Jefferson Township, Tipton County, Indiana
| Jefferson Township | |
|---|---|
| Township | |
Intersection of U.S. 31 and Highway 28, in Jefferson Township
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 Location in Tipton County |
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| Coordinates: 40°15′35″N 86°11′29″W / 40.25972°N 86.19139°WCoordinates: 40°15′35″N 86°11′29″W / 40.25972°N 86.19139°W | |
| Country |
 United States
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| State |
 Indiana
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| County | Tipton |
| Government | |
| • Type | Indiana township |
| Area | |
| • Total | 39.1 sq mi (101 km2) |
| • Land | 39.1 sq mi (101 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0 km2) 0% |
| Elevation | 919 ft (280 m) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 1,422 |
| • Density | 36.4/sq mi (14.1/km2) |
| ZIP codes | 46031, 46045, 46049, 46050, 46072 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0453500 |
Jefferson Township is one of six townships in Tipton County, Indiana, United States. As of the 2010 census, its population was 1,422 and it contained 616 housing units.
Squatters were the first white settlers in the area. Barnett Stepp was the first known white settler in Jefferson Township. He moved with his family, from Kentucky, to the southern part of the future township in 1835. Stepp maintained a small home and farm until his death in 1852. A son-in-law of Stepp, named Horton, came to the township in 1836, settling on 160 acres just east of Stepp's land. Over the course of the decade, more families settled in the area. The first blacksmith shop was founded in the area in the late 1830s by Robert Smith, near Tetersburg.Miami Indians still resided in the area as of 1840. The area was very rural and early settlers struggled to acquire clothing and groceries. Farmers traded crops and animal skins for items they needed. People had to travel from Jefferson Township to Cicero, Indiana, which was 16 miles away and treacherous given the poor quality of roads. Wheat began to be grown in the area and was a popular commodity to trade in Cicero.
In 1837, the first orchard was planted in the township. The following year, the first log cabin was built in the area, followed by the first frame house ten years later, in 1848. The first brick building was built in 1868. In 1845, the first mill was built near Normanda. Additional mills were built in the area and a tannery was built in 1849, only to close in 1856. The first cemetery was founded in Tetersburg in 1847.
The first township elections were held in 1844. A Protestant Methodist congregation was founded in the township in 1863. A church was built in 1873 just north of Kempton.
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