Harrison Township

Harrison Township

The territory comprising this townsliip was originally a part of Wayne. It was organized March 8, 1838, and is bounded on the north by Prairie Township and the Tippecanoe River, east by Wayne, soutli by Seward and Franklin townships, west by Marshall County. Trimble Creek passes through the township from southeast to northwest, and Isham Summy erected the fiirst grist and saw-mill upon the banks of that stream in 1838.

The two first settlers were James AVooden and Andrew Sell, who came in the spring of 1884. The first located on section 18, Mr. Sell on section 19, and their log cabins were the first erected in the township.

No other families came into the township for two years, but eight families located lands in 1836. Tliey were Christian Sarber, Isham Summy, William Blue, Joseph Snivelly, Thomas Reed, John and Daniel Underbill and Thomas Roraine.

A postottice was established in 1836 at the house of James Wooden, where it remained until removed to Palestine, after which Isham Summy became postmaster. Daniel Underbill opened a small stock of

Harrison Township has been the home of a number of eminent men, among whom is Hon. William Williams, whose marriage April 21), 1840, to Miss Eliza J. Douglas, was the first marriage ceremony performed in the townshij).

A school-house was erected in 1838 on section 29, and like all schools in an early day was maintained by subscription. Henry Bradley was the first teacher.

The first society to organize and build a house of worship were the United Brethren. Re\'. Jesse B. Slight organized a class consisting of Lawrence Easterly and wife, Noah Tinkey and wife, in 1844. In 1855 they erected a log church on section 10, and until their present church was erected in 1870, services were held in the log building.

In 1849 a Methodist Episcopal church was organized at the house of John W. Dunnuck. The members ia 1851 erected a log church on section 31, and in the autumn of that year it was dedicated by Elder John B. De Mott, and Rev. Cornelius Dowd was installed pastor.

To see the dilapidated village to-dav, tiie stranger might conceive that the name was a misnomer, yet the time was when Palestine was a handsome, thrifty village. Like many inland towns, the business has been attracted to others situated upon railroads in the vicinity, which, unfortunately for Palestine, induced her business men to remove to other places. Isham Summy laid out the village in 1837, and for many years it prospered.

Dr. A. M. Towl, of Sevastopol, made his iirst location here, and other iiieu of note have engaged in both mercantile and professional business, many of whom became wealthy wliile residents of the town.

Dr. F. M. Pearman is yet the resident physician, and for almost a quarter of a century has remained at his post, beloved and respected by all.

In 1854 a Methodist church was organized in Palestine, and in 1855 the society converted a bhicksmith shop into a house of worship. In 1859 the building committee, A. E. Mayer, John Fresh and William Sarber, succeeded in raising funds to complete their new church, and it was dedicated by Kev. Jacob Colclazer in December of that year.

John Dulaney was superintendent of the Methodist Episcopal Sunday-school, that was organized in the old blacksmith shop in 1855. Pniininent among the Christian workers in the church were A. E. Mayer, William Sarber, Dr. Pearman, J. W. Dunnuck and .lohn W. McKrill. The latter is now identiiied with the Methodist church at Silver Lake.

Mrs. Agnes Teegarden and Harvey Hunt laid out this village September 29, 1857. Fortunately the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne, & t'hicago Piiilway passed thi-ough it, and the village is quite an important ti'ading point. The place was tirst called " Afount Ruska," but the name was by a petition of the citizens in 1865 changed to Atwood. A postoffice was established in 1864, Ira Ilovey, postmaster. Oak Pidge jiostotiice was established on section :51 in 1877, but was removed to Mentone in 18S2, but is still within the limits of Harrison Township.

The graded school-building was erected in 1878, costing $1,575. Harry Graham was principal. Miss Lizzie Reed, teacher of the primary. Eighty-live scholars are enrolled at this date. Professor William McKinley is principal. Miss Josie Keece has charge of the intermediate and primary departments.

The Atwood Methodist church was organized in 1866, by Rev. E. P. Church. In 1868 a handsome frame house was erected costing $2,000. The Sunday-school is an important feature of church work and was organized the same year the church was dedicated. Rev. Civets has charge of the congregations ot Atwood and Etna Green. The United Brethren also have a church building, and regular services are held by Rev. Kese^'.

The Odd Fellows have a membership of twenty-five, with the following gentlemen tilling the chairs, J. R. Stooksberry, Noble Grand; M. G. Carles, Vice-Grand; W. W. McKinley, Recording Secretary; T. W. Shank, Permanent Secretary; D. S. Welch, Treasurer.

The roster shows twenty-si.\ members in good standing, with officers as follows: Jacob Kyle, Commander; James House, Senior Vice-Commander; C. Rose, Junior Vice- Commander; .M. (). Carles, Quartermaster; AVilliam M. Vaughn, Adjutant; H. M. Swigart, Surgeon; Simeon Lutes, (Miaplain; J. A. Rovenstine, Officer of the Day; John Hibsman, Officer of the Guard.

Atwood has a population of 850, but its era of prosperity has been reached. It is rather a jiretty village, but no increase in po])nlation has l)een ma.de for sevt'ral y(\irs.