Johnson Township

Johnson Township

This township was originally a part of the "Miami Reserve," It accordingly was not settled so early as the adjoining townships, which were not included in this tract. By a treaty made with Miamis in 1838, a strip seven miles wide, lying along the western part of this reservation, was purchased by the United States. This was afterward ceded to the State of Indiana by the General Govern-

The treaty was scarcely completed and the land offered for sale before George 'Thomas settled on the farm where he is now living. His brothers, William and Charles, came at the same time, settling on what is now the Merritt farm.

To George Thomas and brothers is therefore due the honor of clearing the first patch of ground in the township, and also of raising the first corn and wheat grown within her borders.

For some time the Thomas brothers held undisputed sway of the forests of Johnson. In 1841, however, emigration turned in that direction, and before the close of the year the following men had fixed their home in the township: William Burget, who settled on the farm where he is still living; Mathew Orr, on the farm owned by his widow; Jacob Kirkindall, on the land belonging to John Pruett; John Bradburn, on what is now the Wiliam Williams farm; John Stevens, on the William Davis farm; and John Kirkindall, on the farm at present belonging to Amos Williams.

Those of 1842 were as follows: Isaac McClelland, who settled on the farm owned by the heirs of Mr. Orr; David Galbreath, on the A. Hillis farm; Mr. Nutter and his son John, on the land at

Those of 1843 were Uriah Edwards, on the Weaver farm; Adam Merritt on the farm owned by the Widow Orr (his son Samuel, who came at the same time, is now a resident of Scircleville) ; William Hobbs, on the land at present. belonging to William Gossip; Joseph Munnell, on the Wilson farm; Rockwell, on what is now the John Hillis farm; and James Hodgins and mother, whose exact location is unknown.

Among those who came in 1844, we name James Ransopher, William Edwards, Jeremiah Davis, Smith Voris, James and Henry Abraham, Isaac Geno, James Clark, Frederick Scott, George Rowland, and D. W. Wilson. 'The latter is now in his 78th year, making him perhaps the oldest man in the township.

Prominent among those who came in 1845-6, we mention Willis Ball, James Brown, E. McKinsey, Abraham and Ira Burnam, George Picksler, John Bristow, and George and Jackson McKinsey.

The first religious meeting in the township was held at the cabin of William Burget, in 1844, by the Baptists. Soon after this, the denomination known as Christians or Disciples held meetings at Galbreath's and McClelland's. The pioneer preachers were Lewis Wolcott and Solomon McKinney. The first church was a hewed log house, built in 1850, by the Christians. The next was by the Methodists, and known as * Swamp Creek Chapel."

In 1844, William Burget, Mathew Orr and Isaac McClelland, being interested in the cause of education, were instrumental in building the first school house of the township, which stood on the farm of Mr. Orr. From their own private funds they hired a man by the name of Peter Stowers, for the sum of $10 per month and board, who taught the first school, in the Winter of 1844-5. Isaac McClelland acted as School Examiner. Some other early teachers were Elijah Boxley, Nelson Purdom, William Louden, George H. Merritt, and Alfred Carver.

The township was organized at the March term of the Commissioners' Court, in 1843. They authorized an election to be held the first Monday of the following April, at the house of William Burget. Mr. Burget acted as Inspecter.

William Burget was chosen first Justice of the Peace - a position which he held for eighteen years. The first Trustees were Mathew Orr, Jacob Stroup and John Bristow. Lewis Vencill, George A. Kent and James Frier also served in the capacity at an early date. Willis Ball was the first Constable.

October 7, 1841, Lida, wife of William Burget, gave birth to a daughter, Jane, which was probably the first child born of white parents in the township.

Johnson, not being settled so early as her sister townships, does not claim to be foremost in improvements. She possesses much splendid land, a large part of which, being prairie, with good drainage, cannot be excelled in fertility and durability. Her lands are being put in a good state of cultivation.

Her churches, with name and location, may be seen by reference to the map found on another page of the Atlas. Her school houses are ; enrolled school children

This flourishing little village is situated on the line of the L., M. & B. B. B. It was laid out in 1873, by Adam Seircle. Its business men are as follows:

J. M. MeGinniss, General. Merchant; D. R. Sherer, Dry Goods and Drugs; George Mann, Hillisburgh Mills ; Corpse & Gunn, Saw- Mill; Jones Brothers, Carriage Shop; J. Swisher, Carriage and Blacksmith Shop; Charles Davenport, Hotel and General Mercha..t.

Mortonsville, Taylorsville, Burgett's Corner and Berlin were once places of some prominence, but on the building of the Frankfort & Kokomo Railroad and the L., M. & B. road, the business men of those towns moved to stations on the line of said railroads,

Source changes here: from History of Clinton County, Indiana. Together with Sketches of Its Cities, Villages and Towns, Educational, Religious, Civil, Military, and Political History, Portraits of Prominent Persons, and Biographies of Representative Citizens. Also a Condensed History of Indiana, Embodying Accounts of Prehistoric Races, Indian Wars, and a Brief Review of Its Civil and Political History, published 1886; 2,652 words in this source stream.

Johnson Township

Johnson is located in the eastern part of the county and is bounded on the north by Forest Township, on the east by Tipton County, on the south by Sugar Creek and Kirklin townsliips and on the west by Michigan Township. This township was not as early inhabited by the white man as many of her sister townships, for the reason that it was originally a part of the "Miami Reserve." In 1838 a strip seven miles wide lying along the western part of this reservation was purchased from the Miamis by the United States Government and subsequently ceded to the State of Indiana for the completion of the Wabash & Erie Canal from the mouth of the Tippecanoe River down, and Jolinson Township being included in this concession, her lai:d soon after came into the market. Settlement was not rapid on account of the land being low and wet and it was supposed to be worthless, except for grazing, for a long time, but after considerable money and labor had been expended in draining, this was seen to have been an error, for no better land is to be found in Clinton County than this township possesses. The soil is of a dark rich loam and is well adapted to wheat and corn, which are now its principal products.

The township is watered by Kilmore Creek, one branch of which has its rise within her borders in the southwest part and flows in a northeasterly direction.

clearing the first land and raising the first crop in this township. They came in 1839 and held undisputed sway until 1841, when immigration turned in that direction, and in that year came the late William Burget, who settled on the farm now owned and occupied by his heirs on section 27; Jacob Kinkindall, who located on land now owned by John Fruitt; John Bradburn, settling on the farm since owned by William Williams; John Stevens, on the William Davis farm, and John Kirkindall, on the farm now owned by A. Williams.

In 1842 came Isaac McLelland and located on the land now owned by the heirs of Mr. Orr; David Galbraitb, on the A. Hillis farm, and John Merritt, on the farm which he still owns.

Among the settlers who came in 1843 were Uriah Edwards, who settled on the Weaver farm; Adam Merritt, on the farm owned by the widow Orr; William Hobbs, on the W. Gossard farm; Joseph Munnell, on the land now owned by G. H. Wilson; and Mr. Rockwell, on the farm of the late John E. Hillis. During the next three years the settlement increased very rapidly.

Fiest Events

The first religious meeting was held in the cabin of William Burget, in 1844, by the Baptists. Soon after, the denomination known as Christians held meetings at the cabins of David Galbraith and Isaac McClelland. The first preachers were Lewis Wolcott and Solomon McKinney. The first church was built by the Christians in 1850. It was a hewed log structxire with puncheon floor, and was a traly primitive church.

The first school-house was built in 1844, on the farm of Mathew Orr. It was a log building, indicative of pioneer days, and was ei'ected by William Burget, Mathew Orr and Isaac McLelland from their own private resources, and they were really the found, ers of the educational interests of this township. With their own money they hired Peter Stowers to teach the first school in the winter of 1844-'5, he receiving as compensation for his services $10 a month and his board. Isaac McLelland was the first school examiner. Some of the early teachers were Elijah Boxley, Nelson Purdom, William Lowden, Geo. H. Merritt and Alfred Carver.

The first postoffice was located at Burget's Corner, and William Burget was the first postmaster. The first store was opened by William Burget, in which the postoffice was kept. The building which was erected for this purpose now stands in Scircleville and is used for a saloon.

Organization

Johnson Township was organized in March, 1843, and the first election was held the following April at the house of William Burget, who acted as inspector. At this election Mr. Burget was elected to the office of justice of the peace, which office he held for eighteen years. The first trustees were Mathew Orr, Jacob Stroup and John Bristow. Their successors were Lewis Vencill, Geo. A. Kent and James Frier. The present township officers are: M. L. Clark, Trustee; H. A. Keever and James Sanlins, Justices of the Peace; O. C. Moon, Assessor.

The Lake Erie & Western Railroad traverses Johnson Township from east to west in the southern part, giving it six miles of railroad, with stations at Scircleville and Hillisburgh.

Population

The population of Johnson Township has probably had a more rapid and steady increase than that of any of its sister townships.. In 1850 it had reached 777, which is a larger number than many of the others had attained, although they were several years older. In 1860 the population was nearly double the above figures, being 1,521; and in 1870 it was 1,666; and in 1880 it had reached 2,103, and was therefore the third in the county.

Statistics

The number of acres of wheat sown in Johnson Township for 1886 is 4,085; corn, 4,024; oats, 131; number of acres in timothy, 690; clover, 894; wild grass, 1,120; acres of new land brought under cultivation for 1886 crops, 206; timber land, 2,143. There are 36,- 850 rods of drain tile in operation in this township.

Politically, Johnson is one of the reliable Democratic townships, and never varies from this sentiment except it be on some local issue. In 1884 Cleveland's majority was eighty-seven. Following is the vote of the township at the last general election November 4, 1884, for President, State and county officers:

Valuation And Taxation

As a means of interestinoj comparison we give the items of valuation and taxation for 1845: Polls, 45; acres of land, 7,395.92; value of lands, $8,840; value of improveraeuts, $2,050; value of land and improvements, $10,890; personal property, $4,417; total valuation of taxables, $15,307.

Valuation And Taxation, 1886

This village is located on the line of the Lake Erie & Western llailroad, on sections 3 and 10. It was laid out in 1873 by Adam Scircle. Josiah Drake opened the first stock of general merchandise here and John Scircle was proprietor of the first drugstore. The present business interests areas follows:

General merchants, Richey Bros, and Marshall Thatcher; drug; gist, T. Heaton; tile factory, Alfred Weaver; saw-mill, Chappel Bros.; elevator, Allen Bros.; undertakers, Howard & Grove; blacksmith, H. H. Grove; hotel and livery, J. O. Scott & Son ;

Secret Oedees

The Soircleville Lodge, I. 0. 0. F. was instituted in 1882, and among the charter members were J. M. Ritchey, J. A. Hayden, John Deever, J. W. Galbraith, J. O. Welshliamich, A. J. Sharp, H. 0. Atchinson. The first officers were: J. M. Richey, Noble Grand; J. A. Hayden, Vice-Grand; John Deever, Secretary; J. W. Galbraith, Treasurer. The present officers are: Samuel Simpson, Noble Grand; Samuel Powers, Vice-Grand; K W. Heaton, Secretary; L.C. Merritt, Treasurer. Present membership, thirty-five.

Joe Hooker Post, JVb. 97, G. A. B., was chartered August 28, 1882, and held its first meeting September 2 of the same year, with thebe charter members and first officers: William Hobson, Commander; Joseph Gross, Senior Vice-Commander; William M. Wicker, Junior Vice-Commander; W. G. Smith, Surgeon; S. J. Keever, Quartermaster; W. T. Cooper, Adjutant; J. R. Galbraith, L. D. Richards, J. A. Hayden, John Stroup, L. H. Stroup, Thomas Orr and E. Burget. Present officers: G. W. Epperson, Commander; J. Davis, Senior Vice-Commander; John Fox, Junior Vice-Commander; Thomas Chappel, Surgeon; W. B. Randall, Chaplain; W.G. Smith, Adjutant; S. J. Keever, Quartermaster; J. M. Cambridge, Officer of the Guard. Present membership, thirty-five. Condition, flourishing.

is located on sections 6 and 7, on the line of the Lake Erie & Western Railroad and has a population of about 250. It was laid out in 1S74 by John E. Hillis. Its business men are: A.J. Miller and Hugh Shearer, general stores; M. Shearer and James Stewart, drug stores; Jones Bros., blacksmiths; Sanlin & Son, sawmill; A. J. Miller, grain elevator; Geo. Mann, grist-mill; John P. Moore, meat-market; A. J. Chiddick and W. B. Reynolds, physicians.

Hillisburgh has two churches - Methodist Episcopal and Christian. The former has a membership of about twenty-five, with Rev. John Wayman as pastor. They have a neat brick church in which they worship, and bid fair to become a strong society. The latter's membership numbers about fifty-six, with Kev. John Laman for their pastor. They have a large frame church building, erected in 1872, and are the strongest church organization in the township.

Hillisburgh has a prosperous lodge of the Masonic order, which was organized in 1877, with the following gentlemen among its charter members: J. Sanlin, Dr. D. M. Cook, Hugh Shearer, William Frazier, Samuel Boyer and Mr. Walker. Its first officers were J. Sanlin, Worshipful Master; Dr. Cook, Secretary; A. J. Sharp, Senior Warden; Hugh Sharp, Junior Warden. It has a membership of thirt^'-t iree and is in a good condition. Its present officers are: G. A. Strong, Worshipful Master; William Earner, Senior Warden; J. Q. Grant, Junior Warden; Jerome Clark, Secretary; A.J. Sharp, Treasurer.

Samuel Mermtt, grain dealer of Scircleville, is a native of Coshocton County, Ohio, born February 23, 1827, a son of Adam and Catherine (Haines) Merritt, the former of English and the latter of German ancestry. They came to Clinton County, Indiana, in 1842, and settled in Johnson Township, being among the first settlers in this locality, where they passed the remainder of their days. Our subject accompanied his parents to Clinton County in 18i2, remaining with them on the home farm in Johnson Township till twenty-three years of age. He was united in marriage April 26, 1851, to Miss Dorinda Heaton, a daughter of James Heaton of Michigan Township, Clinton County. To this union was born one child, Francis E., who was killed by the accidental discharge of a gun. Mr. Merritt was bereaved by the death of his wife February 21, 1855, and after her death he went to Cass County, where he remained a year. He then returned to Clinton County, and acted in the capacity of clerk in the stores of Gaddis & Merritt and B. F. Douglass, of Michigantown, until his second marriage, which occurred April 28, 1858, with Miss Elizabeth Gaskill, a daughter of J. W". and Abigail Gaskill, residents of Center Township, Clinton County. By his second marriage Mr. Merritt has had nine children, as follows - John W., William A.,

James D., Sanford (deceased), Seabury, Ellie (deceased), Lula (deceased), Emma and Jennie. In 1860 Mr. Merritt was elected county sheriff, in which position he served efficiently for two years. After retiring from office he followed farmin<^ for five years, when he embarked in the mercantile business at Scircleville, in which he continued till 1884. He commenced buying grain in 1877, in which business he has since continued, and is now devoting his entire attention to the grain business. In 1878 he was elected to the office of township trustee, which position he filled two terms with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents. When he entered upon the duties of his office he found the township about $6,000 in debt, and at the expiration of his last terra he had removed the debt and had a surplus in his hands of $1,200. In his political views Mr. Merritt affiliates with the Republican party. Now, after indnring mud, in rainy weather, for forty-four years, he is superintending the construction of a gravel road across Johnson Township, tlie first that has ever been constructed in the eastern part of Clinton County.

Andrew J. Miller, general merchant, Hillisburgh, Indiana, has been a resident of Clinton County since August 25, 1883. He was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, October 23, 1845, a son of Frederick and Hannah D. (Rousenberger) Miller,his father born in 1813 and his mother in 1816. His father died in 1881, and his mother is now living in Bellefontaine, Indiana. Their family consisted of seven children - A.ndrew J., Luther F., George W., John C, Hannah D., Mary and Katie. The family came to America in 1854 and settled in Logan County, Ohio, where they were living at the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion. July 4, 1862, Andrew J. enlisted and was assigned to Company E, Forty-fiftli Ohio Infantry. He served three years, his time expiring July 4, 1865. He participated in all the battles of the regiment, being in the hospital only thirty days. He was with Sherman from Buzzard's Roost to Macon, and from his regiment returned to look after General Hood, and afterward was at the battles of Franklin and Nashville. After the war he went to Ford County, Illinois, and from there, in 1875, to Iroquois County, where he lived eight years. Mr. Miller waS' married in January, 1868, to Mary M. Bentley, who was born near Constantine, Michigan, in January, 1846, a daughter of Wheeler and Miranda (Loorais) Bentley. They have had six children, of whom five are living - Minnie, Nora, Luther F., Charles and Clarence. William

Hugh Shearer, general merchant, Hillisburgh, Indiana, came to Clinton Countj' May 2, 1859, and bought a farm in Michigan Township where he lived until 1864, when he sold out and went to Howard County, Indiana, and a year later went to Delaware County. In 1869 he returned to Clinton County and again bought a farm in Michigan Township, which he owned two years to a day, then moved to Kirklin Township, and in 1883 moved again to Michigan Township, where he lived about two years and then exchanged his farm for property in Hillisburgh and forty acres of land in Johnson Township. In January, 1886, he opened a store and carries a general stock of merchandise suitable for farmers. Mr. Shearer was born in Miami County, Ohio, July 2i, 1824, and was married January 17, 1843, to Sarah Ann Shephard, who was born in Miami County, February 4, 1826, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Carroll) Shephard. September 22, 1856, Mr. Shearer moved to Tippecanoe County, Indiana, where he built a steam saw and grist mill and also engaged in general merchandising. When he was married he had only $10, and when he left Ohio, had $130. It cost him $24 to move his family and goods, and with the $106 left he bought a stock of goods, and when he left Tippecanoe County sold out for $1,050, haying increased his stock aud takon care of his family with the profits. Mr. and Mrs. Shearer have had twelve children; eight are living - Davis E,., Mathias C, Minerva A., John A., Florence E., Dulcina F., Marcella B. and Manson A. Three children - Sarah K., Orren W. and one unnamed died in infancy, and Elvira R. lived until her marriage, and at her death left one child. The father of Mr. Shearer, Abram Shearer, was born in 1774, in North Carolina, of German descent. He was married in his native State to Anna Byrkett, who was born in 1776, a daughter of Joseph and Mary Byrkett. They moved to Ohio in an early day, passing though Cincinnati and Dayton when there were only three houses in either place, and lots that are now worth thousands of dollars in Cincinnati, could then be bought for $10. The father was a farmer and cooper. In 1827 lie and Peter Harrison built a fiat-boat and took it down the river and sold it, and on their return the canoe, containing ten persons, was capsized. All were saved except Mr. Shearer and his eldest son, Absalom. The mother died in Miami County in 1842. Mr. Shearer is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is independent in politics.