Jefferson Township, Tipton County, Indiana

Last updated

Jefferson Township
Township
Tipton - Jefferson.jpg
Intersection of U.S. 31 and Highway 28, in Jefferson Township
Map highlighting Jefferson Township, Tipton County, Indiana.svg
Location in Tipton County
Coordinates: 40°15′35″N86°11′29″W / 40.25972°N 86.19139°W / 40.25972; -86.19139
Country Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
State Flag of Indiana.svg  Indiana
County Tipton
Government
 • Type Indiana township
Area
 • Total39.1 sq mi (101 km2)
 • Land39.1 sq mi (101 km2)
 • Water0 sq mi (0 km2)  0%
Elevation
[1]
922 ft (281 m)
Population
 (2020) [2]
 • Total1,403
 • Density36/sq mi (14/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP codes
46031, 46045, 46049, 46050, 46072
Area code 765
GNIS feature ID 453500

Jefferson Township is one of six townships in Tipton County, Indiana, United States. As of the 2020 census, its population was 1,403 (down from 1,422 at 2010 [3] ) and it contained 590 housing units.

Contents

History

Squatters were the first white settlers in the area. Barnett Stepp was the first known white settler in Jefferson Township. He moved with his family, from Kentucky, to the southern part of the future township in 1835. Stepp maintained a small home and farm until his death in 1852. A son-in-law of Stepp, named Horton, came to the township in 1836, settling on 160 acres just east of Stepp's land. Over the course of the decade, more families settled in the area. [4] The first blacksmith shop was founded in the area in the late 1830s by Robert Smith, near Tetersburg. [5] Miami Indians still resided in the area as of 1840. The area was very rural and early settlers struggled to acquire clothing and groceries. Farmers traded crops and animal skins for items they needed. People had to travel from Jefferson Township to Cicero, Indiana, which was 16 miles away and treacherous given the poor quality of roads. Wheat began to be grown in the area and was a popular commodity to trade in Cicero. [6]

In 1837, the first orchard was planted in the township. The following year, the first log cabin was built in the area, followed by the first frame house ten years later, in 1848. The first brick building was built in 1868. In 1845, the first mill was built near Normanda. [6] Additional mills were built in the area and a tannery was built in 1849, only to close in 1856. The first cemetery was founded in Tetersburg in 1847. [7]

The first township elections were held in 1844. [7] A Protestant Methodist congregation was founded in the township in 1863. A church was built in 1873 just north of Kempton. [8]

As of the early 20th century, farming was the main industry, specifically fruit. The Lake Erie & Western railroad ran east to west through the township providing economic support, transportation and communication. [9]

Geography

According to the 2010 census, the township has a total area of 39.1 square miles (101 km2), all land. [3]

Natural environments

Historically, Jefferson Township was fairly flat with a lot of low, marshy ground. The west side of the township was prairie with some small amounts of trees and shrubs, including willow and scrub oak. In the southern part, the soil was light in color and sandy in lower areas. In some areas the soil is thick and black and good for agricultural purposes. [10]

Cities, towns, villages

Unincorporated towns

(This list is based on USGS data and may include former settlements.)

Former settlements

Adjacent townships

Government

Political districts

Early history

The first school in the township began in 1842, just south of Goldsmith. The first teacher, James Forsythe, was described as being a "good instructor," and having a criminal past. He was arrested in Hamilton County for larceny at one point during his life. After he left, his son, Peter, taught at the school. Two additional schools were built in the township around this time. The first was near Jericho and the second near Normanda. Eventually, another school was built in Tetersburg. [11]

Today

Students in Jefferson Township attend schools in the Tipton Community School Corporation.

Infrastructure

Major highways

Cemeteries

The township contains these four cemeteries: Kempton, Small, Tucker and Wolford.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tipton County, Indiana</span> County in Indiana, United States

Tipton County is a county in the U.S. state of Indiana, located north of the state capital of Indianapolis. According to the 2020 census, it had a population of 15,359. Its county seat is Tipton. The county has four incorporated towns with a total population of about 7,000, as well as many small unincorporated communities. It is divided into six townships which provide local services. Three Indiana state roads and one U.S. Route cross the county, as do two railroad lines. Before the arrival of non-indigenous settlers in the early 19th century, the area was inhabited by several Native American tribes. The county was officially established in 1844, one of the last Indiana counties to be settled. Tipton and Howard Counties were established by the same legislative action on January 15.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hamilton County, Indiana</span> County in Indiana, United States

Hamilton County is a county in the U.S. state of Indiana. The 2020 United States Census recorded a population of 347,467. The county seat is Noblesville.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kempton, Indiana</span> Town in Indiana, United States

Kempton is a town in Jefferson Township, Tipton County, in the U.S. state of Indiana. The population was 335 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Kokomo, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sharpsville, Indiana</span> Town in Indiana, United States

Sharpsville is a town in Liberty Township, Tipton County, in the U.S. state of Indiana. The community is part of the Kokomo, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, Sharpsville's population is 607.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tipton, Indiana</span> City in Indiana, United States

Tipton is a city in and the county seat of Tipton County, Indiana, United States. The population was estimated to be 5,275 as of July 1, 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adams Township, Hamilton County, Indiana</span> Township in Indiana, United States

Adams Township is one of nine townships in Hamilton County, Indiana, United States. At the 2010 census, its population was 4,858 and it contained 2,056 housing units.

Goldsmith is an unincorporated community of Jefferson Township in Tipton County, Indiana, United States, about 40 miles (64 km) north of Indianapolis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cicero Township, Tipton County, Indiana</span> Township in Indiana, United States

Cicero Township is one of six townships in Tipton County, Indiana, United States. As of the 2020 census, its population was 8,017 and it contained 3,616 housing units.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Liberty Township, Tipton County, Indiana</span> Township in Indiana, United States

Liberty Township is one of six townships in Tipton County, Indiana, United States. As of the 2020 census, its population was 2,332 and it contained 975 housing units.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Madison Township, Tipton County, Indiana</span> Township in Indiana, United States

Madison Township is one of six townships in Tipton County, Indiana, United States. As of the 2020 census, its population was 1,286 and it contained 571 housing units.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prairie Township, Tipton County, Indiana</span> Township in Indiana, United States

Prairie Township is one of six townships in Tipton County, Indiana, United States. As of the 2020 census, its population was 1,061 and it contained 456 housing units.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wildcat Township, Tipton County, Indiana</span> Township in Indiana, United States

Wildcat Township is one of six townships in Tipton County, Indiana, United States. As of the 2020 census, its population was 1,260 and it contained 589 housing units.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jackson Township, Hamilton County, Indiana</span> Township in Indiana, United States

Jackson Township is one of nine townships in Hamilton County, Indiana, United States. As of the 2010 census, its population was 10,368 and it contained 4,367 housing units.

Curtisville is an unincorporated community in Madison Township, Tipton County, in the U.S. state of Indiana.

Hobbs is an unincorporated community in Madison Township, Tipton County, in the U.S. state of Indiana.

Tetersburg is an unincorporated community in Jefferson Township, Tipton County, in the U.S. state of Indiana.

The Dunham House, located just south of Kempton, Indiana, USA, was built circa 1880s. The house was built by William Riley Dunham who served the U.S. Democratic Party for several years and represented Hamilton County and Tipton County in the Indiana General House of Assembly from 1913-1915. The home has made and is continuing to make history in this very small Indiana town, most recently with a visit from President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.

Ekin is an unincorporated community in Hamilton and Tipton counties, in the U.S. state of Indiana.

Jericho, Indiana was a village in Jefferson Township, Tipton County, Indiana, United States.

Normanda is an unincorporated community in Jefferson Township, Tipton County, in the U.S. state of Indiana.

References

Footnotes

  1. ↑ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
  2. ↑ "Census Bureau profile: Jefferson Township, Tipton County, Indiana". United States Census Bureau. May 2023. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  3. 1 2 "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County -- County Subdivision and Place -- 2010 Census Summary File 1". United States Census. Archived from the original on February 10, 2020. Retrieved May 10, 2013.
  4. ↑ Pershing, p. 108
  5. ↑ Pershing, p. 109
  6. 1 2 Pershing, p. 111
  7. 1 2 Pershing, p. 112
  8. ↑ Pershing, p. 200
  9. ↑ Pershing, p. 113
  10. ↑ Pershing, p. 107
  11. ↑ Pershing, p. 191

Sources

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