USA > Indiana > Vermillion County > Biographical and historical record of Vermillion County, Indiana : containing portraits of all the presidents of the United States from Washington to Cleveland, with accompanying biographies of each; a condensed history of the state of Indiana; portraits and biographies of some of the prominent men of the state; engravings of prominent citizens in Vermillion county, with personal histories of many of the leading families, and a concise history of the county and its villages > Part 22
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The Centenary Methodist Episcopal Church is located about five miles west of Clinton, where Lewis Walraven is class-leader; and Trinity Church, nearly south of Clinton, is a place where a prosperous class worships, of whom John Ryan, Harrison Cole and William Wright are official members. These two classes are in the Clinton Circuit, of which Rev. J. B. Combs is preacher in charge, with residence at the parsonage in Clinton. This is in the Greencastle District, Northwest Indiana Conference, of which Rev. A. A. Gee is presiding elder. Clinton Circuit, in- eluding the town, had 300 members last year.
CLINTON.
The town of Clinton was laid ont in 1824, by William Harris, a resident of Martin County, Indiana, who was a Government surveyor, and named the place in honor of DeWitt Clinton, of New York.
Up to the time the railroad was assured, about 1868, the growth of Clinton was slow, but during all that long ante-railroad period it was nevertheless the entrepot for an agri- cultural district around it fifty miles or more in diameter. Across the Wabash the people traded mostly at Terre Ilante, only fifteen iniles distant from Clinton, and always an absorbing factor in the country trade.
Chestnut, from Paris, Illinois, Leander Mun- sell, from the same place, Alanson Baldwin, of Baldwinsville, Illinois, O. & D. Bailey, of Bloomfield, Illinois, who were exten- sive pork-packers at this point. This was for a long period a prominent shipping point for pork.
Minor business men were, J. W. and Field- ing Shepard, and Volney Hutchison, me- chanics, who afterward moved into the country and became successful farmers; S. E. Patton, cooper; H. F. Redding, carriage-maker and blacksmith, and others.
Many of the buildings oeenpied by the above parties are still standing, on the bank of the river near the wagon bridge, where the old boat landing was, as monumental relics of the steamboat period. How many seenes of the past, and associations concerning the characteristics of the early business men of Clinton, does their venerable presence still suggest!
Clinton is now, and has long been, the largest town in Vermillion County; but what its population is we cannot ascertain. It is variously estimated at 1,200 to 1,800. The town is beautifully located, streets running " square with the world," and withal it is a pleasant place in every respect.
It was first incorporated about 1848 or 1849, by a special act of the Legislature, which empowered the trustees to prohibit the sale of intoxicants. In later years, about 1879, the town was re-incorporated, under the general law. It is divided into five wards, from each of which one trustee is elected biennially. The general officers are eleeted annually,-the president being elect- ed by the board, and the other officers by the people directly.
The first mereantile establishment opened at this point was by John and Benjamin R. Whitcomb, who kept a general store. Other early business men of Clinton were John Payton, John R. Whitcomb, Huram B. Cole, John Ferrel, and John Marks. Later, were James McCulloch, Otis M. Cankey. Jones & of officers. Since 1880 the following have
On account of the absence of the old rec- ords, we are unable to give a complete list 1
1
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CLINTON TOWNSHIP.
served: Presidents-Neil J. McDougall, 1880-'84; Deeatnr Downing, 1885; W. L. Morey, 1886-'87. Clerks-D. C. Johnson, 1880; L. O. Bishop, 1881; Decatur Downing, 1882; J. M. Hays, 1883-'84; Ed. H. John- son, 1885-'87.
Here, as elsewhere, have been the usual contests with the liquor traffic. The most remarkable movement in modern times was the "woman's crusade" of 1874-'76. In 1874 a band of praying women laid siege to a saloon day and night, being on duty in di- visions and by turns. The proprietor sur- rendered. In April, 1875, a company of forty ladies, headed by Mrs. Malone and Mrs. Kibby, marehed in double file to the saloon owned by Tiee & Meehler, to hold an inter- view with the proprietors; but on arrival found the fort evaenated and the doors wide open. The ladies guarded the place until evening and then retired. The next night one of the proprietors was arrested, and while he was in enstody the citizens gathered at the point of contest and demolished every- thing that contained intoxicating liquor. The proprietor sued fifteen of the citizens for $5,000 damages, but the ease was compro- mised or dismissed. Other events of this erusade occurred, but of minor importance.
While on the subject of municipal govern- ment, we may notice that under corporate management the streets have been graded and macadamized, nuisances generally kept in abeyanee, and a satisfactory government gen- erally administered.
PHYSICIANS.
Dr. Joseph Hopkins, from Ohio, was the first physician to locate in Clinton, in 1830 or previously. IIe was an acceptable practi- tioner. Died out West, leaving a wife and two daughters.
Dr. Erstman was here a short time, about the same period.
Dr. I. S. Palmer, a well edueated graduate "of a medical college at Philadelphia, settled in Clinton during its pioneer period, aeeninn- lated some property, but finally beeame in- temperate and lost it, although he was a gentleman of a shrewd intelleet. He finally lost his life in a horrible manner, although not drunk at the time. Visiting & patient aeross the Wabash one day about fifteen years ago, he noticed on his return many squirrels in the woods. On arriving home he took his gun, and started out to indulge in the sports of the ehase. While erossing the river on the iee, he broke through, but held him- self from being drawn under by elinging to the edge of the iee; and there he held fast until parties had arrived from points a mile or more distant for his rescue. But his strength gave out and he went under, never more to be seen; his body was never re- covered. Charles Knowles nearly lost his life in his efforts to save him.
Dr. William Kile, from Ohio, was a man of great energy and industry, and with an extended practiee he aeeumulated a handsome amount of property. This he finally sold and went to Paris, Illinois, where he engaged in mereantile business, and also farming and handling live-stock, for a number of years, and ultimately banking. In visiting patients on the other side of the Wabash he would sometimes swim his horse across the river on his return, rather than to come a few miles ont of his way to the wagon bridge. One time he was violently attacked with small- pox, when scarcely any one expected he could survive; but his "vitativeness " was so large that, as he was being taken out into the country for treatment, passing a store, he ealled out to the proprietor, "Save me that largest pair of boots, will you ?" IIe had
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HISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.
very large feet. He died at Paris many years afterward.
Dr. Perkins, a botanic physician, practiced here a number of years, and finally removed to Oregon.
Dr. Rollin Whitcomb, a botanic physician from New York, came in 1841, and, after practicing here a number of years, moved away, and returned again and remained until his deatlı.
Dr. I. B. Hedges was a boy when his parents brought him here from New York in 1824. Commencing practice about 1845, he proved to be a successful physician as well as business man. On dying here three or four years ago, he left considerable property to his family. IIe was a man of high standing.
Dr. P. R. Owen came to Clinton about 1854, from New Gosher, Indiana, but was a native of Ohio. At the beginning of the war he enlisted in the army, was elected Captain of Company I, Fourteenth Indiana Infantry, promoted Major and then Lienten- ant Colonel of his regiment; came home and practiced his profession until 1871, when lie died, leaving a widow and several children. He was also an excellent Methodist preacher. The Grand Army post at Clinton is named in his honor.
Dr. Corkins, after practicing here a while, moved to Texas.
Dr. William Reeder practiced medicine at Clinton for a period before the war, in which he enlisted and held some office. About 1874 he moved to Texas, where he is now following his profession.
Dr. J. C. Crozier arrived here also some time before the war, entered the army as a Surgeon, continued in the service until the close, then practiced here a number of years, and finally went to Washington, D. C., where he has for a number of years been engaged in the pension department.
Dr. William H. Stewart, who came from Illinois and practiced medicine here two or three years, was in Terre Haute when last heard from.
The present physicians of Clinton are Drs. Henry Nebeker, J. H. Bogart and C. M. White.
LAWYERS.
James R. Baker, although he did not prac- tice las a great deal, may be counted among the bar. IIe left here, entering the Method- ist ministry.
Lyman J. Smith practiced law at Clinton three or four years, and moved to Paris, Illinois.
"Judge " John Porter, who lived in the country in this township, followed the law to some extent, was a man of considerable lit- erary attainments, a member of the Legisla- ture, etc. He died some time before the war period.
Also, some time before the last war, a man named Ragan was a practitioner of law at Clinton for about a year.
Henry D. Washburn was born in Vermont, in March, 1832; came to this county about 1850; taught school three or four years- principally in Helt Township and some at Newport; studied law while teaching, with Thomas C. W. Sale at Newport; admitted to the bar in 1853, and opened office at New- port; was in partnership with M. P. Lowry for a time; elected auditor of the county in 1854, serving one term; entered the army as Captain of Company C, Eighteenth Indiana Infantry, promoted Lieutenant-Colonel, and then Colonel, and Brevetted General and then Major General, serving in the army about four years, first in Missouri, next in the Army of the Potomac, and then in Georgia; but in 1864, before the termination of the war, was elected, while a resident of
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CLINTON TOWNSHIP.
Clinton, to the lower house of Congress, against Daniel W. Voorhees, serving from March, 1865, to March, 1869, having been re-elected; was appointed in the latter year by President Grant to the office of Surveyor- General for the Territory of Montana; and while holding this office he died, in January, 1871, at Clinton, leaving a wife and two children. Commanding a company of fifty men, he made the first thorough exploration of the Yellowstone Valley, in 1870, in which. journey the exposure brought on the illness which proved fatal. In his religion he was a Methodist, in his social relations a Knight Templar, and in his politics a Republican, and a good campaignist for his party. Mrs. Washburn now resides in Greencastle, this State. Dr. A. A. Washburn, her son, is practicing medicine at Atwood, Illinois; and her daughter is the wife of Professor J. B. De Motte, of De Pauw University, at Green- castle.
IIenry A. White, a native of Helt Town- ship, this county, practiced law at Clinton a number of years, and is now in Kansas.
M. B. Davis, a native of this county, and a graduate of Asbury University at Green- castle, was admitted to the bar in 1881, com- menced practice while a very young man, and was in partnership for a short time with II. H. Conley, of Newport, and in 1885 left for Beatrice, Nebraska, where he is now prac- ticing law and has an interest in the Beatrice Republican.
The present lawyers of Clinton are Daniel C. Johnson, Platt Z. Anderson, Benjamin R. Whitcomb, I. II. Strain and Melvin B. Davis.
THIE PRESS.
In 1873 the Clinton Exponent was estab- lished by B. S. Blackledge and James R. Baker, Esq., in Allen's picture gallery, a
short distance west of the present Argus office, and was Republican in politics. F. L. Whedon, from Ohio, edited the paper for a "short time. After a time Baker sold his in- terest to liis partner, and Mr. Blackledge conducted the paper alone until the first week of November, 1876, when he sold to Lyman E. Knapp. In June, 1877, he sold to R. S. Knapp, but King Alcohol foreclosed a mortgage on the institution and killed it. It raised its fainting form at Perrysville, as the Perrysville Exponent, gasped a few months, and breathed its last. In 1877 H. A. White, a lawyer of Clinton, bought the office material, returned with it to Clinton, and started the Western Indianian, in the building now occupied by Harry Dudley as a meat market. Subsequently it was removed to the room now occupied by the Argus. By this time the organ was " National " in its politics.
White sold out to T. A. Kibby, H. S. Evans and John McMahon. The last men- tioned soon left, and Evans became editor and publisher, Kibby remaining as a silent part- ner. Then Evans left, and Mr. Kibby, in September, 1579, leased the office to L. O. Bishop and Mont. L. Casey. In June, 1880, this firm bought the Clinton Herald, to which the Western Indianian had been changed by Mr. Evans, and published it until July 1, 1882, when Mr. Bishop sold to Casey. August 31, Mr. Bishop started the Saturday Argus. In twelve or fifteen months the Herald suspended. Shortly afterward Alexander Myers tried his hand at the busi- ness of journalism, by starting the Toma- hawk and Scalping-Knife, which he imme- diately changed to the Democrat: died in six weeks. In June, 1884, Mr. Casey came out with the Clinton Siftings, which sifted occasionally and irregularly along for about three years, when it entirely sifted out.
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HISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.
All the above newspapers, except the Argus, were printed upon the same press.
During the summer of 1887 Mont. L. Casey started " Casey's Siftings," as an organ laboring for the "elevation of morals and horse-thieves," and as the only "religions " paper in the county and the "best advertising medium on earth," published every Friday evening, " the Lord permitting," and on Saturday morning " any way."
It seems that the Argus-eyed journal has come to stay, having a clear field and run- ning steadily. It is a "free, untrammeled newspaper for the people," handicapped by no idiosyncrasy. In connection with the paper, Mr. Bishop has also a good job office.
LUCIUS O. BISHOP was born in Clinton, a son of Francis M. and Melinda (Anderson) Bishop, April 17, 1859. Approaching the years of manhood he began the study of law in the office of Henry A. White, in his native town, but, before completing his course, he, in partnership with Mont. L. Casey, leased the printing office of the Clinton Herald, in 1879, since which time he has been engaged as a journalist and job printer, as above re- lated. IIe is a rising young man, and being endowed with energy and mental activity, lie is destined to make a mark in this world of life. IIe is a member of the order of Odd Fellows, and takes an active interest in the literary societies and other local enterprises of the community.
LATE ENTERPRISES.
The Clinton Building and Loan Associa- tion was organized in March, 1882, and is still alive. William L. Morey is president, and J. W. Robb, secretary.
Clinton Building and Loan Association No. 2 was organized Jannary 1, 1887, with a capital stock of 850,000. David MeBeth,
President; J. W. Robb, Secretary; and W. A. Hays, Treasurer.
The Clinton Natural Gas Company was organized in the spring of 1887, with a capi- tal stock of $2,000 to $4,000. C. Mathews, President; John Whitcomb, Vice-President; W. II. Hamilton, Secretary; N. C. Anderson, Treasurer. The other directors are J. J. Ilig- gins. Decatur Downing, J. E. Knowles, C. B. Knowles and W. A. Hays. The material for the derrick, etc., is now (June) on the ground, and the company intend to com- mence drilling within a few days, in the western portion of the town.
EDUCATIONAL.
The first school-house in Clinton Township, as elsewhere described, was a log structure of the most primitive kind, located at the Davidson hill, a mile west of town, when the only school books were the English Reader, Webster's Elementary Spelling Book and the New Testament, and sometimes a copy of Daboll's Arithmetic. Since then a remark- able growth of the present free-school system has taken place. In the meantime, according to the character of the respective periods, two or three attempts have been made toward the establishment of special or select schools of an advanced order. For example, just pre- vious to the war, Myram G. Towsley's Mili- tary Institute and the Farmers' College, which went down on account of the war coming on. Part of the building, a large frame, was afterward converted into an opera house, and the wings into dwelling-houses.
The present fine school building, of six rooms, was erected in 1881, at a cost of about $8,000, including seating, furnishing and the ground. The enrollment last year was 368. The school is divided into ten or twelve grades, and prepares its graduates for admis-
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CLINTON TOWNSHIP.
sion into the State University. The principal is J. H. Tomlin, who has six assistants.
SOCIETIES.
Freemasonry was organized in Clinton pre- vions to D. A. Ranger's arrival here in 1843, but interest in it declined and the charter was surrendered.
Jerusalem Lodge, No. 99, F. & A. M., received its charter May 29, 1850, and has ever since then been kept alive. The charter members were-Sylvester Redfield, Worship- ful Master, who afterward moved to Nebraska, John N. Perkins, Hiram Barnes, Jolm R. Whitcomb, Benjamin R. Whitcomb, William S. Price, James Gazsoway, James McCulloch, Nathan Sidwell, J. J. Moore and William Barrick. The present membership is fifty- six, with these officers: James Robert, Wor- shipful Master; Robert B. Bailey, Senior Warden; Jasper Frisk, Junior Warden; N. C. Anderson, Treasurer; D. A. Ranger, Sec- retary; H. B. Dudley, Senior Deacon; John Ilorney, Junior Deacon; and William Hughes, Tyler.
Amant Lodge, No. 356, I. O. O. F., was instituted November 16, 1870, with about twelve members, who have increased to about seventy-five. The present officers are-A. V. McWethy, Noble Grand; J. Il. Black, Vice Grand; Frank Swinehart, Recording Scere- tary; W. II. Hill, Permanent Secretary; John II. Birt, Treasurer. The past grands num- ber twenty-three. The lodge has an unusu- ally nice room for their meetings.
Clinton Encampment, No. 143, was char- tered May 16, 1876. Present officers-W. II. Hill, Chief Priest; W. H. Cale, Senior Warden; Ilarry Swinehart, Junior Warden; J. M. Blagg, High Priest; W. F. Wells, Per- inanent Secretary; Ed. IT. Johnston, Seribe; J. H. Black, Treasurer.
Vermillion Lodge, No. 182, Degree of Rebekah, was organized July 9, 1877. It has at present about forty active members. The officers are-Mrs. Anna Davis, Noble Grand; Miss Ella Bishop, Vice-Grand; Mrs. Katie Mc Wethy, Treasurer; Lillie Birt, Recording Secretary; Miss Lulu Allen, Permanent Sec- retary.
P'. R. Owen Post, No. 329, G. A. R., was instituted April 15, 1884. (See a preceding page for a sketch of Dr. Owen). The Post was organized by Captain R. B. Sears, of Newport, mustering officer, with about twenty-five or thirty members. They now number fifty-four, and are in prosperous condition. Officers-L. II. Beckman, Post Commander; Cornelius Quick, Senior Vice Commander; T. B. Wells, Junior Vice Com- mander; S. Weatherwax, Adjutant; J. II. Wilson, Quartermaster; William Kelp, Chap- lain; D. A. Ranger, Quartermaster Sergeant; Enoch Whitted, Sergeant. .
Council No. 3, Sovereigns of Industry. was organized May 5, 1874, with twenty-five members. James A. Greenwalt was elected President; David MeBeth, Vice-President; J. C. Campbell, Secretary; T. Victor, Treas- urer; S. B. Blackledge, Lecturer; J. C. Hall, Steward; D. Moore, Inside Guard.
The A. O. U. W. organized here eight or ten years ago: soon had thirty or forty mem- bers, but in about a year they practically dis- banded. Perry Jones, superintendent of a coal mine in the vicinity at the time, was master workman of the lodge. Ile moved away some years ago. Probably he constituted the soul of the lodge, and when he went away the body died.
Some eight years ago an orchestra was or- ganized in Clinton, which is still efficient, and more recently a cornet band, led by White and Wells.
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HISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.
THE CHURCHES.
Methodism .- Itinerant Methodist minis- ters of pioneer times were especially marked for their energy and daring in threading the wild woods and prairies in search of the iso- lated settler, for the purpose of preaching to him the gospel and of organizing " elasses" (ehureli congregations) as soon as he could find three or four residents who were zealous enough to meet, coming from far and from near. The first Methodist elass in Vermill- ion County was organized some time previ- ons to 1830, at the house of John Vannest, the first settler of the county, comprising besides Mr. Vannest himself, also his brother, and George Rush, James, Amos and Joseph Reeder, the Brannons, ete. The minister, who walked his rounds, preached here every four weeks. Revs. Smith and MeGinnis are remembered as being among the early Meth- odist preachers in this seetion.
Not having space to detail the partienlars of Methodist history from that time to the present, we are obliged to leap in our imagi- nation over half a century, to the present period.
At the present time the Clinton society comprises ninety-four members. Class-leader, L. II. Beckman. Stewards, James M. Hayes and Robert Allen. The flourishing Sunday- school is superintended by John Whitcomb and L. H. Beckman. Pastor, Rev. J. B. Combs, now in his second year here, and oe- enpying the parsonage, a neat residence in a retired place. This cirenit is in the Green- castle Distriet, Northwest Indiana Conference. Rev. A. A. Gee, of Greencastle, is the pre- siding elder.
As to a house of worship, the Methodists passed from the log-eabin residence and school-house to a frame elinreh, erected mainly by the Presbyterians in 1831; and
next into a frame, 38 x 60 feet, built about 1852, at a cost of about $1,400, which is now used as a dwelling; and finally, in 1883, they reared their present massive and imposing briek edifiee, 40 x 80 feet in ground area, at a cost of $6,500.
The African Methodist Episcopal Church of Clinton, was organized in 1876, by Rev. W. S. Langford, of Roekville, at the time, who was also pastor for a while. The elass, led by George Harris, started out with only six members, but now numbers about twenty, with Mrs. Lida Brown as elass-leader. Stew- ards, William Bowen, John Cooper, Elbert Brown, John Bowen and John Walker. Sun- day-sehool, of about fifteen pupils generally, is superintended by James Bowen. The pastor is Rev. W. R. IIutehison, now a resi- dent of Lost Creek, Vigo County; this is his third year. The church building, 26 x 30 feet in dimensions, was ereeted in 1881, at a cost of $250, and is free from debt. It is located in the central part of town.
The Presbyterian Church at Clinton was also organized in pioneer times, being the first to ereet a house of worship in the county, in 1831, with the aid of the Method- ists. Running down somewhat in the course of years, they were re-organized about 1850, by Rev. John Gerrish, of Helt Township, who died in the spring of 1887, in Kansas. There are now fifty-five members. The ruling elders are E. V. Brown and David MeBeth. They maintain a Sunday-school the year round, with an average attendance of ninety pupils, superintended by D. C. Johnson. The present pastor is Rev. L. G. Hay, D. D., of Terre Haute, who has been serving as " stated supply " since the first of February 1887. Former pastors (or supplies) have been, so far as ean be conveniently remem- bered, Revs. James Boggs, in 1855; John A. Tiffner, of Bono, two or three years;
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CLINTON TOWNSHIP.
John Hawks, of Rockville, two or three years; Thomas Griffith, of Montezuma, three or four years, and L. HI. Davidson, who re- sided here at the time, two years. The first church building was converted into a barn, and
is still used as such, The present house of worship was ereeted about 1852, is a frame 40 x 70 feet in dimensions, and located cen- trally, on the school-house lot.
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HISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.
IL
HELT TOWNSHIP.
EARLY SETTLERS.
11E following list of early settlers of Helt Township, although apparently systematic, ean not be supposed to be complete or free from error, but it is as accurate, we trust, as such data ean gen- erally be made. The years in- dieated at the head of the re- spective paragraphs are the years in which those mentioned eame here as settlers, except where otherwise specified.
1817-'18 .- In the winter of 1817-'18 eame Obadialı Swayze, who occupied as a " squatter " one of the three cabins just built by the Helts, spoken of in the next paragraph. He, however, re- mained as a permanent citizen. His remains now lie buried in Helt's Prairie Cemetery, with his wife, two sons and a daughter. He has a grandson, Wesley Wright, living in Kansas City.
1818 .- Daniel Helt, after whom the prai- rie and the township were named. He was born in Pennsylvania, in 1791, was a soldier
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