Marion Township

Marion Township

Marion Township occupies the north corner of the County. It is bounded on the east by Hamilton County, on the south by Union, on the west by Clinton Township and on the north by Clinton County. It contains forty-six sections. It is drained by the headwaters of Big Eagle flowing south, leaving the township at section twenty-three, where it enters Union Township. The Michigan road passes through the entire township, bearing to the northwest, entering at the south side midway of the township, leaving at the northwest corner, where it enters Clinton County. The land is fully up to the average of other sister townships, and in fact in any other improvements, such as ditching, buildings, roads, school houses, etc. Big Springs, on the line between Marion and Union, is the principal trading place and postoffice, and has been for many years. The township originally was covered with the finest growth of timber, and that of the best and most valuable kinds, such as poplar, oak, walnut and ash. The Air Line Railroad cuts off a little corner at the extreme northeast, and where Terhune, a new town, is located. It is a trading place, also containing a postoffice and other mechanical shops, stores, etc. Kimberlain and Slab Town are both small villages. The latter on the Michigan Road, in the south part of the township. Among the first to move in this township were Edward Jackson and Caleb Richardson, who came in 1831, settled on Big Eagle, followed soon after by William and John Parr. Alfred Srite, William Lane and Lewis Harris settled in the south part of the township in 1833. In the spring of 1834 came Mr. Turpin, John Burns, Milton Hickson. Settled in 1835, Joseph McCoy, John Runo. A little later came the Stephensons. Jacob Johns, followed by Samuel Evans, Jesse Baker, Joseph Kimbal, Robert McNulty, John Wright, John Beard, John King, Samuel Moore, John Moore, John Wright, James Moore, Smith Castor, Robert Bell, Richard Cornell, Samuel Meyers.

Perhaps the first school taught in Marion was in the winter of 1833. In the year 1836 a log school house was built near Big Springs, and from that time until this the school matters have moved along, steadily progressing, until now beautiful and well arranged houses dot the township, happy, well clad children flocking to school in every direction, with books, slates and other necessary school outfit. In 1833 a few strag- ling urchins might have been seen trudging through the snow to the little log house in the woods, a goose quill and a spoiling book - a complete supply of the then needed equipment. Marion has made similar progress in other directions as well. Good roads have taken the place of the blazed paths; the wild waters are confined to ditches; the few truck patches have given way to well cultivated fields that spread out in every direction.

The population of Marion in the year 1870, was 1,786; in 1880 it was 2,307. Number of voters in 1886 was 726; number of school children in 1885 was 899; number of school houses thirteen. The following have served as Trustees = Richard Cornell, P. E. McNeal, James A. Richardson, Joseph N. Sample, J. A. J. Sims, Robert Bell, William Bell, W. F. Cobb and Josiah Stevenson, now acting, elected April, 1886-

This is the smallest township in the county. It contains less than twenty sections, being a little deficient at the northwest corner to make it full twenty sections. It is bounded on the west by Harrison Township, on the south by Hendricks County, on the east by Eagle and Worth Townships, and on the north by Center Township. The principal water course is White Lick; flowing south it enters Hendricks County, leaying Perry insection eleven. Fayette is located on this stream, and is the only town in the township. Here is the voting place as well as the center of trade. A separate account will be given under the head of "Sketch of Fayette." This township was settled as early as 1830. Among the early settlers were Edmund Shirly, Jesse Turner, Alexander Fortner, Aaron Smith, Jno. K, Edwards and his father, the Doyles, Eli Smith and his father, the Slaigles, the Smiths, 7. e. D. W. and B, H. Smith and their father, the Glendenings, Peter Keney, the Sullivans, the Dickersons, the Chamberses, G. W.

Lumkins, Daniel Leap, Thos. Leap, E. Wollen and E. _Thornly. Mrs. Thornly, the oldest woman in the county, is yet living ; she is ninety-one years old. These settlers were goon joined by the Wilsons, Elijah S. Williams, Thos. Jackson, the Penningtons and Jos. Belt. It is said that a Mr. Schenck taught the first subscription school in Perry Township in the year 1836. The Baptists held the first religious meetings in private houses. A few years later a society was formed known as " Mt. Tabor." A house was built by that society, and now it is known far and wide as Old Mt. Tabor. (See a sketch of it in another place under the head of "Sketch of Mt. Tabor Baptist Church.") Among the ministers here were Isaac Leap, Peter Keney, and the elder Edwards. Shepherdsville, in the eastern part of the township, is a small place. Mr. Glendenen is the proprietor of the store here. There is a postoffice also, which is a great convenience to the people in this part of Perry. The soil is generally good and is in a high state of cultivation. Ditching is going on in every direction. Many tasty residences are springing up- The roads are also improving. One of the oldest roads in the county passes through Perry Township, known as the Indianapolis and Lafayette State Road. It is now and has been for sixty years a highway very niuch traveled. The population of Perry Township in 1870 was 1,209 ; in 1880 it was 1,240. The number of voters in 1886 was 257. The number of school children in 1884 was 402. There are eight school houses in the township; two are of brick and six frame. This is up to the year 1886. The following have served as Trustees: J. B. Howard, Edward Wovlen, John W. Doyle, Isaac Leap, William Schenck, Eli Smith, Peter Keney, John K. Edwards, Freston Smith, A. J. Smith and Thomas Jackson, elected April, 1886.