Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical., Part 21

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 21
USA > Indiana > Owen County > Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical. > Part 21

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).

" Hurricane District was organized August, 1839, and a committee to select a building site was appointed, consisting of John Carter, John R. Smith, Robert Grass, William Pettit and William Ringo." Further on we read: "The committee met on the 30 day of August and selected a site to bilde said schoolhouse on it being in the southwest corner of John Eppert's land: received by the inhabitants of said district 16 day of September 1839 appointed to commence Said house." Not a very transparent report, to be sure, yet it seems to have been received by " said inhabitants " without a dissenting voice. The first board elected for this district was composed of John Eppert, William Noel and George Car- penter; the board organized by electing Noel Treasurer. The house was commenced in 1840, but several years elapsed before its completion, ow- ing to a lack of funds in the treasury. In 1840, District No. 3 drew, as its portion of the public fund, $50 in "Illinois money," $20 of which was borrowed by I. L. Yocum, J. H. Modesitt and Levi Yocum going his security. On June 6, 1841, we find the following quaint record:

District order no. one order on treasury of district no 3 Mr. William Noel Sir please let Mr. Jos. Shull have that note belonging to the third district in township 12, north range 7 west on John L Yocum J H. Modesitt and Levi Yocum

John Eppert

John Eppert trustee

George Carpenter Trustee

217

POSEY TOWNSHIP.

Immediately following the above appears: "District order no. two," which reads as follows: "Sir Mr. Noel pay to the undersigned citizens of District no 3 ten dollars in Illinois money for the purpose of gitting glass for schoolhouse in above mentioned district letting the money go for what it will fetch George Carpenter John R. Smith Jonnathan Kel- sey L Smith Martin Bowls Robert Grass." The ten dollars went for 37} cents on the dollar.

It seems that considerable difficulty was experienced in completing this house, as no one cared to furnish material or do any work, unless assured of a more substantial remuneration than that afforded by the de- preciated " Illinois" currency referred to. Finally, a public-spirited citizen, who had faith in the township's ability to pay, came to the front, as the following record will go to show: " Mr. William McBride agreed to furnish the lumber for the schoolhouse and wait for the pay until we draw good money again from the township treasury as the Illinois money is no account 1842."

The following receipt, dated one year later, shows that Mr. McBride's faith in the township was not misplaced:

Recd. of William Noel Treasurer ten dollars for lumber for schoolhouse in district no 3, town 12 north range 7 west, this 5 day of April 1843. William Mc- Bride.

In the year 1845, there were living in the township 133 children be- tween the ages of six and twenty-one years. In that year, Milton P. Carter drew $30 of public money for teaching three months, and one year later James Batts was paid out of the township treasury the sum of $70, for services as teacher for six months. Other early teachers were S. Carpenter and W. P. Carpenter, E. L. Rort, L. H. Mahan, C. P. Doyle, R. M. Philips, W. W. Carpenter, Nancy Grass, Miss Wyatt, John Wyatt, Laban Dickerson and W. P. Carter. In the year 1848, the school section belonging to this Congressional township was sold, and two years later new districts were set off and buildings erected. At the present time there are eleven good schoolhouses in the township, seven of which are frame and four brick. The teachers for the school year 1882-83 were M. R. Yocum, P. H. Veach, H. C. Tribble, Perry Morgan, E. F. Griffin, R. H. Modesitt, John Northway, T. B. Robinson, G. W. McBride, W. F. Yocum and T. C. Green. To compensate these teachers required the sum of $2,500. The enumeration for 1882-83 shows that 573 children of proper school age are living in the township. Since the year 1859, the Township Trustees have been the following, to wit: A. C. Veach, Henry Rule, George Ringo, James M. Hoskins, C. W. Bailey, Artemas Gilbert, Philip Boor, and C. G. McClintock, the present incum- bent.

CHURCHES.

The religious history of this township dates from the first settlement, though there were no churches organized for a number of years later.

218

HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

Religious services were held from house to house, and it was some time before any of the denominations gained sufficient strength to erect places for public worship. The first regularly organized church of which there is any authentic record was the Cloverland Baptist Church, which dates its history from about the year 1840. The society was organized with eight or nine members, and meetings were held at different residences for a number of years, when a log building was erected near the village. The first preacher was Elder Zachariah McClure, a man well and favor- ably known throughout the county for his piety and sterling integrity. Another early preacher was Elder J. W. Denman, who ministered to the little charge eight or nine years.

The little log structure at the village was used by the society until it became too small to accommodate the constantly increasing audiences, when a substantial frame structure was built at a cost of $1,400. It stood near the village until a few years ago, when it was torn down, and rebuilt at a point about three miles south, where it still stands. The so- ciety has been kept up for over forty years, and at the present time num- bers about forty communicants. The present ministers are Elders Jo- seph Coltharpe and John Syster. The Christians organized a society at an early day at Cloverland, and met for public worship at the Baptist meeting-house. Their preachers were Elders Michael and Job Combs, who ministered to the society at intervals during the time it was in exist- ence. The society was disbanded a number of years ago, and a new organization effected at Staunton, which will be referred to in the history of that village.

The Methodists held services at different places in the township dur- ing the early years of its history, as did also the Christians, or, as they are more familiarly known, New Lights. The early schoolhouses were used for religious purposes, and ministers of different denominations fre- quently conducted public worship in them. Itinerant preachers of the United Brethren Church preached regularly at the different school build- ings, but no society of their denomination appears to have been organ- ized until within a comparatively recent period. At the present time they support an organization near Cloverland, where they have a house of worship in conjunction with the New Lights. Both societies are well sustained, and are reported in good condition.

VILLAGES.

Williamstown, one of the oldest settlements in the township, is situ- ated on the National road, near the northern boundary, and was at one time the most important trading point in the northern part of the county. It was an outgrowth of the National road, and dates its history from the beginning of that highway, at which time a few residences were erected by the workmen, and a small stock of goods brought to the place.

yours Respectfully. Joseph S. laster

221

POSEY TOWNSHIP.

Among the early buildings was a tavern for the accommodation of the few travelers passing through the country, but the name of the landlord was not learned. The Van Buren Post Office was established about the year 1833, on the National road, a short distance west of the present city of Brazil, at a private residence, where it was kept for a few months, and afterward moved to Williamstown. The name of the office was never changed, and it was kept at the village until the year 1860, at which time it was discontinued. The last Postmaster was Joseph Wardlow. Several stores were started at the village in an early day, all of which did a good business. Among the early merchants was a man by the name of Fortner, who sold goods for eight or ten years, when he closed out his stock and was succeeded by a Mr. Shadrack. The village continued to grow in importance as the county increased in population, and at one time its prospects for securing the county seat were rather flattering. Its hopes for obtaining the seat of justice were doomed to be shattered, and when the T. H. & I. Railroad was constructed through the county, a few miles distant, the fortunes of the place began to wane. The railroad and the growing city of Brazil proved its death blow, and its business men and mechanics sought other and more remunerative places. The city of great expectations finally died, and at the present time a few old dismantled houses are the only remains of its former greatness.

Cloverland .- The village of Cloverland is situated in the northern part of the township, on the National road, and dates its origin from about the year 1834, although quite an extensive settlement had been made near its site several years prior to that date. The original plat was made by Dr. Charles Modesitt, of Terre Haute, and consisted of forty lots, to which several additions were subsequently made. The causes which led to the birth of the town were the construction of the National road, the general demand of the sparse settlements for a trading point, and the desire on the part of the proprietor to realize a fortune from the sale of lots. The village early became the most prominent business center in the county, and served as a distributing point for a large area of country, before the days of railroads. Among the first merchants of the town were Jesse Redifer and James Lucas, both of whom kept general assort- ments of merchandise, and carried on an extensive business. Later came John Lucas, and a man by name of Hamer. Carpenter & Hoskins car- ried on an extensive business about the year 1865. The firm was after- ward changed to Carpenter & Robinson, and a few years later the stock was purchased by McBride & Moore. Moore afterward purchased Mc- Bride's interest, and is in business at the present time. Prior to the construction of the T. H. & I. R. R., Cloverland enjoyed a fair degree of prosperity, but with the completion of the road the city took a downward grade, owing to the growing city of Brazil, which absorbed its business interests. At the present time the village is but a mere hamlet, about a

222

HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

dozen houses, and looks little like the flourishing pioneer town of former years.

Staunton .- This thriving little town was laid out on the 12th day of August, 1851, and is situated in Section 16. It sprang into existence on account of the Terre Haute & Indianapolis Railroad, and early acquired some prominence as a trading and shipping point. The plat was sur- veyed by William Herren for Lewis Bailey, proprietor, who placed the lots upon the market at once. "Sandy" Wilson was among the first to purchase real estate in the new village, and erected the first house, a residence and store building combined, where Swanda's store now stands. He brought a small stock of goods to the place, and was in business two or three years, when he closed out his store and left the village. The next were Hare Harrison and Robert West, who came in about two years later. They erected a good frame building on Jefferson street, north of the railroad, and did a good business for five years, at the end of which time the store was purchased by Wheeler & Carter. This firm sold goods for a number of years. Wheeler afterward closed out to Carter, who in turn disposed of the business some time later and started a store at another place. An early store was kept by Milton Carter, in a small building which stood in the northern part of the village. He kept a miscellaneous assortment of merchandise, and was in business but a short time, closing out to F. Graham, who succeeded him in the same building. George Whidden started a store in the Wheeler and Carter building a short time after the latter quit the village, and did a thriving business for several years. Other merchants were J. & J. Wardlow, who kept a large stock of goods; Hoffman & Carter, and Wheeler, Bridges & Co. The first hotel was built by Jacob and Joseph Fravels, near the railroad, and kept first by Jackson J. Vest, who ministered to the trav. eling public for several years. It is still standing and serves the pur- pose of a wareroom at the present time.

William Ensinger and Levi Barb were the first mechanics in the vil- lage, starting blacksmith shops soon after the town was surveyed. The first cooper was Charles Lynd. In the year 1863, Frederick Weisman engaged in the tannery business and started a yard in the northeast part of the village, which he operated until the year 1867, when he sold out and left the place. The last owner of the tannery was Joseph Vest. The first physician was Dr. Wiley; since his time, the following medical gentlemen have practiced the healing art in the village, viz .: I. H. Haw- kins, James Wardlow, Dr. Kester, Dr. Hyatt, M. N. Fossion, Dr. Kiser, Dr. Porter, Dr. Davis, J. C. Maxey, Dr. McCorkhill, F. B. Mccullough, Dr. Gerstmyer, Dr. Western, Dr. Lazear and Dr. E. L. Larkins.

In the year 1873, the village took upon itself the dignity of an in .. corporated town. The first officers were David Hoffman, President of the Board of Councilmen. F. J. James and David Carmickle, Council-

223

POSEY TOWNSHIP.

ten; W. F. Yocum, Clerk ; Philip Ripple, Assessor, and B. F. Wil- loughby, Treasurer.

The officials at the present time are William Stewart, F. B. McCul- lough and Joseph Halter, Councilmen; Samuel H. Cooper, Clerk: J. G. Scott, Treasurer, and J. W. McGlassen, Marshal.

The first schoolhouse in the village was erected in the year 1856, and stood a short distance south of the Christian Church. It was a frame building and was in use until 1872.

George Teter and Mrs. James were early teachers. The present com- modious brick building was erected in the year 1869. It is a frame structure, 48x50 feet in size, contains four large-sized rooms, and cost the sum of $5,000.

The first School Board was composed of the following gentlemen: H. McClure, Joseph Somers and John G. Biller.

Philip Miller, Joseph Somers and Philip Bon comprise the present board.

SOCIETIES.

Staunton Lodge, No. 415, I. O. O. F., was instituted in the month of June, 1873, with the following charter members, to wit : B. F. Wil- loughby, L. G. Howard, D. H. Hatfield and Riley Brown.

The first officers were B. F. Willoughby, N. G .; D. S. Howard, V. G .; L. G. Howard, Secretary, and Albert Webster, Permanent Secretary.

The organization was effected in Schwinda's Hall, where meetings were held for six months, when the lodge was moved to the Huffman & Carter Hall. The latter place was used as a meeting place until the year 1881, at which time the organization was changed to Wardlow's Hall, where meetings are held at the present time.

The present officers are B. F. Willoughby, N. G .; James Wallace, V. G. : William Reeder, Recording Secretary; Joseph Somers, Permanent Secretary; J. M. Craig, Treasurer; D. S. Bower, District Deputy; Will- iam Tib bets, Samuel Cooper and W. K. Booth, Trustees.

At the present time there are forty-four members belonging to the organization, and the society is reported in excellent working order.

Staunton Lodge, No. 27, I. O. G. T., was organized in 1882 with thirty members. Meetings were held in Lanem's Hall a few months, when the organization was changed to Wardlow's Hall, which is the meeting place at the present time. This society has done a very good work in the village, where its influence for good is felt in a very marked degree. The present membership is about fifty. The officers in charge at the present time are Charles Hutchinson, W. C. T .; Mrs. Lida Ander- son, W. V. T .; James Lawson, Recording Secretary, and Dr. Payne, Financial Secretary.

The Masonic fraternity formerly maintained an organization in the town, but for some reasons unknown the society was abandoned several years ago.

224

HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

The Knights of Labor have a large, flourishing lodge in the village, which is well attended. It numbers among its members many of the leading citizens of the community, and is a recognized factor in promot- ing the interests of the laboring class.

CHURCHES.

Staunton Christian Church is one of the oldest religious societies in the township, and has ever been an aggressive organization. The neat temple of worship in which the congregation meets was erected in the year 1856, at a cost of about $800. The church, owing to deaths, re- movals, and other causes, is not as strong in numbers as formerly, there being only about sixty members at the present time. As nothing of the early history of the church was learned, we will be obliged to let it pass with the above brief notice.

Staunton M. E. Church dates its history from the year 1859. It was organized by Rev. Emery Brandt with six members, whose names are as follows: William West and wife, --- Somers and wife, Mrs. Col. Teter and Mrs. Carrie P. James. The little society held meetings at the resi- dences of different members for some months, and afterward used the old schoolhouse for public worship.

The New Light Church was placed at the disposal of the congrega- tion shortly after its completion, and was used until the year 1878, at which time the present handsome temple was erected. It is a frame building, with a seating capacity of 250, and represents a value of $2,100. At the time of the organization, the society was attached to the Center Point Circuit in the Southern Indiana Conference. It was trans- ferred to the Northwestern Indiana Conference about the year 1870.

Rev. Brandt preached for the congregation one year, and did much toward establishing the society upon a substantial basis. Other early pastors were Revs. Harris, Moore, Morris, Coffin, Head and Lawson. Later came Revs. Tunnicliffe and Daniels. The present incumbent is Rev. - Calvert. Present membership, about thirty-five. Class lead- er, B. F. Danner. Trustees are Joseph Wardlow, Philip Boor, J. M. Anderson, John Ringo and B. F. Danner. Mrs. James is Superintend- ent of the large, flourishing Sunday School, which has an average at- tendance of eighty-five scholars.

Christian, or New Light Church .- In the year 1875 Elders J. T. Philips and Absalom Carney held a meeting at the Staunton Schoolhouse and organized a society, which took upon itself the name of Staunton Christian Church. The class met in the schoolhouse for a short time, and afterward fitted up a vacant store building belonging to George Hubbard, where public worship was held at intervals for one year, at the end of which time their present church edifice was erected.

A lot was purchased in Holmes' Addition, and a substantial frame

225

POSEY TOWNSHIP.

structure erected thereon, at a cost of about $1,800. This is one of the most commodious church buildings in the township, and will comforta- bly seat 300 persons. The first regular pastor of the church was Elder William D. Smith, who ministered to the society one year. He was suc- ceeded by Elder A. J. Acres, whose pastorate extended over a period of four years. Then came Elder Simmonds for one year, after whom came Elder Hutts, who remained the same length of time. At the expiration of Hutts' pastorate, Elder Acres was again called by the church, and preached for one year, after which there was no regular pastor for two years. At the present time Elder Hutts is serving his second term as pastor, and the society is reported in good condition, with a membership of fifty. The present church officials are John L. Miller, Clerk; Fred- erick Miller and W. Modisitt, Deacons; John McBride, John L. Miller and Jonathan Craig, Trustees.

Staunton Lutheran Church was first organized in the year 1854, near the southeast corner of the township. It was then known as the St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, and sustained a good membership.

The first house of worship was a small log building, and was in use a number of years. As the congregation increased in numbers, the house became too small, and the advisability of erecting a new building began to be discussed. When the time came for building, some of the members wanted to move the organization to Staunton, while others were in favor of erecting the new structure on the same spot where the old one stood. This caused a division in the congregation, and the part desiring the location at Staunton erected the present building in 1870. That part favoring the old location erected a neat structure there one year later, and still maintain their organization.

The house at Staunton is brick, 35x40 feet in size, and represents a capital of about $1,400. The first preacher in the old church was Rev. John F. Lautenschlager, who is still ministering to the church in the southern part of the township. The original members of the old congrega- tion were Peter Tiefel, John Holdefer, Conrad Hofman, M. Hofman, John Hofman, M. Romas, Charles Hofman, Frank Wedel, John Dormer, Paul Deivlein, David Krach, George Krach and Frederick Steirn. The pastors who have ministered to the Staunton congregation are the following: T. H. Jaeger, August Everbach, Frederick Girkenmyer, F. W. Wilch- ers and Theodore F. Hahn, all of whom were born in Germany and edu- cated for the ministry in the United States, at Columbus, Ohio. Num- ber of members at the present time, thirty-three; average attendance of the Sunday school, twenty.

We close the sketch of Staunton with the following exhibit of its business: There are two large dry goods and general stores kept respect- ively by Wardlow & Boor and George Scherb; Webster & Van Cleve keep a general assortment of merchandise; Webster & McClintock make

226

HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

groceries a specialty; Thomas Varley, groceries; M. Lehmer, groceries and saloon; Drs. L. S. Byers and - Dillman, druggists; Mrs. Maxey, mil- liner; T. H. Varley, cabinet-maker; J. W. Lamson, blacksmith; Philip Boor and D. S. Maurer, hotels; Wesley Guthrie, barber; G. W. Gilbert, proprietor of mill; James T. Lucas, railroad agent.

The village boasts of about 450 inhabitants, a large proportion of whom work in the adjacent coal mines.

VILLAGE OF NEWBERG.

This little hamlet is an outgrowth of the Vandalia Railroad, and dates its history from the year 1852, at which time the plat was made for J. M. Modesitt, proprietor.

The development of rich coal mines in the vicinity had a tendency to induce settlement at this point, and the town has been known prin- cipally as a shipping point for coal. Samuel Honeter, Wilson Montgom- ery, Henry Jones and Luther Cook were the first to purchase lots and erect residences in the village, which they did soon after the survey was made. Modesitt & Cook brought the first stock of goods to the place, and erected a store building near the railroad. They conducted a fair business for two years, when the stock was purchased by Wilcox & Co., who in turn sold out to W. Forsythe after remaining in the village about one year. Among other merchants were W. Fortner, Oliver & Fortner, Fred Mackle and John Minney.

The present business is represented by the grocery and provision stores of David Carmichael, William Haywood and James Kane. There is one shoe-shop kept by Daniel Hanlin, a carpenter and wood-working establishment by Joseph Fravel, and a saloon where the thirsty can re- gale themselves with good lager, "forty-rod " and "lay-'em-straight," in quantity and quality according to demand. The village boa sts of a population of 200 souls.

227

VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP.

BY G. N. BERRY.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

V AN BUREN originally formed a part of Posey Township, from which it was separated about the year 1829, and organized with its present area. The date is not given as definite, as the record describing the township's formation was destroyed when the court house burned in 1852. It includes the greater part of Congressional Township 13 north, Range 6 west, and was named in honor of Martin Van Buren by an ardent admirer of that President. Its boundaries are Parke and Putnam Counties on the north and east ; Jackson Township on the south, and the townships of Dick Johnson and Brazil on the west.

The greater portion of the surface is somewhat uneven and broken, especially in the north and west, while the southwest corner is compara- tively level, and contains some excellent farm lands.

Adjacent to the streams by which the township is traversed the land is cut, divided and subdivided into innumerable bluffs and hills of all sizes, shapes and altitudes. Many deep ravines wind among these hills toward the streams which flow through the county in various directions.

The township cannot be termed a good agricultural region, as the soil is principally of a heavy clay nature, and poorly adapted for general farming. In the southern portion, however, the land is more fertile, and when carefully tilled returns fair crops of wheat, corn, rye, oats, barley and grass. Stock-raising as an industry is engaging the attention of many of the farmers; but the leading business is coal-mining, in which the majority of the citizens are interested.

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.

Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical., Part 21

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