USA > Indiana > Washington County > Biographical and historical souvenir for the counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott, and Washington, Indiana > Part 22
USA > Indiana > Harrison County > Biographical and historical souvenir for the counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott, and Washington, Indiana > Part 22
USA > Indiana > Crawford County > Biographical and historical souvenir for the counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott, and Washington, Indiana > Part 22
USA > Indiana > Clark County > Biographical and historical souvenir for the counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott, and Washington, Indiana > Part 22
USA > Indiana > Scott County > Biographical and historical souvenir for the counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott, and Washington, Indiana > Part 22
USA > Indiana > Floyd County > Biographical and historical souvenir for the counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott, and Washington, Indiana > Part 22
USA > Indiana > Jennings County > Biographical and historical souvenir for the counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott, and Washington, Indiana > Part 22
USA > Indiana > Jefferson County > Biographical and historical souvenir for the counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott, and Washington, Indiana > Part 22
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Dry Goods .- This place was, by virtue of its location on the river, the first place of business in this line. The goods were hauled by wagon all over the State.
The beginning in the town of the general store, where everything was kept to supply the needs of the cus-
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
tomer, gave way to the store of special line of goods, and finally in the growth of the county, to the largest whole- sale stores in every line. The trade now is much lighter than it was in 1850 to 1856, but a good business is done here in dry goods, shoes, gro- ceries and hardware, there being houses in each line here.
Banking .- The Farmers' and Me- chanics' Bank of Indiana, located at Madison, was incorporated by act of the Territorial Legislature, dated Sep- tember 6th, 1814, signed by :
Wy. HENDRICKS, Speaker of the House of Represen- tatives.
JESSE L. HOLMAN, President of the Council. Approved, September 10, 1814. TH. POSEY, Governor.
This was the first banking institu- tion legally incorporated within the territory. It was recognized and con- firmed by the State Constitution in 1816. The charter extended in time up to January 1, 1835. Under the charter, the property of the bank, including capital stock, was restricted to, and not to exceed the sum of seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($750,000.)
On January 1, 1817, the Bank of Vincennes was adopted by an act of the Legislature of the State of Indi- ana, as the "State Bank of Indiana," and was empowered conditionally, to adopt the Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank of Indiana as one of its branches. This was done, but the State institu-
tion became so corrupt that it was deprived of its franchises and privi- leges, by proceedings under a writ of quo warranto in the year 1812. A large amount of the notes of the Bank of Vincennes and its branches-branches at Vevay, Brookville and Corydon- became worthless, and were never redeemed. The notes of the Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank of Indiana at Madison, were all redeemed.
This bank was kept in a brick house built for the purpose on the east side of Jefferson, four doors north of Second street.
In 1833, the State Bank of Indiana was chartered with thirteen branches. One of these was at Madison, J. F. D. Lanier, first president. This continued till 1859, when the charter expired, and the business of the bank was wound up.
Along in the forties, a Bank of Deposit and Issue was established by John & Victor King, John Wood- burn, George Leonard, and others. It was closed after a few years. Under the State Free Banking law a bank was established by the Madison Insur- ance Co., of Deposit only. The Indi- ana Bank was established under this law as a Bank of Issue and Deposit. This bank was re-chartered under the national banking law, and is now known as the First National Bank of Madison. At the closing up of the business of the Madison branch of the State Bank, a new bank was formed, taking the old building and name, being called "The National
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
Branch Bank." Both of these latter- named banks are still in successful operation.
City Directory .- The City of Madi- son was incorporated in 1838, by act of the Legislature.
Moody Park was the first Mayor; he served from 1838 till April, 1850. He was succeeded by Milton Stapp (1850-53). Wm. Hendricks, Jr., was the first City Clerk, and Amariah Foster the first Marshal; John Pugh was first Treasurer.
The present city officials are :
Mayor, Hon. J. T. Brashears ; Clerk, John A. Zuck; Treasurer, Wm. H. Rogers ; Marshal, J. Hoagland ; Assessor, Ben Wells ; Supt. of Schools, Prof. J. Hartin A. M .; Board of Water- works, W. W. Hinds, Supt., C. E. God- man, Wm.Dum ; Street Commissioner, L. Crozier.
City Council .- 1st Ward, J. W. Thomas, N. Hovniff ; 2d Ward, J. Schneider, A. Chapman : 3d Ward, C. Alling, S. E. Haigh; 4th Ward, James White, Jonathan Schooley ; 5th W. W. Page, C. C. Sappington ; 6th Ward, S. J. Robinson, P. Klein. City Attorney, M. D. Willson.
Fire Department .- Fair Play(steam) Fire Co. No. 1 : Pres. John A. Zuck; house, Main above Walnut. Wash- ington (steam) Fire Co. No. 2; Pres. Charles L. Richardson ; house, Third near West. Western (steam) Fire Co. No. 3. Pres. Thomas B. Lockard ; house West Main between Mill and Plum streets. Washington Hook and Ladder Co., in Washington Fire Co's.,
house. Walnut Street Hose Co., Fire Co. No. 4. Pres. W. W. Hinds ; house east side Walnut beyond Fifth.
City Schools .-- The system of pub- lic schools is under the State, and all know what that is without any prompting.
The city schools are located as fol- lows : The Upper Seminary on East Third street, south side between Wal- nut and East; The Walnut Street School on Walnut, north of Fifth. The Central, southeast corner Second and Central avenue; High School, northeast corner Second and Central avenue; Lower Seminary, Main, north side, west of Plum; Colored School, north Broadway.
Early Time Teachers .- Rev. Wm. Robinson, Presbyterian minister; Mrs. Searles, widow of Presbyterian preach- er; Mrs. Sard; Miss E. Goode; Miss Mason -now Mrs. Dr. Cornett ; Mr. Beaumont Parks; Mr. Chute; Miss Johnson, an excellent teacher-she taught in the old Bank building ; Miss Brown, afterwards Mrs. Burrows; the Salisburys.
Improvements .- The first account of the improvements in the town of Madison is in a sketch by Mr. D. Blackmore in 1850. He says : "Hall's was the first improvement. (This was in what is now called Fulton.) Then John H. Wagner's, the second improvement, which was on High (now First) street, between Mulberry and Main. Lyon made the third im- provement, on the high ground between Ross' tanyard and the river. When
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
he - Blackmore - built in 1811, besides the improvements above, there wereTrotter's on High, near Walnut ; Booth's tavern on Main (now Jeffer- son) and Second, southeast corner ; Burnett's tavern, a large log house with a porch - Hunt's property. Taylor's (Father Bush Taylor) saddler's shop; J. Wilkinson's cabin, Walnut and High, east of Trotter's ; Nat Hunt's old resi- dence ; Strickland's, on the old Bris- ben and Barker lot, was a place of prayer meetings for the Methodists."
From that time forward there has been a constant advance in the build- ings in quality and numbers. The buildings, principally of brick and very substantially built, have, a great many them, long survived the builders, and many are now standing of sixty and seventy years of age, and quite strong and substantial. There are more of the antique than of the modern style here among the dwellings; the business houses have been made more to suit the times and the advance in style of architecture, and there has been more remodeling of them, so that they present a more modern appear- ance than the majority of the dwellings. Taken as a whole, it is one of the most substantially built towns inthe State.
Our public buildings-county and city -are good, handsome and com- modious. The fire engine houses, the public schools, and the churches are all deserving of mention. The opera house is also a unique thing its way. Not so large as some, but as tasteful and elegant in its appointments as any.
Among our residences are many that will match in finish and comfort with those of any place, and if the old houses were modernized they would perhaps be injured in their home-ness more than improved, as that would be only in appearance.
Fire Insurance .- The city is well fitted in water works, getting their supply from the river above the town. The water is forced up to the reser- voir on the side of the hill at the head of Second street, some two hundred feet above low water mark. There are also two reservoirs at the west end of the city, on a level with this one, supplied by springs and a pollywog. The elevation of these reservoirs is sufficient to force the water on top of the highest houses, by simply attach- ing hose to the fire plugs. By this means fires are frequently drowned out without the use of the steam fire engines. Consequently the per cent. of loss by fire is much less than in other places of the same size.
There are three steam fire engines belonging to the city. Each one of these is kept and operated by volun- teer fire companies. Belonging to each of these fire companies are hose reels, carrying large quantities of hose for attaching to fire plugs, and to the engines, which force the water through them onto the fire.
There is another fire company which has only hose.
Summing up .- Madison was a place of much note at the early part of this century. To it was attracted a very
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
great number of people of all classes, characters and occupations. In 1816 and up to 1850, it was one of the points of attraction as a new and growing town in a new and growing country. There were speculations in town lots, and in all other possibilities of fortune-making that are now sought in the new towns of the West. It had its great boom as they have, and prop- erty was up to fabulous prices. The capitalist was attracted to it as a place of investment; the mechanic as a place where he could get work; the merchant as a good opening for his business, and as a growing place ; the lawyer and doctor were attracted to it as furnishing a good opportunity for fame and riches; and it was especially attractive to the young men of that day. The beauty of the location and its natural surroundings was added to all of the others which have been enumerated. All of these combining, caused an inflow of men of mark on account of talent and ability, such as but few other places of that day or since has had. In the first fifty years of the century, but few of the men of prominence in this country,-and of foreigners, traveling for instruction or pleasure-but that made Madison a point of visit. Many men who were afterwards of national fame were citi- zens of the old town. J. F. D. Lanier and Hugh McCullough were young business men of this city. The bar of our city in those days stood head and shoulders above any other in this State; and was the peer of any in all
of the country. In legal attainments, as counsellors and as advocates, none surpassed the members of it.
Judge Miles C. Eggleston, William Hendricks, Sr. and Jr., the Brights, Sullivan, Marshall, Glass, Dunn, Car- penter, Gen. Meek, and many others of those who have passed away.
In the political arena, Madison has produced many names of honor and worth, both of State and national fame. William Hendricks, the first Member of Congress from this State, second Governor of the State, and United States Senator for twelve years : Jesse D. Bright, who was Lieu- tenant-Governor of the State, United States Senator for about sixteen years, (and for four years of that time Presi- dent of the Senate) and others for a mention of whom space is wanting.
As financiers, Lanier and McCul- lough have already been mentioned, but Gen. Milton Stapp, Canal Commis- sioner for this State and agent of State, and M. G. Bright, Agent of State for Indiana for many years, may properly be mentioned as men of national repu- tation. Those of local or State fame are quite numerous. Lucius Barbour-the clock peddler-Jonathan Fitch, Na- than Powell, Jesse Whitehead, David White and so on. Names might be added to the list, almost ad infinitum.
The army has had many illustrious names on its list from Madison. At the head and most conspicuous, that of Gen. Richard Canby,-or as the " old boys" of his times call him "Dick." In the navy is the name of Com-
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
mander Napoleon B. Collins, of the ship Florida, a man of world-wide fame, Capt. B. B. Taylor and others.
If Madison is not known to general fame, it is not on account of illustrious and honorable men as her citizens in the past, or at the present time, nor from want of business possibilities, as living is cheap and the town is healthy. It is " beautiful for situation," and nature is lovely all around her.
There is the best of water and air, streets clean and dry, and lighted at night by the electric lights in all parts of the town ; good hotels, and all other accommodations. Good town and good people. Give a call upon us and try our beautiful " little city under the hills," and see if she will not do as a place to live in, and to do business in.
TOWNS OF THE COUNTY.
BARBERSVILLE, in Shelby township, in section three, town V north, range XI east, was laid out by Enoch Bray and Thomas H. Bray, December 18th, 1848. It contains one store, a post- office and a school-house.
BROOKSBURGH, Milton township, in section one, town III north, range XI east, was laid out by Fletcher Tevis, November 21st, 1843. It has several stores, a blacksmith shop, church, school-house, post-office, a printing- office. It is a well-built, pretty village.
BRYANTSURGH, Monroe township, was laid off by Jacob Bryant, March 5th, 1834 It contains a post-office, three stores, two blacksmith shops. It has a population of about 60. It is in
section eleven, town V, range X east.
CANAAN is in section 21, town V, range XI, in Shelby township; was laid off August 1st, 1836, by John Cane. It has several stores. One drug store, a cigar manufactory, a Methodist church, a fine public and high school building. Twelve miles from Madison.
DEPUTY, Graham township, section seventeen, town IV, north, range VIII east, was laid out by Foster C. Wilson March 29th, 1871. It is on the short line railroad from Louisville, Ky., to North Vernon, Ind. It has a popula- tion of about 300. Eighteen miles from Madison.
DUPONT, Lancaster township, on the J. M. & I. railroad, is in section ten, town V north, range IX east. It was laid out by James Tilton, of Wil- mington, Delaware, and named after his old friends, "the Duponts," powder makers, of Delaware. It has two churches, Methodist and Baptist ; a fine school-house, a number of dry goods and grocery stores, drug store, post- office, railroad station, agricultural implements warehouse, several black- smith shops, wagon-maker's shop, a steam saw, grist and commercial mill. Its population is about 300. Fifteen miles from Madison.
HANOVER is a post office six miles west of Madison, section twelve, town III north, range IX east. Has a population of about five hun- dred. Well supplied with stores, blacksmith shops, a steam flouring mill, Presbyterian church, Methodist church and College building.
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
FACULTY OF MANOVER COLLEGE.
D. W. FISHER, D. D., President,
HOLLIDAY PROFESSOR OF LOGIC AND MENTAL PHILOSOPHY, AND CROWE MEMORIAL PROFESSOR OF BIBLICAL INSTRUCTION.
REV. JOSHUA B. GARRITT, A. M., PH. D.,
KING PROFESSOR OF GREEK LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE, AND INSTRUCTOR IN FRENCII.
FRANK LYFORD MORSE, A. M.,
SILAS C. DAY PROFESSOR OF MATHEMATICS AND MECHANICAL PHILOSOPHY.
A. HARVEY YOUNG, A. M., AYERS PROFESSOR OF NATURAL SCIENCES.
JOHN F. BAIRD, A. M.,
PROFESSOR OF LATIN LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE, INSTRUCTOR IN GERMAN AND SECRETARY OF THE FACULTY.
HUGH H. YOUNG, A. M., ASSISTANT PROFESSOR.
MISS CALLA JAMES HARRISON, TUTOR IN MATHEMATICS.
Miss MADGE E. GARRITT, LIBRARIAN.
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
Hanover College is beautifully situated upon the top of the river bluff, and commands magnificent views up and down the river. The institution is under the control of the Presbyterian church, and was established in 1833.
Subjoined is a full history of the college, taken from the "General Catalogue of the Alumni of Hanover College," 1833-1883."
Historical Sketch of Hanover Col- lege .- Hanover College was the out- growth of a desire on the part of the Presbyterian Church in Indiana to provide herself with an educated ministry. The church in the East could not supply the ministry needed for the widely scattered but con- stantly growing population of the West. Animated with this desire the Presbytery of Salem, embracing Indiana and Illinois, and connected with the Synod of Kentucky, in 1826, requested the pastor of the church at Hanover, Rev. John Finley Crowe, D. D., to open and conduct an Acad- emy until further provision could be made.
This school was opened January 1st, 1827, with six pupils, in a log cabin, near where the Presbyterian church of Hanover now stands. This was the humble beginning of Hanover College, and of the North Western Theological Seminary, at Chicago, Illinois.
In May, 1826, the Synod of Indiana was constituted, consisting of the Presbyteries of Salem, Madison,
Wabash and Missouri. The school at Hanover was committed tempora- rily to the Presbytery of Madison. This Presbytery applied to the Leg- islature of the State for a charter, and that body on the 30th of Decem- ber, 1828, passed an act incorporating HANOVER ACADEMY.
The Academy was taken under the care of the Synod of Indiana in 1829. The following resolution was adopted by that body:
"Resolved, That this Synod adopt Hanover Academy as a Synodical school, provided the Trustees of the same will permit the Synod to estab- lish a Theological Department, and appoint Theological Professors."
The condition was readily granted, and the Synod at once unanimously elected the Rev. John Matthews, D. D., of Shepherdstown, Virginia, to the chair of Theology. Dr. Mat- thews accepted, and with character- istic zeal gave his whole time and talents to the interests of the insti- tution. The Theological Department was continued at Hanover for ten years, when it was removed to New Albany, Indiana, in 1840.
The Academy which was chartered in 1828, had been steadily growing ; regular college classes had been formed and in 1833, by act of Legis lature, the institution was incorpo- rated as HANOVER COLLEGE.
By active agencies in the East and West, funds had been collected and the necessary buildings had been erected for the Preparatory, Collegi-
-
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
ate and Theological Departments. The Rev. James Blythe, D. D.,. of Lexington, Kentucky, of the Presby- tery of West Lexington, and exten- sively known throughout the Church, was in 1832, secured as the first Pres- ident of the College. The first cata- logue issued after the change in the charter presents for all departments a Faculty of seven Professors and four assistants, and one hundred and eighty - three students : Theological 7 : Collegiate 63; Preparatory 113. The Board of Trustees consisted of eighteen members, among whom were these pioneers of Church and State: Rev. John M. Dickey, Pres- ident ; Rev. James H. Johnston, Secretary ; Hon. Williamson Dunn, Treasurer; Victor King; William Reed; Hon. Jeremiah Sullivan ; and the Rev. Samuel G. Lowry. The only survivor of the Faculty of 1834, is Hon. William McKee Dunn, LL. D., Washington, D. C.
The location of the College in that day was within the corporate limits of the village of Hanover. All that remains of the old buildings, is so much of the principal edifice as is embraced in the present Presbyterian church, and one of the shops now occupied as a private residence. None of the real estate or property now forms any part of the present property of the college. The farm lay north of the Spear property and west of Prof. Garritt's place. The Presbyterian church includes
the chapel, two recitation rooms and part of the second story.
So remarkable was the success of this pioneer institution of our church in the West, that the catalogue of 1834-5, shows an attendance of 236 students: Theological 10: Collegiate 77; Irregular and Preparatory 149. These students were gathered from a wide territory, embracing every State from Pennsylvania to Texas and Missouri. This is explained by its location on the Ohio River. But this prosperity was followed by a period of darkness and trial. The Manual Labor System, for aiding poor stu- dents, attempted by many institutions of that day, was tried at Hanover. It failed and involved the institution in debt for every day of its continu- ance. It had to be abandoned, the expense of education was largely increased, and a necessary consequence was the withdrawal of a large num- ber of students. While embarrassed by debt and this partial withdrawal of support, a fearful tornado swept over the place in 1837, and left the principal college edifice in ruins. From these misfortunes, the college rallied, repaired its buildings, and cancelled its debts, but without endowment, was left in a feeble con- dition.
President Blythe's connection with the college closed in 1836. For two years Dr. Matthews, of the Theologi- cal department acted as president, and in 1838, the Rev. E. D. McMaster D. D., LL. D., was elected to that
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
post, where he remained five years, terminating his presidency by a mem- orable epoch in the history of the college. The Board of Trustees was a small body, a close corporation, but indirectly influenced by the Synod, and liable to the control of a power- ful mind and local influences. Under the leadership of this eminent and able man, a part of the Board of Trustees adopted a resolution to sur- render their charter to the Legislature in return for the charter of a Univer- sity at Madison. Thus the College was divided right down through Board, Faculty and students, part going with President McMaster to Madison, and part remaining with Vice-President Crowe at Hanover. The Synod retained all its early con- victions of the importance of Christian education by the Church, and it was a day of great men. A struggle fol- lowed in which "Greek met Greek." In the Synod of 1844, Madison Uni- versity was offered to it as a Synod- ical College. The offer was declined, and the Synod ordered the continu- ance of its College at Hanover. A new charter was obtained, said to be the most favorable in the State, con- ferring the powers of a University, and placing the Institution fully under the control of the Synod of Indiana. This it does by giving to that body the right to elect one-half of the trus- tees and through them a voice in the election of the other half. The rights and franchises of the original Synod have descended to the present Synod
of Indiana. On account of the changes in the Synods since the reunion of the two former branches of the Pres- byterian Church some alterations have been made in the mode of choosing the members of the Board, but only such as are consistent with the Charter. For instance, the Alumni Association now annually nominates a member. But the College still remains, as it ever has been, firmly bound to the Presbyterian church.
Through the trials and sufferings which have almost everywhere marked the history of higher education in America, Hanover College has at a comparatively small cost done an immense work for Christian education in Indiana and the Republic. Upwards of four thousand students have been educated in whole or in part within its walls, many of whom have attained high distinction and usefulness in the ministry, law, medicine and science. It has graduated 544 students in the Departments of Science and Arts and Theology, and a much larger number have completed the Preparatory course, and gone out from the lower classes. These students are scattered throughout the Republic and in many foreign lands.
Space permits the mention of but few of the Christian men and women who are identified forever with this early scheme of education by the Church in our State. In this latter day it is an honor to be numbered among their successors. To no man, perhaps, do the citizens and Pres-
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
byterians of Indiana owe a larger debt of gratitude than to that eminent man of God, Dr. John Finley Crowe, who for thirty years with heroic benevolence, self-denial and fortitude, identified his time, talents and inter- ests with the cause of education in our Church. Judge Williamson Dunn is another name illustrious in our early history, among the founders of Hanover and Wabash Colleges, giving first to Hanover and afterwards to Wabash the grounds upon which they were severally built. Another pioneer. Mrs. Mary T. Lapsley, of New Albany, has been the most munificent benefactor to this early effort, giving over $30,000-standing steadfastly by the College in its dark- est days, and securing an imperish- able name among the Christian edu- cators of the West. Another earnest, modest, learned pioneer, the Rev. W'm. A. Holliday, of Indianapolis, left one-third of his estate now consti- tuting $20,000 of the permanent endowment of the College. Still another pioneer, John King, Esq., of Madison, after a life of prayerful devotion and generous gifts to Han- over College, left by will $13,000 more. Others of smaller means, whose names will not be forgotten by God or man in the early annals of Presbyterianism in Indiana, have added from time to time to the resources of the College.
The most recent considerable addition to the means of the College has been for the purpose of erecting
a suitable building as a home for students.
The College is now out of debt and is living within its means. But it greatly needs additional funds, bothı to afford a proper support to the men engaged in its work, and also to enlarge its equipment to the scale which the times and the opportunity demand.
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