Metamora Township

Metamora Township

This town, ur village, properly speaking, was platted by David Mount and William Holland, March 20, 1838, to which have been added several extensions. It was named for a character found in a novel - "Metamora, the beautiful squaw." It was named by Mrs. John A. Matson. Its population in 1910 was five hundred and eighty-eight. It is situated on the north side of Whitewater river and directly on the old canal, with one of the locks within the center of the town, the same now furnishing the water-power for the flouring mills, but which in former years afforded water-jKjwer for numerous factories. This was when the town was in the zenith of its commercial glory. The geographical location of the town is in section 34. The first man to sell general merchandise at this point was David Mount, who conducted a small store in his residence. The next to engage in merchandise v/as John Adair, who finally sold to William Holland.

A flouring-mill was built on the lock of the old canal in 1845-46 by M. B. Gordon & Brother. In 1S47-48 another mill was built, near the last named, by William Rubottom & Hyatt. The fire of 1856 destroyed these mills. In 1857 the Gordons rebuilt their mill. Again, in 1850-51. Gordon Brothers built a more extensive milling plant on the lower or east lock. This was also burned, and rebuilt by Clifford & Davis, and in 1882 was owned by Andrew Miller. The Gordons also had a woolen-mill, which was destroyed by the same flames that took the flouring-mill. The woolen-mill was not rebuilt. The Gordon flouring-mill was dismantled and the building used for a woodworking factory, where woodenwarc was manufactured.

In 1845 Jonathan Banes, who had resided there since 1837. came in as a contractor on the old White Water canal, and at the first date named constructed a cotton-mill on the south bank of the canal, near the lock. In 1856 the machinery was removed and the building converted into a flouring-mill by Murray & Banes. Other owners of this plant were John Curry & Son, Thomas Tague and Trembly & Hawkins. Richard ^McClure also had the property at one time. It was later styled the Crescent mill. There was a mill erected on Pipe creek by William H. Eads. In 1846-47 a distillery was built here by Walker Brothers. Henry C. Kimble later owned it, and in March, 1873, it was burned and never rebuilt.

Present-Day Metamora

Much of the long--ago hum and bustle of this httlc village has ceased. Time changes all things. The abandonment of the canal, the construction of railroads through this section of Indiana, the death of many sturdy pioneers and the removal of many more of their immediate descendant.^, have all combined to lessen the spirit of commercial enterprise once known in the town. However, the place still has a number of excellent business factors, and in February, 191 5, these interests were in the hands of the following persons and companies:

The following have served as postmasters at !Metamora since the establishment of the office, first known as Duck Creek Crossing, in April, 1826. The dates given are time of appointment. These names and dates were furnished the author by the department at Washington : Duck Creek Crossing - Daniel Churchill. April 14. 1826; J(3hn Reid, April 2^, 1S2Q: Asahel Gilmer. November 19, 1830; William Holland, February 25, 1833. Name changed.

For several years after its organization in the spring of 181 1, Franklin county extended nine miles above its present northern limits and included a large part of what is now Fayette and Union counties. Fayette county was set off by the legislative act of DeccmiK-r 28, 1818, and began its independent existence on January i, 1S19. During the eight years that it was a part of Franklin county it had been first included within Posey township and after July 16, 1 8 16, had been divided between Posey and Connersville townships. With the establishment of Fayette at the date above mentioned Connersville township drops out of Franklin county history. Connersville township, as organized July 16, 1816. included "all that part of Posey township which lies north of the center of the thirteenth township in twelfth range, and the center of the thirteenth township in the thirteenth range, sliall compose a township and the same shall l)e known and called by the name of Connersville township, and that all elections after the first Monday in August, next, shall be held in Connersville."

Union county was created by the legislative act of January 5. 1821. and formally organized on the first of the following month. During the ten years that it was a part of Franklin county it had first been included within Bath township and between July 16, 18 16. and Febniaiw 9. 18 19, had been divided between Bath and Union townships. On the latter date Liberty township was created, and from then until Union county was organized on February i, 182 1, that part of Franklin county now within Union county included all of Union and Liberty townships and a part of Bath. Union and Liberty townships drop out of Franklin county history on February i. 182 1. Union township, as organized July 6, 1816, included '"all that part of the township of

Bath C()ni[Kjsing- the elLnenth township in tlic first ran,£,^e and the eleventh township in the second ran^e, shaU form a township to i)c called and known by tlie name of Union township, and all elections after the first Monday in August, next, shall he held in a schuolliouse known by the name of Union schoolhouse."

On February 9, 18 19, it was ordered that Unif;n township be divided by the line dividing- ranges i and 2 west and all that part lying west of said line in said township to constitute a township to be called Libertv township, and all future elections in Liberty tmvnship be held at the house of Samuel \V. Scott in Dunlapsville.

In addition to these three townships which no longer exist as a part of Franklin county, there is one other, Somerset, which had a very brief histOfA". Organized 'May 14, 182 1, out of Posey township, it flied a quiet death at the hands of the county commissioners on November 12 of the same year. What brought it into existence and what caused its early demise the historian has failed to discover. Its name and boundary limits are all that is known about it. On May 14, 1821. the commissioners "Ordered that all that part of Posey township lying north of an east and west line drawn between sections 25 and 36 in township 12, range 12 east, compose a township to be called Somerset township, and that all future elections in. said township are to be held at the town of Somerset.''