In July, Green Township had its community day. Yes, there is a community in Green Township, and it is centered around the fire station.
Green Township is relatively new, as Hancock County’s townships go; it was added to the county in 1853.
An infamous double murder occurred in Green Township in 1878. The victims were 6-year-old Anaretta Cass and her aunt Sarah Wilson.
In 1959, after the Indiana School Reorganization Act passed, Green Township merged with Center Township Schools. Center Township voted for the merger with Green; the outnumbered Green Township residents voted against by five to one.
Green Township was named after John Green, one of the first settlers in the area. Eden is the major community in the township. It was first called Lewisburg. It was laid out in 1835.
Milner’s Corner was another Green Township town, on the border with Brown Township, but it is no longer there. Milner’s Corner even had a post office at one time. Go there today, and you won’t find anything.
Charleston is another community that was laid out but never developed. The Barnard Family Orchestra was from the community and entertained at many Chautauquas.
The Barnard Sorghum Factory was a thriving business and produced 1,200 gallons of sorghum a day. Does anyone know the location of the factory?
Two early churches in the township were Eden Methodist, now Eden United Methodist Church, and Milner’s Corner E.U.B. The latter is probably Sugar Grove Bible Church today; in fact, that is the only thing left in Milner’s Corner.
Green Township was affected by glaciers.
Thanks to Ron Stamps for making me aware of community days.
Do you remember the old Texaco Station of state roads 9 and 234?
I was invited to attend Fortville Sesquicentennial Days by Rebecca Crowe and Ruth Dulby. On July 5 they had a very interesting historical exhibit in the basement of Fortville United Methodist Church.
The oldest church in Vernon Township is Mt. Carmel Primitive Baptist Church south of Fortville.
Also, did you know St. Thomas Catholic Church, founded in 1869, was renamed from St. John after it was founded?
Also, in McCordsville, Luther Frost and a group of men built a factory in 1905 where Columbia Electric Co. manufactured the Leader Auto. It ceased operation there in 1907. Is the factory building still there?
Enough. I have told you everything I know and some things I don’t. Talk to me.
Write to historian Joe Skvarenina at [email protected] or in care of the Daily Reporter, 22 W. New Road, Greenfield, IN 46140.
