Monroe Township

Monroe Township

This township derived its name from Ex-President Monroe, and is the largest in the county, extending more than half way across the entire width of the county and containing an area of fifty-one square miles. In point of population it ranks third in the county.

Among the first settlers of this township were Joseph Hall, Peter Casscll, Baxter Davis, John Chitwood, Stephen Norris, Elija Snodgrass, Hildria Lee, John Brunt, Evan Kllis, John Cree, Jacob Price, Morgan and James James, John Banks, Elijah Williamson, Macajah Chauless, David Pifkard and Lorenzo Carver.

Among those who have served as Justices of the Peace we find the names of Aaron Williams, David Pickard, Jesse Ellis, William Wilson, Daniel King, Moses Harris, Stephen Norris, Jesse Williams, Jacob Cassell and James Russell.

Tiie population of the township in 1850 was twelve hundred and forty-four; in 1860 it was one thousand seven hundred forty-one; in 1870 it was two thousand two hundred and twenty-one, and in 1874 estimated at two thousand four hundred.

The number of acres of improved land in 1870 was sixteen thousand seven hundred and seventy-seven ; value ^f farms and farm implements, ^1,095,463; value of live stock, $161,596; number of bushels of corn, one hundred and thirty-four thousand five hundred and forty-seven ; school houses, eleven ; value of school property, including grounds, houses, maps, charts, globes, etc, $8,000. The number of school children in 1858 was seven hundred ; the

Monroe contains two towns, Alexandria and Osceola, both spoken of in separate places. Pipe Creek passes through and flows in a southwesterly direction, and several of its smaller tributaries take their rise in this township.

The LaFayette and Muncie Kailroad passes through from the southeast to the northwest. The township contains one grist mill, four steam saw mills, five churches, five physicians, eight stores, one tan yard, one planing mill, one harness shop, four shoe shops, two lawyers, two post offices one hotel, four local preachers, eight Sabbath schools and four miles of pike.

Among the public men who have filled county offices are William Wilson, Evan Ellis, Frederick Black, Dr. Pugh, D. K. Carver and Robert Cree. The first brick house was built in 1835 by Peter Edwards on the farm now owned by Abram Miller, south of Alexandria. In the year 1836 some small mills were built on Pipe Creek by James James, Peter Cassell, Daniel Franklin and Henry Hough, They are all numbered among the things of the past with the exception of one, three miles west of Alexandria, and now owned by David Festler. It does a small custom work.

In the year 1866 William Daniels built an extensive distillery at Alexandria, but it is not now in operation. Within this township lived and died the oldest man in the county, Moses Maynard, an account of whom will be given in another place.

Among the first physicians were W. F. Spence, David Perry and Cyrus Westerfield. Among the first ministers were Kevs. Craig, H. Smith, James Havens, James Robie, M. G. Beeks, Wade Posey and J. H. Hull. The first school teachers were Henry Shark and P. H. Lemon. The first blacksmith was Joseph Finnemore. The first merchant was N. Berry. The present trustee is Daniel M. Scott.

the LaFayette and Muncie Railroad it will have a market at home in place of hauling their produce to Anderson, of which they are getting tired. When this road is completed Alexandria will not only command its own trade but that of Boone and of Van Buren townships.

We have hastily glanced over the history of Monroe township. During a period of forty years it has grown from a few pioneers to a prosperous population of twentyfour hundred.