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 33
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George Stephenson, trustee, is about one mile south of Northfield, and has a fine farm of 160 acres. George has traveled much and is good company, having been a tourist in Europe. Talks patent rights to perfection, and is himself the patentee of many good and useful inventions.
Mrs. Nichols, aged eighty-four, just south of the creek, is yet living. She has been here over fifty years, and before the
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Michigan road was cut out, and, I think, has lived on the same farm ever since. She is the mother of the late Addison Nichols, and Rue and Ol, of Zionsville, and Mrs. Martin Burton, of Indianapolis. She is one of the few old citizens who first came to Union Township.
James Dye and Jesse Lane are two old settlers who live in Northfield. What they do not know of that place is not worth telling.
As I passed along this old road I thought of the old stage as it went lumbering in years past, and of Jacob Jones, Sr., as I passed his old home. He was a good man. Three times was he pioneer to as many counties, and he was useful wherever he was. Jacob Tipton I thought of, with his coonskins lashed on as he traveled the swamps of Boone, tax collector, sheriff, ete.
Jacob Jones, Jr., is finely located on the road in Eagle Township. Has been here nearly all his life, and, I think, is the only one of this pioneer family now living in Boone County. Mr. Jones takes interest in my work, and is the first in the county to forward a history of his family to be pub- lished in " Early Life and Times in Boone County."
A FEW LEBANON NOTES.
I attended the Democratic convention here on Saturday last. It was held in the court house yard. Fully two thousand persons were present, and it was one of the best condueted outdoor meetings I was ever at. James Shirley was president and Mr. Higgins secretary. The ticket gives satisfaction as far as I have heard. Thomas Shelburn, of Eagle, bore his honors well and received the congratulations of his friends with becoming modesty. Tom will be no dead weight to carry in the coming campaign.
The opera house is being handsomely fitted up and will be done in a few days, in time for the fair.
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Work on the M. E. Church is progressing well and will be finished before cold weather. It will be quite an improvement over the old building.
The fair grounds are being put in order, new buildings and other improvements going on. Every effort will be made to make this one of the best fairs ever held in the county.
Lebanon will soon be lighted with gas, as there is now go- ing on movements in that direction. In fact, Lebanon is, considering the times, on the boom. There is one thing this city does need, and that is a good hotel building. Some one ought to lead out and build one here and supply a long felt want.
I am getting along well with my work here. Have been over the south tier of townships. Am meeting with encour- agement thus far, and have hopes of its continuance.
The friends here of James Miller were sorry to hear of his death, as it was somewhat unexpected.
NEARING THE END.
MR. HARDEN GETS AROUND TO CLINTON WITH HIS WORK.
The above township is the only one but what I have been in in former years, and the only one that I was wholly unac- quainted in, Mrs. A. C. Coombs being the only person that I ever was at all acquainted with, and her not for thirty-five years-then a little girl at Eagle Village. She is the daughter of T. P. Miller, now of Indianapolis. Clinton is well watered by. the streams of Mud Creek and Brown's Wonder, flowing a little to the east of north, entering Sugar Creek about three miles apart. Three churches in Elizaville, Hopewell in the northwest, and Salem in the northeast, furnish places for the people to worship. All very good sized and well-built edi- fices. They consist of three Presbyterian, one Christian and one Baptist. The cemeteries at Hopewell and Salem are quite
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well cared for, kept in good order, and some tasteful monu- ments mark the resting places of loved ones gone.
Elizaville has two active saw-mills, two stores, two black- smith shops, two doctors, and in faet all the needed mechanics that go to make up a lively little business center.
I passed by the old mill on Brown's Wonder, built in early times by John Caldwell. It has been idle for several years. His widow is living vet on the old homestead.
A. C. Coombs, long a citizen of Lebanon, has been here several years. He lives in the southwest corner. He and his wife, who so kindly cared for me, I will long remember.
W. H. Evans was born here. His father was one of the pioneers of Clinton.
Riley Colgrove, ex-sheriff, has been here twenty years. He has a good farm and buildings, and enjoys life full as well as his prototype, Charley Riley.
William Brenton, one of the live young men of Clinton, has just completed and moved into his fine residence. I found him grading and beautifying the surroundings.
F. C. Phillips, a little farther east, is here to stay ; is well informed on matters generally, and a night at his house was pleasantly spent.
West of Mr. Brenton you will find O. G. Curtis. His father was an early settler. He is one of the men who reads and does his own thinking.
Farther east is J. A. Powell, also one of the go-ahead young farmers of Clinton. His wife is the daughter of John M. Burns, so long and well known by the people of Boone County in public and private life.
Riley Perkins, in the west part of the township, has a fine farm and buildings, and is an independent thinker and voter. We lack about one hundred thousand such men in Indiana.
Marion Caldwell is erecting a fine residence here. He is one of the rising young men of Clinton.
Hiram Brenton and his aged wife live here. He is one of the old pioneers, and was here before the town was laid out.
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South you will find Jack Robinson, also his aged father, who lives with him. They are among the early citizens of Clinton.
South and in sight, living in a brick house to the left, you will find G. W. Silver. No better place to stop in Boone County. No use of gold when you stop with silver.
West W. M. Evans resides. He is one of the go-ahead young farmers, and has fine stock of all kinds-twenty-eight head of hogs, some weighing from five to eight hundred pounds.
Near him you will find Jesse Swope, who has a good farm. I found him gathering the golden corn. He takes the Pioneer and reads the news himself and to his interesting family.
. I must not forget James A. McDonald and his aged com- panion, who have battled with the early life in Clinton. He has a fund of early events to tell around his hearthstone. Don't pass him by.
John R. McDonald, his son, is a young man of activity, has splendid buildings and farm, could hardly get along with- out the Pioneer.
Frank Phillips, on the Strawtown road, has a fine farm and buildings. His wife is the daughter of one of the Elder Cald- wells. This is one of the interesting places in the county.
Ea-t, after passing J. A. Powell on the north, you will find Hugh Sample, said to be the first child to see daylight up in Clinton, fifty-two years ago. Whether this is a fact or not, a night at his pleasant home will satisfy any one that Hugh has been here long enough to know how to make one at home.
My work here is done. I have wandered up and down on Brown's Wonder, got my feet muddy on Mud Creek and saw no. tarrapins on Tarpin Creek.
Oh, yes! I must not forget Thomas Abernathy, eighty- eight years of age. He and his aged wife are enjoying life up here on Mud Creek now, as well as the past fifty years.
To all in Clinton Township I am thankful for attentions. Riley Colgrove and Matthew McAlear are the only living Mexican soldiers I find here. May they live long.
1
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WILLIAM R. HOGSHIRE.
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William C. Powell and Adam C. Kern, trustee, live in the south part. The former is an old citizen. The latter also is no stranger in Boone County. He has a fine tile factory, and has the schools in fine trim, if one may judge from passing through. The school houses here are all of brick, and of good size and generally well located. Among the teachers are Milton Caldwell, Miss White and Mr. Stafford.
Ephraim Davis, in the north part, has a fine farm and brick house. He has been long a citizen of Boone, and is here to stay. He has 240 acres of land. His father lives near Leb- anon. Splendid dinner at the right time at his house.
Matthew McAlear, whom every person up here knows, has been here many years.
J. A. Pavey, near by, is a young man who has been here all his life.
Widow Roberts, relict of the late Hiram Roberts, has been living on Brown's Wonder fifty years. She knows all about the hardships of a frontier life. Mr. Roberts was one of the first school teachers in Clinton.
I must not forget James F. Downing. . He pointed out the site of his father's rude cabin, built on Tarrepin Creek, sixty years ago ; also the place where the Indian hut stood near by. To him and all others referred to above, and many others, I am under lasting obligations for patronage and attentions. The people here seem to be prosperous and contented, and good husbandry crops out on every hand.
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
MR. HARDEN'S LAST PROVES HIS BEST AND MOST INTEREST- ING LETTER.
One dark, rainy night I knocked at the door of John Hig- gins, after having lost my way and "cooned " the foot-log near his house. I fully appreciated the genuine hospitality of Mr. and Mrs. Hall. Here it was that our good editor found
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his better if not bigger half. Near here is the precinct or township house. It is of brick, and quite well located.
Adjoining the county southwest you will find John Camp- bell, who is one of the pioneers of Washington. To him and his son, S. E. Campbell, I am under special obligations.
Joseph Reesc, son of Samuel Reese, one of the older citizens here, is well located, with a brick house. He is on duty at the court house.
Oliver Chambers, son of one of the pioneer families, lives with his mother, aged eighty years. She has a vivid recollec- tion of early events of this locality.
The Slayback family also are early settlers here. Mrs. S. is yet living with her son, David. It is over fifty years since they came to Washington.
W. W. Trout, one among the clever men of Boone, is liv- ing on the old farm of the late H. G. Hazlerigg. He is not an old citizen here, but has lived in the county nearly if not all his life. His wife is one of a pioneer family (Neese).
Joseph Hollingsworth, on the railroad, beat the road here many years. I arrived just in time for a splendid dinner. Mr. H. is chuck full of fun and early reminiscences.
David Thornberry is here. If there is a man that has suf- fered death and yet lives, it is Mr. T. Yet I found him cheerful and quite well informed. His well-worn crutch gives evidence of his long lameness.
One night after dark I stopped at the house of W. W. Riley. I found it a pleasant place to stop. Will never forget the kindness to me. .
Robert Hamil, near the township line, lives with his mother, sister of the late J. J. Nesbit, ex-county treasurer. She is a lady of refinement, and well informed.
J. H. Burnham, just north of the center precinct, has been here all his life. He owns two hundred and eighty acres of good land, is a young man well posted on affairs generally, and works on the square. C'all and see him and his pleasant fam- ily when in this township.
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Thomas Utter, south of Sugar Creek, is here to stay. He has the finest barn in Washington, with good stock and everything denoting thrift. He will soon have the best fish pondin the county.
Near the creek you will find Sam Titus, brother to Nat. He has been here fifty years. Has a good barn on the bank of the creek. He takes the Pioneer and is posted.
The bridge here at what is known as the Crose Ford, is nearing completion. It is one of the much-needed improve- ments, and will, when done, be highly prized by the people up here.
David Crose, on the hill, has a fine location. I ate Thanksgiving dinner at his hospitable home.
Samuel Long, farther up, is an old-timer here. I stopped with him over night. It is the first time Long Sam and Sam Long stopped together, and it may be a long time again.
John J. Goldsberry, near the Clinton County line, has been here over fifty years. I stopped over night at his home. He is a good talker, and knows all about this locality. Could not keep house without the Pioneer. Thanks to him and family for attentions.
James Graham, near the corner of the township, is an old settler. I found him building a house.
Greenberry Buntin, up the creek near the old saw-mill, built by G. W. Hardesty many years ago. I found Mr. Bun- tin a clever gentleman ; came here when a boy in 1834.
Mechanicsburg, on the hill, is well located, with stores of all kinds, churches, etc. Dr. Reagan has a fine dwelling. The folks here regret his going away.
James Davis, north, has been here many years. He was raised at Thorntown. He will build a new house in the spring.
James Richey, near here, is the son of one of the pioneers. He was in the 72d Regiment, as well as his neighbor, Joseph H. Beach, who lives on the pike just south of him. Mr. Richey has some 50-pound turkeys that are hard to beat.
Wash Phillips, aged eighty, is on the pike. He is among
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the early citizens of Washington. Has a fine location. Call and see the old man on the hill.
Albert Helms, though not an old settler, is interested in our work. He came from Ohio a few years ago ; was trustee a few years ago. His aged father (92) lives with him.
John L. Buntin-that grand old man-don't forget to call on him when in this locality. He has been here fifty-two years. T. S. Metcalf, at the crossing, I must not forget. He was born in Kentucky. How could he be anything but clever ? To him and family I will ever be indebted for attentions.
West you will find Robert Slocum, one of the big farmers of Washington-one of the kindest men in the county. With no children of his own he is constantly caring for others. He has fine cattle, and other things denote good farming.
Anthony Beek lives in the best house in the township. I found him a very well posted man and a elever gentleman. S. W. Beck, his brother, just west, is well located. He takes and reads the the Pioneer, and takes an interest in the "Early Life and Times in Boone."
Edward Warren, just north, has been here a long time. Has a good farm. Could not keep house without the Pioneer.
Martha Witt, formerly Miss MeCann, lives near her fath- er's old home. Has battled with early times and the experi- ence of early life and widowhood.
James Wills, east of Pike's Crossing, lives at home, and has one of the best farms in the county, and is a good farmer. A good dinner at his house at about the right time.
H. G. Masters, at the Crossing, is keeping store and post- office. I feel for him. I onee lieked stamps and wrote letters for the people.
To one and all of the above I am thankful for patronage. My work now is done. The canvass on my part has been pleasant. In after life it will be to me a pleasure to call up the many incidents and happy hours passed in canvassing the county. I have been universally well treated by all, at the humble cabin and mansion as well. Farewell to all.
S. HARDIN.
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POEMS.
The following poems were received too late to be placed in their proper place, but are too good not to appear in this work. They will be read with great interest by the people of the county. We regret very much that we are compelled to put them in at so iate a day, but something has to be last, and this will give our book a poetical wind-up. A few late sketches and biographies will appear after these poems, when the soldier list of the "boys in blue," who in their youth and strong manhood went out that our coun- try might live, will follow. It is with great pleasure we give this list. Our work would not at all be worthy the patronage of the people without it. Of course, among so many names, there will doubtless be mistakes and omissions, but we have in this case, as well as in others, done the best under the circumstances.
OLD SETTLER'S SONG.
I lived in Kentucky before I came here; My father, a hunter, killed turkeys and deer ; Then women were known to skutch out the flax, From which they made linen to put on their backs.
It was then very common, I'd have you understand, For women to card wool and sew it by hand ; While the girls at the wheel were careful and gay, My mother at the loom kept banging away.
The people in common in home made were dressed, When the Sabbath came 'round they put on their best. I came to Boone County in the year thirty-two, Then houses were scarce and people were few.
The country was new when I first settled here, I hunted wild turkeys and killed a few deer ;
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The pea vines, nettles and plenty of frogs, And snakes and big turtles were seen in the bogs.
Then porcupines and 'possoms were caught in their deus, And the wolves taken in steel traps and pens; There were few of our men that ever wore boots, Though they cleared in the green and plowed among roots.
Then women were known to work on the farm, Or at the spinning-wheel, and thought it no harm; They oft did sit up so very late at night, Had breakfast next morning ere it was light.
They wrapped up their babies so snug and so soft, Then rocked them to sleep in an old sugar trough ; The children went ragged, in their bare feet, Their mothers kissed them and said they were sweet.
We now have railroads, and telegraphs too, The churches and school houses never a few ; We now have plenty and something to spare, Fine boots on our feet, and good clothes to wear. .
We can drink coffee, and women drink tea, And all being happy as happy can be ; While the children grow fat on butter and milk, The ladies go dressed in satin and silk.
While people are passing from day unto day, We see them in buggies along the highway ; We hear the cars whistle, we hear the bells ring, While the people collect to pray and to sing.
We now have fine carpets, and big featherbeds, With extra big pillows to put under our heads, And plenty of papers and books to read, Among the great nations we are taking the lead.
JAMESTOWN, May, 1887.
R. W. H.
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BOONE COUNTY.
Harden & Spahr are writing a history Of Boone County, they say, And they offer as premium a copy Unto the best bard of the day.
Our county we know is productive In regard to oats, wheat, hogs and corn ; But alas, her poets are so scattering- In fact I believe they're not born.
You may write biographical sketches, And talk of the fame of the dead, Or sing all you please your low ditties ; I'll tell you what we have instead :
Then first, we have lots of war horses Of a pusilanimous kind, Who run every year for some office, And go it as though they were blind.
We have also salary grabbers, Who loan money at fifteen per cent. In advance, they hint they would have it; , Oh, pshaw ! will they never repent ?
We have grangers-a new institution- We want reformation of late ; They buy hogs for five cents of their brothers And sell them for seven or eight.
Still they want no man in the middle -- Would go to Congress themselves ;
Their bills might be like this poem- Either tabled or laid on the shelves.
We have railroads, turnpikes and hydraulics, With bridges both iron and wood ; And coaches of every description, All of which are pronounced very good.
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We have schools, both graded and common, And teachers conducting them, too, Who do very well with their pupils, But visitors make them look "blue."
We have institutes, county and normal, Where teachers are taught in a class ; The first requisite there among youngsters Is a goodly supply of the "brass."
A word for our superintendent : The people all like him as such ; But some will look wise as they mumble, "I know he is costing too much."
We have belles as fair as the fairest, And beaux as polite as you please,
But they all like to ride in " pa's carriage," And live every day at their ease.
We have judges who sit on the benches, And lawyers that do as they please.
They will keep all the money they handle, Like the monkey dividing the cheese.
Well, now a word for the merchant, They will lie, cheat and steal. I tell you I've learned by experience Of those who have dry goods for sale.
We have a few honest old farmers -- Poor souls, how they carry the swill ;
They drive their hogs to the market And laugh iu their sleeves " what a sell."
I had almost forgotten the doctor, He rides with a hearty good will ; But before you are scarcely buried He'll claim your estate for his bill.
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We have a crusade of women On brandy, old bourbon and gin, Which freed us a while of rum-holes And prevented a great deal of sin.
Of course I respect all the preachers, They are very good teachers, 'tis true ; But I've seen some who smiled on the sisters A queer kind of " how do you do."
We have no " Ward Beechers" I reckon, But not a few Tildens, I'm told, Who risk all their eternal salvation To fill up their coffers of gold.
We have small interest in congress That grabbled its thousands to use, But the reason we grumble about it, We can not step into their shoes.
I believe I'll leave out the mechanic, Although a great many we spy Who paste putty, paint and varnish To cover their faults from the eye.
We never speak ill of the miller, For he's always just ready to laugh. He will grind out your grist in a "jiffy," But manage to keep about half.
The butcher I can not do justice, His steelyards you never see break ; He will give you the neck or the shoulder At what he should sell you the steak.
And last but not least we have babies, Methinks I have heard a few squall ; God bless them, sweet creatures, For mine are the dearest of all.
BIG SPRINGS, APRIL, 1887.
S. W. T. .
ADDITIONAL SKETCHES AND BIOGRAPHIES.
The following sketches and biographies were received too late for proper classification :
SUGAR PLAIN CHURCH.
Adjoining Thorntown on the west is what is known as Sugar Plain Neighborhood, and composed chiefly of members of " The Friends' Church." The first settling here in this neighborhood was by Hugh and Sarah Moffitt entering the farm now owned by John Glover & Son, in the spring of 1830. In the following fall came William Childree and wife, and their daughter Phebe, the latter being a late widow of Isaac Brown. They settled on the farm now owned by Alpheus Maxwell, Jeremiah Moffitt and wife following in the year 1832. The latter is now Cynthia A. Woody. Josiah Hollingsworth, William and Joseph Herner, Richard Bratton, and wife of Adam Boyd, were soon added to the list. The first meeting of worship was held at the residence of Hugh Moffitt, in December 1833, and was " set up," to use the old phrase, by Sugar River. They continued to meet twice a week for wor- ship at the same place until the year 1835, when a small log house was built near the site of the present building, which served the double purpose of school and meeting house until the growth of the members had increased and it was insuf- ficient in size, when the second was erected ; this time a frame building in which a meeting for business denominated by the Society, a monthly meeting was established in the 12th month 1840. Although some of the members living from five to
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seven miles away (as it was not in the days of gravel road-) the roads sometimes and often were almost impas-able, their custom of going was generally on horseback, they seldom missed attending any of these meetings.
Besides the names already given in this account, many others, no doubt, would be familiar (more especially to those of the first settlers, that appear on the early records of the meetings), among whom are Isaac and Mary Barker, their daughters Hanna Weisner and Ruth Barker, Nathan and Catharine Elliot, William and Margaret Chappell, Thoma- Thornton, James and Mary Brown, Nicholas and Matthew Barker, William and Tacy Cloud, James Fisher, Isaac Lawrence, Samuel and Peter Rich, Isaac and Rachel Cox. Samnel and Mary Cox, Ambrose and Elizabeth Osborn, Seth Williams, Priscilla Wells and others. Most of them are laid away in their narrow homes. The meetings were kept up at an increasing rate, the membership showing 277. There has been a Quarterly Meeting held at the same place since 1852, which now numbers about six hundred members. The pres- ent house was erected in 1852 for the accommodation of Quarterly Meetings. The size of the house is sixty-four feet long, sixty-four feet wide, and eighteen feet between the floor and ceiling.
A BRIEF MEMOIR OF THOMAS CASON AND FAMILY.
The name of Cason in the Northern States is uncommon. but in the Southern States it is a very common one. The family on coming to this country settled at an early day in the State of Virginia. Through works of genealogy the name i- traced to the south of France, and from which place member- of the family became refugees in Holland, and from where they joined William of Orange in his invasion of Ireland. At the time of emigrating to this country they had become mixed with Irish, English and Scotch blood.
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