History of Greene and Sullivan Counties, State of Indiana, Part 28

Author: Goodspeed Bros. & Co.
Publication date: 1884
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 901

USA > Indiana > Greene County > History of Greene and Sullivan Counties, State of Indiana > Part 28
USA > Indiana > Sullivan County > History of Greene and Sullivan Counties, State of Indiana > Part 28

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).

THE TOWNSHIP SCHOOLS.

No doubt the first term was taught in a small log cabin which stood southeast of Scotland about one-fourth of a mile. It had been built for a dwelling, and for a time had been occupied by some early family, but had been abandoned to the bats and owls until transformed into the first temple of learning the township had known. In about 1825, O. T. Barker held forth in this unpretentious building with a flock of about twenty-five pioneer fledglings assembled to learn how to fly out over the wide world to battle with life. Children from the families of the Cochrane, the Burnetts, the Millers, the Barkers, the Summervilles, the Benning- tons and others were sent to him. He received $2 a scholar for the term of three months. His school was highly successful. No other term was taught in that house, but about the next year a log schoolhouse of the most primitive description was built in what is now the southwestern part of Scotland, and Mr. Barker was again installed as teacher. This log house had no window, but a Jog was left out on one side, over which

Digitized by Google

258

HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

was what was very common then, though it seems very strange now, greased paper, which shed rain and freely admitted the light-no, not freely; a sickly, limited part of day came in at that source. The great complement of light was from the roaring fire place, which shed a flood of ruddy rays and comfort over the dismal room, and sent showers of sparks up the broad chimney. This house was used about half a dozen years, another teacher being John Wilson, and was then succeeded by a comfortable hewed-log house, erected about three quarters of a mile northwest of Scotland. Thomas Barker was the first teacher in this house. Jesse Wilson taught there, and is maliciously remembered by some of the boys who went to him for his penchant for whipping. He was a master of Solomon's specific for incorrigibility. Some time after this the district was divided and another hewed-log schoolhouse was built near Mr. King's.

SCHOOLS OF SCOTLAND.

The first schoolhouse in Scotland was built a few years before the last war, and was a substantial frame building. Before that, various sub- scription schools had been taught in business rooms, in the Temperance Hall and elsewhere by Jackson Kelly, W. O'Neall, Ben Blackmore and others. In 1855, the scholars barred Kelly out during the holidays and demanded a treat, and upon his positive refusal captured him in a hand- to-hand contest, bound him securely, took him to Doan's Creek, cut a hole in the ice and prepared to douse him, but just as his head was about to be immersed, he capitulated unconditionally and treated the scholars royally to candy and apples. This schoolhouse was used until the pres- ent one was built, fourteen years ago.

Another early and famous school was on the hill near the old Fellows . Mill. It is said that Elisha P. Cushman was either the first or one of the first teachers in this rude log house. A Miss Cushman also taught there, and a man named Patterson. School was taught in the western part at a very early date also. In 1831, the School Trustees of Plummer Township were Cornelius Bogard, Thomas Plummer and William Richey. At this time there were four schools in the township. that is, in the pres- ent Taylor Township. In 1846, there were seven or eight. In 1853, the new school law came into effect, and new and better houses were built.

THE TOWNSHIP CHURCHES.

Late in the thirties, a Methodist class was formed near the center of the township, and early in the forties a log church was built. Among the members were the Millers, the Andersons, the Cuters, the Smiths, the Robertaes, the Haywoods and others. The class existed for many years, but finally church and all disappeared. The Christian Church east of the old Methodist Church was erected later. It is a comfortable frame building. Among the earliest members were the Aults, the Feitze's, the

Digitized by Google

259

HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

Haywoods, the Connells, the Williamses and others. The house is yet standing and the class still lives. The log Methodist Church near Bo- gard's was built over thirty years ago, and among the members were the Bogards, the Bonhams, the Doneys, the Lesters, the Cramers and others. Within the last ten or twelve years, a new frame church has been erected. The Methodists organized a class in Scotland soon after the town was laid out. In 1846, Riley W. Gainey deeded to Cornelius Bogard, Lewis Chapman, John Miller, Henry C. Owen and George S. Guthrie two lots in town, to be used upon which to build a church and a parsonage. Among other members who belonged were A. B. Crook, Cornelius Roberts, David Gordon, O'Donnell, Dagley, Nicholson, Wright, Haig and many others in town and country. The church was built late in the forties, and was the first in town. The class bas been prosperous to the present day. The old church was replaced with a new in 1882-83, at a cost of about $1,000. The Baptists started next in town. Among the members were Riley W. Gainey, John George, Thomas Sharpless, William Manley, Jabez Coombs, Frank Whitaker, David Ledgerwood, and their families and others. Their church built before the last war was soon destroyed by fire, but another was soon ready for occupancy and is yet used A Christian Church was also organized there early, but they have owned no building. Joseph and John Wilson were ministers. O. T. Barker, Isaac Cooper, William Dowden, James Sexton and members of their families belonged. The class ceased to exist long ago. The Presbyterians or- ganized some time before the last war, with Samuel McElroy, George Mc- Elroy, Robert Dobbs, Joseph Wilson, Walter Garret, Robert Caldwell, David Asdell, old Mr. Rankin, and members of their families and others were leading members. Their church was built before the war and is yet used. The class is prosperous. Scotland is one of the best towns in the State-not merely as regards business, but as regards morals and intelligence.

CHAPTER XVI.

BY PROF. J. W. WALKER.

BEECH CREEK TOWNSHIP-SURFACE FEATURES-TIMBER-MINERALS- EARLY SETTLEMENTS-EARLY SETTLERS THE FIRST SCHOOLHOUSE- MR. GASTON'S LETTER-SETTLEMENT IN THE NORTHEAST-OTHER SET- TLERS-SOLOMON WILKERSON'S VILLAGE-BEARDS AND POLITICS-ADDI- TIONAL PIONEERS-LIFE IN THE WOODS-OLD METHODS OF FARMING- VILLAGE OF SOLSBERRY-ITS CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS-NEWARK-MUR- DER OF OSBORN AND SIOKERS-LYNCH LAW-CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS.

B EECH CREEK TOWNSHIP originally embraced the northern half of the territory now included in the eastern tier of townships. At that time its southern boundary was Jackson Township, and its area was

Digitized by Google

260

HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

seventy-two square miles. It derived its name from the creek that flowed through it. The creek received its name from the numerous beech trees along its course. The area of the township was reduced to forty-eight square miles when the present boundaries of Center Township were es- tablished. The present township occupies the northeastern corner of the county, its boundaries being Owen County on the north, Monroe County on the east, Center Township on the south, and Highland Township on the west. It is well watered by numerous streams, the most important of which is Richland Creek, so called on account of the richness of the soil through which it flows It enters the township near the northeast corner, and after several meanderings leaves it near the southwest corner. The surface along its course is undulating, and in several places exceed- ingly broken and picturesque. Near Ooley's mill, the hills rise to a con- siderable height. In the southwestern corner of the township, the bottom lands are quite valuable, owing to the fertility of the soil. Much corn is raised, and a few excellent meadows abound. On leaving the creek, the soil becomes less fertile. Owing to imperfect ideas of farming, much of the land has become quite sterile. For many years the sturdy farmer devoted himself to the raising of corn and the breeding of swine. On almost every spot of land fit for cultivation, corn was grown to be de- voured by the hogs, the farmer's chief stock in trade. The average farmer seemed to think that agriculture embraced but little else. This idea prevailed until the tide of immigration from the East began. New modes of cultivating the soil were introduced. Attention was given to the raising of wheat, oats, hay, cattle and sheep. The current idea among the farmers of the township is that the lands are best adapted to pasturage and orchard products.

TIMBER.

The township was originally covered with a growth of heavy timber; of course much of this has disappeared during the progress of settlement and cultivation. The sturdy oak, the mammoth poplar and the fine black walnut have been manufactured into luruber and transported to the great lumber markets. Even the proud city of Boston has received and utilized much of the valuable timber grown on the soil of this humble township. Future generations will not hear the ringing of the axes in the foresta, the falling and crashing of the giant timber in wild disorder, and the exclamations of the lumbermen; for then none but the most common trees, such as the elm, white walnut, ash, hickory, oak, maple and beech will compose the forest.

Concerning the mineral resources of the township, but little can be said. If there are any important mineral deposits, they are yet undevel- oped. Large quantities of limestone exist, and in some parts an excel- lent quality of sandstone. No important quarries have been opened.

Digitized by Google

261

HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

EARLY SETTLEMENTS.

Concerning the first settlers and the date of settlement, statements are conflicting and unsatisfactory. Man is mortal, and his memory is Weak and uncertain; hence, much of the history of this township is buried in eternal oblivion. No authentic accounts of any permanent settlements prior to 1822 can be obtained. On the 22d of November of that year, Hugh Gaston, a native of North Carolina and an emigrant from Ken- tucky, spread his tent on the bluff of Richland Creek, in Section 30, Town 8 north, Range 3 west. . His family consisted of his wife, one daughter and three sons. the two youngest being twins. Robert, the eldest, had a wife and one child. John Bullock, the son-in-law of Gas- ton, also had one child. What is now known as the Keys farm was set- tled by Hugh Gaston, who entered upon the work of felling timber with a firm good will. He planted one of the first orchards of the township, and doubtless felt that he was making a wilderness blossom as the rose. He was far more happy than when trying to make a living from the sterile and stony soil of a State in which the poor had to struggle against the adverse influences of slavery. He was a liberty-loving citizen, and was proud of the fact that he possessed a home in a land which had been dedicated to freedom by the ordinance of 1787. He reared eight chil- dren, who grew to be men and women. His life seems to have heen tinged with disappointments. Having spent several years of his life in North and South Carolina, he came to the conclusion that it was useless for him to continue his efforts for a livelihood in a country in which the poor had to struggle in vain. About the commencement of the century, he and his wife went to Knox County, Ky., and located on the north side of the Cumberland River, about six miles below Barboursville. After living there about twelve years, he lost his land by not having the oldest right to it. He moved twenty miles northwest and took up his abode on Lau- rel Creek, in Laurel County, about six miles south of the county seat. Realizing no hopes of prosperity there, he emigrated to Indiana.

OTHER EARLY SETTLERS.

John Bullock began to hew out his fortune in the fall of 1822, on the old Larne farm. Soon becoming dissatisfied with his slow progress, he sold his improvements to Joshua Dover and returned to Kentucky.

Robert Gaston settled on the old " precinct farm " in the fall of 1824 or 1825. His brother, James M. Gaston, was eighteen years. old at the time his father emigrated to the wilds of the township. He soon became the star of the family.

THE FIRST SCHOOLHOUSE.

In the summer of 1825, a little log hut was erected by the neighbors for a schoolhouse near where George Axtell now lives. It was an- nounced that James M. Gaston would teach spelling, reading, writing

Digitized by Google

262

HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

and arithmetic in the new schoolhouse. The announcement was hailed with delight. Young Gaston became the center of attraction. When the school began, he had in attendance three pupils from his father, six from William Lambs', four from John Dovers', two from the Widow Dover's, and four or five from Joe Burch's. This was the first school taught in the southwest part of the township. At the same time, a school was taught in a small hut near where the Greene County Chapel now stands. The name of the teacher has been forgotten. The builders of the hut first mentioned, being anxious for more neighbors, converted their schoolhouse into a dwelling the next fall after its erection. It was occupied by Jacob Stinson and wife, who had just moved from Ken- tucky. This new-comer, after clearing a few acres of land, sold his claim to John Arthur, and sought a more congenial place of abode. The young man who had imparted the rudiments of learning so successfully was regarded with great favor. For many years, he was looked upon 88 the leading light of the township. He filled various official positions, and in 1853-54 tanght his last school, which was in District No. 9, Sec- tion 26, Township 8 north, and Range 4 west. Soon after he came to the township, he was married to Miss Mary P. Bryan. They began to strive for a livelihood on the farm where they now reside. Eleven chil. dren have been born to them, four boys and seven girls. Three of the boys are engaged in agricultural pursuits, and one in the profession of medicine. Mr. Gaston was born June 10, 1804. He has been a close reader and a practical observer. He has figured largely in the politics of his township. At one time he was a Whig; but when the Whig party ceased to exist, he joined the Republican party. He was once a candi- date for Sheriff, but was defeated by William J. McIntosh, one of the pioneers in the early settlement of the county, and an entertaining stump speaker. This defeat seemed to silence his aspirations for any county office. Ever after this, he seemed perfectly satisfied with the honors of his township. Although radical in politics, he is liberal in his views concerning religion. He is undoubtedly a believer in the largest possible freedom to man consistent with the principles of truth and justice. He prefers to base his opinions concerning the goodness of a man upon his daily walk rather than upon his public professions. The following letter, which was written July 5, 1876, portrays his peculiar notions of early and present customs of society. It was inspired by an address delivered by Rev. Alfred Connet, at Newark, July 4, 1876. The speaker had spoken very pointedly about the morals of the pioneers. Mr. Gaston's letter is as follows:

MR. GASTON'S LETTER.

".MR. CONNET-I admit that you gave a pretty true sketch of the mor- als of the first settlers. They worked hard through the week; on the Sabbath they would take their gun and dog and go a-hunting deer or

Digitized by Google

263

HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

their stock, or to trade with their neighbors. If they had any business that called them from home, they would wait until Sunday to perform it. If a neighbor got behind-hand with his work, or got his fence burnt, or corn rooted up, his neighbors would turn out and repair the damage. If a neighbor or his family got sick or out of provisions, his friends would visit him each with a joint of venison or a mess of potatoes. They would go after dinner and leave before supper. Now, if a neighbor gets his house burnt, he has to repair the damage in dollars and cents. Now, if a man's family gets sick, his neighbors all visit him and leave nothing. They are sure, to go just before dinner, and leave just after supper; or they will go just before supper and leave just after breakfast. In the first settling of the country, the preacher would not take pay for preaching, but now they won't preach without pay.

"Now, sir, I send you this bunch of papers to do as you see fit with the same. I admit it is badly wrote and worse worded; but you, I hope, will excuse me, as I am over seventy-two years of age.

"JAMES M. GASTON."

When the Gaston family pitched their tent near Richland Creek, the township was almost a wilderness. Beech Creek lay on the south of them about two miles. Near the junction of the two creeks, there were two settlers-Isaac and Abram Workman. The next settler on Beech Creek was old man Harnes, on the Ralph Martindale farm. Farther up the creek, near where John J. Combs now lives, Stephen Lankford made a settlement. Just above him on the Widow Bingham farm lived James James. Joshua Dover and Garret Gibson also lived on the creek. The above named persons were Gaston's nearest neighbors. Hugh Dobson was a recent settler about one and a half miles southwest of Stanford. He had the best improved farm in the new region. In the course of twelve or fifteen years, he sold his farm and went to Iowa; but not being satisfied with his new home he returned and bought land in the woods abont one mile northwest of his old homestead, and soon had another nice farm. It was not long until he disposed of his property and moved West again. This time he lost his wife and was soon reduced to straitened circumstances. He returned to Indiana and has been married twice since. East of the Dobson farm lived John Gardener. John Whaley and his son Joseph lived near where the Greene County Chapel now stands. Zeb Alexander, son-in-law of Mr. Whaley, also lived in the same locality

SETTLEMENT IN THE NORTHEAST.

In the northeast corner of the township there were a few settlers, the Raper family, James Dyer and a Mr. Mason, being the principal ones. Old man Raper died at the age of ninety, and his wife at ninety-seven. The members of the Raper family usually lived to an advanced age. An. drew Raper has been closely identified with the best interests of the

Digitized by Google

264

HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

township. For several years, he served as Trustee, and be it said to his honor the schools were materially benefited. He secured good teachers. be- cause he was willing to give a reasonable compensation for services ren - dered. He is the father of fifteen children. In politics, he is an ardent Republican. In religion, he is a faithful adherent to the principles of the Christian Church. ' While Deacon in that church, he in one day baptized about fifty persons At this time, he is living with his son-in-law, Henry L. Smith, in Nebraska.

About fifteen days previous to the arrival of Hugh Gaston, Edward Bryan and John Todd had begun to prepare habitations on the farms now occupied by John and James McDaniel. Mr. Bryan and wife had seven children, three boys and four girls. One of his daughters, Mary P. Bryan, was married to James M. Gaston. John Bryan, one of the sons, was married to Mary Ann Turley over fifty years ago. Nine children; eight girls and one boy, were the fruits of the marriage. Being of an economical turn of mind, Mr. Bryan secured a handsome living. His death occurred a short time ago, and his remains now lie in.the Newark Cemetery. His body was first interred in the Philpot Cemetery, but after the lapse of several months was exhumed and removed. During its re- moval the body seemed to be unusually heavy. This furnished sufficient grounds for a first-class sensation. The foolish report, that the body had petrified and its weight was 700 pounds, was so thoroughly circulated that it found its way to the columns of the Cincinnati Enquirer and other papers. Tilman A. Bryan, the only son, lives about one mile southwest of Newark and owns part of the farm his father made.

John Arthur is the pioneer who purchased the claims of Jacob Stin- son. He entered the land, made the farm, and set out the old orchard on the farm now owned by George Axtell.

OTHER SETTLERS.

In 1833, Solomon Wilkerson, a native of North Carolina, was married to Miss Polly Anderson, a native of Kentucky. In 1835, he erected and moved into a house near where the stable he built now stands. This was the first house erected near where Solsberry now stands. His father, William Wilkerson, born January 5, 1736, was a soldier in the American Revolution. He lived one year in one apartment of his son's house. He died in Brown County, Ind., in the summer of 1842, at the advanced age of one hundred and six years, six months and one day. The day he was one hundred years old he split one hundred rails on. the hill now ocon- pied by the dwelling built by Dr. Axtell. He delighted to tell of his patriotism during the Revolutionary struggle, and in his extreme old age would sing for the amusement of his friends the familiar hymn, " I would not live alway, I ask not to stay."

Digitized by Google

265

HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

SOLOMON WILKERSON'S VILLAGE.

In 1856, a village was laid out by Solomon Wilkerson, and named in honor of himself. He was a Justice of the Peace for several years, and was held in high esteem by his neighbors. Several years ago,. his life was brought to an abrupt termination, he being thrown from a horse near the Bateman Ford, on Richland Creek. He had not quite reached his hundredth year.

BEARDS AND POLITICS.

Jesse Sullivan, aged seventy.siz, was born near Goldsboro, Wayne County, N. C. He has had two wives and fifteen children. He first set- tled on the farm adjoining James M. Gaston's. He is familiarly known as Uncle Jesse, and is a faithful adherent to Democracy. Politicians always enjoy his eccentricities. In 1860, he ceased to shave, because of the triumph of Lincoln, and declared that he would never allow the beard to be removed from his face until a Democratic President was elected and inaugurated. His emphatic declaration has never been vio- lated, except at the time that he received news of Tilden's election. He then permitted only a small part of his beard to be removed, concluding it was best to await further developments. He still wears his long gray beard, and is living on a large farm in Centre Township.

ADDITIONAL PIONEERS.

Among other pioneers whose name deserves a place in the history of the township, may be mentioned James Turpin, Edward and Charles Beasley, Frederick Hendricks, Nathan Hogan, Joel Burks, William Sanderpher, Robert and Frank Chaney, William and Noah Reeves, James Crockett and William Watkins. James Turpin built the first house on Lick Creek in the north end of the township, near the farm of Peter Livingston, the well-known distiller. Uncle Jimmy will long live in the memory of those who have survived him. The homely and sub- stantial chairs which he manufactured are still found in many a humble dwelling. Edward Beasly, a Whig, was Sheriff two terms, and was once defeated for Representative by Andrew Humphreys. His brother Charles owned a distillery in the southeastern part of Highland Township. He is still living, and is a good citizen. William Reeves and his boys first settled the farm now owned by Edward Walker. William Sanderpher built the house, entered the land, made the farm, and set out the apple orchard at Cross Roads, on the old Spencer State road, three miles north of Solsberry. James Crockett was born in Tennessee. He raised ten children, six boys and four girls. William Watkins; a native of Ten- nessee, reached the George Axtell farm New Year's Eve, 1884. The next spring he went to Johnson County, and remained there three years. He then returned to the township, and after a short stay went to Missouri. He was not yet satisfied; for in 1843 he returned to the township. This

Digitized by Google

266

HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

time he remained. In the spring of 1863, he died. He raised five boys and three girls. His son Abraham has figured somewhat prominently in the affairs of the township. He is a man of positive convictions, strongly attached to his family and friends, possesses a vast fund of valuable in- formation, and is interested in anything which concerns the welfare of the community in which he resides. In politics, he is a Republican. Moses Ooley, a son-in-law of James Crockett, built the old Ooley water mill on Richland Creek. Besides being a miller, he was an expert marks. man, and was very fond of hunting. At one time, when he and his father-in-law were out hunting about six miles from home, they found an old she bear and her three cubs. The cubs ran up a tree, and Mr. Ooley, leaving Mr. Crockett at the base of the tree, returned home to get an az. When Mr. Ooley returned next morning, one cub was captured, and the other two and the old bear were killed.

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 Greene and Sullivan Counties, State of Indiana, Part 28

Author: Goodspeed Bros. & Co. Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Number of Pages: 901

Author: Goodspeed Bros. & Co.
Publication date: 1884
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 901