Monroe Township

Monroe Township

Monroe is next to the youngest township in the county, being second only to Palmer. Cut off from Perry township in 1852, it has had a slow, but steady, growth since it started on its independent career. Like many other townships, its settlement was retarded on account of the general swampiness of its soil, and it was not until 1849 that its first permanent settler, Adam Perrin, made his appearance here. He seemed to have the whole 'township to himself for two years, or at least there is no record of any others until 1851, when John Grant risked his fortunes in the malariaridden district. In the same and following years appeared John and Eli Fickle, Hiram Madden, William Moore, D. D. Barnes, James Early, Samuel Birge, D. D. Murphy and Solomon McCuUough.

At the first election, on April 5, 1852, there were only twelve votes cast and six of these electors were chosen to various offices, as follows: William Moore, John and Eli Fickle, trustees; James Early, clerk; John Grant, treasurer; Solomon McCullough, supervisor. At that time the township consisted of one road and one school district. The first teacher was George Krites, who taught in a small cabin on section 5.

The following are township officers at the present time: Justices of the peace, F. E. Treece, and E. L. Hartman; trustees, Frank Hall, J. W. Ernst and F. E. Treece, all of Continental; clerk, F. E. Moore, of Continental; treasurer, R. W. Kissell, of Continental; constables, M. G. Pease and Daniel Noe, of Continental; ditch supervisor, J. L. Carroll, of North Creek.

Continental is the chief town in Monroe township, but its history and growth will be dealt with in another chapter. Lying due west of Continental three miles on the Nickel Plate railroad is a small hamlet which needs honorable mention. This aforesaid town is Hartsburg. The date of the platting of this village, if it was ever platted, cannot be ascertained. At present Hartsburg has one church and a school building. It is a stop on the Nickel Plate railroad.

Wisterman is also a small hamlet in this township. It was platted in 1883 by E. W. Dimock, for W. S. Daly, E. R. Eastman and Jane James, the proprietors. This town failed to materialize to any great extent and at present is merely a stop on the Toledo, St. Louis & Western railroad. Rice was once a postoffice for the convenience of country people, but at present is only an interurban stop.

Continental, first called Marice City, was laid out and platted on March 23, 1888, by George Skinner for Gen. A. V. Rice. It was named in honor of the General's daughter, Mary Rice. At the time when the Nickel Plate railroad was constructed through Putnam county the land in the southeastern part of Monroe township was one vast body of unbroken wilderness and swamp. The Rice road improvements were constructed in 1865 through the present site of Marice City and made this land productive and, with the intersection of two railroads, a very desirable location for a town. In 1888 the Buckeye Stave Company erected their stave factory on their addition which they had laid out the same year (James Belford, surveyor). In the same year Dr. B. D. Sparling" employed A. Overbeck to lay out and plat his first addition. In 1887 D. \Y. Seitz laid out and platted an addition for Gen. A. V. Rice, and the following year the same surveyor platted a second addition for Dr. B. D. Sparling. Mr. Seitz also platted a second addition for the Buckeye Stave Company, in 1890, and the same year sub-divided outlot No. I of Rice's addition, for the district assessor, H. B. Pierce. In 1895 ^''- Seitz also platted a sub-division for W. H. Miller.

The first store was opened up in Marice City by James Sullivan. This was followed, soon afterward, by a general store by the Buckeye Stave Company, but was later purchased by H. B. Rose and Alvin Poe. James Bell built his present store room and opened up a general store in 1887. Others followed soon afterward. The town was incorporated March 22, 1888, with the following officers : Polk Berbage, mayor ; C. G. Ballman, clerk ; James Bell, treasurer; C. S. Parish, marshal; W. B. Miller, John Hutchison, Hiram Dellinger, George Hahn, Silas Colvin and John Shamberger, councilmen. At the time when the town was incorporated several of the citizens tried to get the name changed to Continental, but this was not accomplished until April 17, 1899, at the February term of court.

Continental has been settled by business men who are ever striving" for the betterment of the town. New bank buildings and business houses have been constructed, which give the town its present prosperous and enterprisingair. Its business interests consist of an elevator and milling company, the Continental and the Farmers bank, the Cloverleaf hotel, the Sanitary grocery, T. Hauck & Company's drug store, general stores, produce dealers, and merchants who cater to the wants of the town and country people.

There were eleven volunteers from Monroe township between July 2, and August 23, 1862, as returned by William R. Frantz, the assessor of the township. The list follows: Samuel G. Jones, John Connett, John Yarger, Jacob Yarger, Calvin Taylor, Joel Taylor, William Taylor, Jackson Hoggans, William J. Smith, David Cline and John Emmarling.