History of Hancock county, Indiana; its people, industries and institutions, Part 54

Author: Richman, George J
Publication date: 1916
Publisher: Indianapolis, Federal publishing co., inc.
Number of Pages: 1272

USA > Indiana > Hancock County > History of Hancock county, Indiana; its people, industries and institutions > Part 54

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A Sunday school has been conducted ever since it was organized as Macedonia chapel. For the past several years it has had an average attend- ance of probably forty. . \ Ladies' . \id Society and a Young People's Society are active as auxiliaries of the church.

AMITY UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH.

The Amity United Brethren church stands at the southwest corner of section 25. township 16. range 5. on a plot of ground donated to the church by John A. J. Collins. The present house, a neat frame building, was erected in 1901, and dedicated in September of that year by the Rev. C. . 1. Love. The older members of this congregation at one time worshipped at the old

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Hopewell church, which stood at the northeast corner of the northwest quar- ter of the northeast quarter of section 25. township 16, range 5. When this building became, dilapidated the people decided to erect a new church called Amity, at the cross-roads above described, which is just two miles south of Mt. Comfort.

There is no record of the charter members of the church. . At present it has a membership of seventy. The Rev. C. A. Love was the pastor of the old Hopewell church and was the minister who first planned the building of Amity, which congregation he served for one year. Other ministers have been Reverends Linsville, one year; S. R. Irvin, one year : Charles Brough- man, one year: Oscar F. Lydy, four years: II. L. Robbins, four years; F. F. Bray. two years, and Charles Small, the present pastor. The average attend- ance at church services for the past several years has been about sixty ; the attendants at Sunday school generally remain for preaching services.

The Sunday school was organized when the new church was built. It has always been well attended and during 1915 its enrollment reached nearly one hundred. The average attendance is from fifty to sixty. Five classes are maintained. The Christian Endeavor Society was organized in 1901 by Mrs. C. A. Love, and has rendered efficient services to the church since that time. The society is now composed of thirty-six active members.

Following are the families who worship at the church: Mr. and Mrs. Anton Ploenge, Otis Snider and family, Willard and Hettie Snider, Charles Willman and family, Mrs. Martha Cly and family. F. O. Welling and family. Wade Cauldwell and family, Will Dance and family. John .A. J. Collins and family. Fred Heller and family. Will Bade and family, Bert Cly and family. Charles Ostermeyer and family, Frank Schieldmeier and family. William Bolen and family. Lewis Hawkins and wife. Henry Hawkins and family, Mr. and Mrs. Pearl Bell. Lewis Sanford and family. Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Andis, Conrad Ostermeyer and wife, Guy Scotten and family, Mrs. Charles Wright and family. Mrs. Maggie Johnston, and Mr. and Mrs. Carl Shelby.

MIT. COMFORT METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHI.

This congregation was originally organized about 1836 and was com- posed of the following members: Hiram Crump and wife. Obadiah Eastes and wife. Hamilton Welling and wife. Thomas Craig and wife, John Cochan- hour and wife, Miles Burris and wife. A. Cooper and wife, and Jeremiah Beach and wife. For several years they worshipped at the residences of Obadiah Eastes. Daniel Skinner and Thomas Craig. In 1840 they built a a little log church, which was named

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HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

SYCAMORE CHAPEL.

This house stood at the northeast corner of the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 25, township 16, range 5. It was used as a house of worship until 1863, when it burned. Among the ministers who preached at the private residences and at Sycamore chapel were the Rev- erends Edwards. Landy Havens. George Havens. J. B. Birt. Millender and Morrow. After the burning of the log church the congregation worshipped at different places until 1870, when a new frame church was erected on the site of the former one and was named the

HOPEWELL METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

It was erected at a cost of about one thousand dollars. The building committee was composed of Hamilton Welling. John Dance and Thomas Craig. This house was used until 1888 when the congregation erected a new house at Mt. Comfort, which has since been known as the Mt. Com- fort Methodist Episcopal church. The building committee was composed of Hamilton Welling. William W. Eastes and James E. Collins. One acre of ground was donated by S. S. Eastes for a church site, and the new building was created at a cost of about one thousand five hundred dollars by James Murphy. The purpose of moving the church to Mt. Comfort was to get a more favorable location. The building was completed and dedicated in November. 1888, by the Rev. C. V. Wade. Among the members who came from the Hopewell church to the new church at Mt. Comfort were Hamilton Welling. John Dance, wife and daughter, Carrie: James E. Collins and wife. William W. Eastes and wife, and Albert Vestal and wife. The church at present has a membership of seventy-two.

.\ Sunday school was organized on January 1. 1889. It now has nine classes, with an average attendance of about sixty-five. Many of the adult members of the church may be found in attendance at Sunday school. The following persons have served as superintendents of the school at various times: J. W. Stoner. David Girt, E. N. Stoner, C. P. Blue, W. E. Scotten and E. G. Castetter. Among the pastors who have served the congregation at Mt. Comfort are the following: A. E. Sarah, 1888; G. W. Green, 1889: F. A. Fish, 1892: J. H. Slack. 1895: T. H. C. Beal. 1896: W. G. Bogue. 1897: J. O. Campbell. 1898: E. Dixon, 1901 : G. Martin, 1905: H. Webster, 1906; P. J. Albright, 1909: J. Wingate, 1910; E. J. Wickersham. 1911; G. Goering. 1913. and A. J. Duryee. 1915.

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DUCK CREEK TOWNSHIP.

UNION CHAPEL UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH ( MOHAWK ).

The Union chapel stood about fifty rods west of the northeast corner of section 9. township 16. range 6. The congregation was originally organized in 1856 and conducted services in the private residence of the members until 1858. In January of that year Washington McConnell, Thomas Proble and Jackson Price were appointed trustees by the quarterly conference to con- struct the church. Daniel Stoner was presiding eller at the time and Thomas Evans, pastor. The circuit was known as Pleasant View circuit and belonged to the White Water conference. The new house was built on ground donated by John Underwood and the first services were held on Christmas eve. 1858. Following are the elders who presided over the circuit during its early his- tory: \. King, A. Hanway, William Nichols. W. Wit, D. O. Ferrell. Milton Wright. D. Stoner. A. E. Evans. John Vardeman, Halleck Floyd. W. C. Day. M. Cabrich, Thomas Evans, J. Myers. R. B. Beatty. Lewis Crawford, J. Pruner, Alexander Carrol, C. Smith. P. S. Cook, A. E. Evans, Simon D. Irvin, A. B. Dary Henry K. Muth, William Hall. Monroe Groendike, T. H. Halstead. J. M. Ware and \. Davis. Among the early ministers were William Gossett, Irvin Cox, A. C. Rice, 1. Tharpe and ilenry Huffman. For many years the church was attached to the War- rington circuit.

.A second church was built in 1883 on the original site. In November, 1806, during the pastorate of William Demunbrun, the church was moved to Mohawk, where it now stands, on the Center township side of the line. During the pastorate of O. F. Lydy, in 1902. the church was remodeled. The families who have been closely connected with the church since its removal to Mohawk are those of A. V. Rumler, Harvey True, J. P. Murphy, J. F. Reynolds, James Jarrett, John Price. Ransom Denny, George Herr, Bert Cohee. Arthur Doughty and Oliver Wilson. Among the ladies whose husbands have not been connected with the church are Martha Murphy, Eunice Barnard, Mary Greenwell, Flora Reeves, Rose M. Bills, Myrtle Herr, Hla Williams, Florence Leatherman and Eva Dobbins. Among the later pastors have been O. F. Lydy, who served for five years, and J. H. Wyant, who has served for four years.

.\ Sunday school is conducted, of which Oliver Wilson has been super- intendent for the past eight years. The membership of the church is small at present. The congregation belongs to the Liberal branch of the United Brethren church.

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HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

MOHAWK RADICAL UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH.

The United Brethren church on the Buck Creek township side of Mo- hawk was organized by James Rector in the spring of 1894. The present house was erected during the summer of 1896 and was dedicated on August 9 of that year by A. C. McNew. J. S. Reece being the pastor in charge. The first trustees were William McConnell. William Wilson, Andrew Fuller. James Murphy and Isaac Lane. These men also acted as the building com- mittee. Among the families worshipping here were those of Isaac Lane. William Wilson. O. M. Wilson, Samuel Scott, Mariah Hawkins. David De- shong. Marion Wilson, William McConnell. Dr. True. Riley Breece. T. B. Leary. James Deshong. Amos Deshong, Lydia Newman and Hattie Kingen. Among the ministers who have served for more than one year are Bishop Halleck Floyd. Abraham Rust. J. S. Reece. Robert Harlow and Charles Brav.

.A Sunday school was organized in 1896 and has had an average attendance of about forty.

CHAPTER XVIL

CENTER TOWNSHIP.

Center township was first organized at the May term of the board of county commissioners in 1831. It then included a narrow strip of territory two miles north and south by seven miles east and west and was described as follows: Commencing one mile south of the township line dividing 15 and 16 at the line dividing sections 2 and 3; thence north to the said town- ship line; thence east one mile ; thence north one mile ; thence two miles west of the range line dividing 6 and 7; thence south two miles; thence east to the place of beginning.

At the January term, 1836, its boundary lines were changed as follows : Commencing at the northwest corner of section 35, township 16 north, range o east : thence east seven miles to the northeast corner of section 35 ; thence south three miles to the southwest corner of section 11, township 15 north, range ; cast ; thence west seven miles to the southwest corner of section II; thence north to the place of beginning.

Other changes have been made. For a number of years the greater part of what is now the north end of the township was included in the townships of Union and Harrison. Since 1853 the township has had its present boundaries.

Its surface is level, except along Sugar creek and Brandywine creek, where it is rolling. Its natural drainage is towards the south and consists of the two streams above mentioned. Sugar creek flows in a southerly direc- tion across the northwest corner of the township, while Brandywine enters at its northeast corner and flows in a southerly direction through its eastern part. Several large open drains have been constructed leading from different parts of the township to these creeks. With the exception of a portion of the bottom lands of Brandywine creek the township is well dramed and under cultivation. A large portion of the Brandywine bottom is still marshy and is incapable of being drained until the bed of Brandywine has been lowered by dredging. If this creek can be successfully dredged, as was Buck creek a quarter of a century ago, then there are still hundreds of acres of the garden land of the township to be reclaimed for cultivation.

The first settlers reached the southeastern part of the township within a year or so after Blue River township was settled, or about 1819 or 1820.

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HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

The first land entry was made on. September 12, 1821. On that date Platt Montgomery entered the east half of the southeast quarter of section o town- ship 15. range 7. The entry book in the county recorder's office contains a number of names among those who entered land in Center township that are still familiar in the county. Among them are Harry Pierson, Leonard W. Bartlett, Isaac Willett, Amos Wright. William Pierson, Thomas Wright. Henry M. Wright. John L. Smith Ephraim Wright. Morris Pierson, John Foster, George Smith, Sidney Smith, George Anderson, John Wingfield, James B. Stephen, George Tague, Robert M. Swope. James B. Reynolds, William Alexander, Levi Leary, Elijah Leary, Jeptha Meek, Milton A. Craft. Barnabas Gray, Samuel Hamilton, William Sebastian. Lewis Sebastian, Joseph T. Wallace. Elijah Lineback, John Myers, George Leonard. Samuel Martin. John C. Wilson, David Kauble. Eder Chittenden, William Hamilton, Owen Jarrett, Logan Alford. Andrew P. Jackson, William C. Ross, John Carr. George Kingery, Andrew Jarrett. James Reeves, Thomas . Alexander, Richard Willett. James Gillespie. Pine Rigdon, James Barnett, James Bar- rett. George D. Wiggins, David S. Gooding, John Brees, Thomas Willett, John Robins, Donovan Groves. Moses Dunn, George Reeves, Ovid Pierson, Charles Willett. Hiram Rockfellow. John Hunt, David Brees, Hezekiah Hunt. James Rigdon, Cornwell Meek, Nathan Crawford, Almond Moore, Alexander Geary. Constant B. Jones, John 1I. Martin, Thomas J. Leary. William Wil- son, James Pherson, Stephen Wallace, Christopher Johnson. John Johnson. Robert Wood, Abraham Rhue. Jesse Bridges, Thomas Baldwin. Davis Riley. James Carr. Harmon Warrum, Eli Reeves, William Curry, John Bussell, James Curry, William Justice, Micajah Martin, Isaiah Curry, William Sim- mons, John Porter, Benjamin E. Pilkenton, Young Y. Brizendine, Samuel Alley, Adam Swope, Elihu Morris, Washington Magruder. Moses Braddock. William Martin, John Simmons, William Martindale, Lucius Brown, James Brooks, Basil Meek, Josiah Sutton, Adam Hawk, Brooks Brizendine, William Winn. Thomas Carr, James Hinchman, William Kingen, Levi Johnson, Rebecca Snodgrass, Joseph Bridges, Isaac Martindale, Jacob Tague, John Davis, Abner Bell and Samuel Martin.

MILLS AND FACTORIES.

Among the mills in Center township that were well known in its early history were those of William Pierson, William Curry and Isaac Willett. William Pierson's grist-mill was built about 1825 and was located on Sugar creek, in the east half of the northeast quarter of section 14, township 16. range 6. The grist-mill of William Curry was built in 1835 and was located

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on Brandywine creek, about the middle of the north half of section IO, township 16, range 7. Isaac Willett's grist-mill was built in 1838 and was located on Sugar creek, probably on the southwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 26, township 16, range 6. These mills were all run by water power.

Several saw-mills have been constructed in different parts of the town- ship; the greater number, however, were located in Greenfield and will be considered in the local history of Greenfield. Among the later mills and factories that were established outside of Greenfield are the following: A saw-mill erected by George Newhall about three miles east of Greenfield on the north side of the railroad. It stood at the southeast corner of section 35, township 16, range 7, just below the present location of Trees's shop. . At that time the railroad had a switch there and also stopped certain accommo- dation trains for passengers. The mill burned after a few years, but was rebuilt and operated until about 1875. \ saw-mill, constructed by Curtis & Brother, in 1869, located along the east side of the east half of the southeast quarter of section 35, township 16. range 7, at the point where the road turns to the northwest. In 1872 this mill was moved to a point on the west side of the Greenfield and Pendleton pike, three and one-half miles north of Green- field. It was operated there until sometime during the latter eighties. A saw-mill was constructed by Thomas Little during the latter seventies on the northwest corner of the east half of the northeast quarter of section 23. township 16, range 6. It was removed about 1880. \ saw-mill was moved .rom Gem, in 1902, to the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 4. township 16, range 7, by James F. Webb, where it was operated by Mr. Webb for several years.

A saw-mill was established at Maxwell by Richard Hagan & Curtis, and later owned by W. S. Gant. Coffin & Company, F. J. Wickers and Fremont Gant. The boiler in this mill exploded on the afternoon of September 15, 1902, instantly killing Thomas Sitton and William Bailey, and severely injur- ing Walter Cooper, Roy Sitton and Fremont Gant. The force of the explo- sion was terrific and produced a shock that was felt for miles around the mill. The mill at first stood north of town, but was later moved west of town and north of the tracks, where the explosion occurred.

A tile factory was established at Maxwell by Keller & Evans in 1885. It was bought by Fred Wicker in 1891 and operated until the fall of 1914.

United Chain Works, established at Maxwell in 1902, through S. R. Wells and operated until about 1911.

A grain elevator was erected at Maxwell in 1897 by Thomas H. and

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HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

Andrew J. New. It burned a year later and was rebuilt. It was then blown down in the storm of 1902, and rebuilt again. It was later owned by New . & Brandenburg, and is owned at present by Brandenburg & Carlton.

SCHOOLS.

The first school houses in Center township were probably located within the present site of the city of Greenfield and are discussed in connection with the local history of Greenfield.

The Independence school house has the honor of having been the meet- ing place for the organization of the first county teachers' association, on February 16, 1860. The proceedings of that day, with the first constitution adopted by the teachers of the county, are fully set out in the chapter on education. In a notice that appeared in the local papers at that time the school is named "Forest Academy." No one in the neighborhood seems to remember the location of such a school, hence the inference may be drawn, that for the purpose of making it attractive to the teachers of the county, the local teachers gave it the cuphonious name, "Forest Academy."

Sixteen single-room district schools were maintained for many years prior to 1883. In that year a two-room building was constructed at Max- well by Robert D. Cooper. Those two rooms now form the middle portion of the building at Maxwell. Trueblood & Popink erected it for two thousand seven hundred and forty dollars and it was dedicated with elaborate cere- monies on November 24. 1883. The house was filled with people and speeches were made by the trustee. R. D. Cooper: William Fries. G. W. Love. N. Il. Curtis, George W. Duncan, Dr. Hervey. James Reynolds and Mpheus Reynolds. Two additions have been made since the first two rooms were constructed, so that it now has six rooms.

On May 17. 1884, the first township commencement was held at Max- well. The pupils gave a program and the Greenfield city band furnished the music.

The two-room school house at Mohawk was constructed in 1886 by John L. Fry, trustee of Center township, and Aquilla Grist. trustee of Buck Creek township. The building was located on the Center township side of the road. but was to be a joint building. It was used jointly for several years, since which time it has been maintained by Center township alone, the trustee of Buck Creek township paying transfer fees for pupils attending from that township.

The Maxwell school house was condemned by the state board of health in the spring of 1914. Trustee AAbram Frost at once took steps for the con-

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struction of a new house. Plans and specifications were prepared and the contract for the new building let. When the township trustee offered the bonds for sale an injunction suit was instituted by a number of taxpayers to prevent their sale. The suit made it impossible to sell the bonds since no one cared to accept them as long as their legality was in question. The injune- tion suit was determined in favor of the township in the circuit court. The contractor then brought an action for mandamus to compel the trustee to offer the bonds for sale. The mandate was granted, but an appeal was taken from the decision of the lower court, which is now pending in the higher conrt. In the meantime purchasers refuse to accept the bonds because their legality is still questioned.

During the summer of 1914 the contractor built the walls as high as the second floor, and also laid the joists for the first two floors. Being unable to proceed because of the lack of funds, the building has stood in its unfin- ished condition since late in the fall of 1914.

A high school was organized at Maxwell in the fall of 1808 with fifteen students. Under the act of 1907, although non-commissioned, it became a certified high school with a four-years course. Following are the principals who have had charge of it since its organization : William M. Coffield. 1898- 99: John Q. McGrail. 1899-1902: Miss Leo Chambers. 1902-04: Miss Kate Griffin, 1904-5: Miss Mary Paxton, 1905-6: John Q. MeGrail, 1906-9: John T. Rash, 1909-10: John T. Sullivan, 1910-11 : W. E. Bussell. 1911-13 : Will- iam Lemmon, 1913-14: . V. M. Brown, 1914.

TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES.

Since the enactment of the township trustee law, in 1859. the following men have filled the trustee's office in Center township: John Foster. 1859: John H. White, 1861: William Frost. 1862: Robert Barr, 1863: J. W. Walker, 1864: William F. Pratt, 1868; S. T. Dickerson, 1870; James Mc- Clarnon, 1874: William Potts, 1878: Robert D. Cooper, 1880-82: Columbus N. Jackson. 1884: John L. Fry. 1886-88: William 11. Thompson, 1890; John K. Henby, 1894: Eli Hagans, 1900: William Elsbury, 1904: Abram Frost. 1908: Rufus Temple, 1914.

MISCELLANEOUS.

The population of Center township, including the city of Greenfield, is 6.400, as shown by the census of 1910. The township had an enumeration of 435 pupils, not inchiding Greenfield, in the spring of 1915. Of these, 355 were enrolled in the schools: 258 were in the grades and 24 in the high school.

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HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

The total amount paid the teachers in the elementary grades during the year 1914-15 was $5.382. The total cost of maintaining the grade schools was $9.023.54. It cost the township $2.396 to maintain its high school. The estimated value of its school property is $17,100, as reported by the township trustee on AAugust 1, 1915. The total assessment of taxables as reported by the assessor in 1914 was $2,337,520.

JUSTICES OF TIIE PEACE.

For many years Harrison township included a large portion of what is now the northern part of Center township. During the existence of this town- ship its local courts were presided over by the following men : Isaiah Curry, 1831: William Matindale, 1831; Jolin Martin, 1835: William Martindale. 1835; John Martin, 1840; J. D. Conway, 1843: John Martin, 1845: J. D. Conway, 1848: John Martin. 1850; W. C. Walker, 1850; E. B. Chittenden, 1851.

From 1838 to 1853 a part of what is now Center township was included in Union township. The local courts of Union township were presided over by James Reeves, 1840: David W. O'Delt, 1841; William B. Martin, 1845; Levi Leary, 1846, 1851: E. N. Wright, 1850; R. N. Dun. 1853.

As may be seen by referring to the chapter on county government, the boundary lines of Center township were changed a number of times. The township has been of all sizes, from a narrow strip two miles north and south and seven miles east and west to its present dimensions. Its local courts through all of these variations have been presided over by the following men : Joseph Chapman, -: W. O. Neff, 1831: Jonathan Dunbar. 1834: George Tague. 1834; William Justice, 1836; W. A. Franklin, 1841 ; William Sebas- tian, 1842: William Cushman, 1842; Harry Pierson, 1846; Thomas H. Fry, 1847: C. Y. Atkison, 1848: Erastus Church, 1848: John Rardin, 1848; Joseph Anderson, 1849: Jonathan Tague, 1850; Leonard Hines, 1850; Joseph Matthews, 1851; James B. Rawlins. 1854; John Rardin, 1854-58: William Foster, 1860: W. P. Cragan. 1860: George Barnett, 1862-1870; John Rardin, 1862-66; Isaac Mullen, 1870-74: W. C. Walker, 1870-74; John W. Walker. 1874-78; James H. Thompson, 1878; George Barnett, 1874- 1880-84-88-92: James W. Wilson, 1880: Reuben A. Riley, 1883: William Anderson, 1884: William Roberts, 1886; Richard Hagans, 1888; Enos Gery, 1888-92; Vard Finnell, 1892; Newton R. Spencer, 1894: Ambrose J: Her- ron. 1894-1900: William H. Alger. 1894; Foster S. Franklin, 1806: Lewis Cooper, 1898; Vinton A. Smith, 1897-1906: James W. Barrett, 1901 ; Wash- ington O. Slifer, 1902; Elijah B. Grose, 1906: Henry Snow, 1906: Daniel

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CENTER TOWNSHIP.

C. Gimason, 1006-10-14: Josephi Garrett, 1910; Pympton R. Reed, 1914: * Jesse M. Reedy, 1914; John F. Eagan, 1915.

COUNTY OFFICERS.

Center township, including the city of Greenfield, has furnished a great many of the men who have been charged with the responsibility of admin- istering the affairs of the county. Lewis Tyner, who was the first clerk of the circuit court, and who for several years also performed the duties of the county auditor and county recorder in connection with the clerk's office, was a resident of Greenfield. Among other names that are prominent in the very early history of the township are those of John Foster, the first sheriff, also the first trustee of Center township and the first representative from Han- cock county in the state Legislature : John Templin, who is prominent as an carly merchant and who was also the first auditor of Hancock county; Meri- dith Gosney, whose name is prominent as county surveyor and school com- missioner. The following list will give a good idea of the officers who have been selected from Center township, including Greenfield :

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History of Hancock county, Indiana; its people, industries and institutions, Part 54

Author: Richman, George J Publication date: 1916 Publisher: Indianapolis, Federal publishing co., inc. Number of Pages: 1272

Author: Richman, George J
Publication date: 1916
Publisher: Indianapolis, Federal publishing co., inc.
Number of Pages: 1272