Jackson Township

Jackson Township

Jackson was organized March 8, 1838, and embraced at that time Monroe Township. It is in the southeastern part of the county, and is bounded on the north by Monroe Township, east by Whitley County, south by Wabash County, and on the west by Lake and Clay Townships.

James Abbott and family settled on section 13, September 17, 1834. In the autumn of 1835 Alexander Hapner and Abner Mc- Courtney came in and from that date numerous emigrants arrived.

James Abbott planted an orchard and the first crop of corn in Jackson Township in the spring of 1835. Abner, son of Samuel and Elma Abbott, was born June 11 of that year, the first white child born in the township.

In 1837 a road was surveyed and opened from Warsaw to Springfield, Whitley County, which passed through the northeastern part of the township.

John Hall erected a mill on McCourtney Creek in 1839. This saw-mill also had connected a burr for grinding corn. James Abbott and son erected the first steam sawmill on section 26, in 1846.

The first township election was held at the house of Abner McCourtney in 1838. Jesse Kyler was at that time elected justice of the peace. A postoffice was established at the house of the latter in 1889 and he was ap-

Tiie Dnnkards iirst settled Jackson Township, and in 1840 a society was organized. The iirst German Baptist church was erected on the farm of Joseph Ulrey in 1861.

The Eel River Railroad passes through sections 13 and 14, and the New York, Chicago ifc St. Louis Railroad across the township from southeast to northwest.

Sidney is located in the northern part of Jackson Township and was surveyed and platted by Messrs. Daniel Snell, John Mowan and Aaron Stumpff, in the autumn of 1881.

Gustavus A. Boltz purchased the first lot, and erected a residence and saw-mill in December, 1881. A farm house stood upon the site of Sidney in which resided Henry Goodyear and family.

Daniel Snell erected the first business house in 1881, into which Radcliff, Mc- Namara & Co. opened a stock of general merchandise. Frank B. Moe opened a hardware store in 1882, and William Klingel a harness-shop the same year. The first blacksmith was Samuel Hartzog; the first wagon - maker T. J. Twining.

In 1882 Dr. T. A. Lancester located in the village. He left in 1886 and his place is now ably filled by Drs. S. C. Loring and G. B. Hoopengarner. The latter opened the first stock of drugs in the new town.

Daniel Snell, who has been for many years a large contractor and builder, erected a large two story building in 1884, and put in a large stock of furniture.

There are now three stores that deal in general merchandise; two grocery stores and such other business establishments that make Sidney a popular trading point. The grain and lumber interests are large, and much money is received and paid out in those departments.

District No. 2 School was standing inside the village limits when the town was surveyed. There are two teachers employed, and one hundred scholars in attendance.

The postoffice was established in 1882. E. M. Radclift", first postmaster. He resigned in 1884 and was succeeded by Daniel Snell, who in 1885 gave w'ay to the Democratic appointee, F. B. Moe.

There is only one church in Sidney, but it is used in comn^on by the Christians, to whom the church belongs, the Methodists, German Baptists and Progressive Brethren. The church was erected in 1884. The Christian society was organized in November, 1886, the Methodist society in August, 1886, and the Brethren in September of that year.

Sidney owes its success to the enterprising people who have been induced to locate there, and if to any man in particular, the credit l)elongs to Daniel Snell, who has done much to improve the town and has aided many with the jneans to erect homes. Sidney is well located, and is a thriving and enterpi-ising village of 300 inhabitants.

Monroe is bounded on the north by Washington Township, east by Whitley County, south by Jackson and west by Clay Township. It was organized March 8, 1855, and given the name of Chester, but in December of that year it was reorganized and given its present name.

This township was uninhabited by white men until 1836, and from the l)est information obtainable, William Norris was the first actual settler. He made a location on section 24, in 1837. Iliram Bennett, a shiftless fellow, had preceded him in 1836, but had made no improvements, neither can it be definitely learned just where he located. His stock in trade consisted of a jug of whisky, which was sold to the Indians in the neighborhood.

Thomas York settled on section 15 in 1839, and was the first man to plant a crop of corn. John Cuppy, John Copelin and H. I. Stevens settled in Monroe Township the same year, and Ulysses Stevens, son of the latter, was born August 2, 1840, the first recorded white birtli. The same year Michael Kyan married a daughter of Thomas York.

The first officers of Monroe Township were appointed at the March term of court by the county commissioners, and were as follows: H. I. Stevens, James Norris and Jacob Rodgers, trustees. After appointment they met at the home of Mr. Stevens, and Daniel Miller was appointed clerk of the township.

In 1841 a Christian society was organized at the house of Abner McCourtney, who, with Samuel Abbott and wife, James Abbott and wife, John Abbott and wife, Ale.xander Hapner and wife, with Peter Circle and wife, under the ministry of Rev. John Plummer, formed a society. For many years they worshiped at private houses, and later in the school-houses, until a church was eree-ted on section 24 in 1868. The Sabbath-school was organized in 1840, with Samuel Abbott, superintendent.

Monroe Grange, No. 425, was organized October 9, 1872. Tiie officers -were: II. I. Stevens, Master; J. P. Thomas, Secretary; D. McPherson, Treasurer; Ira Richhart, Lecturer, and E. M. Idle, Chaplain.

The Grange element are in the majority in Monroe Township, and for a number of years the order was in a flourishing condition. While in the height of its popularity the order erected a hall, but the interest in the cause has gradually decreased until but few retain their membership.