USA > Indiana > Washington County > Biographical and historical souvenir for the counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott, and Washington, Indiana > Part 25
USA > Indiana > Harrison County > Biographical and historical souvenir for the counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott, and Washington, Indiana > Part 25
USA > Indiana > Crawford County > Biographical and historical souvenir for the counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott, and Washington, Indiana > Part 25
USA > Indiana > Clark County > Biographical and historical souvenir for the counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott, and Washington, Indiana > Part 25
USA > Indiana > Scott County > Biographical and historical souvenir for the counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott, and Washington, Indiana > Part 25
USA > Indiana > Floyd County > Biographical and historical souvenir for the counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott, and Washington, Indiana > Part 25
USA > Indiana > Jennings County > Biographical and historical souvenir for the counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott, and Washington, Indiana > Part 25
USA > Indiana > Jefferson County > Biographical and historical souvenir for the counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott, and Washington, Indiana > Part 25
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The most valuable minerals of this county are building stone, limestone for lime, brick and tile clay. The con- tinuous beds of North Vernon blue limestone are very valuable and extend over a large area of the county. The amount of this stone quarried for the Cincinnati Southern railroad bridge, over the Ohio river, besides a great many other shipments which are con- stantly being made from the various quarries, has given employment to a large number of hands within the county. "The layers of blue lime- stone," says Mr. W. W. Borden, "will alone, in the course of time, bring an
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HISTORY OF JENNINGS COUNTY.
immense revenue, while immediately below are the white limestone layers which afford good material for white quick-lime. * Below the white limestone are the Niagara rocks, which are noted for making good lime and for building and flagging purposes. Good (ocherous) clay, suitable for red brick is found convenient to all the large towns. Sand for all ordinary purposes is to be found along all the streams throughout the county."
Few are aware that gold exists in Indiana, but it does in almost every part of it. It nowhere exists, how- ever, in sufficient quantities to pay for working it. It was found in greater quantity in the bed of the south fork of the Muscatatuck river than any- where else, in the black sand washed down from the glacial drift of the uplands, and at one time the excite. ment occasioned by its discovery was very great.
Settlements .- Jennings County was settled principally from the Southern States-most of the early settlers com- ing from Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee, with a number of families from Kentucky. They were of that hardy class whose trials and hardships were as nothing compared to the long- ing desire to possess a home of their own. They had come from States where the bane of slavery rendered the poor man's lot a hard and disagree- able one. Hence, to obtain a home in the distant West, where slavery would never disturb the peace and tranquil- ity of their settlements was the dream
of their life, and when the end was accomplished they would not have been willing to exchange their little unpretending home for the slave-own- er's acres and slaves. They did not come in great rushing crowds as emi- grants now go West, on railroad trains, but they come on foot, in ox-wagons, on horseback and, in fact, any way they could get here. But without following them in all the hardships and vicissitudes of their settlement, we will leave them and their descend- ants to the pleasures and enjoyments their courage and perseverance have won them.
County Organization .- Jennings County was organized in 1816. Fol- lowing is the act of the Legislature for its formation :
An act for the formation of a new County out of the Counties of Jackson and Jefferson, and for other purposes.
1 .- Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana, That from and after the first day of February next, all that part of the counties of Jackson and Jefferson which is included in the following bounds, shall form and constitute a new county (that is to say), beginning on the line of the Grouseland Pur- chase, at the intersection of the line dividing ranges six and seven east ; thence south with said line to the line dividing townships III and IV north ; thence east six miles; thence north six miles; thence east with another township line four miles ; thence north two miles; thence east two miles ;
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HISTORY OF JENNINGS COUNTY.
thence north two miles; thence east two miles; thence north two miles; thence east with the line dividing townships V and VI north to the southeast corner of section thirty-one in township VI north, range X east ; thence north with the sectional line to the Indian boundary line; thence west wardly with said line to the place of beginning.
2 .- The said new county shall, on and after the first day of February next, be known and designated by the name and style of the county of Jen- nings, and it shall enjoy all the rights and privileges and jurisdiction which to a separate county does or may properly appertain and belong, Pro- vided always, that all suits, pleas, plaints, actions and proceedings which may, before the said first day of Feb- ruary next, have been commenced, instituted, and pending within the now counties of Jackson and Jefferson, shall be prosecuted to find judgment and effect in the same manner as if this act had never been passed, Pro- vided also, that the State and county's levies and taxes which are now due within the bounds of said new county, shall be collected and paid in the same manner and by the same affairs as they would have been if the erection of said new county had not taken effect.
3 .- Robert Simington and Daniel Searles of Jefferson county, William Cranshear of Jackson county, Thomas Carr, of Clark county, and Elijah Golay, of Switzerland county, be and
they are hereby appointed Commis- sioners to designate the plan for the permanent seat of justice of Jennings county, agreeable to an act entitled, "An act for the fixing the seats of jus- tice in all new counties hereafter to be laid off;" the Commissioners above named, or others appointed by the proper court, shall convene at the house of John Vawter, on the second Monday in February next, and then to proceed to discharge the duties assigned them by law.
4. The Board of Commissioners of said new county, shall within twelve months after the permanent seat of justice be established, proceed to erect the necessary public buildings thereon.
5. Until suitable accommodations can be had, in the opinion of the Cir- cuit Court at the seat of justice of said new county, all the courts of justice shall be holden at the house of John Vawter in said county ; after which time the Circuit Court and all the courts necessary to be held at the coun- ty-seat shall be adjourned to the same.
6. The said new county of Jen- nings, be, and the same is hereby at- tached to, and shall form a part of the third circuit; and the Circuit Courts shall be holden in the said County of Jennings, three times in each year here- after, and shall commence on the first Mondays of April, July and Novem- ber, and shall sit six days at each term, unless the business shall be sooner dispatched.
7. Whenever the seat of justice within the County of Jennings shall
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HISTORY OF JENNINGS COUNTY.
have been established, the person or persons authorized to dispose of, and sell the lots at the seat of justice, shall reserve ten per centum on the net pro- ceeds of the whole sale for the use of a county library in said county, which sum or sums of money shall be paid over to such person or persons as may be authorized to receive the same, in such manner and in such installments · as shall be authorized by law.
Two or three more sections follow but are not specially pertinent to the formation of the county. The act was approved December 27th, 1816, and was signed:
ISAAC BLACKFORD,
Speaker of House of Representatives. CHRISTOPHER HARRISON, President of the Senate. JONATHAN JENNINGS,
Governor.
The county was organized under the foregoing act, officers elected and all the legal machinery set in motion. Vernon was finally chosen as the county seat, and the public buildings erected according to the act of the Leg- islature.
TOWNS.
VERNON .- The county seat of Jen- nings county, is beautifully situated at the junction of the North and South forks of the Muscatatuck river, and on the Jeffersonville, Madison and Indianapolis railroad. It is a rather dull okl town of 616 inhabitants by the last census (1880), but has a sound and solid foundation from a financial and business standpoint. The court
house is a handsome brick structure, with white limestone trimmings, ob- tained from the neighboring quarries, and was built under the supervision of Isaac Hodgson, of Indianapolis. There is, and has been, considerable manufacturing done in Vernon, among which may be mentioned spoke and hub factory ; foundry and plow shop; stave and heading factory ; woolen and flouring mill; wagons and buggies ; pumps and rakes ; etc., etc., etc.
NORTH VERNON, the largest and most prosperous town in the county, is situated at the junction of the Louisville division of the Ohio and Mississippi railroad, with the main line, and the crossing of the Madison branch of the J. M. & I. road. It had a population of 1,842 by the census of 1880 and is a brisk business town. The manufacturing interests are flour- ing mills, furniture and planing mills, woolen mills, chair factories, and oth- ers of lesser note. The town is well supplied with churches and schools ; the church denominations being Meth odist, Presbyterian, Baptist and Catlı- olies; and a large and fine school house being located here, with an ex- cellent graded school.
Other villages and hamlets are Scipio, situated on the J. M. & I. railroad ; Queensville is located on the same road, and between the latter place and North Vernon; Paris is an old town
" A place for idle eyes and ears, A cobwebbed nook of dreams;
Left by the streams whose waves are years The stranded village seems" -
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HISTORY OF JENNINGS COUNTY.
situated on the bluffs of Graham creek; Paris Crossing is on the O. & M. rail- road, and is a live little place; Com- misky, Sherman, and Lovett are loca- ted on the O. & M., south of North Vernon ; Butlersville and Nebraska are east of North Vernon on the O. & M. and do a large mill and lumber business; Zenas is situated on the North Fork of the Muscatatuck, in Columbia township; Brewersville is situated on Sand Creek, and Hardin- burg on the O. & M. railroad. These are all small places.
Railroads. - Jennings county is well supplied with railroads and North Vernon, its principal town, is quite a railroad center. The main line of the Ohio & Mississippi rail- road crosses the county from east to west, and is intersected by the Louis- ville division at North Vernon, where it is also crossed by the Madison division of the J. M. & I. These roads have been of great benefit to the county in moving its surplus produce and facilitating trade; also of causing a number of small manu- facturing enterprises to spring up in various sections of the county which give employment to many people, and are the means of distributing considerable money in business cir- cles. Upon the whole, the county is doing well and is in a most prosper- ous condition.
JEPTHA DUDLEY NEW-Was born in Vernon, Jennings county, Indi-
ana, November 28th, A. D. 1830, and is the son of Hickman and Smyra Ann (Smitha) New.
Jethro New, the father of Hickman New, was a native of Delaware and settled early in life in Gallatin county, Kentucky, and in 1822 removed with his family of twelve children to Jen- nings county, Indiana.
Hickman New, now in his eighty- second year, is the youngest and the only survivor of the twelve children. He began life as a cabinet-maker, and until age interrupted his labors was an active minister in the Christian church. He is now well preserved, both physically and mentally. Smyra Ann New, his wife, died in 1879 at the age of seventy years.
The subject of this sketch was reared in the town of Vernon and was educated at the Vernon Seminary and at Bethany College, an institution founded by the celebrated Alexander Campbell. After leaving college in 1850, he read law in the office of Lucius Bingham, Esq., at Vernon. The first public office held by him was that of Mayor of his native town, to which he was elected at the age of twenty-two. In 1862 he was elected Commonwealth Attorney for two years, when he was elected Common Pleas Judge for four years, at the end of which term he declined a re-election. He then returned to the practice of his profession, and continued in the same with great success and profit until 1874, when he was elected to the 46th Congress, as a Democrat
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JENNINGS COUNTY.
in a strong Republican district, carry- ing it by thirteen hundred majority. He was the first and only Democratic candidate for Congress who has ever carried Jefferson and Jennings counties. In 1876 he was unanimously renom- inated for Congress but declined. In 1878 he was urged to accept the nom- ination, and did so ; and he was elected after the hottest Congressional contest ever known in Indiana in an off year. His majority was four hundred and ninety-one, although the same counties gave the Republican State ticket a decisive majority. In the 44th Congress he was a member of the
special committee, appointed to investi- gate the much talked of real estate pool in the District of Columbia, and out of which grew the celebrated Hal- let - Kilbourne contempt case, in the argument of which Judge New, on the floor of the House, represented the committee.
In the same Congress he was one of a special committee sent to New Orleans to investigate the management of the Federal offices there. He was also, in the same Congress put upon the committee which was sent to Louis- iana to inquire mto the vote for Tilden and Hayes; and was, after reaching New Orleans, made chair- man of a sub-committee sent to investi- gate specially the said election in what were called the "bull-dozed parishes." Upon the return of the committee to Washington, Judge New was selected by his Democratic colleagues on the committee to deliver one of the
speeches on the Louisiana election, which under the division of time agreed on, belonged to the Democratic side of the House.
In the 46th Congress he was made a member of the Judiciary Committee and of the Committee on Expendi- tures in the Department of Justice. He was also made chairman of the special committee raised to investigate charges preferred against Mr. Seward, our minister to China. He was also on the special committee sent to Cin- cinnati to investigate the Congressional elections in that city.
At the close of the 46th Congress he resumed the practice of his profes- sion and pursued the same actively until 1882, when he was elected Circuit Judge. His term as Judge expired November, 1888.
Judge New is now one of the five Supreme Court Commissioners, ap- pointed by the last General Assembly of this State. This commission was created in aid of the Supreme Judges and will continue for four years. He has been spoken of prominently for Governor. He has been successful in the accumulation of property, being one of the largest tax-payers of his county.
His family consists of his wife, Sallie (Butler) New, who was a pupil of his in a school taught by him after leaving college; a daughter, Mary, the wife of Dr. William Stemm; Willard New, a very active and promising young attorney, located at Vernon ; and Burt New, now a student at Bloomington College, Indiana.
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SOUVENIR SKETCHES.
PIERSON CONKLING-The sub- ject of this sketch, was one of a family of nine children, of whom six are liv- ing at this writing. At the age of ten years his father moved with his family to the country, a few miles from Cincinnati, and engaged in farm- ing with good success until his death. And he followed the same occupation until 1865, when he sold his farm, and in 1868 came to Indiana and engaged in a general merchandise bus- iness ; first at Nebraska, Indiana, and later in 1874 at North Vernon, where he still resides. He was married in November, 1845, to Miss Abby, daughter of the Rev. J. D. Conrey, of Butler county, Ohio. She died in 1850, leaving two children, James D., who is in business at Kentland, Indi- ana, and Anna R., who died at the age of six years. Mr Conkling was married again in 1855 to Miss Sarah J. Travis. They had two children, Elmer P., (dead) and Frank T., who is in business in Greenville, Ohio. Mr. Conkling was married again Sep- tember 10th, 1872, to his present wife, Miss Martha M. Burke, of Bethel, Ohio. They have no children. IIe has ever been in active business life, and has been blessed with remarkably good health, and is one of the most progressive business men and enter- prising merchants, builders and con- tractors in the county.
LINCOLN DIXON-A prominent young lawyer, North Vernon, Indi-
ana, was born at Vernon, Jennings county, Indiana, February 9th, 1860. His father's native town is Paris, same county and State, where he was born October 26th, 1826. He was a man of prominence in his day. Dur- ing the war he held the office of Provost Marshal, and was for eight years Sheriff of Jennings county. His death occurred June 10th, 1869. Lin- coln Dixon's mother was a Miss Belinda Foster, who was born in Jef- ferson county, Indiana, November 25th, 1826. Lincoln Dixon's early schooling was received at the Jen- nings Academy at Vernon, and in 1876 he entered the State University at Bloomington, Indiana, and from there he graduated with honor in 1880. He at once began the study of law, a profession for which he was so well by nature adapted. He was admitted to the bar, began practice and has been successful from the start.
In the House of Representatives, session of 1882-83, he was chosen Reading Clerk for that body. In 1884 he was nominated by the Demo- cratic party for Prosecuting Attorney of his Judicial District, the sixth, composed of Jennings, Scott and Rip- ley counties, the duties of which office he discharged with such great satis- faction to his constituents that he was renominated in 1886, and elected, and again in 1888. In the last election the fight between the parties in the district was very hot and close, and while the Republicans carried the District by two hundred majority,
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JENNINGS COUNTY.
Mr. Dixon was triumphantly elected with a majority of 207. He is an honorable young man. a bright law- yer and a good speaker, and is making a remarkable record. Mr. Dixon was married to Miss Kate Storey, of Ver- non, October 16th, 1884.
JOHN D. KIDD-Treasurer of Jennings county, is a native of Butler county, Ohio, where he was born July 23d, 1845. He is a son of Sam- uel C. and Sarah M. (Chancey ) Kidd, natives of Ohio and Maryland. The former located in Jennings county in 1849, on a farm in Sand Creek town- ship, where he was quite a prominent man in local politics, holding a num- ber of township offices at different times. He enlisted in Company B. (137th ) regiment of Indiana Infantry, in which he was a corporal. John D. was reared on his father's farm and received his education in the public schools of his neighborhood.
Ile enlisted in the army in 1863, Co. H. (120th) regiment of Indiana Infantry, and was out twenty- five months, when he was discharged, the war having closed. He took part in the Atlanta campaign, and was in the battle of Franklin-the last severe battle of the war. Since the return of peace he has worked at his trade, serving occasionally in some town- ship office-one time as township assessor. He was elected county treasurer in 1886, on the Republican ticket and re-elected in 1858. Mr.
Kidd was married to Miss Sarah Jane. Stewart, a daughter of Jonathan Stewart, of Jennings county. They have five children, viz: Albion S., John C., Avanel Blanche, Mary Leora and George C.
Mr. Kidd is a member of the G. A. R. and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
JOHN OVERMYER - Lawyer and Ex .- Speaker of Indiana House of Representatives, was born in Pick- away county, Ohio, November 18th, 1844, and is a son of George and Harriet (Camp) Overmyer, natives of Ohio, who in 1849 settled on a farm in Jackson county . Ind. Here John, the subject, was reared and educated. When sufficiently prepared he entered Asbury University (now DePauw) in September, 1863, from which he graduated in June, 1867.
During the last year in college he took up the study of law, and upon leaving college he located in Jennings county, where in February, 1868 he was admitted to the bar to practice law. He is one of the leading law- vers in the county and ranks high in his profession.
From 1871 up to 1875 he had for a partner his brother, David Overmyer, who in 1882 removed to Kansas and was a candidate for Congress in fall of 1888.
In 186> John Overmyer was elected to Legislature from Jennings county, and was chairman of committee on
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SOUVENIR SKETCHES.
organization of courts. In 1872 and 1873 he was Reading Clerk in Indiana Senate, and in 1875 he was prin- cipal Secretary of said Senate.
In 1876 he was again elected to the Lower House, and in the sessions, general and special, of 1877, was chosen Speaker of the House. He was elected to Legislature again in 1878, but now his party (Republican) being in the minority he was defeated, though unanimously the nominee of his party at both regular and special sessions. In 1882 he was made chair- man of the Republican State Central Committee, and held the position two years; in 1888 he was delegate from the third district to the National Republican Convention and has been thoroughly identified with his party, although not in accord with the policy of opposition to tariff revision and reduction. His political creed is "the greatest good to the greatest number." He believes the world is governed too much-that the laws should be as simple and direct as possibly con- sistent with public order.
He has been a member of the Ex. ecutive Republican State Committee from 1878 to 1886, except in 1880.
He is president of the Jennings County Bank, organized in 1885 He was made its first president and has served in that capacity up to the present time. The institution is a Bank of Discount and Deposit and has a capital of $25,000. Frank E. Little has been his law partner since 1885.
Mr. Overmyer was married October 30th, 1870 to Miss Mary F. Sherfey, of Greencastle. They have two chil- dren, Misses Florence and Isabella.
JAMES SCHULTHEISS - Was born in Gibson county, Indiana, Sep- tember 28th, 1842, and is a son of John and Catharine (Shaffer) Schultheiss, both born in Germany, the former near Strasburg, and came to America in 1838, locating in Gib- son county, Indiana, and the latter came to this country with her parents about 1840. James, the subject, was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools of his county. At the age of eighteen he entered the army under the first call for troops in the spring of 1861, for three months. He afterward enlisted for "three years or during the war," and at the end of that time veteranized and remained in the service until the surrender at Appomattox closed the struggle. He was in Company G., Sixtieth Infantry, and saw active service as long as the war lasted, a part of the time on scout duty. He was in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Stone River, Arkansas Post, Vieks- burg, and at Appomattox. He was in the Red River expedition under Gen. Banks. Several times entered the enemy's lines as a spy, and was successful in obtaining the infor- mation sought and of escaping into his own lines. Was taken prisoner half- a-dozen times or more, but always
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TENNINGS COUNTY.
managed to make his escape. He returned home at the close of the war and settled in Indianapolis, learned the earpenter's trade, worked at it six or seven years, then floated around for a time, living in Knox, Ripley, Spencer counties, etc. Finally, he settled down in Jennings county, where he has since lived, and where he owns a farm of seventy acres of well improved land. He was married in 1866 to Miss Malinda Schmidt, born in Strasburg, Germany, and who came to America with her parents in 1856, settling in Indianapolis. Mr. and Mrs. Schultheiss have six chil- dren, viz: Amelia, August, Mary, Peter, Lonis and George. Mr. Schultheiss is a member of Cox Post G. A. R., No. 209, Indianapolis.
HON. GREENE L. SMITH .-- The subject of this sketch, Hon. Greene L. Smith, was born in Meigs county, Ohio, on the Ohio river, near Pomeroy, September 6th, 1848. He was the son of Harrison and Eliza L. Smith - nee Alexander - both natives of Ohio. His grand-parents on both sides were Virginians. His great-grandfather, Conrad Smith was, a soldier in the army of Virginia in the colonial days under Gov. Dun- more, and afterwards served for seven years in the army of the revolution under Gen. Washington, being pres- ent at the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown. His father was a steam- boat man on the Western and South-
ern rivers. He was educated at Franklin College, Ind., where he took a two years' course; but his education was more practical than scientifie, acquired chiefly from per- sonal observation. Ile began the study of law at Pomeroy, Ohio, in 1865, but his course was intermitted by school teaching, so that he was not admitted to the bar of the Com- mon Pleas Court of Jennings county, Ind., until 1867, having left Ohio and settled in Indiana after he com- meneed the study of law. He followed the law as a profession in Jennings county until 1884, when he was elected by the Democratie party as State Senator for the counties of Jennings and Jackson. At the ses- sion of the Indiana Senate for 1885- 86, he was chairman of the committee on Enrolled Bills, and also a member of both the Judiciary and Committee on Banking. At the close of the ses- sion of 1885, he was nominated for President of the Senate by the Democratic caucus over Senators Weir and Sellers, and at the session of 1887- 88, made the most notable contest known in the political history of Indiana for Lieutenant-Governor and President of the Senate, against ('ol. R. S. Robinson, Republican, who claimed to have been elected by the people. Mr. Smith triumphed in this contest, thus securing the election of Hon. David Turpie to the Senate of the United States. In INSS, Mr. Smith was a candidate for the Democratic nomination for Attorney-General, but
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