USA > Indiana > Hancock County > History of Hancock County, Indiana, from its earliest settlement by the "pale face," in 1818, down to 1882 > Part 16
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Recapitulation .- Green township contains thirty sec- tions and 19,194 acres ; has one mill stream, two smaller streams, one border county, four border townships, two steam saw-mills, ten school-houses, three church buildings, four churches, one lodge, one village, two post-offices, five pikes, one prospective railroad, 1,166 inhabitants, 353 school children, 231 polls, 286 voters, $4,100 worth of school property, $131,260 worth of personal property, $9,115 worth of lots and improvements, $473,220 worth of land and improvements. 177 male dogs, two (?) female dogs, $613.595 worth of taxable property, thirty-seven men who pay over $40 taxes each, fifteen ex-justices, two acting justices, six ex-trustees since 1859, six ex-county officers, one living ex-county officer, a fertile soil, several hundred acres unditched, an abundance of saw timber, no want of rail timber; a limited amount of fish, squirrels, quails and rabbits ; a healthful climate, three physicians, a republican trustee, no saloons, no billiard halls, a moral community, a declining population, an increasing valua- tion, and a democratic majority of eighty.
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GREEN TOWNSHIP.
CHAPTER XIV.
GREEN TOWNSHIP-Continued.
EDEN.
The modern Eden, once known as Lewisburg, was laid out on the 21st of August, 1835, by-the records fail to show whom, but the older citizens say by Alford-and consisted of thirty-five lots. The first and only addition to this date was made by Levi Archer, on the 26th of April, 1871, with seventeen lots. It is a small village, on the south bank of Sugar Creek, near the center of the township, eight miles north of Greenfield and seven south of Pendleton, on the pike. It has one church, a district school, a pleasant location ; a post-office, with mail tri- weekly, L. A. Riggs, postmaster ; and the following busi- ness men, to-wit :
Merchants- L. A. Riggs, Joseph Canohan.
Physicians- John A. Justice, W. A. Justice.
Painter and Carriage Maker
E. P. Lawrence.
Steam Sare-Mill-
B. F. Moore.
Wagon Makers- B. J. Jackson, A. H. Barrett.
Boot and Shoe Makers- Trueblood & Jarrett.
Undertaker-
J. M. Trueblood.
Carpenter- A. J. Popink. Blacksmiths- A. J. Taylor, Henry Curtis, Green Osborn (a little east of town ).
MILNER'S CORNER.
The second post-office in the township is known as Mil- ner's Corner, located in the central eastern part of the township, on the line between Green and Brown. It is
.
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
about thirteen miles north-east of Greenfield, and derived its name from James Milner, in 1850. There has never been a plat of the place made and recorded, and, conse- quently, no additions.
The first store at this point was kept by David McKin- sey, an ex school-teacher, followed by John Dawson, Henry Milner, Nimrod Davis, Joseph Decamp, Caldwell & Keller, William and Joseph Bills, S. A. Troy, Tague & Brother, and W. Vanzant. The present merchant is Charles H. Troy. The post-office was established in 1868 ; the first postmaster was Nimrod Davis ; the present employee of Uncle Sam is Charles H. Troy. The pre- vious physicians were D. H. Myers, S. A. Troy, George Williams, and Charles Pratt ; the present physician is S. A. Troy. The blacksmiths are Vandyke and Manning ; the wood-workmen are Josiah Long and Joel Manning. It has a steam saw-mill, owned by L. Tucker, previously mentioned ; capacity, five thousand feet per day ; employs four hands. Mail tri-weekly.
EDEN CHAPEL (M. E.)
The first meetings of this order, in the early history of the township, were held near Eden, in the private dwell- ings of Blackburn, Thomas Dorson, Robert Walker, and Robison Jarrett. The first ministers were Stephen Mas- ters and James Vess. The first itinerant minister was Rev. Donaldson, followed by Revs. John Leach and Frank Richmond. In 1838, the society erected a log house at Eden, near where the present frame stands, in the east part of town. Here it held forth till about 1860, when it erected the present building, a commodious frame, at a cost of $1,500. It was dedicated by Rev. John McCarty. Near by is a cemetery, where slumber many loved ones that have died in the faith, and are now mem- bers of the church triumphant. The first burial here was Enos Jarrett. The present minister is Rev. John S. McCarty. The society is in a flourishing condition. A
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GREEN TOWNSHIP.
very interesting revival has recently been experienced, which has added a goodly number to the church roll. This charge formerly belonged to the Greenfield circuit, and was supplied by the Greenfield minister.
ROBERTS CHAPEL.
In an early day there was an M. E. church building and organization in the Roberts neighborhood, south-west of Eden, called the Roberts Chapel. The first members are dead. Some lost their zeal, others found it about as convenient to worship at other points, and the organization went down and the membership was scattered.
REGULAR BAPTIST CHURCH.
While the Methodists had the first society in this town- ship, the Baptists built the first church house. It was a small log, eighteen by twenty feet, erected in 1830, and located one and one-half miles west of Eden, near the line between Green and Vernon townships. Elder Morgan McQuery organized the society, and preached there for several years, followed by Charles McCarty and others, when the organization moved to Vernon township. The old graveyard near by still remains to mark the place of the first church in Green township, as well as a number of the first burials. The first interment in this lonely spot was Samuel Walker.
LICK CREEK CHRISTIAN CHURCH
is located in the north-west part of the township. Benja- min Legg, John H. Huston, Snodgrass, Joseph Winn and Lawson Fuqua were among the first members. Elders David Franklin and W. F. Ackman were for a time its ministers. Elder J. W. Ferrell preached there nineteen nights during a revival, and had nineteen accessions. The building is a good frame, the church is in a pros- perous condition, and a lively Sunday-school is sustained
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
in connection with it. Several of the most prominent and influential persons of the vicinity are members of this church, and throw their influence on the side of truth, morality and Christianity.
DR. JOSEPH J. CARTER
was born in Green county, East Tennessee, March 7, 1823. He came with his parents to Wayne county, Indi- ana, in 1829, thence to Madison county in 1830, when the country was new and the forests unbroken. There he
DR
TER.9
CAR
labored on the farm with his father and brothers till he arrived at majority, when he began the study of medicine at Pendleton, the county seat, with Dr. Thomas Jones. After taking a course of study, he located at Eden and began the practice of medicine with Dr. William S. Loder. As- piring to. loftier attainments, and a fuller understanding of the abstruse mysteries of materia medica, he determined on a regular college course of reading and lectures, and consequently had the honor of graduating at the Cincin- nati Medical College in the spring of 1856.
In 1860. April 17th, he was joined in marriage with
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GREEN TOWNSHIP.
Miss Sarah J. Smith, with whom he lived happily to the day of his death. He was a consistent member of the M. E. Church for more than forty years. During his long and extensive practice, he made hosts of friends and but few enemies. He was a man of noble impulses, generous and hospitable, in whom the people had the fullest confi- dence. He died on the 29th of January, 1879, after a very short illness, in his fifty-sixth year, leaving the companion of his bosom and two promising boys to mourn his untimely death.
In the death of Dr. Carter the community lost an attentive, skillful physician, the church a faithful member, and the family a kind husband and an indulgent father.
His family now reside in Greenfield ; the boys are young men, the older of whom will graduate at the Indianapolis Medical College shortly.
EDEN LODGE, No. 477, F. A. M.,
was chartered May 26, 1874. The charter members were L. H. Riggs, E. S. Bragg, G. Morrison, A. H. True- blood, D. H. Alford, T. T. Barrett, Samuel Alford, J. W. Green, G. W. Hopkins, and A. W. Powell. The lodge has never been large, but is healthy and prosperous, with a present membership of twenty-four. The present officers are : D. H. Beaty, W. M. ; W. A. Justice, S. W. ; H. B. Wilson, J. W. ; A. H. Trueblood, S. D. ; John Crist, J. D. ; Isaac S. Barrett, Treasurer : A. H. Barrett, Secretary ; J. W. Anderson, Tyler ; Samuel Alford and J. M. True- blood, Stewards. Its meetings occur on Saturday even- ing on or before the full of the moon of each month.
CENTER GROVE M. E. CHURCH.
In 1845, the Episcopal Methodists organized a class three miles east of Eden. Their meetings were held for a time at the Barrett school-house. As the society increased in strength and numbers, it determined on a place of worship under its own control, which resulted in
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
the building, in 1854, of a convenient frame, at a cost of $1,200, which was recently fully repaired and put in good order, and dedicated by Rev. Frank Harding. The present preacher is Rev. HI. Woolpert. They have reg- ular services. There is no graveyard in connection with the church property, but they use one located north, on the banks of Sugar Creek, where the mortal remains of the late lamented murdered Mrs. Wilson and her niece were buried.
DR. SAMUEL A. TROY
was born at Batavia, Clermont county, Ohio, August 27. 1827, and is, consequently, in his fifty-fifth year. He was left an orphan at the carly age of ten years. The family
P
S.A.TRO
being poor, he was at once thrown on his own resources. Hle learned the trade of cabinet-maker ; came to Ander- son, Madison county, in the spring of 1847; thence to New Columbus, where he continued to work at his trade ; and in April, 1849, was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Abner Cory. Ile then moved to York, in Delaware county, where he began the study of medicine with Dr.
THOMAS COLLINS.
0
0
0
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
John Horn. His wife died shortly after, when he again moved to New Columbus, and continued his studies with Dr. Weyman. In 1854 he was a second time married : this time to Martha Manning. He then attended a course of lectures at the Cincinnati Eclectic Medical College : then returned and located near Bunker Hill, this county ; thence to Cleveland, where he formed a profitable partner- ship with Dr. Amos Bundy, which continued for five years ; thence to his farm in Green township, where he practiced for several years. He was a candidate for representative before the democratic nominating convention in 1868, and was defeated by the Hon. Noble Warrum by three votes only. In 1870 he moved to Fortville, and was the prime mover in organizing the Fortville band, which, in honor of its founder, was named the "Troy Band." While there he was in partnership with Drs. Stuart and Yancy. The Dr. is now located at Milner's Corner, where he has an extensive and lucrative practice.
EDEN CHURCH (BAPTIST)
was organized at the Crist school-house on the second Sunday in April, 1871. On the day of organization, after praise and prayer by the brethren, Elder Gavin Morrison was chosen moderator, and G. W. Hopkins clerk. Elder M. Lummis, of Kentucky, aided in establishing this church. The following are the original members : G. W. and Henrietta Hopkins, Gavin Morrison and wife, Wil- liam Lummis, S. F. Baker, Ira and Jane Shafer. This society has never been large, and consequently unable to erect a place of worship of its own. It has had no reg- ular pastor for several years.
CHAPTER XV.
JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
7 East
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Tp. Line
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Scale: Two miles to the inch.
MAP OF JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
SHOWING THE SECTIONS, TOWNSHIP AND RANGES OF WHICH IT IS COMPOSED.
Name and Organization .- This township took its name from " Old Hickory," President of the United States, at
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
the time of the formation of the township. It was organ- ized in 1831, at which time it was struck off from the north part of Blue-river, having its present southern boundary and extending to the Madison county line on the north, and consequently embodied the same territory now included in Jackson and Brown. In 1832 Green was formed, embodying the territory now included in Brown and Green. In 1833 Brown was formed from the east part of Green. Hence, from 1831 to 1832 Madison county formed the northern boundary of Jackson, and from 1832 to 1833 Green formed said boundary. From 1833 to 1850 Brown, Harrison and Green constituted said boundary. From 1850 to 1853 Worth and Harrison formed her north- ern boundary. Since 1853 there has been no change in her boundaries.
Location, Boundary, Size, ctc .- It is located in the central eastern part of the county, and is bounded on the north by Brown and Green townships, on the east by Henry county, on the south by Rush county and Blue- river township, and on the west by Center township. In extent it is six miles square, and hence contains thirty-six square miles. It lies in township sixteen north, and is in ranges seven and eight east, one tier of sections on the west being in range seven east and the remainder in eight east. The range line runs past Brown's Chapel. Leamon's Corner and Bunker Hill.
Surface, Soil, Drainage, and. Productions .- The sur- face for the most part is quite level ; especially in the north- eastern, central southern, and central western portions. Along Six Mile, Nameless and Brandywine creeks there are occasionally low banks, and a somewhat hilly and undulating surface for a short distance therefrom.
The soil in the creek bottoms is a loose brown or black loam, rich and productive. On the level upland may be seen a limited soil with a subsoil of red or white clay, excellent for grass and meadow and fair to good for the ordinary cereals.
There has been considerable tile ditching put in by the
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JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
enterprising farmers of this township since the close of the American civil war, by which no small amount of land has been greatly improved and reclaimed.
The chief productions are stock and grain, viz. : Hogs, cattle, corn, wheat, horses, sheep, flaxseed, and oats ; to which may be added small quantities of potatoes, grass, hay, apples, butter, eggs, and chickens. In 1880, Jack- son township produced, on 4.050 acres, 72,905 bushels of wheat ; on 4,782 acres, 88,805 bushels of corn; on 380 acres, 7,600 bushels of oats ; and on 544 acres, 1,088 tons of hay.
Streams .- Brandywine Creek enters the township on the north line, two and one-half miles east of the north- west corner, in section five, and runs south-west to near the center of section seven ; thence north-west about a mile ; thence in a south-west course, passing out of the township on the west line in section twelve, about one and one-fourth miles south of the north-west corner.
Six Mile Creek enters the township on the east side, one mile south of the north-east corner, takes a general south course, passes on the west and near Charlottesville, and leaves the township near the south-west corner of section thirty-five.
Nameless Creek rises in section sixteen, near the cen- ter of the township, runs south-west about three miles to the east side of section twenty-five ; thence south by south- east, passing out of the township one and a half miles east of the south-west corner.
Willow Branch has only one mile of its course in Jack- son, all found in section one, in the north-west corner, where it flows into Brandywine.
First Land Entry and Original Settlers .- The first land entered in Jackson township was by William Oldham, on the 20th of November, 1824, being the north-west quarter of the north-west quarter of section twenty-three, in town- ship sixteen north, in range eight east. The second entry was by Thomas Ramsey, on the 21st of July, 1825.
Among the first settlers were William Oldham, John
16
234
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
Forts. John Catt, Bazil Meek, David Templeton, Samuel and John Dilla. James and Benjamin Forts, Mr. Lackey. John and James Sample, Andrew Jackson, Sanford Pritch- ard, Samuel Thompson, Absalom Davis, James Vanme- ter, James Bartlow, Henry Woods, David Longinaker. Valentine Slifer, John Magart, Thomas Ramsey, and John Shields. At a little later date came John Burris, Joseph IIall, John Thompson, J. P. Foley, Jacob Slifer, John Parks, the Barretts, Hatfields, John Bevil. William Wolf. Jacob Brooks, Richard Earles, Samuel Smith, and John Stephens.
The naming of the above will call to the minds of many of our readers fond recollections of earlier days. when they received the counsel and instruction of these hardy pioneers, most of whom have gone to the happy hunting grounds, no more to undergo the privations and hardships incident to pioneer life. They are gone, forever gone ! No more their forms shall we behold! But their works live after them. They labored long and well, and we have entered into their labors. They sowed seed that shall bring forth fruit many years hence. Their children and children's children now rise up and call them blessed. Long may their names live fresh and green in the hearts of their legatees.
1 Few First Things .- The first church was by the New Lights ; the first school teacher was Leartus Thomas ; the first miller was John Forts ; the first landlady was Mrs. Landis, recently deceased ; Mr. Lackey sold the first whisky ; David Johnson was the first merchant; the first road was the old State road ; the first county road in the township was viewed by Daniel Priddy, David Heimer and Jacob Slifer ; Isaac Barrett, about 1840 and later, cul- tivated a nursery at Charlottesville, and later in the north- east part of Center township ; Abram Huntington had a blacksmith shop in the north-west part of the township prior to 1840, where he forged bolts in Vulcan style for several years.
Mills and Factorics .- The first water mill in Jackson
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JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
township was built by John Forts, in about the year 1827. and located on Six Mile, one mile north of Charlottesville. It was a genuine " corn cracker," of the primitive pattern.
Some time prior to 1833, David Longinaker built a water sash saw-mill on Six Mile, about a mile above the Forts corn cracker. It was run by different parties, and finally had steam power attached.
In about 1855, a steam sash saw-mill was put in opera- tion on Henderson Mckown's farm, four miles north of Cleveland. It was run for several years, then moved on Joseph Higgins' land, and was recently moved away.
Walton & Rule erected a steam circular saw-mill at Leamon's Corner, about the year 1860. It was run for some time, then moved to Cleveland, afterward to Eden, where it is still in operation.
James R. Bracken, afterwards captain of a company from this county in the Mexican war, erected a tannery about a half mile north-west of the Pleasant Hill M. E. church, about the year 1844, where he made the leather for the farmers' .. horse-hide collars." " dog-skin gloves " and .. cow-hide shoes," for a few years, when it went down.
In 1869, T. L. Marsh & Draper erected a tile factory in the central western part of the township, which was run for a few years, when Marsh sold to Draper, who is still manufacturing.
Roads .- The first road in this township was an old trail extending across the new purchase, known at the time of the formation of the township as the State Road, and later on as the old State road, built many years prior to the National road, which was the second in the township. The third was called a county road, laid out in 1835, and extended from the Longinaker saw-mill, two miles north of Charlottesville, on the county line, to *Charleston. on Sugar Creek, in Green township, where Mrs. Wilson and niece are buried. This road was a continuation of a Henry
* In the early history of Hancock county, a town was laid out in Green township. just north of II. B. Wilson's farm, and named Charleston. No record was ever made «of the plat, and the town was a failure.
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
county road, extending from Knightstown to the said Longinaker saw-mill. Nearly all the roads in this part of the state, prior to 1835, run from one business point to another, regardless of "land lines." None of the early roads corresponded with the cardinal points of the com- pass. As the settlements began to increase in number, short routes were blazed out to suit the convenience of the settlers. There are no toll pikes in the township at this date. There are fifteen miles of pike that have been returned to the districts, and their charters cancelled. We are unable to state just how much graveling has been done in working out the road taxes and personal privileges ; but. considerable, we are assured. The National road passes through this township, a distance of six miles, no portion of which is graveled, and there is no other road in the county that so much needs it at this time. It is really an eyesore and a discredit to the county. If the road can not be built in any other way, we would suggest to the liberal citizens along the line its construction under the free gravel road law of March 3, 1877, as amended March 1, 1881, which will exempt their land from taxation in purchasing the toll roads of the county, under the act concerning the purchase of toll roads, and providing for their mainte- nance as free roads, approved April 9, 1881. Her citizens will then have something of value to themselves, tangible and convenient in lieu of their money and taxes for free roads.
Railroads .- The P., C. and St. L. has a line of six miles on the southern boundary of the township, on which the company has two stations, viz .: Charlottesville and Cleveland. The I., B. and W. crosses the north-west corner of the township. Construction trains are passing over the line, but no stations are yet established.
Educational .- The first schools in this township were " pay schools," taught by itinerant school-masters, about the year 1833. They were not the most efficient teach- ers by any means; indeed, they made no claims to greater knowledge than was necessary to teach reading.
JOSEPH FORTS.
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
writing, and "ciphering to the double rule of three.' There were citizens of the township better qualified, that. could have taught better schools than many of these tramp teachers, but the pay did not justify, and besides they were- not naturally so disposed ; and hence the grave responsi- bility was shifted to the shoulders of the professionals, who- taught from Castle Garden to the Gulf. Schools were sustained but three months in a year, or a quarter of thir- teen weeks. As the township increased in numbers and wealth, the interest in education was found to keep pace. and schools were sustained for a greater length of time, at increased pay, which commanded better teachers.
In the vote on the free school question in 1848, to decide whether the state should adopt a free school sys- tem, Jackson voted against the proposed change, her vote standing : " Free school," 101 ; " no school," 114. But Jackson has the honor of being more progressive, on this, question especially, than the majority of her sister town- ships, as may be seen by comparing her vote in 1848 with that of said townships, and with her own in 1849, when she voted for the proposed system, her vote standing : "Free school," IOS: "no school," 105 ; being one of the three that voted for free schools in the final vote in 1859. This township has two brick and ten frame school-houses. numbered, named, and supplied with teachers for the present school year, or term at least, as follows, to-wit :
District No. 1. . Conklin Sadie Homer.
District No. 2. . Simmons. Ella Bussel. District No. 3. . Bunker Hill. Lizzie G. Smith. District No. 4. . Leamon's Corner. William M. Lewis.
District No. 5 . Center Ora Staley.
District No. 6. . Loudenback Fannie Pierce.
District No. 7 . Addison
District No. S. . Cleveland
J. P. Julian. (George Wilson. (Cynthia Fries.
District No. 9. . Brown's Chapel. George Burnett.
District No. 10. . Extra NNo school.
District No. H. . Extra A. E. Lewis.
¡S. C. Stalev. District No. 12. . Charlottesville
Jennie Willis.
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JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
These twelve houses are estimated to be worth $8,000, including the grounds, furniture and out-buildings. The apparatus is estimated at $100. Total value, $8,100. The above figures includes the Charlottesville house, which belongs to a company, and is estimated at $3,000. One of the serious needs of this township is more and bet- ter apparatus, and a fuller appreciation of the importance of the same by the school officers and teachers, that said apparatus may be properly cared for after it is purchased and placed in the buildings : that the maps may not be taken for window curtains and the globes for foot-balls. Charlottesville for many years, and until recently, was a separate corporation for school purposes.
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