Liberty Township

Liberty Township

In the north central part of Tipton county is located the township of Liberty. East and west it measures seven miles, and north and south five miles, the territory containing thirty-five square miles. The great portion of Liberty township is in congressional township 22 north, range 4 east. There are six sections on the north in township 23 north, range 4 east, and one section in township 23 north, range 5 east. On the east end of the township there are four sections in township 22 north, range 5 east. The township is bounded on the north by Howard county, on the east by Wild¬ cat township, on the sputh by Cicero township, and on the west by Prairie township. The general surface of Liberty township is level : the soil is deep and rich and at one time in the past was covered with a rich growth of timber, including such woods as the walnut, poplar, oak, sycamore, elm, beech, maple, hickory and ash. Mud creek enters the township a little south of center on the west, flows m ' a northeasterly direction, and leaves the township just south of the corner section. North creek rises in the extreme southwest corner of the township, flows northeast, and empties into Mud creek, one mile and a half east of Sharpsville. Turkey creek crosses the ex¬ treme southeast corner of the township, being confined within the southeast quarter of the comer section.

First Settlers

A Mr. Kay wood was probably the first white settler in Liberty town¬ ship. His nativity is not known : history records only that he came here, built a cabin north of the creek on what was afterward the Needham farm, and soon moved away to an unknown destination.

William Riggs was in all probability the second white settler. He came from Madison county. He afterward sold his claim, and pre-empted other land two years before the land came into market. Riggs returned to Madi¬ son county in 1853. Frederick Parsons also pre-empted land, afterward the McGee farm, sold his claim in 1846 and moved to Howard county, where he died near the year 1870. Frank McGuire bought Parsons' claim, but in 1858 he moved to Iowa, and thence to Missouri. Caleb Richardson and his wife, Celia, came from Boone county and pre-empted what was later known as the old Richardson homestead in 1845. Sixteen children were born to this happy couple and fifteen of them lived to have families of their own. The names of these children were William, Charlotte, Jane, George, James, Stephen,. Jackson, Strange, Caleb, Emeline, Cynthia, John, Joel, Mary Ann, Jonathan and Francis Marion, the last dying in infancy. Richardson was one of the first settlers in his part of the township. His log home was a Mecca for land seekers and travelers, and he became well known over the whole county. He was practically the founder of Methodism in the town¬ ship. He helped establish the Pleasant Grove Association, and, in company with David and P. Hutto, built the Pleasant Grove meeting house.

Thomas Cole, a Kentuckian, came to Shelby county in 1835. From there he came to Liberty township, Tipton county, in 1847, and pre-empted a quarter section of land. James Cole, a brother, came from Henry county, Indiana, in the spring of 1848 and bought a claim, upon which he resided until his death in 1870. Granville Wilson emigrated from Shelby county in the fall of 1848 and bought land. James Maze came from Butler county, Ohio, to Shelby county, Indiana, in 1827; thence he moved to Liberty town¬ ship in 1848, where he entered the tract of land he lived upon the rest of his life. William Jarrett came from Greenbrier county, Virginia, to De¬ catur county, Indiana, in 1847; thence he moved to Madison county, and thence to Liberty township in 1851. Benjamin Denny, William Sims and William Marshall were the first settlers in the northeast part of the town¬ ship. They came from Madison county in 1850. Denny died here in 1855, and Sims in 1863. Marshall enlisted in the army and passed away in 1864, while in active service. Lindsay Ballew came from Howard county and settled in Nevada in 1854. He lived for many years in this township. Other early settlers in that part of the township were John Smith, William Smith and James Barrow. Among the early pioneers in the southeast portion of Liberty township might be mentioned Alexander Mills, Jesse Smiley, Messick Turner, Jonathan Hayworth and Lilburn Cox. A great number of men entered land in 1848, and this list, which is a very long one, is led by such names as Lewis Small, George Stewart, James Bennett, Larkin Ward, John W. Pyke, George B. W. Parks, W. M. Hutto, W. Caldwell, Wesley Umfreys, E. M. Shrap, P. H. Smiley, Jesse Wells, William Bess, Francis McGuire and Henry Goar.

For milling supplies and groceries which they could afford, the early settlers in the west part of the township traveled to New London, Howard county, and Lafayette; those on the east usually went to Perkinsville, on White river.

The hardihood of the pioneer women has been written and sung, and it is fitting that an incident of feminine courage should be noted. The widow Van Horn moved to Liberty township from Wayne county in the fall of 1851 or 1852, and settled south of Sharpsville. She brought with her a favorite roan mare. One day during the winter when the snow was deep and the mercury below zero, the mare escaped from the rail inclosure near the house and started toward the old home. As night approached the widow discovered her loss, and she immediately set out on foot in search of the mare. She trailed the animal southwest, the trail leading through Tetersburg and Boxleytown and thence southeast, crossing the Peru road be¬ tween Cicero and Noblesville. She caught the mare in the vicinity of Perkins¬ ville. Mounting her, she made her way back, reaching home before daylight the next morning.

The first death in Liberty township was probably that of old man Praul. Pratt 1 evidently began a journey to the settlements in Grant county, but was frozen to death on the route. Another of the early deaths was that of Messick Turner's son, who was fifteen years old. His death was caused by a tree falling on him. ,

The first marriage license issued in this township was that of John G. Brown and Lorinda Sharp, July 3.1 , 1844. The marriage was solemnized by John B. Cole, justice of the peace, on August 8. 1844. The second license was issued to Hickman Smiley and Elizabeth Mills, and Judge Joseph Goar officiated, on the same day as the first wedding. Judge Brown and Philena Kavwood, George B. W. Parks and Cynthia Richardson were other first nuptials.

Organization

Before the year 1849 Prairie township extended to Sharpsville and then Wildcat township commenced. The first elections were held at Circle's, about where the Baldwin place afterward was. Afterward they were moved back to the Evans neighborhood, where they remained until the organization of Liberty tQwnship. Richard Humphries was elected justice of the peace on August 27, 1845, and qualified December 12, 1845, with the following sure¬ ties: Jesse Harding, David Humphrey, Willias Ball and Caleb Richardson.

At the June term, 1849, the county board of trustees ordered "that there be a new township organized out of the west part of Wildcat township, to be called Liberty township, to be bounded and described as follows * * * (Making the township five miles square, the west line running north and south on the road by the church in Sharpsville). Also that the foregoing boundaries form and constitute one road district, to be called road district No. 1, Liberty township, and that the place of holding elections should be on the place now owned by Aaron H. Hensley, in section 4, where Hugh Smiley now resides." Hugh Smiley was at that time appointed supervisor, and Jesse Horton inspector of elections till the spring election following. The board also ordered an election to be held the first Monday of August, 1849, to elect one justice of the peace. At the September term of 1851, the board ordered that a two-mile strip from Prairie township be added to Liberty township on a petition headed by William Brookbank and thirtyfive other citizens of both townships. The board also ordered that there¬ after all elections should be held at the village of Sharpsville.

The first county road laid out began at the county line on the north on range line 3, thence one and a half miles south, then in a southeast di¬ rection to Tipton. Harvey Wells and Thomas Cole got up the petition for this road in the spring of 1848, and Cole took it up with the county board. The next road was between sections 22 and 23, beginning at the range line and running to Nevada. This was in the fall of 1848.

To speak of the Liberty township orf today, in comparison with the township of a score of years ago, is to speak of. a new, a reclaimed town¬ ship. The main factor in this great transposition has undoubtedly been the progress of agriculture, and the installation of modern farming methods by the present-day farmer. Corn is the principal crop in this township, as in the other five divisions of Tipton county. Oats, wheat and hay are also grown in abundance, and tomatoes, peas and beans are raised extensively for canning purposes. The rotation of crops is generally employed through¬ out Liberty township, and thereby the soil is made to retain its remarkable fertility and productiveness.

Given an excellent soil, the raising of good crops is by no means an automatic accomplishment. Brains, hard work and originality have to be a part of the man directing the farm operations, and these qualities may safely be said to exist in the makeup of the Liberty township tiller. He is a man of education, perseverance and wisdom. Not content to follow the oldfashioned methods of agriculture, he has adopted the latest scientific imple¬ ments and has followed systematically the course laid down by the expert and trained minds upon the wonderful "outdoor art." The introduction of telephones, rural mail delivery, automobiles and, lastly, excellent gravel and macadam roads has brought the agriculturist into close and intimate con¬ nection with his fellow-workers, and he is enabled to profit by others' ex¬ perience, and so correct his course of action. The route of the Lake Erie & Western, also the Indiana Union Traction Company, through this township has given the farmers a source of quick shipping to other commercial centers.

In his home this man has created the best. All modern equipment is supplied in almost any home of the farmer and his residence rivals that of his city brother. The farm buildings and arrangement are invariably of the same high type.

E. M. Sharp, the founder - of Sharpsville, came from Washington county, Pennsylvania, to Morgan county, Illinois, in 1831, thence going to Jennings county, Indiana, in 1838, and to Liberty township in the spring of 1849. At that date there was no road between Tipton and Kokomo, except in the locality of Fairfield. A Mr. Wiseman was the first settler in Sharps¬ ville. The second was Reuben Jackson, who kept a small store in the south part of town. This was also the first business proceeding in Sharpsville.

Platting

Sharpsville was platted on May 24, 1850, and recorded May 27th, by Sylvester Turpen, recorder. The town was laid off with the hopes that it would become the county seat, and accordingly a public square was designed. The square, after it was known that the town was not to be favored with the honor of being the seat of justice, was utilized as a public school park, and as such is one of the finest in Tipton county.

The first mill for grinding corn was a horse-mill in the Balser neigh¬ borhood. The second was a corn cracker attached to the saw mill then owned by a man named Sumner. The mill was built in the first two years of the fifties. Mr. Sharp began to construct a flour mill in the summer of 1852, completed it in the summer of 1853 an<3 commenced grinding corn in Sep¬ tember of the latter year. The mill was sixty by seventy feet on the ground floor, and three and one-half stories high, with four runs of buhrs, three for wheat and one for corn. It contained storage room for twenty thousand bushels of corn, and at that time was the largest and best equipped mill in the county. Sharp later sold the mill to Cornelius Barlow, who in turn dis¬ posed of it to Franklin & Thompkins, who continued to run it until March 28, 1868, when it burned to the ground. Franklin associated with himself John C. Halley, and immediately rebuilt. This new establishment continued until 1871. The first saw mill was constructed in what was later Needham's meadow in 1851, by a Mr. Strickland from Ripley county. Strickland sold the mill to Eli Sumner, who put in a corn cracker. Fire destroyed the plant afterward, and it was never rebuilt. Thompson subsequently built a mill south of the creek, sold it to Robinson and Bland, and they to Squire Arm¬ strong, who afterward moved it to Prairie township. List & Blunk built a mill just north of town, Webb and Company succeeding them. Miner & Howard next constructed a mill in town, Miner eventually disposing of his interest to Howard. While it was in the possession of the latter gentleman, the plant burned, but was rebuilt. J. H. Hoback was the next owner, in 1869. In 1873 the mill took fire again and was destroyed, and once again in the same year it suffered this fate. Berryman & Bates bought the outfit in 1881. Murzy Adams built a saw mill on Mud creek in an early day, and several years afterward added a grist mill. The mill was at last moved to Normanda by Milton Mozingo.

Early Business Interests

The first attempt at mercantile business made in Sharpsville was by Reuben Jackson, who kept a store in the south part of the town. Jackson afterward went to Missouri, the dates of his coming and departure having been lost. It is believed that Forbes and Fugit succeeded Jackson, and in about 1853 moved their stock to some other town. The second mercantile business undertaken in the town was by Madison and Washington Grishaw in 1853, in a store room fronting the railroad. Washington Grishaw suc¬ ceeded to the business, and the house was destroyed by flames in 1856. J. A. Franklin came to Liberty township from Hancock county in 1850, and in the next year started a dry goods and grocery store in the south end of his residence, having associated with him Nathan Spaulding. They sold goods until the fall of 1854 and then sold out to Fish and Hill. Other early merchants or until the time of the opening of the Civil war, included men such as Messrs. G. V. Haynes, J. A. Franklin, Silas Needham, William Gard, J. W. Stratford, N. W. Halley, Moses Samples, Calvin Holman, Wooley, George W. McGee, W. E. Richards, D. A. Fish, Ellison Hill, John McGuire, Harlin, Bowlin, Andy Wallace, George W. Mix, and Randolph, Thomas T. Walker and W. N. Heath.

The first hotel in Sharpsville was constructed in 1853 by Cornelius St. Clair, on the corner where T. L. Armstrong later resided. A gentleman named McClellan was the second occupant of this building. The third was Daniel Campbell, who was the host for many years.

The first blacksmith shop was started bv James Comer near the year 1852. The second by S. C. Johnson in March, 1854, who worked there at his trade for many years, with the exception of one year spent in the army.

The first postmaster in the town was John Ballenger, who kept the office on the old Henry Swing farm. The next was Thomas Cole, in about 1849, who had the office one year and kept it at his home. At this time letter postage was twenty-five cents and paper postage fifty cents. There were only two papers which came to the office, one of them being taken by Thomas Cole, and the other by Caleb Richardson. Before the Peru railroad was completed, the mail was carried from Indianapolis to Peru once a week. When the office was moved to town, Reuben Jackson was the first post¬ master; then, in order of their appointments, came Arthur St. Clair, Allen Franklin, Dr. Grooms, William Griffith, Thomas Lambert, D. A. Fish, W. A. Robinson, John E. Ballenger, Louis Mehlig, John E. Ballenger, S. D. Adams, John E. Ballenger, Peter DeWitt, and at present, John E. Ballenger.

Incorporation

Sharpsville was incorporated as a town in the year 1873. Monroe Grishaw and G. M. Hawthorn were two of the first trustees. William Harrold was elected marshal and T. Adkins, treasurer. This incorporation was voted down in 1881, and at present the town exists as a mere village. No officers

Seven hundred people live in Sharpsville at present. The industries are, first, the Sharpsville Canning Company, and second, a flouring mill, elevator and lumber yard. The business of the town is in a flourishing condition, and easy access is provided by the traction line and Lake Erie & Western rail¬ road to other points of the county and state. The people of Sharpsville are now negotiating with the Indiana Union Traction Company for electric lights.

A feature of Sharpsville, and one which reflects credit on the com¬ munity, is the schoolhouse. In the light of modern construction, efficient and adequate arrangement, this building is equal to any of its size in the state. A large sum has recently been spent for the introduction of vocational train¬ ing into the curriculum. This is the "last word" in the educational world.

Nevada

Benjamin Denny was the first settler in what is now the village of Nevada. He came from Madison county about 1850. William Sims and William Marshall came at the same time, but the life of this trio of settlers is discussed in the early settlement of the township.

Nevada was laid out by Samuel Denny and William Marshall in Oc¬ tober, 1852, and recorded October 28, 1852. Sylvester Turpen was then recorder, and he offered to make no charges for the record if he were given the privilege of naming the town. He named it after a town in Mexico. A postoffice was established there in 1850, and William Wooley was the first postmaster, the mail route being the Chicago & Cincinnati railroad. Postmasters following Wooley were: James Morrison, Preston Ballew, Lind¬ say Ballew, Garrett Rickets, John B. Reeder, John C. Riley, Robert Coate. 'The postoffice was abolished in 1907 owing to the establishment of a county rural mail service.

The first business enterprise was a general store begun by William Wooley and George W. Wise in 1850. Lindsay Ballew succeeded them in 1854, and continued until 1865. Other early merchants were John W. Wright, Dr. John Summers, H. Allen, W. Ballew, Swoveland & Kessler, Walter P. Ferguson, John B. Reeder, John C. Riley, D. L. Coate.

The first grist mill and saw mill combined was built by Lindsay Ballew in 1854. The. first settlers, in the absence of a local grindery, had their mill¬ ing done either at Jonesboro or Perkinsville, in Madison county, until the Sharpsville mill was built in 1853.