WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP HISTORY
Washington Township was named in honor of George Washington. The first white
settlers to lay claim to a portion of the township were REASON MALOTT, who settled north
of Marion in 1826, and his brother-in-law, DANIEL BADGER, who settled
within the present limits of the city.
The first mill was built by SAMUEL McCLURE, Sr. , in 1828. This was
originally within the limits of Pleasant Township, but by a change in township lines it
became a part of Washington.
The first religious meeting held in the township was at the home of JESSE
MARSH in 1837, with SAMUEL BROMLEY acting as minister. The first church built was Sugar
grove, which was erected in the center of the township in 1850.
The first school was held in a cabin on the ROBERT MASSEY farm, in the
southwestern part of the township, in 1834.
The teacher was Miss ELLEN LOVE and about twelve pupils were enrolled. Three years later
the first regular schoolhouse was erected on the farm of JOHN ENSLEY, northeast of the
present Country Club, with SAMUEL WOOLMAN teaching.
The first election was probably at the home of JAMES HICKS in 1834. The
township was organized in 1836.
One of the most used trails in the colonial day was "GODFREY'S
TRACE," an Indian trail connecting the Salamonie and Mississinewa Rivers, which
crossed the southern part of Washington Township.
The only town completely within Washington Township is Hanfield, which was
founded in 1880. At present it contains about thirty inhabitants.
Taken from A CENTURY OF DEVELOPMENT
JCT