Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical., Part 26

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 26
USA > Indiana > Owen County > Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical. > Part 26

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).

The Indians left about the year 1827. Small parties returned occa- sionally thereafter for the purpose of hunting, and during their sojourn paid many friendly visits to our settler's family, whom they held in grateful remembrance. Christy entered a fine tract of land in the town-

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

ship, and was the first man to improve the wet prairie lands, which were looked upon by early settlers as totally unfitted for farming purposes.

He became one of the leading citizens of the township, and his de- scendants are among the substantial business meu of the country. John Crossley, a brother-in-law of Christy, came in the year 1826, and settled in the same locality, where he entered and improved a good piece of land. He came from Warren County, Ohio, and was the first preacher in this part of the country. David Christy was, perhaps, the next per- manent settler; he entered land a short distance east of his brother's place, and became a prominent man in the community, having been uni- versally respected on account of his stern integrity and high sense of honor. He had been a soldier in the Indian war, and was with Gen. St. Clair, when that ill-fated commander was so overwhelmingly defeated by his savage enemies. In that engagement Mr. Christy received a serious wound in the leg, from the effects of which he never recovered. A son- in-law of David Christy, by the name of Riggle, came in an early day and settled in the eastern part of the township, near the former's claim. He was a Kentuckian, and in every respect a reputable citizen. Ezekiel Pitts located in the southern part of the township as early as 1828, and was the first person who settled in that locality. The above mentioned pioneers were the only residents within the present limits of Perry, prior to the year 1830, at which time William Christy came and entered land in the eastern part of the township. He was a nephew of David and William Christy, and a splendid type of the daring backwoods hunter of fifty years ago. Nothing pleased him better than rambling through the woods in quest of game, and as a skillful rifleman he had but few equals. It is related of him, that upon one occasion, while accompanying his family to church, he chanced to spy a bear track in the snow, which so excited him that he left the good wife and children to find their way to the house of God as best they could, while he started in pursuit of bruin. He followed the trail for several days, and was absent from home so long that his family became alarmed, and a party of several neighbors went in search of him. He was met a few miles from the settlement making his way homeward, very much crestfallen on account of the bear having been killed by a rival sportsman. Upon another occasion, he found in a large hollow log a litter of young wolves, which he desired to take alive, and sent his young son into the opening for the purpose of fetching the animals out. The cries of the cubs soon brought the mother wolf to the spot, which attacked Mr. Christy in a very savage manner. She came very nearly getting into the log before he succeeded in killing her. Mr. Christy was a citizen of the township until about the year 1848, when he sold his farm and moved to Texas. In the year 1828, George Dun- ham, Aaron Fagan and David White, all of Warren County, Ohio, came to this part of the country for the purpose of selecting homes. They

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secured land near the central part of the township, and after having en- tered their respective claims went back to Ohio, where George Dunham re- mained until 1833, when he moved his family to the new country. In the meantime Abel Dunham, brother of the preceding, entered land in the west- ern part of the township, but did not move to it until about the year 1833 or 1834.

They are both living at the present time, the former in the village of Cory, and the latter ou his farm in the western part of the township. They are both men of prominence in their respective communities, George having served the township as Justice of the Peace in an early day, and later, in various other official capacities. Ebenezer Gilbert set- tled in the township in the year 1832, locating in the Christy neighbor- hood, where he became the possessor of a good farm. He came from Ohio also, and was for many years one of the prominent citizens of Perry. One daughter, Mrs. Jane Jeffers, lives in the township at the present time. Thomas West, an Ohioan, settled near the present site of Cory in the fall of 1833. He came the year previous for the purpose of securing land, and purchased the claim on which Ezekiel Pitts had located, erecting thereon a comfortable hewed-log house, the first structure of the kind ever built in the township. John Dunham, cousin of George and Abel Dunham, came in 1833, and located near the central part of the township. He was joined the same year by John Hickson, who made the trip from his home in Ohio on horseback. After entering a tract of land in Sections 17 and 20, Mr. Hickson returned for his family, moving them out the following year. Later came his father, Amos Hickson, and a brother, Charles, both of whom located not far from Cory Village, in the western part of the township. James Jeffers was an early pio- neer, but the exact date of his arrival was not ascertained. A settlement was made in the eastern part of the township in an early day by the families of Richard and Peter Brock, and several others whose names were not learned. They did not remain long, however, and left the country as early as 1837. Robert Barnett came to the township in 1835, and purchased land to which his family was moved two years later. He has been a prominent citizen of Perry for forty-eight years, and at the present time is enjoying the old age of a well-spent life on a beautiful farm de- veloped from the wilderness by his own exertions. Robert Stoops, Will- iam Huff, William and M. Stoops, were among the pioneers of Perry, but, aside from their names nothing concerning them was learned.

The first entry of land in Perry was made in the year 1822 by Min- erva Bundy, in Section 17 of Town 10 north, Range 7 west. Other early entries were made by William Norris, John Crossly and Elijah Rawley, all of whom secured their lands prior to 1830. The following parties, additional to those mentioned, became owners of real estate in the township prior to 1837, to wit: Moses Rawdin, Richard Ayer, John

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

Crum, Abijah Dunham, Josiah Snoddy, T. P. Hartley, E. W. Wright, Amos W. Hedges, Stephen Hawley, W. D. Lee, John Robertson, George W. Rector, Micajah Philips, John Rector, Elias Curry, Amos Gillman, Israel Price, David Wheeler, Rachel Silvers, Keziah West, James Ter- rell, Elijah Reese, William Walker, Charles Butler, Susanna Ball, S. W. Edwards, William Sullivan, George W. Pratt, George M. Thatcher, Omer Tousey, George P. Buell, Peter Chamberlain, N. H. Modesitt, George Willis, Dennis Deming, Michael Mann and Thomas West-the majority of whom became residents.

EARLY EVENTS.

The first birth in the township occurred in the family of William Christy as early as the year 1828, at which time a son, James, was born. Sarah Jane Dunham, now Mrs. Bannon, was probably the second white person born in Perry. She is the daughter of George and Sarah Dun- ham, and dates her birth from October, 1833. John S. Dunham, son of Abijah and Margaret Dunham, is fifty years of age, and was born shortly after his parents moved to Clay County. Susan, daughter of John Dun- ham, was born in the year 1834.

The earliest marriage traceable occurred in 1834, the contracting parties being John C. Crossley and Mary Ann West. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Isaac W. Deming, a pioneer preacher of the Baptist denomination. Joseph Dunham and Lucinda Jeffers were joined in the holy bonds of matrimony about the year 1836. An early marriage was that of William Seelye to Sarah Jane West, as early as 1837. Ira Dun- ham and Cynthia Townsend assumed the responsibilities of married life about the same time.

The first ground consecrated to the burial of the dead was the Chris- ty Graveyard, laid out by William Christy on his farm about the year 1837 or 1838. There were laid away Betsey Clark, Mrs. George Dun- ham and a child of Henry Christy. John Crossley was the first of the original settlers to be summoned away by death. He departed this life in 1838, and was followed two years later by his wife, both of whom now rest in the old Christy Cemetery. Other early deaths were David Christy and wife, Mrs. McIntire and John Reece.

JIONEER LIFE.

For many years during the early history of this section of the coun- try, the pioneer's life was by no means an enviable one. Their trials were numerous, and the obstacles they were called upon to encounter would discourage the bravest hearted of the present day. Yet, hard as was their backwoods life, it had its seasons of recreation-if such could be called recreation. Raisings, log-rollings, etc., served to bring remote settlements in contact, and on such occasions they recounted various inci-

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dents and talked over old times, thus relieving the monotony of their isolated situation. Light hearts, strong constitutions and clear con- sciences made the toilsome hours pass pleasantly, and old men now liv- ing, whose youths were spent amid the stirring scenes of those times, look back with pleasure to the old days as the most enjoyable period of their lives. The first duty of the pioneer was to provide a shelter, and their rude cabins were hastily constructed, daubed with mud and covered with rough clapboards held to their places by weight poles. The floors were often nothing but Mother Earth, made smooth and compact. by constant usage, or of rough puncheon, which, hewed with a common chopping-ax, made a tolerably good surface. The furniture was in keeping with the building, and generally consisted of a couple of bedsteads, a rough stand, or table, and two or three chairs. Pewter plates and cups were common, and the huge open-mouthed fire-place, surrounded by pots, skillets, pans and other utensils, served the twofold purpose of heating and cooking. Stoves being unknown on the frontier in those early days, corn-dodgers baked in an oven, and Johnny-cake baked on a board before the fire, with venison prepared in various ways, were considered food fit for the gods. Perhaps no other township in the county was settled by a more intelligent and moral class of citizens. Society was good, much better than at the present time, if we can rely upon the statements of old pioneers now living. Of course the people had their amusements, consisting principally of various athletic sports and horse-racing, which were sometimes enlivened by a too free use of " fire- water," and as a result some festive gentleman was very apt to go home with an optic or two slightly discolored. Such occurrences were very rare, however, and the township has always sustained the reputation of being a peaceable and law-abiding community. Terre Haute was the nearest market place, and deer skins, " coon skins," maple sugar and venison hams were the principal articles of traffic. Some of the early settlers killed and marketed the wild hogs which were found in the woods in great numbers. This pork sold for from $1.50 to $2.50 per hundred, a part of the pay being taken in goods and a portion in depreciated "Illinois Canal Scrip." Meal was obtained at Terre Haute, or from Rawley Mill, in the southern part of the county, on Eel River. During extremely cold or muddy weather, when the condition of the country precluded the possibility of going about, some of the early farmers manufactured their own meal, crushing the corn in an old-fashioned mortar made by hollowing out a solid block or the top of a stump. In 1828, David Christy made a hand mill, which was used by the neighborhood for a couple of years. The machinery consisted of two home-made buhrs set in a " gum." A mill was constructed by George Wills as early as 1834, and stood in the northeastern part of the township. It was a small, log building, contained two bubrs manufactured out of " nigger-heads," and

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

was operated by horse power. It was in operation about ten years, and did a good business for a mill of its capacity, having been extensively patronized by the citizens of Perry and adjoining townships.

The first frame house in the township has built by John Crossley. The earliest orchards were set out by the Christys, John Crossley, George and Abel Dunham.

SCHOOLS.

It was some time after the date of the first settlement before the rudest log schoolhouse was constructed or schools organized. The peo- ple were sparsely scattered in sparse neighborhoods. They were poor in this world's goods as a rule. Teachers were scarce, and so were books. The frst schoolhouse was erected about the year 1845, and stood a short distance south of Cory, on John Hickson's place. It was a hewed log structure, and first used by Samuel Long. Other early teachers at the same place were Milton Piercy and William Lewis. The Riddle School- house stood east of Cory about three miles on the Riddle farm. It was a log building also, and was in use a number of years. James Riddle was the first pedagogue who wielded the birch in this primitive backwoods college. He was succeeded by H. Wheeler, who taught several consecu- tive terms. Milton Piercy taught at the same place also. The Washing- ton Schoolhouse stood in the northwestern part of the township on land which belonged to J. D. Early, of Terre Haute, and was erected about the year 1843. Among the early teachers at this place were --- Hout, George and E. M. Rector. Free schools were supplied in the year 1844, and the first teacher to draw from the public fund was Mrs. Sarah Jeffers, who taught at what was known as the Jackson Schoolhouse. She was paid $10 per month for a term of four months. At the present time, there are twelve school buildings in the township, all of which are frame, the majority of them being in good condition and well supplied with all the modern educational appliances. The enumeration for 1883 shows that 672 children between the ages of six and twenty-one years are liv- ing in the township. The amount of money paid teachers for the school year of 1882-83 was $2,500. The last corps of teachers was the follow- ing, to wit: William P. Foulke, D. W. Denney, Albert Cromwell, H. W. McNamar, G. W. Payne, William M. Earley, Oscar Van Cleve, Laura Moore, Lida McIntosh, Mollie Ewart and M. J. Pittenger.

Trustees .- The following list comprises the trustees since the year 1860, viz. : William Herron, A. H. Nees, John Dunham, Martin V. Miller, William Miller, D. H. Foulke, W. J. Witty, John M. Nelson, Job C. Congleton, Lewis Dunham and John F. Fennell.

RELIGIOUS.

The first religious services in Perry, of which anything definite is known, were conducted by Elder Isaac Denman, a pioneer preacher of

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the Old School Baptist denomination. Like all the early preachers who preceded or followed in the wake of civilization in the West, Denman was a man of great piety, and spent his time traveling among the sparsely settled portions of this and adjoining counties, preaching with- out money and without price, and assisting in the organization of many early churches of his sect. He was a resident of this county until about the year 1878, at which time he met with a violent death by being crushed by an engine on the I. & St. L. Railroad.

The first religious society was organized at the Jackson Schoolhouse by Elder William Eldredge, who was also a minister of the Baptist Church. The date of the organization was not ascertained, though it is supposed to have been prior to the year 1843. Among the early mem- bers were Thomas West and wife, Mrs. John Hickson, Nancy Reece and George Dunham. Elders Daniel Starks, Nathan Staggs, -- Starks, John Case and Abraham Starks preached for the society as long as it maintained an existence, which was about six or seven years. Owing to some misunderstanding among the members, a division finally occurred, resulting in a complete abandonment of the organization, a portion of the communicants uniting themselves with the congregation which met at Cloverland.

Methodism in Perry .- The history of Methodism in this township dates back to about the year 1849, at which time a small class was organ- ized at the residence of Robert Bennett, consisting of ten or twelve members, among whom are remembered the following, to wit: Isaac Cheesman and wife, Robert Bennett and wife, William Cheesman and wife, Milly Cliver, Charity Cheesman and Robert Rector, the last named being class-leader. The organization was effected by Rev. Elisha Long, who preached for the little society at intervals for two or three years. Services were held at Bennett's residence until about the year 1856 or 1857, when, on account of small numbers, the organization was aban- doned.

Center Church .*- In the year 1858, a re-organization of the original class was effected by Rev. O. Barnett with the following members : John Foulke and wife, M. H. Piercy and wife, William Harris and wife, and A. H. Neece and wife. The place of meeting was a schoolhouse situated about one and a half miles east of Cory Village, which served the con- gregation until the year 1865, at which time a house of worship was erected and named Center Church. The building was erected on ground donated by Andrew Neece, and cost the sum of $1,300.

In 1859, Rev. Hamilton was pastor, assisted by Rev. Walters, the class at that time belonging to the Princeton and Lockport Circuit. In 1860, it was made an outpost of the Highland Mission with Rev. J. E. Brand, pastor, who served acceptably until the year 1862, at which time

*From notes prepared by Dr. J. A. Modesitt.

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

Rev. Asa Beck took charge and preached for one year. The next pastor was Rev. Coffin. After him came Rev. Irwin, who served until 1865, at which time Rev. Downey was appointed to the circuit. He remained but six months of his time, the unexpired term being served by Revs. Will- iam Laurence and Rev. John Williams. Rev. Samuel Denney was pastor in 1867, Rev. J. V. Moore in 1868, Rev. Pisher in 1869, Rev. Hurning in 1870. Other pastors have been the following, to wit: 1871-72, Rev. Gaskins; 1873, Revs. Boos and McCormic; 1874, Rev. McCormic; 1875, Rev. A. F. Bridges; 1876, O. H. Tansey; 1877, Rev. Daniel; 1878-79, Rev. George Asbery.

During the latter's pastorate it was decided to move the organization to the village of Cory. A neat, substantial house of worship was erected the latter year at a cost of $1,400. The building is frame, 35x50 feet in size, with a seating capacity of about 300 persons. Rev. Asbery was succeeded by Rev. John Lauerty, who remained on the circuit until the year 1881, when Rev. J. F. McGregor assumed pastoral control. The pastor in charge at the present time is Rev. L. M. Rhodes. The church is in flourishing condition, numbering seventy-five members. The Sab- bath school, which has an average attendance of 110 scholars, is under the efficient superintendency of Dr. James A. Modesitt.

A society of the Christian Church was organized in an early day at. the residence of John Crossley, near the northeast corner of the town- ship, and maintained for a number of years. Thomas and Benjamin Snoddy were early preachers, and labored for the congregation as long as it had an existence.

Cory Christian Church .- This society was organized March, 1881, by Elder T. P. Marshall, of Rockville, with seventeen original members, a number of which has since increased to thirty-four. The village schoolhouse is used for a meeting place, and Elder Marshall still preaches for the church.

The Missionary Baptists have a strong organization near the village of Cory, and a neat frame house of worship. The society is in good condition, and numbers among its members many of the influential citi . zens of the county.

A RAILROAD.

The construction of the Cincinnati & Terre Haute Railroad was an era in the history of Perry, and since its completion the business of the country has increased in a very marked degree. Lands have advanced in value, and a new impetus been given the development of the township, owing to market facilities which have been brought to the very doors of the citizens. The road crosses the township from east to west, and passes through one of the richest agricultural regions in the county. An immediate outgrowth of this road was the village of Cory.

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CORY.

One-half of this town is situated on the north side of the southeast quar- ter of Section 20, Town 11 north, Range 7 west, and one-half on the south side of the northeast quarter of the same section, town and range. The original plat was surveyed by C. N. Demorest, County Engineer, for John S. Dunham, Oliver Staggs and Newport Staggs, proprietors, and consists of forty-three lots and six streets, two of which run north and south, the other four running east and west. The plat was entered for taxation April 8, 1872, and the village christened Cory in compliment to a gentleman of that name residing in Terre Haute.

The first addition to the town was made December, 1873, by John S. Dunham, and consisted of ten lots. Samuel Lucas' Addition of seven lots was made June 13, 1881. In December, 1881, John S. Dunham made a second division, consisting of ten building lots and a square for schoolhouse. Among the first to purchase real estate in the village were O. Rankin, who built a business house and residence near the central part, on the corner of Wright and Depot streets. Dr. O. James, who erected a building to be used for a drug store, C. A. West, H. R. Wyatt and Mrs. Sarah Richards, all of whom erected residences in different parts of the town. The first store was kept by John S. Dunham and H. R. Wyatt in a small building which stood a short distance outside of the plat, and consisted of general merchandise. The house in which the store was kept was afterward moved to the town, and stands near the central part at the present time. The above firm did business about six months, at the end of which time Wyatt bought the entire stock and sold goods about three years, when he closed out and left the village. O. Rankin's drug store was the second business house in the place. Mr. Rankin conducted a successful business for about three or four years, when he sold to T. O'Brien, who, in turn, disposed of the stock two years later. D. H. Hatfield opened a store in the Rankin building in 1877, and continued in business about three years.

The first mechanic was Philip Hutchison who started a blacksmith shop in 1874. The Elkhorn Mill was built by O'Brien & Jeffers in 1879, and stands near the railroad, at the crossing of Centre street. The building is frame, 30x40 feet, exclusive of engine room, four stories high, and cost the sum of $12,000. It was operated by Messrs. O'Brien & Jeffers about one year, at the end of which time the latter became sole proprietor. After running it one year, he sold out to Moorehart & Fer- rell, the present owners. The mill has three run of buhrs, with a grind- ing capacity of 100 barrels of flour per day, and is doing a very extensive business.

The Cory Post Office was established in the year 1872, and O. Rankin appointed Postmaster. The present Postmaster is Webster Lucas.

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

The present business of the city is represented by the following: Zenor & Butt, general merchandise; M. Stuckwish, general stock; Lucas & Son, dealers in boots and shoes; Mrs. J. S. Dunham and Mrs. Moore, millinery stores; Glick & Son, undertakers; Drs. O. James and James A. Modesitt, druggists; O'Brien & Dunham, agricultural implements; Glick & Clark, blacksmiths; W. S. Gummery, blacksmith; and David Lawell, butcher. In addition to the above, there are two " sample rooms," where the very best " old Bourbon," " Johnson County " and all the other vile decoctions, warranted to make dead drunk at thirty paces, can be obtained in any quantity, according to demand. The village boasts of a population of 350 souls, and its future outlook is as encouraging as its friends could desire.

Clear Creek Lodge, No. 449, I. O. O. F., was instituted April 17, 1874, with the following charter members, viz., Philip Hutchinson, John L. Reece, Samuel Slavens, John R. Stoops, F. M. Stoops and Joseph G. Wilgus. The first officers were J. G. Wilgus, N. G .; John L. Reece, V. G .; and Samuel Slavens, Secretary. Meetings were held in John S. Dun- ham's warehouse for three months, when the organization was moved to the Cory House. A hall was built in 1875. The present officers are Na- thaniel Dunham, N. G .; John W. Clark, V. G .; John S. Dunham, Secre- tary; John R. Ferrell, Dr. O. James and John S. Dunham, Trustees.

HOMICIDE.

A few years ago, Cory was the scene of a terrible tragedy in which Joseph Dunham, a very estimable citizen, met a violent death at the hand of his son-in-law, Elijah Batey. It seems that the two had some difficulty growing out of a misunderstanding concerning a wheat crop, and very bitter feelings were engendered. After several ineffectual attempts to adjust their differences, it was mutually agreed to lay the matter before arbitrators, chosen by both parties. The arbiters met in the schoolhouse, and during their investigation Batey, who was a very passionate man, became enraged at some remark dropped by Dun- ham, and shot the latter dead in the room. He was arrested, and sent to the penitentiary for a period of four years.

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Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical., Part 26

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