History — Center Township was organized September 6, 1843. Originally its territory was divided between the ancient Townships of Pigeon and Armstrong, and later its northern part belonged to Scott Township, and for three years its southern part to Knight Township, as at first constructed. It is now bounded on the north by Scott Township, on the east by Warrick County, on the south by Knight and Pigeon Townships, and on the west by Perry and German Townships. Its surface is hilly and the soil thin, though, by proper cultivation, productive. The southern border is swept by Pigeon Creek, the largest stream traversing the interior of the County of Vanderburgh. Other smaller streams are found among its hills, chief of them being Blue Grass Creek, so named by the earliest settlers, who found blue grass growing about its vicinity. To this day a considerable part of the Township is called "blue grass country." Originally the entire Township was heavily timbered.

          Early Settlers. — In the spring of 1808, the progressive pioneer, James Anthony, while exploring Pigeon Creek, discovered what he considered a good mill-seat, and believing in the early and rapid settlement of the country, proceeded to Vincennes, where, on July 28, he made the first entry of land in the Township. His mill was not built until 1814, and whether or not he took up his residence here at an earlier date can not be determined. It was not until 1810 or 1811, that settlers came in with the intention of making this new country their homes or becoming freeholders, and of establishing a civilized community in forests where still lingered the smoke from the savage's wigwam, and the constant howl of the wolf.

          Among the first, came John Sharer, Matthias Whetstone, George Linxweiler, Absalom Vann and Nathan Young. John Sharer, with rare good luck, discovered what was later known as the Ingle spring, and near there raised his rude cabin. He at once cleared a garden spot and cornfield, and planted a peach orchard, which in a few years bore excellent fruit. He was a good citizen, for some time a magistrate, and in the later years of his life a part owner of the Negley grist-mill. The Matthias Whetstone farm on the old Princeton road a short distance north of Mechanicsville, in section 32, was a well known locality in early times. For many years the residence there was kept as a public-house or tavern-stand-and became justly celebrated. There were three brothers of the elder Whetstones, David, Matthias and Henry. The Vanns and Youngs formed a part of the Whetstone settlement. They were all Kentuckians, and valuable pioneer citizens. Peter, a son of David Whetstone, fell into disgrace. He stole a horse, was apprehended, examined and held to bail, his father becoming his surety. When court met Peter did not appear, and the bond was forfeited. The payment of the forfeiture completely ruined David Whetstone.

          George Linxweiler, the progenitor of the large and well-known family of that name, and one of the first Germans to migrate to this part of the great west, who landed in Indiana territory opposite the mouth of Green River, in March, 1806, and for a time lived on the widely known J. B. Stinson farm in Perry Township, came to the Whetstone settlement in 1811 and there founded his home. Industrious, economical, and honorable, he at once gained the respect of the settlers and through a long life of usefulness maintained a high position in popular esteem. His sons, William, Christ, and Isaac, and their descendants, have been conspicuous in developing the Township and County.

          To the south of this settlement, on the high hills near Pigeon Creek, a few years later, Thomas Skelhorn settled; and soon afterward came Jonathan Goss. This place was long known as the Skelhorn Hill. Between Skelhorn's and Whetstone's, Ashley Stanfield entered land and built his humble home. For some time his cabin stood solitary and alone in all that section. Then George France pushed his way into the wilderness and became Stanfield's neighbor. A dozen years or more passed, however, before this locality struck the fancy of any other settlers.

          From the oldest states, and from across the sea, came enterprising and intelligent men and women. Among the first of these were D. F. Goldsmith and Everton Kennedy, both useful and prominent men in their day, each serving as County Commissioner at different times, and being closery connected with the public affairs of the County. The former built the first courthouse in Evansville, and the latter was well known as a faithful guardian of the public interests. In 1818, Judge William Olmstead emigrated from New York, and David Negley from Pennsylvania. These men were intelligent citizens, and did much to give tone and sentiment to society. Judge Olmstead was early called to the bench as an associate justice, served acceptably as County commissioner, and by his pure and wise private and public life rose to a lofty place in the esteem of his countrymen. Deacon Negley, as he was called, soon became the proprietor of the well-known mill site on Pigeon Creek. Here with apparent fitness, a few words of description may be devoted to this useful institution of the olden times. The first mill was erected by James Anthony, as early as 1814. This was a rude log structure about twenty-four feet square, with a clapboard roof, the boards being pinned on with wooden pegs — not a bit of iron being used in its construction. One side of the house rested on posts set far out in the stream, and the other on the edge of the bank. There was one run of buhrs driven by an undershot wheel of small dimensions, against which the water was turned by a little log dam generally in bad repair. The meal produced by this mill was of a very inferior quality. Deacon Negley paid $5,000 for the mill property, the favorable location being the only valuable part of the purchase. Joel Lambert, of Henderson, Ky., a man of means, associated himself with Mr. Negley, and they soon added improvements which became a great help to the surrounding country. The mill was the centre of attraction for all the settlers within a radius, of forty miles. Previous to its operation, settlers had their grinding done at Red Banks, or resorted to the old-fashioned pestle and mortar to pulverize their corn. The Negley Mill stood for many years, being at length destroyed by fire.

          Most of those who came from the shires of England passed on to Scott Township, but the good influence of their integrity and intelligence spread through all the settlements. For convenience sake most of the settlers occupied lands along the state road, running from Evansville to Princeton, then an established highway, though but partially cut out. The first to push to the eastward and open up the forests away from the road was Charles McJohnston, the elder, a progressive Irishman, who, in 1819, floated his boat up Pigeon Creek, and landed at the Skelhorn Hill. There he unloaded his household goods and farm implements, among which were two wagons, the first brought to this part of the country. After looking about for a desirable location he settled in the northern part of the Township, and very soon thereafter became a freeholder. He acted an honorable part in the early history of the County, and his children and his children's children have preserved in honor the ancestral name. Charles McJohnston, who as a boy, nine years of age, came with his father, still lives on the lands which in those early days, with many a sturdy blow, he helped to rescue from their wild state. Near McJohnston's, to the southward, was the home of William Erskine, who reached the County about Christmas, 1819, with his three sons, John, Andrew and William, and one daughter. About this time came Joshua Stephens, a tanner by trade, who afterward became well known in all parts of the County. In about two years thereafter a brother of this man, Silas Stephens, a saddler who had learned his trade as an apprenticed lad, also came into the neighborhood, and afterward the two were joined by their father, David. These were as honorable and clever men as could be found. They were men of principle, of integrity, and of considerable natural ability, but without the adornments of polite education. By industry and economy they rose rapidly; Silas to the bench as an associate justice, and Joshua to a high place in the affections of the people. At first Joshua conducted a tannery, and Silas a saddlery, both on a small scale; they enlarged their business as the country grew and became leading citizens and wealthy men for their day. While working at his bench in a small shop, Silas won the affections of Julia, the daughter of Gen. Evans, whom all were wont to praise as a sweet character. The marriage was solemnized in the good old-fashioned way, and the "infair" was attended by all the leading people of the day.

          The first settlers in Blue Grass were Alanson Baldwin, William Patterson, Cyrus Paul, Gen. Ramsey, and others who came in about 1819. They were all from New England, and composed what was known as the Yankee settlement. They were intelligent, industrious people, all of them; knew how to make ax-handles, cradles, shingles, and all sorts of devices to add to the comfort of frontier life. The backwoodsmen had not been used to the many contrivances devised by these ingenious Yankees and looked with amazement at the results of their work. William Blevans, an old-time shoemaker, Davis Bullock, a grand rail-splitter, Julius Gibson, a successful hunter, Parker Aydelotte, James Russell, Porter Fuller, Sylvester Boardman, W. C. Osborn, Benjamin F. Barker, Henry Wagoner, Daniel and Zera Fairchild, Thomas Ward, James Collins, E. Waters, S. M. Ross, Thomas Hooker, and Eli Higens were among the pioneers not elsewhere mentioned, who came in prior to 1825. What here appears shows that there was quite an influx of people, which reached its climax about 1819, and then subsided. There was a great run after land, and in a year or two buyers regretted their purchases. Hard times followed, and the era of cut money came on with that distress which forms a part of the general history of the County. Settlers poured in rapidly from all quarters soon after the general improvement plans of 1835-6. Land speculators bought large bodies of land, chief of these being Robert Barnes and Francis Amory. This inrushing of people was the final act in the complete settlement of Center Township. Among those who came at an early day, and yet not among the first, who have wielded an influence for good, and have occupied an honorable place in the community, are the McCutchans, Knowlses, Brodies, Moffits and many others.

Source:
History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana
Brant & Fuller, c.1889
Pages 599 - 602