USA > Indiana > Hancock County > History of Hancock County, Indiana, from its earliest settlement by the "pale face," in 1818, down to 1882 > Part 20
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fatal results, fled from the house, followed by her antago- nist, who struck her on the head and felled her to the ground, where he continued his unmerciful attack, striking her twice with the edge of the ax, once in the shoulder and once in the breast, causing immediate death. Seeing her lifeless form covered with gore before him, partial con- sciousness returned, and with a sense of his awful crime realized, went into the house and, with a razor in hand, stood before the glass and cut his own throat, partially severing the trachea; but still not satisfied, he left the house and pursued the children with murderous intent, who escaped him by seeking refuge in a pond. Being unable to reach them, he returned to the house, and was found by the neighbors in the frightful condition aforesaid, breathing through the recently made orifice in the wind- pipe. He had two small children, a boy and girl. The girl afterward married, and, from what we can learn, is still living. The boy died a few years after the tragedy just related. Henry Meier owns the Knapp farm where this sad scene transpired.
In March, 1851, a man by the name of Sellers froze to death near Philadelphia. He was supposed to have been intoxicated.
In 1861, Mr. Bidgood was killed by a team at the toll-gate.
In 1863, James Murnan was accidentally shot and killed by a friend.
In 1871, a son of Joseph Morford was killed by being thrown from a horse. Anton Wishmeier, in the same year, fell from a load of straw and was killed.
In 1868, a man by the name of Foley was instantly killed by the cars.
In 1872, Mrs. Thomas Alexander was burned to death by using coal oil in endeavoring to start a fire.
In 1880, Emerick Brock committed suicide by hang- ing, near Palestine. A child of Anton Schildmeier was burned to death by coal oil.
In June, 1871, a man by the name of John Jacobi was
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instantly killed by his own reaper in a harvest field. His son was driving the horses, when they became frightened, and started to run. Mr. Jacobi, aiming to get to the heads of the horses, was knocked down by the tongue of the reaper, and, falling in front of the sickle, was caught by the guards, one arm cut off and his head severed from the body. His wife, seeing the heart-rending scene, rushed to the spot, near by, gathered the bleeding head to her arms and bosom, and rushed in wild delirium into the house, scarcely conscious of what she was doing. Mr. Jacobi was about sixty-five years of age.
Exports and Imports .- The chief exports of Sugar- creek township are wheat, corn, hogs, cattle, horses, flax- seed, potatoes, barley, oats, lumber, fruits, carriages, wagons, and the products of the hennery and dairy. Her imports are chiefly farming implements, dry goods, gro- ceries, hardware, glass and wooden ware, hats, caps. boots, shoes, notions, blooded stock, improved seed, liter- ature, medicines, wines and liquors, clocks, watches, jew- elry, coal, iron, paints, oils, varnishes, and leather.
Recapitulation .- Sugar-creek township contains thirty- six sections, 21,805 acres ; has one mill stream, one smaller stream, two border counties, three border townships, two steam flouring mills, three steam circular saw mills, one water saw-mill, one steam planing factory, two tile facto- ries, eight public school-houses, one denominational school, eleven public school-teachers, six church buildings, two lodges, two villages, three post-offices, seven pikes, two railroads, 2,099 inhabitants, 704 school children, 272 polls, 509 voters, $4,650 worth of public school property, $372,- 310 worth of personal property, $170,025 worth of rail- road stock, $2,235 worth of telegraph, $602,790 worth of land, $35,235 worth of improvements on same, 245 male dogs, thirteen female dogs, $1,132,195 worth of taxable property, forty-two men who pay over $40 taxes each, eight ex-justices, two acting justices, five ex-trustees since 1859, nine ex-county officers, four living ex-county officers, one acting county officer; a fertile, well-drained soil; a
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limited quantity of saw and rail timber, sixteen and one- half miles of toll pike, thirteen miles of railroad, three railroad stations, two telegraph lines, a healthful climate ; fish, squirrels, quail and rabbits in small quantities ; eight physicians, a democratic trustee, a declining scholastic population, an increasing valuation, and a democratic majority of 118.
CHAPTER XVIII.
SUGAR-CREEK TOWNSHIP-Continued.
PALESTINE,
a pleasant little village, is located on the west bank of Sugar Creek. It was laid out by J. Evans, on the Ist of October, 1838, and consisted of fifteen blocks and thirty- six lots. It is now on the C., H. and I. railroad, on a bee line about thirteen miles south-east of Indianapolis. It has three churches, a two-story frame school-house, a steam flouring mill, and one saw-mill ; merchants, drug- gists, physicians and mechanics suitable to a town of its size ; a post-office, express office, daily mail, and about six hundred inhabitants.
The land from which Palestine was carved was entered by John Weston, on the Ist day of May, 1824, being the west half of the south-east quarter of section twenty-nine. in township fifteen north, and in range six east. The first addition was made by Gundrum, on the 18th day of Feb- ruary, 1854, located west of the north part of the old plat. between the railroad and State road, and contained twenty- three lots. A second addition was laid out by Waltke, on the 7th day of August, 1867, and consisted of twenty-six lots, located between the railroad and the State road, and west of Gundrum's addition. The third addition was
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made by Anderson, on the 10th of April, 1872, and con- sisted of forty-three lots, located west of Waltke's addition, and a part south of the State road. The fourth addition was laid out by Kirkhoff, on the 9th of October, 1873, and consisted of six lots, located west of the old plat and south of the State road. The fifth addition was made by Kirk- hoff, known as Kirkhoff's second addition, on the 2nd day of January, 1875, and consisted of ten lots, located south of Waltke's addition and east of the southern part of Anderson's addition.
The cemetery at New Palestine was laid out by Eliza- beth Cones, on the 20th day of December, 1870. It con- sists of forty-one lots, with alleys.
The first business done in this little burg was on a small scale, and consisted mainly in bartering porkers, whisky, ginseng, furs and venison hams for staple gro- ceries and notions. The dry goods were mostly manu- factured at home. The first business houses of this place were crude structures, indeed. The better ones seen at this early date resembled somewhat our cut of the first house in Greenfield, seen on page 179. Among the first merchants of Palestine in her primitive days were Amos Dickerson, Andrew Magahey, John Delaney, Robert King, W. and S. S. Johnson, Joseph Cones, and J. Evans. We cannot spare the space to trace all the business men and their various changes from the first to the present ; but will pass over the intermediate merchants, and endeavor to give a pen picture of her present business and business men, that our sons and daughters, grandchildren and future posterity, may see us to-day as we are, with more clearness and certainty than we are permitted to view the status of our country long years since, owing to the imper- fect records handed down to us.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY OF PALESTINE.
Merchants-
J. A. Schreiber, Eaton & Son, Vansickle & Smith.
Boot and Shoe Makers- John Bnettuer, Fred Waltke, Charles Woerner.
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Druggists- H. A. Schreiber. Espy & Espy, D. J. Elliott.
Carriage Makers- E. II. Faut & Bro.
Harness Maker- H. Richmond.
Undertakers- R. L. Murphy, Calvin Bennett.
Cabinet Maker- Lewis Schmits.
Painter- Eli Stout.
Silversmith- D. J. Elliott.
Physicians- Paul Espy, J. M. Ely, B. F. True, C. H. Kirkhoff, Jacob Buchell. L. C. Ely.
Hotel Keeper- M. Hinchman.
Grain Dealer- A. P. Hogle.
Stock Dealer- B. F. Freeman.
Notary Public- Samuel T. Hook.
Miller- A. P. Hogle.
Saw-mill Propr- Fred. Gesler.
Blacksmiths- A. G. Smith. G. Guysen, E. H. Faut & Bro. Wagon Maker- Christian Chleeter.
Butcher- Adolph Kuirihm.
Carpenters- Calvin Bennett, Charles Richmond.
Plasterer- John Armstrong.
Tinner-
Francis Cloud.
Cooper- William Everson.
Restaurateur- L. S. Foglesong.
Barbers- D. W. Place, George Frunkenstein.
School Teacher and Assessor- William A. Wood.
Surveyor and Engineer- J. V. Coyner. Gardener- Elijah Avers.
Postmaster- W. T. Eaton.
Express and R. R. Agt- Edward Bussell.
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
PHILADELPHIA.
Philadelphia, named in commemoration of the city of brotherly love, is located four miles west of Greenfield, on the National road. The P., C. and St. L. R. R. runs by it. It contains a two-story public school building, one saw- mill, a flouring mill, post-office, express office, daily mail, druggist, grocer, merchants, mechanics, physicians, and other necessaries to a village of her dimensions. Phila- delphia was laid out by the records fail to show whom, on the 11th day of April, 1838, being about six months prior to the laying out of New Palestine. The original plat con- sists of one hundred and two lots and six out-lots. The first and only addition was made by Clark, on the second day of April, 1864, and consisted of nineteen lots, located south of the old plat. Among the first business men of this place were: Charles Atherton, Sen., general mer- chant and post-master ; Allen McCane, Joseph Marshall, G. W. Willett, Samuel McConaha, J. B. Sting, J. B. Con- over and O. S. Meek. First physicians, Dr. Hodson McCallister & Son, J. H. Hazen, W. H. Dye, G. T. Ren- nick and HI. B. Tilson. We will not consume space in giving a full list of the business through her entire history. but will now come up to the present, and furnish for this date a
BUSINESS DIRECTORY OF PHILADELPHIA.
Merchants-
Meek & Bro .. Burk & Atherton, J. II. Scotton.
Butcher-
Edward Atherton.
Drugs and Groceries- G. C. Ewbank.
Shoe and Boot MMakers- O. P. Martin, A. Gibson.
Physicians- W. R. King, G. C. Ewbank.
Millwright-
Wm. Ransom.
Wagon Maker- John Stutsman.
Steam Flouring Mill-
Black & Atherton.
WILLIAM H. THOMPSON.
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
Blacksmiths-
Stutsman & Elliott.
Steam Saw Mill- R. Black & Co.
Harness Maker- A. P. Atherton.
Postmaster- S. Burk.
Remarks : Prior to the construction of the old Indiana Central R. R., there was a vast amount of travel and moving to the west in wagons, on the National road, and for a number of years the Dayton and Indianapolis stage passed east and west daily through this little burg, at which time the chief business of the place, like others of its kind along this main line of travel, was inn or tavern keeping. Relics of these old buildings, where the westward bound. weary traveler was nightly found, still remain, tottering. but telling monuments of an earlier stage of civilization.
GEM.
Gem post-office was established in 1878, on the P., C. and St. L. R. R., in the central northern part of the township, and Andrew Stutsman was the first postmaster. The first store at this place was kept by Nicholas Stuts- man, seven years prior to the establishment of the post-office. There never was a plat made of the place. consequently no additions. It has a general store, kept by J. Townsend : a boot and shoe shop, by Joseph Coon ; a blacksmith shop. by Isaac Stutsman : a steam saw-mill, by Nicholas Stuts- man : a daily mail, James Townsend, P. M.
M. E. CHURCH.
About the year 1835, the Methodists organized a class at Philadelphia. Among the first members were Owen Griffith, wife and two daughters; William Brown, wife and daughter; Mrs. Willett ; Charles Atherton, Sr., and wife ; Jonathan Horniday and wife, Thomas J. Smith and wife, and Joseph Grey and lady. The first ministers were J. B. Burch, Rev. Edwards and Landy Havens.
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The society worshiped in school-houses and private dwellings until the year 1853, when the present church building was finished. It was dedicated in June of the same year by Bishop Ames. The house is in good repair, and capable of seating three hundred persons. Present minister. H. Woolpert.
The first camp-meeting held in this vicinity, was by Rev. James Havens, in 1837.
In connection with this church, a Sunday-school was organized in the year 1850, which has continued to grow in numbers and usefulness till they now have an interesting and prosperous school, with an average attendance of eighty. S. Burke, present superintendent.
GERMAN M. E. CHURCH,
Palestine, was organized in the spring of 1851, with the following members: J. D. Faut, Christina Faut, A. Kirkhoff, Mariah Kirkhoff, Conrad Gundrum and wife, John Lange and lady, John Manche and wife, Henry and Elizabeth Fink, and Jacob Lange and wife. The first ministers were Philip Deor, Rev. Wilke, and L. Heis.
In 1852, the organization erected a house, at a cost of a thousand dollars. The first trustees were J. D. Faut, Conrad Gundrum, A. Kirkhoff, John Manche, and Henry Fink. The present trustees are Conrad Gundrum, A. Kirkhoff, J. Lantz, Jacob Kratz, and Charles Reasoner. Present minister, Rev. John Ficken. To this church belong some of the staid, sturdy German farmers and sub- stantial men of the township.
CHURCH OF CHRIST,
New Palestine, was organized September 4, 1870, on the following platform : "We, the undersigned, members of the body of Christ, agree to congregate ourselves together for the worship of the true God, and the edifying of each other in love ; to be governed by the word of the Lord,
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
exclusive of the doctrines and commandments of men." Signed by the following names of original members :
Michael II. Hittle,
Malinda Richardson,
Elizabeth R. Hittle,
Margaret Kamerian,
Sanford Furry,
Rachel Kamerian,
Henry Bussell,
Minerva Wheeler,
Malinda Bussell,
Lavina Pitcher,
Albert Freeman,
John R. Armstrong,
Harriet Freeman,
Eliza J. Armstrong.
Ethelbert Richardson,
The above organization was effected in the school- house at Palestine, under the pastorate of Elder W. R. Low. Being denied the privilege of longer worshiping in the school-house, the organization met in the railroad depot. In 1871, the society erected a house, large and substantial, at a cost of $1,550, exclusive of ground, which was donated by II. P. Anderson. The building was dedi- cated on the 25th day of November, 1871, by Elder W. R. Jewel, of Danville, Indiana, and a thorough organization was effected by electing George B. Richardson, M. H. Hittle, John P. Armstrong, J. M. Pitcher, and H. P. Anderson, deacons. Elder W. T. Hough was the suc- cessor of W. R. Low, followed by Lockhart, John A. Navitz, W. H. Bowles and Robert Blount. There has never been a re-election of officers from the date of the organization till the present, though some have died, and others moved away. The church is in good condition, with a membership of over sixty. The said John A. Navitz, during his labors with the organization, in the winter of 1876-77, held a very interesting, largely attended debate with a Soul Sleeper preacher, by the name of Sanford.
GERMAN LUTHERAN CHURCHES.
The first German church in Sugar-creek township. known as the Albright German Church, was organized in the year 1836, in a block-house three miles west of
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Palestine, and consisted wholly of Germans who had recently arrived from the principality of Hamburg, Ger- many. Most of them were financially poor, but spiritually rich ; and in setting about to supply the wants of the body, they would fain supply the soul with food also, and hence delayed not in associating themselves together as one grand Godly family, made up of about twenty-five private families. Their spiritual wants were first supplied by a priestly patriarch named Kiebler, followed by Rev. Mr. Muth, a preacher of the United Brethren.
Contemporary with the organization existed the Ger- man School Society, whose duties were to supply the children with facilities for securing a secular education, and a knowledge of the catechism. In 1841, the first German Lutheran minister, Rev. J. G. Kuntz, came to Indianapolis, took charge of the German church at that place, and preached for the new society, first once every four weeks, then tri-weekly. The society becoming more numerous and wealthy, at the special instance and request of their pastor, said Kuntz, they extended a call to Rev. A. Brandt to come and live among them to preach and teach, which call he accepted. Brandt was followed by Revs. Hermeon and A. Scheurmann. In 1853, said Kuntz was returned, and a new church was built in the central western part of the township, on the land previously owned by the school society, on which was situated two block houses. a dwelling and school-house. This society was known as the German Evangelical Lutheran Zion's con- gregation. The building was a frame. 35x50 feet, con- structed by a young man named Kaiser, at a cost of $1,200. It was dedicated on the 27th of November, 1859, by Rev. Frick. Rev. Kuntz was connected with this church, as pastor and schoolmaster, for more than thirty years. The writer had the pleasure of calling on him in the school- room, assisted by his daughter, in 1874. The room was a small log structure, located on the south side of the road, in the north-east corner of the north-west quarter of section twenty-four, near said Zions church. The house was full
20
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
of children. Teachers and students were industriously engaged. Since which time a new school-house has been erected, with the modern improvements.
M. E. CHURCH, NEW PALESTINE,
was organized in 1830, in a school-house near where the present public school building stands. Among the prime movers and first members of this organization were David and Catharine McNamee, George H. and Mary Robison, Thomas Swift and wife, Lewis and Phoebe Burk, Joseph and Elizabeth Conner, John and Sophia Ashcraft, Joseph and Elizabeth Munger, Adam Hawk and wife, Whitfield True and wife, Dr. B. F. True and wife, Henry and Nancy Gates, Benjamin Freeman and wife, Benjamin and Mary Ann McNamee, William Leachman and wife, Dr. J. M. and Mary Ely, Hiram Chambers and wife, John Jones and wife, H. Hough and wife, Jane McVey and Eliza Jones. The first trustees of this society, were Thomas McVey. Dr. J. M. Ely and David McNamee. The present building was erected in the summer of 1856, and dedicated in September of the same year, by Thomas Eddy.
The ministers who have presided here, from time to time, are as follows : James Conner, J. L. Smith, J. W. T. McMatlin ; Revs. Wright, Wray, Rosecrans and Rans- dell ; Patrick Carlin, Robert R. Roberts, John C. Sharp, Jesse Miller, F. M. Turk, Augustus Lewis, B. F. Mor- gan and George W. Winchester. Present preacher, W. B. Clancy.
The house is in good repair, well painted ; size, 35x45 feet ; seating capacity, 400. The society owns a parson- age, paid for and in good repair. Present membership, 126; cost of house, $1,800,
The following are the present trustees of the church : William Nichols, Henry Gates, Benjamin Freeman, Ben- jamin McNamee and D. J. Elliott.
The Sabbath-school, established in connection, holds its session every Sabbath the year round. Average attend-
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ance, seventy-five ; present superintendent, A. P. Hogle ; secretary, Charles Ballard ; librarians, Minnie Rodgers and Laura Ballard ; treasurer, Jennie Buchell.
NEW PALESTINE CORNET BAND.
The citizens of New Palestine, in harmony with the progressive spirit of the times and country, nearly two decades since organized the musical talent of the place into a brass band, well furnished, equipped, and supplied with a wagon, at a total cost for instruments, uniforms and wagon, of $1,150; in addition to which liberality, they expended for instruction and music, $400 ; for incidentals. perhaps $50, making a total expenditure to the boys and their friends of $1,600. The charter members, not included in the present membership, were Walter Waterson, James Arthur, Henry G. Mickle, Albert H. Dix, Charles Haynes, Thomas J. Elliott, and J. M. Freeman. The present members are : Smith T. Nichols,* John H. Garver, George W. Nichols, William F. Anderson, John Westlake, Fred Freagel, William Gundrum, John Carson, Marshall Water- son and Harry Garver. This band is in good working order, and is equaled in the county in its efficiency and ability to charm and hold spell-bound its audiences by the Greenfield band only, whose leader has been their main instructor, and it is surpassed by none, notwithstanding the acknowledged ability and recognized efficiency of the other good bands of the county. It has been our good pleasure to hear this band discourse on different occasions to enrapt audiences such euphonious, harmonious music as seldom wings its way to the ear of mortal man ; and should they so direct their steps as to have the good fortune to enter the celestial city, they will doubtless be chosen to augment that innumerable company which surrounds the throne, with golden instruments and harps in their hands, ever singing, blowing, playing and rejoicing, as only angels can do.
* The italicized names above were also charter members.
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
BENJAMIN MCNAMEE,
a native of the " Buckeye State," dates his earthly career from the 30th day of September, 1827. At the tender age of six, he moved with his father, David McNamee, and settled in Sugar-creek township, two and one-half" miles north of Palestine, where he still resides on the old homestead which his father entered. At this early date .. Mr. McNamee says he knew of but one log cabin between the Brookville and National road. A few scattering cab- ins were to be found on the bluffs of Sugar Creek and Buck Creek, and wild game of various kinds existed in abundance. At the age of twenty-two, Mr. McNamee- joined his destiny with Mary Ann Irons, September 9, 1849. The fruits of this union have been eight children. four of whom are living. Catharine, the eldest, is the wife of Prof. Morgan Caraway, principal of the Fortville graded schools. The second, James W., and his wife reside in Fremont county, Iowa. The remaining two. daughters, Emma and Mollie, are living with their parents. Mr. McNamee and his amiable wife have been consistent members of the M. E. Church for thirty-two years.
NEW PALESTINE LODGE, F. A. M., No. 404.
The above-named lodge was organized under a dis- pensation of the G. M., in January, 1869, by which author- ity F. M. Hook was appointed worshipful master ; J. P. Armstrong, senior warden, and C. H. Shellhouse, junior warden of said body. The first stated communication of this lodge occurred January 30, 1869, at which meeting the grand master appointed the rest of the officers nec- essary to perfect the organization, viz .: E. P. Scott, treasurer : B. Westlake, secretary ; B. F. Stutsman, senior deacon ; C. Bennett, junior deacon ; J. P. Vernon, tylor. These, with the three appointed in the dispensation, con- stituted the officers of said lodge No. 404. On the 25th day of May following, a charter was received from the
BENJAMIN McNAMEE.
e
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
grand lodge. The order now being firmly established, peace and harmony prevailing, the close of the year 1869 found the lodge with bright prospects before it. The present officers are J. P. Armstrong. W. M. ; Eli Stout, S. W .; T. P. Vernon. junior warden ; J. C. Vansickle, treasurer ; E. P. Scott. secretary; W. A. Eaton, S. D .; A. P. Hogle. J. D. : O. P. Hobbs. tylor. This lodge has had several public installments. and public addresses by John V. R. Miller. W. H. Bowles. and other bright lights. Among those the death of whom the lodge has been called upon to mourn are F. M. Hook, its first master ; B. West- lake, the first secretary ; and more recently. Prof. Aaron Pope. the latter of whom. though young in Masonry, was twice master of the lodge. Gone. all gone ! but not for- gotten. Though the lodge mourns its loss. the members rejoice in a consolation of meeting them in that celestial lodge above. where the Supreme Architect of the universe presides. and the tylor admits none but the true and tried.
[We are indebted to J. P. Armstrong for the above facts.]
HISTORY OF THE GERMAN SETTLEMENT.
The first German who entered land in Hancock county was Carl Julius Leopold Albert Von Bonge. He was born November 24. 1798, in Liegnitz. Silesia. Prussia. Ger- many. Having received a classic education, he adopted the profession of law. Owing to political difficulties with the Prussian government. he was compelled to leave his native country. He therefore selected. fled to. and adopted the United States. " the land of the free and the home of the brave." He first settled in Zanesville. Ohio. then for a time resided in Cincinnati. when in the year 1828. in com- pany with his young wife. he emigrated to Hancock county. to what is now called the German settlement. and entered a quarter section of land. Albert Lange, a school- mate and colleague in his profession. who also fled the country from the same cause. came over at the same time, and entered a quarter section adjoining that of Mr.
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