USA > Indiana > Carroll County > History of Carroll County, Indiana : With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 64
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301
JACKSON TOWNSIHP.
Eliza Plank, Abraham Biesecker. Peter B. Rice, Abraham Thomas. conduct the ceremonies of institution of this Encampment in the town of Camden. These charter members were Z. A. Brown Samuel Lenon. David Kuhn. A. N. Grant, Simeon Mills, S. F. Lydia Thomas. William Plank. Martha Plank. Mrs. Catharine McCormack and Caroline Plank. The organization was com pleted by the election of George Plank and Samuel B. Walters, ! Thompson and George McCormick. The District Deputy Grand Elders: Jacob C. Plank and John H. Plank, Deacons: and George 1 Plank, Jesse Thomas and Moses Plank, Trustees.
For two years after organization, they met at temporary ; Carroll, No. 22, G. J. W .: R. L. Higginbotham, of Carroll. 22. places. and, in 1848, erected their first house of worship, a small and unpretentious structure. This was used by them on occa- sions of public service until the year 1873, when they erected their present handsome church edifice, at a cost of $8,000.
Rev. S. MeReynolds entered upon his duties as pastor of the church in 1846, and resigned May 28, ISa5. He was succeeded. in October, 1856, by Rev. D. Smith, who served one year Rev. L. L. Bonnell succeeded him, and resigned in February, IS5S. Rev. S. P. Snydir. the fourth pastor of the church. took charge October 1. 1858, and religued September 15. 1867. He was sie- ceeded by Rov. J. M. L. Kunkleman, who served about twenty inonthis. and Rov. J. W. Elser. his successor, served for an equal period. Rev. S. B. Hyman entered upon his duties as pastor May 1, 1869, and. owing to ill health. resigned the same year. His successor. Rev. J. L. Gnard, took pastoral charge of the church June 12. 1870, and served in this relation until the divis. ion of the charge. in INGS, when he resigned to take charge of the castern division. Rev. A. J. B. Kast succeeded him June 9. 1878. and had charge of the church for one year, at the end of which time he resigned. Rev. G. L. Schafer succeeded him iu June, 1879, and resigned Angust 1. 1881. Rov. D. H. Snowden is the present dastor.
From this church have emanated six other Lutheran organiza- : The first officers were: George Kuns. W. M .: J. M. Justice. S. tions in this and adjoining counties. In 1857, its congregation numbered 121 members: but about that time. a number of these withdrew to organize St. Luke's congregation. abont seven miles sontheast of Camden. Shortiy afterward. Mount Pisgah congre- gation was organized, and its members came chiefly from St. Peter's Church. Thus. from time to time, its membership has been reduced by this means. but the church still has a large mem- bership, and is in a prosperous condition.
SOCIETIES.
Comden Lodge, No. 151, 1. O. O. F., was instituted on the night of December 2, 1854, by District Doputy Grand Master James H. Stewart. There were five charter members, viz. : Matt hew Rogers, James B. Newton, Jonathan Martin. N. M. Ridge- way and James L. Korlin. Matthew Rogers was elected Noble Grand: James L. Kerlin. Vice Grand: an'l James B. Newton. Secretary. The early meetings of the lodge were held in the sec- ond story of a building on Main street. in the lower room of which Thompson Cline kept a grocery. About the year 1858. they added a third story to the township school building. in which they had their lodge room until 1875. In that year. they erected a large, two-story frame building at Camden, in the sec- ond story of which the regular weekly meetings are now held. The lodge is in excellent working order and good financial con- dition. The present officers are: Robert Kennett. N. G .: Sto. phen Klockner, V. G .: William Steel, Secretary: John L. Har. rison. P. S. : Enoch McFarland. Treasurer.
Patriarch appointed the following officers to assist him: P. S. Hoffman, of Oriental. No. 28, G. S. W .: Henderson Dunkle, of G. H. P .; A. Eldridge, of Carroll, No. 22. G. S .: W. M. Stewart, of Cooper, No. 90, G. T .: John Lathrope. of Carroll. No. 22. G. I. S .: J. W. Fanset, of Carroll. No. 22. G. O. S.
Seven petitions for membership were received. These were referred to a committee, who immediately returned a favorable report. and the candidates were admitted and instructed in the degrees. This gave the Encampment fourteen working members to start with, and. notwithstanding the fact that it has labored under many disadvantages, with but a limited territory in which to work, its membership has gradually increased. and it is now without doubt one of the best working Encampments in the State: its members are solid and its financial condition is good. The present officers are: J. D. Carter. C. P .: A. Briggs, S. W .. Robert Miller. J. W .: E. A. MeFarland. H. P .: C. Camp. Scribe: William Klopinger. Treasurer.
Mount Zion Lodge. No. 211. A. F. d . M., was organized July 30. 1856, and worked under dispensation until May 27, 1857, at which time it received a charter, duly signed by the Grand Master of the State. George Kuus. James M. Sterrati, James M. Justice, Cornelius Conover. James R. Laird, Androw Į Robinson, John B. Kane, C. P. Freeman, William Wright. Will. iam Armstrong and L. G. Patterson were the charter members. W .: L. G. Patterson. J. W. In 1875, the lodge erected a two. story frame building on Main street. at a cost of $1, 750. in which they have a neat and commodious lodge room. This lodge is in line working order, and enjoys a high reputation in Masonic cir. cles. The officers for the present torm ( ISS1; are: J. P. Hauce. W. M .: E. W. Humrickhonse. S. W .: M. M. Lonon, J. W .; E. C. Rice, Treasurer: W. K. Shank. Secretary: 1. Lenon. S. D .: Wilham Musselman. J. D .: J. M. Bryant. Tiler.
INDUSTRIAL. PUBSITE'S.
The great fertility ef the soil has rendered agricultural pur- suits the chief feature among the industrial enterprises of the township. In ISSO, there were 2. 17 acres of wheat sown, which yielded 61,656 bushels. or an average of about twenty-five bushels per acre. In the same year. there were 2,564 acres of corn, yield- ing 61, 100 bushels, and 616 acres of oats, from which the yield was 16,150 bushels. From 635 acres of meadow, 952 tons of hay were gathered. and 13 acres in Irish potatoes yielded 1,075 bush. els. Fruit is but little cultivated. excepting apples, which form a staple article of trade, and are successfully growu. The iu- clemency and irregularity of the climate has had the effect of dis- couraging efforts to cultivate the peach, or other fruits of a like nature, although this fruit was cultivated in earlier years with a fair degree of success.
While agriculture has always been the leading industrial feat- nre, there have been numerons mills in the township at varions times, and all the trades have had their representatives here. One of the wants most felt in a new settlement is the necessity of a mill for grinding the grain wherewith to prepare the food of township was, therefore, an event of very early occurronco: and.
Jackson Encampment, No. 135. 1. 0. 0. F .* - On the 8th day of June. 1875, District Deputy Grand Patriarch Charles Angel met the charter members of Jackson Encampment, No. 135, to , the settler. The establishment of such an institution in this
*Prepared and contributed by Dr. J. D. Carter. C. P.
302
HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
although the "mill " was a contrivance at which we would be tempted to laugh. in these days of improvement and perfect ina- chinery, it served a good purpose in its day. and played no small part in keeping the gaunt wolf at bay in many a pioneer home. The mill in question was what was known to our carly settlers as a " corn-cracker." and was operated at the farm of Philip Hewitt. on Bachelor's Run. It was constructed by him in 1828 or 1829. and operated until his death. a few years later, when it passed to other hands, and finally out of existence, upon the establish- ment of superior mills. It consisted of two stones taken from the creek, and dressed down into the semblance of buhrs. It would grind four or five bushels of corn a day, and merely cracked the grains as they passed between the stones. The peculiar ap- propriateness of the name " corn cracker " was appreciated by all who were compelled to eat the corn bread made from the meal prepared by it. We may form some idea of its magnitude from an incident related of William Arinstrong. Shortly after his settlement here. he went to the inill with a sack of corn. and waited for the process of grinding to be completed. He watched it, with interest until the corn was ground. then asked the pro- prietor if he might uot take the mill home with him. explaining that he would like to show it to the children.
In 1829. a saw-mill was built by Samuel Wise. at the month of Bachelor's Run. It was supplied with the best machinery in use at that day. and its proprietor transacted an extensive and lucrative business until death. It then passed to his son. David. who remodeled it and operated it until a few years ago.
Probably the next miHl. and certainly the first one of any im- portance in the township. was that erected by David Harter in 1832. It was located on the bank of Bachelor's Run. from which stream it received its motive power. and was the first mill in the township that ground wheat. It was a good mill. and proved. at the same time. a source of profit to its proprietor and an indis- pensable convenience to its patrons. Mr. Harter continued to operate the mill until his death. after which it passed to the hands of various owners, and was finally destroyed by fire.
In 1831 or 1832. a saw-mill was erected by Peter Replogle. at his farm on Deer Creek. He operated it successfully for awhile. then sold to John E. Snoeberger, from whom the estab- lishment passed to the ownership of Daniel and James McCain. In 1841, the Messrs. McCain erected a fine frame flouring-mill on this site, of which Adam Porter is now the proprietor. John- son Earnest purchased the interest of Daniel McCain, while Adam Porter purchased the interest of James McCain. in 1850. At a later date, Mr. Porter purchased the interest of his associate, Mr. Earnest, and has since been sole proprietor of the mill. It is a large frame building. three stories above the basement. and supplied with three runs of buhrs.
In 1834, John Lenon built a little " corn-cracker " at his farm on Deer Creek. This mill was subsequently remodeled by him. and supplied with a run of buhrs for grinding wheat. He ope- rated it successfully for about four years. at the end of which time he sold it to David Fisher. by whom it was operated for more than twenty-five years. From Mr. Fisher. it passed to the ownership of Furry & Byram, and from them to Matthew Oben- chain. by whose heirs it is still owned. The building has been remodeled, and only a part of the original frame is now stand- ing. During the winter of 1880-81. the dam was broken by the ice, and the mnill has since been inoperative.
On Paint Creek, two saw-mills were erected at an early day -- one by John McClaskey. in 1838. and the other by John Lenon,
not far from the same time. Both mills were operated until they outlived their usefulness, and were abandoned.
About the year 1840, Miles Goodwin erected a saw-mill on Bachelor's Run. east of the Harter Mill, and operated it for up- ward of thirty years. It passed through the hands of various owners, the last of whom was Eli Huff. It had outlived its use- fulness. and was consequently abandoned. In 1840, a saw-mill was erected on the same stream, by Charles A. Bowman, which was operated successfully until a few years ago. It is not now in operation.
In 1839 or 1840, a woolen-mill was erected on Deer Creek, by John Musselman. and Andrew Robeson supplied it with the necessary machinery for fulling, carding and cloth-dressing. Thus. Musselman owned the mill site and water-power, while Robeson owned the machinery. Enoch McFarland purchased the machinery and leased the mill in 1841. and during the next three years it was operated by him. Subsequently. Mr. MeFarland and his son. Perry. erected the building now known as the Leonard Flouring-Mill .. in which they conducted a woolen-mill for about six years. Perry sold his interest to his father, who began to convert it into a grist-mill, but sold out to the Dillen brothers before completing this change. They completed the work. and it has since been operated as a flouring-mill. It is a large frame building, three stories and basement, and has two runs of buhrs. The mill was operated for a few years by the Messrs. Dillen, and passed from them to the hands of Nathaniel Leonard, its present proprietor.
In 1848 or 1849, a saw-mill was erected by Jacob Plank and Jacob Shoe, a half-mile southeast of Camden. on Deer Creek. About four years later. they sold it to Joseph Bridge, from whom it passed to A. P. McFarland. Mr. MeFarland operated it for eight years, after which it was abandoned.
At the present time. there are four saw-mills in operation in the township -- one. owned by Mr. Harter. is situated in the southern part of the township. near the Delphi & Burlington road. and operated by water from Bachelor's Run. There are two mills at Camden. The planing-mill and saw mill operated by John W. Koontz was erected by him in 1878. at the northwest part of town. and has been in successful operation ever since. The other mill is operated by Coldsmith & Humrickhouse, and is situated in the northeastern part of Camden. It was completed in the sunnner of the present year (1881). The fourth is situated in. the southeastern part of the township, and is owned and operated by Noah Frick.
NEWSPAPERS.
The Camden Expositor .- This paper entered upon its career with the year ISSO, its first number having been issued on the Sth day of January of that year. Dr. J. D. Carter was its founder, and continued to be its editor and proprietor for about four months, at the end of which time he sold the paper, presses and good will to Zophar Hunt, the present proprietor. The Expositor is a neat, well-printed. seven-cohunn folio, and is issued on Thurs- day of each week. In polities. it supports the doctrines and principles maintained by the Republican party. while not aggres- sive or intolerant in its opinions. As a medium of news, it sup- plies a long-felt need in this community, and the extended circu- lation and liberal patronage it enjoys seem to assure its standing as one of the permanent institutions of Camden. Its editor, Mr. Hunt. is well known throughout the editorial fraternity of the State. from his long association with the Logansport (Ind.) Jour- nal. and the La Fayette (Ind. ) Courier.
303
JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
GRAIN DEALERS.
Shortly after the completion of the Logansport. Crawfords- ville & South- Western Railway. Messrs. Dillen & Lenon embarked in the grain trade at Camden. and erected a warehouse near the railroad at the east end of town. In 1871 or 1872. a warehouse was erected by A. J. Thomas, at a cost of about $2.000. Both houses were subsequently destroyed by fire, and in 1875 the grain business of the town was consolidated by the purchase of the trade of both firms by Ray & Rice. The central location of Cam. den. and its consequent accessibility from all parts of the county. have given it prominence as a shipping-point, and the grain trade here has developed into an enterprise of magnificent propor. tions.
During the season of 1880. Messes. Ray & Rice shipped from this point fully 100.000 bushels of grain. They have an elevator at the east end of town. and on the line of the railroad. which is supplied with all the modern conveniences and improve- ments, and has a storage capacity of 20,000 bushels.
BANKING.
The Camden Bank was founded in 1867 by A. J. Thomas and E. C. Rice. under the firm name of Thomas & Rice. After the death of Mr. Thomas, in 1875. the business was conducted by Mr. Rice for abont a year. when Philip Ray succeeded Mr. Thomas in the firm. Since then, the business has been conducted under the firm name of Ray & Rice. The Camden Bank is a pri- vate institution. with ample capital and resources, and is engaged in the transaction of a general discount. exchange and deposit business. Its proprietors aro competent business men. and enjoy the utmost confidence of the people. to whom their bank has proved a great convenience and a valuable institution.
THE VILLAGE OF CAMDEN.
lage hotel: Peter Baker is a furniture dealer and undertaker: Mrs. Fearnot has a millinery and notion store: James Bryant is the village tailor: William Eschker is the shoemaker: Knns & McFarland are the proprietors of the meat market: Isaiah Bndd and M. H. Wood are engaged in the mannfacture and repair of wagons and carriages: John Groninger, Joseph Pock and Thomas Mills are blacksmiths: and W. H. Bowdle is the proprietor of the livery stable: Dr. F. G. Armstrong. Dr. W. P. Youkey. Dr. E. W. Armstrong and Dr. Charles Camp are the practicing phy- sicians.
Camden. as it appeared in 1837. gave but a faint promise of over becoming the town it is to-day. A public road (now Main street) was laid out from cast to west through the center of the town plat, and this road. it is said. was only a wagon track. with the brush and undergrowth extending thick on both sides of it. "At that time." says Jacob Plank, "there were but five houses in the village. One of these. a little log cabin. stood on the prosent site of Philip Ray's residence, and was occupied by a Mr. Woodman, who had a small stock of goods there. The four other houses were dwellings, and all but one were log buildings." Just east of town (but now within the corporate limits stood a donble log house, ocenpied by Jonathan Martin. Mr. Martin was one of the original purchasers of land in this section when it was sold. aud also owned several town lots. From the land he purchased be donated an acre or an aere and a half for cemetery and church purposes. Upon this. a few years later. a frame church was created by the Associate Reformed denomination This society had a prosperous existence nntil some time during the late war. when it became disorganized. and has not since been represented by a church in the township. On the corner of the cemetery lot, a frame schoolhouse was erected in 1535. and occupied for school purposes for about twenty years. The come. tery is still in nse, and within this inclosure repose many who bore a conspienous part in the development of the township and village.
The sixteenth section of every township was reserved by Con- gress as the property of the schools, and not subject to entry like The first store in Camden was kept by William Crooks, in a fittle log building on the present site of Philip Ray's residence. He remained but a short time, and. it is believed. went to Del phi. A little later. Cleaver & MeCurdy opened a store on the corner now occupied by Peter Baker's residence. A Gormum by the name of Barth kopt store here at an early day. but only re mained a short time. Mr. Rankin and Andrew McDonald were also among the carly merchants. Jesse Dillon has been asso. ciated with the mercantile interests of the town longer than any merchant now in business here. He was a clerk in the store of Matthew Rogers in 1546, and became his snecessor in business. The house in which his store is situated was built by Mr. Rogers in IS51. other portions of the public lands. The charge of this section was intrusted to a School Commissioner, who was empowered to sell land therein contained. while the money thus realized was devoted to the support of the schools. By reference to the map. it will be seen that Camden occupies a portion of this. the " school section," in Jackson Township. In 1533, this section was soll for less than $1,500, and sixteen acres were reserved by the Com- missioner for the purpose of laying ont a town plat, to which was given the name of Camden. Additions were made at a later date. extending the boundaries of the town, and other streets than the single one first laid out appeared appeared in response to the requirements of the town in its growth. Camden now has a population of upward of six hundred sonts, and is in all respects Dr. James M. Justice: Dow a prominent physician of Logans port. Ind .. located at Camden when a young man. and was the first physician in the village. Some years later. he sold his prae tice to Dr. L. Snyder, and removed to Commerville. Ind., and subsequently to Logansport. a flourishing town. Its business houses are well appointed. and its merchants carry large and well-selected stocks, and, in the amount of business transacted annually, Camden is surpassed. perhaps. by no town in the comty, save Delphi. The following- named firms constitute the business and professional part of the James R. Laird built a tavern at the west end of Main street ¡ soon after the town was laid ont. The building is still standing, but has not been used as a tavern for a number of years. The hotel now kept by Samnel Lenon was erected in. 1850 by Jona- population: Steele & Son, J. F. Taylor and the Dillen Brothers are dealers in general merchandise; I. D. Crooks & Co. and John Turner deal in groceries; Klepinger & McFarland and A. A. Mckinney are the proprietors of drug stores: David Kingery | than Martin, who conducted it for a short time. and afterward is the proprietor of a hardware store: James Wallace has a bard. ware and tin store: Ray & Rice are bankers and dealers in agri- cultural implements: Samuel Lenon is the proprietor of the vil- rented it to Mr. Ridgeway. It was subsequently used for a bus- iness house, but was purchased. in 1865. by Samnel Lenon, who again converted it into a hotel.
304
HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
ANDREW ROBESON.
Andrew Robeson was born December 21. 1815. in Hunting. ton County. Penn. His father. Andrew Robeson. Sr .. was born and reared in Adams County. Poun .. and married Miss Rosamond Denison. a lady of Irish nativity, who emigrated to the United States with her parents when she was about five years of age. The elder Bobeson was the proprietor of a cotton and woolen mill in Adams County. and. after his removal to Huntington County. continned the same line of ocenpation. in connection with agri- cultural pursuits. He died in the latter county at the age of eighty-two years.
His son Andrew, the subject of this biography. enjoyed. in early life, sneh educational advantage- as wore afforded by the local subscription schools, which he attended during the winter. During the remainder of the year. he was employed in his fa- ther's mill or on the home farm. He remained a home until twenty years of age, then went to Frankstown. Penn .. where he was employed as clerk in a store. While thus engaged. he was married. on the 6th day of March. 1535. to Mi -- Nancy Stom baugh. and. in the following May. started with his bride for In- diana. They stopped. en route, with relatives in Ohio. arriving at La Fayette. Jud .. on the 6th of June. From Frankstown to Johnstown. Penn .. their route was over an old- Fashioned " por. table railroad." the trains being drawn up the mountain sides by stationary cuginos. and left to run down by gravity. From Johnstown to Pittsburgh they traveled by canal: thence down the Ohio River to Cincinnati: From Cincinnati to Dayton, Ohio. by canal: and from there to Terre Haute. Ind .. by stage. From Terre Haute they came to La Fayette byone of the steamers then plying the Wabash. Remaining at La Fayette overnight, they went. the next day. to the house of Mr. Robeson's brother. John. who was then hving near Dayton. in Tippecanoe County. Ind. In the following spring. his brother engaged in the woolen bnsi- mess at that point. and Mr. Robeson accepted a position in the mill. He remained with his brother until 1841. at which time he removed to Carroll County. Ind .. and erected the woolen-mill to which reference is made in the history of Jackson Township. He was engaged here one year. and. at the end of that time. traded his mill for the farm which he now occupies. After farm ing about a year. he went to Pittsburg. Carroll Co .. Ind .. at the solicitation of D. K. Ward, to superintend the woolen-mill which that gentleman had oreeted there. Remaining with lom about a year. he subsequently engaged in the same business with Dur kee & Johnson. at La Fayette. Ind. He was with this firm for about three years. at the end of which time he returned to his farm. At the end of a year. he was solicited to take charge of the mill which he had formerly owned. the proprietor. Mr. Hol- loway. having lost his life by an accident in the mill. After this. he operated the mill for about five years, returning to his farm at the end of that time. In the years that have followed. he has continued to devote his energies to the pursuit of farm. ing. and. by industry and good management. has accumulated a comfortable fortune-a support for his declining years and a heritage for his loved ones who shall survive him.
On the 20th of March. 1872. his wife died. Four of their children-Drucilla. Caroline. Mabel and Flavius -- had preceded their mother to the silent land. Four survived her. and are still living. These are Maximelia. Mahlon. Faros and Plato. all of whom are now married. save the youngest, Plato.
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