Anderson High School Wigwam

This town is situated a little to the east of the center of Monroe township and eleven miles north of Anderson. Whether it derived its name from the man who, it is said, wept because there were no more kingdoms to conquer, or from the ancient city of that name, we are not advised ; be this as it may, we have a modern Alexandria. Though it may not compare with the ancient Alexandria, it is, nevertheless, a handsome and thriving little town. The site was well chosen, on an elevated piece of ground, on the north side of Pipe creek, and on the land originally belonging to Connor and Stephenson. It was laid out in the year 1835. Anions: its first citizens we find the names of David Pickard, N. Berry, Mr. Stephenson and Joseph Finnemore. The first physicians were W. F. Spence and David Perry. The first hotel was kept by David Piekard, The first tanyard was started by Aaron Williams. From the Indiana Manual of 1846 we ffain the followinsj information : The merchants were Cottingham & Son ; the physicians were W. F. Spence, David Perry and Cyrus Westerfield ; the attorney at law, P. H. Lemon ; the postmaster, N. E. Tomlinson. Among the principal business firms of the present are : Merchants, N. E. Tomlinson and S. B. Hinshaw. Druggists, E. H. Menefee and D. K. Carver & Co. Shoemakers, Nathan O'Brian and John Silcott. Hardware merchant, W. G. Kelly. Grocer, Gideon Keiper. Grocer and baker, R. Zimmerman. Harness maker, A. Birtche. Blacksmiths, Finch & O'Kain, Finch & Fritz, and J. L. Humes. Wagon maker, Thomas Shepherd. Furniture dealer, J. P. Condo. Carpenters, Perry & Painter. Phy- sicians, J. E. Inlow, Brakston Baker, Wayne McMahan, John Sullivan and C. H. CuUum. Attorneys at law Charles Nation and Floyd S. Ellison. Millers, John E. Young & Co. Proprietors of the planing mill, Perry & Painter. Tanner, Frank Sparks, Alexandria contains an excellent brick M. E. Church, Masonic and Odd Fellows lodges, a splendid grist mill, some of the finest business houses in the county, and sev^eral handsome residences. It is the third town in importance in the county and contains a population of six hundred. It is on the line of the Lafayette & Muncie railroad, and when this read is completed Alexandria will become a town of no small importance. The proposed railroad from White Pigeon, Mich., to Anderson will doubtless pass through this town. Alexandria has an extensive trade, amounting in the aggregate to $300,000 ; and, on the completion of the above roads, its trade will be thribbled.

Passage source: History of Madison County, Indiana, from 1820 to 1874 : Giving a General Review of Principal Events, Statistical and Historical Items, Derived from Official Sources, published 1874.

This point, from its remoteness from Anderson, is deemed of sufficient importance to form a separate and special notice. Its existence might properly date from the introduction of the Cincinnati & Chicago Railway, when houses sprang up and real estate in the vicinity commanded high prices. In the year 18G4 the highest point was reached, when the Bellefontaine Railroad Company built both a passenger and a freight depot. All trains on both roads stopped here, and the place assumed quite a business appearance. Grain depots were built, a hotel and eating houses, and, it was said, if a person watched their chance, they could get something to drink. But everything must have its day, and the crossing is a thing of the past, as far as business is concerned. The hotel was burned in 18G6, and the Noland warehouse met a like fate soon after. The

Passage source: History of Madison County, Indiana, from 1820 to 1874 : Giving a General Review of Principal Events, Statistical and Historical Items, Derived from Official Sources, published 1874.

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Read the whole chapter on Anderson Township - 32,903 words on its settlement, mills, schools and churches.