Henry Township is the central township of Henry county, and is bounded as follows : On the west by Jefferson and Prairie townships, on the east by Liberty, on the south by Franklin, Spiceland and Greensboro, and on the west by Greensboro and Harrison, and contains thirty-six square miles. The surface is rolling ; the soil is good, and well supplied with stock water by Blue River, Duck and Flat Rock Creeks. The timber, gravel, sand and buildmg material of the township are good, and of sufficient amount for all present demands.

Newcastle, the county seat, is located near the center of the township. This is a town of about 1600 inhabitants Ñ a very beautiful, enterprising business place.

The population of the township at present exceeds 3000. The value of taxables, real and personal, at present, is near two million dollars. It is the second township, both in point of wealth and population.

Some of the first settlers were Andrew Shannon, Allen Shephard, A. Woodard, Wm. Shannon, Geo. Hobson, and the family of Whitings.

M. E. Church, Newcastle ; S. N. Campbell, pastor ; membership, 230 ; Thos. B. Reding, superintendent of Sabbath school ; average attendance 150; value of church property, $15,000.

Presbyterian Church, Newcastle; A. Telford, pastor; membership, 61 ; Robert Smith, superintendent of Sabbath school; average attendance, 80; value of church property, $3,000.

Lutheran Church, Newcastle ; Rev. Mr. Myers, pastor ; membership, 60 ; B. F. Shirk, superintendent Sabbath school ; average attendance, 100; value of church property, ;$4,000.

Newcastle Lodge, No. 91, F. and A. M.; Master, Owen Evans; membership, 90; value of property, $1,000.

Newcastle Chapter, No. 50 ; membership, 50 ; High Priest, G. W. Burk ; Secretary, H. L. Shopp.

Fidelity Lodge, No. 59, L O. O. F.; organized July, 1848; membership, 90; Secretary, J. C. Livezey ; value of property, ;$4000.

Henry Encampment, No. 69; organized 1865; membership, 35 ; Secretary, J. S. Byer.

Crescent Lodge, No. 33, K. of P., Newcastle; organized May 28th, 1873; membership, 35; R. H. Mellett, C. C; D. W. Kinsey, K. of R. and S. ; value of property, ;$500.

M. E. Church, Sugar Grove; 2^ miles west of Newcastle; pastor, W. C. McKaig ; church membership, 28 ; value of church property, ;$ 1,200; superintendent of Sabbath school, E. M. Rogers; average attendance, 50.

United Brethren in Christ Church, Newcastle ; pastor, J. T. Vardaman ; church membership, 30 ; value of church property, $4,000; Sabbath school superintendent, David Mullen.

Christian Church, Newcastle; pastor, J. B. Lugwig; church membership, 140; value of church property, ;$16,999; Sabbath school superintendent, Jesse M. Hiatt ; average attendance, 138.

M. E. Church, Newcastle ; pastor, S. N. Campbell ; church membership, 230; value of church property, ;$11,000; Sabbath school superintendent, T. B. Redding ; average attendance, 140.

Wesleyan Methodist Church, 2^ miles northwest of Newcastle ; pastor, E. Brookshire ; church membership, 100 ; value of church property, ;$2,000; Sabbath school superintendent, J. Lamb ; average attendance, 80.

Roman Catholic Church, Newcastle ; value of church prop- erty, $2000.

McDonel M. E. Church, 4 miles south of Newcastle ; W. C. McKaig, pastor ; membership, 40 ; value of church property, $4000; superintendent of Sabbath school, J. W. Black; average attendance, 53.

Newcastle Grange, organized April, 1873; Oliver Cannon, Master; Jesse M. Hiatt, Secretary.

School Trustees for the town of Newcastle : Dr. John Rea, President; Joshua Holland, Treasurer; Wm. H. Elliott, Secretary ; academy building worth $20,000.

Township Trustee, Hiram Thornburgh ; number of school- houses, 10; valuation of school property, $5000.