USA > Indiana > Hancock County > History of Hancock County, Indiana, from its earliest settlement by the "pale face," in 1818, down to 1882 > Part 17
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
School Trustees .- The following are the names of the trustees from the time they were empowered with author- ity to levy local taxes, and the office assumed some dignity and importance to the people :
Burd Lacy. 1859 James B. Clark. ISTI
David Priddy 1863
A. V. B. Sample . IS74
Philip Stinger. I S67 Henderson Mckown ISTS
George W. Williams 1 869 James F. McClarnon .. I SSo
Remarks: Burd Lacy and David Priddy held the office four terms each in succession. James B. Clark was the first trustee under the improved school law of 1873, and the first in the township that voted for county superin- tendent of schools. A. V. B. Sample filled the office for two terms of two years each. Philip Stinger, George Williams and Henderson Mckown each served two years. James F. McClarnon looks after the poor, educational and financial interests of the township at this date.
Churches .- Jackson township has seven churches, rep- resenting five denominations, to-wit: Three Methodist Episcopal, one Protestant Methodist, a Missionary Bap- tist, a Christian, and one Friends ; a fuller account of which will appear further on.
Population .- An examination of the census reports of
240
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
this township for a few decades shows the following, to-wit : Population for 1850, 677. The population of Worth township, the greater portion of which is now included in Jackson, was, for the same year, 718. We therefore con- chide that a fair estimate for the territory now included in the corporate limits of Jackson township would be 1,300 for the year 1850. In 1860, the reports give her 1,680 : in 1870. 1,849 ; in 1880, 1,928. An examination of the above shows a steady, natural growth in population, which speaks well for the township as a whole. Charlottesville. in 1860, had 190 souls : in 1870, 414. Cleveland, in 1860. had 112; in 1870, 118. We have no official report of either of these towns for 1880 separate and distinct from the total of the township; but from personal knowledge would say that the former has about held her own, while the latter has lost, and can not compare in numbers, wealth or appearance with her statu quo ante bellum.
Polls and Vote .- The polls for Jackson in 1840 were 176 ; in 1860, 273 ; in 1880, 326 ; in 1881, 345. Her vote for 1840 was 178; for 1860, 331; for 1870, 371 ; for 1880, 445. Her last vote for President was as follows, to-wit : Republican! 214 : democratic, 210 ; independent, 21. Jack- son has two voting precincts-one at Cleveland and the second at school-house No. 5.
Valuc of Real and Personal Property .- This town- ship reports 22, 170 acres of land assessed at $547,020, and improvements on the same valued at $74.505, being an average of about $28.00 per acre ; the personal property in Jackson, exclusive of Charlottesville, is valued at $220,- 750; value of telegraph, $680: vahie of the P .. C. and St. L. railway line in Jackson, $14,450; value of lots. $985 : value of improvements, $3-475: making a total valuation for taxation of $861,865, exclusive of Charlottes- ville, which is assessed on eighty-three acres of land valued at $2,320, with improvements on the same vahied at $3,280 : value of lots, $7,445 ; improvements, $21, 180 ; personal property, $55,315 ; telegraph. $75: railroad. $3.785 ; total valuation, $93.400. The grand total valua-
241
JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
tion of real and personal property in Jackson, including Charlottesville, is $955,465 for 1881.
Taxes .- Jackson township paid taxes to the amount of $953.97 in 1840 on $157,204 worth of property, and $5,258.63 for 1860 on $612,030 worth of property ; for 1870, $8,376.93 on $769,380 worth of property; for 1881 she pays the sum of $8.514, including Charlottesville. Of this amount the following men are assessed $40 or more for 1881, to be paid in 1882 :
Addison, John ..... $ 61 20 Simmons, N. D. $ S7 os
Braddock, Addie B.
98 65 Simmons, J. S. 84 94
Braddock, N. W
94 98
Smith, Anthony
Boyer, Samuel.
55 12
Scott, George. 40 58
Barrett, Edward.
54 36
Scott, E. H.
73 66
Barrett, E. A.
45 52
Scott, Robert. 69 6S
Derry, Joel.
42 26
Slifer, Jacob, Sen.
44 So
Earl, Elisha. S2 So
Smith, Richard.
111 12
Evans, Joseph.
51 50
Thomas, W. M. 49 94
Fort. Martin, heirs
42 60
Thomas, James, Sen. . 44 72
Fort, C. H. 72 38
Thomas, David. 51 84
Glasscock, John.
52 58
Thomas, L. B
58 38
Londenback, J. A. 45 OS
Vanderbark, J. W
45 32
Loudenback, Henry . . 91 40
Vanmeter, James 45 12
Low, J. D. 44 64
Walker, Meredith 109 So
McClarnon, David. 61 52
Warrum, Noble. 194 64
Oldham, William 42 60
Williams, Wesley 175 40
Rock. Charles. 197 68
Williams, A. E. & C. . 46 12
Roland, Chapman 41 28
Williams, S. F 64 02
Simmons, J. B
316 60
Williams, Thomas. 56 74
Simmons, W. HI. 84 78
In Charlottesville the following pay $40 and upwards : P. J. Bohn, $72.38; J. A. Craft. $122.82. Bohn and Craft have recently moved out of the corporation to their farms.
The levy is eighty cents on the $100 in both Jackson and Charlottesville.
Laws and Esquires .- Jackson township has always been
242
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
well supplied with justices, as the following array of names, with the date of election, will show :
Basil Meek. IS31
Samuel Thompson. Unknown
David Templeton. 1832
Robert McCorkle,
1834. 1838, 1842, 1849, 1854
Henry Kinder. IS41
Edward Barrett IS45
James P. Foley 1846
G. Y. Atkinson
John A. Craft. 1849, 1856
John Stephens. 1850
Andrew Pauley. IS55, 1860
Thomas M. Bidgood. IS58
John Reeves I859
Ellison Addison IS59
W. M. L. Cox. I S60
William Brooks IS62
Cyrus Leamon. 1864, 1872
G. J. T. Dilla. 1864
James McClarnon
IS65
John H. Scott. IS66
G. W. Landis .. 1867, 1872, 1876 Elijah C. Reeves. . . 1868, 1872 Lafayette Stephens. ... 1869
Ira Bevil. . . . . 1870, 1874, 1878 John W. Wales. IS76
John E. Leamon.
ISSO
William R. Williams. ISSO
Remarks : The last two named persons are the present acting justices of the township. Basil Meek was the first justice in the township. Samuel Thompson, the date of whose election we have given " unknown," owing to there being no record of the matter, was most probably elected in 1831 or 1832. Robert McCorkle gave such general satis- faction to litigants and those interested, that he was five times honored with the votes of his constituents. Ira Bevil and G. W. Landis were each three times clothed with judi- cial powers. John A. Craft, Andrew Pauley, Cyrus Leamon and Elijah C. Reeves were each three times called into the forum, and invested with legal authority to hear and try all causes over which such courts have jurisdiction. Many of the above have been solicited longer to preside, but declined in favor of private life, "choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season." Perhaps, in listening so often to the gaseous, bombastic effusions of the tyro in the legal fraternity, they had come to agree with Wirt, in his sentiment that " There is a great deal of law learning that is dry, dark, cold and revolting ; an old feudal castle in
243
JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
perfect preservation." Or it may be that they too often have seen the verification of the old proverb: "Laws catch flies, but let hornets go free."
Ex-County Officers .- Jackson township has furnished a goodly number of brave men, willing to spend and be . spent for their country's good. Here lived, in their day, the following representative men : Jacob Huntington, treasurer ; James P. Foley, representative ; Basil Meek, the third sheriff of the county ; Richard Williams and Jor- dan Lacy, commissioners. Among the living we call to mind, Noble Warrum, revenue collector and representa- tive ; John Addison, representative and commissioner ; John Barrett, treasurer in 1850; George W. Sample, sheriff in 1872 by appointment ; John R. Reeves, recorder in 1870; J. H. Landis, surveyor ; John S. Lewis and Jacob Slifer, senior, commissioners. The majority of the county officers of this township, in contrast with the most of her sister townships, are still living. Green has but one living ex- county officer.
This is the home of several prominent families that have grown up with the township, and become fully identi- fied with her interests ; liberal, public spirited citizens, ever ready to encourage any enterprise tending to propagate truth and promote virtue. For a fair list of such citizens, to save, recording here, see our roll of patrons for Jackson township on the closing pages.
Murders, Suicides, and Remarkable Deaths .- Under the above topic we have but little to add for this township, and we are glad of the fact. It is always a painful duty to be called upon to record such sudden, sad departures. Life is a treasure : to live is sweet ; and that any should adopt the beautiful meter, but false sentiment of Campbell. is sad :
"Count o'er the joys thine hours have seen : Count o'er the days from anguish free : And know, whatever thou hast been, 'Tis something better not to be."
244
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
Better by far to adopt the sentiment of Milton, and abide our time in patience :
" Nor love thy life, nor hate ; but whilst thou livest, Live well ; how long, how short, permit to Heaven."
Anthony Maxwell committed suicide by hanging, in the hollow between Cleveland and the railroad station, about the year 1833. He was a married man, aged thirty. very tall. He was buried at Gilboa.
James Steele was killed in January, 1838, by the falling of a tree.
In 1875, Frank Smith committed suicide by hanging. with a leather strap, in his barn. Cause unknown.
William Guy, a brakeman on the P., C. and St. L. R. R., kicked a boy by the name of Weaver off the cars while in motion, at Charlottesville, which killed him. A trial was had at Greenfield, in which the brakeman came clear.
Exports .- The chief exports of Jackson township are corn, wheat, hogs, cattle, horses, oats, potatoes, flaxseed. lumber. fruits, and the products of the hennery and dairy.
Synopsis .- Jackson township, a namesake of Andrew Jackson, the seventh president, organized in 1831, contains thirty-six sections, has four border townships and two border counties, one mill stream, three smaller streams, two railroads, eight miles of railroad line, two stations, ten frame school-houses, two brick school-houses, fourteen teachers, $8,000 invested in school-houses and $100 in apparatus, six hundred and fifty-eight school children. seven ex-trustees since 1859, seven church buildings, five denominations, three political parties, three hundred and forty-five polls, a population of 1,928, four hundred and forty-five voters, two voting precincts, 22,254 acres of land, valued at $549,540 ; improvements worth $77,785 : value of town lots, $8,430; value of improvements on them. $24,655 : value of telegraph line, $755 ; value of railroads, $18,235 : grand total, $955,265 ; has one hundred and seventy-five male dogs, ten female dogs, one tile fac-
245
JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
tory, no mills, two villages, two post-offices, forty-four men who pay $40 or upwards of taxes, twenty-four ex- justices, two acting justices, thirteen ex-county officers. eight living ; fifteen miles of public pike, no toll pike, two express offices, two telegraph offices, a democratic trustee, a republican assessor, an increasing population, a fertile soil and enterprising inhabitants.
CHAPTER XVI.
JACKSON TOWNSHIP-Continued.
CHARLOTTESVILLE
is located on the National road, eight miles east of Green- field, on the east bank of Six Mile Creek. It is pleas- antly located in a beautiful country. It has about four hundred and fifty inhabitants. It has a good school- house, built by a company at a cost of $3.500 ; a daily mail, telegraph and express offices, and other conveniences suitable to a town of its size. It was laid out by David Templeton, and filed of record the first of June, 1830, with fifty-six lots.
The first addition was made by James P. Foley, on the 2Ist of February, 1854,* and consisted of four blocks and fifty-eight lots, located south of the old plat.
The second addition was made on the 8th of February, 1869, by F. Smith, and consisted of twenty-eight lots, located north of the old plat.
The third addition was made by Frank Smith, on the 8th day of February, 1869, known as his second addition. and consisted of five lots, located south of the National road and east of the old plat.
* The dates given of the making of the various additions are the dates of record- ing, which completes the legal steps to constitute an addition.
246
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
The fourth addition was made by - Walker, on the 9th of February, 1869, and consisted of five lots, located in the north-west corner of the town.
The fifth addition was made by - Chandler, on the 8th of February, 1869, and consisted of four lots. located between the old town plat and the creek.
The sixth addition was made by - Watson. on the Sth of February, 1869, and consisted of nineteen lots. located east of the old plat and Foley's addition.
The seventh addition was made by Philip Stinger, on the first of March, 1869, and consisted of four lots, located east of the old plat and north of the National road.
The eighth addition was made by - - Earl, on the . 14th of June, 1869, and consisted of four blocks and twenty lots, known as Earl's first addition, located east of the old plat and Stinger's addition, and north of the National road.
The ninth and last addition, known as Earl's second addition, was made by Earl, on the 9th of February, 1870. and consisted of three blocks, fifteen lots, and a school block, located east and adjoining his first addition. The present brick school-house is on this addition.
The land from which Charlottesville was carved was entered by Josiah Vanmeter. The town was laid out in the woods by David Templeton, in 1830. The first to set- tle in Charlottesville was Michael Hendricks, moved from Henry county by Lewis Davis ; followed by Sibbetts, who kept the first tavern. Thomas Lackey kept the first saloon, or " grocery," as then termed. The following were among the general merchants from time to time : David Johnson, John Haers & Bro., David Templeton. James P. Foley, Richard Probasco, William Thornburgh, Hutton & Overman, Cyrus Overman, J. A. Craft, and P. J. Bohn.
The first business houses and dwellings were small pole buildings, followed by more stately hewed log structures. in turn superseded by small frames after the location of the water-power saw-mills on Six Mile. Later still better
...
PHILIP J. BOHN.
248
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
houses, in harmony with the times and means of her citizens.
At present a portion of the town extends over the line into Rush county, which forms two miles of the southern boundary of Jackson township. The railroad is on the line, or about so. The saw-mill and the Friends church, though belonging to Charlottesville, are in Rush county.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE.
Merchants-
Walker & Conklin,
Lafayette Griffith, Grass & Hatfield.
Shoemakers- Joseph Shultz, Jerry Goddard, Daniel Burk.
Grocers-
Philip Stinger, W. H. H. Rock, John Roland.
Blacksmiths- Frederick & Hammer, John S. Thomas, W. M. L. Cox.
Grain Dealers- William Thornburgh, Enoch Pearson, J. E. Hatfield.
Plasterers- Thomas Niles, Charles Niles. William Caldwell.
Druggists- W. H. H. Rock, John Roland.
MMilliners- Adaline Owens, Achea Wilkison.
1
Physicians-
Daniel Grass, .
George Dailey,
William Cox,
Thomas B. Hammer, J. E. Wright.
Wagon Maker- Henry Kinder.
Agricultural Imp. Dealer- John S. Thomas.
Tinner- William Niles.
Carpenters- James Pratt, William Rail, Madison Davis.
Samuel Grass.
Livery-stable Proprietor- John T. Girty.
249
JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
Hardware Dealer- R. C. Niles.
Harness-MMaker- John McGraw.
Music Dealer- B. F. Stinger.
Preachers -- Mrs. Amy Fulghum, Rev. I. N. Rhoades.
Postmaster- Joseph Shultz.
CLEVELAND
is located six miles east of Greenfield, on the National road, near the P., C. and St. L. R. R. It was laid out on the Sth of July, 1834, by E. Wood. The original plat consists of sixty-four lots. It was originally called Port- land, and went by that name till about 1855.
Before the railroad was built, when the traveling was done by stage, and moving to the west and returning was by wagons, Portland was a thriving little place, which not only afforded accommodations for the weary traveler, but supplied a considerable scope of country with the staple dry goods and groceries. For a number of years the Dayton and Indianapolis stage passed east and west daily through this little burg. And there were for several years two good-sized taverns in the place, one on either side of the road. Remnants of the same still remain as a memento of brighter days.
We are in favor of railroads ; they are a blessing to any country as a whole, but their tendency is toward central- ization, the building up of the cities, capitals and county seats, and the dwarfing of towns, taverns and travelers' inns ; a verification of Christ's declaration that " To him that hath, more shall be given ; and to him that hath not, shall be taken away even that which he hath."
Cleveland now has one good frame M. E. church building, a two-room frame district school-house, post-
17
R. R. Agtand Operator- J. E. Hatfield.
Wheat Fan Manufacturer- Isaiah Rhoades.
250
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
office, express and telegraph offices, and the following business men :
Merchants- J. E. Thomas & Bro.
Grocer- Miss Emma A. Bidgood.
Physicians- M. M. Hess. Dr. Trees.
Blacksmith- Nathan M. Dugal.
Painter- Joseph R. Kinder.
Grain Dealer- G. W. Hatfield.
Carpenters- Winfield Lane. John HI. Scott. Wagon- Maker- Robert H. Ross.
Shoe and Boot Maker- Ira Bevil, Esq. Railroad Ag tand Operator- Oliver H. Reese.
Postmistress- Miss Emma A. Bidgood.
The saw-mill recently run at this place has been removed.
Dr. S. A. Troy, of Milner's Corner, and Dr. Amos Bundy, deceased, once held forth as the physicians of this place.
LEAMON'S CORNER
is the name of a post-office sustained for a number of years in the central western portion of Jackson township. The office was discontinued in the summer of ISS1. The name took its origin from the Leamon family, on whose lands the Leamon school-house, the first in the township, and the post-office were built. There was never a plat. and consequently no additions to the place. For a few years past, and until recently, there was a small store, a saw-mill, a post-office and a blacksmith shop at Leamon's Corner ; but they all served their day, and in time were moved away.
251
JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
JACKSON TOWNSHIP SCHOOLS.
The first school taught in this township, was by Rob- ert Sanford, in a log house on the old State road, on the land now owned by Noble Warrum. James Loehr taught the second school in the township, in a house near the National road, on the land now owned by Noble Warrum. The third school was taught by Robert Sanford, in a house on or near the National road on the land now owned by John Thompson. A school was taught in this same house by a man by the name of Goldsmith.
The first house built in the township for school pur- poses was the Leamon school-house, which took its name from the fact of its being built on the lands of William Leamon. Edward R. Sample taught the first school that was taught in the house. As a compensation for his services, he received thirty-six dollars for a term of thir- teen weeks, he boarding himself. The house was a log structure, about eighteen by twenty-four feet, heated by a huge fire-place, and lighted by a flight of oiled paper that extended along the entire south side of the building. The ceiling and roof were made of clapboards, and the scholars using for seats the soft side of a lind sapling, split open. into which four pins were driven for legs. Several terms of school were taught in this house by Burd Lacy, A. T. Hatfield, George W. Sample, William Sager and others. the wages never being more than from thirty to thirty-six dollars for a term of thirteen weeks, the teacher either boarding himself or boarding around among the scholars. which practice was very common in those days.
The next house built in the township for school pur- poses was on the south-east corner of the lands of Andrew Jackson, north of Charlottesville, on the banks of Six Mile creek. Jesse Leonard was one of the principal teachers at that point.
The next house built in the township was about one mile north and one-fourth of a mile east of Cleveland, on the land now owned by Elisha Earl. This house was
1
252
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
called " Backwoods College," being built right in a thick woods. Those most prominent in the building of this house were John Parkhurst, Abraham Craft and John Sample. It was a hewed log house, about twenty-four by twenty-eight feet, well lighted, and nicely ceiled overhead. This school was largely attended. John A. Craft taught the first school in the house, and was succeeded by James Sample, Thompson Allen, C. G. Sample, H. II. Ayres, and a man by the name of Miller, who, by the way, was quite a poet.
The next school-house built in the township was in the town of Charlottesville, in the south-west part of the town, right on the steep banks of Six Mile Creek. I know but little of the early pedagogues at this place.
Before the free school law was passed, schools were taught in different parts of the township by Nathan Fish, Dr. Nichols, John McIntire, II. II. Avres, John H. Scott, George W. Sample, Burd Lacy, George W. Hatfield, Milton Heath, Catharine Stephens, Penelope Heath and William Sager.
When the free school law went into effect, David P. Priddy, George W. Sample and William Leamon were elected first trustees, and they, together with Allen T. Hatfield as clerk, constituted the first board of township trustees.
Under their administration the first nine houses were located. Soon after the location had been decided upon, George W. Sample was appointed route agent on the P., C. and St. L. R. R., and resigned the office of trustee to enter upon the duties of route agent. Elisha Earl was appointed to fill the vacancy, and the houses were built as the first board had located them. At the expiration of William Leamon's term of office, Daniel Crane was elected a member of the board of trustees. When the law was amended so as to have but one trustee, instead of three, Burd Lacy was elected and served one or two terms. David P. Priddy was next elected for several terms in succession. He was in office when the county treasurer's.
253
JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
office was robbed, and had deposited in the safe a consid- erable amount of the common school and township funds, and this was also taken. Mr. Priddy made good the loss to the township. Right here I cannot forbear saying that, in my opinion, this was wrong. His successors in office, in their regular order, were Philip Stinger, George W. Wil- liams, James B. Clark, A. V. B. Sample, J. H. McKown and James F. McClarnon.
School-house number ten, or extra, was built on the lands of George W. Sample, in the year 1859. A. V. B. Sample taught the first school in the house, and it was here that some of the best teachers in the township received their start. The Addison school-house was built a few years later, and was numbered seven, it taking the number of the Charlottesville school, Charlottesville having become an incorporated town, managing its own school fund.
Number eleven, or the first brick house built in the township, was on the farm of Burd Lacy, and was erected by A. V. B. Sample during his term of office as trustee.
The second brick, or Leamon's Corner school-house, was built by James F. McClarnon. J. H. Mckown was the contractor on both houses, and they are an honor to the township, and reflect much credit on the contractor.
Among those who have figured largely as teachers in the common schools of this township are T. W. Hatfield, William M. Lewis, A. V. B. Sample, J. H. Landis, Dr. A. B. Bundy, J. N. Sample, A. E. Sample, E. W. Smith, Ancil Clark, E. A. Lewis, George Burnett, Channing Staley, Eva Brosius, George W. Williams, R. II. Warrum, Vint. A. Smith, Ed. Scott, Edwin Braddock, Wallace A. Simmons and John E. Leamon. A. V. B. Sample is the veteran teacher of the township, he having taught a little more than one hundred months, and served three years as school examiner of the county.
The educational interest of the township is good, and our home teachers will compare favorably with those of any other township in the county or state.
A. V. B. SAMPLE.
254
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
PLEASANT HILL CHURCH (M. E.)
In 1835, Moses Braddock opened the doors of his: dwelling to receive the itinerant ministry. During this: year Benjamin Cooper, a superannuated minister of the Ohio conference, moved into the neighborhood and com- menced preaching the gospel. In the same year came Alfred Thomas. In 1836, F. C. Holliday and John F. Truslow were preachers in charge of the Knightstown circuit, to which Pleasant Hill belonged at that time. In 1837, W. W. Hibben and James Hill were ministers, dur- ing which time a small class of twelve members was. formed, viz. : Polly Burris, Margaret Braddock, Nancy Braddock, Barbary Braddock, Benjamin Cooper, Nancy Cooper, Alfred Thomas, Jane Thomas, John M. Thomas, Matilda Thomas, and David and Mary Thomas. Alfred Thomas was the first steward and David Thomas the first class-leader.
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.