USA > Indiana > Pulaski County > Counties of White and Pulaski, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 59
USA > Indiana > White County > Counties of White and Pulaski, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 59
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Hunters .- None of the earliest settlers of Van Buren Township were skillful hunters or trappers. The young men soon acquired a taste for the chase, and were often seen in the woods following deer, but the comparative number killed was few. It is said that the Comptons were usually as well supplied with venison as any other family, and a story is
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related where some member of that family, after a prolonged tramp, hav- ing wounded a large buck, succeeded in reaching the animal, but was compelled to use his hunting knife to end its life. It is also stated that some hunter from either White or Cass County, having wounded a large buck with an enormous pair of antlers, followed the bleeding animal into Van Buren Township, and finally succeeded in bringing it at bay. He fired again, and the buck fell upon the snow, and the hunter went for- ward, without reloading his rifle, to cut its throat. He had scarcely reached the animal, when it leaped to its feet, and with head lowered, charged furiously upon the settler, but the latter sprang nimbly behind a tree and began with all possible dispatch to load his rifle. He was in- terrupted several times by the angry charges of the buck, but at last suc- ceeded in finishing it with a bullet through the head. It is stated that as high as 100 deer were seen in one herd ; but this was very unusual, and arose, no doubt, from the fact that the animals were migrating. They usually went around in small herds of from three to eight, and sometimes were quite tame. They often mingled with domestic cattle, and soon learned to love the sound of cow-bells. This was taken advantage of, as the hunter could arm himself with a rifle and a bell, go into the woods and conceal himself, ring the bell as it would ring on the neck of a cow, and almost invariably, if deer were within hearing distance, they would come near enough to be shot. Immediately after a fall of snow, the woods were generally full of hunters. At such times, the deer could be easily followed, the covering of snow deadened the sound of footsteps, and the person could be covered with a long outer garment of white to blend with the prevailing color, or absence of color, of the surrounding snow-clad scene. On an occasion of this kind, one of the Comptons cau- tiously approached a small herd of deer that were ruminating under a clump of scrub oaks in an exposed position, and with good luck succeeded in killing one and mortally wounding another with one shot. The hides were worth in market about $1, and were very serviceable on the farms ; could be used as clothing, to mend harness, or to make new sets of rough harness, and were useful in many ways. It was a common thing to see men clothed in buckskin.
"With the fleshy side out, and the woolly side in,
These are fine warm breeches, says Tom Bolin."
Hardships .- The early settlers of Van Buren went to Logansport for goods, and to south of Monticello to mill, and the trip sometimes con- sumed a week. Roads were bottomless, and afforded, to use a strong figure, an easy and direct means of communication with China. There was no money, no market, nothing to sell, nothing to eat, nothing to wear, but little or no social gathering or intercourse, no schools, no churches, and
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no end to the inconveniences and discomforts. Scores of families expe- rienced the greatest difficulty in paying their taxes, though they did not amount to a tithe of what they are now. Those families which came into the backwoods with nothing were often compelled to return whence they came, or die of privation. To many, the prospect was indeed gloomy. To be compelled to live upon the coarsest and scantiest food ; to have but one suit of clothes, and that of the poorest and thinnest quality, and often in a condition of "looped and windowed raggedness " pitiful to be- hold ; to be forced to work beyond the strength and endurance ; to be racked with fever, ague, and other malarial disorders without any relief from experienced physicians ; to be shut up on the farm with no holidays or hours of social pleasure to counteract the wearing effect of constant toil; to be deprived of schools, churches, and all contact or knowledge of the outer world except an annual letter from some friend in the East, which cost 25 cents, or the statements of some new settler who had just come from that locality-all these were some of the obstacles to be met and overcome. A few families were wise enough to come to the backwoods prepared, and passed the ordeal in comparative comfort ; others were not, and suffered the penalty. The early settlers came in slowly.
Statistical .- In 1840, there were in the township about fifteen families; in 1845, there were fully forty, and in 1850, not less than sixty. The first frame houses were built in about 1843, the lumber coming from the Hoover Mill in Indian Creek Township. Religious societies and schools sprang up about the year 1845, a fairly respectable market was afforded at Winamac at the same time, and after this the citizens saw much better times.
Star City was first laid out in August, 1859, and was then christened Scarboro by its proprietors, John Nickless and Andrew Wirick. Lots to the number of 223, in blocks of eight lots each, were laid out on both sides of the railroad track, on the east half of the southwest quarter of Section 8, Township 29, Range 2 west. In 1864, all lots north of Key street were vacated by the County Commissioners, in accordance with a petition presented by the citizens of the village. From the start, the name Scarboro was disliked by many, who permitted no opportunity to pass without heaping as much ridicule upon the title as ingenuity could invent. At last, in 1861, a petition, signed by a majority of the citizens, was presented to the Commissioners to change the name to Star City, which was accordingly done, and thus the village still remains.
William Murphey built the first house in Star City in 1859. This is the present hotel building. Work had begun on the railroad, and the building was designed and used as a boarding-house for the workmen on
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the road. It cost about $700. The first store was opened by his son, Julian Murphey, who erected a small building, and placed therein a stock of groceries and notions valued at about $500. This was in 1860, and the store was continued some three or four years. Baughman & Puter- baugh, of Logansport, opened the first store of any consequence in 1861, with goods worth about $2,500, and continued some six years ; Pat Thompson was their clerk. Low & Heward succeeded them, continuing thus until a few years ago, when Mr. Heward purchased his partner's interest, and is yet in business and doing well. In about 1867, J. T. Jones opened a store, conducting it until a few years ago. E. T. Blue followed him with drugs. Some two years later, Marshall Phillips suc- ceeded Blue with dry goods, and a short time ago the store was consumed with fire. About nine years ago, Dukes & Adams opened a general store, but three years later sold to E. B. Buchanan, who continued some four years, and was then succeeded by E. T. Blue, who changed the stock to drugs. About ten years ago, South & Needham opened a general store, but three years later the stock passed to Fred Yount, and two years later to J. G. Rhinehart, who transformed the establishment into a grocery and saloon. John Whitmore began selling groceries in 1882; W. S. Stal- naker is in this building at present. Among the physicians have been James Osborn, Thompson, J. B. Washburn, H. E. Patterson, S. P. Wy- ant, Kinnan, R. J. Peters & Sons, Ballard, Noland, Wadkins and others. The first Postmaster was John Nichols, who kept the office in his house, some distance north of town, before the village had an existence. The name of the office was "Two-Mile Prairie." William Stewart was the first agent of Uncle Sam in Star City, beginning in 1860. He has been followed by D. W. Brown, Hugh Smith and Jacob Wirick, the present agent. The first Vulcan was C. H. Barker ; the first carpenter, William Murphey ; the first shoe-maker, Samuel Wirick ; first jeweler, F. G. Buck ; first saloon, E. T. Harlan. Henry Kahler conducted an excellent cab- inet shop during the war. W. R. Brown began buying grain some fifteen years ago, and has continued the business since ; he says there is no money in it. M. H. Dunn has been in the same occupation for the past six or seven years. William Moyer is dealing in live stock quite exten- sively. A. D. Toner began this business soon after the railroad began working; he was the first shipper. Other live stock dealers have been Peter Troutman, James Cain and John Wirick ; M. H. Dunn and W. R. Brown have lumber yards. The first hotel-keeper was William Murphey, who was followed by Nathaniel Routson, John Wirick, Jacob Wirick and I. L. Washburn. Among the milliners have been Mary E. Wirick and Jane Kemp. There are two saloons at present. Jacob Rickard and Michael Rhinehart sell boots and shoes. The present population is fifty-
35
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HISTORY OF PULASKI COUNTY.
four families, representing some two hundred and seventy souls. L. Fultz was the first butcher.
The Star City Lodge of Odd Fellows was chartered in May, 1874, and instituted in March of the same year. The charter members were Wesley Noland, Peter Skillen, John Wilson, Eli P. Washburn, B. F. Korner, John A. Wirick, C. G. Stewart, Nathan Fahler and Daniel Martz. The first officers were B. F. Korner, N. G .; Wesley Noland, V. G .; Daniel Martz, Secretary ; Peter Skillen, Treasurer. The present officers are Joseph Jenkins, N. G .; David Lewis, V. G .; David Keeler, Secretary ; S. W. Decker, Treasurer. The lodge erected a large two- storied frame storehouse, at a cost of $2,200, $1,600 of which it yet owes. The money was raised by means of bonds sold to the citizens. There are sixty-five members at present.
The little village enjoys the luxury of a fine band. This was organ- ized in March, 1881, by E. N. Hughes, W. F. Stewart, Frank Stewart, John Whitmore, H. C. Smith, H. Kaler, William Potter, W. W. Fahler, C. H. Heward, C. W. Dunn and S. P. Trueax. At this time, the instru- ments were purchased at a cost of $150. Scarcely any help has been received from the citizens, who are the ones to maintain an organization of this character. Arrangements are being made to procure uniforms, $100 being now on hand for that purpose. Some of the first members have left, and their places are supplied by Jacob Baker, Isaac Baker, T. J. Fye and T. L. McKinzie. The band took the second premium of $30 at the last county fair. It should receive substantial encouragement from the citizens.
In February, 1869, W. F. Stewart founded a small, local, neutral paper at the village, called the North Star, which he conducted with fair suc- cess for about two years. A portion of the time, the paper bore the name of the Star City Independent. The form was folio, and size 8x12 inches and the circulation ran up to about 100, at $1 per year. On the 1st of, February, 1882, Mr. Stewart resumed the business, and issued the first number of the Chronicle, a small three-column folio newspaper, independ- ent in politics, at 75 cents per year. The paper has now a very fair circulation. It is the design to enlarge the paper within a few months from this date (November, 1882). This is one of the most important en- terprises ever started in the township, and is a powerful factor in contrib- uting to the development of the little village.
Detectives .- The Star City Horse Thief Detective Association was organized in 1880, with the following first members, who filed articles of association in the Recorder's office, at the county seat, according to law : V. S. Buston, Charles Ledgert, C. A. Compton, John Senn, Jr., Peter Skillen, E. P. Washburn, I. L. Washburn, James Billaker, Michael Ruff,
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M. L. Washburn, Levi Tomlinson, J. A. Humes, E. R. Brown, John L. Burton, James Osborn, William Korner, George Clause, John Buck and William F. Venard. The formation of the association was due to the popular indignation over several aggravated cases of horse-stealing in the southeastern part of the county. The object is to unite means and efforts to run down and capture those rascals who, in new countries, are usually consigned to an ignominious death from a rope hung over the limb of a friendly tree.
Rosedale .- The present town of Rosedale was laid out as Parisville, in the month of October, 1853, by R. L. Parkhurst, County Surveyor. The surveyors of the (then) Chicago & Cincinnati Railroad, had just pro- jected the road through the township, and the laying-out of the village was the result. The lots were laid out on the southeast quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 28. Some time before the town was plat- ted, Aaron Tomlinson had lived in a log house on the present site of the village. The second house was built by Norman Scott, and was a frame structure. John Wolf moved into the Tomlinson house some twenty-six years ago. Lewis Grant opened the first store soon after the town was laid out. Henry Conn succeeded him, and transformed the store into a saloon, which was well patronized, though finally it was destroyed by fire. Bernethey & Parcel began selling goods not far from 1858, contin- uing until some time during the war. Joseph Gifford opened an excellent store about twenty years ago. John Wildermuth was in at the close of the war, and was followed by Darius South, who is in business yet. Will- iam Osborn was in for quite a number of years, as was Henry Croft. George Buck and James and Thomas Jones have been in the mercantile business. Among the physicians have been Shaw, Swan and Buck. The first Postmaster was Joseph Gifford. His successors have been Silas Beacham, James Buck, John Wildermuth, Henry Croft, Michael Miller and Darius South. William Osborn erected a steam saw-mill some six years ago, combining with it a set of buhrs to grind corn and wheat. Both departments of the mill are yet running. Michael Miller was the first blacksmith. The population of the village is about sixty.
Schools .- Where and when the first school was taught in Van Buren Township cannot be stated with certainty. It is likely that school was taught north of Star City in the Nichols neighborhood as early as 1842, and perhaps earlier. The first house in that neighborhood was built of hickory poles, not far from 1847, and in its time did good service, both for education and religion. It was used until about the time of the last war, when a small frame structure took its place. About seven years ago, the present large two-storied frame was erected a quarter of a mile north of Star City, at a cost of $2,600. The citizens living north
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HISTORY OF PULASKI COUNTY.
of town agreed to assist in a substantial manner to build the house, in consideration of having it located on its present site, which was accord- ingly done. Prof. Marshman was the first teacher in this house. Others have been C. C. Chancy, John Ward, Newton Hughes and J. W. Noland, the present able pedagogue. The enrollment last winter was 108 scholars. Mr. Dye states that, in his recollection, the Burke Schoolhouse was the first one in the township-the first structure erected for a schoolhouse. It was built not far from 1847. Among those who sent children were William Burke, Levi Jones, Thomas Brown, John May, Daniel Kessler, and others. Schools were taught very early in the northeastern corner, the exact date being not obtainable. The first house there was built not far from 1852, and after being used many years was moved some distance west, where it now stands. In 1851 or 1852, the Dye Schoolhouse was built. Among the patrons were Robert Dempsey, William Dye, Stephen Jones, Wesley Jones, William Compton, George Hollenbeck, Benjamin Vanmeter, Thomas Hollenbeck, David Williams, Thomas Jones and others. A new frame house took the place of the old about twenty years ago. A log schoolhouse was built on Section 29, not far from 1852, the patrons being Henry Wildermuth, Benjamin Skillen, Daniel Martz, Thomas Buck, John Buck, Elias P. Waterhouse, Jacob Fink, John Wild- ermuth, George Wildermuth, Richard Noland, Anthony Fickle, D. D. Thompson, George Shelhart and others. Simeon Bliss taught the first term of one month, and had a large attendance, receiving his pay by subscription. James Vickers was the second teacher, and R. Record the third. Other teachers were Jacob Albright, James Peppers, E. P. Pot- ter and Miss Beckley. The house was used until about 1859, when sev- eral schools taught in divers houses in Rosedale took its place and finally, in about 1862, the first schoolhouse in Rosedale was erected. More than eighty scholars have assembled in this small house to be " taught." A larger schoolhouse is needed by all means. The township is supplied with good schools.
Churches .- The Presbyterian Church in the northeast corner was built about 1852, but several years before a class had been formed a few of the members living in southern Harrison Township. Among those prominently connected with the class were John Humes and family, James Vanmeter and family, Ephraim Smith and family, John Van Cleve and family, John Wirley and family, James Humes and family, Fred Huffman and family, Jacob Graffis, Mrs. Sarah Barnet and others. The building is a frame structure, about 30x40 feet, and cost $800. Rev. Bell was one of the first ministers. The class did good work until the last war, when trouble arose over political affairs, and the members dis- banded and the church stood silent and deserted until purchased at auc-
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tion by Mr. Enyart. It is now used to hold funerals in, and is con- venient, as it stands by a cemetery where sleep the departed of the neighborhood. A Sunday school was conducted a number of years, at the head of which were James Vanmeter and Daniel Smith. Revs. Rob- ert Irvin and David Williamson served the class for a few years each.
The old Dye Schoolhouse was built as a combined church and school building, amid considerable opposition in the neighborhood. The Breth- ren had formed a class in private houses in the vicinity several years be- fore, and when the project of erecting the schoolhouse was on foot, they made extra offers of help, in consideration of having the use of the house when not occupied for school purposes. The offer was at first rejected, but the Brethren eventually succeeded in having the property deeded jointly to the school district and the class. Among the early prominent Brethren were Stephen Jones, Richard Anders, David Williamson, Thomas Jones, Wesley Jones and others. The class is doing well at present.
The Methodists had a class in the southern part of the township for many years, among the members being the families of Messrs. Morehart, Furson and Liming. A Methodist Church was built in the southwestern part of Harrison Township, but in about 1856 was moved into northwestern Van Buren, where it stood for many years. Among the early members farther north were Andrew Wirick, Elijah Oliver, John Benefiel, Hat- terbaugh, Hacket, Connor and others. The old house was finally sold and moved down to Star City, where it did duty as a storeroom until it was destroyed by fire. The new Methodist Episcopal Church in Star City was built in 1866-67, and cost about $2,600. Among other early members were George Kahler, Charles Compton, George Hilt, William Murphy, James Raver, John Wilson, J. G. Korner and Henry Taylor. Rev. Reuben Sanders was minister when the new church was built.
The Christians organized a class at Star City, and built a church in 1868, among the members being the families of Messrs. Kemp, Clark, Nichols, Singer, Lytle, Graffis, Heward, Ross, Van Winkle, Stewart, Baker, Truax and Barnet. The church cost about $2,600.
The Adventists started up in 1882, under the ministration of Elder Welch. Among the members are Daniel McCollister and wife, Nathan Glick, John Watts and wife, Mary Fisher, Mrs. Bruce Conrad, Mrs. Sanders, Mary McCollister and a few others. The class was organized by Rev. Arthur Bartlett, an able and excellent man.
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HISTORY OF PULASKI COUNTY.
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CHAPTER IX.
BY M. T. MATTHEWS.
TIPPECANOE TOWNSHIP-NAME AND FORMATION -THE DEMOSS AND THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENTS-RETURNS OF THE EARLY ELECTIONS -FIRST BIRTH, MARRIAGE AND DEATH-MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS- VILLAGE OF MONTEREY-MANUFACTURE OF CHEESE -CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, ETC.
TIPPECANOE TOWNSHIP is located in the northeastern part of Pulaski County, and derives its name from the beautiful, wind- ing, and almost noiseless river that courses its crooked way through two distinct parts of the township.
At the first session of the County Commissioners, and on the first day of the session, which was May 27, 1839, it was ordered, that all that portion of Pulaski County lying east of the line dividing Ranges 3 and 4 west, and north of the line dividing Townships 30 and 31, be known as Tippecanoe Township, in the county of Pulaski, State of Indiana. A complete boundary of the township at that time was as follows: On the north by Starke County, on the northeast by Marshall County, on the east by. Fulton County, on the south by Monroe Township, and on the west by White Post Township. The boundary lines of the township remained thus drawn until the creation of Franklin and White Post Townships a number of years afterward. The township is now bounded on the north by Starke County, on the east by Fulton County, on the south by Monroe and Harrison Townships, and on the west by Franklin Township.
Settlement .- Before the voices of the wild race who had here lived and loved had ceased, came the white man, bringing with him his edu- cational ideas of civilization, his powers of energy and industry, and his earnest desire to make for himself and his family a home in the then new and "far West." 'Tis a fact, and undisputed, that the first white man to settle in Tippecanoe Township was Jacob Replogle, who came with his family from Ohio to Elkhart County, Ind., and in the spring of 1837 removed to Pulaski County, and settled on what is now known as Section 11 in Tippecanoe Township. On this section, and by Mr. Re- plogle, was built the first log cabin in the township, emphatically the first white man to make improvements in Tippecanoe Township. The cabin erected by Mr. Replogle was a low, rude structure, built of small, round logs (for want of assistance large logs could not be used), and in size, it is said to have been twelve feet square. Here this family lived
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from early spring until late in the fall of the same year (1837), without scarcely seeing the face of another white individual ; but in November of the same year came Eli Demoss and Peter W. Demoss, formerly from Preble County, Ohio, and subsequently from Cass County, this State, and settled in the township. Eli Demoss settled on Section 2 and Peter on Section 12. In 1838 came Elijah Justice, Sr., Elijah Justice, Jr., James Justice and Elias Replogle, and settled in the township. In 1839 came Hiram Je- rome Bonapart Lunsford and began the scenes and trials of a home in the West, on Section 24, southeast quarter. Mr. Lunsford came from Ohio, and was, by the great length of his name, soon distinguished in the pioneer settlement. In 1840, the settlement had added to its number Tallifaro Downing, who settled on Section 24, and Martin and Jonathan Wygandts, who settled in the same vicinity. These last two named per- sons left the Virginia scenes of their boyhood for a home in the Hoosier State. The year 1841 found the numbers increased in the township by the addition of Edward Hiland, from Sandusky County, Ohio, Joseph Hiland from the same place, Porter Tuttle from the same State, and Jere- miah Allen, from the same commonwealth, who commenced his Indi- ana pleasures and perplexities in the township, on Section 1. The year 1842 brought Jacob Shoup to the township, who settled on Section 24. In 1843, the following persons from Wayne County, Ohio, settled in the township : Lewis James, Peter Young, John Young and Henry Cutt. Among the early settlers and pioneers of the township may also be men- tioned the names of Cyrus Kail, Charles Polk, John Hoffman, Marion H. Ingrim, John N. Ingrim, Cyrus Wait, Elijah Settle, Lafayette Sloan, Debolt Foggle, Martin Keller, Sr., Valentine Reinholdt and several others.
The early settlers in the township were divided into two distinct set- tlements-the one embracing the eastern and the northeastern parts of the township known as the Demoss settlement, and the other in the west- ern part, composed of seven or eight English families who came as a col- ony from England. This colony consisted of about thirty persons, but the settlement was of short duration, lasting only one year, and in that time all the persons who came over had died, save one family by the name of Parnell. The year 1842 dates this unsuccessful settlement.
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