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 52
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Provincial Helpers Conference at Salem, Br. Hauser was appointed to hold meetings for the settlers.
" In 1830, a tract of two hundred and forty acres was bought, and the town of Hope laid out. Br. L. D. de Schweinitz, then living at Bethlehem, visited the settlers in the same year, and on June 17, organized them into a Moravian Congregation." Familiar to those living in and about Hope are many of the names recorded in the history from which the above extract is taken as belonging to the first settlers in the North Carolina villages, a few of which are here given: At Bethania, founded in 1759, Balthaser IIege, Adam Kramer, Frederick Shore, Henry Shore, George Hauser, Michael Hauser and Martin Hauser, who was " born in 1696, in Mumpol- gard, Switzerland, came to North Carolina, in 1753, died in 1761, in Bethania"; at Salem, founded in 1766, George Holder, Michael Ziegler, Charles Holder; at Friedberg, founded in 1772, Adam Spach " from Pfaffenhofen, Alsace, who came to North Carolina, in 1754, and died in 18or, leaving nine children"; at Friedland founded in 17So, the Voglers and Romingers.
Martin Hauser, the zealous pioneer who founded Hope, was born in Salem, North Carolina, September 23, 1799; and in the fullness of years was called to the bosom of the Master, whom he had served long and well, October 25, 1875. From 1829 to 1847, he was the most prominent figure in the secular and religious affairs of Hope. In the year last named he emigrated to Edwards County, Ill., there laid out the town of West Salem, organized a Moravian Congregation and built several churches. In 1868, he returned to Hope, and there spent the remainder of his days.
In the summer of 1829, a Methodist society had been organized in the neighborhood, about one and a half miles northwest of Hope, which brought into existence the little town of St. Louis. A spirit of rivalry early developed between the two places, which culminated in a contest for the establishment of a postoffice, to be supplied from a mail route then existing between Columbus and Shelbyville, which resulted favorably to the latter settlement. Prior to this time the Moravian village, had een called Goshen, but because of the existence of another postoffice in the State by that name, it be- came necessary to otherwise designate the new office, and looking
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back to the villages of North Carolina, founded by their fore- fathers, the settlers here selected Hope, which name the town itself soon assumed; but this struggle for the postoffice did not occur till 1833, the first mail was received March 10, 1834, and for eleven years thereafter, Martin Hauser was the postmaster.
Tradition says that Henry Clayton cut down the first tree that fell before the pioneer's axe on the present site of the town, and that Martin Hauser, Thomas Essex and others laid out the town and erected the first log house in 1829 or 1830. In 1831, there were three cabins, all on the west side of the present public square, occupied by John Hager, the first merchant, John Bruskey, a shoe- maker, and John Leinback, a cooper.
The first business place was a small general store opened by John Hager in a little log house on the corner of what are now Main and Jackson streets, at present the site of Stipp & Son's drug store. One of the first buildings erected was a school house, for some time used as a place of worship by the Moravian Church. The interests of Mr. Hager were early purchased by Martin Hauser; and for a period the energetic young inan devoted a portion of his time to mercantile pursuits. For several years the thinly settled country demanded no greater conveniencies from the village than its postoffice, its small general store and a blacksmith shop, but as the country filled with settlers, the village naturall. grew. A sec- ond store was opened in 1836 by a Mr. Waterbury, who built a house for the purpose - that now occupied by Reed & Son, gro- cers. Several log houses had been raised in the village, but this was the first of the frame. houses, which soon became common. After four or five years of active trade, this merchant died; and in, the same house Henry Shirtin, a German, opened the next store. When he vacated the place it was occupied early in the 50's by by S. F. Eaton and William Ramsey, who afterward built the first brick house - that now occupied as a butcher shop by C. F. Neigh- bors. A harness maker, Keel by name, erected the next brick house, and as the town increased in size and importance, brick and stone became generally used. Samuel Spaugh, Lewis Spaugh and Levi Rominger came early, and in IS57 a partnership was formed, the firm name being Rominger & Spaugh, and a business house es-
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tablished which continues to the present day. Upon Mr. Spaugh's death, Mr. Rominger became sole proprietor and successfully con- ducted an ever increasing business until his sons, as worthy suc- cessors, became able to take his place and permit him to retire. · Where the large and handsome stone house of the Romingers now stands, the first public house in the village was kept. It was called " L. J. Rominger's tavern," and was one of the hospitable inns known only to early times. Provisions were cheap then and the landlord made money when keeping boarders at the low rate of $1.25 per week.
Surrounded by rich and inviting lands which attracted the at- tention of intelligent and industrious farmers, being the seat of an institution of learning early established, and the meeting-place of a devoted religious sect, the town became the objective point of a high class of immigrants from the older States, and its growth was rapid. Every business of which the community has stood in need has been represented, and at times there have been manufactur- ing industries of moderate size. In 1864, a woolen factory was established by Hiram Solomon and Solomon Ziegler, being the first enterprise of the kind. It was operated about five or six years, when unfortunately the building was destroyed by fire. In 1856 Samuel and Sandford Rominger built a flouring mill, the ownership of which afterward frequently changed, for the last four years being successfully operated by Simon Nading. Supplied with the latest improved machinery, its capacity is eighty barrels per day, and, though not constantly at work, consumes about 30,000 bushels of wheat per year. For twelve years past George W. Norman has operated a planing mill, which, doing only a local business, is extensive enough for the demands made upon it. Specht & Spaugh, contractors and builders, also own a planing mill which is principally engaged upon their own work. Miller, Reed & Norman are now operating a saw mill which was built about twelve years ago, since which time it has passed through several hands. A tile factory, started by Robert M. Rosencranz, and now owned by Miller & Rominger, is doing an extensive business. The making of carriages and light wagons has constituted a paying industry for several years; there are in the business now John Albright, Sher-
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man Neligh, and L. Albright. Of smaller industries there are two blacksmith shops, one wagon shop, four shoe shops and two har- +ness shops. Other present business interests are as follows: Dry goods, Rominger Bros .; groceries, Reed & Son, C. G. Michael, II. F. Rominger, W. L. Reitz, A. R. Blume; confectionery, George Hass; boots and shoes, Shields & Thompson; undertaking and furniture, George Carruthers, Spaugh & Norman; jewelry and watch making, J. T. Schaub, J. B. Miller; mcat markets, Sherman Bittrich, Adam Fox, Charles Neighbors; agricultural implements, Harker & Ray; hardware and stoves, G. D. Weinland, L. S. Fishel & Bro., B. Stapp; drugs, Stapp & Son, W. T. Newton, E. T. Porter; hotels, E. B. Fishel, L. I. Chapman; livery, Shirley & Shirley, L. Carmichael; saloons, E. Wochler, L. Spaugh.
A novel and important industry most successfully carried on here is that of poultry farming. The pioneers in the business were Fishel Bros., who are said to be the most extensive breeders of Langshan fowls in the United States. They began business in 1879 with a capital of one dollar, and now own, in addition to their costly fowls, yards containing three and one-half acres and thirteen buildings, one being 20x60 feet and two stories high. The excel- lence of their birds is attested by the fact that they have won prizes wherever exhibited, successfully competing at Indianapolis, Chicago, St. Louis, Atlanta, New Orleans, Dallas, Tex., Battle Creek, Mich., and elsewhere. Among their noted birds is a most perfect Langshan cock, valued at $200, and responding to the eu- phonious name, "Ching-Ching"; others are "He-No" and "Prin- cess," the pair being imported from England at a cost of $350. Connected with the yards is a kennel of handsome and valuable dogs, some of which are valued at from $500 to $1,000. These gentlemen devote their entire attention to fancy breeds, while the later firm of G. B. & M. B. Stapp, established in ISS6, make a specialty of early broilers for market, though their yards contain some fine Plymouth Rocks, Light Brahmas and Black Javas. On Javas, which have been shown at Indianapolis, St. Louis, New Or- leans and elsewhere, they have never been beaten in a contest for , prizes. Their yards contain five acres and numerous buildings, representing a capital of at least $700. Among their best fowls is an especially fine Plymouth Rock, "Sid," valued at $50.
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Plattling of the Town .- Hope was not surveyed and platted until November 17, 1836, when it was laid out by John Essex, Henry Clayton, and William Chilty, into thirty-seven lots and a public park, 330 feet square; the streets surrounding the park were sixty feet wide, elsewhere forty feet wide. The following addi- tions have been made: first, November 19, 1839, by Trustees of the Moravian Church, fifteen in-lots and six out-lots; second, May 15, 1844, by Trustees of Moravian Church, thirty-two lots; third, October 8, 1851, by Samuel Rominger, forty lots; fourth, April IS, 1856, by Samuel Rominger, forty lots; fifth, April 18, 1856, by William D. Cook, fifteen lots; sixth, by Robert Spaugh, sixty-nine lots; seventh, November 12, 1856, by Trustees of the Moravian Church, forty lots; eighth, December 8, 1856, by A. C. Remy, twenty-four lots; ninth and tenth, November 10, 1877, by Trustees of the Moravian Church, twenty-seven lots and sixteen lots, respect- ively; eleventh, October 4, 1883, by J. E. Robbins, Horace Scott and William H. Aikin, ninety-nine in-lots and twenty-seven out- lots.
Incorporation .- A public meeting was held January S, 1859, to discuss the propriety of incorporating the village, as a result of which an election was ordered to be held April 2, 1859, to ascer- tain the wish of the people, at which seventy-five votes were cast . in favor of incorporation and thirty-six votes against it. The town was soon thereafter incorporated by the lawful authorities. At the first election of officers, held June 25, 1859, the following were chosen: E. T. Porter, William Jacobson Jeremiah George, David Larimore, Philip Gombold, Trustees; A. Butner, Treasurer; J. A. Butner, Clerk; S. Jones, Marshal. The present officers are: C. G. Michael, John A. Miller, C. M. Handley, Trustees; T. J. Gates, Clerk; J. B. Miller, Treasurer; James A. Miller, Marshal. There have been no public buildings erected, except a small calaboose for confinement of petty offenders against the laws, now standing on the south end of the public square.
Financial Institutions .- Banking facilities were first afforded the business men by the incorporation of the Citizens' Bank, March 15, 1883, with James P. Kennedy, President; John E. Roberts, Vice President, and William Kennedy, Cashier, as its.
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officers, who continue to manage the affairs of the institution. Its capital stock is $25,000. Hope Building and Loan Association «was incorporated March 31, 1883, with a capital stock $50,000 divided into 250 shares of $200 each. Its first officers were: W. H. Aikin, President; John A. Miller, Vice President; II. Auf- derhide, Secretary, and Charles Neligh, Treasurer. The presi- dent and vice president remain the same, and the other officers now are: W. T. Newton, Secretary, and William Kennedy, Treasurer. The association is prosperous, and has done much to advance the welfare of the town.
Newspapers .- In the spring of 1868, W. H. Ougley, now of Louisville, Ky., commenced the publication of a six-column folio called The Watchman, which was neutral in politics and devoted to local interests entirely. The enterprise was unsuccessful, and after a trial of about twenty months, was abandoned, the proprietor mov- ing to Edinburgh. October 5, 1872, The Hope Enter prisc, simi- lar to The Watchman in size and the interests it intended to serve, was established by S. L. Hitchcock, who, after continuing its issue for about one year, sold his interests to Jacob Clouse & Sons. These gentlemen at once started The Chronicle, which in the course of another year was merged into The Independent by L. E. Clouse, from whom, March 4, ISSI, S. L. Hitchcock leased the property and continued the Independent till March 25th following, when the name was changed to The Philomathean, under which title it was continued until December of the same year, when Mr. Hitchcock, failing to receive the cordial support he expected, re- tired from the newspaper business permanently. The material still belongs to the elder Mr. Clouse, and is stored away, unused. The Hope Champion, a five-column quarto, independent in politics, and issued weekly, was established November 15, 1883, by Mc- Phecters & Bradbury, who continued its publication until April 16, 1885, when it passed into the hands of D. B. Baldwin, the present owner, who subsequently changed the name to the News Journal. Under the management of Mr. Baldwin, the paper has been en- larged, its business increased rapidly, and its circulation more than trebled.
Secret Socictics .- Hope Lodge No. 150, F. & A. M., was granted a dispensation, September IS, 1852, and chartered May
Muy Forton.
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26, 1853, with eight members and the following officers: H. B. Smawley, W. M .; S. F. Eaton, S. W .; J. B. Johnson, J. W .; J. Mormon, Secretary; T. Vaughn, Treasurer; A. C. Remy, S. D .; B. G. Severance, J. D .; N. Van Skike, Tyler. The present ofli- cers are: John A. Miller, W. M .; E. G. Reginnas, S. W .; J. R. Thompson, J. W .; Adam Fox, Treasurer; E. T. Porter, Secretary; William Vogler, S. D .; L. D. Reed, J. D .; T. M. Vinnedge and H. L. Miller, Stewards, and James A. Miller, Tyler. In 1859, a building belonging to the lodge in which its meetings were held, was totally destroyed by fire, the records only being saved. It now has a membership of fifty-three, and is very properous, occupy- ing, though not owning, a well furnished hall, about 60x22 feet. Of its charter members, the last living was Capt. S. F. Eaton, who died December 9, 1885. John H. Kluge is the oldest living mem- ber. E. T. Porter has held office in the lodge for twenty-five years.
Mizpah Lodge U. D., Eastern Star, H. A. M., was consti- tuted November 3, 1887, with the following officers: Mrs. Mary Hopkins, W. M .; J. W. Womack, W. P .; Miss Addie Reed, A. M .; Mrs. Kate M. Robertson, Secretary; Mrs. Sarah Blodes, Treasurer; Mrs. Mary J. Womack, C .; Mrs. Mary Pangburn, C .; A. R. Kluge, S .; Miss Alice Kluge, W. The lodge has now thirty-eight members.
Byron Lodge No. 108, K. of P., was instituted May 24, 1883, with sixteen members. The first officers were: E. A. Jones, C. C .; H. Aufderhide, V. C .; J. E. Shipman, P .; J. F. Burcham, M. of E .; G. D. Weinland, M. of F .; Frank Stapp, K. of R. & S .; E. E. White, M. at A .; J. C. Rominger, I. G .; H. McCalip, O. G. The present membership numbers about 50, it occupies a hall about 50x22 feet, and its available resources amount to $700. The present officers are: L. I. Chapman, P. C .; A. F. May, C. C .; J. E. Mc- Cartney, V. C .; William J. Porter, P .; G. D. Weinland, M. of E .; J. W. Bevis, M. of F .; J. C. Rominger, K. of R. & S .; L. Dillman, . M. at A .; S. W. Fitchpatrick, I. G .; H. F. Rominger, O. G.
Charles Porter Post No. 469, G. A. R., was organized July 22, 1886, with eighteen charter members and the following officers: John A. Miller, P. C .; F. D. Warner, S. V. C .; William Jelf, 1
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J. V. C .; Joseph Carter, Adjt .; John M. J.alten, Q. M .; C. S. Boynton, Surg .; William Hill, Chaplain; E. Stavley, O. of D .; +J. B. Miller, O. of G .; G. Miller, S. M .; J. Brannen, Q. M. S. The post was named in honor of Charles H. Porter, who enlisted from Hope in Company I, Thirty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in 1861, and at the organization of his company was made Third Ser- geant, and subsequently promoted to Second Lieutenant, and on May 1, 1864, to be Adjutant of his regiment. He was killed in action at Kenesaw Mountain, June 22, 1864. At present the post has twenty-five members, and its officers, in the order above named, are: John A. Miller, Enoch Stanley, David Everrowd, F. D. War- ner, J. B. Miller, John Aspy, Solomon Smith, Eli Hancock, John M. Collins, Henry Crisman, and Charles Bittrich.
IIorsc-thief Delective Associations .- In " The Circuit Rider" Edward Eggleston says: " It is a singular tribute to the value of a horse, that among barbarous or half-civilized peoples horse-steal- ing is accounted an offense more atrocious than homicide. In such a community, to steal a man's horse is the grandest of larcenies - is to rob him of the stepping stone to civilization." The magni- tude of the offense has been properly diminished to a just propor- tion with other offenses against the law, but only after the lapse of many years. Respecting the crime the Indiana Territorial Code provided as punishment for it, first conviction, the payment of the animal's value and costs with not less, than fifty nor more than two hundred stripes at the whipping post, and for the second convic- tion, death! The only other capital crimes were treason, murder, arson, and rape. The detection of guilt in crimes of this character was, in early times, deemed a matter in which every good citizen, whether or not a personal sufferer, ought to take an interest, and to which all possible assistance ought to be rendered. On January 29, 1844, a number of citizens of Haw Creek and adjoining town- ships, met in the town of Hope and after serious deliberation, adopted articles of association with rules and by-laws, by which all agreed, when any member should have a horse stolen, to share mutually all expense incurred in capturing and prosecuting the thief, and to aid and assist with personal service when called on. In 1852 the State Legislature passed an act authorizing the forma-
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tion of horse-thief-catching associations. At the present time there are two such associations at Ifope, their presidents being Daniel Gates and Edward Jones.
The census of ISSo shows the population of Hope to have been at that time, 830 .. It is now estimated to be between 1,000 and 1,200. The most important of recent events affecting the welfare of the town was the construction of the C., II. & G. Railroad, which reached here in the fall of ISS.1. It had been connected previously with the surrounding country, and neighboring towns and cities, by well-kept turnpikes which were very influential in ad- vancing the material interests of the town. The expectations - based on the construction of the railway -of the citizens, have not generally heen realized, but as yet those controlling capital have hardly learned how to use the new facilities placed at their com- mand, and efforts such as might profitably be made have not been put forth.
Elizabethtown .- This town on the Madison branch of the J., M. & I. R. R., situated in the southwest quarter of Section 13, Town- ship S, of Range 6 east, was laid out June II, 1845, by George W. Branham, into fifty lots, with streets forty feet wide, and named by him, in honor of Elizabeth, his wife. The following additions have been made: March 7, 1848, by G. W. Branham and John Snipes, thirty-four lots; August 7, 1866, by Oliver Judd, thirty-seven lots; March 24, 1871, and continued February 5, 1872, by Charles Dan- forth, forty-six lots. George W. Branham was a railroad con- tractor, who bought the land upon which Elizabethtown now stands, built the first house there, opened a general merchandise store and laid out the town. He was succeeded in business by Danville Branham. Edward Springer was early associated with the Bran- hams, and from that time to the present has been more prominently identified with the business interests of the town than any other individual. About 1847, George W. Branham and Mr. Springer built the first saw mill, and about 1852, Danville Branham and Mr. Springer built the first flouring mill, which was destroyed by fire, rebuilt by Augustus Vaught and now owned and operated by Voyles & Son. At present the other business interests are: Edward Springer & Son, Adams & Phillips, R. C. Newsom, and W. H.
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Buxton, general merchandise; Wills & Reynolds, drugs; Budden- bohm & Ludon, and James Orem, blacksmiths; Allison Elzea and Scott Elzea, wagonmakers; Mrs. A. Vaught, furniture and under- taking. Evidencing the enterprising spirit of the citizens is the fact that the only natural gas wells in the county, excepting those at Columbus, have been bored at this place. The first well, 998 feet deep, was sunk by the Elizabethtown Natural Gas and Oil Company, incorporated in 1887, with a capital stock of $1,500, J. C. Voyles, President; the work being done by R. Bussard & Co., a Pennsylvania firm. The flow of gas is not yet sufficient for prac- tical use. The second well is being bored by the Elizabethtown Union Gas Company, incorporated, E. Springer, President.
The town never aspired to being more than a good trading point for a limited but very prosperous farming community. From the first its growth has been gradual and constant with the devel- opment of the country. The population numbers about 550; there is a large church membership; intelligence, sobriety and morality are characteristics of the community.
Incorporation .- In February, 1871, a public meeting was held to discuss the propriety of incorporating the town, at which Dr. A. G. Boynton presided. The incorporation was effected soon thereafter. H. C. Branham was the first President of the Board of Trustees; I. E. Pearson was first Clerk. The present officers are: Ellison Elzea, President; Henry Buddenbohm and McClure Branham, Trustees; John Anderson, Clerk.
Secret Orders .- An account of the secret orders here will form no small part of the town's general history:
I. O. O. F .- Terrell Lodge No. 192, named in honor of W. HI. H. Terrell, who, as deputy, organized it June 22, 1857, met with serious reverses, and worked only three or four years, when discouraged by loss of all its property by fire and by a large de- crease in its members, due to the enlistment of its members in the United States Army, surrendered its charter. For about eleven years Odd Fellowship was at a standstill. The lodge was re- organized May 22, 1872, the charter members being: W. C. Adams, M. D. Long, Edward Springer, Augustus Vaught, Will- iam A. Parker, Washington Polen, Woods Herod and II. C. Bran-
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ham. The present officers are: Jacob Hughes, P. G .; Augustus Elzea, N. G .: W. C. Davis, V. G .; E. II. Wiggs, Warden; A. J. Hull, Recording Secretary: C. W. Criffen, Per. Secretary; C. L. Thomas, Conductor. There are now sixty-two members, and t! .: lodge is very prosperous. It owns a substantial two-story brick business building with a well furnished hall on the second floor, 90x24 feet, recently erected at a cost of about $3,500, and a frame busines house, 24×30. The lodge suffered a second severe loss by fire November 22, 1883, but was not seriously embarrassed thereby.
Elizabeth Lodge No. 163, Daughters of Rebecca, was chartered November 18, 1875, charter members being: Edward Springer, William C. Adams, Alonzo Butler, V. M. Carr, John Boston, Will- iam Anderson, HI. II. Trent, H. H. Adams, Mrs. Sarah Boston, Mrs. Lancy E. Springer, Mrs. Sarah Adams, Mrs. Louisa Carr, and Mrs. Mary J. Trent. The lodge . is unfortunate and for a time did not prosper. In July, 1887, it was re-organized and is now in a flourishing condition, with twenty-eight members. The present officers are : Mrs. Priscilla Elzea, N. G .; Mrs. Nannie Buxton, V. G. Mrs. Carrie Hull, Secretary; Mrs. Catherine Reapp, Treasurer; Mrs. Jane Elzea, Chaplain; Mrs. Sarah I. Burns, Recording Secretary.
F. & A. M .- A dispensation was granted July 21, 1865, to Elizabethtown Lodge No. 249, F. & A. M. The first meeting was held July 31, 1865, at which the following officers were chosen: Dr. A. G. Boynton, W. M .; Alexander R. Wilson, Sr. W .; W. T. Strickland, Jr. W .; William E. Herod, Sr. D .; Daniel Burns, Jr. D .; Moses A. Remy, Secretary ; John J. Phillips, Treasurer; John Stansbury, Tyler. The charter was granted May 31, 1866, in which the following officers were named: William T. Strickland, W. M .; Alexander Wilson, Sr. W., and William E. Herod, Jr. W. The lodge occupies a nicely furnished hall, 64x22, is out of debt and in a prosperous condition, with thirty-two members. It owns a full set of jewels of solid coin silver, of which it is justly proud. The present officers are : P. J. Sater, W. M .; C. E. Durland, Sr. W .; William Jackson, Jr. W .; Cader Gant, Treasurer; W. E. Springer, Secretary ; J. S. Huffman, Sr. D .; B. Burns, Jr. D .; J. H. Bradford, Tyler.
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