Erie Township, Miami County, Indiana

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Erie Township
settlement_type = Township
nickname =
motto =

imagesize = 250px
image_caption = Countryside in northern Erie Township


image_

mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location of Erie Township in Miami County


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =

subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Indiana
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Miami
government_footnotes =
government_type = Indiana township
leader_title =
leader_name =
leader_title1 =
leader_name1 =
established_title = Established
established_date = 27 August 1839

area_footnotes =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 43.74
area_land_km2 = 43.23
area_water_km2 = 0.5
area_total_sq_mi = 16.89
area_land_sq_mi = 16.69
area_water_sq_mi = 0.19

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 497
population_density_km2 = 11.5
population_density_sq_mi = 29.77

timezone =
utc_offset =
timezone_DST =
utc_offset_DST =
elevation_footnotes = GR|3
elevation_m = 238
elevation_ft = 781
latd = 40
latm = 47
lats = 51
latNS = N
longd = 85
longm = 58
longs = 56
longEW = W

postal_code_type =
postal_code =
area_code =
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 18-21412GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = [http://geonames.usgs.gov/pls/gnispublic/f?p=gnispq:3:::NO::P3_FID:453278 453278]
website =
footnotes =

Erie Township is one of fourteen townships in Miami County, Indiana, United States. As of the 2000 census, its population was 497. The township's single community is Erie.

Geography

Erie Township consists of level, open farmland to the north, giving way to an east-west belt of wooded hollows and valleys farther south, and finally bottomland along the Wabash River, which forms the township's southern border with Butler Township. Daniel Creek, Schrom Creek and several smaller streams flow south into the river. The township is bordered on the west by Peru Township and on the north by Richland Township. Its eastern border is with Wabash County.

U.S. Highway 24 runs east and west through Erie Township, connecting Peru and Wabash.

History

Erie Township was organized on August 27, 1839. Originally called Black Hawk Township, it was renamed in September 1847 for the Wabash and Erie Canal. Samuel McClure, a trader who arrived in the fall of 1827, is considered the first European to have entered the area, establishing an Indian trading post on the Abraham Dingman farm. Settlement began in 1835, encouraged by the new canal. The Methodists and United Brethren were the first religious organizations in the township, organizing in 1846 and 1849 respectively.cite book
last = Stephens
first = John H.
title = History of Miami County
year = 1896
publisher = The John H. Stephens Publishing House
location = Peru, Indiana
chapter = Erie Township ]

An 1896 history of the county recounts a short description of early life in the area as described by George Nicholson, a pioneer who settled in Erie Township in 1844:

It had been the custom to go to Peru and vote and then spend the day in hilarity. Intoxicats [sic] were free and spirits high. There was always a half dozen or more fights during the day. Some big fellow who felt like a Sampson and Croesus over the effects of some one's treating strutted down the street swinging his arms as big as Pompey and challenged any Democrat to a wrestle... In those early days it was a very dull Saturday if there was not at least one fight.

References

External links

* [http://www.indianatownshipassoc.org/counties/Miami.htm Indiana Township Association page for Miami County]