USA > Indiana > Hancock County > History of Hancock County, Indiana, from its earliest settlement by the "pale face," in 1818, down to 1882 > Part 23
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FORTVILLE M. E. CHURCH
was organized in 1854, in the then little town of Fortville.
ISAIAH A. CURRY.
O
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
The following named members had, for a year prior to the Fortville organization, constituted a class across the line in Hamilton county : Peter Staats and wife, Martin Shaf- fer and lady, Mathias Shaffer and wife, Hiram Rutherford and wife, R. C. Pitman and lady, Henry Humphreys, wife and mother, and Mrs. Stuart. They held their meetings during this time in private dwellings, barns, unoccupied houses, and on one occasion they had preach- ing in a saw-mill. Rev. L. W. Munson observed that he had preached in the forests, fields, and out-of-the-way places, but never before in a saw-mill. The society becoming more numerous, in 1856 erected a frame church, large and substantial, which was dedicated by Rev. Thos. Bowman, D. D. Among the first ministers were Revs. M. Wyman, Eli, Rammel, James Black, J. S. McCarty, and L. W. Munson. The present minister is J. S. McCarty.
In connection with this church is established one of the best Sunday-schools in the county. Below is a summary report for the year 1878: Average attendance, one hun- dred and forty-seven ; smallest attendance, eighty ; largest attendance, two hundred and twenty-four. There was donated by all of the classes for the year, $121.51. Re- ceived from sale of journals, $7.22. The number of papers distributed during the year were : Everybody's Paper, 1,200 copies ; Sunday School Advocate, 2,400 copies ; Good News, 1,200 copies ; Picture Lesson Paper, 1,000 copies ; Temperance Alliance, 1, 200 ; Bercan Lesson Leaves, 1,400. We have sufficient evidence before us fully establishing the fact that this is one of the most live, pro- gressive, well disciplined, liberal, truth-seeking, Bible- searching Sunday-schools which it is our privilege to notice in this history. This school was organized in 1856. The first superintendent was Martin Shaffer, followed by William M. Baker, the present superintendent, who has held this position of trust and honor for more than twenty- three years.
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ST. THOMAS' CATHOLIC CHURCH,
in Fortville, was built in 1869, under the ministration of D. J. McMullen, who was followed by Revs. J. B. Crow- ley, Logan, Fabel, Victor, et al. Among the first Catholics in the place were Patrick Kelly, George Voucher, John Callahan, Charles Bird, Daniel Mack and Thomas Tobin. The congregation consists at this time of sixteen families. Services are held on the third Sunday of each month. The membership are in peace and harmony, and the organization is in a healthy condition, performing its pre- scribed functions with efficiency.
GERMAN BAPTIST, OR DUNKARD CHURCH,
was organized in the year 1852, in a log school-house, in the south-east corner of the township. Among the first members were Alfred Denney and wife, George and Nancy Kingery, William Thomas and lady, Burto W. Jackson and helpmate. Among those who have pointed out the way of life and salvation in this corner of the moral vineyard are E. Caylor, D. Harmon, B. Bowman and George Hoover. The first communion was held at the private residence of Alfred Denney, in the year 1854, conducted by E. Caylor and G. Studebaker. The organization has held its meet- .ngs for a number of years in the school-house on Alfred Denney's farm. The present membership is from fifty to sixty, including our old friend and Mexican veteran, Alfred Denney.
M. E. CHURCH, WOODBURY,
was built in the year 1874. at a cost of $1,100. and dedi- cated by Samuel Lamb. The first trustees were Franklin Dunham, John Sample and John Hocker. Meetings were held prior to the building of the house, in a school-house. one mile north. The first members were few but faithful. and the seciety has continued to grow to this date, The
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
first minister was J. B. Carnes : present, Rev. Phillips. There has been, in connection with this society, an organ- ized Sunday school for several years. John S. Sample is the present superintendent, and B. A. Brown, secretary.
GILLUM CHAPEL (M. E.).
at MeCordsville, dates its history back to the year 1849. when a class was formed at the Robb school-house. Among the first members, were J. W. Hervey the Thomp- sons, Thomases, McCords, Littletons, Crumps et al. : and among those who stood on the walls of Zion were Revs. Mershon, J. W. Smith, Samuel Lamb, Thomas Stabler. White, Maxwell and C. P. Wright. The house now occu- pied was built in 1854, at a cost of $1.300, and dedicated by N. H. Gillum, from whom it derived its name. The present minister is Rev. G. N. Phillips. Total member- ship, forty. Adjoining the church on the west is a ceme- tery, where slumber several of the faithful. The first interment was Oliver Robb, Sen., May 22, 1854. The Sunday school in connection with this church is officered by Oscar Bills, superintendent, and William E. Thompson. secretary.
CHURCH OF CHRIST, FORTVILLE.
A few of the members from the organizations on Lick Creek, near Alfont, and at the Carolina school-house, in Hamilton county, who were living in or near Fortville. expressed a desire to effect a church organization in the town of Fortville. J. W. Ferrell, a student of Kentucky University, was called to hold a meeting, which began on Friday night. August 3, 1871. On Saturday, the 4th. Elder N. A. Walker, of Indianapolis, came, and on Mon- day following, August 6, 1871, in a temple of God's own building, in the woods of Levi Thomas, while the winds were rustling the leaves above them, and the Holy Spirit stirred their hearts within them, a little band of twenty- three pledged themselves to God, the father, and Christ.
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the mediator, and the " Book." as their only guide. The persons composing this first organization are as follows : Mary A. Ellingwood, Elizabeth Ellingwood, Margaret Rash, Winnie Clark, Martha A. Scott, Susan Ferrell, Mary Hiday, Jane Bicknell, Simmie Harter, Martha Troy, Mary Edmonds, Mary A. Cavender, Jennie Ferrell, Jennie Scott, Mary A. Fort, L. W. Crouch, Geo. Scott, E. Ferrell, G. W. Ferrell, S. P. Setters, Jno. K. Rash, Andrew Ferrell and Benjamin Cavender. Andrew Ferrell was chosen elder. and George Scott and Benjamin Cavender deacons. The meeting continued thirteen days, leaving the church forty- six in membership. They decided to build a house at once, and by the aid of sister churches, the M. E. Church in Fortville, many kind friends, and great sacrifices on the part of the members, a neat house, costing $1.400, was built, and on the 3rd Sunday in June, 1872, was dedicated to the worship of God by Elder N. A. Walker, of Indianapolis. The house was built by L. W. Crouch, and he, with Jno. K. Rash and George Scott, were elected trustees. They called Elder J. W. Ferrell, formerly of Kentucky, as their first pastor, who for seven years gave more or less of his time among them. The church at one time numbered nearly two hundred members, but death removals and other causes have reduced the number to less than fifty. Elder L. L. Dale and Elder Addison have served the church for indefinite periods, and Elders Walker. Canfield, Cutts and Blount have labored some for them. The church has a Sunday school, but it has been greatly reduced. The death roll has been large, but we hope they answer to the roll call of the redeemed. The church at present has no pastor.
MT. CARMEL REGULAR BAPTIST CHURCH
was organized in December, 1837, at the house of James Denney, with thirteen constituent members. To aid in the organization were present members from the sister churches in Brandywine and Fall Creek. The first pastors of this
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
society were Elders Thomas Jenkins and Morgan McQuery. followed by J. F. Johnson and Thomas Martin. The present pastor is David Caudell, one of the oldest living members, having joined the church in May, 1838. The first meetings of this body were held at private houses. then in a log church a little north of Fortville. In 1863. the society built a new frame at what is known as Cush- man's X roads, south-east of Fortville, at a cost of $700. Total membership at this date, thirty-eight.
JOSEPH WENN.
a native of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, came to Han- cock county at the very early date of 1822, being then a boy thirteen years of age, and is now consequently one of the oldest residents of the county. Mr. Wynn says at the time of his moving to the county the red men were thick. both the Miamies and Pottawattamies. The next year after Mr. Wynn's settlement, the court at Pendleton was organ- ized for Madison county, including also what is now Hancock county, throughout which it had jurisdiction. The first fine was assessed by Judge Winsal against Dr. Hiday, he having committed an assault upon one John Rogers. in the court room at Pendleton, and upon being arraigned, plead guilty and was fined six and one-fourth cents. Mr. Wynn was present at the execution of the white men for the massacre of the seven Pottawattamies. on Lick Creek, March 4, 1824. The whites were greatly alarmed over the outrage, and Henry Hiday was sent to Franklin county to get the rifle corps to protect the frontier. Mr. Wynn says he helped to cut the first wood used at Indianapolis to burn charcoal, for which he received twenty-five cents per day. That after people began rais- ing wheat, it was a rule to cut three forty-rod throughs before breakfast. The wheat was threshed with a flail, and cleaned with a sheet. After the wheat was ground, it was run through a hand sieve. A little later a bolting apparatus was used, something similar to a grindstone. Mr.
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Wynn helped to roll the logs for the clearing where Fort- ville now stands. The early settlers would plant corn in the middle of June, and in the fall kiln-dry it for bread. The first wheat marketed was hauled to Brookville, Frank- lin county, and sold for forty cents per bushel. It took from five to six days to make the round trip. Mr. Wynn is a consistent member of the Christian Church, an indus- trious, well-to-do farmer, and a good citizen.
OUR FOREFATHERS.
Our fathers settled in this land, Not for wealth alone nor power : They came to till the fruitful soil, Industriously to improve each shining hour. Oppression deep spread through the land, And all their rights asunder tore, Hence these brave men with courage came To find a holier, happier home.
But where are they we speak of now ? Some in bright spheres immortal dwell ; They're gone, but lo ! in tender tones What wonders do their memory tell. Farewell to those whose lives were given To toil and labor for our good ;
Peace to their ashes : slumber on Beneath the pine and maple-wood.
ROSE M. THOMPSON.
CHAPTER XXI.
HANCOCK COUNTY IN GENERAL.
INTRODUCTORY-" OUR COUNTRY."
With what emotions of pride and affection, and often of sorrow, does every true American speak of " our coun- try." Sometimes upon hearing flowery 4th of July orations. we are tempted to believe it all brag and conceit ; but when we hear them mourning over its evils, we are forced to believe that their feelings arise from a different source. Whether it be conceit or not, it is a feeling common to mankind. The Irishman sings of "my aine countrie ;" the German sings of "mein Deutche faterland ;" the American speaks of "our great and glorious United States." Two thousand years ago that great old Grecian philosopher, Socrates, said that his country was next to his God : that it was his duty to work for it, and whatso- ever it commanded was to be done, and when it demanded his life, he gave it cheerfully.
What nation is there on all this God's footstool that does not contain some noble souls, who would gladly give their lives for their country? Do not imply that I include all soldiers in this class ; a few soldiers fight and die with no other motive but love of country, but the motive of the majority is to gratify their own ambition or that of their leader.
What then is this love of country? It is not a love for the fields, hills, mountains, rivers, or any other natural scenery, although they are very dear to us. It is a love
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OUR COUNTRY.
for and an interest in our relations, our neigbors, and all those of our nationality. In its broadest sense it extends to all humanity, the world over. To prove that natural scenery is not the object of love of country, take a person living in a very beautiful land, with a good government and kind neighbors and friends, and, if he has the right kind of a heart within him, he will feel that his country lies very near his heart; but let the government and his neighbors and friends be changed, and he will want to move away. If then a love of one's people and a love of humanity in general, constitutes a love of country, I trust that there are many of my readers who have that love, and who are willing and anxious to do all in their power to perform the work and advance the interests of our country. Hence it is our duty to-day, if we never have done so. to ascertain the part which God designs for us to act in the great drama of life, and act it.
Philosophers, from Plato to our own school, both heathen and Christian, tell us that the history of the world forms a great drama, the subject of which is Truth, and this Truth is identical with God himself. so the history of the world is a development of man's knowledge of God.
We may divide this drama into five acts. The first scene of the first act. from Adam to the flood, showed that all those who forget God shall be destroyed. The second scene extended from the flood to Abraham. Those great old pyramids and other remains show how great the Egyptians were until they turned to idolatry, when their glory departed. The third, from Abraham to Christ, taught the people that God is a great spirit, whose voice is thunder, whose messengers are flaming fire, who maketh the clouds his chariot, and who walketh upon the wings of the wind ; that he is so terrible that they dare not approach him, hence the need of an intercessor, which was to come in the person of Christ. In the second act, including the work of the arts, sciences, mathematics and astronomy among the Egyptian, Caldees, Persians, Arabs and Sara- cens, and that of literature and philosophy among the
23
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
Greeks and Romans, the world was taught that man by knowledge can not find out God.
In the third act Jesus Christ, the Son of God, left the glory he had with the Father, took upon himself the nature of man, and did many mighty works. But few of the peo- ple had learned the lessons which God had been trying to teach them, so his work was necessarily confined to a few of the lower classes. In the second scene of this act the apostles and disciples preached the word and organized churches, which were purified by persecution.
The fourth act, whose site was Western Europe, showed the sin of keeping science and religion out of the hands of the people : the need of earnest, thoughtful men, and of guarding against corruption, that " without charity we are as sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal."
But few of the nations profited by these lessons, and it does not seem to be God's way to reform nations, who, after having known Him, refuse to have Him rule over them, so He pronounced the sentence. " Ye are weighed in the balance and found wanting.'
For sixteen centuries Christianity had been tried, and had proven itself to be no "cunningly devised fable," but something to satisfy the needs of man. And God in His wisdom seemed to say it is enough; it is time that this religion have a chance to grow and spread among all nations. So He chose America, whose discovery He had brought about shortly before, as the scene of the fifth act. Hither fled the Puritans, Huguenots, Methodists, Qua- kers, the persecuted Christians from all Europe. All the early settlements which were successful were made under the direction of Christian powers. Those who sought wealth were soon destroyed or became disheartened and returned home. We were planted with Christ in this new, vast and good land that we might rise with Him in new- ness of national life. Taking the philosophy of history, then, it would appear that God's design for us is to give Christianity a chance to grow and spread. That religion whose fruits are love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentle-
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OUR COUNTRY.
ness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance should grow. We have every opportunity and inducement to bring forth these fruits. Are we, as a nation, doing so? Let us ex- amine : First, have we brought forth the fruits of love? Did we love the red man as we should when we took away his lands, drove him West and then killed him? Did we love the African as we should, when we stole him. beat him and worked him to death? Do we love the Chinese as we should, when we are so shamefully maltreating them? Is there a spirit of love between the North and the South? Are we as joyful and happy a people as we might be? Certainly we fail in the fruits of peace. An evil spirit arises at our political campaigns, and war is threatened. We have fought among ourselves, we have fought with our "mother country" and our neighbors. We have not been gentle and long suffering, but have always been ready and quick to resent wrong. Oh, how far have we failed in goodness ! We have used deception and bribery. Some of our city life, the tramps, the Tammany Ring. Boss Tweed, and such characters show our bad side. As a nation we are too faithless, many professing to have no faith in anything ; and the faith of many who do profess to believe in a Supreme Being is very weak, and they do not give it much exercise. Last of all the fruits which Paul enumerates, but not least, is that which made Felix tremble and say : "Go thy way for this time ; at a more conven- ient season I will call for thee." It is that which our nation is deficieint in, the greatest curse of our land. I I trust there are no souls saying to the cause, "go thy way for this time." Unless we awaken on this point, we will sleep the sleep of death, and be like Babylon, when Bel- shazzar and his nobles were drunk and Cyrus took the city.
Oh, ye who love our country ! how beat your hearts when you think of our drunken senate, when you think of all the money, time, talent and priceless souls that go to feed the demon, intemperance, and the wrecked homes, the broken-hearted wives, and the disgraced children that
C
HENRY WRIGHT.
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OUR COUNTRY.
are left after he has dined. If we would not arouse and work against this evil, it would seem that the very stones themselves would cry out. The beasts of the field seem to laugh at the drunkard, because he is more beastly than they. The birds in their songs mock him. The trees lift up their heads to heaven, waft their arms in the breezes and praise their maker. They seem to cry out, shame upon man, endowed with an immortal soul, to be groveling along in the ditch, and never think of praising his creator. His fellow men turn their faces and pass by. The Devil laughs at him, prematurely cuts him off and takes him to himself. Will we not hear these voices and awaken? Oh, women of our country ! it is time that you were working, praying and doing everything in your power to drive out the clemon.
Oh, ye men who feel your hearts burning with a love of country, why will you not drop some of your petty polit- ical quarrels, and take sides upon some of the more important questions of the day? Why should you always be running the Republican and Democratic parties? The negroes are free now, and have a right to vote ; why not leave them now, take up new questions and form new parties? May we one and all, as we love our country and prize immortal souls, do all in our power to cleanse it from iniquity, and to establish it in virtue, that God may not pronounce against us that sentence : "Ye are weighed in the balance and found wanting."
MORRIS PIERSON,
one of the earliest settlers of Greenfield, was born April 26, 1799, in Chittenden county, Vermont, from whence he removed to Switzerland county, Indiana, in 1814 ; thence to Greenfield, Indiana, September 21, 1830. Mr. P. vis- ited Hancock county in the fall of 1826, while she yet belonged to Madison county. Mr. P. was twice married. First, to Eliza Moore, May 27, 1827, who died February 6, 1844 ; second, to Lucena Silcox, who is still living, on Feb-
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
ruary 15, 1846. Mr. P. has filled several positions of trust and profit. By reference to page thirty-nine and succeed- ing pages of this book, it will be observed that he was county treasurer for a number of years in the early history of the county. Ile was also county school commissioner and county surveyor for a considerable time. Mr. P. was a Mason, a Republican, and a liberal, enterprising, prac- tical citizen, and did much for the encouragement of pikes, railroads, and other internal improvements. While em- ployed in his daily duties, he died suddenly on the morning of May 22, 1879. Age, four score years and twenty-six days.
R. A. SMITH,
a native of Brandywine township, this county, dates his earthly career from January 10, 1853. His parents were plain, practical, pious pioneers, who earned their bread by the sweat of their brow, and taught their children that labor is honorable, and to till the soil is respectable. Mr. Smith's boyhood days were spent on the farm. where he hoed and harrowed in the summer, attended the district schools, fed the calves and hunted rabbits in the winter. After arriving at majority, he taught school for a time, but feeling dissatisfied with his acquirements, he resolved to make an effort for a better education. In the fall of 1872 he entered the New Garden high school in Wayne county, Indiana, and for one year was under the tutorage of the writer, who was then principal, after which he entered the State Normal at Terre Haute, Indiana, where he continued for two years ; after which he resumed teaching, at which profession he has given about nine years of his life in the district and graded schools of the county. He was one year at MeCordsville, and two years principal of the Fort- ville graded schools. September 2, 1879, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Mary E., daughter of HI. B. Cole. of Shelby county. This short but pleasant and promising union was terminated by the death of Mrs. S., March 2,
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OUR COUNTRY.
1880. About two years since, Mr. Smith resolved to ex- change the rod for the scalpel, and after reading for a time with the firm of Howard, Martin & Howard, of this city, he attended lectures at Indianapolis, and was fast unravel- ing the abstruse, recondite intricacies of medicolegal studies, when he was called to public duties, being elected County Superintendent of Schools, of Hancock county, July 30, 1881, to fill the unexpired term of the late Aaron Pope. Mr. S., in politics, is a Democrat ; in church rela- tions, a Protestant Methodist, and in private and public life is above reproach.
WILLIAM PERRY SMITH,
was born in Brandywine township, in this county, March 2, 1842. His father was a farmer, and his early life was passed, like that of most farmer's boys, in assisting about the farm. He, however, early manifested a disposition toward educational and literary pursuits, in which he was indulged and encouraged by his parents, who lived to reap the reward of their kindness in the success and honor of their son.
Perry, as he was familiarly called by those who knew and loved him best, received his first school training at district school-house No. 3, situated but a few steps from his father's home. Here he mastered the rudiments of an English education, and then attended high school at Acton, Ind., one year. After this he began teaching, in which profession he was very successful, winning the love of his pupils and the respect of their parents by his noble quali- ties of mind and heart. During this time he also learned the art of photography, in the practice of which he em- ployed his time during the summer months, when not in school. Determining to fit himself still more thoroughly for his work of teaching he entered the State Normal School at Terre Haute in 1873. Here he attended two terms, doing four terms' work within the time of two. So thorough had been his previous training that he made the best per cent. on entering of any student of his class.
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
After leaving the Normal School he taught one year, at the end of which time received the appointment of County Superintendent of Hancock county, which position he held for two terms, or until the time of his death. To this field of labor he brought the same scholastic skill, accurate judgment and indomitable energy which had characterized his previous career, and the schools under his management were efficient and prosperous. Much of the work begun by him has since been carried forward to success, and it will be long ere his influence will cease to be felt in the schools of Hancock county. He was married July 10. 1878, to Miss Agnes E. McDonald, an estimable young
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