Franklin Township

Franklin Township

Franklin Township, lying in the middle of the north tier of townships in Putnam County, comprises tite Congressional township >Xo. 16 north, range 4 west, and is bounded on the north by Montgomery County, on the east by Jackson Township, on the south by Monroe Township, on the west by Russell Township. Its surface is roiling, presenting to the view a varied appearance. The township is drained by Raccoon Creole in the north, North Ramp Creek through the center, and South Ramp Creek in the southwest, all of which take a westward course. The soil of the township is very fertile, producing fine crops of grain and grass. The township is well supplied with timber, consisting principally of poplar, walnut, oak, hickory, beech and ash. The Louisville, New Albany & Chicago Railroad crosses the township north and south, running through the eastern tier of sections, and the Indianapolis, Decatur & Springfield Railroad runs east and west. It is inhabited by an enterprising class of farmers who, improving its natural advantages, have placed it in the front rank of the townships of Putnam.

1824, two years after the organization of the county. In that year James Gordon and "William Elrod settled in that part of the county, being the first to make their way thither. They were joined the next year by Garrett Gibson and James Fiddler. In 1820 came David ! James, Thomas House, David House, Joshua Burnett, William Giddons, John Miller, Samuel Osborn and Thomas Batman. The new-comers for 1827- '28 were James Makemson, the Lafolletts, the Henkles, Mr. Brothers and Thomas Grider. During the next year John Dickerson, A. Osborn, Samuel and Isaac Brown arrived, and were joined in 1830-31, by James Stephens, George Wright, the Catherwoods, Jesse Ilyraer, James G. Edwards, Philip Carpenter. A. S. Farrow and others.

The first habitation of the white man in the I township was erected in the thirty-sixth sec- ! tion by the first white inhabitant, James ! Gordon. The first blacksmith's forge that I rang its peals in that neighborhood was put | up °and worked in 1828 by Philip Lemon. I The first store was kept by Philip Carpenter, I and was located south of the site of Carpen- ! tersville in the year 1*31. The first white child born in the township was James Gor- don, son of Anderson Gordon. The first I school was taught by a man named Elliott in i 1839, in the neighborhood of Fincastle. i William Elrod was the first justice of the I peace. The present incumbents of that office | are Alexander Picked and Squire Dickerson. I Henry Rogers located here in 1832, and became the first practitioner of medicine in the. township. The present practicing physicians are Drs. Harris, Culver, Stanley and Stephens.

The first church organization was effected by the Presbyterians, who at an early day held meetings at the house of George Pearey, on section 1, Monroe Township, but soon removed into a church on section 36, in Franklin. This congregation was under the pastoral charge of Rev. James II. Shields. The Presbyterians now have a house of worship and a good membership at Carpentersville. The Christian denomination next organized about the year 1827. Eiders Coombs, Ilaney, Harris and G rider were among their first preachers. Their present church edifice is located at Fincastle. The Regular Baptists were organized in 1829, at James Fiddler's house, by Rev. Nathan Keeney. They at present have a fair membership, who worship ina church-building on section 21. For some cause the Methodists did not push their organization into Franklin as early as into other townships of the county. Their history is, therefore, more meager than that of other denominations. They have a church at Carpentersviile where they are represented by a good membership. They have, also, a brick church at Fincastle, the finest edifice of the kind in the township.

Carpentersviile, situated near the southeast corner of the township, on the Louisville, New Albany & Chicago Railroad, was laid out about the year 1840, by Philip Carpenter, who had been carrying on a tan-yard there for several years prior to that time. Logan Sutherlin was the first merchant and a Mr. Bradford the first blacksmith. William King taught the first school, and Dr. Cross, now of Bainbridge, was the first physician. The Methodist Episcopal church was the first organized, and the Presbyterian followed soon afterward. Both of these denominations now have church edifices in the village, which has 250 inhabitants.

Fincastle, located in the western part of this township, was laid out in the year 1838, by John Obenchain. A store was soon opened by Allen Pierson, and a blacksmith shop by the Conner Brothers. The first school was taught by Wilson Turner who was also the first resident physician. The moral interests of the community are represented by two churches. The Universalist church was organized by W. W. Carry in 1861, and an elegant brick structure was erected for their accommodation in the same year. The following-named ministers served this church during its early years: S. E. Ballard, E. M. Manford, Miss Prudy LeClerc, B. F. Foster, Mr. Biddlecomb and T. S. Guthrie. The village has about 100 inhabitants.

Roachdale, in the northern part of the township, was laid out in the autumn of 1879, by Elijah Grantham, on the southeast quarter of section 1. It was named in honor of the late Judge Roach, of Indianapolis. The first buildings (a store and a dwelling) were built by Mr. Grantham. Both have been since burned. The first blacksmith shop was built by S. B. Sweeney, who still owns and runs it. The first hotel was begun by William Atkins, of Green castle, and completed by E. Grantham. It is the present McCoy House. The first harness shop was started by its present proprietor, W. 11. Rich. The postoffice was established in 1880. The first livery stable was established in 1882, by J. R. Miller. The first physician was Dr. J. T. Seller, who died in 1884. The village now claims 350 inhabitants, and has two drug and grocery stores, one harness shop, one hardware store, one implement store, one furniture and implement store, one shoe shop, one barber shop, two hotels, one restaurant, three blacksmith shops, two livery stables, one wagon and repair shop, two millinery shops, one flonring-mill, one sawmill, one grain elevator and two physicians. The village is incorporated, and has (in 1887) the following officers: Isaac Edwards (President); J. W. King, J. W. Sutherlin and W.

U18T0Hy Of Putnam County

II. Smith, Trustees: R. M. Redding, Mar- j shal; G.J. Hennon, Clerk; George Justice, ] Justice of the Peace; S. W. Boner, Treasurer; Dr. W. T. McCarty, Secretary of Board of j Health.

Greencastle Township is the central one of the county, exactly coinciding with Congressional township 14, range 4, and is bounded on the north by Monroe, on the east by Marion, on the south by Warren, and on the west by Madison. The surface of the township is generally rolling, though some parts along Walnut are broken, and some in the eastern portion are flat. The soil is good and finely adapted for all kinds of agricultural, pursuits suitable to its latitude. The creek bottoms are especially productive. It was originally covered with an abundant growth of as line timber as could be found in any part of the country. This consisted of the kinds common to such soil. The yellow and black walnut were especially attractive. With these were the other kinds common throughout the county.

The township is drained by Big Walnut, which crosses it diagonally from northeast to southwest, running to the north and west of Greencastle. A heavy and valuable bed of limestone underlies the entire township, giving character to its topography. The township was one of the first settled and is finely improved. Enjoying the location of the county seat near its center, it has special facilities for the development of its natural resources.

Greencastle Township was settled in 1821. by John Sigler, Thomas Johnson, John Miller, Benjamin Jones, Silas G. Weeks, Jubal Doweese, Amos Robertson. John F. Seller, David Deweese, Jefferson Thomas, Thomas Deweese and Samuel Rogers, In 1822 and

1823 came Abraham (oilman. Solomon Coifman. Nicholas GofFman, Isaac Legg, Colonel Lewis 11. Sands, General Joseph Orr, James Talbott, Aniasa Johnson, Robert Glidewell, P. S. Wilson, Ephraim Dukes, John W. Clark, William B." Gwathney, Michael Wilson, John Butcher, Master, and Spencer Hunter, William Talbott, Colonel Daniel Sigler, Lawson D. Sims, Matthew Legg, Rev. John Oatman, Joshua 11. Lucas. Greenberry Mnllinix, Joseph Thornburg, Arthur Mahomey, Jacob Butcher, Robert. Catterlin, James Trotter, Elisha King, Samuel Chipman, Arthur McGaughey, Reese Harclesty, Colonel Matthew W. Bussey, Jesse Neese, Henry Canote, John Lynch, Thomas Jackson, Noble Meyers. John McNary, James Allen, Lewis Gibson, Solomon Tucker, Jesse Purcell, Daniel and Samuel Chadd, John Reck, Hiram Catterlin, Samuel Hunter, Edo-;u- Thomas, James Duffield, Mr. Devoor, the Wrights, Joseph Thomberry, John and Benjamin Cunningham, and their father. During the years 1824 and 1825 George Secrest, Henry Secrest, Clark Burlingame (a Revolutionary soldier), and his sons Abel and Spencer Burlingame, General John Standeford, James Moore, James Day, Dr. Enos Lowe, John Gregory, Joseph F. Farley, George V. Waterman, Thomas Johnson, John Lockhart and William Peck became citizens of the township. The next two years brought Isaac Ash, John S. Jennings, Ephraim Blain, Dr. A. C. Stevenson, Dr. L. M. Knight, Colonel John R. Mahan, Isaac Malian, Lawson Seyj bold, John Hammond, John Oowgill, Peter I Rowlett, William Holland, Philip Carpenter, | Elisha Knight, John Knight and Wesley ! Knight, and perhaps many others whose | names are lost among the increasing multi- I tude who were rapidly filling the country.

To Wns11W Sketches

and of the city of Green castle, that but little remains to be told. The first births and deaths, the first physicians and ministers, the first business enterprises and the organization of the religions denominations, the building of the first mills and factories have all been mentioned elsewhere.

The first tannery was kept by Walter and Ilosea "Wright, who were followed by the Gillespies. Milton F. Barlow was the first hatter. Arthur Mahorney was the first justice of the peace. Other early justices were Isaac Mahau, David Dudley. Reese Ilardesty, John Cowgill, James M. Grooms, Samuel Taylor, Joseph F. Farley, John J. Taylor and Wesley White. The first constable was Joseph Lynch, who held the office for many years. Even some of the younger portion of the community can remember when he still discharged the duties of that office with promptness and energy though bearing the weight of many years,

There are several gravel-roads through the township connecting Greencastle with different portions of the country, and affording the farmers easy access to market, and along these at various points are to be seen many splendid farm residences displaying taste and liberality on the part of their owners.

The farmers of the township arc largely engaged in raising live-stock, and in their fields and stalls are to be found some of the finest in the State.

The village called Greencastle Junction is at the crossing of the Terre Haute tfc Indianapolis Railroad and the Louisville, New Albany £ Chicago road, and is located on section 29, Greencastle Township, two miies southwest of the court-house. It was laid out in 1864, by William Stegg, and surveyed by William H. Shields. The population numbers about 250. Asa shipping point its advantages are of a superior character. It is

' directly connected with the larger cities of the country, north, south, east and west. I The citizens support a good graded school. I The postoffice is called Limedale.

In the year 1856 a lime and stone quarry j was opened at the Junction by llellens, j Butcher & Stegg, and carried on extensive- ! ly, shipping stone and lime to the value of | £20,000 per annum. The Yandalia Railroad ! Company has, also, a quarry at this point, i from which the annual shipment of stone reaches the value of $50,000.