USA > Indiana > Hancock County > History of Hancock county, Indiana; its people, industries and institutions > Part 76
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The church south of Fortville was constructed in 1903. Before the con- struction of the new church the members worshipped at the school house just across the road from the old Mt. Carmel church, and at the home of Mrs. Cushman.
GERMAN BAPTIST CHURCH (DUNKARD).
This congregation was originally organized in 1852. Services were at first conducted in the log school that stood just across the road from the present church. Among the original members were Alfred Denny and wife. William Thomas and wife, Burt Jackson and wife. George Kingery and wife. Among its early pastors were Revs. Caylor, Harmon, Bowman and Hoover. Services were conducted for a number of years in the school house and the membership rose to about fifty or sixty. In 1883 Alfred Denny and his son, Isom, took steps toward the erection of a church edifice. This church stands on the east side of the Greenfield and Fortville pike, where it crosses the south line of section 26, township 17. range 6. The elder Mr. Denny gave the land and he and his son furnished the money to complete the work. Soon after the completion of the church, a Sunday school was organized and was well attended. Isom Denny was superintendent of the Sunday school much of the time and took great interest in the work. Elder John Caylor was its first minister : other elders have been Fadeley and Holsinger. Elder Norris was its last minister. After the erection of the new church the services were always held in English. About six or seven years ago the church doors were closed.
MT. VERNON UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH.
The Mt. Vernon United Brethren church is located in the southern part of Vernon township at the northwest corner of section 33. township 17. range 6. The congregation was definitely organized in 1898 with the follow- ing charter members: John N. Dobbins and family. George Witham and family. John Keister and family and Ralph Martin and family.
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During the summer of 1898 the Rev. Z. T. Mower, then pastor on the Mohawk circuit, started a movement to erect a church in the neighborhood above described. Services had been held for some time in the Jackson school house, which stands a few rods east of the west line of the southeast quarter of section 28, township 17, range 6. A building site was donated to the church by John M. and Susanna Dobbins, and a committee, composed of Robert G. Wilson and John Thomas, was appointed to superintend the work and raise the necessary funds. Money was subscribed by the people of the neighborhood and many of the farmers donated their time and work to aid in the construction of the church. Work on the new building was begin ahout .August 1, 1898, and in the following October the church was dedicated by Dr. Funk, of Dayton, Ohio, and Rev. Cartridge, of Noblesville.
A Sunday school was organized with Charles W. Hiday as its first superintendent. Since that time Mr. Hiday and William Stansberry have served as superintendents. At present Gilbert Hanna is superintendent. Four classes are maintained in the Sunday school, the adult. young people's, intermediate, and the primary classes, which have a total enrollment of about twenty-two. There are at this time only ten or twelve active members.
The following are the ministers who have served the congregation : Z. C. Mower, 1898; O. F. Lydy, 1898-99: Enos Veal, 1809-1000; W. C. Robbins. 1900-01: J. H. Broughman, 1901-02: O. F. Lydy, 1902-04: James Dawson, 1904-05: M. C. Bartlow, 1905-06: J. C. Wyant, 1906-10: M. Myers, 1910-11 : J. Smith, 1913-14: G. Stewart, 1915-16.
WOODBURY.
This town was originally laid out on December 12, 1857, by Francis Ellingwood, and contained thirty-two lots. No additions have been made thereto. It was laid out following the construction of the Bee-Line railroad. which passes through McCordsville and Fortville. In its early history it was quite a business place, but in later years it has been completely overshadowed by the neighboring towns of McCordsville and Fortville. The railroad main- tained a station there for a number of years. A postoffice. store and black- smith shop were also kept at the same time.
Among the early business men were John. William and Joseph Bills. Axel Hooker, Asbury, Taylor and Lockhart. Martindale. Brown, Perry J. Brienegar and George W. Shultz. Its blacksmith shop was operated by Peik, Olvey and Morrow. During later years there has been only a feeble effort at maintaining a store and at present it is closed. It can scarcely be said that any business is conducted at Woodbury at this time.
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WOODBURY METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
In the early seventies the Methodists of the community held services in a school house which stood a short distance north of the southeast corner of section 18, township 17, range 6. In 1874 the building that is still standing in the town was erected and was dedicated by the Rev. Samuel Lamb. The first trustees were Franklin Dunham, John Sample and John Hooker. _ 1 Sunday school was conducted in connection with the church for many years. At present very few of the members are living and services are conducted only at irregular times.
M'CORDSVILLE.
MeCordsville was originally laid out on September 11. 1865. by James W. Nagley, and contained thirty-four lots. Since that time the following additions have been made to the town :
lliday's . Addition, laid out by Jacob Hiday, February 11, 1869, and con- tains twenty-three lots.
Bradley & McCord's Addition, laid out by Nelson Bradley and Elias II. McCord, May 23. 1873, and contains thirty-nine lots.
Bradley's Addition, laid out by Nelson Bradley. August 27, 1873.
McCord's .Addition, laid out by William McCord. September 4. 1873.
AAmong the early business men were Wilham Emery. Mr. Littleton and Nelson Bradley, who later became one of the leading bankers at Greenfield. Among the later business men were Harvey Caldwell, H. M. Thompson, Hanna & McCord. Israel Fred, T. R. Pentecost. Hall, and Michael Quigley, who for many years has been a leading druggist at Greenfield. Among the early blacksmiths were James M. Wright and Nelson Gaskins. In 1891 R. C. M. Smith came to McCordsville and bought the stock of Israel Fred. In 1896 Charles F. Fred and John S. McCord erected the store in which they are still doing business. In 1880 Aquilla McCord and Jesse Jackson engaged in the general merchandise business in the Harvey Caldwell brick store and in March, 1891, sold their stock to Lewis C. Pickle and Martin Lingle. This firm continued in business until 1904, when they sold their stock to Mr. John- son, who in turn sold to Solomon Burchill, in 1906. In the fall of 1914 this stock of goods was sold to a party of traders who sold a part of it at auction and moved the rest away. John Bateman thereupon put in a stock of groceries and fresh meats and has been engaged in business since that time. Chappell Brothers opened a general store in the east part of town about 1912 or 1913. which is still conducted by Ernest Chappell. The building and stock of R. C. M. Smith burned in 1906. In 1910 he sold the vacant lots to .1. B. Cohen & Company, who have erected a grain elevator thereon.
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About 1895, or possibly a year or two earlier, S. Morrison and Thomas Springer established a telephone factory at MeCordsville. A few years later they sold it to the Eureka Electric Company, of Chicago, who operated the plant until 1902 when it was sold to Luther Frost, Seymour Morrison, Frank Martindale and others. The purchasers then incorporated under the name of the Columbia Electric Company, and continued to manufacture telephones until 1905. In that year Luther Frost and others established the Leader automobile factory, at MeCordsville, where the first Leader automobiles were assembled. This plant was operated until 1907, when it was moved to Knightstown.
A postoffice has been maintained a MeCordsville ever since it has been a town. The office has one rural free delivery route.
The MeCordsville cornet band was organized about 1902 and played for two years or a little longer. Among its members were Walter McCord. Charles Fred. Irvin Teal. Loren Helms, George Helms. Harold Helms, Luther R. Frost, Paul Brown, Homer Smith, Fred Haskell. Frank Wood and Will Helms.
GILLUM CHAPEL METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The church history of MeCordsville dates back to the year 1849. when a class was formed at the Robb school house. Among the first members were J. W. Hervey. Henry N. Thompson and wife, Marcus Thompson, the VeCords, Thomases, Littletons. Crumps, and others.
In the year 1854 the class built the first church in MeCordsville, at a cost of one thousand and three hundred dollars. It was dedicated by Rev. N. HI. Gilhun and named Gillum chapel in his honor. Among those who stood on the walls of Zion were the Rev. White, Mershon, J. W. Smith. Samuel Lamb, Thomas Stabler, Maxwell, and C. P. Wright, all of whom served the con- gregation before 1876. Since that time the following ministers have served the people as their pastors: R. B. Powell, 1876-70: T. J. Elkin, 1870-1881 : M. G. Phillips. 1881-84: A. L. Folkner, 1884-85: D. F. Stright, 1885-87 : W. C. McCaig. 1887-1888: A. E. Sarah. 1888-80: George W. Green, 1889-1802. In 1880 a parsonage was built just east of the chapel, at a cost of one thousand and two hundred dollars. Since then the following pastors have been on the charge: F. A. Fish, 1892-95: J. H. Slack, 1895-98; T. H. C. Beall. 1896-97' W. G. Bogue, 1807-98; John O. Campbell. 1898-1902: Edwin Dickson, 1902-1906.
On June 25. 1902, the old chapel was destroyed by the storm which passed through McCordsville, and as the class had no building in which to
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hold their meetings, the Rev. Edward Dickson, pastor at that time. decided to build a new church, especially since the old one was so close to the Big Four railroad. The class bought lots 4. 5 and 6 in Bradley & McCord's .Addition to McCordsville, of Thomas P. Hervey, and erected thereon the present Methodist Episcopal church. In the fall of 1902 it was dedicated hy Rev. W. D. Parr. The following pastors have served in the new church : Gilbert E. Martin, 1906-07: Hubert Webster, 1907-09: John C. Wengetz. 1909-10: P. J. Albright, 1910-11: Ernest J. Wickersham. 1911-13 ( resigned to enter DePauw University) : W. E. Aldred. 1913-14: H. \. Goering. 1914-15.
For many years previous to 1915 McCordsville and Mt. Comfort con- stituted the McCordsville charge. In the spring of 1015 the McCordsville class asked the annual conference, which convened at AAuburn. to make McCordsville a station, which was done and M. R. Pierce sent as pastor. The class began the work for the year 1915 with Somerville Light. district superintent ; M. R. Pierce, pastor; T. E. Smith, A. J. Apple, William F. Helms and George T. Vail. church trustees : James L. Vail, William H. Vail and Hiram Dunham, parsonage trustees; T. E. Smith. William F. Helms and William V. Woolman, stewards; John S. McCord, secretary, and Charles F. Fred, treasurer of the board of stewards: T. E. Smith, exhorter: Hiram Dunham and William F. Helins, class leaders; Mrs. Flora A. Robb, president of Epworth League : Mrs. Josie Vail, president of the Ladies' Aid Society.
The officers of the Sunday school are: John S. McCord, superintendent : T. E. Smith, assistant superintendent : Miss Lena Fred, secretary ; Miss Helen Phillips, assistant secretary : Hiram Dunham, treasurer: James L. Vail, choris- ter; Miss Effie McCord, assistant chorister. The average attendance of the Sunday school is one hundred. The church membership is one hundred and twenty.
UNIVERSALIST CHURCH, M'CORDSVILLE.
The Universalist church at MeCordsville was built in the year 1888. and among the ministers who have served the class were I. B. Grandy. Forsher and Beckett. Since 1902 no regular services have been held.
LODGES.
McCordsville Lodge No. 140. Free and Accepted Masons, was organized under dispensation granted in 1852, and received its charter in 1853. Its first meetings were held in an upstairs room in the home of Elias McCord. The first officers were Barzilla G. Jay, worshipful master: Dr. J. W. Her- vey, senior warden: Nelson Bradley, junior warden. In the same year in
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which it received its charter, its place of meeting was moved to Oaklandon. where it became known as Oaklandon Lodge No. 140.
McCordsville Lodge No. 501, Free and Accepted Masons, was organized under a charter granted May 25. 1875. Among the first officers were Thomas P. Hervey, worshipful master; Henry Crossley, senior warden: Ebenezer Steele. junior warden. The lodge has a present membership of seventy-seven.
Chapter No. 44. Royal Arch Masons, was organized at McCordsville on the 23rd day of May, 1860. Its present membership is eighty-six.
McCordsville Council No. 52, Royal and Select Masters, was instituted March 8, 1881, by Martin H. Rice and William Hacker, assisted by mem- bers from Fall Creek Council No. 43. The council was chartered October 19. 1881, with the following members : Thomas J. Elkins, Thomas J. Hanna. Jacob Hiday, Jesse S. Jackson, James W. Smith, Moses N. Craig, Aaron Vail, Addison C. Davis, James M. Wright and Ebenezer Steele. Its first officers were: Harvey Cauldwell, illustrious master; Elias McCord, deputy illustrious master: Henry Crossley, captain of the guard; Moses N. Craig. treasurer: James W. Smith, recorder, and Jesse S. Jackson, steward and sentinel. The present membership of the lodge is one hundred and seventy.
Chapter No. 156, Order of the Eastern Star, was instituted on April 25, 1895, and its first officers were John C. Hervey, worthy patron ; Miss Mary J. Wilson, worthy matron: Mrs. Sarah A. Stanley, associate matron. The present membership is one hundred and eleven.
McCordsville Lodge No. 338, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was instituted in the upper room of the Thompson warehouse, November 17, 1869. with the following charter members: Green McCord, noble grand : James H. Thomas, vice-grand; Aaron Vail. secretary ; William McCord, treasurer; C. W. Hervey, David Brown, P. A. Raber. J. Bills, James N. Helms, John Dun- ham, James W. Nagley. Alfred Bills, Israel Fred. William Sapp and Sylvester Gaskins.
The lodge continued to hold its meetings in the original room until an increase of members made it necessary to obtain new quarters. The lodge thereupon purchased a convenient and commodious hall in a brick building owned by Cauldwell & Steele. Here the lodge prospered until their hall was destroyed by the storm of June 25, 1902 : then they bought lots of N. E. Day and erected a large two-story building. the upper room of which is their new home. The present membership is ninety-nine.
Lodge No. 444. Daughters of Rebekah, was instituted on February 2.4. 1894. the charter being granted to James W. McCord. Aaron Vail, George
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List, William H. Fred, William F. Helms, James L. Vail. James P'. McCord, Henry N. Thompson and Thomas B. McCord. The present membership of the lodge is one hundred and eight.
McCordsville Lodge No. 507. Knights of Pythias, was instituted under dispensation of December 9. 1903. and the charter was granted on October 4. 1904. The following were the charter members: John S. McCord, Thomas J. White, Arthur Wolfgang. Ernest F. Warren. William G. Kimberlin, Carle E. Plummer, James F. McCord. Edward F. List. George Wood, Benjamin F. Ringer, John D. Cory. A. H. Pummer, R. G. Wilson. Edward E. McCord. George Jeffers, Nelson Vanzant, Henry C. Fred. Homer A. Kimberlin, Carl D. Girt, Charles Williams. Leroy Pickle, O. D. Klepfer, Edward Day, Charles F. Fred. John G. McCord. Shadrach Wilson. William Hamilton. Jackson Pickle, Daniel Nagley, Alta Olvey, L. F. Stanley, William A. Pilkenton, P. O. Apple, Gussie E. Smith, Perry C. Apple, John C. Apple, Bert Springer and Jesse Horton. The first officers were John S. McCord, chancellor com- mander: Thomas J. White, vice chancellor: \. Wolfgang, prelate: E. F. Warren, master of work: William K. Kimberlin, keeper of records and seal: C. E. Plummer, master of finance : J. F. McCord, master of exchequer : E. F. List, master at arms : George Wood, inner guard : B. F. Ringer, outer guard ; N. E. Vanzant, host : John D. Cory. \. H. Phummer and R. G. Wilson, trus- tees. The present membership of the lodge is about forty-eight.
Union Temple No. 300. Pythian Sisters, was instituted on March 3. 1905. the charter being granted on October 4. 1905. The following were the first officers : Miss Mary J. Wilson, excellent chief : Mrs. Ollie White, excel- lent senior ; Mrs. Jennie Apple, excellent junior : Miss Ada Phimmer, man- ager: Mrs. Docia .A. Fred, mistress of records and correspondence : Mrs. Leanna McCord, mistress of finance : Miss Nell Hanna, protector; Mrs. Della List, guard: Mrs. Nellie AApple, past chief. There is at present a member- ship of fifty active members.
CEMETERIES.
The Methodist Episcopal cemetery of McCordsville was located just west of the Gillum chapel in 1854. Here slumber many of the faithful. The first interment was Oliver Robb, Sr., on May 22. 1854.
The 1. O. O. F. cemetery of McCordsville was laid out by the Indepen- dlent Order of Odd Fellows on the 16th day of March, 1871, with one hun- dred and fifty lots and streets and alleys. The land was donated by William McCord.
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TEMPERANCE.
The citizens of Fortville and MeCordsville took an active part in the temperance agitation during the seventies. Red Ribbon societies were organ- ized in 1877 and Blue Ribbon societies in 1879. D. B. Ross, a temperance lecturer, who spent a great deal of time in the county in 1879, organized thoroughly the temperance forces. Temperance organizations were main- tained for several years and for a time following 1879 there was not a licensed saloon in the township. Since the election on March 5. 1909. under the county local option law. Vernon township has been in the "dry" column. Two elections have been held under the township local option, in both of which the "drys" were successful.
CULTURE CLUB.
The Culture Club was organized in November, 1894. by Mrs. S. Morrison and Mrs. T. R. Pentecost. Their object was to improve the intellectual and social conditions of the community. The club has members in both Hancock and Marion counties, but was originally organized in Hancock county. Mrs. Bertha Morrison, now of Portland, Oregon, was the first president. Only one charter member now remains as an active member, Mrs. S. Morrison, of Indianapolis. The club is limited to a membership of sixteen. It now has four corresponding members.
Meetings are held on Thursday afternoons every two weeks, with two guest evenings in the year. The first years were devoted to the study of American literature, followed by civics, English literature, domestic science, Shakespeare, English travel, and reviews of the latest books. The club now has members in Fortville, McCordsville, Oaklandon and Indianapolis.
THE IRISHI SETTLEMENT.
While the Germans were digging canals in the early history of the coun- try. the sons of Erin were building railroads. When the branch of the Big Four, then known as the "Bee Line," was constructed through Hancock county in 1850, a number of Irish laborers were of course employed. After the railroad had been completed some of them bought small tracts of land and increased the number of their acres as they were able. Among those who settled in the county at that time, or who came later, and whose names are still familiar in the county, are the Tobins, Kellys, McMahans. Coreys, Lists. Bouchers, McCords, MeConnels, MeColleys, Duricks. Buseys, Dugans and Callahans. The land was produetive and labor was amply rewarded. Many of these names now appear on the list of heavy taxpayers of Vernon township.
CHAPTER XXIII.
FORTVILLE.
For many years before the present town of Fortville was laid out, a post- office and store were kept about a mile north and a little west of the present town, at a point known as Phoebe Fort's corner. The postoffice bore the name of Walpole, in honor of Thomas D. Walpole, a prominent attorney and politician at Greenfield. The postmaster, who was also the proprietor of the little store above mentioned, was Thomas R. Noel, who later became prom- inent as a citizen of Hancock county.
During the forties John K. Rash, Milas Walker. J. H. Hoppes, Lawson Fuqua and Alfred Shortridge deadened the timber on the site where the pres- ent town of Fortville stands. On February 12. 1849. Cephas Fort, who then owned the ground, made the original survey of the town, which consisted of thirty-three lots. Since then a number of additions and surveys have been made, as follow :
First Addition, platted by Cephas Fort ; nine lots.
Shull's Addition, platted by Micajah C. Shull, January 20, 1857 : five lots.
Noel's Addition, platted by Sammuel V. B. Noel and Thomas R. Noel. December 16, 1856.
Vanvelzer's Addition, platted by L. H. Vanvelzer, December 17, 1856; twelve lots.
Merrill's Addition, platted by James S. Merrill: twelve lots.
Asbury's Addition, platted August 19. 1872 : nine lots.
Record & Voorhis' Addition, platted by Samuel Record and Oliver W. Voorhis, February 17, 1873.
Crouch's Addition, platted by Larkin W. Crouch, May 1, 1875: nine lots. Arnett's Addition, platted by Samuel Arnett, March 6, 1884; ten lots.
Chodrick's Addition, platted by Anna Chodrick, July 2.4, 1891 ; thirty- three lots.
Lindamood's Addition, platted by William Lindamood, May 3. 1892: seven lots.
Central Addition, platted by John L. Mathershead, trustee. October 19, 1894; 244 lots.
Factory Addition, platted by John L. Mathershead, trustee, January 9. 1895 : six lots.
Lindamood's Second Addition, platted by William Lindamood, June 3. 1895: eight lots.
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Smail's Addition, platted by John Smail, December 28, 1897: nineteen lots.
Yaryan's Addition, platted by Leander R. Yaryan, February 26, 1902; three lots.
Morrow's Addition, platted by Orville L. Morrow, July 11, 1904; six lots.
Hagens' Addition, platted by Elizabeth Hlagens, August 2, 1904; three lots.
Paul Hagens' Addition, platted by Paul Hagens. November 3, 1905 ; twelve lots.
J. S. Merrill's and Elizabeth llagens' AAddition, platted by J. S. Merrill and Elizabeth Hagens, December 3. 1906.
Edgewood Addition, platted by Allan H. Blacklidge, May 7. 1913; nineteen lots.
When the "Bee Line" railroad was completed, about 1852. the store and the postoffice above mentioned were removed to the town. The postoffice was continued under the name of Walpole, although the railroad station was named Fortville, in honor of Cephas Fort.
The first business house was built in 1849, in which Thomas R. Noel conducted a general store. He was followed by a Mr. McCarty, who occupied the same building. Among the other early business men were Perry Fort, Joseph Chitwood and Tague & Chandler.
Like other towns in new territory, development was slow. Streets were without gravel and the sidewalks were made of saw-dust and slabs. It was located in a productive locality, however, and only needed to await the develop- ment of the surrounding country to be assured of its own growth.
INCORPORATION AS A TOWN.
A petition asking that the name of the town be changed from Walpole to Fortville, and that the town be incorporated under the name of Fortville, was presented to the board of county commissioners at the regular Septem- ber term, 1865. This petition was signed by William C. Pilkenton, James O. Weaver, and a number of others whose names do not appear on the record. The petition shows that Fortville at that time had a population of two hundred and forty persons. The county commissioners fixed the 30th day of Septem- ber, 1865, as the day upon which the qualified voters were to hold an elec- tion at the school house for the purpose of determining whether the town should be incorporated as prayed. At this election thirty-six votes were cast in favor of incorporating the town, and nineteen against it. The report of the election was read in open court at the regular December session, 1865, of
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the board of commissioners, who then and there declared "said town incor- porated by the name of Fortville."
The first election of town officers was held on December 21. 1865. and the following men were elected : treasurer. Thomas R. Noel: clerk. William Baker : assessor, Robert Edwards : marshal, William H. Foley : trustees. David Staats, first ward : Andrew Hagan, second ward; John Treher, third ward ; Thomas Arnett, fourth ward, and Joseph W. Wilson, fifth ward.
.At first improvements were slow. During the latter seventies and early eighties. however, the newspaper items from the local correspondent gave abundant evidence of an agitation for street improvements. In 1880 four hundred dollars was subscribed to improve Main and Staats streets. There was opposition to this improvement, and a question was raised by some of the citizens as to whether the property owners could be forced to gravel the streets. During the eighties and nineties improvements came rapidly. Within recent years cement sidewalks have been put down, the streets have been improved and in 1909 the Thomas W. Gardner road was constructed, which gave Fortville a brick street. Marked improvements were made in 1896. Several plants already established expended large sums for improvements. Hagen & Vanlaningham established a planing-mill, and Wisehart & Schaffer an ice house and storage rooms. Several stories were added to business rooms, fronts improved, etc., about this time.
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