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 80
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 80
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).
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Decoration Day is regularly observed.
TWO EPISODES.
Two ripples upon the sea of Blackford's patriotism occurred, the one during the war and the other afterward, concerning which the truth ought to be told, and which the faithful historian cannot omit, although, from one high moral standpoint it may be considered desirable that they be forgotten. There are different versions of some features in the cases which are impossible for the his- torian at this date to reconcile, he can simply record the " different versions."
In 1862 a draft was ordered in Blackford
County. Isaac Goodin was the Provost-Mar- shal to execute it. He enrolled the militia, by townships, according to law and custom. The appointed day for the wheel of fate ar- rived, to determine who should shoulder the musket or furnish a man who would. Jesse Williams, of Washington Township, was on hand, to see that all was done correctly. He claimed that his name had been enrolled in the list of two townships, Washington and Harrison, thereby doubling his chances for being drafted. Many think his claim was correct, although it seems strange that the Provost-Marshal should persist in keeping his name on two lists, when he could have had no particular object in so doing. Will- iams and his friends protested against the execution of the draft. Their protest was unheeded. They thien declared that they had the power to stop it. The draft commission- ers admitted it,-that they had the power to stop it then,-but that it would eventually go on.
This was on Monday, at one o'clock in the afternoon. The work of drafting did stop. On the following Wednesday, at three in the afternoon, a troop of soldiers arrived from Indianapolis to protect the draft. Early next morning General Brown, commander of the company, made a little speech and stationed some of the soldiers in the court house. The draft proceeded. Everything was quiet; one could have heard a pin drop. About the time the second ticket was drawn from the box, Williams stepped forward and knocked the box clear up to the ceiling, and after it lighted npon the floor he smashed it to pieces with the post on which the box stood, he having jerked it loose for the purpose, Then, seizing the enrolling sheet, he took it out of doors, saying: " Here, I've got some of their papers, I don't know whether they are worth a d-n or not. I'm going to see."
743
THE CIVIL WAR.
All this in the face of the soldiery; but Williams fled the country, never to return.
Having a duplicate copy of the enrolling sheet, the officers proceeded with the draft and finished it the same day. On that day also a company of cavalry arrived, remain- ing abont a week, while a number of Will- iams' sympathizers were arrested and impris- oned at Indianapolis.
The other fracas alluded to was a spree at Trenton, early in the fall of 1865. During the political campaign of that season the Democrats of the place hoisted upon a pole a Union flag that had been cheaply made and so faded, and with the colors so run together from having been wet, that at a distance it was difficult to discern the char- acteristic stripes in which Brother Jonathan and Uncle Sam take so much pride.
One day the Republicans had a rally at Hartford City, which was attended by a few drunken " roughs " who were bent on having svine " fun." From some irresponsible source it was rumored among them that a rebel flag was unfurled to the holy breezes at Trenton. There was a chance. "Let's go
and haul down that flag-shoot it down-cut down the pole-anything-to have some fun -- a spree-exhibit (hic!) our loyalty," etc.
Away they went, in high dudgeon. Ar- riving, they commenced battle. Wo unto the innllein stalk! The loyal natives sallied forth in self-defense-in defense of their flag and of their " hearth-stones." Old people, middle-aged, youths, even maidens, joined in the affray, an old-fashioned pat-riot hella- balloo. Weapons, pistols, knives, hatchets, clubs, stones, old shoes, brooms, clods of earth, brickbats,-anything that first came to hand. Result, various brnises and one fatally wounded! Like young children, on a summer evening, romping violently about the premises until they, seriatim, meet with ac- cidents, sending them in turn into the house bawling with pain, so these young-bloods fought and fidgeted until matters became so serious that they were frightened back, par- tially at least, to their senses.
But to the credit of Blackford County, it can be said that none of the ruffians precipi- tating this melee was a citizen within its domains.
744
HISTORY OF BLACKFORD COUNTY.
HARTFORD CITY.
ARTFORD CITY was designated as the county seat in 1837, when the county of Blackford was set off from Jay. As usnal, there was some difference of opinion at first as to where the capital of the county should be located. Abel Bald- win, the founder of Montpelier, and others in that part of the county, naturally desired the county seat to be located there, and a re-location was ordered, re- sulting again in fixing it at Hartford. Al- though Montpelier was laid ont a short time previous to Hartford, Licking Township, in which the latter is situated, was settled up in advance of the country aronnd Montpelier, and the most of the population was in the southwestern part of the county.
The ground npon which Hartford is located
was owned by John Hodge, James Russey and John Trimble, all of Muncie, and they set aside forty acres for the plat, which was surveyed by John J. Cook. Every alternate lot in the plat was donated to the county, for the purpose of public buildings, and this was a bid made by the proprietors in order to get the county seat located on their land.
In 1839 the county commissioners named the place Hartford, but it having been after- ward ascertained that a village of the same name existed elsewhere in the State, that is, in Ohio County, at the suggestion of Mr. S. R. Shelton the word "City" was attached to the name of Blackford County's seat of gov- ernment; bnt even yet some confusion in the mails is suffered.
The early acts of the commissioners con- cerning the county seat, court-house, etc., are recorded on a previous page.
The first merchants of Hartford were Will- iam and Jacob Payton, William McKay and .
$45
HARTFORD CITY.
F. H. Graham. John M. Marley was the first blacksmith, Elijah Spangler the first tanner, and John Symington the first cabinet- maker.
The first frame hotel building was erected about 1843-'44, by William H. Russey, who conducted it as a public house for a number of years. Ile never kept whisky for sale.
The first meeting-honse was a log structure on the northwest corner of High and Frank- lin streets, erected by the Methodists some time previous to 1845. This year the Pres- byterians erected their first church.
A PEN PICTURE OF HARTFORD CITY IN 1842.
This was the year in which Mr. S. R. Shel- ton located liere, and from him the following description of the place, as it then appeared, is obtained:
The location of the town being in the track of a pre-historic " windfall," there were nearly as many logs as trees, and the tangled mass was a formidable obstacle to enconnter, and the second growth of timber soon began to hide the houses. Instead of paved streets and sidewalks, mere paths from house to house were ent. Mr. Shelton was the first to place a fence around his premises. He and David Branson were carpenters and joiners in partnership, and put up the first two or three frame buildings in the place, and made coffins, cupboards, etc.
Following is a "city directory " of Hart- ford City in 1842: Jacob Brugh, clerk and recorder of the county; William Payton and F. H. Graham, merchants; S. R. Shelton and David Branson, carpenters and joiners; John Marley, blacksmith, and William Tur- ner,-seven families in all, and all occupying log honses, in the brush of an almost tin- broken wilderness. John Symington had been a cabinet-maker here, but soon moved
away. Payton afterward moved to Illinois; Graham, who was also a Methodist local preacher, went West; Branson moved away; Brugh remained here until his death, and Mr. Shelton is the only living "land-mark" of that primitive period.
Payton & Graham's log store building was on the lot now occupied by Winters & Gable. They subsequently devoted the building to the business of pork packing, but suffered financial disaster.
Butter and honey then were four cents a pound, and eggs three cents a dozen, while calico and mnslin were twenty-five cents a yard, and postage on a letter, for 500 miles or less, was also twenty-five cents. Average wages for a day's work being only fifty cents, it required a half a day's work to earn money enough to pay the postage on one letter. Contrast that with the present day, when five to eight minutes' work, at average wages, will earn sufficient to carry a letter from Maine to California, a distance of 3,000 miles, or more !
No whisky was sold in Hartford City in 1842.
The first tannery in Hartford City was erected by George Delong, some time between 1845 and 1850, which afterward became the property of James E. and Washington Ervin.
In Methodism, during those early days, Hartford City belonged to the Marion Cir- enit, on which were two preachers, one " in charge" and the other "junior," and they preached here once a month each, alternating, Methodist fashion, every two weeks. Ser- vices were held in private houses until the log church was built, before alluded to.
Elder Abraham Buckles was one of the first ministers here of the Missionary Baptist denomination.
.
746
HISTORY OF BLACKFORD COUNTY.
MODERN HISTORY.
Now look on this picture. Hartford City, now with a population of about 1,800, was incorporated as a town under the law in Sep- tember, 1867. The names of the officers for several years we are not able to ascertain; bnt since 1872 the presidents and clerks have been as follows:
Presidents-T. S. Briscoe, 1873; L. O. Edson, 1874; William B. Hart, 1875-'76; J. N. Dowell, 1877-'79; B. A. Van Winkle, 1880; William H. Gable, 1881-'82; R. W. Reasoner, 1883; S. J. Emshwiller, 1883-'84; J. Willman, 1884-'85; Alexander Gable, 1885; Hiram R. Sinclair, 1886-'87.
Clerks-Lewis Willman, 1873; William HI. Wheeler, 1874-'77; J. E. Williamson, 1878-'81; Benjamin A. Van Winkle, 1882; Frank G. De Laney, 1883-'84; John A. Bon- ham, 1884-'87.
Present Officers-Iliram R. Sinclair, Presi- dent; John A. Bonham, Clerk; Michael Schmidt, Treasurer; George W. Younts, Marshal. Trustees, First Ward, David Kess- ler; Second Ward, II. R. Sinclair; Third Ward, F. L. Mercer; Fourth Ward, Aaron Groves; Fifth Ward, Jobe McEldowney.
The Board meets the first and third Friday evenings of each month.
Under the auspices of the corporation most of the walks and streets have been macadam- ized with good gravel, obtained within a mile of town. Last year a number of cisterns were built for the use of the fire department.
The fire department comprises a good hand engine, purchased in Angust, 1884, at a cost of $1,300; also 1,000 feet of hose, and a hook and ladder tackle. Chief of the Fire Department, F. Werner; Secretary, A. Groves; Foreman of the Hose Cart, E. Waters. They occupy the old jail building on the public
square, where they have erected a conspicnons tower in which to drain the hose.
The three greatest fires suffered by Hart- ford City, have been: First, in the autumn of 1871, when the entire row of buildings along the south side of the public square were consumed; secondly, in the fall of 1880, when the west side, from the alley south to Washington street, was burned; and thirdly, the very next year, when the corresponding corner on the east side of the square was burned out. These places have since been entirely re-covered with a superior class of business buildings.
BUSINESS.
In 1873 two banks were started in Hartford City, one by J. V. and James Sweetser and Philip Matter, which was re-organized by a joint-stock company in 1879, as the Citizens' Bank, and continnes as snch till the present time. The officers at present are H. B. Smith, President; C. Q. Shull, of Montpelier (where they have a branch), Vice-President; E. M. Stahl, Cashier; S. M. Briscoe, Assis- tant Cashier. Bank east side of the public square, in a building owned by the company.
The other bank was named the Hartford City Bank, was started by a Mr. Bradley, and afterward sold to Ransom & Bro., who failed in 1880, and have since both died.
A wild-cat bank was started here in 1857, the period so rife with such institutions throughout the country. The parties issued bank notes and slipped away before redeem- ing them.
The Hartford City Gas and Oil Company was organized about the first of February, 1887. The enterprising men of the place who led off in gas mining operations were Fred Campbell, W. B. Cooley, H. B. Smith, I. Cortright and J. H. Dowell. The capital stock of the company was fixed at $25,000,
747
HARTFORD CITY.
the shares of which were readily sold; and the stockholders elected a board of directors, as follows: J. H. Dowell, President; Isaiah Cortright, Vice President; H. M. Camp- bell, Secretary; H. B. Smith, Treasurer; B. M. Boyd, W. B. Cooley, William Carroll, Abraham Weiler and S. M. Patterson.
The company commenced drilling imme- diately, about 100 feet southeast of the east depot, and on the second or third of March there gushed fortli a flow of gas yielding about a million cubic feet per day! Thus their first stroke proved a bonanza, and the stockholders are happy. The company are (May, 1887) laying mains throughout the town, are patronized by about seventy-five consnmers, and are putting in burners at the rate of fifteen or twenty a day.
During the first part of May they erected a derrick sonth of town, on the land of J. P. A. Leonard, preparatory to sinking a second well.
In the history of Jay County, on previous pages, is given a thorough and scientific chap- ter on the development of the gas interest there, the details of drilling and blasting, the nature and origin of natural gas, the special geology of this region, and all the partienlars the inquiring mind might desire, so far as they can be given and explained by the prac- tical men who are on the ground.
SECRET SOCIETIES.
Blackford Lodge, No. 106, A. F. & A. M., began to work under dispensation dated July 18, 1849, with seven members. The charter is dated May 29, 1850, with Joseplı C. Maddox as Worshipful Master, Lewis Bailey, Senior Warden, and R. Z. Cassel, Junior Warden. The other charter members were A. G. Perkins, J. R. S. Ewing, S. Mil- ler, J. G. Van Horn, J. Schick, U. B. Hull,
Josiah Twibell, Josephus Streeter, D. Fox and T. Cochran.
The present number of members is thirty- four, and the officers, H. B. Smith, Worship- ful Master; J. P. A. Leonard, Senior Warden; J. W. Sage, Junior Warden; S. R. Shelton, Secretary; C. R. Cooley, Treasurer; J. H. Rhoades, Senior Deacon; A. T. Knight, Junior Deacon; Elisha Pierce and Theo- dore Knabe, Stewards; J. P. Willman, Ty- ler. Lodge meets Wednesday night on or before the full moon and every two weeks thereafter, at Masonic Block, corner of Main and High streets.
Hartford City Lodge, No. 262, 1. 0.0. F., meets every Monday evening at Odd Fellows Hall, Van Cleve's Opera Block, corner of Washington and High streets. It was in- stituted July 5, 1866, and the charter was granted November 20 ensning, to the follow- ing members: John W. Dungan, William C. Sudwarth, John M. Ruckman, Aaron S. Curry, John Wolford, Nathaniel H. Gable and John F. Pierce. Of this number, Mr. Ruckman is the only one who is at present a member. The following were the officers for the first term, beginning with July, 1866: John F. Pierce, Noble Grand; J. W. Dungan, Vice-Grand; J. M. Ruckman, Record Scribe and Permanent Secretary; John Wolford, Treasurer; W. C. Sndwarth, Right Support- er to Noble Grand; James E. Ervin, Left Supporter to Noble Grand; Aaron S. Curry, Warden; D. W. Kurtz, Conductor; M. E. Jones, Right Scene Supporter; Lyman Bou- ham, Left Scene Supporter; Alfred Jackson, Outer Guard; N. II. Gable, Inner Guard; Charles R. Cooley, Right Supporter to Vice-Grand; John Moran, Left Supporter to Vice-Grand.
At present there are sixty members, with the following officers: J. A. Bonham, Noble Grand; H. M. Campbell, Vice Grand; A. W.
748
HISTORY OF BLACKFORD COUNTY.
Frazier, Record Scribe; George W. Marlay, Permanent Secretary; Jolin A. Newbauer, Treasurer; E. M. Stahl, Joseph Burchard and Aaron Groves, Trustees; John W. Moon, Warden; Isaiah Cortright, Conductor; H. R. Sinclair, Inner Guard; Joseph W. Youuts, Outer Guard; George W. Amsden, Right Supporter to Noble Grand; Aaron Groves, . Left Supporter to Noble Grand; Ephraim L. Waters, Right Suppporter to Vice-Grand; John Clapper, Left Supporter to Vice-Grand; John C. Edens, Right Scene Supporter; Samuel Huggens, Left Scene Supporter.
George W. Younts is representative to the Grand Lodge, with George W. Amsden as alternate. E. M. Stahl is serving his third term as District Deputy Grand Master.
The lodge owns a beautiful and commno- dious hall in the third story of the Van Cleve Block on the west side of the public square. It has recently purchased some ten acres of ground, an eligible site, on the Maddox farm, on the south side of the pike and about a half-mile east of the town which it will lay out and improve as a cemetery.
Hartford City Encampment, No. 115, I. 0. 0. F., was organized about 1867. The present membership is abont fifty. The following are the officers: J. A. Bonham, Chief Priest; Isaiah Cortright, Senior War- den; R. C. Voss, Junior Warden; Aaron Groves, High Priest; J. A. Newbauer, Scribe; J. M. Schisler, Treasurer. The encampment meets in Odd Fellows Hall, the second and fourth Fridays of each month.
Blackford Lodge, K. of P., was organized February 14, 1886, with fourteen members, and these officers: H. M. Campbell, Chan- cellor Commander; E. I. Winters, Vice-Chan- cellor; F. L. Ervin, Prelate; Samuel M. Briscoe, Keeper of Records and Seals; T. P. Van Winkle, Master of Finance; Abraham Weiler, Master of Exchequer; James Alexan-
der, Master at Arms; William A. Gable, Inner Guard; Frank Hart, Outer Guard.
Present membership numbers thirty-four, and the present officers are, E. I. Winters, Chancellor Commander; S. W. Cantwell, Vice-Chancellor; J. M. Alexander, Past Chancellor; W. S. Brannum, Prelate; W. H. Campbell, Keeper of Records and Seals; Will- iam A. Gable, Master of Finance; O. M. Shinn, Master of Exchequer; Ed. C. Campbell, Master at Arms; Frank Hart, Inner Guard; William Johnson, Outer Guard. The lodge meets every Thursday evening, at Castle Hall, Van Cleve's Opera Block.
Jacob Stahl Post, No. 227, G. A. R., Department of Indiana .- Meets every Tues- day evening in Odd Fellows hall, Van Cleve's Opera Block, corner Washington and High streets.
The Sons of Temperance flourished at Hartford City about 1850-'54 and perhaps a little afterward, or during the period of their greatest prosperity throughout the natiou. They declined in 1856-'57, and in 1857 re-organized, but went down again in 1862-'63. No Daughters of Temperance society was organized, but ladies were somne- times admitted as "visitors " at the meetings of the Sous.
The Good Templars were first organized in the fall of 1865, as it were on the ruins of the Sons' organization. Beginning with only ten or twelve members, they increased in number until they reached as high as fifty or sixty. The chiefs were Ezra M. Stahl, Mrs. Maria W. Cook, J. Emery Ervin, John M. Ruckman and others. The society went down in 1871; but was recently revived as follows:
Fidelity Lodge, No. 52, I. O. G. T., was organized July 20, 1886, with about fourteen members, by Mrs. Stone, of Cleveland, Ohio. The number of members has risen to forty- two, and the lodge is in a flourishing con-
749
HARTFORD CITY.
dition, meeting every Tuesday evening in their hall in J. H. Dowell's block on Washı- ington street. Present officers: Lora V. Cline, Chief Templar; Emma Sudwartlı, Vice-Templar; L. J. Hudson, Secretary ; Nannie Woodward, Assistant Secretary; M. II. Robbins, Treasurer; M. F. Hudson, Financial Secretary; Lillie D. Cline, Chap- lain; Abner Stallsmith, Marshal; Ord Gable, Deputy Marshal; L. G. Knight, Inner Guard; J. Burt Stahl, Outer Gnard; Annie Sudwarth, Right-hand Supporter; Hattie M. Hardin, Left-hand Supporter; John M. Ruck- man, Lodge Deputy.
CHURCHES.
Methodist Episcopal .- The Methodists, as before observed, were the first to hold re- ligious services in Hartford City, and they are still the strongest denomination here. The principal ministers who have served them in pastoral relation have been Revs. George W. Bowers, first as presiding elder and then preacher in charge, Barnett, Brad- ford, Skinner, Bowman, Smith, Stout, John Pierce, Metts, John Lewellen, Sale, Strite, Baker (three years), Herrick, Gillum, Phill- ips, Norris, and since April, 1887, M. A. Teague. Of course, Hartford City was only an " appointment " in a large circuit for many years, and gradually grew proportion- ally larger in a smaller circuit until it became a " station,"-that is, a congregation to which a pastor devotes his whole time. The principal revivals have been under the minis- trations of Revs. Gillum, Metts and Phillips. The present pastor, Mr. Teague, has been a member of the Northern Indiana Conference for the last twenty-eight years.
The present membership of the church is about 250, divided into ten classes, of wliom the leaders are Aaron Patterson, W. H.
Gable, B. G. Shinn, W. M. Stahl, George P. Ayres, Lora Cline, Mrs. W. M. Stalıl, Mrs. T. A. Howell, L. T. Hodge and J. M. Ruck- man. Mr. Shinn is also a local preacher. The stewards are L. H. Gable, J. M. Shisler. George W. Hutchinson, D. D. Taylor, E. Pierce, George P. Ayres, T. A. Howell, D. E. Craft, John Cantwell, John Shick and Phillip Kleefisch. The trustees are William II. Gable, E. M. Stalıl, Jolin Cantwell, J. M. Ruckinan, D. E. Stallsmith, William Schreel. and Ambrose Ayres, Sunday-school is sus- tainel throughout the year, with an average attendance of 170, and superintended at present by B. G. Shinn:
The first Methodist church building was the log structure, before referred to, on the northwest corner of High and Franklin streets. The next was a brick building, 35 x 45 feet, erected early in the '50s, just north of where the Van Cleve Block now stands, was abandoned when the present church edi- fice was completed, sold to other parties, and burned down in the conflagration of 1880 that swept away the corner south of it. The present magnificent edifice on Washing- ton street west of the public square, is 42 x 82 feet in dimensions, erected in 1879, at a cost of about $8,600, and very economically built, material and labor being cheap at the time. The society has also a magnificent parson- age, built in 1886, on the northwest corner of Water and Cherry streets.
The Presbyterian Church of Hartford City was organized by Rev. Samuel N. Steel, December 18, 1843. The following persons composed the membership at its organiza- tion: George Atkinson, Elijah Spangler, William Taughinbaugh, Abigail Mosley, Lydia Brugh, Nancy A. Spangler, Lydia Taughinbaugh, Jacob Brngh, James Parker, Jacob Emslıwiller, George Halkenrath, Eli- nor. Parker and Sarah Dildine. The first
750
NA
HISTORY OF BLACKFORD COUNTY.
seven of these had previously held church connection elsewhere. The remaining six be- came members, on profession of faith at its organization.
George Atkinson was elected,and ordained ruling elder, and for six years was the only elder.
Jacob Emshwiller and William Taughin- baugh were the first trustees.
The church was received under the care of Logansport Presbytery, New School, and re- mained in that connection till April, 1855, when, after proper steps, it was transferred to the Old School branch of the Presbyterian church and attached to Muncie Presbytery.
During its history the church has had the labors of the following ministers: Rev. Thomas Griffiths, first pastor, for one year; Rev. Thomas Spencer, for two or three years; from 1848 to 1851, Rev. Alexander Martin; from 1851 to 1852, Rev. A. Hawes; from 1852 to 1854, Rev. Philander Anderson; from 1855 to 1857, Rev. J. F. Boyd; from 1858 to 1860, Rev. R. Mccullough; from 1861 to 1868, Rev. John A. Campbell; from 1869 to 1872, Rev. William Armstrong; from 1873 to 1874, Rev. W. L. S. Clark; during 1876, Rev. W. H. Hounell; during 1877, Rev. W. W. Eastman; from 1878 to 1882, Rev. D. B. Rogers; during 1883, Rev. P. S. Cook; and since April, 1884, Rev. J. Q. McKeehan.
The church has enjoyed a number of revi- vals of religion; and during its existence has received a large number of members, but has been constantly depleted by emigration- almost broken up at one time by this cause. The frequent change of pastors has been evil, retarding its growth. During the present pastorate the growth, though not great, has been steady, forty-five having been added to its membership in the three years. The church is in a good healthy condition, with a
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