Cicero Township

Cicero Township

The first settlers in the township of Cicero were the Miami Indians, who resented the first few scattering white men who entered the territory to make settlement. The portion north of the Indian reserve line was occu¬ pied by these Indians, and was then called Hamilton county, but later was severed from the name by act of the Legislature, approved January 15, 1844, and the county named Tipton created. The Miamis were forced to relin¬ quish . their hold upon these lands in 1845 and were transported to the reservation set aside for them in the state of Kansas. The first permanent white settlements were made in the territory south of the reserve line, while that portion was still a part of Hamilton county. There were no entries at the government land offices prior to the year of 1834; in fact, there were but twro during that year, Absalom Sumner and Philip W. Barger. During ing the following four years all of the remainder of this portion of the township was entered, several land speculators, among them Stoughton A. Fletcher and Nichols McCarty of Indianapolis, taking a large portion of the ground. The name of the first settler in this locality known as the "Old Purchase" cannot be ascertained with any certainty. Suffice to say he came very early and pitched his rude hut in Hamilton county. One Charles Freel, a trapper, came early and settled in the eastern part of the township, but disappeared when the other settlers begun to build up homes.

From Wayne county, Indiana, in 1837, came Isaac J. Parker, and he settled one mile east of the present site of Tipton, where he lived until his death in the year 1866. Parker was a native of New Jersey. He encoun¬ tered the usual strenuous hardships of the pioneer and was forced to carry on his ordinary trade at Strawtown, in Hamilton county, twelve miles distant. Joab E. Parker, a brother, came into the county about the same time and entered land farther south. He passed to his reward in 1859. In 1836 Thomas Corbin located in the eastern portion of the township, with no neighbor within a distance of five miles. Allen and James Goodpasture came in 1836, also, and remained until their death. Land was entered in this same year by Joseph Shank, and he moved his family thereon, died in 1882, and. left a good estate to his widow. James Egler settled later in the western part of the township. He died in 1882. Land was purchased by William Bishop in 1835, but he did not make a settlement on it until a few years later; Daniel Smith also lived in the southern part as early as 1835 or 1836.

The Whisler brothers, John and Jacob, settled about two and a half miles east of Tipton prior to the year of 1830. Jacob Whisler was the first treasurer of the county, but later moved into Hamilton county. John Whis¬ ler moved, with his family, to Kansas in T833. Near the opening of the year 1838, if not in that year, William Deal made a settlement in this township, and a trifle later John Emehiser emigrated here. Emehiser was a native of Pennsylvania .and of German descent. His first inroad into Indiana was to Wayne county. In 1838, or a year later, William Dickson came, also Anson King. Samuel King was one of the largest owners of land here, at one time possessing over one thousand acres. He first entered land in 1835. John Forkner entered land south of Tipton in 1839. Dr. Silas Blount moved from Ohio and located just north of the Hamilton county line in 1841. The village of West Kinderhook was afterward established there by him. He was one of the first physicians to practice in Tipton county. He was also one of the first associate judges. For a period of forty years he followed diligently his practice and was esteemed by all who knew him. In the eastern part of the township Jackson Reed settled at an early date. Records show that probably the first Methodist religious services in the county were held in his home. Harvey Goodykoontz locat¬ ed in the southern part of the township near the. subsequent site of the Peru & Indianapolis Railroad. He, during his life, held the positions of justice of the peace and assessor, being the second of the latter officer in the county. His death occurred in 1882. Newton J. Jackson, John S. Ressler, Martin Prilliman, William Buffington, Jesse Brown, William H. Nelson, William F. Brady and others settled in or near the town of Tipton.

The majority of the early settlers of Cicero township came from the southern portion^ of Indiana, also many from Ohio and Kentucky. Many of the settlers moved north of the Miami reserve line, which lands were not open to purchasers before iS^8, although there were many squatters prior to that date. It is appropriate to give the names of many of these men, without attempt to enlarge upon the personal qualities and courageous struggles to create a habitable residence in the wide and uncultivated lands. Some of them follow: John Beck, George Smith, Joshua Elison, Thompson Innis, Andrew Tucker, Peter Hyde, Joseph W. Jackson, William Donaldson, Benjamin Clifford, Daniel Haskett, John Clifford, William Buffington, Minor L. Thomas. James Basey, Joseph Van Buskirk, John C. Williams, David Webber, Alexander Smith, Lewis Jones, William Johnston, James Copley, George Bowser, Brighton Bailey, Thomas G. Carson, Samuel Downhour, John B. Carson, William Williams, Louis Beck, Richard Hall, John Laudig, Thomas Jackson, John Craighead, George Osier, Sr., George Rhodes, David King, Joseph Morgan, Michael Short, James Molden, Minor Mallory, Piatt Molden. John Bailey, James Fielding, Caleb Parish, Martin Kleyla, James Ragsdale (colored), David Lilly, Joseph Sumner, George Johnson, William Conoway, March Tucker, Sr., Samuel Paul, George Tuc¬ ker. Squire Tucker, James Tichenor, Martin Smith, Timothy Tichenor, Sime¬ on Yelton, Robert Barton. John McNeal, John Murphy, Frederick Smelser, Dr. Aaron A. Hensley, Alexander Pennock, William Bracken, Harrison A. Woodruff, George Kane, John Alexander, Conde Bishop, Milton W. Shafer. James King. Andrew J. McClannahan, Henry Kinder, William Fer¬ guson, Jonathan Reed, Justice Meyers. Henry Shoemaker, Charles Meyers, John McCarty, Wilson Crowe, James Walker, Gurnsey Smith, Robert E. Davidson, James Daly, Andrew J. Redmon, David Robinson. Arthur Davis, Seth Buffington, Robert Davis, Joseph Goar, George Cloud, John Lyman, William B. Youpg, Fleming Fliston, James McElhanev, William Gregory, John W. Chambers, William Welshons, William Stivers, Daniel Welshons,

Topography

The first settlers of Cicero township were not pleased with the general -topographical features of the land. They thought that the land was flat and low and would be difficult to drain. So strong was this opinion that it might be said to have been one of the causes of the tardy settlement of this district. However, the passing of years brought a well-defined idea - a change from the old. The altitude of Tipton above the sea is 875.5 feet, affording a natural water-shed and adequate fall for any drainage system. It has come to be a light task for every farmer to tile his land, and conse¬ quently added value is thereby given.

Although the struggle to make the soil of Cicero township valuable agriculturally was a terrific one, the ground within the locality may now be classed with the best in the state. It is deep, rich, tillable, and yields large crops annually. Superfluous water and timber have been eliminated; the water as waste, but the timber, comprising magnificent oaks, walnuts, beech¬ es, ashes, was put to economic use. Little of this original timber is left to¬ day, but in many places a luxuriant second growth is springing up. Several small streams, of little consequence, including Cicero, Buck, Prairie, Tur¬ key and Dixon creeks, flow through the township.

Organization

The first session of the board of county commissioners was held at the home of Jesse Brown, about one mile south of the present site of Tipton, on June 3 and 4, 1844. Nearly the first official act of this new board was to divide the newly created county into townships. Cicero, now the largest township in the county, was apportioned as follows : Beginning at the south¬ east comer of section 32, township 21 north, range 5 east, thence north six miles, thence west six miles, thence south six miles, thence east to the place of beginning. Afterward, the township was enlarged to its present dimensions, eight miles north and south and eight and one-half miles east and west.

Forty-three thousand five hundred and twenty acres are included at present in the township. In the spring of the year 1820 the land south of the reserve line was surveyed by William B. Laughlin, deputy United States surveyor, assisted by Charles H. Test. The latter gentleman afterward served in of¬ ficial capacities in Tipton county. The land north of the Miami reserve land was not surveyed until the winter of 1842-3.

Election Of Officers

At the first meeting of the board of county commissioners mentioned above, elections were first ordered, to be temporarily held at the home of Jesse Brown, owing to its central location. At this same session, the town¬ ship of Cicero was given two justices of the peace, to take care of the law and perform wedding and funeral ceremonies. In August of the year 1844 Jesse Brown was elected as the first justice of the peace, and commissioned for five years from the 20th day of that month. In September Elias R. Con¬ ner was appointed as constable, being the first for the township. It is re¬ corded that he made a return of the Presidential election in that year, and for his services received the sum of thirty-seven and one-half cents. At the June session, 1844, the first assessment list was received by the commissioners. It had been prepared by Jesse Brown, acting under appointment by Nathan C. Bales, assessor of Hamilton county. For his work during the time of twelve and one-half days, he was allowed eighteen dollars and seventy-five cents.

At the June term of 1845, the county board authorized the congressional townships to elect trustees. The electors of congressional township 21 north, range 4 east, were directed to meet at the town of Canton (now Tipton), which town had been established the previous year, on* the last Saturday in August, 1845, for the purpose of electing three trustees for the township for school purposes. The inspector of this election was Daniel Smith. In Sep¬ tember of this year all elections were ordered to be held at the town of Can¬ ton. Jesse Brown, although acting as justice of the peace, in 1844, acted also as township assessor from March, 1846, to March,' 1847, being then succeeded by Harvey Goodvkoontz, and then by George Cloud. Daniel R. Rednion was the second man to be named as justice of the peace in the township, having been commissioned from 1845 to 1850.

At the September term, 1844, the board of county commissioners di¬ vided the township north and south into three road districts, each two miles wide, but the roads were by no means improved and graded as we see them now. Highways were, at different times, made the subject of petitions, and work was done after permission was obtained from the board, but the work was productive of only temporary benefit. Especially during the wet sea¬ sons of the year did the roads loom up in their true colors, for they were usually impassable. The advantage of corduroy roads, or rather plank roads, was never had within Cicero township, for records show that a very few corduroys were laid at one time in the most sunken places. The first super¬ visors of roads in this township were David G. Wilks, Jesse Brown and Allan Goodpasture. The witness of the highly improved and convenient roads of today cannot well appreciate the conditions and character of the early-dav road. One may drive across the township now in a couple of hours, but fifty years ago it was a matter of a day and sometimes longer time.

Hunting And Amusements

The early game of the township was exceedingly plentiful; a farmer or settler never gave thought to the putting up of meat for the winter in the late fall, as the modern agriculturist does. There was always food within gunshot, necessitating but a few yards' walk from the cabin door. Deer, squirrels, wild turkeys, raccoons, mink, opossums and musk rats were to be seen on every side; in the territory near Cicero creek, black bears were fre¬ quently seen, and as often shot, their meat used for food and the thick skins for covering and protection against the severe weather. Gray wolves, catamounts and wild hogs abounded in the dense forests and were hunted mercilessly. The raccoon existed in great numbers, and the pelt of this wise little animal was much in demand, and was used as a medium of exchange. The statement of this latter fact may lead to some doubt, but it is to be re¬ membered that the markets for grain and hog-meat were not yet in existence, and the necessities of the home were obtained by the barter of coon, deer and wolf skins. It is interesting to note the methods used in capturing these animals. The coon was hunted mostly with dogs, which were trained for the purpose. If the small animals took refuge in trees, they were either shot from the limbs or the tree felled so that the dogs might finish the work.

Traps or pens were used mostly in the hunting of the gray wolf. It was almost an impossibility to shoot them. Deer hunting occupied a very promi¬ nent place in the sports of the early settler. Fire-hunting was the favorite method. At night, hunters would climb into boats and proceed to the locali¬ ties most frequented by the deer. In the bow of the boat was a light, ar¬ ranged in the following manner: Two boards, of proper length, were nailed together, so as to form a right angle, the inner surface of each having been previously burned and charred until black. These were then fastened to the boat, and the light secured to the horizontal board. This, shining both upon it and the charred surface of the upright piece, would cast the entire boat and its occupants into profound shadow. The deer, coming to the water to drink, would see the light and nothing else. Their curiosity being aroused, they would walk close up, and thus be easy prey for the hunters. Bears were tracked down with dogs and then shot. Bears were very hard to capture by means of traps.

Sports

Notwithstanding that the distances^ between settlements were long and intercourse difficult, the pioneer managed to create amusements sufficient for his needs. Dancing, foot races and shooting matches were frequently held. Skill with the rifle was a strong factor in the popular estimation of a man then, and the turkey or chicken shoots held were well attended and exciting affairs. Log-rollings and house-raisings were usually turned into holidays and people for miles around would go to a log-rolling or house^raising for a frolic, the women joining, always being accompanied with a big dinner, fol¬ lowed with a dance. It was the custom for all the settlers within a given locality to gather at one place and erect a home in a day. A bountiful feast was always on hand and plenty of hard cider and whisky. It was the custom, and no one thought of the deteriorating effects, nor was any reform crusade inaugurated. During the harvest season a jug of whisky was in many fields. It must be said to the credit of the pioneer, that seldom did he partake of sufficient liquor to reach the drunken or maudlin stage.

First Industries

Samuel King was perhaps the owner and proprietor of the first mill in Cicero township. Lumber sawing was the principal industry of this mill, although there were small buhrs for corn grinding. The motive power was water. About twelve bushels of corn was the capacity of one day's work.

The structure, an unpretentious one, stood on Cicero creek, two and a half miles southeast of the present site of Tipton, on land owned by Mr. King, but afterward known as the Mallory farm. At this time there were no railloads. The "Old Madison Road," which was chartered in 1831 and taken charge of by the state in 1836, under the "internal improvement system," was not completed to Indianapolis until the first of October, 1847.

The second mill within the township was constructed by Samuel King and William Buffington. It was situated on the north bank of Cicero creek, just west of the point where the Peru & Indianapolis railroad crossed the stream four years later. Timber sawing and the grinding of wheat and corn were the trades of this mill, and it was operated by steam power, the boiler and machinery having been hauled from Indianapolis by road, a distance of fifty miles. In 1851 a steam saw mill was erected within the reserve by George Kane and Newton J. Jackson, at a place later known as Jackson Station. On the completion of the railroad to Peru in 1854, thus forming a connection with the Wabash and Erie canal, a larger trade was built. In 1854 Thompson Innis also built a steam saw mill four miles west of Tipton, at a place known as Parker's Corner or Parker's Mill; this mill was operated by different persons until thirty-five years ago. In 1850, or near that year, Brighton Bailey, living two and one-half miles north of Tipton, had a horse mill for grinding corn. Any neighbor who desired to grind out corn, hitched his own horse to the mill-lever. Having no horse, the farmer paid a small fee for the loan of Bailey's animal.

This township is at present the largest in the county, and also one of the largest and richest in the state of Indiana. There is a remarkable amount of wealth in this township, and it is divided among many citizens, not being accumulated under a few men's control. It is this universality of wealth which makes the great enterprises, the charitable attitude, and the strong support of any worthy movement, which characterize Cicero township. The soil is rich, bountifully rich, and the crops are very large and of first qual¬ ity. Stock raising is practiced to a large extent in conjunction with the farm¬ ing. It is needless to say that the most scientific and approved farm methods are used. It would surprise one to know the number of men who go each year from this township and others of the county to Purdue University, to attend the short course in agricultural science. It signifies progress and

Adequate transportation means are afforded by the railroad and interurban lines, and an extensive and well improved system of gravel and mac¬ adam roads, so that the fanner finds it an easy task to ship his produce to the city markets. Telephones, rural free mail delivery, and automobiles are also factors in the modernizing of the farm home. Schools and churches are being improved every day, especially the former, as the consolidation sys¬ tem and vocational training are being introduced.

Driving in any direction from the city of Tipton, the stranger is im¬ pressed with the magnificence and commodious appearance of the farm homes and the orderly arrangement of the other buildings. This is the fruit of education.

Too much praise cannot be given to the citizenship of Cicero township. The men are as a unit in any procedure which is for the public welfare. Thev not only contribute their efforts, but materially aid at the same time.

Jackson Station

This is a very small settlement three and a half miles north of Tipton. The village owes its existence to the building of a steam saw mill in 1851 by Newton J. Jackson and George Kane in the vicinity. This was prior to the completion of the Peru & Indianapolis railroad in 1854. After the road was finished, trains began to stop at this station, a side track was laid and shipments were made on the line. The village continued to grow, rather slowly, and the shipments gradually increased. After the close of the Civil war, Elijah C. Elliott located at Jackson Station and established a general store. He also operated a stave and heading factory. In 1882 he erected an elevator of large capacity. Several small dwellings now mark the spot. But for an elevator the town would go out of existence, the postoffice having been abolished in 1909. They have a school house and a church. It has recently been abandoned as a railroad station and it will soon only be known as a common public road crossing.

West Kinderhook

This village was laid off and surveyed in 1841, under the direction of Dr. Silas Blount. It was situated on the east half of the southwest quarter of section 32, township 21 north, of range 5 east. The plat was recorded in

Hamilton county, of which that territory was a part, on September 4, 1841. There were thirty-one lots in the plat, sixtv-six feet wide and one hundred and thirty-two feet deep. After a sale of a few lots, the growth of the vil¬ lage was suddenly and completely stopped. The building of the railroad a few years later two miles and a half west brought the new village of Buena Vista into existence, just south of the Tipton county line, and immediately West Kinderhook succumbed.

Parrotsville was surveyed on September 29, 1853, by Edward M. Sharp, and the plat filed for record on October 5th of the same year. It was located on the railroad, on the west half of the southeast quarter of section 27, township 22, range 4, about one-half mile south of Jackson Station. Benjamin F. Goar was the proprietor. The recorded plat shows thirty-six lots, and of this number several were afterward sold by Mr. Goar. This vil¬ lage has now become practically extinct. Andrew J. McClannahan, for many years a justice of the peace of Cicero township, was one of the early dwellers in this village.

Independence

This village was also named Parker's Mill, and was located four miles west of Tipton. The village was of so little consequence that it was never platted. A school house was built early by Jehu Van Buskirk, and the name "Independence" given the school, to signify that it was free from all alli¬ ances with any organization, having been built by private enterprise. Noah Parker was one of the earliest residents, and was the proprietor of the saw mill from whence originated the oft used name of Parker's Mill.

City Of Tipton

The first touch of the white man's hand on the spot now occupied by the city of Tipton was in 1835 and 1836, when Samuel King, a resident of Rush county, purchased several tracts of land in the wilderness from the government. He made frequent visits to this territory, then a part of Hamil¬ ton county. Strawtown, on White river, was the nearest trading post. King had the idea that a town on this site would be a good thing and would add to the value of the surrounding lands. Accordingly, on April 16, 1839, he laid out a town, which he named Kingston, on the northeast fractional

Tipton Count V. Ixdiaxl

^arvrr of *ect:on 1 1. town-h:p 2 1 north. range 4 east. A plat was recorded or; N\ver,Vy*rr 5, i8p/. v. hxh *hw,> forty-eight lots. each sixty-six feet wide and oT;e h 'zrArt'i ar.d thirty-two feet deep. The streets were sLxty feet wide and the# alleys sixteen and one-half feet wide. None of the k*ts were sold, and the so!e Inhabitant- were the bears, deer, wolves and wildcats, and a lev.' straggling Indians.

Selection Of Site

In January, 1844, Tipton county was created and a board of commis¬ sioners was appointed to locate the county seat. This body of men consid¬ ered it a prime requisite that this seat of justice should fall near the middle of the county, which was ascertained to be what was known as McMurtry's prairie, a!>out two and one-half miles north of the site later selected. But the title of the Miami Indians to the land north of the reserve line had not been entirely extinguished, and it was not considered advisable to build a town in their territory. Then the commissioners offered to receive propositions to donate ground for the county seat south of the reserve. Samuel King of¬ fered to give one hundred acres in fractional section 11, being the same sec¬ tion upon which he had, five years before, laid out the town of Kingston. His offer was accepted, and on Octol>er 16. 1844, the board met at the house of Jesse Brown and received the report of the locating commissioners. This body was allowed one hundred and fifty-nine dollars for their services.

Laying Out The Town

On the same flay, William H. Nelson was appointed county agent, to lay off the new town, and he immediately gave bond of five thousand dollars to insure the faithful discharge of his duties, with Jesse Brown, Joseph Shank, Krasmus I). Thomas and Minor L. Thomas as sureties. The task of naming the new town now came before the county commissioners. John D. Smith, a member, and former resident of Ohio, suggested the name of Canton. The name was at once adopted. Nelson was authorized to sell not to exceed fifty lots, on the following terms: "One-fourth the amount that said lots shall bring shall he paid by the purchaser in six months, and the remaining threefourths to be paid within eighteen months of the day of sale."

The technical description of the town is contained in the deed from Samuel King, and his wife, Delila King, to William H. Nelson, as county agent, made on December 18, 1844. It is as follows: "Beginning at a stone on the north side of Cicero creek, bearing tree, a walnut, south forty-nine degrees east, distance thirteen feet, diameter seven inches, west twenty-five chains and sixty-eight links, to a stone, bearing tree, a beech, north thirty-six degrees west, distant five feet, diameter seventeen inches, thence north thirtyseven chains to an oak in the Indian boundary line, thence north seventy-nine degrees and twenty-five minutes east with the Indian boundary line twentysix chains and eleven links to a past bearing tree, a hickory, north twentyone degrees east, distance nine feet, diameter twenty-four inches, thence south forty-one chains and seventy-five links to the place of beginning, in¬ cluding one hundred acres, be the same more or less, and being a part of Fractional Section No. Eleven, in Township No. Twenty-one north, of Range No. Four east of Second Principal Meridian."

After the close of the special session in October, plans were at once made to complete the laying out of the town of Canton. First, it was neces¬ sary to clear the ground of shrubbery, trees and undergrowth, and thus en¬ able surveyor John Criswell to locate the lots, streets and alleys. John D. Smith, Minor L. and Erasmus D. Thomas, Jesse Brown and a half dozen other men met for this purpose. For this work in cutting away the brush, each was allowed sixtv-two and a half cents per day. Criswell at once made the survey, and was paid two dollars a day. This finished, a plat was made, acknowledged by William H. Nelson before Sylvester Turpen, recorder. This plat, known as the original plat, is composed of twenty blocks or squares, divided into one hundred and sixty-two lots, each sixty-six feet wide and one hundred and ninety-eight feet deep, with streets sixty-six feet wide and alleys sixteen and one-half feet wide. The total width of the plat east and west was sixteen hundred and twenty-four feet, north and south eighteen hundred and ninety-eight feet. The eastern boundary is East street; the western, the first alley west of West street; the northern, one hundred and ninety-eight feet north of Washington street; the southern, one hundred and ninety-eight feet south of Adams street. In the center of the plat' was located the public square, which is one hundred and ninety-eight feet wide, east and west, and four hundred aiid twelve feet long, north and south. Everything was in readiness for the sale of lots, which must have begun in November, 1844, as the record of the commissioners' meeting at their regu¬ lar December session shows that James Graves was allowed "Ten dollars for one day's service as auctioneer, in selling lots in the town of Canton," and Andrew Evans one dollar for clerking at the sale. By the first of March, 1845. county agent had sold at public and private sale thirty-six lots.

Lot Sales

From the time of this report until the following September nineteen more lots were sold, being purchased by Charles A. Thurman, Jonathan Reed, Lewis Jones, James McMurtry, D. G. Wilks, I. Tucker, A. Brandon. John D. Smith, Janies Cassler and Milton W. Cassler. Henry Eshelman, Jeremiah Eshelman and Allan Goings became lot owners shortly after¬ ward.

By the year 1845 several.log cabins had been built in the new town of Canton. In this year Daniel Smith built a double log cabin, on the site of the late frame Martindale block, and there he kept the first tavern. It was called the Canton House. In 1849 he began the erection of a building at the north¬ west corner of Main and Jefferson streets, but it was not completed when, in September, 1850, he traded it to Newton J. Jackson for a two-story frame house across the street, at the southwest corner, which had been built by Jackson in 1845 to serve as home and store.

Andrew J. Redmond, who afterward became sheriff, started another tavern in 1846, in a two-story log house located on the northwest corner of Main and Madison streets. In 1850 or 1851 William H. Nelson became the proprietor of the house.

In 1850 Thomas Jackson, one of the first county commissioners, erected a frame house on the ground occupied in the eastern room, located where the

The Smith hotel was erected about the same time at the corner of Main and Jefferson streets, and also the City hotel, a three-story frame structure, on the present site of the city fire barn. John Long built a frame hotel on the corner of Madison and Main streets in 1865, which building was destroyed by fire in 1873. A new brick hotel was constructed on the same site, and it still exists, and is known as the Commercial hotel. It is a first-class hotel, large, neat, and well equipped with all modern hotel conveniences.

Early Merchants

The first merchants to locate in the town of Canton, later Tipton, were James Cassler, Newton J. Jackson, John S. Ressler and a Mr. White. Cassler was, in all probability, the first to enter the field. He conducted his business on the east side of the square, in a double log cabin, which stood on ground now occupied by the Dr. Newcomer block on Court street. In September, 1845, "on petition of divers freeholders, citizens of Canton and vicinity," he was granted by the board of county commissioners a license to sell groceries and retail spirituous liquors in the town of Canton, for the term of one year, his license fee amounting to ten dollars.

Newton J. Jackson also had a stock of goods prior to 1850, in a building at the corner of Main and Jefferson streets. Jackson was the first auditor and clerk of the county.

The first carpenters were Charles and Conde Bishop, who built a shop on Fast Jefferson street, immediately east of the alley between Independence and East streets. In 1847 William and Elijah Hall begun a tanyard, at the northeast corner of Jefferson and Independence streets. This was abandoned in 1882, owing to inability to compete with modern methods in tanning leather.

Early Tipton

The day when the government was asked to establish a postoffice at Canton, 1845, ft was discovered that there was another postoffice named Canton in this state, therefore it behooved the people to select a new title. They christened the town Tipton, in honor of Gen. John Tipton, for whom the county was named. The postoffice was established and the first post¬ master was John S. Ressler. A complete list of postmasters is published else¬ where in this volume.

At the beginning of the year 1849 the population of Tipion did not ex¬ ceed one hundred people. The town existed splendidly on paper, but ma¬ terially, the place was a mass of trees, underbrush, log heaps, stumps, and covered with wild vines and weeds. On the southeast of the courthouse square was a buttonwood swamp; on the north side was a slough, and a short distance west the ground was forever covered with a shallow sheet of water. The log cabins and few ramshackle frame houses were scattered promiscuously about, with no attempt to follow the platting of the streets. Cow paths might fittingly describe the roads which led into town. The mournful howling of the wolves, the bass notes of a bull frog, and the an¬ noying hum of hordes of mosquitoes regaled the ear, a deer was killed in the public square, and wild game chased each other and were chased by the people thropgh the principal streets of the town. News traveled slowly, there being no telegraph or steam, and the people of Tipton knew little, and cared less, of the events occurring in the outside world. Game was abundant for food, but wheat and corn were yet in a primitive state. Real estate was of¬ fered for a song, a favorite joke being that the land was offered by "fluid measure." Merchandise was transported in wagons and on horseback from Lafayette, Peru and Indianapolis, and the produce of the local farms was hauled to these places. Quinine and whisky were universal remedies for the sickness resulting from the miasma arising from the wet ground and slushy country nearby.

"We went by way of Indianapolis and from there to Tipton over the worst railroad bed I had ever seen. The water rushed out from under the ties and the train ran but a little faster than a man could run. The train would stop anywhere and take on passengers, in fact, some places it did not stop at all, for it ran so slow that a man could get on without having the train to stop. t When we got to Tipton, about twenty of 11s got out on the platform, there being no depot. One man remarked with an oath, that Tipton was the worst place he ever saw. That was the first time I ever saw a mud boat. It was loaded with a large log and we could see nothing but the oxen, the boat slipping over the mud like it was greased.

"I suppose there were twelve or fifteen small houses in the town. We then started to walk to the home of David Shockley, about seven miles west of the little village. We had to walk most of the way on logs by the side of the road to keep out of the water. It was in the month of April and it was quite cool. While my friend was acting as guide and was leading the way over the logs, I pushed him off the logs and he went into the water, which was about two feet deep. After that he took straight ahead ancf did not try to walk on the logs any more. I had to wade ponds and several times slipped off the logs, and by tfye time we got to the home of David Shockley, I was about as wet as he was. There were plenty of wild geese, wild ducks, wild pigeons, prairie chickens and other wild game. I thought that the soil was good, but that it would take a lot of work and many ditches to bring it under cultivation. I understand there has been a great transformation in Tipton county. Big open ditches, the drainage, gravel roads, good farms and all the modern improvements of the age. At that time, I wouldn't have given a dol¬ lar an acre for the best section of land in the county."

By the year 1850 some advancement had been made and the popula¬ tion had practically doubled. Dr. Isaac Parker was the only physician, and James Recobs and Isaac Houser were added to the list of blacksmiths. John Anderson was the only cabinet-maker. William B. Young came in this ^ear and for several years worked with Anderson, before establishing himself; the concern that he established is still in existence, being known as the Young Furniture Company. A bakery was kept by Louis Diehl in the house then adjoining the Tipton County Bank building. Fred Bennett, a German, and later of Pennsylvania, established a saddlery shop, being the first in town. Martin Prilliman moved here from Shielville and became the pioneer gun¬ smith of the town. George Boyer, a blacksmith, came in 1851.

Cholera Epidemic

By the year 1854 the people were in a contented state of mind. Ague and fever had been prevalent, it is true, due to the condition of the country, but. aside from these "shakings and burnings," there had been no alarming sickness. Near August 1, 1854, cholera seized upon the town, scourged the inhabitants, drove them from their homes, and began to fill rapidly the small graveyards. Everyone fled who was able, but, notwithstanding, they car¬ ried the dread bacilli with them and perished in strange homes. All live stock was left in pens and inclosures to starve to death or die for want of water. All would have done so, had it not been for the courage of one Mason Lyons, who went to each pen, and turned cattle, hogs and sheep free, to roam at will in the woods. Business was ceased ; stores were closed, and artisans put aside their tools. Men did not meet in joyous groups on the street corners, but stood a distance from each other and conversed with awe of the impending plague. The quiet of a funeral pervaded the town. Isaac Parker, John H.

Barker and Absalom M. Vickrey were the only doctors here at the time; Peter Bert and Dudley Newman assisted in the care of the stricken. There is no record giving the accurate number of persons afflicted with the cholera, but the deaths in the town totaled at least twenty. Had not the majority of people left their homes the casualties would have been greater. After a month of trepidation, sorrow and courageous struggle, the epidemic suc¬ cumbed to the efforts of the doctors and caretakers, and the families began to return to town. No other epidemic of consequence has since struck Tipton.

Incorporation As A Town

The town charter, which had been forfeited many years previously, was renewed in 1872 and an incorporation effected, with the following officers, who were elected on June 26, 1872: Trustees, George W. Boyer, Absalom M. Vickrey, B. M. Blount, Thomas S. Armstrong and C. A. Negley; clerk, William H. Clark; assessor, Jesse M. Morgan; treasurer, Robert W. Wright; marshal. Thomas Paul. It was during the early existence of this town cor¬ poration that the historic Jefferson street canal was dug, the street in places l>eing excavated to a depth of ten feet. The object was for the surface drain¬ age for all of the north part of town. All evidences of this canal have long since disappeared.

The Modern Tipton

Prior to the year 1880 Tipton stood still; there was no incentive to prog¬ ress and development. A lethargy seemed to have taken hold of the peo¬ ple, and pessimism, vice and weak ideals characterized the town, and it is even known that men went to other parts of the state from here and re¬ fused to register their home town as Tipton, preferring strangers to be in ignorance of the fact that they resided in such a town as Tipton. The busi¬ ness houses were low, ramshackle affairs, generally frame and one story in height. Business of any kind outside of the saloons was not profitable, no enterprises for the good of the town were inaugurated, and even the law could not successfully cope with the disorder prevailing. This reputation was state wide, and it has been a long, hard struggle for the town to regain its lost prestige, but it has done so, beginning the fight in the year 1880.

In that year there was an incentive, for the first brick building was erect¬ ed. This was through the efforts of a Methodist minister who constructed on the spot where Leatherman's furniture store now stands, a new brick church house. This gave the idea to the people, and in other places two-story brick buildings began to be put up. This demand for good structures has continued until the present day, and now there is no town in the state of the size of Tipton with superior business and office blocks. The buildings are large, airy, well lighted and adapted to the most modern ideas of store buildings.

Incorporation

In the early part of the year 1884 the town of Tipton took the dignified name of the "city" of Tipton. The first city election was held on March 11, 1884, and the officers elected were as follows: Thomas S. Armstrong, mayor; David J. Caldwell, clerk; Charles Nicholson, treasurer; Joseph Prilliman, marshal; Jacob Hoover, assessor; Fred Waffler, Melvin L. Bowlin, William Picken, Elbert H. Shirk, John Langan and Addison Haskett, councilmen. Since this election J. E. Rumsey, James I. Parker, S. D. Rouls, S. G. Young, L. B. Nash, N. S. Martz, W. A. Compton and J. A. Lewis have served the city as mayor. The officers in 1914 are: J. A. Lewis, mayor; J. H. Small, clerk; W. S. Walker, treasurer; E. E. Myerly, Charles Richman, August Pape, William Ressler and Fred Fox, councilmen.

Public Utilities

The Tipton Light, Heat and Power Company was established in the year 1888, and in 1892 the Citizens' Gas Company came into existence. In the year 1913, however, the Indiana Gas Light Company bought out this latter company, and now supplies the city of Tipton with gas, piped from West Virginia, through the depot at Elwood. The gas is natural and of ex¬ cellent quality.

The Tipton Electric Light and Water Works is a municipally owned plant, established in 1898. The water works station was constructed in 1894-5, at a cost of thirty-five thousand dollars, and the electric light was added several years later.

Tipton has the honor of being the first town in the state of Indiana to have a street paved with brick. This was in 1890. The nearest street paved with brick to Tipton was in Bloomington, Illinois, and the city council of Tipton journeyed to that town to inspect the work. Returning home, the council immediately ordered a brick paved street, and accordingly two and a half blocks wer? laid on Jefferson street, the brick used being common building brick. Remarkable as this may seem, this paving lasted from 1890 until three months ago, January, 1914, when it was resurfaced with vitrified brick. There are now twelve miles of brick paved streets in Tipton. This is a larger number of feet per capita than can be claimed by any other town in Indiana.

Lake Erie & Western Shops

One of the greatest factors in the development of industrial life in the city of Tipton is . the Lake Erie & Western railroad shops. Tipton is a division point of this road. From three hundred and fifty to four hundred men are employed in these shops, and the monthly payroll runs about thirty thousand dollars. Negotiations have been under way for several months to improve and enlarge these shops, so that at least one hundred more men may find employment there. The feature of the improvement is to be the enlarg¬ ing of the railroad mileage around the shops from twelve miles to twentyfive. The railroad company will probably double the scope of the shops, and a larger tract of additional ground purchased. The round house, paint shops and car repair shops all will undergo extensive improvements.

City Park

In the past years Tipton has had nothing in the way of a public park, but at present the city has become the possessor of an attractive bit of ground, to be beautified and decorated for the comfort and pleasure of the public. The ground under consideration is a tract of twenty-six acres, situated at the terminus of South West street, within easy walking distance of juiy part of town. Beauty of trees, streams and landscape make this location particu¬ larly desirable. The park was purchased by public subscription. It is the plan to plant many new trees within the grounds, each one to be a memorial tree. Part of this land was obtained from the county, after the original tract had been purchased. Very much of the park grounds are subject to overflow, but bv the dredging, straightening and widening of Cicero creek, this will be overcome. The park sentiment was aroused by the holding of mid-summer chautauquas in the honeysuckle thickets, where a rural atmosphere gave the people a desire for a near-home outing.

Tipton City Park, 1914 Prospective Tipton

Whatever progress has been made by the city of Tipton during the last years, and it is great, is but a foreword, a prophecy, to the advancement which is assured in the next score of years. Elements are being introduced, the character of the citizenship is so strong, and demand is continually made for larger working capacity, that make it certain that it will grow, prosper and forever atone for the unfortunate days thirty years ago. It is a clean city in every way, and this is no mean factor in the determination of its success. Undoubtedly the city is now the best of its size in the state, and the purpose of the citizens is to keep it the best of its size, no matter what the size be¬ comes. The intellectual standard of Tipton is high, and so is the moral. Business is thriving and is rapidly growing; schools are improving, and re¬ ligious and social features are every day coming to have a stronger place in the life of Tipton. The established standard of citizenship makes it a desir¬ able city in which to live and, owing to its splendid transportation facilities, business men of Indianapolis are seeking homes here, where they have church, school, library and other home advantages.

Tipton Public Library

In the fall of the year 1900 the first definite plans were made in the city of Tipton for the establishment of a free public library. The educational and pleasurable effects of such an institution were realized, and the strong need of the advantages perceived in the life of the city. At this time the schools were beginning to be improved to a great extent, and in connection with this the need was felt perhaps stronger than in any other way. It was at a meet¬ ing of the Literary and Suffrage Club that the plans were first made. The new library law went into effect the following year, and Tipton was ready at once to take advantage of it. The city was the first in the state of Indiana to organize under this new law. Early in the spring of 1901 the library as¬ sociation opened the library to the public in the court house. A book "shower" was held and rtiore than five hundred volumes were donated, many of them l>eing valuable. The library was supported by voluntary contributions. The officers were the same as they are in 1914.

Just a year later, in answer to a request by Mrs. Ida Matthews, a letter was received from Andrew Carnegie, offering a gift of ten thousand dollars for library purposes, with the understanding that the city guarantee and give a fund of one thousand dollars a year for the maintenance of the proposed library. The city council immediately went into session and voted to accept this timely proposition. Steps were taken at once to begin the construction of the library building. The city council purchased the Gilbert property at the corner of Madison and Independence streets, and a building committee was appointed, including the following : S. G. Young, A. H. Pence and B. F. Vice, representing the city council, and Mrs. Ida Matthews and M. W. Persh¬ ing for the library board. Bids wTere asked for, and Ed Henry of Tipton was awarded the contract. All necessary preparations were made and the corner¬ stone of the structure was laid on Wednesday, October 15, 1902. The build¬ ing was dedicated the next year, the Masonic order of Tipton having charge of the ceremony.

Within a year after the dedication of the library building the library was perpetually endowed with the gift of five thousand dollars prompted by the noble impulse of Airs. Nannie R. Shirk, interest of wrhich is used for library purposes. Not only was this a gift inspired by the highest patriotism and kindness of the giver, but it supplied the library wdtli funds which insure its everlasting existence and usefulness. The endowment was made in honor of the late E. H. Shirk, and each book purchased from this endowment is stamped "From the E. H. Shirk Endowment Fund," thus forever reminding the people of this noble woman whose husband was the personification of in¬ tellectual citizenship and w hose soul desire was the education of the children. In fact, the work of getting the institution into the city of Tipton developed many heroes and endeared the workers forever in the hearts of Tipton. Every member of the board and committee deserves praise, chief among them being Mrs. Ida Matthew's, who gave her untiring efforts to the success of the enterprise. Mrs. Matthews is now the librarian, and under her management the institution is growing every month. In April. 1914. there were three thousand five hundred and eleven readers enrolled, and the total number of books was six thousand six hundred and sixty-four. A singular record is the fact that during the year 1913 there were eleven thousand adult books read and six thousand juvenile books. In almost every other library the number of juvenile books read is in the majority.

The grounds in wrhich the library stand are beautified with smooth, wrellkept lawns,- flow'ers and cement walks. Each tree in the park is a memorial tree, a record of which is kept upon a chart hung wdthin the library building.

Tipton Chamber Of Commerce

The Tipton Chamber of Commerce was organized March 24, 1914, suc¬ ceeding the Tipton County Commercial Club, which was organized in April, 1911, and during its existence has been a useful adjunct to organized effort in civic and industrial life in the community. The idea in the reorganization was to broaden the scope of the work of the Commercial Club and increase its activity in matters connected with civic, industrial and business affairs where the efforts of unorganized individuals would be futile. In the ordinary affairs of every community there are many things that being "everybody's business is nobody's business" and the chief purpose of the Chamber of Com¬ merce is to provide the community with a medium through which results, often far-reaching in importance, may be had through organized effort.

The Chamber of Commerce is incorporated and its articles of associa¬ tion and by-laws provide for its government by a president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer, who, with twenty-six others, constitute a board of directors of thirty members. Each director is either a member of the execu¬ tive committee or is the chairman of a standing committee, of which there are twenty-four, in addition to the executive committee, as follows: Audit¬ ing, membership, public utilities, retail interests, professional interests, labor, insurance, law, general civic improvements, housing, entertainments, public health, relief and charities, taxation, street and sewer improvements, good roads, conventions, farming interests, new industries, publicity, safety, and public comfort. The duties of these committees are such as their titles indi¬ cate.

The officers and directors are as follows : President, W. A. Compton : vice-president, John Albershardt; secretary, Edward Daniels; treasurer, Mel W. Hobbs; H. A. Binkley, J. E. Booth, C. C. Bryan, Walter Carter, J. R. Coleman, F. E. Davis, Dr. H. E. Grishaw, Louis R. Haas, Abe Kirtley, John P. Kemp, Ralph D. Leatherman, N. R. Lebo, B. F. Leavell, Omer Legg, John Langan, W. E. May, Joseph Meindering, W. N. McGraw, John R. Nash, C. W. Ramsay, Dr. H. G. Read, F. M. Roode, A. H. Surface, John E. Shirk, M. T. Sheil and S. G. Young..

There are about one hundred and fifty active paying members of the Chamber. The Chamber meets four times each year, the executive committee twice and the board of directors once each month and the standing commit¬ tees whenever they have business to occasion a meeting.

Tipton Factories

Several canning factories are found in Tipton and in Tipton county, and these offer employment to many persons and also give the farmers an opportunity to dispose of certain crops readily. The Fame Canning Company, owned by Grafton Johnson of Greenwood, is located in Tipton. Tomatoes, corn and peas are canned in this plant, where several hundred persons find employment during the canning season. The Snider Preserve Company also maintains a plant near Tipton, where large quantities of tomato pulp are manufactured. From fifty to seventy-five men are given employment in this plant. There are four other canning factories located in Tipton county. The canning industry was established in Tipton county in 1890 by the late Mayor X. S. Martz. By the analysis of soil made by Purdue University it became known that the black loam soil was peculiarly adapted to the culture of tomatoes, and, taking advantage of this announcement, Mr. Martz established a canning factory, and the quantity and quality of the Tipton county tomato is known in all the markets in the United States.

Another important industry is the Oakes Manufacturing Company. In this plant incubators and incubator supplies are manufactured. The company conducts a mail order business and local business men say that it is not un¬ usual to see an immense truck load of incubators leaving the factory to go to all parts of the world. About one hundred men are employed in this factory. The business of the company is said to increase steadily from year to year on account of the fact that it controls many of the best patents on devices used in connection with the poultry business.

Tipton has two buggy factories, the Binkley Buggy Company and the Charles Bros. Carriage Factory. The Binkley company manufactures from twelve hundred to fifteen hundred buggies a year and employs from sixty to seventy men. The products of the factory are shipped to all parts of the country. The Charles Bros, factory is a smaller concern that specializes in a higher grade vehicle. About twenty-five men are employed there.

The J. J. McIntosh broom factory is one of the largest in Indiana and its reputation extends to several states. The demand for the output is beyond its manufacturing capacity, which is about fifty dozen a day.

City Finances

From the general fund there are expenditures amounting to $23,483.14, and the monies coming into this fund amount to $23,477.84, leaving a bal¬ ance of $5.30.

These funds are stated in terms of the amount of money which came into the funds during the year, and omitting the expenditures made from the same.

Postoffice History

From the postoffice department at Washington, D. C. the following list of postmasters who have served at Tipton, the county seat, was obtained John S. Ressler, appointed November 28, 1845; Isaac Parker, appointed May 11, 1857; Samuel L. Knisell, March 16, 1861; David Knisell, January 14, 1863; William Stivers, January 20, 1864; Stephen Lowley, November 4, 1864; Robert M. Roberson, July 18, 1885; John M. Robinson, August 17, 1889; B. W. S. Ressler, October 6, 1893; James B. Johns, September 18, 1897; Marvin W. Pershing, September 26, 1901 ; M. W. Kinder, January 31, 1910; Frank S. Vawter, February 19, 1914.

Lowley, who served twenty years, and M. \V. Fershing is second, with eight years and five months. The first important change in the postoffice at Tipton was in 1873, when the money order business was established. In 1882 the office was changed from the fourth class to the third or presidential class. Two years afterward, in 1884, the office was destroyed by fire. In 1902 the office became a second class office ; in this same year the international money order business was established. The first rural route was in 1899, but in 1905 a county rural free mail delivery system was inaugurated. The city free mail delivery was established on February 1, 1909, and at the same time a sub¬ station was established near the Lake Erie & Western depot. The postal sav¬ ings bank was installed in the year 1911, and in 1913, the parcel post system. This increased demand for work has come to necessitate larger working ca¬ pacity. Negotiations are now under way for a federal building, which pro¬ motion seems assured of success in the near future.