding him of the dangerous and inevitable results of cheering for Jeff Davis - a lesson I am sure he never forgot."

This township was originally a part of Warren and Jefferson townships. It was organized in 1846. and is composed of the southern tier of sections of township 13, ranges 3 and 4. and the northern half of township 12, of the same ranges. It is bounded on the north by Warren and Jefferson townships, from which it was detached ; on the east, by Morgan county and Mill Creek township: on the south, by Owen county, and on the west, by Washington township. The surface is hilly and broken, and was originally covered with a dense growth of timber, such as white and yellow poplar, maple, walnut, oak, ash, elm, gum, beech and mulberry. The soil is good and of the quality known as limestone land. The whole township is underlaid with a fine quality of limestone, well adapted to building and manufacturing purposes. The principal streams are Mill creek in the east and Doe creek in the center.

The first settlers in what is now Cloverdale township were William Hamilton and James Robinson, who came together from Kentucky in the spring of 1823. and built the first cabins. Hamilton located in section i, township 12, range 4. and Robinson, in section 6, township 12, range 3. Abraham Van Sickle. x\nthony Kilgore. Thomas James. Robert Hadden, .Arthur McNary. Mr. Goodman. Ambrose Bandy. G. Macy and Robert Macy, all came from Kentucky in the autumn of the same year and settled around where Cloverdale now stands. Jubal Meadows, John Macy. George Bandy and John Taber came in 1824. In 1825 came John P. Sinclair. John Briscoe and Robert Conolv. During the ne.xt year. William Martin. Thomas Evans,

Enoch Patrick, A. Tabor, X. Xolin and Nancy White became citizens. The next four years witnessed the arrival of Phih'p Rouse. Peter Lyon, James Woods, Robert Donnoson, James Gihuore, O. Owen, Daniel Morgan. Robert Hood. Jacob Rule and Samuel Logan. John P. Sinclair, John Briscoe. Xancy \ an Sickle, wife of A. Van Sickle; James Macy, son of John Macy; James Gilmore. A. Taber and J. White, son of Nancy White.

The first white child bom in the township was Elizabeth Tabor, daughter of John Tabor, in 1824. At that time, the family lived in section 36, township 13. range 4. The first death was that of a child of Ambrose Bandy. It was buried in the graveyard yet used in the town of Cloverdale. The first persons married in the township were David Martin and Betsy Tabor, or Berry Brannaman and Morris Sinclair.

In 183 1 Abraham Waters built the first sawmill. It stood on Doe creek in section 6, township 12, range 3. There was no flour and grist-mill in the township until the steam mill erected by Joseph Pearcy and Gabriel Woodville in the year 1863. Moses Nelson kept the first tavern in the township. It was located in section 6, township 12. range 3, and was opened for custom in 1836. In the same year. Thomas Nelson put up the first store, which stood on the same section with Closes Nelson's tavern. Isaac J. McKason. who located in the township in 1838. was the first blacksmith. The first school was taught by Thomas Evans in 1835. in a small log building in section i. township 12. range 4. Thomas Nelson was the first postmaster, ,m office having been established in his store in 1836. William Hamilton was the first justice of the peace. His successors have been Robert Martin. Thomas Nelson, Henry Magill. John Sandy, B. D. Burgess. William A. Sluss, Peter McClure, William Mosher, E. Long, C. Woodville. T. Horn, R. Williamson. C. Walls and Moses Bridges. The first physician was H. D. Dyer, who came in 1845.

The first religious meeting in the township was held by t.he Methodists, at the home of John Macy, in 1824, and conducted by John Cord, an itinerant Methodist preacher, who died the same year. After him came John McCord. Stephen Grimes. Daniel .Anderson, William H. Smith and Mr. Strange. They were followed by the Revs. Forbes. .Ames. Hevenridge. Horton. Walls. Wood. Scammahorn. Jackson. Bruner, Davis. Williams. John and Byron Carter. Lee, Rosson. Poynter. .Allison. Walls. Webb. Hewring. Pewett, Tansey, Johnson and McNaughton. This denomination erected a log church in section i, township 12, range 4. in the year 1827. which was the first built in the township. Thev continued to u,se this house until 1S48, when they built a frame church in Cloverdale. which was occupied up to the year 1873. In that year thev erected their present frame church, which stands as a monument of their zeal. There is another Methodist church at Poplar Grove, in this township. The Regular Baptists organized-a church in 1827 or 1828, and held meetings at the house of Elder Owen Owen, who was their first regular preacher. A church was erected by them in 1841, on section 6. In 1844 this church divided, a part joining the Missionary Baptists and holding the building. The Regular Baptists built a new house two miles west of Cloverdale. They now have a church three miles west of town, on the farm of A. Davis. Cyrus Taber, J. W. Denman, Samuel Arthur, Samuel Denny, A. Davis, Joseph Callthrop, Joel Vennillion, Eli Beman, John Case, John Leatherman, Benjamin Parks and William Walden are some of the ministers who have served this church.

The Christian denomination was organized into a congregation at Cloverdale, July 24, 1841, by Elder James Mathes, assisted by John Pearcy, Reuben Maginnis, Joseph Colwell, George W. Crose, Andrew T. McCoy, ]\Ioses Nelson, Thomas W. Dowell, Michael Crose, J. B. Ross. Andrew Mc- Mains, J. C. McCoy, I. J. Nickson and others. Meetings had been held in the township before the organization of the church, generally in private houses and groves. Among those who preached at this point are Elders Colwell, Headrick, George Pearcy, Perry and James Blankenship, Franklin, Smith, Hawn, Lockhart, Burgess, Swinford, Wrights, Wilsons, Black. Harris, Badger and Pritchard. The last named held a debate with the Rev. Mr. Brooks, of the Methodist Episcopal church, March 19 to 28, 1866, which created quite a local excitement. It is claimed by the Christian church that about seventy members were added to its organization as the result of the debate. This denomination erected a frame church, in the year of its organization, on land donated for that purpose by Andrew McCoy, in the south part of the town of Cloverdale, which was occupied until 1858, when they built their present commodious brick building in the north part of the same town. This church has a large membership and is free of debt. There are two other Christian churches in the township, Higgins Creek and Unity church.

The town of Cloverdale is situated on the Louisville, New Albany & Chicago railroad, twelve miles south of Greencastle, and is the second largest town in the county, exclusive of the county seat. It was laid out by Andrew T. McCoy and Moses Nelson,, who owned adjoining tracts of land in 1839. and stands on section i, township 12, range 4, and section 6, township 12, range 3.

The first store was opened in a small hewed-log building by Thomas Nelson, who was also the first postmaster. The Louisville, New Albany & Chicago railroad, now the Monon route, was constructed through the village in

^^53- \vhich stimulated enterprise, increasing the number of stores, shops and other enterprises. About twenty-five years since the town had what seemed to be a new birth and since that time it has had a constant growth in population and business until it has become one of the most attractive and enterprising little towns in this part of the state. It has fifteen stores, a large flouring mill, a saw mill, planing mill and two telephone exchanges and for twentv years has been without a saloon. It has a population of about eight hundred and two churches. Methodist and Christian.-

The house of John Macy, in which the Methodist church held its first meeting in 1824. stood in the present side of the town of Cloverdale. In 1828 Rev. William Martin. John Sinclair, Enoch Patrick. Thomas Evans, and Jubal Aleadows, trustees of the church, purchased two acres of ground one mile west of the present location of the church, upon which was built a large log house for the congregation. It was named Mt. Zion ^Methodist Episcopal church. At this church Mathew Simpson, president of Asbury University and afterwards bishop, preached the funeral of Rev. William Martin in 1849. Afterwards the society erected a good frame building in Cloverdale and later the more tasteful and commodious building in which it now worships. Its present trustees are J. \\'. O'Daniel. H. G. :\Iacy, Estes Duncan, James W. \'estal and E. A, Wood, The pastor is Rev. Robert E. Cornell ; church membership, two hundred thirty-five.

In addition to the Christian church in the town of Cloverdale already mentioned are two churches of the same denomination in the east and west parts of the township, known as East Unity and \\'est Unity. The regular Baptists have a good church building southeast of Cloverdale. known as Smyrna church. W. E. Gill is the pastor; membership, thirty-two.

A newspaper called The Bee, was established in Cloverdale. January i, 1S77, by W. B. Harris. It lived one year. In April. 1874. Lyman Xaugle laimched the Local Item, which lived several years. Soon thereafter came The Graphic, which is still published. Its editor and proprietor is Harrv B. Martin.,-

The oldest fraternal (jrder in Cloverdale is Cloverdale Lodge, No. 132. Free and Accepted Masons. The lodge was organized in 1851. Its charter members included Solomon Akers. Henry M. Gill, G. B. Lyon. William F. McGinnis. William Williams. M. D. F. Black. James H. Sparks and George Smith. The officers at present are: Herschel C. Foster, worshipful master; Louis Morrison, senior warden: W. Fred Farmer, junior warden; David E.

Sluss, treasurer; Henry B. Martin, secretary: Robert C. Horn, senior deacon; James E. Macy. junior deacon; Homer T. Broadstreet. senior steward; Joseph P. Omullane. junior steward; William E. Morrison, tyler; inembership, eighty-fi\ e.

Sanders Lodge. Xo. 307, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was instituted May 20. 1868. Charter members: T. J. Johnson. A. H. Gihnore, T. J. Walls! T. H. Stevenson. J. B. McCormick. J. H. Allison. H. G. Dyer and H. Marshall. Present officers : J. F. Ransopher. noble grand : F. L. -\IcKee, vice-grand ; John Ward, secretary, and T. C. Utterback, treasurer.

Diamond Lodge. Xo. 349. Knights of Pythias, was instituted March 7. 1892. The following were the charter members: Parks M. Martin. James P. Beanian, William A. Moser. Charles E. Pickens, Benjamin F. Truesdale. William M. Moser, George B. Rockwell, John W. Thornburgh. William Sackett. Charles S. Sinclair, Michael F. Flannery. David E. Watson, James A. Sandy, Frank E. McCarney and Francis AL Cole. The officers at present are: James F. Hartsan. chancellor commander: John .\. Omullane. vicechancellor commander; O. E. Collins, prelate; J. F. O'Brien, master of work; W. J. Hood, keeper of records and seal ; C. A. Rockwell, master of exchequer; W. J. Hood, master of finance; F. L. McKee, master of arms: P. ^L McAvoy. inner guard ; Charles McAvoy, outer guard ; membership, one hundred twenty.

Cloverdale Camp. 7194. Modern Woodmen of America, was organized November 1 1. 1899, and has a membership of one hundred and five. Its officers are: B. B. Hamilton, venerable consul: Roy D. Vestal, worthy adviser; John Meek, banker; \^^ E. Horn, clerk; Ellis Tabor, escort; R. E. Keller, watchman : James Orrell, sentry ; Jesse McCoy. George Wingfield. Jesse Hubbard, trustees.

Cloverdale also has a Grantl Anny post. It is called General Frank \\"hite Post. Xo. 422. Its officers are: W. R. Larkin. commander; H. B. Martin, senior vice-commander; W. P. Allen, junior vice-commander; H. E. Keller, officer of the day: J. M. Scott, quartermaster: S. B. Man. adjutant; Rev. Mathew Masten. chaplain.

Charles .\. Rockwell is postmaster and George B. Rockwell assistant postmaster. Cloverdale is the second largest office in the county. The salary of the postmaster is thirteen hundred dollars per year and there are fi\-e rural mail routes from the Cloverdale office.

The officers of the town of Cloverdale are : Frank M. Cole. Leander L. Runyan. John F. Richardson, trustees; Charles Hunter, marshal; Otho V. Smvthe. clerk and treasurer: Wilson E. Horn, health officer; school board.

There is one woman's club called "The Fortnightly Club." Through the instrumentality of Doctor Dyer, a seminary was erected in Cloverdale in 1850. which was carried on for about three years. Prof. William Bray was the first principal, and was followed by N. C. Woodward. The institution was chartered and was organized under promising circumstances. Doctor Dyer, Andrew T. McCoy and John Sandy were the largest stockholders. The school finally failed, because a majority of the stockholders refused to be taxed for its support.

Jefferson township consists of the first thirty sections of township 13, range 3, and is bounded on the north by Marion, on the east by Mill creek, on the south by Cloverdale. and on the west by Warren township. ' It is drained b}' Mill creek, and was originally timbered, as the neighboring townships. The soil is a rich loam, suitable for the production of grass and grain. .At one time it fonned a part of what was called Deer Creek township, which incUuled Jefferson. Warren and Cloverdale. In the year 1846, Warren and Jefferson gave off enough to make Cloverdale township, leaving Jefferson with its present area.

The fir.st settlers, called "squatters." consisted of four families - three named Higgins. and one named Kirk - who made temporary settlements on section 16, in the year 1819. John C. Sherrill made his entry of land in the autumn of 1822. Jacob Clark, George Hendrick. William Albin. George Hurst. David Hurst. John Gillman. Absalon Hurst. Abraham Hurst and a Mr. Langwell. all came in that year or the early part of the ne.xt.

After this, settlements were made so rapidly that it is almost impossible to note them as they occurred. From 1822 to 1833 the larger portion of the land was taken up by entry, and but few pieces remained unentered after the year 1836.

The first marriage was that of William Aldrich and Betsy Higgins in the year 1823. The next was that of Henry Nosier and Mary Hurst, which was solemnized by David Scott, Esq., in 1824.

The family record of John C. Sherrill shows that his daughter Caroline was born on February 27, 1823, and she was, probably, the first child born in the township. She became the wife of Elijah McCarty, but is now deceased. Probably the next was Andrew McMains - named after his father - who was born June 10, 1824, and still lives in the township.

The first mill in the township was built by John Hadden, in 1826; the next in 1829, by John Allee. These were both horse-mills. The first watermill was built on Higgins' creek in 1834 by John Smith. These mills afiforded all the facilities then required for the production of meal and flour.

It appears from the church records, that the Regular Baptists organized Mill Creek church at the house of Rev. .Absalom Hurst in 1828, and in 1830 built a log meeting house near the site of their present one. They have maintained their organization ever since, and have twice rebuilt.

The date of organization of the Methodist church cannot be given. In 1838 they built a hewed-log church, called Jones' meeting-house. The congregation went down in 1856, after which the house was used as a shop.

The Missionary Baptists organized New Providence church at the house of John C. Sherill in 1839, and built a log house of worship in the succeeding year. They have since rebuilt, and now have a commodious and handsome house.

The earlv vices of this township, as of most new countries, were drunkenness and gambling; but, by the advance of a better civilization, sober habits and a more elevated moral sentiment prevail. Though drinking spirits was a common fault in the early history of the township, it is a noteworthy fact that there never was a still-house within the limits of its territory.

The schools of the township were organized in 1834. The books containing the records, kept by John Alice, treasurer of the township trustees, show that he received from the school fund commissioner of the county the following amounts: In the year 1834, $116.3114; 1835, $191. 93^54; 1836. $131.0654 ; 1837, $152 ; total for four years. $591. 31^^.

There are two villages in the township. Mount Meridian and Belle Union. Mount Meridian was laid out by William Heavin and Bryce W. Miller, in the year 1S33. It was at first called Carthage, but, in order that the town and postoffice might have the same name, it was given that which it now bears.

Mill Creek township lies east of Marion, Jefferson and Cloverdale townships, and is bounded on the north by Hendricks county, on the east by Hendricks and Morgan, and on the south by Morgan. It is drained by Mill creek. which forms the eastern and southern boundaries. There are a few small tributaries, but none of any size, which enter that stream within the limits of Putnam county. This township was annexed to Putnam county by order of

The first settler in this township wasThomas Broadstreet. Sr.. who was born in Virginia in the year 1813. In the year 1826, at the age of thirteen, he came west with his father,' who settled within one mile of the west edge of the township. Although but a boy at that time, he was acquainted with nearly all the early settlers of the township. The first log cabin in Mill Creek township was built in the year 1826, on the west bank of the stream from which the township takes its name, one and one-half miles south of Stilesville, by Jacob Holmes. This home was afterward sold to James Sallust. The next was built on what is known as the Clark farm, by Thomas Skelton. William Parker entered land and built a house close by, and then came Elisha Hurst and Norman Nunn. They were all early settlers, and owned lands adjoining the Clark farm on the west. William Heavin came here in the year 1827, and at first built a log cabin, but within a few years erected a good hewed-log house, which up to a recent date was still standing. At a very early day, Mr. Heavin built a water-mill of the kind known to old settlers as a hominy-pestle ; and he also planted the first orchard in the township.

The first death which occurred in the township was that of Mrs. Barbara Heavin, wife of William Heavin, who died in the year 1830 and was interred near the family dwelling. After eight years more of toil in this new country, her husband followed her in death, and was laid beside the remains of his companion.

James Sallust, father of John and William Sallust of this township, and of J. R. Sallust of Oregon, came from Virginia to Mill creek in the year 1829, and lived in his traveling tent until he built a cabin in which to live. It is remarked of Mr. Sallust that he was a man of great industry, and he put under cuhivation a large part of the farm on which his son, John Sallust, afterwards lived. Mr. Sallust made the first kiln of brick in the township. His moulder and burner was a man named Daniel Elliott. Mr. Sallust lived to the year 1851.

Mr. McHaffie. from Kno.x county, Pennsylvania, father of M. E. Mc- HaiTie, bought land in the north part of the township in the year 1831, to which he removed in the fall of the next year. He built the first waterpower grist-mill in the township, in the year 1835-36. Samuel Beedle, Pleasant Allee and William Allee all came to the township in the year 1837.

The first child born in the township was Nancy E. Holmes, daughter of Jacob Holmes, who built the first house in the township. Her birth oc- curred May 7, 1830. This child died at the age of four years. The first marriage was that of EH Lee and Polly Heavin, daughter of William and Barbara Heavin, in the year 1832. Mr. Lee built the first horse-mill, which was one widely known and extensively patronized for many years. The first school house in this township was built on the farm of Mr. Bricks. The puncheons for the floor and seats of this house were hewed by Pleasant Allee

The -Methodist church was organized in the township in the year 1829, at the house of Air. Bricks, mentioned above. Services were afterward held at the school house until the erection of Mount Pisgah church, on the land of Norman Nunn, in the year 1844 or 1845. Mr. Thomas Broadstreet was one of the earliest if not the first minister in the township.

Thomas Elliott improved the place at the forks of the Greencastle and National roads, where he first built a log house, in which he kept tavern, as did also Mr. Keller, just across the line in Hendricks county. In the year 1837, Mr. Elliott built a brick house, and in the following year Mr. Keller built a two-story frame. These were rival houses and attained to great notoriety. They were known as the "Tecumseh" and "Washington Hall." They were together called the "twin taverns."

While the National road was constructing, in the years 1833 and 1834, the general government built two bridges over small creeks just west of the twin taverns, the stone abutments of which are good to this day. This is true also of other works of the same kind constructed on that road at the same date.