History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 53

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 53

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Of half our goods we cannot sing, Our stock consists of everything ; So much we can't describe with care, We've everything that people wear.

You need not fear our shelves to thin,

For supplies are always coming in;

We buy them cheap and well we know,

We can't be beat in selling low.

Our invitation is too all, We hope you will not forget to call; Our store is on Main Burgess, Next door to John H. Fudge's.

B. H. & J. C. BURTON.

FRANKLIN COUNTY FIRSTS.

The first county court met February 18, 1811; the first common pleas court, March 4, 18II, and the first circuit court June 24, 18II.

The first commissioners' court met February 10, 1817.

The first day of the career of Franklin county was February 1, 181I.

The first land entered in the county was section 32, township 8, range I, the same being entered by Benjamin McCarty, May 25, 1803.

The first marriage license was issued on January 7, 18II, to William McDonald and Ruth Gregg. They were married on the day following, by Rev. William Tyner, a Baptist minister.

Wall Picture of Prehistoric Relics of Stone Age. In Museum of T. L. Dickerson, Brookville.

Select Arrow and Spear Points in Museum of T. L. Dickerson, Brookville.

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The first white person buried in Brookville was a man by the name of Marshall, who was buried on the river bank where the late G. Henri Bogart lived.

The first road petition was presented to the county court on June 17, 18II, by Joseph L. Carson.

The first man admitted to the bar was Jesse L. Holman, who took out his papers July 2, 18II.

The first will probated in the county was that of George Fruits, who died September 16, 18II, his will being filed August 27, 1804.

The first indictment was returned June 24, 1811, against Polly Knight, who was charged with selling liquor to the Indians.

The first tavern license was issued February 18, 1811, to John Van- blaricum, who paid the county five dollars and the clerk of the court one dollar for the privilege of selling "groceries, foreign and domestic."

The first deed was recorded February 21, 1811; William Flood trans- ferred to Jacob Sailors, for a consideration of five hundred dollars, fifty acres in section 3, township 8, range 2.

The first mention of townships was made on January 3, 1816, at which time the county court appointed overseers of the poor for Brookville, Bath and Posey.

The first election in the county under the constitution of 1816, was held August 5 of that year.

The first person naturalized in the county was Charles Dailey, who was sworn in by Judge James Scott, January 22, 1813.

The first town laid out was Brookville, which was surveyed by Solomon Manwaring and recorded August 8, 1808.

The first newspaper in the county was the Brookville Plain Dealer, which was established in 1815, by a man by the name of Ogle.

The first canal boat came into Brookville from the south on June 8, I839. It was called the "Ben Franklin" and was owned by Long and Westerfield of Lawrenceburg.

The first Germans came into the county in 1832.

The first United Brethren church west of the Alleghany mountains was erected in Fairfield township, and is still in use. It was built in 1831 and this old church, known as Old Franklin, is now the most flourishing rural church in the county.

The first inquest was held on the body of Peter Dettien by James Winchel. He was allowed fourteen dollars and fifty cents for his services.

The first county jail was completed and accepted April 17, 1812. It

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was built by James Knight, who also constructed the court house at the same time.

AN EARLY INSURANCE COMPANY.

The first insurance company in Franklin dates back nearly eighty years and it would be interesting to know what became of it. However, its history has been lost in the flight of time and little more is known of the company other than that it was organized. Sometime in January, 1837, the Brook- ville Insurance Company was organized with a capital stock of one hundred thousand dollars. Its charter had been authorized by the legislative act of January 4, 1837. The men who were responsible for it were James H. Speer, John A. Matson, David Price, Samuel Goodwin, George Holland and Nathan D. Gallion. On February 24, 1837, the Brookville Indiana American said all of the stock had been sold and that an election of directors would be held on the IIth of the following month. At that time the following board of directors were elected: David Price, Samuel Goodwin, George Holland, Nathan D. Gallion, Abner McCarty, John Wynn and C. F., Clarkson. The last mention of the company was seen in the Indiana American of September I, 1837, at which time the articles of incorporation were printed in the paper. Its charter was to run for a period of fifty years, but it is evident that it completed its running many years before that time.

CHAPTER XXII.

FRANKLIN COUNTY MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE BECOME FAMOUS.

Much has been written concerning the men and women connected with Franklin county, who have gone forth to make names for themselves in the state and nation, and numerous articles in papers, magazines and books have listed scores of people who have been credited to Franklin county. These include governors, United States senators, ministers to foreign countries, judges, military and naval officers, artists, financiers, educators, preachers and authors.

The fact of the matter is, many people have been included in these various articles who should not be. Many of them lived in the county only a few months or a few years, while some of them were never identified with the county in any way. In the following paragraphs only such persons are mentioned as have some claim in being recognized as Franklin people.

When Indiana was admitted to the Union, in 1816, there were living in Brookville three men who were later destined to become governors of the state and Franklin county may consider James Brown Ray ( 1825-31), Noah Noble (1831-37) and David Wallace ( 1837-40) as residents of the county. It is true that they had moved from the county before their elevation to the governor's chair, but it was in Brookville that they made their start in Indi- ana politics and it seems that the county may have a just pride in having furnished governors for the state for a consecutive period of fifteen years. In addition, Abram A. Hammond, who was lieutenant-governor under Ashbel P. Willard, was acting governor in 1860-61. Will Cumback was born in Franklin county and served as lieutenant-governor under Conrad Baker (1867-69). Two men who were born in the county became governors of territories west of the Mississippi, namely, Lew Wallace, who was gov- ernor of the Territory of New Mexico, and John P. St. John, who was governor of the Territory of Kansas at one time.

At least one United States senator should be credited to the county- James Noble, a brother of Noah Noble, a governor of the state, and of Lazarus Noble, receiver of the land office at Brookville. James Noble served in the territorial Legislature, in the constitutional convention of 1816 and was elected to the first state Legislature from Franklin county. He was

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elected by the Legislature to one of the seats in the United States senate at the opening of the first session of the state Legislature and was continued in this office until his death, in 1831. It is interesting to note that his suc- cessor, Robert Hanna, was also from Franklin county, and Governor Ray at once appointed him to fill the vacancy created by the death of Noble. Jesse B. Thomas, who helped to found the town of Brookville, was a resident of Dearborn county for many years and later removed to Illinois, where he was subsequently elected to the United States Senate. He became the real author of the Missouri Compromise of 1820. As far as is known, he never lived in Brookville and his sole connection with Franklin county rests on his partnership with Amos Butler in the laying out of the county seat in 1808.

Many men from the county have found their way into cabinet positions, into the consular service and into various government offices. James N. Tyner was postmaster-general under Grant and selected as his assistant another man from Franklin county, James S. Clarkson. Later Clarkson was collector of revenue at New York and chairman of the Republican national committee in 1888. George E. Downey, who was connected with one of the Brookville papers at one time, was comptroller of the United States treasury. Charles F. Jones was a member of the Spanish war claims com- mission and is now connected with the judiciary department of the United States government. Lew. Wallace was minister to Turkey, Edwin Terrell, minister to Belgium, and George C. Hitt, vice-consul to London.

No less than three men from the county have been on the supreme bench of Indiana, namely: Isaac Blackford, John T. Mckinney and Stephen C. Stephens. Blackford lived in Brookville a year or two before the state was admitted to the Union, and then removed to Vincennes. He was a member of the supreme court of the state continuously from 1817 to 1853 and did more to establish court precedents in Indiana than any other man. John T. Mckinney served on the bench from 1831 to 1837 and Stephen C. Stephens from 1831 to 1836.

Rear-Admiral Oliver S. Glisson was born in Ohio and moved with his parents to Franklin county when a small boy. He received most of his elementary education in the schools of Brookville and on November 1, 1826, was appointed a midshipman from Indiana. His first cruise was on the sloop "John Adams" (1827-28), and this was followed by service on the "Falmouth" (1829-30) and the schooner "Gampus" (1831-32). He served on various ships up until the Civil War and saw active service during that long struggle. He was commissioned rear admiral in June, 1870, and given

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command of the European fleet. He continued in command of that fleet until after the close of the Franco-Prussian War in 1871. In the meantime, he had arrived at the age of sixty-two and was placed upon the retired list, as provided for by law. In a letter to the late George S. Berry several years ago, Mr. Glisson said, "My appointment was obtained through the influence of General James Noble, Judge Test, Governor Ray, Judges Mckinney, Mount and Fox. I had many young friends in Brookville-Monroe and Franklin McCarty, John and Edward Test, and Charles and Edward Shipley."

Among others may be mentioned Capt. William H. Herndon, who was in the navy for many years and lost his life with the sinking of the "America" off the coast of Cuba several years ago. Captain Herndon was the father- in-law of President Chester A. Arthur.

The military men of Franklin county include Gen. Pleasant A. Hackle- man, who was born a few miles south of Brookville. He has the distinct honor of being the only general from Indiana to lose his life during the Civil War, a fact which is stated on the soldiers' monument in the court house yard at Brookville. The local Grand Army of the Republic post is named in his honor. Gen. Lew Wallace was born in Brookville and lived in the town until he was six years of age. His career in the Civil War is well known and no comment is necessary to show the important place he filled in that conflict. Local militia officers were numerous and only two are men- tioned, Gens. Robert Hanna and James Noble, both of whom later became United States senators from this state.

On the banks of the East fork of White Water, in Brookville, stands the home of one of Indiana's leading artists, J. Ottis Adams. He has been a resident of the town for nearly twenty years and his home, "The Hermitage," is the mecca not only of Indiana artists, but of many from other states as well. For many years he conducted summer classes in painting and Frank- lin county scenery is preserved on hundreds of canvasses which are now decorating walls in all parts of the country. Mrs. Adams is also an artist of ability and her paintings have received favorable comment wherever they have been shown. Mr. Adams was largely instrumental in organizing the first art classes in connection with the John Herron Art Institute in Indi- anapolis and was the head instructor there for several years. It might be mentioned in passing that John Herron was a native of Franklin county and the beginning of the Herron fortune was made in the brick and tile business in Springfield township.

Franklin county is the home of one family which has made a notable

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reputation in financial circles. Five sons of the late Samuel Shirk became presidents of banks in as many different towns, namely: John C. Shirk, Brookville; Milton Shirk, Peru; James Shirk, Delphi; Elbert Shirk, Tipton; W. W. Shirk, Muncie. John R. Goodwin, a brother-in-law of John C. Shirk, was one of the leading bankers of Brookville for many years prior to his death, in 1896. He was chief disbursing officer of the department of the interior at one time. Augustus D. Lynch, who was a resident of this county for many years, was connected with the United States treasury department. Theodore F. Rose, now president of the First National Bank of Muncie, Indiana, was born and reared in Franklin county.

The educators of Franklin county include such men as J. P. D. John, a native of the county and president of DePauw University (1889-95). Probably Doctor John has made a more enviable reputation in educational circles than any other man in the county. As a matter of historical interest his career is briefly summed up in the following table :

1860-61-Liberty and Plum Grove schools in Franklin county.

1861-62-Teacher in Brookville public school.

1862-63-Principal of Mt. Carmel schools, three months. Teacher of Hackleman district school, three months. Teacher in Brookville school, three months.

1863-69-Vice-president of Brookville College.

1869-72-President of Brookville College.

1872-76-Vice-president of Moores Hill College.

1876-79-President of Moores Hill College.

1879-80-Studying in Europe.

1880-82-President of Moores Hill College.

1882-85-Professor of mathematics in DePauw University.

1885-89-Vice-president of DePauw University.

1889-95 -- President of DePauw University.

Doctor John has been in the lecture field since retiring from the presi- dency of DePauw and is one of the most popular lecturers in the United States. His lecture, "Did God Make Man or Man Make God," has been delivered hundreds of times and in all parts of the United States.

Other well-known educators who are identified with Franklin county are Charles A. Sims, now deceased, who was chancellor of Syracuse Uni- versity at the time of his death. Russell B. Abbot was born in Franklin county, received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Indiana University in 1847, his Master of Arts in 1850 from the same institution, and was granted the degree of Doctor of Divinity by Gale College in 1885. He taught in

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the schools of Mt. Carmel, Laurel and Brookville. While living in Brook- ville, he was pastor of the Presbyterian church and, at the same time, con- ducted a high school in the basement of the church.

A number of ministers, who have preached at one time or other in the county, have not only been successful as pulpiteers, but also as educators. Among these may be mentioned J. H. Martin, who later became president of Moores Hill College; Charles W. Lewis, another president of Moores Hill; L. D. Potter, president of Glendale College; George A. Chase, president of Brookville College. Other well-known ministers who have filled pulpits in this county are Joseph Tarkington, James Havens, W. W. Hibben, Allen Wiley, Thomas H. Lynch and Thomas A. Goodwin. The latter was one of the teachers in Brookville College for several years, the editor of the Brookville Indiana American (1853-58) and a Methodist preacher of un- usual ability. For many years he was probably the most noted temperance advocate in Indiana and during the prohibition era of Indiana in the fifties, he published a temperance paper, The Temperance Spontoon, which had the reputation of being the most radical sheet of its kind in the country.

An enumeration of noted Franklin county people would not be complete without mentioning James B. Eads, the builder of the St. Louis river bridge and the jetties at the mouth of the Mississippi river. His father, William H. Eads, was a merchant at Brookville and later in Fairfield. Louis T. Michener was attorney-general of Indiana ( 1886-90) and was largely instru- mental in bringing about the nomination of Benjamin Harrison for Presi- dent. Amos W. Butler, a grandson of Amos Butler, the founder of Brook- ville, has been secretary of the state board of charities for several years and is recognized as an expert in charity matters.

The field of literature has attracted many people of Franklin county and at least a score have made more than a local reputation along literary lines. Undoubtedly, Lew Wallace, the author of "Ben-Hur," "The Fair God" and "The Prince of India," is the best known of the authors who have gone out from this county. Next in importance is Maurice Thompson, whose "Alice of Old Vincennes" made his name known throughout the United States. He was born in the town of Fairfield, but removed when a small child to the state of Georgia, where he lived until after the close of the Civil War.

MARIE LOUISA CHITWOOD.

[Indiana has produced two women poets whose names have reached beyond the borders of their own state, Marie Louisa Chitwood and Sarah

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T. Bolton. Miss Chitwood was born, reared and lived her whole life at Mt. Carmel, Franklin county, Indiana. Although she died before she was twenty-three years of age, yet she left more than a thousand poems, which, for graceful imagery and beauty of expression, will rank with the best poetry of the women of the United States. Miss Elizabeth Applegate was a personal friend of Miss Chitwood, and has furnished much of the in- formation of the following article. The editor is also indebted to Mrs. S. S. Harrell, of Brookville, for a splendid article setting forth the literary value of Miss Chitwood's works. An appreciative article on the life of Miss Chitwood by Mrs. Harrell appeared in the Indianapolis Star April I, 1912 .- EDITOR. ]

About eight miles east of Brookville, on one of the most picturesque roads of Franklin county, lies the village of Mt. Carmel, distinguished beyond most towns of its size because of a youthful singer, whose birth, short, but beautiful life, and death inspired all in that locality. Though the dust of her remains was removed a few years ago to be placed by the side of her mother in the Greensburg cemetery, the little mound in the country churchyard near her native village is still held sacred by all, as her name and character have been handed down to each generation and her influence seems still a living force.

On October 29, 1832, on a farm near the village of Mt. Carmel, was born Mary Louisa Chitwood. She came with the soul of song-a rhymer from infancy -- and, though she gently passed away in her twenty-third year (December 19, 1855), her impress is strongly and beautifully felt by all who read life through written thoughts. Her first school days were passed in what is known as the Center school house-a country school such as that day afforded. While quite young she and her mother found a home in a neat little cottage in the village. Here she came under the in- fluence of George A. Chase, a cultured teacher, who had recently come from the East. Early recognizing her unusual gifts and ability, he paid special attention to her training along the lines of her natural inclinations. For a short time she was his assistant teacher. Other than this, the asso- ciations of her entire life were with the sturdy, hard-working country folk, whom she dearly loved and who loved her.

A friend of Miss Chitwood wrote. Miss Elizabeth Applegate some years ago "that she always loved Louisa. We played in the summer time under a big willow tree near Louisa's home, with our dolls. We went to school together at the Center school house, and later at Mt. Carmel, where we came under the care of George A. Chase. Louisa was very bright in

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school and her charm and disposition made her many friends. She wrote for several magazines. I remember when I used to go with her to the postoffice, she would come away with a load of books, papers and maga- zines."

She was looking forward to a trip to New York to become for a time a member of the household of the Cary sisters, the realization of which might have meant so much to her had her life been spared. But who can say that this "Little Daughter of the Woods" (as she has been lovingly called by her friends) would have sung with any sweeter notes had it been her privilege to study the larger, broader things of life? This picture of her personal appearance came to me years ago by one who knew her well: She was of medium height, lovely in face and form, with a gentle, genial and confiding spirit; her complexion was fair, cheeks rosy, her eyes of a rich blue, soft and sweet in expression; her hands were small and very white, her hair of flaxen hue, heavy and of great length.

INHERITED TALENT.

Miss Chitwood's mother was of a poetic temperament and wrote some verses which were published in the country newspapers. Aside from this companionship, Miss Chitwood's communion with kindred spirits was through the correspondence which the publication of her poems from time to time soon brought her.

Her first published poem appeared in the Brookville American, when she was twelve years of age, and received many complimentary remarks from the editor. At least one-third of her poems have never been pub- lished and those which were published were selected and edited by George D. Prentice, the editor of the Louisville Courier. Mr. Prentice issued this volume two years after her death and since that time two other editions have come from the press. In addition to her poetry, Miss Chitwood wrote much prose and many of her friends felt that it was equal if not superior to her poetry. There is a plaintive note of sadness in her prose, a ques- tioning of the motives which actuate people to do certain things. In fact, in both her prose and poetry there runs a strain of sadness, which, if not akin to longing, yet gives the reader the idea that there was something for which she longed, but never received.

She was a true lover of nature and sang of the birds, the flowers, of sunrise and sunset, of everything that entered into the makeup of her beau-

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tiful world. One has only to read what seemed to flow spontaneously from her brain to realize what a heart full of tenderness and sadness was hers. Her's was not a little rippling stream of thought, but a rushing current seem- ingly foreshadowing the all-too-short time she had to give expression to the beautiful thoughts that filled her soul. Her poetry was a natural out- pouring of her heart, full of the common things of every day life and vet always poetic. To read her poetry is but to renew one's recollections of childhood. Again does the robin built its nest before our childish eyes, and again are we chasing the butterflies in our bare feet, and again are we playing in tiny streams. Each lines presents a picture and the succession of pictures which she unfolds before the reader's view stamps her as one having the real poetic gift. The charming simplicity of her verse lends it a felicity of expression which makes her poetry singularly musical. The following little verse from "The Graves of the Flowers" illustrates her imagery :

"Upon no stone is carved the name Of April's children fair ; They perished when the sky was bright, And gentle was the air. To the soft kisses of the breeze They held half trembling up Full many a small transparent urn And honey-ladened cup.".

Miss Chitwood was a regular contributor to the Ladies' Repository, a leading magazine of that period. She was also the assistant editor for a time of the Ladies' Temperance Wreath, which was published at Con- nersville. She had a horror of drunkenness and some of her strongest poems were on that subject. She had strong convictions on slavery and it has been said that the poem written just before her death in 1855, "Ode to the New Year," found its way into every abolition paper in England and America. Her poems were copied widely throughout the United States in the papers, some appeared in various school readers, some were set to music and hundreds have been recited from the platform and pulpit.

A TRIBUTE IN MOURNFUL CADENCE.

The estimate put upon Miss Chitwood by her life-long friend, George D. Prentice, was printed in his paper immediately after her death, and in it he paid a glowing tribute to her ability: "We have seldom been so deeply

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History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 53

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