INTRODUCTION

Wheatland and Steen Township have a very special meaning to me.  As I began to think about the 125th Anniversary Celebration, and why this book should be written, I felt there were many aspects of life and living to be considered.  I wanted to know what happened to the Indians who lived here, how the French established a post, how George Rogers Clark took Vincennes from the British, how the Northwest Territory was divided into states, and all the changes that followed until townships and towns were organized and formed.  Then I wanted to understand the story of the early pioneers coming to the southwest part of Indiana to settle: how they arrived here, and how they survived on the frontier.  Of course, my thoughts went to my great-great-grandfather, Simon Nicholson, who came here in 1820 or earlier.  Others were here: they too had much to endure.

As my research started, I wanted to know all the things of our ancestors’ everyday living.  Without a doubt, if these things affected my ancestors, then these same things affected all of the people that were living here.  I have attempted to put into this book information showing how people progressed in schooling, churches, farming, transportation, postal service, mining, business, and daily life.  In a small way I have tried to show how people can work together for a common cause, be it forming the townships, forming school systems, sharing a church or any of the many things that people may do together and share with each other.

This book was written and compiled with the hope that it would tell a little for all of those who read it.  It is hoped that in future years, it may be of some use to a hardy soul who may with to write and publish a new and up-to-date history of the town of Wheatland and Steen Township in Indiana.

All research, dates, places, and bits of history in this book are as accurate as could be ascertained.  Many places are long forgotten and may never be completely retraced.  The facts were recorded with an honest and open mind; no attempt was made to slight any individual or organization mentioned herein.

It is hoped that all who read this book will keep it and pass it down to their heirs so that the historical records of Steen Township and Wheatland, Indiana, will always be available to anyone who has a desire to know a bit of and about Steen Township and Wheatland, Indiana.

When the concerned people who faithfully attended the 125th Anniversary meetings showed their interest and decided that we needed the book, I accepted the challenge to compile this book in less than three months [twelve months would have been much better], and to have this book written, printed, bound, and to the public by the time of the Alumni Dinner on May 21, 1983.  This is it; I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I have enjoyed putting it together.

X [signed in her hand]
Edith Duncan Stacks

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