Clinton Township

Clinton Township

In this township, which bears the name of DeWitt Clinton, settle¬ ment began at a very early date. While in a majority of the town¬ ships constituting a part of Cass County, the Indian was roaming at will and the white maq had not yet appeared upon the scene, a man was found who was in no wise daunted and feared not to take up his abode in the wildwoods of Clinton. This gentleman was James Birch. He came late in the year 1826, or early in the year 1827, and selected for his future home the land now owned by Benjamin Simons. Mr. Birch came with the firm resolution of clearing away the forests and of causing the land thus covered to yield sustenance for man. Acccordingly he went vigorously to work, and in a short time a small patch of ground was cleared, which day by day extended its area into a field of nine or ten acres. Thus, upon what is now the Simons farm was planted and grown the first grain known in Clinton Township. About the same time, William Newman settled next above him under the bluff.

In the year 1828, Christian Simons, father of Peter, Isaac, Leon¬ ard, John, George and Benjamin Simons, the latter still a worthy citizen of the township, came to what is now Clinton, and purchased the claim of Mr. Birch. The entire tract of land which Mr. Simons bought at that time is now owned by Benjamin Simons and Andrew Young.

In every difficult undertaking, nothing is so essential as bold, resolute leaders. The forests being broken, a beginning being made, others were not slow to follow, and soon quite a little colony was formed in the township.

Those who came in the year 1829 were as follows : Jacob Neff, who settled on the Hamburg farm; William Neff, who settled on the William Newman farm; Christian Radebaugh, on the farm owned. by his son Adam; Andrew Young, on what is now the Shanklin farm; Joseph, John and Hugh Woods, on the farm now owned by the widow of William Brown ; Isaac Martin, on the Isaac Young farm ; Judge Robert Edwards, on the John Briggaman tract of land ; Hiram Calberfc, bn the farm owned by the Berryman heirs; John P. Miller, on the Alfred Wagoner farm; Thomas Chambers, on the land belonging to Alfred Porter; and William Lewis, on the farm where he is still living. The same year * (1829), Jonathan Neff, still an esteemed citizen of the township, came and purchased the land upon which he is now living. He did not move, however until the Fall of 1830.

In the year 1830, Daniel Neff, whose widow is still living, settled on the farm where his son Daniel lives. Others of the same year were Joseph Clymer, who settled on the M. Reed farm; Jos. Fitzer, who still lives on the farm where he settled ; James Chambers, on what is at present the Saylors farm ; George Shidler, on the land owned by his son Abraham ; John Dodds, on the place belonging to his son ; Elias Shidler, who settled on the farm the present property of David H. Clymer; and John Hynes, on the farm where he is living.

After 1830, the township began to be rapidly settled, many changes occurring about that time, which renders it exceedingly diffi¬ cult to give date and location farther. The following are known to have been in the township at an early date, and by their energy aided materially in bringing Clinton into her present prosj>erou8 con¬ dition : John Myers, Wm. Goble, Daniel Reed, Wm. Reed, John Shuey and sons, Daniel and Michael, Richard Tyner, Joseph Oliver, Henry H. Helm (in 1835), and Hewiit L. Thomas, in 1836.

The subject of schools and the proper training of the young claimed the attention of the citizens before that of religious meetings and churches. Accordingly, at the early date of 1830, a log school house was built on the Simons farm. The first school in this house was taught in the Winter of 1830 and '31, by John Martin, at a salary of eight dollars per month. The next school was taught by a Mr. Fuller. About the year 1835, the population had increased to such an extent that more school houses were needed. Accordingly two were built, one on the Shidler farm and the other on the land belonging to Mr. Thomas.

The first religious meeting in the township was held at William Neff's, by the Methodists, in 1831. The next demonination was the Presbyterians, who held regular worship in the Shidler school house. The ministers were Messrs. Post and Strong.

The first regular church in the township was built at Clymer's station, by the Methodists. About the same time, another church was built on the Atkinson farm.

The township was organized March 4, 1834. The first election was held soon after the organization was completed, at the house of John P. Miller. The first Justice of the Peace was William Goble. The first Constable was Thomas Chambers. Mr. J. P. Miller was early chasen Township Trustee.

In the year 1831, there was born to Elias Shidler a son, who was probably one of the first children born of white parents in the town¬ ship.

In 1829, died Lydia, wife of Wm. Neff. About the same time, died Mary, wife of Isaac Martin. The latter was the first person buried in the Shidler grave yard. The year following, 1830, died Hugh Woods, brother of Joseph Woods.

The Wabash River forms the northern boundary of Clinton Town¬ ship. We need not, therefore, tell the reader that she possesses some very fertile land. In the way of general improvements, she has made very creditable progress. Her churches, with name and location, can be found by reference to the township map. Her school houses are six ; enrolled school children,-.

is a station on the Toledo, Wabash & Western Railroad. It was , laid out by George Clymer, about the time of the building of said read. It has never grown to be of any great imj>ortance. Its busi¬ ness men are Dr. Landreg, general store; John R. Rhea, general merchant; Mrs. Stoddard, groceries and notions, and David Clymer, saw-mill.