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 30
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95
The early settlers along Back creek, and the supporters of Quaker- ism as well, were the Winslows, the Rushes, the Baldwins, the Hills, the Newbys and the Harveys.
"It will be strange to the people of today to think that at one time here the squirrels were so bad that the people had to make shooting matches to get them out of the way," writes the late William G Lewis in his book of reminiscences. "Two men would choose the gunners and they would choose a driver. The driver was not supposed to carry a
* In that day it was necessary to mould and burn brick by hand. It was a tedious process, and accounts for the delay in completing the structure.
-
196
HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY
gun, but this rule was not always strictly carried out. I chose for my driver old Unele Lewis Harrison. Ile was a soldier in the War of 1812, a good shot, and used a flint-lock gun. The squirrel was very apt to drop when he shot. Lewis Harrison was the father of Luther Harrison and Mrs. Henry Deshon. The first day we killed eighty-seven squirrels, and crows and owls and hawks. A crow would count for five squirrels, an owl and hawk the same. The squirrels would work on the corn in the spring and in the fall; the fields were not large, and woods all around, so they had a good chance. My father was paid 50 cents a day and ammunition found him for shooting squirrels around the fields of the Simonses and the Todds. They were all gray squirrels. The fox squirrels came in long afterwards. They were not so plentiful, and they were more shy than the gray squirrels. The blackbirds were very numerous and destructive to grain, wheat and oats suffering most. The farmers used to make what they called a horse fiddle. It turned with a crank and made a noise that could be heard quite a distance. The noise did not seare quite everything to death, but it would seare these pests away. We would take this rattle trap and go round the field several times a day in order to scare the intruders away. Wild turkey's were very plentiful and bad on corn. The hunter would take his gun and slip around the field- and many times get a turkey. And sometimes they would build a pen and dig a trench for them to go in, cover the top over, and when Mr. Turkey would get inside he did not know how to get out. A great many were caught this way. I heard my father say he thus caught nine at one time."
The first Methodist church in Fairmount township was organized at the home of Joseph Weston about 1835. The charter members were Elijah B. Ward, Elizabeth Ward,* Joseph Weston, Lydia Weston, David Lewis, Naney Lewis, William Payne, Celia Payne, George Crist, Martha Crist and Ann Austin. The latter taught the first term of school (Ver held in this part of the township. Elijah Ward was the first class loader at old Sugar Grove, after the class moved the place of meeting from Joseph Weston's, Joseph Weston being the first class leader. This class was organized by Wade Posey. Rev. G. W. Bowers was the second preacher. These people were the earliest supporters of Methodism in this part of the country.
The first Baptist church was organized at the home of William Leach, a commodious two-story log structure located about five miles southeast of Fairmount. This was the beginning of the church that is now known as Harmony church, which holds services in a brick building standing on the pike northwest of Matthews. The first members when the church was originally formed at the beach home were William Leach and wife, Benjamin Furnish and wife, William McCormick and wife and James Gillespie and wife. Benjamin Furnish was an associate judge of the cirenit eourt from 1845 to 1852.
The United Brethren in 1844 organized a elass at Carter Hasting's home, one mile sonth of Fairmount. The charter members were Solomon Thomas and wife, JJohn Thomas and wife, Isaae Anderson and wife. Carter Hastings and wife, William Hall and wife, John Buller and wife and John Smith and wife. William Hall was the first class leader Services were held later on at the home of Hall in Fairmount. He was called to the ministry, and for a number of years preached at dif- ferent points in this section of Indiana. In 1859 Hall was elected to the legislature, serving until 1863 as a representative from Grant county.
* This church was then located on land now owned by Henry Roberts. It was later moved to the David Lewis farm, on the County Line Road, now owned by Daniel Johnson.
197
HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY
The Wesleyan Methodist church was started about 1848, at the home of Harvey Davis, who at that time lived about two miles and a half southwest of Fairmount. The charter members were Lindsay Buller and wife, Elijah Harrold and wife and Henry Wilson and wife. The class was organized by Rev. Alfred Tharpe. Meetings were continued at the home of Harvey Davis until 1850, when William Cox, David Smithson, James Farrington and Harvey Davis built a schoolhouse on the Davis farm, where services were held for ten years or more. Robert Trader and wife and Bernard MeDonnell and wife became members soon after the services were started at the schoolhouse.
A Friends meeting was held as early as 1831 at the cabin of Joseph Winslow on Back creek, two miles north of Fairmount. In the same year a double hewed log cabin was built on the Exum Newby farm. This cabin became known as the Back Creek meeting house. Nathan Morris was the first preacher. Among the first members were the Winslows, the Rushes, the Morrises, the Harveys, the Newbys and the Baldwins.
In 1833, by direction of New Garden Quarterly Meeting of Wayne county, Back Creek meeting for worship was regularly established. The meeting was opened by a committee from Mississinewa Monthly Meeting. A monthly meeting was established here in 1838 by direction of the same quarterly meeting. A fine campus and grove surrounded the brick church. Reference has already been made to the vast throngs of people who for many years attended the June sessions of the quarterly meetings held at this point.
In 1851 spiritualism swept over this part of the country. William Chamness started the movement for a town at Lake Galatia .* As early as 1833 Solomon Thomas had built a tannery in the neighborhood, and Mieajah Cross, son-in-law of William Chamness, and Moses Hollings- worth had erected cabins there. Chamness insisted that all his followers should have everything in common. Believers were required to sub- seribe to the proposition that there should be a mutual interest in all human necessities. In this way a proper community spirit would he developed. and all would labor for the common good of the faithful.
Otho Selby, a well-known surveyor of that day, was employed to locate streets and blocks. Cireles were formed and services were con- dueted by writing mediums. It was designed by the promoter to make this a seat of learning and the headquarters for the propagation of his
doctrines. William Wellington and Joseph Hollingsworth erected a saw mill and grist mill. William Chamness and son started a store and built a residence. A little later James Lancaster erected a small frame building and put in a stock of merchandise.
A printing office was located, and a periodical called the Galatia Messenger was published.t The Messenger was a four-page paper, cach page being about eleven by seventeen inches in size. Eli Selby was the editor of the periodical, which contained news of Spiritualistic move- ments, accounts of local happenings, items in reference to the seances held. The official organ frequently referred to the excellent healing qualities of the waters of the pool of Saloam. Joseph Hollingsworth and Peter Havens were two of the powerful characters connected with the movement. Mrs. Eleanor Hollingsworth, wife of Enos Hollings- worth, was one of the strong mediums. Charles Stanfield was another
* Micajah Weesner at one time ran a tan-yard near Lake Galatia. In 1552 an epidemie of cholera broke out in the neighborhood. Weesper and Alex Dolman, who had been moved to a point north of Jonesboro, died of the disease.
t Louisa Payne Thorn relates that on many occasions, as a girl, she visited the printing office and watched the pubhshers at work on their periodical.
198
HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY
active supporter. For a number of years a lane was visible through the Forest where the right of way had been blazed and graded ready for a railroad which was planned to connect this proposed city with the outside world. Many people subscribed to a fund which it was proposed to loan to the promoters of the railroad at 10 per cent interest. Thousands of crossties had been bought and hauled to the scene of operations. There are still evidences of the grading done on the James Carroll farm, near the lake, although few traces of this right of way now exist. The Chesapeake & Ohio later took practically the same route as that indicated in the original plan.
Robert Nose relates that in 1855 a man named Gerard ercated cou- siderable excitement in the neighborhood by announcing that on a vertain day he would make his ascension into heaven. Gerald had for a number of days been preparing for his transfiguration. He remained in bed and abstained from all food. E. B. Chamness, who was then teaching in the vicinity, adjourned school in order that the children might see the flight of Gerald. At the appointed hour the children and other neighbors went to the Gerald home and formed a circle around the bed. Gerald slowly arose, shook himself violently for a few minutes, swung his arms about rapidly, and by various other means attempted to take flight. He did not succeed in making the ascension as promised, and his failure created much comment in the settlement, among the children as well as among the people throughout that section of the township.
All went well for a time with the little colony. A minister of one of the orthodox churches, believed to have been Rev. George W. Bowers, one day gained the consent of leaders of the Spiritualists to preach a sermon to the faithful. The minister chose for his text, "Oh, foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you?" The sermon is described as one of great power. Bowers was an orator of ability and persuasiveness. His unanswerable logie appealed with such irresistible force to his hearers that the sermon started an agitation which eventually proved to be the beginning of the end of the enterprise. The movement began to disintegrate in 1857. and in time gradually disappeared. The proposed metropolis faded into memory, and today not a vestige remains of this exploded enterprise, which in its infaney promised far-reaching results.
One of the boldest opponents of Spiritualism was Morgan O. Lewis. who openly ridienled their professions and their doctrine. Bowers was a Methodist preacher. He was a fighter when it became necessary to enforce respect for religious services. Upon one occasion, it is related, an intoxicated hoodlum made bold to walk up to the platform and take his seat in the pulpit with the minister. Bowers remonstrated with the drunken man, who promptly replied that he had as much right in the pulpit as Bowers had, whereat Bowers took hold of the ruffian by the nape of the neck, and forcibly escorted him to the door, putting the boot to the disturber as he went out. After this circumstance became known throughout the settlement Bowers was never known to have been interrupted in his meetings. Eli Selby, soon after the enterprise dis appeared, went to Missouri and settled in the Ozark mountains. When the Civil war broke out Selby sympathized with the Confederacy. He and his son, George, joined the bushwhackers. Both were killed in the Ozarks during operations against the Union forces. It is not known what became of other members of the family. E. B. Chamness, son of William Chamness, lived for many years at Alexandria, Indiana. Ile died in 1910. The widow, Mrs. Clara K. Chamness, owns a cottage at Chesterfield, on the camp ground which is now occupied by the Indiana Association of Spiritualists at their annual meetings.
199
IHISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY
Lake Galatia afforded fine fishing for the pioneer. There was an abundance of black bass and plenty of fine perch. A hard freeze in 1862 killed them off, and fish has not since been so plentiful in the lake. Attention was turned to the Mississinewa river later on, where there were plenty of pike, salmon, red horse, suckers, bass and perel. The scattering settlers thought that the gig or hook was too slow for eatehing lish, so they devised a brush drag long enough to span the river, and with grapevine and hickory bark improvised into a rope they pulled the drag down to the deep hole where they landed with all the fish they could take care of.
East Branch Preparative Meeting of Friends was established in 1869, and held in a schoolhouse until 1871. The ministers accredited to the Friends in Fairmount township in 1877 were John Carey, Ruth T. Carey, Back Creek ; Dr. William H. Charles, Thomas Jay and Nixon Rush, Ir., Fairmount ; and Milton Winslow, East Branch.
A United Brethren church, known as Union chapel, was built in 1839 on the Solomon Thomas farm. Rev. John Pugsley was the first preacher at this church.
Susannah Baldwin, daughter of Charles Baldwin, who settled in the township in 1830. taught the first school at Back Creek in 1831. Others who taught here were Mahlon Neal. Thomas Winslow, Henry Harvey, Jesse Harvey and John Harvey. The first schoolhouse was built ou the Benjamin Benbow farm, later known as the Daniel Thomas farm, now owned by William Beasley. It was a log structure erected in 1836. The next school building was erected on the Jacob MeCoy farm in 1839. In 1844 the first frame schoolhouse was built on the Edmund Leach farm, about three-fourths of a mile south of Fowlerton, by popular do- nation. A store and a saw mill was also started at about the same time, and the community took the name of beachburg. Joe Broyles taught here. Among those who attended this school were Elizabeth and Louisa Reeder, William Duling, John Duling. George W. Reeder. Henry Car- penter. Charles M. Leach, Clark Leach. Frank Brewer, James Terrell, John W. Furnish, Milt Brewer, Mary Brewer, William, John H. and Adriel Simons and Morton and Oliver McCormick, the two last named being grandsons of Robert MeCormick. The earliest teachers in the township upon the building of the schoolhouses were David Stanfield. Thomas Baldwin, Joseph W. Baldwin, Solomon Thomas. Thomas Gordon, Rachel Lee and John T. Morris. Thomas, Edmund and Solomoa Duling were among the first settlers on Barren ereck. Solomon Thomas served as commissioner from the third district one term, 1832-1835. Edmind Duling was commissioner from 1864 to 1866, inclusive. J. P. Winslow served as commissioner from 1873 to 1877. John Kelsay served from 1903 to 1907. Thomas J. Uncas served from 1907 to 1910, and was re- elected the second time for the term of 1913-1916.
James Montgomery eame in 1830 and entered land in 1837. Ile was an intrepid hunter and trapper, and never failed to get his share of the game on his expeditions into the forest. In the winter of 1840. perhaps December of that year, Montgomery tracked a bear in the snow about two miles and a half south of Fairmount. He summoned JJohn Weston, Solomon Thomas and JJacob Davis, and they started in pursuit. The bear, which proved to be one of the biggest yet seen in the settle- ment, was overtaken and killed. The earcass was brought to JJames Mont- gomery's home, skinned and ent into meat and divided among the neigh- bors. Lindsay Buller, Francis Lytle. Henry Harvey, James Lytle, Lewis Jones and Thomas Winslow, while out hunting in 1840, killed a bear west of where the town of Summitville now stands. It was a fero- cious female, and put up a terrifie fight. The brute was finally sub-
200
HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY
dued and killed. The careass was brought late at night to the cabin of Harvey Davis, where the bear was skinned and cut up into meat Mrs. Davis prepared a mess of bear meat for the hungry hunters which was for many years the talk of the entire settlement.
The first marriage license issued in Grant county was granted to John Smith, son of Caleb Smith, and Mary Ann Thomas, daughter of Solomon Thomas. Caleb Smith, father of the groom, walked from his home near Jonesboro to the Solomon Thomas cabin, on Lake Galatia farm, to perform the ceremony, which occurred on September 8, 1831.
Union graveyard is located on land entered by Solomon Thomas in 1835. Among the early pioneers buried in this graveyard are James Montgomery, Martha Creek, Anna Brewer (wife of Aaron Brewer, daughters of Solomon Thomas), Isaiah Edgerton, Thomas Edgerton, William Edgerton, Harmon bytle and a small child named Alvah Ilerrold. A slab still stands in this old graveyard bearing the inscrip- tion which follows:
"Alvah, son of Elijah and Rachel Herrold, died May 25, 1844. aged two years, eight months and twenty-five days. 'This to wait is far from contention, where no soul can dream of dissension.'"'
The quotation is from an old hyum book which was at that time in general use at church services. Solomon Thomas laid out this grave- yard, which comprises about half an aere of land and donated the ground to Union U. B. church. Standing in this graveyard, as if to keep mute vigilance over the remains of the pioneer dead, is a wild cherry, a hickory, a sycamore, a walnut, an elm and a buckeye tree. The graveyard is situated just south of where Union church stood. Henry Osborn's old cabin still stands on the Lonisa Thorn farm near by.
In 1849 the Methodists held services at Henry Osborn's hewed log cabin situated on land now owned by Zim Payne, three miles southeast of Fairmount. Caleb Morris, of Marion, an exhorter, would sometimes be present and assist in conducting the services. Those who attended meetings at Osborn's were Jesse Brooks and wife, Thomas Morris and wife, David Jones and wife, Henry Osborn and wife, Charles Stanfield and wife, Emeline and Louisa Osborn, Caroline and Martha Taylor and Aaron Taylor. In those days it was no unconnon thing to eat, sleep, cook and hold religious services in a room eighteen by twenty feet.
Solomon Thomas, who appears to have been a leading figure in the pioneer days of the settlement, owned a half section of land southeast of Fairmount. Thomas planted eleven acres in orchard. About forty acres of the land was dammed for a fish pond. Neighbors finally pro- tested against the pond with such vigor, claiming that it was not good for the health, that Thomas yiekled to their importunities and permitted it to be drained.
Elijah Ward, in 1836, entered the land where the Ward cabin ( which he built ) now stands, on the county line road. A man named Griffin, who owned Griffin's Mill, refused to sell corn to people who had money. It held it for his neighbors who had neither corn nor money. Fred- erick Ice was of the same disposition. lee owned 1,700 acres of land in the edge of Delaware and Madison counties. William G. Lewis was a courageous man in his day, and while ruffians might seek trouble with others, they never bothered Lewis. David Lewis donated the land on which Sugar grove meeting house was built on the county line road southeast of Fairmount, the farm now owned by Daniel JJohnson.
Union church was built in 1843 or 1844.
Sarah Baldwin in 1845 rode horseback from Fairmount to Rich- mond to attend Indiana Yearly Meeting of Friends. The route was south to Alexandria, then to Middletown, New Castle and Richmond.
201
HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY
On this journey she was accompanied by her father, Nathan Morris, and Milton Winslow was along a part of the time. Winslow was on his way to Wayne county to see his best girl. Mary Roberts, who later became his wife and the mother of Thomas Winslow, now living on a farm three miles northeast of Fairmount.
Amaziah Beeson in 1850 ran a copper distillery two miles east of Fairmount. He also built the first brick house ever erected in Fairmount township. Daniel Thomas built the second one. Beeson distilled sassa- fras, hoarhound, peppermint, golden rod and pennyroyal, the extracts being used For medicines. Dennis Montgomery was at one time em- ployed as Beeson's assistant.
Otho Selby built a frame schoolhouse about three miles northeast of Fairmount in 1850, on land now owned by his son, John Selby. This is where Otho Selby first taught school. It was sometimes referred to as the Prairie Seminary.
Jonathan Baldwin in 1854 built the old two-story frame house on the old Baldwin homestead. The original Daniel Baldwin cabin, which stood near the hackberry tree, was torn down and removed to the north- east corner of Second and Main streets, and was afterwards used as the finishing room of the old tan-yard. In 1883 Robert Bogue bought len acres of the Baldwin homestead.
The Wide-a-wakes were active in 1856. Cassius M. Clay made a speech at Marion during the campaign of this year. Among those who went to hear him were Jonathan Baldwin and family and Mary Hollings- worth.
William Hall kept the first toll-gate about 1859, just south of town. The toll-gate was afterwards moved across the street to the east side, where Solomon Thomas kept it until his death in 1870.
There was an M. E. church at Bethel many years ago. In the Bethel grave-yard lie the remains of Isaac Suddeth, a soldier of the Revolutionary war.
In September, 1851, Fairmount township was organized by author- ity of an order issued by the board of commissioners of Grant county. This board consisted of Robert II. Lenfesty. William C. Miles and Spencer Reeder, the latter being commissioner from the third distriet.
The territory set aside for this purpose had been included within the boundary lines of Liberty township since May, 1839. The town- ship lines were then indicated as follows: "Commencing at the north- east corner of section 16 in township 23 north, range & east; run- ning thence south on section line of the southeast corner of section 1. in township 22, in range 8; thence west to the southwest corner of seetion 6 in Liberty township and range; thence north to the north- West corner of section 18, in township 23, range 8; thence east on the seetion line to the place of beginning."
In describing the surface, soil, ete., of Fairmount township. Wil- liam Neal, who for many years followed his occupation, that of a sur- veyor, and was reputed to be thoroughly conversant with practically every foot of ground in the township, in 1886 wrote as follows:
"This township presents some variety on the surface, but is gener- ally level except in the neighborhood of the streams, where it is some- what rolling, the greater portion consisting in a state of nature of black level lands where the ash, chu, and maple grew in great abundance, yet a great deal of the soil produced the walnut. poplar, beech, sugar and linn, all growing together in the fullest perfection, and arriving at great size. Along Back creek grew the poplar (tulip) in large proportion. Along Barren creek grew the oak in full size and perfec- tion. In the eastern and sontheastern portions grew in great plenty
202
HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY
all timber mixed in together, so that the lumberman could get what- ever he might want without going off the section where he might be located. The surface along Barren ercek and along the prairies is peenliar, and more or less uneven as compared with the other parts, and is almost exclusively covered with oak, mostly white oak mixed in with black and red and even some jack oak. Barren creek enters the township in section 4, township 22, range 8, and has a general north- easterly course and leaves the township a little south of the northeast corner of section 24, township 23, range 8, then comes the prairie on the west of the ereek and extending to the lake, a distance of four and one-half miles, and the valley of one is sometimes not more than forty to sixty rods from the other. The space between lies high and is covered with oak, as are also the eastern and western banks of ercek and prairie."
In June, 1855, the board of county commissioners made a general reorganization of the townships. Union and Fairmount townships were consolidated, the territory comprising the new division taking the name of Union township. Again, before the close of the year 1855. another change was ordered, and the old lines were restored. Being again consolidated in 1858, the new arrangement re-established the original boundaries and the territory thus created was called Fair- mount township. At the September session of the board of com- missioners, in 1863, a part of township 25, situated west of the Mississ- inewa river, was added to Center township, and at a later period that part of seetions 11 and 12, in township 23, range 8, which lies south of the Mississinewa was annexed to Fairmont township. There has been no change in the boundary lines of the township since 1863.
It may be remarked here, in passing, that inasmuch as Fairmount township, while yet in her infancy, partook freely of the soil of Liberty and Union, seed fell upon good ground. The natives of this particular region point with a degree of pride and satisfaction to the unusually heavy enlistments in the Union army of young men of the township who stood ready to battle for Liberty and Union upon many sanguinary fields of the South during the Civil war. Considering territorial area, there is comparatively little or no unproductive land in the township. Practically every foot of cleared ground is under enltivation. The earnest labors of the pioneer, re-enforced at a later period by the in- dustry and enterprise of his sons and daughers, have transformed the swamps, the lakes, and the beaver dams of the early day into the pro- dnetive farms of the present. The corduroy roads of more than half a century ago have been replaced by good pikes. The open ditches are to-day practically a thing of the past. Fever and ague, relentless enemies of our ancestors, have disappeared before the sweep of modern scientifie knowledge. The percentage of mortality is insignificant as compared with the appalling death rate of former times, when large families have been known to be deeimated within a few weeks by in- sidious diseases common among the pioneers.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.