Skelton Township

    If Skelton was not one of the original townships of the county, it was at least one of the earliest that was organized after the creation of the county. Its name was given in honor of Zachariah Skelton, a leading early settler in the county. He was a native of Georgia. In 1813 he located in Warrick County, near the present site of Selvin in Pigeon Township, and which was included in Skelton Township at its formation. It originally comprised all the land now contained in Lane, Owen, Pigeon and Skelton Townships, and so remained until the formation of Owen, in 1846. For more than a score of years, Zachariah Skelton was a Judge in the Warrick County Courts. In 1837 he moved to the present Skelton Township. Another of the earliest to located in this township was John Phillips, who came some time prior to 1818. He took an active interest in all matters pertaining to the public welfare. In 1825 the public records show him to have been Inspector of Elections in Skelton Township. During the same year, Stephen Sally and Levi Lockhart, were Overseers of the Poor. In 1827 James Ashby was appointed Constable of the township, and in that year the County Board ordered an election for a Justice of the Peace, to supply the place of John Phillips, who had resigned. In January following, John Skelton was appointed Inspector of Elections, which were to be held at the house of Joseph Phillips. In 1829 Moses Matthews was granted a license to ferry across Little Pigeon Creek. In 1831 the elections were held at the mill of William Gentry in the township. Concerning the early habits and customs of the settlers, an author of Newburgh wrote as follows: "It will be remembered that when southern Indiana was first settled pioneers were entirely isolated from the conveniences of manufactories. Bread-stuffs and wearing apparel consisted almost solely of home manufacture. There were no mills in this section, except hand-mills, until the year 1816, at which time horse-mills were introduced. The first horse-mill of which I have any recollection, was owned by Mr. McNeely, situated at Dickeyville, in Owen Township, about one-half mile from where Uncle Mat. Gentry now (1882) lives. Tubby Bloyd had one in Hart Township, and it was situated on the land now owned by J. B. Graham. Another one was situated near where Samuel H. Curtis now lives. Mr. Powers had one in Boon Township, near James Monday's, also another close to Harpole's near the fair-ground. These mills were the one that did the business in my boyhood days."

    Up to 1820 there were four land entries made in the bounds of Skelton Township. They were by John Phillips, 1817; William L. Hanby, 1819; John Stephenson, 1818; and William baker, 1817.