USA > Indiana > Putnam County > Biographical and historical record of Putnam County, Indiana > Part 6
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The first habitation of the white man in the township was erected in the thirty-sixth sec- tion by the first white inhabitant, James Gordon. The first blacksmith's forge that rang its peals in that neighborhood was put up and worked in 1825 by Philip Lemon. The first store was kept by Philip Carpenter, and was located south of the site of Carpen- tersville in the year 1831. The first white child born in the township was James Gor- don, son of Anderson Gordon. The first school was tanght by a man named Elliott in 1839, in the neighborhood of Fincastle. William Elrod was the first justice of the peace. The present incumbents of that office are Alexander Pickel and Squire Dickerson. Henry Rogers located here in 1832, and became the first practitioner of medicine in the township. The present practicing phy- sicians are Drs. Harris, Culver, Stanley and Stephens.
The first church organization was effected by the Presbyterians, who at an early day held meetings at the house of George Pearcy, on section 1, Monroe Township, but soon
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removed into a church on section 36, in Franklin. This congregation was under the pastoral charge of Rev. James H. Shields. The Presbyterians now have a house of wor- ship and a good membership at Carpenters- ville. The Christian denomination next organized about the year 1827. Elders Coombs, Ilaney, Harris and Grider were among their first preachers. Their present church edifice is located at Fincastle. The Regular Baptists were organized in 1829, at James Fiddler's house. by Rev. Nathan Keeney. They at present have a fair mem- bership, who worship in a church-building on section 21. For some cause the Methodists did not push their organization into Franklin as early as into other townships of the coun- ty. Their history is, therefore, more meager than that of other denominations. They have a church at Carpentersville where they are represented by a good membership. They have, also, a brick church at Fincastle, the finest edifice of the kind in the township.
Carpentersville, situated near the southeast corner of the township, on the Louisville, New Albany & Chicago Railroad, was laid ont about the year 1840, by Philip Carpen- ter, who had been carrying on a tan-yard there for several years prior to that time. Logan Sutherlin was the first merchant and a Mr. Bradford the first blacksmith. William King taught the first school, and Dr. Cross, now of Bainbridge, was the first physician. The Methodist Episcopal church was the first organized, and the Presbyterian followed soon afterward. Both of these denominations now have church edifices in the village, which has 250 inhabitants.
Fincastle, located in the western part of this township, was laid out in the year 1838, by John Obenchain. A store was soon opened by Allen Pierson, and a blacksmith shop by the Conner Brothers. The first |
school was taught by Wilson Turner who was also the first resident physician. The moral interests of the community are repre- sented by two churches. The Universalist church was organized by W. W. Curry in 1861, and an elegant brick structure was erected for their accommodation in the same year. The following-named ministers served this church during its early years: S. E. Ballard, E. M. Manford, Miss Prudy LeClerc, B. F. Foster, Mr. Biddlecomb and T. S. Guthrie. The village has about 100 inhabi- tants.
Roachdale, in the northern part of the township, was laid out in the autumn of 1879, by Elijah Grantham, on the sontheast quarter of section 1. It was named in honor of the late Judge Roach, of Indianapolis. The first buildings (a store and a dwelling) were built by Mr. Grantham. Both have been since burned. The first blacksmith shop was built by S. B. Sweeney, who still owns and runs it. The first hotel was begun by William Atkins, of Greencastle, and com- pleted by E. Granthanı. It is the present McCoy House. The first harness shop was started by its present proprietor, W. H. Rich. The postoffice was established in 1880. The first livery stable was established in 1882, by J. R. Miller. The first physician was Dr. J. T. Seller, who died in 1884. The village now claims 350 inhabitants, and has two drug and grocery stores, one harness shop, one hardware store, one implement store, one furniture and implement store, one shoe shop, one barber shop, two hotels, one res- taurant, three blacksmith shops, two livery stables, one wagon and repair shop, two millinery shops, one flonring-mill, one saw- mill, one grain elevator and two physicians. The village is incorporated, and has (in 1887) the following officers: Isaac Edwards (Presi- dent); J. W. King, J. W. Sutherlin and W.
HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
II. Smith, Trustees; R. M. Redding, Mar- shal; G. J. Hennon, Clerk; George Justice, Justice of the Peace; S. W. Boner, Treasurer; Dr. W. T. MeCarty, Secretary of Board of Health.
GREENCASTLE TOWNSHIP.
Greencastle Township is the central one of the county, exactly coineiding with Congres- sional township 14, range 4, and is bounded on the north by Monroe, on the east by Marion, on the south by Warren, and on the west by Madison. The surface of the town- ship is generally rolling, though some parts along Walnut are broken. and some in the eastern portion are flat. The soil is good and finely adapted for all kinds of agricultural pursuits suitable to its latitude. The creek bottoms are especially productive. It was originally covered with an abundant growth of as fine timber as could be found in any part of the country. This consisted of the kinds common to such soil. The yellow poplar and black walnut were especially attractive. With these were the other kinds common throughout the county.
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The township is drained by Big Walnut, which crosses it diagonally from northeast to southwest, running to the north and west of : John Gregory, Joseph F. Farley, George F. Greencastle. A heavy and valuable bed of limestone underlies the entire township, giv- ing character to its topography. The town- ship was one of the first settled and is finely improved. Enjoying the location of the county seat near its center, it has special facilities for the development of its natural resources.
Greencastle Township was settled in 1821, by John Sigler, Thomas Johnson, John Miller, Benjamin Jones, Silas G. Weeks, Jubal Deweese, Amos Robertson. John F. Seller, David Deweese, Jefferson Thomas, Thomas Deweese and Samuel Rogers. In 1822 and
1823 came Abraham Coffman, Solomon Coff- man. Nicholas Coffinan, Isaac Legg, Colonel Lewis II. Sands, General Joseph Orr, James Talbott, Amasa JJohnson, Robert Glidewell, P. S. Wilson, Ephraim Dukes, John W. Clark. William B. Gwathney, Michael Wil- son, John Butcher, Masten and Spencer Hunter, William Talbott. Colonel Daniel Sigler, Lawson D. Sims, Matthew Legg, Rev. John Oatman, Joshua II. Lucas. Greenberry Mullinix, Joseph Thornburg, Arthur Ma- horney, Jacob Butcher, Robert Catterlin, James Trotter, Elisha King, Samuel D. Chipman, Arthur MeGaughey, Reese Har- desty, Colonel Matthew W. Busscy, Jesse Neese, Henry Canote, John Lynch, Thomas Jackson, Noble Meyers, John McNary, James Allen, Lewis Gibson, Solomon Tucker, Jesse Purcell, Daniel and Samuel Chadd, John Peck, Hiram Catterlin, Samuel Hunter, Ed- gar Thomas, James Duffield, Mr. Devoor, the Wrights, Joseph Thornberry, John and Ben- jamin Cunningham, and their father. During the years 1824 and 1825 George Secrest, Henry Secrest, Clark Burlingame (a Revolu- tionary soldier), and his sons Abel and Spen- cer Burlingame, General John Standeford, James Moore, James Day, Dr. Enos Lowe.
Waterman, Thomas Johnson, John Lockhart and William Peck became citizens of the township. The next two years brought Isaac Ash, John S. Jennings, Ephraim Blain. Dr. A. C. Stevenson, Dr. L. M. Knight. Colonel John R. Mahan, Isaac Mahan, Lawson Sey- bold, Jolm Hammond, John Cowgill, Peter Rowlett, William Holland, Philip Carpenter, Elisha Knight, John Knight and Wesley Knight, and perhaps many others whose names are lost among the increasing multi- tude who were rapidly filling the country.
The history of Greencastle Township is so intimately involved with that of the county
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and of the city of Greencastle, that but little remains to be told. The first births and deaths, the first physicians and ministers, the first business enterprises and the organ- ization of the religious denominations, the building of the first mills and factories have all been mentioned elsewhere.
The first tannery was kept by Walter and Hosea Wright, who were followed by the Gillespies. Milton F. Barlow was the first hatter. Arthur Mahorney was the first justice of the peace. Other early justices were Isaac Mahan, David Dudley. Reese Hardesty, John Cowgill, James M. Grooms, Samuel Taylor, Joseph F. Farley, John J. Taylor and Wesley White. The first consta- Mle was Joseph Lynch, who held the office for many years. Even some of the younger portion of the community can remember when he still discharged the duties of that office with promptness and energy though bearing the weight of many years.
There are several gravel-roads through the : west, by the Walnut Fork of Ecl River, township connecting Greencastle with differ- ; familiarly known as " Walnut." The' other ent portions of the country, and affording the principal streams of the township are Lick farmers easy access to market, and along these Creek in the north, Rock Branch in the east and Clear Creek in the sontheast. There at various points are to be seen many splendid farm residences displaying taste and liberality ! are many other small streams, but not of on the part of their owners,
The farmers of the township are largely : engaged in raising live-stock, and in their fields and stalls are to be found some of the finest in the State.
directly connected with the larger cities of the country, north, south, east and west. The citizens support a good graded school. The postoffice is called Limedale.
In the year 1856 a lime and stone quarry was opened at the Junction by Hellens, Butcher & Stegg, and carried on extensive- ly, shipping stone and lime to the value of 820,000 per annum. The Vandalia Railroad Company has, also, a quarry at this point, from which the annnal shipment of stone reaches the value of 850,000.
JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
Jackson Township is formed of the full Congressional township 16 north, range 3 west, embracing the northeast corner of Put- nam County, and is bounded on the north by Montgomery County, on the east by Hen- dricks County, on the south by Floyd Town- ship, on the west by Franklin Township. It is divided diagonally from northeast to sonth-
sufficient importance to deserve special notice. The land near the streams is either hilly or gently undulating, originally covered with a heavy growth of timber, among which the sugar-maple and poplar predominate; though black walnut and sycamore, immediately along the streams, as well as some hackberry and honey locust.
The village called Greencastle Junetion is ; interspersed with white oak, chincapin oak, at the crossing of the Terre Haute & Indi- anapolis Railroad and the Louisville, New Albany & Chicago road, and is located on section 29, Greencastle Township, two miles The soil on the undulating lands, near the streams, is a rich, clay loam; but back from the streamns it is wet and cold. interspersed with more elevated portions. It is in this township that the swamp lands of Boone extend into Putnam County. The soil is southwest of the court-house. It was laid ont in 1864, by William Stegg, and surveyed by William H. Shields. The population members about 250. As a shipping point its advantages are of a superior character. It is
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HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
very productive. The black lands, especially, when properly drained, produce large crops of corn and other cereals.
William Welch and John Smith built their cabins on section 34, about the year 1825 or 1826, being the first settlers of the township. George Sutherlin contests with these two the honor of making the earliest permanent settlement in the township. In the year 1827 Othniel Talbott, from Shelby County, Kentucky, settled in Jackson, where he found a Mr. Crabtree and Mr. Brown. Garrison Thompson and John Johnson, father of J. B. Johnson, of Greencastle, also came in 1827. In 1828 came JJames Chitwood, Levi Woods, Martin Blythe and Henry Harmon; and about one year later James Proctor settled in the township. Within the next two years there was a large increase of population. Among those who came at that time may be mentioned John Keith, John Boyd, Wilson Warford, William Elrod, William Hillis, Edward and Isom Silvey, John Blake, James Goslin, James Duncan, John Leach, William Beecraft, Isom George, James Moreland, the McClouds, the Pinkertons, the Rileys and the Barneses. This period, also, embraces the arrival of three more of the Talbott pio- beers, Captain John S. Talbott, Lorenzo Talbott, Aquila Talbott. In 1831 and 1832 there was a large immigration, embracing Richard Biddle, Rev. John Case, George Keith, James Dale, S. Shackleford, George and Harvey Jeffries, Jacob Crosby, John and William Miller, and perhaps others equally worthy, who, with equal heroism, struggled with the hardships of pioneer life.
David Johnson, son of John Johnson, born on section 34, March 8, 1828, was the first white child born in the township. The first who died was the daughter of Wilson War- ford. She was buried east of New Maysville, in a lot on section 26, which is yet used as a
graveyard. The first marriage was that of Jesse Evans and Miss Bartima Welch.
In the spring of 1831 the first school was tanght by Mark Hardin, in a log building on section 26.
John Crabtree was the first blacksmith. Ilis shop was on the bank of Walnut Creek.
John S. Talbott kept the first store. In 1832 he commenced to sell goods in a log building on section 27. This building is still in use as a grocery store, in New Mays- ville; but is now weather-boarded, and, to all appearance, is a frame builling.
The first mill erected in the township was built by Mr. Joseph Hillis. The next mill was erected by George Sutherlin. the next by Abraham Hillis. The first named and the last were on Walnut; the second, on a small tributary. The last-named ground corn only, the other two ground wheat also.
D. Barnes and Othniel Talbott were the first justices of the peace, followed by Thomas Watkins, John C. Goodwin, George Stringer, Wallace Perry, L. T. Herod, O. Owsley, James Moreland and Jesse Kendall.
The first postmaster was John S. Talbott, the office having been established in his store in the year 1832. He was followed by William Long, John H. Roberts. William Epperson, R. C. Boyd and Jesse Kendall.
Dr. William Long, who located in the township in the year 1834, was the first physician.
The Methodists held the first meetings in the township, at the house of John Johnson, under the ministry of Rev. William Smith. Shiloh Church, on the east bank of Walnut. erected by this denomination, about the year 1834, was the first structure of the kind in the township. Rev. Thomas J. Brown dedi- cated the building and preached the first sermon within those venerated walls. Loren- zo Dow, E. Wood, L. Smith, Joseph White
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and Eli Farmer were the pioneer Methodist preachers of Jackson Township.
The Regular Baptists organized a congre- gation here about 1832." John Case, William Hogan and C'arter IIunter were among their first preachers. The second house of worship in the township was built at New Maysville by this denomination, soon after the town was laid out: : :
The organization of the Missionary Baptists in the township dates from 1841. Elders Palmer, Davis, Kirkendall and Rhinerson were among the first pastors of this congre- gation.
The Christian church was organized in 1839, by Nathan Waters and Gilbert Harney. In 1840 they erected a church at New Mays- ville, which was occupied until 1856, when they built another house in the same village. The early preachers of this denomination were Elders Thomas Lockhart, Oliver P. Badger, Wilson Barnes, Coombs, Blanken- ship and O'Kane.
There are two villages within the bounds of Jackson Township. New Maysville is located on sections 27 and 34. It was laid ont in 1832, by Richard Biddle, on land owned by John Johnson, William Welch and Aquila Talbott. The present population nuinbers about 125. The place was named by Richard Biddle, after Maysville, Mason County, Kentucky.
Fort Red is located on sections 1 and 12, and was laid out by William DeMoss in 1876. It received its nanie from a red school-house located at that point. William DeMoss was the first postmaster. He was succeeded by B. F. Wilson.
There are in Jackson Township ten schools, including the New Maysville school, which is controlled by a school board of three trus- tees. The length of the present term of school is one hundred and twenty days. The
average price paid for teaching is $1.65 per day, there being no difference in the price paid male and female teachers. The school- buildings, though of rather old structure, are good, and well supplied with apparatus. The per cent. of enrollment based on enumeration, is 81. The general average per term is 69 per cent. of the enumeration. Both teachers and patrons take a lively interest in whatever tends to the advancement of the schools. The township library. though old, is good and well patronized.
In regard to its moral status, Jackson stands as high, perhaps, as any other town- ship in the county, never having had a representative in the penitentiary, or even in the county jail. The township has never contained a saloon. Three of the leading religious denominations have a fair represen-
tation in the township. The Odd Fellows and the Good Templars have each an organ- ization in New Maysville. In politics, the township is overwhelmingly Democratic; especially is this true of the north and 'north- west side of Walunt; on the southeast side of the ereek the parties are more equally divided.
JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP.
Jefferson Township consists of the first thirty sections of township 13, range 3, and is bounded on the north by Marion, on the east by Mill Creek, on the south by Clover- dale, and on the west by Warren Township. It is drained by Mill Creek, and was origin- ally timbered, as the neighboring townships. The soil is a rich loam, suitable for the pro- dnetion of grass and grain. At one time it formed a part of what was called Deer Creek Township, which included Jefferson, Warren and Cloverdale. In the year 1846 Warren and Jefferson gave off enough to make
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HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
Cloverdale Township, leaving Jefferson with its present area.
The first settlers, called squatters, consisted of four families-three named Higgins, and one named Kirk-who made temporary set- tlements on section 16, in the year 1819. John C. Sherrill made his entry of land in the autumn of 1822. Jacob Clark, George Hendrick, William Albin, George Hurst, David Hurst, John Gillman, Absalom Hurst, Abraham Hurst and a Mr. Langwell, all came in that year or the early part of the next.
After this, settlements were made so rapidly that it is almost impossible to note them as they occurred. From 1822 to 1833 the larger portion of the land was taken up by entry, and but few pieces remained un- entered after the year 1836.
Mrs, J. M. Buntin came to the township at the age of three years, with her father, William Albin, in 1822, and has resided con- tinuonsly on the old homestead for a period of fifty-six years.
The first marriage was that of William Aldrich and Betsey Higgins in the year 1823. The next was that of Henry Nosler and Mary Hurst, which was solemnized by David Scott, Esq., in 1824.
The family record of Jolin C. Sherrill shows that his daughter Caroline was born on February 27, 1823, and she was probably the first child born in the township. She became the wife of Elijah MeCarty, but is now deceased. Probably the next was An- drew McMains-named after his father- born June 10, 1824.
The first mill in the township was built by John Hadden in 1826; the next in 1829, by John Allee. These were both horse-mills. The first water-mill was built on Higgins' Creek in 1834 by John Smith. These mills afforded all the facilities then required for the production of meal and flonr.
The first justice of the peace was David Scott, Esq., who continued in office for a period of more than twenty years.
It appears from the church records that the Regular Baptists organized Mill Creek Church at the house of Rev. Absalom Hurst, in 1828, and in 1830 built a log meeting- house near the site of their present one. They have maintained their organization ever since, and have twice rebuilt.
The date of organization of the Methodist church cannot be given. In 1838 they built a hewed-log church, called Jones' Meeting- honse. The congregation went down in 1856, after which the house was used as a shop.
The Missionary Baptists organized New Providence Church at the house of John C. Sherrill in 1839, and built a log honse of worship in the succeeding year. They have since rebuilt, and now have a commodious, handsome house. There are at the present time in the township five houses of public worship. Rev. Absalom Hurst was the first resident minister in the township, and was considered the founder of Mill Creek Church.
The schools of the township were organ- ized in 1834. The books containing the records, kept by John Allee, treasurer of the township trustees, show that he received from the school fund commissioner of the county, the following amounts : In the year 1834, 8116.311; 1835, 8191.933; 1836, $131.064; 1837, 8152; total for four years, $591.313.
The school section was sold in the year 1830, to Colonel John Allee, John C. Sherrill, William Conley and Isaac Alspaugh, for $1,800.
The village of Mount Meridian was laid out by William Heavin and Bryce W. Miller, in the year 1833. It was at first called Car- thage, but in order that the town and the
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postoffice might have the same name, it was given that which it now bears.
MADISON TOWNSHIP. .
Madison Township is formed of the Con- gressional township 14, range 5, and, lies im- mediately west of Greencastle. It is bounded on the north by Clinton, on the south by Washington Township and on the west by Parke County. It is drained by Little Wal- nut, along which the township is considera- bly broken. The timber and the soil of this township are similar to those of the adjoining townships.
The exact date at which the pioneers of this township came cannot now be given. The first piece of land entered in the town- ship was by Richard Moore. December 13, 1820; the next by Arthur McGianghey, March 3, 1521; the third was by Benjamin Bell, April 2, 1821. and, in order of time, Isaac Wolverton. April 12, 1821; Isaac Matkine, December 20. 1521. Among those who made entries here in 1822 may be named Frederick Leatherman, Samuel Wright, Isaiah Wright, Benjamin Wright, Jesse Wright. John Dougherty, Jesse Oatman, JJacob Curtis and Henry Williams. In 1823 Joseph Thorn- burg, Abraham Woolley and George Hansel entered land in this township. Other early settlers of the township were Peter Stoner, Levi Mann, John Anderson, Andrew Frank. Amos Wright, William Torr, John McPhee- ters and his father, James Swinford, John Swinford. Jesse Lathram. William P. King, Mr. Albangh and Rowley. Some of these may have settled earlier than those whose entries are given above.
The following named are among the oklest settlers now living: John Leatherman, Jesse Fairhurst.
Torr, Sr., Joseph Grubbs and Joseph Bur- baker.
The first death in Madison Township was that of George W. Matkins, son of Isaac and Sophia Matkins, and the first birth was that of John Thomas Matkins, son of the same parents.
The first school was taught by Peter Garr about half a mile north of where Jesse Mc- Pheeters now lives.
The first mill in the township was built by Benjamin Bell on the Walnut Fork of Eel River. It was sold in a few years to James Townsend, who laid out Putnamville.
The Predestinarian Baptists organized the first church in Madison Township about the year 1832. About a year afterward this con- gregation built a log house in which they worshipped for near a score of years, and then built a second log house, which they ocenpied nntil 1873, when they replaced it with a substantial frame building. Among the early ministers of this church were Ben- jamin Parks, Aaron Harlan, James Edwards, Reuben Slavens, Abraham Leatherman and John Leatherman.
About the year 1834 a Methodist Episcopal church was organized at the house of Isaac Matkins. This church was organized by Rev. William C. Smith, and the first quar- terly meeting was held at the house of Isaac Matkins, by Rev. Aaron Wood, still actively engaged in the ministry. The congregation continued to hold services regularly there for two or three years, when they built a log house, which they occupied nutil about the year 1558, and then built a good frame church to take its place. Among the other early ministers of this church were Revs. De Motte, Beck, Tanzy, Preston, Wright and
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