Marion Township

Marion Township

Marion township, originally a part of Washington township and later of Sand Creek township, was organized by authority of the county commissioners on May 2, 1831, when its boundaries were defined as follows: "Beginning at the Washington township line on the section line dividing sections 27 and 28, township 10, range 9; thence north on the section line to the county line; thence eastwardly with the line of the county and Salt Creek township to the Washington township line; thence west with the line of Washington township to the place of beginning."

The population of Marion township is largely German. The northern half of the township is rolling and in some places the land is rough and broken. The eastern and southern portion is flat and was originally covered with oak, maple and gum. A good share of it is poor woods land. The first church in the township was that of the Immaculate Conception at Millhousen, which was erected in 1840, when Maximillian Schneider donated forty acres of land for this purpose. The first school house was also built by the Catholics and was placed close to the church. Maximillian Schneider, who was one of the leading spirits in the new community, kept the first store, which was located at Millhousen. Later he sold the store to Barney Hardbeck, who had built the first mill at Millhousen. The first mill in Marion township was erected by a man named Bush and was located on the banks of Sand creek.

Settlement

The first settlers of Marion township, as indicated by the original land entries, were : John Robbins, Sampson McConnell, Abisha Matherly, John McConnell, James Parnell, John Hazelrigg, DilHard Hazelrigg, John Lineville, Thomas McLaughlin, Jonathan Thompson, Isaac Ricketts, Dudley Anderson, W. White and Thomas Fortune. Other early-comers were John Myres, John and Hiram Fortune, Sarah Anderson, James Hooten, Dudley Taylor and John Morton.

Earl}' German settlers were Maximillian Schneider, Christian Ruhl, Theodore Frey, Frank Rubard, George and Francis Verkamp, Henry Pulse, Gabriel Pulse, John and Adam Hessler and Theodore Willmer. In another

Marion township, owing to its unfortunate location in not being supplied with the proper railroad or interurban facilities, has made no advancement in the line of consolidation. The condition of the roads in this township make consolidation almost an impossibility. There are eleven district schools located over this township and one teacher supplies each of these schools. There is also a parochial school, located at Milhousen. Four teachers are employed to administer to the children of this locality. One of these teachers, however, is employed by the public, the church exercising power in the choosing of this teacher.