Union is situated at the northern extremity of the county, between Niles and Washinton, which bound it on the east and west, repectively.

Its northern boundary is formed by a portion of Blackford County, while Hamilton Twonship bounds it on the south. It is designated as Township 22 north, of Range 10 east. It is six miles long east and west, and five miles wide north and south, containing, in the aggregate, about 19,200 acres.

The Mississinewa River enters the township at the southeast corner of section 25, and, flowing west and northwest, divides it nearly in the center. Lick Creek waters the southern and southeastern portions, flowing north and joining the Mississinewas between Wheeling and Elizabethtown, in Washington. There are several minor streams, which have no importance except as channels for draining the adjacent lands.

On both sides of the river the land is undulating, and in some places is characterized by gentle hills, which add a pleasing effect to the beauty of the surrounding landscape. Along the margin of the river, there are numerous bluff banks, quite steep, although of no great altitude. The undulating land is also a feature of that portion of the township in the vicinity of Lick Creek, though in a less marked degree than in those portions near the Mississnewa, the declivity of the surface here being more gradual, and only sufficient to afford good natural drainage.

There are large tracts of level, low-lying land, which were formerly ugly marshes, but which, by the enterprise and industry of the citizens, have been converted into fine farming lands, by an extensive system of artificial drainage, and are not surpassed, perhaps, by any lands in the township in the amount or quality of their products. The soil does not differ materially from that of the adjoining township of Washington. Black loam, with substratum of clay, and clay intermixed with sand, are the prevailing features of the soil.

Black, white, red and burr oak, black and white walnut, poplar, elm, beach, sugar maple, etc., were the prevailing varieties of timber standing in their primeval glory the monarchs of the forest when the first pioneer took up an abode in their midst and began the warfare which was to culminate in their downfall. In less that half a century, the inroads mde upon the forest by our advancing civilization has resulted disastrously to the timber, and very little now remains. There is a good demand for oak, and the felling of trees and splitting of "bolts" for heading timber has become an industry of considerable proportions in the township.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

The settlement of this township began in the year 1828, when Tristam Starbuck came from Wayne County, Indiana, and erected a cabin on a tract of land which he subsequently entered, in Section 22. He made extensive improvements on this land, and, until the year 1836, had no other title than the right of possession. In the meantime, other settlers arrived, and, fearing the possibility of being dispossessed, he entered the tract at the land office in 1836.

He continued to reside in the township for a number of years, during which time he was prominently identified with its growth and improvement.

In January, 1830, John Ginn came to the township with his family and settled on a tract of land entered by him in 1829, at which time he resided in Delaware Township. He was a native of Ireland, and, after his arrival in the United States, lived in Washington County, Pennsylvania, for a number of years. From there he removed to Morgan County, Ohio, and finally came to Delaware County, Indiana, where he passed the remainder of his life. He was an enterprising man and a good farmer, and possessed a spirit that soon placed him in the position of a leader in the settlement. His was the first orchard in the township. He purchased the trees at a nursery in Wayne County, Indiana and set them out in the spring of 1831. He led in many other improvements, and lived to see the good results that followed the advent of the pioneer community. He reared a large family, the survivors being now among the best citizens of the county.

William Essley came in the spring of 1830, and settled at the mouth of a small creek, which still bears his name. He also reared a large family, who were for many years prominent and highly repected citizens of the county, and have since been identified with the State of Iowa.

In march, 1831, Francis Harris came with his family, and erected a cabin on the land which he afterward entered. Shortly after his arrival, he began the erection of a mill on the Mississinewa, above the present site of the Carter mill. The buhrs were made of granite bowlders, or "nigger-heads," found in the river. The building was a round-log structure set on four posts, and a hollow sycamore log was made to do duty as a bolting chest.

Mr. Harris was identified for many years with the interests of the township, and was recognized as a good citizen.

During the years intervening between 1831 and 1836, there were a great many accessions to the settlement, and, by the close of that period, the arrival of new settlers had ceased to be regarded with the same interest that characterized that event at an earlier day. The record of land-purchases furnished the best and most impartial account of the settlement during that period, and the names and location of settlers can be determined with exactness from that source. Following is a list of the names of purchasers:

Section 7 was purchased by John Ginn, in May, 1830; Josiah McVicker, 1833; John Hamilton, in February, 1834; Isaac Swisher, in October of the same year; and John Reason, Sr., and John Reasoner, Jr., in October, 1835.

In Section 8, the various fractional divisions of land were purchased by John Secrist, in October, 1833; Leonard Cline, in December, 1834; and James Chenowith, in December, 1836.

The purchasers of the lands in Section 9 were Lettence Shideler, in May, 1836; Asford Roberts, July, 1836; John Pyke and Isaac Miller, October, 1836; and William Adsit, in November of the same year.

In Section 12, Patrick Carmichael and Aaron Mote purchased land and settled upon it in 1836, and William Shearon purchased and settled in the same section in 1837; William Ray, John McClain and Archibald McClain purchased land and settled in Section 13 in 1835, and Samuel S. Mote settled on the same sectionin 1836.

In 1835, Hiram Cochran, Peter Shideler and Joshua Shideler entered land in Section 14, upon which they settled, and John Van Buskirk and David Shideler purchased and settled in the same section in 1836.

Benjamin Harris purchased a tract of land in Section 15, in 1834, and located upon it in the same year. The remaining parcels of land in this section were purchased by persons whose names have been previously mentioned and by capitalists, who were not residents in the settlement.

Elijah Collins, Samuel L. Black and Richard Craw settled in Section 17 in 1833, and William Craw settled in the same section in 1834. Havilla Green entered the first tract of land in Section 18 in 1832, and the remainder of that section was purchased by John W. Harter and David Ashley in 1833, and Liberty Ginn and Joseph Ginn in 1836. Geo. Carter, Thos. Carter and Reason Tippe entered land in Section 19 in 1835, and Moses Hinton entered a tract in the same section in 1837.

In 1832, William Flummer entered and settled upon a tract of land in Section 20, and was joined by David Cochran in 1835, and George Comstock in 1836.

Samuel Wilson, the first settler in Section 21, entered his land in 1832, and Isaac Cox entered a tract adjacent in 1833. Peter Grimes settled in the same section in 1834; Jesse Linscome in 1835.

The first tract of land in Section 22 was entered by Nimrod Jester in 1829, but it was not occupied by him until several years later. James Galbraith entered and occupied a tract of land in the same section in 1831; James Harter, in 1833; Washington Holdam, in 1834; and Samuel Elliott, in the same year.

In 1832, Samuel Kite entered the first tract of land in Section 23. His neighbors were Reuben Hampton, who came in 1833, John Irwin, in 1834, and Isaac Edwards, in 1835.

The lands in Section 24 were purchased by George Sharon in 1834, and Junius McMillen in 1835. Mr. McMillen purchased a farm at the eastern extremity of this section, and extending into the adjoining township of Niles, his house being situated in the ltter township.

William Essley purchased the first tract of land in Section 25 in 1830, and the second tract in this section was purchased by Francis Harris in 1831. Roland Hughes purchased and settled in this section in 1833.

Section 26 was purchased by Joseph Battreall in 1833, Jacob Gump and Joseph Snyder, in 1835, and William Mendenhall and Jesse Meek, in 1836. Section 27 was settled by David Studebaker, in 1835, and James Frazer, William Lewis and Philip Hedricks, in 1836.

James Frazee settled in Section 28 in 1836. Matthew Smith settled in Section 29 in 1834, and James Love and Jonathan Jones settled in the same section in 1836.

Section 30 was settled by William Daily and Stephen Dunlap in 1835, and John J. Adsit and William Martin in 1835.

John W. Stafford and Thomas Williams settled in Section 31 in 1836 and 1837, respectively, and Section 32 was purchased by persons who have been previously mentioned.

Nicholas Sherry, Abraham Culbertson, Vincent Martin and Samuel Martin, all purchased land in Section 33 in 1836. John Huston and Simon Maxon also purchased large tracts of land in this section in 1835, but were not settlers. Their object was speculation, and they sold out their lands in parcels t later settlers.

In Section 34, David Sherry, Eli H. Ross, Daniel Sherry, Thomas Ewell, Isaac Martin and James Gnew, entered land and began to improve it in 1836. Martin remained here but a short time, and was more intimately identified with the settlement of Niles.

In 1836, George Pyke, William Sleeth and Thomas McCormick entered the land upon which they settled in Section 34, and Noah Simonton entered a tract of land in the same section in 1837. Large tracts were entered in this section as elsewhere in the township by persons who never came to reside upon them, but held them for speculative purposes.

Ephraim Leard entered land in Section 36 in 1834, and Peter R. Bradshaw entered an adjacent tract in 1835. Samuel Payton and George Leard entered and settled upon land in the same section in 1836.

By this time all the Government land had been taken up, and it would be difficult to continue the chronicle of arrivals subsequent to that date, in the absence of records. The tract entered by John Irwin was sold by him to his son Simon, and, in 1837, was transferred by the latter to Wilson Martin, in exchange for forty acres in Blackford County, Ind. Mr. Martin came to his new purchase in the same year, and began the improvement of his land, which he continued year by year until it became a fine farm. He has sold nearly all of this farm, and now lives a retired life at Eaton.

John W. Studebaker also settled in the township in 1837. He came with his wife and one child from Miami County, Ohio, and purchased a portion of the land entered by Jacob Gump, where he resided for a period of fifteen years, removing, at the end of that time, to his present location, about two miles west of Eaton.

There are but few now remaining who were heads of families at the beginning of the settlement of this township, and participated in the scenes of those days. Some who were young then, are now silvery haired, and it is chiefly from their testimony that this chapter is compiled. There is not an early record of events now extant in the township--a loss deplored and very keenly felt by the historian. The early official business of the township was either transacted verbally, or, if recorded, the records have been carelessly mislaid; and a careful search has failed to reveal their whereabouts. No better basis for a history of this township can be found, and if a few inaccuracies occur in a chapter based upon verbal information, they deserve charitable treatment, where no documentary evidences exist to establish dates and facts.

NAVIGATION ON THE MISSISSINEWA.

For small craft the Mississinewa has always been navigable, and in early days this fact was used to advantage by the settlers, who, with flat-boats and pirogues, often floated down the river with cargoes for market. It is stated that in 1838, Jacob Gump and Joseph Snyder constructed a boat fifty or sixty feet long, four feet wide, and three feet deep, which they freighted with on hundred barrels of flour, two barrels of lard, three barrels of linseed oil and a quantity of bacon, destined for Peru, Ind., a distance of sixty miles or more. The pilot was Abraham Gray, and the crew consisted of four men, each of whom pulled an oar.

Traveling by day and tying up to trees at night, they reached their destination at the end of two days. Upon their arrival they sold the oil at $1 per gallon, and after disposing of their boat for $20, stored the flour for future sale, and returned home on foot.

This was probably the first trip made after the settlement of the township began, and in course of time it became an industry of some magnitude. Regularly every spring for a number of years after the first trip, eight or ten flat-boats left the settlement, similarly laden, destined for Peru and other points on the river, and these voyages rarely failed to produce the anticipated profit. There was a good market at fair prices for the products of the settlement, and cash began to take the place of hides and furs as a circulating medium.

ROADS.

By reference to the histories of Niles and Washington, mention of the Greenville and Marion State road will be found.

From evidence given in this connection, it would seem that this route was originally traveled by the Indians from Vincennes, Ind., to Greenville, Ohio, and that it was a "trace" of some consequences, would seem to be established by its beaten condition, showing the marks of extensive travel. That this "trace" lost its identity in a State road is also a fact, but authorities differ as to the date at which this road was surveyed, and in the absence of records bearing upon the subject, it cannot be established. It passes through the three northern townships of the county, and one authority tells us that it was laid out as early as 1829, while another states that, at a much later date, its route was still untraveled and untraceable in the widerness through which it passed.

The object of such a road would certainly have been to the interest and for the convenience of emigration to the West, and as this tide set in at an early day, we are inclined to believe the theory of its early location. David Heal says that in Washington Township, this road was surveyed and located prior to early settlement. In this event it must have been located in the townships of Niles and Union at as early a date; but Liberty Ginn says that if such was the case, there were evidently two surveys of the same road, as he has a distinct recollection of its survey as late as the year 1839. It is not improbable that the road was surveyed at the date first named, and that in the unsettled conditon of the country, its route became obscured by the undergrowth which grew unmolested, rendering a second survey necessary. Of that part of the road which is located in Washington, however, there never was but one survey, and the oldest citizens of that township are unanimous in their declarations that it was a distincly marked road when they first came.

Although nominally its termini were Greenville, Ohio, and Marion, Ind., it embraced a much larger territory, connecting at Greenville with a road leading to Columbus and other Ohio cities, and at Marion with a road to Logansport and the prairies beyond. Along the line of this road to Logansport and the prairies beyond. Along the line of this road the miles were numbered on the trees, and the forty-mile tree stood about two hundred yards west of Eaton.

Perhaps as early as 1836, the county road from Muncie to Granville was surveyed and opened, as Wilson Martin states that it was a well defined road when he came to the township in 1837. It was not surveyed with a very strict regard to accuracy, and as later years disclosed the fact that its lines trepassed upon private property, its course was re-surveyed, and, in some localities, material alterations were made.

In 1838, a county road was surveyed from Muncie to Hartford City, in Blackford County, traversing the township in a north-and-south direction, and was opened for travel in the same year.

In 1839, the Fort Wayne and Muncie road was surveyed and laid out. It was surveyed by the State, and was always known as the Fort Wayne and Muncie State road. West of this, about 1853, another road from Hartford City was laid ut and opened for travel.

During the succeeding years, there were numerous roads located in different parts of the township, for local convenience, in response to the petitions presented to the Board of Trustees, and nearly every section of land is now bounded by public highways.

SCHOOLS.

At just what time in history of the township the desire for public education began to be put into practice is not known. As early as 1836, a cabin on the farm of Junius McMillen, in the east part of the township, was occupied for school purposes, and the service of Miss Susan Hanley were secured as teacher for that term, which comprised the winter months of that year. Her salary was contributed by Wilson Martin, Junius McMillen, William Essley, Philip Stoner, Aaron Mote and Francis Harris, whose children attended the school, and paid $1.50 for each scholar.

In 1837, a log building was erected on the farm of Aaron Mote, especially for a schoolhouse, and was probably the first one erected for that purpose in the township. During the winter of that year, William Campbell was the teacher, and conducted a very good school. In the same winter a school was conducted in a cabin on the farm of Havilla Green, which received the name of the "Green Schoolhouse." The first term in the house was taught by Robert Wharton. By this time the township had been divided into school districts, but the funds for the maintenance of the school were still contributed by those whose children attended them. About the year 1840, the money derived from the sale of lands in the school section created a public fund, and while it was sufficient to meet the current expenses, public education was as free as under the present system; but this fund was limited, and nearly every year became exhausted before the close of the term, in which event it was usual for the patrons of the school to contribute a sufficient amount from their own funds to meet the expenses for the remainder of the term. For a number of years, all the schoolhouses were log buildings, and, as late as 1852, some of these were still standing, and were converted into free schools, under the provisions of the public school law, which came into action in 1852. The old districts remained as at first established, and new ones were located. The new system marked an important epoch in the history of public education in the township, and instead of the meager advantages that characterized the schools prior to that date, a course of study was adopted that was calculated to prepare the student for action in any ordinary business of life. A standard of qualification was established, and teachers were selected after a rigid examination.

The public school system of the township is ably managed, and the schools are conveniently located.

The teachers of the various schools in the township are as follows: C. W. Smith, Eaton; Francis Wagner, Poor Schoolhouse, District No. 2; J. R. Lambert, Walter's Schoolhouse, District No. 3; John R. Mansfield, Center Schoolhouse, District No. 4; Alma Isgrig, Craw Schoolhouse, District No. 5; Hannah Karn, Johnson Schoolhouse, District No. 6; Salina Anderson, Love Schoolhouse, District No. 7; J. W. McVicker, Keplinger Schoolhouse, District No. 8; Josie Wood, Yount's Schoolhouse, District No. 9; Lydia Davis, Rocky Branch Schoolhouse, District No. 10; Mollie White, Babb Schoolhouse, District No. 11; W. H. Younts, Maple Grove Schoolhouse, District No. 12.

The Trustee's report for the year ending August 31, 1880, contains the following information regarding the schools of the township:

Number of white pupils admitted within the year, 378; average attendance, 227; length of school term, 104 days; number of white teachers employed--male, 6; female, 5; average compensation per day--male, $1.83; female $1.56; number of brick schoolhouses in township, 3; number of frame schoolhouses in township, 8; estimated value of schoolhouses, grounds, etc., $3,000; estimated value of school apparatus, $200.

ACCOUNT OF REVENUE FOR TUITION.
Amount on hand September 1, 1879.....................$1,110.16
Amount received in February, 1880...........................860.73
Amount received in June, 1880...............................1,160.95

     Total.........................................................................$,131.84

Amount expended since September 1, 1879..........1,949.70

Amount on hand at date of report...........................$1,182.14

ACCOUNT OF SPECIAL SCHOOL REVENUE.
Amount on hand September 1, 1879....................... $636.13
Amount received with in the year.............................. 902.53

    Total........................................................................$1,538.66

Amount expended since September 1, 1879............ 780.12

Amount on hand at date of report............................ $758.54

MILLS.

As will be seen by reference to the events of the early settlement, the mill erected by Francis Harris, in 1831, was the first. This mill was of the rudest style of architecture, and a harmonious rudeness characterized all of its appointments. For the first few years after its erection, but little wheat was brought to it--corn being the principal product of the times. In time, however, there came a demand for flour, and second set of bowlders was taken from the river and dressed into the semblance of buhrs.

Harris continued as proprietor of the mill for a period of eight years or more, at the end of which time he sold it to Frederick Carter, Caleb Carter and Thomas Johnson. In 1847, the firm of Carter & Johnson erected a flouring and saw mill on the same site. It was a frame building, and had two runs of buhrs. Within three years after its erection, the mill was sold to Charles and George Carter, and a short time subsequent to this sale, it was destroyed by fire.

The Carter Brothers erected another mill on the same site immediately, and operated it sucessfully for a number of years. George Carter died in the meantime, and his brother Charles purchased his interest in the establishment, conducting the business alone. In 1860, he dug the race that conducts the water to the present mill, about a quarter of a mile west of the former building, and upon this site erected a saw-mill.

Shortly after the close of the late war, he erected the present mill, which is situated immediately south of Eaton. This a frame building, 45x50 feet, four stories high. The race has a fall of ten feet, operating two turbine wheels. It has two runs of buhrs, with a capacity of about ten bushels per hour. It is operated by the firm of C. Carter & Sons.

The Studebaker Mill was erected about the year 1845, by David Studebaker. It is situated on the Mississinewa, west of Eaton, and this stream was the sole dependence of the original mill for propelling power. The present mill, however, is supplied with steam power, which is employed in case of a failure of the water supply.

The first mill erected on this site was a saw and oil mill. Large quantities of linseed oil were here manufactured by the proprietor, Mr. Studebaker, and formed a large part of the cargoes which every spring went down the river to Peru.

David Studebaker sold the mill to William Mitchell, about the year 1852. Mr. Mitchell added a carding-machine, and carded rolls in connection with the manufacture of oil, continuing the business for several years, and finally selling the establishment to George Younce. In 1863, it was sold by Mr. Younce to the present proprietor, Michael Hyland, who made extensive improvements, increasing the usefulness of the mill. Among other things, he erected another building and added two sets of machinery for the manufacture of blankets, yarns, cassimeres, jeans and other woolen goods, for which he has always found a good demand in the home market. Both buildings are frame. The flouring-mill is 45x27 feet, two stories high, and the building in which the woolen mill is operated is 80x26 feet, containing five first-class looms. Mr. Hyland associated his son with him as partner, and the mill is now conducted under the firm name of Hyland & Son.

CEMETERIES.

Here, as in other pioneer settlements, some years elapsed before there was any place especially set apart for the interment of the deceased members of the community. Those who died were buried upon their own farms, and, in many instances, their friends and relatives who died subsequently, were laid to rest beside them. Thus, there came to be a number of private burial places in the township within a few years after its settlement, which, however, were never cemeteries in the full sense of the word.

About the year 1860 or 1861, Mrs. Mary Constable died, and her son-in-law, Wilson Martin, obtained permission of Charles Carter to inter the remains in a portion of his land, south of Eaton, with the privilege of founding at that place a public cemetery. Subsequently, negotiations were concluded with James Long for a tract adjoining, and, at a later date, two acres more were added. A substantial fence was constructed around the grounds, a large part of the work being performed by Mr. Martin, and the County Surveyor was employed to lay off a number of lots, from the sale of which the money was derived to pay for the grounds.

Among the occupants of this hallowed precinct are many whose hands early helped to shape the destinies of the township, and whose names are inseparably interwoven with its history.

About half a mile west of the German Baptist Church, a cemetery was established about the year 1845, the ground for this purpose having been purchased of David and George Studebaker and others. In 1865, an adjacent tract was purchased and the cemetery enlarged.

Although the property of the church, it is still a public burial ground, and, like the cemetery at Eaton, contains the remains of many of the pioneers and once leading citizens of the township.

CHURCHES.

Mount Zion Methodist Episcopal Church.--About the year 1833, seven or eight adherents to the tenets of this denomination met at the house of John Ginn, and under pastorial labors of Rev. Robert Burns were united as a class of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Nearly at the same time, another class of the same denomination was organized at the house of Tristam Starbuck, and the two classes met regularly at their respective places for several years. Finally they united, and Richard Craw, one of the members, donated them a lot from his farm, upon which they erected a log church, giving it the name of Mount Zion.

Among the early and prominent members of this church were Martin Brandt and wife, James Rutherford and wife, John Gothrup and wife, Leonard Cline and wife, Philip Keller and wife, Richard Craw and wife, William Craw and wife, John Craw and wife, Tristam Starbuck and wife, and Mrs. Isaac Cox.

They continued to use the log church until 1867, in which year they erected their present brick house of worship, at a cost of about $2,000. The church was then under the pastoral care of Rev. John F. Pierce, and the dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. George Bowers, who had administered to the class, years before, in the capacity of an itinerant or missionary. He was assisted by the Revs. Bradshaw, Hull and John L. Smith.


Mr. Pierce continued as Pastor for a term of four years, and was succeeded at the close of that period by Rev. George W. Bowers, who remained one year. His successor was Rev. D. F. Stright, who also remained one year. Rev. John W. Lewellen succeeded him, and remained for an equal period, at the close of which he was followed by Rev. William H. Pierce, who remained two years. Rev. Ramsey is the present Pastor.

The Christian Church of Eaton.--In 1839 or 1840, fifteen or twenty members of this denomination formed an organization at the house of Robert Long, east of Eaton, and from this organization grew the Eaton Christian Church. The meetings were held first at private house, and afterward at aschoolhouse near the residence of Joh Babb. During the warm summer months, the meetings were held in the groves, and during the protracted meetings, when the attendance was usually too large to be accommodated in the cabins, they went to Granville.

Among the early ministers were Elder Ebenezer Thompson, Elder Montfort and Elder Amos Wilson. Elder George H. Babb was the first regular Paster. He was installed shortly after the organization of society, and continued until about the year 1855, when he was succeeded by Elders Benjamin Martindale and Samuel Hendricks, who preached alternately once a month. Elders Elijah Martindale and Thomas Wiley were also indentified with the society in a pastoral relation during this period. In the year 1856, Elder Trowbridge was installed as Pastor, and remained only about six months, during which time he and Elder Benjamin Martindale preached alternately. In 1858, Charles Carter donated to the society a lot, upon which, in the same year, they completed their present neat frame church, at a cost of about $1,000. At the time of its erection the society was without a Pastor, but at the dedicatory services there were a number of ministers present, prominent among them were Elders Richardson, Lot Green, E. B. Thompson, Benjamin Martindale, and Aaron Adams, all of whom took part in the ceremonies and delivered addresses pertinent to the occasion.

Elder Barney O. Polly was the first Pastor chosen after the competion of the church, and remained about a year. We are unable to give the succession of Pastors from the close of his ministry. The church has prospered since its earliest inception, and is now in a spiritually healthy condition. It has a membership of about seventy-five souls, and is now under the pastoral care of Rev. Andrew Younce. A union Sunday school is conducted in connection with the church, and has an attendance ofabout fifty scholars. William H. Younce is the Superintendent.

The German Baptist Church.--The society was organized in 1840, at the house of Jacob Gump, where the meetings were held for a number of years following. Elder John Younce, the first Pastor of the society, preached to them at irregular intervals.

Fifteen years after organization, they purchased a lot of James Long, upon which, in the same year (1855), they completed their present house of worship, a frame edifice, at an expense of $1,200. The church is situated half a mile west of Eaton, on the river road.

For several years after organization, the church had no regular Pastor, andservices were not conducted at regular periods. Elder George Studebaker was probably the first regularly installed Pastor, and during the years intervening since the close of his ministry, that relation has been occupied by the following-named Elders: Benjamin Bowman, David Studebaker, John S. Studebaker, John U. Studebaker, Christian Davis, Isaiah Howard, William Deeter and Samuel Younce.

The church has prospered steadily since its organization, and now has a membership of more that three hundred souls. Elders George Studebaker, John U. Studebaker and William Deeter are the officiating Pastors at this time. The Sunday school has a average attendance of 50 scholars. William Deeter and J. B. Rarick are the Superintendents.

THE INCORPORATED TOWN OF EATON.

Eaton is situated on the right bank of the Mississinewa River, twelve miles north of Muncie, in one of the most fertile regions of Delaware County. The limestone quarries at this point are regarded as being among the finest in the State--the stone which here crops out belonging to the Niagara group. Eaton is a very young town. In 1870, when the Fort Wayne, Muncie & Cincinnati Railroad was completed, it contained but four or five families, of which there are now but a few representatives left, William H. Younts, Dr. B. F. Youngs and Serena E. Carmichael, being the principal ones.

It has made rapid progress, however, and now ranks as the second town in Delaware County, as regards both population and business. It contains two large flouring-mills within its corporate limits, of which more extended notices will be found elsewhere in this chapter--one a water-mill, the other so arranged as to be operated by water or steam. Charles Carter & Sons are the proprieters of the former, and M. Hyland & Sons of the latter. There are two hotels, of which George W. Thompson and Mrs. Keller are the respective proprietors; E. Carmichael, John Dragoo and R. Brandt, Carter & Co., are the dealers in dry goods and groceries; A. N. Foorman is proprietor of the meat-market, and a dealer in general merchandise; Eli Foorman is proprietor of the drug store; S. W. Thomas Deals in hardware and stoves; Edward Shideler, proprietor of a boot and shoe store; W. A. Blair is the furniture dealer and undertaker; John D. Shaffer and John Sherry, shoemakers; C. O. Gunkle, wagon-maker and blacksmith; S. W. Black, wagon-maker; R. M. Morris, blacksmith, and John D. Huffman, harness-maker, are the representative mechanics of the place. William H. Younts is the Town Attorney, while Drs. J. W. Sage, B. F. Youngs, J. G. Ginn and A. Stradlie, are the practicing physicians.

There are two churches and one schoolhouse in the town. The Methodist Episcopal Church is at present under the pastoral care of Rev. J. L. Ramsey who has been its Pastor for two years. The Christian Church has no regular Pastor at present, but is supplied by ministers from abroad. Both churches have flourishing Sunday Schools working in connection with them. W. A. Blair is Superintendent of the Methodist Episcopal Sunday school, and R. M. Carter, of the Christian.

The first census of the town was taken May 6, 1873, and proved the population to be but 158 souls, while, by the census of 1880, it is 327, and increase of 169.

W. A. Blair is Postmaster, and C. W. Smith, is the school-teacher for the present term.

THE ACT OF INCORPORATION.

Immediately after taking the cenus in 1873, a petition was framed and presented to the Board of County Commissioners at their meeting in June of that year, praying for the incorporation of the town, agreeably to the laws of the State. The Commissioners ordered an election to be held in the town, to take the sense of its citizens upon the question. An election was held accordingly July 5, 1873, and twenty-eight ballots cast, every one of which was in favor of incorporation, and not an opposing vote was cast. Subsequent action by the Commissioners, at their session in September 1873, carried out the will of the citizens, thus unanimously expressed, and, on the 10th day of September, 1873, Eaton was declared duly incorporated. The first election for town officers was held September 20, 1873. The result of the first and subsequent elections is shown by the following list of officers, compiled by W. H. Younts:

TRUSTEES.

1873------Adam Foorman, Wilson Martin and Nathan Baisinger.
1874------Robert Brandt, Adam Foorman and G. A. Raynolds.
1875------Robert Brandt, William A. Blair and William S. Long.
1876------N. N. Spence, John A. Younce and William S. Long.
1877------Cyrus Bergdoll, William Freeman and Robert M. Morris.
1878-79--Robert Brandt, William Freeman and John W. Sage.
1880------Robert Brandt, W. Martin and S. Younts.

CLERK.

1873-74--John Foorman*; 1875, John A. Younce; 1876, John M. Long; 1877, Samuel Younce; 1878, 1879, William S. Long; 1880, W. H. Younts.

TREASURERS.

1873-75, John Foorman; 1876, Eli Foorman; 1877, John Dragoo; 1878-80, Eli Foorman.

ASSESSORS.

1873, John Foorman; 1874, B. F. Edgington; 1875, John A. Younce; 1876-78, Wilson Martin.

MARSHALLS.

1879, William A. Long; 1880, John Hufferd.

TOWN ATTORNEY.

1879-80, William H. Younts.

*At the first election, John Foorman was chosen to fill the offices of Clerk, Treasurer and Assessor.

POPULATION.

The increase of immigration during the years intervening between the close of our period of early settlement and the year 1850, must have been considerable; for, at the date last named, the census return show the population to have been 1,012--all white people, and during the next decade there was an increase of only fifty-two, as the census returns for the year 1860 showed a population of 1,064. In 1870, the population was 1,244, and increase of 180. Of this number, 1,243 were white, and one colored; 1,217 were natives, and twenty-seven of foreign birth. The increase during the past decade is 134, the census returns for 1880 showing a total population of 1,408.

AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS--1879.

Wheat, 2,970 acres, 55,340 bushels; corn, 3,870 acres, 116,100 bushels; oats, 540 acres, 19,900 bushels; Irish potatoes, 60 acres, 1,500 bushels; sweet potatoes, 5 acres, 100 bushels; flax, 600 acres, 400 tons fiber, 3,600 bushels; meadow, 1,020 acres, 1,530 tons hay; clover, 40 acres, 100 bushels seed; pasture land, 2,216.

TOWNSHIP EXPENDITURES--1879.
Amount expended on roads..............................................$124
Amount paid Supervisors.....................................................47
Amount paid for building new schoolhouses..................561
Amount paid for repair of schoolhouses...........................36
Amount paid for fuel...........................................................106
Amount paid to teachers................................................2, 045
Amount paid for sheep killed............................................120
Amount paid Trustees for services..................................127
Amount paid for all other expenses.................................368

      Total...........................................................................$3,535