Russell Township

Russell Township

This township was originally a part of j Clinton, but in 1828 Clinton was divided, j and Russell was formed as it now stands. It occupies the northwest corner of the county, | and is bounded on the north by Montgomery County, on the east by Franklin Township, on the south by Clinton Township, on the j west by Parke County. This township is 1 composed of the Congressional township 16, | range 5. The streams that drain Russell are Raccoon Creek and Ramp Creek, with their ; several tributaries, all taking a southwestward course. The timber is of an excellent quality, and of a variety similar to that of the neighboring townships. The soil is excellent, especially in the northern and northwestern portions, the country around Russellvillc being charming in its natural character, and finely improved. The southwestern portion is considerably broken, though the soil is good and there are many fine farms. The township, upon the whole, is considered one of the finest in the county.

Russell Township was one of the first settled. David Swank, who came in 1820 and built his cabin on what is still known in the neighborhood as the "Swank farm," in the northeastern part of the township, was the first settler. In the same year came Allen Elliott, who settled on Big Raccoon, near the center of the township; Austin Puett, who settled near the site of Portland Mills, and

In 1821 came John Anderson, John Westfall, Christian Landis, Andrew Robertson, B. Rosencranze, William Sutherlin, John Gleason, Samuel Steele, Thomas Thompson, Jacob Beck and a brother, John Doherty and Andrew Boyd. John Fasher built his cabin on Ramp Creek this year, and removed his family thither in 1822. The year 1822 marks the arrival also of John Guilliams, Jacob Pickle and A. 13. Denton. From 1822 to 1825 Mark Horaan, R. Y. Garrott, Thomas Page, I. Aldridge, Jacob Stid and Thomas Norman became residents of the township.

Within the next five years the ancestors of the Wilsons, the Evanses, the Clodfelters, the McGaugheys, Spencers, Burketts, Forgeys, Blakes and many others 'were added to the pioneer population.

The first birth which occurred in the township is a matter of dispute. The priority belongs either to a child of Christian and Matilda Dearduff, or to Miss Guilliams, who was born about the year 1823. The first marriage was that of John Guilliams and Miss Lydia Fasher, which took place in. July, 1822. They were married by the Rev. Mr. Qninlet. The manner in which this wedding was conducted serves to illustrate the character of the times and the simple habits of the pioneers*. Mr. Guilliams, who was busily engaged in plowing his corn, made arrangements with his intended wife that on the day of the marriage, when the preacher should arrive and she should be ready, she should inform him of the facts. In. due time the preacher came, and a child was dispatched to notify the groom that all things were ready. Hitching, his horse, in the. field, he repaired to the house, where the ceremony was . performed, when he returned to his labor as though nothing unusual had taken place.

Daniel Anderson, who ministered unto tlie people of ,the township during the years 1821 | and 1825, Mas their first preacher. He was i followed by William II. Smith, Lorenzo Dow j and others of the noble band which they j represent. The iirst school-house .was built on the farm of John Foaher in 1823, in j which the first school was taught the same j year. The Iirst mill in the township was I built by Jacob Beck, and was long known as j "Beck's Mill." This was erected in 1820 j and 1821. The burr's of this mill were made j bv John Guy, from a bowlder which lay near j the mill site. The next was -Swank's Mill," j bnilt in 1823. James Secrest opened at Blakesburg the Iirst store from which .goods were sold in Russell Township. In 1823 John Fasher established a tan-yard on Bam p Creek, which was the first- in this portion of the comity. ' (Jolonel James Blake erected a | » 'Sang factory " at the "same place, and operated it from 1820 to 1830. This factory gave employment to all who were not otherwise employed, in digging "'sang," which found a ready market. Jesse Blake, also, who is. still. living in the vicinity, had an interest in this factory. The iirst church was built at Russellville in 1880. When the town was laid out in 1828 arrangements were made for the erection of a church, which was completed two years later. The first Fourth of July celebration/ was held on the' farm of John Dougherty, near Portland Mills, in 1828, General George K. Steele acting as marshal of the day. Drs. James B. Clark, Copeland, Winslow, Rogers and John Slavens were the1 first practicing physicians in this Community.

In the year 1828 the town of Russellville was laid out by Jacob Durham, who was the first merchant and carried on the first blacksmith-sno'p. Dr. Striker was the first physician who resided there. The educational and charitable interests are provided for by a graded school, and a very large, prosperous Masonic lodge. The Methodist church was the first organized in Russellville. It now has aboil t' 300 members, and a remarkably large and ' Well-conducted Sabbath-sehool. The population is about 175.

WARREN; .TOWNSHIP. Warren Township, comprising the first thirty1. sections of 'the Congressional' township 13, range 1, lies immediately south of Greencastle Township, and is bounded on the east by Jefferson, on tlie south by Clover'dale, and on the west by Washington.' The surface of the "township is undulating, and in parts quite broken. The soil is a clay loam, with some

Creek. The township was once heavily timbered with oak, poplar, hard maple and beech, with some groves of walnut and hickory, and a' .plentiful .suppty of sycamore along the streams, it is drained by Deer Creek, together with its tributaries, which traverses the township from northeast to southwest. Along this stream there are numerous neverfaiiing limestone springs.

James Townsend also kept the first store in The Presbyterian church was organized Putnamville. lie was soon folio wed by a Mr. \ at this place November 7. 1*30, at the Me Kane. The first school was taught in the house of .Fames Townsend, by the Rev. Isaac town the same year in which it was founded Reed. The following named members conby Mr. Wakefield. Archibald Cooper built stitated the first organization: John Robinthe first blacksmith-shop, and carried on the son, Samuel Moore, Mary Moore, Alexander business for several years. John Akin also Oonley, Jane Conley, James Townsend, Cathkept a shop about the same time. Hugh erine Townsend, Sarah Shell, Martha Ash- Thompson carried on the first wagon-shop, ! baugh and Julia Ann Merrill, not one of and John Morgan put up the first carding whom remains among the living. James machine. The first grist-mill was erected on Townsend was the first ruling eider. The Deer Creek, one-half mile southeast of Put- i first inin inters were Rev. Jeremiah Hi!} namville, October 16, LS26, by Alexander (deceased), Rex. Samuel C. Lowery, Rev. Conley. Another was built on the same James II. Shields, Rev. William W. Woods. creek, one-half mile southwest of the town. About the year they erected a neat in 1831, by Samuel Steele and Dr. D. W. and commodious brick church, which they Layman. : occupied until 1849, when the Old and the

During the building of the National Road New School members separated, and the New the town improved rapidly and business was School bnilt a good frame church, which was quite brisk. In an early day Putnamville dedicated in February, LS50. A few years also rivaled Greencastle for the location of afterward the < >ld School sold the brick the county seat, and a little later made a church to the Methodists. Some of the memvery creditable effort to secure the location hers joined the New School and some went of Asbury University at that place. To se- t > other churches.

cure this end. her citizens agreed to edve the The Rev. Ransom Ilawley came to Putuniversity a donation of $25,000. ; namville in the year IS 11. and acted as pastor of the Presbyterian church till 1805, a period of twenty-four years. The length uf his pastorate is ample evidence of the accepfableness of his ministry and the uprightness of his life.

The Christian church was organized by Elder O. P. Badger in 1871. This congregation has a good frame house, erected soon after their organization.

Dr. D. W. Layman settled in Putnamville in 1831, being the first practitioner in the town or the township, and so successful lms been his practice that no oilier physician has ever remained in Putnamville for any great li of time.