Taylor Township

Taylor Township

The first plat of any town in the township was that of Beuna Vista, laid off at the rapids of the Little Wild Cat, one-half a mile west of the present site of Alto. The survey was made on the last day of April, by a Mr. Snodgrass, but the next day Stephen Brooks quietly had Alto surveyed and, as soon as possible, before Snodgrass had completed the plat of Beuna Vista, Brooks hurried to Indianapolis, the shortest way possible, and had the plat of Alto recorded in the Land Office Records. Snodgrass, somewhat chagrined, then abandoned his scheme. The first addition to the town was laid out in that year. The young village being in the midst of a rich agricultural region soon sprang into considerable commercial importance. Before the year had closed, there were three stores, three cabinet shops, a blacksmith shop and a boot and shoe shop. During the first two years of its existence, as much trade was done there as in Kokomo during the same time. The first physician was Dr. J. H. Kern ; the first merchant and Postmaster was R. Cobb ; the first cabinetmaker was W. B. Judkins, while Miles Judkins stood at his post keeping soles in a state of redemption. The town has never been cursed by a saloon, the attempt to start one having been frustrated by the means of a long shank auger in boring into and emptying the whisky barrels. The short terms of subscription school were held in the log church until 1856, when a hewed-log school was erected. Concerning the later improvements of the place, we will speak of them further along. We now produce a few facts gleaned from the old township records which will be of interest to readers.

The nice little village of Alto contains, at present, sixty-five inhabitants. They have one of the finest country stores in this part of the State, owned by Allen Quick. Mr. Quick is also the very accommodating Postmaster at this place. There is also one blacksmith shop, one shoe shop, one carpenter shop, one saw mill, and one of the finest tile factories in Howard County, belonging to John T. Stringer, Esq. He has some $2,500 invested in machinery and apparatus, and turns out 12,000 rods of excellent tile per year. The village has excellent school and church edifices, both built of brick. The church is of the Methodist Episcopal denomination, and is presided over by Rev. Mr. Powell. They have also excellent physicians in the persons of Drs. Kern and Miller.

Early Town Legislation

The first meeting that the records make mention of is of the three Township Trustees held at Alto April 11, 1853. The Trustees were John Knight, David Greeson and R. D. Bates. At a meeting of the Board of Trustees of Harrison Township, held at Alto, April 30, 1853, it was ordered : That 4 cents on each $100 worth of taxable property, real and personal, should be levied to defray township expenses ; also, that there be a tax of 8 cents on each $100 worth of real and personal estate subject to tax for road purposes ; also, that the Clerk advertise a meeting of the voters of the township to meet at Alto, on the first Saturday in June, to take a vote for or against the Trustees levying a tax for the support of the common schools.

At a meeting held July 23, 1853, it was ordered, that on the 20th day of August, 1853, there be a special meeting of the voters of Harrison Township, Howard County, Ind., for the purpose of voting for or against a school tax of 20 cents on each $100 worth of taxable property in said township.

The vote for the school tax, as ordered, was as follows : For tax, 33 ; against tax, 29. Thus was ushered into existence under difficulties the system of free schools in Harrison Township.

September 10, 1853, Silas Scott, James L. McCrary and 0. H. P. Hanna reported a change in the Michigantown & Kokomo State road, as follows : " We, the undersigned, have viewed the within proposed change and find the same to be a practicable route for said proposed change, and that it will not be any material disadvantage to the traveling community." As reported to a meeting of the trustees at Alto, February 4, 1854, we find an opinion on the same subject expressed in the following pointed language. Going west, however, in a " gradual curve round " is a "sum"' thai beats the modern "problem." The report says : " We, the Viewers met, and after being sworn, went upon the proposed route and place of beginning. After viewing the route and taking into consideration the convenience and inconvenience of the road, we believe it to be of public utility. We viewed west in Reese's and Kyger's lane of a gradual curve round, giving room sufficient for a road until we struck line and the south end of the lane."

The allowances for the year ending April 8, 1854, were as follows: James Creson was allowed $12 for services as Township Clerk ; John Knight, $7, Trustee; Joseph Burk, $4, Trustee ; David Greeson, $5.50, Trustee. On September 8, 1854, Zimri Simpson was allowed $12.50 to be expended on a bridge immediately west of Clinton Gray's old shop.

On June 2, 1855, it was ordered " That Samson Lett be paid $2 for money drawn by him and depreciated on his hands." At this meeting the Trustees made the following order of a division of the school funds : *' Ordered, that the different sites in the township receive the following sums annexed to the different numbers: No. 1, $3.78; No. 2, $93.45 ; No.3, - ; No. 4, $80.95 ; No. 5, $82.45 ; No. 6, $98.15 ; No. 7, $22.45 ; No. 8, $42.53." At the same meeting Samson Lett was elected Deputy Superintendent of School No. 4.

At a meeting held March 8, 1856, it was was ordered: " That the Treasurer of the township receive an order from this board authorizing him to present the same to the County Treasurer and draw $37.50, if he can do it, for the purpose of paying tuition."

At the term held at Alto, June 12, 1857, the following teachers were allowed wages: David Hodson, District 6, $73; D. J. Bowman, District 1, $40 ; Flemming Johnson, District 2, $60."77 ; Frederick Ramseyer, District 8, $61.64; Alfred Riley, District 3, $66.11; William Creason, District 5, $43.96. There not being enough money in the treasury, D. J. Bowman was allowed his balance of $7.89, at the July special term. On May 29, 1858, it was ordered " That Charles Thorn be paid $2.50 for his service as Supervisor to fill the vacancy of John Lortts." The first choice of a regular Trustee, was at the April election of 1859, when Davis Riley was elected Trustee of Harrison Township.

A Gas Well

is found in considerable quantity along the creek. The greatest natural curiosity is that of a gas well, situated on the farm of George Greeson. In 1871, while some hands were digging and boring a well, at the depth of fifty-five feet they struck a gas vein, when a report like the whistling of an engine, came from the well. Quite a commotion was cau^d amonor the diggers, doubtless some thinking they had struck the regions of Pluto. Mr. Greeson repaired to the scene, and told the men there was no danger, and they went to walling up the well. Mr. Greeson, going down into the well, thought he would try the gas by lighting a match and putting it at the top of the bottom stock. . There was a tremendous flash, making Greeson feel that he was blowing his well out by the roots. He sank an iron tube, and on the top placed a gas burner, and this was used, to some degree, for lighting purposes, for some five years. If a receiver for the gas could be put in, it could probably be used to better advantage.

West Middleton

The enterprising little town of West Middleton is situated on the T., C. & St. L. R. R., six miles southwest of Kokomo. It was laid out by Mr. William Middleton, in the year that the F. & K. Railroad was completed, and since then has grown to considerable commercial importance. Mr. Middleton's foresight and business tact has brought about, to a great extent, the present flourishing condition of the place. It has an excellent brick high school building, one store, one grain dealer, one doctor, and one Justice of the Peace. The town is in the midst of a rich agricultural region, and furnishes a good market for grain. The principal business enterprise of the place is a large merchant flouring mill, a description of which is given below. There is an active lodge of the I. 0. 0. F., both here and at Alto. The order of the Grange at one time had a prosperous lodge in West Middleton.

Middleton Flouring Mills

Right at the door of every family in Harrison Township stands one of the finest merchant steam flouring mills in the State. About the 1st of June, 1882, Messrs. Samuel and Joseph Stratton and Amos C. and John Ratcliff" formed a company and commenced the erection of a mill at West Middleton. The body ot the building is 36x48 feet and is four stories high, including the basement, making it fifty feet, from the lowest floor to the top of the texas. The basement walls are of stone and are twenty inches in thickness, while above the walls are of brick and eighteen inches thick. The pillars for the support of the floors stand directly above one another, thereby greatly relieving the strain on the walls. The floors are made of the best oiled hardwood lumber laid diagonally across the building, thus strengthening the structure. The engine-house, which is of brick and is 14x28 feet in dimensions, joins the south wall of the mill and contains the boiler and pumps, while within the basement room is situated the engine proper, of forty-horse-power capacity, and the main line of shaft for running the machinery.

A large bin, holding 120 bushels, receives the wheat for the elevators, and there is also a smut mill for cleaning the wheat. On the next floor are found four sets of large double rollers for making the new-process flour, and these work in connection with four of the very best buhrs from the Richmond Machine Works. Two of the buhrs grind wheat, one middlings and one corn. Here also is a flour chest, with a capacity for holding four thousand pounds ; also a grain sink mounted on a fine pair of Fairbanks scales. The sink has a capacity of sixty-two bushels, and the scales register the weight in pounds and bushels at the same time. Both the sink and flour chest are made of hackberry wood and nicely varnished. On the next floor are two large flour purifiers of Nos. 0 and 00. From the rollers the flour is transferred to these, where the dust is separated and thrown into the dust room above. Also here are two large bins for holding wheat and bran. Ample storage room is furnished on this and the floor above for 13,000 bushels of grain. On the next floor there is a large bolting machine, consisting of six large reel bolts fourteen feet long, arranged in pairs one above the other, and all are run by a pulley at the top connected with a pulley below with a long chain belt. The cost of the silk covering the reels alone was $300. The apparatus was all built at home. On the top is the texas, into which extend the tops of five elevators. The elevator tubes and the spouting are all put together with screws. There is more than a half mile of tubing in the mill. The entire mill cost some $10,000, and has a capacity of 75 barrels of flour per day. It was planned by Mr. Samuel Stratton. The proprietors are all men of tact and means and carry on the business successfully.

Taxes, Population, Etc

The tax duplicates of 1882 show the value of the lands in Harrison Township to be $226,995, while the value of the improvements amounts to $44,545, making a total of $271,540, The records show the value of personal property to be $95,730. Tax in toto for the year 1882 was $6,426.13. In the township there are 247 voters. There are five church edifices and eight school buildings in the township. There are 347 scholars reported. The special school tax for 1882 amounted to $931.48; while that of 1868 was $858.93. The special tuition for 1882 was $1,803.09, while that of 1869 was $996.85. The township funds for 1882 amounted to $369.41. Mr. Walker Thorn is Trustee of the township at the present time.

Taylor Township is No. 23 north, Range 4 east, of the Congressional Survey, and dates its formation from the year 1844, when Howard was known as RichardvMlle County. Its original outline is described upon the records as follows: "Beginning at the northwest quarter of Section 18, Town 23 north, Range 4 east ; hence, south to the county line ; thence east with the said line to range line, dividing Ranges 4 and 5 east; thence north with said range line to the township line dividing Towns 23 and 24 north; thence west to the northwest quarter of Section 4, Town 23 north. Range 4 east; thence south to the northwest corner of Section 16, same town and range; thence west to place of beginning." Various changes have been made in the outline during the last thirty years, and at the present time the township comprises twentyfour and a half sections with the following boundaries : Centre and Howard Townships on the north, Liberty and Union on the east, Harrison on the west and Tipton County on the south.

The country is well watered and drained by a number of streams which traverse it in various directions, the principal of which is Kokomo Creek. This water-course flows through the central part of the township in an easterly direction, crossing the eastern boundary in Section 13, and leaving from Section 18, about one mile from the western border. It is, next to Wild Cat, the largest stream in the county, and receives in its course several small affluents, all of Avhich play an important part in the drainage of the country. Little Wild Cat flows through the southwest corner of the township and is a stream of some importance to that locality. Pete's Branch has its source in Section 10, flows a northwesterly course through Section 9, and leaves the township from Section 4 of Town 24. There are several other creeks in the township in addition to those mentioned, the majority of which are small and designated by no particular name.

The Soil, Drainage, Etc

The face of the country is comparatively even, except along Kokomo Creek, where the surface in some places is somewhat irregular, though there are no undulations sufiiciently large to be termed hills. The soil is of excellent quality, a dark, rich loam and well adapted to all the crops indigenous to this latitude. The township is almost exclusively agricultural, and on all sides can be seen farms which will compare with the best in any section of the county - the beautiful residences and commodious buildings with which they are furnished bearing testimony to the general prosperity of the owners. The whole surface of the township was originally covered with an almost unbroken forest of the varieties of timber indigenous to Northern Indiana, and a dense undergrowth in many localities that completely obscured the soil from the sun's rays, making all other vegetation impossible. As a consequence, the ground remained "wet and slushy during the greater part of the year, and proved a fruitful source of much of the ague and other malarial diseases with which the early settlers were afflicted. On account of its wet nature, much of the land was looked upon by the pioneer as comparatively worthless, and it was not until recent ye:irs that large tracts of this low ground were reclaimed by a successful system of drainage.

The early history of Taylor is similar to that of many other townships in the county, and its experience the experience of all early settlements. With all the exciting scenes and deprivation of frontier life, and the gradual unfolding and development of a community, complete in its organization, distinctive in its character, and rich in the higher elements of civilized life, the pioneer moves into the forests, with his few household goods around him, and rises a king and conqueror. Here he erects his altar, builds his cabin, levels the forests, calls down the sunlight to thrill with life the sleeping soil, and adorns its surface with the bloom of vegetable life, while nature, in her supreme loveliness, matures and yields to him the ripening fruit, the richest treasures of her bosom. Here is laid the keystone in the arch of a new social structure above which are to cluster and unfold all the arts and elements of the highest civilization. Hence we see the importance of collecting, in successful order, all the scenes and events of a community's growth, from the earliest settlement, its first germ, to its full organization and most recent form, together with the influences, local characteristics, and other combinations that may have modified or directed its development.

The Early Settlers

The first settlement within the present limits of Taylor was made in the winter of 1842, by William Rodman, who located in Section 20, about one mile northeast of Fairfield Village. Rodman was a native of New York, but immigrated to this State in an early day, settling in Marion County, near Indianapolis, when that city was but a mere niche in the surrounding forest. In the fall of 1840, he made a tour of observation through the newly formed county of Richardville, for the purpose of selecting a home, and being pleased with this part of the country he obtained permission of the Indians to make a settlement. A claim was accordingly marked out and a rude pole shanty constructed, to which the family of our pioneer was moved a few months later. The journey of the family to their new home was made in the face of many serious difficulties, chief of which was the intense coldness of the weather, and the entire absence of anything like a well-defined roadway. Much of the way led through an unbroken forest where roads had to be cut out, and great difficulty was experienced in finding the little cabin on account of the deep snow, which rendered traveling well-nigh impossible. The little mansion was finally reached and the family safely domiciled, when an inventory of their stock of provisions revealed the unwelcome fact that there was barely sufficient to last a week. This made a return trip necessary, and Rodman started back for a fresh supply and was absent about eight days. During that time the family remained alone in their forest home, with no neighbors nearer than ten miles, except the Indians, who treated the new-comers with the most profound respect. By the most frugal economy, the good wife managed to make her scanty store hold out until the husband's return, after which there was plenty in the little household. Rodman remained on his original claim about five years, when he sold his improvements and moved a short distance north, in the present township of Centre, where he entered a tract of land where Col. Blanche lives. He afterward disposed of this place and moved to Missouri, where he remained a few years, when he again itecame a resident of this county, settling the second time in Harrison Township, on the Chase farm. He sold this farm and moved to Kansas a number of years ago.

In the year 1842, Alexander Thatcher settled in Taylor, on what is' now the Elson farm, where he took a claim and made a few temporary improvements. He remained at this place but a short time, afterward moving a little further west on the Albright farm, where he erected a comfortable log house and cleared a small farm. He afterward sold his claim to Reuben Thomas and moved to Porter County.

Allen Sharpe came to the county in the latter part of 1842 and took a claim in Section 17, on land at present owned by Capt. Pierce. lie occupied this place until the year 1851, at which time he sold to Edom Garner and moved to Porter County, and later to Iowa, where his death occurred several years since.

Among other early settlers in the same locality were Laomi Ashley, and his son, Harles Ashley, both of whom located on the Dyar farm. The former was one of the pioneer preacliers of the county, and assisted in the organization of the first religious society in the township. He appears to have been a man of considerable prominence, and was untiring in his efforts to spread the cause of his Master in the sparsely settled neighborhoods of Howard County. Harles Ashley became a prominent citizen of the county, and was called to fill several official positions, the duties of which he discharged with marked ability. He was killed in Missouri during the war of the rebellion.

David Thatcher, a brother of Alexander Thatcher, was an earlv settler, and made his appearance in the spring of 1843, settling on the Hutte farm, near the northern boundary of the township. Job and Henry Garner came about the same time, the former locating on Section 18, where Benjamin Field lives, and the latter settling a short distance east of Tampico, on land at present owned by Rev. Denton Simpson. They both earned the reputation of being good men and were residents of the toAvnship for a period of about twenty years. Other settlers, whose dates of arrivals cannot be ascertained, were Elias Wilson, who settled where James Mugg lives, Thomas Miller, Isaac Miller, Matthew and William Poff, N. C. Beals and Samuel PoflF.

Thomas Miller settled on the Garr farm, where he took a claim and made a few improvements. Being a man of roving tendencies, he remained but a short time in one place, taking claims in various parts of the county, which he sold to settlers, as the population increased. He sold his first claim shortly after his arrival, and made a second settlement on J. E. Duncan's farm, which he disposed of a few months later. He afterward pre-empted land a short distance east of Fairfield, on the Henry Thomas farm, which he left about the time the land came into market. Isaac Miller located on Section 21, on the Henry Neal farm, where he lived for a short time. He was a man of no particular note, and proved no advantage to the community in which he resided.

The Poffs settled in the eastern part of the township, and were men of character and influence in the community. Bailes settled near Fairfield, and took claim where Enos Neal lives. He came from Hamilton County, and appears to have been a man of some prominence, being one of the first Associate Judges of the county. He built the first mill in the township, of which a more extended notice will be given in a following page. Prominent among those who came prior to 1845 was William Apperson, father of Albert Apperson. He was a native of Virginia, served in the war of 1812, and participated in many of the battles of that struggle. In an early day, he moved to Clinton County, Ohio, where he resided until his immigration to Indiana in the summer of 1844. He purchased the claim of Isaac Miller, on which he erected a comfortable hewed-log house, and raised one crop before the arrival of his family. He entered this land in 1847, and retained it in his possession until 1874, at which time his death occurred. A son lives on the old place, and is one of the leading citizens of Taylor.

Another settler deserving of special mention was Lemuel Shoemaker, whose arrival dates from the year 1845. He was a native of Ohio, but had lived for a number of years in Illinois prior to his immigration to this State. He was a preacher of the "New-Light " Church, and had a number of appointments in Howard and adjoining counties during the early years of the country. He took a claim near the Dyar farm, which he traded two years later to Alexander Thatcher for an improvement about one mile and a half east of Fairfield, on the Enos Scott place. In the year 1855, he sold this place to Vanham, and moved to Clinton County. One daughter, Mrs. Hatton, is living at the present time in Tampico.

Mordecai Overman came in 1844, and settled near the western part of the township, where he lived until 1856, when he sold his farm to John Layman, and moved to Missouri. He erected the first brick house in the township, in the year 1854, which is still standing. Peter Kirkman came in 1844, also, and was joined the latter part of the same year by Robert Bracken. Kirkman settled in the western part of the township, where his widow still lives. He was a prominent citizen, and died in the year 1879. Bracken settled on Section 30, on the farm where Cann Spurlin lives. He remained about eight years, when he sold to Thomas Miller, and left the county.

Robert Morrison came to the township in 1844, and took claim in Section 19, where he lived until 1847, when his improvements were purchased by Jacob Applegate, who entered the land one year later. Morrison afterward pre-empted a piece of land in Section 30, which was his home for a period of twenty-four years. The farm is owned at the present time by Asbury Kelly. Another early settler in the western part of the township was Reason Lackey, who located near the Union Baptist Church, in the year 1845. He remained at this place but a short time, when he sold to Francis Jones, and moved to Hamilton County. A daughter died while the family lived in this locality, which was one of the earliest deaths in the township.

Washington Baumgardner moved to the county in 1845, and selected a claim in Section 30, where he purchased a claim of James Lane. He has been identified with the township ever since, and is justly considered one of its best citizens. Among other early citizens who came in an early day can be named Peter Daniels, who settled on the Morrison place ; Jacob Baumgardner, a brother of Washington Baumgardner ; James Smith, who located the Kelly place ; John Albright and his father, Edmund Albright, both of whom selected homes near Kokomo Creek, in the northern part of the township ; John Dillman, who settled in the eastern part of the township, where he still resides ; Joseph Skeen, who located near the Rodman place.

During the year 1847, entries were made in different parts of the township by William Mugg, Edward C. Albright, John Moulder, Thomas Beard, Ezekiel Parker, Asa Parker, Myron Beard, William Hughes, Jesse Thatcher and Ephraim Trabue. The following year's entries were made

General Improvements

We, of the present day, who are surrounded by the latest modern improvements, can have but a faint idea of the slow and tedious process of settlement in this country forty years ago, nor appreciate the difficulties and discouragements by which it was attended. Especially is this the case with the early settlement of Taylor - an interminable wilderness, without roads, and with but indifferent facilities for communication, together with the scarcity of the necessaries of life, and the general poverty of the inhabitants, a condition which they accepted for the purpose of securing homes for themselves and their posterity. They did their work cheerfully and well, and the present condition of the country is a monument to their devotion and industry.

One lady who is still living relates that when her family moved to the country, they were obliged to cut roads through a dense forest to their claim, on which not the slightest improvement had been made. The wagon, containing the few household goods, was driven beneath the boughs of a large tree, which served the purpose of shelter, until a cabin could be erected. The husband immediately went to work, felling the trees for logs, which the good wife dragged to the place of building with a yoke of oxen. The few scattering neighbors were apprised of the fact that a house would be erected, and two days later the work was completed, but none too soon, as a heavy rain began falling before the roof was finished. Into this unfinished structure, without floor, fire-place, or windows, the family were moved, and felt as proud of their new home as a prince in his palace.

Mr. Baumgardner states that he spent an entire day in searching for his cabin, which had been built in the depths of a thick forest a couple of months prior to his moving to the country. It was in midwinter, when the search was made, and the snow lay thick and heavy on the trees and ground, rendering going about almost impossible. The little cabin was at last found, but so cheerless did it appear, with its warped puncheon floor, unfinished roof, and cracks through which a " cat could be thrown," that Baumgardner was three days deciding whether to move into it or not.

As time was precious and no other house available, the decision was reluctantly made in favor of moving, and the few household articles were transferred to the little domicile. This was in the winter of 1845, a time of great scarcity in the new settlements, as the provisions had almost given out, and it was very difficult to obtain new supplies. It is said that a man drove through the settlements with a seed load of corn which he disposed of to the citizens for the modest little sum of $10 per bushel; when asked where he obtained the corn, the shrewd trader refused to answer, and with a knowing wink that there was plenty more where his load came from, moved on to drive a sharp bargain at the next cabin. One of the settlers, bent on discovering the source of supplies, followed the sled tracks back about twenty miles to an old settlement in Hamilton County, where corn was afterward obtained at more reasonable figures.

For a number of years, many serious obstacles were experienced by the pioneers, and it required hard work and close economy to keep the hungry wolf from the door. The soil, though rich and fertile, was very difficult to till, owing to its wet nature, and the stumps stood so thick on the ground that a person could almost cross the little fields by stepping from one to the other. Long distances had to be traveled to obtain breadstuffs, groceries and dry goods, all of which were paid for by produce at exceeding low prices. As time passed, these and many other difficulties were gradually overcome. Larger farms were cleared, ditches were run and better houses took the places of the rude log structures which everywhere dotted the country. Roads were laid out, improved farming implements introduced, schools and churches established, and a general spirit of thrift took possession of the settlers ; as a consequence, the general development of the country has been almost phenomenal. As early as the year 1847, brick was burned on the Neal farm, and about one year later a second kiln was made by Hiram Beard on the place where Mr. Jackman lives, two miles east of Fairfield.

Grist And Saw Mills

GRIST AND SAW MILLS. The first mill in the township was a small affair operated by hand. It was constructed by N. C. Beals, and stood on the Neal place, a short distance northeast of Fairfield. The buhrs were made of " nigger-heads " found near by, and the hoop in which they worked was manufactured out of hickory bark fastened at the ends by leather and rawhide thongs. The building was a rough shed, about 15x20 feet in size, resting upon forks driven in the ground. The mill ground corn only, and was erected merely for family purposes, although it Avas used by the general neighborhood for a number of years. In 1850, a saw mill was erected at the village of Fairfield by Lee & Macy and by them operated four or five

Jacob Cable and William Osborne began the erection of a saw mill at Terre Hall in the year 1855; but, being unable to complete it, took in a third partner by name of Thomas McCune. Thomas Beard afterward purchased Cable's interest, and the people donated liberally to the new enterprise; corn-buhrs were attached, and the mill supplied a long-felt want in the neighborhood. It passed through the hands of several partics and was finally purchased by the Hercules Brothers, who moved it to Michigantown, where it is still in operation.

The Fairfield Steam Flouring Mill was built in the year 1858, by Joseph Haskett. The enterprise proved very remunerative to the proprietor and early achieved a reputation of being the best mill in the county, a reputation which it still sustains. An addition was built to the original structure a few years after its erection, and new improved machinery has been added from time to time. The building is frame, two stories and a half high, and, with new machinery lately added, is valued at about $15,000. There are three runs of buhrs, two sets of rolls, by means of which about 100 barrels of flour are made every twenty-four hours. It is operated at the present time by Harry Allen.

The first tile factory in the township was started by Braden & Byers, a short distance southeast of Fairfield, in the year 1866. It was operated by Frederick Youngman, the pioneer tile-maker of Indiana. Youngraan purchased the factory some time later, and has operated it very successfully ever since. He has built up a large, lucrative business, and acquired considerable wealth from the sale of tile, of which he manufactures more than any other factory in Northern Indiana.

A saw mill was built in the southern part of the township, about the year 1855, by John Griswold, who operated it until the time of his death one year later. William Hazel afterward became the owner, and moved it across the line into Tipton County. A shingle machine was started at the same place in 1861, by James Hoss, who moved here from Marion County. He operated it for about two years, when it was moved to Fairfield by John Camerer, who disposed of the machinery two years later to Peter Hoss. It was afterward purchased by Gloss Rubush and by him moved to Morgan County. One of the largest saw mills in the township was brought to the village of Tampico in the year 1876, by the Hercules brothers, who did a large lumber business until 1882, when it was moved to Frankfort. At the present time, Adam Ide is operating a saw mill in that village.

Turnpikes And Railroads

road, which ran south from Kokomo to Shieldville. It was surveyed by N. C. Beals in the year 1845, and passed through the western part of the township in an irregular course to the county line. The original route was long since abandoned for a more eligible roadway a little further east. The State road runninjj; east and west through the southern part of the township was established in an early day, and is still one of the principal highways in the southern part of the county. The Albright gravel road was constructed in a northerly course through Sections 17 and 20, and was made as a free pike by taxation. (See County History). The Rickett's gravel road forms the western boundary of the township. It was constructed as a free pike also.

In the year 1883, a free gravel road was made from the Albright pike east through Tampico, near the central part of the township. It was constructed by voluntary contribution of the real estate owners through whose lands it passes, and is known as the Tampico free pike. These pikes are all kept in good condition and have proved of great advantage in the general development of the country.

Passing through the western part of the township from northwest to southeast is the Indianapolis Division of the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railway, or the old I., P. & C. road. The first survey for this road was made some time prior to 1849, but it was not completed until a few years later. Of its general efi"ect upon the country, we refer the reader to the railroad chapter in the county history. The P., C. & St. Louis railroad passes through the central part of the township in a southwesterly direction, and has been the means of developing the country in a very marked degree. It passes through a rich agricultural district and furnishes two market places in the township, i. e., Tampico and Terre Hall.

Early Elections And Officers

The first township election tooK place August 26, 1848, when the following Board of Trustees was elected: Alexander Thatcher, Adam Kellison and Ezra Pierce. Of these x\dam Kellison was chosen Treasurer, and Ezra Pierce Clerk. At this election about seventy votes were cast. Other early township officers were E. G. Apperson, William Helms. Eli Spencer, T. M. Ham, Nathan Beals, E. Comer and James H. Hatton. Since the year 1859, the following persons have served as Trustees : W. W. Garr, N. C. Beals, W. H. Thompson, R. C. Foor, William C. Kemp, Stephen Kirkpatrick, J. H. Braden, Lemuel C. Boyd, James T. Dyar, J. A. Petro, J. E. Duncan, S. B. Purvis and Samuel Crumley, the last named being the Trustee at the present time.

The Village Of Fairfield

laid out by one John J. Stephens in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty-nine. The circumstances which led to its growth were the I., P. & C. Railroad, which had been surveyed through the county some time previous, and the desire on the part of the energetic proprietor of making a fortune out of the sale of lots. The promising location, together with the rich agricultural region surrounding, gave every indication of future greatness, and the metropolis was soon on the high road to prosperity. As soon as the railroad was completed, the place became a prominent shipping point and sustained its reputation as one of the best market places on the road between Peru and Indianapolis for a number of years. It became the market for a large scope of country east and west, but on the completion of the P., C. k St. Louis Railroad on the east, and the building of pikes leading to Kokomo on the west, the fortunes of the town began to wane, and it has never been able to regain its original prosperity. Among the first persons to locate in the village were Reuben Thomas, William Osborne, Lee and - Macy. The first store was kept by Bundy & Robinson in a little house which stood a short distance west of the railroad, on lot at present owned by William Weaver. They did a fair business on a stock of general merchandise valued at about $500, and were in the village two years, when they sold to other parties. The next store was started by Overman & Stout, in the east end of the Thomas building, the house at present owned and occupied by Joseph Haskett. They afterward erected a small storeroom north of the railroad, where Shelton & Parsons' store now stands, to which their goods were moved soon afterward. They Avere in business about two years, when they closed out their stock and moved from the place.

The third store building was erected by Foor & Hatton, in the year 1854, and is still standing, south of the Martin building on Main street. They did business about two years, when the partnership was dissolved and the goods taken from the village. William Kirkman erected the large twostory frame building just south of the railroad, in the year 185-4, and used a part of it for a store, while the other part was used for a hotel. Isaac Price purchased Kirkman's business and operated a store and boarding house for a couple of years, doing a good business in the meantime. It was afterward occupied by Thomas Brookbank who conducted a fair business until the time of his death in 1860. He was succeeded by a Mr. Davis, who was afterward killed by his son in a drunken dispute.

Other early merchants were Nate Prime, who kept in a little building which stood where Mrs. Needham's house now stands ; Thompson & Evans, who ran a large store soutl) of the railroad opposite the

Martin building. This firm kept the largest stock of goods that was ever brought to the place, and for a nuoaber of years did as large a business as any other store in the county. Williams & Boyd did business in the village several years, but becoming financially embarrassed, they closed out their stock and retired from the place.

The large brick building occupied by J. H. Martin & Son was erected in the year 1870, by Frank Hancock, one of the most enterprising merchants of the town. It was afterward purchased by L. L. Bennett, who formed a copartnership with Steele Catherwood. They carried on a successful business for some time, when the entire stock was purchased by Bennett. J. H. Martin bought an interest in the store in the year 1879, and succeeded to the entire business at Bennett's death some time later.

An early drug store was kept by Joseph Shelton in the Martin building. He did a good business for several years, when he left the village and went to Russiaville. The same building was occupied by McCoy & Berry with a miscellaneous assortment of merchandise from the year 1880 to 1882, when, on account of a business failure. Berry stepped down and out. McCoy remained some time longer and left the village in the spring of 1883.

The first warehouse was built by Bundy & Robinson, and stood west of the railroad, in the southern part of the town. A second grain house was built by Jacob Cable some time afterward, and stood near the same place. The present warehouse was erected by Evans & Fortner. It was afterward operated by Evans & Thompson, who ran it in connection with their large mercantile business. It is owned at the present time by Joseph Haskett.

Reuben Thomas kept the first hotel in what is now the Haskett building. An early hotel and boarding-house was kept by William Hughes in a large building which stood on the opposite side of the street from the one mentioned. The business of the town at the present time is represented by one large general store kept by J. H. Martin & Son ; one drug and grocery store, by Shelton & Parson ; one flouring mill, by Joseph Haskett. There is one church, schoolhouse, cooper shop, wagon shop, barber shop, meat shop, blacksmith shop. Frank Yager keeps the village hotel, and to his credit be it said that a better stopping place it is difficult to find.

Of the character of the town and its inhabitants, we can speak only in a general way. There are no saloons. The people are all moral, upright and religious. The Sabbath is well remembered, street loafing being entirely unknown,while the church is overcrowded each Lord's Day by earnest and sincere Christians. In such an atmosphere, profanity, vulgarity and gossip can find no possible encouragement, consequently every-

Napthalia Lodge, No. 389, A., F. & A. M., was organized in Fairfield May 25, 1869. The first officers: Peter E. Hoss, Master; Samuel B. Boyd, S. W.; J. H. Braden, J. W. The elective officers at the present time are George Applegate, W. M.; B. W. Applegate, S. W., and J. H. Martin, J. W. Meetings are held in hall belonging to J. H. Martin.

Garfield Lodge, I. 0. 0. F., No. 597, was instituted January 24, 1883, with the following charter members, to wit : E. C. Rice, F. A. Kelly, T. J. Kemp, Robert J. Chase, Henry R. Weaver, John Chasteen, J. S. Carpenter and George Scherer. The officers are E. C. Rice, N. G.; J. S. Carpenter, V. G.; T. J. Kemp, Secretary ; F. A. Kelly, Treasurer ; John Chasteen, Warden ; George Applegate, Conductor ; R. J. Chase, Guard ; Thomas Carr, R. S. N. G. George Scherer, L. S. N. G.; Clark Shelton, Host, Henry Weaver, P. G. The hall in which the lodge meets belongs to to Clark Shelton, and was furnished at a cost of $300. The organization is young, numbering but eleven members, but its future is very promising.

Village Of Tampico

This little town is situated on the P., C. & St. L. R. R., in Sections 15 and 22, and was laid out in the year 1852 by Ephraim Trabue. The first store was kept by Spencer Lattly, who commenced business soon after the village was surveyed. He was succeeded by Thomas Ingalls, who remained two or three years, and was in turn followed by Robert Dungan. Other merchants came in, from time to time, among whom can be named Philpotts, John Howell, Joseph Dunfee, John Lamaster, Thompson, Thomas Manuel, S. M. McCoy, J. B. Skinner and Taylor Jackman. The present merchants are S. B. Purvis, who keeps a large general store, and Madison Warwick, who makes groceries a specialty. There are, in addition to the stores, two warehouses, operated by Mr. Purvis, a blacksmith and wagon shop, by Mr. Jackman, and a saw mill run by Adam Ide. There is a fine brick schoolhouse and a church, the history of which will be given on another page.

The following medical gentlemen have practiced their profession from Tampico at different times : Drs. Armstrong, Mote, Scott, Byers and Johnson. The present physician is Dr. J. B. Kirkpatrick, who has a large practice.

Terre Hall

This little hamlet was surveyed in the year 1852, by John Newlin, for Asa Parker, proprietor. It is situated in Section 26, near the southern boundary of the township, and was an outgrowth of the P., C. & St. L. R. R. The first store was owned and operated by Cable & Osborne, who kept a miscellaneous assortment of merchandise, including a generous supply of Johnson County Bourbon, " rot gut," " tangle leg and lay 'em straight," which was dealt out in quantities according to demand. In connection with their mercantile business, the firm operated a steam saw mill, which they afterward disposed of to Thomas Beard. Cable & Osborne were succeeded by James Foresythe, who was in turn followed by Thomas Miller, by whom the stock of goods was moved from the place. An early merchant was William Carpiner, of whom but little is known. There is one store in the village, at the present time kept by Mr. Cole ; a blacksmith shop, a shingle machine, post office and church.

Schools And School Teachers

The first school in Taylor Township was taught by one Thomas Stubbs, at the old Lower Kokomo Church building, near the residence of James T. Dyer. The second term at the same place was taught by Levi Mills. The citizens of the township early took an active interest in educational matters, and at the election to decide whether the school section should be sold or not, fifty-eight voted in favor and three against the project. This election took place in 1849, and the total amount received by the township at that time for educational purposes was $160. 18f. Among early teachers were the following: Thomas Beals, David E. Stephens, S. J. Johnson, Anna L. Gordon, John W. Carter, Harrison Horine, Robert W. Morritt, J. C. Anderson, J. M. Chew, William Mott, Seth Beals, A. M. Livey, John Stewart, Harriet Brown and H. W. Thompson. There are eight good brick schoolhouses, one of which, the Fairfield building, is arranged for a graded school. There was paid for tuition during the school year (1882-83) the sum of $2,444. The teachers for the last school year (1882-88) were J. W. Troyer, Anna Smith, 0. C. Smith, Fleetwood Ault, T. N. Jenkins, J. M. Jessup, C. Wolfe, B. W. Cox and Arvilla Dyer,

The first religious services in the township were held at private residences by the Christian denomination known as New Lights. They organized a society as early as the year 1843, at the residence of Laomi Ashley, one of their ministers, who lived on what is now the Dyar farm. A log building was erected about two years later, and the organization took upon itself the name of the Lower Kokomo Church. The society continued with a good membership for a number of years, but was finally abandoned, part of the members joining the Upper Kokomo Church, in the eastern part of the township. The early preachers were Laomi Ashley, Lemuel Shoemaker and Samuel Poff.

Poff and Lemuel Shoemaker, with a flourishing membership. Among the early members were Samuel McCune, H. Garner, Eunice Garner, John R. Colvin, J. J. Poft', John Garner, Elvira Garner, Elias Wilson, Nancy Wilson, M. Ryan, Nancy Garner, Rebecca Garner, Mary L. McCune, Joseph Garner, Miles Gibson, Jane Gibson, Barbara Pendegrass, M. Spencer, Catherine Poff, Sarah Poff, Elizabeth Cole, Francis Poff, Asa Parker, Eliza Parker, John Beamer, Peter Beamer, W. H. Poff, W. J. Poff, Marietta Rodman and Eli Spencer. Meetings were held at Samuel Poff's residence for several years. A house of worship was afterward erected about one mile northeast of Tampico. It was a log structnre, and was used by the congregation until the year 1879, at which time the church purchased the Methodist building in Tampico, which has been the meeting place since. The following parties have had charge of the society at different times : Thomas Whitman, H. Johnson, Isaac Johnson, Laorai Ashley, Ammon Cook, E. Ashley, J. J. Poff, Daniel Lewellen, Vinson Roberts, J. 0. Kirby, R. Hultz, J. Comer, J. Dunfee, L. L. Gibson, G. Hurlbert, the Rev. Mr. Williams, L. W. Hercules, John R. Kob and the Rev. Mr. Jaynes. At the present time, the church is without a regular pastor. On the records are the names of about forty-five members in good standing.

The Union Separate Baptist Church was organized in the spring of 1846, by Elders Jacob Baumgardner and Uriah McQueen. The first meeting was held at a little log schoolhouse, which stood on the farm of Charles Harmon in Harrison Township. The original membership consisted of the following persons : Peter Kirkman and wife, G. W. Baumgardner and wife, Jacob Baumgardner and wife and Charles Harmon and wife. The schoolhouse was used for a meeting place about three years, when a house of worship was erected in this township near where the present building stands. It was a small structure, 18x20 feet, built of rough logs, and stood on ground donated for the purpose by Reason Lackey. It served the congregation until the year 1862, at which time it was decided to build a more commodious structure, and work on the new house besran at once. The old house was removed, and a frame building, 30x36 feet, erected in its stead, at a cost of $400. The first pastor was Jacob Baumgardner, who remained with the church a part of one year. He was succeeded by Elder Josiah Randolph, who exercised pastoral control at intervals until 1871. Other pastors and stated supplies were John Layman, the Rev. Mr. Sharpe, James Hamilton, Andrew White, William Randolph, G. W. Baumgardner, George W. Turner and Wilfred Spurlin. The church is in good condition at the present time, and has about eighty members. A Sunday school is sustained during the spring and summer seasons, with an average attendance of fifty scholars. John Morrows is the efiicient Superintendent.

Albright Chapel Methodist Church dates its history from the year 1847, and was organized at the residence of John Albright, with the following seven members : John Albright and wife, E. C. Albright and wife, Elizabeth Ford, Emily Rodman and Nancy Skeen. Among those who joined the church shortly after its organization were William Albright, Elizabeth Albright, E. S. Apperson and wife and William xlpperson and wife. For eleven years, public worship was held at private dwellings, schoolhouses and barns. The present neat house of worship was erected in the year 1858, on land donated by William Albright. The building is of brick, 35x45, was erected by John Albright at a cost of ^1,500. Present membership of the church is about 275 persons.

In October, 1849. an ecclesiastical council convened at the house of Simeon Mugg, ea^t of Tampico, for the purpose of organizing a church. The council was composed of William Lewis, Jesse Thatcher, Henry Cobb, Thomas R. Cobb, I. Hip, F. Kizer, J. Wright, A. Leach, William Golding, and M. B. Golding. Elder Leach was chosen Moderator, and M. B. Golding, Clerk ; Simeon and Lucinda Mugg, James K. Mugg, Nancy J. Mugg, William A. Curran, Rebecca Curran, Hannah Hall, William Mugg and Jemima Mugg presented their letters and were organized into a society, under the name of Bethany Missionary Baptist Church, and attached to the Judson Association. Elder H. Cobb was chosen pastor, a position he filled very acceptably for two years, when he resigned. The church licensed Simeon Mugg to peach in 1851. Elder A. Leach served the church from 1851 to 1853, at which time Simeon Mugg was called as pastor. For six years meetings were held at the residence of Simeon Mugg, who opened his door and took the little flock in and fed them both spiritually and temporally. In July, 1854, the church changed its place of worship to the Christian Meeting-House, which was used until the year 1858, when a frame edifice was erected in the village of Tampico, at a cost of ^300. In the year 1855, Rev. Denton Simpson was called as assistant pastor, and later as pastor, .in which capacity he served until the year 1866, when he resigned his charge, and was succeeded by Elder Cobb. The latter remained with the church until 1868, when Simpson again took charge and served until 1870, being succeeded at that time by Rev. J. E. Ellison, who preached one year. Simpson was called for the third time in 1871, and has been with the church ever since. A new house of worship was erected, in the year 1882, a short distance northeast of Tampico, near where the old Kokomo church formerly stood. It is a neat brick structure, and an ornament to the community.

Youngman farm. The organization was brought about mainly through the labors of Elder Hiram Westbrook and Thomas Cole. Among early members were J. B. Fletcher, Thomas Cole and wife, Thomas Beard and wife, Nathan Comer and wife. The organization was moved to a little abandoned cabin on the farm of Benjamin Neal, where services were held one summer, after which the schoolhouse was used as a meeting place. A regular house of worship was erected some years ago. It is a frame building, with a seating capacity of about 250 persons. The society was kept up for a number of years, but was finally abandoned, and at the present time no organization is maintained.

The Methodist Church of Tampico was organized November 5, 1857, with the following members : John T. Armstrong and wife, Samuel Whistler and wife, Moses Adamson and vrife, James S. Currens and wife James Bennett and wife, E. S. Apperson and wife, Sarah Eaton, Mrs. C. S. Wilson, R. S. Lattey, A. S. Kinnear and wife, T. W. Banks and wife and Richard Landon. H. J. Lacy was the first pastor, and served two years. A. S. Kinnear served during the year 1858 ; S. T. Stout, 1859 ; W. S. Birch, 1860 ; Augustus Eddy, 1861 ; C. W. Miller and George Havens, 1862, and James Black, 1863. The last pastor was Rev. C. E. Disbro. Public worship was held in the village warehouse and private dwellings until the year 1862, at which time a temple of worship was erected, which is still standing. The building is frame, 26x44 feet, cost the sum of $850, and stands on ground purchased of Elizabeth Trabue. In the year 1871, the organization, by mutual consent, was abandoned, and in 1880 the building was sold to the New- Lights, who use it at the present time.

The Fairfield Christian Church was organized at the village schoolhouse in the year 1860, by Elder Aaron Walker. The first members were Miletus Shirley and wife, Aaron Walker and wife, Stephen Kirkpatrick and wife, William Kirkpatrick, Henry Weaver and wife, W. T. Johnson and wife, James Duncan, John Newton and wife, Mrs. Newton, T. G. Anderson and wife, Louie Anderson, Alice Anderson and Parmela Anderson. The first Elders were William Kirkpatrick and T. G. Anderson. Miletus Shirley and Stephen Kirkpatrick were the first 'Deacons. The congregation held services in the schoolhouse for about one year, when a more commodious audience-room was fitted up in the warehouse belonging to T. G. Anderson. The present house of worship was commenced in the year 1863, and completed one year later. It stands in the north part of the village, on ground purchased of Joseph Lowry, and represents a capital of about $1,500. Aaron Walker preached for the church about ten years, and was instrumental in building up quite a flourishing congregation. The next regular pastor was Elder George E.

Flower, who remained with the church one year. During his pastorate, a large revival was held, which resulted in a number of accessions to the congregation. Flower was followed by Elder A. J. Kerr, who preached acceptably for two years. Then came Elder William Welsh, who supplied the pulpit regularly for the same length of time. Daniel Patterson preached one year, and was in turn followed by Elder Charles Blaekman, whose pastorate closed in 1882, since which time the church has been without a regular preacher. The organization at the present time is in a very dormant state, numbering among its members many nominal Christians with but few active workers. A good Sunday school is maintained during the greater part of the year, with a large attendance. The present Superintendent is G. N. Berry.

Friendship Baptist Church is an offshoot of the Bethany Baptist Church of Tampico, and was organized January 17, 1877, with seven members, to wit : James Mugg, B, F. Mugg, William Mugg, Joseph Mugg, Catherine Mugg, Elizabeth Thatcher and Rachel E. Mugg. The society met for worship at the residence of James Mugg for several months, when the organization was moved to the Terre Hall Schoolhouse, which served as a meeting place until 1878, at Avhich time a log church was erected. This building was used until 1881, when the present neat temple of worship was built. The house is about 32x40 feet, and was erected at a cost of |1,500. The first pastor was Rev. I. J. Langdon, of Muncie, Ind., who preached one year. J. L, Matthews was the next pastor and remained with the church for three years, being followed by Rev. J. W. Saunders, who ministered to the congregation about one year. The pastor at the present time is Rev. J. F. Crews. The membership is about twenty-five.