Settlement of Jackson Township

    We have not been able to fix precisely upon the first settler of this township. The settlement of this township. The settlement of the county seems to have begun by working up the Lick Creek from toward Muncie, and hence Lick Creek (now Licking) Township was the first settled and the first to be filled with the incoming civilization.

    Samuel Gochenour, in 1835, settled on section 5, and died in 1870.

    Jacob Emshwiller, his son-in-law, located in this township the same year, erected a tannery and ran it a short time. He was afterward elected county treasurer, and while he was holding the office he started home one day with a load of wood from the forest west of town with a span of horses, which took fright and ran away, upsetting the wagon with its load, and driving the standard through his skull, killing him. This was in February, 1849. Abraham Stahl succeeded him in the office of treasurer.

    Joseph Creek, a noted hunter, was one of the pioneers of Jackson Township, locating in 1838, in the northwestern corner, where he made his home until his death a few years ago. He and William Davidson, of Harrison Township, his partner in the chase, made a practice, in early times, of killing sixty to seventy-five deer annually. Three sons of his are still living in the township, the old homestead yet remaining in the possession of some members of the family.

    About 1835 Robert Duffey settled near the cranberry marsh. He moved west, and died some time within the last five years.

    Abraham Emshwiller located in 1839 on section 4, he resided until his death, in 1865. His widow is still living. The farm is owned by the sons. John, one of the sons, resides in Montpelier, where he owns and conducts a magnificent drug store. To him the compiler of this history is under special obligation for many of the items in these sketches.

    Robert H. Lanning came about 1839, and was either county or township assessor until about 1870 or 1871.

    Ezekiel Lanning, an elder brother, came the same year and remained a resident here until his death.

    Edward M. Crumley, one of the first grand jurors, Abraham Wilson, John Hudson and Thomas Langdon were pioneers of Jackson, who are not now living.

    Jacob Oswalt, an early settler, moved from the county.

    William Cortright located in Jackson Township about 1840, and remained an occupant of his farm until his death, about 1875. A portion of Trenton is laid out upon his land.

    John and Jacob Wentz located in this township in 1844. John is now living in Harford City, and Jacob is deceased.

    James Ransom and David Hart were other pioneers of Jackson.

    Daniel and Laban Landon remained citizens of Jackson Township until their death, the former in April, 1887, south of Trenton.

    Source: Biographical and Historical Record of Jay and Blackford County, Indiana. The Lewis Publishing Co., 1887.