USA > Indiana > Clay County > Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical. > Part 19
USA > Indiana > Owen County > Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical. > Part 19
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osity than anything else. They waited until almost 10 o'clock, and were on the point of leaving for their respective homes, when a tall, athletic looking stranger came walking to the door, and inquired if the house was Mr. Cooprider's place. Being answered in the affirmative, the evangelist, for such he proved to be, said that he had an appointment " to preach here, and as the hour had arrived he would begin services at once." At the conclusion of his discourse, which was a very able one, the preacher went away, and was never seen in the neighborhood after- ward. Another early preacher was Rev. Hugh Barnes, of Owen County, who held services at Cooprider's house as early as 1830. Later came Rev. C. P. Farmer, who made Cooprider's dwelling a regular preaching place, visiting the neighborhood regularly every four weeks for about one year. A class was afterward organized by Rev. Mr. Hill, consisting of seven or eight members, among whom were John Cooprider and wife and John Gillaspie and wife, with the families of several other neighbors. The society was sustained until about the year 1855, and at one time num- bered about forty members.
An organization of the Presbyterian Church was effected about the year 1833, at the residence of Joseph Alexander in the southwest part of the township. It was organized by the labors of Rev. Mr. Hicks, and its history covered a period of six or seven years. Itinerant ministers of the United Brethren Church were among the pioneers of the township, and a society of that denomination was organized in an early day at the village of Middlebury, where they still have a substantial house of worship, and an active membership.
Good Hope Baptist Church of Middlebury is an old society. Its history is given by Mr. Travis as follows: " The first church organization effected in Harrison Township dates as early as 1830. On the 28th day of August, that year, a meeting was held at the residence of David White, father of Ed White, on what has since been known as the Huddleston place, a mile and a half north of Clay City, which was attended by Elder William Stansell, Benjamin Kercheval, Elijah Casen and Asa Frakes, of Prairie Creek, and Zachariah McClure and John Hodges, of Union, brethren who came for the purpose of aiding in the organization of the new class.
"Elder Stansell was chosen Moderator, and John Hodges, Clerk. David White, Polly White, Joel Owen, Patsy Owen and Sophia Denney consti- tuted the original membership of the newly organized church, which they christened Good Hope. The meeting was held for a time at Mr. Den- ney's, near the present house of G. W. Wiltse, one mile west of Middle- bury.
"About 1832 or 1833, the log church one mile south of Middlebury was erected, the first church building in the county. Up to 1839, the class had no regularly installed pastor, but was assisted at times by William
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.
Stansell, Abraham Stark, Asa Frakes and Samuel Sparks. In 1839, the church called Elder B. C. D. Herren as first pastor, who served six years, when at his request in June, 1845, Elder W. J. Sparks was called, who served until 1849, and was followed by Elder James Beaman, who labored with the church until some time the following year. Elder Her- ren was again called in 1850, and in 1854 was succeeded by Elder George Crist, remaining until 1857, when Elder Elias Cooprider was called, who, by the assistance of Elders Crist, Slavens and Huntsberry at times, continued until 1876, when Elder Samuel Huntsberry succeeded him one year. Then Elder Cooprider . was again called in 1877, and served two years, assisted by Elder Arnett the first year.
"In 1880, Elder J. B. Arnett was called for one year, since which time there has been no regular pastor. Elders Cooprider and Arnett preach at times, with occasional visits from other brethren.
" About the year 1869, the work of building the present edifice in the town of Middlebury was begun. Very slow progress was made in its construction, and it was not completed until the close of the year 1873- that is, completed for dedication. On the 2d day of December, that year, the dedication took place; the services were conducted by Elder S. M. Stimson. At the time of its design and erection, this was the largest church building in the county. Good Hope Society grew from its in- cipiency of few members in the wilderness, to a membership of 185. It now numbers 133 members."
German Reformed Church .-- This society was organized in the year 1860, with about fifty members, a large portion of whom formerly be- longed to a Lutheran Church which stood in the northeastern part of the township, and which, for some reason, was abandoned a few years prior to the above date. Meetings were held in the old Lutheran build- ing until the year 1874, at which time their present neat temple of wor- ship was erected at a cost of $1,400. The present membership is 110, and the church is enjoying a reasonable degree of prosperity under the pas- toral care of Rev. J. Matzinger. L. Frank is Superintendent of the Sunday school, which has an average attendance of sixty scholars.
Evangelical Association .- This church is situated in the northeastern part of the township, and dates its origin from the year 1860, at which time it was organized at what is known as the Liberty Schoolhouse, with an original membership of about twenty-five persons. The schoolhouse was used for a preaching place two years, when a log house of worship was erected on ground donated by John Liechti. It has since been re- modeled and weather-boarded, and is a very comfortable building at the present time. The organization was brought about by Rev. William Wessler, who preached two years, after whom came the following pastors in the order given, viz .: Jacob Klieber, two years; William Buckman, two years; C. Wessling, two years; John Caufman, two years; C. Hiem,
. .
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two years; M. Kronmiller, two years; John Beck, two years; then C. Hiem again for eighteen months; William Luering, one year; John Caufman came in again and served six months; the next pastor's name was not learned; G. N. Hallwachs, two years, after whom came N. J. Platz, the present pastor. The present membership of the church is seventy, and the attendance of the Sunday school will average about 150 throughout the entire year.
Middlebury Christian Church was organized by Elder Joel Dillon, in the year 1871, with eleven members, whose names are as follows: L. A. Hale, M. Hale, C. DeBerry, Charles Caton, Rebecca Caton, Mrs. Wiltse, Jane Tipton, Catherine Tipton, Emma Tipton, Madison Pipes and Ellen Pipes. Elder Dillon preached three years and was succeeded by A. C. Layman, who remained two years, after whom came A. S. Lowdermilk, who preached for two years. Since the latter's pastorate, the society has been without regular preaching, though services are conducted at intervals by Elder Williams, of Lancaster. The society has no house of its own, and meetings are held in the Baptist Church. Present mem- bership, about forty.
Clay City Methodist Episcopal Church .- The first meetings of this society were held at the Middlebury Schoolhouse by Rev. E. C. Boaz, who, in 1873, organized a class of about twelve members.
After meeting one year at Middlebury, the organization was changed to Clay City, and the schoolhouse there was used for a preaching place until 1874, at which time the present beautiful temple of worship was erected, but not dedicated until three years later. It is a frame build- ing, 30x45 feet in size, and represents a value of $1,500. John L. Pitner was the first pastor, and preached eighteen months. Following him came, in regular order, L. S. Knotts, for two years; John Laverty, one year; John T. Smith, one year; John Welker, one year; E. C. Hughes, one year; D. Harvey, six months. The present incumbent is Rev. Mr. Wilson, a young man of fine abilities, and well liked by his congrega- tion. Present membership, thirty.
STATEMENT OF VALUES, TAXES, ETC.
In the year 1852, the real estate of Harrison was assessed at $64,274; improvements, $19,088; personal property, $29,641; total value of taxa- bles, $114,400; total taxes, $798.41. Number of polls, 112.
One year later, taxes were paid on 29,329.97 acres of land valued at $75,215; improvements, $19,313; personal property, $45,152. Num- ber of polls, 145; total taxes, $1, 727.02.
For the year 1870, number of acres, 39,899.10; value of lands, $272,- 789; value of improvements, $99,547; value of personal property, $132, - 572; total value of taxables, $510,797; total taxes, $7,647.78. Num- ber of polls, 358.
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.
For the year 1882, number of acres, 40,357.21; value of lots, $5,854; value of improvements on lots, $24,780; value of personal property, $151,643; total value of taxables, $767,325; total taxes, $13,238.08. Township revenue for all purposes, $10,000. Number of voters, 786.
CLAY CITY.
This live little city, the second business place in the county, is an outgrowth of the Terre Haute & Southeastern Railroad, and was sur- veyed in the month of June, 1873, and recorded under the name of Markland. It is situated on the southeast quarter of Section 3, Town- ship 10 north, Range 6 west. The original plat comprises four blocks of twelve lots each, each lot being fifty feet wide by one hundred and fifty feet deep. Maple and Clay streets run east and west, and are in- tersected at right angles by Main and Market streets, running north and south, all of which are sixty five feet wide. The town was laid out by Barbara Storm, and the first addition made on the 16th day of June, 1883, by E. F. Cooprider, consisting of four blocks subdivided into forty- four lots of the same size as the first surveyed.
Lankford's Addition of sixty-four lots was surveyed in the month of March, 1875, and embraces a part of the northeast quarter of the south- east quarter of Section 30, Township 10 north, Range 6 west; Larkin Lankford, proprietor.
Storm's First Addition was made in April, 1880, and consists of thirty lots. In December, 1882, John R. and Henry Lankford made an addi- tion of ninety-seven lots, and one school lot, and in March, 1883, Storm's Second Addition of twenty lots was surveyed and placed upon record. It will be seen from the above that the village limits embrace an area sufficiently large to make a city of four or five thousand inhabitants, and from the wonderful accounts given of its growth by ardent friends of the place, we are led to believe that its arrival at that population is some- thing more than a mere possibility. Eli and E. F. Cooprider were among the first to erect dwellings in the village, and the former put up the first store room in the northwest part, which he stocked with a gen- eral assortment of merchandise. He sold goods for six months, at the end of which time he was succeeded by H. J. Long. The Burger Brothers kept the second store and brought on a large stock of goods, which they sold as partners until 1882, when the firm dissolved, each one going into business on his own responsibility. H. Grismer & Co. came next, with a dry goods store, and erected a building in the western part of town on Front street. He remained from 1875 until 1878, and in the latter year was succeeded by William Graber. John Long & Son commenced business in 1877, and continued one year, at the end of which time they closed out. Among other merchants who came when the town was new were Jacob J. Baker, Acklemire & Co., J. F. Hyatt and M. L. Jett, the
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Christin. Ehrlich
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last of whom started the first drug store. Charles Cady was the first blacksmith and W. J. Warners the first worker in wood.
Industries .- Clay City Mill was brought to the town in 1879 by Messrs. Overholser & Silvius, the building having formerly stood in Bowling Green. After its erection here, it was supplied with new and improved machinery, and operated by the above-named parties for one year and a half, when they sold out to D. Champer, the present proprietor. The building is a three-and-a-half story frame structure, 40x65 feet, and represents a value of $12,000. It has four run of buhrs, and a capacity of about 100 barrels of flour per day.
Depot Mill was erected in 1881 by Motter & Clinger, who operated as partners for a short time, when the latter disposed of his interest to F. Burger, who sold it a little later to Daniel Harris. Motter afterward sold his interest to T. W. Toney, who also purchased Harris' share, and is the proprietor at the present time. The mill is four stories high, con- tains three run of buhrs, and grinds on an average about 300 bushels of wheat per day.
Clay City Saw Mill was brought to the village about the year 1878 by J. W. White, who operated it until the spring of 1883, at which time it came into possession of the present owners, Messrs. Warner & Clinger. It occupies a large building near the railroad, and does a handsome business.
In the year 1880, Mr. Clutter, of Terre Haute, established a stave factory, which he operated very successfully for two years, giving em- ployment to a number of workmen. It is not in operation at the present time.
A'stave factory on an extensive scale was started in the year 1875 by Messrs. Gressmer, Russell & Brinkman. They manufactured material for tight barrel work, vast quantities of which were shipped to Chicago and other places. It was in operation until 1880, at which time it was moved to Oakland City. A brickyard was started in 1880 by the Con- nolly Brothers, who ran it one season.
The present brickyard was started by - Burman, and is operated at the present time by the Graber Brothers.
Physicians .- The following representatives of the medical profession have practiced the healing art in the village at different times, viz .: R. A. Baldridge, W. S. Duncan, Drs. Smith and Black. The present M. D.'s are H. C. Wolfe, D. I. Zook, Dr. Brouilette, S. P. Burns and M. Freed.
Bank .- Messrs. Thompson, Jett & Wiltse established a private bank in the year 1882. Thompson was chosen President, and M. L. Jett. Cash- ier. A fine brick building on the corner of Front and Fifth streets was afterward erected at a cost of $5,000. The bank represents a capital of $85,000, and is doing a good business.
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.
Lodges .- Mark's Lodge, No. 360, I. O. O. F., was instituted at Mid- dlebury on the 27th of January, 1871, with the following charter members to wit: William R. Kress, David Cook, W. B Brown, J. F. Lankford and R. Horton. The first officers were: W. R. Kress, N. G .; D. F. Cook, V. G .; L. A. Hale, Secretary, and R. Horton, Treasurer. Officers at the present time are: W. B. Brown, N. G .; John O'Neil, V. G .; J. W. Hays, Secretary; David Owens, Permanent Secretary; J. F. Wyatt, Treasurer. The lodge held its meetings at Middlebury until the year 1881, at which time the organization was moved to Clay City, and a hall rented of M. L. Jett. One year later, the place of meeting was changed to Fleshman's Hall, which has been used ever since.
Clay City Lodge, No. 562, A. F. & A. M., was organized at Flesh- man's Hall in 1880, with a good membership, among whom were M. L. Jett, I. B. Harris, A. J. Fulkerson, Calvin Ames, James Fetrow, C. C. Fess- ler, F. M. Dowthy, Samuel Silvers, William Calhoun, James Cooper, Robert Moffitt, Joshua Frantz and Edward Champer. First officers were: M. L. Jett, W. M .; A. J. Fulkerson, S. W .; I. B. Harris, J. W .; Charles C. Fessler, Secretary ; Robert Guthrie, Treasurer ; A. L. Witty, S. D .; James Campbell, J. D .; J. G. Fleshman, S. S .; George Schlegel, J. S .; and George Wagoner, Tiler. The following are the officers at the pres- ent time: M. L. Jett, W. M .; Charles Fessler, S. W .; P. B. Burns, J. W .; Homer Harris, Secretary ; Bartlett Cuse, Treasurer ; George W. Wagoner, Tiler; A. L. Witty, S. D .; James Campbell, J. D .; J. G. Fleshman, S. S., and John O'Neil, J. S. The present membership is twenty-five. The place of meeting is Jett's Hall.
Clay City Lodge, No. 40, A. O. U. W., was organized March 20, 1878. On the charter appear the following names: A. J. Asbury, H. J. Grisner, D. I. Zook, Ivan V. Harris, Pius Long, W. H. Payne, Matthew L. Jett, John B. Hendrick, Levi Damer and John Row. At one time the organ- ization was in very good circumstances, but at present there are but few members belonging, and meetings are not held regularly.
Clay City Lodge, No. 2240, Knights of Honor, is a flourishing organ- ization with forty-one members. It was organized in 1880 with sixteen charter members and has been growing in favor ever since. The fol- lowing officers were the last elected: H. H. Hyatt, Dictator ; George J. Kayser, V. D .; Casper Rader, Assistant D .; William Graber, Treasurer, and J. C. Wilber, Reporter. Meetings are held on Wednesday evenings in Griffith's Hall.
Uncas Tribe, No. 68, Red Men, dates its history from the 4th day of April, 1882, at which time the following persons went into the organi- zation, viz .: I. B. Harris, J. F. Hyatt, W. H. Carlisle, B. F. Halstead, J. C. Wilber, Richard Bryson, J. W. White, C. C. Fessler, N. B. Markle, Homer Harris, D. M. Freed, George Schafer, J. W. Danhour and William I. Warner. The lodge is in good working order, the member-
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ship at the present time being 36. The following list comprises the officers: J. F. Hyatt, Sachem; C. C. Fessler, S. S .; N. B. Markle, J. S .; H. H. Harris, C. of. R .; W. H. Carlisle, K. of W., and D. F. Halstead, Prophet.
Mutual Love Lodge, No. 221, Daughters of Rebecca, was organized November 1, 1882, with twenty-two charter members, a number which has since increased to thirty-five. The first officers were: David Owens, N. G .; Almira Carlisle, V. G .; Dora Hosly, Secretary, and Amanda Owens, Treasurer. At the present time, the several officers are filled by the following persons: J. G. Fleshman, N. G .; Almira Carlisle, V. G .; Maria Hosly, Secretary; David Owens, Per. Sec., and Amanda Owens, Treasurer.
The Knights and Ladies of Honor have an organization, established in January, 1883, with eleven members. Meetings are held on Saturday evenings of each week, and the membership at the present time numbers eighteen.
An organization known as the Knights of Universal Brotherhood was established in January, 1882, and continued its meetings until a few months ago, when the society disbanded.
We close this brief sketch of Clay City with the following register of its business: F. M. Dorothy, general store ; Graber Bros., dry goods and miscellaneous articles ; Thomas Watts, general stock ; Joseph Lieber, general store ; John Burger, general stock. The Black Brothers handle miscellaneous merchandise, as does also Abraham Burger ; Smith & Rader handle boots and shoes; M. L. Jett and J. W. Danhour, druggists; James F. Hyatt, groceries and queensware; A. J. Fulker. son, groceries; J. W. Hays, groceries; L. G. Castland and J. H. Hodges & Co., restaurants; Joseph Wilber, harness shop; J. G. Keyser, boot and shoe maker; S. Rinehart, barber and photographer; Curtis Black, dealer in boots and shoes; William Travis, editor and proprietor of the Independent, a sketch of which will be found elsewhere; T. J. & J. J. Watts, livery stables. There are also two good hotels in the city.
MIDDLEBURY.
The town or village of Middlebury is situated in Section 31, Town 10 north, Range 6 west, and owes its origin to John Cooprider, Sr., who, in 1836, laid it out for the twofold purpose of securing a post office and inducing immigration to this part of the county. Among the first per- sons to purchase lots in the new village were Elias Cooprider, J. W. Fer- guson, J. Mitchell and Dr. William Hill. Ferguson erected the first residence, a hewed-log building, near the central part of the town. Dr. Hill was the first physician, and John Brush kept the first store, in a little log building which stood near the southern limits of the village on Main street. Mr. Brush remained in business about twelve years, and during
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.
that period disposed of a great deal of merchandise. W. R. Kress brought the second stock of goods to the place, and erected a building on the west side of Main street, near the central part of the town, which he occupied about six years, at the end of which time he sold out to M. L. Jett & Co., who continued the business several years longer. Joel H. Buckalew, V. Church, -- Cofer, Thomas J. Cromwell & Co., P. Ever- hart & Co., Cooprider & Kress and Stiernagle & Co. did business at different times during the history of the village.
Among the early mechanics were Larkin Lankford, S. R. Dale, James Sheels, Levi Dietrick, Frederick Ott and David Miller. Being remote from any trading point, Middlebury early became a lively business cen- ter, and at one time there were four or five good stores in the town, besides a number of shops of different kinds, and other industries. A large steam flouring mill was erected in the year 1858, by a Mr. True- blood, who operated it about four years, when it was purchased by John Burke & Son, who afterward sold out to L. Brown & Sons. Later it came into possession of a Mr. Mottle, who moved it to Clay City. The building of the Terre Haute & Southeastern Railroad through the country, and its terminus for a couple of years at Clay City, only one mile distant, and the rapid growth of the latter place in consequence, proved a disastrous blow to the business of Middlebury, and from that time its fortunes began to wane. Business men removed from the place and took their wares to the new city, and an effectual check was put upon its further development, and at the present time it is but a shadow of its former self. There are three small stores at the present time, kept by John Fair, A. J. Harris and J. J. Baker, respectively.
Dr. Hall is the practicing physician of the place, and is one of the successful M. D.'s of the county.
NEW BRUNSWICK. *
The site of this town is located on Eel River, and occupies a portion of Section 19, Town 9 north, Range 6 west. It was laid out in February, 1831, by A. R. Ferguson and William Maxwell. Mr. Maxwell was then County Surveyor, the first one ever commissioned in the county. The site of the town is on the north bank of the river, at the wagon bridge crossing between Middlebury and Howesville, all of which is now inclosed in farm lands and in cultivation. For a number of years the place did considerable business in staves, hogs, pork, poul- try and grain, which were flat-boated to New Orleans. A boat. yard was located at this place, where a number of boats were constructed and launched every year. John Lee was the leading merchant of the town, who carried on the exchange of dry goods, coffee and whisky for the commodities of the community. Just above, a distance of two miles or
* Prepared by William Travis.
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POSEY TOWNSHIP.
less, Thornton & Alexander also carried on a boat-yard. All the lumber for the boats at the Brunswick yard was whip-sawed, Sampson and Will- iam Phipps, brothers, acting as the motive power, both of whom are yet living. The town sustained its reputation as a business point for a num- ber of years, but was finally abandoned, on account of the advent of rail- roads and other modern innovations.
POSEY TOWNSHIP.
BY G. N. BERRY.
R ECURRENCES to the past, with the recollections and associations which make it pass in life-like review before our mental vision will continue to be, as of yore, a source of satisfaction, especially when they connect themselves with incidents reflected back from our own ex- periences. These reminders vanish with the life of the participants, when no landmarks remain to save us the pictures faintly delineated on the tablets of memory, the impressions of which are only retracings from the remodelings of others. To preserve these from forgetfulness before they have lost their distinguishing originality is the work devolved upon the writer of history. History fails in its great mission when it does not preserve the life features of the subjects committed to its trust. Local history, more than any other, commands the most interested attention, for the reason that it is a record of those who in times gone by traveled the thorny pathway of life as our companions, acquaintances and friends.
GENERAL FEATURES.
Posey Township embraces an area of thirty-six square miles of terri- tory lying in the northwestern part of Clay County, and includes the whole of Congressional Township 12 north, Range 13 west, which was laid off by the Government survey in the early part of the year 1816. The civil township was formed at the general division in 1825, and orig- inally included the present townships of Dick Johnson, Van Buren, and a part of Jackson. Its outlines were modified at various times, and it was not until about the year 1830 that the division was reduced to its present area. The face of the country may be described as rolling, with undulations of a somewhat abrupt nature along the ravines which trav- erse the township in various directions, though in but few places is the land too broken for tillage. The soil is not the best for agricultural purposes, especially on the elevated portions, where it is rather thin and of a heavy, clayey nature; the land skirting the different water-courses possesses a black sandy loam, more fertile than the clay soil, and better
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