USA > Indiana > Fayette County > History of Fayette County, Indiana: containing a history of the townships, towns, villages, schools, churches, industries, etc.; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; biographies, etc., etc. > Part 24
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57
In 1884 was organized the Connersville Buggy Company (successors* to Batavia Buckboard Com- pany), and located in the large mill building on the corner of Eastern Avenue and Charles Street, for- merly occupied as a planing-mill. The building is large and commodious, and the company works from forty to fifty hands, and will likely make during the coming year 1,500 vehicles. The officers of the eom- pany are J. N. Huston, President; J. D. Larned, Treasurer; L. T. Bower, Secretary, and John W. Pohlman, Superintendent of Manufactures.
The tanning business has been carried on in Con- nersville from the very beginning of the village. Besides the old Rees, Conwell and others elsewhere referred to, the business was carried on where the hominy mill now is, and in that vicinity for many years. Forty odd years ago Brown & Bundrant were tanners there. The yard finally passed into the pos- session of John L. Gilchrist, and has only recently ceased. A year or so ago, in that neighborhood, the Myer Bros. began the business, and are now car- rying on in that line on a small seale.
About the year 1846 William F. Gephart, of Dayton, Ohio, erected a portion of the Root's foun- dry building, and in it started a stove foundry, and after operating several years in one end of the build- ing, John Ensley, of Richmond, began the manu- facture of machinery, threshing-machines, steam- engines, etc. Mr. Gephart sold to William J. Han- kins
In about 1855 Mr. Ensley, in connection with James Mount and Josiah Mullikin, erected the large brick building on Eastern Avenue near the Cinein- nati, Hamilton & Indianapolis Railroad, at a cost of $4,000, and in it carried on the manufacture of vari- ous kinds of machinery, threshing-machines, engines, sorgham-mills, etc., etc. Mr. Ensley soon went out, and the firm became Erwin, Mount & Mullikin, and under that title the business there ceased, and the building was sold in 1866 to Wetherald & Sons. Previous to the selling of the building Mr. Mullikin had rented the old foundry building of Mr. Hankins, and in it carried on the same business as the firm of Erwin, Mount & Mullikin had been engaged in, he having the entire building, Hankins having gone ont.
153
HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
The successors to Mr. Mullikin were E. & E. L. Mul- likin, who continued the business until in 1863, when it was discontinued.
In January, 1864 the foundry building was sold to Messrs. P. H. &. F. M. Roots, who then began the manufacture of a rotary force blast blower at, Con- nersville, and in connection with the foundry carried on a machine shop. The blower was of their own invention, which was developed about 1860, and until 1864 manufactured at other machine shops. From 1860 to 1870 their patents were covered by fif- teen different issues.
Since the death of Mr. P. H. Roots the Foundry has been carried on by the other brother and in the Roots name. It now comprises three buildings, oue of which is three stories high, and the others two stories each-dimensions 75x40 feet, 70x30 feet and 60x40 feet, all well equipped with improved machin- ery. The works are located in the south end of the city near the river. Some seventy-five men are con- stantly employed. Since the beginning there have been manufactured at this foundry and sold in this country over 10,000 blowers, and as many more in foreign countries, 5,000 of which are now in use in England. The blower has been awarded first medals and premiums at the Paris Exposition in 1867; Vienna Exposition in 1873, and at the Centennial Exposi- tion in 1876. At the foundry are now manufactured force blast blowers, portable forges and gas ex- hausters.
The beginning of the manufacture of furniture in Connersville, which has resulted in the four large factories now in the city, dates back to the year 1865. In May of this year A. C. Cooley, a cabinet- maker and furniture dealer, and Warren Wanee, a carpenter, united their business and began the manu- facture of furniture in the old factory building still standing near the Water Works. In the October following they dissolved. A month later a company composed of A. C. Cooley, George W. Gregg and William Newkirk, for the manufacture of furniture, was formed, and occupied the factory building, here- tofore referred to, by the Water Works, continning together until in 1869 (manufacturing and carry- ing on retail business down town), when they dis- solved, Mr. Newkirk possessed of the factory build- ing and machinery, and Cooley & Gregg the retail property. Probably six months later Gregg sold his interest to Alexander Morrison, and in 1870 Cooley, Morrison & Co. began operations as a for- niture manufacturing company in the old foundry building on Eastern Avenue. They continued there until July of the same year, when they removed to a shop on Central Avenue, previously occupied by Messrs. Wanee & Martin as a carpenter shop, and
there continned their business until in 1874, when it was merged into a stock company.
The factory of the Cooley-Morrison Furniture Manufacturing Association is on the corner of Seventh and Mason Streets, the main building being a sub- stantial brick four stories high, and in size is 40x120 feet. The President of the Association is Curtis Wright, and T. J. Rittenhouse Secretary and Treas- urer. They employ 100 hands and manufacture walnut and ash bureaus, dressers, wash-stands, bed- steads, and dress case and bureau suits.
At the time Mr. Newkirk came into possession of the old factory he associated with him Herman Munk in the manufacture of furniture, and in 1874 Newkirk sold out to James E. Roberts, and the firm became Munk & Roberts, and in 1884 the present company styled "Munk & Roberts Furniture Co.," manufacturers of suits, bureaus, and wash-stands. The factory is located in the northwestern out-skirts of the city along the track of the Whitewater Valley Railroad. They have two large substantial brick buildings, one of which is four stories high, and in size 60x100 feet, built in 1878, and the other, erected in 1883, is five stories high and is 50x140 feet. One hundred and fifty workmen are employed on an aver- age. President, H. Munk; Secretary and Treasurer, J. E. Roberts.
Mr. Newkirk, on selling his interests to James E. Roberts in 1874, formed the Indiana Furniture Com- pany, with the following named incorporators: Will- iam Newkirk, J. B. McFarlan, John W. Ross, J. M. Wilson, B. F. Claypool, G. C. and F. A. Hanson. The company was organized in September, 1874, with a capital stock of $50,000. The officers were W. Newkirk, President; W. H. Wherrett, Secretary and Treasurer. The capital stock has been twice increased, and is now $100,000. The factory is located at the south end of Eastern Avenue. The original building was constructed in 1874, being five stories high, and a second building was erected in 1876. It is four stories high, and each are 120x40 feet. An additional building was erected in 1878. The company employs 160 men, and probably on an average manufacture 120,000 pieces per year. The articles manufactured are confined exclusively to ash, walnut and cherry sets. Present officers: William Newkirk, President; George M. Sinks, Secretary and Treasurer.
The Connersville Furniture Manufacturing Com- pany was organized as a joint stock company in Feb- ruary, 1882, with the following officers, who still retain their positions: F. M. Roots, President; Charles Mount, Vice-President; N. W. Wright, Sec- retary; E. B. Hawkins, Superintendent factory.
The factory is located nearly opposite to that of Munk & Roberts, and the main building is of brick,
8
154
HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
six stories high, and in size 50x150 feet. They man- ufacture walnut and other hard wood furniture, mak- ing a specialty of bed room snits. They employ on an average 150 workmen.
On Sunday morning, January 26, 1884, a fire occurred at the factory, by which it was damaged, as adjusted by the several insurance companies, to the extent of $14,500.
What was known as the coffin factory, located where the Connersville Furniture Company are now doing business, originated with John Wanee, who along toward the latter part of the decade between 1860 and 1870 began the manufacture of a few cof- fins, in connection with other business. Subsequently he associated with him in the enterprise T. J. Parry. In October, 1874, J. H. Bailey and Samuel Beck bought an interest in the business, and in January, 1875, the partnership closed, and a stock company was formed with a capital of $57,000. The factory comprised several buildings, one of which was erected in 1869 by Martin & Wanee, and the other, a five- story brick, 80x40 feet, in 1874, at a cost of $13,700. In May, 1879, the factory was destroyed by fire, when seventy five men and boys and fifteen girls were thrown out of employment. The stock at the time of the fire comprised 7,000 coffins, 5,000 of which were ready for shipment. The loss sustained was estimated at from $60,000 to $70,000.
The Western Hosiery Mills are located at the south end of Central Avenue. Their building is a three-story brick 85x35 feet, erected in 1884. The business was established in 1873 by Leonard Bros., with W. H. Caswell as Superintendent. But one or two machines were used in the beginning, which were operated at the house of the Superin- tendent. Their various places of business in the past have been on the Buckley corner. over the Frybarger store and in the building adjoining the Gentry Livery Stable on Central Avenne. The num- ber of machines used has increased from two to one hundred, the number now in use. In 1881 the Su- perintendent obtained a patent for driving knitting and other light machinery by power, and applied it to the Lamb machines then in use by Leonard Bros., who transferred the right to Chenoweth & Ralph when they purchased the mill, and the present company secured it at the time of the purchase from Cheno- weth & Ralph. From June, 1882, until October, 1883, the firm was Chenoweth & Ralph, at which latter date Mr. Ralph purchased the interest of his partner, and a joint stock company was or- ganized with J. N. Huston as President; Melvin Ellis, Secretary; A. J. Ralph, Manager, and W. H. Caswell, Superintendent. In May, 1884, Mr. Ralph sold his interest to Hub Thomas and retired
from the mill. One hundred female operatives are employed at the factory, where a general line of seamless and cut hosiery, mittens, etc., are manufact- ured.
In 1875 was started, in part of the old Frybarger pork house, a sash, door and blind factory, by D. W. Andre and J. H. Stewart & Co. This finally became the factory of Downs, Ready & Co., contractors and builders, and mannfacturers of sash, doors, blinds, moldings, etc. The firm employ from fifty to sixty hands.
The Connersville Pearl Hominy Company was established in 1882 by C. Ross, Val and J. S. Leon- ard and N. J. Morrison. In May, 1884, Mr. Ross was succeeded by W. H. Wherrett, who is now Presi- dent of the company, and Val Leonard Secretary and Treasurer. The mill is located in the southern part of the city along the Hydraulic; its average dimen- sions 150x40, three stories high, and is fully equipped with improved machinery for the manufact- ure of the new patent process of kiln dried hominy, grits, corn flour, cream meal, pearl meal, etc.
In 1877 was erected just north of the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Indianapolis Railroad a steam saw-mill by L. T. Bower and H. C. Eliason. The two operated it for a couple of years, when Mr. Eliason became the sole proprietor and is now carrying on the busi- ness.
Three or four years ago Messrs. Bower & Tat- man erected the large frame building in which is now carried on the business of the Connersville Buggy Company, and in it started a planing-mill, sash, door and blind factory. This was only operated two or three years.
SCHOOLS.
Of the early schools of Connersville there is no record. We are reliably informed, however, that the County Seminary building was the first house espec- ially erected for school purposes; in other words, it was the first regular schoolhouse in the village. Prior to this period (1828-29) schools were taught where- ever and whenever it was most convenient to find teachers and quarters for the scholars. Among these can be mentioned a school taught by Charles Don- ovan in a hewed-log-cabin, that stood on the south side of the alley, on the east side of old Main Street, on the site of the Dickson dwelling. This was not
far from 1823-24. Subsequently the same man taught in a log building on the east side of what is now called Central Avenue, just south of Third Street. A school is remembered as having been held in a dwelling on Central Avenue, near the old Archi- bald Reed tavern. A Mr. Gilbert and a man by the name of Gray tanght in Counersville prior to the building of the seminary.
155
HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
The County Seminary was established under an act of January 27, 1827. The first Board of Trust- ees were George Frybarger, Dr. Philip Mason and James Groendyke, of which Martin M. Ray was appointed Clerk. The ground selected for its site was designated as Lots Nos. 1 and 2 on the original town plat, which was then owned by Oliver H. Smith. The sum of $510.50, was donated for the erection of a building; the contract for the brick, mason and car- penter work was let to Richard Miller for $773, and was to be completed by January 1, 1829. It was to be a brick structure, two stories high, with a pedi- ment and belfry. Samuel C. Sample was appointed to superintend its erection. Thomas Alexander was employed to lath and plaster the house for $50. Thomas J. Sample and William Burnett were em- ployed to make the desky, seats and otherwise fur- nish the house for $45, and William McCleary and Julius Whitmore to paint the house at $1.12} per day (they furnishing the brushes). The building was completed, and school opened in it by Samuel W. Parker, Monday, July 13, 1829. Caleb B. Smith, who succeeded Mr. Ray as Clerk, gave notice "that the establishment of a seminary has been at the expense of the county, and the object of the man- agers is to afford to the youth of the county an oppor- tunity of acquiring a good academic education."
The year was divided into four terms. There was an elementary school; and English scientific course the latter being divided into two classes, namely ju' nior and senior. In the elementary school were taught orthography, reading, "penmanship and arithmetic (Pike's system) through the Rule of Practice. In the junior year arithmetic was completed, English grammar (Greenleaf), ancient and modern geogra- phy (Worcester), book-keeping through single entry, elements of history with historical charts (J. E. Worcester), weekly recitations in declamation and composition. The senior class comprised rhetoric (Jameson), logic (Hodge's), natural philosophy and chemistry (Keating), algebra (Bonnycastle), geome- try (Playfair's), surveying (Gummerie's), mensuration (Bonnycastle).
Latin, Greek and French were to be taught with higher mathematics if applied for. Students that completed course were entitled to diplomas, and those completing it in part to certificates of prog. ress. The tuition was $2, $3 and $5 respectively for departments named.
Subsequent early teachers in the seminary were Elder M. Bradley, a graduate of Brown University, R. I, and Harvey Nutting, the latter having taught for a long period in the various schools of the county. The number of pupils in attendance in the seminary in the fall of 1830 was 100. Under date of August
10, 1832, it was stated in print, "The citizens of Con- nersville and Fayette County, generally, are respect- fully informed that Mr. Harvey Nutting, recently from Boston, will open a school in their seminary, on Monday the 13th of August. * * Mr. *
Nutting is a stranger among us; but from what we have seen of his deportment aud ascertained in rela- tion to his qualifications as a teacher, we are disposed to recommend him to the favorable regard of our fel- low citizens."
On Christmas Day, 1833, a subscription paper was circulated for the purpose of raising means to purchase a bell to be hung in the cupola of the building. The names of the subscribers are set forth below with the amount subscribed:
Johu Williams. $1 00
D. Beek $1 00
Joseph Moffitt. 1 00
T. R. Lewis.
50
N. Claypool.
1 00
M. Crume.
1 00
D. Wright
1 00
R. Griflis.
1 00
H. Coombs
1 00
J. MeIntosli. 25
J. Vandegrift.
1 00
R. Miller.
50
J. Sample
25
William Watton. 1 00
J. Tate.
25
R. T. Brown.
50
C. B. Smith
50
Hankins & Mount 2
00
J. Hackleman.
50
G. Ginn ..
50
J. Custer.
25
F. T. Walling.
121
H. Goodlander
50
Joseph Bane ..
50
D. Rench
1 00 O. H. Smith.
00
William Kendre.
25
J. DeCamp.
50
S. Scofield.
A. B. Conwell.
1 00
M. Helm .. .
50
S. W. Parker.
40
T. Alexander.
12} M. Fay
50
J. G. Edgerton.
50
Total. $34 00
The bell weighed seventy-five and a half pounds, which was to cost 40 cents per pound-$30.20.
For several years, beginning with 1830, Mrs. Haynes taught what she termed a female academy - in the village.
In the absence of records we can only give a meager account of the schools of the village for some years prior to 1853. Among the early teachers oth- er than those given: J. G. Edgerton. J. B. Tate, Mrs. Ginn, Harriet McIntosh and Revs. Nelson and Jenkins.
The basement of the old Methodist Church (now German Presbyterian) was used for school purposes. Up to probably 1840 the Trustees furnished the house and teachers generally fixed their own tuition. For the next decade or more there was not much free school, but considerable pay school.
In 1843 it appears from an article of agreement before us that Connersville was styled District No. 7, Town 14, Range 12, of which the School Trustees were Josiah Mullikin and Richard Winchel. They employed John B. Tate to teach the common branches in Connersville for six months, beginning May 17, in consideration for which Mr. Tate was to receive $22 per month.
In 1853 the School Board consisted of Messrs. Hagerman, Crawford and Applegate, and in Septem-
156
HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
ber of that'year the following was adopted: WHEREAS, the graded free school presents advantages not to be found in the older systems, it is desirable to have introduced into the corporation schools as soon as possible, but in view of the expense involved in pay- ing for tuition and other contingences which would follow on the adoption of said system in all its pro- visions, and in the further consideration that all the means to be used in buying grounds and building schoolhouses are yet to be provided, it is thought advisable to introduce a plan. The corporation School Trustees shall furnish school-rooms, including furni- ture together with fuel to warm the same, on condi- tion, first, the Trustee must have satisfactory assur- ance that proper inducement will be presented to secure as many pupils as may be thought advisable. Second, that proper offorts will be made to introduce and carry out the plan in compliance with such rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the person or persons whose duty it may be to direct and control the same. All teachers engaging under this manage- ment will fix their own price of tuition, and make their own collections. Be it further resolved that to execute the above plan the corporation School Trus- tees shall appoint an Educational Committee to be composed of two branches, first, an executive branch to consist of three members, whose duty it shall be to prepare all the rules and regulations necessary in carrying out said system, viz., to receive the applica- tion of teachers, and to make all proper arrangements to enable them (the teachers) to enter upon the dis- charge of their duties, to arrange the division of the grades, to select a series of text-books, and, in short, attend to all such duties as devolve upon the general Superintendent of the district school. They will apply to the corporation School Board for the school room, when wanted, and for any repairs or material of any kind which may be required. Second, an auxiliary branch to be composed of three members from each of the three school districts, whose duty it shall be to assist the teachers in making up their schools, and also to confer with the citizens generally on the subject of the above management, giving all the information necessary to encourage and promote the desired success.
The Executive Committee consisted of Revs. J. B. Brownlee, E. G. Wood and William Pelan. The auxiliary Committee was, in First District, Joseph Jus- tice, James Miller and James Mount; in Second Dis- trict, William Hawk, N. H. Burk and Alexander Morrison; in Third District William Brown, William Tindall and John Farner.
A suitable building could not be procured and the Trustees determined to abandon the hope of opening school for the present. Subsequently a School Board
consisting of N. H. Burk, J. Justice and E. B. Thomas was elected by the people and remained in office until after the erection of the present school building.
The teachers in 1854 were Elenor Jones, Catha- rine Farmer, Harriet McIntosh, John W. McLain, Euphemia Mullikin, L. J. Beach, H. R. Grosvenor, Hannah Ginn and O. Aborn. The enumeration of scholars for the year was 612; whole number en- rolled during the year, 429; average daily attend - ance, 249. The male teachers received $36 per month, and the females $20. The common branches and astronomy were taught.
In September, 1855, the County Commissioners leased the lot on which the seminary stood for a period of ninety- nine years to'the School Trustees, and at once steps wore taken for the erection of a school building thereon. In December of that year A. Hatton sub- mitted the following plan for building: Dimensions, 86 feet front by 69} feet deep; three stories high; four rooms, 35x30 in each story, with halls 12 feet wide, extending through the entire breadth of the house. The building was to be built in the following spring, the contractor being Sherman Scofield. It was not completed and ready for occupancy, we un- derstand, until 1858.
From 1858 to 1860 John Brady was the Superin- tendent, being the first to fill that office of the Con- nersville schools. From 1860 to 1865 there is a miss- ing link in the records. In the latter year Charles Roehl was elected Superintendent, and served in that capacity for two years. (During this time the term of free schools was six months, and the remainder of the school year was taught a pay school.) From 1867 to 1871 J. L. Rippetoe served in the capacity of Superintendent, the first year of which period con- sisted of eight months (the greatest length of any year since the establishment of the institution). Pay school pieced out the year. During the four years of Prof. . Rippetoe's management, considerable change was inade in the manner of instructing. In 1871 a Mr. Hughes was chosen Superintendent, and remained as such one year, when succeeded by a Mr. Housekeeper, who was compelled to resign on account of poor health, just before the close of the school year. In 1873 J. L. Rippetoe, the present worthy Superin- tendent, again assumed the management of the schools, which position he has since continuously filled. The length of the school year since 1868 has been nine months.
The first commencement exercises of the school were held June 14 1878, when a class of seven were graduated from the institution, Charles Roehl, then President of the School Board, presenting the diplo- mas.
In this connection it is but proper to refer briefly
157
HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
to the late Harvey Nutting, who for a long period of years was at the head of educational matters in the county, and for more than a dozen years was the pioneer of higher education in Connersville. "Uncle - Harvey, " as he was called, was a native of Massa- chusetts, born in 1808. He received a classical edu- cation at Amherst College, and in 1832 located in Connersville, where he resided the greater part of the time until his death, which occurred September 7, 1884.
CHURCHES.
The Methodist Episcopal Church .- It is said that the first Methodist class iu Connersville met and was formed at the residence of Robert Swift and that Mr. Swift was appointed the Leader. (Mr. Swift settled at Connersville in 1818).
In 1821 a circuit was formed by Rev. John Hav- ens, a local preacher, which included the village of Connersville and was styled the Connersville Circuit, and came in the Conference the following year. This was under the Presiding Eldership of Rev. Alexander Cummins. Rev. James Murray was appointed to the circuit in 1822 and in 1823 Rev. Aaron Wood, who remarks that "when I went to Connersville in Sep- tember, 1823, there was a society of eight women and two men in town-Robert Swift and Thomas Rutter -until Joshua McIntosh moved there from Dayton, Ohio." (This was in 1824.)
In 1825 the site of the present church building in which services are held by the German Presbyter- ian congregation, on the south side of Fourth Street between Water Street and Eastern Avenue, was pur- chased from John McCormack, Sr. The deed of conveyance bears the date of November 8, 1825. The Trustees to whom the deed was made were Joshua McIntosh, Thomas Hinkson, David Melton, Isaac Wood and Charles Donivan. During the following summer a brick building 22x32 feet was erected which was the first building dedicated to God as a place of public worship in the city. This building was used until 1840, when it was removed and the present brick edifice now standing on the same site erected. This church edifice served the Methodist congregation as a place of worship until the year 1872, when it was sold to the German Presbyterian congregation. The Methodists then worshiped in the court house until in January, 1873, when they came in possession of the Grand Opera House of the city, which they had purchased in December, 1872, at a cost of $16,500.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.