Stoney Creek Township

Stoney Creek Township

Settlement was now being made very rapidly along the west fork of White river and Stoney Creek and West river, which is evident by the change in township made in the next few years. In 1827, July 2d, Stoney Creek was organized as follows : "Ordered that Congressional Townships 19 & 20 and 21 in Range 12 East be stricken off into a Township to be known by the name of Stoney Creek Township Except such part as are included in the bounds of Delaware County. Ordered that an Election be held in Stoney Creek Township on the third monday in July (instant) for the purpose of Electing one Justice of the peace in said Township. Ordered that all Elections in Stoney Creek Township be held at the house of Joseph Thornburgh. Samuel Vestal is appointed inspector of Elections in Stoney Creek Township for one year."

Two things concerning this organization are not clear : First, why should they omit the half of township 18, included in Randolph county; and second, why should they "except such part as are included in the bounds of Delaware county," when none of the townships 19 or 20 and 21 of range 12 were in the county of Delaware? It is quite possible that the petitioners

The next changes were made in 1831. One new township, Washington, was organized and the boundaries of each of the other organized townships were changed. The townships at that time being White River, Greensfork, Ward, West River and Stoney Creek. Washington township was organized as follows: "Be it Known that hereafter all that part of Greensfork and West River Townships described as follows to wit Beginning on the Wayne County line at the Section corner between Sections 14 & 15 in Range 14 thence N. 8 miles thence West 7 miles thence S. 8 miles to the line of Wayne County thence to the beginning Shall be known by the Name of Washington Township with the East half of Section 10 Township 18 of Range 14. Ordered that all Elections in Washington Township shell be held at the house of Joatham Beeson in the Town of Blooming Port."

It seems strange that an exception of the east half of section 10, township 18 of range 14, should be made and is not included in Washington township. That this was done, however, there can be no doubt, because (9) in the March term of 1832 the following is found: "Be it remembered that the East line of Washington Township is hereby so altered as to begin at the Wayne County line at the corner between Sections 14 and 15 in Range 14 thence North as formerly including the east half of Section 10 in Township 18 & Range 14 E. in Washington Township." It is easily explained, however, when we consider that Paul Beard owned the east half of Section 10 and the west half of Section 11. Mr. Beard was an unusual man. He had an indomitable will and exceedingly great force of character. Being a physician, his influence was unlimited. His buildings were located in section 11, and he, not wanting to own land in two townships, persuaded the commissioners to make an exception of the east half of section 10.

Verily, there were political bosses even in that day. The time never has been when we were without political bosses, the time never will be, when we shall not have them. The only question to decide is : What shall be the character of the bosses or leaders? May they always be as upright and honorable as was Paul Beard.

On the same day that Washington township was organized. West River township was changed as follows : "And West river Township shall contain the following bounds (hereafter) towit beginning at the Wayne County line on the line dividing Sections 15 & 16 in Range 13 thence N. 8 miles thence west 8 miles to the Delaware County line thence direct to the South west corner of Randolph County thence direct to the beginning. Ordered that all Elections hereafter in West river Township shall be held at the house of .Wm. Smith."

Evidently the people of Stoney Creek township felt this to be a discrimination against them, as they lost quite a little of their territory. The commissioners in this same session equalized the matter somewhat, when it was "Ordered that one mile of off the west end of Whiteriver & Ward Townships be added to Stoney Creek Township and ordered that all Elections in said Township hereafter shall be held at the house of Wm. Moore Junior." This evidently didn't yet satisfy the people of Stoney Creek township. It is impossible to know at this time just what local forces were acting in the matter, but another change was made in the July term, when it was "Ordered that two miles & a half & forty poles from the west County line and 2 miles South be taken from the N west corner of west river Township and added to Stoney Creek Township." These changes are shown in the map of 183 1.