History of Decatur County, Indiana: its people, industries and institutions, Part 1

Author: Harding, Lewis Albert, 1880- [from old catalog] ed
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Indianapolis, B. F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1378


USA > Indiana > Decatur County > History of Decatur County, Indiana: its people, industries and institutions > Part 1


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Lewis O Harding


HISTORY


OF


DECATUR COUNTY


INDIANA


ITS PEOPLE, INDUSTRIES AND INSTITUTIONS


Ibert LEWIS A. HARDING Editor


Member The American Historical Association; author, "The Preliminary Diplomacy of the Spanish-American War," a study in international law, "The Call of the Hour." "A Few Spoken Words," etc.


With Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical Records of Many of the Old Families


ILLUSTRATED


1915 B. F. BOWEN & COMPANY, Inc. , Indianapolis, Indiana


F53+ D2 H2


DEDICATION.


The historian, who, as Schlegel says, is "a prophet looking back- wards." in these jubilee days of Indiana's first centennial. respectfully dedi- cates this work both to the memory of the pioneers of Decatur county and those departed. to keep their memory fragrant, and to the people of the future for the inspiration this record may be to those who follow in the never-ending flight of future days.


EMOT


EDITOR'S PREFACE


In writing the history of a county, the local historian is confined to a relatively small unit and is not expected to go outside the limits of the county except so far as to make explanatory the relation of the county to contiguous counties or to the state at large. The historian is also handi- capped by all the tradition which is handed down through succeeding genera- tions, traditions with little or no historical background and bordering on the romantic. While tradition is often connected with history, it does not often carry with it the substratum of fact which should characterize real historical narrative. Personal feelings and quixotic whims find expression in the tales of our forbears and are repeated so often that they are finally accepted as the truth. The purpose of the editor of this history is to separate fiction from fact; to present in a simple and succinct manner those facts which will show the place of Decatur county among its sister counties in the state ; to preserve for future generations the story of the privations and hardships which confronted our good forefathers almost a century ago.


The editor, prior to this time, had gathered a lot of mis-information as to the early events of eastern Indiana, and especially as to that part of the state now included within Decatur county. However, careful investiga- tion has proven that in most instances such supposed facts were nothing more than romantic tales, interesting, but with no basis of truth. Thus the editor of this history was deprived of what he had considered a large amount of valuable historical data, but in the elaboration of this work it has been the constant aim to get exact historical information. This history is an attempt to present the real truth about the growth of he county, and every event which would not stand the historical test has been discarded. Thus, many tales of romance are necessarily omitted ; many supposed facts have been found to be without the semblance of truth, and hence find no place in this volume.


This history seeks to give such a review of the origin and development of the county as will make it possible for the people of today and of the future to appreciate the lives and labors of those who have made this


-


69.81


county what it is now. We are proud of its towns, its broad cultivated fields, its schools and churches, its beautiful homes. People take a par- donable pride in living in a county where peace and harmony dwell, where the people enjoy those blessings vouchsafed to them by the laws of an in- dulgent nation.


In order that the present generation may breathe the same spirit which animated the pioneers of this county, it is necessary to go back to the time when the Indian roamed this part of the state: when the beaver plied his trade unmolested by the white man: when the uncut forest and undrained swamps presented more terrors than the wild inhabitants thereof. It will be necessary to tell of the time when France had control of this territory and of the time when England drove the French from this country. The Revolutionary War bears on the history of Decatur county and it comes in for a share of attention: the War of 1812 is still closer allied with the history of the county and it is briefly noticed.


We have tried to recite these facts so that the coming generations may become familiar with them and thereby have a clearer understanding of the sterling men and women who have preceded them. May this presentation inibue us with a greater love for our county, our state and our nation, and may we highly resolve that the achievements of the past shall inspire the present and future generations in Decatur county to still higher and greater achievements.


LEWIS A. HARDING.


FOREWORD


All life and achievement is evolution ; present wisdom comes from past experience, and present commercial prosperity has come only from past ex- ertion and sacrifice. The deeds and motives of the men who have gone before have been instrumental in shaping the destinies of later communities and state. The development of a new country was at once a task and a privilege. It required great courage, sacrifice and privation. Compare the present conditions of the people of Decatur county, Indiana, with what they were one hundred years ago. From a trackless wilderness and virgin land, it has come to be a center of prosperity and civilization, with millions of wealth, systems of railways, grand educational institutions, splendid indus- tries and valuable agricultural and mineral productions. Can any think- ing person be insensible to the fascination of the study which discloses the aspirations and efforts of the early pioneers who so strongly laid the foun- dation upon which has been reared the magnificent prosperity of later days? To perpetuate the story of these people and to trace and record the social. political and industrial progress of the community from its first inception is the function of the local historian. A sincere purpose to preserve facts and personal memoirs that are deserving of perpetuation, and which unite the present to the past, is the motive for the present publication. A spe- cially valuable and interesting department is that one devoted to the sketches of representative citizens of this county whose records deserve preservation because of their worth, effort and accomplishment. The publishers desire to extend their thanks to the persons who have so faithfully labored to this end. Thanks are also due to the citizens of Decatur county for the uniform kindness with which they have regarded this undertaking, and for their many services rendered in the gaining of necessary information.


In placing the "History of Decatur County. Indiana," before the citi- zens, the publishers can conscientiously claim that they have carried out the plan as outlined in the prospectus. Every biographical sketch in the work has been submitted for corrections to the party interested, and therefore any error of fact, if there be any, is solely due to the person for whom the sketch was prepared. Confident that our effort to please will fully meet the approbation of the public, we are.


Respect fully,


THE PUBLISHERS.


CONTENTS


CHAPTER I-RELATED STATE HISTORY First White Man in Northwest Territory-English and French Claims- Three Successive Sovereign Flags Over Present Indiana Territory-Pass- ing of the Indians-Battle of Fallen Timbers-Northwest Territory-Early Settlements-Activities of the Traders-French and Indian War-Pontiac's Conspiracy-Northwest Territory and Quebec Act-Revolutionary Period- George Rogers Clark and His Campaign-First Surveys and Early Set- tlers-Ordinance of 1787-First Stage of Government Under the Ordinance -Second Stage-Organization of the Northwest Territory-Representative Stage of Government-First Counties Organized-First Territorial Legis- lature of Northwest Territory-Division of 1800-Census of Northwest Territory in 1800-Settlements in Indiana Territory in 1800-First Stage of Territorial Government-Changes in Boundary Lines of Indiana-Second Stage of Territorial Government-The Legislative Council-The First Gen- eral Assemblies-Congressional Delegates of Indiana Territory-Efforts to Establish Slavery in Indiana-The Indian Lands-Organization of Coun- ties-Changes in the Constitution of Indana-Capitals of Northwest Terri- tory and of Indiana-Military History of State-Political History-Gov- ernors of Indiana-A Century of Growth-Natural Resources.


CHAPTER II-GEOLOGY AND TOPOGRAPHY 63 Location and Size of Decatur County-Geology and Physiography-The Soils in Detail-Miami Silt Loam-Upland Clay Loam-Miami Sand Loam- Mechanical Analysis of Decatur County Soils.


CHAPTER III-COUNTY ORGANIZATION 69


Early Settlement-Opening of Government Land Office at Brookville- First Land Patent to John Shellhorn-Probable First Settler, John Fugit- Eighty-nine Land Entries the First Year-Newcomers in 1821-One Hun- dred and Forty Votes Cast in County That Year-Creation of Decatur County-First County Election-Beginning of Law and Order-First Gen- eral Election-Court House History-The Tree on the Court House Tower -The County Jail.


CHAPTER IV-COUNTY OFFICERS 87


County Commissioner System from 1822 to 1824-Board of Justices-Second Group of County Commissioners-Second Board of Justices-General County Officers from Date of County Organization to 1915-Notes on Early Elec- tions-Roster of State Senators and Representatives.


33


95


CONTENTS.


CHAPTER V-TOWNSHIPS AND TOWNS OF DECATUR COUNTY Date of Organization of the Several Townships-The Squatter-The First Settler in Adams Township-County-Seat Hopes Shattered-Early Mail Fa- cilities-Primitive Conditions-Early Wearing Apparel-Wolves Numerous and Rattlesnakes Abundant-Fever and Ague-Wild Game-Distilleries- Pioneer Schools-St. Omer-Visions of Railroads-Education-Early Sub- scription Schools-Teacher Killed by Pupil-Village of Adams-Downey- ville-Rockville's "Boom" Punctured-St. Paul-Varied Industries-Disas- trous Fires-Clay Township-Buck-run, Clifty, Middlefork Settlement, Duck Creek, Milford, Burney, Wyncoop-Fugit Township-First Store in County at Spring Hill-Kingston, St. Maurice, Clarksburg-Jackson Township- Forest Hill, Waynesburg, Alert, Sardinia-Marion Township-Millhousen and Other Villages-Clinton Township-County Poor Farm-Sandusky- Salt Creek Township-Newpoint. Smith's Crossing, Mechanicsburg, New Pennington and Rossburg-Sand Creek Township-Westport, Letts and Harris City-Washington Township Almost Exact Center of the County.


CHAPTER VI-THE CITY OF GREENSBURG


155


Song of an "Inland Town"-Site of Present County Seat Entered by Thomas Hendricks in 1820-Location of County Seat in 1822-Prices Paid for First Lots-City's Early Growth-Queer Regulations-Incorporation-Fire De- partment-Police Department-Waterworks and Sewerage System-City Hall-Street Paving-Business and Professional Directory in 1915-Mileage and Valuation of Telegraph and Telephone Lines in County-Greensburg Improvement Association-Commercial Club-Business Men's Association- Greensburg Chautauqua-Associated Charities-Postoffice-Public Library- Young Men's Christian Association-Municipal Financial Statement-City Officers and Heads of Departments.


CHAPTER VII-EDUCATION 182


Early Rural Schools and Primitive Curriculum-Treating of Pupils at Christmas Time-Roll of Pioneer Teachers-Qualifications of Teachers- Decatur County Seminary and Noted Alumni Thereof-Private Schools- First Free Schools-Graded Schools-Teachers' Gatherings-Normal Schools -Lincoln Flag Raising Creates Riot-School Supervision-First School Building in Greensburg-Creation of High School System-Township and Village Schools-Consolidated School System-School Athletics and Domes- tic Science and Agricultural Training.


CHAPTER VIII-CHURCHES OF DECATUR COUNTY 204


Marked Religious Change During Past Three-Quarters of a Century-Fore- fathers Not as Good as Usually Painted-Sermons Worked Out With Aid of Flask-Primitive Houses of Worship-Baptists and Methodists First to Come-Interesting Reminiscences-Methodist Episcopal Churches-Organ to Blame for Schism-Methodist Protestant Church-Pastor's Unique Court- ship-Early Ministerial Experiences-African Methodist Church-First Methodist Sermon in County in September, 1822-Baptist Churches-First Congregation Antedated Organization of County-Presbyterian Churches- First Congregation Organized in 1823-United Presbyterian Church-


CONTENTS.


Christian Churches-Beginning of Butler College-United Brethren in Christ-Pentecost Church-German Lutheran Church-Episcopal Church- · Church of God-Christian (Newlight) Church-German Methodist Episco- pal Church-Christian Science Society-United Brethren-Catholic Churches -Oldest Parish in County at Millhousen.


CHAPTER IX-BENCH AND BAR 278 Judicial History of Decatur County-Marked Changes Under the Constitu- tion of 1852-A Mystery of the Olden Days-Early Murder Trials-Step- ping-Stone to Congress-Early Bar History-Prominent Figures of the Bench and Bar-Roster of Decatur County Attorneys-Dean of the Bar- Some Interesting Reminiscences.


CHAPTER X-BANKS AND BANKING 298 Citizens Bank of Greensburg-Third National Bank-Greensburg National Bank-Westport National Bank-Clarksburg State Bank-Alert State Bank -The St. Paul Bank-Newpoint State Bank-Burney State Bank-Greens- burg Building and Loan Association-Union Trust Company-Workmen's Building and Loan Association-St. Paul Building Association-Decatur County's Only Bank Failure.


CHAPTER XI-SECRET SOCIETIES AND FRATERNITIES 307 Free and Accepted Masons and Allied Organizations-Knights of Pythias- Independent Order of Odd Fellows-Modern Woodmen of America-1m- proved Order of Red Men-Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks-Hay- makers-Loyal Order of Moose-Knights of St. John.


CHAPTER XII-SOCIAL AND LITERARY CLUBS 329 Greensburg Department Club-Kappa Kappa Kappa-The Cycle-The Mothers' Circle-The Progress Club-The Woman's Club-The Tourist Club-The Fortnightly Club-The Research Club-Literary Club of 1914- Married Ladies' Musicale-The Cecilians-The Athenaeum.


CHAPTER XIII-THE MEDICAL PROFESSION 341


A Woman Probably the First Medical Practitioner in County-Roster of Early Physicians and Those Now Practicing in County-Interesting Rem- iniscences by Dr. J. H. Alexander-Decatur County Medical Society- Trained Nurses-Opticians-Pension Board.


CHAPTER XIV-NEWSPAPERS OF DECATUR COUNTY 365 Apostrophe to the Newspaper-Reckless Use of Adjectives-Struggles of the Early Editors-Greensburg Chronicle. First Paper in County, Started in Spring of 1830-Orville Thompson's Review of Decatur County News- papers Up to the Year 1895-"Unmarked and Forgotten" Papers-Present Newspapers of the County.


CHAPTER NV-AGRICULTURE 379 Greeley's Estimate of Indiana Farmers-Flax, Most Important Crop of the Pioneer, No Longer Cultivated-Leading Breeders of Fancy Stock-Cattle


CONTENTS.


Feeding-Tomato-Growing Industry-The County Agent-Agricultural Statistics-County Agricultural Society-Waynesburg Farmers' Club- Farmers' Club of Springfield-Farmers' Institute-Patrons of Husbandry- Decatur County Fairs.


CHAPTER XVI-ROADS AND TRANSPORTATION 390 Blazed Trails and the Wilson Trace-First Movement Toward Roads- Turnpikes-Water Transportation-Railroads of Decatur County-Greens- burg Union Depot-Indianapolis & Cincinnati Traction Line-Railroad Statistics.


CHAPTER XVII-THE "UNDERGROUND RAILROAD". 398 Pronounced Anti-Slavery Sentiment-Decatur County Colonization Society and Its Rival, the Anti-Slavery Society-Bickerings Between Neighbors and Schisms in Churches-Main Trunks of "Underground Railroad"-Its Officers and Conductors-The Donnell Rescue Case and Other Incidents-Fugitive Slave Law-Knights of the Golden Circle.


CHAPTER XVIII-DECATUR COUNTY'S MILITARY RECORD 40S Soldiers of the Revolution in Decatur County-The Case of Hugh Mont- gomery-Soldiers of the War of 1812-Mexican War-The Civil War- Roster of Commissioned Officers-Regiments Represented by Decatur County Soldiers-Wilder Battery-Artillery and Rifle Companies-Greens- burg Band Goes to Front-Decatur County Losses: Killed in Action, Died of Wounds and Died in Prison-Morgan's Raid-A War-Time Convention- Riot in Greensburg-Civil War Statistics-Relief for Soldiers' Families- Roll of Honor-Grand Army of the Republic-Woman's Relief Corps- Daughters of the American Revolution.


CHAPTER XIX-GERMANS AND THE GERMAN INFLUENCE. 464 Immigration from the Fatherland-Teutonic Settlements in Decatur County -A Self-Reliant People-Maximillian Schneider and the Millhousen Settle- ment-List of Naturalized Citizens.


CHAPTER XX-EARLY ELECTIONS IN DECATUR COUNTY 470


State Politics from 1816 to 1824-Straw Votes at County Musters-First Presidential Election-Rapid Increase in Voting Population-First County Election in 1823-First Township Elections-Election During Civil War- Bitter Contest of 1860.


CHAPTER XXI-LITERARY GLIMPSES 479


Efforts to Emulate the Bard of Avon-Poets of More Than Local Fame- Some Interesting Samples of Decatur County Poetry-The Late Will Cum- back and Others Who Have Brought to the County a Measure of Literary Distinction-Lewis A. llarding and "The Call of the Hour."


CHAPTER XXII-DECATUR COUNTY INDUSTRIES 497 Primitive Mills of the Pioneers-The First Tanyard-Blacksmiths Manu- facturers of Farm Implements-Early Woolen Mills-First Furniture Fac-


CONTENTS.


tory-Manufacturing Industries in 1874-Greeley Limestone Company- Contractors-Meek Ice Company-Bromwell Brush and Wire Works- Garland Milling Company.


CHAPTER XXIII-SIDELIGHTS ON DECATUR COUNTY HISTORY Scene of "The Hoosier Schoolmaster"-Well-Known Residents of the Clifty Neighborhood Typified in Celebrated Novel-Doctor Smalley's Part in Famous Robbery Conspiracy-List of Leading Taxpayers in 1862-Popu- lation Statistics-Temperance Movement and "Wet" and "Dry" Vote in 1847-Woman's Christian Temperance Union-Decatur County People Who Have Risen to Distinction-Odd Fellows' Home-The Old Seminary-A Religious Revival-A Band Tournament-"Sartor Resartus"-A Versatile Preacher-Record-Breaking Pioneer-Sun Eclipsed by Wild Pigeons-A Story for Men Only-Greensburg's First Lawyer-Doddridge Alley- Bound Boys-The Estray Pound-Politics in 1842-Whig Barbecue of 1844 -Overland Trip to Oregon-Old-Time Debating Society-Anti-Masonic Movement-A Civil War Debate-Early Greensburg Libraries-Orthogra- phic Contests-Lincoln in Greensburg-First Sunday School in County- Decatur County's Only Lynching-The Agaphone-Pioneer Cold Storage- A Gunpowder Plot-To "Buss" or not to "Buss"-"Aunt Jane" Warriner's Well-A Two-Dollar Prayer-Center of Population-Dripping Springs Garden.


504


HISTORICAL INDEX


A


Abolitionism


399


Adams Baptist Church 234


Adams Christian Church 263


Adams M. E. Church 224


Adams Township-


Boundaries of.


95


County Seat Hopes. 97


First Postoffice


98


First Settlers


96


Adams Village.


104


African Methodist Church 220


Agricultural Society


385


Agricultural Statistics


384


Agriculture


379


Alert


132


Alert State Bank 301


Anti-Masonic Movement 526


Anti-"Spooning" Club


531


Apostrophe to Newspaper


365


Artillery and Rifle Companies


427


Athenaeum, The_ 340


Attorneys of Decatur County 283


"Aunt Jane" Warriner's Well


532


Authors and Poets of Decatur Co.


479


B


Bachelors' Club 520


Band Tournament 518


Banks and Banking 298


Baptist Churches


228


Battle of Fallen Timbers


34


Battle of Tippecanoe


33


Beginning of Law and Order 75


Bench and Bar of Decatur Co.


278


Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks 325


"Blazed Trails"


390


Board of Justices


88


Bound Boys


522


Burney


118


Burney State Bank. 302


Butler College, Beginning of


259


C


Catholic Churches. 272


Cattle Feeding 381


Cecilians, The 338


Census of Indiana


59


Census Statistics


508


Centenary Methodist Church 214


Center of Population


533


Christian Churches


257


Christian (New Light) Church 269


Christian Science Society


270


Church of God.


269


Churches of Decatur County


204


Circuit Court Judges


279


Citizens National Bank of Greens-


burg


298


Citizens of Distinction


513


City of Greensburg 155


Civil War


420


Civil War Debate 527


Civil War Riot in Greensburg 442


Civil War Roll of Honor 447


Civil War Statistics


41.1


Clark, Gen. George Rogers 37


Clarksburg 129


Clarksburg Christian Church


261


Clarksburg M. E. Church


222


Clarksburg Presbyterian Church


253


Clarksburg State Bank


301


Clay Township- Buck Run 113


Burney 118


Churches


116


Clifty Settlement


113


Duck Creek


115


HISTORICAL INDEX.


Clay Township-


Manufactories 116


Middlefork Settlement 114


Milford


116


Schools


115


Village of Needmore


113


Wyncoop


119


Clifty


113


Clinton Township-


Boundaries


137


County Farm 140


Early Mills


138


Sandusky


139


Settlement of


137


Timber Industry


139


Williamstown


140


Commissioners, Early Acts of.


87


Conductors of "Underground Rail-


road"


399


Consolidated Schools


195


Constitution, Changes in 52


Counties, Organization of


51


County Agents


382


County Agricultural Society 385


County Auditors


90


County Clerks


90


County Colonization Society


398


County Fairs


388


County Farm


140


County Officers


87


County Organization


69


County


Recorders


90


County Seat


155


County Seminary


185


County Sheriff


89


County Treasurers


89


County's Losses in Civil War


431


Court House History


77


Courts of Decatur County.


278


Cumback, Will, and Other Poets


479


D


"Dare-to-do-Right Club


510


Daughters of the American Revo-


lution


461


Decatur County in Civil War




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