USA > Indiana > Jay County > Biographical and historical record of Jay and Blackford Counties, Indiana : containing portraits and biographies of some of the prominent men of the state : engravings of prominent citizens in Jay and Blackford Counties, with personal histories of many of the leading families and a concise history of Jay and Blackford Counties and their cities and villages. > Part 28
USA > Indiana > Blackford County > Biographical and historical record of Jay and Blackford Counties, Indiana : containing portraits and biographies of some of the prominent men of the state : engravings of prominent citizens in Jay and Blackford Counties, with personal histories of many of the leading families and a concise history of Jay and Blackford Counties and their cities and villages. > Part 28
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99
NOBLE TOWNSHIP.
James Stone was the first permanent settler of Noble Township, arriving with his wife and eleven children September 10, 1830. He bought out William B. Lipps, who seems to have been a squatter, and who then removed to Greenville, Ohio. The next year Stone sowed one and a half bushels of wheat on one and a half acres of ground, and although blackbirds came by thousands during the season and destroyed much of the crop, he reaped and threshed thirty-seven and a half bushels from that ground! He entered the first piece of land ever entered in Jay County, November 9, 1832; but the very next day Thomas Scott entered forty acres, in the same township. Stone remained a resident here
and in the vicinity until his death, which took place in the spring of 1848, near the State line. Scott came in 1832, and died a few years afterward, on his way to Texas.
Henderson Graves came to the county at this early period,-it is not certain what year. He and Conaway Stone some time subse- quently cut a bee tree in which were two colonies of bees, and from it they obtained ten gallons of strained honey. At another time they were out hunting, and when some distance apart shot at the same deer at the same instant, neither hearing the report of the other's rifle, and each fatally wounding the animal. Graves moved to some point west of this, in Indiana, as also his brothers William and James, who came about 1834.
Colonel Christopher Hanna, with a large family-of whom H. P. Hanna was the eldest -settled in Noble Township in 1835, and afterward was a prominent citizen of the county, being the first sheriff, and circuit clerk 1837-'43, etc. He left for the west in 1850, and finally died in Tama County, Iowa, March 23, 1859.
Alexander Money became a citizen here in 1835, but finally died in Kansas, several years ago. Thomas Walling, who came the same year, did not remain long. In 1836 came Martin Ryan, who moved to Missouri at an early day, and Joseph Nevins. In 1837 William Scott, who died in Iowa about 1878. The next year, Samuel Premer, who was the second clerk of the township, remained a resident here until his death; William Har- vey ; John Oakley, who went west long ago; and Willian Thompson, who died in Belle- fontaine a number of years ago. George and Jerry Weaver, who located in Noble Town- ship in 1839, are both living, the former in this township, and the latter in the vicinity. Ransom Denney, who came the same year, is now living in Mercer County, Ohio. Jonas
OMAL
wwww WW
--
282
HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.
Hartzell, who also settled here in 1839, was a citizen of Noble Township the remainder of his days, but died in Ohio in 1881. But the greatest character who came that year is David Money, who is still living in this township, and still indulges occasionally in his old pastime, the chase. He has been perhaps the greatest lunter in this part of the State. The first winter after settling here he hunted steadily for three weeks, killing from three to nine deer each day, except two days, on each of which he killed two. During that fall and winter he killed 120 deer. The next winter he killed sixty-seven within three weeks. During his life he has slain eighteen deer at nine shots! One season he fired his rifle thirty-two times in succession without missing, killing deer, foxes, pheasants and other game!
In 1840 there settled in Noble Township A. V. Waldron, who afterward became a prominent citizen and is still living in the eastern part of the township; and J. W. Miller.
Thomas T. Wheat, a very early settler, died in Grant County, Indiana, between twenty and thirty years ago, and Isaac Hearn, another pioneer, resided here until his death, between 1855 and 1860. Conaway Stone moved West sometime in the '50s. David Teeters died in Ohio, and Abraham Onsenbaugh in this township. Benjamin Cunningham came "when the Indians were numerous," and remained a resident until his death, in 1882. Elijah Cunningham, of Bellefontaine, first visited the township in 1841, and located here in 1852. Isaac Tullis, who settled in this township about 1840, built in the western part one of the most magnificent dwellings in the county for that early day. It is still standing, but unocenpied. He died in the neighborhood of 1870.
Jolın S. McLanghlin, born November 28,
1833, in Noble Township, is the oldest native resident of the county.
Noble Township was organized in Septem- ber, 1837, the first election being held at the house of James Graves, who was elected the first justice of the peace.
The first school-house was built in 1839, and the first school taught in it, during the succeeding winter.
The first road opened was the Winchester and Huntington road.
Bellefontaine, the only village, has a popu- lation of about sixty. The name of the post- office there is Hector, which, however, was first established three-fourths of a mile west and a half mile south of Bellefontaine, May 28, 1851, when J. C. Brewington was ap- pointed postmaster. It was moved to Belle- fontaine in 1866 or '67. Present postmaster, F. B. Jellison, who also keeps a general store; Aslıcraft & Jellison and Jack Docherty are grocers; Smith Stone, blacksmith; G. W. Beck, proprietor of saw-mill, which he built there in 1881; Charles Joseph erected a pottery in 1880, and lias since been running it; F. B. Jellison has also been running a tile factory there since the spring of 1884, when lie built it; employs five hands, manufacturing $1,200 to $1,500 per year.
Dr. Penike, regular, a young physician, was once a practitioner in Bellefontaine. He returned to the East in 1879.
Brice is a flag station on the Lake Erie & Western Railroad.
Daniel Forner established a pottery in the northern part of this township in 1861: it is still running.
The Christian Union Church at Bellefon- taine was organized in 1861 or '62, and their house of worship, a small frame, erected the next year, at a cost of something over $600. The books show a membership at present of about a hundred or a little over. Elders-
283
SMALLER TOWNS.
F. B. Jellison, G. W. Kile and Alfred Bushong; and Smith Stone is deacon. Rev. Henry Gudgeon, of Middleton, Ohio, is the pastor, who has served in that relation, with interruptions, for a number of years. Other ministers of the past have been Marion Mor- ris, Woodford, Bikeman, Comeen, etc.
The United Brethren Church at Bellefon- taine, is a frame, 32 x 46 feet, was built about 1872, at a cost of about $1,250. Membership, eighty; James Longwith, class-leader; N. G. Mark, local preacher and superintendent of the Sunday-school, which averages about fifty, and is kept up all the year,
Mount Zion Church of the Evangelical Association has a membership of eighty-eight. Class-leaders, George W. Haley and A. Gegenheimer; exhorters, William Haley and Albert Graves. Present pastor, Rev. H. E. Meyers, of Fort Recovery. Preceding him in the pastoral relation have been, L. S. Fisher, G. W. Holderman, B. F. Dill, J. D. Pontius, etc. The greatest revival was during Rev. Fisher's time. The Sunday-school, averaging sixty in attendance, is superin- tended by Adam Metzner. Their first church edifice was a log building, erected on a lot donated by C. Young, and would seat abont 100. In 1881 this building was superseded by a magnificent frame structure, 30 x 50 feet, at a cost of $2,000. A beautiful ceme- tery adjoins. It is in the northern part of Noble Township.
Bethlehem Church, Evangelical Lutheran, near the last mentioned in the northern part of Noble Township, was built in 1856 on a lot donated for church and cemetery purposes by Nicholas Stolz. It is a frame, 26 x 36 feet in size, and was built by Nicholas, and Frederick Stolz, Solomon Martin and Chris- tian Young. It has now been long neglected. The membership is now about twenty, which is considerably weaker than it has been in
former years. There is no Sunday-school. Rev. Philip, of Madison Township, this county, was pastor here about twenty-three years, when, in 1881, he died.
Noble Christian Church is on section 11, on a lot donated by William Kimball, and dedicated March 27, 1879, by Elder John Barkett. It is a frame, 30 x 36 feet. A large membership worship at this place.
WABASH TOWNSHIP.
This is the northeast corner township of Jay County, and comprises only twenty-four sectons, six north and south by four east and west. The Wabash River passes through its northern portion.
The earliest settler was Peter Studabaker, in 1821, who settled on the south bank of the river, on the land now owned by William Burke. As he was the first settler in the the county, much more is said about him in a former chapter. The well which he dug and walled was used until recently.
Orman Perring, who came in 1826, was a more permanent settler. See chapter entitled " Settlement. " The third settler here was William Gibson, in 1834, who finally died in Noble Township. Hamilton Gibson came in 1836, died on the Limberlost, in Wabaslı Township, in the same vicinity, in 1879 or'80. His brother Jolm is living on section 31.
Peter Montgomery and J. B. Gillespie located liere in 1837: the latter died many years ago, at Mollica, Ohio. Also Reuben Montgomery and David Antles, in the south- western part of the township, and have long since deceased. Later came Samuel Hall, who died a few years ago; Theophilus Wil- son, who now lives at Cincinnati; George Stalts, who came in 1844, and is still living here; and Jesse Suyder, who settled here about 1843, and is still a resident of New Corydon, a vigorous old man.
284
HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.
The township was organized and the first election held at the house of William Gibson, September 23, 1838. He was elected the first justice of the peace, only ten to twelve votes being cast.
The first grist-mill was built in 1839 by J. B. Gillespie. The next year he laid out a few lots where New Corydon is now located, but none were sold. Sammel Hall built the first saw-mill in 1840, on the south side of the river. James B. Gillespie erected a saw- mill adjoining the grist-mill in 1842.
The first school in the township was taught by Miss Elizabeth Montgomery (after- ward Mrs. Thomas Towle) in 1844. The first school-house was built of hewed logs in 1843, on section 5.
NEW CORYDON.
The village of New Corydon, which now contains a population of about 225, was laid out March 15, 1844, by Theophilus Wilson. The first hewed-log house in the place was built by Jesse Snyder in 1844, and he still occupies it.
The businees of the place is now represented by George Martin & Son and J. M. Minch, general stores; Amos Houser, drugs, and pro- prietor of Wabash House; Houser & Saxman, drugs and groceries; Joseph Fravel (estate), groceries; Hezekiah Reed, cabinet-maker and undertaker; D. P. Locker, harness; Adolph Muter, boots and shoes; J. H. Ramsey, black- smith; Drs. William Brayton and Augustus Ralston, physicians; J. W. Foltz, postmaster; and the following two mills:
Welsh & Huart's grist-mills. About 1857 Mr. McMackin built the mill, first to run only by water power. Steam power was afterward added by August Mackbouch and Mr. Washwalter. Mr. Mackbouch sold to Mr. Remarklus, who subsequently admitted Philip Welsch as a partner, and February 5, 1887,
he sold his interest to Nicholas V. Huart.
Martin & Mowrey, proprietors of the saw- mill, manufacture bending timber and gen- eral hard-wood lumber. John Carter first bought the inill at Salem, Ohio, and moved it to Camden, this county, and, after running it twelve or thirteen years, sold it to David F. Hoover and Albert Grisell, who brought it to New Corydon in September, 1885. In December, 1886, they sold to the present pro- prietors.
Other business enterprises have flourished at New Corydon in early times. Theophilus Wilson, in 1845, put in operation a tannery, which was afterward owned by Timothy H. Parker and then by David Walter. In 1845 also Alınon Sparling started a cooper shop. Wilson was also the first merchant, com- mencing in 1843, and the only one till 1847. The next year he sold to Sherburne A. Lewis, who afterward took C. J. Plumb as partner.
Mr. Wilson, also in 1841, established the first Sunday-school in the place,-a union school. He was, too, the first postmaster. His successors have been C. W. Scott, George Stoltz, William H. Reed, Dr. Michael Stone, Amos Houser, Charles W. Muth and John W. Foltz, the present incumbent.
Mr. Wilson was the leading spirit in all religious, temperance and educational enter- prises while he remained. He represented this county and Randolph in the State Senate one term. In 1855 he moved to Avondale, near Cincinnati, where he still resides, as Mont- gomery said twenty-three years ago, " as deeply interested in Jay as though he were yet a citizen. "
Dr. Everett Reed was a physician here for many years, dying some time before the war. His office, a venerable little monument of the distant past, is still standing.
Jesse Snyder put up the first blacksmith shop in 1844.
285
SMALLER TOWNS.
The postoffice at New Corydon (called New Corydon to distinguish it from Corydon else- where in the State) was established in 1844, when T. Wilson was appointed postmaster.
The earliest minister in Wabash Township was Elder Robert Tisdale, a Baptist. In early times he carried a hatchet with him, in the winter, with which, fastened to a pole by withes or lin bark, he would sit on his horse and ent the ice before him, in crossing streams and low places. Sometimes he would make but three or four miles a day, camping out at night, or climbing a tree to avoid the wolves. He died at Montpelier in the autumn of 1856.
The first church organized in Wabash Township was the Presbyterian, at New Corydon. Montgomery relates the following anecdote: In 1844 Rev. I. N. Taylor was stopping at Mr. Wilson's, who had just been repairing his log house by ceiling up the rafters. Mr. Taylor proposed that a Presby- terian church should be built there, and when Mr. Wilson made some objection he read to him these words from Hosea: "Is it time for you to dwell in your ceiled house and this house lie waste? Go up to the mountains and bring wood and build the house, and I will dwell in it, and I will be glorified, saith the Lord." Mr. Wilson replied, " Yon have got the Bible on your side, we will build the house;" and immediately gave Mr. Taylor the choice of his lots, and started a subscription paper by putting his name down for $50. The paper was circulated, and persons signed work, lumber, grain, hauling, ete., no money being promised. Reuben Montgomery took the subscription and he built the house, a frame, for $250, without money. All de- nominations occupied the building. At the same time Rev. Taylor organized the Presby- terian church, with T. Wilson and Reuben Montgomery as elders. There were only four or five members. This church was in the
charge of a missionary. Afterward, the Con- gregationalists, having a majority, succeeded the old organization with one of their own, but they " went down" soon after the war. Among their first ministers were Revs. Bab- cock and Tisdale. The church building above referred to was near the center of the village, and was torn down about three years ago.
The Baptists, called " regulars," " mission- ary" and "close-communion," organized a small congregation in early day, and held their meetings in the Methodist church after that was built. Dwindling away, they were about disbanded, when the Free Baptists organized achurch, with about forty members, and met also in the Methodist house of wor- ship. They also "went down," about 1869. Their ministers were Elders Robert Tisdale, John C. Skinner, Davis and F. Stovenour.
Among the above four denominations there seem to have been considerable union and mixing from time to time, so that it is diffi- cult to compile a distinct history of each.
The Methodist Episcopal Church at New Corydon was organized about 1845, the first pastor being Rev. John Peytou. It gradually increased in numerical strength for a number of years, and then declined a great deal. The past year has witnessed a greater degree of prosperity than has been enjoyed for thirty years or more. At present there is a mem- bership of about fifty-eight; class-leader, Marion E. Cunningham; steward, George Reynolds. The Sunday-school is in union with that of the Lutheran church, next men- tioned, and is kept up the year round ; average attendance about seventy-five; George Stults, superintendent. The church edifice was erected in 1855, a frame 36 x 40 feet. William Burke is trustee.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church of New Corydon was organized about 1880, witlı twenty-one communicants, under Rev. C. L.
286
HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.
Whitman, who was succeeded in 1883 by Nathaniel Frassier, of Portland, and he in 1844 by Rev. Herrald, of Buena Vista, Indi- ana, one year, since which time there has been no pastor. The Sunday-school is in union with the Methodists, above mentioned, and religious services are held in their clurch. The Sunday-school was organized in 1880, by George Stults and D. P. Locker. Present number of church communicants, thirty-one; elders, George Martin and George Stults; deacons, D. P. Locker and Andrew Sunday. They have a parsonage at New Corydon.
The " State Line " Church, of this denonii- nation, is situated in the southeastern corner of Wabash Township. It was erected last year, in the place of the one that had just been swept away by the terrible cyclone of June 3, 1886.
New Corydon has a brick school-house at the western extremity of the village, where school is taught nine months in the year, with an enrollment of about forty-five.
Jay City, across the river west from New Corydon, was laid out June 7, 1840, by Sam- uel Hall and David Hite. Present population about fifty. William L. Adams has kept a general store here since 1874, except the three. years it was owned by Jonas Wiest. Black- sınitlı, B. B. Boehın. Wagon-maker, Martin Lithard. Peter Reinhard runs a brick and tile factory a mile south.
In 1858 John Hall and Vynul Arnett built a steam saw-mill at Jay City, and in August, 1859, added a grist-inill. They sold to Darius and James Carr, who converted it into a stave and shingle mill. McCampbell & Burgess were the next proprietors, who ceased to run the grist-mill. Afterward, McCampbell ran the saw-mill alone untilabout five or six years ago, when it was abandoned.
Jay City Chapel, erected by the United Brethren, is a frame building, 32 x 46 feet,
and was dedicated in February, 1872, by Bishop J. J. Glossbrenner. The society was organized in 1857, with only four members, by Rev. F. B. Hendricks, in a school-house at the cross-roads a mile south. The pastors who have served since are, in order, Revs. William Kindle, L. S. Farber, William Kir- acofe, B. W. Abbott, A. Bieber, William Kindle again, J. H. Kiracofe, William Kindle a third time, L. T. Johnson, C. B. Beatty, L. T. Johnson the second time, Z. Parthemer, H. S. Thomas, and William Kiracofe the second time, and the present pastor. The principal revivals have been under the minis- trations of Revs. Parthemer, Johnson and William Kiracofe. Conference sits in August. Present membership of the church at Jay City, fifty-six ; class-leader, Williamn L. Adams; steward, W. E. Burke. Sunday-school all the year, with an average attendance of about thirty, is superintended by George Burke.
A Masonic lodge was once organized at Jay City, holding its meetings in the second story of Adamns' store building; but it was suffered to run down about 1871.
Fellowship Church, Christian, on section 29, was built about 1863, and dedicated by Elder H. Graves, who preached here twelve or fourteen years. Other pastors have been, Elders Moses McDaniel, H. Cole, Ezra Swaim, etc. The present is Rev. Myers. Deacons, John Gibson and John Ewalt. Present mem- bership, about thirty-five or forty. Sunday- school all the year, with an average attendance of fifty or sixty, superintended by John Ewalt. The church was organized about 1852, by Elder Moses McDaniel, with thirteen members, who held their meetings at the house of Samuel Arbaugh.
Walnut Grove Church, United Brethren, on section 31, was built during the spring and summer of 1887; size, 28 x 40, frame. Membership, about twenty, who have been
287
SMALLER TOWNS.
holding their meetings in a school-house a half-mile west. Organized about 1879, by Rev. Johnson.
JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
Jesse Gray, the noted pioneer hunter and Indian fighter, who settled north of the Lob- lolly Creek in 1830, may be considered the first to locate in Jackson Township. He afterward moved to Greene Township, where he died. In 1834-'35 came the following: John Pingry, who remained on his homestead the rest of his days; David and William Baldwin, who moved west; William'Samuels, who died liere several years ago; he settled in the southwestern part of the township; John L. West, who died in Missouri; John Stults, who is still living on the farm where he first settled; Peter and Joseph Stults, who remained here the residue of their lives; and Enoch Poling, who died here last winter.
In 1836 came Samuel Moore, who moved to Marshall County, Indiana, and was living when last heard from; John Stults, who is still living, on the pike leading to Camden; William Chenoweth, who died here several years ago, John Oler, who also remained here until his death; William Mathena; Adam Aikins, who died long ago, in this township; and James Marquis, one of the most promi- nent men in the township.
Mr. Marquis, with his family, settled on the farm now owned by Rev. Aaron Worth, April 14, 1836, purchasing the claim of Michael Zimmerman, who lived in a split-log house, to which was attached a horse stable, pig-pen, hen-roost, etc. In May, 1836, a Methodist Episcopal class was formed at Mr. Marquis' house, being the first religious or- ganization in Jay County. The members were James Marquis, William Vail, Jesse Gray, Sr., David and William Baldwin, and their wives.
In June, 1837, Mr. Marquis commenced building a water grist-mill on that place, which was a few rods below the present iron bridge at West Liberty; the next year he put it in operation,-the second mill of the kind in the county. In March, 1839, he started a saw-mill, the first one in Jay County. The first temperance meeting ever held in the county was also held at Mr. Marquis' house, in 1837. This eminent pioneer finally removed to Missouri, where he passed the remainder of his life.
In 1837 there located in Jackson Township, Silas Pingry, who is still living on the old farm; Edward Bnrford (Montgomery says lie came in 1833), who had been a valuable scout in the war of 1812, and moved into Bear Creek Township, where he died in 1841; he and his sons were celebrated trappers. George B. Batehamn, who settled here in 1839, went West.
West Liberty is an old hamlet. of about fourteen residences, two miles west of Briant, containing a store and a postoffice, kept by John Williams, from whom many of the above items of history were obtained. The postoffice is named Mills' Corners, after Isaac Mills, a former resident. Mr. Marquis was the original proprietor of the northern por- tion of West Liberty, and William Bateham of the south side.
The Sardinia Christian Church at West Liberty is a celebrated old landmark. From the gentlemanly Rev. W. M. Spade we ob- tain concerning it the following interesting items: The church was first organized in 1838, by Rev. Hallet Barber, the zealous pio- neer laborer in the Lord's vineyard, who finally died at Rockford, Wells Connty, Indi- ana. The ministers serving this church since his day have been elders James Atchison, Emerson Barber, Moses McDaniel, Thomas Puckett, Thomas Aker, Samuel Stone, D. F.
288
HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.
Spade, Thomas Pingry, John Newhouse, D. F. Davenport, W. M. Spade and Benjamin Kemp, the present pastor.
The society was organized in the house of John Pingry, and they held their meetings there for a number of years, and then in a log school-house until the first frame church was erected, in 1853 or '54, 30 x 40 feet in dimensions, which was burned down by acci- dent in 1875. The next year the present house of worship, 33 x 45 feet in size, was built, at a cost of $1,500. Silas Pingry is the only surviving member of this church. The present membership is about 350! El- ders-George W. Hale, Ephraim Overmeyer and David Chaney; deacons-Jesse Downey and W. B. Northern. Sunday-school of about eighty-four pupils, is superintended by G. W. Hale.
Union Chapel, United Brethren, near the middle of the southern portion of Jackson Township, was built in 1878-'79, on a lot donated by Thomas Wells, and is the place of meeting of a prosperous church. It was dedicated January 25, 1880, by Rev. Elias Counsellor. It is a frame, 32 x 44 feet.
Oakland Church, Methodist Episcopal, is near the western line of the township.
Polingtown is a point three iniles west of West Liberty.
Kit is a postoffice in the southern part, on the Camden Pike.
Gillum was formerly a postoffice a little east of Kit.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.