History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 17

Author: Reifel, August J
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind. : B.F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1648

USA > Indiana > Franklin County > History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions > Part 17

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).

Pork-packing was carried on here until about 1880, possibly later.

In 1822 pioneer Webster planted out a peach orchard on all that portion of Laurel between Washington street and the canal and Conwell and Balti- more streets. These trees stood there until they were cut down the summer before Laurel was laid out.

In 1823 Webster had a distillery running where, in later years, Williams & Day's slaughter house stood, and at about the same date he established his tan-yard.

The railroad was completed through Laurel in the summer of 1867, and this gave a new life to the business interests, which, however, were seriously crippled by the great fires of 1872 and 1886, an account of which is given in this chapter.

There was also a paper box factory at Laurel about twenty years ago, but this industry has, like most all others, ceased to exist. Twelve or fifteen years ago the stone quarry business was one of much magnitude. The Laurel limestone quarry, three miles to the west of the town, had a spur running from the railroad tracks and shipped as many as fifteen cars of dressed stone daily, employing from one hundred to one hundred and fifty men. The in- troduction of cement greatly crippled the stone industry, and it was finally abandoned entirely at this point.

A new feature of industry, if such it may be called, is that of the experi- mental fruit farm, overlooking the town. It consists of a seven-hundred-acre tract, three hundred acres of which are already set to fruit trees. It is owned by a large company, members of which live in Chicago, while its part owner and superintendent, E. A. Schultz, is a resident of Laurel.

183

FRANKLIN COUNTY, INDIANA.

Coming down to the present, it is found the business interests of Laurel are as follows :

General Dealers-W. E. Ensminger, H. N. Wilson, A. A. Swartz, G. H. Fosler, W. A. Goehner.

Drugs-S. W. Brier, Dr. W. E. Ticen.

Dray Line-Thomas Reese & Son.

Undertakers-Moster Brothers.

Livery and Feed Barn-D. A. Lunsford.

Wagon Shop-Ed Ward.

Blacksmith Shops-Roll Wiggans, Timbermann & Nungster.

Auto Garage-R. Ayers.

Stoves and Tinware-C. E. Burgoyne.

Confectionery-Anderson Fey.

Hotel-"The New Hotel," G. W. Hunsinger, proprietor.

Restaurant and Hotel-Mrs. Samuel Hayes.

Variety Store-Miss Emma Musser.

Bakery-Michael Burgdoerfer.

Public Hall-Red Men's Hall, used for general public entertainments.

Newspaper-The Review, thirty-eight years old, Mrs. John O'Hair, pro- prietor.

Millinery-Mrs. Lizzie Day.

Meat Market-Reeser Brothers.

Lumber-G. W. Ensminger.

Grain Elevator-Frank Wright.

Steam Saw Mill-G. W. Ensminger.

Feed and Implements-James Jinks.

Barber Shops-James Grant, John Williams, Glen Grant.

Banking-The Laurel Bank.

Stone Works-J. P. Secrest, Harry Manley, Mrs. Lizzie Day, shippers of dressed stone only.

Cement Vault Factory-Ed Ward.

Produce Company-C. H. Reiboldt.

Physicians-Drs. W. E. Ticen, S. A. Gifford, Henry Gregory.

Dentist-Dr. J. S. Rice.

Postmaster-C. E. Jones.

Moving Pictures-The Bijou, by J. E. Wheeler.

The churches of the town are the Methodist Episcopal, Christian, Catho- lic, United Brethren and Evangelical Lutheran. The last two have buildings, but no regular services are held at this time.

184

FRANKLIN COUNTY, INDIANA.

The fraternal orders here represented are the Masons, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias and Improved Order of Red Men. Both churches and lodges are fully described in separate chapters.

The old schoolhouse, a three-story building erected in 1852, is still used, though condemned. A new ten-thousand-dollar building is to be erected this year.

CORPORATION ITEMS.

Laurel became an incorporated town in 1877. With the passing years, the incoming and outgoing of hundreds of officers have caused the records to be misplaced or lost, hence the early history can not here be given. Suffice to say that a fairly good town government has always been maintained. The place has no water works or lighting system. The electric lights of the town are now supplied by the proprietor of the moving picture show. The town board meets at Brier's drug store.

The officers of the incorporation of Laurel in 1915 are as follow : Board members, William Johnson (president), D. T. Reese, George Goeh- ringer, G. H. Foster, Thomas Tharp; marshal, Charles Davis; clerk, Gilbert Tague ; treasurer, William Moster.

THE POSTOFFICE.

What is now known as Laurel postoffice has had the following postmas- ters since the establishment of the office known as Somerset, and later as Conwell's Mills. The dates, furnished by the department at Washington, show time of appointments :

Somerset-Charles Fosdick, April 15, 1818; A. S. Babbitt, January 20, 1820; H. W. Clark, October 8, 1827; Jesse Williams, March 23, 1829; James Conwell, December 13, 1831. Name changed to Conwell's Mills May 31, 1832. Conwell's Mills-James Conwell, May 31, 1832; F. A. Conwell, July 28, 1834. Name changed to Laurel July 26, 1837. Laurel-F. A. Conwell, July 26, 1837; George G. Shoup, October 12, 1838; T. J. White, September 17, 1849; Isaac Clements, October 16, 1852; William S. Geyer, June 21, 1853; J. W. Morrow, December 8, 1858; William S. Geyer, December 22, 1860; A. W. Sullenberger, March 29, 1861 ; J. H. Reiley, December 21, 1865; R. J. Day, July 10, 1866: Jacob, Secrest, March 21, 1873; Lafayette Day, September 14, 1881 ; S. H. Knott, August 19, 1885; Jasper Lockwood, April 12, 1889; William P. Sudler, June 23, 1893; Jasper Lockwood, June 10, 1897; H. C. Jones, February 19, 1914.

185

FRANKLIN COUNTY, INDIANA.

GREAT FIRES.

Laurel has been visited by numerous fires, the greatest of which occurred in 1872 and in 1886.

On Thursday, March 21, 1872, there occurred a fire about the noon hour from a spark falling on the dry shingled roof of James Haley's saloon. By speedy work this was extinguished, but that same night at about two o'clock it was renewed, and this time it had every appearance of being the work of an incendiary, as an explosion was heard and there were exterior signs of oil having been thrown on materials near the burned buildings. In this fire, which devastated the place, there were twenty-three buildings lost ; all fences, outbuildings and trees in the burned district were destroyed by the ravages of the flames. The heaviest loser was W. F. Hazzard, who had a large dry goods store and lost about all he possessed. It was carefully estimated at the time of the fire, that the total loss was not far from one hundred and ten thou- sand dollars, and on this amount there was only eighteen thousand dollars of fire insurance available. The following is a list of the seventeen buildings which were totally leveled to the foundation stones: The two-story brick block, the upper story of which was occupied by J. C. Burgoyne, a justice of the peace and insurance agent; a two-story building, in which a stock of clothing was carried by Fred Batt; Williams & Day's livery barn; the Haz- zard House, a two-story frame structure, occupied by Mrs. J. O. Van Horn; a two-story frame, the "Haley House," used as a residence and saloon ; a two- story brick building of Charles Hubbard, who carried a dry goods stock be- low, and the Chronicle office in the second story; a two-story brick building in which Jacob Secrest had a grocery; a two-story brick building in which was located the dry goods concern of W. F. Hazzard, with a tin shop in the rear; the one-story frame building in which a shoe shop was kept and which was torn down to stay the spread of the fire; a two-story frame in which was conducted the saloon of David McCarty ; a two-story double frame house ; the two-story residence of John Nestle; the story-and-half house of Williams & Day, used as a warehouse ; the two-story frame building in which was carried a stock of dry goods and millinery by Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Cooper; also what was known as the Pearl Street House, occupied by Mrs. Pike and Mrs. Cooper ; a story-and-a-half building of Morris Londgain, and the calaboose, all of which were totally consumed.

Another fire visited Laurel, January 7, 1886, which did much damage, while another, the same year, on Sunday morning, May 9, consumed the large store building of John F. Geyers. This structure was forty by one

186

FRANKLIN COUNTY, INDIANA.

hundred feet in size. An explosion occurred inside which was thought to have been a stick of dynamite, but this was never clearly proven. The fire spread from the original building to Mike Herman's dwelling and tailor shop, Mrs. Lynn's fancy notion store, a coffin store belonging to A. & L. Moster, and the large barn of Frank Winstoring. The total loss was placed at fifteen thousand dollars.

METAMORA TOWNSHIP.

Metamora township was established as one of the civil subdivisions of Franklin county, September 5, 1849, by an act of the board of county com- missioners. Its territory was formerly a part of that included in Salt Creek, Laurel and Brookville townships. It is bounded on the north by Laurel and Blooming Grove, on the east by Brookville, on the south by Butler and on the west by Laurel and Salt Creek. The township contains about twenty square miles, and includes sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 18 and 19 of township II north, range 13 east ; sections 1, 2, II, 12, 13 and 14 of townshp II north, range 12 east; sections 29, 30, 31 and 32 of township 12 north, range 13 east, and sections 25, 26, 35 and 36 of township 12 north, range 12 east. Its population is 693, according to the latest census reports, 235 less than in 1890.

The West fork of White Water crosses the township in an easterly course, a short distance above its geographical center. Pipe creek drains the south- east quarter of the township; Duck creek flows from the north and unites with the waters of the main stream at the town of Metamora; Salt creek empties into White Water a short distance above the town of Metamora. The streams already mentioned have branches known as Deer creek, Indian, Silver, Trace branch, Gate's branch, etc.

There is here found a goodly amount of rich bottom land, with much sloping surface farm land more or less abrupt. There is a limited acreage of upland within the borders of the township. A third of a century ago there was much of the original forest still left, but since that date it has steadily disappeared before the woodman's axe and the saw-mill.

The water-power is good, especially that afforded by the numerous locks along the old canal. There is now a large volume of water going to waste for want of development of factories and mills. There is now only one mill in operation in the township, and it is located at Metamora.

This portion of the county, prior to 1811, was held solely by the Indian tribes and a few hardy hunters and Indian traders. As soon as the land be-

187

FRANKLIN COUNTY, INDIANA.

came subject to entry it gradually was taken up by white settlers, with an occasional speculator who claimed the land at government price.

SETTLEMENT.

The following were among the original settlers in the township: David Mount, 1811; Richard Williams, 1811; Hezekiah Mount, 1811; William Flood, 1811 ; George Adams, 1811 ; George Guiltner, 1811; John Reed, 18II; Larkin Simes, 1811; Thomas Curry, 1811; William Gordon, 1811; Charles Woodworth, 1811; George Wilson, 1811; Isaac Wilson, 1811; William Ar- nold, 1811, and a few more in the same year.

In 1812, among the settlers who claimed lands and commenced home- building, are recalled Samuel Alley, David Alley, James Alley, with possibly a few more.

In 1813 came Jonathan Osborn. In 1814 the settlers were Philip Richie, William Adams, Cyrus Alley, Jonathan Allen and Elisha Cragan. Jonathan Chapman arrived and made his land entry in 1817.

Lands were obtainable from the Twelve-mile Purchase in 1809, and a few men came to the township and claimed lands as "squatters." Among such characters are recalled the names of Thomas Smith, on the Gordon farm of later years; Julius Miller, of the Blacklidge farm; Jake Krist, James Wil- liams and "old man" Taylor, who married a widow and then eloped with her pretty young daughter.

David Mount, who made his advent in 1811, came in from near Pen- nington, New Jersey, entering the southwest quarter of section 36 (near the present village of Metamora), the date of his entry being October 21, 181I. Later he secured other large tracts of land and became a man of force and influence for good in the community. Some of his lands he claimed by orig- inal entry, while other tracts he purchased from men who had entered and became sick of the country. During the exciting days of the War of 1812 a blockhouse was erected on the farm later held by John Curry. This was known far and near as the Mount blockhouse and was one of the numerous blockhouses up and down the valley, built for defense against the red men. Mr. Mount built a grist-mill on the river, near the present village and also had connected with it a saw-mill, a carding-mill and a fulling-mill, all pro- pelled by the waters of White Water river. These mills and small factories were commenced about 1812 and were indeed greatly appreciated by the pion- eer settlers of this section of country.

This truly good pioneer was elected associate judge and was also a mem-

188

FRANKLIN COUNTY, INDIANA.

ber of the Indiana Legislature a number of terms. One of the landmarks of the White Water valley was the "Old Mount House." While it was never operated as a hotel or inn, yet in it all weary travelers were welcome. It was burned in 1882.

The old Mount mills were deprived of a large part of their original water-power by the construction of the canal, and Judge Mount brought legal action against the canal corporation for damages, but in 1847 the great flood swept through the valley and destroyed the mill and much other valuable property.

Among the first and very early events within Metamora township may be appreciated the record of the subjoined paragraphs :

The first blacksmith in the township was Col. John Reed. He was the son-in-law of Robert Templeton, and settled just above the village.

The earliest tavern was kept by one Goble, who bought the land entered by William Flood, on the northeast quarter of section 35, a mile up the river from the village of present Metamora.

At an early date Henry Pond began operating a tannery.

The first schoolhouse was the log structure on the Gordon farm, and one of the earliest teachers was "Old Collins," of White Water fame, who was succeeded by Samuel D. Woodworth, Henry Benton and Lewis Sally.

FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS.

With the flight of years vast changes have taken place in this township. Forests have been cut down and sawed into lumber, and fields have yielded up their annual harvests ; the old settlers have passed from earth's shining circle, and sons and grandsons have come into possession of the farms throughout the township, while many have removed to distant parts of the world, and newcomers have purchased the lands entered away back a hundred years and more ago. It is but true to state that the prosperity today is not as flourish- ing, neither is the population nearly so large, as it was thirty and forty years ago. But here and there one finds one of the time-honored homesteads oc- cupied by frugal farmers, the descendants of original pioneers, the lands not having passed out of the family name during the scores of years which have passed into oblivion. In these homes one finds contentment and refinement, and all that would indicate a happy home and prosperous circumstances.

189

FRANKLIN COUNTY, INDIANA.

THE TOWN OF METAMORA.

This town, or village, properly speaking, was platted by David Mount and William Holland, March 20, 1838, to which have been added several ex- tensions. It was named for a character found in a novel-"Metamora, the beautiful squaw." It was named by Mrs. John A. Matson. Its population in 1910 was five hundred and eighty-eight. It is situated on the north side of Whitewater river and directly on the old canal, with one of the locks within the center of the town, the same now furnishing the water-power for the flour- ing mills, but which in former years afforded water-power for numerous fac- tories. This was when the town was in the zenith of its commercial glory. The geographical location of the town is in section 34. The first man to sell general merchandise at this point was David Mount, who conducted a small store in his residence. The next to engage in merchandise was John Adair, who finally sold to William Holland.

The earliest tavern keeper was John McWhorter, soon after the plat was laid out.

Early, if not the first, blacksmiths were Messrs. Churchill and Asa Geltner.

A flouring-mill was built on the lock of the old canal in 1845-46 by M. B. Gordon & Brother. In 1847-48 another mill was built, near the last named, by William Rubottom & Hyatt. The fire of 1856 destroyed these mills. In 1857 the Gordons rebuilt their mill. Again, in 1850-51, Gordon Brothers built a more extensive milling plant on the lower or east lock. This was also burned, and rebuilt by Clifford & Davis, and in 1882 was owned by Andrew Miller. The Gordons also had a woolen-mill, which was destroyed by the same flames that took the flouring-mill. The woolen-mill was not rebuilt. The Gordon flouring-mill was dismantled and the building used for a wood- working factory, where woodenware was manufactured.

In 1845 Jonathan Banes, who had resided there since 1837, came in as a contractor on the old White Water canal, and at the first date named con- structed a cotton-mill on the south bank of the canal, near the lock. In 1856 the machinery was removed and the building converted into a flouring-mill by Murray & Banes. Other owners of this plant were John Curry & Son, Thomas Tague and Trembly & Hawkins. Richard McClure also had the property at one time. It was later styled the Crescent mill. There was a mill erected on Pipe creek by William H. Eads. In 1846-47 a distillery was built here by Walker Brothers. Henry C. Kimble later owned it, and in March, . 1873, it was burned and never rebuilt.

I90

FRANKLIN COUNTY, INDIANA.

PRESENT-DAY METAMORA.

Much of the long-ago hum and bustle of this little village has ceased. Time changes all things. The abandonment of the canal, the construction of railroads through this section of Indiana, the death of many sturdy pioneers and the removal of many more of their immediate descendants, have all com- bined to lessen the spirit of commercial enterprise once known in the town. However, the place still has a number of excellent business factors, and in February, 1915, these interests were in the hands of the following persons and companies :

General Stores-L. Allison & Son, Martindale & Jinks and J. W. Jack- son & Son.

Confectionery-Lucy Martindale.

Hardware-Clark & Annice.

Drugs-Albert E. Pierce.

Banking-Farmers Bank (private), organized in 1910 by W. N. Gordon and Henry R. Lennard.

Barber Shops-Benjamin Glicen, Charles Herman.

Blacksmithing-James Thorp.

Undertakers-Thorp & Williams.

Hotel-Charles Rothrock.

Stock Dealer-Samuel Lewis, for Walter Bros., of Brookville.

Steam Saw-mill-Noble Gordon.

Public Hall-Old Presbyterian Church, by Banes & Williams.

Coal Dealer-Frank Wright, at the flouring-mill.

Milling-Frank Wright, whose mill was erected in 1900, a three-story brick structure with a daily capacity of fifty barrels of flour. Attorney-G. R. Foster.

Postoffice, with Inez Gordon, postmistress. This office has two rural free deliveries running to outlying sections. -

POSTMASTERS.

The following have served as postmasters at Metamora since the estab- lishment of the office, first known as Duck Creek Crossing, in April, 1826. The dates given are time of appointment. These names and dates were fur- nished the author by the department at Washington: Duck Creek Crossing- Daniel Churchill, April 14, 1826; John Reid, April 25, 1829; Asahel Giltner, November 19, 1830; William Holland, February 25, 1833. Name changed,

I9I

FRANKLIN COUNTY, INDIANA.

June II, 1838, to Metamora. William Holland, June 11, 1838; John Hughes, December 30, 1839; Ezekiel Tyner, April II, 1840; A. B. Martindale, Jan- uary 4, 1847; R. M. Wales, October 4, 1850; Ezekiel Tyner, September 5, 1851; J. C. Burton, November 1, 1853; Matthias Munson, May 8, 1854; P. C. Woods, December 16, 1854; J. C. Armstrong, April 27, 1857; T. H. Con- nor, May 11, 1861 ; A. Hahn, December 13, 1865 ; L. E. Hahn, December 5, 1866; James Dawdy, March 28, 1879; I. B. Tracy, August 31, 1883; J. M. Vanscyoc, June 30, 1885 ; Angeline Kimble, October 9, 1889; Albert Pierce, April 6, 1893 ; J. W. Jackson, April 26, 1897; William N. Gordon, March 9, 1907; Inez E. Gordon, July 6, 1914.

FORMER TOWNSHIPS OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.

For several years after its organization in the spring of 1811, Franklin county extended nine miles above its present northern limits and included a large part of what is now Fayette and Union counties. Fayette county was set off by the legislative act of December 28, 1818, and began its independent existence on January 1, 1819. During the eight years that it was a part of Franklin county it had been first included within Posey township and after July 16, 1816, had been divided between Posey and Connersville townships. With the establishment of Fayette at the date above mentioned Connersville township drops out of Franklin county history. Connersville township, as organized July 16, 1816, included "all that part of Posey township which lies north of the center of the thirteenth township in twelfth range, and the center of the thirteenth township in the thirteenth range, shall compose a township and the same shall be known and called by the name of Connersville township, and that all elections after the first Monday in August, next, shall be held in Connersville."

Union county was created by the legislative act of January 5, 1821, and formally organized on the first of the following month. During the ten years that it was a part of Franklin county it had first been included within Bath township and between July 16, 1816, and February 9, 1819, had been divided between Bath and Union townships. On the latter date Liberty township was created, and from then until Union county was organized on February I, 1821, that part of Franklin county now within Union county included all of Union and Liberty townships and a part of Bath. Union and Liberty town- ships drop out of Franklin county history on February 1, 1821. Union town- ship, as organized July 6, 1816, included "all that part of the township of

192

FRANKLIN COUNTY, INDIANA.

Bath composing the eleventh township in the first range and the eleventh township in the second range, shall form a township to be called and known by the name of Union township, and all elections after the first Monday in August, next, shall be held in a schoolhouse known by the name of Union schoolhouse."

On February 9, 1819, it was ordered that Union township be divided by the line dividing ranges 1 and 2 west and all that part lying west of said line in said township to constitute a township to be called Liberty township, and all future elections in Liberty township be held at the house of Samuel W. Scott in Dunlapsville.

In addition to these three townships which no longer exist as a part of Franklin county, there is one other, Somerset, which had a very brief history. Organized May 14, 1821, out of Posey township, it died a quiet death at the hands of the county commissioners on November 12 of the same year. What brought it into existence and what caused its early demise the historian has failed to discover. Its name and boundary limits are all that is known about it. On May 14, 1821, the commissioners "Ordered that all that part of Posey township lying north of an east and west line drawn between sections 25 and 36 in township 12, range 12 east, compose a township to be called Somerset township, and that all future elections in said township are to be held at the town of Somerset."

CHAPTER VI.

TOWN OF BROOKVILLE.

Brookville is situated in the picturesque valley of the White Water river, between the forks of West and East branches of this stream. It is in sec- tions 20 and 29, in the center of Brookville township. The town site is about evenly divided into the ridge and valley districts, the business portion at this time being chiefly on the ridge, but formerly occupied the valley of the East Fork to the east. A semi-circle of high hills, almost approaching to small mountains, surrounds the town from the northwest to the southeast. The natural scenery is distinctive and beautiful and whether one views it in midwinter or in the summer sunshine, it is ever a feast to the eye.

When first visited by prospective settlers, the United States land office was located at Cincinnati. On December 4, 1804, the southeast quarter of section 20 was entered by Amos Butler. The northwest quarter of section 29 was entered by Amos Butler and Jesse Brooks Thomas, July 3, 1805. The northwest quarter of section. 29 by Josiah Allen, July 6, 1805. The southwest quarter of section 20 by Amos Butler, March 18, 1806. The northwest quarter of section 20 by Amos Butler, April 4, 1806. The south- west quarter of section 29 by Amos Butler, October 1, 1806.

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.

History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 17

Author: Reifel, August J Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind. : B.F. Bowen Number of Pages: 1648

Author: Reifel, August J
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind. : B.F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1648