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 53
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BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY.
K. of P .- Model Lodge No. 126, K. of P'., was organized Au- gust 13, 1885, through the instrumenta ity of Peter E. Wills, under the direction of W. L. Heiskell, Special D. D. G. C., with the fol- lowing officers and additional members: P. E. Wills, P. C., on card from Rolla Lodge No. 17: W. E. Springer, C. C .; P. J. Sater, V. C .; II. Stephenson, P .; A. L. Bateman, K. of R. & S .; A. W. Dean, M. of E .; H. H. Trent, M. of F .; M. Branham, M. at A .; L. Connor, 1. G .; O. Hammond, O. G .; J. Stephenson, . I. Bonner, J. M. Manley, J. B. Hull, J. Huffman and D. Walker. The roster now contains forty names with future prospects bright. The lodge occupies a spacious and elegant hall in the handsome brick business building belonging to P. E. Wills. The present offi- cers are: enry Stephenson, P. C .; W. E. Springer, C. C .; Jona- than Carter, V. C .; Jefferson Huffman, P .; P. E. Wills M. of E .; Lewis Conner, M. of F .; A. W. Dean, K. of R. &S .: Harvey Crittenden, M. at A .; A. R. Hatt, I. G .; Charles Redding, O. G.
G. A. R .- James Moffett Post No. 223, was organized August 12, 1883, with thirty charter members. John Anderson was the first Post Commander, followed by D. A. Thompson, K. D. Haw- ley, and Jefferson Huffman, the present Commander. The post has constantly grown in strength since its organization, there being now seventy-four members. Fort Donaldson Camp No. 66, Sons of Veterans, was first mustered in July, 1887, and organized Novem- ber 28, 1887, with twenty-three charter members, under Capt. Walter I. Trent, now commanding thirty-eight members.
I. O. G. T .- A lodge of Good Templars existed here as early as 1857; and twice since that time organizations, now extinct, have existed. Eclipse Lodge No. 61, was organized February 9, 1886, with fifty-three charter members, through the instrumentality of Mr. William Adams. The first officers were: Mrs. M. M. Bie- ber, W. C. T .; Miss Ida Newsom, V. T .; E. J. Newsom, Secre- tary. It now has about forty members, the officers being: Miss Ida Newsom, W. C. T .; Mrs. Lizzie Adams, V. T .; Robert B. Anderson, Secretary. Clear Water Temple No. 29, Juvenile Templars, was organized August 11, 1886, with about twenty charter members. This noble band has grown rapidly, ninety-two members now adorning their lives with the practice of its good
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principles. The present officers are: Robert B. Anderson, C. T .; Miss May Wills, V. T .: Miss Dollie Erwood, Secretary.
The ! in has a well conducted school, Methodist, Episcopal and Christian churches, each with large congregations. These are elsewhere mentioned in detail.
Hartsville .- This town was perhaps named in honor of the father of Gideon B. Hart, remembered as a noble leader among " pioneers, but this is not certain. Some say it was named for John Everhart, an early land owner and merchant, but this idea is not countenanced by those best informed. The venerable Eldridge Hopkins, who is the only one left of the pioneers who helped to raise the first log cabin on the present site of the town, says it stood where the Philipy House now stands. The records show that June 15, 1832, Andrew Calloway laid out the town into fifty- six lots, with a public park 296 feet square. The following addi- tions have been made: July 27, 1832, by A. Calloway, 30 lots; September 24, 1860, by the Board of Trustees of Hartsville Uni- versity, 51 lots and a campus 560x1312 feet; June 15, 1866, by William Fix and Shelby Fullen, 30 lots and a block for the use of the district school; June 23, 1866, by Lewis Mobley and Thomas Apple, 16 lots. John Everhart and Jacob Rhodes came on foot through the woods on the day the first cabin was being raised, and the following fall a stock of general merchandise was put into this house and a store opened by John Everhart and M. M. Hook. For a time the place was very rough, socially as well as otherwise; these three men, Hook, Everhart and Rhodes, who were brothers- in-law, were the most prominent citizens and encouraged morality. They owned all the land about the present site of the town and started it for the convenience of a postoffice and the benefits of trade. Jacob Rhodes raised a cabin on the north side of the public square and about two years after his coming kept a little store in the first cabin, already vacated by Everhart & Hook. Shortly afterward Dunn and Painter opened a store in a house erected a little south of the first cabin, and were succeeded by Judge Joseph . Hliner. The next who sold goods was Elijah Brady, who occu- pied a house standing on the lot where Dr. W. H. Beck now lives.
After Brady, came John R. Morledge, who commenced early
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BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY.
in the 40's, and before many years elapsed James Bredy and John E. Galloway formed a partnership and went into business. They were the most extensive merchants of early days at this point, sup- plying a very large territory and doing a considerable business an- nually. Through the instrumentality of John R. Morledge and others, the frame building now standing in the public square was erected and offered to the United Brethren Church, on condi- tions that an institution of learning should be established and main- tained in the village. The terms were accepted and the history of the school which forms so great a part of the town's history, is elsewhere given. Because of the educational facilities offered, and the enterprising spirit of such men as Morledge, the town rapidly grew. At present the following exhibits its business interests : John C. Smith, general merchandise; T. C. Clapp, and J. B. Clapp, grocers; Gabriel Philipy, grocer and hotel; J. T. Wright, restaur- ant; A. F. Garriott, Bradey & Lisk, drugs; M. A. Galbreath, mil- liner and postmaster; Miss Lois K. Graham, milliner; John Wertz & Co., E. Pittman, furniture; B. F. Robinson, meat market; O. Williams, livery. There are also two blacksmiths, one wagon- maker, two shoemakers and a harnessmaker.
·Between forty and fifty years ago a carding machine, operated by a treadmill, was conducted by Silas Forbes. It continued till about 1867, when Mr. Forbes died and the business went down. About the same time Andrew Green had a tan yard here, and Louden Williams a still house and " corn-cracker" near the town, but both were early abandoned. In recent years a grist mill was built by Long & Miller and operated till it burned in 1884. For several years a planing mill owned by Scudder, Lawrence & Phil- lips, and a saw mill owned by Rominger & Rogers, have been c- cessfully operated.
Incorporation .- In the summer of 1867, the village was incor- porated. The first election held September 28, of that year, re- sulted in the choice of the following officers: William Fix, O. L. Moulder, Hardy Wray, Elias Clapp, and Noah Elrod, Trustees; N. B. Hamilton, Clerk; James F. Hiner, Treasurer; G. Philipy, Marshal. The present officers are: A. B. Clapp, David Clark and
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Thomas Rominger, Trustees; Andrew Carter, Marshal; A. F. Garriott, Clerk and Treasurer.
Newspapers .- As early as 1846, Samuel Kridlebangh, at one time well known in Columbus journalism, commenced the publica- tion of an almanac and small paper devoted to local interests en- tirely, but the enterprise was soon abandoned. In 1854, L. N. Countryman, then a student and teacher in the University, bought a new press and printing outfit, and undertook the publication of a magazine - "a monthly, literary, scientific and religious journal," called The Western Literary Fezel, the first number of which was issued in November of the year named. It was made up princi- pally of essays on various topics, prominent among them being those of slavery and intemperance. After the second issue the en- terprise failed and the material was subsequently sold to Columbus Stebbins, who was then publishing the Independent, at Columbus. In the latter part of the 70's, a small paper was published for about a year by John Hobson. It purported to be a religious organ, and was devoted chiefly to anti-secrecy.
Scoret Orders .- Hartsville Lodge No. 547, F. & A. M., was chartered May 22, 1877. Its first officers were: John A. Miller, W. M .; W. M. Robinson, S. W .; W. J. Herron, J. W .; John M. Tobias, Treasurer; N. D. Long, Secretary; Alex M. Stewart, Jr. D .; Jacob Miller, Sr. D .; B. Davis, Tyler. The lodge now has a mem- bership of about forty, and meets in Hamilton Hall, owning no property. The present officers are : T. F. McCallie, W. M .; A. N. Graham, S. W .; James L. Tomson, J. W .; John Rogers, Treasurer; F. J. Beck, Secretary; J. H. Miller, S. D .; P. Gilliland, J. D .: Andrew Carter, Tyler. Hartsville Lodge No. 152, K. of P., was instituted January 21, 1887, with twenty-two charter members. The first officers were: James A. Pumphrey, P. C .; George W. Sisk, C. C .; C. E. Galloway, V. C .; A. N. Philipy, P .; D. C. Smith, M. of Ex .; F. I. Galbreath, M. of F .; A. Wertz, K. of R. & S .; George B. Hiner, M. at A .; J. B. Philipy, I. G., and T. Mobiey, O. G. There are now fifty-two members, the lodge is prosperous, and meets in the public hall. The present officers are: C. E. Galloway, P. C .; A. Wertz, C. C .; J. T. Wright, V. C .; C. B. Utter, P .; G. W. Sisk,
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M. of Ex .; E. Whalen, M. of F .; B. F. Robertson, K. of R. & S .; Felix Williams, I. G .; A. Barnes, O. G.
Hartsville Assembly No. 9,285, K. of L., was chartered Janu- ary 12, 1887, with twenty-three members, and the following offi- cers: F. J. Beck, M. W .; C. C. Clapp, W. F .; T. A. Russell, Recording Secretary; C. J. Utter, Financial Secretary; B. Clapp, Treasurer; W. E. Anderson, S .; T. W. Rominger, V. S .; S. A. Bottorff, U. K .; E. E. Clapp, W. I .; G. P. Ritner, O. E .; J. F. I uilipy, J. E .; J. W. Parkinson, A. In the order above named the present officers are: F. J. Beck, S. A. Bottorff, O. J. Mobley, C. J. Utter, B. Clapp, G. N. Ritner, T. W. Rominger, C. C. Clapp, C. B. Beck, W. E. Anderson, B. Flora, and J. W. Parkinson. There are now fifty-three members.
James T. Chittenden Post No. 473, G. A. R., was chartered August 10, 1886, with a membership of nineteen, which has now grown to fifty-nine. Its first officers were: V. N. Carr, P. C .; J. L. Crisler, S. V. C .; J. Huffer, J. V. C .; A. O. Merrick, Adjutant; B. F. Robertson, O. of D .; H. H. Crist, Q. M .; T. W. Rominger, O. of G .; M. Redd, Q. M. Sergeant; A. Carter, Sergeant Major. The present officers are: J. L. Crisler, P. C .; J. Huffer, S. V. C .; T. C. Clapp, J. V. C .; L. J. Scudder, Adjutant; A. N. Graham, P. of D .; Andrew Carter, Sergeant Major; B. F. Robertson, Q. M. Sergeant.
About fifteen years ago, a Workingmen's League with a small membership was sustained for about one year, and a short time later a lodge of I. O. G. T., of fair size, was organized and worked for a brief period.
Clifford .- On Flat Rock, in early days, Jacob Corman, a progres- sive pioneer, built a grist mill and woolen factory, making cloth and blankets and employing a number of laborers. A village formed above the mill grew until it had a population of about 100, and supported two stores, conducted by Mr. Corman and Thomas Bass. The completion of the railroad changed the condition of af- fairs. September 2, 1853, Isaac P. Watson and Thomas Markland laid out the town of Clifford into thirty-three lots, with streets fifty feet wide, locating it on the railroad in the northwest quarter of Sec- tion 28, Town 10, Range 6 east, to which an addition of thirteen
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lots was made April 15, 1856, by Martin and Samuel Quick; the latter had previously, June 1, 1855, added fifteen lots to the town, and later, August 7, 1864, added six lots.
Mr. Watson built a business house near the railroad track and opened a general store; the building is now occupied by T. M. Newton. Very soon thereafter Dr. W. H. Dye and Martin Quick opened another store and commenced a competition for the business of the country. Mr. Watson continued merchandising about one or two years, and sold his interests to Edward Stoughton. A post- office had been established at the cross roads about one-fourth of a mile west of Clifford, in early days, when the mail was carried through on horseback about once a week, which was presided over by I. P. Watson. But Clifford so prospered that the office at the cross roads was abolished and one was established in 1855 at the new town, with S. S. Quick as postmaster. Mr. Quick built a house and stocked it with a small assortment of goods, but did not continue in business. The mill at Cormantown was destroyed by fire and Mr. Corman moved his store into the building erected by Mr. Quick. Gradually the villagers forsaking Cormantown, moved to the more prosperous Clifford, whose growth was continued as an agricultural town with the rapid settlement of the country. Throughout the history of the place its most prominent business men have been: Dye & Quick, Boyd & Linke, M. D. Lee & Co., Thomas Newton, and Linke & Norton, the two last-named houses being now the only general stores. Henry Foust, grocer; W. H. Butler, photographer; Hill & Newton, proprietors of a saw mill, are also at present in business here. A blacksmith, a shoemaker, wagonmaker, etc., may be found. Jonathan Bard, the . wagon- maker, is the oldest resident of the place. Dr. C. H. Butler is probably the next oldest; for many years he has enjoyed the con- fidence of the people and a lucrative practice.
The village was incorporated in April, IS83, the first officers being: J. W. Thayer, J. D. McQueen and Simeon Cox, Trustees; W. H. Butler, Clerk and Treasurer; E. B. Kennedy, Marshal. Mr. Butler, an efficient and popular officer, still holds the office of Clerk and Treasurer. The other officers are: John Haworth, Marshal; E. K. Pond, W. L. Linker and C. HI. Butler, Trustees;
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Thomas Newton, postmaster. The population of the town is over 200.
" Camon Lodge No. 343, F. & A. M., was instituted May 29, 1867, with seven charter members. The first officers were: Josiah Fults, W. M .; R. H. Roope, S. W .; C. II. Butler, J. W .; J. D. McQueen, S. D .: A. P. Bone, J. D .; J. Norton, Secretary; J. S. Carter, Treasurer. The lodge now has eighteen members, is part owner of a frame building 24x36, in the upper story of which its meetings are held, and is prosperous. The officers now are: C. II. Butler, W. M .; J. D. McQueen, S. W .; J. Trembly, J. W .; J. Hitch, S. D .; W. Wilson, J. D .; W. L. Klipsch, Secretary; J. Newton, Treasurer.
From about 1868 to 1872 a strong lodge of I. O. G. T. existed here; the leading spirit in its work was Dr. S. T. Quick.
Taylorsville .- This town was brought into existence by the bui' ing of the J., M. & I. Railroad, on which it is situated, in the northwest quarter of Section 23, Township 10, of Range 5 east. The pioneer, Samuel H. Steinberger, built the first business house on the present site, a two story frame near the railroad: and erected a number of dwellings and a grain warehouse. Ile became the principal merchant and grain buyer in this section. In its early days considerable shipping of corn and live stock was done here. The place was first called Herod, in honor of the distinguished citizen whose name was so closely interwoven into the county's carly history; but when a postoffice was established and the naming of it was under discussion, it was found that when the town grew to be a city whose fan. · extended beyond the limits reached by that of the lawyer and statesman, the outside world might think its founders had been desirous of doing honor to Herod of old, who murdered the innocents, and, as a result, at the suggestion of Judge William S. Jones, the memory of the heroic Zachary Tay- lor was perpetuated in the name. The town was platted October II, 1849, by S. HI Steinberger, Richard M. Cox and John Wallace, Jr. The streets were 50 and 100 feet wide; there were thirty- seven lots. The following additions and changes have been made : August 20, 1850, by J. Wallace, Jr., nine lots; June 16, IS51, by S. H. Steinberger, twenty lots; November 5, 1851, by William
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Mewhirter, thirty lots; November 10, 1851, by Joseph Struble, eighteen lots; June 16, 1852, by R. M. J. Cox and J. Wallace, Jr., twenty-two lots; September 4, 1852, by William Me hirter, seven lots; April 9, 1855, by Jesse Ruddick, Jr., fory-one lots; May 21, 1886, by Philip Rhoads, lots from 9 to 22, in Mewhirter's first addition, and lots from r to 7, in Mewhirter's second addition, consolidated into one block.
Through its early history Samuel Steinberger, its founder, con- tinued to be the leading spirit in all public matters, and through his efforts chiefly the growth of the town was effected. For twenty - five years, at least, he was the agent for the railroad company and continued to transact business here until about four years ago, when he moved to Kansas, where he died June 4, 1887. Among other early merchants were: R. M. J. Cox, N. Humphrey & Bro., and A. French. At present the business interests are as follows: Tilmon Fulp, general merchandise; J. W. Green, drugs and grocer- ies; B. McEvenue, saloon. E. Bolinger, the postmaster, also carries a small stock of groceries. There are no manufacturing industries. For many years there was a saw and grist mill here, owned by S. II. Steinberger, which was blown to atoms by an explosion of its boiler about 1873 or r$74. For some time before and during the Civil War period, D id Bevis conducted a cooper shop here, and employed a number of men, but nothing of importance has been done in this line for over twenty years. About twelve years as> Taylorsville was incorporated, but its government as an incorpor- ated village continued only a few years. Its population is now about 300.
August ro, 1854, Taylorsville Lodge, I. O. O. F., was estab- lished here. Among the charter members were: S. H. Steinber- ger, W. B. Oard, N. S. Jones, Robert Chase, S. R. Quick and T. G. Quick. The lodge prospered, having at one time about eighty members, but by removals from the locality of some of its prominent members, it was weakened, and by the neglect of those remaining, it was allowed to go out of existence about 186S. The leaders in this lodge were instrumental in establishing in ibout IS55, a lodge of F. & A. M. Both orders used the same hani, and during their continuance had the same prominent members, though its
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members probably never exceeded fifty. Internal dissensions caused its abandonment, about 1868. Before either of these lodges were chartered, the I. O. G. T. had a strong organization here, probably over 100 members, and continued its work about five years. No attempts to revive any of these lodges have been made.
Jonesville .- About 1850, N. T. Parker opened the first store on the present site of this town. At that time there existed in the community an organization of the Sons of Temperance to whom Parker advanced money for the building of a two story house, the upper portion to be used as a lodge room and the lower portion for business purposes. About this store as a nucleus a few houses be- gan to cluster, and thus originated the town which was named in honor of Benjamin Jones, who, March 10, 1851, laid it out in twenty- four lots with streets sixty feet wide. It is located on the J., M. & I. Railroad, in the west half of the southwest Section S, Township 7 north, Range 6 east. September 28, 1852, the original proprietor laid out an addition to the town containing forty-eight lots, a church lot and a cemetery. A second addition of twenty-four lots was made by William E. Rogers, June 20, 1854. Shortly after the building of Parker's house, Smith Jones opened the second store. The town is surrounded by a fine farming country, and has been a very lively shipping point. Its mercantile interests have at times been quite extensive. Its early growth was rapid, but its nearness to Coluni- bus precludes the thought that it may ever be more than the supply depot for a limited agricultural community. Several saw mills have from time to time been successfully operated here; and it has always been well supplied with blacksmith and wagon shops and such other conveniences as are usually found in a village of its size. Some time during the Civil War, G. W. Hayse erected a flour mill here which was subsequently destroyed by fire; a second mill was built, but soon fell a victim to the same consuming ele- ment; a third took its place and flourished for a period of ten years or more, but at length, with a sort of fatality, it too, was burned to the ground. The three mills occupied the same site, but were owned at various times by many different proprietors. Since the destruction of the third mill efforts to re-build have not been made. The present business interests are general stores
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owned by Gossett Bros. and Eli Marquett; grocery, by William Bess; drugs, by II. O. Mennett; grain warehouse, by Griffith & Marquelt.
Early in the history of the town a postoffice was established; the first postmaster was J. D. Stewart. About 1865 the town was incorporated and has since that time be i governed by the laws applicable to the government of incorporated villages. Its popula- tion is about 300.
The only secret order represented is the Masonic. Bayles Lodge No. 216, F. & A. M., was chartered in 1858. The first officers were: John Bell, W. M .; Joseph Wilson, S. W .; R. M. Kelley, J. W. Other members were Edward Oyler, Henry Smith, A. F. Thompson, Martin Keller, Robert Little, Silas Thompson and James Thompson. This lodge was established at Waynes- ville and was subsequently moved to Jonesville, its first meeting at the latter place being held April 12, 1862. It now owns and uses as a lodge room the first house built in the town. Its building and fixtures are valued at about $350. Its membership numbers seven- teen.
Azalia .- The founders of this town were pious people, devoted ) the advancement of religion and morality, naming the village for flower and hoping it might ever be pure and undefiled, and thus a worthy namesake. On the original town plat are these lines, proof enough, perhaps, of the founders' desires:
Arise! Azalia arise!
May thy walks be unknown to the sluggard, the gambler and the drunken sot.
The town was laid out by Joel Newsom, April 1, IS31, in the east half of the southwest Section 34, Township 8, Range 6 east, into sixty-four lots, with a public square, 264x264 feet, and with streets fifty-five feet wide; but it was again platted and enlarged by the same proprietor, July 7, 18.18.
John C. Hubbard probably conducted the first general store ; other early merchants were : Benjamin Ellis, David Newsom, S. W. Kelley, Hugh Kelley, Thomas C. Parker, Kelley & McHenry, Washing- ton Polen, David Deitz, W. G. Prather and Grafton Johnson. In 1859, Little & Newsom opened a general store, ever since which
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time Mr. Joel Newsom has continued in business here, though hav- ing other interests elsewhere. Mr. Newsom has been postmaster of the village since 1859, his length of service being probably ex- ceeded by that of no other postmaster in the State.
The present business interests are : Joel Newsom & Son, gen- eral store; William Tuttle, saw mill, which has been in operation about five years; Benjamin Fodrea, blacksmith, and C. II. Over- man, wagonmaker. The town is surrounded by rich lands owned by progressive and intelligent farmers; from the beginning it has had only an agricultural support, though at times manufacturing industries on a small scale have been inaugurated. There were some early saw mills, and from about 1830, to about IS60, a woolen mill was successfully operated, owned for a long time by Joseph Newby, and finally by Parker & Pecl. It was simply a carding machine, making rolls and yarn, but no cloth, and perhaps repre- sented a capital of not more than $1,000. The chief industry in early days was hog fattening, corn of fine quality being plentiful. There has not been a salóon in the place for forty years, and conse- quently little need of organized effort in temperance work. How- ever, about thirty years ago a strong lodge of I. O. G. T. was formed and continued its work for three or four years, when it went out of existence. No other lodges have been established here. There are now about 125 residents in the village. It has always been the stronghold of the Quaker settlement, and its leading citi- zens have been those of the sect who came as pioneers, and their descendants.
In 1839 or 1840, the cultivation of the silk worm was advocated in various parts of the county as a profitable industry; the plan probably had its chief support among the people in and about Azalia. The preparations made were not extensive; a number of mulberry trees were planted by individuals, but the only worms im- ported were probably by Dr. Handy T. Davis, who was enthusi- astic on the subject, and had been made president of a company that proposed to engage in the enterprise. The project was soon abandoned.
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