USA > Indiana > Shelby County > Chadwick's History of Shelby County, Indiana, Vol. 1 > Part 28
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This place has never been incorporated, but it is a well regulated town of about five hundred peaceful inhabitants. Its churches are : the Methodist Epis- copal. whose brick buikling erected in 1858 is still doing service ; the member- ship is one hundred forty-seven. The regular Baptist church occupies a church building erected in 1903. The Seventh Day Adventists have a small congre- gation or class at Waldron, and worship in a frame building built in 1888.
The school building is a brick structure originally built in 1873 and re- built in 1899-has four rooms and a teacher for each department.
The Waldron post-office is a money order office, and has two free rural delivery routes going out from it-Nos. 1 and 2. Jerome Sparks is the present postmaster:
The Masonic fraternity owns a fine hall here, and now numbers about eighty in membership. In Eastern Star degree is a helpful auxiliary.
The Odd Fellows have a good lodge of more than one hundred members. and occupy a hall by themselves.
The Knights of Pythias have a strong lodge here and own a splendid brick hall.
BROOK FIELD.
This is a station point on the Cincinnati. Indianapolis & St. Louis Rail- way line, situated in the southwestern part of Moral township, near the county line. Situated in the southwestern part of Moral township, near the county line. As a post-office it succeeded Pleasant View. It was plotted November 26, 1863. by Robert Means and J. Dearman. It began its history as a trading point in the fifties, after the completion of the railroad. The pioneer merchant was John Joyce, who continued in trade until 1860, and was at that date succeeded by E. H. Stanley. In 1869 a grain ware house was converted into a mill, of which Mr. Stanley was the half owner. For more than two decades the firm
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of Means & Stanley were the leading mercantile factors of the place. The business of this village in 1900 was as follows : a general store by a Mr. Games. a saw-mill by the estate of Thomas Vabdivere, receives mail over rural route : it also has a brick Baptist church edifice and a one room school house. This with a blacksmith shop run by John Means constitutes all the place contains at this writing.
CYNTHIAN.A.
This hamlet was platted by Andrew Snyder and Isaac Springer, August 18, 1835. and contained fifty town lots : twenty-five on the north side of Main street, and twenty-five on the south side of the same street. It is in the north- east corner of Liberty township: is eight miles east of Shelbyville : it is situated on a hill and has higher hills all around it. The post-office at this point was long known as Blue Ridge. It was named by James Marshall. in honor of his native place in Kentucky. The pioneer merchant there was John Young- man, who sold goods there as early as 1833. Other dealers. remembered by some who were then boys, are: S. Robinson, John De Vaul. M. Crail, and A. Jarrell. D. Fox built a saw-mill at this point in the early thirties. Other busi- ness factors were : W. C. Yeager, I. W. Inlow. Jacob Query. I. W. Marshall, J. N. Marshall, Aaron Austin and James Stead. An Odd Fellow's lodge was instituted there. November 22, 1877. A grange flourished here at one time, but finally, after operating a store a short distance from the place, went into decay. The place now has about three hundred population. The interests of today are : two general stores-Yager & Marshall and I. W. Inlow: two con- fectioneries-John Gahimer and Samuel Fessler : William Ensinminger, farm implements and telephone exchange, with one hundred and fifty subscribers : a steam saw-mill by Richard Marshall; a blacksmith shop by N. Yager ; a har- ness and shoe repair shop by John Gahimer; a hotel by Oliver Harlam orun fifeen years by Jacob Querry) : a Mehodist Episcopal and "Christian Union" church : a three room school building : an Odd Fellows and a Knights of Py- thias lodge. both of whom own good lodge room buildings of their own. The post-office was discontinued when the rural free delivery system went into effect in that part of the county.
This village is situated in the heart of one of the finest agricultural sec- tions of this part of Indiana, and land has gone from sixty dollars an acre, in 1896, to one hundred and forty to one hundred and fifty dollars, which is the selling price now-1909.
DOBLESTOWN.
Doblestown was platted by William A. Doble, October 3. 1837. (See Deed Record Book "G." page 597.) The platting included something over twenty acres. A main street was located on the Michigan road one hundred
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feet wide. \ note is attached to the platting, reading thus: "The proprietor of this town shall not be obliged to open the streets and alleys in Doblestown any further. nor any soon than the adjoining lots are occupied." This was a wise provision, as the town never prospered much. Mr. Doble conducted a tavern and there was a woolen mill below town on the western bank of Big Sugar creek. For several decades the town site has been abandoned and marked "defunct." The lots have many years yielded up their treasures to the husband- men, who have tilled the soil.
BRANDYWINE.
Brandywine was platted by Lewis Morgan, June 14. 1832. It was situ- ated a fourth of a mile beyond where the Michigan road crosses the Brandy- wine creek, about five miles northwest from Shelbyville, and one mile north- east of Fairland. The place has frequently been called "Pin-Hook." by reason of the early settlers being too poor to obtain proper fishing tackle, they improvised hooks from common brass pins, with which they caught many fine fish of the smaller species. At that date the fishes in all streams of Shelby county were very plentiful and easy to catch. For a time goods were sold here, but not for a great number of years.
FAIRLAND.
Fairland was originally platted by Henry Jenkins and Isaac Odell, October 21, 1852. Daniel Bradley's addition was made in March, 1857, and Isaac Odell's addition in October. 1865. Another addition was made by Granville S. Harrell, November, 1866; Richardson's & McQuiston's addition followed in July. 1872. This hamlet is located about six miles by rail, north- west of Shelbyville. It was many years the capital and chief trading mart of Brandywine township. Mr. Odell, one of the proprietors, settled there when the railroad was being constructed through the county and sold large amounts of supplies and general merchandise to the graders and track men, as well as to the farmers. He finally, having secured sufficient capital, engaged in the banking business, establishing the Fairland Private Banking House. He was also elected a Justice of the Peace and studied law. He purchased a good law library and soon became known as a successful lawyer and justice. He was styled the "Prince of Pettifoggers." and was a terror to higher grade attorneys. He dabbled in politics somewhat and represented his county in the Legislature in 1869-1871. He continued practice until overtaken by death-actually making a speech, with his law book in hand when he died.
Of other business lights in this town at an early day may be mentioned the names of Joseph D. and James Laey, merchants and grain dealers. Capt.
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William Judkins owned and successfully operated a mill at this point in 1866. Whalen Gibson also was numbered among the sturdy and enterprising dealers of the place. William B. Elder, probably sold more goods and made more money in the same length of time than any other single dealer there. Dr. S. J. Lewis practiced the "healing art" and conducted a country drug store, in which two calling's he was accounted a success.
In the month of April. 1909. the business interests of Fairland were rep- resented as follows :
The Fairland National bank, that is mentioned in this subject of banks of the county, elsewhere in this volume: hotel, known as the Park, operated by R. Alexander : hardware dealers, E. V. Harrell and H. T. Graham: farm implements. Inmanuel Fraker & Company. R. T. Smith & Brother. W. C. Hoop: general merchandise. R. T. Smith & Company. C. T. Gephart & Sons, 1. T. Harrell. M. Alexander and George Gephart : grain elevators, N. E. Wil- liams & Company. Nading Grain and Milling Company : livery barn, Charles Carey ; meat markets. George H. Gephart. Jefferson Goodrich; lumber dealer. the Fairland Lumber Company; coal dealers. Fairland Lumber Company. R. T. Smith and Fraker & Company : cement walks. G. V. Bass and C. B. Bray ; blacksmiths. W. H. Riser, W. C. Hoop. John Oldham, all doing wagon repair work and blacksmithing : planing mill. William Weaver: barber shops. Frank Reno. - Cole and O. Alexander : harness shop. I. V. Plymate & Son : post- master. James A. Perry, now on his third term in office: physicians, Drs. J. W. Snider and M. M. Wells: restaurants, Frank Timney, E. V. Harrell : Justice of the Peace. Joseph Roberts: Notary Publics. B W. Bass and T. B. Carey.
There are lodges as follows: Masonic, spoken of at length elsewhere ; Knights of Pythias and Red Men of America.
The present churches of Fairland are: Christian. Methodist Episcopa !. Baptist and Church of God.
The school building was remodeled about 1900 and has six rooms, with the same number of teachers.
By an actual local count in the spring of 1900 there were six hundred thirty-eight population in Fairland.
GELLETTSBURG.
This town was laid out at an early day, a half mile west of Morristown. near the Blue river, on the Brookville State road. Its proprietor was Augustus Eitelgeorge. The "town" was at one time a rival. real and true, of Morris- town and shone brightly among the early stars of Shelby county as a sprightly village. It finally went the way of all the earth and became numbered as many another burg of the county-defunct.
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MIDDLETOWN.
Middletown was platted by William Hammond and Daniel French June 19. 1829-eighty years ago. It was in Liberty township. Prior to the build- ing of the railroad it was a lively business center. At first the railway was graded through the place and many costly ( for that day ) houses were erected. in anticipation of coming prosperity, but suddenly the company changed its course and left the place off the route, which fact killed the town. Some of the early residents of the hamlet were the Moses, Haymondes. Frenches and Eubanks. Joseph Cummins operated the first general store, and was Instice of the Peace. Samuel Baxter was a good blacksmith and of much genius and integrity. In 1877 a distillery was built there and succeeded for a number of years. . At this date there is nothing save a general store and a few small business concerns.
The attention of the reader is respectfully called to an interesting reminiscence by Capt. T. L. Haymond, in which he gives much concerning Middletown, as it was in its palmy days.
FLATROCK.
This village was platted by Thomas Woolley. January 4. 1855. and con- sisted of forty-two lots. It is in the extreme southern part of Shelby county. in the southwestern portion of Washington township. It is situated on the line of the Jeffersonville, Madison & Indianapolis Railroad. It has always been a good trading point and took advanced steps about 1880 and grew rapidly. The John and William Nading's grain warehouse was one of the important adjuncts of this thriving town at an early day. Among the earlier business men were Wesley Nading. C. P. Isley, general dealers: Alvin Moore. saw mill: Drs. Pettigrew, Connelly. Norris. Free. Benham. Kennedy. Lytle, Handy and Jones, who at one time or another practiced here.
The people who had to do with the moulding of the business and society of Flatrock were of a very enterprising type, and stood for all that was good and law-abiding. In the eighties there existed a novel horsethief detective association at Flatrock. The members united in helping to bring to justice the numerous horsethief gangs then going through Indiana, and upon failing to secure the stolen horses, the members agreed to replace the value of the horse stolen, by per capita assessment, making it really a horsethief insurance company on the mutual plan.
The present business and other interests of the village are the following : Two general dealers. Ray Miller and I. A. Endicott: grocery store. E. D. Wright: hardware. William Morris: livery barn. William Russell; lumber and grain, Simon Nading Grain Company ; village hotel, George Hilderbrand :
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meat market, Frank Ililderbrand; blacksmiths, two in number. The post- master is Harry J. Nading. now in his second term. There are two physicians. Drs. D. A. Pettigrew and Wertz. The village school building is a four-room structure. erected about 1894. The lodges of the place are the Knights of Pythias and Red Men. both owning their own halls. The churches repre- sented are the Methodist Episcopal and Christian. \ public telephone system is one of the connecting links with the surrounding country, and one hundred ninety-two are now subscribers to such an enterprise. This is one of the small villages of Shelby county, but is important to the excellent farming com- munity round about it.
SMITHLAND.
This was another of the early-day plattings in Shelby county. The filing for the plat of this village was made October 28, 1851, by Hezekiah Smith. It contained sixteen lots of a quarter of an acre each. It was situated on the line of the old Edinburg & Shelbyville Railroad. Its geographical location was in Hendricks township. Austin Clark opened the first store in the place. Aaron and Jesse Smith were very early merchants. McCain & Smith built a saw mill in the fifties, which did an extensive lumber business. Hiawatha Lodge, No. 193, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was instituted first at Marietta, but owing to the great number of men who responded to Lincoln's call for troops to suppress the Civil war, the charter was surrendered. After that conflict had ended a new lodge was instituted at Smithland, with L. Jones as its noble grand.
In 1858, in the month of May, a Masonic lodge was instituted at Wal- dron : later, Lodge No. 197. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was formed there and has flourished ever since. An encampment was also formed in 1880.
PLEASANT VIEW.
This place was once the liveliest town in the northwestern part of Shelby county. It was platted in Moral township, July 6, 1836, by Alexander Means. The place really began its existence as a trading point, in 1835, when Fred- erick Thatcher moved there with a small stock of goods. Being on the old Michigan road and a stage station, it became a lively place at which to gather and exchange produce for goods. There were two good hotels in the town, several stores and numerous shops. Here the doctors seemed to center and thrive in their profession. At one time the woolen factory industry was suc- cessful here, but with the construction of the railway through the country the town was seen to be doomed and all of its early prospects blighted.
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NORRISTOWN.
Norristown was platted November 22, 1851, by David Winterrowd and others, including Henry Deiwert. It was platted in Washington township and is now among the defunet places of the county. Henry Deiwert, the first merchant. came as early as 1845 to that point. William Winterrowd com- menced merchandising about 1850. Other early dealers were Sylvester Til- son, David Tuel. Dr. W. A. Bowdine, and John Newton. The physicians of the hamlet were Doctor Kennedy and James M. Norris: the town was named in honor of the last named doctor. In 1853 a Masonic lodge was instituted at Norristown, with David Conger as worshipful master. In 1886 this lodge had a membership of over sixty and was counted among the strongest lodges within this part of Indiana, for a country lodge. The Grangers and Red Men of America both sustained lodges at Norristown in its palmy day. The Masonic lodge is still kept up at this point. The business is confined to a sinall retail store and a shop or two. The Methodist Episcopal church is still flourishing there.
MARIETTA.
This village was platted by James Wray. June 19, 1839, and to this were made several small additions. It was located in Hendricks township. The first to embark in merchandising at this point was William Cooper. The first general store was that of S. Robertson. Later merchants were Rush & Engler, Samuel Elliott. B. F. Sturgis. Thomas McGarren. Lafayette Davison, Wil- liam Higgins, Harry Norton. "Bud" Snapp, William Cochran. Abner Richey, Harry Hageman. Lewis Conner and James French. About the date of build- ing the railroad. a saw-mill was put in operation by Mr. Heistand, who was a large lumber cutter until his mill was finally destroyed by fire. D. H. Slagel also had a saw and grist mill. being the grist mill built by Samuel Elliott long before the Civil war. In the eighties Marietta had several business houses and was prosperous. It has hardly held its own with other villages in Shelby county. Today there are two general stores, several shops, a graded school. the Methodist Episcopal church and the Knights of Pythias and Red Men lodges, both owning their halls.
FOUNTAINTOWN.
Fountaintown was platted by pioneer Matthew Fountain. December 23. 1854. and to it was made an addition in 1868 by Richard Milbourn. There had been some business houses at Fountaintown before the village was plaited. The Fountains and Benjamin Freeman were among the early merchants. Up to 1867 the town grew slowly, but upon the completion of the Cincinnati,
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Hamilton & Indianapolis Railroad it took on new activities and in 1886 had a population of three hundred and fifty. All branches of business have been represented here, including saw mills, grist mills, shops, etc. In August, 1887, a Knights of Pythias lodge was instituted and since then the civic societies and churches have flourished well. It is the only town in Van Buren township and draws a large trade from the surrounding country. Its present popula- tion is about one hundred and fifty. There are general -stores, a Methodist Episcopal church, a graded school, grain elevators, etc.
GWYNNEVILLE.
Gwynneville was laid out as a village by Alexander D. Pollitt. January 25, 1881, and to the original plat Mr. Pollitt added more lots in May, 1881. This town was named in honor of O'Brien Gwynne, a merchant and excellent business man of Carthage. Rush county, Indiana, who had large landed inter- ests in this vicinity. It was platted in Hanover township. on the Brookville road. The various business interests have been represented here, including general stores, shops, etc. The first merchant was Warren King, who com- menced selling goods in October. 1881. Following him came William M. Swain and Robert Meridith, partners; the next was W. W. Wilcoxen and William Leisure. J. E. Earnest was the first blacksmith to wield the sledge at his glowing forge. A saw mill also furnished much valuable lumber to the surrounding community. Tile and brick were made at this point in large quantities. At this date the business is confined chiefly to a saw and planing mill, owned by W. W. Wilcoxen; a general store; a United Brethren and Methodist churches are also found prospering there. Good natural gas wells have been developed around Gwynneville, supplying the village with abundant gas for fuel and illuminating purposes.
FREEPORT.
Freeport was platted by Ira Bailey. Alexander Rittenhouse and John Mc- Cormick, March 17. 1836. This is in Hanover township. Other additions were made by Mr. Bailey in 1838. Bailey's mills on the present site of Free- port, at an early date drew many people thither for their bread-stuffs and made a desirable trading point as well. John Corell was the first gentleman to open a store, it is claimed by some, while others think that the honor belonged to John McCormick. Nathan Prince, Alexander Rittenhouse and Judge Ira Bailey were also pioneer merchants there. Toward the close of the eighties the town only supported a flouring mill and a general store. It now sustains a general store and a good mill. There is a fine stone dam at this place and it is frequently sought out by fishermen, who there find much sport and heavy catches.
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VINTON.
Vinton, in Moral township. on the Michigan road, was platted by John Andrews and James Templeton, March 20. 1838. It was a small trading place but never materialized as much of a village.
GENEVA.
This village was platted in Noble township ( the post-office being known as Sulphur Hill) by Lewis Cline, October 28. 1853. and consisted of thirty- two lots sixty by one hundred and twenty feet in size. As a business point it has never amounted to any considerable importance. At an early day Gibbs and Johnson sold goods there. In the eighties a grist mill and lime kiln were successfully operated at this point. The village has a strong Pythian lodge. with a membership of more than one hundred fifty, the order having a fine two-story brick building. The village has a Methodist Episcopal church, graded school, stores, blacksmith shop. etc.
LONDON.
The village of London, in Moral township, chiefly located in section 25. and the original and subsequent plattings of the village were made by Aaron House, in July, 1852. being surveyed by J. M. Elliott and John Dargin. Prior to the construction of the railroad, in the fifties, no business enterprises had been attempted, but soon thereafter Jesse Oaks opened a small store, remained a short time and owing to failing health, sold out to MeDougal & Mckay, who continued in a prosperous business for several years, and were followed by Oliver L. Means. Crum & Jeffries came in soon after the railroad was finished and traded for a time. Perhaps the most successful merchant ever liv- ing and operating in this village was Thomas Francis. The palmy days of the place began to wane and notwithstanding every possible effort at holding trade and building up various industries was carried out. yet all seemed to be under the rough hand of fate. About 1856 a large building was erected for a . seminary, but after a few school years it failed. Nathan Earlywine should be remembered as being the pioneer blacksmith. Dr. Thomas R. Rubish was practicing medicine there in 1887, but soon the place was lost in the march of other enterprising towns and now is among the many earlier village plats of Shelby county, where but little business is transacted today. It is a station point on the traction line ; has general stores operated by W. A. Means and David Tucker; a graded school, a Methodist Episcopal church, and grain ele- vator. It has a population of one hundred. The Pythians and Red Men have lodges here. 18
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ST. PAUL.
The village of St. Paul. in Noble township. is but a portion of a town located chiefly within Decatur county. The addition made in Shelby county was platted first by John F. Stephens. April 4, 1856. This platting comprised one hundred lots to the west of the original town plat in Decatur county. It is strictly speaking a Decatur county town and hence needs. no treatment, his- torically, in this connection.
PRESCOTT.
Prescott, in Shelby township, was laid out by S. L. Dorsey, June 28. 1867, and to it was made an addition in 1869. Like Lewis Creek. St. John's and Ray's Crossing, on the line of the Jeffersonville, Madison & Indianapolis Railroad. Prescott is but a way station. These villages have all had their part in the general building up of Shelby county, but possess no great amount of local history to be recorded in this work. being published at the opening of the twentieth century.
MARION.
As previously stated Marion was the first place platted in this county, the date being December 27, 1820, while this county was yet a part of Dela- ware county. It was laid out by John Sleeth and James Wilson and was originally filed in Franklin county at Brookville. the seat of justice. The original town had fifty-six lots. The early inhabitants of Marion were per- sistent in their efforts to have the county seat of Shelby e unty located there. The location is excellent. beautiful and high. After the county seat was lost the place went into decay and part of the town lots were vacated and reverted back to the original owners, or to their legal heirs.
MORRISTOWN.
The original town plat of Morristown was laid out by Rezin Davis and Samuel Morrison. May 3. 1828. It was surveyed and platted by Meredith . Gosney. It consisted of forty-eight lots sixty by one hundred and thirty-two fect each. The streets are sixty feet in width, and alleys twenty feet. The main street was laid out on the Brookville State Road. Rezin Davis' addition to the town was made July 3. 1840, and comprised twenty-four lots immedi- ately east of the original plat. Other additions were subsequently made. This place is situated within Hanover township. One of the first merchants of this place was R. A. Toal, who opened a stock of goods in a log house near where Dr. Salisbury's residence later stood. Soon a frame addition was provided and his stock greatly increased. For many years this was the principal business
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