Early days in Delaware County, IN -- which includes the communities of Anthony, Bethel, Boyerton, Clifton, Cowan, Crossroads, Daleville, Desoto, Eaton, Elizabethtown, Gaston, Gilman, Muncie, Mt. Pleasant, New Burlington, Oakville, Selma, Shideler, Smithfield, Tabor, West Muncie, Wheeling, and Yorktown -- are recalled through a mixture of colorful tales and factual data in this spiral-bound booklet, reprinted directly from a century-old book: Our County, Its History and Early Settlement by Townships written by John S. Ellis.
This new 5 1/2 x 8 1/2" edition is printed on quality paper. The three-color linen cover is protected with a vinyl sheet.
The booklet is divided into sections by Townships, and combines detailed data for genealogical research, with fascinating bits of history and trivia. For instance, the first section concerns Perry Township and names the first purchasers of land in each township section, additional purchasers, and the owners at the time the book was written in 1898. In addition, it gives a physical description of the land, and tells about "Old Obediah,"a chicken thief; "Old Tom Hall," a bee thief; coon hunting, and a race to the land office. There are also small maps of each township. The other townships include Liberty, Delaware, Niles, Union, Hamilton, Boyerton, Centre, Monroe, Mt. Pleasant and Harrison.
ILLUSTRATIONS: The booklet contains a number of illustrations. These are not of high quality, but serve to show a glimpse of early businesses and residences, primarily in Muncie. They include: Architectural Iron Works, the Muncie Music Company, Parson's Block, Globe Clothing Store, the Muncie Wheel Company, the Wachtell Block, Indiana Bridge Co., Muncie Casket Company, Merchant's National Bank, Mutual Home and Savings Assn., the Normal University, Union National Bank, Muncie Pulp Company, George Keiser & Co., McNaughton's Department Store, the Hoosier Manufacturing Company in Albany, the Home and Store of Eli Walradth in Hazel (Old Mt. Pleasant),the Albany Paper Company, nine residences and a view of the Mississinnewa River.