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 4
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THORNTOWN.
No one could write up the early events of the county and forget the above town, for it is located on historic ground. Not only was it here that the first settlement took place by the whites, but it was the early home and scenes of the red man and the French trader and trappers for perhaps near one hundred years. Here the Indian built his hut; here the
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braves wooed their dusky mates, and the war dance and songs were indulged in for years before the whites came to make a settlement. Reader, let us go back sixty years. What do we find-here and there a cabin or a vacated wigwam, left by the retreating Indians. About this time a few hardy pioneers settled on Sugar Creek, where the now thriving town stands. Slowly but surely it has advanced-first the cabin, then the hewed log house, then the frame and finally the brick mansion has come to take the place of those rude structures. It has taken time to bring about these changes. Many have fallen by the way. But few if any now remain who were actors in the first settlement of Thorntown. When the railroad was com- pleted here it was the signal for general improvement, and its future became a fixed fact. Up to that time it was the best trading point in the county, outrivaling the county seat. Beautifully located on Sugar Creek, on one of the best sites in the state, amidst one of the finest countries in the state, it could not be less than a good town. With its natural advan- tages it at once and all the time takes rank among the towns of the great State of Indiana. Thorntown is known far and wide as one of the healthiest places, as well as the most desira- ble to live in, to be found anywhere. From its few cabins of 1829, it has grown to be a little city of 1,500 inhabitants- industrious, intelligent, thorough-going citizens. The people are justly proud of their place, with its bright past; its future is no less prosperous. At this writing, February, 1887, prepara- tions are being made to dig for natural gas, which is now agitat- ing the people in our state. Thorntown was the first in our county to move in this direction. Let us hope her most sanguine expectations may be more than realized, and that light may soon come to them. Following will be found a letter to the Lebanon Patriot, written December, 1886, which will give some very interesting facts in regard to Thorntown and vicinity, which will account for this seeming short article.
" This thriving little city is the oldest in Boone County. In the year 1827 a settlement was commenced in this vicinity,
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BOONE COUNTY, INDIANA.
and in 1831 the town was surveyed and platted by one Cor- nelius Westfall. As far back as 1719 there was an established French and Indian trading post at this point. From the year 1840 to 1875 there was not a licensed liquor establishment in the place, and spirits could only be had at the drug stores.
"The first church (Presbyterian) was organized in 1831, with Clayborn Young as its minister. The first Sabbath- school was organized in 1834. Rufus A. Lockwood, of whom the Indianapolis News recently gave an interesting sketch, was the first attorney at law in the town. Relatives of this once famous aud eccentric lawyer are still living here. The first school house was built in 1834, and was undoubtedly the first school house in the county. To-day Thorntown has one of the finest and best arranged schools in the state, with 375 pupils. Prof. Linnius Baldwin, of Hamilton County, is the present principal, with the following corps of efficient teachers : H. C. Heal, Nelson Hetherington, Frank Moore, Mrs. Mary Gaddis, Miss Kate Beck, Miss Stella Horner and Miss Mattie Matthews. As above stated, the first church organized was the Presbyterian. This church has a membership of about 200, with Rev. Samuel Sawyer as its minister. The Method- ist Episcopal Church has a membership of about 375. Its pastor is Rev. Isaac Dale, of La Porte. The Baptist Church has nearly 100 members at present. This church has no regu- lar minister. The Christian Church has a membership of about 70. It also has no regular pastor. The secret societies are also well represented : Thorntown Lodge No. 113, F. & A. MI., was organized in 1852, and to-day has a membership of 85. Osceola Lodge No. 173, I. O. O. F., was organized in 1856 and at present has a membership of 85. This order has a beautiful hall, which it erected in the year 1873, at a cost of $5,000. Moriah Encampment No. 83 has 60 members. Eden Lodge No. 149, Degree of Rebecca, has 50 members. Less than two years ago, through the efforts of a few of our young men, a Knights of Pythias Lodge was instituted here, with a membership of about 30. The growth of this order has been
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phenomenal. To-day they have over 100 members, nearly all young men. This order has suffered a loss of one member (Mr. Frank Morton) since its organization. They have a neat and comfortable hall, recently fitted up, and are in an exceed- ingly prosperous condition. The P. E. Q. Fraternity, com- posed entirely of ladies, was organized in 1885. Nothing can be learned regarding this society, as the members will not even give the meaning of the mystic letters representing their order. The Grand Army of the Republic also have a neat hall and have about 50 members. The Knights of Labor have an organization here, but we fail to get any particulars regarding their order.
"The first merchant in Thorntown was C. H. Baldridge, who opened up a small merchandise store in the year 1832. Of our present business interest we may mention the following : Dry goods merchants-A. Mossler, Statesman & Son, James L. Sailors and Harris & Gamso. Grocers -- Wm. Curry, W. Matthews & Co., Charles Johnson, A. S. Stall, J. T. MeKim, Dunbar, Barker & Barker. Daniel Hutchings and Mrs. Thomas Maiden. Hardware and agricultura! implements- C. B. Rous & Co., W. S. Hall and John V. Young & Son. Druggists-W. C. Burk, James Hanna, T. E. Bradshaw and Geo. Coulson. Watchmakers and jewelers-Chas. E. Wasson, Robert A. Stall and Sam Sohl. Boots and shoes-Hanna Brothers, Charles Snyder and H. W. Henderson. Millinery- Mrs. Allie Shilling and M. A. & L. E. Cheeks. Bankers- John Niven & Co. Our physicians are A. Dunnington, Wm. F. Curryer, M. H. Rose, S. W. Hawke, J. A. Utter, D. B. Davis and E. L. Brown. The legal profession is ably repre- sented by the following gentlemen : P. H. Dutch, Samuel M. Burk and Abner V. Austin. Solomon Sharp, L. B. Moore and M. M. McDowell are the gentlemen who deal out justice to suit the occasion. Our meat markets are operated by Dan B. Buser, Charles Buser and Albert Jaques. Witt & Kleiser are proprietors of the steam roller flouring mills. The steam sawmills are owned by Moses Hardin. Photographers-M.
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A. Keeler and Fred Hoffman. N. W. Weakly has for twenty- five years, and is still, managing the interests of the "Big Four" at this place. Our corporation affairs are managed by the following gentlemen : City Board, A. C. Clark, M. C. Moore and A. S. Stahl; Clerk, T. E. Bradshaw ; Treasurer, James Hanna ; Marshal, Green McDaniel ; Township Trustee, Isaac Wilson. In conclusion we will say that we have a beautiful little city and by far the prettiest girls of any town in the state." We must not forget the Argus, so long and ably published by F. B. Rose. It speaks for itself every week, and is hailed with delight every issue, by its hundreds of readers. It is one of the fixed institutions of the lively little city of Thorntown. Long may it live.
JAMESTOWN.
No town in Boone County is situated in a more beautiful country than the above, located near the south line of Jackson Township, also the county line adjoining Hendricks County, on the Indiana, Bloomington & Western Railroad, also on the State Road leading from Indianapolis to Crawfordsville, on the west bank of Eel River. It is about twelve miles southwest of Lebanon. Jamestown has an interesting history, for it was here one of the first settlements was made, away back at least to 1826 or 1827. The town was perhaps laid out in 1832, by James Mattock and John Gibson, two worthy pioneers. It was Mr. Gibson who first built his rude cabin here in 1829. From that time to this Jamestown has survived, and is now one of the principal trading points in the county, commanding a large trade from the adjoining counties of Hendricks and Montgom- ery. From this little humble cabin in the woods Jamestown has grown to a thriving town of fifteen hundred inhabitants. On the completion of the railroad here the town began to grow rapidly ; many substantial buildings have been erected ; a good M. E. Church of brick, which is a credit to the people in Jamestown and vicinity. The same might be said as to the
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Christian Church here, also of brick, well located and of good size. Martin's mill is one of the fixed institutions of the place. We must not forget the school building, one of the finest as well as best the located in county or state. There is no better evidence of a people's industry and thrift than a good school house. The Trotter's Grove adjoining the town on the northeast is one of the loveliest to be found any- where. Nature has lavished her gifts on this beautiful grove, where annual gatherings are held. Good stores and many tasteful residences adorn the town, which speak out in tones not to be misunderstood by those visiting this ancient town. Following will be found a sketch written for the Pioneer De- cember 18, 1886, which will be read with interest.
We must not forget the Jamestown Tribune, edited by the old veteran, George Snyder, who so long and well has man- aged it. It is well gotten up, issued weekly, and its appear- ance every Thursday is hailed with delight. Long may this good old man live to edit the Tribune. The Jamestown band is a credit to the town. Its members are a wide-awake set of young men, and the notes of their band are always received well by the people hereabouts.
" The town of Jamestown was laid out about the year 1832, by James Mallock and John Gibson-John Gibson was the father of G. W. Gibson, one of the present business citizens. The first store was opened by Samuel Hughes on the north side of Main street. John Galvin, some few years after, sold goods on the corner now occupied by J. H. Camplin & Son. This place being located on the State Road was a town of great importance during the day of stages. Having several hotels and livery stables it was made a central point, and consequently the changes of coach horses. It is now situated on the Indiana, Bloomington & Western Railroad, twenty-seven miles west of Indianapolis, this being built about 1870. Has improved considerable since that time, reaching a population of nearly 1,100, but has labored under several difficulties and misfor- tunes, there being three large fires, viz: September 5, 1876
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which originated in a saloon, burning nearly all the principal business rooms and a large hotel, leaving the town in a rather critical condition, but by some few determined citizens it'was mostly rebuilt ; on the morning of November 10, 1880, another fire started in the wareroom of a drug store on South Main street and burned seven of the best business rooms, and September 11, 1883, another one, burning seven large rooms. Since then seven have been erected. No doubt in a year or so all the vacant lots will have as good or better rooms and be in a more prosperous condition than heretofore. But labor under all these fires has somewhat kept up the necessary buildings for business occupancy.
The town is surrounded by as good country and as in- telligent, industrious farmers as could be asked, and with all this and our energetic citizens there is no reason why it shall not rise to as good a point as any in the county. The place at one time had a very hard name, about the time of the building of the Indiana, Bloomington & Western Railroad, one or two men being murdered by the gang who worked on the road ; also at that time there were several places of disreputable char- acter, several saloons, which most certainly was the cause. But now we have as quiet and peacable a town as is any- where to be found. Still the bad name hangs over us, by parties who are not visitors here. We have two churches- Christian Church, under the pastoral charge of Elder Pritch- ard, and M. E. Church, under the pastoral charge of Rev. E. W. Lawhon.
The high school, which building was erected in 1873, is most certainly in a prosperous condition under the principal- ship of Prof. P. V. Voris ; the faculty are as follows : Academic department, Prof. Voris; Preparatory, Prof. Storm ; Interme- diate, Miss Effie Gibson ; Primary, Mrs. Belle Emmons. Our oldest settlers are G. W. Gibson, who has been a citizen for fifty-eight years, and Dr. G. L. Burk, who has been here for forty-six years. The gentlemen who look after the physical welfare of our citizens are Dr. G. L. Burk, A. M. Finch, S. J.
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Banta, W. S. Heady, G. M. Van Arsdell and F. M. Austin. The legal fraternity is ably represented by W. J. Darnall and D. C. Brackney. We have four secret societies. I. O. O. F., No. 222, founded June 20, 1861, with a membership of nearly one hundred ; F. A. M., with a good membership and in pros- perous condition ; G. A. R., No. 162, with a membership of seventy-five ; and Knights of Labor.
The amount of business done in Jamestown is exceedingly large. Emmons & Richmond are doing a large business, working about fifteen hands at their sawmill and from five to ten teams hauling logs; have the last year shipped fifteen cars of walnut lumber, and for contract on railroad works bills averaged at least five cars a week During the autumn months they sawed about 75,000 feet of quartering out, which is used as finishing lumber. This is done only by mills which stand as first-class. This firm deserves great praise for their energy and employment of so many laborers, which has been an aid to many families. In the mercantile department are J. H. Camp- lin & Son, John H. Cline, W. T. Free, C. K. Slonnegar, W. H. Orear & Co., Thomas B. Williamson, J. H. Steele, Thomas Porter, J. T. Burhop, S. B. Summerville and G. W. McKeehan. The Eel River Mills are running night and day in order to keep up with orders for flour and feed. This mill is managed by Wesley Martin & Sons. Mr. Martin, Senior, was our miller in an early day, re- moving from this county to Minnesota, and returniug only a short time since. Crose & Hendricks are our liverymen. John Huber has been running a restaurant here for the last twenty years. Peter Smith operates a tile factory. Besides supply- ing the home market with his products he has shipped several car loads to Illinois during the past summer. Our wagon factory is conducted by Richard Miller, who also does carriage painting and ironing."
SAMUEL RODEFER.
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BOONE COUNTY, INDIANA.
ZIONSVILLE.
This is comparatively a new place, dating back only to 1852, on the completion of the Indianapolis, Cincinnati & Lafayette Railroad. It was laid out on the land of the late Elijah Cross, just below and west of where Big and Little Eagle Creeks unite. It was named after the late William Zion, of Lebanon. It is fourteen miles from Indianapolis and about the same distance from Lebanon, and one mile from the south line of Boone County, on the Indianapolis, Cincin- nati & Lafayette Railroad. Among the first merchants were John Vaughn, John Smith, Daugherty & Nichols, B. M. Gregory ; followed soon after by William Yoh, Smith & White, W. H. Neuhouse, B. F. Coldwolader, B. W. Harden, shoe dealer ; J. M. Bradly, drugs ; C. H. Tingle and J. M. Biggers, groceries; Croplen & Mills, undertakers; M. S. . Anderson, wagon maker ; Perrell & Perrell, drugs; attorneys -Jesse Smith, H. D. Sterrett, M. M. Riggins, John A. Pock and C. N. Beamer (the last two now practicing) ; physicians- Drs. S. W. Rodman, Samnel Hardy, Jones, N. Crosby, M. S. Anderson, Jeremiah Larimore, F. Long, G. W. Duzan, H. T. Cotton ; shoemakers-(have been) A. W. Larimore, H. Daven- port, John Tull, B. W. Harden, John Martz ; dentist-J. O. Hurst. The first hotel was kept by John Miller. John Holmes built an extensive grist-mill here in 1854; it was afterwards converted into a distillery, and operated as such a short time, when it went down. Among the postmasters have been S. W. Rodman, P. Anderson, Mary May, William Thompson, James W. Blake, W. F. Morgan, G. F. Essex, William McGuire, R. Beard. Monument dealer - Frank Alford ; harness makers-A. W. Hopkins, William Harden ; bankers-P. Anderson, S. H. Hardy, Mark Simpson, -- Alford. The old Dye mill was built here at an early day, but is now no more. M. S. Davenport operated a tan-yard here 4
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soon after the town was started. An excellent school house was built here about the year 1860; it is one of the finest in the county, pleasantly located on the hill west, overlooking the town. Zionsville contains many handsome residences and business houses, and is the center of a good country, conse- quently has a fine trade in all the various departments. The Zionsville Times, now published by Col. Galt, is one of the best papers in the county, recently enlarged to an eight-page paper, wide-awake in its make up, has a good circulation and is ably edited. Zionsville is the home of Mrs. Polly Cross, the first bride in Boone County, in 1834. To the writer Zionsville and vicinity has a peculiar interest. There he learned to swim and fish in the classic waters of Eagle; first went to mill and learned to wait his "turn ;" and, more than all, there is an interest attached around the beautiful little cemetery, just south. Here my parents, two sisters and a brother " quietly sleep, their toils forever done."
Zionsville is also the home of B. M. Gregory, Manson Head, Joseph B. Pitzer, Martin Conrad, Dr. W. D. Starkey, Dr. H. T. Cotton, M. S. Davenport, Nathaniel Swaim and Dr. G. W. Duzan, all more or less public men and well known throughout the county.
Following will be found a sketch of Zionsville, written for the Patriot, of Lebanon, dated December 18, 1886, which will doubtless be read with interest by the people of Boone County :
" Zionsville ranks third in the county as to population and commercial enterprise, and is situated in the southeastern cor- ner of the county, one and a half miles from the Marion County line and one mile from the Hamilton County line. The orig- inal plat of the town was laid out in the year 1852 by William Zion and Elijah Cross, and consisted in nine blocks containing ยท eighty-one lots. The name " Zionsville" was given to the town in honor of William Zion, who was the principal founder. The first dwelling house within the original plat was built by John Miller, on lot number two, block number eight, and was
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occupied by himself and family as a boarding-house or hotel. The same building still does service as a dwelling house, but has been removed to the west end of the same lot, immediately north, across the street from the Christian Church. The first store was conducted by Vaughn & Wiley in a two-story frame building situated on the same lot where the M. S. Anderson wagon works are now located. From the time these first. buildings were erected the town has steadily increased in en- terprise and population until it has become one among the best business points in the county and has accumulated a pop- ulation of about eleven hundred persons. There are but few towns of the size in the state that can boast of better school buildings and school facilities and none that have naturally a more beautiful location for school buildings or town either. There are four churches in the town, Methodist, Presbyterian, Christian and Christian Union, all of which support mini-ters, and all are as well attended as churches usually are in towns of this size. There are six secret orders in the town : Odd Fellows, Masons, Knights of Honor, Secret League, Horse Thief Detective Association and Grand Army Post. All of these orders are in flourishing condition both numerically and financially. The town supports two banks, two cornet bands, a town hall, with seating capacity of six hundred, one of the best weekly newspapers published in the state in a town of the same size, one large flouring mill, one sawmill, wagon works, the Blue Grass Dairy farm, owned and managed by J. M. Byers, and many other things which can not be mentioned in deaitl. The town is well supplied with shade-trees, and the streets and sidewalks are generally in good repair. Take all in all Zionsville ranks above the average as to its beautiful location, business enterprise and the social and moral character of its inhabitants."
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WHITESTOWN.
The above town is situated in Worth Township, on the Indianapolis, Cincinnati & Lafayette Railroad, seven miles southeast of Lebanon and about the same distance northwest of Zionsville, surrounded by one of the best agricultural dis- triets in the county. It is the center of a large local trade and where the township elections are held, and in fact all the elec- tions when held in the county. It has been for years the cen- tral point for Worth Township. Whitestown was laid out in . the year 1851, or about the time the railroad was built. The first plat was on the land of Abram Nese. The first mer- chant was Harrison Spencer, followed soon after by Henry Lucus and William Laughner. The first grist mill built here was by Isaac Dye and Alfred Osburn, which was in a few years burned down ; rebuilt by Henry Lucus. The present mill was built by J. W. Bowser, who operated it successfully for years and built up for it a good reputation at home and abroad. He sold it in October, 1886, to Riley & Vaughn. It has all the new milling facilities for making the best flour in the state. It is valued at $12,000. Among those doing business in an early day at Whitestown in the various capacities we might mention the following merchants : W. J. Givens, Daniel Ech- man, Ceaser Echman, F. M. Moody, Neese & Keefe, J. T. Ross, Dr. I. T. Ross, Dr. Starkey, Dr. Larimore, J. S. Hardy, who is now practicing. Postmasters, Henry Lucus, Dr. Ross, Henry Walters, S. M. Trout. The present one is J. O. Barb. Hotel, G. W. H. Roberts. The school house here is an excel- lent one of brick, and fully up to the times in every respect, as well as the churches and other buildings. The annual business transactions here amount to thousands of dollars, including the railroad business, which alone is very large.
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BOONE COUNTY, INDIANA.
MECHANICSBURG.
This thriving town, so beautifully located on a high piece of ground near the junction of Brown's Wonder and Sugar Creek, was laid out in the year 1835, by James Snow. It is near the Clinton County line and also near the line dividing the townships of Clinton and Washington, being, however, in the latter, on the road leading from Lebanon to Frankfort, about nine miles from the former and seven from the latter. The town contains many handsome residences, three churches, school house, ete., and is the center of a fine local trade. This is the home of Dr. Jesse Reagan, Dr. Walker, Nathan Gar- rett, all well known and valuable citizens. Below will be found a sketch of Mechanicsburg, written for the Lebanon Patriot in December, 1886, which will account for this short, imperfect sketch :
" Mechaniesburg is situated on the banks of Sugar Creek, midway between Lebanon and Frankfort, and has a popula- tion of about 200. It has been called "The Burg" longer than the oldest inhabitant can recollect. The place is well known throughout the country, as its flouring mill, at one time owned by George Ryan, was patronized by farmers from far and near, not only of this, but by those of the adjoining county, Clinton.
"A. R. Garrett has a complete stock of groceries, dry goods, glass and queensware, boots, shoes and notions. John R. Beach keeps groceries, dry goods, ready-made clothing, boots, shoes and netions. E. E. Armstrong deals in drugs, patent medicines, school books, stationery, paints, oils, cigars, tobacco and notions. Dr. J. S. Reagan has been practicing medicine here for thirty years, has accumulated considerable property, and was elected to the office of county clerk at the last elec- tion. Dr. D. R. Walker has been practicing medicine here about ten years, has nice residence property and a farm one- half mile north of town. Dr. C. D. Umberhine is a young
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man, a graduate of Rush Medical College, and has been prac- ticing medicine for the past two years in partnership with Dr. Reagan. Dr. U. built a substantial house the past summer and has come to stay. The blacksmiths are Frank Moore and W. H. Brown, both good workmen who have plenty to do the year round. William Keller is the justice of the peace and works at shoemaking during odd spells. J. S. Moore has a wagon shop, keeps the postoffice, and is probably the only Republican postmaster now in the county. Frank Mills, familiarly known as " Handle," carries the mail to and from Lebanon, hauls goods for the merchants and does errands for everybody. Hart Lodge No. 413, I. O. O. F., is the only secret order in the town. It has a membership of about 24, owns its hall and seems to be in a fairly good condition. The religious denominations are the United Brethren in Christ, Methodist Episcopal, and Christian. The pastor of the United Brethren Church is Rev. Perry Cooper; of the Methodist Episcopal, Rev. Jesse Hill; and of the Christian, Rev. Howe, of Irvington. All the churches are in good condition."
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