USA > Indiana > Boone County > Early life and times in Boone County, Indiana, giving an account of the early settlement of each locality, church histories, county and township officers from the first down to 1886 Biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and women. > Part 32
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Mrs. Jackson, north of Dover, has been here fifty-three years. Her husband died a few years ago. He was at one time county commissioner of the county.
W. W. Hollingsworth, near Hazelrigg Station. is a clever gentleman. He takes an interest, as well as all the above, in " Early Life and Times in Boone."
John Hysong, near the Washington Township line, is well located near the railroad. He was also a good soldier-I think in the 16th Regiment.
W. W. Trout, just in the edge of Washington, living on the old Hazelrigg farm, is just the place to stop, from the fact the bill is paid. He was blowing up stumps on his well- cultivated farm. .
West on the township line you will find Riley Taylor, one
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of the best farmers in the county. He is as fine a conversa- tionalist as one will find. Near his house is the cemetery, and where some of his family are buried, and where you will find some of the finest monuments in the county.
The store at the station, kept by Mr. S. Klepher, is well patronized, and he has come to stay. He has a good room and a fine dwelling house.
I have taken fifty orders for our work in Jefferson. My association on my part among the people here has been pleas- ant, and I am under obligations to many for their interest and kindness. I found twelve persons who have passed the eightieth mile post. Two had gone ten miles farther. Jeffer- son certainly is the land of the old people. I will go from here to Worth, skipping Center for Mr. Spahr, who will look up our interest there when through with Sugar Creek, where he is now.
SOME PROMINENT HOSTELRIES OF EAGLE VIL- LAGE FORTY YEARS AGO.
Perhaps no road in Indiana was traveled more than the Michigan road, from Indianapolis to Logansport, in carly days, and certainly no tavern was more popular than the Eagle Village Hotel, though there were many shingles hanging out as far back as 1845, and a few later. They are now all gone, or at least but few remain. Begin at Indianapolis; the first one was "Foland's," near Crown Hill; Simeon Head's, south of Augusta ; "Goldsburg's," in Augusta; "George Aston's" 11-mile house, and Noble Davis, just north. Opposite Noble Davis, Mr. Patterson kept; and on the White River hill, five miles north of the capital city, Mr. Bridgford kept. I forgot to mention him in the right place. Then we come to the Eagle Village Hotel, kept many years by Polly Larimore. I . think her husband, Daniel Larimore, started it in 1834 He dying, she kept on till about the year 1848, when it was kept
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JUDGE WM. J. DEVOL.
REBECCA DEVOL.
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by George Craft, Joseph Larimore (her son), and others, always keeping up its good record, till finally it went down about the year 1855. It was a two story frame, and, for the times, a good building. Its bar room was large, with a fire- place, and around the crackling fire many were the good jokes told, and many were the good tables set in its ample dining room. Some have eaten at it who afterwards became promi- nent, such as Schuyler Colfax, D. D. Pratt, G. W. Fitch, Jesse D. Bright, H. P. Biddle, John Pettit, (all in the United States Senate,) and others. I boarded there and sat at the table with all or nearly all of the above.
North of Eagle Village the following kept tavern : Jacob Hoover, Ben. Cox, Mr. Cotton ; and at Northfield, Jacob Tip- ton kept many years; north or Northfield, Mr. Smith and Mr. Lane kept.
The stage line from Indianapolis to Logansport ran daily, and mostly with four horses, and they were all needed, for the roads during the winter were terrible. It was on this road that the story originated about the passengers walking and carrying rails to pry the stage out of the mud holes. They changed horses at the Eagle Village Hotel, and passengers got dinner there. The old, slow-plodding stage and the taverns are things of the past. The stage driver's horn, once musical, has been supplanted with the engine whistle.
EAGLE VILLAGE IN 1847. .
MEXICAN SOLDIERS ON THEIR WAY STAY ALL NIGHT AT EAGLE VILLAGE.
I call to mind two gala days, mingled with sadness, at Eagle Village. Both were similar occasions, and only a few days apart. The first was the boys from Logansport, under the leadership of Gen. Tipton. It was a beautiful evening when it was reported that they would arrive in our village and stay all night. There was hustling about in hot haste. To give 27
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entertainment to 100 persons was no little matter. They were, however, all accommodated, from two to ten staying at each house, and about twenty each at the two hotels. They were halted in front of the hotel, and the captain would tell four to go with this man, two with this, and so on till all were quart- ered. I think as many more could have been cared for. Six came to our house. One of them wanted to stay at the hotel. He was a fine-haired chap, as most of them were clerks and young fellows from Logansport, and did not know the hard times that awaited him. Not half of this gay company return- ed. The company from Delphi followed soon, under Gen. Milroy. We had a little better notice of their coming, and the Eagle Village Light Infantry, then in its zenith, went out to meet them in the vicinity of Northfield, returning near night with bayonets glistening and flags flying, drums beating, etc. The men were quartered the same way as those from Logansport. The village was full of enthusiasm, men, women and children keeping time to the general enthusiasm that per- vaded ns all. Our home company was worked up to such an extent that a vote was taken and it was resolved to go to the front, but their services were not needed, and they did not go nor do I call to mind a single man that went from the village During the summer of 1880 I was in Carroll County, and saw a few of the boys, or rather old men, who stayed all night at the village in 1847. It was this company that suffered terri- bly with sickness, and not more than one-fourth got baek. I was four years too young to go to the Mexican war. I felt big enough when the soldiers referred to above were at the village. The fire had ample time to die out till 1861 came around, and I wast just the right age, and I was like the man who was hunting a man to whip him. Late in the day he met a friend and said he had found his man. If the roll was called of these 200 men how many do you suppose would answer to their names to-day ?
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SAMUEL HARDEN'S FIRST TRIP TO MILL-THE DYE MILL OF LONG AGO.
The few hours I was in your vicinity last week were cer- tainly very pleasant ones, full of interest to me in looking into the faces of those who I was acquainted with in years past. Here and there are old landmarks of the past to be seen in and about Eagle Village and Zionsville. Dye's old mill-race is, I see, still visible, but the old mill and its ponder- ous wheel are gone. Forty-two years ago I rode up to the old mill with grist tied on. It was my " debut." Jake Dye was there in all his glory, ready for fun as he always was. His first salutation was: "Boy, what in h-1 do you want?" I stammered out that I had come to mill. He took my sack and I went to warm at an old cracked stove. There were several older boys there parching corn. Jake saw there was a chance for fun. He went and got his hand full of flour, stuck it under my nose and said : "Boy, smell this ;" then he dashed all of it in my eyebrows, eyes and hair. I rushed out, half seared to death, and washed the flour out as best I could. And this was how I was initiated in going to mill. As I crossed the old mill-race the other day, it was suggested to my mind. Yet the old mill is gone but Jake is living. I hope his last days may be pleasant and the sands of life not run ont for years to come.
I called to see my old friends, Mr. and Mrs. Pitzer, with whom I got acquainted in Eagle Village in 1845, in the prime of life. I passed a pleasant hour at their pleasant home. Time has dealt gently with them, though their heads are white and age is settling over them, gliding gently down the stream of time
I accepted an invitation to dinner with Major B. M. Greg- ory, at his splendid home, where he and his excellent wife know all about genuine hospitality. I got acquainted with Ben at the Old Augusta camp ground, in 1843. Some older boys got
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us to fight, but it was a bloodless one, and we have been warm friends since.
I stayed over night with I. N. Cotton, four miles from Zionsville. We crossed the plains together in 1852, and I wanted to talk over old times and set around the camp fires again before they go out forever. He has a pleasant home, nestled among the hills of the creek, fish ponds and bee stands alternating around. This was the second time we met since 1852. Mr. Cotton is one of the best farmers in the county and is well posted on the grand subject. He and his interest- ing family gave me a hearty welcome at their home.
I was glad to notice the general thrift and improvement that is noticeable all over the county, though many of the old landmarks have disappeared and old citizens gone, it is but history repeating itself, and the things of to-day will soon be those of to-morrow. I never visit Zionsville without visiting the beautiful little cemetery just across the creek, for it is there where some dear friends are sleeping. I think it makes us better to visit the graves of loved ones, lose sight of the world for awhile and be reminded of the swiftness of time. Let us keep the graves of our friends green.
EARLY ODD FELLOWSHIP.
MR. SAMUEL HARDEN RECALLS THE FIRST LODGE AT EAGLE VILLAGE.
It was in the year 1846 the Odd Fellows organized a lodge in Eagle Village. There was at that time considerable oppo- sition to the order, and the result was, as is always the case, it flourished, and in two or three years a good lodge was built up. Thomas P. Miller built a two-story frame, fronting on the street, some forty feet long, and over this was the hall, making the building three stories high. The hall was com- pleted first, and continued this way for some time, standing upon stilts, as it were, for the underpart was not even weather- boarded for two years. There were large letters on the front
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of the hall which read: "Odd Fellows' Hall." The letters were cut out by John Lowe, now of Lebanon. This, with the odd-looking building, attracted the general attention of travel- ers, who were plenty then on the Michigan road. Yes, there was strong opposition to the order. Many hard things were said and done pro and con. At one time things looked like a little domestic war would result. Strange things were seen and heard, especially on the night of meetings. One woman declared she saw one of the members carrying up hay to feed the goat. Chains were heard clanking and other things equally erroneous-appearing now. But they were believed then, and some went so far as to say they were a nest of horse thieves. Among the first members were T. P. Miller, J. F. Daugherty, Oel Thayer, James M. Larimore, Joseph Larimore, James Handly, Isaac L. Davenport, John Welch, Dr. S. W. Rodman and others whose names I do not call to mind. Pre- judice soon, however, died out, as it must in all such eases, for when some might think such orders are wrong-doing, they are devising ways and means to dry up the widow's tears and stop the orphans' cries. As soon as their works are seen and felt the opposition gives way and the good work goes on. I was in early life prejudiced against secret orders. It took a long time to out-live it. Though never an Odd Fellow, I belong to an order none the less honorable and vet a little older, which had the tendency to knock out the early and erroneous impres- sions against secret orders. The old hall at the village has gone a long time ago, but teachings of the order live green to-day.
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OLD BETHEL CHURCH.
AN ANCIENT CITADEL FROM WHICH SATAN'S FORCES WERE STORMED.
The above house was built about fifty years ago, midway between Eagle Village and Clarkstown, and near where Little Eagle crosses the Michigan road. The first time I was there was in 1845. Was there occasionally for several years after_
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ward. It was well located, on a high piece of ground, and it was for years a popular place for the Methodists to hold meet- ings, and some of their strong as well as good men preached there. As I passed by the place not long since, I could not discover any vestige of the old building. It was a hewed-log house, some 30 x 50 feet. It would seat some 350 persons. There is an old story told about the pulpit, or' rather how it was paid for, the truth of which I do not vouch for. Two prominent citizens, both high up in the art of swearing, agreed between themselves that the one who could swear the most profanely the other should pay for making the pulpit. It was said the agreement was carried out. One man who went there quite often, now dead, said : "No wonder Bethel don't flourish, for the pulpit was cussed out." Be this as it may, the pulpit was built and Bethel did flourish, and many good sermons were preached from it. About the first time I ever heard the late W. H. Goode was there, then in his younger days, and when he had not reached his zenith. He died recently at Richmond, Ind., after falling and breaking his leg. What a grand man and preacher he was. .
Among those who were there early were F. M. Richmond, Rev. Roll, A. Eddy, Joseph Marsee, George Duzan, George Bowman, Sen., and others.
Among those whom I oftened listened to in praise and exhortation were Mr. and Mrs. De Buler, Jacob Lakin, George Lowe and wife, William and Henderson Bragg, Isaac L. Daven- port, George Dye, Mr. Stoneking, Thomas Blake, Sen., Mr. Pryor Brock. All are dead but Mr. Allen Brock and Mrs. Lowe, I think. The house was rather rough inside. The seats were only slabs, without backs, and it was somewhat tire- some to sit there two hours.
The architecture of our houses of worship has improved more in proportion than the preaching, to my notion. I listened to the noted "boy preacher," Harrison, a few years ago, in one of the fine churches in Indianapolis, or rather saw him go through with his monkey actions. He could not hold
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a candle to any of the above to preach. But then it suits the people and they will go. But the doctrine that was preached in old Bethel will live when the present way of worship is forgotten. I believe in progression, but in truth are we pro- gressing, is a serious question.
UNION TOWNSHIP.
MR. HARDEN FINDS IN THIS TOWNSHIP THE SUBJECT-MAT- TER FOR A VERY LONG LETTER.
Though Union is one of the smallest townships in the county, there is much to write about here. With its thousand springs, its hills and rills, runs and streams, and with all its productive soil, one can but touch on the variety of what might be the theme of a long communication.
'Squire Marvin, so long and well known, is beautifully lo- cated on the Michigan road about one mile north of Northfield, overlooking Rosston, the two pikes, the valley of Eagle Creek, and the iron bridge that spans it midway between his house and Northfield. There are few handsomer places in the county -certainly no better place to stop. Good music by Charley and his sister. Call and see the 'Squire on the hill.
George and Nero Hollingsworth, northeast, adjoining the Marion Township line, are well located-the latter in a splen- did brick house, with a good farm. He lives at home. George is farming, having quit teaching school. A night at his pleas- ant home will convince any one that he and his wife know how to entertain
Isaac Leap is keeping store at Rosston. He is from Perry Township. He has a fair trade.
The Ross brothers, " Non and Nin," are here to stay-in fact they have been here a long time. They are sons of the late James Ross, one of the early settlers of Union. He and his wife are buried at Crown Hill.
George Stephenson, south of Northfield, is a township
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trustee. He has traveled extensively and is a good talker. Don't fail to call on him when in Union.
John Murphy, just south, has a splendid situation, a good farm, and one of the best poultry yards in the county. To . him belongs the credit of building the church house at North- field known as the "Seventh-Day Adventist."
John New lives in Northfield, and has one of the finest libraries in the county. He is a well informed gentleman. Harvey New is teaching the school here, and is one of the rising young men. George New, one and a half miles west, near the junction of Mount's Run and Eagle Creek, has a pleasant situation, overlooking a beautiful little valley to the south. He is teaching school in Union Township. He, with the assisstance of his nephew, Harvey, have made a map, with key attached, of the late war, which displays great talent in its make-up. It has taken time and great pains to make this beautiful and valuable map. It must be seen to be appreciated. If a person was looking for a pleasant place to stop and George's did not fill the bill they had better move on.
George Shelburn, just west of Northfield, has a productive farm, and on of the cleverest families in Boone County.
J. H. Peters, situated on Mount's Run, has been here nearly all his life. I am indebted to him and his family for attentions.
James Hughbanks, on the east line of the township, has some of the best land in the county. He was formerly town- ship trustee.
John A. Dulin, in the north part, is one of the best farmers and stock men to be found anywhere. He has seven head of fine horses, valued at as many thousand dollars ; fine cattle, fish pond, and in fact everything to denote plenty on every hand.
North you will find Frank Woodard, who has a good word for all, and here you will find without a doubt some of the finest poultry in the county-turkeys by the hundred, white
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as the drifting snow, and chickens as if rained down from some fairy land. Call and see Frank's poultry.
L. P. Shoemaker lives on the Noblesville gravel road, in the brick house. To say he is well located is a mild way of stating it. His aged mother-in-law, Mrs. Dulin, lives with him. She is near eighty years of age, and has been here over fifty years.
A little further east you will find Uncle George Shoemaker, a grand conversationalist, and at one time one of the largest landholders in the county. Mr. S. is in poor health at this writing. He has been here fifty years. He and his aged companion are enjoying the comforts of life.
Midway between L. P. and his father is Isaac Shoemaker, who has a fine house and handsome surroundings. He has just returned from a hunting trip to Michigan. Call and hear him tell about killing seven deer, one otter and other game.
S. S. Davis, south of Big Springs, has been here many years-is to the manor born. Is well informed on Boone County matters.
Andrew Harvey, in the southeast part of Union, has been here many years. Has just finished a fine barn and moved his house out on the road. Is now much better located.
I find J. P. Stark in the school room, his fort, having taught over sixteen years. He has a fine brick house, and a good farm, on the pike.
Joseph Artman, on the north line, has been here twenty years, and when I called he was gathering the golden corn, of which he has plenty. In fact, he is a good farmer.
William Beeler, on Jackson Run, is one of those clever men and can't help it. He has one of the finest gravel pits to be found.
John Stephenson is alone in the world, but is making the best of surroundings. He is near the Hamilton County line.
N. Lothlin, C. O. Dulin, Ed. Smith, Morris Manlove, W. A. Kincaid and Oliver Harlan are among the young men met in the township, all of whom patronize our work.
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The schools are all in running order. I visited those of Miss Hollingsworth, Harvey New, J. P. Stark and George New. Bright, well-clad children flocking to school in every direction certainly is no bad sight.
Among the old persons in Union are James Berry, James New, John Kincaid (aged ninety-two), Mrs. Koontz, Mrs. Sedwick, Newton Dooley, Wash. Hutton, Mrs. Dulin, Mrs. Wysong and others.
The old Michigan road to me is of peculiar interest. Forty-three years ago I was along here. There are a few land- marks remaining. The old Jacob Jones' inn is intact, much the saine, with its big chimneys, where the old stage coach and where the horses were exchanged. There are a few houses in Northfield that were there then. Wesley Smith, or as we called him, " Col." Smith, kept tavern near the north line of Union. I was at his house in the winter of 1847 in company with a party of sleighriders from Eagle Village, most of whom are now dead. I thought while in Northfield of J. H. Rose, Dr. Sam Hardy, Chance Cole, Dr. McLeod, and that grand old man, Jacob Jones, who was thrice a pioneer-once in Ohio, again in Indiana, and finally went to Oregon in 1852, where he was at the head and front of a large delegation who went from Northfield and vicinity. He finally died in his western home a few years ago. I never pass his old home without thinking of him. In many respects he was a good man.
There are many other matters I would very much like to write about, but have already, I fear, overstepped the space I could reasonably ask for.
To all whom I met in little Union during the past few days I am thankful for their patronage and kindness.
I will write you from Clinton Township. Bare with me two more letters and I will not bother those who from time to time have thought my letters worth reading during the past fifteen months.
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BOONE COUNTY, INDIANA.
TWO EARLY PIONEERS.
SKETCHES OF GEORGE DYE AND FREDERICK LOWE, EAGLE VILLAGE PIONEERS.
It seems strange to write a letter to a newspaper at Zionsville, for it seems not a great while ago there was no town there, much less a printing office. I prom- ised to write something for your paper and would gladly do so, but the fact is I am about out of ammunition, having written twelve letters to the Pioneer, which has exhausted my little fund in the reminiscence line. I want to say a word in mem- ory of two honored pioneers of Eagle Creek who are now dead, George Dye and Frederick Lowe. And when I say they were pioneers I mean all that that word means. They were to Boone County what Daniel Boone was to Kentucky ; bold, fearless, honest. What one can say of one, either Mr. D. or Mr. L., might be said of the other. Both came early, both were religious men, raised large families, and contributed largely of their time and means to build up a "good society." Their houses were both open not only for the poor "new comer," but to the itinerant preacher who follows close in the wake of civilization. The first time I ever saw Mr. Dye he came to our house to see father about building a church in Eagle Village. He had his trusty big rifle with him, weigh- ing nineteen pounds. Yes, I said trusty, for once he got a bead on a deer or turkey it was Uncle George's meat, sure. That good old man did not live to see the church completed, for he died about the year 1849 or 1850. He went to Leba- non on some business and was taken sick and died. He was not what we now call a polished man, but he was more than that, he was useful. Early he built the Dye mill, which was of untold usefulness to the early settlers. Don't forget George Dye. Captain Lowe was a good man. His house was a place for preaching in early days. I was there a long time ago. He was a strong man in many respects, although feminine in
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his make-up, and lived to a good old age. Captain Lowe's word was as good as any man's that ever made tracks in Boone County. He was also a great hunter, though his gun, per- haps, was not as long or heavy as that of Mr. Dye. But I would as soon have been shot at by one as the other in their best days. No, don't forget Mr. Lowe either. Keep their graves green, for in your infancy as a county they waited the early advance of society with interest, done what they thought was right, were always right on the moral questions. Mr. Dye was a member of the M. E. Church, and Mr. Lowe of the Christian. Mr. Dye came from the Muskingum River, in Ohio. I think Mr. Lowe was from North Carolina, but am not positive of his nativity.
THE MICHIGAN ROAD.
PROMINENT EARLY SETTLERS WHO RESIDE ALONG THIS OLD THOROUGHFARE.
I was out on the Michigan road on Saturday last, in the interest of my work. Called on Henry M. Marvin, who has been here many years. Has represented the county seven years in the legislature. He is' pleasantly located on the hill overlooking Northfield, Eagle Creek and the bridge that spans it just south of his house. After dinner Miss Mariam and brother gave some fine music on the organ and violin. Mr. Marvin has one of the finest locations for a fish pond in the county, and will soon, he says, improve it and stock it with fish.
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