USA > Indiana > Carroll County > History of Carroll County, Indiana : With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 67
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Section 25-John Tedford. June 16. 1834; William McCall, October 30. 1834; James Evans. October 30. 1834; G. W. Dan- bury. February 13. 1836; William S. Montgomery, June 9, 1836.
311
JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP.
Section 26-Samuel Goslee. September 3. 1832: Jacob Barnes. September 3. 1832; Jefferson Goslee. May 26. 1834: W. C. McCall. October 9. 1834; John Clymer. February 5. 1836.
Section 27 -Thomas MeIntire. Angust 16. 1832; Sunnel Goslee. August 25. 1832: John Clymer. August 25. 1832: James Walker. December 23, 1833: Joseph Williamson. February 14 1834.
Section 33 -John Hornbeck. August 13. 1831; Thomas W. Holliday. May 7. 1833: Anthony Shultz. June 3. 1833: James Walker, December 23. 1833: Joseph Phillips. November 18. 1835: John Snyder. November IS. 1835: Abel Duvis. December 7. 1835.
Section 34-Anthony Shultz. June 3. 1832: Johu Barr. July 21. 1832; Thomas MeIntire. August 9, 1832; David Overly. Angust 24. 1832: Peter Prongh. Angust 24. 1832; Peter Ponce. May 10. 1834: Frederick Dosch. May 14. 1534.
Section 35 -Jacob Baum. September 5. 1832: David Barun. Arpil 5. 1833: Nathaniel Ingles, Muy 20. 1833: Jeremiah Ball- ard. December 1. 1833: Peter Burns. May 18. 1834: Henry Murphy. May 15. 1834: Enos Issaes. June 11. 1834: James Van Rensselaes, May 30. 1836.
Section 36- Nathaniel Ingles. July 5. 1833; W. S. Black- burn. December 6. 1833: Christopher Vandeventer. November 25. 1833: Peter Burns. June 7. 1834: John Dall. November 4. . nets of their farms, and gradually prosperity dawned npon them. 1835: Moses Grandstaff. November 25. 1835: Anson Ballard. November 17. 1835.
In Jefferson. large portions of the public lands were taken up by capitalists. who hold them for advanced prices when the increased immigration should create a demand for them. This was particularly true of Sections 5. 6. 8. 20 and 31. in Range 2. and 10. 11. 18. 15. 22. 23. 25. and 36. in Range 3. in which. with a very few exceptions. the purchasers were non- residents.
neers, who opened the way to civilization in other portions of the township. and the improvements now noticeable have been brought about by years of patient toil aud industry. To trace the growth of the settlement. year by year. and make personal mention of each family, would be a difficult aud tedious task, even were it possible, and would add only length. without inter- est. to our work. What applies to one member of this pioneer community may be said of them. with equal truth, as a whole. They were honest. industrious and frugal. and to their efforts are dne the great benefits that have acerned to their posterity in later years. They redeemed the land from the possession of a worth- less race of savages, cleared it of its timber. and transformed it into pleasant homes and fertile farms. They endured the trials. vexations and actual hardships of life in a region remote from the older settlements, and bravely battled with fortnue for homes that they could call their own, and leave as a heritage to their children. Many of their number came hither in poor circum- stances, and the prosperity that crowned their after years is a tribute to their industry and energy. They helped each other in the work of clearing, of building honses and barns, and. in short. they were a fraternity molded and cemented together by a com mon cause, actuated by a common motive. Later years brought. them aveunes of commerce: a demand was created for the prod
rewarding their labors of carlier times. Some who were ideuti fied with the first band of settlers diod ore their labors began to bear fruit, while others still survive to witness and enjoy the changes and improvements wrought during the intervening years.
ORGANIZATION.
The Board of Commissioners of Carroll County, at its session of May. 1836, passed an order for the creation of a new civil town. ship. to which was given the name of Jefferson Township. and its boundaries established as follows: "Beginning at the south west corner of Section 33. in Township 26 north. of Range 3 west. running thence cast with the township line nutil it strikes the Wabash River. thence north to the county line, thence west with the county line to the northwest corner of the county, thence south to the place of beginning." Joseph Williamson was ap pointed Inspector of Elections, and Robert Mitchell's house de- signated as the voting-place. At the election which followed the act of organization. Joseph Williamson was chosen Justice of the Peace for a term of four years. Nathan Gifhun, who was elected : in 1839, succeeded him in IS40. During the intermediate years. the following-named gentlemen have served in that capacity : Clery Shively, elected in ISHI: William S. Montgomery, 1542. and re-elected in ISI7, 1852. 1856. 1860 and 1864: Allen Reed. elected 1816: James Delzell. 1851: re-elected in 1855: William C. Carson, IS63: re-elected in 1968, 1972. 1876 and ISSO; James Coslee elected 1868; re-elected in 1876 and 1880.
The settlement grew rapidly after the year 1835, and it would lx scarcely possible to present a complete list of arrivals from and after that date. A few of the more prominent. however. may be mentioned: Benoni Giliam came in 1836 and located in Section 7. where he still resides: Abraham Crowell came in the sume year. or. possibly. the year before, and located in Section 17. Mark A. Newman came as early as 1833. and still reside- in the township. Ambrose B. Rookard came in 1835 and located in Section 18: Daniel Yount located in Section 20 in the same year. and prior to 1836. John Yout had located in Section 29: Eli Huntsinger. Isaac Huntsinger and William C. MeCall. in Section 30: Miles F. Austin and Robert Sterrett. in Section 2. Range 3; Joseph Schock, in Section 12: Robert Mitchell. in Sce tion 14: Thomas Phillips, in Section 15: Joseph Williamson, in Section 22; James Evans. in Section 25: Jefferson Goslee, in Section 26: Jeremiah Ballard. in Section 35: and Moses Grand. staff and John Dull. in Section 36. Among those who settled in the township between the years 1836 and 1839 were George Constables At the first election for township officers, hekl in 1536. no Constable was elected or. if elected. the fact is not re Brockus, Harrison Hoff. Garret Gibson. Jedediah Johnson. John Nearhoff. James Hoff. Heury Heiny. Jacob Burk, John Burris . corded. In 1840. William Tedford was elected to that oflice. and William S. Montgomery. By the year 1836. there were a sufficient number of residents within the borders of Jefferson to warrant its citizens in their expressed wish for a separate civil existence: and. although there was still much to do in the matter of clearing lands for cultivation. building log dwelling houses. etc .. the pioneor history of the township was practically at an end. For years afterward. however. the wilderness remained as danse, in certain localities, as when first penetrated by the pio- and has been succeeded. in the intervening years, by the follow ing gentlemen: Parker Incas, elected 1842: Robert A. Hamil, 1848: James W. Welch. 1814: Marion Reed. 1848: Samuel ML. Shortridge. 1850: John Cochran. IS51: William C. Carson, 1854; re-elected in 1856. 1857 and 1860; Lewis Sutton. 1861; Samnel Delzell. 1862; Lewis Sutton (re-elected). 1863; John Cochran. 1868; served to 1874: John Dashler. 1875 to 1881.
312
HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
SCHOOLS.
About the year 1834. the citizens living in the neighborhood of Moses Grandstaff's farm united and constructed a log cabin for a schoolhouse, on a lot donated by Mr. Grandstaff for that purpose. and school was taught there during the winter of that year. In 1835, a schoolhouse was erected on the land of William Carson, and differed from the first-named in the fact that it was built of hewed logs. while the Grandstaff Schoolhouse was a ronnd-log structure. The Carson schoolhouse was used for a number of years. and many of the leading citizens of the township received their education within its walls. It stood upon the lot now ocen- pied by the district school in Section 1. and was only abandoned after the present building was erected.
On the farm now owned by Alfred Briney, a log building was erected in 1836. and. during the winter of that year. Nathan C. Gillam taught the first term. He was a man of superior at- tainments as compared with the average pioneer teacher. and was identified with that school for several consecutive terms.
During the summer of 1837. a private school was taught by : Mrs. Mason, at her home. Probably none who attended her school will ever forget her. She won her way into the hearts of her scholars by kindness, and at the same time was firm in on- forcing a proper observance of school discipline. Among her pupils were some small children, too young to appreciate the significance of school. and nnable to forego an afternoon nap. When these little ones were overcome by the drowsy summer weather. they were taken from the high. hard benches, and tend- erly placed on the teacher's bed. there to remain in quiet shin- ber until time to go home. She possessed accomplishments not nsnally met with in pioneer settlements, and had a happy faenlty of imparting her knowledge to others.
What is true of the early schools of other localities is true of those in Jefferson. Teachers were engaged upon their own rec- ommendations. and occasionally an accomplished man would be secured. Usually, however. their attainments were contined to a fair knowledge of reading, writing and arithmetic as far as the i aud a minister of their own denomination came regularly to "rule of three." For one or two terins, perhaps. a superior preach for them. At first. they met at the house of John Brock- us, and subsequently at the houses of George Brockns and other members of that denomination. Their congregation grew, and the society was quite prosperons, and for a number of years they continued to meet a private houses. teacher would have charge of a school. and his scholars. espe. cially the older boys, would progress rapidly. Next term. the neighborhood would have a teacher less competent than his predecessor. and the latter be unable to teach the older scholars anything they did not already know. In such cases, the In later years, they erected a frame honse of worship. in which, for awhile. they held regular services. Owing to a varie ty of eanses. the society afterward began to suffer the loss of members, and in a few years became disorganized. The church was sold, and has since been converted into a blacksmith-shop. advanced pupils would either stay at home during the term. or walk to another school, ontside of their district. Great improve- ments were made in after years, and culminated in the present free school system under which the schools have attained a nigh degree of perfection. During the early years, and, in fact. nutil 1853, the schools were maintained almost wholly by private pat- , both organized classes of an early day. and, for a number of ronage. A fund was created by the sale of lands in the school section, and, just prior to the passage of the present school law, this fund was being appropriated in part payment of the current expenses of the schools. In 1853, the Trustees of the township assessed the first general tax for the maintenance of free schools, as provided for by the law of 1851-52. The introduction of the public schools was greeted with satisfaction in Jefferson, and in the meantime, the schools have become an institution of which her citizens are justly proud. The school statistics of this town- ship suffer none by comparison with those of others. They are here given in full, as reported by the Township Trustee for the school year of 1880-81:
Number of districts in which schools were taught, 9; average
length of school term, 125 days; average compensation of teach- ers. $1.75 per day: total number of pupils admitted within the year, 330: average daily attendance, 206: value of schoolhouses, grounds. seats, etc., $4,500: valne of apparatus, globes, maps, etc., $500.
The following is an exhibit of the township finances relative to the schools:
ACCOUNT OF REVENTE FOR TUITION.
Amount on hand September 1, 1880. 951 73
Amount received in February, 1881. 917 29
Miscellaneous receipts. 125 55
Total .... $1.994 51
Amount expended since September 1, 1880. 1,958 30
Amount on hand. 36 27
ACCOUNT OF SPECIAL SCHOOL REVENUE.
Amount on hand September 1. 1880. 468 13
Amount since received. 121 89
Total. 500 02
Amount expended since September 1, 1880. 485 76
Amount on hand
104 26
CHURCHES.
For a number of years subsequent to the first settlement, the religious clement in Jefferson remained unorganized. Occa- sioually a minister found his way hither, and would condnet services in the cabins of the settlers. He was uniformly greeted by a large audience, representing all the branches of the Chris- tian church. They had long been isolated from religious privi- leges, and were glad to hear a sermon, whatever might be the creed of the man who delivered it. And, indeed, denominational points were scarcely touched npon by the ministers themselves. Their mission was to sow the seed of the Gospel in the wilder- ness, rather than to recruit the ranks of the denominations they represented. As years rolled on, however, the members of the Christian for Campbellite) Church naturally drifted together.
The Methodist Episcopal and United Brethren denominations . year's subsequently. held services at private houses. About the year 1855, both congregations united in the erection of a church, on land donated for that purpose by Hiram Allen. in the south- east part of the township. Ever since its erection, this honse has been used alternately by the two denominations, and is called the Union Church, owing to this fact. Two other churches in the township are union churches. in a fuller sense, since they are open to all denominations and controlled by nonc. The first, " Hickory Grove Church," was erected in 1875. through the efforts of Valentine Coble and John Pearson. The contributions of money for its erection came largely from persons who were not church members, thus precluding the possibility of a claim upon it by any particular denomination. On the day of dedication.
313
JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP.
there remained a debt of $1,200. Contributions were called for to relieve this debt, and, in response. $1.400 was received. The church is a neat frame edifice, kept in good repair, and is opened for religious exercises whenever its use is desired.
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During the summer of 1880, a neat frame church was erected on land donated by C. M. Stoner and wife, in the northern part of the township. It is said that the money for its erection was all contributed before the church was built. It is a handsome little building. although plain, and possessing nothing of arelti tectural display. It was dedicated by Elder Uriah Patton, of the Reformed German Baptist Church, which society holds its regular meetings at this honse. . The German Baptists also hold their meetings here, and the church is known as a U'nion Church.
In the fall of 1880, the Methodist Episcopal Church was com- pleted, at the village of Yeoman. Several years prior to that date, a class of this denomination was organized at the Callom Schoolhouse, where they held their meetings until the comple- tion of their present house of worship. The church is a neat frame building, and the congregation prosperous.
INDUSTRIAL. PURSUITS.
In 1833 or 1834, Anthony Sheets constructed a little saw mill on the Tippecanoe River, to which he subsequently added a run of buhrs for grinding cora and wheat. It received a liberal pat- ronage from settlers living near, as well as from some who lived at points quite remote from this locality, and was operated for a mumber of years by its founder, during which time it proved a source of considerable profit to him. an an establishment of great convenience to his customers. At first, it was one of those crude mills which are to be found in nearly every now settlement: but. as its trade increased, its capacity was enlarged, and the latest improvements in the matter of milling machinery were adopted. In after years it passed into the hands of various owners. and the building and machinery underwent many modifications and im- provements. It is now known as the Oakdale Mill. and is one of the best custom mills on the Tippecanoe. It is situated in the southwest part of the township, on west side of the river.
At various times in the history of the township, saw-mills have : in Butler County, Ohio. Three years previons to her marriage been temporarily established in the midst of a well- timbered region, but they were, in the main, only transitory in their na- While living in Newton County, Moses Creek was twico elected a Trustee of Grant Township, about the years 1866-67. During his term of office. he built the second schoolhouse in the township. ture, and scarcely to be regarded at a part of the industrial his. tory of the township. Large quantities of valable timber are still standing, and the easy outlet to market afforded by the Chi- cago & Indianapolis Air Liue Railroad makes this a profitable Mr. Creek and his wife are members of the Methodist Church. In politics. he is a Republican of the firmest faith. and desirable location for the saw-mill enterprise. At the pres- eut time, there are two saw-mills in successful operation-one in the north part and the other in the east part of the township.
Agricultural pursuits have always formed the chief feature of Jefferson's industrial record, and in this calling the major por- tion of her citizens are represented. By the natural fertility of its soil and the skill of those by whom it has been cultivated. this township takes its place in the front ranks as a productive locality. In the season of 1880, 3,206 acres were sown in wheat, and from this was gathered 54,502 bushels, an average of 17 bushels per acre: 3.775 acres of corn yielded 95,792 bushels: 562 acres of oats yieldled 11.802 bushels: 547 acres of meadow yielded 820 tons of hay: and 23 acres planted in Irish potatoes yielded 828 bushels.
THE VILLAGE OF YOEMAN.
This is a small village in the southwest part of the township, on the line of the Chicago & Indianapolis Air Line Railroad.
It was named in honor of Col. Yeoman, one of the officials of that rond, which was at first a narrow-gauge road, under the title of Chicago & South Atlantic Railway. The village contains one general merchandise store, kept by William Corder: Joseph Hall is the Postmaster: Dr. Kennard is the resident physician, and Albert Tedford is the village blacksmith.
MOSES CREEK.
One of the substantial farmers and reliable citizens of Tipp- canoe Township is the subject of this biographical review. To him, perhaps, more than to any other man in the township, es- tates are intrusted for settlement. and the property of orphaned children is given in trust as their guardian --- evidence of the con- fideues which the people have in his scrupulons integrity and good judgment.
Moses Crook was born in Tippecanoe Connty. Ind., June 21, 1836. In the fall of 1852. he moved to Newton County, where he lived until 1869 (seventeen years). excepting only one year, 1856, passed in Minnesota. In October, 1869, he located in Rocktiekl. Carroll County, and engaged in the drug business. Soon after this venture, he bought the farm upon which he at present resides, and moved to it. continuing from that date uutil the present in the occupation of farming. His father, David Creek, a farmer. and of German descent, and mother. Mary ( Mook) Creek, were both natives of Union County. Ind.
Mr. Creek has been married twice- in 1859. February 9, to Miss Emiline Wilson. of Tippecanoe County, who died on the 24th of January. 1569; und the second time, to Miss Martha Lo- sourd. at the date of this marriage a resident of Pittsburg, Car. roll Co .. Ind. By his first wife, four children were boru - Wil- bar. October 4, 1860: Marshall. September 11. 1862: Mattie, No. vember 15, 1864: und Minnie, July 7, 1868. By his second wife he has two children --- Euma. born October 23. 1872: and Herbert L .. born Jannary 21. 1879. Mrs. ( Lesonrd) Crook is a daughter of Benjamin Lesonrd. and was born February 16, 1834, to Mr. Creek. she was a resident of Pittsburg.
The social and business standing of Mr. Crock is simply the best. He treats his fellow-men as he could wish to be treated, and in so doing gains the regard of all who have occasion to meet or deal with him in n social or business way.
DAVID R. CARSON.
Mr. Carson is an ex-member of the Board of Counmissioners of Carroll County. having been chosen to that position in 1870, not taking his seat, however, nutil the ensuing fall. and ro- elected in 1874. serving two terms -- 1871-77. Daring bis offi- cial service, the magnificent county jail, the Carrollton iron bridge and an iron canal bridge were erected. In addition to the foregoing public service, and excepting an interval of one year (1867), Mr. Carson well and faithfully represented his township during two periods covering eight years-1862 to 1871-as Township Trustee.
314
HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
David R. Carson is of English-Irish extraction. and was born at Line, Monroe Co .. E. Tenn., on the 20th of September, 1809. When fourteen years old. in November, 1833. his father. William Carson, brought his family, consisting of himself, his wife, Ro- sanna (McCully) Carson, three boys and five girls, to Carroll County. Ind., and settled on a farm in Jefferson Township. William Carson died in 1852. and Rosanna Carson in 1873.
With a log schoolhouse education and a knowledge of farm- ing, David Carson left home in 1843: was nited in wedlock on the 23d of March of that year, to Elizabeth Hamill, of White County, and a native of Tennessee, and, moving to a farm north of the center of Jefferson Township, continued to live there until the year 1874. His first wife dying in 1872, Mr. Carson was re- married, to Mrs. Sarah A. Davis. By his former marriage, two
children -Mary J. (wife of Alexander Barnes) and William A. --- are living.
In his political views, Mr. Carson has always sided with the Democratic party. while, religiously speaking. he, as well as his present wife, belong to that division of the Presbyterian Church known as Seceders. Of his father's family, two brothers, Will- iam Carson. Esq .. and John M. Carson, and two sisters, Rosanna Dalzell and Elizabeth Steele. are living, besides himself.
The neighbors and friends of Mr. Carson speak of his acts and life in the highest terms of praise and commendation. His official life is untainted with even the suspicion of a wrong. Cool and deliberate in judgment, frank and open in manner, and npright and honest in his dealings, he is the kind of man in whom the people do and should place their trusts.
MONROE TOWNSHIP.
LOCATION, BOUNDARY AND NATURAL FEATURES.
Monroe is situated south of the center of Carroll County. and contains a part of the territory assigned to the original township of Jackson. from which it was separated in 1840. Jackson Town ship bounds it on the north. Burlington and Carrollton Town- ships on the east. Democrat on the south and Madison and Deer Creek on the west.
The surface is generally low and level. with a few localities designated on the maps as swamps, and there are no localities in which the land may be said to be hilly or undulating. The soil is a rich black loam. very fertile and yielding abundant erops of all the fruits and cereals common to this climate. At Flora. and in the immediate vicinity of that village. there are a number of natural flowing wells, or springs, which burst spontaneously from the ground, and flow with considerable force to the surface: and where the surface is low, the forces beneath the waters are suffi- cient to carry the stream to a height of from three to four feet above the aperture where it makes its appearance. No chemical analysis of the waters has ever been made, but it is claimed by the residents that they contain medicinal properties of a high order. and are strongly impregnated with mineral substances among which iron is a prominent feature.
In the furtherance of agricultural pursuits. a large amount of ditching has been done in recent years. and lands formerly al- most useless have. by this means, been made to rank among the best. The principal stream in the township is Bachelor's Run. This stream enters at the east line of Section 13. and. flowing for two miles or more in a northerly direction, suddenly changes its course. and flowing thence west by north leaves the township at its north line. The head-waters of Sugar Creek flow through the western part of the township. and besides these streams. there are several munamed branches. mostly tributaries of Bache- ler's Run.
Prior to the pioneer period. this was a heavily timbered re- gion. Oak. ash, walnut, becch, maple, poplar, etc .. were the pre- vailing varieties, and offered a strong resistance to the army of pioneers who first invaded the territory over which they stood sen- tinel, and who finally carved from it fine farms and cheery homes.
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