Jefferson Township

Jefferson Township

Jefferson Township consists of the first thirty sections of township 13, range 3, and is bounded on the north by Marion, on the east by Mill Creek, on the south by Cloverdale, and on the west by Warren Township It is drained by Mill Creek, and was originally timbered, as the neighboring townships. The soil is a rich loam, suitable for the production of grass and grain. At one time it formed a part of what was called Deer Creek Township, which included Jefferson, Warren and Cloverdale. In the year 1846 Warren and Jefferson gave off enough to make

The first settlers, called squatters, consisted of four families - three named Uiggins, and one named Kirk - who made temporary settlements on section 16, in the year 1819. John 0. Sherrill made his entry of land in the autumn of 1822. Jacob Clark, George Ilendrick, William Albin, George Hurst, David Hurst, John Gillman, Absalom Hurst, Abraham Hurst and a Mr. Langwell,all came in that year or the early part of the next.

After this, settlements were made so rapidly that it is almost impossible to note them as they occurred. From 1822 to 1833 the larger portion of the land was taken up by entry, and but few pieces remained unentered after the year 1836.

Mrs, J. M. Buntin came to the township at the age of three years, with her father, William Albin, in 1822, and has resided continuously on the old homestead for a period of fifty-six years.

The first marriage was that of William Aldrich and Betsey Iliggins in the year 1823. The next was that of Henry Nosier and Mary Hurst, which was solemnized by David Scott, Esq., in 1821.

The family record of John C. Sherrill shows that his daughter Caroline was born on February 27, 1823, and she was probably the first child born in the township. She became the wife of Elijah McCarty, but is now deceased. Probably the next was Andrew McMains - named after his father - born June 10, 1824.

The first mill in the township was built by John Hadden in 1826; the next in 1829, by John Allee. These were both horse-mills. The first water-mill was built on Higgins' Creek in 1834 by John Smith, These mills afforded all the facilities then required for the production of meal and flour.

It appears from the church records that the Regular Baptists organized Mill Creek Church at the house of Rev. Absalom Hurst, in 1828, and in 1830 built a log meetinghouse near the site of their present one. They have maintained their organization ever since, and have twice rebuilt.

The date of organization of the Methodist church cannot be given. In 1838 they built a hewed-log church, called Jones' Meetinghouse. The congregation went down in 1856, after which the house was used as a shop.

The Missionary Baptists organized jSTew Providence Church at the house of John C. Sherrill in 1839, and built a log house of worship in the succeeding year. They have since rebuilt, and now have a commodious, handsome house. There are at the present time in the township five houses of public worship. Rev. Absalom Hurst was the first resident minister in the township, and was considered the founder of Mill Creek Church.

The schools of the township were organized in 1834, The books containing the records, kept by John Allee, treasurer of the township trustees, show that he received from the school fund commissioner of the county, the following amounts : In the year 1834, $116.3% 1835. $191.93f ; 1836, $131.06 J; 1837, 8152; total for four years, $591.31*.

The village of Mount Meridian was laid out by William Heavin and Bryce W. Miller, in the year 1833. It was at first called Carthage, but in order that the town and the