USA > Indiana > Hancock County > History of Hancock County, Indiana, from its earliest settlement by the "pale face," in 1818, down to 1882 > Part 18
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In 1838, the members and neighbors, by voluntary labor, built a log house for the purpose of holding worship and school. This house was a rude affair indeed. The seats were split poles, and the fireplace would take in wood six feet in length. Along the north side was a nar- row window, with oiled paper for light. In 1839, L. P. Berry preached the first sermon in the house. Isaac Bar- rett taught the first school in the same. In 1840. George Havens and Greenley Mclaughlin were on the afore- said circuit. In 1841, D. F. Straight and D. W. Bowls were appointed on the charge. At the close of this year Pleasant Hill was placed on the Greenfield circuit.
In 1852, under the pastorate of Rev. Francis M. Rich- mond, a new house was erected at a cost of $1,000. The house was dedicated by Rev. Richmond, the preacher in charge, a noble man of God.
The first trustees were John Jones, George Fisk, Elisha Earls, John M. Thomas, and David Thomas. The pres- ent trustees are the said John M. and David Thomas, Robert McClarnon, Henry McComas, and L. B. Thomas ..
JOHN FOSTER.
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
The present preacher is I. N. Rhoades. A Sunday-school was opened in this church in 1839; by David Thomas, and has been kept up in the summer and fall ever since.
BAPTIST AND NEW LIGHT.
In the early history of the township the Baptists held meetings regularly for a time in the north-west part of the township, at the house of Silas Huntington. The pastors were Revs. Dilla and Cunningham.
About the same time the New Light society built a log meeting-house in the north-east part of the township, and held forth for several years.
Both of these denominations have gone down, and we have been unable to get a full history thereof.
CHARLOTTESVILLE M. E. CHURCH.
The first meetings by this society were held in a school- house just south of town, on the banks of Six Mile. The first class-meeting was in 1850. The preachers in charge at that time were Stout and Kinman. The present build- ing was erected in the year 1855, and services have been sustained ever since. The building is a good frame, and will seat three hundred and fifty persons. Some of the best citizens of Charlottesville belong to this branch of the church militant, and are willing workers in propagating truth and virtue. Present preacher, I. N. Rhoades. Serv- ices semi-monthly. The present class-leaders are John T. Hatfield and A. T. Foley.
The Methodists at this point were enterprising in Sun- day-school work, having organized a school about 1848, being prior to the establishment of a church. The first superintendent was James P. Foley, followed in succession by Edward Raymond, John A. Craft, Anthony Fort, Samuel Hall, Mr. Stanton, Asa Allison, Martin Fort, Henry Carroll, A. T. Foley, Andrew Cverton. Joseph Shultz, James B. Sparks, Cyrus Overman, John T. Hat-
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field, and Thomas W. Hatfield. The present superintend- ent is John T. Hatfield. The school is in good condition, and regular and prompt in attendance.
CHARLOTTESVILLE MEETING (FRIENDS)
was " set up " some time after the civil war. It is a branch of the Walnut Ridge Meeting, four miles south thereof. William Thornburgh, Joel Cox, Henry Bundy and John Taylor were early members, and still belong to the flock. Mrs. Amy Fulghum is the present preacher. The house is located in the south part of town, just across the railroad, and is, consequently, in Rush county ; but as the member- ship mostly reside in Charlottesville, and the church is really a part thereof, we think it proper to give it at least a passing notice. The house is a plain frame, capable of seating two hundred and fifty persons. The membership is not numerous nor wealthy, but pious and practical, and generally found in attendance not only on First Day, but at the "mid-week meetings." Some of the best temper- ance meetings ever held in Charlottesville were in this meeting-house.
A Bible school was organized in this church cotem- porary with its establishment, which has been successfully sustained ever since. While the school does not have as much form as many others, it succeeds in doing solid work in a quiet way.
SIX MILE CHURCH (M. E.)
was organized about the year 1838, and located two miles north of Charlottesville. The building was a small frame, which cost about seventy dollars in money and a hand- some donation in labor. It was dedicated by Rev. John Burt. The first preachers were said John Burt and Kelly, Havens, Beemer, McMahan, Statler, and Layton. The first members were Henry Woods and wife, Benjamin Fort and wife, Ann Probasco, William Oldham and wife, Rolla Ramsey and wife, James Lakin and wife, Isaac
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
Hill and wife, Reuben Loudenback and wife, Anthony Fort and wife, Andrew Jackson and James P. Foley and wives, and Miss Oldham, now Mrs. P. J. Bohn.
This church has long since gone down, and the old building has been removed ; but the old graveyard still remains to mark the place dear to many. Among the first burials here were Sarah Foley, daughter of John P. Foley : John Bartlow and Mary E. Bohn. Beneath the green grass and the encroaching wild briers of this lonely spot rest the mortal remains of several whose faces were once familiar to the older citizens.
The first trustees of Six Mile church were Benjamin Fort, Rolla Ramsey, Andrew Jackson, Anthony Fort, and William Oldham.
In an early day Henry Woods and James P. Foley became bitter enemies, and finally had a frightful fight. Shortly after which there was a protracted meeting held at a school-house, one mile north of Charlottesville, at which those two parties were in attendance, and were alike convicted and went to the mourners' bench. Neither knew that the other was there. At about the same time both were converted and professed religion. The two arose about the same time, and seeing each other, each embraced the other in his arms, both claiming to be in the wrong in their difficulty. From that day until death these parties were warm, faithful friends, and members of the M. E. church, and died in the faith.
NAMELESS CREEK CHRISTIAN CHURCH
was organized September 8, 1839, by Elders John Walker and Peter Reader, at the house of Daniel Priddy. Among the first members were Aaron Powell, Elizabeth Powell, Sisson Siddle, Lemuel Perrine, and Charlotte Tygart. The first clerk was Sisson Siddle. The first deacons, elected May 8, 1841, were Aaron Powell and Meredith Walker. The first elders, appointed in August. 1842, were Peter Furman, Jordon Lacy, and Samuel Smith.
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JACKSON TOWNSHIP. ·
The first house was erected in 1841, and known as Name- less Creek church. The second house was built in 1852, and was named "Union Meeting-house." Prior to the building of the church house, meetings were held at the private residences of Daniel Priddy, Peter Furman, and Jolın Street. At this date there are about three hundred names on the church roll. David Franklin has been the regular minister ever since 1844.
This church is located about three-fourths of a mile north of the center of the township, and school-house number five, known as Center.
BROWN'S CHAPEL (M. P).
In the year 1838, the Revs. Joseph Williams, James Bedson, and Hannafield held a camp-meeting and organized a society in the neighborhood of Wesley Wil- liams's, in Jackson township. Soon after a log church was built and occupied with varied success till 1861, when the old log church became unfit for a place of meeting. Some of the members having moved away and others died, an organization was effected of the remaining num- ber by the Rev. D. S. Welling, in the school-house on Robert Smith's farm, who, with William Leamon. James M. Clark and William Williams, were elected trustees. Revs. Harvey Collins, Thomas Shipp and S. M. Lowden were among the successive pastors. In 1868. Thomas Shipp was again pastor, and Robert Smith, J. M. Clark, C. G. Sample, John N. Leamon and Peter Crider were the trustees. During this year the house of worship, known as Brown's Chapel, was built by J. B. Clark, and dedicated in October by George Brown. D. D. There has been a regular succession of pastors ever since. Rev. J. S. Sellers is the present preacher. Robert Smith, William Crider, Thomas Williams, W. Slifer and C. Gibbs are the trustees. This house is located one mile north of the National road, and a mile east of the west line of the town- ship, near school-house number nine.
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
SARDIS LODGE, No. 253, F. A. M.
The above-named lodge was organized under dispensa- tion, January 25, 1860. The names of the charter members are as follows : John A. Craft, Richard Probasco, Joseph Loudenback, J. N. Chandler, Dr. A. B. Bundy, Ellison Williams, Thomas M. Bidgood, George W. Sample, John Shipman, John Thompson, Jr., William W. Thornburgh, Albert White, Joseph J. Butler, Joseph R. Hunt, John Hunt, Samuel B. Hill, Edward Butler, Temple Stewart, Andrew Pauley, Ambrose Miller, Thomas Conklin, S. A. Hall, C. E. Allison, William Cook, Joshua Moore and John Kiser.
The dispensation authorized the foregoing Masons to meet in the town of Charlottesville, Indiana, in the second story of a building on the north side of Main street, the first story of which was occupied by John A. Craft as a dry goods store. John A. Craft was the first worshipful master, Samuel B. Hill was the first senior warden, and C. E. Allison was the first junior warden.
The lodge continued to meet and work under this dis- pensation until the 29th day of May, 1860, when, at the annual communication of the grand lodge, a charter was granted, and Sardis Lodge, No. 253, was duly constituted, and took her place among the sister lodges of the state.
For a number of years the lodge continued to meet and work in the room where it was first organized ; but when John A. Craft built his new business room on the south side of the street, a lodge room was fitted up in the second story of it, and furnished in the very best of style, and the lodge changed to more comfortable quarters. Here it continued to meet and work until the 2nd day of June, A. D. 1878, when the building and everything pertaining to the lodge, except the records, was destroyed by fire.
There being no room in the town that could be obtained. suitable for lodge purposes, and the membership feeling that they were unable to build, surrendered their charter on the 20th day of December, 1878, to the most worship-
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ful grand master, Robert Van Valzah, who appointed A. V. B. Sample his special deputy to settle up the busi- ness of the lodge, and Sardis lodge became a thing of the past.
Thomas B. Wilkinson was the first who applied for and received the degree of Masonry in this lodge, and Elijah C. Reeves and A. V. B. Sample were the next.
Among those who filled the station of worshipful mas- ter in the lodge are John A. Craft, A. V. B. Sample, Jesse Leaky and I. B. Smith.
From the issuing of the dispensation to the surrender- ing of the charter, this lodge never lost but two members by death, to-wit: Andrew Pauley and Thomas Conklin, both of whom were buried with masonic honors in the Simmons cemetery, one on the anniversary of St. John. the Baptist, and the other on the anniversary of St. John. the Evangelist.
CENTER CHURCH (FRIENDS).
in Jackson township, was established in 1878. Meetings were first held at the school-house at Leamon's Corner. The building is a neat frame, erected in 1879, at a cost of $500. It is located in section twenty-four, in the west part of the township. The first trustees were Joseph O. Bin- ford, Aaron White and John S. Lewis. Among those who have preached here are J. O. Binford, M. M. Bin- ford and Winbern Kearns.
The society is young and small. The house will seat about two hundred persons. Ex-county commissioner John S. Lewis is a member of this organization.
MISSIONARY UNION BAPTIST CHURCH
was organized July 19, 1852, at Pleasant Hill, about three miles north of Leamon's Corner. The first house of wor- ship was erected about two miles east of the " corner," in 1856. The present house was erected in 1878. It stands about one mile west of the " corner."
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
The church is in good condition, with a present mem- bership of one hundred and twenty-six. Within the past ten years six clergymen have officiated here, and ten within the last twenty years. The present minister is Elder W. K. Williams, who preaches once a month. A weekly prayer meeting has been sustained for over three years without cessation.
The first pastor of the church was Elder Michael White, who acted as moderator at the time of its organi- zation. Elder A. Dana was present. Anthony C. Bram- mer was the first church clerk.
Among the original members are the following : Wil- liam and Elizabeth Brammer, Samuel E. and Sarah Wilson, James Brammer, John O. and Julia A. Moore. John O. Moore is still living, and resides within a half mile of the church.
The members of this organization sustain an interesting Sabbath-school, with an average attendance of fifty. Ben- jamin Clift, A. C. Dudding and S. W. Felt have officiated as superintendents, the latter of whom is the present incumbent. The school is in a prosperous condition.
HON. NOBLE WARRUM
was born July 8, 1818, in Wayne county, Indiana. When he was but a small boy, he moved with his father to Han- cock county, and settled on Blue River. At the early age of fourteen, Noble Warrum left home to embark in the busines of life, having nothing to rely upon but an undaunted energy, a spirit of enterprise-which he pos- sessed by nature-and a resolution to practice industry and frugality. He selected agriculture as his pursuit, to which vocation he still adheres. His success as a farmer show that he must have exercised a discriminating judg- ment in directing his operations, and practiced habitual promptness in executing them.
Mr. Warrum's educational advantages were very lim- ited. He attended only the old-fashioned log school-
ELIJAH TYNER.
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
houses, and even that assistance was afforded him only for the space of nine months. Having from early age an ardent desire for knowledge, he seized all opportunities and improved every means of mental development, and thus, by reading, by reflecting, and by the study of human nature, has been enabled to do much for the culture of a mind by nature strong and active. In the strictest sense, he may be said to be a self-made man. Eminently of a practical turn of mind, he has never made any department of literature a special study.
During his whole life Mr. Warrum has been a resident of Hancock county. In 1839, he was appointed county collector, an office now substituted by that of county treas- urer. He received this appointment from the county com- missioners before he was of age, and entered upon its cluties in 1840, when barely eligible. At the expiration of the four years' term of office, he was elected county assessor by a large majority. In 1860, he received the unanimous nomination of his party for representative of the county to the legislature, and was elected by about one hundred majority over the party vote. Since then he has served two terms in the same responsible position. As a representative, he was not only watchful and atten- tive to the interests of his own constituents, but always evinced an earnest desire to promote those of the state at large. He won the confidence and esteem of his constitu- ents by his fidelity ; and his sound judgment, conservative views, and independent disposition, made him a valuable representative. Since 1856, Mr. W. has been connected with the Masonic fraternity. His religious belief is the universal salvation. In politics he has always been a dem- ocrat of the Jefferson and Jackson school.
Mr. Warrum has married three times. First, to Miss Rosa Ann, daughter of Richard Williams, of Hancock county, Indiana, February 16, 1842. Mrs. Warrum died August 27, 1862, leaving one son, Richard H. Warrum. In April, 1863, he married Miss Maria A. Wood, daugh- ter of Rev. Wytteel A. Wood, an emigrant from Virginia.
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JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
She died December 27, 1873, leaving three sons, Noble, Henry and Mack, and one daughter, Rosa Ann. On December 19, 1877, he married Miss Mary Jane, daughter of Abner Cory, late of Madison county.
In stature, Mr. Warrum is a little above the medium size. He possesses a strong constitution, cheerful and vivacious spirits, and a kind and hospitable disposition.
JOUIN ADDISON,
commissioner of Hancock county, was born in Preble county. Ohio, January 22, 1820. He is the son of John and Sarah Addison, formerly of Randolph county, North Carolina. His father removed to Indiana in 1827, and located in Rush county, where young Addison labored with untiring zeal in clearing the forests and tilling the soil. During the winter he attended the common schools of the county, where he obtained the only schooling he ever enjoyed. He remained with his parents until he was twenty-one years of age, when he was married : and receiving the gift of a small tract of land from his father, he moved on it and began his exertions for an independent living. On January 17, 1854, he removed from Rush to Hancock county, and purchased a farm in Jackson town- ship, where he now resides. In the autumn of 1861 he was elected treasurer of Hancock county, a position in which he distinguished himself by efficient and careful attention to his duties. In 1868. he was again called to the duties of official life, being chosen a representative to the state legislature. Again, in the fall of 1874 he was placed on the board of county commissioners, and served as such for six years.
Mr. Addison has always contributed liberally to the various public enterprises of his county. He aids and encourages county and district fairs, and takes great inter- est in improvements in stock raising and agriculture. He has been a faithful member of the Christian church since 18
JOHN ADDISON.
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JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
1840. He is now, and always has been, a steadfast dem- ocrat, casting his first presidential vote for James K. Polk.
He was first married to Miss Nancy Hall, daughter of Curtis Hall, of Henry county, Indiana, on the 13th of February, 1840. She died November 24, 1866, and he was married the second time to Miss Ellen Jane Coltrain, of Henry county, Indiana, on the 9th day of January. 1868. He is the father of ten children-nine by his first wife and one by his second. Mr. A. is now enjoying pri- vate life on his farm in Jackson township.
WESLEY WILLIAMS
was born in Indiana Territory, in what is now Franklin county, in 1811, May 12th. In the following year he removed with his parents, Joseph H. and Charity Williams, to Wayne county, Indiana, where he was raised. Mr. W. was converted and joined the M. E. Church at the early age of fifteen, and has been a faithful, consistent member ever since : a greater portion of which time he has been a class- leader, and always a faithful worker in the cause of the church and Christianity.
He was married in the year 1834 to Catharine Harden, who is also a consistent member of the same religious denomination.
In 1837, Mr. Williams, with his wife and one child. moved to Jackson township, and settled in the woods in a log cabin ; stuck a pole in a hollow stump, to which he tied his horses, having no other stable for two months. Here he worked hard and lived hard to secure a starting point. and by patient industry and strict economy, he has gained a competence amply sufficient to support him and the wife of his bosom in their declining years ; indeed, Mr. W. is one of the heavy tax-payers of the township, as a reference to our list will show.
To Mr. W. were born eight children, five of whom are living, married and doing well. See his portrait in another part of this book.
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JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
PHILIP J. BOHN
was born in Adams county, Pennsylvania. His parents were of German ancestry. He came to Indiana in the spring of 1839, and during the following fall came to Charlottesville. At the age of eighteen years, he entered a shop as an apprentice in the carriage and wagon making business. He next engaged in carpentering for a season. In the year 1863, he began the dry goods business in Charlottesville, and for full eighteen years he occupied the same room at the same business. Sixteen years of this time he was sole proprietor. On the 4th of February, 1881, he sold out his stock of goods to Messrs. Walker & Conklin, the present proprietors. Mr. Bohn has lately moved out on his farm, just west of town, and erected a handsome two-story frame dwelling, where he proposes to look after his farming interests, and spend the remainder of his days in the quiet, healthful seclusion of rural pursuits.
In 1856, Mr. Bohn was married to a daughter of Wil- liam Oldham, one of the first settlers, with whom he is -still happily living.
CHARLOTTESVILLE LODGE, No. 277, I. O. O. F.,
was instituted January 3, 1867, by E. H. Barry, at Char- lottesville, Indiana. Among the charter members were: John R. Johnson, Joseph Evans, Drure Holt, W. S. John- son, Abraham Miller, W. S. Hill, Thompson B. Burtch, R. B. White and George Chandler.
The present officers are: Lee M. Rock, N. G. ; John T. Hatfield, V. G. ; J. E. Hatfield, Secretary ; John Thomas, Treasurer ; James Pratt, permanent Secretary ; Thomas E. Niles, D. D. M. G.
This lodge is financially in good circumstances, owning a hall of its own, over Roland's drug store, where the members meet each Saturday evening. The lodge is out of debt, and its property is worth $1,000. Present mem- bership, thirty-three.
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
MRS. MARY LANDIS
was born in Warren county, Ohio, in 1802. She was: married the first time in 1825, in Fayette county, and in March, 1830, came to Charlottesville, being one of the first settlers in the place. Mrs. Landis and her first hus- band kept the first "tavern" in Charlottesville for the accommodation of the traveling public. The moving westward at that time, and for several succeeding years, was so great that Mrs. Landis in one instance counted ninety wagons-prairie schooners-in sight at one time. Often hundreds passed by daily.
In 1834, Mrs. L. was left a widow, and went to Lafay- ette to reside with some relations, where she met George W. Landis, to whom she was married in 1836. The two made one soon came to Charlottesville, and at once set about erecting the building for an inn, in which Mrs. Lan- dis recently died.
In 1870, Mr. Landis died, since which time, to the date of her death, she resided at the old stand with her only boys, Esquire George W. Landis, and J. H. Landis, ex- county surveyor. Mrs. Landis was for a time a member of the Lutheran church in Charlottesville, till it went down. She then joined the M. E. Church.
Mrs. Landis was truly one of the pioneer women, and in her declining years took great pleasure in reiterating early reminiscences of Charlottesville and vicinity. Mrs. L. was well acquainted with David Templeton, who laid out Charlottesville ; with William Oldham, still living, who- entered the first land in the township. Also, with Charles White, Andrew Jackson, William Woods et al. of the early settlers previously mentioned.
Mrs. Landis's sons, G. W. and J. H., are the oldest native-born residents in Charlottesville.
On the 9th day of January, 1882, Mrs. L. was called from works to rewards, and her mortal remains quietly repose in the old Six Mile cemetery.
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JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
JOHN A. CRAFT
was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, September 1, 1824. At the age of twelve he came to Hancock county, and located in Jackson township, where he has since resided. Young Craft, at the age of twenty, learned the trade of plane maker of Peter Probasco, father of Henry Pro- basco, of Cincinnati, at which business he worked in said city during the years of 1846 and 1847, after which he came to Charlottesville and carried on the same business in the building which then stood on the ground now occu- pied by the Craft store. In 1857, Mr. Craft left Char- lottesville and located on his farm, a short distance north ; but not succeeding as he desired, and health failing, he returned in 1864 and became a member of the firm of Rock, Morris & Craft, dealers in dry goods and groceries. In 1849, Mr. C. was married to Miss Eliza A. Fries, daughter of the late Daniel Fries. During the rebellion Mr. C. entered the Union army, was promoted to captain, and served with credit to himself and country until his health failed, when he returned home, and for months was not expected to live. Mr. C. and wife have a family of two girls and a boy to cheer them along the journey of life. For several years he was justice of the peace, and has ever been a staunch republican and good citizen. In the fall of 1881 Mr. C. retired from business and moved on his farm, where he is now enjoying the quiet seclusion and healthful duties of rural pursuits.
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