Cicero Township is one of six townships in Tipton County, Indiana, United States. As of the 2010 census, its population was 8,086 and it contained 3,646 housing units. It is the largest of the six townships in the county.
History
The Miami people were the first occupiers of Cicero Township. Upon early white settlement, the Miami resided on reservation land in what was then known as Hamilton County. On January 15, 1844, that reservation land became a part of Tipton County. The Miami were forced to leave the County, resulting in the Potawatomi Trail of Death. The majority of white settles in Cicero Township were from Southern Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky. Squatters were abundant in the area prior to land being available to purchase, which began in 1838. Settlement was sporadic in Cicero Township due to land that was "flat and low and would be difficult to drain," according to white settlers.
Geography
According to the 2010 census, the township has a total area of, all land.
The first mill in the township was built by Samuel King. The mill handled both lumber and corn, using water from Cicero Creek for power. On a good day, King would process twelve bushels of corn. The second mill in the township was built by King and William Buffington. Also located on Cicero Creek, the mill was conveniently located at the Peru and Indianapolis Railroad Company stream crossing. The mill sawed timber and processed wheat and corn. Benjamin Bailey built a mill, which was horse powered, in 1850. Bailey allowed any farmer who wanted to grind their own corn to use the mill and horse. George Kane and Newton J. Jackson built a saw mill, which ran on steam, in 1851. The land where they built the steam saw mill is known as Jackson Station. Cicero Township's economy grew after the completion of the railroad to Peru, Indiana, which connected Peru to the Wabash and Erie Canal, in 1854. Another steam mill was built, by Thompson Innis, in 1854 at Parker's Mill.
Education
Early history
The first school was founded in West Kinderhook by Silas Blount in 1842. Early schools in the township were paid with private funds and teachers were paid based on student subscription. By 1914, public schools were operating in the township.
Today
Students who reside in Cicero Township attend schools that are a part of the Tipton Community School Corporation.
In 1844, Cicero Township was split into three transportation districts, each two miles wide. The initial roads were of poor quality and mainly corduroy roads. The roads suffered considerable damage during wet seasons and were prone to seeking given the damp and low geography of the township. By 1914, railroads served the township and roads were made of gravel and macadam.
