Boone Township

Boone Township

Until the year 1834, no permanent settlement was made within the borders of this township which bears the above name. In that year, several worthy men, as if guided by some unseen hand, deter¬ mined to try their fortunes in her deep forests. Ft remost among these was Andrew Kline, father of Henry Kline, now a citizen of Royal Center. Mr. K. select d for his future home what is now known as the Amos Fultz farm. From the most reliable authority at our command, before the close of the year 1834, the following men had become citizens of the township: John Henry, who settled .on the Shaffer farm; James Denton on the farm belonging to Mr. Brown ; Vincent Calvin, on the Mrs. David Foutz farm, and George D. Washburn, on the farm owned by Thomas Beekley and Joshua Kistler.

In 1835, an opening being made in the woods, the following men were induced to join the little colony: John Beekley, Sr., who located on the Randolph Funk and H. M. Bliss farm; Joseph Belew, on the farm owned by Daniel Martindale; Thomas Martindale, also upon the Daniel Martindale farm; John Reeder, on the farm owned by Shaflerj^ David Beekley, oo the Funk farm (afterward owned by Huffman and Po «ell); Robert Bernctha, on the farm owned by David Becklep; Henry Long, on the farm belonging to Henry Dot, and J. Beede, on what is known as the Antrum farm.

In 1836, John Beekley Jr., yet a resident of the township, settled on the Goodrich farm ; Daniel Weyand, also still a citizen of the town¬ ship, on the farm owned by Huffman. Others of the same year were Jonas Kistler, Samuel Black, Jacob Kistler, Jr., James McCawlcy and Henry Powell.

Among those of 1837, with others who came soon after that date, we name Solomon Berkshire, David McCombs, Jacob Kistler, Sr., George Caldwell, Elias B. Waterhouse, Morris T. Harvey, William Guthrie, Marlin Key, Philip Shaffer, William and Jonas Kistler,

Doubtless to this list justly belong many other names - names which we would have recorded gladly had they been furnished us by our informants.

At an early date in the history of the township, the citizens of Boone began to feel an interest in their spiritual welfare, which re¬ sulted in the holding of religious meetings at the residence of Martin Key, by the denomination known as Baptists. Soon after came the Methodists, and still later the United Brethren. The first church iu the township was built by the United Brethren in Royal Center, in 1862. The next was by the German Lutheran, known as the " Albright Chapel."

The first school in the township was taught in the Winter of 1835-36, by Thomas Harvey. In the Winter of 1838-39, another school was taught in Royal Center, by Mary Washburn.

The township was organized May 8, 1838. Soon after this, an election was held in the cabin of David Beekley, which is at present the Charles Huffman farm. At this election, eleven votes were cast. John Beekley acted as Inspector. George Caldwell was chosen first Justice of the Peace. The first Trustees wore Jacob Kistler, Jr., Daniel Weyand and John Beekley.

Boone is situated in the extreme northwest corner of the county. Of course she does not claim to have made the same progress in the way of improvements as have those townships situated near the county seat. In certain localities her lands are in a good state of cultivation, while in others the hand of the husbandman is needed to render it more attractive and productive.

Royal Center

is a village of much life and enterprise, situated near the central part of the township, on the line of the P., C. & St. L. Railroad. It was laid out about 1845, by Elisses Andrus. Its first merchant was Mr. G. B. Moore, still a citizen of the town, who established his store soon after the village was laid off. Its business men at present are as follows: Sweet & Bro., general merchants; Hamilton & Bro., dry goods and notions; Robert Mahaffie, general store; Christian Close, shoe shop; Valentine Fox, shoe shop; William Hansclman, planing and saw mill; Robert Mahaffie, cooper shop and manufac¬ turer of furniture; Henry Grant, blacksmith and wagon shop; Joshua Cramer, blacksmith shop; Dr. D. Ray, druggist; Sweet & Bro., warehouse; physicians are N. C. Gowgle, - Hoover, James Thomas and D. N. Foutz; Painter Thompson, restaurant; G. W. Cummins, dealer in pumps and agricultural implemeuta; Hiser & Cummins, restaurant; Charles Wolley, hotel; Henry Kline, hotel; S. Minthorn, boarding house; Mrs. Julian, boarding house; one church, Methodist.

At present (November, 1877), a large two story brick school house, with four rooms, is being built. The taste and comfort displayed in the arrangement of the building show that the citizens are interested in the cause of education.