USA > Indiana > Gibson County > History of Gibson County, Indiana > Part 2
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PRINCIPAL TOWNS.
The seat of justice was located at the February (1814) term of the Common Pleas Court, which court ordered that the seat of
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HISTORY OF GIBSON COUNTY.
justice should be known as Princeton. It is located nearly in the geographical center of the county, and is at the junction of the Evansville and Terre Haute railway and the Louisville, Evans- ville and St. Louis railway. The town was surveyed and the plat was recorded March 28, 1814, but owing to a mistake a new sur- vey was made the following year. The name of the town was decided upon by the commissioners, who cast lots among them- selves for the privilege of naming it. Capt. William Prince was the fortunate one in the contest, and hence the name Princeton. The first merchant of Princeton was Willis C. Osborn, who located here in the latter part of 1814. In the same year Robert Stock- well became a merchant of the town, and was for many years the leading merchant of the place. A postoffice was early estah- lished and John J. Neely, a prominent man in the early history of the county, became the first postmaster. The town had a steady growth and enjoyed for several years the largest mer- cantile trade of any town for many miles eastward. The place did not have a newspaper until 1845. when John F. Bunton brought an outfit here and established the Princeton Chronicle, which was the first newspaper printed in the county. The town now has two daily and four weekly newspapers.
Princeton has good schools, ten well supported churches, a public library of 6,000 volumes, water works, electric light plant, the Air Line railroad shops, one of the largest saw mill and lumber vards in the State. several other industrial enterprises, many well- stocked and managed mercantile establishments, and now (1896) has a population of about 7.000. Its population has doubled dur- ing the last five or six years.
The Maule coal mine was recently opened, and thereby another very important industry added. The people of this thrifty town are not plodders, but enterprising, intelligent and progressive.
OAKLAND CITY. the second largest and commercial town in Gibson county, is situated on a beautiful elevation, and commands an extensive view of the surrounding country, and located in the center of a rich agricultural district. It has excellent railway fa- cilities, as the Louisville, Evansville & St. Louis, and the Evansville & Indianapolis form a junction here, giv- ing an outlet to the north, south east and west. With these advantages the town has had a prosperous growth and has developed into a first-class town of nearly 2,000 popula- tion. Its population in 1890 was 1,524. One of the first settlers here was Jesse Houchins. The Hargroves, Cockrums, Barretts and others have been prominently identified with the history of the place from an early day. The town was laid out by James W. Cockrum and Warrick Hargrove, in 1856. The first physician to locate here was Dr. William R. Leister. In 1871 the Inde- pendent, the first newspaper, was established. The place now
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HISTORY OF GIBSON COUNTY.
has two newspapers, the Enterprise and the Journal. Oakland City has always been an educational center. She has maintained good public schools, and at present has a splendid academical in- stitution. The town is enterprising and progressive, and a pleas- ant resident town.
FORT BRANCH is a prosperous town of perhaps one thou- sand people. In 1890 the population of the place was 748. It is located on the Evansville & Terre Haute railroad, and is the northern terminal of the Mt. Vernon branch of this road. The town is pleasantly situated in the midst of one of the richest agri- cultural districts of the county. In 1852 the railroad was built through here, and a station located. and called La Grange. in honor of Aaron La Grange,who owned the land, and the postoffice was removed from Little York, which was about one mile north of the station on the state road. There being a La Grange in the northern part of the state, the name here must be changed. The name Fort Branch was selected in order to perpetuate the name of the old fort built here by the pioneers as a means of protection against the Indians. The town has had a steady growth and at present does a large volume of business. A bank was recently es- . tablished and one good flouring mill and elevator is operated here, and three papers are issued here. Good schools and several churches indicate the progressiveness of the people. It is an incorporated town, and its people are law-abiding citizens.
HAUBSTADT, formerly known as Haub's Station. an old stage station on the state road, is located on the E. & T. H. R. R. and nearly in the center of Johnson township. The town was laid out in 1855, by James H. Oliver. The place is peopled by a thrifty and enterprising class of German citizens. In 1877 the Roman Catholics built here a handsome- church edifice. The public schools are well maintained. The town contains a popu- lation of about 600.
OWENSVILLE was laid out in 1817, and named in honor of Thomas Owens of Kentucky. The town is situated on the branch of the Evansville & Terre Haute railroad. which runs from Fort Branch to Mt. Vernon. The surrounding country is one of the richest agricultural districts in the state. The leading and most important business man in the early history of the town was John C. Warrick, son of Capt. Jacob Warrick. The town has never had a phenomenal growth. but a steady one. June 20. 1876, the whole solid front of stone buildings, on the east side of the square. except the northeast corner brick, was swept away by fire. with a loss of about $40,000. The town was incorporated in 1881. has one bank. one weekly newspaper and one religious jour- nal devoted to the Baptist church. The place is peopled by an intelligent and enterprising class of citizens. In 1890 it had a population of 759: it has grown but little since then.
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HISTORY OF GIBSON COUNTY.
PATOKA is situated on the north bank of l'atoka river, from which it derives its name, and on the Evansville & Terre Haute railroad. L'atoka is an Indian name and signifies "log on the bottom." and was applied to the river on account of so many logs having settled to the bottom and there sticking fast in the slimy mud. This town was first known as Smithfield, then Columbia. and was platted and recorded as such in the fall of 1813. It is the oldest town in Gibson county, and the name Patoka was given it in order to avoid having two postoffices in the state by the name of Columbia. In 1890 it had a population of 729; there are now (1896) about 1,000 people domiciled here.
HAZLETON has a population of about 850, and is situated on the south bank of White River and on the Evansville & Terre Haute railroad. The town was laid out by Gervas Hazleton, from whom it takes its name. The second settlement made in the county was made here.
FRANCISCO) was platted and laid out in January, 1851. by John Perkins. It is on the line of the old Wabash & Eric canal. and during the time that canal was in operation the town was very flourishing. It is now on the Louisville, Evansville & St. Louis railroad. and is a thrifty little village of about 500 people.
ELECTIONS AN REGISTER OF OFFICERS.
The first election held in Gibson county was on the 30th day of May, 1814. To give tabulated returns of all elections held in Gib- son county since that date, would be only to consume much space. and would be of no practical value, except to show which political party has from time to time controlled the balance of power: and as the county has long been a recognized republican county, with occasional variations, and as a list of the officials, who have filled the more important offices, is of particular interest. a partial regis- ter of officers in the countyis given below:
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE.
SENATE .- In the senate, from Gibson county, or the district of which the same is a part. First senator William Prince. First session held at Corydon. November 4 .. 1816. Session held at Corydon. December 2, 1818, Isaac Montgomery. Session held at Corydon. November 17, 1821. Richard Danicl; session held at Corydon. December 2, 1822. Richard Daniel: first session held at Indianapolis. December 5. 1825. Isaac Montgomery-served from 1825 to 1829. Then David Robb served from 1820) to 1833: Elisha Embree served from 1833 to 1835: Thomas E. Stewart served from 1835 to 1838: John Hargrove served from 1838 to 18.41 : Smith Miller served from 1841 to 1844: Benjamin R. Ed-, munson served from 1844 to 1847: Smith Miller served from 1847 to 1850: Benjamin T. Goodman served from 1850 to 1855: William
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HISTORY OF GIBSON COUNTY.
Hawthorne served from 1855 to 1857; John Hargrove served from 1857 to 1861; Thomas Shoulders served from 1862 to 1865. James Baker served from 1865 to 1867; Thomas C. Jaques served from 1867 to 1871; Magnes T. Carnahan served from 1871 to 1875: Jasper Davidson served from 1875 to 1879: Gustavus F. Menzies served from 1879 to 1883: James E. McCollough served from 1883 to 1887: V. P. Bozeman served from 1887 to 1891: Albert G. Holcomb served from 1891 to 1805: V. P'. Bozeman served from 1895 to
The Representatives from Gibson County or the district of which the same composed a part have been: Edward Hogan and John Johnson served in 1816; James Campbell and Richard Daniel served from 1817 to 1818; Richard Daniel and John Johnson served in 1818; David Robb served from 1820 to 1822: John Gibson served in 1823: David Robb and Robert M. Evans served in 1825: Walter Wilson served from 1826 to 1827; David Robh in 1828: Samuel Hall (1829-'30): John Hargrove (1831 to 1835): Smith Miller (1835 to 1838): James Devin (1838): Smith Miller (1839); Isaac Montgomery (1840): Joseph Devin (1841): John Hargrove (1842); William Montgomery (1843 -to 1844): Samuel Hall (1845): Samuel Miller (1846): George W. Thompson (1847): James W. Cockrum (1848): Silas M. Holcomb (1849): George B. Graff (1850): James W. Cockrum (1851): Alex. C. Donald (1853): John Hargrove (1855): Caleb Trippett (1857): Isaac M. Woods ( 1858 to 1861); Silas M. Holcomb (1861 to 1865): John Hargrove (1865): Jacob F. Bird (1867): Austin Huston (1860): William J. McGowan (1871); Clarence A. Buskirk (1872 to 1875): Jacob M. Montgomery (1875): Francis W. Hauss (1877): Jasper Davidson (1879); George C. Mason (1881): William Genung (1883): A. P'. Twineham (1885): Jesse M. Montgomery (1887): M. W. Fields (1889): Preston A. Bryant (1891 to 1893): W. D. Robinson (1895); D. D. Hart (1897).
Under the chapter on the Bench and Bar there has been given a list of those who have served as judges of the courts in Gibson County. In the year 1841, the office of County Auditor was created, and the first officer elected was John Ames, resigned September 2, 1843, and Alfred Poland was appointed to fill the vacancy until the next ensuing election. Since then the following have held this office: William Kurtz, John E. Phillips, Willis S. Hargrove, John C. Holcomb, William J. Casey, Alexander J. Montgomery, John W. Jolinson, L. W. McDonald and Samuel R. Adams.
SHERIFFS.
James Crow. Henry Hopkins, Thomas Stone, James Devin, James Stonc. Joseph Neely, Nicholas J. Hargrove. J. J. Kirkman, Joseph E. Woods. J. J. Kirkman, Samuel IT. Shannon, J. J.
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HISTORY OF GIRSON COUNTY.
Kirkman, Jesse Moore, James Boswell, J. J. Kirkman, August F. Boswell, Henry Ayers. J. G. Vail, (appointed to fill unexpired term of Avers), James Ragsdale. J. G. Vail, John Lockhart, Francis W. Hauss. J. G. Vail. W. L. Hargrove, H. P. Chambers, Hugh D. MeGary, Monme Kes. Wyatt Gentry, John M. Trible and G. W. Murphy.
TREASURERS.
James W. Jones, William Prince, William Harrington, James W. Hogue, David T. King. Willis Howe, James Boswell, M. G. C. Hargrove, William Reavis. S. P. Welborn, Logan Mccrary, Caleb Trippett, Charles C. Whiting, Emil Sasse, William Simp- son. John Sipp. William N. Tichenor, George W. Shull. John A. West and R. F. McConnell.
CLERKS.
Robert M. Evans, John I. Neely. J. R. Montgomery, John Har- grove, Andrew Lewis, S. M. Barton. (resigned). (). M. Welborn (appointed to fill vacancy), Richard M. J. Miller, Dr. W. P. Wcl- born. James S. Epperson. William H. Coleman and Samuel A. Stewart.
RECORDERS.
Robert M. Evans, John J. Neely, J. R. Montgomery. John Hargrove, John McCoy. T. B. Montgomery (died in office). J. I. Craig (appointed to fill vacancy). James Il. Fewtriss. Thomas 1. Robb. James M. Keys, Solomon Van Nada. W. R. Steele and T. A. Walters.
Below is given the present official directory of the county: State Senator Hon. V. P. Bozeman
Representative . . Hon. D. D. ITart
Judge Eleventh Judicial Circuit Hon. O. M. Welborn
l'rosecuting Attorney Hon. James Kilroy.
COUNTY OFFICERS.
Clerk Circuit Court Samınel A. Stewart Sheriff William G. Murphy
Recorder Thomas A. Walters
Treasurer Robert F. McConnell Auditor S. R. Adams
Coroner William C. Lawrence.
County Superintendent .. IT. II. Nickamp Surveyor Garrett M. Emmerson Commissioners
First District Jonathan W. Phillips Second District . . Zenas M. Weed. President Third District T. H. Emmerson
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HISTORY OF GIBSON COUNTY.
County Asylum Superintendent Alfred Williams
Orphans' Home Matron (white) Elizabeth McIntire
Orphans' Home Matron (colored) Nancy McRoberts
County Assessor Charles C. Whiting
County Attorneys Twincham & Robinson
TOWNSHIP ASSESSORS.
Township. Name.
Columbia . Thomas M. Harper
Patoka
John K. King
White River James J. Reese
Washington . John Schult
Montgomery Marshall M. Williams
Johnson John TenBarge
Wabash Charles Haggard
Barton John W. Gowdy
Landers Beasley Center
TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES.
Township.
Name.
Columbia
Wm. M. Chappel
Patoka
. Wm. VanZandt
White River .C. L. Howard
Washington
Milton Mc Roberts
Montgomery
George Keniepp
Johnson . R. S. Boyle
Barton W. S. Minnis
C'enter T. M. Maxam
Wabash
W. M. Stewart
In the Indiana constitutional convention of 1816, Gibson County was represented by Alexander Devin. James Smith. Fred- crick Rapp and David Robb. In the constitutional convention of 1852 Smith Miller was the delegate from this county.
Many grand men and women have lived within the borders of Gibson County. The succeeding pages are devoted to the per- sonal mention of many prominent citizens who have been identi- ficd with the progress of the county.
Hon. William M. Land, the Nestor of the Gibson county bar, is one of the most prominent jurists in Southern Indiana, and no history of this section of the state would be complete without a record of his life. He was born in Gibson County. August 28, 1827, a son of Abraham and Sarah Ann (Edwards) Land. His father was born in Chester district, South Carolina, in 1781. and the grandfather. Joseph A. Land, was native of the same state, and of German lincage. He spent his entire life in South Caro- 2
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HISTORY OF GIBSON COUNTY.
lina, and served as a colonel in the Colonial army during the war of the revolution.
Abraham Land was a soldier of the war of 1812. He married in Tennessee, and in 1827 came with his wife on horseback to Indiana. locating in Johnson township. Gibson County. Mrs. I and was a daughter of William Edwards, who was born in North Carolina of Welsh parentage, and was also one of the heroes of the war for independence. She was born in Roann County. North Carolina. in 1806, and became the mother of four sons and four daughters, of whom seven are living, although our subject is now the only resident of Indiana. The father was a cooper by trade, but became the pioneer miller of Gibson County, devoting his life to milling, although he made his home on a farm. For many years he served as Justice of the l'eace, and had the high regard of all who knew him. His death occurred in 1844, and his wife passed away in 1864.
William M. Land began his education in the primitive log school house of the time and through his boyhood attended the common schools near his home. In January, 1848, at the age of twenty, he enlisted for service in the Mexican war as a member of Company 1.Fourteenth United States Infantry. continuing with that command until honorably discharged in August, 1848. After his return home he attended school for a time and then engaged in teaching for twelve years. He also followed farming. Being the oldest of eight children he assumed the management of the home farm at his father's death, although only sixteen years of age. and was the mainstay and support of the family until the children reached maturity.
From early life. Mr. Land has been called upon to serve in positions of public trust. From 1853 until 1860 be served suc- cessively as township assessor, county commissioner and town- ship trustee, and while acting in the last named office was instru- mental in creating the first frame school houses in the township. Not long after his return from the Mexican war he took up the study of law and in February, 1857, was admitted to the Gibson County bar, of which he is now the oldest living member. In 1864 be removed to Princeton, where he has since engaged in successful law practice. He has a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the science of jurisprudence, and in his argu- ment of a case rests more upon the clear, decisive truth and logic than upon oratorical effects. His devotion to his client's interests is proverbial, and his preparation of a case is thorough and pains- taking. Probably as many as nine different members of the bar have studied under him, including his present partner.
Judge Land has served as deputy district attorney, also as city attorney for Princeton. In 1868 he was elected a member of the Board of Education, and during his term the first brick school
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HISTORY OF GIBSON COUNTY.
house of Princeton was erected .. In July, 1872, he was appointed to fill the unexpired term as judge of the common pleas court for the first district of Indiana, composed of Gibson, Vander- burgh. Posey and Warrick Counties. He has served as special judge of the Circuit Court on several different occasions in Gibson, Knox, Pike and Warrick Counties, and has acted as judge of the Vanderburgh Superior Court. Few of the cases tried by him have ever been appealed and none have been reversed in the higher courts. Few can boast of a similar record and it is one which plainly indicates his superior ability.
In 1850 Judge Land married Sarah E. J. Harmon, of Posey County, who died in 1888. Of their six children five are living. Judge Land has always been a warm friend of education, has largely promoted the interests of the schools in Gibson County, and has in many ways contributed material aid to public enter- prises. In 1868 he became a member of the Odd Fellows Society and is past grand of the order. He voted with the Democracy in early life, and from 1862 until 1884 supported Republican principles, but for the past twelve years he has been a prohibi- tionist. For thirty years he has been numbered among the ardent advocates of the temperance cause, and since 1857 has been a faithful member of the Baptist church.
Hon. Clarence A. Buskirk, whose ability as a lawyer and eloquence as a speaker have won for him an enviable reputation at the Gibson County bar, has maintained his residence in Prince- ton since 1866. There is no calling which demands the exercise of individual talent more than the legal profession: its members must depend entirely upon their own merit, and he who attains prominence at the bar is the one whose energy, fidelity and knowl- edge have been the stepping stones on which he has risen. Mr. Buskirk to-day stands in the foremost rank among the leading lawyers of Southern Indiana, and his devotion to his client's interests is proverbial.
Ile was born in the village of Friendship. Allegancy County, New York, a son of Andrew C. and Diantha (Scott) Buskirk, natives of Steuben County, New York, and New Hampshire respectively. The father was of Holland Dutch descent, and the family name was originally Van Buskirk. The mother was of Scotch and Irish lincage. Andrew Buskirk engaged in mer- chandising in Friendship and also followed farming. Ilis son, the subject of this review, was reared in the parental home and carly began work on the farm. His elementary scholastic train- ing was received in the Friendship Academy. after which he pur- sued a collegiate course in. Alfred, New York. His mother's death occurred when he was seventeen years of age and he soon started out in life for himself. At the age of eighteen he went to Kalamazoo County, Michigan, where he taught school for five
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HISTORY OF GIBSON COUNTY.
winters and in the meantime studied law at Kalamazoo. His preparation for the bar was completed in the law department of the University of Michigan and in 1865, at the age of twenty- three, he was licensed to practice. The following year he came to Princeton, where he soon rose to prominence in his profession. In 1872 he was elected to represent Gibson County in the general assembly of 1873; in 1874 he was elected attorney general for liliana, and in 1876 was re-elected serving for four years in that important position. His superior ability and his fidelity to duty won him high commendation, and on his retirement from office he resumed the private practice of law, having now an extensive clientage. He has no superiors and few equals at the bar of Southern Indiana. His love for his profession, his thorough preparation of cases and his logical reasoning, combined with superior oratorical powers make his briefs and arguments most convincing. On the political and lecture platforms he is also an carnest and entertaining speaker, who by his strong appeals to the intellect of his bearers wins their adherence to the caus: which he advocates. For about ten years Mr. Buskirk has been largely interested in the cultivation of fruit, and is the pioneer of commercial orcharding in Gibson County.
Mr. Buskirk was married in 1867 to Amelia, daughter of William 11. Fisher, of Gibson County, and their home is blessed with three children -- Ella. Zelia and Agnes.
Hon. Wodfin D. Robinson is a man of scholarly attainments. whose thorough understanding of the science of law and its application to all points in litigation has won him a foremost position at the bar of Southern Indiana. He was born in De Witt County, Illinois, January 27. 1857, a son of James A. and Louisa (Benson) Robinson. His father, now a resident of Gibson County, was born in Warren County, Kentucky, in 1826. of Scotch-Irish descent, and has made farming his life work. His wife was born in this county, and is now in her sixty-first year. Her father, William Benson, was a native of Kentucky, and was of Irish lineage. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and soon after became one of the pioneers of Gibson County.
Mr. Robinson is one of a family of three sons and five daugh- ters. He was nine years of age when his parents came to Gibson County, locating near Owensville. His early scholastic training was received in the country schools and later he attended the high school ofOwensville, where he prepared for admission into the University of Indiana. He matriculated in that school in 1875, and in June, 1870. was graduated. The following year he taught school in Cynthiana. Indiana, and for two years had charge of the Owensville schools, after which he spent a spring and summer term in the Law school of the University of Virginia. In the fall of 1882, he entered the law department of the Univer-
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HISTORY OF GIBSON COUNTY.
. sity of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and was graduated in March. 1883, and was immediately admitted afterward to the bar in Gibson County. This was followed by his election to the office of county superintendent of schools in this county, and he rend- cred efficient service to the educational interests during a four years' term. On the expiration of that period he began the prac- tice of law, in which he has been very successful, and in 1889 he entered into partnership with Hon. A. P. Twincham, since which time the firm of Twincham & Robinson has been recognized as one of the strongest in Southern Indiana. In 1884. Mr. Robin- son married Miss Jessie, daughter of T. J. Montgomery, M. D., of Owensville. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity, and in politics has always been a stalwart Republican. In 1894 he was elected on that ticket to represent Gibson County in the General Assembly, and as a legislator made an enviable record. Although only thirty-five years of age he was a recognized leader of the house and served as chairman of the judiciary com- mittec. His power of analysis and clear reasoning which have made him a distinguished jurist, were also manifest in the assem- bly. and he was known as one of the ablest debators on the floor. Since June. 1885. he has been a member of the Board of Trustees of the State University. In the fall of 1806 he became the nomi- nee of his party for judge of the Appellate Court of Indiana, and was elected to this important State office, for a term of four years.
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