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 31
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The venerable John A. White, still a resident of
the township, though his hair is silvered by the frosts of quite ninety winters, came to the neighbor. hood in August, 1815, locating on Williams Creek, but in the course of a year or little more removed to the vicinity of his present residence, and with little exception has resided there ever since. Mr. White is a native of Virginia, born in 1795. His father died when he was quite young; his mother remarrying, he, in his sixteenth year, left home, going to the State of Kentucky. In August, 1813, at Somerset, in that State, he volunteered in the Fifteenth Regiment, Kentucky Infantry, commanded by Col. Salter, Lieu- tenant-Governor of the State. He was on the vessel commanded by Commodore Perry, at Lake Erie, three days after the battle, and while it was yet stained with blood. He was in Shelby's brigade in the reserve of Johnson, at the battle of the Thames, and viewed the lifeless form of Tecumseh, on the batle-field. He was on the picket line at New Orleans that brought on the battle, in which he participated; his service in all consisting of two compaigns, the first of three months' duration, when he retired to the farm, resuming his occupation. Here he remained, until, feeling that his country was in peril, he, like Cin- cinnatus of old, left the plow in the furrow, and again went to the front and served for a period of nine months and three days. Mr. White, in 1821, married Emelia, daughter of Allen Crisler, and they have shared life's joys and cares together upward of sixty-three years. A modest little log-cabin on the brow of a hill, just below the village of Alpine, com- manding a beautiful and picturesque view of the river and surrounding hills, built by his own hands, and which for more than a half century has sheltered them from the storms of winter and summer's heat, is yet their dwelling place, where around the hearthstone of their early married years happy hours were whiled away, and where played their children and children's children, this venerable and pure-minded couple are passing the evening of their lives together .*
In 1819, Joshua Heizer, a native of Virginia, and a soldier in the war of 1812, settled in the township.
Reuben Conner, from Boone County, Ky., settled in the township in 1819. He was occupied as a farmer, and died in 1847. He was the father of B. F. Con- ner, of this county.
A number of these early pioneers not only were identified in the great transformation of the wilder- ness into blossoming fields, but played their part in the early political, civil and religious history of the county. We have noticed above the valuable services of Judges Webb and Helm and Dr. Mason. Two of the Conners, John and Daniel, were for a long
*Since the above was written we learn that Mr. White has passed away, his death having occurred in the fall of 1884.
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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
period of years ministers in the Old School Baptist Church.
The old residence built and occupied by Judge Webb about 1817 still stands, occupying a site on the fertile bottom land along Whitewater River, a situation commanding a beautiful view. It is of the second class of pioneer cabins, constructed of hewed logs, two stories high and the building in size being about 18x28 feet; on the north end of the building is a large chimney constructed of stone of various sizes, built on the outside of the house; two doors from without open into the house, one on either side. Below on either side is one window, though of differ- ent sizes, and on the east side of the second floor are two half or garret windows. Within the house are three apartments, one above and two below, each floor being provided with one fireplace, large below and small on the second floor. This is said to have been the substantial house of that day in the settle- ment.
Just below Nulltown, and not far from the old burying-ground, stood the old block-house built by the settlement for protection against the Indians during the war of 1812.
The Winchel family settled in what is now the township, during the first decade in the century, and formed a part of that noble band instrumental in con- verting the forests of that day into the beautiful fields of this.
MILLS AND DISTILLERIES.
The first mill in the township is thought to have been a saw-mill erected by Allen Crisler. It stood not far from the present site of the barn of William Seals, at the north end of Alpine. This mill was in operation in the summer of 1815, and was built not far from that time, likely in 1814. Dr. Mason in his autobiography speaks of framing a mill-house for Allen Crisler in the summer of IS16. The Doctor traded his farm for the mill that fall, and thus speaks of it: "There was a very good saw-mill, with a separate building, a good stone wall for the first story, on which stood the frame I had put up for a mill-house, with one run of common granite mill- stones, and a bolting chest with a small bolt, which was turned by hand for bolting flour made from wheat." The mills were operated by the Doctor and his brother Horatio, who became a partner, until in the fall of 1818, when the same parties resumed their old possessions-trading back. In about 1817 John A. White commenced as the miller at this mill. Subsequently a still-house and hemp-mill were added, and all four operated by Col. Crisler, until a change in the course of the river destroyed the power and all went into disuse.
Thomas Silvy built a saw-mill at quite an early
date at Nulltown, which finally passed into the hands of the Null brothers, Israel and Michael, who built an addition to it-a little grist-mill-and after Cris- ler's mill went down, the Nulls built a very large flouring and grist-mill, which was not in operation many years, the canal aud hydraulic destroying the power.
Not far from 1844 the present grist-mill at Alpine was built by Thomas J. Crisler, James and John Limpus. This was operated by these men for a time, then passed through various hands, and in 1863 it was purchased by Thomas and A. N. Bruner, and it is still in the Bruner name. The saw-mill here was built by the same parties two years prior.
In the early history of the township there were copper stills operated on almost every spring or branch. About 1819 William Helm had one in oper- ation on Garrison's Creek, and about the same time John Conner had one on his farm. On Garrison's Creek, in 1815 or thereabouts, there was quite an extensive distillery carried on by Wilson Waddams. He at first, while Indiana was yet a Territory, oper- ated a small still, and some later built the large one. There was a corn cracker in connection with the latter.
About the year 1833 H. N. Burgoyne built a saw and grist-mill in Section 19 on the south fork of Garrison's Creek, which after changing hands a number of times fell into the possession of Nathan Lewis aud brother, some twenty years ago, and was carried on by them two years, when they built the present saw-mill on that site.
Probably one mile above the Wilson Waddam mill and distillery, on the south fork of Garrison's Creek, Isaac Thomas built a saw-mill not far from forty years ago.
Isaac Limpus for several years operated a copper still on his land. Some forty-eight or fifty years ago James Limpus carried on distilling on a large scale near Columbia.
The distillery now below Nulltown was removed from Jackson Township by a company some eight or ten years ago, by whom the business was carried on several years. It is not in use at present.
EARLY SCHOOLS.
The first schoolhouse built in the township was near the old graveyard and Franklin Church just below Nulltown, erected in the Kentucky settlement probably in the spring or summer of 1815. Gabriel Ginn, who is thought to have taught the first school in this house in 1815, was the master in that house and settlement for several years. This schoolhouse was built prior to the old Franklin meeting-house that stood by it, which was commenced in 1815. Some years later school was taught in a cabin about
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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
one mile southwest of Alpine, by Mark Whitacre, a Kentuckian; Robert Helm and Miss Klum taught in that neighborhood. In 1821 or just prior thereto a log cabin schoolhouse was built about one mile west of Alpine; Daniel McIntyre, a Kentuckian, taught here early. Miss Klum and Dr. Philip Mason also taught in this house. In speaking of the winter of 1820-21, Dr. Mason, in his autobiography, says, "I then engaged to teach a school during the next win- ter in a log-cabin schoolhouse that stood on my land. Early in December I commenced my school. It was made up of children from seven to seventeen years of age, all of whom had had very limited opportuni- ties of learning. A. B. C's., spelling and reading constituted by far the most that was taught. A few learned to write, and a very few studied tho simples of arithmetic." * *
* In subsequent houses built for the accommodation of the children in this section of the county, or vacated dwelling cabins used for school purposes, Benjamin Smith, David Allen, George Winchell and Jefferson Cris- ler are remembered as teachers.
In the northern part of the township, on the Hink- son Halstead land, stood one of the early school- honses of that section of the country. John Ronald taught the first school in this cabin.
CHURCHES AND GRAVE-YARDS.
. At the grave-yard just south of Nulltown was originally located the Old School Baptist Church. The land now constituting the grave-yard and that adjoining it on the north, where the old meeting- house stood, was purchased of Abraham Bays and William Egan late in the yoar 1814, or in January, 1815. On the 5th of February, 1814, at an assembly of the Old School Baptists residing in the surround- ing country, it was agreed to meet at the house of Mary Martin on Garrison's Creek, March 27th fol- lowing, for the purpose of constituting a church. At this meeting Elders Lewis Dewesse and William Tyner, from Cedar Grove, Elder James Smith from West Fork, and Elder John Blades, with some lay members or messengers, constituted the church, which was designated, Franklin Baptist Church, with the following members: Charlos Scott, William and Elizabeth Helm, Archibald and Rachel Guthrie, Allen and Frances Crisler, John and Polly Conner, Joshua and Sarah Crisler, David and Elizabeth Gilliam, Jonathan and Polly Gilliam, William and Sarah Morgan, Edward and Polly Webb, John Webb, James and Elizabeth Newhouse, and Hugh Brownlee.
Meetings were held at private dwellings until the meeting-house was constructed, which they agreed to build the following February. This meeting-house was constructed of hewed logs, having one story and
a gallery. In March, 1815, Messrs. Webb, Crisler and Sailors were appointed to let the building of the meeting-house to the lowest bidder. It seems from the records that the gallery, pulpit floor and seats were not finishod until 1817; however, the building was in use long before its completion.
The pulpit was for several years supplied by the preachers from the neighboring churches. John Con- ner was ordained au Elder in 1817, who, in connection with Elder James Newhouse, served the church until his death, and the latter until his removal. Later, another of the Elders was Daniel Conner. Elder Madison Couner was for years one of the regular res- ident ministers. Next came Elder William Sparks, who still preaches for them. The old meeting-house in the course of years became unfit for use, and not far from 1850 was abandoned, and the congregation secured land of Allen Crisler at Alpine, that point being more convenient, and upon it built the present frame edifice.
In 1855 the present frame church building near the grave-yard before referred to was erected and has since been used by the Fayette Baptist Church. This was the ontgrowth of the division in the church gen- eral, occurring in 1845 or 1846. June 30, 1849, Elder Daniel Conner, H. D. Connor and wife, Mary Conner, Nancy Reed, Henry Morris, Corwin Mills- paugh and wife, aud Benjamin F. Carter were con- stituted the Fayette Baptist Church. Before the erection of the meeting-house services were held in the neighborhood schoolhouse. Elder Daniel Conner, until his death, was the regular preacher in charge of the congregation. He was assisted by Elders Harvey Wright, Corwin Millspaugh, H. W. Conner and Ben- jamin F. Carter, four gifts that had soon come out of the church, and were ordained in 1854, from that year until they were removed by death or left the neigh- borhood. One of the number, Elder D. H. Conner, is still with the congregation.
The first person buried in the old grave-yard was the body of Sally Martin, who died in 1814 or 1815. The oldest grave marked by a tombstone is that of Elizabeth Fullen, consort of Samuel Fullen, born Jan- uary 30, 1775, died November 18, 1818. Among the aged whose remains rest here and are marked by tombstones bearing legible inscriptions are Phœbe, wife of John Egan, died in 1855, aged sixty-five years; Levi Limpus, died in 1867, aged soventy-nine years; Elizabeth Limpus, died iu 1854, aged sixty - four years; Joel Scott, died in 1855, aged sixty-nine years; Ellen Burrows, died in 1831, agod seventy- three years; Thomas Ross, died in 1877, aged ninety- six years.
The Methodist Episcopal Church at Columbia is the outgrowth of the old Hardy class, composed of
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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
the family of that name-parents, daughters, and a son, John, and possibly others. The father was a local preacher, who had traveled in Georgia before his location here. This was an appointment on the Connersville Circuit when it was organized in 1822, with which it remained until Columbia Circuit was organized in 1851, with Rev. Thomas Williams as preacher. Since that time Columbia has been one of the appointments with the several Mothodist Episco- pal Churches in the western part of the county. Their next frame edifice was erected some years prior to the late war.
Near the church is a beautiful cemetery which is dotted over with graves marked by a number of mon- uments of neat and pretty design. The yard does not give evidence of age, as the oldest inscription we found bears the date of 1845. Among the aged interred here were Liters Black, died in 1881, aged eighty-five years; William Jones, born in 1790, died in 1871; Lucinda Jones, born in 1790, died in 1862; William Wherrett, died in 1852, aged eighty-one years; Zimri Utter, born in 1794, died in 1880; Susan, his wife, born in 1798, died in 1864.
Tullis Chapel, a Methodist Episcopal Church, situated in the northern part of the township, dates back to the organization of Connersville Circuit, in 1822, at which time a class had been assembling at the house of Mr. Hinkson, which was located in what is now the southern part of Connersville Township. Among the early members were John Hinkson and wife Elizabeth, and their daughter Susan, Anna Reagan, a Mrs. Roberts, William Harrall, and George Hinkson and wife. Of this class John Grace was the Leader. The first building erected by the society was of brick, and not far from the year 1836. The pres- ent building was built during the early part of the late war Until the organization of Columbia Cir- cuit in 1851, this appointment was on Connersville Circuit. It has sinco been connected with other so- cieties along the western part of the county-on cir- cuits that have since been the outgrowth of Conners- ville Circuit.
The grave-yard near by is as old as the church. One acre of ground for both purposes was given by Henry Tullis. The new building was erected on ground deeded by John Messersmith.
In 1829, or by the spring of 1830, the Rev. John D. Thompson, formerly an Old School Baptist minis- ter, though then recently preaching the doctrines of the Reformation (Campbellism), organized such a so- ciety at the house of Judge Webb, along the river near Nulltown. This may be said to have been the beginning of what years afterward resulted in the so- ciety organized at Columbia, which erected the church building still standing there, though with little ex-
ception disused during the past decade by that denom- ination. Among those identified with the church in after years were the Blakes, Utters, Thomases, Heizers, Michners and Johnsons.
Not far from 1855 the United Brethren Church located close by the Lewis saw-mill on the creek was erected, the organization having taken place some time previous. The minister organizing the society and for some time the preacher in charge was Rev. Mr. Shumway. Among the early members of the church were the Stephenses, Wilsons, and Cushiners. Of the early ministers who preached to this people are re- membered Revs. John Morgan and Alexander Carroll.
What is known as the old Webb burying-ground, located on high ground on the creek west of the old Webb homestead, heretofore described, had its origin in the family burying-ground of the Judge, after whose death the land fell to a son, Forest, who deeded it to the county for a public place of burial. This was not in use quite as early as the old Frank- lin yard. The first interment here was an infant grandchild of Judge Webb. In this yard rest the remains of many of the pioneers of the vicinity:
Michael Hackleman, died in 1869, aged eighty years; Edward Webb, died in 1851, aged eighty-one years; Reuben Conner, died in 1847, aged sixty-nine years; Nancy Conner, died in 1870, aged eighty-six years; Sarah Gaines, died in 1858, aged seventy-six years; Allen Crisler, died in 1837, aged fifty-eight years; Frances Crisler, died in 1846, aged sixty-two years; Joshua Crigler, died in 1859, aged seventy- five years; Sallie Crigler, died in 1839, aged forty- five years.
HAMLETS.
Columbia, situated north of the center of the township, was laid out on the lands of Isaac Limpus and James Buchanan; that part north of Main Street and the State road, on the land of the latter, and that south of Main Street, on the land of Isaac Limpus. The surveying was done by Isaac Fowler, June 15, 1832. In 1849 an addition to the place was made by one Martin. Isaac Limpus is thought to have built the first frame house in the hamlet, and in it he kept a place of entertainment, or inn. He was licensed by the Commissioners to keep a grocery and retail liquor in 1834. The year previous John Hardy was granted a license as a merchant, which was renewed for several years. Later, George Scott, David Smith and George Logan sold goods here.
In 1843 the hamlet had two general stores kept by George Scott and Horatio Mason and John Hardy; one wagon-making shop, by Louis Black; one general repair shop, by D. O'Darby; one shoe shop and postoffice combined, by William Wherrett, and one blacksmith shop, by Joseph Little.
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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
The estimated population of the place at this time is fifty, and it consists of a postoffice, one repair wagon shop, a blacksmith shop, and a church (two church buildings).
Alpine, situated in the eastern part of the town- ship, is a station on the Whitewater Valley Railroad, and consists of a few dwelling houses, one store, one saw-mill, one grist-mill, a cooper-shop, and a black- smith shop.
The hamlet of Nulltown is located on the same railroad, nearly two miles north of Alpine. It is also a station on the railroad, and a postoffice is lo- cated here. The place has two stores.
Both Alpine and Nulltown owe their origin to the mills erected there.
HALF-CENTURY CITIZENS.
The following-named citizens were residing in the township in 1879, and had been residents of the county fifty years or upward:
John A. White and wife, James Limpus and wife, T. J. Crisler and wife, John Limpus, Mary Conner, Margaret Limpus, Anna Reed, John Conner, William Perkins, Thomas Reed, William McIlwain, James Cotton, Hiram Custer and wife, Levi Pike and wife, Charles Stephens, Julia Conner, Forrest Webb and wife, George Clum and wife, Charles Hardy and wife, Jack Stephens and wife, Jemima Heizer, Lydia Heizer, George Utter, Jemima Northern, Delilah Hall, G. W. Eddy, Jane Eddy, Otho McCarty.
CHAPTER XXII.
JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
BOUNDARIES AND ORGANIZATION-LAND ENTRIES-EARLY SETTLEMENT-INDUSTRIES-EARLY SCHOOLS-THE OLD ROCK AT POPLAR RIDGE-CHURCHES AND GRAVE-YARDS-EVERTON-HALF-CENTURY CITIZENS.
TACKSON TOWNSHIP occupies the southeastern corner of the county. It is bounded on the north by Connersville and Jennings Townships, on the east by Union County, on the south by Franklin County, and on the west by the West Fork of White- water River. Originally, its territory belonged to Columbia Township, and in August, 1820, it was ordered by the Commissioners that all that part of Columbia Township, as it is now bounded and recorded, which lies east of West Fork of Whitewater, be stricken off of said township, under the name and title of Jackson Township. In size it was then six sections less than at present. These six sections con- stituted the strip of territory described in the general county history (extending two miles east and west, and three north and south, across the eastern portion of the township) as acquired from Franklin County by an Act of the General Assembly, approved in Jan- uary, 1826. This strip of country was, by the Com- missioners, in March of that year, attached to the township under consideration. The boundaries of the township have since remained unchanged. The face of the country is rolling and in localities some broken. It is watered by West Fork, Wilsons', Duck, Eli's and Bear Creeks. In 1880 the population of the town- ship as shown by the United States census was 982.
LAND ENTRIES.
The lands disposed of by the Government with
the date of sale and the purchasers' names are set forth in the following list:
Township 13 north, Range 13 east.
Southeast quarter of Section 27, October 28, 1811, to Eli Stringer.
Southwest quarter of Section 27, October 28, 1811, to Thomas Henderson.
Northeast quarter of Section 27, November 19, 1811, to Daniel George and James Mallach.
Northeast quarter of Section 33, November 1, 1811, to John Salyer.
North half of Section 34, October 28, 1811, to Thomas Henderson.
Northwest quarter of Section 20, December 28, 1812, to George Monroe.
Southeast quarter of Section 20, November 4, 1812, to John Richardson.
Southeast quarter of Section 21, March 27, 1812, to John Morrow.
Southwest quarter of Section 21, January 31, 1812, to Eli Lee.
Southwest quarter of Section 34, December 4, 1812, to James and John Walters.
Northwest quarter of Section 26, July 16, 1813, to Obediah Estis.
Southeast quarter of Section 28, July 24, 1813, to Samuel Wallace and Archibald Morrow.
Southwest quarter of Section 28, November 5, 1813, to John Pollard.
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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
Southwest quarter of Section 35, November 16, 1813, to Ebenezer Smith.
Northwest quarter of Section 33, March 10, 1813, to James Craig.
Northwest quarter of Section 21, August 24, 1813,
to William Adams.
Northeast quarter of Section 32, June 21, 1813,
to Hugh Abernathy.
South west quarter of Section 32, October 10, 1814,
to William Rish.
Southwest quarter of Section 26, June 10, 1814, to Robert F. Taylor.
Northwest quarter of Section 27, February 15, 1814, to Thomas Stockdale.
Northwest quarter of Section 28, October 25, 1814, to Sarah Lee.
Southeast quarter of Section 33, June 20, 1814, to Solomon Shepheard.
Southwest quarter of Section 23, October 10, 1814, to Thomas Rish.
Northwest quarter of Section 35, March 19, 1814, to Jolin McIlwain.
Southeast quarter of Section 35, December 5, 1814, to Edward Caring.
Northeast quarter of Section 21, December 16, 1814, to Thomas Garrin.
Northeast quarter of Section 22, August 19, 1814, to David Fallen.
Northwest quarter of Section 22, April 2, 1814, to Elijah Corbin.
Southwest quarter of Section 22, July 5, 1814, to Thomas Stockdale.
Northeast quarter of Section 23, December 10, 1814, to William Beckett.
Southwest quarter of Section 23, October 24, 1814, to Isaac M. Johnson.
Northeast quarter of Section 29, July 18, 1814, to Solomou Shepheard.
Northeast quarter of Section 25, July 25, 1814, to Jacob Bauekman.
Northwest quarter of Section 19, August 22, 1814, to Elisha Stout and John Maple.
Southeast quarter of Section 8, April 2, 1814, to James Newland.
Northeast quarter of Section 17, August 25, 1815, to Levi Cambridge.
Northwest quarter of Section 17, August 21, 1815, to Zachariah Cookney.
Northeast quarter of Section 19, December 27, 1815, to John Williams.
Southwest quarter of Section 19, August 28, 1815, to Thomas Toner.
Northeast quarter of Section 7, October 20, 1815, to Benjamin White.
Northeast quarter of Section 8, December 15,1815, to David Ferree.
Southwest quarter of Section 20, November 27, 1815, to William Hopkins.
Southeast quarter of Section 22, November 13, 1815, to James Morrow.
Southeast quarter of Section 23, June 6, 1815, to John Fisher.
Southwest quarter of Section 29, December 28, 1815, to Samuel Logan.
Southeast quarter of Section 34, December 4, 1815, to Ebenezer Smith.
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