Lafayette Township

Lafayette Township

This township was named in honor of LaFayette, whose name every American citizen reveres. It occupies a central position in the county. It is six miles from east to west, and five and three-fourths from north to south, and contains an area of thirty-four and one-half square miles. It is the only township that corresponds with the congressional townships, that is, beginning with section No. 1 in the northeast and ending:; with section No. 36 in the southeast. The first house built in this township was by H. Rye in 1830.

This township was originally embraced in the territory of Richland, but in the year 1836 LaFayette was created in compliance with the petition of the following :

Among those who have served as Justices of the Peace we find the following : John Magart, J. B. Peniston, Isaac Jones, Isaac P. Snelson, Lewis I. Bailey, John Pidgeway, James Hollingsworth, John Ootan, Jacob Newton, J. W. Hillegoss, Hamilton Scott and George D. Thompson.

The following have served as Trustees: James Hollingsworth, John Cowan, Jourdan Ootan, Enos Mustard, P. Miller, Robert Goodwin, Allen Sims, Thomas Stanley, Zail Raines, Thomas G. Clark, George Craighead, James Matchet, J. L. Jones and John Guston, now acting.

The number of acres of improved land in 1870 was nine thousand seven hundred and fifty-six; value of farms and farm implement, $665,146; value of live stock, $95,104; value of all productions, ^181,370. The number of bushels of corn in 1872 was seventy-six thousand two hundred and two. The population of the township in 1850 was six hundred and ninety-four; in 1860 it was one thousand; in 1870 it was one thousand four hundred and fifty-two, and in 1874 estimated at one thousand six hundred.

In 1858 it had four hundred and thirteen school children; in 1870 it had six hundred and nine. It contains nine school houses which cost $400 each, excepting school house No. 4, built in 1873, which cost $650. The total value of all school property, including grounds, etc. is $3,800. The Cincinnati and Chicago Railroad passes through tliis township from southeast to northwest, a distance of ten miles. It has nine miles of pike. The number of stores is one ; number of post offices, one; churches, three; saw mills, two ; physicians, two ; local preachers, one.

Indian or Rich Creek passes through this township from northeast to southwest, and empties into AVhite river near Hamilton. Among the prominent men of this township who have been more or less noted, are Thomas G. Clark, Dr. John Hunt, Isaac P. Snelson and G. W. Harris.

surface of this township is very level, and is called, in jest, " lay-flat" township. From its central position, its railroad facilities and numerous other advantages, it is, notwithstanding its flatness, a very desirable place to live.