USA > Indiana > Carroll County > History of Carroll County, Indiana : With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 40
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The scare, however, soon passed. leaving few vestiges of more striking import than the foregoing.
Delphi continued under the regulations prescribed by its old charter until the 11th of March, 1854, when that primitive in- strument was surrendered, and became incorporated anew, under the "Act for the incorporation of towns, defining their powers,". etc., approved Inne 11, 1852. Pursuant to the provisions of Section 12 of that act. an election was held in the several wars. :: on the first Monday, being the Ist day of May. 1854, the follow .... ing officers were chosen: George Robertson. Enoch Rinehart. Washington L. Black. Nicholas Smith and James H. Stewart, as Councilmen: John D. Simpson. Clerk and Treasurer: Henry M. Graham. Marshal and Assessor. .;
At the second election held. under the new charter, May 7 .. . 1855. the. following officers were elected: Enoch Rinehart, An,, drew H. Evans, James H. . Dunlap and . William McCain, for . Councilmen: Henry M. Graham, Marshal and Assessor; Erastus WV. Hubbard, Clerk and Treasurer. In 1857, there was another ; modification in the law governing the incorporation of towns. At : an: election held pursuant. to the provisions of that :law. . on the : first Monday in May of that year, the :result , was as follows :. Enoch Rinehart. Jesse R. Henry. James P .. Dugan, and Abner H. Bowen were elected Trustees; Daniel L, Richard, Marshal and Assessor: Artemas Merritt, Clerk. The second election so held was on the 3d. day of May; 1858, with the following result: Abner H. Bowen. Enoch Rinehart, James P. Dugan. George Rob- ertson and Jesse R. Henry were chosen Trustees, Nathaniel M. Crawford. Marshal and Assessor: Nathaniel Black, Clerk and Treasurer; John S. Case, Bernard F. Schermerhorn and A. Mer- ritt: School Trustees.
Delphi was incorporated as a city in 1866. under the general charter for the incorporation and government of, citios then in
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DEER CREEK TOWNSHIP.
force, and, from time to time thenceforward until the present, it has maintained its corporate existence as such, accepting the modifications and renewals of charters as prescribed by the Leg- islature. From that period until a comparatively recent date, the official representatives, by name and in their proper order, are the Third Ward. Erastus W. Hubbard. not now obtainable, the records having been lost or destroyed.
For the year 1881, the officers elected were as follows: Mayor, Edward Walker; Clerk, S. T. Noland; Treasurer, Samuel Hei. land; Marshal, James Steele; Councilmen, from the First Ward, M. Hangh ; from the Second Ward, John Lathrope; and from
RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS.
CHAPTER I
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
THE PIONEER CHURCH-ITINERATING AND ITS RESULTS-THE IN- TRODUCTION OF METHODISM IN CARROLL COUNTY-ORGANIZA- TION OF THE FIRST CHURCH AND ITS MEMBERSHIP-ITS SUBSE- QUENT PROGRESS-MEETINGS IN THE LOG SCHOOLHOUSE-LOT DONATED FOR A CHURCH EDIFICE-FIRST CHURCH HOUSE-RE- VIEW OF TITE WORK ACCOMPLISHED-THE LABORERS, ETC.
Christian church to do pioneer work, since it has usually | Angell, widow of Benjamin D. Angell, deceased; and Rebecca
TT appears to have been the province of this branch of the been found to be the first to introduce itself into and exert a vi- talizing influence among the pioneer settlers everywhere, espe- cially in the Great West. If we scan closely the history of prim- itive settlements in this country, it will be found, as a rule, that laborers in the home missionary department of this church have been of the first, at least, to proclaim the Gospel tidings in the homes of those who, for the time. by reason of their isolation from civilized society, had been deprived of the benefit of such spiritual ministrations. In the early settlements made along the margin of Deer Creek in the valley of the Wabash. the expe- riences have not been dissimilar. The principal carly settle- ments in Carroll County were made during the year 1825, and a considerable portion of those settlers had been nurtured in the doctrines and faith of the Methodist Church, or were especially friendly to its teachings. Hence it is no more than just to say that, notwithstanding the Presbyterian Church had the first rep- resentatives in the settlement, the Methodists, by the peenliar adaptedness of their methods in disseminating the doctrines of their church among the people, were naturally expected to take precedence in organizing its members into classes preparatory to the ultimate purpose of forming a society or church. That such were the facts touching the religious experiences here there is, perhaps, little question.
From the best information at hand, it is safe to state that, as early as the fall and winter of 1825-26 certainly not beyond the spring and summer of the latter year -- the adherents to the faith and practice of this church in Carroll County were visited and their spiritual wants administered unto by the Rev. Hacka- liah Vredenburgh, an itinerating minister, who, about that pe- riod, traversed, it is said, all of the settlements along the Wabash from its mouth upward to this territory, and beyond, by his presence and example instilling new life into the dormant ener- gies of the scattered members of his church. Soon after the "Crawfordsville Mission " had been established, ministers were sent out among the new settlements to seek ont and collect into classes all in those localities holding relationship to the church,
for the purpose. at stated periods, of delivering unto them the messages of peace, and of eventually establishing churches in their midst. Henry P. Buell, one of those early missionaries thus sent out, came and preached in the settlement, and, having interested a sufficient number in the work to justify an organiza. tion, in the month of November, 1826, he organized a society com- posed of the following members: John Carey and Ruth Carey, his wife: Sarah Odell, Sr .; John Odell and Sarah Odell, his wife; Thomas Stirlen and Frances Stirlen, his wife; Elizabeth Bishop. To this society Mr. Buell preached at stated times, about once in four weeks, during the succeeding two years. In 1828, he was succeeded by Rev. Stephen R. Beggs, acting under the appointment of the Crawfordsville Mission, like his prede- cessor. The following year, a circuit was formed embracing Carroll County, to which Eli P. Farmer was appointed. Hav ing traveled the circuit for one year, Mr. Farmer was snecoeded by Rev. Vredenburgh, of whom mention has already been made as probably the first "itinerant " in this vicinity. He supplied this society throughout the year- 1930. 1831 and 1832 very ac- ceptably, and subsequently, it is said, became a resident citizen of this county. He built a cabin on Sugar Creek in which to live, but did not remain long, but moved to another field of labor. resmning ministerial work, which he had temporarily suspended. His life-work was in the vineyard of his Master, and he contin ned in the service until, by age and physical infirmity, he was compelled to desist, when, soon after, he passed to his reward.
The Upper Wabash Mission, as laid off by the annual confer- ence in 1832, extended from Wild Cat Creek up the Wabash River to the month of the Salamonie; north to the Pottawatomie Mills
now Rochester - embracing in its circuit ull the intervening settlements. To this mission Rev. Samuel C. Cooper was as- signed, and, on the 22d of December of that year. the first quar- terly conference was held, at the Gillam Meeting-House, in this county, at which there were present: Sainnel C. Cooper, Mis- sionary; Thomas Gillam, Elder; Thomas Stirlen and Thomas Stoops, Leaders. Jnmes Armstrong, Superintendent of the Mis- sionary District, was not present. At this conference, in answer to the question, "What has been collected for the support of the missionary?" John Odell's class reported $3, and Mr. Gillam's class, $2.623, making a total of $5.622 for that purpose. Five Stewards were appointed at the same time, consisting of William M. Reyburn, of Miamisport [Peru], Henry Stnir, Thomas Stirlen, Thomas Gillam and John Rohrabaugh. Thomas Stirlen was also elected Recording Steward. Mr. Cooper, the missionary, was a man of great energy and of untiring industry, and he con-
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
tinued his work in this field until the last quarterly meeting, which was a camp-meeting, held at John: Odell's camp-ground, on the 7th of September, 1833 .. The number of official members in the mission . was stated, to bo seventeen: of whom ten were present.
In the fall of 1833, the Upper Wabash Mission was subdivid- ed by setting off the settlements in Carroll and a portion of those in Tippecanoe County as a separate circuit, which was named the Carroll Cirenit. In this jurisdiction, Rev. Enoch Wood was ap- pointed circuit preacher, and James Armstrong, Presiding Elder. The first quarterly conference in the new circuit thus forned was held on the 7th of December, 1833, at Gillam's Meeting- House. The second of these conference meetings held in the circuit was on the 15th of February, 1834, at John Odell's Schoolhouse. At this meeting, Thomas Stirlen submitted for the consideration and action of the conference the following reso- Intions:
Resolved, That this conference resolve itself into a Temperance So- : for the purpose of liquidating the debt against the Trustees of
ciety, on the principle of total abstinence.
Resolved, That we will not buy, sell or use ardent spirits, except in case of real necessity.
Resolved, That we will use our best endeavors to prevent the use of ardent spirits in our families and neighborhoods.
All the members who voted on that occasion Enoch Wood, R. H. Hanna, Thomas Gillam, John Briggs, Benjamin Under- wood, John 'Carey, John W. Gillam, Charles Smith, Thomas Stirlen and Henry Stair - cast their votes in favor of the resolu- tions, and they were declared passed. At the next meeting of the conference, these resolutions were placed in the hands of the preacher in charge, with the request that he use his best ondeav- ors to have them adopted in each of the classes composing bis circuit. They were accordingly submitted, but met with some opposition, chiefly on the ground that, by voting in favor of the resolutions, the opposers would sign away their individual liberty, and their right to act withont restraint would be greatly impaired. The temperance element prevailed, however, and the sentiments have ever since found recognition in the regulations of the church in this connty.
The next year, Rev. Enoch Wood was succeeded in this field by . Rev. Thomas Bartlett, and J. L. Thompson was made Presid- ing Elder. In 1835, Mr. Bartlett was succeeded by Rev. Eli Rogers as circuit preacher, the Presiding Elder continuing with- ont change.
At the annual conference in 1836, the name of the circuit was changed from Carroll to Delphi, and Jared B. Mirshon appointed preacher in charge, no change being made in the Presiding El- der. Mr. Mirshon was re-appointed in 1837, and Rov. Allen Wiley made Presiding Elder. In consequence of the sickness of Mr. Mirshon during the three last quarters of his year, the place was supplied by Rev. William Campbell. During the course of this year, the first steps were taken toward the building of a house of worship in Delphi. A committee was appointed, with instruc- tions to secure a lot upon which to erect the contemplated build-' ing. In due time, the committee reported that a lot had been secured for the purpose, subject to the conditions "that the Methodist Episcopal Church shall build a house of worship in Delphi within eighteen months from date " which was accepted by the conference. Pursuant to that arrangement, the lot, was secured, a contract made with William Hughes, and a part of the Inmber was delivered on the ground, when all the subscription and. other papers connected with the construction of the building were burned with Mr. Brandon's house. Subsequently, the con-
tract with William Hughes was canceled, when James Marsh and Thomas Smith undertook the job of building and inclosing the strneture. The efforts of the society were greatly retarded by the loss of the papers and subscriptions, but, moving with all the facility at. command, earnestly and trustfully, the house was finally so far completed as to be tenable, in the year 1840, the Baptist friends, in the meantime, having given them the use of their house during two or three quarterly meetings. The other meet- ings were held in the old log schoolhouse.
When the church first began to be used as a place of meeting, there were no'seats in it, and the congregation had to nse stake benches to sit upon until better could be procured. This diffi- culty was finally overcome, but, at the completion of the build- ing, the society found itself involved in a debt of considerable magnitude, which. feeling itself unable to pay at once, a sub- scription paper was drawn np. as follows: "We, the under- signed, agree to pay the several sums by us subscribed, annually, the Methodist Episcopal Church of Delphi." By this process. in the course of time, the debt was paid, and the society. thus re- lieved of its burden.
In October. 1838. Rev. J. J. Cooper was appointed circuit preacher, and George M. Beswick, Presiding Elder. Rev. A. Beach becainte cirenit preacher in October, 1839, Mr. Beswick continuing to be Presiding Elder during that and the year suc- ceeding, when Revs. Joseph White and Samuel Reed were the preachers. In 1841. however. Rev. C. M. Holliday took the place of Mr. Beswick, while Revs. William M. Fraley and James New- land were the preachers. Revs. D. Chipman and J. Casad were placed upon the circuit in October, 1842, with Mr. Holliday as Presiding Elder.
At the session in October. 1843. Delphi Circuit was organized, with Delphi Station. F. Taylor was appointed to Delphi Circuit. and A. Wood made Presiding Elder, Rev. C. Swank being placed over the societies at Delphi and at Odell's. Henry B. Milroy was elected Recording Steward at the first quarterly meeting. held in Delphi January 13. 1844. Mr. Swank. of this station. at the end of the third quarter.
A change was made in Delphi Station. by uniting it with Delphi Circuit, in 1844-45. and it was afterward known as the Delphi Circuit. with Allen Skillman as circuit preacher, and Samnel C. Cooper, Presiding Elder. . Mr. Cooper held the posi- tion of Presiding Elder in 1845-46, while Rufus J. Blowers was in charge of the cirenit .. In 1846-47, Jacob Casad, was the cir-' cuit preacher, and J. M. Stallard, Presiding Elder. . In the next snecession, Jacob Colelaser was circuit preacher, the Presiding' Elder continuing as in the year preceding. Mr. Stallard re- inained in the same position the following year, 1848-49, while J. W. Parritt was in charge of Delphi Circuit. In 1849-50, Del- phi and Pittsburg were organized as a separate charge.
Several years since, the old church edifice was removed. and- a magnificent structure of brick, modernized in all its appoint-' ments, now occupies its place. It is finely situated, and every way creditable to its projectors. Its dimensions are such that it affords ample accommodations and seating room for the numerous congregation assembling there for public worship. Long ago'' Delphi was made a station, and has since enjoyed the pastoral. services of many very excellent preachers, among whom we men --- tion the names of Prof. Philander B. Wiley, Dr. J. A. Reed, John Eddy, N. L. Braekman and others. The present Pastor is Rev. J. H. Claypool. An excellent Sunday school is under his charge, also.
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DEER CREEK TOWNSHIP.
CHAPTER IL. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
FARLY REPRESENTATIVES OF TINS FAITH IN CARROLL COUNTY- FIRST STEPS TOWARD ORGANIZATION-THE ORIGINAL MEM- BERS AND FIRST MINISTERS-PROGRESS OF THE CHURCH-MEET- INGS AND MEETING HOUSES-SOME OF THE EARLY CHURCH OF- FICERS-ANOTHER BRANCH OF THE CHURCH ESTABLISHED- CHURCH PROPERTY-CHURCH EDIFICES, ETC.
Mr. Crawford sovered his connection with it, two had died, and four had been dismissed to other churches, leaving an absolute membership of thirty-five a most satisfactory result of his six years of consecutive labor.
While Mr. Crawford was the Pastor of this church, he pur- chased a lot and built thereon a log house, one of the first dwell- ings erected in Delphi, which was then a general hazel thicket. This humble dwelling was torn down many years ago. and the site occupied by the more stately mansion of S. D. McIntosh.
For several years, the meetings of the congregation were held in the old log schoolhouse built by Deer Creek Township in the winter of 1828-29, which served the purpose of a meeting-phice in its time for not only the religious organizations, but for all congregations, whether for secular or other purposes.
THE first settlers of this county, Henry Robinson and his fum- ily, were of the Presbyterian faith, and early observers of the rites peculiar to that branch of the Christian church. In ad- dition to this family, there were many others, also, among the first settlers, who recognized the same observances, and little less active in possessing themselves of the privileges of public wor- ship within the limits of the settlement. On the Ist day of Jan- After the retirement of Mr. Crawford, the society was for a time without a Pastor, though meetings were held with consider- able regularity. In February, 1836, Rev. John Stocker was em- ployed by the congregation to preach for them until the Ist of April, 1887. No other pastor appears to have been employed until the beginning of the year 1839, when Rev. Leander Cobb was engaged as a stated supply, and remained with the church until after the division into the "Old School " and the " New School," which occurred in the fall of that year. From the date of the separation, the Old School branch, during the succeeding five years nntil October, 1844, there was no regular supply. Afterward, and nutil in the spring of 1846, the church enjoyed the labors of Rev. Jesse Edwards, who preached here a portion of that time. uary, 1826, as has been elsewhere presented, the religions senti . ment of the community distinctly manifested itself in the roadi- ness with which all united in holding prayer-meetings, und in keeping them up afterward, for the common interest of all who were thus inclined. At that time, the number of families in the immediate vicinity was not great, and there were few of them, indeed, if any, that were not represented at that first general prayer-meeting. That the foremost of those who interested themselves in bringing about such an event were chiefly, though not entirely, if not members of, at least favorable to, the teach - ings of this brunch of the Christian church. These general prayer-meetings had a tendency to enlarge the domain of relig. ions thought, directing all into the channels best adapted to the wants of their moral and intellectual nature. At the proper time, In May, 1846. Rev. Edward W. Wright became the pustor of the Old School Church, and continued such during the succeed- ing twenty years, at the end of which time he was succeeded, for the three years following, by his son, Rev. W. S. Wright, who. in turn, was succeeded by Rev. G. G. Mitchell. teachers came and tendered their ministrations with such success that, erelong, societies were formed for purposes of worship ac- cording to the preferences accepted by themselves. Who the first teachers of this doctrine were that cume from abroad to in- struct those of like faith in this backwoods settlement, is, per- " For two years or more, Rev. Amos Jones was acting pastor of the New School Church, having been preceded by Rev. J. A. Carnahan and others. The successor of Mr. Jones was Rev. C. W. Wallace. In 1870, the two churches were united in one. The first minister of the united church was the Rev. W. W. Camp- bell, and the second was Rev. L. M. Stevens." haps, not now material. That such teacher or teachers came, there is no doubt. for the result of such effort is shown in what was accomplished by Revs. James Crawford and James Thomp- son, sent out by the Crawfordsville Presbytery to organize " The Presbyterian Church of Deer Creek." The organization was per- feeted by these ministers on the 23d of May, 1828, being the first The first house of worship ocenpied by the New School branch of the church was the large frame edifice that many years ago stood to the northward of Enoch Rinehart's residence, erected about the year 1838-39. It was so occupied by them until the year 1859. when they erected a handsome brick house, which was subse- . quently ocenpied by them for a series of years. organized on the Upper Wabash. This name it retained until the 22d of January, 1883, when, by consent of the members, and in conformity with the prescribed regulations of the church, it took the name of " The First Presbyterian Church of Delphi." The persons who constituted the original membership of this church were Henry Robinson and Elizabeth Robinson, his wife; Not long since, the Old School branch erected a new church. necessary by the united congregations worshiping there. Since April, 1880, this church has been under the pastoral charge of Rev. S. R. Seawright, who has shown himself to be a very efli- cient laborer in this field. Abner Robinson and Sarah Robinson, his wife; William McCord; : of brick, with greater seating capacity than heretofore, rendered John M. Ewing: Jauo Waugh; Aaron Dewey and Charlotte Dew- ey, his wife: William Wilson and Ann Wilson, his wife, with the addition of Sarah Robinson, Sophronia Robinson and Lydia Ann Robinson. daughters of Henry and Elizabeth Robinson; Mrs. Re- becca MeCord, wife of William McCord. and Hugh Manary . making, in all, sixteen.
Henry Robinson and William MeCord, when the church had been fully organized, were chosen Ruling Elders, and continued such for many years. Without delay, the services of Mr. Craw- ford were secured as a stated supply to preach to the congrega- tion, and, during the succeeding six years, until 1834, he contin- ned in that relation. within that time receiving into the church twenty-five additional members. Of those who were in fellow- ship with the church from the beginning up to the time
In connection with the church and under its supervisory care is a Snaday school. which. while it adds to the responsibilities of the church, it is a most valuable auxiliary also.
As at present organized. the following are the officers of the church:
Rev. S. R. Seawright. Pastor: William Dunkle. Henry Me- Clure, Christian Gros. George H. C. Best. James H. Barnes, Matthew Sterling and A. L. Kellog. Elders: Jacob Fisher und John Ellinghun, Deacons; Matthew Sterling, George H. C. Best, James H. Barnes, Charles Burley und Wm. F. Dunkle. Trustees.
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
CHAPTER III.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
ACTION PRELIMINATY TO ORGANIZATION-COUNCIL OF DELE- - GATES HELD-THEIR NAMES AND THE CHURCHES REPRESENTED- OFFICERS PRO TEM-ORIGINAL MEMBERS AND THEIR TITLES TO RECOGNITION-EARLY MEETINGS-LOT FOR CHURCH APPLIED FOR AND DONATED .- MEETINGS OF ASSOCIATIONS HELD HERE- FIRST PASTORS-SUBSEQUENT HISTORY-ETC.
TN the latter part of July, 1829, a number of persons, members of the Regular Baptist Church in other jurisdictions, who, having become residents of Carroll County and vicinity, had pro- cured letters of recommendation to those of like faith in this jurisdiction to the end that they might unite with such in the formation of a church here, and thus enjoy the privileges of public worship in their own neighborhood, made application to the proper authority for consent to form a church in this county, requesting the necessary attendance of church officers and delegates for the purpose. The consent was obtained accord- ingly. and on the 8th of August following a council. of delegates was held. composed of the representatives nained, to wit: Jacob Kester, A. B .. Martin and James Duncan, from Sugar Creek Church, in Boone County; Elder R: Stapleton, David Ruth and Michael Donahoe, from Bethel Church: and J. F. Martin, New- berry Stockton and Elder Samuel Arthur, from the First Baptist Church in Wea, Tippecanoe County: The council was organized by electing Elder Stapleton, Moderator, and A. B. Martin. Clerk. The covenant of faith which had been signed by the applicants being read. with their letters of recommendation, in open council. the following persons. with their former' affiliation .- John Knight. Abigail Knight. Elsa Green, Hannah Green and . Sarah Hance, from the Baptist Church of Staunton, Ohio; Will- iam Hance and Isabel Cox, from Lick Creek Church, Marion County, Ohio, were accepted, and, in compliance with their re- quest, constituted a Regular Baptist Church in Delphi.
The first meeting of the congregation of this church was in the month of September following. Afterward, for many years. the church met for the transaction of business and for purposes of worship in the log schoolhouse on the corner of Monroe and Union streets."the site now occupied by the residence of the late William .Barnett. The first Pastor was Elder Martin, of the Su -. gar Creek Church in Boone County .. Then Elder' Arthur, of the Wea Church, became Pastor. and continued in that relation until the 22d of December, 1832, when Elder William Reese, having removed to Carroll County, entered into that relation, and was the third pastor. a man of great executive ability and energy of character. During his administration, upon application of some of the more influential members, the County Commissioners do: nated a fractional lot. 'equal in area to nearly two full lots, in the then' eastern limits of the town, for the benefit of the Regular Baptist Church in Delphi, upon which to build a meeting-house; and the county agent was directed to make that church " a deed in fee simple" for said lot, "on condition of the said church building a house of worship [thereon] within two years. " Sub- sequently, at the March session, 1838, of the Board of Commis- sioners, the following record was made in the premises, to wit: "Ordered. that the agent of Carroll County be directed to niake a deed to the two fractional lots on which the Baptist Church is situated in Delphi to the Trustees of the First Regular Baptist Church in Delphi."
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