Shelby County Indiana Genealogy, History

Shelby County Indiana
Historical Articles
Populated Places

Smithland

Hendricks Township
Township 12N, Range 6E, Sec 27

The Shelbyville News
Saturday February 21, 1948
Page 8
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YOUR TOWN --- SMITHLAND
By Hortense Montgomery
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We have learned something we did not know before we began looking up the histories of our county’s villages, of course many things, but one in particular that Hendricks township was at first two townships; the part lying east of Blue river was known as Fleming Township. We have been unable to learn just what persons connected prominently with the township lived in the village and those who lived on the farms adjoining. But either one we recognize as pioneers the names of Kennedy, Toner, Snyder, Hill, Fleming, Davison, Updegraff, Tucker and Thurston.
Marietta and Smithland were both post office towns but now get their mail by rural delivery service. Smithland was one of the early plattings begin laid out October 29, 1857 by Hezekiah Smith and so got its name from its founder. There were sixteen lots each of one-fourth of an acre. Today there are about seven houses and several buildings used for business and dwellings.
The village was on the line of the old Shelbyville-Edinburg railroad: it now has bus service between the two places. Austin Clark opened the first store there and Aaron and Jesse Smith were early merchants. McClain and Smith built a saw mill in the 1850’s and did an extensive lumber business.
Smithland for many years has had an active Odd Fellows Lodge, and a number of the members have been honored as fifty-year members. Mr. Frank Davison now of Shelbyville, is one of these honored members for he has always retained his membership there.
The village has an active Baptist church and the children attend the consolidated school. Today Floyd and Leonard Hill have an excellent general store where one can get almost anything he wishes, connected with the business they have a filling station. This business is on the ground floor of the building which houses the lodge on the second floor.
Another business which draws trade from a wide community is the greenhouse of Ollie Snyder where one may purchase plants and flowers. He also conducts a business which has become a very important one for farmers that of a community slaughter house where farmers take their animals to be slaughtered and dressed. This is a business which must please the women for "butchering days" was one to be dreaded in former years.
Small? Yes. Smithland is a small village but it answers the slogan "We Serve" for it ties its community together and serves the farmer all about.
Contributed by Barb Huff

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This was another of the early-day plattings in Shelby county. The filing for the plat of this village was made October 28, 1851, by Hezekiah Smith. It contained sixteen lots of a quarter of an acre each. It was situated on the line of the old Edinburg & Shelbyville Railroad. Its geographical location was in Hendricks township. Austin Clark opened the first store in the place. Aaron and Jesse Smith were very early merchants. McCAIN & Smith built a saw mill in the fifties, which did an extensive lumber business. Hiawatha Lodge, No. 193, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was instituted first at Marietta, but owing to the great number of men who responded to Lincoln's call for troops to suppress the Civil war, the charter was surrendered. After that conflict had ended a new lodge was instituted at Smithland, with L. Jones as its noble grand.
In 1858, in the month of May, a Masonic Lodge was instituted at Waldron; later, Lodge No. 197, Independent Order of the Odd Fellows, was formed there and has flourished ever since. An encampment was also formed in 1880.
Chadwick's History of Shelby County, Indiana, by Edward H. Chadwick, B.A., assisted by well known local talent, B.F. Bowen & Co, Publishers: Indianapolis, IN, 1909, page 270.
Submitted by Jean Hehn

The Shelbyville Daily Democrat
Tuesday, January 26, 1886
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SMITHLAND.
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Special Correspondence of the Democrat.
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SMITHLAND, IND., Jan. 25, 1886.
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Church here Saturday and Sunday week.
Debate here Thursday night. Come out everybody.
Who's out for assessor in this township? Don't all speak at once.
Andy Zigler and wife were the guests of James Bennett Sunday.
Miss Ave Smith, of Shelbyville was seen at the debate Thursday night.
Will Comstock was the guest of Miss Mattie Davisson Sunday evening.
Joe Zeigler bought Mary McFerran's farm last week, paying therefor $2100.
Mrs. Jacob Taylor, who is thought to have consumption, is better at this writing.
Miss Clara Doran, of Shelbyville, was visiting her cousin Miss Ida Clark, Thursday.
The debate was poorly attended Thursday night. The school exercises were fine, nevertheless.
Mrs. Mary McFarran, formerly of this, but now of West Carrolton, Ohio, was visiting friends and relatives here last week.
Our postmaster talks of erecting some letter boxes at this office. This is something badly needed here, and I think every patron of the office would rent a box. "Sisters" will rent one for a year.
"Uncle Sam" of Fenns, is expecting a "good rich" cake, soon. Ah, there, Sam, don't count the eggs before they're hatched. Our mouths have been drawn to such expectations more than once, but failed and had to fall back on corn bread.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The Shelbyville Daily Democrat
Tuesday, January 19, 1886
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SMITHLAND.
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Special Correspondence of the Democrat.
SMITHLAND, IND., JAN. 18, 1886.
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Debate next Thursday night.
Magill is below par down this way.
William Pile will be married the second of next month. Sure thing.
Mrs. Rebecca Cowin, of this place, is visiting her son in Patton, Carroll county.
Frank McCarty and George Parrish, of St. John's Switch, were here Sunday evening.
George Hill, who has been visiting his brother in Tipton county, returned home Tuesday.
John Osborne, of this place will be married in a few weeks. "Sisters" never fail to tumble, John.
James Reddington, formerly of this place, but now of Shelbyville, was here on business Wednesday.
I understand Jacob Rose, an old pioneer of this county is a candidate for township trustee. Also Henry L. Ross.
Lee Smith, formerly of this place, was here Thursday night. Jolly Lee, come often, as you are always welcome.
As the Widow Piles was starting to the debate Thursday night her horse ran against the gate post damaging the buggy somewhat.
The song that was sung by Misses Nora Davisson, Lottie Clayton and Lizzie Dippel and guitar music by Ed. Clayton at the debate Thursday evening was elegant.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The Shelby Democrat
Thursday, September 24, 1885
Page 2, column 3
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Smithland is a thriving little village situated on the Shelbyville, Smithland & Marietta turnpike. It was laid out by Hezekiah Smith (not Dr. Hezekiah Smith) October 28, 1857. It has two stores which carries a general line of merchandise, a Baptist church, a graded school and a flourishing lodge of I.O.O.F., one blacksmith and three doctors. There are two hills of some height in sight which adds much beauty to the landscape; one is McCrea's mountain and the other McFerran's mountain. Our township is bounded on the north by Sugar Creek and Brandywine townships, on the south by Jackson, on the east by Shelby and on the west by Johnson county. In extent it is six miles square. From 1828 to 1833 that part of Hendricks lying east of Blue River was a separate township called Fleming. Among the early settlers were the following: Hugh and Jeremiah Campbell, Edward Toner, John Salla, John Snyder, Philip Robins, Benj. Reese, James Hill, William Fleming, Fleming Kennedy, Ed Miller and Reuben Davisson. There are many fine farms and residences, among them Fleming Kennedy's, John Toner's, Ithamer Davisson's, James Cooper's, John Pottinger's, Albert McCrea's, Dr. Comstock's, Dan Snyder's, Jacob Snyder's, Sam White's, Mike Snyder's, George Dipple's and August Sheffler's.
Submitted by Barb Huff

The Shelby Democrat
June 9, 1885
Smithland, Ind.
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Special Correspondence of the Democrat
Squire Sloan has retired from the grocery business.
Mrs. Ithamar Davison, of this township is very sick.
George Smith was in Indianapolis Tuesday on business.
There will be services here next Sunday by the Rev. Preston Jones, of Shelbyville.
Mrs. John Cochran of Shelbyville, was visiting her sister, Mrs. Dr. Trees here yesterday.
Wm. Mohr and Jacob Myers made a visit to Clifty Sunday, Jacob gave Bill a pointer while at Clifty.
George Busby, who has been for some time in the "Lone State" State, where he went for the benefit of his health, has returned feeling some what better.
The beautiful daughters of our village blacksmith, John Connolly, gave an ice cream supper at their home last night. About forty-five of the young folks of this neighborhood were present. They had a good time and plenty of good things to eat.
George McCue has the best field of corn in Hendricks township. Mr. McCue is an old expert at the business.
Contributed by Linda Ellis

The Shelby Democrat
March 12, 1885
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SMITHLAND SMILES
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Special Correspondence of the Democrat.
SMITHLAND, March 8, 1885.
--- James Howell, who has been to the Sandwich Islands all winter, is expected home soon.
--- A certain man who lives not many miles from this place, put his property into his wife's hands and now she is making him feel very uneasy about the matter.
--- Jacob Snider obituary
--- Some thief carried away three large sides of meat from Uncle Jake Snyder's smoke house a few nights ago. A man that who would steal meat from his neighbor who is on his death bed would certainly steal coppers from a dead man's eyes.
--- Miss Belle Claton, of Jackson township, is visiting her sister Tillie at Ithamar Davisson's.
--- Miss Roella, daughter of James H. Davisson, has returned home after a few week's absence.
--- David Lee, of this township, gave his pupils a nice treat the last day of school, giving each pupil a pound of candy.
NEMESIS.
Copied by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The Democrat - Volunteer
Shelbyville, Ind.
Feb. 26, 1880.
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OFFICIAL ORGAN OF SHELBY COUNTY.
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FACTS AND FANCIES
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Flashed From the Fabers of Our Special Reporters.
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Notes From all Points of the County
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Smithland.
(Correspondence Democrat-Volunteer)
Smithland, Ind., Feb 25, 188.[sic]
--- The roads are improving.
--- The singing-school which is held here is progressing finely.
--- William Collins moved from here not long since to Mrs. Abigail Collins' farm.
--- J. D. McFerran and wife have moved into the house belonging to Joseph Lambert.
--- Frank Miller performed the feat of eating three dozen raw eggs here on Saturday night last.
--- The Republicans held a convention here on Saturday last to select a delegate for the Congressional convention to be held at Indianapolis to-day (the 25th.) Dr. J. A. Comstock was chosen a delegate and Monroe Dritt alternate.
--- The infair of Edwin Evans, at the residence of his mother, near here, created a row between some of our young bloods. Knives and pistols were drawn, and William Clark was severely cut by a knife in the hands of Henry Yearling. No one else was hurt.
COLONEL.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The Shelby Democrat
February 13, 1879
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The "Battle of Smithland" -- Second Edition.
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One cent reward, with a chromo thrown in, is offered for the wonderful correspondent, who wrote the Indianapolis Journal that remarkable letter about the "battle of Smithland." According to him, "Babe" Hawkins is an innocent, persecuted child; Constable Dick Thrall was not shot by Charles Hawkins, but shot himself, accidentally; there was only one man in the Hawkins mansion, at the time the Sheriff's posse made the assault, and he a cripple on crutches, &c., &c. The fellow who wrote all that stuff to the Journal, surely could not have done it solely for the pleasure of lying. He must have had some motive. What was it? To create a little sympathy for the Hawkinses, who have been guilty of the serious offenses of shooting with intent to kill, resisting officers, and grand larceny? According to the new light in journalism, the officers themselves should be put on trial, and not the murderous Hawkins people.
Copied by Phyllis Miller Fleming

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SMITHLAND--
A small post village of Shelby county, in Hendrix township, situated near Blue River and on the Shelbyville and Edinburg railway, 6 miles south-west from Shelbyville and 28 miles south-east from Indianapolis.
It contains one grist mill, one steam saw mill, one general store, &c. Population 50. Township 1,600. Post Office established in 1854.
Jesse SMITH, Postmaster
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Alphabetical List of Professions, Trades, Etc.
AMSDEN, Uriah, wagon maker
DODDS & McCLAIN, shingle maker
ELKINS, A.M. attorney at law and notary public
HERCULES, Wm. Prop'r. livery stable
KYLER, A.S. broom manufacturer
McCLAIN, J.B. wagon maker
McCLAIN, J.W. carpenter
McCREA, C. prop'r. flouring and grist mill
McEY, DODDS & Co. prop'rs steam saw mill
MILLER, Edward, attorney at law
ROSS, James M. Justice of the Peace
SMITH, Hezekiah, physician
SMITH, Jesse, General Merchant and Justice of Peace
SMITH, L. boot and shoe maker
TAYLOR, John H. blacksmith
WINTERBURY, Chas. painter
From "Indiana State Gazetteer 1860-61".
Submitted by Jean Hehn

Smithland at the time of the Civil War

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