USA > Indiana > Clay County > Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical. > Part 28
USA > Indiana > Owen County > Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical. > Part 28
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They have gradually increased with the constantly multiplying pop- ulation until the present day. Terms have lengthened, the wages of teachers have increased, the old log houses have disappeared, and in their place have come substantial frame structures with all the appli- ances for comfort and instruction which the ingenuity of the age has
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.
suggested. The number of school edifices in the township is now eleven. Of this number nine are frame and two are brick. One of them, the Center Schoolhouse, near Asherville, is a large two-story building, in which the township graded school is taught. During the school term of 1882-83, each of the eleven buildings was open upon the full term of seven and a half months. The schools were last taught by Alfred Davis, S. S. Wheeler, C. F. Rummel, Albert Payne, James Knox, B. A. Bul- lock, McLean Johnson, J. P. Koehler, - Ferguson, Henry Bence, Will- iam Long and W. E. Mccullough. For 1882-83, the revenue for tuition was $1,395. The number of children in the township between the ages of six and twenty-one years is 838, nearly all of whom attend the different schools.
CHURCHES.
The good seed carried by emigrants is usually sufficient to begin the work of raising society to a higher level of civilization, and their trans- forming power counteracts those demoralizing influences which tend to social degeneration and disruption. These Christian influences are act- ive in their conflicts with evil, and attractive in social power, and they usually act as a nucleus around which will gather those influences neces- sary to carry society onward to a state of comparative perfection. We may see by comparison with the past how much has been done in this re- spect. The progress and triumph of Christian truth, the great superstruct- ure on which all society which approximates perfection must rest, is also made apparent. It is thus seen that no other power but Christian truth can vitalize, expand, harmonize, direct and control the forces which un- derlie and build up the great fabric of society. This was true of the early settlers of Jackson. It is much to their credit that they were mostly a Christian people, and laid the foundation of religious organi- zations in an early period of their occupation of the country. The Methodist circuit riders were the forerunners of Christianity in the wl- derness of this part of the county. They traveled over the country on foot or horseback, gathering the scattered settlers together, preaching the Gospel to them and forming them into societies. Ministers of the United Brethren Church came in an early day and assisted in the good work of es- tablishing the cause of Christ on a firm basis. They made their regular rounds, preaching at private houses, groves, schoolhouses, or any place where they could succeed in gathering an audience. Among the earli- est Methodist preachers was Rev. Bridges, a pious and able minister, whose life was spent in going about doing good. He preached at the Croy Creek Schoolhouse, where a small society was formed in an early day, and at the residence of Thomas Wheeler and others. Revs. A. W. Hedge and James Scarlet were among the earliest preachers of the United Brethren Church. The former organized a society at the Zenor Schoolhouse, which was kept up for a number of years. Rev. John
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JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
Dunham preached for this and other societies during the early days of their history.
Scarlet organized a class at the Union Schoolhouse as early as 1840, which consisted of a good membership. To this society belonged in an early day Nathan Clifton and wife, Alexander Helton and wife, James Scarlet and wife, Margy Slack, and several others whose names were not learned. The society passed through many vicissitudes, but has always maintained an organization. A building was erected in the year 1855, a short distance east of Whittington, and served the church until about three years ago, when a re-organization was effected, and the building remodeled. The society is known as the Union Church, and numbers fifty members at the present time. Their house of worship is a model of neatness, and with improvements recently added represents a capital of about $1,500. The pastor in charge at the present time is Rev. Will- iam Malston.
Mt. Olive Methodist Episcopal Church was organized about the year 1857, at the residence of Stephen Loudermilk in Section 29, near the southwest .corner of the township. The original membership consisted of the following persons and their families, to wit: Stephen Louder- milk and wife, Joseph Dietrick and wife, A. B. Wheeler and wife, John Gibbons and wife, and Alfred Bowling. After its organization the soci- ety was moved to a neighboring schoolhouse where services were held for one and a half years, at the end of which time a neat temple of wor- ship was erected on land donated for the purpose by A. B. Wheeler. The house is frame, 26x36 feet in size; cost about $800, and was dedi- cated by Rev. Samuel Denney. Rev. Joseph Asbury who effected the organization was the first pastor, and preached for one year. He was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Cunningham, who remained the same length of time. Then came Emery E. Brandt, who was followed by Samuel Denney. Since the latter's pastorate, the church has been ministered to by the following: William Davis, - Gaskins, John Bruner, Mr. Coff- man, - Reynolds, - Baxter and J. V. Moore, the last named being pastor in charge at the present time.
The Croy Creek Methodist Church is one of the oldest and most influ- ential religious organizations in the township at the present time. It has a substantial membership, including many of the best citizens of the county, and is reported in good condition. The society meets in a neat frame building, capable of seating from 250 to 300 persons.
Asbury Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church is an aggressive society, which meets in a substantial house of worship situated a short distance north of Whittington, on the Brazil & Bowling Green road. It has a good membership and is ministered to at the present time by Rev. J. V. Moore. In addition to the foregoing the Lutherans have a society and house of worship in Section 36, and the Christians an organization at the village of Ashersville.
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.
VILLAGE OF ASHERSVILLE.
This live little town is situated on the southeast quarter of the south- west quarter of Section 15, and embraces a plat 556 feet long by 541 feet wide. It was laid out by John Asher purely as a speculation, and dates its history from September, 1873. An addition was made to the original plat November 14, 1874, by A. J. Wolfe. The first building in the vil- lage was erected by William Asher, and used by John Vonewitz for a store. This store consisted first of drugs and groceries, and later of a general stock. Mr. Vonewitz was in business about eighteen months, when the building he occupied caught fire and burned, destroying almost his entire stock. The second store was kept by D. M. Barnett, who sold goods about three years, at the end of which time he sold out and left the place. Other merchants who had done business here at different times were J. C. Nedlinger, Philip Scherb, W. T. Asher, B. F. Witty, Peyton & Jones, Peyton & Tressell, L. D. Tressell and W. D. Wolfe. Present merchants are F. M. Snyder, who keeps a large general store and is doing an extensive business; W. M. Peyton, general store; Mr. Mccullough, . drugs and groceries, and Dr. Miller, who makes drugs a specialty.
The first blacksmith was George Stierley, the present efficient Sheriff of Clay County. He built up an extensive trade, and was bought out seven years ago by John Stierley who runs the shop at the present time. The village is a good trading point, and boasts of a population of 200 souls. It is situated on the South Branch switch of the Vandalia Rail- road, and is the shipping point for the Globe and Ætna coal mines, which are located near by.
VILLAGE OF WHITTINGTON.
The town of Whittington was laid out by John Ackelmire, John Andrews and Robert Wingate, and is the outgrowth of the mines which were opened in the vicinity about the year 18 -.
A post office was established the year the village plat was surveyed and named Hoosierville, with Noah Auman, Postmaster. The first store was kept by Sturdevant & Auman in a building that had been previously erected by Dr. Lynch. The second stock of goods was brought to the place by L. Pruner, who continued in business about three years, when he sold to Scott Zenor, who in turn sold to David Barnett some time later. Bar- nett is still here and doing a good business, with a large general stock. John R. Moore keeps a good store also. The citizens of the place re- ceive a daily mail from Brazil, and the town has become, during the last three years, quite a good business point.
It has a population of about one hundred, the majority of whom work in the neighboring mines.
MINES.
The mining interests of this township have been constantly increas- ing in importance, and at the present time there are several large mines
James Ferguson
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JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
in successful operation. Coal is found in all parts of the township, but the largest deposits seem to be in northern and western portions. The largest of these mines at the present time, Ætna, operated by the Wat- son Coal & Mining Company, and located near the village of Ashersville. About 125 men are employed in the shaft, and its yearly capacity is from 45,000 to 50,000 tons. The amount of capital employed is about $70,000.
The Globe Mine was opened by J. L. Stephens in 1874, and is situ- ated near the line dividing Van Buren and Jackson Townships.
The average number of men employed in this mine is about seventy- five.
STATISTICAL.
The earliest county records accessible are those of the year 1852, all previous to that time having been destroyed when the court house burned. From the tax duplicate of that year we copy the following figures on Jackson Township: Value of lands, $64,274; improvements, $19,088; personal property, $29,641. Polls, 112. Amount of tax as- sessed that year, $798.41.
For the year 1860-Personal property, $69,842; total value of tax- ables, $295,314. Polls, 182. Total taxes, $2,120.03.
For the year 1870-Number of acres for taxation, 22,786.67; value of lands, $245,549; value of improvements, $53,045; value of per- sonal property, $104,443. Total value of taxables, $403,027. Number of polls, 264. Total amount of taxes, $6,500.17.
For the year 1880-Value of lands, $278,128; value of improve- ments, $47,354; lots and improvements thereon, $6,027; value of per- sonal property, $123,067. Total value of taxables, $465,276. Number of polls, 419. Total amount of taxes, $6,190.
For the year 1882-Number of acres for taxation, 22,798.23; value of lands, $296,004; value of improvements, $50,291; value of lots and improvements, $7,006; value of personal property, $117,698. Total value of taxables, $470,999. Total taxes, $6,878.32.
The census of 1880 gives the township a population of 2,026 souls. The first voting place was at the residence of Alfred Bowling in Section 16. It was afterward changed to the Lucas Schoolhouse a little further north. The present voting place is Center Schoolhouse near Ashersville.
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.
CASS TOWNSHIP.
BY G. N. BERRY.
AREA, NAME, STREAMS, ETC.
C (ASS, the smallest division of Clay County, containing an area of only twelve square miles, was called into existence by an order of the Commissioners' Court, which took effect in the year 1840, and named in honor of Michigan's great statesman, Lewis Cass. It originally formed a part of Jackson Township, and was organized as a separate division upon petition of its citizens, who urged the measure as a matter of con- venience. Its territory is included in Town No. 12 north, Range 5 west, and is bounded by the following divisions, viz .: Putnam County on the north, Owen County on the east, and the townships of Washington and Jackson on the south and west respectively. Eel River is the principal water-course. It flows through the township from north to south, cross- ing the northern boundary near the line, separating Sections 20 and 21 and leaving from Section 31. The surface of the country is gently roll- ing, except along the river where the land stretches away into the level bottoms for considerable distances on both sides of the stream. The soil varies in different localities, that of the bottoms being a black sandy Joam of great depth and fertility, while on the higher land it is of a lighter nature, clay mixed, but very productive.
MATERIAL PROSPERITY.
As is well known, Cass is pre-eminently an agricultural township, and compared in size and population, there are among its inhabitants a greater number of comfortably situated owners of the soil they till than in any other section of the county. In short, we doubt, notwithstand- ing the absence of manufactures, and the entire want of such public works as generally go hand in hand with a community's wealth and greatness, whether a section can be pointed to within the entire State, where an area containing an equal population, or a population contained within an equal area, can be found possessing in a greater degree the elements of material prosperity and genuine rural felicity than can here be seen.
The value of land in this township is higher than in any other part of the county, varying from $60 to $100 per acre, while many farms could not be purchased for almost double the amount last named. To sum up its material advantages in a very few words, we may truthfully say that, as to varied and delightful scenery, good highways, pleasant
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drives, interesting natural and historical landmarks, and an intelligent, refined and hospitable people, Cass, beyond question, can claim a foremost position; while in everything which tends to make a country prosperous, its people contented with their lot, and others contented with them, it occupies no second place.
EARLY HISTORY.
That portions of Cass Township were, at one time in the remote past, inhabited by a pre-historic race possessed of many of the attributes of civilization, is quite probable, as evidences of their handiwork have been discovered in various localities. Who were these strange people ? Whence came they, and whither did they go? These questions must forever remain to form a melancholy interest in the wondrous past, and a mystery which neither time, nor circumstance, nor science, nor the more wondrous future, may reveal. But since their time, another race has come and gone ; gone from their ancient homes and hunting-grounds, though not yet extinct. This part of the county seems to have been a favorite rendezvous for the red men ; and at the time the first settlers came there were several villages at different places along Eel River, and one near the site of Poland, which numbered several hundred inhabitants. Here were rich hunting grounds, which the Indians were loth to leave, and, when the time for their departure arrived, they manifested considerable reluctance in going away, so much so that serious trouble came very nearly resulting. At one time the settlers organized a company for the purpose of compelling them to quit the country, but no hostilities were inaugurated, although considerable excitement grew out of the movement. The majority of the Indians left about the year 1820, though parties of them returned at stated intervals thereafter for the purpose of hunting, fishing and barter- ing with the settlers. The first white settler within the present limits of Cass Township was one Samuel Rizley, who made the first entry of land on the 21st day of December, 1818, selecting for his home the northeast quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 31, where he erected a small cabin, into which his family was moved the following year. Rizley was a native of Kentucky, and immigrated to this State in company with his father-in-law, David Thomas, settling first in Owen County before the county of Clay was called into existence. With the probable exception of a few families, who lived at that time near the present site of Bowling Green, his settlement here was the first in the county, at least the first permanent settlement of which we have any authentic account. The country at that time was an unbroken wilderness, peopled only by savages, with whom our pioneer maintained the most friendly relations, and who returned his good will with many exhibitions of respect. They came often to the settler's cabin, but never did any harm, further than milking the cows occasionally when they found them at a safe distance from the house. Rizley appears to have been a man of good business qualifications,
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.
and in an early day served as Commissioner in Owen County, and in later years filled the same position in Clay. He served the county as Probate Judge during the early days of its history, and was one of the first Associate Judges also, besides filling several minor offices, as Town- ship Trustee and Justice of the Peace. He was a resident of Cass for a period of fifty-four years, dying. in 1873 at an advanced age. Several members of his family are living at the present time, one of whom, Mrs. Stacy, whose home is near Bowling Green, was the first white child born in Clay County. Another daughter, Mrs. William Cromwell, lives in Cass Township, within a half mile of where she was born sixty-two years ago.
The second land entry was made January 6, 1819, by Joel Dickison, who obtained a patent for the northeast and northwest quarters of Section 29, although he does not appear to have been identified with this part of the county as a citizen.
In the year 1819, Parnell Chance and his sons, John, Daniel and Filmore, came from North Carolina and settled near the central part of the township, in Section 29, where Charles Wilkinson now lives.
The first named entered land in Section 32 the year after his arrival, and lived upon it until the time of his death in 1848. John was a physician, and a minister of the Old School Baptist Church. He left the country in an early day, going to Arkansas, in which State he was hanged by guerrillas during the war. Daniel entered land in Section 32, and was for many years an honored citizen of the township. He sold out a number of years ago, and emigrated with several others to Illinois. Among the very first settlers was James Crafton, who located near the village of Poland about the same time that Rizley came to the county, or perhaps a little later. He appears to have been an easy going, lazy, good-natured sort of a character, with no particularly bad traits, yet not entirely free from imperfections. He entered a tract of land in Section 21 in the year 1823, and was a resident of Cass for many years, after- ward selling out and moving into the adjoining township of Washington. John Sturdevant, a North Carolinian, settled in Section 21 as early as the fall of 1820. He was a frontiersman, and spent the greater part of his time hunting and trapping, doing but little in the way of improving land. He became the possessor of real estate in 1829, entering the land upon which he first settled, and which continued to be his home until 1853, when he sold and moved to Iowa. In the year 1820, Luke Dyar came to the township, and settled not far from Poland Village. He was accompanied by his sons, Caleb and Luke, Jr., both of whom were men grown, and who became prominently identified in the development of the country. The same year came John Latham, who settled in Section 21, on land which he sold in 1853 to Robert Smith. Latham was an odd character, whose besetting sin was selfishness, on account of which he
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became very unpopular in the community where he resided. The year 1821 was signalized by the arrival of Reuben Anderson, Alexander Willy, Levi and Joshua Cromwell.
Anderson came from North Carolina, and located near the village of Poland, where he acquired a valuable tract of real estate. Willy settled near the central part of the township, and entered land on which the village of Poland was afterward laid out.
The Cromwells were among the prominent pioneer families of Clay County, and figured conspicuously in the early settlement and develop- ment of Cass and adjoining townships. They were Virginians, and lineal descendants of Oliver Cromwell, of England, and possessed many of the characteristics which distinguished that great commoner. Levi Cromwell settled near Poland, and early achieved the reputation of a daring and skillful hunter. Later, he followed the occupation of a teamster, and freighted goods from Louisville for the various settlements of Clay, Owen and Putnam Counties. He appears to have been a man of roving tendencies, and, in the year 1836, sold his land to Col. John B. Nees, and started on a journey to Oregon, but died before reaching his destination.
Joshua Cromwell was an uncle of the preceding, and entered land in Section 27, where he lived until the year 1836, at which time his death occurred. Nicholas Cromwell, a brother of Joshua, came a couple of years later, and settled on land adjoining the Rizley farm, which he entered in 1836. He was a son-in-law of Rizley, and a man of character and influence in the community where he resided. He took an active part in the organization of the county, and had the honor of being elected its first Treasurer and Sheriff, performing the duties of both offices and finding plenty of leisure at the same time.
In later years, he served in various official capacities, both in the county and township, and was one of the Associate Judges at the time of his death in 1853. Two sons of this stanch old pioneer are living in the county at the present time, one of whom, William, is the oldest liv- ing settler of Cass Township, and Oliver, ex-County Representative, is now living near Ashboro, in the township of Sugar Ridge. The land on which Mr. Cromwell lived, and which was his home during the period of his residence, is owned and occupied at the present time by G. W. Latham.
Jared Payton was an early settler, coming in 1824 from Harrison County. He entered land in Section 27, and earned the reputation of being a good citizen. He was a man of more than ordinary intelligence, and was elected in the year 1828 to represent the county in the State Legislature. His sons, John M. and E. B. Peyton, came the same time. The former was at one time elected Representative. The latter at the present time is a distinguished jurist of Kansas, and is serving as Judge
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.
in the city of Emporia. Other early settlers prior to 1830 were Solomon Brandenburgh, who located near Poland; Evan Morgan, who improved a farm in the same neighborhood; William Coffman, John Acrea, Isaac Mace, Casper Rader, Elias Syster, John Tolbert, Jacob McIntire, Will- iam Graves, Robert Wilkinson and Samuel Sloane. Samuel Stigler came in 1832, and purchased land of William Graves. He became a promi- nent business man, and served as Township Trustee in a very early day. Willis Phigley came about the same time, and was a resident of the township until 1863, at which time he moved to Greencastle, where he still resides. Joseph Zenor, Harvey Pease and George Zenor were early settlers, and date their arrival from about the year 1830.
Prominent among the settlers of 1836 was Col. John B. Nees, who demands more than a passing notice. The following sketch of his life in connection with the history of the township was furnished by Mr. A. F. Bridges:
" Col. Nees was a native of Tennessee, but he removed with his par- ents to Indiana, then a territory, in 1815, settling in what is now Union County. He was then but ten years of age. In 1836, he became a resi- dent of Cass Township, where he resided uninterruptedly till his death, which occurred May 19, 1882.
" Col. Nees was a man of education in advance of the time and place in which he lived. He was well versed in both the German and the En- glish languages, and was conversant with the intricacies of common law. In the early settlement of the county, he rendered invaluable service in pointing out fertile lands, and especially in assisting his German friends in the entry of their farms. With rare foresight, he dealt largely in land. his object in buying and selling being to surround himself with good neighbors. To his zeal in this direction is largely due the fact that Poland and the excellent region adjoining it was occupied in an early day by a thrifty and moral class of people. He was a public-spirited citizen, and labored for the good of the community in which he lived. He assisted in the erection of a brick church building in Poland, which for a quarter of a century or longer was used by the Methodists as a place of worship. He also assisted in the erection of a German Church south of Poland, as well as the Presbyterian Church erected in the village only a few years ago, thus laying the foundation for the moral, as well as the material development of the community. He was generous and philanthropic, and took delight in helping others, frequently to his own disadvantage. He recognized the native talent and earnest effort of young men with whom he came in contact, many of whom acknowledge their success in life to be due to the assistance and encouragement he gave them at the beginning of their career. Among these is Elisha B. Peyton, of Emporia, Kan. He frequently addressed his fellow-citizens upon the issues of the day, being a fluent and forcible speaker both in
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