USA > Indiana > Grant County > Centennial history of Grant County, Indiana, 1812 to 1912 : compiled from records of the Grant county historical society, archives of the county, data of personal interviews, and other authentic sources of local information > Part 27
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This part of the county of Grant originally had a full representation as regards animated nature. The black bear was once a denizen of the
PROSTO
BUSINESS CENTER IN VAN BUREN
forest of this region, and numerous are the stories told of the encounters of hunters with him while engaged in the chase of this animal. The gray wolf, with a few of the black species, was quite merous and destructive to lambs, pigs, ealves, sheep, efe., in the first settling. Wild cats were plentiful; they were terrible when caught by a dog. Deer were plentiful and it was not uneonnnon for a hunter to kill four or five in a day.
The prairies in the township were not as large as in some other localities. That known as Met'owen's Prairie is largest (it is sometimes called Sweetsar's). It had at first nearly two hundred acres of open prairie, covered with tall grass in summer, and in spring it was hitle else than a lake. Kirk's Prairie, just south of the Creviston farm. is the source of Little Black creek. It has been drained and become good farm land. A small prairie east of the Abe Endsley farm was another small body of water in spring, and in summer it suited the rattlesnakes to lie around and frighten those that came to gel berries, flags, etc. A small prairie on Tony Korporal's land has disappeared and become a part of his farm. A prairie known as Tippey's had all the general features of those already described.
The drainage of this township is through its creeks and branches into
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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY
the Salamonia river, except in the southwestern part through the north branch of Lugar's creek, and thener to the Mississinewa.
Big Black creek enters the township at the half-mile corner, on the east side of section 36, and pursues a northwesterly course to a point near the center of section 21; thence northeasterly, passing out of the township near the northeast corner of section 12, having ten and eight- tenths miles within the township, with about thirty-four feet of fall. This ereck was at first very fine in its number of fish. Big Black has an ex- tensive drainage, and has been out and reeut till it is greatly improved. The cutting and clearing ont the upper part of this stream was one of the first undertakings of the kind in the county under a ditch law, having been surveyed in 1860, and was cut out during the war and surpassed the most sanguine expectations in the way of drainage. Little Black creek rises in the prairie south of the Creviston place, and has an easterly and southeasterly course of nearly seven miles by its meandering, with a fall of nearly forty feet; it enters "Big Black" on the Corey farm. Rood's run is nearly Tour and three-quarter miles long, with a fall of nearly forty-three feel. Baker's ditch, including Brushy run, is an- other important system of drainage, and also Honey ereck and the outlet of MeCowen's prairie. The Cory ditch, the outlet of the Cover pond, also Doyle's diteh and several others are the principal works of drain- age, to say nothing of those of minor note. These give as complete a system of drainage as is to be found in any township.
A white oak stood on the land of Stephen Cory. It was one of the great trees of North America. It measured nine feet in diameter four feet from the ground, having a well-proportioned body and a regular and well balanced top, measuring forty-five feet to the first limb from the ground. It stood in the Indianapolis and Fort Wayne state road ; the travel passed on each side, which probably caused its death in 1839. It was cut down on Christmas day, 1850. in a "frolic" made for the occasion ; it was perfectly sound.
The Godfrey trace entered this township near the William Kirk- patrick farm, now known as the William Sanderman farm, and passed nearly one-half mile south of Van Buren, and continued the same course, passing through the lands owned by Michael Doyle, Sr., now owned by his son, A. J., a little north of where his house now stands ; thenee passing on the ridge south of MeCowen's prairie, and leaving the county. This was an Indian trace from the Godfrey reserve on the Salamonia to the Indians on the Mississinewa below Marion. The Lancaster trace went from where Jesse Lancaster settled in section 7 in 1833 to a point in Wells county where he settled after leaving Grant county, passing nearly cast and on the north side of MeCowen's prairie. These traces and the Fort Wayne state road were the only traveled routes in the township in 1839.
The first entries of land are found to be by Daniel La. Westcott, October 28, 1835, in section 1 ; William MeVoy, in section 1. November 21, 1836; Solomon Fry in section 1, September 6, 1936; James Kilgore. in section 2, October 31, 1836 ; Jacob Crist, in section 3, November 11. 1836 (320 acres, and the money to make this entry was received from the pro- ceeds of a lottery ticket held by him for which he received $17,000, after all expenses were paid, but he died almost insolvent ) ; John Thomas, in section 8, November 19, 1836; Ed B. Thomas, in section 9, November 19, 1836; Geo. Cailey, in section 10, October 8, 1836; Stephen Corey, in sce- tion 11, September 6, 1836; Michael Roush, in section 11, September 8, 1836; Philip Shaffer, in section 11, September 8, 1836; Calvin Rusell. in section 12, September 19, 1836; John Matheny, in section 12. Septem- ber 6, 1836 ; Joseph Lindsey, in section 14. October 14, 1836; John Bagg. in section 15. September 5. 1536; Johan Thomas, in section 15, Novem-
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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY
ber 19, 1836; William M. Kirkpatrick, in section 19, November 8, 1836; William Dillon, in section 19. November 8, 1886; James Bay, in section 20. September 5, 1836; Joseph Lugar, in section 31. September 29, 1836. John Hamilton, in section 31. September 16, 1836; Basil Foster, in ser tion 32, August 24, 1836; Dennis Springer, in section 1, February 21. 1837; Aber See, in section 8. March 23, 1537.
In 1833 Jesse Lancaster located on the northeast quarter of section 7, a little south of the bee schoolhouse, on the south side of the outlet of the prairie, or Little Black creek; he was the first white person that tried to live in the territory known as Van Buren township. It was then an unbroken wilderness, with plenty of Indians camped round about for hunting deer and bear. On one occasion the wolves chased his dogs into his cabin, snapping at them in the door as they ran in and went under the bed. Lancaster did not remain here very long but moved over into Wells county, and entered land and settled on it. His son Nathan was the first white child born in Van Buren township. October 25, 1536. He is now nearly seventy years of age and lives at Keystone, Wells county, Indiana. John Gilbert settled on the Walter Madden place in 1836. He was the first auditor elected in Grant county. Joseph Lindsey came in 1837 and setthal on the Mills Whinnery farm, now owned by Elijah Previston. Joseph Whinnery settled on the Savon farm in 1837; he made himself noted by his verse-making; here is a specimen of his poetry :
Meditation. Days of my childhood, Where are they ! Thon brimful eye, Withhold thy tear, For on Time's wing Ye have Hed away And left me a wanderer here.
Epitaph.
This stone atfests What few others ean. That beneath this stone There lies an honest man.
Joseph Boxell came in June, 1837, and settled on the farm now owned by Martin Hanmore. He was a minister in the Methodist Prot estant church, and in the early days he gave the name to Van Buren township. Adam Pully. Sr., came in 1837 and settled on the well known farm of Amos Keltner. William Boxell settled, in 1538, on the farm near Van Buren schoolhouse. John Boxell. in 1838, settled on the farm now owned by William Bird, at the bend of Black creek." Sammel Malcom came in 1839 and settled on the farm now owned by Joseph Lugar, in section 30; his house stood on the summit, between the waters of the Mississinewa and Salamonia. Solomon Fry settled where Henry C'reviston now lives, in 1838. John Duckwall settled on the farm where his two sons, Joseph and Burgoyne, now live, in 1538. Michael Roush came in 1837 and lived on the place entered by Philip Shaffer in see tion 11. Henry Douglass came in 1537 : James Douglass, his Father. rame in 1838; they both lived on the farm known as the Douglass farm. John Huff and sons, Hiram and John, came in 1839. JJohn Hoff, Sr. settled just north of Daniel Tinkel's and the sons live on farms well known to the public. Philip Wineburner settled the William Days
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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY
farm in 1839. William Wineburner settled on the Isaac Anderson farm in 1839. Andrew Chidister was the first settler on the Lease farm, in 1836; he built the first brick house in the township. Frederick Light settled on the north part of the Elijah Creviston place in 1841. John Dugan settled where his heirs now live, in 1839. William Long settled where George Cochran now lives, in 1840. Joseph Ludwick came in 1841 and settled on the Holmes Farm. John Endsley came in 1840 and settled on the southwest quarter of section &: Abe See entered and first settled it. George W. Gardner came in 1811. Samuel Med'owen came as early as 1840 and settled on the east side of the prairie. William Kirkpatrick came in 1843 and Daniel Crevision came in 1843. George 11. 1). Rood came in 1843 and settled on the farm on which the depot is located at Van Buren. Lot Green came from Fayette county, Indiana, and settled on the farm now owned by W. K. Frazier, in 1844. He was a minister in the Christian or Campbellite church and has served as justice of the peace. Joseph Campbell settled the Long farm in 1839; he sold to William Long, and first settled the Steinebruner farm, in 1640. Deitrick Steinebruner came in 1846 and bought of Joseph Camp- bell. Hezekiah Znek came in 1841 and settled on the farm well known as the Zuek place. Henry Shancholser came in 1813. Stephen Nice- wanger settled in the fall of 1842 on the farm where his son William H. now lives. William Hays settled where his widow now lives, in 18-49. Here at one time was located Greenbush postoffice. Jacob Stroup, in 1840, settled in the farm owned by the late Alfred Wilson. Stromp was a "mity" hunter of all kinds of game. He had treed a wild cat in a brush heap, and Joseph Whinnery, the poet, came along with a favorite dog that he said could kill the d-I and wished Stroup to let the dog at it. One dash at the cat was enough ; the "fur dew" and he was off like a shot with his "stub-tail" tucked under. Samuel Doyle came in 1840, and settled where his son Michael now lives; at one time he served as one of the county commissioners. Michael Doyle came in 1837, and settled where his son A. J. now lives. He was a distinguished hunter, and at the age of eighty-three his mind was quick at recollection of the olden day of deer, bear, coon, turkey and fish. He was kind and hospit- able to all ; he was a native of Guernsey county, Ohio. William Boller settled the farm where his heirs live in 1861. Jackson J. Pulley settled where he now lives, in 1859. Frank Thompson settled the Compton farm in 1846. Stephen Corey came in 1839 and settled on the farm just north of where Corey's cemetery is located; he was one of the first justices in the township.
Concerning the incidents of long ago, a few stories are here related. A big black wolf kept prowling around in Van Buren township in the early days, and Steve Studyvain came over from Monroe with a large trap, intending to "gather him in," but he eluded the trap Steve set for him and still went the rounds for lambs and pies. At length Michael Doyle became tired of his tricks and borrowed Study vain's trap, and set it near the carcass of a steer near the Cover pond. The animal's foot was caught and its efforts to escape were terrible, but it was shot by Elijah Lyon, who was present with a gun. Michael Doyle in the early days counted one hundred wild turkeys in this green wheatfield, but his dog put them to flight before he finished counting. He also killed a wolf in 1839 that weighed eighty-seven pounds.
In November and December, 1838, during the influx of population, fifteen persons lived for six weeks in a cabin sixteen by sixteen feet, at Mike Doyle's; then E. E. Camblin, Sr., and family moved to their own cabin January 1, 1839. A bee tree on the land of Mike Doyle was climbed eighty-six feet by felling another tree against it. John Mays went up Vol. 1-12
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and lowered down what made twenty-one gallons of strained honey, he- sides a big lot that was carried away in the comb. An old-fashioned barn-raising came off at Andrew Chidester's; it was a double log barn with floor between pens built of hewed logs. Seven gallons of the " best rye" that could be had were "laid in" and the work of raising went on ; there was enough of spirits it was said for such an occasion, but the building was only partially completed the first day. They sang, danced and "frolicked" all night, and even the presence of a justice of the peace did not insure such order and quietness as some would desire. When daylight came they declared not another log would "go up" un- less more whiskey was brought. Three gallons more were obtained and brought there. Four gallons more were obtained. Then it went up with a Imurrah!
A big otter killing came off on January 31. 1867, on Little Black ervek, just above the point where the Fort Wayne road crosses : four large otters were killed on this occasion by Joseph, Lewis JJ., Lavanner aud Stephens Corey and Allen Mckeever. Frank Leas and Dr. L. Corey bought all other interests in the pelts for $20, and sent them to New York and had two large sets of furs made of them for their wives.
John Duekwall and Samuel Malcom were soldiers of the War of 1812 and were at Detroit in Hull's surrender. Dnekwall died in 1879. aged eighty-seven. Smith Jeffries came here m 1850; he was in the War of 1s12. served in Virginia, and died in 1881 aged eighty-eight.
R. D. Fornshell came to this township in 1844 ; he was regarded as a leader in the Democratic party; was for many years a school teacher, and for sixteen years he was elected justice of the peace, and then one vacaney ocenrred, when he was re-elected.
Old Indian camping grounds were situated where Godfrey's trace crossed Black creek, near the southeast corner of T. B. Doyle's land ; one on the outlet of MeCowen's prairie, at the Big Beaver dam below Henry Moler; a sugar camp on the land of Milton Camblin was a very noted camping ground. In some mounds on the land of David Heekard. bones, ashes, coal and burnt clay have been found. There are several mounds on the land of William Leverich and two on the Jaud of Samuel Roush, on the south side of the ercek. The first saw-mill was built on Black ereek, in 1848, by G. H. D. Rood; Michael Roush owned it afterward.
record of deaths from accident is: Mary B., wife of T. B. Runyan, was killed by lightning. A son of JJoseph Lindsey was scalded to death by falling into a kettle of potash. John Frazier was killed by the fall of a coon tree in 1843. Jennie Knox hang herself at Conwell's barn and George W. Gardener met death in the same manner. Elias St. Clair was caught in machinery at a mill and was killed in 1877. Williams Barnes was killed by a runaway team in 1978. George Roush was killed by a saw-mill explosion in 1878. F. Ludwick was killed by being thrown on a circular saw in 1877. William Anderson was killed by the fall of a tree in 1845. John Matheny, in the year 1841. shot himself. John Dailey fell dead in 1866 in the streets of Van Buren.
For any one who did not pass through the pioneer period of Van Buren township, it is hardly possible to conceive what mighty changes have been wrought, what sacrifices have been made, what joys and sor- rows must have been experienced. The long years of ceaseless toil. the months and years of foyers and ills, incident to an undrained land inter- mingled with the hopes of better days. The devotion to and the faith in the unexcelled quality of Grant county's best soil, made it possible for the present generation to go over, through or around her bonds happy in the thought that it is a heaven kissed place in our fair state.
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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY
Probably the three things that have contributed most to the material development in the past twenty-five years are the drainage system, the improved roads, and the railroad. The main lines of dram- age, as have been indicated above, were the outlets for certain parts only, and the dozens of ponds, swamps, marshes and other low places must be reached by smaller branches. Tiling came into use about twenty- five years ago and the farmer was not slow to see the value of drained land compared with the production afforded by the knobs or high points that were not water-covered. For about fifteen years the spade and the shovel were bright from continuons use almost the year round and the miles and miles of tiling and cost of placing it under surface enforced upon the land owner a debt that very few, it seemed, were able to with- stand. Mortgage after mortgage was tiled and the money used thus enabled the farmer to bring his production to a paying basis, and that in conjunction with the revenue From the oil industry which sprang up about twelve years ago wiped out the mortgage, removed the log cabin, the log stable, the rail fence, the mud road, and gave in their stead a bank account, a frame or brick house, a huge barn, wire fence, and gravel road. It has been reported upon good authority that twelve years ago more than two-thirds of the farms were covered by mortgages and today such a condition is hardly found to exist anywhere in the town- ship-in Fact, all are living in comfort, and most of the pioneers living have much to call their own in their last days. In 1895 there were less than twelve miles of graveled road in the township and today there are less than ten miles of ungraveled road within the boundary, while the township is bounded by gravel roads with the exception of four miles. The schools of our township have always taken a conspicuous rank among the other townships of the county, and it has been hinted that she may well claim first place in several things. "Tis true during the days of development the schools did not have the necessary funds to equip them as they should have been on account of the low valuation of property, but for the past six years the valuation has increased to such proportions that, notwithstanding the rate of taxation is placed almost at the minimuma rate, the schools could be conducted the year round. Nor is that all. At present they are all well equipped. and the rate of wages for the township is higher than is paid in any other township in Indiana.
Two years ago, not one cent was paid ont for pauper expense, not because we were selfish or stingy, but because not one application was made for support. Nine churches are within the bounds of the town- ship and moral and spiritual development have kept pace with the material development and no one can deny the fact that the moral sentiment of this scetion is as high as is to be found anywhere.
The wealth of the township is found chiehy in its farm productions and the oil product. Corn, wheat. oats, rye and hay are raised exten- sively and profitably, as well as fruits of almost all varieties. The revenue from the oil operations has been generally distributed among all classes, and by so doing there have been few instances in recent years where poverty was found such as demanded the support of the public funds. Every community must of necessity have a center or head, and the township seat is Van Buren, as has been noted above. At present, the town has a population of from sixteen hundred to eighteen hundred people. It has passed the boom days of off excitement and has settled down to a normal, steady growth which insures stability and desirable advancement for its citizens.
Recently substantial improvements have been made in the erection of at least fifteen brick blocks, the two main thoroughfares paved with
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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY
brick, and the town will soon be well lighted. Every line of merchandise incident to this scetion is carried on extensively and the stores found here would well serve a city and community of much more pretentious proportions.
The M. B. & E. traction line passes through the place and township parallel with the Clover Leaf Railroad and bids fair to do much to assist the town and township in their material advancement. Landess is partly in Van Buren and partly in Washington township, and serves well to help the community in the western part of the township. It is a thrifty village of five hundred and is well supported by a substantial community in both townships.
From many standpoints of view, Van Buren township affords op- portunities and advantages that are second to none in any locality. Iler present generation is born of that pioneer product that is willing to look for better things, those who are willing to help in any honorable pursuit, or sympathize with any distressed or needy condition. The joys and sorrows of the past are as sunshine and shadow that chase each other over billowy fields of waving grain, yet the golden harvest of these years of toil are abundant compensation for the effort exercised.
And in years to come, among generations that take up the ceaseless task of doing good, there no doubt will come to them many inspirations from the pioneer spirit long gone by that will be an incentive to greater and nobler efforts in their stride for material and spiritual gain.
XXX. CENTER TOWNSHIP IN HISTORY By Miss Frone A. Case
The history of Center township and the city of Marion was read before the Historical Society March 30, 1907, and because it was Center Township day Miss Jessie Webster was the soloist. The historian said :
The best an historian can do is to approach avenracy, for to reach it is beyond his scope. The present historian is severely conscious of her sins of commission, but hopes they are not greater than are her sins of omission, for both of which she earnestly begs an absolutory sentence.
Great human interest attaches to the adjective " first "; the first l'eeble ery of the babe; the first tottering steps of the child; the first short trousers of the boy and long skirts of the girl; the first day at school ; the first consciousness of beauty and dawn of love; the first earnings of labor and accumulation of capital; the first sermon, client or patient ; the first battle, the first sorrow -- in short, the opening incidents in every earthly career have a thrill of their own out of proportion to that he- longing to a thousand greater things that may follow, but we know;
"There are gains for all our losses, There is balm for all our pain, But when from youth the dream departs, It takes something from our hearts, And it never comes again." -- Stoddard.
The historian of Center offers no apology for the reiteration of the word "first," believing that withont first there would be no hereafter. From 1828 until 1831 all the territory included within the borders of Grant formed a part of Delaware county. At this time the population of this portion of the state was rapidly increasing, consequently the set-
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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY
tiers, concluding they were entitled to representation in the legitim petitioned that body to this effect, and the petition was approved Feb ruary 18, 1831. The name Grant was given the new county in memory of and in honor of Captain Sanmiel Grant and Moses Grant, both of whom fell in battle with the Indians in 1790, in southern Indiana.
The county as first organized consisted of but two townships of nearly equal dimensions. All north of a line passing through the central part of township 24 was called Pleasant, and all south of that line was called Union. This gave to the county its present boundaries with the excep- tion of a two-mile strip which in 1858 was given to Madison county. In 1834 a three-mile strip of land was taken from the southern part of Pleasant, and the same from the northern part of Union, forming the new township of Center. In 1863 a small strip of land in Washington between the Mississinewa river and Pleasant township was transferred to Center.
On October 19, 1825, Martin Boots bought of the United States a part of seetions 6, 24 and 8, the land on which the western part of Marion now stands. This was the first purchase of land made in the township, also in the county. In 1826 Martin Boots employed James and Daniel Cox to build a saw mill and later a corn cracker was attached to the mill. Should a pioneer crave the rare delicacy -- flour, he was compelled to go to Richmond to obtain it.
On December 9, 1825, John Ballinger entered part of section 8, near the cemetery, the farm later owned by Isaac Jay. February 20, 1826, Jesse Adamson located in section 21, later the Martin Griffin land. In August, 1826, David Branson, with his son, Thomas, settled in see- tion 6, now the eastern part of Marion. The same year Jacob Branson located on what was later known as the Joel Overman farm. With noticeable prescience these early settlers selected land in or near the site chosen six years later for the county seat.
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