White River Township

White River Township

Henry Sliatlcrly, son of Henry iind Mnry Slinlterly, wna the first white ihilil liiirn in the township. lie was born in 1820, ami, in early manhood, reninve.1 to the Stale of Iowa, wh, re he still resides.

Tlic death of Mrs. Ksther J'reel, wife of Bencmi I'reel, in 182(1, was the first leath in the settlement, nnfl the union of her survivinj.' hu.sband with the wiiliiw of Benjamin Fisher in Deeendjcr. 1S21, was the first marriaj^c over celehr.itcd here. There waa then no eivil government in the county, and the nearest point at whieh the niarriai,'e lieensc could he procured was Indianapolis. Tliilher the bridal party repaired, and there the marriage waa solemnized.

The first brick house was erected by /.enas Beekwitli in IHL'7. The brick f(ir this purpose were manufactured on his farm. Tiiis house is the present residence of his dnuj^hter, Mrs. Leamitif;.

The first store waa opened by Jerry K. lycamin},', at his farm near f<trawtown, in 1825, and Itiekncll Cole opened a stock of merchandise at Strswtown

The first tavern wss kept by William Wallace in a buildin;: which .still rids on the corner op|>osite the store of C'cpy \- lloss, in .Sirawtown.

The first blackpunth was Kobert Hoddy, who opened a shop in l.^liflon > farm now owned by Mr. I/ytIc, at the western extremity of Strawtown. r several years he was the only blacksnnth in tiie township, but a shop was crward opiTatcd by William I'rcel.

Kiirly n-li^'inus meetings were held at the houses of William Alltnan and mis I'riTl. who were local preachers of the M. K. Church. About 1827, a -4S was oiL'ariizcd at the house of Jonathan Carey, where nice' in;;s were held bout attcmi'lin;; to correct what may -c preference to the narrative of his laughter, Mrs. , Zimmerman, as told to the writer. It is substantially as folows One John .Shint.-in'cr kept a stock of Roods at Strawtown, consisting of ii.li articles as were usually in stock among Indian traders, and of cmiisc the iicvitable whisky was a part of his merchandise. Of this the Indians piirhasrd liberallv and drank freely. On one occa.sion, in March, 1H21, an iidian came to" his establishment, half-intoxicated, and, after n few grumbling cniarka, aecu.scd Shintafier of pulling " heap White liivcr" into his li,pior, or n oibcr words, diluting it wiih walir fmui the river. Shintafler, who was by lo means a man of amiable temper, permitted his anger to overrule his judg-

:cr|ucnces that he knew must ftdlowtucb atrocity when the news reached ?. 'I'hc Indian, unable to extricate himself from the fiery prison, yelled ;ony, while the while fiend slood by unmoved, unpitying, and witnes.scd iblc death. Had he but pursued a different and more pacific coursei ly se(|uel might have been averlefl ; but the Indians, whose amiable toward the white invaders of their hunting grounds was far from sinre glad of an ojiportunity of gratifying an expression of the hatred that in their breasts, under the specious pica of revenge. Accordingly, the d scarcely reached the Indian enmp, when ten or eleven braves, anncd saw ihcui ccuning, and guessed the object of their visit. He made ha.sty prepariiiionsfcr defense, anil all the men then at home in the settlement, while tlioy had no sympathy with Sliinhiffcr in the commis.sion of his crime, knew they must share the result of it, and fiirmeil thcnisidves in lino of battle to resist the savages, and protect their homes. A fence divided the Indians from the sitllcrs, and the battle began by one nf the former picking up n hickory club, and throwing it at one of the while men. Some One relumed the compliment with deadly effect upon one of llic Indians, who then fled, pursued by the settlers. It was in this chase that Jlr. Fisher received a dciitb-wound from a tomahawk. Fearing the consci|UcnceB of their raid, the Indians broke camp immediately, and lcf\, it is said, for the neighborhood of Fort Wayne. Mr. Fi.sher had always been on friendly terms with them, hut this friendship failed to protect him against their passion for revenge. Another account of this tragedy waa contributed by a correspondent of the Anderson (Ind.) Democrat,

" For several years after the admission of Indiana as a St-ato in tho Union, society in general was in a very chaotic ami immoral condition. The transfonning of the country and people from a stntc of Bcmi-harbarisra to one of intelligence and refinement coubl not be brought about in a short sca-son, but must bo the work of years. This portion of the State at that period was the s, anuuig whom could be numbered the l*rivcn from one position to another nucd encroachments of the whites, defeated in many bloody encounters by Wayne, Harri.son, and other able commanders of the early d.ays, and seeing llie country, which for ages had been their home, taken fnun them, it is not to be womlereil at that they continually held deep feelings nf revenge; and, although there was a fjuaai state of peace, there were frefpicnt encounters between tbciu and the first settlers, which, although not rising to the dignity of a battle, were allended with the loss of life ami the shedding of blood.

The valley of While Uiver was a favorite home of the Indians, and there were large numbers of them residing along il5 banks, from Muncie's Town to Sir.iwlown, and up to the year 182(1, there were not, perhaps, a dozen while families dwelling along the country between the two points. Strawtown was, for many yeani, an imporlaut trading-post on the Western frontier, and largo numbers of Indians congregated there. *****

" Drunkenness and ipiarrcls were frequent. Among tlic rcsidcnia of the place at Ibis period, was a notorious character, rejoicing in the name of Shintapper,* who w.xs the owner of a ' gin mill,' situated on the north side of tho river, near the fort. His place was the headquarters for nrany of the highest people of the regiim around, and the Iiulians were anmiig his most frei|uent customers. Upon one occasion, an Indian who had become intoxicated and loitered around bis place, incurred the displeasure of the saloon-kci^pcr, who, maddened, threw the almost helpless Indian into a large fire, and, despite his yells, allowed him to remain there until death relieved his sufferings. He was of the Pottawatomie tribe, and, learning the fate that had befallen him, his brother Indians determined at once upcm revenge. Late one afternoon, in April, some eight or ten Indians, armed with tomahawks and clubs, were seen emerging from the woods to the northeast of the fort, anri bearing down quickly and stealthily toward the house of Shintapper. Their movcmenls were noticed by none more earnestly than Shintapper himself, who, diviidng their purpose, in a slate of defense. Among the white men was numbered Mr. Uenjamin Fisher, father of Mr. Charles Fisher, who is well known to the ri'aders of the Itrmnanl. * * « * The Indians, immediately upon arriving at tho house, demanded that Shintapper should come forth, and, being rcfn.scil, sought entrance. A general fight was now opened - the Indiana with tomahawks, and the whites with clubs, stones and anything that could be readily used. The while men soon emerged fnun the building, when Iho Indians beat a retreat, and were followed for a short distance, losing one of their number (wbowa.s killed in the first engagement). They soon rallied and attacked the whites with redoubled fury, during which time, Mr. Fisher, who was somewhat in advance of the others, was seized by an Indian, struck down with a tomahawk, and scalped before a.ssistanee could he rendered him The Indiana immediately fled, and. knowing the feeling that would be aroused by this tragedy, retreated in the direction of Fort Wayne, and were never seen afterward in this locality.

" On the night following tho tragedy, Sbinlapper, who had been the direct e-iuse of it, ba.slily placed a few articles of his plunder in » ennoo and, seizing oars, departed, to be seen no more.

" A small mound in the cemetery at Slrawlown marks tho last restingplace nf Benjamin Fisher - one nf the hewers of wood and drawers of water in the pioneer days."

The first school in the township was taught in the winter of 1822. Tho Bcbonlhousc was a little log cabin wbicli stood on the fann of Michael French, opposite Strawtown, and the funds for its maintonanco were contributed from the scanty means of the residents whose children shared the benefit* of tho

The second school was taught on the farm of William Dyer, in the winter of 182(1-27. The teacher, James Steel, was o man of fair educational attainments, superior, at least, to the average school-teacher of that period, and his year l.''<C:i. In ibat year, John Hu.scher donatcil to the society a lot upon which to erect n churchj whicli was coiiiph'tcil in the same year at a cost of 81,11111, not including the serviccH of the liicnihcrH, by wlinin the princijial part of the labor was perri.ruieil. Services are now conibiiteil in the church by llev. Lans, of Tipton, Iii.l.

Lnr.M, iNim.sTniF.s. J'inticcr Miltit. - The first mill in the township was built by AVilliam Foster. It was lu'irun toward the close of thcyear 1821, and coinpletetl and [uit in operation in March, lS21i. It wim located on White Uiver, two miles below Strawtown, and was o]ieratcd as a saw-niill, with a corn-cracker attached. Mr. Foster subsefjuonlly sold tbo mill to John Stoops, during whose ownership it was washed away hy an ieo-gnrge. The dam roiiialned for years afterward, but the site was never apiin occupied by a mill.

The best lii-lnrie:d aulhoriues mention this as beiiij.'nriL'innlly a IVIawnre t.nvn of some c.inse.|uenee. from the lael that il was located on one of the principal routes from the While River towns lo the aneient capital of the Miami nation at Kc-ki-on;;-a. Snliscipiently occupying a posi'ion on the leading route of travel from the older settlements in Wayne County and vicinity across the State to the Indian towns on the Wabash and lyower Tippecanoe, it early aci|uii'ed notoriety .as a convenient stop|Mng-|ilaec for travelers along thai route, which, during the period of the first sctllenienis along the Waba.sh anil other points west and northwest, .acfpiired the name of the " Strawtown Itoiite." because of its greater directness and other advantages.

As early as the year 1821, there were those at Strawtown who raiseil crops with a special view to trafficking with emigrants en route for other points, the m.ajority of whom slopped here to replenish their stores of provisions, knowing that no similar oiiiiortunity would be presented until they reached ^Vild Cat Prairie, in Ti]i]>ccanoe County, liieknell Cole was the first who eniraged in niereanlile pursuits at this point, though Jerry K. Learning had kept a store a short distance below the town several years previously. Shintairer and Jacob

The name Sira,rl,n,-n does not appear to have been the Indian nanie, but was "derived," says the author of Clinmhcrliiin's Lulmnn dnzeUrrr (isrifl), " from a house in it, thalcbcd with straw." The writer ha.s been unable lo find a more significant origin for this name - none more iirobable or pliuihible. Prof Cox, however, says: "Strawtown, so named after an Indian chief" * - - - - Mr. Charles Fisher, an old resident of the place, attributes the derivalion of Ibis name to the fact that one Slrtiwbridgc waa the chief of the band who inhabited the old village.

It has been frequently stnteil that Strawtown was ono of the rival points in the canvass for the location of the Slate eapilal, Prof. Coi says; "Strawtown

***** wan, in nn c;irly (li>y, n noti.'il ' tr.nling-piisl,' directly on llic route from the Ohio to the Indinn towns on tlic Wah^h Hivcr. It was nlwaja one of tlie sites mentioned ns a suitable ioc.ition for the cajutnl of tiic State." The writer has heen unable U^ find any evidence corroborative of this belief, ;iml, afier an examination of tlie journal of Gen. John Tipton, one of the Coniniis.sioners who made the seloetion, and the written statements of others con. lieelcd with it, we are unable to agree with those who claim such a notoriety ; but tlicy may be correet, notwithstanding, for this lielief can Bcareely be set a.sidc ns purely legendary, and evidently lias a foundation in fact. In Holloway's History of Indianapolis, wc find the fidlowing item bearing upon this point; " On the Uth of January, 1S20, the Logisl.iturc appointed the following Coniniis-jioners to make the selection. ****** jjy^ five of them accepted their apjiointmcnt or acted upon it. Tlic.ic five traversed White Kivcr Valley, making examinations ns they advanced, and very naturally reached conflieling conclusions. Hut three points were jiruininent above all others; this (called tlio Fall Creek location), Conner's and the Wulfs of White

Gen. Tipton, one of tlie Commissioners, in his journal (spraking of the Wuffs), says; " We found the I!lufl:s in Town IB north, of Hangc 2 ea.st, in Section in. The blulT is aluuit one hundri'd and fifty feet above the river, but very uneven ; the water good. ****** ^f tiijg lj]uff igguo n number of fine springs, one of which, sonic distance hack from the river, has nearly twenty fed fall. Hack of this bluff was a beautiful creek. They (the bluni) front on the river nearly one mile. If they were level on top, it would be the most beautiful site for a town that I have ever seen," In the journal of (ren. 'J'ipton, Strawtown is nowhere mentioned, and whatever influences wero brouglit to bcarjn its favor in the race for capital honors, were overcome by its more favnrefl or more formidable rival, and the nnibitions of its citizens met their first great defeat.

Again, in the rivalry for tho location of the county seat, the claims of Strawtown were presented and strongly urged ; nnd again a rival claimed the victory. The eommitteo appointed at the special session of the Hoard of County Commis-sioncrs in ,'^Inreh, 1824, returned the following report; " Wc proceeded to examine the difierent sites offered for fixing thereon the permanent seat of justice of Hamilton County, with the exception of Strawlown, which wc thought not necessary, it being at so great a distance from tho center of the

13ut Strawtown will, at least, bo an interesting relic of the past, if the future lias in st/>rc for it nothing better. Here wore en.actcd some of the earliest scenes in the settlement of Hamilton County, and nearly every fiiot of its area is historic ground. Here, too, an ancient race of people made their nbode, nnd left the traces of their handiwork, with no other index to their existence, their nationality or their destination. Here, in nn early day, the establi.sbment of groggeries attracted an unenviable clement of society, and for years the mor.!! atmosphere was extremely bad. One of the old citizens said, in conversation with tho writer; "We had our ' groceries,' which were little more than low drinkingsaloons, and some good men were ruined by their ovil surroundings.

We had some bad citizens, and there was a lack of enterprise ; other towns outgrew us, and, by the time we had relieved ourselves of the lawles-s element, and good citizens had taken control, wc awoke to the fact that the business which formerly eainc to Strawtown had been diverted to other points, and our loss was beyond retrieve."

This town, whose reputation was once almost national, is now a rpiiet hamlet, known in Ibis county by its former greatness, anrL abroad by an occasional mention in reminisecnees of pione.Ts in our \Vesteru Slates.

Mr. Anderson was the son of John and Nancy Anderson, who w,>ro natives of New Jersey. The father was born there in ISli:!, nn.l the mother in 1HII4. Their marriage occurred in their native State in 1824, after which, they went immediately to the State of Ohio, settling in Clermont County, where Ambrose, tho subject of our sketch, w.as born in IS-.'T. Coming to this State and county in 18:12, gave young Ambrose very poor opportunities for education. A short term in winli-r in the log selioolhou.se wa.s the extent. None but those who parliii|.alc.l could now realize the ineflicieney of such privileges.

Having an inclination to read, however, as he grew to manhood and since, he has become n close oliservcr of pas-ing events, nud infonncd, to r|uito nn extent, on the general topics of the day. l''or two years sillwrplcnt to reaching bis majority, he continued with his father. He then took up the carpenter's trade, following tho same in connection with .sawing lumber, about six years ; he eouiiucnccd iniprovnig the home where he now lives, h.aving bought eighty acres of the same the year previously.

Mr. Ander,son has been twice married. His first wife w.is Miss Eliza Aldred, to whom he was wedded Decemlier Hi, 18.')2. This comjianion died M.ay 2!l, 1854. Three years later, October 1, ISoT, he w.is again married, to Miss Jlieha JleClintick, a native of White Hiver Towii.ship, this county, and n daughter of a protninent pioneer here. She was the second danghte'r and fourth child in a family of nine children. J[r and Mrs. Anderson arc the parents of seven children - three sons and four daughters - all of whom yet bless their social, hospitable home. Their names arc as follows, viz.; Orvillc M., born September .5, 18.->8; John AV., August in, 18111; Nancy E., Janu,ary fi, ISll,'); Sarah C, July 15, 1805; Florence E., January 2!>, 1868; Samuel S., September 28, ISlifl; Anna M., October 17, 1874. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Mr. Anderson having been connected with the church nbout forty years, nnd his wife about thirty years.

The entire family take a deep interest in the prosperity of their Sunday school. In politics, Mr. Anderson is n Democrat, but not n zcaIous partisim. Temperate nnd induslrious in his habits, he hna acquired a nice property nnd a pleasant home. Honorable in his dealings, he enjoys the esteem of a large ncf|uaintance

'.TON is tiic central township of the tirr fovniin;.' the western jndarj- lincof IlaniiltnnCounly.and contains nn aren..f fift.v-sis fqmro miles. It was first set apart ns n separate township hy the Board of County Commissioners, at the rcfrular session of tliat ho.ly.helil in Noveniher, 18:!3. Tli« boundaries assi-ncd it were os follows: " l!et.'inniiiK;it tlie southwest corner of Section in, Township 18 north, of ]!an;:e 4 cast ; west on the section line to the west line of Hamilton County ; north to the northwest corner of Section 18, Township HI north, of Unnne :) east ; east to the northwest corner of Section 111, Township HI north, llan^'c 1 cast ; south to place of Ijcpinning."

At the same time, it was ordereil liy the board that nn election be held nt the house of Asa Hales on the 7th day of Ueccnibcr, 18:)3, for the purpose of clcclinj; two Jusiiees of the IVncc, and other townshi|i officers.

The First White Settlfr

Late in the year lS:il, or early in 1832, Harmon Cox, a native of North Carolina, brouf:ht his family and settled in the southeast part of the township (which, at that time, was attached to Pelawaie), and it is penerally conceded that he was the first while man who bepan the pioneer work within the present hmits of AVnshinglon Township. lie remained in the township during '-he remainder of his life, and long enough to witness many of the changes and improvements wliich followed in the eoui-sc of n few years, and in conscfiuenco of the determined eir..rts of the pioneers by whom the tow

I settled on Section 25. In April following, he enured the northwest <piarter of this section. Here he elcareil and improved a farm, assisted by his sons l!iley, Simon and William, who arc still residents of this county. He w.ls long identified with the best interests of the township, and took a jiromiuent ])art in many of the measures instituted for its improvement. He served as Insjieclor at the first election held in the townphip. lluring the year 18.12, Asa Rales, Aaron Sanders, Jesse Hee.se, Zacharihh Reese an<i William Hcynolds scttlctl in the township.

Isaac Baldwin came in August, 1.833, and entered the east half of the southwest (piartcr of Section (!, Town IS north, Hangc 3 east, where he cleared and improved the farm ujion which he now resides.

The First Cemetery

Simon Moon, in 1833, set ajiart from his possessions a small tract ot land ami donated it to the Society of I'ricnds for a place of interment. A child of one of his neighbors had died several months prior to his donation of the land, and the place of burial is not now known, but it w.as probably on the homo farm. The first corpse interred in the cemetery wa.s that of the donor, Mr. Moon, who <lied in 1835. The cemetery is located immediately south of tlw town of Wcstfield.

Other Early Eve.Nts

In the next year was celebrated the first marriage, the contracting parties being William Hiatt and Mary Jloon. The rite was performed occording to the marriage ceremony of the Society of F'riends.

The first houses were log cabins, rude in their style of arebilecture, but affording a tolerable shelter and a certain degree of comfort. The first innovation in this line wasinaugurnlcd by Aaron Lindlcy, in 1837 or 1838. At this time, he erected n modest brick dwelling on his farm, which, in comparison with the log liouses around it, seemed of palatial proportions; but it was not long aflcr this date until the log buildings began to disappear, some to be succeeded by frame dwellings nnd some by brick.

The first road through Ihc township was surveyed and located about the year 1836, The route wa.s from Wcstfield to Indianapolis, nnd the chain was run through the woods, trees being " blazed " at intervals to mark the course of the road. For n year or more, the " blazed " trees were all the eharnctcristics of a road that it possessed, as the entire route was covered thickly with timber nnd underbrush. Finally, however, the residents along the lino turned out in a body and cleared it of its obstructions, yet it wi« several years before it became n good road. It is now known ns the Indianapolis nnd Westfield I'ike.

The First Mill

Ephrnira Stout creeled a small corn-mill in 1830 or 1817. It was of the most primitive construction, an<l ground very slowly. The stones were of that variety known ns " nigger heads," found in Eagle Creek. They worked in an upright position, and merely cracked the corn as it passed between them, and eight bushels per day was the maximum capacity of the mill. William Moon, nn old settler of the township, aud a patron of the mill, says that he frcr|ucntly went down early in the evening with a sack of corn on his shoulder, and waited all night to have it ground, so that ho could return home with his meal. Cornbread, in those days, formed the staple diet of the population, as there was no mill in the vicinity capable of grinding wheat; and when the settlor wanted flour, he was compelled to haul his grain over the most miserable roads to the lirli'k was miinufdituroil in the townsliip as early as 18-llt. The enterprise was inau^Miratcd hy William .Stanhrou^'h, niio constructeil a kiln on his farm, anil dispensed the produela of his lahor to liis nei^'lihors, by wliom they were used in the construelion of chimneys. The hou.sc of William Moon, and si'veral other houses in the township, have ihinmeys still in use, made of ihe.sc hriik.

The first stops towird puhlie cdneation were taken hy the Frienils in 18:;.-). The townsliip was ori^'inally settled hy memhers of this society, and nearly all the early improviMnenIs were inanf;nratcd.hy them. They employed a teacher in the winter of the year almve named, and the school was conducted in their meelin.L'-house. Schools were opened at a later date, in various portions of iho township, and conducted under the suI)seriittion .system until 1h."j7. In this year, the public school system was iutroiluced, and a frame huildin;; erected in District N'n. 1, 20x:!ll fiTt. Two similar buiWin-s were erected later in the same year in other .school ilislricls. The cost of the three huilding.s was $1,(!(KI, and the enumeration of school children in the township for that year was .1!>7.

In IM.Vl, J. W. Uowman received the contract for building two now school, houses, one in District No. .'i and one in Xo. 5. Tiie fi>rnier w.is erected at a cost of 84(18, and the latter at a cost of 83S!), both frame buildings. At the year IRCH, there were sixteen scliool buildings in the township, ntries re^rarding the ilates of their erection. ?en erected - one in District No. 17, one at Kagletown - all fr.ime buildings. The building at Jollict was

The Wrsljhhl High fschml. - The high school building was erected by the Trustees of the incorporated town of Westficld, in 185,8. It is a frame building 'MxiO feet, two stories high. The first term began in September, 1858, with A. P. Ilowe as teacher. The upper story was not then completed, and the school had but one department. In the fall of 181)0, it was first organized as a graded scliriol hy employing an additional teacher and establishing another department. Mr. Howe was thci higher grailc, or grammar school, the fall of 1877, when the bigli sch employed as teacher of matheniatic In the fall of 1878, the primary gr;

The fall term began Septend>er 2n, 1879, and clo.sed December Itl, 1870. The winter lenn began January 12, 1880, and closed March 5, 1880. The spring term began Marcli Ifj, 1880, and continued twelve weeks, closing June 4.

Course of Study - Primary (5rade : Alphabet, first and second readers, spelling, numbers, oral geogrnpliy, printing and slate-drawing. Intermediate Grade: third and f.purth readers, spelling, arithmetic to common fractions, geography, language and writing. Grammar School; Arithmetic, grammar, geography, United Slates history and physiology completed, reading, analysis of words and plionctic spelling. High School - l'"ir8t year ; First term, Latin, algebra, natural pliilosophy and book-keeping; second t<'rm, Latin, algebra, natural philosophy and rhetoric; third term, Latin, algebra, boUny and rhetoric. Second year: First term, Ciosar, zoology, algebra and Constitution of United States ; second term, Cnjsar, geometry, advanced grammar and Knglish literature ; third term, Virgil, geometry, general history and political economy. Third year: I'irst term, Virgil, trigonometry, geology and Knglish litoraturo; second term, Virgil, surveying and mental science ; third term, Cicero, chemistry, logic and moral science.

This scliool was organized in the year 1861, by the Society of Friends, at Westficld, as a permanent institution of learning, in which students should have an opportunity of preparing themselves for college; those wishing to teach, could he fpialified for their work, and those unable to tnko a full college course, could obtain a good, practical education, such as would fit them for usefulness in llie worlil, and this under the advantages of reduced expcuses and excellent moral and social influences.

Although the institution was under the care of the church, yet the money for the jiurehase of thcgrouml and erection and furnishing of the scliool buiKling, was niailo up by private sub.«ription, and was obtained with much difliculty, often in small sums, and from sleinler purses ; but the donations were made by cordial liaiids, and a blessing was upon them. Prominent among the early and active friends of the institution were Calvin Hunt, David Baldwin and Levi T. Pennington, the first mentioned of these gentlemen having eauv.asscd the west i)art of llie county, going from hou.sc to house, and presenting the claims of the school with such clearness, good sense, and patient persistence, as to win people who had never before thought of doing anything for education. These ihrec gintlcman have repeatedly filled the oflice of Trustee ; they have watched the progress of the enterprise as time lias i)assed on, earing for its interests, praying for its prosperity, and rejoicing in its success ; ami, after the lapse of nearly twenty years, they are the same earnest and self-sacrificing adherents of the school that they were at its cstablishiuent. The first Board of Trustees was appointed in Jlay, ISlJO, ond immediately proceeded to the erection of a subslauti.al brick building, two stories in height, with three rooms in each story, which were neatly furnished, and the scliool opened January 7, 18C1, under the care of John R. Hubbard, A. M., and his wife, Susan Hubbard, as Associate Principal.

Those who have occupied the position of Principal in llie school since that lime have been Enos Doan and Martha A. Doan, Zenas Carey, Jr., Lewis A. Kstes, A, JI., ami lluldah C. Kstcs, William Howlaml, James Sanders, B. S., Nathan Wilson, Plicbe Furna.s, A. B., John Pennington and Irvin St«nley. The leading assistant teachers have been Irene Mote, Louisa Painter, Phcbc Limlley, Ludovic Kstes, A. M., Klizabeth Embrce, ]';iiza Hoag, >Ielinda Embrce, Eliza Edwards, lluth Heston, Carrie E. Bly and Absalom Roscnberger, A. B.

Of those whose names have been associated with this school in the capacity of Principal, four have finished their work on earth, but their memory is embalmed in the hearts of tlieii; pupils. The deceased Principals are as follows :

Su.san Hubbard, a lady of fine education and culture. She was connected with the school for a brief period, and devoted the latter years of her life to religious exercises.

Enos Doan was a very successful teacher. Ho made teaching a profession, and pos.se.ssed a hajipy faculty of imparting knowledge to his pupils in a manner to lu.ake a lasting impression upon their minds. He gaiucil the good will of his pupils, and the confidence of the public. He subsctiuenlly entered upou

Among tlie efllcicnt and accomplishol instructors who have taught in Union High School, none, perhaps, are reiuembcred by their pupils with a more tender regard than lluldah C. Estes ; lier cheerful. Christian example and life of sacrifice for the success of her pupils, and the precepts daily taught in connection with the lesson, have stayed the steps of many a wayward youth, and have been an impetufl to advance others in the right direction ; and, while her work on earth has ceased, a reracmbrance of her instructions still prompts many to more energetio and noble lives.

Tiie progress of the school from its inception to the present time, though not enlirclv smooth, has, on the whole, been very gratifying; from au enrollment of about sixty-five scholars the first year, it has risen to an annual nttendauce of nearly two hundred and fifty. It lias been supplied with a set of philosophical, cheiuical and astronomical ai)paratus. A reading room baa been cstablislicd for the use of the students, and furnished with encyclopedias and books of reference, also with the leading literary and seientifio monthlies. The valuable geological and zoological collections of Prof. Stanley, made during his trip on the occasion of the transit of Venus, are kept in the school building. Receutiy a change has been made in the management of the institution,

The location is a convenient and attraelive one, acccssihie to the village, yet sufficiently removed to avoiti annoyance. The hou.sc is surrounded hy a beautiful grove of ornamental trees, with a large ]ilay-grouad adjoining. The high school dei»arl?ucnt emhraecs a three year^i' course, divided as follows: d from each other by a log partition. The s .if the society, and cost but little. It was n down and succeeded by the present build- 711 feet, and was erected nt a cost of about , Westlield was apjioiuled as the place for f all the monlbly meetings in the county.

as Iciin.l to be of uncomis (piite comniodious anil eaih Sabbath, before the lool is held. The (ollowsociety: Isaac Haldwin, I'll, John Hales, Anna M. In LS.U or 18(2, the liieh stood on the land of in Ibis congregation, and meelings were held in the same cabin until two years later, when a holise of worship was erected. Thi.s congregation was composed of members who were radically anti-slavery in sentiment, and had withdrawn from tlie Wcstficld monthly meeting on that account, and Hnally united with the Anti-slavery Friends. In 1H.J5. they re-organir.cd at Kagletnwn, and erected a comfortjiblo iioiise, in which meetings have since been regularly condueted. It is a preparative meeting, with monthly meetings held every alternate month. The congregation now nnmliers about one hundred and thirty members. The Sabbath school has an average attendance of fiflecn scholars. It is conducted during nine months of the year by U. H. Moore, Superintendent.

ll'e.*y,N, JAMo,^V^ - The Wesleyan Methodist denomination first orgai izcd at Wcstficld, in January, 1814, under Hev. J. h. Pfiiff. M. I). .M Pfair wa.s succeeded by Hev. Alexander Ucywood, and after him came a nun her of ministers, warm in their advocacy of the Anti-slavery cause. This wi also the scntimint of the congregalion, whose principles were bravely mail lained, notwilbslainbng unoc violent upposiiion. The kindness of its uiembei years aRcr organization, the Wesleyan congregation reeeivid to its meinbership, so that the private houses were no longer -ding the neecfto^arv facilities for conducting public worship. In ted their present house of worship, nt a co.st of $1 ,.")lllt. Dining the intervening years, the luembersliip of the church lias experienced ."nine riir r,im» Climimn /(a,,./. - This society was organized in the year 1S.->!P, at Sehoolhouse No. 11, near Kagletown, and coutinncil to ei.n.luct services at that place .about a year. At the end of that [leriod, they erected a house of worship, half a mile cast of JOagletown, It was delHUniuated the " Union nine." Within a few years, the principal meinberw moved to otiier ]ilaces, and the numbers became much reduced. There were scarcely enough left to maintain an organization, and the chnrch building was donated to the roiled Hrethrcn, reserving its use for meetings of the Christian Hand when wanted by them for that purpose. The building was moved by the latter llanile Cnited Hrethrcn organized in IStO i log church, half a mile south of Kaglet 'iiibers at the dale of organization, and were the early ministers. About twelve years hiter, they removed their building to Fagleliovn, and continued to worship in the log church for several years. Froui the usual causes, their membership became greatly reduced, but they still maintained

Uev. (icorge Wiley, and has thirly-eiglit members. A union Sabbath school is condueled in the building, under the superintendence of K. E. Neal. Average alien. lance, Ihirly scholars.

('.oo/iryn/ooor/. - In IS.'i,-), the Coligreg.ational Chnrch was organized at Wesifi.'ld, by Hev. Jabez Neal. and several years later, a lioii.-^e of worship was creeled, at an expense of Sl,.-)bll, and 830(1 additional for Ihe bell. The church pros]iered for several years, and its membership increased ; but linally its members became scattered, and other untoward events so militaled against its interests that the organization could no longer be luaintaiDcd ; and. during

Congregational society. In 1S(!7, Hev, Cieorge Havens sueeeeded Uev. Suiav as Pastor of the chureli. He continued as such until IStiH, when ho was sncceeded by Hev. J. H. Smith. In 18ll!l, llev. F. A. Fish was the Pn.stor, assi.«led by Itevs. O. II. Harrison and A. N. Cottingliam. In 1H7II, Hev. Samuel Lamb was Pastor, and Hev. William lirown, ns,Mslant. Mr. Lamb was snececded in IH71, by Hev. MeCaig, who was followed by Hev. AVilliam Peek, in 1872. Hev. William Hl.ake was his sneccRsor in 1871. Rev. A. >I. Kcrwood was the Pastor in 1875, and was followed by Hev. Kli Hamrell, who continued in the pusioral relation during the years I87G-77-78. His successor was Hev. William Parr, the jircsent Pastor, h now has a membership of seventy-five.

The Town Of Westfielp

ad.lilion 1.1 the biiil.ling an.l fill. .1 it up with the necessary mnehinery for n w.aden-inill. In iHIll, Mr. Keainans s.ild a lialf-intere.st to Jahez Neal, and Ihr.'e years later, sold the other half to Abncr Atkison. Thomas Stout purchase.l Ihe interest of .Jahcz Neal in lHfi8, at whieli time, the establi.shincnt was rifitteil with a new boiler and engine. In the same year, Abner Atkison sold bis interest to Stephen Harvey, ami Mr. Stout did likewise in 1871. J. ti. Scinans held a mortgage against the mill, which, up to this time, bad not been paid. Suit was accor.liiigly instituted, an.l a judgment obtained against the mill, au.l Mr. S.nians purchased it at SberilTs sale, in May, 1871. He took poshi'ssion in March, 1872, since which time, ho has conducted it alone.

r,niHery. - \. Iv. Fun.lcrburgh and .lo.seph Conklin began this bu.simss in 18r.!l, ina building situated on IVnn .street. During the late war, Mr. Conklin s.dd his interest to Mr. Fun.lerburgh, and enlisted in the Union army. He was killed at Atlanta, Ga., in 18i;3. Soon after his retirement' from the firm, Mr. Fuiidcrimrgh sohl a half-inlcrcst to J. F. Vow, and moved Ihe establishment to its present location, in the west end of Wcslfield. This building was erected by iMordaeai White, and ojierate.l by him as a tannery. It lias twelve vnis, and tlic goods manufactured are sold exclusively in tlio home market.

se.s.sion of various parlies, and, in 18111, was purchascl by .lolin JIaulsby and converted into a wagon an.l carriage shop. Its present proprietor, A. h. Barker, w.as then serving in the Union army, and, at the expiration of liis term of enlistment, returned home and formed a copartnership with Mr. Maulsby. The laller suhse.(uently enlisted in the Union service, and starved to death in Libby Prison. Mr. liarker then purchased the interest of Mr. Maulsby, and has since conducted the business alone. He manufactures carriages and spring w.agons, making a specialty of repairing and trimming, cmploying fnun three to five men.

The lodge worked under dispensatiim until the session of Ihc Grand Lodge in lsr>l,wlien a eliarter was granted. The first oiricers were as folhiws: George While, W. M. ; Nathaniel White, S. W. ; John Scott, J. W.

The fit^t meeting wiw held in the hall of Westfiel.l Lodge, No. IIH, F. & A. M., whieli continued lo be the place of meeting for several years. In the meantime, the mcinbership iiicreascil, and ihe lodge purcha.sed iM No. 3, in tho town of Wcslfield, in the spring of 1805, and remodeled the building which

Tho lodge is in good financial condition, with as.sets valued at $1,000. It has an active membership of twenty. The officers for the present t^nn arc as follows: JamcB A. Williams, N. G. ; William M. Millis, V. 0.; D. M. Jones, Secretary ; A. E. Funderburgh, Treasurer.

, ill a huildiiif; whieh sloo.l on the . Kenyoii. An idea of (he postal .>ni tlie first report, whieli is as fiilpo.slaj;e on unpaid letters received I ; posla.L-e on paid letters sent from L'^Te;;ate, 81. .1.4; revenue of Postis.'ill, when ho was sueeecded by

U. T. Miller was appointed hy I'reMdent Bii.haiian, an.l kept the nlliec in the Kiiitdio;: now oeeiipii'd hy Marker's wa;;()ri shop, lie was sueuceded hy Nathan Ovrnoiio, and ihe olliee was moved to the eorner now occujiied hy Brown's dro- -tore. Me was Ho.eerd.d by A. V. Talbot, who kept the office in the same liiiildioL'. .lohn Wade, the next Postni.T.stcr, moved tho ofliee to the hnildiii;: now oeeupieil hy .Janie-s A. Williams' ^Toeery. Joel Denny was his sueeessor, and kei)t Ihe ofliee in the same bnildin;;. lie was succeeded by Mrs. Kvelyn Conklin, and tlie ofliee wits nmvcd to the lot now occupied hy the resideoee of .lames A. Williams. Henry Wicker succeeded Mrs. Conklin, and kept the ofliee in Ihe bnildinn now oeeupied by Ilaworth & Wells. Caleb .>lills was Ihe next Posiniaster, and kept the office in the same building'. It was removed hy his sueeessor, Oliver IF. Brown, to his store on the eorner, where it remained until 1877. In that year .T. W. Davis was niipointed Postmaster, and still fills that position. The ofliee is now kept in the store of Davis ^ Penninnlon. The following is an extract from the Poslnnister's report for the (jiiarter ending Dceemher !tl, 187II: "Amount of post.ige stamps, postage due stamps, stamped envelopes, postal cards, etc., on band nt close of lost (|unrtcr, 8111.87 ; amount of postage stnmpa, duo stAmps, stamped envelopes, teen lots iionihered from one to foiirleen inehisive. It was laid out by Jes Waller and Kphraini .Stout March 21, 18*8. In November, IS.-m, an ad.l tion of eighteen lots wa.s made by Je.ssc Waller, and a second addition w made hy lOlijah Davis, in 18.5.3. The only bnsiness-liouse in the village is tl

K'ljlclon-n riminuj Milh. - 'nw building was creeled about the year 18(J.">, hy N. White and ^^amuel and .Joscpii Cloud, who o|KTated tlie mill nboiil four ye.irs,then sold it to Imri Hunt. About twoye.ars later, Mr. Hunt sold to Henry Deer, who operated it about three years, and sold it to Cieor.L'c Hamilton. .Mr. Hamilton removed the machinery to Fisher's Station, in IMawarc Township, and sold the building to Inman Brothers in the spring of 1874. They refitted it with new machinery, and now conduct it a.s a first-class

S'lw Mil/. - Uomy Coueli be.gan the cr the latter jiart of the year 1877, and fir.st p The building is frame, 2r.xlI0 fn-t. eonta (twenlyd.or.«e.poweri,a double circular saw mill. The amount of lumber sawed daily lion of the Kaglelown saw-mill in it in operation January 1, 1878. ing a slalimiary boiler and engine md the u.snal appliances of a sawerages 4,IKI0 feet, principally oak

.losepb Hodgin, the paternal grandfatln Nortli Carolina, where was married, and, in State with his family, and settled in Bandol and died at an advanced a.ire. He was the Klias, Nalhan, Henjamiu, Tilnias, A.senalh ones now living are Klias, Nalhan and Benji

Klias was born at the oM North Carolina home in 1802. was reared and educated a farmer, which has been his occupation through life. In his young manhood, he was married lo Matilda Perkins, of the same place. He remained in North Carolina until 1848, when, owing lo his disgu.sl and hostility to the institution of slavery, be delermined lo sell out and remove North into a free SlaU\ He decided lo join his father's family in Indiana, who had previously left, North Carolina for the same cause. On his arrival in Indiana, he at first settled in Wayne County, and, after a few years, ho pHreha.sed a small tract of land in the township of Washington, Ilandlton County, on which he settled, and ha.s ever since resided in that vicinity. Some years later, ho was bereaved in tho death of tho wife and companion of his youth, She was Ihc mother of seven children - Uvina, Kra.stus, Ascnalh. Jo.«epb, Minerva, John an.l Henry II. Of these, all arc living, except Jo,seph and John, and all are married and reside in Hamilton County. Subseipiently, Mr. Eliafl Hodgin w.aa mariied to MIrs Mary Bales, a native of Virginia, by whom he bad no children. At tho lime tho family first settled in Indiana, they were in very limited eircumstanecs, but hy good management, econotuy and persevering industry, the eutiro family is at this timo iu tho enjoyment of comfortable homes, and a liberal competency of this world's goods.

Tlu' old p.nllciuan, .illlinufrli al lliia time in his scvcnt.ynffairs willi tlic same shrewd judpncnt anil al)ility of llis yo ns well as tlie whole family, on his falher's i<iclc, as lar Imek be traeed, have been worthy members of the denomination or Quakers.

llc-nry II. Ilod-in, the yoiiii-esl of this family, was born on (he 3d day of December, I8KI, at the old North Carolina home of his father, and was about eiLdit years of a-e when the family rame to Imliana. The days of his boyschools, anil the balance of the time in workin;^ on the farm, ehoppiii burning; an.l clearin- off the limber from the new lands of his father. His study, iiiilil he reached his majority, when, on (he 3d ilay of April, ISlli, he was united in marria-e to Miss Ann C. liahlwin, dau^diter of Pavid and ,Mary Haldwin, old residents of the same township. Shortly after his marriage, he settled on the same farm on which his father first settled in Wa.sliin;:trm Township, where he has continued to reside ever since. i\Ir. IIod;:in, while mana^rin;: his farm, has, at various times, also been en;:a;:ed in dealing in stock, and in the purchase of lar^re fpiantities of black walnut timber and luiijbcr for shippin-. He owns a fertile and productive farm of 12C ncres, with a 6ne resblence and comfortable out-buildiuL's.

Tor the last ten or twelve years, Mr. Ilod(;in h.as been a close student of the Hiblc. and has ^'iven much time and attcndon to the Sabbath schools in hi- viiiiiity. and in 1^77, he commenced in the ministrations of (he Gospel ns a pici.li.r. Milder I lie authority of the church or Society of Friends, and at ihi- liiMc i- Biill studyiii- and |ierfectin^' himself for that work. In the spring i.r 1S78, hewas placi'd in nomination by the liepublican party, and in tlio following October was elected one of (he Commissioners of Hamilton County. He and hi" excellent wife are the parents of three sons - Ellis, Alliert and Kvcrilt. The portrait "f Mr. H.id-in is to be found in the proup of county offiei.ilson nnolliiTpnucoftbis work.

Dr. IJcnson's religious faith attaches him to (he Prcsby(erian denomina- Hc is n member of (he order of Free nnd Accepted i^Iasons, is one of the rer ye^rs. He, " Koyal Arch," nnd one of the oldest Masons in Hamilton County. In polithe history can tics, he is n Pemoerat.

As a reward for many years of earnest toil, he has accumulated ainindnntly of this world's goods, nn.l has been taught by experience how to care for the

.n. Two years later, he removed to Lewis County, Mo., but, nail) there about one year, he retraced his stejis to Indiana liltoii County. Finally, he located permanently nt Wcstfield where his iiracdee since has been very extensive. He is no nicndieant ever went hungry from his door, liana Me.lical College and nl.so of Under Unilainiltoii County Medical Society, nnd nlso n ciety of Indiana, having been n delegate to the nee \tfi organization.

he served in the capacity of Surgeon in the for the Union. He wna with Oen. Grant nt (ho tnkingof Vicksburg,nnd was also commi.ssioned by Gov. Morton to recruit n company for the Ono Hundred and Thirtieth Uegiment Indiana Volunteers, thus organizing ono of the that went from Hamilton County to the war.

His father, Aaron Lindley, was n native of North Carolina, nnil emigrated to this county nearly fif>y years ago. Soon after his arrival, lie married Miss Klizabeth B. Carey, of Morgan County, Ind., to which place she had come with her parents when cpii(e a young child. Miss Carey was the second wife of Mr. I.indley, and (he nio(her of the subject of (his sketch.

The earlier portion of Mr. Mndley's life wns p.isscd upon his father's farm, working nt the various duties he was able to perform, nnd attending the district schools. When he was almut thirteen yearsof age, hisfatherdied. Thissadevent interfered materially with his studi.-s, ns he wn.s out of school nearly two years. In 1S.5S, he entered the school of Prof liarnabas C. Hnbbs, nt Bloomingdnlc, I'arke County. In August, l.Sbtl, he entered the Adrian College, «t Adrian, Mich., where he remained until the outbreak of the war of the rebelli.in. Karly in October, 18(11, he returned home, and, on the 18th day of that month, enlisted in Co. II. Fifty-seventh Uegiment Indiana Volunteers, and served nearly two vears. In August. 18G3, he was discharged on account of physical disability. During the following winter he taught school.

In the ..<|iring of )8(i-l. he again enlisted, (his (inie in Company B, One Hun.lred anil Thirty-sixth R.-gimcnt Imliana Volunteers, for one hundred d.iy.s. He served his term of enlistment in this regiment ns color-bearer, and was honorably discharged in Sciitember, 18(il.

During the f.dlowing winter, he taught school in the home district, nnd, in April, 18(!.*>, again enlis(cd, this time in the One Hundred nnd Forty-seventh Itegiment Indiana Volunteers, for one year. He was mustered out with his regiment in Augu.^t following, with the rank of Lieutenant.

In IHII.-i, he was elected by (he Ucpublicnn party, by n majority of 1,3(10, Sheriff of Hamilton County, which othcc he filled to his own credit nnd to the satisfaction of his eonstituen(s. At the expiration of his term, he returned to his farm, where he has since resided.

In 1878, he was ch'cted by the Itcpubliean party to represent Hamilton County in (he (ien<rnl Assembly of (be S(nte. During the session, he served upon the Committees on Tem].crance. Dykes and Drains, and Affairs of the city of Indianapolis, ami had the honor of snbmilling to the House the minority report on the famous metropolitan police bill. Mr. Lindley is the |.iescnt nominee on (he Ucpublicnn ticket for Iteprescntntive of Hnmilton County. He is n life-long liepublican. Being the son of Quaker parents, the love of universal liberty and e.piality before the law was bred in him, and, in the old slavery days, his blood h.is ofVen boiled, nnd his henrt filled with sympathy, at the recital by fugitive slaves of their wrongs nt the hands of cruel

Mr. Liudley's father, aii.l he well remembers the pitiful stories (old by them, nnd the evi.lenccs of (heir truth ns exhibited in their Bcarrc<l backs, red from the hush of the cruel master.

3C of the most thorough and successful formers in the county. Seen in his elegant home, surrounded by his interesting family, and admired by n largo circle of friends, ono cannot help hoj-ing that his hnppy and useful career may, as it promisca to bo, prolonged a half-century yet.

Source changes here: from History of Hamilton County Indiana, by John F. Haines, published 1915; 2,475 words in this source stream.

Topography

White River township is the oldest township in Hamilton county. The first session of the board of county commissioners met at William Conner's May 12, 1823, and one of the first acts of this body was the subdivision of the county into two townships - White River and Delaware. As White River was named first in the division it is the oldest by a few minutes. The follow¬ ing is the order of the board : "The following territory be established and known as White River township, to-wit: Beginning at the most easterly boundary of Hamilton county on the line dividing sections 17 and 20, in township 19 north, range 5 east, then on said line of said county, thence north, running with the said county line to the northwest corner, thence east to the northeast corner, thence with said line to the place of beginning." The present boundaries of the township were not established until the county was subdivided, ten years later, in November, 1833, lnt° the nine townships which now comprise Hamilton county. White River township is the north¬ east corner township, containing fifty-six square miles, it being one of the three largest townships in the county. White River, the principal stream, flows across the southern part, while the remainder of the township is well drained by various creeks, the principal ones being Duck, Bear and Long Branch creeks, each flowing in a southwesterly direction arid uniting with White river.

The surface is generally level, but is more undulating in the vicinity of the streams. In the township are several flat places which, in the early days, were not accounted of much worth and were avoided by homeseekers so long as other lands were attainable. When, however, in later years these places were properly drained, they became among the richest lands in the township. The soil is largely clay and loam, with a mixture of sand in the region of the streams.

Early Settlement

The first white settler in the township was John Shintaffer, about the year 1818 or 1819. He built his cabin near the present site of Strawtown. A little later Mr. Bennett joined the settlement, building his cabin about two miles below Strawtown, near the river. Both of these men were Indian traders, there being an aboriginal village immediately west of where Strawtown now stands. They bought furs from the natives in exchange for trinkets, knives, whisky and other things desired by the Indians.

Zenas Beckwith settled near Strawtown in 1819 and cleared and im¬ proved part of his land. This being prior to the sale of these lands by the government, he hoped to buy, the land he had thus improved, but in 1821, when the lands were put up for sale, some capitalist outbid him and he lost all his work and improvements, being given only the privilege of one year's residence in order that he might harvest the crop already planted. In 1822 he entered land in section 2, receiving no compensation for all his improve¬ ments on his former home. With Zenas Beckwith came Jesse McKay, William Dyer, John Collip, Henry Foland, Jesse H. Wood and Lamberry and Jerry Heath, who settled in the immediate neighborhood of Beckwith's second home. In the same spring Jacob Hyer opened a trading post for com¬ merce with the Indians. In 1819 Benjamin Fisher came from Ohio, selected his land and planted a crop, then returned for his family, with whom he returned to Hamilton county in June, 1820, and took up his residence in the neighborhood. Henry Shatterly, a brother-in-law of Fisher's, came from the same county in Ohio, and settled on an adjoining tract of land, where he lived for about ten years, after which he moved from the county. In the fall of 1821 Michael French, William Peck and Elias Hoddy came to the neighbor¬ hood. In the same year Benoni Freel and Samuel Mull settled near the village of Strawtown. The entire settlement at that time extended some distance on both sides of White river.

Historic Incidents

This settlement is notable for several incidents of an interesting historical character, the first of which occurred in March, 1821, this being the fight be¬ tween John Shintaffer and the Indians, a battle in which one Indian lost his life and a second was severely wounded. The second incident was a sequel of the first, being the killing of Benjamin Fisher by the Indians at Shintaffer' s cabin where the white men and Indians fought the only battle of the kind on

Hamilton county soil. A third incident, happily of a more peaceful nature, was the establishment of the first toll gate in the county. At that time a par¬ tially opened road led from Anderson to William Conner's cabin, passing near Strawtown, being the early Indian trail by which the first settlers came to Horseshoe Prairie, Hamilton county. This road crossed a creek two or three miles above Strawtown. This was a very difficult ford and horses and cattle often stuck fast in the mud, causing ofttimes serious delay and inconvenience to travelers. A hunter settled on land near this point and built a cabin, a short time later constructing a bridge across the creek at this difficult ford and thereafter demanding toll from all travelers passing that way. The travelers usually paid the small fee without question as the bridge was quite an accom¬ modation to them.

The settlers in this neighborhood were all great hunters and supplied their families with meat from the woods and streams here, about, the skins of the animals being converted into clothing and shoes for the settlers. Any surplus furs or meats were sold to traders.

Early Commerce

Jerry K. Learning opened the first general store in this neighborhood. He probably was the first general merchant in the county. This store was located on Learning's farm a few miles below Strawtown. Becknell Cole opened the second store in the township at Strawtown. Shintaffer and Jacob Hyer were Indian traders but carried on little or no trade with the settlers. Jerry Learning is said to have owned the first stove in the county. A stove being quite a novelty in the wilderness in those early days, the neighbors and Indians came from all the country round about to see the wonderful heating apparatus. One cold day a big fire was built in the stove and an Indian happening in, viewed with wonder a red hot stove. Not fully realizing the meaning of this, he thought to investigate for himself and very unwisely placed an inquisitive fore finger on the very reddest spot on the glowing stove. A howl of pain immediately followed the native's discomfiture and he ever after was a sadder and wiser Indian.

James Hughy opened the first grocery store. He not only sold groceries but alcoholic drinks, which to some people seemed as essential as groceries. William Wallace kept the first tavern and Robert Hoddy the first blacksmith shop. Some of the old taverns, long one-and-one-half story buildings with low porches across the entire fronts are still standing at Strawtown, an inter-

The death of Mrs. Esther Freel in 1820 was the first visitation of the grim reaper in a white household in the township. The subsequent marriage of her surviving husband, Benoni Freel, to the widow of Benjamin Fisher in December, 1821, was the first nuptial ceremony celebrated in the township. There being no civil government in the county at this time the bridal party re¬ paired to the nearest point where a marriage license was obtainable, Indian¬ apolis, and there the couple was married.

Henry Statterly, born in 1820, son of Henry and Mary Statterly, was the first white child born in the township. , He removed to the state of Iowa in early manhood.

Pioneer Schools

The first school was opened in a cabin on the farm of Michael French, opposite Strawtown, in the winter of 1822. This school was conducted by Amos Palmer who the following winter conducted another school in the same locality. The second school was situated on the farm of William Dyer and the first school held there was presided over by James Steel, who has been described as a man of fine educational attainments. The building in which the Steel school was conducted was the first cabin erected especially for school purposes in White River township and was thus occupied in the years 1826, 1827 and 1828. It was later destroyed by fire. These schools were all sub¬ scription schools, the teacher receiving from one dollar and twenty-five cents to one dollar and seventy-five cents per pupil, and "boarding around," more often than not having his residence with the parents of his pupils. In later days the money known as the "congressional fund" was used to maintain schools and while that fund lasted the tuition was free, but it was sufficient only for one month of school, hence the remainder had to be made by sub¬ scription' to meet the expense. Upon the enactment of the school law of 1852, a new era in education was begun in White River township. At present there are nine district schools in the township. At Walnut Grove is situated a modern township high school and graded school. The first manual training shop outside of a large city was established in this school under Myron Burton as principal. He also organized the first school orchestra of which he was a prominent member. Township fairs are now an annual occurrence at this school at which are exhibited not only all kinds of school work, but stock, farm and store products. At the fair held at Walnut Grove in October, 1914, two thousand people were present.

The Ironwood Seminary building was built upon lands owned by Corne¬ lius Leeman, but afterwards was sold* to Mr. Harvey. This building was erected by Jabez Brown with money raised by subscription and within its walls a school of unusual excellence for that early day was conducted, the same being patronized by the people residing in the northern part of the township. Jabez Brown, the originator of the building,, was the first teacher.

Early Mills And Navigation

The first mill in the township was built by William Foster in 1821 and began operations in 1822. It was a short distance below Strawtown on what was later known as the Conden farm. It was operated as a saw mill with a corn cracker attached. On what is now known as the Shephard farm was built the first grist mill which was owned for about two years by Isaac Stephens, who then sold it to Daniel Kemp, whose family was among the earliest settlers in the township. To this mill was later added a saw mill, a carding machine and a still house. Navigation on White river ended at this point about two miles above Strawtown.

The first brick house in the township was erected by Zenas Beckwith in 1827, the brick for this building being manufactured on his farm. This house is still in a good state of preservation. One remarkable feature of the historic structure is a brick bake-oven built into the kitchen. A barn built in 1824 on the same farm stood for many years. This farm was entered in 1822 by Mr. Beckwith and has been in the family continuously to the present time.

Pioneer Churches

The first religious services were held in private houses as was the case in other nearby settlements. William Allman and James Freel, local preachers of the Methodist church, held services alternately in their own homes. About 1827 a class was organized at the house of Jonathan Carey where meetings were held for several years. A special house df worship was never erected and some years later the primitive congregation united with the Perkinsville church.

Additional Settlements

For many years the settlements extended only along the streams, prin¬ cipally on White river, but about 1836 John Newby, Sr., settled four miles north of Strawtown. William James was at that time living onehalf mile south of Newby's place but moved away within ten days following Newby's arrival. Other settlers near Newby included William Edwards, James and Jesse Justice, James Carey, William Wyant, Peter Carey, Ebenezer Holloway and others. Ebenezer Holloway owned the only grind stone in the neighborhood. A man named Birch, who lived on the Carey farm owned a yoke of oxen with which he hauled the logs used in the construction of the Newby home. These men constituted the first settlement north of White river. They united for mutual help and benefit in log rolling and cabin building. They cut the first road connecting their re¬ spective cabins. Kemp who owned the mill and still house on White river secured a road from his mill to Logansport. This road ran through the east¬ ern part of the settlement. The settlers did their milling at Kemp's and whatever trading they did was done at Strawtown. The first school building erected in this neighborhood was on the Carey land and Colburn Birch was the first teacher. Later a school house was built on Newby's land with Mr. Daugherty as teacher. The first church services were held at Mr. Carey's house, Elder Carvens and possibly Mr. Carey being the preachers. This meet¬ ing was held by the Methodist denomination. The second religious services interests of the Christian denomination. In 1863 this settler organization erected a church edifice and called it Bethany Christian church. The society of Friends organized at the village of Aroma in 1837 with eleven families enrolled. The Roman Catholic congregation was organized about 1840 by father Backlen. Meetings were held at private homes until 1863, when John Buscher donated a lot at Aroma and a church was erected at an expense of eleven hundred dollars. The members donated their labor in the erection of this building. This church continued for some years to be the meeting place of the Catholics, but was later abandoned and at the present time the only Catholic church in the county is at Cicero. A cabin was built on the land of Henry Ault for the United Brethren church in which services were held for a number of years, but the congregation became scattered and the services finally were discontinued.

The towns of White River are about the same in extent that they have been since they were first laid out. Strawtown is the largest and while it has played its part well in our township and county history, it is today what it has been for years, with its church, school, store and blacksmith shop. About its old buildings, however, cluster many recollections of times past which endear it to the residents of Hamilton county. Aroma and Omega are two small villages, one in section eight in the northeast part of the township, the other in section ten, in the north central position.