Fairland Town Founders: Henry Jenkins & Isaac Odell

In 1852, Isaac Odell & Henry Jenkins hired J. M. Elliott Company of Shelbyville to plat the town of Fairland, Indiana. On 21 Oct 1852, they filed the documents with the Shelby County Recorder to create the town.

Pictured is the Jenkins home directly south of town.

Henry Jenkins married Rachel Wharton on 29 Aug 1841 in Shelby County. They had 3 known children: Irwin (died in infancy), Ruth (b. 1846) & Cassius (1848). Rachel died in 1851.

Henry owned the steam sawmill in Fairland & sold real estate.

Henry married Mary Ann Romerill on 3 Aug 1853, & they had 4 known children: Harriett (b. 1855), Joseph (1857), Mary "Mollie" (1858), Amanda (1860).

After Henry's death in 1863, Mary Ann & all the kids (including her 2 step-children, Ruth & Cassius) moved to Holt County, Missouri.

Cassius' 1931 obituary (Centralia Journal, Kansas, 16 Oct 1931, p 1) includes:

"Shortly after his father's death in company with his step-mother (Mary Ann) he moved to Maitland, Mo. In that state he spent the major part of his youth & younger manhood, doing labor incident to the times on farm & community, variously employed: home maker & establisher for her who became his second mother. It was his later delight to remember that he stayed by his step-mother during the years of her necessity & when his help was needed by her."

Isaac Odell's house was at the SW corner of Main & Mulberry St in Fairland.

Isaac Odell opened a mercantile in Fairland to serve the farmers & builders of the new railroad. He built a two-story house & the two-story store known as Odell's Hall (NE corner of Washington & Mulberry). In 1854, the U. S. Post Office was opened with Isaac as postmaster. In 1855, he sold 10 acres to Daniel Bradley which became the Daniel Bradley addition to the town in 1857. Isaac created Fairland's first bank, the Fairland Private Banking House. He was elected Justice of the Peace & was admitted to the Shelby County Bar in 1861. In 1865, Isaac created Odell's First Addition & in 1868 Odell's Second Addition to expand the town. He served as a State Legislator from 1869-1871.

Watch for more history from the Fairland Historical Society.

Sources:

Fairland History: The First Hundred Years are the Hardest (1852-1952)

Chadwick's History of Shelby County, Indiana, 1909

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Sep 16 - Fairland Cemetery Tour

On Tuesday, September 16, 2025, the Fairland Historical Society hosted a Fairland Cemetery Historical Walking Tour at the Fairland Cemetery, 4430 N 400 W, Fairland, Indiana. Thanks to Donna Dennison, Genealogy Dept. Head, Shelby County Public Library, for leading us on an interesting tour with lots of details about some fascinating former Fairland residents. The event was free with donations accepted. Events are supported by City & County Progress Grants administered by Blue River Community Foundation. Here are some of the individuals buried in the cemetery who were highlighted. (Click on the names for information shared via Find a Grave.) Ola & Ora Powers Sylvester Skillman Nancy Green Tomlinson Brown Hiram Ross Martha Bridgland Culbertson Joseph & Luvina Clark Plymate Joseph Carson Jeremiah , Dicy , & Isaac Odell Carrie Dake Fields Strong & Addison Fields W. C. E. Wanee

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Fairland, Indiana History

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