CHAPTER VII.
MAD RIVER TOWNSHIP.
Page 150

Named for the River Which Flows Through it from North to South Organized in 1805 and Later Subjected to Boundary Changes, its Original Bounds Comprising Practically Half of the County -
First Settler and Some Traditions Handed Down Regarding William Owens -
Arrival of Other Settlers and First Election -
Presence of Indians in Constant Menace, Leading to the Erection by the Pioneers of a Stockade -
Difficulties Confronting Pioneers -
Predominance of Virginians and Important Factors in the Early Settlements of the Township -
Erection of Mills and Creation of Various Local Settlements, Including Westville, Lochardsville and Terre Haute.

    LATER BOUNDARY CHANGES.
pg. 145

THE FIRST SETTLER.
pg. 151

ARRIVAL OF OTHER SETTLERS.
pg. 152

FIRST ELECTION IN TOWNSHIP.
pg. 153

FIRST ELECTION IN TOWNSHIP.
pg. 153

ELECTION OF OCTOBER 8, 1811.
pg. 154

STORY OF THE OLD STOCKADE.
pg. 154

PRESENCE OF INDIANS A CONSTANT MENACE.
pg. 155

CELEBRATED BEAR-INDIAN-HOG SCARE.
pg. 156

DIFFICULTIES CONFRONTING THE PIONEERS.
pg. 157

PROMINENCE OF VIRGINIANS.
pg 158

THE PROWESS OF ABRAHAM SHOCKLEY.
pg. 159

OTHER IMPORTANT FACTORS IN NEIGHBORHOODS.
pg. 159

THE NETTLE CREEK SETTLEMENT.
pg. 160

FIRST GRIST-MILL IN TOWNSHIP.
pg. 161

FIRST GRIST MILL IN TOWNSHIP.
pg. 161

THE WESTVILLE NEIGHBORHOOD.
pg. 161

THE WESTVILLE NEIGHBORHOODS.
pg. 161

INTRUDER EJECTED WITH FORCE.
pg. 162

WEALTHIEST MAN IN TOWNSHIP
pg. 162

JOHN HALLER, PIONEER SMITH
pg. 163

     An interesting pioneer of the township was John Haller, a native of Pennsylvania, settled in Kentucky in 1796, and a resident of Champaign county from 1812 until his removal a few years before his death to Defiance, where he spent his last days.   His son, William, contributed some reminiscence concerning his father to the "History of Champaign and Logan Counties" in 1872, and the facts were given concerning John Haller are taken from that source.
     John Haller was a blacksmith by trade and worked in Urbana from 1812 to 1814.  He then bought a farm along Nettle creek in Mad River township and combined smithing with farming.  He was a expert in tempering edged tools and such was his reputation as an axemaker, that men came to him from miles around to get his axes.  He became an active member of the Methodist church when he was about forty-five years of age and was very much interested in its welfare until his death.  He had an intense hatred of intemperance and would not allow any alcoholic drinks on his premises, not even for the use of his friends.  He served as justice of the peace for many years and his decisions were marked with a justice not always found among local "squires."

OTHER PIONEERS OF NOTE.
pg. 163

OTHER PIONEERS OF NOTE.
pg. 163

FIRST SHINGLE ROOF IN THE SETTLEMENT.
pt. 164

SOME OF THE TOWNSHIP'S "FIRSTS."
pg. 164

ORIGINAL FAMILIES STILL REPRESENTED.
pg. 165

PIONEERS BARRED THE NEGRO.
pg. 166

STOCK RAISING AND DAIRYING
pg. 166

CHURCHES OF MAD RIVER TOWNSHIP.
pg. 167

LOCHARDSVILLE.
pg. 167

WESTVILLE.
pg. 168

TERRE HAUTE.
pg. 169

END OF CHAPTER VII.

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