USA > Indiana > Delaware County > A twentieth century history of Delaware County, Indiana, Volume I > Part 6
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HARRISON TOWNSHIP.
Sec. 36 (R. 8)-Oct. 1832, 1837: Isaac Adamson, Archibald Parker, Jolın Parker, John Fenny, John Crawson, Stephen Crawson, Samuel Langley, Miles Marshall, Nathan Hodgson.
Sec. 31-Oct. 1833, 1836: Oliver P. Jones, William Miller, James Fortner, Jacob Crouson, Samuel Adamson.
Sec. 27-1833, 1835: Isaac Tildon, George Shafer, James Garner, Chris- topher Wilson, William Patten.
Sec. 20-1834, 1837: Job Garner, Isaac Ridout, William Ridout, Tobias Renner, James Stout, Isaac Stout, Joel Biggs, Levi Lynn.
Sec. 21-1834, 1837: William B. Wilson, William Newhouse, James New- house.
Sec. 26-1834, 1836: James Smith, George Shafer, Nicholas Maceltree, John Applegate, Thomas Applegate, Daniel Jarrett, Thomas Not- tingham, Peter Simmons, John Nottingham.
Sec. 28-1834, 1836: Jacob M. Holloway, William Patten, John Coon, John Woods, Elias Wilson, Caviner Conner, Job Garner, Thomas Haworth, Jacob Cline.
Sec. 29-1834. 1836: Job Garner, Joel Biggs, Charles Stout, John Woods, Jacob Cline, Jonathan Eddy, Jesse Stout.
Sec. 25 (R. 8)-1834, 1839: Robert Swift, Jonathan Langley, Joseph Cox, Samuel Langley, John Starr, Francis Davis, Curtis Langley.
Sec. 30-1835, 1836: Hugh Finley, Abraham Smith, Nicholas Reel, Luke Wright, Jonathan Langley, James Wright, John Langley.
Sec. 25-1836: William Cantwell, John Applegate, William Moore, Josiah Williams, James Freeman.
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
Sc. 35-1836: John McBride, Daniel Jarrett, James Williamson, John Van Buskirk. William H. Brumfield.
Sec. 18-1836, 1852: John Starr, Benajah French, David W. Cook, Wil- liam Brady, James H. Swoor.
Sec. 19-1836, 1838: John Starr, Henry W. Smith, John Smith, William Campbell, Job Garner.
Sec. 33-1836, 1838: James McLaughlin, Thomas Patton, Dickson Thomas, Jacob Cline, Daniel Van Buskirk, William Reed, Elias Ilumbert. Amos Jenna. -
Sec. 36-1836: Daniel Jarrett, John Hayhurst, Thomas Williamson, Thomas Brumfield.
Scc. 3-1836, 1838: Gideon Mckibben, John Tomlinson, John Collins, Samuel McCreery.
Sec. 15-1836: James Newhouse, Thomas Haworth, Joseph Lafavour, George Griffin.
Sec. 24-1836: Jolin Applegate, William Cavitt, Charles Thatcher, Jacob Haynes.
Sec. 1-1836, 1841: Jonathan Johns, Bernard F. Hook, John Sutton, John Conner, James Ashcraft, David Enry, William Gard, Samuel P. Anthony.
Sec. 12-1836, 1837: Oliver H. Cogshill, Owen Morris, Asher Storer, Wat- son W. Fitzpatrick, Jonas Sutton, James Stafford, Abraham Mc- Connell.
Sec. 2-1836, 1839: Jonathan Johns, Jonathan Stewart, Job Garner, John D. Jones, Samuel P. Anthony, David Hays.
Sec. 13-1836, 1839: Samuel Moore, Samuel Snider, Daniel Jarrett, Hiram Adams, William Beaty, Jacob Miller.
Sec. 11-1836, 1837: Lewis M. Wilson, Anderson Merritt, John Tomlin- son, Thomas Brumfield, Thomas Collins, James Cload, John Col- lins.
Sec. 17-1836, 1838: Thomas I. Collins, Jonathan West, George Rouse, Stephen C. Collins, Michael Null.
Sec. 1 (R. 8)-1836, 1852: Otis Preble, John Robb, Milton Lawrence, Jolin Perdue, Almon B. Brand, Allen Makepeace.
Sec. 5-1836, 1839: Samuel Brady, Joseph McGilliland, George W. and Jefferson N. Horine, Reason Davis, Jacob C. Palsley, Elisha Gale- mon, Harrison Dean.
Sec. 9-1836, 1838: Anderson Miller, Aaron Adamson, William Gard, Job Garner, Michael Null.
Sec. 16-Sold Nov. 1836: Bigger and Kennedy, John Coon, Eleazer Cof- feen, William Martendale, A. Adamson.
Sec. 8-1836, 1837: Thomas Dean, Josiah Robe, Robert Robe.
Sec. 12 (R. 8)-1836, 1839: Otis Preble, W. H. Carter, James F. Robb, John Perdue, John Hodson, Richard Justice, Harrison Dean, Michael Null.
Sec. 24 (R. 8)-1836, 1839: Tobias Benner, Jonathan Langley, Joseph Cox, Jesse H. Healey, James Marshall, Thomas Worley, Curtis Langley.
Sec. 4-1836, 1839: Joseph Gobie, Joseph Gilliland, Samuel Richerson,
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
Henry W. Smith, Samuel McCreery, Andrew Welch, William Bentley.
Sec. 7-1836, 1851 : Amos Ratcliff, Vincent Garner, John Perdue, Robert Robe, Henry Garner, Gideon Mckibben, Jacob French, James H. Swoor.
Sec. 10-1836, 1837: Samuel McCune, Prior Rigdon, Matthew Burroughs, John Woods.
Sec. 14-1836, 1839: George Griffin. Thomas Anthony, Thomas B. Jenett, Isaac Barnes, Benjamin Wallingsford. Jacob Miller.
Sec. 22-1836, 1838: Isaac Ridout, John McCarty, James Newhouse, Thomas Brumfield, Solomon Williams, Elijah Newhouse, John H. Garner, Mary Jones, Vincent Garner.
Sec. 23-1836, 1839: Josephi Lefavour, Jacob Calvert, Oliver H. Smith, James Marshall.
Sec. 32-1836, 1837: Jacob Miller, Moses Shepherd, William Palmer, Sol- omon Mclaughlin, James McLaughlin, James Williams.
Sec. 34-1836, 1837: Samuel C. Bradford, Oliver H. Smith, Christopher Wilson, Jane Williamson, Philander Cassman, Samuel P. An- thony.
Sec. 13 (R. 8)-1837: Enoch Garner, George Turner, Joseph Cook, Adam C. Lewis, Miles Marshall.
Sec. 6-1837, 1839: Reason Summers, Jacob Beals, Zachariah Cook, Jesse Mellett, John Perdue, Harrison Dean.
NILES TOWNSILIP.
Sec. 34-May, 1831, 1837: Samuel Gregory, Robert Kimball, George Huff- man, Jacob Peterson, Michael Hedkin, Joseph Stafford.
Sec. 31-1831, 1836: Peter Thomas, John Gregory, William O'Neal, John Engard. Jonathan Ruggles, Jacob Battereal, Andrew Battereal, Jacob Battereal.
Sec. 32-1831, 1836: Alexander Price, John Sutton, Samuel Kite, John Battercal, Isaac Martin, William Battereal, William Downing.
Scc. 33-1831, 1836: James Gregory, William Lec, Alexander Price, Andrew Battereal, Jesse Clark, William Downing, Samuel Greg- ory.
Sec. 19-1832, 1836: Philip Stoner, Philip Essley, James Black, Elisha Essley, Jesse Essley, Junius McMillan, Stephen Butler.
Sec. 28-1832, 1839: George Shearon, Samuel Martin. David Smith, John Lewis, Robert M. Boyd, Israel Martin. William Custer, Robert Huston, Noble Gregory, Glass Ross, Henry Shearon, Stephen Berry.
Sec. 30-1832, 1836: Thomas Hillman, Ralph Shaw, Willis Hance, Wil- liam Gregory, John Gregory, Reason Iams, Norris Venard.
Sec. 20-1833, 1836: James Black, Francis A. Essley, William Constant, Elisha Essley, Cyrus McMillan, Jeremiah Priest, James L. Veach. Sec. 25-1833, -: John Wilson, Samuel Kyle, Jolin Dinsmore, Daniel Dean Jr., William H. Houston.
Sec. 29-1833, 1836: John Blakeary, John Thomas, Samuel Clark, James Robinson, James Hetton, Charles Redding.
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
Sec. 36-1833. 1836: Isaac Pavy, John Boots, Eli H. Anderson, Jacob Noggle, Warren Mann, Ezra Bantz.
Sec. 17-1834, 1839: John Black, Rachel Chandler, Ralph Stafford, John Barley, John D. Highway.
Sec. 35-1834. --: Eli Anderson, Thomas Vincent, John Shrack, Adam Keaver, John Dinsmore, John Mann, Eli Pendroy.
Sec. 15-1835. 1836: George W. Stafford, Samuel Sprinkle, Richard Hig- man, John Constant.
Sec. 21-1835, 1837: Alfred Barnett, William Lee, David Mason, Freder- ick Thornburg, Andrew Wilson, Albert Boyd, David Moore.
Sec. 27-1835. 1836: Jeremiah Veach, William McCoy, Jacob Moore, Rob- ert Kimball. William Foster.
Sec. 7-1836, -: Stephen Hayward, Thomas N. Sinks, Ephraim Sinks, George Leedon, Jonathan Ballinger.
Sec. 8-1836: William J. Knight, William J. Essley, John C. Corbley, John Black.
Sec. 9-1836, 1837: James Wooster, John Black, George Huffman, John Thomas.
Sec. 10-1836, 1837: William D. Field, George Huffman, Dennis Wilson, Jacob Huffman, John Constant, John Mellit.
Sec. 11-1836. 1837: Jolin Buckles, Joel B. Low, Eldridge Addison, Wil- liam Bell. Valentine Bone.
Sec. 12-1836, 1838: Joseph Ileaton, Adam Reader, Samuel P. Anthony, John Buckles, Hugh Campbell, Noah Shearly, James Peterson.
Sec. 13-1836, 1837: Banlin Smith, John Buckles, Nathaniel Poor, James Peterson, Hugh Campbell, William Shrack.
Sec. 14-1836, 1837: James Peterson. Elisha Bartlett, Richard Higman, Nathaniel Polk, William Lee, Daniel Fisher, Hugh Campbell.
Sec. 18-1836: Ezra Wasson and Thomas Moore.
Sec. 22-1836: Jacob Moore. James Bolton, Augustus A. Root, Loxley A. Rickand, Samuel T. Kyle.
Sec. 23-1836, 1838: Isaac Spence, Thomas Berry, Ezra Porter, Daniel Bosman, William Scott, Ira Ingraham.
Sec. 24-1836: Amos Wooster, Nathaniel Dickson, Adam Michael, Isaac Mailten.
Sec. 26-1836: John Blakely, Sarah Kimball, Robert Kimball, John W. Vincent, John Shrack.
Sec. 16-Sold Nov. 1838: Morton C. East, William Richardson, Andrew Black, James Black, Mary Gorton, James McMillan.
DELAWARE TOWNSHIP.
Sec. 19-Oct. 1830, 1837 : Henry Harmon, Daniel Pittenger, Elijah Reeves, James Russell, Stephen R. Martin, Thomas Albin, John Pepper, William Stansbury.
Sec. 2-1831, 1836: David Jones, John Dinsmore. William Venard, Reu- ben Strong, John Quinn, Stephen Venard, Morrison Quinn, Emson .II. Venard, Henry S. Eron, Joseph Eron, Absalom Boots.
Sec. 5-1831, 1836: Archibald Dowden, Isaac Martin, Thomas Wilson, John T. Wilson, William Thomas, David Sutton, Adam Wilson.
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
Sec. 6-1831, 1836: Israel Martin, Thomas Williams, William H. Green, Benoni Wilson, Adam Wilson, William Thomas, Ezekiel Thomas, John Baldridge.
Sec. 11-1831, 1836: Solomon Boots, John Quinn, Joseph O'Neal, Alfred Lee, Adam Keaver, William Custer, Jonathan Bergdoll, Joseph H. Hulse.
Sec. 18-1831, 1836: Elizabeth Friend, William Custer, Henry Huddle- ston, Isaac Martin, A. Custer, William Pence, Philip Cochran.
Sec. 1-1832, 1835: Abraham Custer, Reuben Strong, Lewis Stoner, John W. Strong, Jacob Pendroy, Ezra Bantz.
Scc. 7-1832, -: John Boyles, Lloyd Wilcoxon, John Batreall Jr., Archibald Dowden, William Boyles, Squire Boyles, Charles F. Willard, Jefferson Walburn.
Sec. 8-1832, 1836: William Moody, Wilson Lennon, William Thomas, Andrew Wilson, Robbins Wilson, George Richeson, John Funder- burg.
Sec. 10-1832, 1836: Joshua Bantz, John Quinn, David Bright, John Bantz, Henry Bright, John Sparr, John H. Taylor.
Sec. 12-1832, 1833: John W. Strong, James Dean, Reuben Strong, Lewis Stoner, Frederick Stoner.
Sec. 13-1832, 1837: Nehemiah Burden, Abner Woolverton, Adam Keever, James Campbell, Levi Boots, James Dean.
Sec. 14-1832, 1836: Adam Keever, Joseph Templer, Eli Thornburg, Stephen Kennedy.
Sec. 20-1832, 1836: Benjamin Drummond, John Godlove, Ebenczer Hal- stead, Aquilla Hensley, George Mccullough, Robbins R. Williams, John Pepper.
Sec. 28-1832, 1836: William E. Pendroy, Thomas Humphreys, Jesse McCray, Nicholas Pittenger, Daniel Richardson, Ila Lake, Uriah Lennon, John Moody.
Sec. 30-1832, 1837: Thomas Crawford, Thomas F. Wilson, Daniel Pit- tenger, James Sparr, William Dragoo, John B. Gough, Benjamin Dragoo.
Sec. 17-1833, 1836: Edward Marshall, Joseph Berry, Abraham Godlove, Daniel Cochran, Philip Cochran, Thomas Martin, Ebenezer Hal- stead.
Sec. 29-1833, 1837: Jacob C. Harmon, Thomas Harmon, Josiah Wade, Henry Pittenger, Wilson Lennon, Uriah Lennon, Jacob Furrow, Thomas H. Weirman.
Sec. 3-1833, 1837: Francis Venard, Ralph Stafford, Susannah Thomas, Joshua Bantz, Robert Malcolm, George Mills, Martin Depoy, David Bright, Henry Judy.
Sec. 4-1833, 1836: William Black, McCoy Malcolm, Morrison Quinn, Joseph Godlove, William Martin, Samuel P. Anthony.
Sec. 9-1833, 1836: Stephen Berry Jr., Moses C. White, David Sutton, Reuben Eppert, Silas Sparr.
Sec. 16-Sold 1833, 1834: Joseph Godlove, George F. Hastings, Robert Malcolm, David Jones, Samuel Calaway.
Sec. 15-1834, -: Joseph Puckett, Joseph H. Hulse, John Bantz, Solo- mon Rohrbaugh, Samuel P. Anthony, John H. Taylor, Martin
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
Forbes, John Kennedy, Andrew S. Kennedy, Granville F. Hast- ings.
Sec. 21-1834, 1836: Jonathan Rardon, Jacob Sellers, Glass Ross, Samuel Thomas, Christopher Humphreys, John Pittenger.
Scc. 26-1834, 1836: Solomon Rohrbaugh, Warren Mann, Joseph Hum- phreys, William Jameson, Thomas Jones, James Johnson.
Sec. 22-1835, 1836: Daniel Perrine, Stephen Kennedy, Michael Beeghley. Sec. 25-1835, 1837: William Bartlett, Solomon Rohrbaugh, Samuel John- son, Edwin Johnson.
Sec. 23-1835, 1837: Solomon Rohrbaugh, John Boots, Benjamin Manor, Martin Boots, Elias Beeghley, Thomas Berry.
Sec. 24-1835, 1837: James Campbell, James Dean, Joseph Orr, George Iman, Solomon Rohrbaugh, James Pendroy, William Woods.
Sec. 27-1835, 1836: James Jones, Jabesh Jones, David Lewellen, James Orr, Justice Kitterman, Ila Lake, Adam Boots.
General Conclusions.
It requires but a brief study of the original land entries to prove the claim advanced earlier in this narrative that the rivers, being the principal transportation routes of the early days, drew the first settlers to their banks and caused a grouping of population along the streams at the expense of the higher lands that had no running streams. In this county, water trans- portation played a very meager part, but the two principal streams none the less directed the settlers in their location. This was natural, since along the running streams were to be found the mill sites, and also water for stock purposes. It is an interesting proof of the part taken by the rivers in set- tlement that the larger towns of Delaware county were all founded on the banks of either the White or Mississinewa river. Muncie, Yorktown and Smithfield on the White river, and Eaton, Albany and Wheeling on the Mississinewa, were eligible town sites in the eyes of their founders because of the rivers. It might be offered in proof that Hamilton and Harrison townships, which are the only townships in the county entirely away from the winding courses of one of these rivers, were among the last townships to be settled.
Using the table of land entries as a basis for conclusions, it will be inter- esting to notice what parts of the county had been settled before the begin- ning of the year 1830. Starting with Liberty township, we find that nine sections had been partly entered. The first entry in the township was in section 21, on the White river near Smithfield. The next sections where entries were made were 28 and 29, both crossed by this river. Then came sections 22 and 24, both on the course of the river; then section 30, with the river around two sides, and sections 23 and 25, also touched by the river. Of the nine sections, section 18 is the only one settled before 1830 that was not watered by the river.
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
From Liberty township, White river flows through the northwestern corner of Perry. Right in this same corner the first entries were made, in sections 31, 32, and 33, and in that order. In this township entries had been made in twelve townships before 1830, namely: 31, 32, 33, 1, 4, 13, 17, 5, 8, 9, 21 and 23. Beyond the first two sections it is not possible to affirm the positive influence of the river in directing the choice of locations. Perry township was the first point of attack, as it were, from the incoming pioneers. The movement of immigration was from the southeast, with Wayne county as the principal focus, and at an carly period a road was laid out from Richmond toward Muncie and Marion, this becoming a thor- oughfare that of itself exerted a great influence on settlement. So the carly settlers of Perry seem to have been less restricted in their selection of land and to have quickly found homes in every part of the township. But . section 31, with the White river flowing through the north half, was the only one of the twelve townships all of whose land had been entered by 1830; this of itself being proof that the settlers rather favored land that bordered the river.
Monroe township was among those later settled and White river played little or no part in its settlement. The four sections which had entries before 1830 were sections 10, 15, 12, 23.
Passing to Center township, it is found that entries had been made in thirteen townships before 1830. Section 25, in which was the first entry, lies in the southeast corner of the township, right on the course of the river. The other twelve sections, in order of the date of first entry, are 10, 13, 9, 11, 14, 15, 24, 34, 35, 3, 17, 18. All but two of these are traversed by the river or lie less than half a mile from it.
Following the course of the river into Mt. Pleasant township, it appears that before 1830 entries had been made on eight sections and that every one was adjacent to the river or Buck creek. We have already spoken of the Indian land grants, all of which lay along the river.
Turning south, White river before leaving the county passes through a considerable portion of Salem township. Land entries on fourteen sections of this township were made before 1830. The settlement of this township was an extension from Henry county on the south. and it is probable that the first settlers had some feeling of neighborly relation with the nearest settlers of that county, and, other things being equal. preferred to remain as close to them as possible. But here as elsewhere the first settler had chosen a location near the river, in section 31. Sections 20, 21, 22, 23, on the south line of the township, were next settled, and then followed the block of town- ships in the northwest corner, near the river, consisting of sections 12, 1, 6, and 32. The other sections to receive entries before 1830 were: 36, 1, 14, 15 and .24 (R. 8).
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
Of the townships away from White river few had entrymen before 1830. Washington had three sections, 15, 11, and 12, which showed entries previous to that time-all of them in the northeast corner near the Missis- sinewa. In Union township only section 22, along the river, was entered, in 1829, and in Hamilton township sections 25 and 26 had entries late in 1839. No entries were made in other townships within the time now being considered.
At the close of the decirle of the twenties, entries had been recorded for land in 66 different sections in the county. Considerably more than half of the land taken up lay adjacent to the larger water courses, so that stronger proof could not be desired of the influence of the rivers in the early settlement.
CHAPTER VI. A STUDY OF ORIGINS AND SOURCES-PROMINENT PIONEER TYPES.
Having learned the general location of the first settlements in the county, there remains a task with more personal interest. Unfortunately, it will be impossible to give more information about many of the pioneers than is contained in the list of original entrymen. Record is made there of those who purchased land of the government, whether with the intention of permanently settling or for the purpose of speculation. Several thousand different persons are named as entrymen of land from the government in this county, and yet the majority of them are unknown to the present gen- eration. A considerable number of those purchasing land of the govern- ment never resided in the county, their purchases being simply for invest- ment or speculation. Of these there could be nothing to say in a history of the county, since almost without exception they contributed nothing to the permanent development of the county. Then, of course, many entered land, lived on it a short while and moved out of the county, disappearing from sight and knowledge of all their neighbors. While only a comparatively small percent of the entrymen deserve historical recognition for their worth as settlers, it is unfortunate that the record is so meager of some who were strong men in their sphere and gained the high esteem of their fellows while establishing homes in their county.
Where had the early settlers lived before coming to this county? By what routes did they come? What caused them to locate here? And how did their origin influence the development of this county?
One of the most interesting themes connected with early Delaware county history is concerned with the answer to the above questions. In this modern age, when men are becoming more cosmopolitan in their conditions, when provincialism and the influences of state and section are less plainly impressed on individuals, it is less pertinent to inquire regarding birthplace and original home. Yet it is almost equally common as a question between strangers as they take the first steps to acquaintance. It is not intended to answer each of these questions categorically. A study of the early settle- ment of any locality suggests such questions as the above in a series, and historical curiosity impels us to endeavor to answer these queries while con- sidering the early settlers of Delaware county.
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
It cannot be said of Delaware county, as of certain counties in northern Indiana and southern Michigan, that its early settlers were of New England stock. Many New Englanders can be found among the pioneers, but they were not the predominant class in numbers. All the Atlantic states from Vermont to South Carolina furnished settlers. Many of the county's best known and most influential families were from Virginia and the Carolinas. In the individual history of the settlers, going no further back than their birthplace, it would seem that a very large percent came from Ohio and Kentucky and western New York. But it will be understood that these localities were intermediate points in the westward migration, to which the family made the first stage of its journey, or stopped a few years until civilization caught up with them, and then pushed on deeper into the wilder- ness.
From North Atlantic States.
Of typical New England origin was the Muncie pioneer, Goldsmith C. Gilbert. He came of a family of pioneers, one of his grandfathers having been the first settler at Cavendish, Vermont. Just across the line in Wash- ington county, New York, Goldsmith C. Gilbert was born in the last decade of the eighteenth century. Ten years later he accompanied his uncle up the valley of the Mohawk to Jefferson county on Lake Ontario, then the western frontier. In 1814 came another pioneer migration, through the sparsely set- tled country to Lebanon, Ohio. Mr. Gilbert in 1823 completed the final stage of his western emigration when he settled in Delaware county. The rest of his history is closely identified with this county. He bought the Ilackley reserve, later donated part of it for the site of Muncie, dug the mill race on the peninsula of north Muncie and erected a mill that later became the property of Jack and Russey and finally came into the possession of the Wysor estate, and at present owned by Mr. Wallace Hibbets. He operated various mills and factories, and was no less prominent in public affairs. He took a foremost part in the railroad agitation that during the early forties seemed likely to result in a railroad from Muncie to Fort Wayne. He was a member of the legislature at that time, and his efforts to get a charter granted to the proposed railroad were his last important labors. While returning home from Indianapolis in January, 1844, he was taken ill and died at Pendleton. None of the pioneers surpassed liim in enterprise, public spirit, or the energy which accomplishes the essential work of the pioneer. He had the New England conscience and adhered to the highest standards of integrity. He was a Universalist. His daughter Mary J., who was born in Muncie in 1826, was the first white child born on the site that was soon afterward selected as the county seat. She married Dr. Daniel H. Andrews, one of the early physicians, who died in 1856, and she later became the wife of Joseph W. Edmonds.
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
Vermont was the birthplace of another prominent pioneer of Muncie, Elcazer Coffeen, a relative of the above Goldsmith Coffeen Gilbert. Born in 1799, his parents crossed the state of New York to Jefferson county in 1801. We are not informed what route he took to reach Lebanon, in south- western Ohio, in 1822, but it is probable the Ohio river furnished the route for the greater part of the way. Arriving in this county in 1833, Mr. Cof- feen became an carly merchant of Muncie, was proprietor of two saw mills, and at one time had a woolen mill on Buck creek. He lived in Muncie until 1869, and also spent his final years here. He was concerned in many affairs by which his name is permanently fixed. In 1851 he laid out a suburb of Muncie called Coffeentown. He was an associate judge, a member of the legislature, and as long as he lived in Muncie was closely connected with its progress.
In the carly history of southwestern Ohio and southeastern Indiana it is interesting to note the large contribution of settlers made by the little state of Delaware. In the country north of Cincinnati it would seem that almost a majority of the pioneers were from that state. In the neighborhood of Dover, Delaware, was born Minus Turner, in 1807. His father was also a native of that state, but about 1810 joined the tide of migration down the Ohio valley, settling first at Lexington and then at Covington, Kentucky. In 1823 he moved up into that part of the "twelve mile purchase" that became Randolph county; he spent the last years of his life in Delaware county. One of the unfortunate results of the removal of a family from one of the castern states to the new west was that the children were usually deprived of the advantages of thorough schooling. Kentucky at the time Minus Turner was a boy there had the most indifferent school facilities, and when we consider that so many of the residents of Delaware county and elsewhere in the state during the thirties and fortics had been deprived of schooling while growing up in a new country, it is not surprising the census indicated so much illiteracy in this state. Minus Turner in later years made up somewhat for the lack of carly advantages, and by superior business ability and native intelligence became one of Muncie's most respected citi- zens. He learned the trade of mason and bricklayer from his father, and after his permanent location in Muncie in 1829, he went into the business of making brick and burning lime, his brickyard being located on West Main street. His house is said to have been the first brick house in Delaware county, and about 1831 he erected the Willard block, of brick, since replaced by another Willard block, but which in its time was a very important build- ing in the village. On the southeast corner of Main and Walnut street, where now stands the Patterson block, he completed, in 1839, a brick build- ing which was also one of the landmarks of the city until it burned down. He burned and laid the brick, doing the latter work partly by moonlight.
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