Center Township (part 2 of 2)

The above-named lodge was organized under dispensation, January 25, i860. The names of the charter members are as follows : John A. Craft, Richard Probasco, Joseph Loudenback, J. N. Chandler, Dr. A. B. Bundy, Ellison Williams, Thomas M. Bidgood, George W. Sample, John Shipman, John Thompson, Jr., William W. Thornburgh, Albert White, Joseph J. Butler, Joseph R. Hunt, John Hunt, Samuel B. Hill, Edward Butler, Temple Stewart, Andrew Pauley, Ambrose Miller, Thomas Conklin, S. A. Hall, C. E. Allison, William Cook, Joshua Moore and John Kiser.

The dispensation authorized the foregoing Masons to meet in the town of Charlottesville, Indiana, in the second story of a building on the north side of Main street, the iirst stor}' of which was occupied by John A. Craft as a dry goods store. John A. Craft was the first worshipful master, Samuel B. Hill was the first senior warden, and

The lodge continued to meet and work under this dispensation until the 29th day of May, i860, when, at the annual communication of the grand lodge, a charter was granted, and Sardis Lodge, No. 253, was duly constituted, and took her place among the sister lodges of the state.

For a number of years the lodge continued to meet and work in the room where it was first organized ; but when John A. Craft built his new business room on the south side of the street, a lodge room was fitted up in the second stor}' of it, and furnished in the very best of style, and the lodge changed to more comfortable quarters. Here it continued to meet and work until the 2nd day of June, A.

There being no room in the town that could be obtained, suitable for lodge purposes, and the membership feeling that they were unable to build, surrendered their charter on the 20th dav of December, 1878. to tiie most worship- fill grand master, Robert Van Valzah, who appointed A. V, B. Sample his special deputy to settle up the business of the lodge, and Sardis lodge became a thing of the past.

Thomas B. Wilkinson was the first who applied for and received the degree of Masonry in this lodge, and Elijah C. Reeves and A. V. B. Sample were the next.

From the issuing of the dispensation to the surrendering of the charter, this lodge never lost but two members by death, to-wit : Andrew Pauley and Thomas Conklin, both of whom were buried with masonic honors in the Simmons cemetery, one on the anniversary of St. John, the Baptist, and the other on the anniversary of St. the Evangelist.

in Jackson township, was established in 1878. Meetings were first held at the school-house at Leamon's Corner. The building is a neat frame, erected in 1879, '^^ '^ ^^'^^ ^^ ^^500. It is located in section twent3'-four, in the west part of the township. The first trustees were Joseph O. Binlord, Aaron White and John S. Lewis. Among those who have preached here are J. O. Binford, M. M. Binford and Winbern Kearns.

The society is young and small. The house will seat about two hundred persons. Ex-county commissioner John S. Lewis is a member of this organization.

was organized July 19, 1852, at Pleasant Hill, about three miles north of Leamon's Corner. The first house of w^orship was erected about two miles east of the " corner," in 1856. The present house was erected in 1878. It stands about one mile west of the "corner."

The church is in good condition, with a present membersliip of one hundred and twenty-six. Within the past ten years six clergymen have officiated here, and ten within the last twenty years. The present minister is Elder W. K. Williams, who preaches once a month. A weekly prayer meeting has been sustained for over three years without cessation.

The tirst pastor of the church was Elder Michael White, who acted as moderator at the time of its organization. Elder A, Dana was present. Anthony C. Brammer was the first church clerk.

Amonij the orifjinal members are the following : William and Elizabeth Brammer, Samuel E. and Sarah Wilson, James Brammer, John O. and Julia A. Moore. John O. Moore is still living, and resides within a half mile of the church.

The members of this organization sustain an interesting Sabbath-school, with an average attendance of fifty. Benjamin Clift, A. C. Dudding and S. W. Felt have officiated as superintendents, the latter of whom is the present incumbent. The school is in a prosperous condition.

was born July 8, 1818, in Wa^me county, Indiana. When he was but a small boy, he moved with his father to Hancock county, and settled on Blue River. At the early age of fourteen, Noble Warrum left home to embark in the busines of life, having nothing to rely upon but an undaunted energy, a spirit of enterprise - which he possessed by nature - and a resolution to practice industry and frugalit3^ He selected agriculture as his pursuit, to which vocation he still adheres. His success as a farmer show that he must have exercised a discriminating judgment in directing his operations, and practiced habitual promptness in executing them.

houses, and even that assistance was aftbrded him only for the space of nine months. Having from early age an ardent desire for knowledge, he seized all opportunities and improved every means of mental development, ;ind thus, by reading, by reflecting, and by the study of human nature, has been enabled to do much for the culture of a mind by nature strong and active. In the strictest sense, he may be said to be a self-made man. Eminently of a practical turn of mind, he has never made any department of literature a special study.

During his whole life Mr. Warrum has been a resident of Hancock county. In 1839, ^^^ ^^''^^ appointed county collector, an office now substituted by that of county treasurer. He received this appointment from the county commissioners before he was of age, and entered upon its duties in 1840, when bareh' eligible. At the expiration of the four years' term of office, he was elected county assessor by a large majorit}'. In i860, he received the unanimous nomination of his party for representative of the county to the legislature, and was elected by about one hundred majority over the part}' vote. Since then he has served two terms in the same responsible position. As a representative, he was not only watchful and attentive to the interests of his own constituents, but always evinced an earnest desire to promote those of the state at lar<je. He won the confidence and esteem of his constituents by his fidelity ; and his sound judgment, conservative views, and independent disposition, made him a valuable representative. Since 1856, Mr. W. has been connected with the Masonic fraternity. His religious belief is the universal salvation. In politics he has always been a democrat of the Jefferson and Jackson school.

Mr. Warrum has married three times. First, to Miss Rosa Ann, daughter of Richard Williams, of Hancock county, Indiana, February 16, 1842. Mrs. Warrum died August 27, 1862, leaving one son, Richard H. Warrum. In April, 1863, he married Miss Maria A. Wood, daughter of Rev. Wytteel A. Wood, an emigrant from Virginia.

She died December 27, 1873, leaving three sons, Noble, Henry and Mack, and one daughter, Rosa Ann. On December 19, 1877, ^^^ married Miss Mary Jane, daughter of Abner Cor}-, late of Madison county.

In stature, Mr. Warrum is a litde above the medium size. He possesses a strong constitution, cheerful and vivacious spirits, and a kind and hospitable disposition.

commissioner of Hancock county, was born in Preble count}', Ohio, January 22, 1820. He is the son of John and Sarah Addison, formerly of Randolph countv. North Carolina. His father removed to Indiana in 1827, and located in Rush county, where young Addison labored with untiring zeal in clearing the forests and tilling the soil. During the whiter he attended the common schools of the county, where he obtained the only schooling he ever enjoyed. He remained with his parents until lie was twenty-one years of age, when he was married ; and receiving the gift of a small tract of land from his father, he moved on it and began his exertions for an independent living. On January 17, 1854, he removed trom Rush to Hancock county, and purchased a farm in Jackson township, where he now resides. In the autumn of 1861 he was elected treasurer of Hancock count\% a position in which he distinguished himself by efficient and careful attention to his duties. In 1868, he was again called to the duties of official lite, being chosen a representative to the state legislature. Again, in the fall of 1874 he was placed on the board of county commissioners, and served as such for six years.

Mr. Addison has always contributed liberally to the various public enterprises of his county. He aids and encourages county and district fairs, and takes great interest in improvements in stock raising and agriculture. He has been a faithful member of the Christian church since

1840. He is now, and al\v;u-s has been, a steadfast democrat, casting his tirst presidential vote for James K. Polk. He was first married to Miss Nancy Hall, davighter of Curtis Hall, of Henry count}', Indiana, on the 13th of February, 1840. She died November 24, 1866, and he was married the second time to Miss Ellen Jane Coltrain, of Henr}' county, Indiana, on the 9th day of January, 186S. He is the father of ten children - nine by his first wife and one by his second. Mr. A. is now enjoying private life on his farm in Jackson township.

was born in Indiana Territorv, in what is now Franklin countv, in 1811, May 12th. In the following 3'ear he removed with his parents, Joseph II. and Charity Williams, to Wavne county, Indiana, where he was raised. Mr. W. was converted and joined the M. E. Church at the early age of fifteen, and has been a faithful, consistent member ever since ; a greater portion of which time he has been a classleader, and always a faithful worker in the cause of the church and Christianity.

In 1837, ^f^'- Williams, with his wife and one child, moved to Jackson township, and settled in the woods in a log cabin ; stuck a pole in a hollow stump, to which he tied his horses, having no other stable for two months. Here he worked hard and lived hard to secure a starting point, and by patient industry and strict economy, he has gained a competence amply sufficient to support him and the wife of his bosom in their declining years ; indeed, Mr. W. is one of the heavy tax-payers of the township, as a reference to our list will show.

was born in Adams county, Pennsylvania. His parents were of German ancestry-. He came to Indiana in the spring of 1839, '^"^ during the following fall came to Charlottesville. At the age of eighteen years, he entered ii shop as an apprentice in the carriage and wagon making Ijusiness. He next engaged in carpentering for a season. In the year 1863, he began the dry goods business in C^harlottesville, and for full eighteen years he occupied the same room at the same business. Sixteen years of this time he was sole proprietor. On the 4th of February, 1881, he sold out his stock of goods to Messrs. Walker & Conklin, the present proprietors. Mr. Bohn has lately moved out on his farm, just west of town, and erected a handsome two-story frame dwelling, where he proposes to look after his farming interests, and spend the remainder of his days in the quiet, healthful seclusion of rural pursuits.

was instituted January 3, 1867, by E. H. Barry, at Charlottesville, Indiana. Amonjj the charter members were: John R. Johnson, Joseph Evans, Drure Holt, W. S.Johnson, Abraham Miller, W. S. Hill, Thompson B. Burtch, R. B. White and George Chandler.

This lodge is financially in good circumstances, owning ii hall of its own, over Roland's drug store, where the members meet each Saturday evening. The lodge is out of debt, and its property is worth $1,000. Present mem- "bership, thirty-three.

was born in Warren county, Ohio, in 1802. She was; married the first time in 1825, in Fayette county, and in March, 1830, came to Charlottesville, being one of thefirst settlers in the place. Mrs. Landis and her first husband kept the first "tavern" in Charlottesville for the accommodation of the traveling public. The moving westward at that time, and for several succeeding years, was so great that Mrs. Landis in one instance counted ninety wagons - prairie schooners - in sight at one time. Often hundreds passed by daily.

In 1834, Mrs. L. was left a widow, and went to Lafayette to reside with some relations, where she met George W. Landis, to whom she was married in 1836. The two made one soon came to Charlottesville, and at once set about erecting the building for an inn, in which Mrs. Landis recently died.

In 1870, Mr. Landis died, since which time, to the date of her death, she resided at the old stand with her only boys. Esquire George W. Landis, and J. H. Landis, excounty surveyor. Mrs. Landis was for a time a member of the Lutheran church in Charlottesville, till it went down. She then joined the M. E. Church.

Mrs. Landis was truly one of the pioneer women, and in her declining years took great pleasure in reiterating early reminiscences of Charlottesville and vicinity. Mrs. L. was well acquainted with David Templeton, who laid out Charlottesville ; with William Oldham, still living, who entered the first land in the township. Also, with Charles White, Andrew Jackson, William Woods ct al. of the early settlers previously mentioned.

On the 9th day of January, 1882, Mrs. L. was called from works to rewards, and her mortal remains quietly repose in the old Six Mile cemetery.

was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, September i, 1824. At the age of twelve he came to Hancock county, and located in Jackson township, where he has since resided. Young Cralt, at the age of twenty, learned the trade of plane maker of Peter Probasco, father of Henry Probasco, of Cincinnati, at which business he worked in said city during the years of 1846 and 1847, after which he came to Charlottesville and carried on the same business in the building which then stood on the ground now occupied by the Craft store. In 1857, Mr. Craft left Charlottesville and located on his farm, a short distance north ; but not succeeding as he desired, and health failing, he returned in 1864 and became a member of the firm of Rock, Morris & Craft, dealers in dry goods and groceries. In 1849, ^^'' ^- ^^''^^ married to Miss Eliza A. Fries, daucfhter of the late Daniel Fries. During the rebellion Mr. C. entered the Union army, was promoted to captain, and served with credit to himself and covmtry until his health failed, when he returned home, and for months was not expected to live. Mr. C. and wife have a family of two girls and a boy to cheer them along the journey of life. For several years he was justice of the peace, and has ever been a staunch republican and good citizen. In the fall of 1881 Mr. C. retired from business and moved on his farm, where he is now enjoying the quiet seclusion and healthful duties of rural pursuits.

postmaster in Charlottesville, was born in York county, Pennsylvania, December 25, 1825. His ancestors were of Dutch extraction. Mr. S. came to Charlottesville in 1857, where he has since resided. He is a boot and shoe maker by trade, and for a number of years has followed that business. The building in which the post-oflice is

Mr. S. has been twice married. First, to Margaret Dungan, in 1858, by whom he had three children, none of whom are living. The second time to Miss Margaret Brown, in 1878. Mrs. Shultz is well-known in Greenfield as Miss Maggie Brown, a former teacher in the Greenfield graded schools under the superintendency of the writer.

The subject of this sketch was born in Wilkes county, North Carolina, December 10, 1814. He moved with his father to Rush county, Indiana, at the age of fifteen, where he lived until the year 1837, ^^ which time he moved to Jackson township, this county, where he resided until the date of his death, which occurred on the loth day of January, 1882, at the age of sixty-seven. In early life Mr. W. became a member of the Christian Church, and continued a consistent member the remainder of his life. Having carried a clear conscience void of offense to God and man, he expressed his willingness to die, and said he had no fears of death. Mr. W. was a republican till the later years of his life, when he became an independent. He was an industrious, progressive farmer, and succeeded in amassing a handsome amount of property. Physically, he was a large, square built, robust, broad-shouldered man, with dark eyes and hair, high cheek bones, and a firm countenance, denoting a power and will to act.

Chapter Xvii

It war> organized in 1828, at the date of the organization of the county, being one of the three original townships, and at that date included all the western portion of the county that now constitutes the third commissioner's district, viz. : Sugar-creek, Buck-creek and Vernon. In 1831, it was reduced in size to thirty-six sections, its present dimensions. In 1838, it was still further reduced by striking off two sections from the north part, which constituted the south half of Jones township from 1838 to 1853. In 1853, the commissioners abolished Jones township, and Sugar-creek again resumed her former size of thirty-six sections, which size and outline she has retained to this date.

Location^ Size, Boimdarics, etc. - Sugar-creek township is located in the south-west part of the county, and in extent is six miles square, being uniform in size with Jackson and Buck-creek townships. It is bounded on the north b}' Buck-creek, on the east by Center and Brandywine, on the south by Shelby county, and on the west by Marion county. It is located in township fifteen north, and in ranijes five and six east. The west two tiers of sections are in range five east, and the remainder in range six east. The range line runs one and a half miles west of Palestine, and forms the east line of the Schramm farm, and the west line of Rev. W. Nichols's farm.

Surface, So//, Drainage a)id Productions. - The surface is level and slightly rolling, except along Sugar Creek, which is hilly and broken. The soil is generally black loam, exceedingly fertile and exhaustless in resources. At this date there is really no third-rate land in the township, and but a limited portion of second-rate, since it has been so thoroughly ditched. No other township in the county has given so much attention to drainage as Sugarcreek. Lonjj before tile ditchinij was thouirht of in Hancock county, the enterprising, industrious German farmers of this township had elevated their farms from two to five feet by sinking blind wooden ditches and large open ditches through most of the low, black lands ; and since the intro- duction of tile, these same close calculating, practical farmers, have not been behind in their use. The chief productions are corn, wheat, hogs, cattle, barley, oats, flaxseed, horses, and Irish potatoes. Sugar-creek produces more barley than all the rest of the county.

This township gives especial attention to wheat, and has a greater per cent, of its lands thus cultivated than any other township in the county, and her average per acre is equal to the best. In 1880, from 5,443 acres, she produced 97,974 bushels of wheat ; from 4,530 acres she produced 145,670 bushels of corn ; from 816 acres, she produced 16,320 bushels of oats. The same year she reports 501 tons of hay and 2,900 bushels of Irish potatoes, being the poorest report for hay, and the best of Irish potatoes in the county.

Streams. - Sugar Creek enters the township near the north-east corner, on the north line, and runs west of Philadelphia and east of Palestine, passing out of the township near the south-west corner of section thirty-two, on the central southern line.

Buck Creek enters the township a half mile east of the north-west corner, and takes a south by south-west course, passing out on the west line, one and one-fourth miles west of the north-west corner.

First Land Entries and First Settlers. - The first land entry in Sugar-creek township was by George Worthington, on the i8th day of January, 1822, being the north half of the north-east quarter, and the north-west quarter of section three, in township fifteen north, in range six east. The second entry was made by Jacob Murnan, in 1823.

Among the first settlers were Jacob Jones, Amos Dickison, Jonathan Evans, Samuel Cones, Jacob Murnan, George Williams, Thomas and Richard Leachman, George Robison, Reuben Barnard, father of William C. Barnard; David McNamee, Benjamin McNamee's father ; Andrew Magahey, John Delany, William True, J. A. Leonard, John D\-e, Mr. Weston, Jacob Schramm, Albert Lange,

Mr. Heftermeier, Andrew Fink, Anton Wishmeier, Anton Kirkhot^', Christian Schildmeier, A. and J. Hudson, William Brown, Mr. Trevis, and many others.

The reading of the above names will call to mind in a number of our readers, many who have long since bid farewell to mortal scenes, and entered upon an inheritance "-immortal, incorruptible, and that fadeth not away." Personall}- we knew but few of them, and have been unable to write a sketch of each, but we are assured upon good authority that all of them are worth}' of the notice given, being modest, unassuming, practical pioneer men, seldom aspiring to office or honors, but ever industrious, hardy and hospitable. Others there mav be equal)}' worthy, whose names are not found here, owing to the frailty of the memory of man ; but if such be the case, let their friends rest assured that in that great, unerring, unabridged history, kept by the recording angel, in which is recorded all the acts of mankind, their names will be found written in perfect order.

A Fcu) First Things. - The lirst church was the M. E. ; the first teachers, Samuel Valentine and Eliza Barnard ; first preacher. Rev. Hawes ; first physician. Dr. Kellogg; first miller, Stephen Bellus ; first merchant, John Delany ; first grocer, Amos Dickison ; first post-office. Sugar Creek, at Palestine ; first postmaster, Amos Dickison ; first blacksmith, Reuben Barnard ; first school, near Palestine ; first tanner, John E. Bailey ; first roads, Brookville and old State roads ; first death, Mr. Mattox ; first railroad, the Indiana Central ; first village, Philadelphia.

Historical Anecdote : The said John Delaney sold goods in the south-west part of the township, on the Brookville State road. He sold his goods at a good profit. When asked what per cent, he made, he replied that he was not a scholar, and knew nothing about per cent. ; but when he bought goods for one dollar and sold them for two, he didn't think he lost anvthing.

Stephen Belliis, on Sugar Creek, about two miles north of Palestine. It was both a grist and saw mill in a small way, and continued in operation, passing through several hands, till about 1872, when the dam washed out and the mill went down. Among those who owned this first mill after Bellus sold out were Amos Dickison, Mvron Brown, Uriah Emmons, George Kingery and Lewis Burke. Burke died, and his heirs run the mill for a few years, till it met with the fate aforesaid, and succumbed to the elements.

In 1832, Black & Bro. erected the second water mill in the township. It was a small saw-mill, located on Sugar Creek, about one mile south of Philadelphia. It run for a number of years.

Lewis Burke, in an early day, erected a water saw-mill on Sugar Creek, north by north-east of Palestine, and below the Bellus mill. The Burke mill is still in operation. It is a saw-mill, and unlike most ear]\' water mills, never did any grinding.

In about 1850, Kelley & Bro. erected thj first steam saw-mill in the township. It was located about a mile west of Philadelphia, and run for a few \-ears. then moved aw a}'.

In 1857, Thomas Tuttle had erected a steam flouring and saw-mill, combined, located about two miles southvv-est of Palestine, and operated for a number of years.

In 1856, James B. Conover built a steam saw-mill about a quarter of a mile west of Sugar Creek, on the National road. It passed through several hands, and was moved awa}' in 1859.

In 1855 or '56, W. W, Matthews erected a steam sawmill in the central northern part of the township, whith was run by Matthews & Reed some four years, and then removed.

In 1856, a two-story steam flouring mill was erected in Palestine, by Gates r/ a/., at a cost of $5,000, with three run of stone. Gates operated it for about nine years and sold to Scott & Davis, and they to Joseph Conner. The

Rufiis Black, a few years since, put in operation a steam circular saw mill at Philadelphia, which is still running and doing an extensive business.

The mills now in operation in Sugar-creek township are six in number, viz. : The Burke saw-mill, the Hogle flouring mill, the Black saw-mill ; the Stutsman mill, near Gem; the Gesler steam saw-mill, in Palestine; and the steam grist-mill in Philadelphia. The Stutsman saw-mill was built in 187 1 by Nicholas Stutsman. It burned down in 1879, but was immediately rebuilt, with a planer attached, and put in good running order.

At the earh' date of 1832, Reuben Barnard, lather of Trustee William C. Barnard, carried on a blacksmith shop on his farm, in the south-west corner of the township.

In 1845, John E. Baity opened a tanyard on the Mc- Namee t'arm. He did a local business, furnished a market for oak bark, had about twenty vats, and operated for foijp* vears.

In 1847, Alexander Ogle started a small tannery in a log house near Philadelphia, which he operated for a number of vears after the Baity tannery had ceased.

The next tile factory was erected on the Reasoner farm, by Wicker & Brother. It has changed hands a number of times, but is still in operation.

In 1869, Shellhouse, Spurry & Armstrong erected a tile factory two miles east of Palestine, which is now in operation by Freeman & Reasoner.

Roads. - Sugar-creek- township in her early histor^^ much like her sister townships, had no roads worthy of the name, but mere paths, pointed out by the blazed trees.

meandering through the thick forest. The first roads in the township were the Brookville and old State roads. The next was the National road. The Brookville road run through Palestine, diagonally through the township, on a bee line from Brookv^ille to Indianapolis. The old State road crossed the northern part of the township, passing through Philadelphia. Prior to the late civil war there was not a single (gravel road in the township. But since that time there has been sixteen and one-half miles of toll pike built by companies, besides considerable graveling done in working out road taxes and personal privileges.

Railroads. - Sugar-creek township has two railroads crossing her territory-. The P., C. and St. L. has six miles running through the northern tier of sections ; the Cincinnati, Hamilton and Indianapolis road passes through the south-west part a distance of seven miles ; making a total of thirteen miles in the township, valued at $170,- 025. Telegraph lines extend along each of the roads, the total valuation of which is $2,235. T'he Pan-Handle has two stations in the township - Philadelphia and Gem. Palestine is the only one on the Junction.

Educatio)ial. - The first school-houses in this township were pole cabins, covered with clapboards, suppled with *' cat and clay" chimneys and puncheon floors. The first three were located at nearly the same time : one near New- Palestine, one at Philadelphia, and one in the German settlement, near the center of the township. The first teachers were Samuel Valentine, Richard Lindsey, Eliza Barnard and Mr. Barnard. These teachers, like others at this date, were employed by the quarter, of thirteen weeks, at from thirty to thirty-six dollars and "found" - /. <?., they boarded around among the patrons. As the township filled up, and new settlements were made, additional schools were established and better houses erected, -in accordance with the demands of the times, until at present she compares favorably with the older and earlier settled townships. The

These eight houses - seven frame and one brick - are vakied at $4,500 ; apparatus, $150. This is exclusive of the German school, sustained" by private enterprise, and located in the central western part of the township. The number of school children in the township under consideration in 1853 was 554; in i860, 712; in 1870, 690; in 1881, 704. An examination of which shows a fluctuating scholastic population not easily accounted for. Why there should be a less number of school children in 1870 than in i860, let the citizens answer. More remarkable still is the fact that she has fewer school children to-day than she reported just prior to the civil war. Sugar-creek is one of the three townships in the count}' that, in the final vote on the free school question in 1849, voted for free schools, her vote standing, "free school," sixt3'-eight ; "no school," forty-one. In her former vote, however, in 1848, on the same question, she voted against free schools, her vote standing at that time, "free school," forty-seven; "no school," fifty-four; being a majorit}' of seven against the proposed establishment of free schools.

School Trustees. - Below we give the names of the township trustees, with the date of their election, since 1859, at which time they were clothed with power to levy

Remarks : Robert P. Brown, the first trustee under the new rco-iiiii\ held the office for four terms, and Ernst I^. Faut for six. E. P. Scott was the hrst to vote for county superintendent. David Ulre}' and William C. Barnard are the only trustees that have held two terms each since the change of the law, lengthening the term of office to two years. Said Barnard looks after the financial interests of the township, the poor, pedagogues, and compensates the farmers f'or their sheep killed by dogs, at the present date.

Chnrchcs. - Sugar-creek township has six churches, representing three distinct Christian denominations, to-wit : Two M. E. churches, three German and one Christian, a special account of each of which will be given further on.

PopuIatio)i. - An examination of the census reports tor the last few decades develops the following facts, to-wit : Population for 1850, 793; i860, 1,646; 1870, 1,897; 1880, 2,099. ^^ ^"^^^^ ^^ observed that the stride from 1850 to i860 was remarkably great, being an increase, apparenth', of over one hundred per cent. ; but it must be remembered that in 1850 Sugar-creek township was only two-thirds its size in i860. Our remarks at the head of this chapter show that Jones township, from 1838 to 1853, included part of the territory now embodied in Sugar-creek. Jones, in 1850, reported a population of 670, and as half her territory was added to Sugar-creek, a proportionate and fair estimate for the territory embodied in every census report of the township since 1850 would be 1128. This township far surpasses any other in the county in her reports of the number of foreigners. In 1870, she had 245 foreigners, while the highest numbers reported b\' other townships were ninety-four in Center and seventy-five in V^ernon, and "^9 a total of 420 in all the townships of tlie county save Sugarcreek. The foreigners in Sugar-creek are mostly Germans, industrious farmers, who have clustered around a little nucleus earh^ planted in the tow^nship.

Value of Real and Personal Property. - This township reports 21,805 acres of land, valued at $503,475 ; value of improvements on the same, $97,215 ; value of lots, $1,985 ; improvements on the same, $5,395 ; value of personal property, $269,115 ; value of railroads and telegraph, previous! v £jiven : total value of taxables, exclusive of Palestine, $993,590.

Taxes. - Sugar-creek township, in 1840, paid $417.64: her assessment for 1881, to be paid in 1882, is $7,982.24. The lev}' is eightv-two cents on each $100 on all the taxable property in the township, excepting Palestine, which is ninet3'-two. The following men of the township pay taxes of $40 and upwards in 1882 :

Lazu and yustice. - Our first law-makers very wisely adopted the policy of our mother country, of bringing justice near the door of every man, rich or poor, whereby an opportunity is offered for the speedy, convenient and inexpensive adjustment of pett}' grievances, civil or criminal. The constitution of 1852 authorizes the election of a competent number of justices of the peace, by the voters in each township in the several counties in the state, wdio shall continue in office four years, and whose powers and duties shall be prescribed by law\ In the prosecution of this contemplated township system for promoting justice, the legislature enacted laws for the election by the people of two officers only, a justice and constable, the latter for a term of two years, who is the executive officer, and corresponds w^ith the sheriff in his duties. The former acts as judge, clerk and treasurer. Sugar-creek township has always been well supplied w^ith these ministerial, judicial, and executive officers. The first of these acting in the territory under consideration w^ere George Leachman and Charles Atherton, the exact date of whose election we are unable to ascertain, there being no record of the same in. the clerk's office to our knowledge, though we have made diligent search. Succeeding these were the following^ elected at the date set opposite their names, viz. :

For the fifteen years that Jones township existed, the south half of which was attached to Sugar-creek after her dissohition, the following ex-justices officiated, being elected at the dates set opposite their names, some of whom properly belonged to Sugar-creek, but just wlio and how many we cannot say with absolute certainty ; hence we give the full list, and the good citizens of the two townships, - Sugar-creek and Buck-creek, which absorbed Jones, - may give honor to whom honor is due, and place the credit where it belongs :

Remarks : There were probabh' one or two justices in Jones elected prior to 1840, our first date given, but we have been unable to ascertain their names. The practice in this and other counties has been to elect one or more justices immediately after the organization thereof. Esquire Leachman, we are reliably informed, began his administration contemporary with the organization of the county, and served continuously till some time after the date of his election in 1870, officiating longer, perhaps, than any other man in the history of the county. He served at least eleven terms, or forty-four years, possibly longer. Adam Hawk and Charles Atherton each served two terms. Daniel Skinner filled the place for tweh'e years. None oi the others, we believe, were re-elected. Esquires George W. Kingery and John M. McKelvey preside at the bar of justice at this date.

prixate interests to the popular good, and endure the scathing, sarcastic criticisms always heaped upon our public servants by their antagonists and political opponents. Here flourished in their day the following chosen men, to stem the tide and oppose the current of petty jealousies, and paddle safely over the billowy waves the little count}' bark with her precious cargo of glittering gold and immortal souls : Samuel Shockle}^ commissioner and representative ; William McCance, Enos O'Brien, John O'Brien, and William H. Dye, ex-commissioners. All of the above are with us no more, save in memory, records and history. Still living among us, and well-known to the readers of these lines, are the following : R. P. Brown, treasurer and sheriff'; E. H. Faut, treasurer ; Edward P. Scott, commissioner; J. V. Coyner, surve3'or ; and John E. Dye, present commissioner of the third district.

Murders^ Suicides, and Rouarkahic DcatJis. - We will flrst call the attention of our readers to one ot the most shocking, heart-rending, irrational, fatal family feuds that it has ever been our painful duty to record - one which resulted in the cold-blooded murder of an innocent wife and the suicide of an excited, crazed and drunken husband. The plain facts in the case, as near as we can gather from circumstantial evidence, are about as follows : George Knapp, a man of dissipated habits, lived about one mile west of Palestine in 1845, the date of the occurrence of this sad tragedy. It was Pentecostal Sabbath, the famil}' had been to church in the forenoon, returned home and ate dinner together, when Mr. Knapp, being intoxicated, and somewhat quarrelsome, as usual under such circumstances, accused Mrs. Knapp of intidelitv ; and reason bein^r dethroned bv the vile destrover and arch demon, Rum, he gathered up an ax and wildly menaced it before her face, and threatened to spill the life-blood of her whom but a few short years before he had solemnly pledged in divine presence, before living witnesses, to love and cherish, protect and defend, as long as life to them should be spared. Mrs. Knapp, fearing fatal results, fled from the house, followed by her antagonist, who struck her on the head and felled her to the ground, where he continued his unmerciful attack, striking her twice with the edge of the ax, once in the shoulder and once in the breast, causing immediate death. Seeing her lifeless form covered with gore before him, partial consciousness returned, and with a sense of his awful crime realized, went into the house and, with a razor in hand, stood before the glass and cut his own throat, partially severing the trachea ; but still not satisfied, he left the house and pursued the children with murderous intent, who escaped him by seeking refuge in a pond. Being unable to reach them, he returned to the house, and was found by the neighbors in the frightful condition aforesaid, breathing through the recently made orifice in the windpipe. He had two small children, a boy and girl. The girl afterward married, and, from what we can learn, is still living. The boy died a few years after the tragedy just related. Henry Meier owns the Knapp farm where this sad scene transpired.

In 1871, a son of Joseph Morford was killed by being thrown from a horse. Anton Wishmeier, in the same year, fell from a load of straw and was killed.

instantly killed by his own reaper in a harvest field. His son was driving the horses, when they became frightened, and started to run. Mr. Jacobi, aiming to get to the heads of the horses, was knocked down by the tongue of the reaper, and, falling in front of the sickle, was caught by the guards, one arm cut oft' and his head severed from the body. His wife, seeing the heart-rending scene, rushed to the spot, near by, gathered the bleeding head to her arms and bosom, and rushed in wild delirium into the house, scarcely conscious of what she was doing. Mr. Jacobi was about sixty-five years of age.

Exports and Imports. - The chief exports of Sugarcreek township are wheat, corn, hogs, cattle, horses, flaxseed, potatoes, barley, oats, lumber, fruits, carriages, wagons, and the products of the hennery and dairy. Her imports are chiefly farming implements, dry goods, groceries, hardware, glass and wooden ware, hats, caps, boots, shoes, notions, blooded stock, improved seed, literature, medicines, wines and liquors, clocks, watches, jewelry, coal, iron, paints, oils, varnishes, and leather.

Rccapittilation. - Sugar-creek township contains thirtysix sections, 21,805 acres ; has one mill stream, one smaller stream, two border counties, three border townships, two steam flouring mills, three steam circular saw mills, one water saw-mill, one steam planing factory, two tile factories, eight public school-houses, one denominational school, eleven public school-teachers, six church buildings, two lodges, two villages, three post-offices, seven pikes, two railroads, 2,099 inhabitants, 704 school children, 272 polls, 509 voters, $4,650 worth of public school property, $372,- 310 worth of personal property, $170,025 worth of railroad stock, $2,235 worth of telegraph, $602,790 worth of land, $35,235 worth of improvements on same, 245 male dogs, thirteen female dogs, $1,132,195 worth of taxable property, forty-two men who pay over $40 taxes each, eight ex-justices, two acting justices, five ex-trustees since 1859, nine ex-county officers, four living ex-county officers, one acting county officer ; a fertile, well-drained soil ; a limited quantity of saw and rail timber, sixteen and onehalf miles of toll pike, thirteen miles of railroad, three railroad stations, two telegraph lines, a healthful climate ; fish, squirrels, quail and rabbits in small quantities ; eight physicians, a democratic trustee, a declining scholastic population, an increasing valuation, and a democratic majority of 1 18.

Chapter Xviii

a pleasant little village, is located on the west bank of Sugar Creek. It was laid out by J. Evans, on the ist of October, 1838, and consisted of fifteen blocks and thirtysix lots. It is now on the C, H. and I. railroad, on a bee line about thirteen miles south-east of Indianapolis. It has three churches, a two-story frame school-house, a steam flouring mill, and one saw-mill ; merchants, druggists, physicians and mechanics suitable to a town of its size ; a post-office, express office, daily mail, and about six hundred inhabitants.

The land from which Palestine was carved was entered by John Weston, on the ist day of May, 1824, being the west half of the south-east quarter of section twenty-nine, in township fifteen north, and in range six east. The first addition was made by Gundrum, on the i8th day of February, 1854, located west of the north part of the old plat, between the railroad and State road, and contained twentythree lots. A second addition was laid out by Waltke, on the 7th day of August, 1867, and consisted of twenty-six lots, located between the railroad and the State road, and west of Gundrum's addition. The third addition was made by Anderson, on the loth of April, 1872, and consisted of forty-three lots, located west of Waltke's addition, and a part south of the State road. The fourth addition was laid out by Kirkhoff, on the 9th of October, 1873, and consisted of six lots, located west of the old plat and south of the State road. The fifth addition was made by Kirkhoff', known as Kirkhoff*'s second addition, on the 2nd day of January, 1875, '^^^ consisted of ten lots, located south of Waltke's addition and east of the southern part of Anderson's addition.

The cemetery at New Palestine was laid out by Elizabeth Cones, on the 20th day of December, 1870. It consists of fort3^-one lots, with alleys.

The first business done in this little burg was on a small scale, and consisted mainly in bartering porkers, whisky, ginseng, furs and venison hams for staple groceries and notions. The dry goods were mostly manufactured at home. The first business houses of this place were crude structures, indeed. The better ones seen at this early date resembled somewhat our cut of tlie first house in Greenfield, seen on page 179. Among the first merchants of Palestine in her primitive davs were Amos Dickerson, Andrew Magahe}^ John Delaney, Robert King, W. and S. S. Johnson, Joseph Cones, and J. Evans. We cannot spare the space to trace all the business men and their various changes from the first to the present ; but will pass over the intermediate merchants, and endeavor to give a pen picture of her present business and business men, that our sons and daughters, grandchildren and future posterity, may see us to-day as we are, with more clearness and certainty than we are permitted to view the status of our country long years since, owing to the imperfect records handed down to us.

Source changes here: from History of Hancock County, Indiana; Its People, Industries and Institutions, by Richman, George J, published 1916; 5,527 words in this source stream.

Center Township

Center township was first organized at the May term of the board of county commissioners in 183 1. It then included a narrow strip of territory two miles north and south by seven miles east and west and was described as follows: Commencing one mile south of the township line dividing 15 and 16 at the line dividing sections 2 and 3; thence north to the said township line ; thence east one mile ; thence north one mile ; thence two miles west of the range line dividing 6 and 7; thence south two miles; thence east to the place of beginning.

At the January term, 1836, its boundary lines were changed as follows: Commencing at the northwest corner of section 35, township 16 north, range 6 east; thence east seven miles to the northeast corner of section 35; thence south three miles to the southwest corner of section II, township 15 north, range 7 east ; thence west seven miles to the southwest corner of section 1 1 ; thence north to the place of beginning.

Other changes have been made. For a number of years the greater part of what is now the north end of the township was included in the townships of Union and Harrison. Since 1853 the township has had its present boundaries.

Its surface is level, except along Sugar creek and Brandywine creek, where it is rolling. Its natural drainage is towards the south and consists of the two streams above mentioned. Sugar creek flows in a southerly direction across the northwest corner of the township, while Brandywine enters at its northeast corner and flows in a southerly direction through its eastern part. Several large open drains have been constructed leading from different parts of the township to these creeks. With the exception of a portion of the bottom lands of Brandywine creek the township is well drained and under cultivation. A large portion of the Brandywine bottom is still marshy and is incapable of being drained until the bed of Brandywine has been lowered by dredging. If this creek can be successfully dredged, as was Buck creek a quarter of a century ago, then there are still hundreds of acres of the garden land of the township to be reclaimed for cultivation.

The first settlers reached the southeastern part of the township within a year or so after Blue River township was settled, or about 18 19 or 1820.

Mills And Factories

Among the mills in Center township that were well known in its early history were those of William Pierson, William Curry and Isaac Willett. William Pierson's grist-mill was built about 1825 and was located on Sugar creek, in the east half of the northeast quarter of section 14, township 16, range 6. The grist-mill of William Curry was built in 1835 and was located on Braiidywine creek, about the middle of the north half of section 10, lownship 16, range 7. Isaac Willett's grist-mill was built in 1838 and was located on Sugar creek, probably on the southwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 26, township 16, range 6. These mills were all run *oy water power.

Several saw-mills have been constructed in different parts of the township; the greater number, however, were located in Greenfield and will be considered in the local history of Greenfield. Among the later mills and factories that were established outside of Greenfield are the following: A saw-mill erected by George Newhall about three miles east of Greenfield on the north side of the railroad. It stood at the southeast corner of section 35, township 16, range 7, just below the present location of Trees's shop. At that time the railroad had a switch there and also stopped certain accommodation trains for passengers. The mill burned after a few years, but was rebuilt and operated until about 1875. A saw-mill, constructed by Curtis & Brother, in 1869, located along the east side of the east half of the southeast quarter of section 35, township 16, range 7, at the point where the road turns to the northwest. In 1872 this mill was moved to a point on the west side of the Greenfield and Pendleton pike, three and one-half miles north of Greenfield. It was operated there until sometime during the latter eighties. A saw-mill was constructed by Thomas Little during the latter seventies on the northwest corner of the east half of the northeast quarter of section 23, township 16, range 6. It was removed about 1880. A saw-mill was moved from Gem, in 1902, to the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 4, township 16, range 7, by James F. Webb, where it was operated by Mr. Webb for several years.

A saw-mill was established at Maxwell by Richard Hagan & Curtis, and later owned by W. S. Grant, Coffin & Company, F. J. Wickers and Fremont Gant. The boiler in this mill exploded on the afternoon of September 15, 1902, instantly killing Thomas Sitton and William Bailey, and severely injuring Walter Cooper, Roy Sitton and Fremont Gant. The force of the explosion was terrific and produced a shock that was felt for miles around the mill. The mill at first stood north of town, but was later moved west of town and north of the tracks, where the explosion occurred.

A tile factory was established at Maxwell by Keller & Evans in 1885. It was bought by Fred Wicker in 1891 and operated until the fall of 1914.

Andrew J. New. It burned a year later and was rebuilt. It was then blown down in the storm of 1902, and rebuilt again. It was later owned by New & Brandenburg, and is owned at present by Brandenburg & Carlton.

The first school houses in Center township were probably located within the present site of the city of Greenfield and are discussed in connection with the local history of Greenfield.

The Independence school house has the honor of having been the meeting place for the organization of the first county teachers' association, on February 16, i860. The proceedings of that day, with the first constitution adopted by the teachers of the county, are fully set out in the chapter on education. In a notice that appeared in the local papers at that time the school is named "Forest Academy." No one in the neighborhood seems to remember the location of such a school, hence the inference may be drawn, that for the purpose of making it attractive to the teachers of the county, the local teachers gave it the euphonious name, "Forest Academy."

Sixteen single-room district schools were maintained for many years prior to 1883. In that year a two-room building was constructed at Maxwell by Robert D. Cooper. Those two rooms now form the middle portion of the building at Maxwell. Trueblood & Popink erected it for two thousand seven hundred and forty dollars and it was dedicated with elaborate ceremonies on November 24, 1883. The house was filled with people and speeches were made by the trustee, R. D. Cooper; William Fries, G. W. Love, N. H. Curtis, George W. Duncan, Dr. Hervey, James Reynolds and Alpheus Reynolds. Two additions have been made since the first two rooms were constructed, so that it now has six rooms.

On May 17, 1884, the first township commencement was held at Maxwell. The pupils gave a program and the Greenfield city band furnished the music.

The two-room school house at Mohawk was constructed in 1886 by John L. Fry, trustee of Center township, and Aquilla Grist, trustee of Buck Creek township. The building was located on the Center township side of the road, but was to be a joint building. It was used jointly for several years, since which time it has been maintained by Center township alone, the trustee of Buck Creek township paying transfer fees for pupils attending from that township.

The Maxwell school house was condemned by the state board of health in the spring of 19 14. Trustee Abram Frost at once took steps for the con- struction of a new house. Plans and specifications were prepared and the contract for the new building let. When the township trustee offered the bonds for sale an injunction suit was instituted by a number of taxpayers to prevent their sale. The suit made it impossible to sell the bonds since no one cared to accept them as long as their legality was in question. The injunction suit was determined in favor of the township in the circuit court. The contractor then brought an action for mandamus to compel the trustee to offer the bonds for sale. The mandate was granted, but an appeal was taken from the decision of the lower court, which is now pending in the higher court. In the meantime purchasers refuse to accept the bonds because their legality is still questioned.

During the summer of 1914 the contractor built the walls as high as the second floor, and also laid the joists for the first two floors. Being unable to proceed because of the lack of funds, the building has stood in its unfinished condition since late in the fall of 19 14.

A high school was organized at Maxwell in the fall of 1898 with fifteen students. Under the act of 1907, although non-commissioned, it became a certified high school with a four-years course. Following are the principals who have had charge of it since its organization: William M. Coffield, 1898- 99; John Q. McGrail, 1899-1902; Miss Leo Chambers, 1902-04; Miss Kate Griffin, 1904-5; Miss Mary Paxton, 1905-6; John Q. McGrail, 1906-9; John T. Rash, 1909-10; John T. Sullivan, 1910-11 ; W. E. Bussell, 1911-13; William Lemmon, 1913-14; A. M. Brown, 1914.

Miscellaneous

The population of Center township, including the city of Greenfield, is 6,400, as shown by the census of 1910. The township had an enumeration of 435 pupils, not including Greenfield, in the spring of 1915. Of these, 355 were enrolled in the schools; 258 were in the grades and 24 in the high school.

The total amount paid the teachers in the elementary grades during the year 19 14- 15 was $5,382. The total cost of maintaining the grade schools was $9,023.54. It cost the township $2,396 to maintain its high school. The estimated value of its school property is $17,100, as reported by the township trustee on August 1, 1915. The total assessment of taxables as reported by the assessor in 1914 was $2,337,520.

Justices Of The Peace

For many years Harrison township included a large portion of what is now the northern part of Center township. During the existence of this township its local courts were presided over by the following men : Isaiah Curry, 1831; William Matindale, 1831; John Martin, 1835; William Martindale, 1835; John Martin, 1840; J. D. Conway, 1843; John Martin, 1845; J. D. Conway, 1848; John Martin, 1850; W. C. Walker, 1850; E. B. Chittenden, 1851.

From 1838 to 1853 a part of what is now Center township was included in Union township. The local courts of Union township were presided over by James Reeves, 1840; David W. O'Delt, 1841 ; William B. Martin, 1845; Levi Leary, 1846, 1851 ; E. N. Wright, 1850; R. N. Dun, 1853.

As may be seen by referring to the chapter on county government, the boundary lines of Center township were changed a number of times. The township has been of all sizes, from a narrow strip two miles north and south and seven miles east and west to its present dimensions. Its local courts through all of these variations have been presided over by the following men :

County Officers

Center township, including the city of Greenfield, has furnished a great many of the men who have been charged with the responsibility of administering the affairs of the county. Lewis Tyner, who was the first clerk of the circuit court, and who for several years also performed the duties of the county auditor and county recorder in connection with the clerk's office, was a resident of Greenfield. Among other names that are prominent in the very early history of the township are those of John Foster, the first sheriff, also the first trustee of Center township and the first representative from Hancock county in the state Legislature : John Templin, who is prominent as an early merchant and who was also the first auditor of Hancock county ; Meridith Gosney, whose name is prominent as county surveyor and school commissioner. The following list will give a good idea of the officers who have been selected from Center township, including Greenfield :

Clerks of the Circuit Court. - Lewis Tyner, William Sebastian, John T. Sebastian, Charles Downing, Moses Wood, Joseph Chapman, James Rutherford, Morgan Chandler, R. A. Black, Horace E. Wilson, John Hager, George Y. Atkison, Henry A. Swope, William A. Service. All of the clerks of the circuit court, except Marsh, Sample, Hall and William A. Wood, have been elected from Center township.

Mohawk Maxwell

The original survey of the town of Maxwell was made on August 20, 188 1, when nineteen lots were laid out by Massa Apple. It was first known as "Junction," but as soon as a few houses were built the town was named Maxwell, in honor of a man connected with the construction of the railroad. The following additions have been made to the town :

A Knights of Pythias lodge was organized on June 28, 1884, with eighteen charter members. On. account of its proximity to Greenfield it was difficult for the lodge to keep up its membership. People preferred to come to Greenfield and, after struggling along for several years it gave up its charter.

Among the grocers, merchants, etc., who have been located at Maxwell are C. F. W. Brandt, "Millus" Jackson, J. M. Jacobs, E. L. Cooper, J. F. Gant and Burt Burk, the latter three being engaged in business now. Phemister & Carlton had a drug store for a time, and Chamberlain a restaurant. Frank Weber also operated a blacksmith shop for a number of years. The present blacksmiths are Guy Dobbins, Robert Bussell and Charles Chambers Jacob Sutton is the tonsorial artist of the town.

Progressive Reading Club

The Progressive Reading Club was organized during the last week of February, 1916, at the home of Mrs. E. L. Cooper, by the ladies of Maxwell and vicinity. The purpose of the club is indicated by the caption. The officers elected for the first year were : Mrs. Martin Welsh, president ; Mrs. Eakin, vice-president; Mrs. Ernest Hiday, secretary, and Mrs. Jennie Mc- Carty, treasurer.

Berlin

This proposed town was surveyed and laid out by William Curry during the thirties, on the east bluffs of Brandywine, from a quarter to a half mile south of the north line of section 10, township 16, range 7. It adjoined the site of a grist-mill which he was operating at the time. The town was like many others "that were laid out on paper in new country and never actually came into existence.

For many years a postoffice was maintained at Leamon's Corner, in Jackson township. In 1881 this postofice was removed, and about the same time George Tague, who lived along the west line of the southwest quarter of section 14, township 16, range 7, had a postoffice installed in a little grocery that he was conducting. This postoffice was known as Binwood. Mail was distributed from it until in the latter eighties.

Independence Cornet Band

About 1894 or 1895 eight or ten boys in the vicinity of the Independence school organized a band. It played for several years, when the organization was dropped. About 1902 the Independence cornet band was organized under the leadership of Albert Frost. It consisted of the following members : Albert Frost, Rufus Temple, Eugene Short, Vernice Fuller, Ira Fuller, Frank Jones, Charles Shipley, Earle Frost, Raymond Wilson, Ralph Fisk, Joe Bundy, Frank Martindale, Bert Orr, Charles Sipe, Edward Sipe, Von Glascock, Sam Boyd and Earl Martin. The organization was maintained for two or three years, the boys playing through the campaign of 1904. A band room was erected at the northeast corner of section 21, township 16, range 7. After the campaign, however, a number of the boys moved away and the others ceased playing.

Maxwell Cornet Band

A band was organized at Maxwell about 1903, which, with a changing membership, played for six or seven years. The band was at first under the leadership of Lewis Thieman, later under the leadership of Lewis Monroe, and finally under Ed. Duckett. Among the boys who played in the band for a series of years were the following: Charley Shipley, Earl Martin, Earle Frost, Bob Dorman, Fred Gant, Harry Chambers, Tracy Clark, Bynum Jackson, Ed. Duckett, Ben Bachlett, Lewis Thieman, leader; John Burke, Lewis Monroe, Charles Stanton and Earl Duckett.

Pan Handle Nursery

The Pan Handle Nursery was established in 1874, by J. K. Henby, who at first supplied only the local retail trade. The business has grown until it now has a wholesale output that goes into almost every state in the Union. The nursery produces fruit and ornamental trees, shrubs, vines, roses, evergreens, forest tree seedlings, etc., etc. J. K. Henby retired several years ago, and since that time the business has been conductd by E. A. Henby, under the name of J. K. Henby & Son.

Biological Laboratories Ely Lilly & Company

The Lilly biological plant is located one mile west of Greenfield .on the National road on a farm of about one hundred and sixty acres. The entire plant is devoted to the production of antitoxins, vaccines, serums and similar preparations employed by physicians in the treatment of diseases, particularly infectious and contagious diseases.

The laboratories and stables form a very attractive group of snow-white, red-roofed buildings of mission architecture, modified. And seen from the railway train or the National highway, these buildings, situated in the midst of a beautiful park, make a sight particularly pleasing to the eye. The frontage of the buildings is about four hundred and fifty feet. Everything is of the most substantial construction and the plant is practically fire-proof. Construction of this plant was begun in 191 3, but it was not until the fall and winter of 1914-15 that biological products were placed on the market.

At the present time between thirty and forty horses are employed in the production of antitoxins, serums, etc. ; a few sheep are also used in the production of serum. Of smaller animals, such as rabbits, guinea pigs, etc., there are many hundreds.

Those who have had opportunity to see the best laboratories of this kind in both America and Europe have pronounced the Lilly plant the finest in existence. It embodies the latest ideas in laboratory construction, and no expense has been spared to provide the best facilities for this class of work.

In addition to the main laboratory there are shops for repair work, a spacious residence for the superintendent and quarters for some of the employees.

In addition to work on biological products, the farm provides facilities for experimental work upon medicinal plants. A large greenhouse is occupied in experimental work and in the propagation of belladonna and henbane and many other medicinal plants indigenous to the Old World. In the spring of 191 5 forty-five thousand seedlings were planted on a ten-acre plot and a very fine crop of belladonna, both leaves and roots, was harvested in the following fall. This was the first time belladonna had been cultivated successfully in the United States on a large commercial scale, the previous source of this drug being Austria-Hungary and Germany. In time it is contemplated to cultivate many more medicinal plants, especially those that have heretofore been supplied from foreign sources.

Modern Priscilla Club

The Modern Priscilla Club, a sewing and fancy work club, was organized on August 15, 1912. Following are its members : Mesdames Roy Pauley, Price Scott, Frank Sipe, Elmer Richey and J. C. Thomas, and the Misses Luna Elsbury, Ester Newhouse, Marie Newhouse, May Mclntire, Rose Kauble, Vera Burton, Beatrice and Garnetta Montrose, Mary Finney and Gladys Hamilton. The membership of this club is composed of ladies from Center, Blue River and Brandywine townships. The club meets once each month.

Country Culture Club

The Country Culture Club was organized in Center township, northeast of Greenfield, on June 6, 1906. It remained in existence for a year or two and pursued literary studies. Among the members were Mrs. Mattie Sisson, Cora Orr, Ada O. Frost, Ethel Martindale, Dora Pratt, Myrtle Frost, Mesdames Freeman Smith, Horace Binford, and the Misses Ethel Harlan, Maggie Martin and Bess Bidgood.

Curry's chapel is located at the southeast corner of the southwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 15, township 16, range 7. The church was organized in 1840. The leading members at that time were : James H. Curry, Morgan Curry, Austin Curry, Willson Curry, Madison Curry, William Martindale, James Parks, J. M. Curry, Moses Vangilder and Jacob Tague. At first they had no place in which to hold meetings except in their cabins, but shortly after organizing, James Parks, one of the charter members, built a two-story hewed-log house, and fitted the upstairs to make it suitable for holding meetings. This house stood a short distance southwest of the present church and was used until 1842. In that year the congregation built a hewed-log church, which was called Curry's chapel because so many of the Currys belonged to it. The house was built on land donated by James Parks and William Bridges. It was used as a place of worship for twentyfive years, or until 1867, when it was torn down and a frame church was erected on the same site. The members at this time were William Taylor, William Brooks, I. A. Curry, William Bridges, Thomas West, Thomas B. Miller, William Winn, the Martindales, Tagues, Stuarts and Martins. This church was dedicated by James McMullin and was used as a place of worship -for thirty-three years, or until the year 1900, when it was torn down and the present brick church was erected at a cost of about four thousand five hundred dollars. The board of trustees at that time was composed of Richard Frost. Carson Alexander, Edward Martin, Robert Briles and J. K. P. Martindale. These men also composed the building committee. The church was dedicated by Rev. Lamport. It has now been seventy-four years since this society was organized, and it is said that there never has been a year in all this time that the church has not had a regular pastor. It now has a membership of about one hundred and twenty. The average attendance at services for the past several years has been about seventy-five.

A Sunday school was organized at the time of the organization of the church. Some of the members did not believe in Sunday schools, but Harvey Curry organized a class that met under a large oak tree during the first summer. Later, of course, it became an auxiliary of the church and has steadily kept pace with the parent institution. It now has six classes, with an average attendance of about fifty. Among its superintendents have been, Harvey Curry, William Bridges, Capt. I. A. Curry, William Taylor, C. T. Fowler, Joseph Fisk, Cora Fisk, Rosa Taylor, James Bussell, Albert Frost, C. Bert Orr and C. F. Brooks.

Two auxiliary societies have been organized, one, a Ladies' Aid Society, organized about 1900; the other, the Willing Workers, organized about 1907. The latter organization is still active and has a membership of about twenty-five.

Cedar Grove Methodist Protestant Church

The Cedar Grove Methodist Protestant church stood on the west line of the east half of the northeast quarter of section 26, township 16, range 6, at the present elbow made by the road, about thirty rods north of the south line of said east half. It was one of the very early churches of the township. The people of the community, including the Shelbys, Pyles, Robbins and others, at first worshipped at the White school house that stood on the spot above described, or very near there. A church was built by the congregation about 1868 or '69. Services ceased to be conducted in the latter seventies or early eighties.

Sugar Creek Methodist Episcopal Church

Among the charter members of this congregation were James Gant, Jeremiah Gant, John Alexander, Hiram Hunt, Robert Wilson and Thomas Smith. They likely had held services for some time previously, but in 1839 they bought one acre of ground from Richard Hutson for twenty-five dollars, on which to build a church. This was located on the east bluffs of Sugar creek, near the southeast quarter of the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 23, township 16, range 6. The church was about thirty by thirty-eight feet and was furnished with slab seats. The class was organized and held meetings in this building in 1840. Their first pastor was a man named Richmond, from Pendleton, Ind. Among the very early ministers were John Burt, George Havens, John Millender and G. W. Bowers.

The first board of trustees was composed of Robert Smith, John Alexander and Hiram Hunt. Services with preaching- were held every four weeks at 10:30 A. M. In 1849 Eli Rammel was pastor of the charge. The church then had a membership of probably twenty. A great revival was held in the church in 1849, at which eighty or more were converted and joined church. Preaching services were then held every four weeks at 3 :oo o'clock P. M.

Sunday school was held every Sunday morning at 9:00 A. M., with an attendance of about fifty. Class meetings were held at io:0o A. M. James Gant was class leader and Sunday school superintendent for a number of years about this time.

The membership of the church was divided, some living on the west side of Sugar creek, the others on the east side of the creek. Those on the west side withdrew about 1850 and attended church in a school house on the west side of the creek. During the Civil War the membership dwindled down to a very few. A number of the members at that time also joined the Cedar Grove church.

In 1 87 1 the members of the congregation took a subscription for the construction of a new church house. Money was subscribed, and in the fall of 1872 the contract for the new church house was let to John S. Orr for one thousand and fifty dollars. The church was dedicated on August 3, 1873. About 1874 it was made a part of the Philadelphia circuit and has had the same pastors that are given under the Philadelphia charge. The congregation has its regular services with its Sunday school meeting- every Sunday.

Mt. Carmel Methodist Episcopal Church

The Mt. Carmel Methodist Episcopal church was organized about 1838 in a log school house where the present house now stands, on the east bluff of Sugar creek, in the northeast quarter of section 1, township 16, range 6. Among its charter members were Owen Jarrett, Andrew Jarrett, William Jones and wife, John Alley, Martha Swope, Riley Taylor, John Lewis and wife, Samuel Henry and wife and Martha Chapman. The Rev. Eli Rammel, who conducted such a successful revival at the Sugar Creek Methodist Episcopal church in 1849, conducted a similar revival in this church, at which over one hundred persons were added to the membership of the church.

In 1853 it erected a new frame church, at a cost of eight hundred dollars. Services were held until about the beginning of the present century.

Mt. Gilead Baptist Church

The Mt. Gilead Baptist church was organized on August 19, 1827, at the home of Samuel Jackson, with the Baptist ministers and other members of the faith from Blue River township and from the Bethel church present. The congregation was first known as Brandywine church and retained that name until about the middle of August, 1838, when the members changed the name to Mt. Gilead. Among the charter members were Samuel Jackson and wife, Benjamin Spillman and wife, and James Reeves and wife.

Services were held in the church until about 1909-10. The church building is still standing and is located on the west side of the angling road in the southwest corner of the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 13, township 16, range 6.

Bethel Christian Union Church

This congregation was probably organized through the efforts of Rev. Abbott, from Indianapolis, about the time of the Civil War, or a little later. A neat frame church was built at the northeast corner of the southeast quarter of section 27, township 16, range 7. It took its name from the Bethel school house which then stood about thirty rods north of the church. No records of the church have been found, but among the families who worshipped there, whether they were members or not, were William Fries and family, A. C. Handy and family, James P. Galbreath and family, J. Foster and family, many sermons in this church and James P. Galbreath was a very active member. The families became scattered and services were discontinued during the latter seventies or early eighties.

Maxwell Methodist Episcopal Church

The Maxwell Methodist Episcopal church was organized at Maxwell and the church was built in 1886. The charter members were Zacister Dorman, Minerva Dorman, Ivan Curtis, Martha Curtis, Martha Howard, Thomas Holland, Azberine Holland, John T. Henry, Louisa J. Henry, Frank Boots, Mrs. Boots and Lucretia Welch. Its present membership numbers fifty-five.

Following are a few of the pastors who have served the congregation : Hosie Woolpert, William Peck, D. H. Guild, Rhinehart, J. L. Ramsey, A. A. Pittinger and S. F. Harter.

A Sunday school was organized soon after the erection of the church in 1886. Its superintendents have been James A. Reynolds, Thomas Holland, Joseph Dorman, Henry Shepler, Mrs. Alice Hutton, Philip Schenk and E. H. Tresner. The average attendance of the Sunday school is about sixty. Six classes are organized, representing the primary, intermediate and adult departments.

well. It was purchased by Rev. A. J. Rhodes, who was then the pastor in charge. The church has a flourishing Epworth League, which was organized by the present pastor, A. J. Duryee, in 1913, with forty charter members. W. A. Kimball was the first president of the league. At present it has a membership of one hundred and sixteen. S. B. Lininger is now president.

The present board of trustees consists of John T. Henry, S. B. Lininger, E. H. Trusner and J. F. Gant. The board of stewards is composed of S. B. Lininger and wife, Ed Prather and wife and Mrs. Ethel Robinson.

Seventh-Day Adventist Church

The first persons to embrace the faith of the Seventh-Day Adventists in the vicinity of Maxwell were George W. Hopkins, Henrietta Hopkins, his wife, and Leonard V. Hopkins, in the winter of 1884. During the summer of 1888 Elders William Covert and F. M. Roberts pitched a tent at Maxwell and conducted meetings, which resulted in the erection of the church at Maxwell. A congregation of about thirty members was organized, including the families of George W. Hopkins, A. E. Hopkins, Leonard V. Hopkins, Nathan Hunt, A. C. Alford, Charles Anderson, A. J. Johnson, C. C. Slater, John J. Hopkins and Frank M. Archer. On the night of August 18, 1890, the church burned, but a new house was built in the same fall. Services were then held for a period of ten or twelve years, after which many members having moved away, the church building was sold to the Friends congregation. The Friends bought the house in 1902 and kept it until 1913, when it was bought by Leonard V. Hopkins, who now holds it for the Seventh-Day Adventist church.

In February, 191 5, the congregation was reorganized and now consists of twenty-one members, including the families of Nathan Hunt, Irvin Hunt, Raymond Potts, Roy White, Elizabeth Anderson, Mrs. A. E. Hopkins, Lloyd Dickerson, Abe Cottrell, Jesse Wilson and L. V. Hopkins.

A school with ten pupils is also conducted in connection with the church by Miss Irene Presnall, of Indianapolis, for the purpose of giving the children instruction in religious matters.

Maxwell Friends Church

The Maxwell Friends church was organized December 19, 1888, with the following charter members : Daniel Apple, Elizabeth J. Apple, Susan H. Barnard, Hiram Chappie, Franklin Boots, John Crossly, Isaiah Chappel, Henrv W. Chadric, Zachary Dorman, Marion Forgey, Susan Forgey, John

S. McCune, Elizabeth McCune, John T. Harlan, Adaline Harlan, Joseph Gray, Mary Gray, James M. Walker, Effie Walker, James A. Jacobs, Amanda A. Jacobs, Thomas H. Shepherd, Martha S. Shepherd, William West and Samuel Wiggins. The first trustees of the church were Franklin Boots, Marion Forgey and Joshua J. Pratt.

Not long after organizing, their first church was erected on the north side of the railroad. This building was destroyed by the storm on June 25, 1902. The congregation then bought the Seventh-Day Adventist church in the fall of 1902. Services were held for some time in this church, after which the membership was transferred to the Friends church at Greenfield on September 24, 1904. In 19 1 3 the Friends sold the church building to Leonard V. Hopkins, who now holds it for the use of the Seventh-Day Adventist congregation.