Madison Township

Madison Township

John Walker made the first land purchase in Madison township, June 15, 1814. It was the southwest quarter of section twenty-five, township one south, range six west. The early settlement in this township was known as the " Irish Settlement," and is nearly as old as the first settlement in Boone township. William Anderson, who came about 1816, was one of the pioneers. He died June 16, 1843. James Stewart was one of the early settlers. He was a Virginian, born in 1807, and died November 12, 1883.

In 1907, Madison township was estimated to be worth $750,000. The population, in 1900, was 1,289, about equally divided politically. Originally, this township was a Presbyterian center ; Methodists soon followed. Now the Catholic church is gaining great headway.

Millersport. This point is the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter, section fourteen, township two south, range six west, in Madison township. It was surveyed on February 3, 4, and 5, 1859, by Benj. R.

Kemp, count}' survej'or. Forty acres were divided into one hundred lots and suitable streets, including a p2iblic square of one acre in the center. There is no post office and really no town. The place is used for a farm. Circumstances combined to prevent it becoming a town. Stephen McDonald Miller was the founder. Millersport is the lost town of the county.

Ireland. This town is situated four miles northwest of Jasper. It was once intended to be called American City, and its settlers were proud of its proposed name. The name "American City" was not approved by the post office department, so the name Ireland was retained in honor of the nativit}' of John Stewart, who bought the land of the United States, on December 23, 1S16, a short time after Indiana became a state. John Stewart died in the autumn of 1842. His son, James G. and four others laid out the town. The map bears date of May 20, 1S65, but the place was a small village many 3'ears before that. Ireland has parochial, common, and high schools, three churches, and many lodges. The Masons and the Odd Fellows own more improved real estate at Ireland than at any other point in Dubois county. James G. Stewart, one of the founders of Ireland, was born October 4, 1814, and died November 12, 1S74. [Page 129.] The first house erected in Ireland was built by Henry Green. It stood on the line between sections nineteen and twenty, on the Jasper and Petersburg road. It was built about 1842, and is yet in use. The second house was erected in 1852 by Dr. E. A. Glezen. A steam flour mill was erected in 1855 by John Cooper. This had much to do toward the future progress of Ireland. The mill was lost by fire in September, 1882. A new one was erected. Ephraini Woods is reported as first merchant at Ireland. Alsephus McGinnis and Harvey Green were also merchants in the early history of this place. Others were Taylor, Dillon, Fleming, Armstrong, and Hardin. Later, Stewart, Thomas, Hobbs, Wilson, Dillon, Fowler, Kahn, and Calvin were merchants. The doctors or druggists were Kean, Kelso, Blackburn, Strain, Parr, Glezen, Harrison, Freeland, and McCown.

Samuel Postlethwait secured the establishment of the first post office in Madison township on February 12, 1851. It was called "Alder Creek Postoffice," and was located about one mile west of Ireland. It was discontinued October 27. 1852. On July 26, 1853, the office went to Ireland and Ephraim Woods became postmaster.

Madison, Bainbridge, and Jefferson townships have the same area. There are no saloons in the township ; its citizens have alwaj's opposed them. Ireland is 476 feet above the level of the sea.