Monroe Township

Monroe Township

Monroe Township is the smallest township in the county, as Ervin is the largest. It contains only about eighteen sections of land. It lies in the western part of the county, about midway north and south. The township was named in honor of James Monroe, the fifth President of the United States, and one of the Revolutionary heroes. The township is bounded on the north by Wild Cat River and Ervin Township, on the east by Harrison Township, on the south by Honey Creek Township and Clinton County, and on the west by Carroll County.

The township possesses a variety of soil, much of which is well adapted to purposes of stock-raising. There are hills, level lands, and a few small prairies within the limits. There are several streams of water running through the township, the most important of which is the Wild Cat. These streams afford sufficient water-power for all purposes, and there are several mills upon them. Stonebraker's Mill, as it has long been called, in the western part of the township, is one of the most widely known in this county. This township is part of what has always been known as "The Seven-Mile Strip " - land ceded by the United States to the State of Indiana, to be used for canals. This was in the day of great excitement concerning internal improvements.

The first settlers of the townsliip came in about 1837, the first being Mr. Landrum, who settled on the old Manasseh Woods farm, just west of Stonebraker's Mill. This farm is now owned by Jonas Brubaker and the widow of Manasseh Woods. The work done by Mr. Landrum was insignificant, but yet it was a beginning, and as such is now regarded as the beginning of the settlement of Howard County. Mr. Landrum erected a log cabin, of the most primitive character, and moved his family into it as soon as finished. For some time previous, he had resided in Burlington, Carroll County. While living in Burlington, he had as a neighbor David Foster, who afterward had much to do with the settlement of Howard County.

In February, 1839, Robert Walker, .Joseph Taylor, George Taylor, his son, and Isaac Price settled in Monroe Township, on the north side of Wild Cat. When these old pioneers located here and commenced the work of clearing away the timber whereon to erect for themselves a home, they found miles of unbroken forest in every direction. It was simply a dot upon the surface. It is not necessary to give a further description of the work of these early settlers upon the north side of the river, as the same has been described under the head of Ervin Township, to which all this land, lying north of the Wild Cat, now belongs.

In the fall of 1839, John B. Miller came from East Tennessee and settled a little south of the Stonebraker Mill. Here he lived for many years. His son, Matthew W. Miller, died there in 1878. Matthew W. was largely engaged in the raising of stock, having a farm well adapted to this business. About the time that the elder Miller settled here, John Morrison Errlox, Gideon Vernon and William Coate settled in various parts of the township. In 1840, came John P. Wright, Joel Hollingsworth, Jacob Wright, Job Garner, Thomas Stubbs, Jesse George, Reuben Edgerton, and John and Jonathan Lamb. It is said that John P. Wright came from his home in Illinois on horseback, guided only by the blazed trees on the way. Those were the dark days in the history of the early settlement of this county ; but it was a history incident to the early settlement of all counties. Job Garner was one of the first petit jurors of the County Court, then held at Capt. John Harrison's place. We are told that there was a warm time among the early settlers of the county upon the framing of a new county. The western part of Howard belonged originally to Carroll County, Monroe and Ervin Townships thus belonging to Carroll, and Honey Creek to Clinton. Many favored remaining with Carroll County, as it was so far in advance of Howard, that taxes would be lighter for improvements of all kinds. Those who favored joining Howard, finally gained the day, and it was accomplished.

the farm, on a part of which stand Shanghai and the Quaker Church. He is now a resident of Kokomo, and among its best citizens. He also once owned the land where the Dunkard Church building now stands. Capt. Busby has served his country faithfully, having been in the Mexican war, and also in the rebellion, in the latter part of which he was promoted to the rank of Captain.

From 1841 to 1846, many of the old settlers moved into the township, some of whom are still left, but the majority have passed away. Among them are mentioned the names of Henry Oiler, Manasseh Woods, Austin North - who was the first Recorder of the county - Snead Thomas, H. Loomis, Joe McCoy, James Fortner, Absalom Hollingsworth, William Giiford and Christian Fritz. Mr. Fritz died a short time since one of the most prosperous farmers in the county.

The First Election

The first township election in Monroe (now Ervin) was in 1840, for a Justice of the Peace. There were two candidates - Theophilus Bryan and Isaac Price. There were twenty-eight votes cast, of which each candidate had fourteen. We are told that several more of the " sovereign lords" were present, but as they had imbibed too freely of " Harrison's best," they did not take sufficient interest in the election to deposit their ballots. The next spring Bryan was elected over Price by a vote of fifteen to fourteen.

For many years after the early settlement of all western Howard, the chief commercial point was Burlington, just across the Carroll County line. Here our early settlers went to do all their trading, and they were compelled for some time to go to Adams' mill, about seven miles below Burlington, for their milling. This mill was situated on Wild Cat, and was run by water-power. When the water gave out, the pioneer fathers would then go to Delphi or Logansport. The first mill built in what is now Howard County was built in the year 1840. This was east of New London, on Honey Creek. In the year 1848, what is now known as the Stonebraker Mill was erected. By subsequent changes, additions and improvements, it has long been a valuable property. The mill is now owned by Carey & Harrell. In these primitive days there was not such a scrambling as now to get work to do, but the trouble was to find persons to do the work.

New London

New London is the only town within the township. The town is well located on a high piece of ground, and would be a splendid location for a town of any size. John Lamb and Reuben Edgerton were the founders of the town, which was laid out in the year 1845. At this time there were three houses or cabins in the town. Among the inhabitants Jonathan Haworth had engaged in the sale of dry goods and groceries. He was succeeded by Isaac Ramsey. Soon after the organization of the town, Richard Nixon (now of Kokorao) came to the town and engaged in the mercantile business. He remained there many years. Nathan Hunt carried the first mail to New London, he having the first contract. The post office was established in 1846, with a weekly mail. The first paper published in the county commenced its existence here in 1848. It must have been a curious looking sheet. The three parties of that day were all represented, each side of the paper conducted by its own editor - the Free-Soil, Wickersham and Albertson, editors ; Democrat, Dr. Barrett ; Whig, C. D. iMurray.

This paper, the Pioneer, soon died of financial exhaustion, and the press and types were sold and moved to Kokomo, where they aided in the establishment of the present Tribune. New London prospered for some years, but it has long since attained its growth.

The majority of the church members of Monroe are Quakers, and wherever they have congregated in large numbers, good schools will nearly always be found. They have many members in and around New London. New London has long been noted for its excellent schools. In 1844, the Friends had erected a house for worship and for school purposes, etc. This house was burned in 1851, and in 1852 the old schoolhouse was erected, which was used from that time until 1876. During that year the Trustee erected the present school building. This building is an honor to any town of its size. The citizens are interested in securing nothing but good teachers, and for many years they have been successful. H. G. Woody, the present Principal of the Kokomo High School, had charge of the school as Principal for many years, and to him is largely due the present efficient condition of this school. His years of work here show what can be done by one man remaining for a period of years at one place. It is a sufficient answer to the question, " Should we have a frequent change of teachers?"

The schools in the township outside of town have always been good. There are schools in the township outside of t\\e New London school where there are four teachers.

The first school in the township was taught by Thomas Stubbs, a New Yorker, who taught in a little house just north of the Friends' Church, on the land now owned by Benjamin Thompson. He taught but one term here, but afterward taught another elsewhere. Some time in 1842, there was a schoolhouse built near the northern part of the town-

The Society Of Friends

The first minister of the Gospel was Job Garner, a New Light preacher. He was one of the early pioneers of the church. He commenced his ministry in 1840. Next in order of time was William Wilson, a Methodist minister. The house of Jacob Price was selected as the one at which to hold his first meeting in the township. He had a large audience for so meager a settlement. As has already been remarked, the Friends far exceed all other denominations in numbers. There are now five hundred members of this church in this township. The first meeting held in this township by them was in a grove west of New London ; but six members of the church were present. The first minister was James Owen. The Friends have a large, commodious house for worship in the town of New London. They are generally free from debt as a body of people.

The Dunkards

The Dunkards or German Baptists also have a very large church house, situated on a hill just about one mile west of the old Stonebraker Mill. Many of the communicants live across Wild Cat in Ervin Township, but a large number of them live in Monroe. This church was once very strong here, having an organization of 400 people who worshiped at this church ; but a few years since there was a schism in the church generally, which affected this organization. They teach that all must have clothes of the same pattern and not made like those of the " world." They do not believe in Sabbath schools, organs in churches, an educated ministry or any new-fangled ideas, as they term them. One branch of the order came to the conclusion that too many of these innovations upon the ancient order of the church were being pushed into the order, hence their withdrawal. Those seceding have taken upon themselves the name "The Old Order of the German Baptist Church," the others call themselves "Conservatives."

Other Churches The Medical Profession

The first disciples of Esculapius were Drs. Stoneman, Barrett and Wickersham, who located in the town of New London in the year 1864. They remained a few years and then all left to seek other spheres of action. Dr. John F. Henderson came to New London at an early day, and commenced practicing his profession. He soon commanded a very large and lucrative practice, and remained in New London actively engaged in his profession until his removal to Kokomo in the year 1861.

The physicians who are now engaged in practice in the township are Drs. Shirley, and Newlin & Newlin. They all reside in New London. Dr. Beeks, a physician of much more than average ability and prospects in his profession, has lately abandoned the profession and has become a regularly ordained minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

The Masonic Order

The first lodge of Freemasons organized in this country was established in the town of New London in the year 1846. This organization was so unfortunate as to lose all its papers and lodge room by fire a few year afterward. This was not remedied until 1862, when the lodge was re-established, since which time, it has been prosperous.

Present Teachers And Business Houses

The teachers for the past winter were the following : The Trustee of the township is Clarke Haworth, an excellent man for the place. John Stiffler and Ellis Grubbs are the Justices of the township.

Hiram Fritz is the only dealer in dry goods in the town. His business is extensive. Newlin & Tucker are conducting a drug store and grocery. The flouring business is conducted by Manly Thompson, at the old Thompson Mill west of New London.

W. F. GORDON was born in Clarke County, Ohio, April 30, 1835, and is the eldest of eight children born to Adonijah and Synder (Reeser) Gordon, both natives of West Virginia. While quite young, our subject moved with his parents to Tippecanoe County, Ind., where he received the benefit of the country schools until 1848, when he moved with his father to Howard County, and here completed his education. His father is one of the pioneers of Indiana, and helped build one of the first schoolhouses in Monroe Township. W. F. Gordon started in life as a renter, but by economy and industry he soon accumulated means, and purchased 160 acres of land in Clinton County, Ind., on which he lived for some time. In 1865, he located on his present place of 374 acres. His farm is in every respect a model one. He has a large two-story brick dwelling containing ten rooms, erected at a cost of $3,500, and mammoth barn and granary. Mr. Gordon has taken an active part in improving the stock of this section, having invested $4,000 in thoroughbred short-horn cattle. His herd consists of the best families, some of which may be mentioned : The Amelia tribe, Mary's Princess, Duke's Breast Plates, and Philleses. In 1878, he was elected County Commissioner, and re- elected in 1882. He has taken an active part in improving the public highways, having served as Supervisor for twelve years. He was married in Honey Creek Township, Clinton County (now a part of Howard County), November 23, 1856, to Harriet M. Williams, of Logan County, 111. She was born February 21, 1840. By this union they have nine children - Ormanda, Charles H., Adonijah W., Ortha A., Sarah C, John S., Milvin L., Nora and William C. Mr. Gordon is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and a strong believer in Woman's Rights ; and a member of the Republican party.

ELIHU HOBSON, a pioneer of Howard County, was the first of ten children born to Jesse and Lydia (Newlin) Hobson. He was born in North Carolina September 1, 1824, and when but four years of age removed with his parents to Parke County, Ind., where he was reared on his father's farm and received a common school education. He then rented a farm in Parke County where he lived until 1847, when he moved to Howard County and settled on his present place of 120 acres, then in its native state. Being handy with tools, he has made many improvements with his own hands. His farm is in a high state of cultivation, with fine dwelling, all necessary outbuildings and with macadamized road leading from his house to the main pike. He has taken an active part in improving the highways in this township, having served as Supervisor about fifteen years. Mr. Hobson has been twice married, first in Parke County, Ind., February 8, 1846, to Margaret Hadley, of North Carolina. She died April 23, 1854. By this marriage they had four children - Levi, Lydia, Mary (deceased) and Martha (deceased). The second marriage occurred at New^ London, Ind., November 14, 1855, Sarah King of Frederick County, Md., being the bride. She was born April 19, 1831. They have by this marriage eight children - Ossian, Cadmus, Estella; Luella, Aaron, i\.my E., J. J. Gurney and Alford S. Mr. Hobson is a stanch Republican.

JOSEPH G. McCOY, Sr., son of Gilbert and Huldah (Cram) McCoy, was born in Ohio April 18, 1819, and was reared and educated in his native State. He followed farming in Ohio until the spring of 1844, when he came to Indiana and settled in Howard County, on his present place. He is one of the oldest settlers in the county and has experienced many of the privations of pioneer life. He settled on his farm when all around was a wilderness, but he has labored upon it and improved it until now he has a good cultivated farm. He was married in Miami County, Ohio, October 24, 1839, to Lodicia Hollingsworth, of Ohio. She was the daughter of Joel and Annie B. (Conwell) Hollingsworth, both natives of South Carolina. By this union they had six children - Huldah A., Anna B., Harvey H., Elmira C, Mary J. and Chris-

W. F. NBWBY was the second of three children born to E. J. and Elizabeth A. (Trueblood) Newby, both natives of Washington County, Ind. The subjeet of this sketch was born in Monroe Township. Howard County, Ind., May 24, 1858, and received the foundation of his education in his native county. He completed his course of study at Spiceland Academy, Henry County, Ind., in 1880. He then turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, and is now located on a farm about one mile east of New London, where he is extensively engaged in farming. Being reared on a farm, he is well acquainted with the duties of an agriculturist, and has every evidence of becoming a wealthy farmer. He was married at New London, Ind., November 19, 1881, to Merab J. Shirley. She was born in New London February 17, 1864, and is the daughter of Dr. J. and Waity (Seaward) Shirley. They have by this union one child, Frank C. Mr. Newby is a member of the I. 0. 0. F., and of the Republican party.

ZIMRI NEVVLIN, son of John and Ruth (Wordey) Newlin, was born in North Carolina October 15, 1820. When he was six years old, he removed with his parents to Parke County, Ind., where he was reared and educated. He then formed for about six years, and in 1846 he located on his present farm in Howard County. This farm is situated a half mile east of New London, and is now finely improved. Mr. Newlin is one of the pioneers of Howard County, and has experienced many of the privations of pioneer life. He was married in Parke County, Ind., January 22, 1846, to Isabella Chapman, of England. She died August 16, 1870, in Howard County, Ind. By this marriage he had born to him eight children - Mary A., Martha, William, Ruth, Lucinda, Elvin, Cora A., and Ella I. Mr. Newlin was next married at New London, Ind., December 13, 1872, to Nancy A. Whitson. She was born in Darke County, Ohio, May 1, 1832. Mr. Newlin is a Republican, and he and family are members of the Friends' Church.

JOSEPH PEACOCK was the eighth of nine children born to Asa and Dinah (Rich) Peacock, both natives of North Carolina. Asa Peacock was a soldier of the war of 1812. The subject of this sketch was born in Randolph County, N. C, August 5, 1826. When he was three years of age, he was taken by his parents to Wayne County, Ind., coming through by wagon and team, Avhich made it a long and tedious journey. Joseph lived in Wayne County until he was thirteen years old, when he removed with his father to Grant County, Ind. It was there that our subject Was reared to manhood and educated. He then purchased a farm and followed agricultural pursuits until 1865, when he sold and came to

Howard County and purchased his present place of 195 acres. Mr. Peacock has one of the finest farms in the county. His dwelhng is a large two-story brick, with eleven rooms, built at a cost of ^4,000. His farm is well improved, has all necessary outbuildings, and is well stocked. Mr. Peacock was married in Grant County, Ind., February 21, 1849, to Caroline Jones, of North Carolina. By this union they have nine children - Mary, Ruth E., Jason, Miles, Lydia A., Levi, William J., Adaline and Clara. Mr. Peacock is a member of the Republican party, and he and wife are active members of the Society of Friends.

JOHN RODKEY (deceased), son of John and Esther (Christian) Rodkey, was a native of Pennsylvania, and was born January 15, 1826. When but six years of age, he removed with his mother to Miami County, Ohio, where he was reared and educated. In 1844, he came to Clinton County, Ind., and learned the tanner's trade, which he pursued four or five years. He then returned to Ohio and engaged in farming a short time, after which he returned to Indiana, and located in Howard County, having purchased a large tract of land. He improved this place until it was one of the finest farms in the county. Mr. Rodkey was a man of fine business qualities, and assisted greatly in developing Howard County. The large brick dwelling, surrounded by broad acres, still stands, to show that he was not idle, but improved all opportunities offered, to provide for his widow and loved ones, leaving an ample share for each of his children. He died September 29, 1875, since which time Perry, the eldest of his sons, has managed the estate. Mr. Rodkey was elected County Commissioner in 1868, and re-elected in 1871, holdint^ the office at his death. He was married in Carroll County, Ind., June 4, 1853 to Eveline Fennell. She is a native of Virginia, and was born September 25, 1827. They had five children - Perry, Laura J., Mary C, Joseph M. and Jessie Celle. Mr. Rodkey was a member of the Masonic fraternity, and the Republican party.

SILAS STOUT, a pioneer of Howard County, is a native of Indiana, and was born in Orange County July 17, 1816. He wag the fifth of eleven children born to John and Elizabeth (Moon) Stout. He was reared on a farm, attending school in winter, and assisting his father during the spring and summer. When he was well advanced in his studies, he entered the high school at Salem, Ind., and completed hig course. He then returned to Orange County, where his time was mostly occupied in teaching, as well as in Parke County. He then located on a farm in his native county, where he remained until 1849, when he removed to Howard County, purchased eighty acres of land, and erected a cabin in the forest. He still lives on the same farm, which is now in a hi^^h state of cultivation, with good dwelling house and all necessary improve- ments. In 1870, he was elected County Surveyor, which position he held three terms, giving general satisfaction to the entire community. Mr. Stout is a trustworthy citizen, and has served as administrator to important estates, and as a guardian for some of the best families in the county. He was married December 22, 18-11, in Orange County, Ind., to Martha King, born in Baltimore, August 15, 1819. By this union they have six children - Edwin, Mira, Elma, Albert, Charles and Lewis E. He and family are members of the Society of Friends. Mr. Stout is in his sixty-seventh year, has never used glasses, and enjoys splendid health. He is a stanch member of the Republican party, and a worthy citizen.

BENJAMIN TUCKER was born in Miami County, Ohio, January 22, 1827, and was the fifth of thirteen children born to Jacob and Elizabeth (Kessler) Tucker. He was reared and educated in his native State, and in 1847 came to Howard County, and settled on eighty acres of unimproved land in Ervin Township. This he farmed and improved until 1867, when he sold it and purchased his present farm of sixty-eight and one-half acres. This he has improved and made a model farm. Mr. Tucker is an excellent farmer, a highly respected and good citizen. He Avas among the first teachers of Ervin Township, and has been school director for quite a number of years. He was married in Miami County, Ohio, April 30, 1848, to Mary A. Sence, a native of Pennsylvania. By this union they had three children - Newton, Jasper, and Erasmus C. His wife died in Howard County, February 8, 1860, and Mr. Tucker's second marriage was March 13, 1861, at New London, to Miss Mary E. Newlin. She was born October 18, 1832, in Orange County, Ind. They had three children by this union - Addison, William and Elwin. Mr. Tucker has been a member of the Society of Friends from infancy. In politics he is a Republican.

E. C. TUCKER is the youngest of three children born to Benjamin and Mary (Sence) Tucker; the former is a native of Ohio, the latter of Pennsylvania. Our subject is a native of Indiana, and was born in Ervin Township, Howard County, April 11, 1855; here he lived until he was fifteen, when his father moved to Monroe Township, near New London. Here Mr. Tucker was educated, completing his studies in New London in 1878. For the next three years, he was employed as a clerk in New London, at the end of which time he bought one-half interest in the store of Newlin & Beeks, and the business is now conducted under the firm name of Newlin & Tucker. They keep a stock of drugs and groceries to the amount of $2,000, and are doing a thriving business of $8,000 per annum. Mr. Tucker is a man of fine business qualifications, and with his polite and agreeable manners would succeed in any locality. He has just completed a handsome dwelling, with all modern improvements and conveniences, making it one of the most desirable homes in the town. He was married at New London, Ind., December U. 1881, to Miss Susan J. Snider, who was born in St. Clair County, Mo., February 25, 1859. She is the daughter of Pearson and Helena (Barkalow) Snider, both of English descent. Mr. Snider is a native of New Jersey, and his wife of ()hio. Mr and Mrs. Tucker have one child. Fay Ethel, born October 3, 1882. Mr. Tucker is a member of the I. 0. 0. F., and in politics he is a Re-

^^^ HORACE W. TUCKER, son of George W. and Sarah M. (Huntsman) Tucker, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, July 5, 1850. His father was a native of Massachusetts and his mother of Ohio. The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in Cincinnati. When he was nineteen years of a.^e, he moved to Miami County, Ind., where he engaged m f^irraing or eigh^teen months. He then spent several months in Sangamon County, ill., on a farm, after which he returned to Miami County, and later he came to Howard, where he purchased a farm of 117 acres. Here he farmed for eight Years, and then purchased the place on which he now l^ves, thirtytwo and a half acres, in the suburbs of New London, making in all 14J^ acres of land, all well improved. He was married in Marion County, Ind April 2, 1873, to Miss Sarah M. Carr. She was born in Marion County March 23, 1853. By this union they have two children--Lena B. and Carry A. Mr. Tucker is a Republican in politics, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.