USA > Indiana > Greene County > History of Greene and Sullivan Counties, State of Indiana > Part 35
USA > Indiana > Sullivan County > History of Greene and Sullivan Counties, State of Indiana > Part 35
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99
20
Digitized by Google
320
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
CHAPTER XXIV.
CENTER TOWNSHIP-OLD BURLINGAME TOWNSHIP-THE FIRST ELECTIONS AND OFFICERS-FIRST ENTRIES OF LAND-THE PIONEERS-BEAR HUNT- ERS-HISTORICAL SCRAPS-VILLAGE OF JONESBOROUGH-MERCHANDIS- ING-INCIDENT OF THE FEATHERS-CINCINNATI-BRIDGEPORT-TEACH- . ERS AND SCHOOLS-PREACHERS AND CHURCHES.
T THIS township was not created until long after the organization of Greene County. On the 6th of April, 1821, at the first meeting of the County Board, the township of Burlingame was created with the following limits: " Beginning at the northeast corner of Township 8 north, Range 3 west; thence south with the east line of Greene County, to the southeast corner thereof; thence west with the south line of said county to the southwest corner of Section 35, Township 6 north, Range 4 west; thence north with the section line dividing 34 and 35 to the northwest corner of Section 2, Township 8 north, Range 4 west; thence east with the township line dividing 8 and 9 to the place of beginning." It will thus be seen that the township of Burlingame comprised the pres- ent townships of Beech Creek, Center and Jackson.
ELECTIONS AND OFFICERS.
The election of two Justices of the Peace was ordered held at the house of Abel Burlingame, who was appointed Inspector. Mark Dugger and Leonard Nicholson were appointed Overseers of the Poor, and John Storm, Garret Gibson and Adam Morrow, Fence Viewers; Mark Dugger, Constable. Abel Burlingame was one of the Justices of the Peace elect- ed at the first election, and John Gardner the other. The following year he was Township Lister. David Storms was Constable in 1822, as was Hugh Dobson also. Robert Smith succeeded Burlingame as Inspector. John Storms and Julius Dugger became Overseers of the Poor, and Isaac Lindsey, Leonard Nicholson and Wesley Smith Fence Viewers; The township elections for several years continued to be held at the cabin of Abel Burlingame. In the month of May, 1829, the township of Burlingame was divided into two equal townships-Beech Creek and Jackson-the southern half of the present township of Center being a part of Jackson, and the northern half a part of Beech Creek. Hugh Dobson was made Road Superintendent in Beech Creek, as was John Burch also. Samuel Hite became Inspector of Elections; John Gardner and George Burch, Overseers of the Poor; William Edwards and Robert Gaston, Fence Viewers; and elections were ordered held at the house of
Digitized by
Google - -
821
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
Robert Gaston. Elections later were held first at the house of Isaac Storms, in old Jackson Township, and then at the house of Thomas Storms. In November, 1841, the township of Center was created with its present territory, no change having occurred from that time to this. It received its name from the circumstance of its being between Beech Creek and Jackson, out of which two it was created.
FIRST PURCHASE OF LAND.
The first land entries in Center Township were made as follows : John Storms, on Section 36 (in the southeastern part), in October, 1816; Isaac Storms, on the same section, in December, 1816; William Carter, on Section 25, in December, 1817; Abel Burlingame, on Section 35, in Angust, 1818; Daniel Rollins, on Section 1 (in the northeast part), in 1820; John Gardner, on the same section, in 1820; Garret Gibson, on Section 10, in 1822; and Joseph Burch, on Section 9, in 1826. These were the only early entries-or entries prior to 1826-in Township 7, north, Range 3 west.
THE PIONEERS.
Isaac, John and Joseph Storms, William Carter, Abel Burlingame and Stephen Riddle came to what is now Center Township in the year 1818, but who came first and built the first log cabin cannot be stated with certainty. There is evidence that the Storms settled in the town- ship in 1817, and if this be true they were doubtless the first permanent settlers. There was scarcely any large portion of country where, previ- ous to the first permanent settlement, families of professional hunters had not lived in hastily prepared log, or even bark, cabins-often no bet- ter than wigwams-and had lived in their wild, precarious, though en- chanting way. Cabins of this character were found on Beech Creek and Indian Creek at the time of the first settlement of Center. Among the others who came to reside in the township quite early were Jesse Rain- bolt, Thomas Oliphant, George Burch, William Brummet, Edmund Bingham, Frederick Bingham, William Cole, William Stone, Enoch Stone, Joseph Shelton, Enoch Shelton, Harden Warren, Beverly Bays, Henry Fulk, Isom Johnson, James Burch, Joseph Burch, Thompson Brenham, Robert Hegwood, William Briscoe, William S. Bays, John Gallon, Peter Luntsford, Abraham Young, Abner McHergue, Lawson Oliphant, Ephraim Jackson, Ralph Martindale, David Bullock, James Bullock, John Fodrell, John Harthash and A. Harthash.
BEAR HUNTERS.
As in all other portions of the country at that time, wild animals were very abundant and often very dangerous. Wolves were numerous, and when pressed with hunger in the dead of winter, when sources of food sup- plies had become very scarce, would often attack domestic animals, such
Digitized by y Google
322
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
as calves, hogs, etc. Those who kept sheep were obliged to place them at night in high pens that could not be climbed by the ravenous creatures, and guard them by day when they were in the woods feeding on the boughs and buds. It is said that one of the Storms failed to get up all of his cattle one night when snow was on the ground but before the frost had penetrated deep into the earth, and when he went the next morning to find it he discovered that it had been mired down in a small "lick " where it had gone to drink and had furnished a midnight repast for the wolves. The Hatfields killed many deer in the township, and a few bears. One day Emanuel Hatfield was hunting with his dogs in the township, when, in passing on the bluffs near Indian Creek, he saw below him a bear which had not yet perceived him. He advanced down toward it as fast as he could go, and soon his dogs were in full pursuit and close upon it. After running about half a mile, it took to a tree and was shot there when Mr. Hatfield arrived. Old Abel Burlingame was a prominent man in early years. He was Justice of the Peace, and elections were held at his house and he was regarded as the leader in that part of the county. He was not much of a hunter, but had an adventure with a panther which is handed down in tradition. He had gone to a neighbor's on some errand and darkness had set in before he started to return; but he was not afraid, and proceeded on through the woods, following the obscure path, then the only road. Suddenly, out at one side, at a considerable distance, he heard a panther scream, which scared him immeasurably and urged him into a run to escape the beast if possible. He had no gun and no doubt made good time along the obscure path. Again he heard its cry nearer than before, and after a little time again still nearer. A little later, as he ran panting along, he heard the beast bounding over the leaves at his side and could now and then see its eyes shining like yellow dia. monds in the dark. He had gathered up a stout stick, which he now held ready for a stroke should the panther approach him, but the animal, after passing to leeward, left him and continued on out through the woods uttering its peculiar cries until lost in the distance. No doubt the settler was greatly relieved when he reached the cabin.
SCRAPS OF HISTORY.
The first murder in Greene County occurred in Center Township, at the house of Stephen Riddle. A full account of this will be found in the history of the courts. The first marriage was Simon Leakey to Mary Burcham, by Abel Burlingame, Justice of the Peace. . Other early mar- riages were Abner McHergue to Mary Riddle; William Doolen to Eliza Bingham; John Uland to Polly Bays, and William Stone to Matilda Cha- ney. Old Frederick Bingham was one of the earliest millers at . Rock Bluff. Dr. Targleton built and conducted an early horse mill on the old Bloomington road. Old man Oliphant also built and conducted a horse
Digitized by Google
323
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
mill on the Nellinger farm. Mr. Gannon operated the same kind of a mill in the township at an early day. Charles Shelton started the first distillery. He owned a small copper still, and obtained his meal at the horse mills and, it is said, made a superior article of corn whisky and fine peach brandy. He found a ready and anxious market for all his Liquor.
JONESBOROUGH.
It is said that McGill & McGill were the first men to open a store at. Jonesboro, but Ephraim Jackson and Charles D. Rader conducted stores in this portion of the county, beginning a few years before. The MoGills began the business about the year 1839. Late in the same year, William Dorch opened a grocery there, wet and dry. About this time, John Gard- ner was fined before a Justice of the Peace for retailing liquor without a license. This was not at Jonesborough, however. In 1840, McGill & Dugger were associated together in business in the town, as was also Mc- Gill & Davis. A few families had located there, and a blacksmith, car- penter, etc., had appeared. In about 1845-46, Lawson Oliphant opened his store and continued many years with increasing patronage and profit. John P. Gainey also opened a store there in 1846. Oliphant had a good store. George Wolfe & Co., seem to have established a store there about 1841, which they conducted a few years. Mr. Dugger sold large quanti- ties of whisky.
AS LIGHT AS FEATHERS.
A man named Dory was an early merchant in the town. He bought large quantities of farm products, among which were feathers. He had a very large sack reaching from the upper story to the lower, in which he poured his feathers to keep them aired, and to keep the wind from carrying them away. One day he fell into this sack and came near smothering to death before he was taken out. Mr. Oliphant early start- ed a carding mill in town, which he conducted with profit for a series of yeara. He built the first brick house in the township, and was a man of much broader views than the average. His son, J. T. Oliphant, was for a number of years the leading merchant of the town. It is said that a pottery was conducted in town for a number of years. The present mer- chants are Bingham & Holtsclaw, and Michael Deckard; both firms are doing a good business. The former firm has general merchandise, and the latter drugs; the latter distills about 2,000 gallons annually of pure peach and apple brandy. The post office is , called Hobbieville. The name Screamersville is sometimes applied to the town.
The town of Cincinnati was founded at an early day. John W. Car- michael was the first merchant, and continued for many years. In about 1857, he erected a large steam flour mill in town, which is yet in opera- tion, owned by John Carter. It has two sets of buhrs-one for wheat and one for corn-and is doing a lucrative business. The present mer-
Digitized by Google
324
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
chants are Richard W. Yoho and J. B. Vanmeter, both of whom have excellent stores and trades. Mr. Vanmeter has drugs, which he com- menoed with in 1883. Mr. Yoho has general merchandise. valued at $3,500. The post office is Cincinnati. Many persons get this town con- founded with one of the same name in the southern part of Ohio, on the Ohio River. The latter will no doubt soon alter its name to avoid the confusion.
Ridgeport was named for its location on the high ridge which sep- .
arates Beech Creek from the streams farther south. It has never been properly laid out and recorded, and has never had a post office. The present merchant is Robert Johnson, who is driving a profitable trade.
THE TOWNSHIP SCHOOLS.
The early settlers of this township were very slow in commencing their first schools, and even then did not evince as deep an interest, ap- parently, as in other portions of the county. The time came, however, when the schools had to be founded or the township would lose the ex- pected influx of population, for later families seeking homes in the wilds of Indiana were careful to locate in good neighborhoods where there were good citizens, good schools, good mills, good stores and good churches. It is said the first school in the township was taught near William Carver's, in about the year 1826, by a man named Mill. It is also said that a school was taught in the cabin of Abel Burlingame as early as 1824, but as there are no reliable accounts of this it cannot be stated with certainty. Mill is said to have taught a good school in the rudest of rude log cabins, where there was no window but greased paper, nc floor but clapboards and no seats nor desks but slabs. Of course the scholars sat upon the softest side of the slabs. This man Mill taught many years in the township, and was a good disciplinarian if not a com- petent scholar. Scholarship was not a test in that day of a teacher's merits. If he was capable of using the rod upon offenders, big and little, and if he did it when occasion required, and could read, write and cipher, and argue on religion and national political matters, he was re- garded as a paragon of learning and perfection, and was continued in charge of the school as long as he desired, and perhaps his wages were raised from $10 to $12, or possibly $15. He was not paid by the month, however, but received so much from each scholar for the term. Another early school was taught in the southern part by a man named John Til- ley. One of the first schools was taught in the southwestern part aud another in the northwestern part. Two other early teachers were Ralph Martindale and Jacob Young. In 1830, there were four or five schools, and in 1846 there were eight. In the thirties, the school fund from the sale of the sixteenth section began to be realized, which proved a great advantage notwithstanding the limited amount at first. Now the town-
Digitized by Google -
825
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
ship has as good educational facilities as any other township in the county.
RELIGION IN THE TOWNSHIP.
Among the earliest preachers in the township were Revs. Thomas Oliphant, Joseph Wilson, Samuel Doty, George Burch, Richard Wright and Eli P. Farmer. These men were the first to preach within the township limits. As early as 1884, the Methodists in the southwestern part, and in Richland Township adjoining, organized a class composed of the families of Hansford Stalcup, David Watson, Jeremiah Doty and others, and arrangements to build a church on Section 27, Township 7 north, Range 4 west, were made as early as January, 1826. The first church built in Center Township was what became known as the Beech Creek Baptist Church, and was erected not far from 1831, though the class was organized a few years before in private dwellings. George Burch was the first pastor of this class, and later were James Burch, Davis Burch and John B. Vanmeter. The membership was largely from the old Hebron Church in the edge of Monroe County, and among the first were George Burch, Martha Burch, Elijah Burch, Meretta Burch, Mary Burch, James Burch, Elizabeth Burch, Nancy Campbell and Joice Gib- Bon The old church built by this class is yet standing. The Methodist Church at Jonesboro was organized not far from the year 1840. Elder Forbes and William Butis were leaders in the church; E. E. Rose was one of the early preachers. Rev. M. Hawk is the present pastor. The old church is almost in ruins, and the class meets in the schoolhouse. The Hopewell Baptist Church was founded in the northwestern part in about 1845. John Pitts donated land for the church to be built on Sec- tion 11. This class is yet in existence. The Sylvania Church, organized first as a Methodist Episcopal, was established in the southern part at an early date, and the church building was erected mainly by the individ- ual means of Isaac Hamlin, a zealous Christian and a local preacher of that faith. After the last war, the organization died, but was revived as a Protestant Methodist under Rev. S. Baker. They worship yet under the pastorate of Rev. William Lamb. A frame church was built in Cin- cinnati (not in Ohio, but in Greene County, Ind.), about the year 1874 for all denominations, if accounts are correct. The only . rganized re- ligious class now occupying this building are the Congregationalists who do not, however, have regular preaching. Center Township has had several religious organizations in schoolhouses, and since an early day has been well supplied with moral influences.
Digitized by Google
326
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
CHAPTER XXV.
SMITH TOWNSHIP-SCAFFOLD PRAIRIE-ITS BEAUTY IN EARLY YEARS- TOWNSHIP FORMATION-ITS RE-DIVISION LATER-THE FIRST SETTLER, JESSE ELGIN-REMINISCENCES OF THE DAYHOFFS-DEER AND BUFFALO LICKS-WAGONING TO LOUISVILLE-FIRST SCHOOL TEACHERS-DEER PETS-LONE TREE PRAIRIE-DEATH BY DAMPS-THE FIRST WEDDINGS -CHURCHES.
T THE township of Smith is one of the best for agricultural purposes in the county. The soil contains much alluvium, without which the poorest crops would be much poorer. In short, the soil is such that crops of all kinds, especially the valuable cereals, are grown in great profusion, to the material advantage of the residents. There is also enough silica in the soil to furnish food for the stalks of wheat, oats, rye, barley, etc., and without which all such grain falls on the ground before ripe, thus giving to the husbandman for his labor scarcely any recompense, besides the heavier burden of care which the loss places upon his shoulders, where families are to be supported and debts paid.
SCAFFOLD PRAIRIE.
Originally, the township was almost or quite a beautiful prairie, in- terspersed with numerous island-like groves that greatly heightened the effect of beauty, and created an irresistible charm in the beholder. Run- ning around and extending over these hills of grove were numerous paths made and traveled over by herds of buffaloes in former years. On any early summer morning at the time of the first settlement of the county, herds of deer could be seen cropping the rich verdure on the prairie expanse, or bounding away over the green velvet at the sight of man. Crossing the township here and there are small streams, not so large as to cut the surface into precipitous hills too abrupt for cultiva- vation, but small enough to leave the slopes in gentle curves, over which the plow can run with ease and profit. Some portions of the township, notably the hills in the northern end, are too clayey for profitable culti- vation, and other portions pretty well south in the township are too level, and require open or under drainage, but as a whole the land is of the best in this portion of the State. The portion that at present is too level is in reality the richest for agricultural purposes, and is destined in the future to be the garden spot of the county.
FORMATION OF THE TOWNSHIP.
Greene County was organized by act of the Legislature in 1821, and at the meeting of the first County Board at old Burlington, the first
Digitized by y Google
327
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
county seat, early in that year the entire territory was laid off into four townships, as will be found fully detailed elsewhere in this volume. The township of Highland was one of the four, and comprised all of the present townships of Highland, Jefferson, Smith and Wright This was a large extent of country for one township, but it was no larger propor- tionately than the settlers were few. Besides this, office-seeking had not yet been reduced to a science, as it has at the present day, and the dear people were not pestered and importuned for months beforehand by polit- ical imposters to induce them to go often and early to the polls on elec- tion day. People then had something else to think of than the welfare of politicians, though they usually managed to attend elections more from a sense of duty as citizens, and from a desire to enjoy the visit with their neighbors, to gossip of local affairs, and guess of the outcome of intrigues in national affairs which they had just heard of, though occur- ring several months before, and also to become acquainted with new set- tlers and learn of the more interesting county affairs, than from any hope of gain at the elections. But the large township answered the pur- pose for a number of years, or until the settlement had become so aug- mented by arrivals as to warrant a division. In the month of May, 1828, the County Board divided Highland Township, and created all of the present townships of Jefferson, Smith and Wright into a new township, to be known and designated by the name of Smith; but about a week later, all of the county lying in the forks of White and Eel Rivers was in turn separated from Smith, and named Eel River Township, to which a separate organization was given. This left Smith Township with the present territory of Wright, Smith and Jefferson, except the portion lately known as Eel River Township. In 1828, when old Smith was first created, the elections were ordered held at the residence of Frederick Dayhoff, where they continued to be held for several years, showing thus the prominence the elder Mr. Dayhoff had in the northern portion of the county.
THE RE-DIVISION.
In January, 1838, the County Board again divided Smith Township as follows: Beginning at Township 8 north, Range 6 west, on the line dividing Sections 4 and 5 in said township, the said line lividing the counties of Greene and Clay, running thence south to the south line of said Smith Township, said line dividing the townships of Smith and Stock- ton. All of Smith Township west of that line was created as Wright Township, and all east of that line was still to be known as Smith. The latter then included the present Smith and Jefferson Townships, except Eel River Township. Thus Smith remained until Jefferson was created, at which time the western boundary was removed two miles further west where it now is. At the division of 1838, above mentioned, elections in Smith were ordered held at the house of John Fuller.
Digitized by Google
328
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
JESSE ELGIN, THE FIRST SETTLER.
The settlement of the township began early, as the country was beau- tiful, the soil promising and the location apparently healthful. It is highly probable that the firet permanent settler was Jesse Elgin, who was a native of Kentucky, and came to the township, if reports are reliable, in the year 1820. Among the others who came about the same time or earlier were Frederick Dayhoff, Elias Dayhoff, Abraham Dayhoff, Cyrus W. Conant, Alfred Buskirk, Charles Walker, John Stanley, Rev. Na- thaniel Moss, Mr. Goodale, Abraham Wood, Samuel Wilkes, Byrum Combe, James Frazier, George Shrakes, and later Rev. Richard Wright, Kinsie Moore, Daniel Wood, Richard Lambert, Mr. Whittemore and Bartholo- mew Ellinsworth. These were all early settlers, and nearly all became prominent in the affairs of the county. Several reached ripe old ages, and went down in honor to the grave full of years, beloved and revered by all the country for miles around. It is pleasant for the descendants of the early settlers to remember all that has been done to make the wil- derness the happy abode of educated and prosperous people. The heart goes out in gratitude, and tears come to the eyes when the tottering forms of the old settlers go limping by. When we remember the hours they spent in toil and self-denial that we, their children, might be made com- fortable and happy, to deny them the only sought boon, to end their days happily, would be the basest ingratitude.
RESIDENTS OF 1821.
By the time the county was organized, in 1821, there were several fam- lies living in what is now Smith Township. Log cabins dotted the land and around them were small fenced tracts for gardens and grain fields. Sev- eral of these families were obliged to give up their new homes and go back whence they came. The following, taken from Baber's history, is worthy of preservation in this volume:
THE DAYHOFF REMINISCENCE.
" By request, I give, as one of the first settlers of Scaffold Prairie, a sketch of its history from memory, as also of the township of Smith, as originally organized, and of its subsequent division: This township derived its name, originally, from old Thomas Smith, who kept the ferry across White River, on the old Indian trace from Louisville to Fort Har- rison, a short distance below the mouth of Eel River, and embraced the present townships of Smith and Jefferson, and extended above the mouth of Eel River a short distance, embracing the old Craig Mill, at which elections were first held in the township. In the year 1825, I attended the election at this mill for the first time after I came to the State. As the township originally derived its name from the old ferryman, the district that contained his residence should have retained his name; but
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.