USA > Indiana > Hamilton County > History of Hamilton County, Indiana : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 40
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. From sa historical sketch by Mr. A. F. Shirts.
A Frenchman by the name of Bruitt was a member of the tribe, and went with them at the time of their removal.
The Delaware Village was located on the west side of White River, and on the south bank of Dry Run. There were three prairies in the vicinity, where they cultivated corn. They were well advanced in civilization, and constructed their dwellings of Ings, after the manner of their white successora. Their village was burned during the war of 1812, and the charred remains of 8. the of their houses were all that marked its site when the first white settlers emme, in 1818. It was never rebuilt, but for many years the Indians hovered around the spot in portuhle lodges. A large spring in the neighborhood was a favorite resort, and they indulged in frequent drunken revels at this point, after consigning their weapons to the keeping of the squaws. After their removal, immigration was encouraged by placing the land in market. William Bush settled in 1819, and cleared a farm, upon which he resided for a number of years, but finally removed to noother locality.
In the latter part of 1821, or early in 1822, Joah Brooks came to tho township with his family, and in November, 1822, entered the north half of the northwest quarter of Section 3, Township 17 north, Range 4 cast. George, Peter and Michael Wise settled on the southwest quarter of the same section, in September, 1822. Silas Moffitt enme in November, 1823, and resided for fifty years on the farm which he then entered. Charles Lacy, William Wil- kinson, Benjamin Mendenhall, John S. Heaton, Aquilla Cross and John Deer, all entered land in the township in 1822, and all resided on the land which they entered. A settlement having then been fairly begun, there were others who followed soon ; and by the year 1836, there was not a section of land in the township upon which no one had come to reside and make improve- ments.
Thomas Barron came in July, 1823, and was followed in 1824 by Col. Daniel Heaton and Thomas Morris. Abraham Williams came in October, 1825, and entered the land upon which he now lives, Section 10. Ile is, perhaps, the oldest living member of the pioneer community of this township. He was a soldier in Capt. Throckmorton's company, Kentucky Militia, during the war of 1812, and is now 89 years of age.
The next settler after Mr. Williams was James Heady, who came later in the same year.
The full list of settlers from this dato until 1836, will be found in tho following roll of pioneers ;
George Metsker, Feb. 25, 1826; Thomas West, May 27, 1826; Dav Dawson, Nov. 18, 1826; Dorothy Heady, Sept. 26, 1827 ; John Kinzer, Jan 1, 1828; Jacob Kinzer, Jan. 1, 1828; William Slater, Dec. 16, 1830 ; Alexander Mills, Jan. 18, 1831 ; Isaac Ballinger, Aug. 30, 1831 ; William West, Ang. 30, 18:31 ; Samuel Carey, Nov. 26, 1831 ; John Felps, Nov. 26, 1832 ; Eli Felps, Nov. 26, 1831; James Williamson, March 12, 1832; John Green, May 26, 1832; Willimmo Mellvain, June 6, 1832 ; Alexander Bovard, Sept. 8, 1832 ; Isano ,Icasup, Sept. 27, 1832; Peter West, Oct. 11, 1832; Joseph Green, Nov. 1, 1832; Samuel lockett, Feb. 2, 1833 ; William Murphy, March 27, 1833; John A. Shufer, Aug. 17, 1813; Sylvanus Carey, Oct. 3, 1833; William Fultz, Nov. 2, 1833 ; Humphrey Irwin, Dee. 6, 1833 ; Ancil Beach, Dee. 20, 1833; Conrad Grindle, Dec. 23, 1833; John Scott, December, 1833; David Redwine, December, 1833; Mark Wendy, July 18, 1833; James Hooper, Feb. 9, 1834; Joseph Eller, Ang. 12, 1834 ; Ebenezer O-born, Sept. 15, 1834; Aaron Osborn, Sept. 15, 1834; Iconsrd Eller, Sept. 24, 1834; Vincent Wendy, Nov. 22, 1834; Willinm Irwin, Nov. 26, 1834; Elijah Brock, Deo. 22, 3834 ; William Roberts, Dec. 23, 1834 ; James Farley, April 29, 1835 ; Reuben Stinson, May 21, 1835; George Kirkendall, July 11, 1835 ; Moses Mills, Oct. 21, 1835; Alexander Irwin, Oct. 24, 1835; Zichulon Hartman, Nov. 17, 1836; Matthew Kirkendall, Dce. 22, 1835; John Dorrah, Dec. 21, 1835 ; Jacob Fausett, Jan. 13, 1836; Hobert Hanna, Jun. 13, 1836; John Demoret, Feb. 8, 1836; David Negley, Feb. 9, 1836; Charles Stephens, April 26, 1836 ; Ezokiol Mills, Juno 30, 1836; Samuel Fausett, July 13, 1836.
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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, INDIANA.
EARLY EVENTS.
Sidney Swift Shirts was the first white male child horn in the township. The precise date of his birth is not known ; but it is thought that he was born in the year 1818 or 1819. Laura Finch, the first female white chill, was born in that part of Delaware which afterward became a portion of Nobles- ville Township.
The first brick house was creeted by William Conner, in 1823, the brick used in its construction being manufactured from clay on his farm. The second brick house was creeted by Silas Moffitt, in 1827, and the third by William Wilkinson, Sr., in the same year. These houses are still well-pre- served and substantial buildings. The Conner house is now owned by the heirs of the late John D. Evans ; the Moffitt house is owned and occupied by S. H Moffitt, and the Wilkinson house is owned and occupied by Hon. W. W. Booker.
The nearest grist-mill was the will of Jacob Whitioger, in Marion County, and to this point all the wheat was hauled for grinding. William Conner was at that time operating a rude mill on his farm, but it was only a coro-mill, and used as an auxiliary to a small distillery which he conducted. Occasion- ally, he ground corn for his neighbors ; but this was dove as a special accom- modation, and the extension of the favor depended altogether upon the humor in which he happened to be when his patrons arrived.
The first road was surveyed from Winchester, Ind , to interpret a road running from Couper's farm to Indianapolis, and was known as the Winchester & Indianapolis State road. The first county road was cut out along Cool Creek, with Noblesville as its terminus, In locating a road of this character, it was customary to out there notches in the trees along the route, to distin- guish it from a " neighborhood" road, the latter having only one notch in the trees along its course. Thus, when a traveler saw a road of the former de- seription, he recognized it as a public road. It was usual to run over the best land when such roads were being traversed, and but little attention was paid to the surveyor's marks ; but, as the township became settled, portions of the road were found to be on land included in some one's patent, and were fenced in. Thus, by degrees, travel was forced to take the line prescribed for it by tho surveyors, but this often led the traveler ioty ugly marshes, and it was o Dum- ber of years before the road was improved to such an extent as to make it passable at all times of the year.
THE FIRST GRIST - MILI ..
In 1831 or 1832, Williun D. Booker erected a grist-mill within a mile of his residence, on Cool ('reek. It received its motive power from that stream, and all ity machinery was of the ancient type. Its capacity was limited. yet fully equal to the wants of the settlement in which it was located. It obviated the necessity of traveling so far as the Whitinger Mill, hitherto the only one accessible from this settlement. Several years later, he added a saw to the quota of machinery, and began to utilize the timber about him. The building of frame houses became popular about that time, and he con- Queted a good Imber trade. He sold the mill to Amasa Bond in 1839. Mr Bond subsequently sold it to Peter Wise & Sons, who operated it until it out- lived its usefulness, and was abandoned. The frame of the old mill is still standing.
William Wilkinson erected a saw-mill in 1839-10, on the bank of Cool Creek, west of the present residence of Hon. W. W. Rooker. He afterward added two runs of buhrs, one for wheat and one for corn. The flour ran from the stones into a box, in which it was carried up stairs to the holter, which was operated by hand. This mill was only operated for a few years, as Mr. Wilkinson afterward built a better one on the same site. The latter is a frame building, three stories high, and was supplied with tho best milling machinery. It was purchased by James Mendenhall in 1818, and in 1850, W. W. Rooker purchased it from Mendenhall. He operated it about two years, and sold it to Joseph Harbaugh. From him it passed into the possession of Jesse John, Samuel Joho, JJames Evans, George Houser, Robert Cox, and from Robert Cox to its present owner, Mr. Fritz.
KANLY SCHOOLS.
The first school in the township was taught in the winter of 1830, in a enbin on the farm of Abraham Williams. It was conducted under the pat- ronago of Mr. Williams and Joseph Eller, whose children were its only pupils. Two years later, the residents erected a schoolhouse and employed a Mr. Lynch as teacher. This was n township school, and was maintained by a general subscription. Mr. Lynch was n man of fino attainmenta, and conducted a
good school. The next schoolhouse was built in 1837, aud was known as tho " F'arley Schoolhouse." Johnson Farley was the teacher. In the following year ( 1838), a school was taught by Joseph fiore, in a log cabin on the farm of George Wise. These were all subscription schools, and the educational system of the township was conducted on this plan for a number of years fol- lowing. The present system of public schools was inaugurated shortly after the passage of the law providing for their establishment, and, one by one, ench district in the township was supplied with its school and teacher. At the present time there are ten districts in which school is taught, the terms ranging from six to nine months a year.
CHURCHES.
Religious services were conducted, in 1829, at the house of Mrs. Dorothy ilcady, by Bev. Ray, of the M. E. Church Revs. William Way and John and Jacob Miller were also among the ministers who conducted services, io tho township prior to the organization of the church. The Friends held meet- ings at an early day, in the westero part of the township, near the present site of Carmel.
Organization of the Friends' Meeting .- Late in the year 1833, about twenty Friends met at the house of Jacob Cook, in the northeastern part of Clay Township, aud proceeded to organize a monthly meeting. Immediately after organization, they purchased of David Wilkinson three aeres of ground, on the east side of the road, and north of Carmel, upon which they erected a log house of worship. They occupied this building until the year 1845, when they replaced it by the neat frame house in which they now worship.
This society was originally attached to the Fairfield Monthly Meeting, and the White Liek Quarterly Meeting ; but, in 1834, it was established as on independent monthly meeting. It is now in a flourishing condition, with n lange membership.
Methodist Episcopal,-In 1836, Hezekiah Smith, a local preacher, began to hold religious services at various private houses in the towoship, and was followed by W. D. Rooker, who was also n local prencher. Mr. Rooker con- ducted the meetings at his house, and in the ammumer of 1837 or 1838, a small class was organized, of which he acted as leader for a number of years, The meetings were held in the " Farley Schoolhouse " until 1852. Rev. White was the Pastor in charge of the cirenit at that time, and urged upon them the necessity of' erecting a house of worship. Before the close of that year, a modest frame building was completed on Section 33, and christened " White Chapel," in honor of the Pastor. By the co-operation of the mem- bers, who united and performed the labor, the church was erected at n mod- crate expense. From that time to the present the church has been uniformly prosperous. It is now under the pastoral care of Rev. R. B. Powell.
Carmel M. E. Church-Was organized in 1818, with about a dozen members. The class was organized by Rev. N. Gillam, and the mertings were held in a log cabin opposite the store of Elijah King. This building was erceted for a blacksmith shop, but had then fallen into disuse, except when it was occasionally occupied for the services of the Methodist Episcopal Sunday School, which was organized before the church. For a period of two years, the meetings of the class alternated between this building and a building in the north part of the town. In 1850, they erected the present house of worship in Carmed, at an expense of $500. It was dedicated by Rev. Rammel, the Pastor in charge at that time. The present membership is fourty, and the church is under the pastoral care of Rev. William Parr. The Sunday school has been regularly maintained since 1817, during the summer. At the last session, it had an average attendance of fify scholars.
New Britton Methodist Episcopal Church .- A class was organized at. New Britton as early as 1832 or 1853, and held regular meetings for n oum. ber of years; but, in the course of time, some of the leading members moved nway, and the class was finally left without a minister. In 1867 or 1868, it was re-organized, and since that time meetings have been held in the Baptist Church at New Britton, The class now has between thirty-fivo and forty members, and is under the pastoral care of Blev. R. B. Powell. Sydney Crop- per, Class-leader.
Fisher's Station Methodist Episcopal Church .- In 1871, Rev. D. D. Powell organized a class in the schoolhouse nt Fisher's Station. There were fourtero members in the original organization, nod tho meetings were held in the schoolhouse until 1875. In that year, the society purchased the ground- floor of the building in which its meetings nro now held. This building was erected for a union church, and the upper story purchased by the Masonic Order for a lodge-room. Rev. D. D. Powell remained in charge of the class
OLD HOME, BUILT ABOUT 1830.
RES. OF WILLIAM KINZER. DELAWARE. TP. HAMILTON, CO. IND.
6
RES.OF JACOB KINZER, DELAWARE, TP. HAMILTON, CO. IND.
RES. OF J.B.METSKER, DELAWARE, TP. HAMILTON, CO. IND.
115
DELAWARE TOWNSHIP.
three years. He was succeeded by Rev. Beall, who remained one year. Rev. I. J. Bhoads, the next Pastor, remained one year, and was succeeded in 1879 by Rev. R. B. Powell, the present Pastor. The church now has a mem- bership of fifteen. Heory Fisher is the present class-leader. To 1873, a Sunday-school was organized in connection with the church, and has been maintained ever since, during the summer season. The average attendance is about forty scholars.
Regular Baptist .- The regular Baptist Church was organized at New Britton, in isGl, by Elders L. Peters, W. Thompson, W. W. Brandon and P'. Kecoy, with ten constitueot members. The meetings were held in the schoolhouse at New Britton until the year 1870. Io that year, the society created a frame house of worship in the suburbs of the village, at a cost of 81,100. It was dedicated by Rev. John T. Oliphant, the Pastor in charge nt that time. Rev. Oliphant was succeeded by Rev. John Kinder, who remained four years. His successor was Rev. Thomas Calhoun, the present Pastor. The church now has forty-four members. The church ofheers are as follows : G. W. Arthur, Clerk ; Joseph Duun and R. G. Walker, Deacons,
United Brethren .- This denomination organized a class at New Britton in 1866, under the ministration of Rev. Henry Moeth, and held meetings at the schoolhouse for eight years. In 1874, they erected a fiame house of wor- ship, east of the village, in which they met until 1877. In the spring of that year, during a violent storm, their church was blown to the ground, and has never been rebuilt. Meetings are now held at the Baptist Church in the village of New Britton. The class has a membership of thirty five, and is under the pastoral care of Rev. A. C. Rice. William Laudig is the present Class-leader, aod B. Ervin Steward.
SOCIETIES.
Carmel laudye, No. 401, 1. 0. 0 F .- Is Dow working under virtue of a charter granted by the Most Worthy Grand Lodge of the State of Indiana, June 16, 1872. The charter-members of the lodge were: John E. Warner, Jonathan W. Moffitt, Jacob Il. Moon, Sylvanus Carey, Jesse A. Ballard, Enos Noblet and Ira Powell. The lodge was instituted by D. W. Schock, D. D. G. M., assisted by the following-named gentlemen, who acted as officers for the evening : D. W. Schock, G. M. ; N. D. Levinson, G W. ; John Hunter, G. Treas. ; E. Il. Hall, G. Marshal; I. C. Hurst, G. Sec. ; II G. Kenyon, G. Guard.
On the evening of institution of the lodge. J. F. Nutt and F. H. King were made members by initiation, and Isom Wickersham and W. J. Hawkins were admitted to membership by the presentation of final cards from their re- spective lodges. The following gentlemen were elected by acclamation to serve as officers for the ensuing term, viz .: J. W. Moffitt, N.G. : J. H. Moon, V. G .; F. Il. King, Sce .; W. J. Hawkins, Treas. The following officers were then appointed : J. A. Ballard, W .; J. F. Nutt, O G. ; Isom Wicker- sham, C .; Iro Powell, B. S. N. G .; J. E. Warner, L. S. N. G .; Sylvanus Carey, R. S. V. G. By a vote of the lodge, Thursday evening of each week was adopted as the time for holding the lodge-mertings. The building in which the lodge room is located was erected by a joint-stock company, with a special view to the accommodation of the Order, which controls a large share of the stork.
The lodge has, at present, an activo membership of sixty-one. The fol- lowing are the officers for the present term : J. T. McShane, N. G. ; Elwio Harvey, V. G .; Jacob 11. Moon, R. S. ; Silas Clingeosmith, P. S .; J. E. Warner, Treas. ; William Harold, Ward. ; John A. Haines, C. ; William flingensmith, I. G. ; Enos Noblet, O. G. ; Samuel P. Michener, R. S. N. G .; Asel Todd, L. S. N. G. ; William; Morrow, R. S. V. G .; Robert Todd, L. S. V. G .; G. W. Ward, I. S. S. ; Chester Tingle, L. S. S.
Hamilton Lodge, No. 533, A. F. d. A. M .- Is now working poder a charter granted May 22, 1877, and signed by Frank S. Devol, tirand Master. The lodgr was first organized under dispensation February 11, 1876, with the following charter members: Hillory Silvey, B. P. Castetter, J. S. Roberts, William MeKinstrey, Granville Oivey, T. N. Williams, John Harrison, N. G. Johnson, Jacob Castetter, A. T. Ilcady and Cyrus Underwood. The first oficers of the lodge were as follows; Hillory Silvey, W. M. ; B. I'. Castetter, S. W .; J. S. Roberts, J. W. ; William Mckinstry, Treasurer ; Granville Ol- vey, Secretary ; T. N. Williams, S. D .; Joho Harrison, J. D .; N. G. John- BOD, Tiler.
Before the Indge was organized, the Masons individually subscribed to the erection of n lodge-room over the church, which was erected ie 1872 or 1873 and the first and all subsequent meetings of the lodge were held in this room.
The lodge is in good working order and good financial condition. The present number of members is seventeen. The officers for 1880 are as follows : T. N. Williams, W. M. ; George W. Roberts, S. W. ; C. S. Underwood, J. W .; W. H. Dixon, Secretary ; Peter Mckinstry, Treasurer ; J. S. Roberts, S. D .; James Reinier, J. D .; W. Il. Olvey, Tiler.
LOCAL INDUSTRIES.
Nine- Mills,-The mill two miles north of Carmel, on the pike, was first put in operation by B. B. Hiatt, on East Branch, two miles cast of its present location. It was subsequently removed to the site which it now occupies, and passed through the hands of various owners until 1861. In that year it was purchased by J. F. Davis and J. Jeffries. One year Inter, J. F. Davis sold his interest to W. Jeffries, siore which time the business has been conducted by the Jeffries Brothers They copley four men at the mill and three teato- sters, and saw an average of 5,000 feet of lumber daily, which they sell at Indianapolis.
Carmel Mill .- This building was erected by Simeon Hawkins in 1851, for a wagon and carriage shop, aod was operated as such by him for about five years. Hle theo sold to William Hedgecock, who sold the establishment to D. M. Connell about a year later. In the spring of 1859, it was purchased by D. W. Patty, who conducted the business until 1862, when he enlisted in the Union army and closed out his wagon business in Carmel, but retained possession of the property uotil 1867. It was then purchased by IT. M. Gray, and used by him as a residence. In the spring of 1868, the building was purchased by b. G. Carey and Isane Roberts, and in the summer of that year was converted into a grist mill. It was furnished with two run of buhrs and new machinery throughout. It was operated by Carey & Roberts for one year, at the end of which time Mr. Roberts sold his interest to Enoch Dixon. About two years later. L. G. Carey purchased the interest of Enoch Dixon, and operated the mill alone for several years. He sold it to Frank Cooper, by whom it was operated two or three years. Mr. Carey died in the meantime, and the mill was sold to satisfy a mortgage which was given by the purchaser, Mr. Cooper. Mrs. L. G. Carey became the owoer of one-half of the mill ; the other half was conveyed to Seth Green, who transferred bis certificate to T. E. Carey. Mrs. L. G. Carey then sold the other half to W. P. Dixon and T. E. Carey. It has since been operated by Carey & Dixon. While it was in the possession of L. G. Carey, the mill received an additional run of bubrs and a new holting-cloth, making it a first-class custom-mill.
Fisher's Station Flouring Mill .- This building, which is located cast of the lodianapolis, Peru & Chicago Railway, was fitted up with the machinery for a grist and saw mill, by George Hamilton and W. H. Mock, in 1873. Mr. Mock withdrew soon after, leaving the mill in the hands of Mr. Hamilton, who removed the siws aod sold them, continuing the mill as a fouriog-mill. In September, 1879, he sold it to the present proprietor, W. G. Lowe. The mill has two runs of buhrs, one for wheat and ono for corn, and hasn capacity of about ten bushels per hour. It is conducted ns o customi-mill.
THE TOWN OF CARMEL.
This town was originally known as Bethlehem. It is situated on the west. half of the southwest quarter, and the west half of the northwest quarter of Section 30, Township 18 north, Range 4 cast, and the enst half of the southeast quarter, and the east half of the northeast quarter, of Section 35, Township 18 north, Range 3 cast, and is located partially in Delaware and partially io Clay Township. The original plait was made on the 13th day of April, 1837, by Joho Phelps, Alexander Mills, Daniel Warren and Seth Green, and contained fourteen lots. Additions to the original town were made as follows: Five lots on the east side of Main street, and south of the original plat, by Samuel Carey, Angust 3, 1819 ; by Nathan Hawking (eight lots), July 18, 1857 ; right lots by Isaac J. Bales and J. IT. Davis, and Wil- kioson's Addition by David Wilkinson, November 23, 1875. At a session of the County Commissioners, in March, 1874, a petition was presented by the citizens of Bethlehem, praying that their towe be authorized to hold an elce- tion for incorporation, and the former name of the town he substituted hy Carmel, that being then the name of the post office. Ao election for this pur- poso was ordered for the 21st of March, 1874, and resulted in a voto of thirty- three for iocorporation, and twelve against.
THE FIRST FRAME HOUSE.
In 1838, Thomas Mills erected a frame house on the lot now occupied by the residencee of David Kinzer. This was the first frame house in the village,
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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, INDIANA.
and was occupied as a residence by several families, until 1872. By that time it had become very much dilapidated, nad was purchased by William Frost, who used it for hirewood.
EARLY MERCHANTS
The first store was opened in 1838-39, by some gentlemen from Shelby- ville, Ind. They closed out their business within two or three years, and removed to another locality. Haines & Harvey were the next merchants, and opened their store in 1813, in the log building formerly occupied by the Shelbyville firm. Elijah King came to the village in 1816, and opened a sture in the Imilding recently vacated by Haines & Harvey. He way associated with Wyley & Little, of Indianapolis, andI afterward with Drumm & Anderson. In 1819, this firm removed the old log building, replacing it with the sub- stantial frame house, in which the present mercantile establishment of his son, F. Il. King, is conducted. After the withdrawal of Messrs. Drumm & Ander- son from the firm, Mr. King associated Carey & Jessup with him. He sub- scquently purchased the interest of these gentlemen, and formed a copartner- ship with his son, J. K. King. In 1862, he purchased the interest of his son, and conducted the business alono until 1875. In that year he admitted his son, F. 11. King, to a partnership, and in July, 1879, withdrew from active business, by placing the store entirely in the hands of his son, by whom it is now conducted.
Among other carly merchants of the village were Elam and Alfred Brown, who came in 1850 and opened their store in a building east of the store of Mr. King. They subsequently removed to the corner now ocenpied by L. J. Small's drug store. Their stock was finally purchased by Mendenhall & Stantoa.
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