USA > Indiana > Carroll County > History of Carroll County, Indiana : With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 55
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Section 14-George A. Kent. August 23, 1830; Calch Brown, Septem. ber 3. 1832: John Creits, October 20, 1832: Thomas Stoops, February 15. 183.1.
Section 15-George Harness, March 8, 1830; Madison Swords. January 11. 1832: John Cromwell, November 19. 1832; Jacob Kernodle, January 25, 1831: Isaac Patt: , January 28, 1835.
Section 17-Jamies Chittick, May 14, 1832; Enos James, November 3. 1832: AAndrew Lewis, August 16. 1833.
Section 18 -Wilson Seawright and Alexander P. Young. September 11. 1881: lesse Young, May 15, 1832: John Stewart, June 25, 1832.
Section 19-Philip Kingery, April 19, 1832; John Trent, April 12. 1833; William Melon. January 20, 1835; Lewis Harter, May 15. 1835; Robert. Pratt. November 11. 1835: Thomas Huston, February 1, 1836; William Trent. February 20, 1836.
Section 20-John Brownlee. April 20. 1833: Abraham Cooper. Novem. ber 6. 1835: Noah Noble, February 22. 1836.
Section 21-Elizabeth Brownlee. April 20, 1833: John Eikenberry, May 18. 1833: Emanuel Clingenpeel. November 6. 1835; Noah Noble, February 2. 1836; Sammel Favorite and Joseph Barton, November 21, 1836.
Section 22- David Ewing, October 8, 1831; Elisha W. Lake. Novem. ber 9. 1832: William C. Ewing. April 20, 1833; John A. Ewing, April 21. 1833: John II. Strain, March 23. 1835; Noah Noble, February 22. 1836.
Section 23-Robert G. Hanna, October 12. 1831: Thomas Titus, Octo- ber 11, 1833: John Ross, October 11. 1833; David Ewing, October 21, 1836; Robert Ervin, November 38, 185.
. Section 26-David Ewing, October 8, 1831; Providence M. Curry. May 18. 1832: Elisha W. Lake. November 19, 1832: Mahlon Shinn, May 7. 1833; John Gwinn. November 22, 183; Sylvester Qwinn, February 14, 1835; William Gates, Inne 22, 1836.
Section &T-Thomas M. Curry, June 16, 1829; Jamies Dunkin, October 8. 1830: William Mo-s. May 27, 1831: Thomas Davis, October 18, 1833; Peter Dunkin, .hme 5. 1838: William Smith, Jime 5, 1833: John Kelley, December 6, 1833; John T. Given. February 1. 1835; Johnson Kirkpatrick. .Inne 16. 1836.
Section 28-Abraham Myers, October 15. 1831: Sanmel Arthur, Octo- ber 18. 1932: Benjamin Pratt, October 31. 1835: John Cromwell. Novem. ber 18. 1835: Jolm T. Given. June 22. 1836.
Section 29-AAbraham Myers, October 16, 1831: Jacob Staley, October 12. 1832: Washington Rinker, March 17. 1834; Robert Williams, August. 12. 1831: William Moore. September 30, 1834: Benjamin Pratt. December 26. 1835: Richard Dinkin, April 22, 1836: John T. Swisber, October 12, 1836; Elias Smith, June 4, 1838.
Section 30-John T. Gwinn. November 22. 1833; Andrew Gwinn, No- vember 22. 1833: Washington Rinker, May 12. 1831: Peter Harmon, No- vember 11. 1835; Abraham Creits, November 20, 1835: Stephen Harmon, November 21, 1835: Moses Harmon, September 7. 1836: Josephine Carter, September 14, 1836.
Section 31-Joseph Rinker. March 14. 1831: Benjamin Dye, May 28, 1831: James Harmon, June 18, 1831: David T. Wyatt, June 13, 1832; Josiah W. Chatham, August 29, 1832: John T. Gwinn, November 22. 1833: Philip Rinker, April 5, 1831: Robert Pratt. April 27, 1836; James Pratt, October 12. 1836.
Section 32-William Moss, May 27, 1831: William Jackson, May 28, 1831; James Harmon, June 12. 1831: Jacob Rinker. January 17. 1832: Jo- seph Rinker. Jannary 30. 1836.
Section 33-William Gearhart, October 13, 1530; Benedict M. Kirk, December 8, 1830: Alston Wyatt, December 9, 1830; William Moss, May 27, 1831: Philip Rinker, May 2. 1832; Abraham Zink, October 25, 1832; Eli Ozias, Inne 12. 1833; JJesse Curtis, Octaher 13. 1833.
Section 31-Israel T. Canby, March 11, 1830: Jacob Kingery. February 18, 1832; Henry B. Milroy, Angust 17, 1832; Joseph Powers, October 11, 1832; Edmund Moss, October 20. 1832: David Stipp, October 30, 1832.
Section 35 -- Mahlon Shinn, February 9, 1830; John Bandy, November 17, 1830): Elienm Boggs, May 27, 1833; John Kelley, June 18, 1838; Jolm T. Gwinn, November 22. 1838.
271
BURLINGTON TOWNSHIP.
ORGANIZATION.
At a session of the Board of Commissioners of Carroll County, held in March. 1832, it was ordered that all that part of Jackson Township lying southof the north line of Section 16. Town 2 4 north. be set apart, and that the new township should be known and des- ignated by the nameof Burlington Township. From the territory contained within these boundaries. Demoernt Township was con- stituted three years later. By order of the board, Alstou Wyatt was appointed Inspector of Elections, and the house of John Adams (now in Democrat) was made the voting-place. At the first election, held on the first Monday in April. 1832. Mahlon Shimm was elected Justice of the Peace for a form of four years Since that date, the following-named gentlemen have been elected to that office: John Calvert. elected 1837: Mahlon Shim fro. elected), 1840: Daniel Beck. ISID: Philip Waters, ISII: John M. Longstroth. 1815: Isaac Patty, 1815: Charles W. Wischart. 1849: Solthy K. Timmons, 1850: James M. Darnall. 1853: James M. Bryant, IS55: Isaac Patty, 1868: William Moto. 1865; John Bateman. 1866: Michael Beckner, 1866: Elijah MeKinney. 1867; William N. Taylor, 1870: Robert Young, IST0: John T. John son, 1872: David W. Beck, 1874: Hiram A. Lovell, 1876: Jo- seph W. Gwinn. 1878: Hiram A. Lovell (re-elected). ISSO.
Since the organization of the township. the office of Constable has been filled by the following-named gentlemen: Josinh P. Williams, elected 1838: Andrew J Watts. 1839: Layton North. 1841: Matthias Timmons, 1842: Andrew J. Watts, 1842: Hugh Snodgrass, 1843: James Harmon. 1845: Jolm Stockton. 1848: William Stockton. Jr. 1850: Jaunes M. Bryant. 1852: John H. Harmon. 1553: Michel Trace. 1553: William R. Tinunons. 1554: John W. Honse. 1856: Jonathan Moore. 1857: Michael. Trace. 1860: Joel E. House. ISO1: John Daggey. 1873: John H. Hinkle, 1874: George L. Thomas. 1876: J. A. Shaffer. 1878; Frank Barnard, 1880.
Under the old law. the civil affairs of the township were man- aged by a board of three Trustees, whose names we bave been unable to obtain. Petitions for roads were presented to this board, and in response to these were laid out the numerous pub- lie highways which now encompass nearly every section of land in the township. The opening of these roads, at least in the car- hier years of the township's history, had a very direct bearing upon the health of the community. It is stated by Harrison Gwinn, who came in January. 1839. that the country was so heavily covered with timber as to exchide the rays of the sun. The rank vegetation decayed on the ground during the fall, and malarial complaints followed as a natural consequence. The few wagon-tracks through the woods answering the purpose of roads were so thickly shaded by the heavy timber that they were always muddy and in a precarious condition for traveling.
The settlers would complete their fall work. the last of which was the gathering of the corn, and then await the appearance of ague. They expected it every fall. and were soklom disappointed. Until great progress had been made in the work of clearing, this was ahnost a universal rule. The removal of the timber, and the consequent penetration of the sunshine, accomplished what med- ical science was powerless to do. The marshes were dried up. and miasma ceased to be the bane of this fair region.
: By the law of 1858, the duties of the Board of Trustees were so amended as to leave the civil and school affairs in the hands of one Trustee, while the power of granting road surveys was vested in the Board of County Commissioners. The public records of
the township, therefore, contain little matter of general interest, being chiedly the financial account of the Trustee.
senonLS.
A detailed history of the carly schools of this township would prosent no new features, and in this connection we can only deal in generalities. Pioneer schools were almost uniformly alike in all their characteristics, their architecture, and the rules by which they were governed. All that can be said to belong distinctively to the history of Burlington Township. therefore, is the date of erection and the respective loentions of these primitive " temples of learning" within her boundaries. At various times after the settlement of the township began, there were small classes taught. in the cabins of settlers, somewhat in the nature of private or select seltools: but it was several years later before there were any houses erected especially for this purpose, and teachers employed to rule over them. In 1536. a cabin was created on the farm of Filmund Moss, in which school was conducted during that winter, and for several winters subsequently. About the same time, or possibly anterior to this dale, there was a cabin erected For the same par pose on the prosent site of Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church. lu this house the early religions exercises of the Asbury class were also conducted. This builling served the double purpose of church and schoolhouse until it was succeeded by the build- ing designed as a house of worship for that congregation, who were the owners of the lot upon which it stood.
About the year 18H. there was a log schoolhouse corected at Burlington, and. in the winter of 1539 40. school was taught in a cabin on the farm of Robert Jolaison. This cabin had been erected prior to Mr. Johnson's arrival in the settlement, a year before, and was probably occupied as a dwelling house by one of those restless spirits found in every settlement, but never remain ing long enough in one place to identify themselves with its his tory. Log buildings were created for schoolhouses at various times subsequent to this date, and in different parts of the town. ship. The latter had been divided into school districts by the Trustees, and a house was created in each district. The public money belonging to the township was partially applied in pay. ment of the school expenses, thus relieving the patrous of the schools From the whole burden of their support.
In 1558. the schools of this township first began to be con- ducted according to the provisions of the public school law, which came into effect with the revised constitution of 1851-52. By this Inw, the free schools wore inaugurated, and the Trustees om- powered to levy n tax for their maintenance and the erection of houses in each township. From their inception to the present. the free schools have been marked by a wonderful progress, until it seems the maximum of perfection has been attained. In this township there are nine school districts, in each of which there is a substantial building. Of this mumber. seven are brick and two are frame honses. The value of school property, including houses, grounds. school apparatus. ete., is $9,150. During the school year of ISSO-SI. the total number of pupils admitted into the schools of the township was 15, and the average attendance. 200. The aver. age length of the school term was 105 days, and the average com- pensation of teachers, $2.23 per day. The finances of the town ship schools are in good condition, as will appear from the fol. lowing report by the Trustee:
ACCOUNT OF REVENTE FOR TUITION.
Amount on hand September 1. 1880.
961 01
Amount received in February, 1881. 818 99
272
HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
Amount received in June. 1881.
1,135 34
Miscellaneous receipts,
90 18
Total. .
$3.068 52
Amount expended since September 1. 1880.
1,917 75
Amount now on hand. $1.150 77
ACCOUNT OF SPECIAL SCHOOL REVENTE.
Amount on hand September 1, 1880.
$ 350 11
Amount since received.
1,929 44
Total ..
$2,219 61
Amount expended since September 1, 1880.
1,178 07
Amount now on hand.
$1.101 54
CHURCHES.
In the early days of this settlement, before the varions relig- ious denominations organized in the township, meetings were held, at irregular intervals, in the cabins of the settlers, by ministers who visitou this locality by chance. Samnel Arthur, one of the early settlers. led the Baptists in their devotions -- sometimes at his own honse, and sometimes at the houses of other members of his flock. The Methodists. who had the largest number of members. inet at schoolhouses and private residences, and the United Breth- ren inet at the house of Washington Rinker. For several years. all the denominations met on an equality, whenever a minister inade his appearance in the settlement, glad to hear the sound of preaching in the lonely wilds of their forest home, and thinking nothing of the particular sect to which he belonged. In after years, however, the various denominations were organized in re- sponse to the wishes of their members. who desired the privilege of conducting public worship according to their own peculiar Of these denominations, the following is a brief history : forms.
Burlington Methodist Episcopal Church .--- As early as the year 1833, Burlington became a station on the route of the traveling ministers of the Methodist Church, and preaching was conducted once every four weeks. usually on week days. In 1834 or 1835, Mrs. Andrew Watts, Mrs. Sallie Bowley and Mrs. Mahlon Shinn constituted themselves a class of the M. E. Church, and a few others united with them soon afterward. Burlington's moral reputation was not of the best, nor was the religions element in the ascendaney. The church at first had a hard struggle for ex- istence, and little progress was made in recruiting the ranks of the little class organized here. The ministers in whose charge this station had been placed continued to visit it for two or three years. but they found their work almost useless. except among those who were already within the pale of the church. Finally. they abandoned the post, and the class was disorganized. From that time until 1843, there were no meetings, except at irregular periods Some time during that year, however, a meeting of the Methodists in and near the town was held at the house of Dr. Samuel Anderson, and the society was re-organized by Rev. Frank Taylor. In the fall of that year, they held a quarterly meeting. at which they received about a dozen accessions to their member- ship. From that time the church grew and prospered. During the ensuing winter, meetings were held in the schoolhouse at Bur- lington, and in the following summer the groves were the places where public worship was conducted. In 1850, a lot was donated to the society by John M. Longstreth, upon which they erected a frame church later in the same year, and in 1861, they erected a comfortable parsonage on a lot donated by Andrew Watts. . 'From 1850 to 1880. the congregation continued to worship in the frame church .. In the latter year, however, they began the erection of a handsome brick edifice on the same lot. The new church was
completed in January. 1881, and dedicated in April of the same year. by Revs. J. T. MeMullen and John L. Smith. The church is situated on Jackson street. in the southern part of the town, and, although unpretentious, is nevertheless quite a handsome building. It is 32x52 feet, and cost $3,600. Rev. Elihn Mason is the present Pastor.
Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church .- In 1843, a class was organized at the schoolhouse known as " Asbury Schoolhouse," in the northwest part of the township. John Thomas and wife, Syl- vester Gwinn and wife, and Jacob 'Arnott and wife, were among the original members, and Rev. Mershon was the first Pastor. For a period of eight years after organization, the meetings were held in the schoolhouse, and the class continued to grow in numbers. A lot was donated by John Thomas, upon which, in 1851, they completed their present house of worship- - a frame building. During the intervening years, services have been regularly con- cheted, excepting an interval of two years. when the roof was so badly out of repair as to preclude occupation. The church is at- tached to the Burlington Circuit, and services are conducted once every . fortnight, by Rov. Elihu Mason, of the Burlington Church.
Pleasant Valley Methodist Episcopal Church .- In 1850, a class was organized at the house of Henry Lytle, numbering among its constituent ; members Henry Lytle and wife, Mrs. Un- ger, Mrs. Russell, Harrison H. Gillam and wife, James Wilson and wife, Mrs. Bates, James Quinn and wife, and others. The class was organized in the eastern part of the township. and its membership extended into Howard County, both at the time of organization and subsequently. In 1852, the congregation began the erection of a frame house of worship, which stood one mile worth of the present edifice. in Carrollton Township. The work progressed rapidly, and on Christmas Day. 1852, the church was dedicated by Rev. H. B. Ball, the Pastor in charge of the circuit at that time. This building was used for public worship for a period of twenty-eight years. Early in the year 1850, a sub- seription fund was started, with the view of erecting a new church, and in the fall of that year a sufficient amount had been raised to warrant them in taking the preliminary steps in building. A lot was secured on the north line of the township, npon which they began the erection of a neat brick church. This building was completed in September. 1881. and dedicated on the second Sun- day in October of that year. by Rev. Samnel Beck. assisted by Rev. Allen Lewis, a former Pastor of this congregation. The house cost $1.889; and was dedicated free from debt. The con- gregation. numbering forty members, is now under the pastoral care of Rov. Elihu Mason, of Burlington. Since the organization of the class, the following-named gentlemen have officiated as Pastors: Revs. Jesse Hill, H. B. Ball, Francis Cox, ---- Harker, M. Morrison. Boyce, . -. Foster. - Barnes. J. F. Mc- Daniels. Charles Heath. James Spinks, John Odell, T. C. String- er. J. S. Woodward. Henry Vincell. A. Connor. John M. Chaffin. Abraham Utter. John F. McDaniel. R. B. Beatty. Allen Lewis and John E. Newhouse.
Burlington Christian Church. - In 1846, the Christians. or Disciples. formed an organization at Burlington, and for several years afterward their meetings were held at the houses of meinbers of the society. . In 1850 or 1851. a lot was procured in the vil- lage. upon which they erected a frame church edifice. In this house their meetings were held for a quarter of a century, and their congregation continued to receive accessions to its numbers. In 1876, they began the erection of the present brick church, which
273
BURLINGTON TOWNSHIP.
was completed at a cost of $4,000. This is a neat building. phin ; John Hawkins. N. P. Burns. D. F. Moore. H. A. Lovell, George but handsome. The church now has a membership of more than one hundred persons, and is under the pastoral care of Rev. Mr. Haugh. Since the organization of the society. the pastoral office has been occupied by the following reverend gentlemen: Solo- mon Mckinney, --- Hopkins. Watson Clark. George Campheli, John Campbell. Joseph Wickard, B. M. Blonnt. Aaron Walker, . The lodge room is in the second story of Barnard's Imilding. The L. C. Warren, and others whose names cannot now he learned.
German Baptist Church .- Shortly after the arrival of Ed- mund Moss, in 1834. there were services at his house by ministers of this denomination. These meetings, however. were of irregular ocenrrence, and, although they were repeated from time to time. there was no formal organization or banding together of the mem- bers. For at least twenty years after the date above alluded to. the religious exercises of this society were conducted at private honses and in the more commodions harnsof the members. Their order had churches at Rossville and at Flora, and to these points repaired the members then residing in Burlington Township npon all important occasions. In 1854 or IS55, they erected a frame house of worship on the land of Philip Kingery. in the northwest part of the township, in which the services of the church have ever since been regularly conducted. Isaac Eikenberry, Chris- tian Laish. Baltzer Gordon and Stanford Seawright are the pres. ent Pastors. and the present membership of the church is 250.
SOCIETIES.
Burlington Lodge, No. 7. 1. O. O. F. was organized January 10. 1850. with seven charter members. viz : George Bolles, James M. Darnull, John M. Longstreth. Thomas W. Oliphant. William Potter, Anthony Forrest and Matthew Simpson The meetings wore first held in the upper story of the building now occupied by Lavell's carriage-shop, but subsequently the order purchased a lodge room in the second story of O. M. Barnard's building. During the winter of 1862. this building was destroyed by fire. when all the lodge property, records, etc. were consumed. On the Hith of May. 1868, the lodge hell its first meeting after the fire. in the room over the store now occupied by J. A. Femell. From this place, the lodge room was moved to its present quar- ters. in the building owned jointly by the Odd Fellows and the heirs of R. B. Viney. Although small. the kalge is in good work. ing order and prosperous condtion. It has abont twenty-five active members. The present officers are: W. H. Reagan. N. G .; James Wakeland, V. G .: W. J. Thompson. Secretary: O. M. Barnard, Treasurer.
Burlington Lodge, No. 111, A .. F. d. A. M .. was organized at Burlington, and received its charter dated May 30, 18a1. It was first organized on the Best of May, IS50. working for one year under dispensation. Success seemed to attend the efforts of the kage from its inception. Many members were added to its num- bers, from among whom other lodges were organized in later years. In 1873. the order erected a two-story frame building in the central part of the town, at a cost of about $1.500. In the upper story of this building the regular meetings are held. while the lower floor is occupied by Tapp & Everman,
The lodge is in good working order and comfortable financial condition. The officers for the present year (ISS1) are: John Higgins, W. M .: Frank McCarty. S. W .: Sammel Kirkpatrick. J. W .: H. A. Lovell. Secretary; T. B. Robinson. Treasurer.
Burton Temple of Honor, No. 31. was instituted July 12. 1881, at Burlington, with the following charter members. viz. : Joseph W. Gwinn, J. A. Wright. Wade Reagan, Henry Gwinn.
Appenzeller, Perry Barnard, Sylvester Barnard. William King, J. V. Fullwider. M. Everman. J. I. Viney, W. J. Thompson, Milton Gwinn, Isaiah Boyer. Nelson Brewster, Jonathan Black. H. Gwinn and Morris Barnard. A dispensation was granted by the Grund Temple of Indiana, by virtue of which this temple is now working. officers for the current term (18Sh are: Joseph W. Gwinn, P. W. C. T .: H. A. Lovell. W. C. T .: J. I. Vinoy. W. V. T .; M. . Everman. W. R .: George Appenzeller. W. A. R .: Sylvester Baru. ard. W. F. R .: J. A. Wright. W. T .: W. J. Thompson, W. C .; Henry Gwinn. W. U .; Perry Barnard, W. D. C .: M. P. Burus, W. G .: Morris Barnard. W. S .: W. King. R. S .: J. Hawkins. L. S. W. V. T.
The Wabash Valley Mutual Relief Association of Burling. ton. - This is a home insurance company. organized for the insur- ance, on easy terms of the lives of those who become members. It was organized on the 8th of October. 1851, and chartered ou the 11th of the same month. Any person of sane mind, male or formale. between the ages of twenty and eighty-eight years. may secure a certificate of membership by complying with the pre. scribed rules of the association, which appear in their printed circulars. Its operations are conducted upon the basis of mutual ' assessments, and its leaders are men who enjoy the confidence of the community. The following gentlemen constitute the board of officers: Manelins Johnson. President: Walter O. Hopkinson, Vice President: James L. Johnson. Secretary: Renben Magart. Treasurer: Joseph R. Turuer. Me.lical Director: William D. Kol ley. Assistant Secretary: Paxton ME. Viney and George Newkirk, General Agents.
INDUSTRIAL, PURSUITS.
The mill created by Philip Rinker in $$30 or 1831 was the first industrial establishment in the township. It was of a very primitive order of construction. which is true of nearly all the mills of that period. It was built of mi dressed logs, and two bowlders, or "nigger-heads." from the creek, served the purpose of bulus. while an old-fashioned water wheel turned the rude machinery. Rinker operated the mill anta 1837. when he sold it to Jol .. Cromwell. The latter created a good franc building on this site, and continued as pro. prietor of the property for twenty-five years or more. In con. nection with this flonring mit. he operated a saw-mitl. Imt both are now abandoned and gone to decay. The old mill site was northwest of the toy a plat of Burlington.
The new enterprise of an industrial nature was the brick-kiln constructed by James Harmon about the year 1848. Ho hurned two or three kilus, the products of which were sold for building chimneys throughout the settlement.
In 1866 or 1857. Maldon Shinn erected a saw mill at his farm, and operated it successfully for several years. From him the ownership of the property passed to varions parties, among whom were Grimes & Viney. By these gentlemen the building was remodeled and converted into a flonring-mill. About the year 1872. the mill was destroyed by fire, and shortly afterward the site was purchased by Robertson & Stone, who. in 1574. orected the present building, which is two stories high above the base- inent. It has one turbine wheel of the Leffel patent, and two runs of buhrs. It is a good mill. and has a large trade.
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