USA > Indiana > Hamilton County > A history of the formation, settlement and development of Hamilton County, Indiana, from the year 1818 to the close of the Civil War > Part 12
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Bowman and became sole proprietor. In 1853 Isaac and B. W. Williams became associated together in busi- ness and this relationship continued for two years, when B. W. Williams retired from the firm. The firm of Bowman, Kenyon & Poe was prominent among the early merchants of Westfield.
Nathan Parker and a Mr. Rains were the pioneer blacksmiths of that place. A man by the name of Washburn opened a pottery and conducted that busi- ness for quite a number of years. Mr. Shy was the pio- neer shoemaker. A Mr. Jackson operated a hatter's shop and a man by the name of Hunt manufactured spinning wheels.
In about the year 1836 a man, whose name cannot be learned at this time, manufactured the first cast mould board ploughs ever sold in the county, at West- field. Nathan Beales did the wood work. V. N. Ar- nett, who is still living, opened a blacksmith shop in Westfield in the year 1854, and he has worked at his trade longer than any one else in the town. At the time Mr. Arnett came to Westfield, B. F. Pfaff was en- gaged in the repairing and manufacturing of wagons.
A. E. Funderburg and Joseph Conklin began the business of tanning on Penn street before the war of '61. Conklin sold his interest to Funderburg and en- listed in the army. He was killed at Atlanta, Ga., in 1863. Soon after Conklin's retirement from the busi- ness, Funderburg sold a half interest to J. F. Yow. The
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business was then moved to the west side of Main street, running east and west. This was the property owned prior to that time by Mordecai White. Tanning was a great industry at that time.
The first wagon shop in Westfield was situated in the north part of town, and was erected by James An- trim, the building being used prior to that time for a hotel. In 1861 it was purchased by John Manlsby and converted into a wagon and carriage shop.
The Westfield post-office was established in 1837, and Isaac Williams was appointed postmaster. The first report made by Mr. Williams showed that from May 10th to June 30th, 1837, postage on unpaid letters received from other offices during this quarter was $1.1034; postage on paid letters sent from the office was 35 cents for the same time. The revenue of the postmaster for this quarter was 3934 cents. Mr. Wil- liams kept the office until July, 1853, when he was siic- ceeded by George White. White was succeeded by Harrison Goodwin, then B. F. Miller, Nathan Overman and A. B. Talbott each held the office.
The Westfield Flouring Mill was erected in 1848. by Isaac Williams & Company, and was operated by this firm until 1854, at which time J. L. Seamans, who is still living, purchased the interest of Isaac Williams. Mr. Seamans purchased from time to time of his part- ners until he and Peter Rich became equal partners. In 1855 Peter sold his interest to Jonathan E. Pike, who,
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in 1857, sold to Micajah C. White & Company. About one year later they soll to Joshua Wilson and he to Seamans. In 1862 Seamans erected an addition to the building and fitted it with the necessary machinery for a woolen mill. In 1864 Jabez Neal bought a half in- terest in the mill. The building it occupied was a frame structure three stories high and was 37x40 feet. It had a capacity of sixty barrels of flour per day, which was considered a large mill in those times.
The first election held in Westfield was at the house of Asa Beales on the 7th day of December, 1833. for the purpose of electing two justices of the peace and other township officers.
The town of Westfield was incorporated in June, 1848, and an election for officers was held July 24th, 1848. The following persons were elected as trustees : William N. Jackson, for the first district; William Haines, second district ; George White, third district ; Anslom Rayle, fourth district, and Nathaniel White for the fifth district.
Westfield was settled largely by members of the Friends Church; in fact, for many years the place was known as a Quaker town. They very early took a de- cided stand in favor of education and were against slav- ery and the use of intoxicants as a beverage. In about the year 1835, they employed a teacher and a school was taught in the old log meeting house of the Friends. This and all other schools, until the adoption of the
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constitution and the passage of the school law, in 1852, was conducted on the subscription plan, except what they may have received as their share of interest on what was known as the seminary fund. In about the year 1837, some men of means in and near Westfield donated lands to be sold and the proceeds to be put on interest for the benefit of the schools. Considerable money was raised in this way, the interest alone being used. This move was made in the interests of the Monthly Meeting school house, which was, in fact, the foundation of Union High. To this fund, however, was added many other donations.
The High School building in the town of Westfield was erected by the trustees of the town in 1858. It was a frame building, 30x40 feet, two stories high. The first term began in September, 1858, with A. P. Howe as teacher. The upper story was not then completed and the school had but one department. In the fall of 1860, it was first organized as a graded school. An- other teacher was employed and another department added. Mr. Howe was made principal and had charge of the higher grades or the Grammar school. It con-
1 tinned then with the two grades for about twenty years.
The Union High School.
The Union High School was organized in 1861 by the Society of Friends at Westfield. It was to be a per- manent institution of learning, where students should
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have an opportunity of preparing themselves for col- lege and where those wishing to teach could get the proper training. It was also to be a school where those who were unable to take a college course could get a practical education that would fit them for usefulness in life, and at the same time surround them with excel- lent moral and social influences at little expense. Al- though this institution was under the care of the Friends' Church, yet the money for the purchase of the ground and erecting and furnishing the school building was largely made up of private subscriptions. It was obtained with much difficulty, often in small sums, but the donations were made with willing hearts. Promi- nent among the early Friends of the institution were Calvin Hunt, David Baldwin and Levi Pennington. These three gentlemen frequently filled the office of trustee of the school. They watched the progress of the institution as time passed, they cared for its inter- ests, prayed for its prosperity and rejoiced in its suc- cess. The first board of trustees was appointed in May, 1860, and they immediately proceeded to erect a sub- stantial brick building, two stories in height, with three rooms on each floor, which were neatly furnished. The school opened under the care of John R. Hubbard, A. M., and with his wife, Susan Hubbard, as associate principal. Those, in part, who succeeded to the posi- tion of principal, were Enos Doan and Martha A.Doan ; Zenas Carey, Jr .; Lewis A. Estes and wife Hulda.
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But the scope of this work will not permit me to fol- low these institutions farther. I have devoted this much space to this institution of education because of its prominence in educational circles in the county, and because for years it was regarded as one of the leading high schools of the State.
Churches.
The first religious services ever held in Westfield were conducted by the Society of Friends, they having formed themselves into an organization in 1834. They met that year at the home of Ambrose Osborn, south of Westfield, and perfected an organization. The orig- inal membership consisted of ten or twelve families and meetings were held at their homes until some time in the year 1835, when their first meeting house was erect- ed. This was a log building, 24 by 48 feet, and con- tained two rooms, each twenty-four feet square, and separated by a log partition. It was erected by the members of the society and cost but very little. It was used until 1848, when it was replaced by a frame building costing near $1,000. It was 56 by 60 feet and in it was held the quarterly of all the monthly meetings in the county. On each Sabbath before the regular meeting a children's meeting or Sabbath school was held.
The denomination of Wesleyan Methodists first or- ganized at Westfield in the year 1844. under the man-
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agement of Rev. J. L. Pfaff, M. D. Pfaff was suc- ceeded by Rev. Alexander Haywood, and after him came a number of ministers warm in their advocacy of the anti-slavery cause. These people held their meet- ings at private houses until the year 1856, when they erected a house of worship at the cost of $1,500.
In the year 1855, the Congregational Church was organized at Westfield by the Rev. Jabez Neal, and a few years later a house of worship was erected at an expense of $1.500 and $300 additional for a bell. This church prospered for several years and its membership increased, but they became scattered and others events, especially the Civil War, caused them to disband.
John Smay came to Westfield in the year 1865, and organized the Methodist Episcopal Church. There were twenty-five faithful members who held their meet- ings at private houses until they purchased the building formerly occupied by the Congregational Society.
Fraternal Societies.
The Westfield Lodge, No. 115, A. F. and A. M., was organized under dispensation, in June, 1850, with the following charter members: G. N. White, Nathaniel White, John Scott, B. H. Williams, S. S. White, J. L. Seamans and William Haines. They worked under dispensation until the session of the Grand Lodge in 1851, when a charter was granted them. The first offi-
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cers were as follows : George White, W. M .; Nathan- iel White, S. W .; John Scott, J. W. Meetings were held in the building occupied by Talbot & White until the year 1853, when they purchased the property upon which their lodge room is now located. Their mem- bership increased until they became financially pros- perous.
Pontius Lodge, No. 160, I. O. O. F., was organized February 23d, 1855, with five charter members, viz. : G. F. Wainwright, S. R. McCole, W. A. Wainwright, G. S. McMurty and H. G. Kenyon. The lodge was in- stituted by John Pontious, D. D. G. M., assisted by sev- eral brothers from Noblesville. On the night of the institution petitions were received from William H. Jackson, George White, Jonathan E. Pike, M. D. Stoneman, A. B. Talbot, Charles Kenyon, William A. Pfaff, William Haines, Selburn White and M. C. White. Business was suspended and the candidates were initi- ated with the exception of Stoneman, who was absent from town. The following men were the first officers of the lodge; H. G. enyon, N. G .; S. G. McMurty, V. G .; W. A. Pfaff, Secretary; W. H. Jackson, Treas- urer. They met in the hall of the Westfield Lodge of A. F. & A. M., until the spring of 1865, when they purchased lot No. 3, in the original town of Westfield, and remodeled the building thereon into a lodge room. The lodge was at that time in good financial condition.
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Boxleylown.
Boxleytown was laid out in the year 1836 by Addi- son and Thomas P. Boxley. The first election ever held in Adams Township was held at the home of Thomas P. Boxley in this village in the month of Octo- ber, 1836. Also the first store opened in the township was opened here by the two Boxley boys. Thomas P. Boxley also being the first postmaster, in which capac- ity he served for a number of years. Reuben Tansey was the first Justice of the Peace in the township, being elected at the election herein spoken of. In 1830, and within a few miles of Boxleytown, Vinton Spencer, the first white child, was born. The first marriage in the township was also celebrated here, the contracting par- ties being Stephen Blevens and Elsie McKinsey. Ad- dison Boxley kept the first tavern in Boxleytown, which was the first in the township. In an early day this was a prominent point, as it was in the direct route from Strawtown to the Wabash. Mr. Boxley did a good business in his line.
No mill was built in or near Boxleytown until the year 1861, when Robert Drake erected a saw mill and subsequently a grist mill. Among those who have been in business in Boxleytown are Thomas P. Boxley, Smith and Rodeman, George Palmer, J. R. Ogle and Steffy Brothers. Some of the physicians were J. M. Richardson, T. J. McMurty and J. C. Newby.
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In about the year 1837, the Methodists first began to hold meetings in the township. A class was formed and attached to the Noblesville circuit. The meetings were held at private houses until a school was erected at Boxleytown, when they met there. From this was organized the Boxleytown Methodist Church, but they did not erect a building of their own until the year 1852. The Society of the Christian Church was organized at an early day and for some time they had the only church building in the town. About the year 1844, the first class of the denomination of the Wesleyan Methodists was organized at the old school house in Boxleytown, under the leadership of Eben Teter. During protract- ed meetings they were granted the use of the church by the Christian society. In 1846 Mr. Teter donated a lot upon which they erected a church.
Fidelity Lodge, No. 309, A. F. & A. M., was insti- tuted at Boxleytown on May 26, 1854. Before the charter was received the following persons met and signed the constitution: C. B. Austin, E. Hammock, J. N. Hammock, William Hicks, H. W. Ross, J. S. Col- lings, Samuel Dow, Right Cook, H. D. Butler, A. T. Harvey, R. M. Richie, Samuel Harbaugh, A. N. Dunn and Cyrus Burrows. The first officers were: C. B. Aus- tin, W. M .; Right Cook, S. W .; Ephraim Hammock, J. W. ; H. D. Butler, Secretary ; J. N. Hammock, Treas- urer; A. T. Harvey, S. D .; William Hicks, J. D. ; R. M.
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Richie, Tyler. This lodge was afterward moved to Sheridan.
Deming.
The village of Deming is situated in the southwest corner of Jackson Township. It was laid out by Elihu Pickett, Solomon Pheanis and Lewis Jessup on August Ioth, 1837. Elihu Pickett opened the first store in the town, and Joseph Hadley the second. Hadley was suc- ceeded by Davis & Stanley. A Mr. Williams came next, then B. F. Holliday. Holliday was the first blacksmith and Allen Meek the second. A tan yard was also operated at this time by Milton Stanley.
The Methodists at an early date organized a class in Deming and for some time met for worship in the school house. In 1865 they erected a church. The Wesleyan Methodists erected a church west of Deming on the old Foulke farm. When the town was first laid out a mill, one half mile east, was erected on Hinkle Creek. It was called a corn cracker. No other mill was erected until 1865.
Hinkle Lodge, No. 310, A. F. & A. M., was char- tered in 1863 by the Grand Lodge of Indiana. The first officers of the lodge were: M. White, W. M .; C. Davis, S. W. ; William Peacock, J. W .; W. R. Thomas, Treasurer ; Jabez Neal, Secretary ; M. Workman, S. D .; F. Baldwin, J. D., and B. F. Holliday, Tyler. In 1865 the order erected a lodge room over the Methodist Church.
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Bethlehen, now Carmel.
This town was laid out on the 13th day of April, 1837, by Seth Green. It is situated four miles south of Westfield on the road leading from Westfield to In- dianapolis. This road at this point is on the dividing line between Clay and Delaware Townships and a part of the town in each. The original town consisted of fourteen lots but a number of additions have since been added. The first dry-goods store was opened by a firm by the name of Boggs & Boggs, the store room being an old log cabin. The second store was also opened in a log cabin by a firm whose name cannot be learned. They did not remain long, but were succeeded by Haines & Harvey. The firm was succeeded by Elijah King. In 1846 Mess, Wesley & Little of Indi- anapolis were associated with King. During this part- nership the old log cabin was torn down and a sub- stantial frame building erected to take its place. After the withdrawal of Wesley & Little, King, Drum & An- derson associated themselves together and carried on the business. This firm was succeeded by King, Carey & Jessup; then King & King. The following men were also among the early merchants: Elam & Brown. in 1850; succeeded by Mendenhall & Stanton ; succeed- ed by John Kenyon in the year 1857. The Griffin Brothers, in 1860, succeeded by Alfred Brown, succeed- ed by Randall, who sold out the stock. James Stanley
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then opened a drug store in the room vacated by Ran- dall. Carey & Simons succeeded Stanley in the drug business ; then Warren & Kinzer had the store and from them it went to L. J. Small. At an early date David Kinzer opened up a variety store. The first blacksmith shop was run by the Hunt Brothers. Other black- smiths were Harrold & Haines, Binford & Stuart, Jos- eph Hilcher, John Patty and Richard George. Hilcher was succeeded by Isaac Roberts. A wagon shop was opened in 1850 by Benjamin Ball. In the year 1854. John Patty and Simeon Hawkins erected a wagon shop. They continued in business for about one year, when Hawkins sold his interest to Patty. Patty was suc- ceeded by D. W. Patty and W. C. Kane, who were suc- ceeded by D. W. Patty. David Connell, some time in the fifties, opened a carriage and blacksmith shop and continued in the business until the breaking out of the Civil War, when he enlisted and died in the service. Caleb Harvey opened a tan yard in or near Carmel when the town was first laid out, and continued in the business until his death. The business was conducted by his sons and Isaac WV. Stanton and was finally aband- oned. Other business men were: M. L. Long & A. Peacock, shoemakers; R. Craven & Isaac W. Stanton, harness makers ; Harrold & Green, tile manufacturers ; Blanchard & George, livery stable, and Calvin Bond, the first undertaker.
The first dentist was William Frost. The physi-
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cians were Drs. Carey and Campbell. The post-office was established in 1844, and the first postmaster was Joseph Macy, succeeded by I. W. Stanton, who was succeeded by Elam Brown and he by A. T. Jessup and Jessup by Zina Warren.
The Methodist Episcopal Church was first organ- ized in Carmel in 1848, the membership consisting of about twelve members. Services were at first held in a log house which had formerly been used as a blacksmith shop. In 1850, a frame building was erected, which is still in use. A Sunday-school was organized before the church.
The first meeting of the Society of Friends' Church ever held in the county was a little north and west of Carmel, in 1830. A meeting house was erected about the year 1833. It was called Richland. The name was given it by Benjamin Mendenhall, who had moved from a meeting of the same name in Green County, Ohio. Richland belonged to the Fairfield Monthly Meeting, which was located in Hendricks County. It was at first an Endulged Meeting, but in 1833 a Preparative Meet- ing was established by the Fairfield Monthly Meeting. In 1835 Richland Preparative joined with Westfield Preparative, and the Westfield Monthly Meeting was established by the White Lick Quarterly Meeting, held in Morgan County. The committee appointed to at- tend this monthly meeting were Eleazer Beales, Rob- ert W. Hudson, John Carte, Jr., Richard Day, Eliza-
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beth Mendenhall, Ann Beales. Ester Newlin and Ase- nath Moore. These persons were all present with the exception of Richard Day and Elizabeth Mendenhall. The Westfield Yearly Meeting was held alternately at Richland and Westfield. In 1840 the Richland Month- ly Meeting was set off from Westfield by the White Lick Quarterly Meeting. Those appointed to attend the opening of the Richland Monthly Meeting were Samuel Spray, Robert W. Hudson, William Whitson, James Kersey, Samuel Millhouse, Ester Spray, Rhoda Carey, Asenath Moore, Margaret Coffin and Lydia Tomlinson. The first clerks of the Richland Monthly Meeting were Levi Haines and Lydia P. Cook. In 1868 the Richland Quarterly Meeting was established. It was composed of Richland, Poplar Ridge and East Branch Monthly Meetings. In 18- the name of both Monthly and Quarterly Meeting was changed from Richland to Carmel.
The first child born among the Friends was Eliza- beth Ann Stanton, daughter of Benjamin Mendenhall. The first marriage according to their discipline was that of William Hiatt and Mary Moon. Education early claimed the interests of the Friends in this vicinity. Union High School at Westfield received a great deal of aid from the Monthly Meeting at Carmel. In fact, the schools at Poplar Ridge and Carmel were under its control for some time.
Not among the least items of interest in connection
ยท
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with the work of the church, was the growth and rec- ognition of the Sabbath School. The first preacher that belonged to this Meeting was Samuel Stafford, who settled there in 1836. The first minister recorded was Asaph Hiatt, in 1841. The first church building erected after leaving the cabin was a log house, 18x20 feet. In 1835 another room, about the same size as the first, was added. The next building was a frame, commenced in 1843 and finished in 1845. The first frame house in Carmel was erected by Thomas Mills. The first grist mill was operated by Carey & Robers. It stood on the west side of the road near the north line of Carmel.
Nicholsonville.
Nicholsonville, now Clarksville, is situated five and one-half miles southeast of Noblesville on the Nobles- ville and Pendleton Road. It was laid out by .Abra- ham Nicholson on the 18th day of September, 1849. The first stock of goods for sale was opened by the proprietor of the town. He was the only merchant here for several years and was the first postmaster. Besides this, he operated a tannery. One Mr. Com- mons, father of J. A. Commons, who now resides near Clarksville, opened the first blacksmith shop in the town. Abraham Nicholson was succeeded in the mer- cantile business by Conner and Massey, Henry P. Crull and Henry Heiny. Mr. Nicholson was succeeded in the tannery business by his son, William Nicholson, and
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Garret Wall. Among the first physicians in the town was Dr. P. P. Whitesell. Henry Heiny was probably the first Justice of the Peace. Benjamin Heiny was a pioneer saw mill man. The early schools for Clarks- ville were taught three-fourths of a mile west of Clarksville. Subscription schools remained in vogue until about the year 1854. The present system of free education was then inaugurated and a district school building was erected under this system; but it was not erected in Clarksville. The first school building in Clarksville was erected in 1867.
Members of the Methodist Church, residing in and near Clarksville, belonged and worshiped at Bethel Church, one and a half miles west of the town.
Members of the German Baptist denomination, re- siding in and near Clarksville, worshipped at the church built by that denomination, one and three-quarter miles west of Clarksville. An organization was effected in 1851, but their church building was not erected until 1860.
The Christian Church at Clarksville was organized in 1860 by Rev. Thomas Burnau. Their first meetings were held in school houses or private residences until their present church building was erected in the town.
Clarksville Lodge, No. 118, A. F. & A. M., was or- ganized in January, 1850, and worked under dispensa- tion until the following May, at which time it was duly chartered by the Grand Lodge of Indiana. The char-
PRIMITIVE HISTORY OF
ter members of the lodge were six in number, viz .: Hiram G. Finch, Abraham Nicholson, Samuel Nichol- son, Jacob Crull, Francis G. Reynolds and Peter Pass- water. The first officers were Hiram G. Finch, W. M .; Abraham Nicholson, J. W .; F. G. Reynolds, Treasurer ; Samuel Nicholson, S. W .; Jacob Crull, Secretary, and Peter Passwater, S. D. The lodge building is the prop- erty of the fraternity and was erect. d prio . to the or- ganization of the lodge at a cost of $1,600. The office of W. M. was filled for a number of years by the follow- ing named persons : Samuel Nicholson, Hiram G. Finch, Dr. P. P. Whitesell, S. P. Jones, J. J. Cotting- ham and J. W. Boone.
Eagletown.
Eagletown is situated ten miles west of Noblesville on the Noblesville and Lebanon road. It was laid out on lands owned by Ephraim Stout and Jesse Waller, March 21, 1848. Cyrus Bowman and F. Wells were the pioneer merchants of this town. In later years, William Vance conducted the only dry goods and gen- eral store in the town. Barker and White were pio- neers in the drug business. Nathan Pike was probably the first blacksmith of the town.
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