USA > Indiana > Bartholomew County > History of Bartholomew County, Indiana : From the earliest time to the present, with biographical sketches, notes, etc. : Together with a short history of the Northwest, the Indiana Territory, and the state of Indiana > Part 51
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54
Lodge No. 17, Knights of Pythias, has a large membership, dispenses a great deal in the way of charity, and is one of the
596
BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY.
most popular and prosperous orders of the city. It was organized December 22d, 1871, with the following charter members: II. C. Davie, Anson Froman, S. D. Helman, P. F. Weber, T. B. Prather, Jose Newsom, W. T. Davis, N. T. Carr, J. D. Lyle, Al. Brooks, W. R. Snipes, II. M. Mounts, C. A. Hubbard, Levi Hege, J. H. Stevens, W. C. Heaton, Isham Keith, Richard Carter, R. M. Jack- son and D. W. Adams. In 1887, a uniform rank was organized, which is a fine body of men, and makes an excellent appearance on public occasions. The present officers arc: George Pense, P. C .; Walter J. Quick, C. C .; John Schuyler, V. C .; J. O. Connor, Pre- late; James Kearns, M. of A .; W. T. Davis, K. of R. S .; Charles Lacy, M. of F .; Alex Tirtel, M. of E.
Columbus Lodge No. 58, I. O. O. F., is one of the oldest and most popular fraternities of the city, and probably leads them all in the amount of charity and benefits dispensed. Its organization dates . from July 13, 1848, and the charter members were: John H. Brad- ley, W. N. Skinner, Samuel Hege, William Sullivan, Jacob P. Mc- Chesney and I. P. Chapman. Present officers are : M. M. Recves, N. G .; Herman Carr, Vice N. G .; Frank Stateler, Recording Secre- tary; John L. Banhan, Pernanent Secretary; C. M. Keller, Treas- urer.
Ridgeley Encampment No. 26, I. O. O. F., was organized July 17, 1851. The charter members were: John W. Sullivan, B. F. Joncs, C. H. Hays, Benjamin W. Smith, George W. White, Alex Harper, Charles Richardson, Joseph Todd, L. C. Bonwell and J. Mortimer. Present officers : William Mitchell, High Priest; Nathan Stader, Chief Patriarch; John Stuckey, Senior Warden; Smith Abbett, Junior Warden; Benjamin May, Scribe.
Isham Keith Post No. 13, G. A. R., was granted a charter January 15, 1880, and at this time includes the greater part of the ex-soldiers of the city and surrounding country. At first it was called Columbus Post, but afterward changed to the present name in honor of Lieut. Col. Isham Keith, a gallant young officer from this city, who was killed at the battle of Perryville, Ky. It has an established reputation as one of the most active and efficient posts in this department. The principal officers are: George HI. Clutch, Commander; Daniel Judd, Senior Vice Commander; Ward Sal- mond, Junior Vice Commander, and S. M. Glick, Adjutant.
1
597
TOWNS.
As auxiliary to this post, Lookout Camp No. 32, Sons of Vet- erans, was organized in February, 1887, which is a growing order, and has enrolled many of the best young men of the city. The officers are: J. H. Arnold, Captain; J. W. Smith, First Lieutenant, and William Stevens, Second Lieutenant.
The Woman's Relief Corps No. 69, of Isham Keith Post, was not organized until August, 1887, but already numbers some fifty members and is growing in strength and influence. The officers are: Mrs. Ward Salmond, President; Mrs. N. C. Spurgin, First Vice President; Mrs. C. N. Spencer, Second Vice President; Miss Maggie Hopkins, Treasurer, and Mrs. I. M. Brown, Secretary.
Indiana Council No. 78, United States Benefit Association, is a new order, but has gained con .. lerable strength and popular favor, and is regarded as one of the most practical among the benevolent orders. It was organized April 20, 1886, with fifty-three charter members, and has fifty-six at this time. Wiley Rominger is Presi- dent; Michael Unger, Vice President; J. F. Tormehlen, Treasurer; L. C. Griffith, Financial Secretary, and Daniel Crow, Secretary.
Castle Columbus No. 119, Knights and Ladies of the Golden Rule, is also a new order, the charter being granted May 23, 1884. It is also one of the few fraternities that admits ladies to member- ship. It meets weekly. The officers are: Jacob Beyl, Com- mander; Mollie Sparrell, Vice Commander; Lena Schnurr, Pre- late; Rebecca Rosenheim, Recording Secretary; Mary Moreledge, Herald; C. F. Ford, Master at Arms; Thomas Reeves, Sentinel; B. F. Moreledge, Treasurer; W. H. Jones, Warden, and W. H. Butler, Medical Examiner.
Ernest Dudere Lodge No. 92, United Order of Honor, was chartered September 11, 1884, and named in honor of Ernest Du- dere, Secretary of the Grand Lodge, and one of the founders of the order. It also admits ladies, and, while the membership is not large, it is active, and a large amount has been paid out in benefits since its organization. Present officers: James McCammon, Presi- dent; S. H. Linson, Vice President; Frank McNeal, Secretary; D. M. Noy, Treasurer; W. C. Bruce, Chaplain.
Phonix Lodge No. 1374, Knights of Honor, was organized in 1879. The membership is not large, but it is practical in its 20
598
BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY.
work, and as a beneficial and insurance order is well liked by the members. The officers are: Ward Salmond, Dictator; Henry "Straussner, Vice Dictator; John Schuyler, Assistant Dictator; J. N. Marsh, Reporter; E. II. Kinney, Financial Reporter; J. R. Dun- lap, Treasurer.
Mizpah Council, Royal Arcanum, was organized in ISSo, with thirty-five charter members, the present number being forty-five. It is maintained chiefly on account of the insurance feature of the order, which is cheap and practical. R. B. Busch is Regent; J. B. Safford, Vice Regent; John W. Morgan, Collector; John Bonham, Secretary, and H. C. Davie, Treasurer.
Banking .- The first attempt at anything like banking in Col- umbus, was about 1833, when John M. Guinn and William Gab- bert opened an office for loaning money and buying " cash notes," or " shaving" notes, and it is said that they shaved deep. The partnership lasted some three years when Guinn withdrew and Gabbert carried it on a few years longer alone. Francis J. Crump, at this time a thrifty farmer who always had plenty of money, did a similar business, though he opened no office, but about 1849 he advertised in the Democrat that he would purchase good cash notes, and that his office was in his hat. Mr. Crump was afterward one of the founders and principal stockholders of the First National Bank, and Vice President, at the time of his death, which occurred April 30, 1881, having during his long life amassed great wealth. When the old State Bank was re-chartered, an earnest effort was made, headed by Col. John Vawter, Senator from this district, to secure a branch at Columbus, but it finally went to Bedford. In I853, B. F. Jones and William F. Pidgeon opened a private bank under the free banking law of Indiana, recently enacted. The firm name was B. F. Jones & Co., and they received deposits on which they paid interest, and they also "inflated the currency " by issuing " shinplasters" of $1, $2 and $3, like bank notes in appear- ance, and which were redeemed in gold or gold currency when presented in sums of $50 and over. As they cost nothing and were based on nothing but the credit of the firm, they were a source of considerable profit.
The business continued for a year, when William McEwen
599
TOWNS.
joined the firm, and the Kentucky Stock Bank .was organized. It had a capital of $50,000, based on Kentucky State bonds, and other interest bearing bonds deposited with the Auditor of State. The circulation was at first $45,000, but afterward increased, and at one time amounted to $100,000, but, in time this was all with- drawn, and it became a strictly private bank. In 1860, Pidgeon retired, and in 1865, Jones also, and the bank took the name of McEwen & Sons, though Jones remained with it as cashier until 1870. The McEwens operated largely in real estate, live stock, pork, manufacturing, and other enterprises. Large deposits were made by city and county officials, and others, on which a high rate of interest was paid, and a great deal was borrowed from Eastern capitalists, and the accumulated burdens crushed the firm and they were forced into bankruptcy by creditors. It was the greatest business failure the county ever sustained, and for a time almost paralyzed the business of the whole community, and brought loss and ruin to many others. This occurred in September, IS71, and William McEwen, the head of the firm, and a very remarkable man in many respects, died in October, 1876, before all the busi- ness was finally adjusted.
Mr. Randolph Griffith, afterward president of the First National Bank, did a private banking business between 1862 and 1864, and still more firmly established his already good reputation as a safe and sagacious man of business.
W. B. Whitney, young, energetic, and brilliant, carried on an extensive pork-packing business for several years. He con- trolled large sums of money, was an honorable dealer, public- spirited, and very popular. To facilitate his enterprises, he, in 1874, organized the Farmers' Bank with a capital of $100,000, the greater part being held by the Whitney family, E. G. Whitney, . president of the First National Bank of Madison, and father of W. B. Whitney, being a large holder. W. B. Whitney was presi- dent and John Harris, cashier. It received large deposits and did a flourishing business, but the president had acquired a mania for speculating in pork, lard and grain, and used all the resources of the bank and the packing house for that purpose, and lost, and the bank had to suspend in less than two years. The depositors were
600
BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY.
paid in full, but the stockholders were bankrupted. Whitney, the president, went to Chicago, continued to speculate, got on his feet, lost again, and committed suicide.
The First National Bank commenced business in 1865, under the National Bank Act of Congress. The officers were : R. Griffith, president; F. J. Crump, vice president, and F. M. Bonfill, cashier. The capital stock was $100,000, which has never been changed. It has always done a strictly legitimate banking business, conducted in a safe and conservative manner, such as to command public con- fidence, and is understood to have been very profitable to the stock- holders. The present officers are: William J. Lucas, president, and L. K. Oug, cashier.
Irwin's Bank was established by Joseph I. Irwin, in 1871, under the private banking laws of Indiana. It is a bank of discount and deposit, and, owing to the well known financial ability and in- tegrity of its owner, it commands general confidence, does a large and profitable business and for a number of years has been the de- pository of the city and county funds as well as of many private parties.
The city has had some bitter and costly experience with her banks, but those now doing business here, by years of careful and conservative management, have established general confidence, and having plenty of capital, are equal to every demand upon them, and fully meet the requirements of the business public in their line.
Manufactories .-- To give anything like a detailed description of all the business interests of the city would be beyond the scope and object of this work, but even a brief history will necessarily in- clude a glance at the standing at which the city has now arrived, and this can not be better done than by a short notice of her various manufacturing industries. Manufactories are the life of a city, and few in Indiana of the same population can make a better showing in this respect, or do a larger aggregate amount of business. This review will include only the more important enterprises.
First in importance and magnitude of the industrial establish- ments of the city, is the great Cerealine Manufacturing Company. The firm manufactures a product called Cerealine from Indian corn, which is used in very many culinary preparations, also largely in
601
TOWNS.
making beer. It is made by a process of which Joseph F. Gent, one of the firm, is patentee, and this is the only establishment of the kind in the workl. The business has grown to immense pro- portions in a few years, the plant and appurtenances are worth probably $2,000,000, and large additions are still being made. From 200 to 300 hands are employed about the mills, which have a capacity of 7,000 bushels of corn per day. There is an immense demand for the Cerealine, orders being received from all parts of the civilized world faster than they can be filled. The company is also supplied with printing presses and material, box machinery and everything necessary for packing, labeling and distributing the pro- duct. The aggregate amount of business will annually reach into the millions, and is rapidly increasing, and has not only enriched the owners, but made the name of Columbus familiar far and wide.
Another of the industries that greatly benefits Columbus at home, and gives her reputation abroad, is that of Reeves & Co., manufac- turers of agricultural implements. They make the noted M. T. Reeves straw-stacker, Hoosier Boy cultivator, Reeves stalk cutter, and various other implements, most of which are their own inven- tions, and on which they hold patents, but the principal article made is the straw-stacker. They commenced in a small way in I875, being limited in both experience and capital. They labored along under many difficulties and discouragements for several years, but by pluck and perseverance gradually built up a profita- able trade. The stacker is probably the best of its kind made, and the demand for it has rapidly increased, and in 1887, 1,200 were made and sold, and that number will be doubled this year (1888). The works are being greatly enlarged and new facilities added to meet the increasing demand for the implements. From 150 to 200 hands are employed, and the annual amount distributed in wages will reach $125,000, and the aggregate amount of busi- ness $240,000.
The American Starch Company was incorporated in April, ISSO, with a capital stock of $200,000. The first officers were: F. M. Bonfill, President; John H. Rush, Secretary, and Henry Lang, Treasurer. Substantial buildings were erected during the year, covering several acres of ground, and supplied with the latest
602
BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY.
improved machinery, making, perhaps, the most complete plant of the kind in the country, with a capacity of 4,000 bushels of corn per day. In 1882, James E. Mooney was elected President, and F. M. Bonfill, Secretary and Treasurer, by the Board of Direc- tors. In 1885, to better accommodate the growing business, the capital stock was increased to $100,000, which was taken by various prominent business men and capitalists, and John L. Brad- ley became President, and Edmund Mooney, Secretary and Treas- urer. The company gives employment to about 100 hands, and the starch has an established reputation for excellence and has a large sale all over the United States and in Europe. The resi- dual product makes an excellent food for cattle and hogs, a large number of which are fattened at the company's yards annually, while the farmers of all the surrounding country haul the feed away to use at home, and stock raising in the county is increasing in con- sequence.
One of the oldest, most successful and important industries is the tannery of W. W. Mooney & Sons. Edmund Mooney & Sons commenced a small business in Nineveh Township in 1837, and continued there until 1863, when it was removed to Columbus, the firm at that time being W. W. & J. E. Mooney, brothers. In 1876, J. E. Mooney retired, Edmund and Thomas Mooney taking his in- terest, and the firm became W. W. Mooney & Sons, and in 1886, William A. Mooney, another and younger son, also became a part- ner. The business has steadily grown until it is now one of the largest in the city, and the largest of its kind in the State. A su- perior oak tanned harness leather is made from packer hides bought in Chicago, Kansas City, St. Louis and other packing centers. Seventy-five hands are employed, 30,000 hides used, and over 1,000,000 pounds of leather produced annually. The business reaches between $300,000 and $400,000 annually, of which $30,000 is paid out in wages.
Hege & Co., contractors and lumber dealers, is one of the oldest firms in the city. The business was established in 1857 by Hege & Keller, afterward changed to Hege & Mathes, then Samuel Hege alone, and in ISSo the present firm, consisting of Samuel Hege, the founder, Charles Hege, his son, and W. F. Kendall. They do a
603 .
TOWNS.
large business as contractors, also run an extensive saw mill and planing mill. About fifty hands are employed who receive in wages from $25,000 to $30,000, and the aggregate amount of busi- ness reaches $65,000.
Keller & Brockman, contractors and lumber dealers, is also an old and well known firm. Adam Keller and William Brockman are the members. It was founded in 1866, the firm name being Perkinson, Brockman & Co., in 1868 it became Brockman, Keller & Co., and in 1870, Keller & Brockman. They own and operate a large planing mill, as well as erect all classes of buildings and other work in their line. They average twenty hands continuously, who are paid $10,000, and the contracts will reach $50,000 annually.
J. R. Dunlap and William F. Coats compose the contracting firm of Dunlap & Coats, also own their own planing mill, which does a large business aside from their building operations. The firm, as originally established in IS78, was Perkinson, Dunlap & Coats, soon after changed to Gilmore, Dunlap & Coats, and in 1886 to the present name. During the building season they employ forty hands, and average twenty continually, whose wages amount to $10,000, the whole business reaching $50,000 per year. This firm has risen rapidly, the partners are young, ener- getic, thorough-going business men, and destined to play an im- portant part in the future affairs of the city.
Moore & Tilton are extensive dealers in staves and hoop-poles, some of which they manufacture, others are shipped in a raw state. The business was commenced in 1883, by J. A. McGregor, known as the " stave king," who, in 1886, sold out to the Moore-Tilton Company, which in 1887, became Moore & Tilton, several of the partners retiring. They ship eighty-five car loads of stuff per quarter, worth $250 per car, employing from twenty to thirty hands, distributing $8,000 in wages and doing an annual business of $85,000.
George Schinnerer, cooper, has been in the business since 1866, and from a very humble beginning has risen until he furnishes em- ployment to from twenty to twenty-five men, makes 8,000 tight barrels per annum · and a much larger number of slack barrels. His pay roll reaches $7,000 and his business $35,000 annually.
60-+
BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY.
Perhaps the oldest manufactory in Columbus is the furniture establishment of William Brinkley. The nucleus of it was formed as far back as 1853, when William Brinkley, George W. Palm r, Theodore Kratts and Daniel May, established a small sash and door factory, which in two years was changed to a furniture man- ufactory, the site being in the woods at that time, and the founders cleared away the timber to make room for the buildings. Kratts and May retired at the end of the first year, and the business was carried on for several years by Palmer & Brinkley. But Mr. Palmer was elected County Treasurer, began to speculate, and finally bankrupted himself and wrecked the firm. McEwen & Jones, bankers, came into possession, and employed the old firm to run the business, but in 1861, Palmer retired and Brinkley man- aged the business until the bankuptcy of McEwen in 1871. The firm of W. O. Hogue & Co. was then formed to conduct the busi- ness, Mr. Brinkley being a silent partner and manager. About 1880, the firm of Brinkley & Basse was formed, and this lasted until 1887, when Basse retired, leaving Mr. Brinkley sole pro- prietor.
. Notwithstanding all the tribulations and difficulties, an excel- lent representation has been established for the wares and many orders are received from all surrounding towns and cities, and a large and profitable business is now done. The amount of sales will reach $20,000 a year, and some $5,000 is paid to the fifteen employes. Mr. Brinkley is an old man who has done much for the city and richly deserves his present prosperity.
The steam flouring mill of J. R. Gent & Co. is fully equipped with the best modern milling machinery, and produces an excellent quality of flour. The present capacity is 125 barrels per day, about sixty per cent. of which is sold to local consumers, most of the re- mainder being shipped to southern markets. It was erected and operated by the veteran miller of Bartholomew County, Thomas S. Gent, and his son, John R. Gent, who, since the death of the elder, in January, ISSS, has been sole proprietor.
F. Danner & Son some months after the burning of their mill, mentioned heretofore, purchased the large elevator of H. Griffith on Fifth Street, and converted it into a first-class flouring mill,
605
TOWNS.
with a capacity of 125 barrels per day, which at this date has just gone into operation.
Shea Bros. are dealers in fine meal, feed of various kinds, also buy and sell grain. They are the only dealers in this line in the city who manufacture their own products. They are energetic young men with a growing business which has already reached an aggregate of $30,coo annually, although established on a very small scale but five years ago.
R. M. Jackson, carriage maker, founded his business in 1865, and his work has long had an established reputation throughout a large section of country, and has played no small part in the up- building of the city. The business is not carried on quite so exten- sively as a few years since, but some seventy-five new vehicles are made annually, more than double that number repaired, giving em- ployment to about fifteen skilled workmen, who earn $7,000 in wages and turn out an aggregate of $15,000 worth of work per year.
Gaffney & Mason, carriage makers, have been in business but three years, and are the successors of Hellar & Bruck. They are young men and are steadily building up a good business. They employ seven workmen, make about twenty-five new vehicles per year, and do an immense amount of repairing. The annual amount of business will reach $4,000 or $5,000.
Duffy & Cook is a new firm, and has established a new busi- ness, the manufacture of staves and heading, that bids fair to soon become one of the leading industries of the place. It has been in operation but a few months, but employs twenty hands, and has a capacity of thirty-five cords of lumber per day, which is to be in- creased.
The Columbus Machinc & Supply Company is another new busi- ness. The firm is composed of T. L. Faust, E. E. Frost, and W. O. Hogue, the first two practical machinists. They deal in steam, gas and water fittings, iron, lead and soil pipes, and do a general plumbing, blacksmithing and repair business. The busi- ness has increased rapidly during the short time it has been in oper- ation, and now requires from fifteen to twenty skilled workmen.
Besides those enumerated above, there are a large number of smaller enterprises employing from one to half a dozen hands, such
606
BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY.
as tinners, shoemakers, broom makers, etc., which turn out a large amount of goods in the course of a year, and add largely to the business of the city.
Columbus has never had a " boom" in the modern sense, but steadily grown to city of some S,ooo inhabitants, with good railroad and turnpike facilities, electric and gas light, excellent water works and fire department, good schools, churches, abundance of stores of all kinds, all the modern improvements usually found in much larger cities. Her principal manufactories are comparatively new and yet in their infancy, and all the indications are that her future growth and prosperity will greatly exceed that of the past, and her citizens now enjoying all the privileges and advantages afforded by modern times can scarcely realize that the city ever passed through the vicissitudes sketched in this chapter.
Hope .- The story of this town's inception and growth is almost inseparably connected with that of the Moravian Church. More than a hundred years ago Moravian colonies were distributed in various parts of North Carolina, many of the members being emi- grants from Bethlehem and Nazareth in Pennsylvania. In a his- tory of these people, by Rev. Levin T. Reichel, published in 1857, under the heading, "New Congregations," the following is re- corded : «Previous to IS30, the 'western fever ' had spread among many of the settlers on the Wachovia tract. Hearing of the rich soil of the far west, and looking upon their own poor, worn-out fields and the innumerable gullies washed out by the rains, gradually overspreading the arable land, many desired to better their tem- poral condition, and forgetting for a while the higher wants of the soul, sold their plantations and bent their steps to the untrodden wilderness of the far west. Thus, especially the congregations of Hope and Friedland were considerably reduced in numbers. Among the wanderers was Br. Martin Hauser, a descendant of the first set- tlers of Bethania, hence often called Hausertown. After five weeks' toilsome journey he reached Bartholomew County, in Indiana, in . I829, and found there some of his former neighbors, who, settling near each other, naturally desired to hear the preaching of the Gospel again, now more valuable to them than formerly when within the sound of a church bell. After some correspondence with the
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.