USA > Indiana > Clay County > Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical. > Part 25
USA > Indiana > Owen County > Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical. > Part 25
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SCHOOLS.
Owing to the fact that permanent settlements and improvements were slow in what is now Sugar Ridge Township, schools were " few and far between " in those early days. Educational facilities were scarce, and
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books were few and limited to those who could afford them. Several years had elapsed from the date of the first settlement before any schools were organized or houses built within the present boundaries of Sugar Ridge. The settlers living in the western part sent their children to the schools of Washington Township, while those whose homes were near the northern boundary patronized a school in the Zenor neighborhood, in the township of Jackson. The first house erected for school purposes in Sugar Ridge stood near the site of Center Point, and was first used by Manuel Jenkins, who taught several consecutive terms therein. No certificate of qualification was required at that day, and we are unable to speak of Mr. Jenkins' attainments as an educator. Suffice it to say, however, that he was kept out of charity as much as anything else, being unable, owing to a serious affliction, to make a livelihood at any other pursuit. The second schoolhouse was built of unhewn logs, and stood a short distance from the village of Ashboro. The Steed Schoolhouse was built as early as 1842, and stood in the southern part of the township, on the land of Samuel Steed. Among the early teachers at these two houses are remembered James Marshall, George O'Brien and a man by the name of Bailey. All the early schools were supported by subscription, and generally lasted about three months of the year. In 1842, the pro- priety of securing free schools began to be discussed, and met with much unreasonable objection from a certain class of persons whose loftiest ideal of life rose no higher than houses and lands, plenty of fat swine, pockets lined with money, and full stomachs. One of these enterprising citizens, and, by the way, a wealthy man, was accosted by a friend of the project, who asked him to lend his influence in favor of the schools. The reply was characteristic of the man, and may be taken as an exponent of a very wide feeling at the present day. When urged for his support he said, "Why, sir, I am an enemy to it. What good comes from schools, anyhow ? Do they help us to make money? I kin raise as many and as fat hogs as any other man in the kentry, an' I ain't got no eddication at tall. They are only for the purpose of fetchin' up children to make 'em think they are better then their dadies and mamies." This enter- prising man said much more to the same effect, which, though very forci- ble logic, proved unavailing in arresting the schools, as they came on over the head of all such formidable opposition. The first public money was drawn about the year 1843, but it was not until 1850 that the township was divided into districts, and supplied with new schoolhouses.
There are at the present time five districts and as many schoolhouses, all of which are in fair condition and well furnished. The building at Center Point contains two large-sized rooms, and cost the sum of $2,000. The teachers for the years 1882 and 1883 were: Milo A. Campbell, R. W. Moss, A. P. Moss, T. F. Hyland, Hattie L. Dilsaver, W. T. Moss and George Henricks. There was paid the above teachers for their services the sum of $1,720.
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.
The enumeration for 1883 shows 461 children of proper school age living in the township. D. W. Barhart is the present efficient trustee.
STATISTICS.
The voting population of the township in 1860 was 116. The total value of taxables that year was $188,047. Of this amount, $48,553 was personal property. The record shows the amount of taxes to have been $1,895.38. In 1870, the township's real estate, outside the villages, was appraised at $133,009. Improvements were returned at $42, 155. Lots and improvements, $20,980. The amount of taxes assessed was $4,198.79. The record of 1880, shows the number of acres of land out- side the towns to have been 17,313.64. Appraised at $83,157. Personal property, $34, 797. Lots and improvements not including Center Point, $5,875. Total amount of taxes assessed, $3,267. 16.
In 1880, taxes were paid on 18,377.61 acres not including land within the corporate limits of Center Point; taxable value of land, $184, 063; improvements, $14,586; lots and improvements, $6,745; personal prop- erty, $52,265, making an aggregate of $257,659; total taxes, $4,208.68. Polls, 228.
CENTER POINT.
Some towns have grown up where they are from the very nature of things. A water power or a crossing of roads gives rise to a factory or a little store, and by gradual accretion there comes to be an assemblage of houses, and an increase of business, which at length necessitates the laying out and incorporation of a village. Other towns have their origin in the speculative minds of men. Thus it was with Center Point. In the early settlement of the State, and its organization into counties, there were wide-awake business men, who found it to their interest to be on hand and participate in these organizations, for the purpose of assisting in locating the county seat. While the village of Center Point is not as old as the county, it was laid out for the ostensible purpose of securing the seat of justice, to which it seems entitled on account of its close prox- imity to the geographical center of the county. The original plat was placed upon record the 18th day of September, 1856, and shows sixteen lots and two streets, i. e., Main and Cherry. It is situated on Section 4, Town 11 north, Range 6 west, and occupies one of the most beautiful locations in the county. In September, 1858, M. H. Kennedy, propri- etor of the village, made an addition of fifty-six lots to the original plat.
Joseph Ridinger built the first house in the village for a hotel. It is used at the present time for the post office. M. H. Kennedy erected a number of residences, which he rented and sold as the population of the place increased. The first store was kept by Silas Watts of Poland in a building on the main street, built by M. H. Kennedy. Watts sold goods for about three years, at the end of which time he disposed of his store
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and moved from the village. Esau Presnell and M. H. Kennedy opened the second store in the same building, and ran it as a firm ten years, when Presnell became sole proprietor. He continued the business about ten years, doing a very large business, and amassing considerable wealth.
John Sincney started a store several years later, and continued it a short time. An early merchant was a man by name of Jessick, who sold goods for five years, at the end of which time, the stock was purchased by a Mr. McGreggor, who in time sold to Burtner, Pierce & Carpenter, after doing business about two years. Other merchants of the village were George Grimes, Dr. Kennedy, Peter Carithers and Messrs. Kritzer & Brewer. The first blacksmith was Martin Shaffer, who located in the village im- mediately after the lots were surveyed.
Mr. Kennedy operated a large saw mill just north of the village for a number of years. This was the first manufacturing establishment of the place, and was run by Mr. Kennedy about twelve years, when he sold to a man by name of Milligan, who afterward disposed of it to the Ep- perd Brothers. It ceased operation about six years ago.
The Center Point Steam Flouring Mill was built by M. H. Kennedy in 1858, at a cost of $6,000. It is a frame building, three stories high. contains four buhrs, and has a capacity of fifty barrels of flour per day. A woolen factory was attached in 1859 by Messrs. Holingsworth & Diet- rick, who operated three years, at the end of which time the machinery was sold and moved to Terre Haute. The present proprietors of the flour- ing mill are S. Thomas & Son. A man by name of Clark built a pottery shop in 1864. He sold it two years later to Daniel Gilbert, who did a fair business for several years. A second shop was started a little later by a man from Ohio, whose name was not learned. It was in operation about three years. Drs. Kennedy and Gilfillian were the first medical gentlemen to locate in the town. Other physicians who practiced here from time to time were Drs. Black, Mendenhall, Witty and Grimes. The present M. D.'s are Drs. E. A. Rundell and Benjamin Holmes.
The village was incorporated in the year 1872. The town officers at the present time are the following, to wit: M. H. Kennedy, Andrew Miller, Robert Perry and L. Bailey, Trustees. James McCurley, Clerk, and W. N. Grimes, Marshal. W. R. Kennedy, W. V. Russell and M. S. Wilkinson comprise the School Board. The first schoolhouse in the village stood near the Methodist Church, and was in use about five years. It was replaced by the present commodious structure in the year 18 --. This building is frame, two stories high, contains two large-sized school- rooms, and represents a value of $2,500.
The present business of the town is represented by the following exhibit: Ashmore & Russell, general store; M. Wilkinson, general stock; John Kennedy, drug store; Allen Shaffer, blacksmith and wagon-maker; L. Bailey, hotel. Population, about 500.
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.
The following statistics were copied from the tax duplicate of 1883: Value of lots, $1,590; improvements, $3,930; value of lands within the corporate limits, $4,850; improvements on same, $2,240; personal prop- erty, $10,643. Tax assessed on the above, $339.17.
1
ASHBORO.
This village is situated on Section 17, Town 11 north, Range 6 west, and dates its origin from the year 1858, at which time the lots were sur- veyed for C. W. Moss, proprietor. Mr. Moss was operating a large saw mill at that time in the vicinity, and the town was in one respect an outgrowth of his business, which was very extensive.
The question of removing the county seat from Bowling Green was at that time being discussed, and the hope of securing its re-location at this point was one other motive in inducing Mr. Moss to lay out the town. As a consequence of its failure to obtain the coveted prize, the growth of the village has been very slow, although it still claims to be a city of large expectations, and its friends are sanguine of a brilliant fut- ure. Among the first who purchased real estate in the town and erected residences were A. Loudermilk, Daniel Wright, Israel Krytzer and An- drew Wheeler. The first store was opened by M. Greenburg, who sold goods for about five years, when his building and stock were destroyed by fire. Joseph Adams was the next merchant, and William Grimes came a little later. They were followed by the firm of O'Brien & Moss, which was afterward changed to Miller & Moss, who continued in busi- ness until they were burned out. Other business men were H. Haas, E. Barrows, A. J. Moss, John McGinnis and John C. Moss. There is one good store at the present time, one cabinet shop and one wagon shop.
A large steam grist mill was built in 1868 by J. T. Moss & Co. It was a three-story frame building, contained two buhrs, and was erected at a cost of $9,000. The entire structure was completely destroyed by fire in the year 1872. The present mill was built in the spring of 1875 by Oliver Cromwell. It is a steam mill also, but constructed on a small- er scale than the former, and represents a value of about $2,000. The present proprietor is James Bunton.
Ashboro Lodge, No. 251, I. O. O. F., was instituted May 16, 1866, with the following charter members, to wit: Ananias Loudermilk, Fran- cis M. Stoops, William R. Bryant, E. Krytzer, Charles W. Moss, A. B. Wheeler, John J. Shupe, G. M. Moss, George Grimes and David Killion. The first elective officers were A. Loudermilk, N. G .; Charles W. Moss, V. G. The lodge was organized at the residence of A. Loudermilk, where meetings were held until 1869, at which time a hall was erected over Moss & O'Brien's store. This building was burned May 23, 1878, but rebuilt the same year. The membership has decreased considerably during the past few years, although the society is reported in good con-
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dition at the present time, being out of debt and owning property valued at $1,000. The last officers elected were Mason O'Brien, N. G .; Samuel Moss, V. G .; and Dr. T. C. Green, Secretary.
SALINE CITY.
Saline City is situated in the southwestern part of the township, on the C. & T. H. R. R., of which it is an outgrowth, and dates its his- tory from the completion of said road. The original plat was laid out by Henry Jamison as a speculative venture, and consists of 100 in- lots and eight outlots. The streets running north and south are Pick- etts, Depot, Wood and Burnett; crossing these at right angles are First, Second, Third and Fourth streets, all of which are sixty-five feet in width. Warren's Addition was laid out in August, 1872, by James Warren, and consists of twenty lots. Jamison's Addition of twenty lots was made in the year 1873. By an act of the Board of Commissioners, of September, 1872, the name was changed from Saline to Saline City, on account of there being another village and post office of the former name in the State. The first lots sold were purchased by Pickett & Jenks, of Terre Haute, and Edwin Barnett, soon after the town was laid out. The first residences were erected by James Long and a man by the name of Hoyt. Pickett & Jenks built a large stave factory on Wood Point, near the railroad, in the latter part of 1872, and operated it ex- tensively for several years thereafter. The present proprietors are Messrs. Patton & Forsythe, who do a large business. Daniel Barnett built the first hotel, which he kept for two years, and then retired from the business, renting the property to other parties.
The first stock of goods was brought to the place by Pickett & Jenks, and kept for sale in a building on Wood Point, not far from their factory.
Their successors were E. Nutting & Co., who sold goods about four years, when the stock was purchased by Patton, Forsythe & Co., the present proprietors. B. F. Holmes kept the first drug store, engaging in the business soon after the town was laid out, and continuing until 1873, at which time he disposed of his building to J. & J. Wardlow. Dr. Pickens erected a store building, which he sold in 1873 to Z. T. Bar- nett, who occupies it at the present time. James Herron, Daniel Man- ning and John Huckle were the first mechanics of the place.
The first physician was Dr. McCorkle; the present M. D.'s are Drs. Gantz and Griffith.
Present Business .- Z. T. Barnett, general store; A. L. Witty, general store; Wardlow, Evans & Co., drugs, groceries, boots, shoes and notions; Ed Coffey, drug store; John Beeson, groceries; Mrs. Coffey, millinery store; D. P. Manning and M. Barber, blacksmiths; hotel, H. Hirchfield; livery stable, Butler Ray; warehouse, Z. T. Barnett. In addition to the above there is a saw mill, operated by Fred Fender. In connection with
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.
the stave factory, Messrs. Patton, Forsythe & Co. handle and ship lum- ber. The village is situated in the midst of a rich agricultural region, and enjoys good facilities for transportation, by means of the railroad, and boasts of a population of 400 souls.
RELIGIOUS.
The introduction of Christianity into Sugar Ridge was cotemporary with its first settlement. The " voice in the wilderness " was among the pioneers, calling sinners to repentance long before any organization was in existence or house of worship erected. The early ministers were God- fearing, good men, who preached without a choir, and a bugle solo in church would have called upon the rocks and mountains to fall upon them. They may have been ignorant, but, fired with a holy zeal in the cause of their Master, they smote his Satanic majesty, hip and thigh, wher- ever they could find him, and did much toward counteracting the preva- lent evils of the times. The first preacher was Samuel Little, to whom reference was made in a preceding page. E'lder David Lane, of the Christian Church, conducted public worship at different residences in a very early day, and organized a small society in the Tribble neighbor- hood prior to 1830. This organization was abandoned after a few years, and never renewed.
A Methodist missionary by name of Owens, organized a class in an early day at the residence of George Moss. Among the early members were George Moss and wife, Miss Moss, Amos Laycock and family, and William Marshall and family. Others were added from time to time, and the society finally grew into a strong organization with its meeting place at Ashboro. A house of worship was erected at Ashboro in the year 1858, at a cost of $500. Among the early pastors, are remembered Revs. Samuel Cooper and Shively. Later came Revs. Beck, Ravenscroft, Tolbert, Kiger and many others whose names are not learned. The so- ciety was first attached to the Carlisle Circuit. It was afterward a point on the Lockport, Bowling Green, Terre Haute and Center Point Circuits.
The society was abandoned in 1878. The last preacher was Rev. John Bruner.
Center Point Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in the year 1855, and is an offshoot of the old Ashboro congregation.
The following were among the early members: John McGinnis and family, Henry Mitchell and family, John McCracken and family, Thomas Milligan and family, and Henry Lash and family. A log building was erected the same year in which the society was organized, and stood about three-quarters of a mile east of the village. It was used as a meeting place until 1873, at which time a neat frame structure was built in the southeast part of the town, on ground donated by M. H. Kennedy. This house cost the sum of $1,200, and is a credit to the congregation.
Et. Millison
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The church is in good condition at the present time, with a membership of seventy-five. Rev. J. V. Moore is the pastor in charge.
United Brethren Church of Center Point was organized as early as the year 1843, at an old log schoolhouse which stood a short distance from the village. Among the early members were Amos Hedge and family, Nathan Gibbons and family, J Eversole and family, Joseph Ridinger and family, John McCurly and family, J. Hunt and family, Daniel Breuers, -Henshaw, and Mrs. M. H. Kennedy. The congrega- tion used the schoolhouse for a place of worship about nine years, when they built a frame church in the village, costing $1,000. In 1876, a second house of worship was erected. It stands in the western part of the village and is a large frame building, capable of seating 500 persons, A parsonage was afterward built near the church, and the entire property represents a capital of over $3,000. Revs. Hedge, Griffith, Briley and Elwell were early pastors. Since 1860, the church has been ministered to by the following pastors: William M. Givens, John Cotman, J.G. Shuey, J. Allenbaugh, J. Watson, R. L. Brengle, J. Buntner, William H. Long, Jacob Sheets, A. J. Newgent, J. L. Brandenburg, Hiram W. Huston and William Matson.
In the year 1859, Missionary Baptist societies were organized in Ashboro and at Center Point, with a good membership. Services were held in the Ashboro Methodist Episcopal Church as long as the society at this place had an existence, which was but a few years. The society at Center Point was abandoned in a comparatively short time. Their ministers were Revs. Stewart, C. B. Allen, - Smock, - Nivens, and - Moore.
Saline Presbyterian Church .-- This church was organized in 1875 at the Nulley store building, and numbered twelve original members. A building was erected the same year on ground donated by Henry Jamison, and cost $1,500. It is 40x60 feet, and is one of the neatest church edifices in the township. From some cause not learned, the organization was abandoned a couple of years ago, and the beautiful building is standing idle at the present time.
Saline Methodist Episcopal Church was organized 1876 at the Presbyterian meeting house, with nine members, and attached to Centre Point Circuit. The following pastors have ministered to the church in the order named: Revs .- Rannells, John Bruner,- Baxter, -- Jones, E. L. Hughes, and J. V. Moore, present incumbent.
A house of worship is in process of erection to cost about $1,300, and the society is reported in good condition, with thirty-five members. Thomas Johns is Superintendent of the Sunday school, which has an average attendance of forty scholars.
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.
PERRY TOWNSHIP.
BY G. N. BERRY.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION.
P ERRY TOWNSHIP lies in the western part of Clay County, with the following boundaries, to wit: Posey Township on the north, Sugar Ridge on the east, Lewis and a portion of Harrison Township on the south, and Vigo County on the west. It is somewhat irregular in shape, and embraces an area of about forty-five square miles, the greater portion of which lies in Town 11 north, Range 7 west, while about ten Sections in the southern part are included in Town 10 north, Range 7 west. Eel River is the principal water-course, and forms the boundary between Perry and Harrison Townships, flowing in a southwesterly di- rection. Burch Creek the second stream of importance, is the boundary between Perry and Sugar Ridge. It flows a southwesterly course, and empties into Eel River, in Section 15, of Township 10, Range 7. Brush and Crooked Creeks are both affluents of Birch Creek, and empty into the latter stream, near the southeast corner of the Township. Clear Branch rises near the village of Cory, flows a southerly course, and emp. ties into Eel River. In the western part of the township, are Big Slough and Splunge Creek. The land is generally level, except along the eastern border where the country is somewhat undulating, though in no place is it too broken for farming purposes.
Christy's Prairie occupies the northwest corner of the township. It was formerly very wet and covered with a dense growth of willows, but since being drained it is considered the most fertile and valuable portion of land in the township.
There are small prairies in various parts of the township, all of which are known by names peculiar to their localities, and give to the country decided advantages as an agricultural district. The prairie soil is a deep black loam, resting upon a subsoil of clay, and is easily cultivated. It is very fertile, and some of the finest farms in the county have been de- veloped from this wet land, which was formerly looked upon with much suspicion by the early settlers.
The timbered portion of the township has a clay soil, not so well adapted as the black loam for general farming, but well calculated for the production of fruit and the smaller cereals. Agriculture is the prin- cipal occupation of the people, and good land sells for as much as in any other division of the county. The country is well adapted to stock-rais-
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ing, having rich natural grasses and an abundance of water, facts which are leading many men to engage in the business as a specialty.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
Far beyond the dense woodlands of Indiana, beyond where Ohio's placid waters roll toward the Mississippi, came the pioneers of this sec- tion of the country. Many of them left homes of comfort behind, others but small farms upon which they had lived and rented year by year, and which barely yielded them a support. All came to better their condition, to secure cheap lands, where they could found homes for themselves and posterity. Their journey thither through an almost unbroken wilderness, where lurked dangers seen and unseen, was a hard one, and well calculated to discourage men of lesser energy. Strong, however, in the faith of their undertaking, the bold pioneers cut loose from the associations of home, and the present advanced civilization of the township stands an en- during monument to their energy and perseverance. The settlement of Perry dates back to the year 1825. Look at the dates 1825 and 1883; fifty-eight years stand between these two mile stones. Almost two gen- erations have come and gone since the first pioneer made his appearance, and constructed his humble cabin in the wilderness solitude. Early in the spring of 1825, William Christy, a native of Ohio, came to this part of the county, and located near the central part of the township, at the head of the prairie which bears his name. The journey of the pioneer family to their new home was made in a small wagon, and many dif- ficulties were experienced before reaching their destination, owing to spring freshets and the absence of roads, obstacles which rendered travel- ing well-nigh impossible. After selecting his claim and constructing thereon a rude pole cabin, Mr. Christy began backwoods life in earnest. A small patch of ground was cleared and planted in vegetables the first season, but our pioneer's family obtained their chief support from the bountiful supply of game which infested the woods and prairies. The nearest neighbors were a tribe of the Indians, who had two small villages a short distance south of Christy's residence. These Indians treated the family with the most profound respect, a compliment which was re- turned, and a mutual friendship sprang up between them which contin- ued unalloyed as long as the red men remained in the country. Christy hunted with his savage neighbors, participated in many of their amuse- ments, and allowed his children to freely associate with them, so that in a short time all members of the family learned to speak the Indian lan- guage fluently.
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