HISTORY of UNION TOWNSHIP

(from Tippecanoe Co., Indiana, GenWeb site)

Until March 10, 1871, the west half of the territory now comprised of this township was attached to Wayne, the south portion of the east half to Randolph, and the north portion to Fairfield. The area now encompassed by Union Township has probably been inhabited for over 10,000 years. Artifacts located along Wea Creek bear out the presence of these prehistoric people. Early explorers of the region describe large Indian villages along the southern bank of Wabash River in Union Township and also on the northern side in Wabash Township. The Ouiatenons, or the Weas, a tribe of the Miami Confederacy, settled in the area sometime around 1718. The French established a post across from the mouth of the Wea Creek about 1720.

Among the earliest white settlers to this area were JOSEPH HAWKINS and WILLIAM JONES. They came to the area in the spring of 1824, planted crops, remained until fall, then returned for their families. They were joined that fall by BAKER GUEST, POLSTON STIDHAM, JAMES ELLIS, and WILLIAM DIMMITT. The following spring there arrived JOHN MURDOCK, JOHN PROVAULT, JOHN LITTLE, MORDECAI MENDENHALL, JOSEPH and WILLIAM HOLLINGSWORTH, ABLE JENNY, ISAAC, SAMUEL and DAVID JOHNS, PHINEAS HESTON, JAMES WEST, PETER HUGHES, and DR. DURKEE.

The first church erected was in 1827 by the Society of Friends, among whom the southern part of the township was largely composed. The founders of this church, which is now known as Farmer's Institute, were a group of families by the names of HAWKINS and HOLLINGSWORTH, all of whom were interrelated. These families were of Quaker stock, having come to America with William Penn on his second voyage in 1682. The HOLLINGSWORTHS were descendants of VALENTINE HOLLINGSWORTH, founder of the family in America. In that same year of 1827, JOSEPH HAWKINS erected a grist mill on Wea Creek. Another mill was built by a Mr. WAYMIRE in 1830.

The first marriage in the township was celebrated in 1826 when JOHN HUFF married BESSIE PIATT. The first death is said to have been that of HARRIET, daughter of ABEL JENNY, in 1824.

ADAMS EARL was a major figure in early Union Township. He moved to the Wea Plains from Ohio about 1838. By 1840, he was building flat boats to ship produce to New Orleans. ADAMS EARL was married to MARTHA J. HAWKINS, a daughter of JAMES and SUSANNAH (JONES) HAWKINS.

Farmer's Institute was a school organized in 1851. It served as a private institution for two years. After this a stock company was orgaized, improvements were made and a boarding house added. Original trustees were: ELIHU HOLLINGSWORTH, BUDDELL SLEEPER, P. ELLIS, and MILTON HOLLINGSWORTH. JOSEPH FISHER was the first principal.

Sources: Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe Co., Indiana, 1888; Commemorative Book of Tippecanoe Co., Indiana 1826-1976; A History of Farmer's Institute Monthy Meeting of Friends; and It's Community, by Nellie Taylor Raub

TIPPECANOE COUNTY

(from Tippecanoe Co. GenWeb site)

Heston, ____ Twp. 23, R5 29.96 acres pt. W fr. SWq, Sec. 19

TIPPECANOE COUNTY, INDIANA

(from Tippecanoe Co. GenWeb site)

No Heston was listed, but Union Township was apparently not there