Sugar Creek Township

Sugar Creek Township

This township was so named from a stream of considerable importance, which has its source within her borders. 'The northern part of the township was included in the bounds of the " Miami Reservation." The Indians holding possession of their claim until 1838, and many remaining even later than this, there was a tendency on the part of the white man, seeking a peaceful habitation in which to dwell, to settle some distance from the-home of the haughty red man. Hence we find those townships in the eastern part the

However, at a very early date, about the year 1827, there was found in the person of William Harris the qualities necessary to be possessed by one who took up an abode inthe forest. In the prime of life, bold and fearless, his pulse bounding with life and energy, he trod the deep forest of Sugar Creek with light and bounding footstep, vieing with the Indian in search of wild game.

August 28th, 1877, it was our pleasure to call upon this silverhaired pioneer. His home is now in Kirklin Township, about a quarter of a mile from the line between Kirklin and Sugar Creek. How marked the change which a half a century has wrought! We found him lying upon a bed, very weak and feeble. Telling him our business, and asking him a few questions concerning pioneer life, his face brightened up, and, raising himself up, he began to relate some events connected with his early settlement in Sugar Creek; but his memory, like his body, is fast fading, and for want of sufficient accuracy much that he might relate must be omitted. He is now in his 92d year, and is perhaps the oldest man in the county. Heat least has been a citizen of the county longer than any one now living. While he lingers upon the verge of the grave, may he receive due respect from the citizens of Clinton, and at last may he pass to that land where all are crowned with immortal vigor and youth. To Mr. Harris is due the honor of building the first cabin in Sugar Creek Township. "This was in the year 1828, and stood on the farm at present belonging to the heirs of John Murphy. Fora while Harris made very little attempt at improvements, but gave his time prineipally to hunting and fishing.

The first man perhaps who entered her borders for the purpose of bringing some of her dense forests into a state of cultivation was Abner Dunn. He eame in the year 1832, and settled on the farm afterward known as the Peter B. Kennedy farm.

For some time no one else was induced to take up their abode in the township. However, in 1835, two worthy men came, who were willing to share the hardships incident to pioneer life. "They were William V. McKinney, who settled on the farm where he is still living, and Merrill Cooper, on the land which is now owned by Mr. W. V. MeKinney. William V. KeKinney is still a resident of the'township. He eame to the eounty a young man, with little of this world's goods. He had a good suit of elothes, which he sold to obtain money with which to enter his land. By sterling industry and careful management he has grown to be one of the largest landholders in the township.

During the year 1836, it would seem most likely there would be several enter the township, but, in consulting the most reliable authority, we were unable to learn the names of any.

In 1838, came the following reliable men: John Crawford, who settled on the Beard farm; James Hill, on the land owned by Mr. Smith; James Ward, on the farm belonging to Mr. W. V. McKinney, and John Cooper, on the land now divided among his heirs, Mr. McKinney and Mr. Scott.

Those of .1839 and 1840 were Leonard Boyer, on the farm where heis still living; John Alexander, where he yet lives; Samuel Boyer, on the Widow Boyer farm; H. Lockridge, on the farm owned by his sissers; Maurice Ray, on the Peter Wiles farm; James King, on the farm where he is still living, and Eli Dusky, on the land owned by his widow.

After 1840, the township began to be rapidly settled, with so many changes in location that it would be exceedingly difficult to give date and location. Among those who came about that time, we name James Snodgrass, Daniel Scott, James, William and John Barnett, Walter Ivans and James Louks.

The first religious meeting in the township was held at John Crawford's in 1843, by the Methodists. Thomas Spencer and John Crawford were the ministers. A little later the same year, a permanent church organization was effected by the missionary Baptist.

The year following, this denomination built a hewed log house, which was the first of the township, on the farm now owned by Mr. Hill. At this place now is a good church, with a congregation numbering about one hundred. The next church was built by the Methodists, who built a good, substantial house, in 1876. Previous to this they met for worship in a school house.

Nearly all the various religious denominations have been represented at different times in the township. What is known as the " Hard- Shell Baptist " organized a church about 1844, which flourished fora short time, and then went down.

In 1839, a school house was built on the Cooper farm, just across the line in Kirklin Township, which was patronized by the citizens of Sugar Creek. This being somewhat inconvenient, the following year, 1840, a small pole cabin was built on the Ray farm, in which was taught, in the Winter of 1840 and 1841, the first school of the township. Soon after this, another school house was built on the John Alexander farm. George Winburough and James Hill were early teachers. 1

Sugar Creek was formerly a part of. Kirklin Township. In 1841, however, her citizens presented a petition to the Commissioners asking to be formed into a civil township. This request being granted, an election was authorized to be held at Merrill Cooper's, October | l6th, 1841. Thomas Douglass was appointed to act as Inspector. | township was taught there by R. E. Barker.

The place of holding elections was afterward changed to the house of W. V. McKinney. The first Justice of the Peace was John Cooper. Mr. MeKinney served next, holding the office for nine years, when he resigned.

The school districts were not confined to civil townships at that time. Accordingly, John Hall, John Furgeson and W. V. McKinney acted as Trustees for Kirklin and Sugar Creek 'Townships.

The first marriage was that of James Louks to a daughter of John Alexander, about 1837. The marriage ceremony was performed by Malachi Cooper, Baptist minister.

- . In 1836, Mary, wife of W. V. McKinney, gave birth to a son, Asa, which was, perhaps, the first child of white parentage in the s ip. 4 ë E A death was the wife of Thomas Douglass. 1843, John Cooper built a saw-mill, to which was attached a The next mill was by Ward, Hill & MeManuis. This mill, but burrs being attached, corn and some wheat was

3 w-mills ground. At different times of late years there 55 M run by various parties in the township. m prese one owned by Oble, the other by John Smith.

: PANT state of cultivation. She is rapidly improving; ml that is necessary to place her among the a md county. The name and location of churches K A M i correctly given on the township map. Her sehoo 8 enrolled school children; ; population, rd. usiness men at present are as follows : m E 'nae pep merchant ; Samuel Harper, general merchant; James Carter, blacksmith shop ; Reuben Cumbaugh, blacksmith shop; Michael Short, boarding house.