USA > Indiana > Fayette County > History of Fayette County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions > Part 23
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Section 15-Sold in 1813, 1814 and 1831 to James Worster, Herod Newland, John Huff. William P. and James A. Belton.
Section 16-Reserved for school purposes.
Although a great amount of the land in this township was purchased in 1811 and 1812, there were very few actual settlements prior to 1814. To Thomas Simpson, a native of Maryland, is given the credit of being the first settler within the limits of this subdivision. About 1805 or 1806, hav- ing in view the purchase of land in the Indiana territory, he removed to the vicinity of Harrison, Ohio, and there awaited the further preparation of lands for market. When the party was being made up for the purpose of making the survey of the "Twelve-Mile Purchase," Simpson joined them to act as hunter for the party. He remained with the surveying party until the survey was completed, after roaming over the country from Michigan to the Ohio river. With the approach of winter in the fall of 1809, the party built a log-cabin by a spring on the northeast quarter of section 23, town- ship 14, range 13, which they occupied during the survey of that region of the country.
Upon the completion of the survey Simpson moved his family into the cabin and there passed the remainder of his days. Within three-quarters of a mile from the cabin was the Indian camping ground and many were the visits paid to the Simpson cabin where the red men were often fed and treated with kindness. Just north of the creek known to the Indians as Brushy creek, subsequently given the name of Simpson by the pioneers, was
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the buryying place of the Indians and upon the arrival of the Simpsons was still used.
The majority of the early settlers were emigrants of the Southern states, yet many were natives of the North and -East who had emigrated in the earlier history of that section.
The next earliest settlers coming into the township were John Keeney, James Smith, Samuel Smith, John and Stephen Oldham, all men of families, who came from the same neighborhood as the Simpsons. Smith and one of the Oldham brothers were ministers of the Regular Baptist church.
James Darter and family, from Virginia, settled on the east fork of White Water river in what is now Union county in 1812 and in the spring of 1813 moved over into Fayette county. The same season Joseph Van- meter and John Manley came to the same neighborhood. About this time Isaac and James Jones settled in the same vicinity and are supposed to have purchased land of Joseph Vanmeter.
Many of those entering land settled upon it near the time of the pur- chase, while a few never had any idea of making permanent settlement, but bought for others and for speculation.
Isaac Fletcher was one of the early settlers, but after remaining for only a short time sold his land to William Walker, from Ohio.
Aaron and Jonathan Haugham, from Kentucky, after a residence in the township for a few years, removed farther west. Some of those who fol- lowed their example were Lewis, Daniel and Joseph Noble, the Stoddard and Robinson families from Ohio.
Adam and Jesse Pigman, brothers, were among the earliest settlers and were men who took an active interest in public affairs and civic improvement. The land on which these men entered was a dense forest. The first year they managed to clear_about six acres, which they planted in corn. By the next spring twelve acres more had been cleared, part of which was planted in fruit trees, the first planted in the Village creek valley.
Several families came from Pennsylvania about 1814 and 1815, among whom were James Worster and his father, Robert, who was among the early school teachers of the county and also was the first Methodist minister west of the Alleghany mountains. Other settlers from Pennsylvania were Amos Milliner, a soldier of the Revolution who settled in the township in 1819. David Sutton, who came in 1816 and entered a vast tract of land, John Jacob Scholl, a later settler and the father of Jacob, Solomon and George Scholl.
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From Virginia came several settlers, among whom were Abraham Lyons, who came to Indiana territory in 1808 and in 1815 located in the vicinity of Alquina. William Hair, a soldier of the War of 1812, was an early settler, entering land in the township, upon which he died. William Walker was another settler from Virginia and settled here in 1819. Michael Petro came from the same state and located in 1816.
From North Carolina came the Rosses and Garland Stanley. The Rosses were pioneers in the vicinity of Alquina. The Stanley family immi- grated to Union county in 1822 and in 1824 settled in this township.
Among settlers from various other places of the South and West were the Rutherfords, who purchased a tract of land of one hundred and seventy aeres in section 4 for the sum of eight hundred dollars. Samuel and Joseph Bell, Stephen Goulding, Jeremiah and John Woods were very early settlers. Others were George Death. Samuel Riggs, William Knott, Michael Brown. the Veatch, Loudenback and Hutchins families.
EARLY SCHOOLS.
The Jones and Darter school houses were among the first places of learning in the township and were located about half-way between those farms. Bayliss Jones was one of the first teachers. Another school house of the same period, known as the Eyestone school, stood probably one mile east of the Mount Garrison meeting-house on the Asbury Hanson farm. Some of the early teachers in this locality were Matthew R. Hull, Green Larimore, Washington Curnutt. Thomas O'Brian, John P. Brown and a man by the name of Linn. James Worster was also an early teacher in the southern part of the township. An early school was taught in the neighborhood of Alquina by Squire Harrison, of Connersville, and a man by the name of Barnard. The first houses were constructed of logs and the teachers were paid entirely by subscription.
EARLY INDUSTRIES.
The early industries of the township were characteristic of those of the other townships. During the early period copper stills were found on nearly every creek and branch. Those who owned stills were John Harlan, James - Riggs,. William Walker, Hige Hubbell and Michael Petro.
Henry Cashner erected the first and only grist-mill of the township on Simpson's creek sometime prior to 1826. In connection. he also operated
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a saw-mill and a distillery. Peter Fiant and Lewis Monger were later owners and for a number of years a large amount of business was transacted.
ALQUINA.
The origin of this little village seems wrapped in mystery and doubt- less will always remain thus. The original proprietor of the land occupied by the village was Joseph Vanmeter. According to tradition, a merchant there by the name of Green Larimore gave the name to the place.
Records show that two additions have been made to the village. The first and south addition was laid off, November 2, 1838, by Joseph D. Ross and Isaac Darter, while the northern part was laid off by Jacob Reed, Decem- ber 27. 1841, William Dickey being the -surveyor.
The first merchant of whom there is any record was Samuel N. Harlan, who was granted permission by the county commissioners to sell merchan- clise in May, 1830. H. G. Larimore was given a similar privilege in Janı- ary of the following year and continued in business for some time. Moses Lyons conducted a general store from 1836 until 1839, when he was suc- ceeded by Joseph D. and Samuel K. Ross. On May 23. 1839, Joseph D. Ross was appointed postmaster to succeed Joseph C. Ross, the first post- master, appointed December 15, 1832. Joseph D. Ross kept the postoffice in his store and was postmaster until the office was discontinued, March 30, 1843. David Maze became the business successor to the Rosses and after several years sold to John H. Eyestone. Subsequent firms were S. & T. Jackson, Eyestone & Newland, H. H. & Thomas Jackson, Maze & Jackson.
The earlier blacksmiths of the village include the following: John Cashner, Joseph Graham, Jacob. Davis, Joseph Pullen, John Sims, Aaron Goulding and a man by the name of Mallery.
One of the early industries of the village and one which was operated for more than a decade was a tan-yard, owned by John H. Eyestone. The only other industry worthy of mention was a steam flour-mill, in operation about 1841 and owned by George P. Lyons, Samuel Branum, William Freely and a fourth party. After having changed ownership a number of times, the mill was destroyed by fire when owned by Price Brothers. It was rebuilt, with the addition of a planing-mill for the manufacture of doors and sashes. In later years it was removed to another location.
The village, which is unincorporated, has a population of about one hundred and is served by a rural mail route out of the county seat. L. C.
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Titterington & Company have the only store in the village. There are two resident physicians, Drs. Omer E. Dale and Stanton E. Gordon.
The following includes the names and times of service of each post- master, beginning with December 15. 1832, when the office was established with James C. Ross as postmaster : James C. Ross, 1832-1839: Joseph D. Ross, 1839, to March 30. 1843 (discontinued) : Thomas H. Jackson, April 28, 1843 (re-established), 1848: Baltharis Whitsel, August 10, 1848, to November 22, 1848; George W. Woodbury, 1848-1849: John H. Eyestone, 1849-1854; Thomas H. Jackson. 1854-1855; Balis E. Jones, January 23. 1855, to November 27, 1855: Joshua Lemmon, November 27, 1855. to 1857; Hiram H. Maze, 1867-1860: Milton A. Price, 1869-1870; Isaac Weils, 1870- 1872: Hiram H. Maze, 1872-1875: Martha R. Hull. 1875-1876: Hiram H. Maze, 1876, to October 20, 1877 ( discontinued ) : Mary F. Darter, Novem- ber 26, 1877 (re-established). to 1881: William H. Hewitt, 1881-1883: Andrew Young. March 8, 1883, December 17, 1883: Willis O. Parker, December 17, 1883.
LYONSVILLE.
When the Cincinnati. Hamilton & Dayton railroad, now known as the Cincinnati, Indianapolis & Western, was being built through the county, a station was established just south of Springersville and given the name of Lyons Station. The station and postoffice, the latter being established June 2. 1863, continued to hear this name until June, 1916. At that time the post- office was discontinued and the railroad company at once changed the name of their station to Lyonsville. This was done because there was a town by the name of Lyons in Greene county. Indiana, and freight and express for the two places frequently got misshipped because of the similarity of names. The little hamlet contains about eight dwellings and contains a population of nearly fifty people. The business interests include the following: O. P. Stelle, general store: G. W. Walker, general store: T. O. Stanley, grain dealer : Heider & Bland, wagon-makers; Dickson Brothers maintain a store room and warehouse for hardware and farming implements, but conduct no retail store. The station agent is E. . \. Lyons.
The first postmaster of the village was Robert R. Monger, who held the office. from 1863 to 1865. He was succeeded by James V. Lyons. C. E. Brandenburg was postmaster for some time prior to June, 1916.
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ORANGE TOWNSHIP.
Orange township, named in honor of a county in North Carolina from which many of the early settlers came, was organized out of parts of Columbia and Connersville townships on February 18, 1822. Its origi- nal limits were as follows: "Beginning at the southwest corner of Fayette county, running easterly with said county line three miles to the range line; thence north with the said range line to the nothern boundary of Conners- ville township: thence west with the said township line to the county line; thence south with the said county line to the place of beginning." The township thus contained six more sections than it now has, the organization of Fairview township in December, 1851, resulting in the detachment of the two northern tiers of sections.
All of this township, with the exception of small fractional portions of sections 13, 24, 25 and 36 falls within the "New Purchase," and conse- quently was not open for entry until after 1820. In fact, there was no land entered in the township until at least one year after the county was organized. The complete list of land entries follows :
Township 14 North, Range II East.
Section 34-Sold in 1820 to Robert Lyon and Joseph Justice.
Section 35 -- Sold in 1820 to Ephraim Frazee and John Gregg.
Section 36 -- Sold in 1820 to Ephraim Smith, Nathan Ells, Moses Scott and Ephraim Frazee.
Township 13 North, Range II East.
Section I-Sold in 1822, 1825, 1830 and 1831 to Ephraim Frazee, John Coley, Dyer Woodsworth, Abraham Finch, Enos Carter, Samuel Smith and William Martin.
Section 2-Sold in 1822, 1824, 1826, 1828 and 1830 to David Dill, John Coley, Robert M. Orr, John Wagoner, Philip Rich and Aaron Ander- son.
Section 3-Sold in 1820, 1821, and 1822 to Aaron Betts, John Ratcliff, John Russell, Susannah, Margaret, Marion and Regannah Ronald, David Dill.
Section 10-Sold in 1820, 1821, 1822 and 1830 to Isaac Thomas, Hugh Allen, Joshua Moore, David Dill, George H. Puntenny and Joseph McDonald
FAMILY REUNION AT THE OLD HANDLEY HOMESTEAD, 1897.
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FAYETTE COUNTY, INDIANA.
Section 11-Sold in 1822, 1830, 1831, 1832 and 1834 to George H. Puntenny, Silas M. Stone, Thomas R. Stevenson, John Alexander, Jefferson Helm, James Case, Hugh Wilson, James Lathers, and Noah Dawson.
Section 12-Sold in 1820, 1831, 1832 and 1834 to John Ronald, John C. Halstead, John Thomas and Hugh Wilson.
Section 13-Sold in 1820, 1822, 1823, 1825, 1827, 1831 and 1832 to William Callett, John Klum, Henry Klum, George K. Cook, John Cook, John Haglett and Thomas G. Stephens.
'Section 14 -- Sold in 1821, 1822, 1824 and 1831 to Triplett Lockhart, Shelton Jones, Thomas Williamson, Elias B. Stone, Jonas Jones, Silas H. Stone, Bethuel Rychmaul and Henry Klum.
Section 15-Sold in 1821 and 1822 to Henry Brown, Aaron Betts and Elias B. Stone.
Section 22-Sold in 1821, 1822, 1824 and 1830 to William Stephens, John Wagoner, Charles Scott, David Dill, Elias B. Stone, John Longfellow, and Daniel Jackson.
Section 23-Sold in 1822, 1824 and 1830 to Daniel McNeill, David Dill, Peyton Cook, John L. Lindsey, John Daniel and Thomas G. Stephens.
Section 24-Sold in 1825, 1831, 1832 and 1843 to William McPherson, Josiah Mullikin, Euphemia Morrison, Daniel Jackson, John Klum and Lewis B. Tupper.
Section 25-Sold in 1821, 1823, 1832, 1833 and 1834 to Elias Matney, John Jacobs, Elisha Ellison, James Stevens, Thomas G. Stephenson, Mary Johnson and Richard Stevens.
Section 26-Sold in 1822, 1824, 1830 and 1833 to Robert Stevens, Ephraim Johnson, Lewis Johnson, Jacob Moss, Samuel Wilson, John Eng- lish and Lawrence Johnson.
Section 27 -- Sold in 1820, 1821, 1822, 1823, 1825 and 1830 to David Crews, Jr., William Moore, Michael Beaver, James New, Solomon Carn, Lawrence Johnson and Rinard Rinearson.
Section 34-Sold in 1820, 1822, 1823, 1825 and 1829 to C. Rinearson, William Pool, Joseph Stevens, William Dearning, Conrad Plow, William Arnold and Moses Bart.
Section 35-Sold in 1821, 1822, 1823 and 1831 to Catherine Watson, B. E. Hains, Conrad Plow, Elijah Pool, Adam McNeill and C. W. Burt.
Section 36-Sold in 1820, 1821, 1822, 1829 and 1834 to Cornelius Rinearson, Alexander Ayers, Timothy Allison, John Woolech, John Lin- ville and James Conwell, John Gregg.
(17)
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FAYETTE COUNTY, INDIANA.
Pioneers in Orange township were John Scott, John Reed and wife, Mrs. Sarah Wyle, Silas Stone and wife, William Huston and wife, W. J. Daniel, Joseph Cotton, Wells Stevens, John Springer, Elias Matney and wife, Edwin Austin, Mrs. Stevens.
As will be noted from the above land entries, no settlement was made in Orange township prior to 1820. Probably the first to settle in the town- ship was Wells Stevens. the son of Robert Stevens, who emigrated from Carolina during the first decade of the century and settled in the vicinity of the east fork of the White Water river. Wells Stevens, in 1820, having just married, settled in the southwest corner of the township and began the work characteristic of the early settler. He completed his little pioneer cabin before the completion of the survey and the story is told that on sev- eral occasions the surveyors sought comfort and rest in his humble dwelling.
Another man who made settlement in 1820, but somewhat later in the year than Wells Stevens, was Elias B. Stone, who emigrated from Kentucky and settled on Garrison's creek, southeast of Fayetteville. Silas B. Stone, a brother, came two years later, but did not make a permanent settlement until 1824.
Adam McNeill, a brother-in-law to Robert Stevens, and William Pool were early settlers in the Stevens neighborhood. In 1821, George Creelman, a native of Ireland, settled in the township. At the same time the Dills settled here.
In 1822 John Scott entered land in the township and the same year constructed a shanty upon it and removed his mother's family thereto. The father had died leaving the family in destitute circumstances. The son John travelled the river, worked on flat-boats and in other employment and with his earnings made the purchase mentioned. Later he served as one of the associate judges of the county and occupied other public posi- tions.
During the period from 1820 to 1830 the following persons settled north and east of Fayetteville : Hugh Allen, John Russell, Samuel Hornady, John Coley, James Lathers and a Mr. Perkins.
About 1823, Ralph Titsworth and family settled probably one mile and a half north of Fayetteville.
Among others who were early pioneers were Henry Dicken. Triplet Lockhart, Joseph Justice, Cornelius Rinearson, Laurence Johnson, Elias Matney and Alexander Ayers.
The farms in this township were improved and cleared mostly by renters. These renters, as soon as they had made the specified improve-
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ments on the premises, usually moved on to another location, thus leaving little account of themselves. In some cases the purchasers of the land remained away until the land was partially cleared up and the ground put into a tillable condition.
EARLY SCHOOLS.
A little log cabin located just north of Fayetteville is supposed to have acted as the first school house in the township. The first teacher was Eleanor Blair, who taught in 1823. Another school was conducted. two or three years afterward in a cabin that stood about a mile and a half northeast of Fayetteville on what was known as the Russell farm. One of the first teach- ers was a lady by the name of Mitchell.
School district No. I was organized in 1824. The building, which was in keeping with the houses of the period, was built on the ground donated by John Coley. The school tax was nearly all paid in labor and material. A man by the name of Gunn taught the first school in this building. In 1825 another school district was organized in Danville (later Fayetteville, now Orange). Wiley J. Daniel was one of the early teachers at this place. J. P. Damel and James Rhodes were also early teachers in the village.
In the Sain's creek neighborhood, the first school house stood in the northwest quarter of section 36, on what was later known as the Winchell farm. John Bell, Thomas Points and Alexander Patton were among the early teachers. After several years the building became inadequate to the needs of the community and another building was constructed about four hundred yards south of the old one. Alexander Matney was one of the early teachers.
EARLY INDUSTRIES.
Elias B. Stone had the honor of erecting the first grist-mill in the town- ship, located on the south branch of Garrison's creek. Subsequently. S. H. Stone bought the grist-mill, and operated it for several years. He disposed of his interests to John Lindsey and James Tuttle, who built and carried on a distillery in connection with the mills. Later, S. H. Stone built another grist-mill in the northeast part of the southeast quarter of section 14, and afterwards added a saw-mill to the grist-mill. On the north branch of Gar- rison's creek, a saw-mill was built by Hugh Gray sometime prior to 1833. William Reed erected a saw-mill only a short distance above the Gray mill about the same time. A man by the name of Starbuck started a tanyard at the village of Fayetteville (now Orange) very early and was succeeded by
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Isham Keith. An industry that was of a short life was the carding machine that was operated in Fayetteville by Benjamin F. Morrow.
Located in the northeastern part of the township is the largest apple orchard in the county, owned by Reed & Fielding. The orchard is a model of its kind and, along with others, has been favorably mentioned as one of the best in this section of the state.
ORANGE.
Orange, formerly known as Fayetteville, is in Orange township and on the boundary line. between the two. counties. The village was sur- veyed and platted by Thomas Hinkson for Elias B. Stone and Isaac Thomas, October 12, 1824, and given the name of Danville. On September 30, 1841, an addition was made on the south side by Elias B. Stone. Robert Cox was the first business man of the town, he conducting a general store and a blacksmith shop and also manufactured bells. Robert Wilson was perhaps the first blacksmith and Doctors Mason, Helm and Daniel were early physicians.
In 1833 Burgess G. Wells was given permission to vend merchandise and in 1837 became postmaster of the village. Other early merchants were James M. Conner and Thomas Marks. John Latchem and Joshua Wolf were among the early blacksmiths. John B. Williams was the cabinet- maker for the community in 1833. A man by the name of Vantyne was one of the first wagon-makers in this section.
Doctor Jefferson had the distinction of building the first frame house in 1830 or 1831. The first brick house was built by Joshua Wolf.
A postoffice was established here, February 8, 1833, under the name of Orange. The following is a complete list of the postmasters up to the time the office was discontinued : Wiley J. Daniel, 1833-1837; Burgess G. Wells, 1837-1840; Thomas Marks, 1840-1842; John B. Williams, March 2, 1842-July 28, 1842; Isham Keith, 1842-1846; Joseplı P. Daniel, 1846- 1862; Joel Rhodes, 1862-1865; Joseph George, 1865.
GLENWOOD.
Glenwood, a village of about three hundred and seventy-five population, is on the Fayette-Rush county line, the part of the village in Fayette county being in Fairview and Orange townships. According to the 1910 census the village had a population of two hundred and sixty-six-with forty-nine
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in Fayette and two hundred and seventeen in Rush county. Of those forty- nine in Fayette county, eight were in Fairview and forty-one in Orange township. The village is on the Cincinnati, Indianapolis & Western rail- road and the traction line running between Indianapolis and Connersville. The history of this village really belongs to Rush county.
The following places of business in Glenwood are on the Fayette county side : Saw-mill, Orlando Nichols ; barber shop and pool room, Jesse Vandiver; livery stable and auctioneer, Clarence Carr; veterinary surgeon, Leon Mingle; harness shop and confectionery, Otto Cameron; butcher shop, William Combs & Son; general store, A. P. Reynolds; blacksmith, Bert Timmerman; garage, Mr. Osborn; physician, H. S. Osborn. The three fraternal organizations of Glenwood are on the Rush county. side. There was formerly a congregation of the Seventh-Day Adventists in Glenwood on the Fayette county side. The congregation built a small church in the southwestern corner of Fairview township about twenty-five years ago, but the congregation was disbanded several years ago. The old church building is now a part of a dwelling house with a store room in front. The grain elevator is on the Fayette county side. It is managed by Jesse Murphy & Son, who also handle coal, cement, flour, paint and farming implements.
POSEY TOWNSHIP.
Posey township,-named in honor of Thomas Posey, governor of Indiana territory from 1812 until the state was admitted to the Union, was created out of Harrison township by the county commissioners in February, 1823. The boundary lines as first defined in 1823 have never been changed. They follow: "Henceforth all that district of country and part of Harrison township which is inclosed in the following bounds shall form and consti- tute a new township to be known and designated by the name of Posey township, to-wit: Beginning at the southwest corner of Wayne county, at the southeast corner of section 28, running thence north on the county line five miles to the extreme northeast corner of Fayette county; thence west six miles to the northwest corner of said county; thence south five miles to the southwest corner of section 27; thence east on the section line to the place of beginning."
The following is a complete list of the original land entries in Posey township :
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