Old Town of Broad Ripple Meeting Minutes #245
posted: Dec. 11, 2025
This historic serial has run on and off in the last 21 years of the Broad Ripple Gazette. The intention is to share the history of Broad Ripple, help people find their ancestors in the text, and to complete the transcriptions of these important early documents.
The Town of Broad Ripple was incorporated in 1894, and started holding regular meetings at that time. In each issue, I will print my transcription of the old Town of Broad Ripple meeting minutes. These are taken from the original, hand-written minutes that contain many spelling errors. I have transcribed all the records as they were entered, including errors. I will make some corrections to the text in brackets [ ]. I will try to include street name changes, such as: Shelby Street became 63rd, then Broad Ripple Avenue, Morgan Street is now Guilford, North is now 64th, Hancock is now Westfield, Light Ave is College. See more of our street name research at
BroadRippleHistory.org - Alan
The original minutes books are at the Indiana State Archives at 6440 E. 30th St.
Here is the two-hundred-forty-fifth installment
Broad Ripple Town Minutes - Book 2 - Pages 73 and 75
Election Results
Broad Ripple Ind
Nov 2nd 1909
Board met in regular session. Members present as per roll call
Millard Eaton 1st ward "Present"
George Sheets 2nd " "Present"
B. F. Osborn 3rd " "Present"
Minutes of the previous meeting + also special meeting was read and approved. Bills were allowed as follows
Thomas F. Metsger 1 mo. Salary as Marshall $30.00
" " " road tax book 75c .75
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Total $30.75
Indpls Printing Co $1.50
J.W. Van Scyoc Election Inspector Election Expense 9.50
The report of the Election Board was received and approved.
W. E. Rodocker was elected Trustee of the 1st ward
Geo F. Hessler " " " " " 2nd "
Chester F. Kiser " " " " " 3rd "
Frank E. Watts " " Treasurer of Town
Fletcher Johnson " " Town Clerk
Thomas F. Metsger " " " Marshall
The committee on the Dog Ordinance reported favorable and recommended its passage. The ordinance was read a 2nd time and laid over until next regular meeting.
No further business board adjourned
J.O. Brenneman
"Clerk"
Benj F Osborn President of Board
Broad Ripple Ind
Nov. 4th 1909
Board met in special session for the purpose of receiving bids for the Imp of 60th St + also Broadway as per amendment
Roll called as follows:-
Millard Eaton 1st ward Present
George Sheets 2nd " Present
B. F. Osborn 3rd " Present
All bids were opened at 7:30 O'clock according as were advertised and were as follows:
Charles Dawson's bid was $535.00/100
Benj. F. Blue's bid was $517.00/100
Harry A Byrkit's bid was $337.00/100
Mr. Byrkit's bid being the lowest bidder it was moved + 2nd ed that the contract be awarded to Harry A. Byrkit + on a vote of the Board resulted as follows
Millard Eaton of 1st ward voting "Yes"
George Sheets of 2nd ward voting "Yes"
B. F. Osborn of 3rd ward voting "Yes"
It was so ordered + he was instructed to file his bond for the faithfull performance of said work
No further business board adjourned to meet on Nov/ 10th 1909 to accept or reject the Bond of Contractor of Harry A. Byrkit and also to approve the Bond of the newly elected Town Treasurer, Town Clerk + Town Marshall.
J.O. Brenneman
"Clerk"
Benj F Osborn President of Board
{next issue: Improvement bonds}
alan@broadripplegazette.com