MISSISSINAWA TOWNSHIP.
Township 14. Range 1. was a part of Jackson Township previous to 1839, when it was taken from the north end and formed into a township and designated as above. It included all of Township 14, Range 1, except the north tier of sections. which were then included in Gibson Township. April 12, 1848, when Gibson was thrown into Mercer County, this tier of sections was then taken into the township. Mississinawa is five miles wide east and west, and six miles long from north to south, and is absolutely regular in outline.
It derived its name from its principal stream—the Mississinawa Creek, which rises near the center of the township, runs southeasterly just over into the edge of Allen Township, then southwesterly, crossing the pike nearly half-way from Rose Hill to Lightsville, and thence in a general course a little north of south of west to the county line. in the northern part of Section 30, one and three-fourths miles north of Jackson Township line.
The surface is generally level, except the northwest portions, which are somewhat inclined to be hilly. The soil is warm and strong, and along the creek bottom is probably as productive as any other section of the county. About one-third of the surface of this township is timber-land with a fine growth of oak, ash, elm,. hickory, sugar-maple and beech. Around the pleasant village of Rose Hill there is a greater predominance of yellowish clay in the soil, and the beech is found in the greatest numbers.
The days of discomfort have passed into forgetfulness, and the farmers to-day improve and enjoy what their predecessors toiled and suffered to make habitable. The old settlers' farms are under a good state of improvement, and, as a rule, are free from incumbrances. Crops of all kinds average well. A great deal of tile has been laid, and much excellent land rendered available to tillage by thorough drainage.
The pioneer settler in this township was Philip Replogle, who located in the year 1833. on the land since owned by Jacob Replogle, half a mile east of Rose Hill. In 1835, Joseph and William Replogle settled near the village. Other of
392 - HISTORY OF DARKE COUNTY.
the early settlers were John B. Anderson, Samuel C. Carter. David Brooks, John A. McKibben, Hugh McKibben. William Van Kirk, William B. Light. Francis Whitaker, E. H. Fisher and Mahlon Peters.
The first schoolhouse was built on the land of Caroline Grissom, the date of its erection not known. The first church was erected by the Methodists in 1851. on land then owned by Samuel C. Carter, and situated one and a half miles east of the southwest corner of the township, on the line between Jackson and Mississinewa Townships. Samuel Carter was the first Justice of the Peace in the township.
Rose Hill is located one mile west of the eastern line of the township and three miles north at the corners of Sections 14, 15. 22 and 23. and was-laid out in 1852. The village of Lightsville was laid out by William B. Light, in 1874. It is located on Section 26, just within the eastern boundary of the township, one and a half miles from the southeastern corner. It has a population of about one hundred and fifty.
This village has a fine schoolhouse that will seat eighty pupils. It is a new building, recently erected at a cost of about $1,200. A saw-mill was put up in the southwestern part of the town by A. R. Crumble. The mill burned down in 1868. Another and the present one was built in the summer of 1873, by William S. Light.