Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical., Part 16

Author: Blanchard, Charles, 1830-1903, ed
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : F.A. Battey & Co.
Number of Pages: 982

USA > Indiana > Clay County > Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical. > Part 16
USA > Indiana > Owen County > Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical. > Part 16

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).

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BRAZIL CITY AND TOWNSHIP.

ceeded by Elder Boor, Terre Haute, and he by Elder W. T. Sellers in September, 1879, who has rendered efficient service in the erection of a church edifice and in building up a society. This elegant brick house of worship, on Washington street, was built in 1880-81 at a cost of $3,000. It was dedicated September 4, 1881, by Elder A. W. Gilbert, of Rushville, Ind .- the membership numbering 175. The Eldership con- sists of Messrs. Alpheus Dillon, A. J. Kidd and W. D. Mccullough.

Catholic Church .- In 1868, the Church of the Annunciation began meeting in private residences and halls in Brazil, with a view to organi- zation. In the spring of 1869, the church building formerly occupied by the Old School Presbyterians, corner of Jackson and Walnut streets, was purchased by the now organized society as a house of worship. Shortly afterward, the building was removed to Lots 22 and 23, in Shattuck's Second Addition to Brazil, adjoining which the new edifice now stands. Its original cost was about $200. After removal, the building was im- proved to the amount of $600. The membership, consisting of about thirty families, or about 100 members, was organized by Father Minard McCarthy, of St. Mary's of the Wood, in Vigo County, Ind. The soci- ety was quite prosperous from the date of its organization. The society now has four very desirable lots, which are occupied by their church and school buildings. In 1879, they began the erection of a new and beauti- ful modern church edifice, at a cost of about $13,000, which was finally completed and dedicated September 9, 1883. The following are the names of the Fathers who have had charge of the society following Rev. Miniard McCarthy: Rev. F. M. Mousette, 1877-80; Rev. H. Pierard, the present incumbent, 1880. The school connected with the church was organized in 1882, and is under the charge of the Sisters of Oldenburg, Ind. It is systematic and successful.

There are in the city, besides the churches already named, a Baptist Church, a United Brethren Church, an Evangelical Alliance Church, and an organization or two among the colored folk. Thus the moral force of Brazil is arrayed against the powers of evil.

TOWN OFFICERS OF BRAZIL, 1866-1873.

The following is a list of the officers of the town of Brazil, in the order in which they served:

1866-(Elected December 18, to serve till first Monday in May, 1867) Trustees-First District, John G. Ackelmire; Second, Jacob Thomas; Third, Thomas Desart, President. School Trustee, Evelyn Montgomery; Treasurer, Eli Hendrix; Clerk, Dillon W. Bridges; Marshal and Asses- sor, Samuel Hollingsworth.

1867-Trustees-First District, J. G. Ackelmire; Second, Jonathan Croasdale; Third, Thomas Desart, President. School Trustees, First District, F. M. Kruzan; Second, H. Wheeler; Third, Abraham Wright;

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

Treasurer, Eli Hendrix; Clerk, D. W. Bridges; Marshal and Collector, Isaac W. Sanders; Attorney, Isaac M. Compton.

1868-Trustees-First District, J. G. Ackelmire; Second, Elisha Adamson; Third, Thomas Desart, President. School Trustees, First District, F. M Kruzan; Second, H. Wheeler; Third, A. Wright; Treas- urer, E. Hendrix; Clerk, D. W. Bridges; Marshal, Assessor and Collector, Calvin Reed; Attorney, I. M. Compton.

1869-Trustees-First District, Archibald Love; Second, W. R. Tor. bert, President; Third, Elias Rigby. School Trustees-First District, George A. Knight; Second, James W. Kellar; Third, H. Wheeler; Treas- urer, Thomas M. Robertson; Clerk, D. W. Bridges; Marshal and Asses- sor, I. W. Sanders; Attorney, I. M. Compton.

1870-Trustees-First District, J. G. Ackelmire, President; Second, John L. Webster: Third, E. Montgomery. School Trustees, First Dis- trict, George A. Knight; Second, J. W. Kellar; Third, H. Wheeler. Treasurer, George P. Stone; Clerk, D. W. Bridges; Marshal, Assessor and Collector, James R. Painter; Attorney, Samuel W. Curtiss.

1871-Trustees-First District, E. W. Smith, A Love, President; Second, John McDowell, James W. Kellar; Third, George P. Shaw. School Trustees, First District, Dr. W. H. Gifford; Second, Alexander Strachan; Third, H. Wheeler. Treasurer, Jacob Thomas; Clerk, E. Montgomery; Marshal, Assessor and Collector, J. R. Painter; Attor- neys, Messrs. Knight & Stone.

1872-Trustees-First District, Dr. J. C. Gifford, N. T. Keasey; Second, Major Collins, President, J. W. Kellar; Third, D. D. Reed; Treasurer, Jacob Thomas; Clerk, F. M. Howard; Marshal, J. R. Painter; Attorney, George P. Stone. School Trustees (April 3, 1883), First Dis- trict, A. Love; Second, James Shaw; Third, Ezra Olds.

THE CITY OFFICERS, 1873-1883.

1873-Mayor, John G. Ackelmire; Clerk Joseph L. Hussey; Treas- urer, John Stewart; Marshal, F. M. McBride; Assessor, D. C. Cooper; Councilmen-First Ward, David Klinger, French Triplett; Second, A. R. Collins, A. W. Turner; Third, John Stough, Daniel D. Reed. 1874- To take the place of F. Triplett, A. W. Turner and D. D. Reed -- First Ward, James A. Newton; Second, John McDowell; Third, George Ely.

1875-Mayor, Simon Herr; Clerk, A. W. Sowars; Treasurer, M. Law; Marshal, J. H. Torbert; Assessor, P. F. Sharp; Councilmen, First Ward, David Klinger; Second, A. W. Turner; Third, George Jones. 1876-First Ward, James McDonald; Second, S. G. Biddle; Third, H. Wheeler, O. Calhoun.

1877 -- Mayor, E. S. Holliday; Clerk, L. O. Schultz; Marshal, J. H. Torbert; Treasurer, M. Law; Councilmen-First Ward, F. J. Wehrle; Second, Jacob Thomas; Third, Dr. J. C. Gifford. 1878-First Ward, James A. Newton; Second, P. F. Sharp; Third, H. Wheeler.

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BRAZIL CITY AND TOWNSHIP.

1879-Mayor, E. S. Holliday; Clerk, L. O. Schultz; Treasurer, E. Rigby; Marshal, J. H. Torbert; Councilmen-First Ward, A. Haggart; Second, J. P. Hysung; Third, Dr. J. C. Gifford. 1880-J. C. Britton, First Ward; P. F. Sharp, Second; Daniel Hunt, Third.

1881-Mayor, E. C. Kilmer; Clerk, George E. Law; Treasurer, L. O. Schultz; Marshal, F. M. McBride; Council-First Ward, R. W. Stewart; Second, C. B. Reddie, H. Menough; Third, Dr. J. C. Gifford. 1882-First Ward, Thomas Kerins; Second, D. B. McCrimmon; Third, J. H. Mercer.

1883-Mayor, W. R. Torbert; Clerk, George E. Law; Treasurer, L. O. Schultz; Marshal, F. M. McBride; Councilmen -First Ward, E. W. Smith; Second, John Fast; Third, W. D. Mccullough, Jefferson Baughman.

BRAZIL TOWNSHIP.

The action of the Board of Commissioners constituting Brazil Town- ship bears date of December, 1868. The petition was signed by J. B. Richardson and 175 others, the reason assigned being the simple con- venience it would confer upon citizens of the territory. It was carved out of Van Buren and Dick Johnson Townships, and its history prior to its organization belongs to that of those townships. Mr. D. W. Bridges was appointed Trustee. George P. Stone, Dr. R. H. Culbertson, Jacob P. Hysung, Jacob Thomas, and Thomas Henderson, present incumbent, have served as Trustees. The following is the taxable property of the township as reported by the Assessor in 1883: Lands, $69,166; im. provements, $26,300; additional improvements, $1,140; lands and im- provements, $96,506 ; lots, $4,128; improvements, $9,755 ; additional improvements $520; lots and improvements, $14,403; personal, $93,671 ; grand total, $204,580 ; polls, 179.

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.

BY COL. JOHN T. SMITH.

LOCATION AND SURFACE FEATURES.

W ASHINGTON TOWNSHIP is situated on the east side of Clay County, and is about in the middle of the county north and south. Eel River flows through the township in a southwesterly direction, cross- ing the north line near the center, and passing out a little to the west of the southwest corner. Jordon Creek enters the township near the northeast corner, and flows in a southwest course and empties into Eel River, near Bowling Green. Six Mile Creek flows through the south part of the township, and empties into Eel River, near the old site of Bellair. On the west side of the river are McIntire and Hog Creeks, both of which flow in a southeast course and empty into Eel River. About one-fifth of the township is bottom land, and remarkable for its fertility and produc- tiveness. The balance of the surface is more or less undulating, and well adapted to the cultivation of most all cereals, grasses and fruits. This township was originally heavily timbered, but that reckless waste which has characterized so many localities is part of the experience here, and yet in some localities the "monarchs of the forest" are still to be seen. Immense numbers of staves and timber for various purposes, to- gether with a vast amount of lumber, are annually shipped away.

At one time, most of this township, or at least that part of it east of Eel River, was one magnificent orchard of sugar maple, some specimens of which are still preserved. There were also a very great variety of native trees of the more common and important varieties, such as the swamp maple, red oak, white oak, black oak, burr oak, jack oak, buckeye, gum, poplar, sassafras, hackberry, elm, box elder, redbud, ironwood, beech, plum, cherry, black walnut, butternut, white ash, black ash, dogwood, hickory, sycamore, locust, basswood, lynn, quaking asp, willow and mulberry. The township is abundantly supplied with stone of the coarser varieties, which is easily worked, and suitable for foundations, piers, etc. The township is also underlaid with coal, but it has never been very extensively worked.

THE PIONEERS AND THEIR EXPERIENCES.

In the spring of 1813, David Thomas came from Hardy County, Va., to Owen County, Ind., and put up a cabin, and remained there, on or near the present site of Spencer, for one year. In March or April, 1814,

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WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.

he moved across the country, cutting out a road as he came, and located on Eel River, about one mue north of the present site of Bowling Green. His family consisted of himself, his wife and nine children-four boys and five girls. At this time there was a small Indian town, of perhaps some forty wigwams, on the hill on the opposite side of the river. Mr. Thomas bought out these Indians and paid them for their land in green corn or roasting ears. He assisted the Indians in moving their wig- wams and traps across the hollow on to the next hill, and they assisted him to build his cabin, and he continued to live on good terms and in peace with the Indians until they left the county. Mr. Thomas remained on this farm until his death, in 1860, he being then ninety years of age. At the time of his settlement, his nearest neighbors were the families of John Dunn, Philip Hart, John Bartholomew, Thomas McNaught, Capt. Bigger and Hartman Bean, who had about this time located on the south bank of White River, opposite where Spencer now stands, in Owen County. The cabins of these early settlers were without chimneys or floors, and for mattresses they used moss. They had milk and plenty of wild meat, such as venison, turkey and squirrel, with bear meat occa- sionally, but all hands were destitute of breadstuff. They, however, had dried venison, which they called "jerk," and a plenty of beech-nuts and acorns, and on these they would subsist until such time as they could get a turn of corn from Vincennes. These old pioneers were gen- erally expert in the use of the rifle, but it would be well to remember that this was some twenty years before percussion caps were invented, or before a lucifer match was made. After the death of David Thomas, the old homestead where he settled passed into the hands of James P. Thomas, one of his boys, and who died on the same premises the 8th of February, 1882, at the advanced age of seventy-two years and thirteen days. Since the death of James P. Thomas, the place has passed into the hands of James M. Campbell.

In the year 1818, the people of Washington Township had to go to' Honey Creek, in Vigo County, to get their grinding done. Sometimes they would go to Fort Harrison Prairie to a horse mill. There were no roads, but they would follow the blazes that had been made by some woodsman, or follow an Indian trail. By common consent, honey, gin- seng, deer and " coon " skins were a legal tender, and all one had to do to replenish his exchequer was to get his "sang digger" and go to the woods. Occasionally a man would pay the County Clerk for his marriage license in " coon" skins. Bridal tours were unknown in those primitive times and divorces were not yet invented. Hon. N. G. Crom- well, one of the Associate Judges, was called on by Mr. Byrd Light to unite him and Miss Kate Lucas in marriage. The Judge accompanied Mr. Light to the residence of George Zenor, where Miss Lucas was stopping, and after a brief social chat by the parties, Mr. Light said: " Well,

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

Katie, if you are ready, come along and let us close this matter up," and it was closed; and this is a fair sample of weddings in those days.

In the year 1817, Samuel Rizley located on the present site of Bow- ling Green. During the year 1818, John Talbott, Sachronis Dyers, William Runnells, John and Peter Cooprider settled. During the fol- lowing year, John, Jacob, Joshua, George and Thomas Moss located; also the Walker and Wheeler families. All these persons settled in and about the present town of Bowling Green, which was the oldest settle- ment in the county.

EARLY LAND ENTRIES.

The first entry of land in Clay County was made by Caleb Cum- mings and David White on the 18th day of August, 1818, and included 160 acres of land in Section 19, Town 11. The same year entries were made in Section 7 by Coleman Puethe and Benjamin Parks. In 1819, Robert Taylor, John Chambers, James Parks and Israel Boone made entries, also, in Section 7, and James Paxton made an entry in Section 18. The next entries we find were made in 1823 by Daniel Walker and Davis Walker in Section 6. The next year, Daniel B. Walker made an entry in Section 5. In 1826, Jesse McIntire entered a tract of land, and about this time he fell into the creek and came near losing his life, and this mishap resulted in giving a name to McIntire Creek. In 1825, Til- man Chance made an entry in Section 30, and in 1828 John P. Coop- rider entered part of Section 17. John Rizley and Jacob Hoffman made entries in the year 1829. John Hatton located in 1830, and in 1831 Na- than D. Walker, James Crofton, James H. Downing, Charles Fitzgerald, Jacob Bolick and Matthew White made entries. In the following year, Malancha Landerlin made an entry, and was followed in the year 1833 by James Reynolds and Thomas Robertson. In 1834, Thomas Busye, and in 1835 Lee Rybie took out a patent. It was no uncommon thing . for a person to put up his cabin and clear off a "patch" on Congress land, and such persons were known as "squatters," and it was not considered healthy for a stranger to come in and take up a tract of land that was encumbered with a squatter. Some very exciting races, however, would occur when a couple of the first settlers would happen to want the same piece of land. The right to take up the land was generally conceded to the one making the best time in getting to the land office.

EARLY MERCHANTS AND EARLY INDUSTRIES.

In 1825, Abner Hill brought a stock of goods to Bowling Green and opened the first store there. Jesse McIntire, Melton & Jones were also pioneer merchants. Mr. Jones was also Justice of the Peace at the same time. About 1831, Jesse Burton was one of the leading merchants, and also figured some in politics. Soon after this time, Ranson Akin and George Grimes engaged in selling goods. For several years all the lum-

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WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.

ber used about town was manufactured with the whip-saw. Hickman Car- rel built the first mill in the township. It was on Jordon, and was a saw mill, but afterward he put a "corn-cracker" in it. Carrel married a Birchfield, and afterward died in Bowling Green. Joseph Holt built a horse mill in town, and ran it awhile and did considerable grinding. Carpenter & Downey erected a saw mill some two miles up Jordon, and manufactured a large amount of lumber. For a number of years the people of Washington Township went to the mill of Oliver Cromwell, some six miles up Jordon, to get their corn ground; but to get their wheat ground they went to Rawley's mill on Eel River, not far from where Neil's mill now stands, in Lewis Township. In 1836, a good mill for the times was built at Anguilla, a little town that was laid out near where the feeder dam was erected. This mill did a good business, but it was carried away by the flood of 1847. Hickman Carrel built a saw mill for Jesse J. Burton on Jordon, on the present site of the Bowling Green Mills, in which they afterward put in a small set of buhrs to grind corn. This mill was partially destroyed by fire, and after the death of Mr. Burton it was purchased by Henry Moss and Joseph Kintz- ley, who rebuilt the mill and converted it into a pretty fair grist mill. After they had run it for a few years, they sold it to James Luther, and he to Nelson Markle, and it afterward passed through the hands of Mr. Flavert to Henry Sholl.

Henry Moss put up the first wool-carding factory that was erected in the county, near the northwest corner of the public square; ran it a few years and sold it to Samuel Heaston, who moved it first to the farm where Adam B. Moon now resides, and soon after moved it to Iowa. Samuel Miles built a carding factory in 1848, and ran it two or three years, but it was burned down, and a year or two after Miles & Huston built a steam grist mill. Mr. Cunningham started a tan-yard just north of where the Methodist Church now stands. Mr. Samuel Miles put up a tan-yard where Mr. John Geckler still continues the business. Mr. Miles died here in 1876, at a good old age, respected by all who knew him.

REMARKABLE GAME OF LEAP-FROG.

The people of Washington Township have always been of a free, frank, open-hearted, hospitable type, fond of amusement and fun. At one time, after quite a number had been engaged in a game of leap frog, and being started out on the Spencer road, Thomas I. Cromwell and Henry Moss continued the game until they reached Spencer, a distance of sixteen miles. They remained in Spencer over night, and enjoyed a good time, and the next morning they took up the game where they left off, and over the hills and across the valleys they continued until they reached the place of starting the day before.

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

SCHOOLHOUSES AND SCHOOL TEACHERS.

The first schoolhouse built in the county was a small round-log house, sixteen feet long and twelve feet wide, erected about two miles north of Bowling Green, on the north line, and near the northwest corner of the farm of William H. Boothe, and in the winter of 1821 Samuel Rizley opened the first school ever taught in the county in a regular schoolhouse; but Harvey Peas had taught previous to this, and perhaps taught the first school in the county, in one room of the residence of David Thomas. For several years after this, schools were taught according to the " article," and not so much according to the law. The article generally specified that spelling, reading, writing and arithmetic to the rule of three would be taught. If a student took with him to school a grammar or geog- raphy, it was sent back, because it was not in the article. It was also generally specified in the article that the school should be "open." This meant that each scholar should spell and read aloud while studying his lessons, and one could generally tell when he was within a quarter of a mile of the schoolhouse.

To Mr. Samuel Rizley, one of the first teachers, was born the first white child within the bounds of the township-a daughter, now living, and the wife of Simon Stacy, and residing on or very near the spot of ground on which David Thomas, the first settler, located.

There are in Washington Township, outside of the corporation of Bowling Green, ten schoolhouses in which public schools are maintained more than an average of six months each year.

The County Asylum, consisting of a farm of 160 acres and an excellent brick edifice suitable for the purpose, and which is of the value of $20, - 000, is situate in the southwest part of the township.

CHURCHES.

German .- In the north part of the township and in the vicinity of Poland, German settlers were found as early as 1837. In the year 1839, we find the names Ahlemeyer, Nesse, Stutz, Gilbrich and others. The last-named gentleman died in February, 1840. A few months previous to his death, however, he had helped to clear away a piece of forest and prepare a place for a cemetery and church lot. It was on this occasion that, while sitting upon a fallen tree, they organized themselves, in a rather primitive manner, into a body politic, and elected as their first Trustees Henry Ahlemeyer, Louis Stutz and John Horsch. In 1850, we find the following German names, in addition to those already men- tioned: Franke Schror, Telgemeyer, Knueppe, Thoene, Sonnefeld, Spel- bring, Borckhold, Mersch, Bohley, Rothenberger, Teepe, Neimeyer, Katt- mann, Schultz, Kortepeter, Hoff, Wittenberg, Wiewinner, Truttier and Bauman. Some of these names are not found in the neighborhood now. The first pastor of this congregation was the Rev. Gerhard H. Zumpe,

yours truly Sila Houlike

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WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.

who was born in the year 1803, at Lotte, in the Kingdom of Prussia. He was educated in Berlin, the capital of Prussia, and immigrated in 1832. The majority of the first members of the congregation had left Germany at the same time, and with them he stayed at different places in this country until at last they all found a resting place near Poland, Ind. As was incident with all pioneer settlers, it was difficult to provide food and clothing for themselves and families, but close econ- omy and hard labor have made them all well-to-do farmers. These Germans are of a peaceable, moral and religious nature. They brought from their fatherland the source of this, their pious inclinations, viz .: The Bible, hymn book and Heidelberg catechism; and being taught and believing in the communion of saints, and that this should find a visible expression even this side of the grave, they organized a congregation, or church, and adopted certain rules for their government the 6th day of September, A. D. 1840. They then and there elected the Rev. Gerhard H. Zumpe their pastor, also one Elder in the person of William Ahle- meyer, and Henry Schror they elected Deacon. Mr. Schror is still liv- ing. The confession of their faith is laid down in the Heidelberg cate- chism, it belonging to the orthodox confessions of the land. The con- gregation was organized with thirty-one members, representing thirteen families. The salary of the pastor for a number of years did not exceed $40 per annum, and during a pastorate of twenty years it did not ex- ceed $250 per year, besides the aid rendered him in clearing forty acres of land he had received from his father-in-law, Mr. Jacob Bauman. Believing in education, both secular and religious, they soon felt the need of a schoolhouse, which they erected in the year 1842. It was a structure of common logs and was used for religious services on Sundays until the year 1844. Previous to the building of this schoolhouse, they worshiped in private houses. In 1844, a log church was built which was thirty feet long and twenty-four feet wide. This house cost about $25 in cash, the members doing the work themselves. It was, of course, quite a primitive structure; the seats, for instance, consisting of hewn planks or puncheons, resting on trestles. The congregation, having in the meantime increased in numbers and wealth, on the 1st day of Jan- uary, 1854, resolved to build a new frame church, the corner-stone of which was laid April 15, 1854. The Trustees at this time were William Franke, F. Ahlemeyer and Carl Wittenberg. Mr. Ahlemeyer is yet liv- ing. The contractors were F. R. Teepe and Henry Franke. They agreed to build the frame work forty-five feet long, thirty feet wide and fifteen feet from floor to ceiling, for $570. The pulpit and seats were given by contract to Gerhard Sonnefeld, the whole to cost when completed $925. In this house these people worship to-day, but as the congregation has outgrown it, they have had it in contemplation for some time to build a new house for the accommodation of the large number that

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

gather there each Sabbath to worship. The present membership num- bers 206.

In 1865, the congregation bought twelve acres of ground not far from the church, with a house, barn and orchard on it, for $900, to be used as a parsonage. On this lot they erected, in 1871, a new dwelling at a cost of $814. Four years previous, a new schoolhouse had been built at a cost of $410. A pipe organ was purchased in 1863 at a cost of $200, which was replaced a few years ago by a Mason & Hamlin organ at an additional cost of $100. This congregation meets promptly all its expenses, and is out of debt. The Rev. Mr. Zumpe continued his relations as pastor, with the exception of one year, until 1866, when the Rev. P. Jorris was called, who has served continuously as pastor with great acceptability to the present time. Mr. Jorris takes rank as one of our ablest divines, and is beloved by his congregation, and highly respected by all who know him. He receives an annual salary of $500, besides the free use of the parsonage. Since 1852, the congregation has given to benevolent objects about $4,000. The total expense for build- ing, salary, etc., amounts to about $15,000 or $16,000. This church holds its ecclesiastical relation with the "General Synod of the Re- formed Church in the United States," and should not be confounded with " The Reformed Church in America."

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Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical., Part 16

Author: Blanchard, Charles, 1830-1903, ed Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Chicago : F.A. Battey & Co. Number of Pages: 982

Author: Blanchard, Charles, 1830-1903, ed
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : F.A. Battey & Co.
Number of Pages: 982