History of Hancock county, Indiana; its people, industries and institutions, Part 59

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 59

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On July 31. 1895, the school board, composed of Ephraim Marsh, Brain- and Cooper and Elmer E. Stoner, contracted with Gcake, Henry & Grecne, of Ft. Wayne, for construction of the present high school buildings, for the sum of $29.400. The building when completed and furnished cost the city approxi- mately $35,000. The last building in the city was a one-roomed frame house constructed in East Greenfield, in 1906.

Music was introduced into the schools in the fall of 1892. Mrs. Alice Glascock was the first supervisor and devoted four days of cach weck to the work for two years. She was followed by J. E. Mack, who gave all of his time to the subject. Music met with more or less opposition when first intro- duced. Many people opposed it because they considered it a useless expense and the time wasted. Even the teachers were not all in entire sympathy with the movement. Manual training and sewing were introduced in the fall of 1905; drawing in 1906. In 1914, a kitchen or labratory for domestic science was fully equipped in the high school building with gas hot plates, white enamelled kitchen cabinets, white enamelled cabinet tables with wooden tops, aluminum cooking utensils, etc. Preparations for teaching agriculture were also made in the fall of 1914.

Following is a list of the men who have served as superintendent of schools since Greenfield has been incorporated as a city : John H. Binford, 1876-77; W. H. Simms, 1876-81; John W. Stout, 1881-83; J. M. Strasberg, 1883-84; J. V. Martin, 1884-89; Will H. Glascock, 1889-91 ; George S. Wil- son, 1891-99; Alpheus J. Reynolds, 1899-1901 ; A. E. Martin, 1901-03; Wil- liam C. Goble, 1903-1I ; Frank Larrabee, 191I.

With the discovery of gas, in the spring of 1887, and the establishment of factories at Greenfield, the number of school children increased, which, of course, caused a greater number of teachers to be employed in the schools.

HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

It would be impracticable to give the complete lists of teachers for each year since that time, but following is a list of those who have taught for several vears or more since the latter eighties :

Grade teachers-W. B. Botsford. Lulu Dove, Anna L. Harris, II. D. Barrett, Kate D. Wilson, Audrey Barnard, Elsie Huddleson, John Radcliffe. Etta Barrett, Nelle Baldwin, Virginia Morton. Martha Stockinger, Katherine Griffin, Maude Flowers, Leona M. Garrett, Frank C. Bryant, Emma Parnell. William Ml. Cofield, lola Coffin, Viola Ham, Hiram Thomas, Lizzie Bald- win, Merritt Wood, Bessie Z. Jackson, Hannah M. Test. Edna Penfield, Will Leamon, Maude Hiff, Mabelle Smith, Arthur Boone. Abbie Henby, Horatio Davis, Ida B. Geary, Mrs. Ada New, Hattie Rains, Minnie Grist, Louise Hill, Neva Roney, Minnie Houck, Nida A. Card, Mary Badger, Rhoda Coffield. Ethel Clift. James A. Furgason, Agnes Fort, Mary C. Pavey, Lulu A. Gilliatt, Zoe Ham. S. C. Staley, Nellie Hoel. John T. Rash and Kate Nave.

High school teachers-Mary E. Sparks, Ida Steele. John H. Whitely. Henrietta Pagelson, Bessie Herrick, John H. Johnson, Frances L. Petit, El- wood Morris, Gertrude Larimore, Effie A. Patee. Hugh E. Johnson, Clara Hagans, Arthur Konold, Sylvester Moore, Jesse Warrum. J. M. Pogue. Edna B. Carter, Mary Sample, Nora Corcoran, Ruth Allerdice, Lena A. Foote and John W. Kendall.

Supervisors-Mrs. Alice Glascock, J. E. Mack, Della M. James, Gen- evieve Engibous, Laura E. Jennings, Myrtle Woodson, Elizabeth Williams, Leah Arthur and Nellie C. Winkler.

The names of the present teachers are given in the chapter on "Edu- cation."

MISCELLANEOUS.

There were enrolled in the schools of Greenfield during the year 1914-15. 906 pupils, with an average daily attendance of 799. Of these. 190 were in the high school and 776 were in the grades. The total cost of maintaining the grade schools for the year ending July 31. 1915. was $50.672.50. The total cost of maintaining the high school was $7.628.00 ; a total of $21.355.34 was paid out to the teachers in the schools. The estimated value of the school property is $90,000. The total assessment of taxables in the city was reported as $2.213.760. Greenfield has a good public library in connection with her schools.

CITY LIBRARY.

In 1878. W. H. Simms, who was then superintendent of the city schools. organized a library. The first class which graduated from the high school.

HIGH SCHOOL, COURT HOUSE. PUBLIC LIBRARY. GREENFIELD

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in the spring of 1870, canvassed the city in an effort to collect books, and on November 24. 1879. an association was formed, composed of the members of the Greenfield high school. The following were its officers: President. George S. Wilson; vice-president. Miss Crissie Gilchrist : secretary, Miss Jessie Randall ; treasurer, Josie B. Tague ; corresponding secretary. Thomas S. Mitchell ; executive committee. Eddie Thayer, Lenna Gwinn and William Ath- erton. The object of this association was to procure means to enlarge the high school library that had been started.

The high school at that time was held at the West building. Books were added to the library each year. In 1895. the present high school build- ing was constructed and was occupied in the fall of that year. The school now had more commodious apartments and on November 5. 1897. a meeting of the citizens of the city was held at the building for the purpose of consid- ering ways and means of establishing a public library. \ large number of people were in attendance. The high school cadet band, under the direction of Professor Mack, made its first appearance at this meeting. E. E. Stoner was elected president of the meeting and Dr. Charles K. Bruner. secretary. The subject for discussion was "Best plans for establishing a library." AAfter due consideration of the matter, the president was directed to appoint twelve citizens to constitute a committee to solicit funds to the amount of $1.000.

Such a committee was appointed and as a result of their efforts the fol- lowing subscriptions were made: Mrs. J. L. McNew. Sioo: Ora Suider. $100; James W. Riley, $; S. R. Wells. $50; E. E. Stor, $50; Jerome Black, $25; George H. Cooper. $25: Hesperian Reading Club. $25: J. Ward Walker Company, $25; Mrs. Ephraim Marsh, $25: W. R. Hongh, $25 : Lee O. Harris, $25; William Mitchell Printing Company. $25 ; Cosmopolitan Club. $25 : George S. Wilson. $25: R. D. Andrews, $250: J. D. Conklin & Son. $20: W. S. Fries, $15; Mrs. M. J. Elliott, $15: F. G. Banker, Sio; C. K. Bruner, $to: H. L. Strickland, Șio: J. H. Binford. Sio: E. W. Felt. Sto: D B. Cooper. $10: J. K. Henby, Sto: HI. Snow. Sto: Ida B. Steele, Sto: Bessie R. Herrick. Sio: William Il. Glascock, Sio: C. W. Morrison & Son. Sto: I. A. Service, $to: W. G. Smith, Sio: A. J. Reynolds, Sto: A. C. Pilkenton. $60; J. F. Red. $5: C. M. Curry. S: William J. C . E. M. $5: C. A. Tolen, $5; W. S. Montgomery, $5: J. 11. Moulden, $5: Charles Downing, $5: J. S. Jackson, $5: C. E. Kinder. $5: John F. Eagan, $5 : M. E. Brown, $5; Neva Roney. $5: George W. Duncan, Sto: Il. D. Barrett. $5 : Ella M. Corr, $5 : Fred Beecher, $5 ; William Ward Cook. $5: E. S. Bragg. $5: Mrs. W. H. Gant, $5; Mrs. A. J. Banks, $5: Nettie Adams, S5: Thomas New, $5: E. E. Thomas. $5: W. R. Mckown, S5: M. C. Quigley. $5 : Jef-

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HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

fries & Son. $5 : William A. IInghes. $5: Ella M. Hough. S5: E. P. Thayer. Jr. $5: Iola S. Bragg. $5: Mrs. Kate Martin, $2.50; Anna H. Randall, $5: Lizzie Harris, $2.50: H. L. Thomas, $2.50: S. C. Staley, $2.50: Elizabeth Baldwin, $2.50: Kate Wilson, S2: Louise Hill, $2: Ada New. S2 : Viola Ham, $2: Viola Spencer. $2; Harry Strickland. $5: C. S. Brand, S5: V. L. Early, $5: Pearl E. Tyner, $5: Mrs. I. P. Poulson. $5: John Corcoran, $5; F. S. Han- mel, $5; John Larrabee, $2.50. Total, $1.103.50.

In the fall of 1898, a committee composed of the following persons was appointed to select books: Lee O. Harris, Charles K. Bruner, William R. Hough, Mrs. Ephriam Marsh, Mrs. Blanche McNew and Mrs. George W. Duncan. This committee purchased books with the funds on hands and the new library was established in the room just north of the hall. on the first floor of the high school building. It was kept in this room until October. 1909, when it was moved into the new library building. Miss Minnie Hughes was appointed first librarian and served until 1902. Miss Manie Handy acted as librarian from 1902 until 1907. Since 1907 Mrs. Kate G. Poulson has been librarian.

About ten years ago the high school building was becoming crowded and for this reason it was found desirable to have a separate library buikling. Andrew Carnegie had aided in the establishment of a number of library buildings, and the school board, composed of J. W. Harrell. George H. Cooper and Samuel J. Offutt. applied to him for a donation. In this they were entirely successful. Mrs. Melissa Cooper, mother of George H. Cooper. donated the ground for the building. The following tablet, placed in the ves- tibule of the library, is explanatory of how the building came to be erected :

"ACKNOWLEDGMENT

"Andrew Carnegie Gave Ten Thousand Dollars to the Erection of This Building. The Ground was Donated as a Memorial to Mrs. Malissa Cooper."

The building was constructed in 1908-09 and was occupied by the library in October, 1909.

Since its establishment a number of citizens have donated pictures and books. The lower hall has been named Harris Hall, in honor of Lee O. Har- ris, and the County Federation of Country Clubs has placed a large portrait of the Captain in this hall. A picture painted by the late Richard Brown Black hangs in the reading room above, and the D. H. Goble collection of corals and shells comprises one of the valuable donations to the library. The report of the librarian made in May, 1899, soon after the establishment of the library.

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showed that it contained 1,758 books. On January 1. 1900, 2,030 volumes were reported. Many additional books have been purchased so that at present the library contains approximately 6,800 volumes.

LIBERTY BELL AT GREENFIELD.

On its return to Philadelphia from the St. Louis Exposition, the train bearing the Liberty Bell to its destination was stopped for possibly an hour at Greenfield on November 18, 1904, to give the people an opportunity of seeing the historical bell. This opportunity was provided through the efforts of WV. C. Goble, then superintendent of the city schools. All of the teachers of the city with their pupils were at the depot, where there was an immense gathering of the people of the county, to see the bell. Short addresses were made by Mayor Bookwalter, of Indianapolis, and by Mayor Weaver, of the city of Philadelphia.

MILLS, FACTORIES, ETC.

A tan yard was established in Greenfield immediately north of the National road and west of what is now the Potts ditch. It was first owned by Henry Chapman ; later owners were Samuel Henry, Nathan Crawford. A. T. Hart and Randall & Milton. Milton finally came into possession of it and suspended operations some time previous to the Civil War. Henry B. Wilson, who was postmaster for a time at Greenfield, operated a tannery from 1865 to 1873.

The first saw-mill in Greenfield was built in 1848, by James R. Bracken and John Templin. It was located just across the National road front the first tan yard above described. It was possibly just a little east of the 21 yard. A large amount of lumber that was used on the plank road in 1852 was sawed at this mill.

A grist-mill was erected south of the railroad in 1855, by Nathan Craw- ford, Freeman H. Crawford and Samuel Longnaker. It burned in 1860, but was rebuilt a few years later by Mr. Chaney. Later owners were Hiram Woods. during whose ownership it was again burned; Alexander, New & Boots. and New Brothers, About ten years ago the company owning the mill was incorporated as the Barrett Elevator Company. Its principal owners now are A. J. New & Son. The name of the corporation has also been changed and is now known as the Greenfield Milling Company.

A saw-mill was erected south of the railroad by Benjamin Cox, in 1860. In 1862 a circular saw-mill was erected south of the railroad and east of the depot. It was operated only a few years.

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HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

Morris Pierson erected a woolen-mill south of the railroad and just below the depot. in 1868. It was owned and operated for several years by Morris Pierson. Craig & Minnick, and Scofield. It was destroyed by fire.

A planing-mill was erected by Williams Brothers and Hamilton, in the south part of town, about 1870. These men operated the mill for a number of years. It was burned a time or two and is now owned by the A. P. Conklin Lumber Company.

A grist-mill was erected by Joseph Boots. J. B. Fouch and Samuel E. Gappen, in 1872. It was later owned by Nelson Bradley. W. G. Scott. W. S. Fries, and others, and was know for many years as the Hancock Mills. The plant was later bought by Albert L. New and others, who incorporated and are now known as the New Milling Company.

A flax factory, built in 1875 in the east part of the city, did a flourishing business through the latter seventies, but when flax culture was abandoned in the county, in the early eighties, there was little business for it. It burned.

· A saw mill, erected by George Newhall in 1876, was located in the west part of town, south of the railroad, and operated a planer in connection with the saw-mill. It burned about 1878 or 1879.

.A desk factory was erected in the southeast part of town. in 1876. by F. M. Gilerist. It was bought in 1870 by J. E. Brown, who operated it for several years thereafter. . \ desk factory was erected in 1876 by .A. E. Teal and George W. Puterbaugh, in the southwest part of town, and was operated for eight or ten years.

A saw-mill was erected by Gordon & Son. in 1877. in the southwest part of town. Jerome Black later bought an interest in the mill, when it was operated under the name of Black & Gordon. The owners of the mill have since incorporated and are now known as the Greenfiekl Lumber and Ice Com- pany.

While good timber was yet plentiful in the county several heading fac- tories were established at Greenfield. The first one was established in 1880 by Charles Cammack, and another in 1881. by Pratt & Puterbangh. Both factories were located in the south part of town.

After the discovery of gas, in the spring of 1887. several large concerns moved to Greenfield. AAmong them were four glass factories; two window houses and the Greenfield Fruit Jar and Bottle Works, in the west end of town, and the bottle works, at the east end of Greenfield. The window houses have been gone for a number of years. The Greenfield Fruit Jar and Bottle Company have a new plant that is kept intact. but has not been operated for three or four years. The plant was purchased a few years ago by Ball

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GREENFIELD.

Brothers, who are said to have taken the glass-blowing machines to their fac- tories at Muncie. Since that time the local factory has not been operated. The east end bottle works was operated until about a year ago, when it was destroyed by fire.

Two other large factories that came to Greenfield following the dis- covery of gas were the Ilome Stove Company, which built a factory south of the railroad, and the Nail Works, which was a large factory at the east end of town on Chandler's addition to the city. The opening of both of these factories, the Home Stove Company and the Nail Works, was attended with elaborate ceremonies, including a barbecue, etc.

A paper factory was also erected on the hill just east of Brandywine creek and south of the National road. It was operated for a number of years and finally suspended because of prosecutions for poisoning the waters of Brandywine.

The Greenfield Novelty Works was established on the north side of the railroad at the west end of town, in 1890, by J. H. Moulden, and was operated until a few years ago. The plant is still standing.

The National Adjustable Chair Company was established and owned by E. J. Andrews, J. E. Webb and others. It manufactured a very fine grade of Morris chairs and was operated until five or six years ago.

There have been other smaller concerns in operation, but the above in- cludes practically all of the larger mills, factories, etc., that have been estab- lished at Greenfield.

COMMERCIAL CLUBS.

Greenfield has had several commercial clubs for the purpose of building up the town. The first one was organized on March 11. 1875. On that date a meeting of the citizens was held at the court house at Greenfield for the purpose of taking steps to attempt to bring factories to Greenfield. W. S. Wood was elected president, and John .\. Hughes, secretary. The specific purpose of the meeting was "to take such measures as would induce the Wooten Desk Company, of Indianapolis, to move their factory to Greenfield." The following committee was appointed to confer with representatives of the desk company : H. B. Thayer, John A. Hughes, S. T. Dickerson, S. War Bar- nett and J. V. Cook. A great deal of interest was manifested by citizens in attendance, and among those who offered to donate land and money in order to get the desk factory were Montgomery Marsh, W. S. Wood, W. C. Burdett. S. T. Dickerson, John V. Cook. H. B. Thayer, H. J. Dunbar. George T. Ran- dall and W. F. Pratt. In the accomplishment of its immediate purpose the club failed.

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HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

Soon after the discovery of natural gas. in 1887, a Board of Trade was organized. A meeting of the business men was held on February 7. 1888, who elected the following officers for the board: R. A. Black, president; L. H. Reynolds, vice-president ; E. P. Thayer, secretary, and W. P. Wilson, treas- urer. The first directors appointed were J. K. Henby. W. P. Wilson, William New. E. P. Thayer, R. A. Black, George W. Duncan and L. H. Reynolds.

The object of the Board of Trade was "to hold gas for home consumption and to build up industries in and about Greenfield." A great field was open for the efforts of such an organization and these men no doubt had a great deal to do with bringing to the city such industries as the glass plants, the stove foundry and the nail works.

Within the last few years, at least two Commercial Clubs have been organized for the purpose of bringing industries to Greenfield ; one was organ- ized on February 15, 1910, and another has been organized since that time. No large factories, however, have come to Greenfield during the past five or six years.

A social and commercial club known as the Temple Club was organized in December, 1896, with about fifty members. The directors for the first vear were S. R. Wells, Charles G. Offutt, Ephraim Marsh. E. P. Thayer, Jr .. R. A. Black, George S. Wilson, Walter O. Bragg and Charles Downing. The club is still maintained and has its headquarters in the Masonic Temple. It is a social club, however, rather than a commercial club.

The Greenfield Business Men's Association was formed on March 15. 1916. Practically all of the business men are members. The purpose of the association is to increase acquaintanceship and foster the highest integrity among its members; to take concert action in matters pertaining to the gen- eral welfare of the members where individual effort would be powerless, such as observance of holidays, protection against adulterated and inferior goods : to maintain credit rating, etc. : to take any other action that may be neccessary for mutual protection of the general business interests of the city. Although the association has been in existence only six weeks, a "clean up. paint up week." and the "Wednesday sales" have been promoted.

FIRES.

It has only been within recent years that Greenfield has had adequate protection against fire. As far as people can remember, and as far as there is any record, the first great fire occurred in 1839, eleven years after the organization of the county. It destroyed all of the property on the north side of Main street between what are now Mount and State streets. This fire

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FREENFIELD.

destroyed several business blocks and also a large hotel and stable that stood on the northwest corner of State and Main streets, where the Masonic Temple now stands.

In 1857 another fire occurred in the same district and destroyed several valuable buildings.

The greatest fires of later years have destroyed individual buildings, such as the elevators, saw-mills, etc. Not over ten years ago the mill and elevator then standing immediately south of the Pennsylvania depot, was burned. Not many years previous to that the Greenfield Lumber and Ice Company's plant was destroyed. Since that time the west end glass works burned and just a year ago the east end bottle works was consumed by fire.

With Greenfield's splendid waterworks plant and her efficient fire de- partment, almost any fire within the city can be effectively controlled if the department is notified in time.

CHARITY ORGANIZATIONS.

The first charity organization organized in Greenfield seems to have been the Greenfield Benevolent Society, founded in May, 1874, before Green- field was incorporated as a city. It was a ladies' organization, and in Feb- ruary, 1875, numbered twenty-five members. The first officers of the society were : Mrs. H. B. Thayer, president ; Mrs. N. P. Howard, vice-president ; Mrs. Inez Lyons, secretary ; Mrs. Brown, treasurer. The committee on collections was composed of Mrs. H. J. Williams, Mrs. F. H. Crawford, Mrs. J. B. Law- rence, Mrs. Morris Pierson, Mrs. James L. Mason and Mrs. H. J. Dunbar. It seems that the society collected clothing, and at times food stuffs for the poor of the town. Donations of wood and flour were also frequently made by the citizens of the town as well as by people from the country. AA report show's that from a festival given by the society in June, 1874, $38.70 was realized, and that a concert given by the Eolian Club also netted the society $33.70. During the winter of 1874-75 the society expended for shoes, dry goods and groceries the sum of $32.90 and had left on hands $40.27.

It was this society that promoted the spelling match at the court house on March 13, 1875, in which practically all of the business men, as well as others, participated. Three cords of wood and a ham of meat were the prizes offered to the winning side for the benefit of the society. Spelling matches were frequently held and a small admittance charged to raise funds for the poor.

This society was kept intact for six or seven years : in fact the local papers still mention a Benevolent Society in 1886. It is difficult to say at this time

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HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIAN.1.

whether this was the same society or whether it was another society under the same name. For many years Mrs. Lemuel Gooding was its secretary.

The churches of the city have always done a liberal share of charity work among our needy poor. In 1904, another society was organized which has come to be known as the Associated Charities of Greenfield. In November of that year class number 9 of the Christian Sunday school, known as the "Sunshine Circle," took all of their collections from that time until Christmas and sent it to Indianapolis for the poor children of that city. It was sug- gested that they give a Christmas charity and invite a committee from each of the several churches of Greenfield to co-operate with them. This was done. A literary and musical program was given on December 13. 1904. at which admittance fees were collected in eatables, toys, fuel and money. Later a permanent charity organization was effected with the following officers : Mrs. Mattie J. Elliott, president ; Mrs. Hiram Eshelman, secretary, and Mrs. W. II. Hughes, treasurer. On January 17. 1905, a constitution and by-laws were adopted for the association. . \ citizens' meeting was called at the court house on January 30, 1905, and about one hundred and fifty citizens attended. A program was given, including such subjects as "Charity as a Character Builder." "Moral Forces in Social Life." "Reaching the Higher Ideals." etc.

This organization has remained in existence to the present. Its presi- dents have been Martha J. Elliott, William C. Goble, N. R. Spencer, George J. Richman, John K. Henby and Alice M. Collier, the latter being president at this time. People during the last decade have responded generously to the appeals of the organization and the association has been able to give care and comfort to many cases of destitution that have been reported.

Aside from these organizations for home charity, Greenfield has also made liberal donations on various occasions. In 1884, $223.35 was donated to the Ohio river flood sufferers: in 1906, $608.80 was donated to the San Francisco carthquake sufferers. Liberal donations, amounting to several hundred dollars, were also made to the Belgium relief fund in 1914. Other donations have also been made of which no record has been preserved.

THE COLORED FOLK.

During the latter seventies the colored folk, under the leadership of George L. Knox and others, were active in buikling up a church organization and in doing other religious work. During these years literary societies flour- ished generally over the country, and the colored people of Greenfield also had their debating society and literary clubs, by which programs were given and which were greatly enjoyed by those in attendance. Among the most inter-

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History of Hancock county, Indiana; its people, industries and institutions, Part 59

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