Perry Township

PERRY TOWNSHIP

This is the smallest township in the county. It contains less than twenty sections, being a little deficient at the northwest corner to make it full twenty sections. It is bounded on the west by Harrison Township, on the south by Hendricks County, on the east by Eagle and Worth townships, and on the north by Center Township. The principal watercourse is White Lick; flowing south it enters Hendricks county, leaving Perry in section eleven. Fayette is located on this stream, and is the only town in this township. Here is the voting place as well as the center of trade. A separate account will be given under the head of "Sketch of Fayette." This township was settled as early as 1830. Among the early settlers were Edmund Shirly, Jesse Turner, Alexander Fortner, Aaron Smith, Jno. K. Edwards and his father, the Doyles, Eli Smith and his father, the Slaigles, the Smiths, i.e. D. W. and B. H. Smith and their father, the Glendings, Peter Keney, the Sullivans, the Dickersons, The Chamberses, G. W. Lumkins, Daniel Leap, Thos. Leap, E. Wollon and E. Thornly. Mrs. Thornly, the oldest woman in county, is yet living; she is ninety-one years old. These settlers were soon joined by the Wilsons, Elijah S. Williams, Thos. Jackson, the Penningtons, and Jos. Belt. It is said that a Mr. Schenck taught first subscription school in Perry Township in the year 1836. The Baptists held the first religious meetings in private houses. A few years later a society was formed known as "Mt. Tabor". A house was built by that society, and now it is known far and wide as Old Mt. Tabor. Among the ministers here were Isaac Leap, Peter Keney, and elder Edwards. Shepherdsville, in the eastern part of the township, is a small place. Mr. Glendenson is the proprietor of the store here. There is a postoffice also, which is a great convenience to the people in this part of Perry. The soil is generally good and is in a high state of cultivation. Ditching is going on in every direction. Many tasty residents are springing up. The roads are also improving. One of the oldest roads in county passes through Perry Township, known as the Indianapolis and Lafayette State Road. It is now and has been for sixty years a highway very much traveled. The population of Perry Township in 1870 was 1,209; in 1880 it was 1,240. The number of voters in 1886 was 257. The number of school children in 1884 was 402. There are eight schoolhouses in the township; two are brick and six frame. This is up to the year 1886. The following have served as Trustees: J. B. Howard, Edward Woolen, John W. Doyle, Isaac Leap, William Schenck, Eli Smith, Peter Keney, John K. Edwards, Preston Smith, A. J. Smith and Thomas Jackson, elected April, 1886.

Source Citation: Boone County History [database online] Boone County INGenWeb. 2006. <http://www.rootsweb.com/~inboone> Original data: Harden & Spahr. "Early Life and Times in Boone County, Indiana." Indianapolis, Ind. Carlon & Hollenbeck. 1887.