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 33
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Among the aged whose remains were here interred and whose graves are marked by tombstones are the following-named: Rov. Thomas Silvey, aged sixty years; Anna, his wife, eighty-three years; Miles H. Larimoro, eighty-four years; Susan Larimore, sev- enty-four years; Moses Ladd, eighty-eight years; John McIlwain, Sr., about eighty-three years; Sarah, his wife, about eighty-seven years; John McCabe, sixty yoars; Noble Ladd, oighty-one years; Betty, his wife, eighty-nine years; John Eagan, eighty years; John Campbell, eighty-five years; Mary, his wife, seveuty-two years; William Lako, seventy-three years; Elijah Corbin, eighty-two years; Michael Bash, seventy-six years; John Williams, seventy-two years; George Talbott, seventy-three years; Susan, his wife, soventy-four years; Sarah Lewis, eighty- nine years; James Kerr, eighty-one years; Anna Adams, eighty years; Mary, wife of Philip Jones, eighty years; William Eskew, eighty years; David L. Williams, seventy-eight years; Nancy, his wife, eighty-seven years.
The oldest grave marked by a tombstone is that of Nancy, consort of Thomas J. Larimore, who died February 16, 1831.
In the carly settlement of Fayette and Union Counties many of the pioneers of the latter were of the Friend or Quaker element, and established their meetings soon after effecting a settlement. Silver Creek monthly meeting (Union County) was estab- lished in 1817. What was known as Poplar Ridge meeting-house was constructed of logs and stood at the little burying-ground still known by that name in the eastern part of the township (Section 23) and was both an established and preparative meeting in the early history of Fayette County, but was "laid down" many years ago, and the building removed, which now stands on Eli's Creek, in Union County, and is occupied as a dwelling. Among the early resident ministers of the Silver Creek monthly meeting (of which Poplar Ridge constituted a part) were Susannah
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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
Hollingsworth, William Haughton and Rebecca and Sylvanus Talbert.
The first person buried in this grave-yard is said to have been a young man from Ohio, named Ruff.
What is known as the Ireland or McIlwain grave- yard is just over the line (in Franklin) separating the two counties, but in it rest the remains of a number of the pioneers of southern and eastern Fayette County. The first interment here is said to have been the remains of Hugh E., son of John Waters.
For probably a quarter of a century preceding the late war of the Rebellion, there existed a Method- ist congregation which worshiped at a log meeting- house that occupied the ground upon which the Lutheran Church, in the northern part of the town. ship, is now built, which, though its light shone brightly for many years, went out in the manner of deaths and removals. The ground was donated by the few remaining Methodists shortly prior to 1863 to the English Lutheran denomination, who com- pleted the present frame church building there in 1865. The first congregation was styled the Union Methodist Episcopal Church, and among those early identified with the membership were Basil Roberts and wife, Isaac Updyke and wife, P. Silvey and wife, Nathan Aldridge and wife, George Talbot and wife, Noah, Amos and Nicholas Pumphrey and wives.
Concerning the history of the present Union Evangelical Lutheran Church, the pastor (Rev. S. B. Hyman) in the fall of 1882 wrote:
"As early as 1855 Rev. J. B. Oliver, then pastor of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, began to preach to a few scattered Lutherans in Jackson Town- ship, and preaching has been continued by Rev. O's successor at this point ever since. During the ministry of F. W. Keeler the present commodious and excellent building was erected, and received its name as above in accordance with the provision of the subscription. An organization was effected in October, 1864, with seven members. This seems to have been the most prosperous period of the church's existence, for the records show a gradual decline by deaths and removals from that time to the present."
The charge is now without a pastor.
There is a burying-ground within the church- yard enclosure, but few interments seem to have been made therein, and almost isolated and alone stands a sandstone slab, revealing to the passer-by that he who sleepeth beneath the green mound was a Revo- lutionary patriot, and seemingly as, perhaps, at Val- ley Forge or at Yorktown he stood a lonely sentinel for the living, so stands the brown tombstone of the soldier for the dead at the church-yard. The stone is inscribed to the memory of James Hamer, died July 5, 1837, aged seventy-three years.
"Soldier, rest, thy warfare 's o'er."
The Ireland Universalist Church, located in the southeastern part of the township, was organized in the schoolhouse of the same name in November, 1868, by Rev. M. G. Mitchell, of Abington, Ind. The first. membership was composed of Milton Trusler, M. Annie Trusler, Laura J. Trusler, James and Emma Sims, John Reagor, Ada Smith, Thomas and Eliza- beth Curry, Elnora Taylor, Ebenezer Glenn, James and May Smith, some of whom came from the church at Fairfield. The first Trustees were Milton Trusler, James Smith and Thomas Curry, and under this offic- iary was built, in 1871, the present neat frame church edifice now occupied by the society. It was dedicated on Sabbath, August 13, 1871, Rev. W. W. Curry preaching the dedicatory sermon. Rev. D. R. Bid- dlecome, of Richmond, also was present and officiated. The pastors of the church and in the order given have been Revs. M. G. Mitchel, J. B. Grandy, Frank Evans, W. S. Bacon, W. C. Brooks, R. N. John, William Tucker, May T. Clark and H. A. Merrell. Among others who preached for the church for short periods have been Revs. Case, Crossly, Cantwell, Biddlecome and McLean.
At Everton stands a brick church that was built by subscription raised in and about that neighborhood in 1844. Among those contributing largely were Elisha Cockefair, J. H. Bonham, James Smith, Aza- riah Beckett, R. N. Taylor, Alexander Cockefair, John Rigor, Mordacai Miller, David Taylor, Ezra Bonham and William Rigsby. We understand that it was not built for any particular denomination, but as a place for holding worship for all denominations, and as such has been so used. Universalism was quite strong at one time in that section, and perhaps more of the funds obtained for its construction came from those holding such belief, and the building, especially in its earlier history, was more frequently used by that society. Revs. Kaylor and Brooks were among the earlier ministers of the Universalist doc- trine who officiated in this building. The Methodists, not far from the same period, yet a little in advance, had constructed a frame building in the same village, which they used until both congregation and building had so weakened as to be abandoned. Probably a decade, or some longer ago, meetings without respect to denomination were held at the village, which resulted in the organization of a regular church soci- ety, which in the course of time became a Methodist congregation, and as such has been holding services in the brick honse of worship.
On the south fork of Bear Creek stands a little frame house of worship, known as the Palestine Church, which in denomination is United Brethren. The building was erected some ten or twelve years ago; services had for a period previous been held in the neighboring schoolhouse. Among the number
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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
constituting the early membership were some of the Lakes, Reeds, Wrights and Sherwoods. The congre- gation is not strong.
EVERTON.
This village is situated east of the centre of the township on the road leading from Brookville to Con- nersville, distant about seven miles from the latter point. It lies on the eastern half of Section 21, Town- ship 13, Range 13, which land was purchased of the Government by William Adams and Eli Lee, the former purchasing the northern half August 24, 1813, and the latter the southern half January 31, 1812. The oldest inhabitant fails to give any definite or satis- factory information as to the origin of the place, and as no plat seems to have been recorded prior to 1836, the reader is left to conjecture. Maria Hanghton, December 23 of that year, acknowledged twelve lots addition to West Union (south of South Street). It is said that it originally was styled Lawstown or Laws- burg. Next it became known as West Union, and in March, 1856, the Commissioners of the county ordered "that the name of the town of West Union be changed to that of Everton, which was the name of the postoffice."
From the beginning of the village as a place of business to 1840, the Commissioners granted license to the following-named, to vend merchandise, keep tavern, sell liquor, or all:
1828-Thomas J. Larimore and Miles H. Lari- more, merchants.
1829 -- Maria Haughton, merchant; Thomas A. Thorn, tavern.
1832-Thomas A. Thorn, tavern and liquor; Will- iam Beckett and Robert Taylor, groceries and liquor. 1834-Isaac T. Riggs, tavern and liquor.
1836-Frederick A. Curtis, tavern and liquor. 1838-Hugh Morrow, tavern and liquor.
Some of the above licenses were renewed for sev- eral consecutive years.
January 20, 1841, the village was incorpor- ated and divided into five wards. William H. Evans was made President, and R. N. Taylor Village Clerk. According to the United States census of 1860, the place then numbered 239 souls, and a decade later the census gave it a population of but 149.
INDEPENDENCE DAY, 1836.
Fourth of July, 1836, was observed by the citi- zens of the village and county by a large celebration held in a beautiful grove of timber near the village. The procession was formed at 10 o'clock A. M., under the superintendence of Capt. Thomas Waters, Mar- shal, and John Craig and Daniel Moore, Assistants.
It marched to the grove, where the solemnities of the day cominenced. The procession was headed by the following-named four venerable Revolutionary sol- diers: Messrs. Lowe, Logan, Benefield and Fordyce. These venerable patriots were escorted to the stand on reaching the grove by J. D. Thompson, the Presi dent of the day. A picture (nearly as large as life) of him who was "first in the hearts of his country- men" was carried in front, accompanied by the national banner, each borne by one of the Revolu- tionary soldiers; immediately after came the names of the States carried on elevated placards by young ladies in white dresses and ornamented exactly alike. At the grove the exercises were opened by prayer and remarks by William D. Hubbartt. Next was read the Declaration of Independence by John Ritchie; then was delivered an oration by William Cook. A big dinner was next in order, which was prepared by L. Stanley and J. M. McIlwain, and at which the customary toasts were drank. There were about 2,000 people present.
Everton has now two stores, a postoffice, three blacksmith shops, a good hotel, one shop for wagon- making, one physician, one church, a schoolhouse (both good substantial buildings), one saw-mill, and a population (estimated) of 200 people.
Everton Lodge, No. 139, I. O. O. F., was institu- ted January 11, 1854, by Wilson T. Dale, and the following-named officers were elected and installed under the same date:
James Elliott, N. G .; David H. Case, V. G .; John T. Williams, Secretary; William Williams, Treasurer.
The charter was granted by the Grand Lodge, January 18, 1854, there being ten charter members, which, excepting the officers above named, were: Alfred H. and Edward J. Thompson, Elijah Johnson, J. H. Debolt, I. L. Case and Robert T. Taylor. The Lodge has a neat hall which was erected in 1853, and dedicated October 19, 1854, the address being delivered by the late Hon. O. P. Morton, then G. M. Present membership over 100, officered as follows:
William Johnson, N. G., Decatur Sprague, V. G., Theodore Grubb, R. S., W. E. Beckett, P. S., A. T. Beckett, Sr., Treasurer.
HALF-CENTURY CITIZENS.
The following list contains the names of citizens of Jackson Township, who, in 1879, had resided in the county fifty years or upward:
A. T. Beckett, Sr .; Emily Beckett, Eliza Ross, James Grist, James Smith, Mary Smith, Elisha Har- rell, Samuel Henderson, James Steele, Sarah Steele, Isaac Morrow, Daniel Moore, Mary Moore, P. O. Scott, Mary Scott, Elisha Williams, Margaret Kerr, Nancy Lambert, E. A. Corbin, Elihu Crandle, Sarah
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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
Crandle, David Veatch, Anna Veatch, William Lari- more, Jefferson Jemison, Archer Jemison, Nancy Rogers, Mrs. Veatch, George Hood, Susan Hood,
Robert Hood, J. W. Ball, Alexander Cockefair, Rachel Cockefair, R. T. Taylor and wife, Lydia Thompson, Lucinda Backhouse, Samuel Grist, Retanus Corbin.
CHAPTER XXIII.
WATERLOO TOWNSHIP.
ORGANIZATION, BOUNDARIES AND DESCRIPTION-ORIGINAL LAND PURCHASERS-PIONEERS-SCHOOLS-WATERLOO VILLAGE-CHURCHES-SPRINGERVILLE-HALF-CENTURY CITIZENS.
W ATERLOO TOWNSHIP was formed by the County Commissioners at their February ses- sion, 1821, of territory taken from Harrison and Brownsville Townships, as follows: "All that part of Harrison Township which lies east of West Fork of Whitewater River be attached to and form a part of a new township to consist also of all the balance of Brownsville Township which remains in Fayette County after the ostablishment of Union County, making the Union County line the eastern boundary of said new township, which new township shall be styled Waterloo Township."
All of the territory of the township as it now is which lies east of a line parallel to the eastern bound- ary of Jennings Township was taken from Brownsville Township, and the rest from Harrison. In position it is the northeastern township of the county, Wayne County lying north of it, Union east, Jennings and Conuersville Townships south, and the West Fork of Whitewater River west. It is a small subdivison having an area of a little more than sixteen square miles. The face of the country is rolling. Its prin- cipal streams are West Fork and Nolan's Fork; both are on its western border. Simpson's and Williams Creeks-small streams-drain portions of the land. The extreme southeastern portion of the township is crossed by the C. H. & I. R. R., and within its con- fines are situated the hamlet of Waterloo and the major part of the hamlet of Springerville.
ORIGINAL LAND PUROHASERS.
Excepting the northern tier of sections-frac- tional 31 and whole 32, 33, 34 and 35, which are in Township 15 north, Range 13 east-the lands are in Township 14 north, Range 13 east. Of the former John Tharpe purchased the northeast quarter of Sec- tion 32, October 24, 1811, and on the same date Mat- thias Dawson purchased the southeast quarter of the same section. Thomas Sloo, Jr., purchased the southwest quarter of the same section October 28, 1811.
That portion of Section 31 east of the river was purchased by Samuel Grewell aud John Hardin, November 11, 1811.
Section 33 sold in 1813, Jonathan Higgins pur- chasing the northeast quarter September 6, 1813; James Parker the southeast quarter on the same date. Jonathan Coleman purchased the northwest quarter December 6, 1813, and December 22, 1813, Nathan Roysdon the southwest quarter.
Sections 34 and 35 sold from 1814 to 1816.
Abraham Vanmeter purchased the northwest, the southwest and the southeast quarters Section 34, the former two June 14, 1814, and the latter June 26, 1816.
James Sleeth purchased the remaining quarter of that section October 8, 1814.
Robert Huffman purchased the northeast quarter of Section 35, November 17, 1814.
Andrew Huffman purchased the north west quar. ter December 3, 1814.
Willis P. Miller purchased the southeast quarter October 2, 1815, and the southwest quarter was sold to John M. Layson October 30, 1815.
The northern half of Section 5 sold to James McIortyn October 28, 1811.
The sontheast quarter Section 18 to Archibald Reed, October 10, 1811.
The northeast quarter of the same section to Zadoch Smith, March 14, 1812.
The northwest quarter Section 17 to Samuel Wil- son, March 19, 1812.
The southeast quarter Section 15, August 2, 1813, to Thomas Dawson.
The northeast quarter same section, July 31, 1813, to Henry Holland.
The southwest quarter Section 17, August 13, 1814, to Archibald Reed.
The northeast quarter same section, August 8, 1814, to James Sutton.
The northwest quarter Section 15, August 23, 1814, to James Runilley.
Andrew Moffitt
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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
The southeast quarter Section 10, January 5, 1814, to Charles Collett.
The northeast quarter same section, August 29, 1814, to Isaac Dawson.
The southwest quartor Section 8, March 11, 1814, to Ebenezer Heaton.
The northwest quarter Section 8, June 22, 1814, to Samuel C. Vance.
The northeast quarter Section 3, June 14, 1814, to Mordecai Morgan.
The southeast quarter Section 7, June 28, 1814, to James Sutton, Jr.
The northwest quarter same section and same date to Anthony Wiley.
The southeast quarter Section 3, March 19, 1814, to Josiah Lambert.
The southwest quarter Section 3, June 14, 1814, to Abraham Vanmeter.
The north half of Section 4, June 14, 1814, to Abraham Vanmeter.
The southwest quarter Section 5, August 28, 1815, to George P. Terrence.
The southeast quarter same section, October 29, 1815, to same man.
The southwest quarter Section 4, November 22, 1815, to George P. Terrence and Lewis Whiteman.
The southeast quarter Section 4, June 23, 1815, to Mathias Dawson.
The southwest quarter Section 2, November 2, 1815, to James N. Chambers.
The northwest quarter Section 2, September 29, 1815, to James Montgomery.
The northeast quarter Section 9, January 7, 1815, to Daniel Heaton.
The southeast quarter Section 9, January 7, 1815, to Daniel Heaton.
The southwest quarter Section 9, August 8, 1815, to James White.
The northwest quarter Section 10, March 13, 1815, to Benjamin Dungan.
The southwest quarter Section 10, July 28, 1815, to Garis Haugham.
The northwest quarter Section 11, October 27, 1815, to Mathew Nico.
The southeast quarter Section 11, December 18, 1815, to John Riters.
The southwest quarter Section 11, September 29, 1815, to James Montgomery.
The southeast quarter Section 8, May 6, 1815, to Aaron Hangham.
The northeast quarter Section 8, May 6, 1815, to Aaron Haugham.
The southwest quarter Section 15, August 29, 1815, to Aaron Delelon.
The southwest quarter Section 14, June 14, 1815, to William Heins.
The northwest quarter Section 14, May 31, 1815, to Thomas Cooper.
The northeast quarter Section 14, August 4, 1815, to James Montgomery.
The southeast quarter Section 14, December 16, 1816, to Joshua Simpson.
The southeast quarter Section 17, June 24, 1816, to Samuel Vance.
The northwest quarter Section 9, October 14, 1817, to William and John Demstor.
The northeast quarter Section 11, November 4, 1817, to Christopher Wamsley.
The west half northeast quarter Section 2, March 21, 1818, to Uriah Farlow.
The east half southeast quarter Section 2, August 27, 1819, to Robert Holland.
The northeast quarter Section 2, January 31, 1825, to Isaac Miliner.
PIONEERS.
Matthias Dawson, whose name is connected with several of the original entries given above, was a native of Virginia, and when a small boy while engaged in plowing or otherwise tending corn was quietly captured by two Indians, and himself and the horse borne away. He remained in captivity with the Indians for many years, and in their journeys had been to this region of country when it was yet the red man's home and formed part of his posses- sions. The chief, or the one of authority under whose care and charge Mr. Dawson had been reared, it is said, promised him the land he subsequently had to purchase of the Government (in the vicinity of Waterloo). Mr. Dawson, after the battle of Fort Wayne, was released, and then settled on his posses- sions, which he improved, living here for a number of years, when he removed to St. Joseph County, this State, and there closed his life.
Jonathan Higgins emigrated to his possessions here from Warren County, Ohio, coming about 1812.
Nathan Roysdon, a native of North Carolina, removed to Indiana Territory in 1808, and not long thereafter settled on the south half of the southwest quarter of Section 33. He died in Waterloo Town- ship in 1832, aged sixty five years. He was the father of William Roysdon, deceased, and the grand- father of Stephen and John H., of this county.
Jonathan Coleman, too, came from Ohio here.
Samuel C. Vance was a Pennsylvanian. He im- proved the land he entered and lived and died upon it.
The Hardins and Grewells were actual settlers and resided in the northern part of the township near the Wayne County line.
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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
John Tharpe settled on his lands early. He emi- grated from the State of Kentucky, and was a brother to Moses, who resided west of West Fork, and in 1813 had a child stolen by the Indians.
The Heatons, Ebenezer and Daniel, were related and came here from Warren County, Ohio, settling upon their lands about the year 1814. Both im- proved their entries, Ebenezer passing his life here, while Daniel, after remaining here for years, removed further west, stopping for a period in Hamilton County, thence removed to Howard County, this State.
Joseph White, the father of the venerable D. H. White, of the township, in the very beginning of the century started on foot from the State of Mary- land and journeyed to the county of Warren, Ohio, where he made a purchase of a sixty-acre tract of land, which he sold during the war of 1812, in which he had been drafted, to pay for a substitute. In the fall of 1814 he moved his family to the present site of the son above referred to, where his remaining years were passed.
Abraham Vanmeter settled quite early, coming here from Ohio. John M. Layson was from Kentucky here. The Farlows were from Randolph County, N. C., and in 1807 settled some miles east in Union County, where a number of their descendants now reside. In 1814 Benjamin Dungan and family settled in the township and entered land, and at the same time his brother Isaac settled on a part of the land. They were natives of Virginia. B. F. Dungan, now of this township, is a son of Benjamin.
Archibald Reed was an early settler, coming from North Carolina. He removed to Connersville, where for many years he kept tavern, and died in that city. James Sutton was from Ohio. James Rumilley (or Rumbley) was from the State of North Carolina. Subsequently he sold his entry to Erwin Boyd, who came from Kentucky, purchased land, returned, and while en route, bringing his family, was taken sick and died. The widow, Sarah Boyd, with several children, settled on the land in 1822. Mrs. D. H. White was a daughter. Joshua Simpson was a Caro- linan.
Of those entering land, and whose date of settle- ment is not given under the above head, William Hiers, Henry Holland, John Sleeth, Abraham Vanmeter and James Rumilley all were residents of what is now the township in 1819.
Daniel Fiant emigrated from Berks County, Penn., and about the year 1816 settled in what is now Union County, Ind., coming some years subsequently to this county. His death occurred near Waterloo in 1866, aged eighty-six years. His wife Saloma died one year later in her eighty sixth year.
Capt. James Hamilton, a native of Maryland,
though subsequently a Virginian, was a resident of the township many years. In the war of 1812 he served in the Eighteenth Regiment, Heavy Artillery Regulars. He reared a large family, and his death occurred in 1878.
John Hubbell, Sr., a native of New Jersey, at the age of eight years, with parents, settled in Pennsyl- vania, and subsequently removed to Butler County, Ohio, where John was married, and in 1817 located in this township, where he resided during the remainder of his life. The father, John, Sr., was a Revolution- ary soldier.
Daniel Skinner, a son of a Revolutionary soldier, a native of Pennsylvania, settled in the township in 1819, upon land where a son, William R., now resides. He was chosen the first Justice of the Peace of the township, which office he held for sixteen years.
Josiah Lambert, a native of Virginia, with family located at Columbia, while yet Ohio was a Territory ; subsequently he removed to Warren County, Ohio, where Clayton, a son (now a resident of this town- ship), was born in 1802. In 1822 Clayton settled on the land where he now resides.
Robert Holland, a native of Ireland, emigrated to America in 1816; subsequently located in Hamilton County, Ohio, and in 1822 settled in this township. His death occurred in 1857. He was the father of Robert and William A. Holland, now residents of the township.
In 1821 William C. Jones, a native of Maryland, settled in this county. His death occurred in 1881.
About the year 1820 Henry Henry, a native of Ireland, but from Pennsylvania here, settled in the township. His death occurred in 1859.
In 1825 Daniel Kline, a native of Pennsylvania, with family settled in the township. He was the father of Benjamin Kline, of this county.
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