Etna Township

Etna Township

Etna Township is bounded on the north by Scott, east by Prairie and Harrison townships, soutli by the Tippecanoe River, and west by Marsliall County. The settlement was not so early in this as in some other tow-nships, the first locations being made by Solomon Klingerman, Charles Rockbill and Itobei't Reed in 1843. The same year the Bowmans, Abraham and William, settled near the first, all near where the village of Etna Green is located. From 1850 until the war began Etna Township rapidly improved, and a large settlement was made. It is now a productive region, and the farmers are prosperous. The first tow'nship election was held in Etna Green in 1853; Joel Letfel was elected Justice of the Peace, and Samuel B. Gay, Constable.

David Carr and Levi Keeler were proprietors of the town, and laid it out in 1853. Keeler erected a store building and put in a stock of goods the same year. He was also appointed postmaster, the oflice being established in 1854.

David Carr built a mill in 1852 at this place, the first in the township. A school was established in 1854, and Miss Stallaid was the teacher. Etna Green now has a good school building with 156 pupils in attendance. Professor Joseph M. Gaskill, Principal; Miss Kitt Ruscher, Intermediate, and Miss Blanch Lutes in charge of the Primary Department. J. F. Andrews, M. J. Hamlin and A. C. Jordan are school trustees.

Etna Green is an incorporated village, having a population of 380. The trustees are: James CuUison, AVilliam L. AYood and Joseph T. Lefi'el. Henry W. Graham, Clerk; John B. Hire, Treasurer, and Anthony F. Leffel, Marshal. Samuel Melick is the genial postmaster, whose appointment was made October 25, 1885.

There are three cluirch buildings in the village, the Methodist Episcopal, United Brethren and Disciples. liev. Civet has charge of tlie Hrst, liev. Somers uf the second, and Ilev. Burroughs of the Disciples congregation.

Jubilee Lodge, No. 268, I. O. O. F., was organized JVoveuiber 20, 18G6. The present officers are: James \Yatson, Noble Grand; James Cullison, Vice-Grand; William E. Gay, Recording Secretary; William E. Baker, Permanent Secretary; Ed F. Shiun, Treasurer. The lodge is in a prosperous condition, with a membership of thirty-live. The Odd Fellows own a substantial two-story building, the second floor of which was fitted especially for lodge purposes. As an adjunct to this society there is a lodge of Daughters of Rebecca, which has quite a large membership.

The officers were: Thomas A. Smailes, Commander; J. F, Andrews, Senior Vice- Commander; A. N. Leland, Junior Vice- Commander; William li. Bowman, Quartermaster; H. W. Graham, Adjutant; II. M. Swigart, Surgeon; William E. Baker, Officer of the Day; Thomas Copeland, Officer of the Guard.

The post has had seventy-six names on the muster roll, but transfers to other posts has reduced the membership to forty-six. The officers elect for the current year are as follows: William E. Baker, Commander; Jacob Silvins, Senior Vice-Commander; David Poor, Junior Vice-Commander; J. F. Andrews, Quartermaster; H. W. Graham, Adjutant; W. M. Kelly, Surgeon; Daniel Hand, Officer of the Day; James Watson, Officer of the Guard.