USA > Indiana > Johnson County > Directory of Johnson County, Indiana for 1874 > Part 1
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Gc 977.201 J63dir 1506596
M. LE
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUB L. L HAARY 3 1833 02322 4980
DIRECTORY -
OF
JOHNSON COUNTY
FOR 1874.
9
1506596
PREFACE.
IT has been a custom for many generations for those who present a new work to the public to preface it with some re- marks in reference to the object sought. Our object in pre- senting this work to the people of Johnson county is to give them as complete a history of the county as can be gathered at this time, showing tlie date of the county's organization, who it was first settled by, who are the living pioneers it this date, the progress the county has made in the way of manufactories and agriculture, showing her moral and educational standing by reporting the number of her churches, school houses and Sab- bath schools; also, to give the native State, date of birth, date of settlement in the county, and post office address of the prin- cipal men in the county, besides a body of statistical matter, making this work very valuable as a reference book. A work of this kind must be of incalculable value to the young and rising generation, and will be highly prized by them in coming years. There may be some mistakes in names and dates, but we have used every precaution to avoid them. It is, perhaps, nearly impossible to make a directory without mistakes; yet they will be found not to impair the value of this work. Strange as it may seem, our agents sometimes find men who refuse to give their names or any other information, a few do not remem- ber the date of birth and settlement, while a few are not able
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PREFACE.
to spell their own names correctly, so that, with our own mis- takes, it is surprising that the work is as correct as it is.
We desire here to return our thanks to the citizens of John- son county generally for the courteousness shown our agents while canvassing the county. The genial and intelligent county officers have our hearty good wishes for the gentlemanly man- ner in which they received and assisted ourselves and agents in gathering matter for this work. To Judge Banta and W. T. Stott do we return our most sincere thanks for historical facts furnished by them. M. & R.
HISTORICAL SKETCH
OF THE SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION
OF
JOHNSON COUNTY.
JOHNSON COUNTY is bounded on the north by Marion, on the east by Shelby, on the south by Bartholomew and Brown, and on the west by Morgan. It is twenty miles from north to south and eighteen from east to west, and contains three hundred and twenty square miles. White River touches upon its north-west corner, cutting off a fraction over one hundred acres, while Blue River cuts off of the south-east corner a little over thirteen hun- dred. As these rivers flow in a south-west course to the Wabash, it will be seen that the water shed of the county with reference to the Wabash, faces the south-west. The plateau or "divide" lying between the White and Blue Rivers, instead of lying par- allel to these streams, runs nearly north and south, dividing the county into two unequal parts, the larger containing about two- thirds of the county, draining into the Blue, while the rain-fall from the other third finds its way into the White River.
The surface of the county is generally quite level. At Nine- vch (Williamsport), however, which is located a half mile cast of the north and south axial line, and a mile north of the south boundary, a range of hills sweeps up from the south, and thence bearing off in a north-west course, it extends to the western bonn
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JOHNSON COUNTY.
dary of the county, while it intersects at a point about six miles north of the south-west corner; and from thence the course is northerly until it reaches the bluffs of White River, where it may be said to terminate. This range of hills, or line of broken land, as it may with more propriety be termed, after it leaves Nineveh marks in part the northern boundary of that hill region of the State which culminates in the high hills of the Salt Creek region in Brown and the lower counties. All territory within Johnson county south and west of this range is broken land, and it is es- timated that the area covered by " broken land " includes about thirty-six square miles, or in round numbers about one tenth of the whole. But it is only " broken land" when compared with the rest of the county, for there is but little if any of it that is not susceptible of profitable cultivation. The remainder of the county ranges from a dead level through an undulating to a slightly rolling surface, and may be classed in the catalogue of level lands.
At the time the county was settled it was covered by a dense growth of timber, of the beech, sugar, maple, ash, oak, poplar, buckeye, linden, wild cherry and elm. A dense undergrowth of spice prevailed throughout. The level lands were inundated more than half the year. The forests were filled with the trunks of prostrate trees ; some newly fallen, some sunk half their depth in the oozy soil, and these lying in every direction, closed the drains till there was scarcely any escape for the flood, save by the slow process of evaporation and percolation.
In 1818 the Indian title was extinguished to the Johnson county lands, and in the same year Jacob Whitzel, a resident of Franklin county, caused a "trail" to be cut from that place to the bluffs of White River. This passed through the northern por- tion of Johnson county, and was the first path cut through her forests. In 1820 the Indians, abandoned the country according to treaty stipulation, and the : ame year the lands of the county
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HISTORICAL SKETCH.
were thrown into the market. In March of this year John Campbell, a Tennessean, built a cabin a half mile south of the present site of Edinburgh, into which he moved with his wife and four little children. About the same time Abraham Sells, an Ohioan, entered the county by the way of "Whitzel's trace, " and located at the mouth of Pleasant Run, and there built a cabin. It is not altogether certain which was the first settler, Campbell or Sells, but the evidence points to the former as entitled to that honor.
Elizabeth Campbell, born on February 10, 1821, is believed to have been the first white child born within the present limits of the county. She certainly was the first in the Blue River bottoms.
Following John Campbell soon came Joseph Bishop, Simon Shaffer, George Cutsinger, Samuel Herriott, William Williams, Joseph Townsend, Arthur Robinson, William R. Hensley, Wil- liam Foster, William Hunt, Joshua Palmer, Israel Watts, Thomas Doane, Jesse Wells, Isaac Marshall, the Webbs, Davisons, Adamses, Thompsons, Jou ses and others, and by August of 1823, thirty-seven votes were cast in Blue River township.
Very soon after Sells built his cabin at the mouth of Pleasant Run, Thomas Lorne, George Doty, James Ritchey, Daniel Boaz, Judoe Franklin Hardin, John Wishard, Robert Wishard, the Tresslars, Smiths and others, followed after, and by the time of the election, three years after, thirty-five votes were cast in White River township.
In 1821 Robert Worl settled Nineveh township. He was soon followed by Benjamin Crews, William Strain, Joab Wood- ruff, George Blankenship, Philip Ware, Daniel Trout, Henry Mussulman, James Jacobs, John S. Miller. Eight votes were cast in this township in 1823.
In the same year, 1821, William and David Burkhart settled in Franklin township; and they were soon followed by Levi
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JOHNSON COUNTY.
Moore, Joseph Young, John Saufley, Elisha Adams, Daniel Prichard, Col. Simon Covert, George King, David W. McCas- lin, Isaac Voris, Robert Gilerces, and others.
In the same year Nathaniel Bell built a cabin in Pleasant township, and Daniel Loper in Clark. Bell built the first mill in the county; he was soon followed by the Smocks, the Brew- ers, the Wishards, and others.
In 1825 Richardson Hensly hacked a path into the township, which afterwards took his name, and was soon followed by the Carls, Sturgeons, Ragsdales, Terhunes, MeNutts, Bridges, Mus- sulmans, Voris, and others.
In 1826, Mrs. Utterback, a widow with eight sons, moved into Union township. She was soon followed by Johnson Watts, Josiah Simpson, George and Philip Kephe irt, Jesse Harris, Geo. Kerlin, Samuel Winchester, Jacob Banta, Peter Voris, Jesse and Joseph Young, Garret Ditmars, Aaron Monfort, Gideon Drake, David and George W. Demarce, Daniel Cline, Jacob Wyrick, Willis and Wesley Deer, Isaac Vannuys, Andrew Carnine, Pe- ter Vandiver, Jacob Cox, Peter Bergen, John Shuck, and others.
In 1822, the county was organized and named in honor of John Johnson, a Judge of the Supreme Court. In August, 1823, the first election was held within the county, at which Israel Watts and Daniel Boaz were elected associate judges, Samuel Herriott to the office of clerk, William Shaffer to that of recorder, and William Freeman, John S. Miller, and James Ritchey, commissioners; John Smiley was serving as sheriff by previous appointment.
JOHNSON COUNTY IN 1874.
Fifty-two years ago Johnson county was organized. At that time it was an absolute wilderness. The heavy forest trees and thick growth of underbruch with twining vines, darkened the earth. Only here and there the rays of the sun ever reached it. The heavens were shut out from the eye of man ; the darkness,
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HISTORICAL SKETCH.
moaning winds, and cries of wild beasts created within the pio- ncer's breast a feeling of desolation and apprehension, The land was filled with wild beasts, and in the night-time could be heard the startling screech of the night-owl, shrieks of panthers, wail- ing of wild-cats, howling of wolves, and the mournful cry of the whip-poor-will. Indeed, none but strong constitutions and stout hearts dared to contend with primitive nature. At that time Johnson county had no fields, no roads, no church houses, no school houses, no railroads, no mills, and scarcely any people. In 1874 she has large fields containing thousands of acres of cleared land, valued at about ten million dollars, hundreds of miles of roads, many of them graveled, at a cost of over two thousand dollars per mile, streams well bridged with durable material. Each township is well supplied with church houses, generally first-class buildings.
There are within her borders nearly one hundred school houses, valued at about one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. She has two railroads, crossing the county in different directions, and a population of about twenty thousand inhabitants. She has about seven thousand horses, over eight hundred mules, nearly five thousand milch cows, over fourteen thousand sheep, and about thirty-five thousand hogs, valued altogether at about one million five hundred thousand dollars. The total value of live stock and agricultural products is not much short of two and a half million dollars.
The county has over two hundred manufacturing establish- ments, forty steam engines, ten water wheels, and employs nearly one thousand men. Her manufactured products amount to more than one million five hundred thousand dollars.
The county is dotted all over with beautiful villages, while among them are several towns grown to the dimensions of citic .. Greenwood, in the north part of the county, is a thriving, town of several hundred inhabitants. Edinburgh, located in the
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JOHNSON COUNTY.
southeast corner of the county, is a handsome, enterprising manufacturing city. It contains many splendid business blocks and beautiful residences. The city is situated on Blue River, a stream of great value in consequence of its utility in propelling machinery. The city has several manufacturing establishments, and a graded school, furnishing employment to many men, and educational facilities to nearly seven hundred children.
The Blue River Grape Sugar Works, at Edinburgh, established in 1873, manufactures over a half million pounds annually. The Blue River Starch Works, established in 1868, by Tilford & Co., does a business of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars per year. It consumes annually 150,000 bushels of corn, and twelve hundred tons of coal. Beides these there are other manufac- turing establishments of importance.
Next comes the beautiful city of Franklin, county seat of Johnson county. It is situated a little to the cast and south of the center of the county, on as rich a spot of earth as can be found in the State. Franklin is situated in the forks of Hurri- cane and Young's Creeks, two small streams which make a junc- tion at the southern part of the city. The ground upon which Franklin is built is mostly level. The outskirts, however, are rolling, and, where improved by fine residences and domestic shrubbery, are simply magnificently beautiful, and in summer season would charm the intellect of any man or woman who possessed the least spark of admiration for artistic and natural splendor. Years ago we used to live in this beautiful little city, and since that time, whenever we visit the place, we feel as if we had entered into a sort of paradise. The side-walks of the city are lined with beautiful shade trees, which lend an enchant- ing attractiveness to the city during the summer months that is almost picturesque. The streets are broad and well laid out.
There is one thing about Franklin that struck us as being worthy of mention, and that is, that it has fewer vacant lots, in proportion to its population, than any other town of like size
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HISTORICAL SKETCH.
known to us. The inhabitants number about 3300, while the town plats show the number of lots to be about 700; however, some of the citizens live on ground not recognized as platted lots. The average price of vacant lots is said to be about $200 cach. This is a very reasonable price for property in a place so beau tiful.
Franklin is benefited by two railroads passing directly through its corporation (see township history.) The business of Frank- lin is in a healthy condition ; all classes seem to be possessed of a spirit of enterprise, and are moving ahead with energy and perseverance.
The city contains many splendid business blocks and superb residences.
The most unfortunate thing to the city, is, that but one hotel is kept in the place. We are of the opinion that it would surely be to the city's advantage if it could have another hotel, where the public could be accommodated respectably and at reason- able prices. Then the competition between the two would hold in check any disposition on the part of either to neglect or over- charge their customers.
Franklin has two printing offices. The Franklin Jeffersonian was established in 1852. It is edited and published by Harvey C. Allison, who has had control of the paper for the last seven- tren years. The paper is Republican in polities, though read by many citizens of the opposite party. It is devoted largely to home news. The subscription price of the Jeffersonian is $2 per annum.
The Franklin Herald is edited by M. R. Slater, and is a live paper, devoted principally to domestic news; yet it is Demo- cratic in politics, and fearlessly opposes all seeming wrongs.
The city of Franklin has two school houses; one of them is splendid building. They are valued at about $60,000.
The Johnson county officers for 1874 are, Isaac M. Thomp .on, (Il., George Cutsinger, Treasurer ; Edward N. Woollen, Au
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JOHNSON COUNTY.
ditor; Jacob Peggs, Recorder; Robert Gillaspy, Sheriff; Jame ; F. Wiley, John Kerlin, and Warren Coiman, Commissioners.
The court house in Franklin is not as good as may be found in some other county seats; but the ground is beautifully shaded with young and thrifty forest trees.
FRANKLIN COLLEGE.
Franklin College was founded in the year 1834, as a " Baptist Manual Labor Institute." In that far-back time the students built huts of logs for places of study, and chopped cord wood to meet the necessary expenses to which they were subject. Many of them did their own cooking and washing; and we can attest that their festal boards were not burdened with the great- est of plenty, nor with "sweetmicats" of the land. We have seen some of the students of this institution sit down to their meals with nothing before them but corn bread, molasses and water. In the early struggles of the school, its friends gave freely of their penury for its support.
The institution was changed to a College in 1844, with Rev. George C. Chandler as president. About the year 1855 a nomi- nal endowment of $60, 000 was raised, but from many combin- ing causes not half the amount was ever realized.
In 1853, Rev. Silas Bailey, D. D., was elected president, and remained in office til 1862. when physical prostration compelled him to resign. At this time most of the students had cither gone, or were preparing to go, to the war, and but little disposi tion was manifested, on the part of the young men left at home, to enter into a course of study, and so the College was obliged to suspend. It lept at work, however, till the very last. For several weeks before the suspension there were but two students in the institution and they were both lame.
In the, the Bad again resomed control, and raised an en dos ment equal to about $25,000 The old scholarships were to be honored. A huge ouday was necessary for repairs, and the
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HISTORICAL SKETCH.
income did not equal the expenses; so, under the presidency of Rev. H. L. Wayland, D. D., the College suspended again. But the Baptists of the State were not willing that the institution should go down, and in less than six months a new organization was formed, and an endowment subscription of almost $50,000 is now secured free of all debt.
College Buildings.
There are two buildings, which are intended to be the wings of a magnificent center building when the whole is completed. The two wings are each 84 by 40 fect and three stories high, furnishing chapel, society halls, reading-room, library and reci- tation rooms, besides accommodations for ninety students. The buildings are now in good repair, and make an attractive home for those who occupy them.
Furniture.
Each room is furnished with a stove, bedstead, table and two chairs.
Library and Apparatus.
The College Library contains a large number of valuable works. The laboratory is furnished with a very respectable supply of philosophical and chemical apparatus, which is regu- larly used for the purposes of illustration.
The Campus
Embraces twelve acres of ground, with just enough diversity of surface for beauty and convenience ; is pleasantly shaded with forest trees, and being separated by a small stream from the principal part of the city, is so secluded as to be decidedly in- viting to the youth who wishes to apply himself to earnest study.
The Faculty
Consists of Rev. W. T. Stott, A. M., President, Professor of Mond and Intellectual Philosophy; Miss R. J. Thomp: ou, M. A., Professor of Mathematics; J. W. Moncrief, A. B., Tutor in Pre-
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JOHNSON COUNTY.
paratory Department; E. S. Hopkins, A. B., Instructor in Latin and Natural Science; Mrs. Bell R. Stott, Teacher in Painting and Drawing.
About one thousand students have been under instruction in Franklin College ; many of them are in honored and influential places both in and out of this State.
The course of instruction in this Institution is up to the stand- ard of other Western Colleges.
The Baptists of this State, in comnon with the Baptists of the whole country, are entering upon the Centennial movement with high hopes of raising a libera, solid endowment by the National Centennial, July 4th, 1876.
The Franklin College property is said to be worth about $65,000.
JOHNSON COUNTY ITEMS
Samuel C. Dann is the present Township Trustee. Mr. Abram D. Whitesides was elected Trustee in 1867, and held the office five years. To him belongs the honor of pulling down the old school houses, and erecting good substantial brick ones.
It is said that Mr. Robert Hamilton laid out and sold more town lots in Franklin than any other man, and that he is still offering lots at reasonable prices.
We are told that the first court held in Johnson county was at John Smiley's mill. Also, that the first marriage license was issued to Aaron Harris and Phebe Baker.
Thomas Chinaweth was about the first Post Master in Frank- lin. George King burnt the first brick. Rev. Mr. Hill was the first Presbyterian minister, and Rev. Mr. Monfort the second.
The first jail was made of hewed logs, fastened together with wooden pins.
The city of Franklin is a zealous temperance town.
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FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP.
FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP.
FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP is located in the central part of the county and bounded as follows : On the north by Pleasant and Clark townships; on the cast by Shelby county; on the south by Blue River and Nineveh townships; and on the west by Union.
The township is watered by a small portion of White River, Sugar, Young's, Hurricane, Moose and Indian Creeks.
The surface is generally level, and the soil consists of a black loam, interspersed with spots of white clay. It is well adapted to cultivation, and amply rewards the farmer for his toil. The model farm of this township is situated two and one-half miles west of Franklin, and is owned and farmed by Mr. C. L. Dit- mars.
The facilities for transportation are excellent, two railroads forming a junction at Franklin and crossing the township at nearly right angles to each other; and the numerous county roads, which are kept in fine condition, make this township one of the most inviting in the county. The society is good, the people generally being kind, generous and sincere.
Churches are numerous and well attended, showing the peo- ple to be earnest and devoted Christians.
There are seventeen school houses in the township, all built of brick, and worth about $25,000. The number of scholars is about one thousand eight hundred.
The township trustec is S. C. Dunn.
The vote of the township, Republican 664; Democratic 538.
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JOHNSON COUNTY.
This part of the county will be noticed more fully in the his- torical sketch of the county given in this book.
The following names are those of some of the old settlers still living in Franklin township:
James M. Alexander, Milton Wheat, Middleton Waldron, Samuel Wheaton, I. Voris, Simeon Van Arsdall, John Vandi- vier, O. H. P. Smiley, C. Swift, Gideon Sthephens, John M. Smiley, B. B. Ransdell, Evan Peggs, Jacob Peggs, G. M. Over- street, James McCaslin, J. IL. McClelan, A. Lagrange, John Leach, J. D. Jones, D. P. Jones, L. N. Hendricks, John High, Joseph Hunt, R. Hamilton, James Forsyth, and others.
Franklin boasted of not having a saloon within the corpora- tion. We will be very much mistaken if the devil don't slyly set up a few for gentlemen to tipple at while the Good Templars are sleeping.
THEOLOGICAL SOCIETIES.
M. E. Church, Franklin; Rev. A. N. Marlott, pastor ; mem- bership, 225; I. J. Armstrong, Sabbath school superintendent ; average attendance at school about 155; number of teachers, 16; value of church property, $25,000.
Missionary Baptist Church, Franklin; Rev. L. Robinson, pas- tor ; organized about the year 1837; membership, 200; S. C. Brown, Sabbath school superintendent; average attendance at school, 125; number of teachers, 15 ; value of church property, $3,000.
Second Regular Baptist Church (African), Franklin ; Rev. Mr. Singleton, pastor; membership, 20; H. Elsey, Sabbath school superintendent ; average attendance at school, 20; value of church property, $750.
Christian Church, Franklin; Rev. Mr. Land, pastor. We were not able to get a more extended history of this church, and we presume the purity of doctrine taught and its wholesome influence will be none the less in consequence thereof.
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FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP.
Hurricane Baptist Church, located four miles northeast of Franklin; Rev. Mr. Elgin, pastor; membership, 85; Sabbath school superintendent, W. W. McCaslin; value of church prop- erty, $600; average attendance at Sabbath school, 60.
First Mount Pleasant Baptist Church; four miles west of Franklin ; Rev. R. M. Parks, pastor; membership, 64; George Byers, Sabbath school superintendent; average attendance at school, 25 ; value of church property, $500.
Methodist Union Church, Jollity ; Rev. S. - , pastor ; mem- bership, 100; James Shipp, Sabbath school superintendent ; average attendance at school, 50; value of church property, $5,000.
Shiloh Presbyterian Church ; three miles southeast of Frank- lin; Rev. W. D. Hawkins, pastor ; membership not given ; Sab- bath school superintendent, Noah Parmer ; average attendance at school, 36; value of church property, $1, 000.
Hopewell Presbyterian Church; Rev. L. E. Barr, pastor ; membership, 210; H. C. Lyster, Sabbath school superintend- ent ; average attendance at school, 100; value of church prop- erty, $8,000.
Christian Chapel, three and one-half miles south of Franklin; Rev. Peter Baker, pastor; membership, 40.
Roman Catholic Church; Franklin; Rev. Victor Schnell, pas- tor; organized about 1869; membership, 25; number of scholars, 15 ; number of teachers, 2; value of church property, $1,000.
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