USA > Indiana > Hancock County > History of Hancock county, Indiana; its people, industries and institutions > Part 12
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 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112
We must bear in mind that in these early days the spinning wheel and the distaff were found in practically all of the homes. The value of home- made goods was reported in 1840 at $19,239. The value of the garden products, on the other hand, for the entire county was reported at only $50.
The census report shows that the nursery and florist's. stock was esti- mated at a value of $1,150; that this gave employment to three men and that the capital invested therein was estimated at $3,300. The nursery stock was owned by Isaac Barrett just north of Charlottesville. . \ few years later this stock was moved, or another nursery was started by Joshua Meek on a farm just across Brandywine. northeast of Greenfield.
134
HANCOCK COUNTY, INDLIN.A.
Fifteen retail dry goods, groceries and other stores were reported with a capital of $51.075.
The value of the wagons and carriages manufactured in the county dur- ing that year was reported at $664. Five men were employed in the wagon and carriage-making business and the capital invested therein was estimated to be $500. The owner of the wagon-making establishment at Greenfield in 1845 was H. McClenen.
Nine grist-mills and eleven saw-mills were reported and the value of their products per annum was $7.500. The value of hats and caps manufac- tured in the county was estimated at $1.600. Two persons were employed in the business and the capital invested therein was placed at $2,000. There were two tanneries in the county that tanned during the year 350 sides of sole leather and 400 sides of upper leather. Four men were employed and $6.050 was invested in the business.
The population of the county was reported in 1840 as 7.535 persons ; of these. 1.494 were engaged in agriculture and nine in commerce. There were seven common schools in the county, attended by 156 pupils. There were 330 persons in the county over twenty years of age unable to read or write.
The farmers' annual register, issued in 1845, shows that the county had four attorneys, viz: David M. C. Lane, D. S. Gooding. J. R. Williams and Thomas D. Walpole : five physicians. B. F. Duncan, Simon Alters, Robert E. Barnett, Hiram Comstock and N. P. Howard. The principal merchants reported in the county were : John Templin & Company, H. T. Hart & Com- pany, at Greenfield, and Jonathan Evans at New Palestine. Three post- offices are reported: Greenfield. William Sebastian, postmaster: Philadel- phia, Charles Atherton, postmaster: Charlottesville. Henry Kinder, postmas- ter. The register also reports that the National road passed through the county, and that the Dayton and Indianapolis stage passed east and west through Greenfield. The Greenfield Reveille was published at Greenfield in 1845.
In 1850 the Indiana Gasetteer continued this report of the county :
"The soil is unusually rich, though in some portions of the county it re- quires draining before it can be cultivated to advantage.
"Wheat, corn and grass, of which a considerable surphis, as well as of hogs, cattle and horses, are raised for exportation. The estimated value of the surplus is $75,000.
"There are in the county twenty stores, eighteen mills propelled by water : five lawyers, fourteen physicians, thirteen preachers, and the usual propor-
135
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT.
tion of carpenters, smiths, coopers and wheelwrights. There are twelve churches, belonging mostly to the Methodists and Baptists."
As shown by the United States census report of 1850, just above one- fourth of the forest in the county had been cut away. At first thought it would seem that the county was being pretty well cleared. A large portion of the soil had been prepared for cultivation, yet only one acre out of every four of the broad, prairie-like fields over which we now look had been cleared for cultivation. Practically three-fourths of the fields that now fall within our view were still covered with timber. The cash value of the farms of the county were estimated at $1.405.948. The value of the live stock in the county was estimated at $238.524. The population had grown to 9,594. of which 104 were colored persons. The school attendance had increased to 2.413. The days of the large district schools were here or were approach- ing. A few of the old records still left in the county giving the reports of teachers made in 1854, show attendance of from fifty to sixty pupils in the different parts of the county. Charlottesville, Philadelphia, New Palestine, Nashville and Warrington had all been laid out and contained a few houses. possibly a store or two and a blacksmith shop. Fortville, which had just been laid out, was known as "Walpole." Cleveland was known as "Portland," and Eden went by the name of "Lewisburg." Greenfield in 1850. as reported in the Indiana Gasetteer for that year, contained sixty dwellings, with a pop- ulation of about 300. The greater number of houses were along Main street. with a few on the "back street" ( North street ). Greenfield was incorporated as a town in 1850 and did not become a city until more than twenty-six years afterward.
Several state roads had been built in various directions across the county but they were all dirt roads, as was also the National road. The Plank road. of which we hear so much, was not constructed until 1852. There was only one railroad in the county, the Knightstown-Shelbyville railway. The Bee Line. now known as the Big Four, which passes through McCordsville and Fortville, was not built until 1851, and the Indiana Central, now known as the Pennsyl- vania Line, was not built until 1852.
It is not the intention to give a detailed discussion of statistics. The accompanying tabulated statement made from the United States census re- ports will give an opportunity, however, for the study of the increase and decline of the principal crops and products that have made our development possible.
I36
DEVELOPMENT AND DECLINE OF SOME OF THE CROPS AND PRODUCTS THAT HAVE BEEN ATTEMPTED IN THE COUNTY, AS SHOWN BY THE UNITED STATES CENSUS REPORTS.
Number Horses
1850 3,501
4,534
5,246
6,151
7,706
6,709
9,406
Number Mules
91
204
260
235
227
530
Number Work Oxen
80
194
14
5
2
Number Milch Cows
3,135
3,627
3,986
4,449
5,656
6,158
6,301
Number Sheep
12,156
12,568
13,449
6,1-10
9,291
8,431
10,911
Number Swine
33,782
32,165
22,042
42,567
47,189
55,323
43,707
Bushels Wheat raised
58,267
163,170
440,212
604,887
394,342
846,450
343,14
Bushels Rye raised
190
2,049
979
861
3,928
2,860
Bushels Barley raised
3,561
2,455
7,995
6,606
110
26
Bushels Corn raised
664,715
798,885
810,496
1,390,291
1,274,135
2,201,150
2,950,148
Bushels Oats raised
19,364
62.074
42,050
59,855
207,474
141,950
347,295
Pounds Hops raised
367
5
Tons Flax Straw
1,926
190
394
2,067
Bushels Flax Seed
317
3,696
12,141
57,972
Pounds Broom Corn
9-10
15
Bushels Buckwheat
6,841
514
668
551
Pounds Tobacco
69,432
550
3,110
685
730
Pounds Maple Sugar
38,213
5,564
557
90
40
120
Gallons Maple Molasses
2,263
1,404
1,040
1,048
897
918
558
HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
1860
1870
1880
1890
1900
1910
I 37
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT.
COUNTY BIBLE SOCIETY.
This society was organized as an auxiliary of the American Bible Society in 1837, by Rev. Richmond, who was also its first president. At the opening of the Civil War, David S. Gooding was the president of the society. He was followed by George Barnett, F. M. Gilchrist, G. W. Dove, and others. Prior to the presidency of David S. Gooding, Joseph Mathews. John Rardin and H. B. Wilson were at the head of the society. The purpose for which it was organized was the distribution of Bibles among especially the poorer classes. The society remained active until in the early nineties. At that time quite a large distribution of Bibles was made and rather a large amount of money was handled in the county in this work.
COUNTY FAIRS.
The agricultural possibilities of the county were recognized at an early day and efforts were made to develop them. In 1835 the following entry was made in the record of the board of county commissioners of Hancock county :
"Ordered that the sheriff cause to be put up in each township three notices that there will be held at the court house in Greenfield, on the third Saturday of June. 1835, a meeting of the citizens of the county for the purpose of or- ganizing a county agricultural society."
We have no history of the result of this meeting.
The first agricultural association of which we have any definite history was organized in the county in 1856, for the purpose of holding county fairs. Andrew T. Hart was elected president of the group of persons who associated themselves together for this purpose. The first county fair was held at Green- field during the summer or fall of 1856, at the east end of town, north of the National road. After the first year, the fair was moved to the south side of the railroad, east of Brandywine creek, on land belonging to Samuel Mil- roy. The promoters continued to hold their fair on this land until 1860, with- out having any very definite business organization. They seem to have had very little capital stock and did not own the ground on which the fairs were held. In 1860, they organized a joint stock company and elected the follow- ing officers: Robert E. Barnett. president ; John Hinchman and John P. Banks, vice-presidents : James L. Mason, secretary : John H. White, treasurer.
At that time Henry Newby. Sammuel Heavenridge and Joshua Meek were appointed to select grounds for the fair. The committee made a favor- able report upon eight acres of land, owned by Samuel Milroy, which was
138
IIANCOCK COUNTY. INDI.A.N.A.
bought. and on which the fairs continued to be held until about 1879. Judg- ing from newspaper reports, the fairs must have been conducted pretty much on the plan of those with which we are familiar. Stock, grains, fruits and all sorts of products were exhibited, for the best of which premiums were offered. Then there were also side shows, balloon ascensions, and. in fact, almost every- thing that can be offered as an attraction upon fair grounds.
The year 1867 seems to have offered a very successful fair. Almost a double number of tickets was reported sold and one thousand entries were reported in the different classes. The local paper contains the following little note concerning this fair: "Those fond of sight seeing can be accom- modated in almost any line from a double horse to a hoe-down by the sable sons of Africa." A balloon ascension was advertised for the last day of the fair.
The following officers were elected in 1874: Wesley Addison, presi- dent: N. P. Howard, vice-president and general superintendent ; William Mitchell. secretary: John J. Walker, treasurer: Burd Lacey, director eastern distriet : John H. White, director middle district : John Steele, director western district : John Hinchman, county at large : Joseph Baldwin. county at large. The men above named took an active interest in the management of the fair for a number of years.
During its later years, the fair seems to have been less successful finan- cially than it was during its earlier years. . \ fire destroyed Floral hall in 1871. It was never rebuilt, and the last fair was held in 1879.
In 1883, an effort was made to reorganize the association by issuing one hundred and fifty shares of stock. at twenty-five dollars each, and distribut- ing these shares in certain proportions among the people of the different town- ships. No person was to have more than four shares. The effort at this time failed. On December 5. 1885. there was a meeting of people interested in the promotion of another fair, and the following directors were elected : Blue River, Frank Tyner: Brandywine. Coleman Pope: Brown. Dr. R. D. Hanna : Buck Creek. George Parker: Vernon, Harvey Caldwell: Greenfiekl. J. Ward Walker, Eph Marsh and H. B. Thayer: Center. Marion Steele : Green. Dr. William A. Justice ; Jackson. K. T. White: Sugar Creek, Anton Schildmeier, Jr. The following officers were also elected : J. Ward Walker, president : K. T. White, vice-president : Charles Downing. secretary; Nelson Bradley, treasurer : Charles G. Offutt, legal advisor. The association was organized as a joint stock company with a capital stock of twelve thousand five hundred dollars.
On December 21, 1885. Boyd's grove, north of Greenfield, was selected
139
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT.
as the fair ground. The race track was prepared during 1886, and the first fair opened on August 24, 1886. Fairs continued to be held on this ground for fifteen years or more, when the association also became financially em- barrassed. On February 23, 1903, William A. Hough was appointed receiver to wind up its affairs. He afterward sold the ground to George T. Randall. Mr. Randall platted the ground and it is now known as "Randall Place" in Greenfield.
HANCOCK COUNTY SUNDAY SCHOOL ASSOCIATION.
In the early files of the Hancock Democrat notices are found showing that township Sunday school conventions were held in different parts of the county. We find no record of a county convention, however, until on July 21, 1868. Pursuant to a call that had been theretofore given, a convention was held at Greenfield, at which all of the townships were represented. On that day an organization was effected, which became known as the "Sabbath School Union." The following were the first officers elected: President. A. K. Branham ; vice-presidents : Blue River, Elihu Coffin, Jr. ; Brown. Dr. William Trees : Brandywine, John P. Banks: Buck Creek, Ephraim Thomas ; Center, M. C. Foley : Green, R. J. Ramsey : Jackson. James M. Clark : Sugar Creek. T. E. Smock: Vernon, Levi Thomas: secretary, Jonathan Tague ; correspond- ing secretary, E. I. Judkins ; executive committee. Dr. C. F. Lockwood, M. L. Paullus and Thomas Kane.
A program had been made out for that day, touching upon the various phases of Sunday school work and dwelling upon the necessity and advantage of closer organization. Since this time county conventions have been held practically every year and during some years more than one convention has been held. The early conventions were generally held at Greenfield. On April 27, 1872, the Hancock Sabbath Schoot Society convention was held. at the Methodist Episcopal church at Greenfield. In 1873, a Sabbath school union convention was held for a period of three days. April 25, 26 and 27. Conventions were also held at different places, including Philadelphia, Fort- ville, New Palestine, Charlottesville, and likely other points. In later years the county conventions were practically aff held again at Greenfield, township conventions being held in the separate townships.
The Indiana Gasetter, 1850, reported in Hancock county thirteen preach- ers and twelve churches. Some of these churches possibly supported Sunday schools, but the great growth of Sunday schools from that date to the present can probably be shown best by the report of a survey of the county in 1914, and published in The Awakener in July. 1914:
140
HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Population, age 6 to 21 years 4,736
Total population 19.030
Number of Sunday schools 51
Number of scholars 5,118
Number of officers and teachers 678
Average attendance 3,229
Added to church from Sunday school 379
Number of cradle rolls 32
Cradle roll members 488
Number of home departments
26
Home department members
478
Number of Sunday schools keeping a record of tem- perance pledges IO
For many years the state apportionment was thirty dollars for this county. It has been one hundred dollars now for a number of years.
Among the officers and workers in the Hancock County Sunday School Association none have been more faithful than Mrs. Robert H. Archey, who has been secretary of the association for the past twenty years, or since May, 1895. The presidents of the association during that time have been Charles Ratliff, Rev. L. A. Wells, of the Friends church, at Greenfield; Edward W. Felt, George J. Richman, W. C. Goble, Dr. B. S. Binford, Milo Goodpasture, Charles Cook and Henry Hawkins, the latter being president at this time.
The home department of the association was organized at Mt. Comfort in May, 1895. Miss Emma Parnell was the first home department superin- tendent.
OLD SETTLERS' MEETINGS.
As the people who first settled in the county grew older, and especially as those who had spent their younger years in the unbroken forests grew to old age, there was a desire to live over again the experiences of the older days. The local papers announced meetings of the old settlers in various parts of the state, and on July 18, 1874, a meeting of the citizens was held at Warring- ton for the purpose of arranging for an old settlers' meeting in that vicinity. On that day the following officers were elected : President, John Vandyne ; vice-president, Benjamin F. Reeves ; secretary, A. J. Reeves; A. C. Tharpe and T. H. Armstrong, marshals ; committee on arrangements, Nathan Over- man, W. Marsh. R. Blakely, Thomas Walker, George Mingle, J. N. Martin- dale, E. H. Barrett, William Bridges, A. W. Hammer, John Vandyne, S. McCray, Asa Perkey, E. Burns, James Warrum, James Stanley, W. G. Cauld-
14I
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT.
well, J. A. McDaniel, Bird Lacy, John B. Hays, John Jackson, R. Cooper, Allen York.
Arrangements were made to hold a meeting at Holiday's grove, one- fourth mile north of Warrington, on August 21, 1874. Quite a large assem- bly of people was present on that occasion, but we have fuller details of meet- ings that were held at later dates.
Old settlers' meetings continued to be held in that neighborhood from time to time for a number of years. One of the largest was held on Septemn- ber 22, 1883, at Copeland's grove, north of Warrington. A gentleman named Roach, from Anderson, addressed the people, giving a history of the manners and customs of the county fifty years ago. He reviewed the price of corn, stock, labor, the manner of cooking, log rolling, flax raising, manufacturers, and the good qualities of the old pumpkin pies and chicken potpies. He also reviewed, for the enlightenment of the younger generation, the old way of sparking and marrying.
A feature of this meeting was an exhibition of relics. The following were reported in the Hancock Democrat of that time: Sarah Newkirk, table fork, sixty-five years old ; apron, seventy years old ; song book, made by a relative, seventy-four years old; another book, ninety years old : J. D. New- kirk, sickle, fifty years old ; C. C. Butler, Bible, one hundred and twenty-three years old; Philip Cronk, sword used by relative in War of 1812; Matt F. Cook, cotton dress home-manufactured, sixty-five years old ; Matt's first vest. sixty-two years old ; Margaret Garriott, Bible and Testament : H. C. Garriott. first cap, forty years old : William M. Hays, first pair of pants, forty years old : Hattie McDaniel, sugar tongs, one hundred years old: Elizabeth Bundy, sugar bowl, seventy-two years old; Sarah Newkirk, reticule, seventy-five years old.
A similar meeting was held at Fortville in the same year, and for a number of years many of our people attended old settlers' meetings at Oak- landon, in Marion county.
During the week of the county fair, 1879, a number of citizens of the county appointed a committee to make arrangements for an old settlers' meet- ing to be held at Greenfield in 1880. Nelson Bradley, Stephen T. Dickinson and Washington Duncan were placed on this committee. The meeting was set for August 17, 1880, at Boyd's grove. just north of the city of Greenfield. A number of chairs were provided, and a large stand was erected for the speak- ers. On the back of the stand was a large oil painting by John Keifer, repre- senting the habitation of an old settler. It was a log cabin. In the door stood the wife: at the left, a rosy-faced girl, feeding the fowls; on the right sat
142
HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
father, planning for the future ; near him stood the son, watching a dusky In- dian nearby. A coon skin was stretched on the side of the house near the chimney : a barrel lay on the ground in front of the house, labeled "hard cider," and in a tree in the background sat a wise old owl. Near the picture on the back of the stage was a large American flag.
The addresses delivered on these occasions were, of course, full of remi- niscences of pioneer days. Quite a number of old settlers were invited to speak, and a few of the speeches of this particular day are included herein. They must always be interesting for the pioneer spirit which they will reflect.
BY REV. WILLIAM NICHOLS, OF NEW PALESTINE.
"Ladies and Gentlemen : At old settlers' meetings it is fitting and proper to call up the past and rehearse memories and events past and gone. I was born in territorial government, long before it became the state of Indiana. My birthplace is in the Whitewater valley, near Metamora. As minister } have lived in three or four counties and traveled over all the middle and eastern part of the state. I could go back in the history of our country and relate the many trials of the past and the building up of the present. I have seen grand movements arise from a wilderness and poverty. We all began there. I see many here today who can recall to memory all this. You can tell inci- dents startling and true! So can 1, but I will content myself by relating a little incident, which. although harmless, impressed me deeply ; many have probably experienced similar ones. When four years okl. I was terribly afraid of Indians. A large party of them came to father's house to trade. On seeing them, my fear was so great that I slipped away and concealed myself in a hollow stump. As I crawled into the hollow, a grand-looking okl fellow espied me and, knowing my design, he came after me : taking me up. he car- ried me to the front, by the side of all the Indians. 1 thought I was gone. He meant no harm and wished only to scare me.
"We have all felt hardships: have seen enterprises of the republic start from the bottom. yes, from the forest. Look over the history of the workl: of every republic that has been established: yet. will any compare with ours ? Being free, the old settlers went to work with energy : into the wilderness they penetrated ; cleared the way for progress and a good republic.
"Young people of today know little of the trials we endured to secure an education. A log hut, windows made by cutting out a log and pasting oiled paper over the hole, was our school house. There we learned to read, write. spell and cipher, and from such places the best men and statesmen of America have risen. Presidents and other high officers there began their upward career.
143
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT.
"I see many old ladies present. No one deserves to be revereneed more. They have heard the prowling of the wolf and savage and never faltered. Many a mother and sister present can remember when clothing made of deer skin was the best. Well do I remember what pleasure it gave me to don my first pair of pantaloons made of deer skin. My first coat was of deer skin and, had it not been for the moths and I had I known we would ever thus meet. 1 could have kept it and worn it today. Thanking you, I will give way to others."
BY REV. DAVID CAUDELL, OF VERNON .
"Old Settlers and Citizens of Hancock: I have no doubt that many of those present today. when we rehearse what events occurred. will say within themselves, surely they exaggerate the truth. I came to this county on Oc- tober 28, 1834-forty-six years ago-a little over the average natural life of most people. When I look over that time and the changes wrought, the hard- ships endured, I conclude it is not I that have lived to be present here. yet it is true. When I came to the north part of the county and settled in Vernon township it was a wilderness: no settlement or cabin for miles around. I set- tled in a large woods and began the work of clearing. The woods here is no comparison to the woods at that time. When I go back and consider these things it seems it is not me here today. I can say what many okl settlers can- not say. I have most always enjoyed good health. No matter what kind of weather, I went out if necessary. Many times have I gone five or six miles to a log-rolling or barn-raising. and I have worked as high as eighteen days rolling logs without returning home. No matter how much water or show was on the ground, we would not stop. Some of the neighbors, old settlers, can witness everything I say to be true. When we look back and see how young people dressed them, how now, how they acted then and how now. ] am led to believe they will never fully realize how the way was paved for them by their fathers and forefathers. Everything is now changed, even the mode of worship. We always held the meetings in private houses. There were no attempts at display, and everyone felt that we were on an equality. We had to walk for miles to attend church. In order to save their shoes, the ladies would carry them in their hands, tramp along, wade the swamps, until in sight of the place of worship, when they would sit down and put them on. After services, on the return toward home, no sooner were they out of sight than they would sit down and take off their shoes and trudge along home. You cannot find anyone who will do that now. Now they must have a horse and a fine buggy or else they cannot go, ever though the distance be one mile. Our
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.