Harrison Township

Harrison Township

This township occupies a place in the south tier of townships. It is bounded on the south by Hendricks County, on the east by Perry Township, on the west by Jackson Township, and on the north by Center Township. It contains nearly twenty-four sections, about one section being taken off the northwest corner. If this corner was full it would be square, and would contain twenty-five sections. The surface is level to a great extent. The headwaters of Eel River have their source here, flowing out of and through the extensive prairie known as "Stoner's Prairie." It was thought at one time that the above lands could not be cultivated, but that idea has long since exploded and many acres are now profitably tilled, An extensive system of drainage has been introduced with good results. New Brunswick and Milledgeville are both in Harrison. They each contain several business houses, churches, postoffices, etc. The population of the township in 1880 was 1,401; number of school houses, 9; number of school children in 1884 was 414; number of brick houses, 4; number of frames,5. Harrison was settled about the year 1834 by the following persons: James Dale, George Johnson, William Butey, R. M. Cumels, Philip Sicks, Caleb Sherley, John Scott, A. Hillis, John McCormack, William Abner, William Joseph, Nick. Yount, James Chitwood, William and James Edwards, Joseph and George Keeth, Fleming Dickerson, Bennet Cline, Jacob Huff, Geo. Walters, Jos. Shepherd, Nathaniel Scott, G. W. Scott, Geo. Sheeks, J. Ingram, Noah Chitwood, Seth Goodwin, Daniel Turner, Jacob Dinsmore. J. B. Fear, Daniel Logan, W. H. Crose, Wm. Britton, the Shirleys. The first election was held at the cabin of W. Logan in 1836, when Wm. Buttery was elected Justice of the Peace. Among the early marriages were Wm. Johnson to Isabella Dale, G. T. Buttery to Barbara Scott, and Jeremiah Craven to Miss James. The first land entered was by James 8. Dale, who also built the first cabin. The first death was the wife of David James in March, 1837. The first: settlers of Harrison Township had many disadvantages to contend with. The surface of the land was covered with water, and where there was no prairie a heavy growth of timber and brush confronted them, and now and then a den of rattlesnakes chimed in to make music for them. Here, as well as in other townships, the first meetings were held in private houses. The first meeting was held at the house of Geo. H. Johnson in 1835, where a few pioneers gathered to hear a Baptist minister preach. arly meetings were also held at the house of Geo. Sheeks. Soon after a log house was built, which saw its day and then gave way to a more modern structure. Harrison Township now contains several frame edifices of different orders, where the citizens gather to hear the gospel preached. The population of Harrison in 1870 was 1,209 ; in 1880 it was 1,401. The number of voters in 1886 was 332. The following have served as Trustees: J. M. Shaw, Sampson Sheeks, W. H. Clements, G. W. Scott, Ora Knowlton, Jas. H. Pinnell, M. P. Higgins, W. H. Ragsdale, H. C. Ulin, J.S. Black, J. H. Acton, John Huffman, and Samuel Scott, now acting, was elected April. 1886.