USA > Indiana > Carroll County > History of Carroll County, Indiana : With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 58
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A list of Township Trastes could not be obtained in an un broken series, and it is deemed advisable to omit this office rather than give only a partial list. The importance of preserving carly records has been but lightly regarded. it would seem. in this town ship. The official record for bonds in the office of the County Clerk furnishes the only information we have relative to the office of Constable. John Grist was the first inemubent of this office. Ho was elected in 153%, and his successors were elected at the dates prefixed to their names, as follows: 1542. Daniel Cline: IS43. James H. Coshaw: 1844. John W. Cain: 1852. John Cline: 1855. Alexander Lovelace: ISST. John C. Dunkin: 1558. Samuel Hawley: 1864. John W. Blue: 1868. Thomas Cline: 1569. David M. Butcher: 1570. Jolm T. Disinger: 1573. Robert T. Barber; 1874. James W. Brasket: 1576. John T. Disinger: ISTS. Sammel W. Woodruff and Joseph E. Shell: ISSO. Milton Ferguson.
Varions county roads were laid out by order of the Board of 'Trustees, in response to petitions from freeholders of the town ship: but. as they were for local convenience only. and had no objective point beyond the limits of the township. a detailed ac count of their location and survey would add no interest to our work, notwithstanding the fact that they played a pit by no means mimportant in the development and commercial interests of the township. The early settlers were compelled. in many in stances, to cut their way through the forest und underbrush to the sites they had selected for homes, and any kind of a road was looked upon as a vast improvement over those this formed. One by one the roads were surveyed and located after the organiza- tion, until Carrollton was as well supplied with public highways as her sister townships. The records of the township board con- tain nothing else of material interest in connection with the or- gunization, and we pass to a consideration of its early and subse. quent educational history.
280
HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
SCHOOLS.
1
According to the statement of Lyndsey B. Payton, the first steps toward public education in the township were taken in 1836. when a little cabin was erected on the land of George Young for school purposes. Its builders were Peter Dunkin, James R. Len- on, John Irwin, John Mabbitt and James Payton. A description of its style and appearance would only be a repetition of what will be found elsewhere in this volume: for in pioneer architect- ure, it may be said there was no variation, except, perhaps, in the dimensions of buildings. Those by whom this cabin was erected were its patrons, and from their scanty purses came the funds which constituted the teacher's salary. During the winter of the year in which it was erected, William Coshaw presided over it as teacher, or " master," and, from among the best farmers and most substantial citizens of the township to-day, could be picked out several who were his pupils. The school was only tanght during that one winter. The settlers who came in the following season located further south in the township, and the next school was taught in a locality better calculated to suit the convenience of the majority. The next school was a little cabin in the village of Wheeling, built originally for a dwelling. During 1838, there was a cabin erected for school purposes on the Peter Dunkin farm; another on the Middle Fork of Deer Creek, near the Michigan road; and another on the farm of Presley Dunlap. Several years later, a schoolhouse was erected on the George Fouts farm, and, at various times subsequently, houses were erected in different parts of the township for school purposes, all alike in their con- struction and manner of goverment. The subscription system was still in vogue, and, although the Congressional funds in the township treasury were devoted to partially defraying the current expenses, they were not sufficient to maintain the schools for more than one-third of the term for which the teachers were engaged. and private subscriptions were, after all. the real source from which they received their support. A radical change for the bet- ter was effected by the provisions of the free school law of 1851-52, and a marked improvement in the standard of the schools and the qualifications of their teachers is one of the lead- ing features of this system. Under this new regime, the work has been thoroughly systematized, and, while there are no graded schools in the township, there are ten district schools, in which are taught all the the branches essential to a good English education. Of these, eight are brick and two are frame buildings, representing a total vulne of $9,000, while the school property-apparatus. globes, maps. charts, etc .- is valned at $400 additional. During the year ending September 1. 1881, the average length of the school term in the township was 109 days. During the same pe- riod, the average attendance of pupils was 270, the total number enrolled during the year being 395. For the maintenance of the schools there is a special tax of 20 cents assessed on each $100 valuation of property, and 50 cents on each poll, together with a local tax of 20 cents on $100. The financial condition of the schools is prosperous, as the following abstract from the report of the Trustee fully attests:
ACCOUNT OF REVENUE FOR TUITION.
Amount on hand September 1, 1880 .. $1.175 41
Amount received in February, 1881. 972 56
Amount received in June, 1881. 922 51
Miscellaneous receipts. 125 90
Total receipts. $3,196 38
Amount expended since September 1. 1880. 2.177 45
Amount now on hand.
$1.018 93
ACCOUNT OF SPECIAL SCHOOL REVENUE.
Amount on hand September 1, 1880. $2,891 57
Amount since received. 1,038 11
Total. $3.429 68
Amount expended since September 1. 1880. 2,372 09
Amount on hand. $1,057 59
CHURCHES.
In the settlement in the wilderness the religious element. while it was well represented by a community of good, pious peo- ple, had at first no opportunity for expression. " We were here four years," says Mrs. Benjamin Kirkpatrick, " before we heard the sound of the Gospel or saw a minister. The Rev. John P. Hay, of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. made his appear. ance in the settlement, and hold services at private houses and in barns."
To this honest-minded community, a sermon was a sermon. whether delivered by the Methodist. the Presbyterian or the Baptist, and creeds and denominational preferences were lost sight of in the pleasure with which they embraced the oppor. tunity of assembling for public worship. About the year 1837 or 1838. Isham Atkinson, William Lowe, John Marshall, and other ministers of the Christian, or " New Light," Church, began hold- ing services at the house of John Payton. but no organization was effected by this denomination. Ministers of the Baptist denomi- nation held services at the house of Peter Dunkin at an early day, and within a few years, the various denominations began to be represented in the township, and services were conducted by ministers sent ont as supplies.
Among the early ministers was one Harper Hanna, who preached the " Millerite " doctrine at Carrollton. He belonged to a denomination known as "Radical Methodists." and if he was sincere in his belief of the doctrine he advocated, lie failed to im- press the outside world with his sincerity. One morning in April. 1848. John Payton rode by Hanna's farm and saw him setting ont an orchard. The inconsistency of his proceeding at once struck Payton, who reflected that a member of years must elapse, in any event, before he could expect any return for his labor, and, if the final destruction of the world were so nearly at hand, was not this an unnecessary outlay of labor: With this thought in his mind. Payton addressed him: " How is this. Brother Hanna? This is April. and if your account is correct. the end of the world will come in June next. It scarcely looks consistent to be doing such work so nearly the borders of eternity." "Oh, well," replied Hamma. " we can't tell exactly; there may have been an error in the calculation." Subsequent events proved there had been "an error in the calculation." much to the chagrin of Hanna and other apostles and followers of that silly hallucination. He dis- appeared from the religious community as a leader, but, from the congregation who collected around him, probably grew the class who finally constituted the Methodist Episcopal Church at Car- rollton.
Hopewell Cumberland Presbyterian Church .-- This organiza- tion grow out of the ministerial labors of Rev. John P. Hay. who was first sent to this settlement as a missionary, or supply, in 1837. On the 16th of April, 1842, an organization was effected by him at the house of John W. Coin, with thirteen constituent members. Mr. Hay served eight years as Pastor of this congre- gation, and was succeeded by Rev. S. T. Stewart, who served two years In 1854. Rev. W. O. Smith was called, and occupied ".
281
CARROLLTON TOWNSHIP.
pastoral relation until 1856. He was succeeded by Rev. S. C. Mitchell, who remained until his deceuse, in Angust, 1862. He was succeeded by Rev. A. T. Randolph, who served until 1864. Rev. J. W. Hanna succeeded him, and served one year: Rev. W. M. Metcalf followed him, serving three years: Rev. T. S. Chure, one year and six months. Rev. H. W. Bryant was Pastor from 1870 to 1878, when failing health cansed him to resign the charge. Rev. A. F. Fuller, Rev. O. C. Hawkins und Rov. G. H. Taylor succeeded him in the order named. The latter served until his death, in 1879. und wus succeeded by Rev. Z. L Hughoy, the present Pnstor.
Originally, the meetings were held at the houses of Martin Wagoner and John Bridge, and also at the Landes Schoolhonse. On the 4th of October, 1851, the congregation purchased a lot of Philip Waters. in the town of Wheeling, and, in the following year. erected a house of worship. which they used until ISTI. In that year. they erected a neat brick church edifice, at a cost of $4,000, in which the services of the church are now conducted. The congregation has continued prosperous since its organization. and now has a membership of 324 communicants.
Deer Creek United Brethren Church .- In 1848, the adherouts of this denomination living in the township organized a class at a schoolhouse on the Wilson farm. and. until 1855. held their meetings there. Laban Thomas and wife. Abraham Gish and wife. Mr. Elston and wife and Obed Barnett and wife were the constituent members. In 1852. Joseph Zinn donated to the so- ciety a lot. npon which they erected their present honse of worship before the close of that year. This a frame building. standing on the west side of the Michigan road. in Section 27. It was dedicated by Rev. David Edwards. In this honse, meetings huve been regularly conducted ever since its erection. with the oxcep- tion of one year, when the congregation had no Pastor. Public worship is conducted every alternate Sunday. by the Pastor. Rev. John Surran.
Sharon Baptist Church. - A society was organized by sixteen members of this denomination, at the house of Richard Dunkin. in 1852. Their meetings were subsequently held ut his honse. and later in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Wheeling. Mr. Dunkin donated a lot in the village of Sharon. upon which. in the summer of 1854. they erected their present house of wor- ship. a frame building, 40x54 feet. Rev. B. R. Ward was the Pastor when the church was erected. and. during his and subse- qnent pastoral administrations. the church prospered. and serv- ices were regularly conducted. The congregation. however, bas been without a Pastor since the retirement of Rov. H. R. Todd. in May, 1881.
INDUSTRIAL. PIORSIITS.
Shortly after the settlement of the township began. efforts were made to utilize the timber. felled by the settlers in clearing their lands, by the establishment of saw-mills. William Martin was the leader in this enterprise. In 1835, he erected a saw-mill on the bank of the Middle Fork of Deer Creek, and. after operat. ing it successfully for a number of years, sold it to Joseph Zimt. Several years later. Mr. Zinn sold it to Benjamin Barr. who still owns the property, though the mill is worn out and aban- donod.
Abner Radcliffe. It was operated until about ten your's ago, when it was abandoned. It is on the land now owned by John E. Dun- kin.
In ISIS. the first grist-mill in the township was created by Michael Baer. The old buikling is still standing, near the pros- ent mill of David Studebaker, und used for a barn. It served the purpose of its day very well. but its capacity was limited. and it was found necessary, in later years. to supersede it by a first- class mill. In 1857. Mr. Baor erected the present building, und. some time during the late war. sold it to William Wyatt. who operated it until his decease. It was subsequently sold by his widow to Hewitt & Eikenberry, from whom it reverted to Mrs. Nancy Wy- att at the end of a year. In 1873. she soll the property to Haz- lett & Sell, from whom it passed to David Studebaker & Brother in 1874, and from Studebaker & Brother to David Studebaker, the present proprietor, in 1579. It is a frame building, 40x50 feet, four stories and basement. It has three run of buhrs, and two twenty inch turbine wheels, of the Obenchain patent. Its manufacturing capacity is fifty barrels of four por day.
In 1876. a tile factory was erected by Sammel and C. B. Lit. des. at their farm in Section 33. The main building. or dry shed, is 150x20 foot, and the round shod 14 feet in diameter. They manufacture an average of 1.000 rods of tile monthly. for which they find a ready market among neighboring farmers They are also engaged in the manufacture of brick, burning them in the same kilns with the tile.
In Carrollton. as in other townships of the county, agricult. ural pursuits form the chief industry of the population, and the statistical reports give it rank among the best for quantity and quality of products. From the report of the Rurean of Statistics and Geology for ISSO, wo gloun the following items: During that you', there were in the township 2,638 acres in wheat. yielding 12.20 bushels: 2.233 neres in corn. yielding 43. 065 bushels: 507 acres in oats, yielding 10.140 bushels: 419 acres of meadow. yielding 628 tons of hay: 25 acres in Irish potatoes, yielding 1.120 bushels.
THE VILLAGE OF WHEELING.
This village is situated in Sections 34 and 35, the Michigan road passing north and south through the center, and forming its principal street. It is a quiet. rural village, containing a few neat residences and two general stores, of which Kirkpatrick & Carter and William Black are the respective proprietors: three physicians. Prs. A. G. Moore. W. B. Payton and L. C. MeFat. ridge: one meat market. Fred Hoppe, proprietor: one saw-mill. operated by Hunt & Such: one wagon shop. C. M. Seagraves, proprietor: two showshops, of which Lowis Bell and Joseph Me. Koown ure the proprietors,
SHARON.
Sharon is a little village on the eust side of the Michigan road, one mile south of Wheeling. It contains no store, but there are here three carpenter-shops, of which D. A. Manmert. Wesley Fonts and Welly & Brother me the respective proprietors, while Robert Walker is the village blacksmith.
CARROLLTON (DARWIN POST OFFICE).
Carrollton is a diminutive village lying at the southern ex- tremity of the township, und extending into Burlington Township.
In 1837 or 1838, Richard Dunkin erected a similar mill on his land, and operated it for about fifteen years, selling it, finally, to ; The Michigan road forms its main street, and the road dividing - Carrollton and Burlington Townships its only cross street. J. A. Koonsman keeps the village store. The place is more familiarly known as Dodgertown.
282
HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
SOLOMON FOUTS.
Solomon Fouts was born December 16, 1826, in Montgomery County. Ohio. His father, Noah Fouts, came to that county with his parents from North Carolina, in 1802, and grew to manhood there, marrying Eve Zech. He was a farmer und located close to the town of Winchester, near the line between Montgomery and Preble Counties. He removed to Carroll County. Ind., in 1838, settling near Camden. After several changes of location, he finally settled on a farm in Cass County, Ind., where he died in March. 1845. He was a gentleman of upright character and possessed the warm regard of all who knew him.
Solomon, his son and the subject of this biography, grew to manhood amid scenes of pioneer life. and much of his youthful time was employed in assisting his father to clear and improve land. At the age of six years he first attended school in Ohio. but his subsequent educational privileges suffered materially by the removal of the family to Indiana when he was about seven years of age. After living in this county for a year or more, he attended a school taught in a cabin ou the land of Jonathan Mar- tin, at Camden. He was fond of reading and study, and this trait has marked his entire life. He made good progress in school. and ont of school hours his leisure time was devoted to the ac. quisition of knowledge by the study of such books as he could obtain. He attained thus a good, practical education, and. in the meantime, his every-day duties and surroundings were fortifying him with a knowledge of an honorable and useful occupation -- the pursuit of farming-into which he grew naturally, adopting it, in later years, as his vocation.
In the spring of 1838, he accompanied his father's family to what is now Deer Creek Township in Cass County. Ind., where their family and the family of Joseph Neff were the first white settlers. It was hicre he grew to manhood, and indulged his fondness for hunting the game then so abundant. This was a favorite amusement with the young men of that period. but he wisely abandoned it as the cares and duties of maturer years began to demand his attention.
On the 11th of August. 1860, he was united in marriage with Miss Margaret E., daughter of James Bridge, a prominent and highly respected citizen of Carrollton Township. In 1863. he returned to Carroll County and purchased a farm in Washington Township, but subsequently purchased and located again in Cass Connty, where he remained until the spring of 1872. At that time he purchased the farm where he now resides, on the line of "snits in Cass County, and. after contiming this line of employ- the Logansport and Burlington Turnpike in Carrollton Township. ment for two years, removed to Carroll County. Ind .. with whose interests he has ever since been identified. He purchased the in- terest of Mr. Hazlett in the " Farmers' Mills." in Carrollton Town- ship, and, by a subsequent purchase. became sole proprietor. His life- long familiarity with the details of this business has qualified him well for success in it. He is a good business man His estate bears mmy evidences of the owner's enterprise and taste. He has continued to enlarge the boundaries of his farm, from time to time, by the purchase of adjacent land. and has erected a palatial and handsome home for the comfort and hap- piness of his family. He has accumulated a competence in worldly goods, and it is due him to say that all he possesses has . and his personal popularity, combined with the best of work. has been carned by honest toil. He has avoided speculation and all uncertain enterprises aud confined his attention strictly to the legitimate pursuit of farming.
Mr. Fouts is well known and universally esteemned as a man of the strictest honor and integrity. He has never sought pub- licity through the medium of office, and never consented to the use of his name as a candidate. Yet, ever since he was a young man, his services have been sought in the guardianship of minor heirs, the settlement of estates and similar positions, in which a high order of integrity is required: and, in every instance, be has
discharged the duties of his position in a manner to retain and enhance the confidence reposed in him. He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, an earnest Christian and exen- plities his profession in his daily life.
His estimable wife has been his faithful companion and help- mate in his progress from poverty to affluence, and, as she shared the struggles of his earlier life. still lives to share and enjoy the comfortable inheritance secured by their combined efforts and good management. Of the children who came to bless their wed- ded life one, James Judson, is deceased, while Laura J., Nonh, Finis Ewing. Mary Eve, Emma. Alma, Clara and Taylor still survive.
DAVID STUDEBAKER.
David Studebaker was born June 30, 1841. in Miami County, Ohio. His father. John S. Studebaker. was born and reared in that county, as was also his mother, whose maiden name was Eliz. abeth Landes. His father was engaged in agrienltural pursuits combined with the flouring and saw mill enterprise.
When about five years of age, David accompanied his father's family in their removal to Delaware County, Ind .. and. five years later, to Cass County, in this State, where he acquired the prin- cipal part of his education by attending the common schools. Out of school hours his time was employed in the performance of the routine duties of farm life. At the age of seventeen years. he went to work in the flouring and saw-mill owned and operated by his father, in Cass County. acquiring a taste for this line of employment and developing proficiency as a miller. In 1862. he accepted employment in Maumee City. Ohio, and, in February, 1864, enlisted as a private soldier in Company K. Forty-sixth Regiment Indiana Volunteers. under Col. Bringhurst, of Logans- port, Ind. His command was assigned to the Army of the Cuni- berland, but the war was then practically at an end. and he was not engaged in any important battles. He served. however. nutil after the actual close of the war. and was honorably discharged. Returning to Logansport. he was engaged. for a short time, in a flonring-mill at that place, then removed to Olney. III .. where he was similarly engaged. Subsequently, he located on a farm near Wolcott, White Co .. Ind .. and, at a later date, returned to Logans- port. Remaining there for nearly five years, he afterward located at Hooverville. Cass Co .. Ind., where he was again employed in a flouring-mill. remaining here for a period of about thirteen mouths. At the end of that time he engaged in agricultural pur-
made the " Farmers' Mills" very popular and built up a good trade throughout a wide circuit of territory. As a consequence, financial benefits have accrued to the proprietor. which have placed him among the wealthy self-made men of his township. He started in life as a poor young man, and the position he occupies to-day is not the result of a sudden stroke of good fortune; he has risen gradually to prosperity, and his enterprise and tireless energy are the keys to his success. While building up his fort- nne in the midst of this community, he has established for him- self a good name and won a high position in the estimation of
DAVID STUDEBAKER.
.FARMER'S
MILLS ..
RES. AND MILL PROPERTY OF DAVID STUDEBAKER, CARROLLTON TP. CARROLL CO. IND.
RES.OF ANDREW J. WICKARD, CARROLLTON. TP. CARROLL CO. IND.
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RES.OF SOLOMON FOUTS, CARROLLTON TP. CARROLL CO. IND.
RES. OF JOHN WAGONER, CARROLLTON TP. CARROLL CO. IND.
RES. OF ISAAC N. WAGONER, CARROLLTON TP. CARROLL Co. IND.
283
CARROLLTON TOWNSHIP.
all by his uniformly honest dealing in business and the native integrity of his character. He is a member of the German Bap- tist Church, and has lived a life consistent with his profession. Politically, he is identified with the Democratic party, but has never sought or accepted official position -- content with the exer- cise of the right of suffrage and working quietly for party success.
On the 25th day of December, 1870. Mr. Studebaker was united in marriage with Miss Priscilla J. Burrous, daughter of Joseph and Mary Burrous, who were among the pioneers of Cass County, Ind. She is a noble woman. and has aided him very ma- terially in his temporal advancement. Their wedded life has been blessed by three children-Gertrude. Cora and Emerson. all of whom are now living.
ABNER JACKSON WICKARD.
Abner Jackson Wickard is of French-German descont, and was born April 20. 1827, in Butler County. Ohio. When twenty- eight years of age, he came to Carroll County. Ind., and located in Carrollton Township, on the very farm on which he yet lives. He is a son of John Wickard, born December 25. 1797. in Vir ginia. and living to-day. in Flora, Carroll County, and Elsie (Kratzer) Wiekard, born in Ohio November 16. 1800. Both grandfathers of A. J. Wickard were 1812 soldiers, the one on his mother's side having ranked as a Colonel. and the other having been made a prisoner at the time of the supposed infamous surren- der of Gen. HuH to Gen. Brock. of the Detroit post and territory.
When twenty- four years old, Abner J. Wickard attended one year Miami University. Ohio, preparatory to reading medicine. but abandoned, soou after. the idea of a profession for the l'arm. March 1. 1855. he was nited in marriage to Sarah Jane Cornell. a native of Knox County. Tem .. and born October 10, 1830. Mrs. Wickard's father was born in Virginia in IS06. and her mother in Tennessee in 1805. Six children have been born to .A. J. Wiekard and his wife, namely. Enina M. twife of Maurice Hornback). John F .. Mary A., Andrew J .. Ella M. (deceased) and Cynthia A. Mr. and Mrs. Wickard. while formerly having been members of churches, are to-day somewhat outside of the sphere of creed and dogma. into the realm of free thought and progressive liberalism. He has served tive terms a- Township Trustee of Carrollton Township, and in 1572. as a Democratie candidate, was elected. from District No. 3. a member of the Board of County Commissioners of Carroll County. During his term of official service in the latter capacity. the board built the county jail and tive bridges.
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