History of Hancock county, Indiana; its people, industries and institutions, Part 77

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 77

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Following are the names of some of the men who have helped to make Fortville what it is:

Dry goods-Hill. Thomas, William Baker, Peter Staats, AAndrew Hagan. Bill Bills & Company. William Rash & Lafever. A. J. Whetsell, W. P. Will- iams and Armstrong & Son.

Grocers-Wisehart & Shafer, Fred Hardin. J. C. Bright, Baker & Will- iams, Walter McKinzie. Jacob Kramer. F. E. Scotten and F. H. Taylor.

Doctors-Mr. Sanders, S. T. Yancy, J. G. Stuart, Frank Hervey, Stewart Slocum, Charles McCord. J. B. Ellingwood, Samuel W. Hervey. S. L. Witham and O. H. Cook.

Veterinarians-Charles Fort, John L. Iliday, B. E. Helms.

Dentists-J. T. Hoopingarner. Glenn Pell, E. C. Parr and E. C. Oberdurf.

Blacksmiths-Will White. Russ Peters, Ed. Clampit, John & Cornell Jarrett. Samuel Yaryan, Will Morse, Grant Murrer. John H. Hiday. James W. Hiday and William Brown.

Painters-Andy Mc. Adams, T. H. Vanzant, Joseph Swanson, July White. Lee F. Burk, Vinton Davis, Val. Jeffreys, Willard Jeffreys, Walter Griffin. John Carr.

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Undertakers-S. H. McCarty and George McCarty.

Lumber Yards-C. S. Springer, I. S. Adams and W. C. Vanlaningham.

Hardware-Cook Brothers, Walter Clayton, Randall & Brothers, Ken- neddy & Hinds. E. L. Crouch & Company. Q. \. Wright and Phillips & Company.

Druggists-Rundrum & Stewart, 1865: Yancey & Jones, Gideon D. Searl. James Jordan, A. C. Pilkenton. Brewster & Thomas and John F. Johnson.

Garages-William Oler, Whetsell & Alexander. Brunson & Whetsell. Brunson & Harris, Hiday & Rudd, Pratt & Crider and Howell & Son.

Carpenters-Gilford Newhart, James Patterson, John Trayor, George Crist, Thomas Hall, Charles Tuttle, D. T. Winn. John W. Brush, David Cottrell, Oliver Bell, Earl Lackey. Ed. Afrey, James Crouch. L. W. Crouch and Frank Crouch.

Jewelers-John Hudson, George McCarty and Ed. Brown.

Livery Barn-Reuben Caylor, Helms Brothers, Joseph Roberts, F. G. Murrer, Stonebreaker, D. Troy. I. Roberts, Walker & Eiks, Bell & Brunson. Dildine & Humes and Felix Grimsley, Wright & Humer.

Tailors-Andrew Capens.

Plasterers-Sherrill & Lightfoot. Wiley & Wiley.

Harness Makers-Robert Gunsols, William Simmons. James Gwinn and Frank Caudell.

Furniture Dealers-Samuel McCarty, James McCarty, George McCarty. John Hudson and E. L. Crouch.

Variety Store-George Ward. R. R. Wright. J. S. Smail.

Barber Shops-R. P. Brown. Wright & Welchel. Williams & Baker and John Doty.

TOWN LIGHTS.

Some of the older records of the town have been lost, but older citizens remember that before the discovery of gas the town trustees had coal-oil lamps placed on the streets for lighting. This was probably done at some- time during the seventies or in the early eighties. After gas was discovered in the county, in 1887, the town was lighted for a number of years with natural gas. In April. 1913. the electric street lights were installed.

PROTECTION AGAINST FIRE.

During the seventies, or probably the eighties, a hand engine was pur- chased, which was operated by volunteers whenever fires occurred in the town. No cisterns were installed, and for water supply the town depended upon local wells. There are no records to show just when this engine was

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purchased, but it was used until quite recently. In March and April. 1913. the town installed a gravity water system at a cost of $16,849.40. A huge tank, with a capacity of 50,000 gallons, has been constructed one hundred feet above the street level of the town. Pipes have been laid and hydrants have been dis- tributed so that all parts of the town are protected by the system. A large stream of water can be thrown over the highest buildings. The town also has two two-wheeled hose carts with five hundred feet of A-1 hose on each cart. The carts are light in weight and are pulled by hand.

SCHOOLS.

The first school house was built in 1857, on the site of the present school building. It was a small frame building in which the first term was taught by a Mr. Tewilliger. A subscription school was taught by a Mrs. Munson. This frame school house continued in use for a period of about twenty years. and of course became wholly inadequate for school purposes as the town grew. In 1877 the newspaper items of the Fortville correspondent again show an agitation for a better school house. The frame building burned about 1875-6. and after that school was conducted in the basement of the Methodist church. also over a drug store and in a hotel; in fact, wherever rooms could be pro- cured. People demanded a house commensurate with the needs of the town and the community. Stokes Jackson was township trustee of Vernon town- ship, and in April. 1877, agreed to pay one-half the cost, and to join with the corporation of Fortville in the erection of a five thousand dollar building. On May 24, 1877. the Hancock Democrat published the following, with other items from the Fortville correspondent :

"We had a school meeting sometime ago to make an effort to build a school house, but the city 'dads' and the township trustee failed to agree on plans, etc. We are no nearer having a school house now than we were before. Every spring a great interest is gotten up in a school house, and everybody talks it, and if wind work would build it, we might now have houses enough to accommodate the whole township. As vet, however, the 'wind work is all that has been done and I am afraid we will not have a building this summer."

On May 31, 1877, the same correspondent included the following item : "We had another school meeting last Wednesday, which resulted in a small subscription."

Nothing further appeared in the local papers concerning the school house until the following spring. On April 11, 1878, the correspondent wrote : "We will soon have a new school house ; this is a move in the right direction."

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On November 21, 1878, the correspondent wrote, "Our school is done and school will begin in about ten days."

In a December issue, in 1878, of the Pendleton Republican, a full report on the new school house was published: "Last Monday one hundred and seventy-six hungry minds rushed into the new school building at Fortville, anxious to reap the benefit of the educational advantages their parents are so amply providing them. Indeed they may well feel thankful for such com- mendable work as the school board of Fortville and the township trustee of Vernon township, Mr. U. S. Jackson, has shown in erecting such a substantial, commodious school building as Fortville now possesses.

"Fortville has long needed such a house and the present school board, J. Il. Treher, Samuel Arnett and J. B. Anderson, deserve credit for pushing the matter to completion. The building was jointly erected by the school board of Fortville and the trustees of Vernon township, each municipal cor- poration bearing one-half the building expenses and each to pay for the running support of the school in proportion to the enumeration of children in school.

"The building is a model school house containing five rooms. It was built by J. H. Treher, a well-known mechanic and member of the board, for the low figures of about three thousand and two hundred dollars, including foundation. No part of the work has been slighted and the township now has a school building with a seating capacity of over two hundred and stands without a rival in Hancock county for a neatly located, conveniently arranged school house.

"As yet they have only three teachers, Alonzo Smith, principal; Quitman Jackson, intermediate, and Miss Edwards. of Noblesville, primary."

The school was conducted jointly for probably twelve or fifteen years, after which Fortville assumed full control of her own schools. It has been necessary to make several additions to the building. At this time. 1915-16. the school has eleven rooms, besides several smaller office and recitation rooms, and twelve teachers are regularly employed.

A Normal was conducted at Fortville in 1891 and high school branches were presented that year. In the fall of 1894, systematic high school work was begun, with Elsworth Orr as principal. In 1895 J. W. Jay took charge of the school and during the winter of 1897-8 the first commission for the school was granted to Superintendent Jay. Following are the names of the superintendents who have been in charge of the high school: Elsworth Orr. 1894: J. W. Jay, 1895: Will A. Myers, 1900: Albert Reep. 1906; C. E. Kelley, 1910; Benton G. Keicher, 1911 : Roy R. Roudebush, 1915.

The school was equipped for manual training work in the fall of 1912.

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Sewing was introduced in the fall of 1913. and a kitchen was fully fitted up for domestic science classes in 1914.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Two hundred and eighty-five children between the ages of six and twenty-one years were enumerated in the town of Fortville in the spring of 1915. Many pupils from the surrounding country were transferred to Fort- ville for school purposes, so that during the year 1914-15 the schools had an enrollment of 334: of these, 83 were in the high school and 251 were in the grades. The average daily attendance in the schools for the year was 225 in the elementary grades and 75 in the high school. The cost of maintaining the elementary grades during the year was $4.960.00: the cost of maintaining the high school was $4.313.75. The total amount paid teachers for the year was $0.705.11. The estimated value of all school property as reported by the school trustees on August 1. 1915, is $21.500. The total assessment of taxables in the town. as reported by the assessor in 1914. is $535.650.

NEWSPAPERS AND PRINTING.

Five local newspapers have been published at Fortville. The first was the Fortville Journal, published for a few months about 1879 or 1880. It was followed by a second Fortville Journal in 1883, and by the Fortville Sun in 1886. The Fortville Tribune was established in 1893 and published by differ- ent editors until April. 1909. when it was purchased by Gus E. Stewart, the present editor and proprietor. He had previously published the Fortville Reporter for a few months during the fall of 1901. The difficulties and hard- ships connected with buikling up a printing business in a town is well illus- trated by the number of papers that have been published at Fortville. Who- ever succeeds has a long battle to fight and many discouragements to over- come before he sees his work crowned with success. But this has been accom- plished. The Fortville Tribune is now fully established and its editor, Mr. Stewart, who himself is a product of Fortville, has the satisfaction of seeing on his books a generous subscription list. his advertising columns in demand. and his office busy with job work.

BANDS.

The old Fortville Cornet Band was organized about 1870. Among the members of the band that can be recalled are: Dall Elliott, leader: J. W. Sherrill, E-flat cornet : Charles Stout, first B-flat cornet : John Shafer, second B-flat cornet : Ethan Hudson, first alto: James Manford, second alto: James

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Scroy, first tenor ; Joseph Edwards, second tenor: Joseph Schafer, third tenor : Elmore West. tuba: Sebe Russell, bass drum, and .A. J. Whetsell, drum. After several years Dr. S. A. Troy took a deep interest in the band and con- tributed liberally toward its maintenance. The organization, with a changing membership, was kept up for ten or fifteen years. Fortville was then with- out a band until the time of the

FORTVILLE CONCERT BAND.

The Fortville Concert Band was organized in the fall of 1910. with the following charter members : Cornets, Ray Teal. Hayden Taylor, George Lindamood; clarinet, Russell Banks : altos, Earl Lackey. Harry Griffey : trom- bones, Lester Born, Homer Smith, Clarence Apple : E-flat bass. James Morse : saxaphones. Dr. S. A. Hervey. Hayes Thomas : baritones, George Newhall, Harry Duzan ; piccolo, William Drake. drums and bells, Fred Yaryan. Of these. Ilervey. Thomas, Taylor, Newhall. Apple. Smith and Lackey have played the entire five consecutive seasons of summer concerts in Fortville. AAfter two consecutive seasons of summer concerts in Fortville Russell Banks was lost to the Barnard Orchestra, then playing the Redpath Chautauqua circuit.

The past summer, 1915, was the fifth consecutive season of Wednesday evening concerts for this band on the streets of Fortville. These concerts having grown to be a vital factor both to the business men and patrons of Fort- ville. On these Wednesday evenings in summer the town takes on the appear- ance of one gigantic social gathering, where greetings are exchanged and small business matters transacted. The organization has been particularly careful never to ask financial assistance from citizens nor business men, thus always keeping it, from its birth, entirely independent and under obligations to no one.

The private property of the hand consists of black serge. velvet-trimmed uniforms, valued at three hundred dollars; one monster E-flat bass, silver- plated in trunk : a concert-sized Leedy bass drum, with tambourine, traps and various accoutrements ; a set of Leedy bells : a library of music, valued at one hundred and fifty dollars, and a portable band stand.

At the close of last season the personnel of the band was as follows: Cornets, Hayden Taylor, Charles Fisher: altos, Charles Dilts, Earl Lakey : alto saxaphone. Hayes Thomas; tenor saxaphone. Dr. S. W. Hervey . E-flat bass. Samuel Trueblood : clarinets. Robert Brewster. Kenneth Torrence : trom- bones. Garfickl Boylen, Clarence Apple, Homer Smith; baritones. George Newhall, Harry Duzan : drums. R. S. Hiatt.

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The band was started under the leadership of George Newhall, who con- ducted it through two seasons. It was subsequently directed by Dr. S. W. Hervey and C. E. Plessinger, of Anderson, who conducted it through the past concert season. Of the present members. Robert Brewster and Ilarry Duzan are members of the Indiana University Band, which is the regimental band of the Second Infantry, Indiana National Guard.

FORTVILLE STATE BANK.

This bank was organized as a private bank in September, 1891, by Isaac W. McConnell, of Oxford, Ind., and Jacob P. Isley, of Attica. Ind., Mr. Isley being the president and Mr. McConnell, cashier. It was called the Fortville Bank. In 1892 James MI. Cook and his brother, Jesse I'. Cook, became associated with the institution as partners. Emerson F. Cahen was appointed as assistant cashier. In 1893 the bank was purchased by Alfred Denny. James M. Cook. Jesse P. Cook and Emerson F. Cahen. Alfred Denny was chosen president, James M. Cook, vice-president. Emerson F. Cahen, cashier. and Jesse P. Cook, assistant cashier. Later in the same year James W. Trittipo became identified as a stockholder and was chosen assistant cashier. After the death of Alfred Denny, his son, Isom W. Denny, became president.

In July, 1906, the bank was incorporated as a state bank, with a paid-up capital of twenty-five thousand dollars. Under the new organization lsom Denny was elected president, James M. Cook, vice-president, Jesse P. Cook, vice-president, Emerson F. Cahen, cashier, and James W. Trittipo, assistant cashier. The above named officers were also the directors of the institution. The resources of the bank are now over three hundred thousand dollars.

FIRST NATIONAL BANK.

This bank was first organized through the efforts of O. L. Morrow in the latter part of 1906, as the People's State Bank of Fortville, with a cap- ital stock of twenty-five thousand dollars. Its first officers were William R. Rash, president; O. L. Morrow. cashier: W. S. Todd, assistant cashier : directors. W. R. Raslı. H. S. Adams, John F. Johnson, J. A. McComas and P. A. Randall. The bank's first published statement showed assets amount- ing to one hundred and forty-six thousand two hundred dollars and six cents.

In 1908 it was reorganized as a national bank with a capital stock of twenty-five thousand dollars. Its first president, William R. Rash, was followed by John G. McCord and John F. Johnson, the latter being presi- dent at this time. The present directors are John F. Johnson, William R. Rash. Henry S. AAdams, I.cander F. Whetzel and Philip A. Randall. O. L. Morrow has been cashier since the bank was organized as a state bank.

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METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

Prior to 1856 services were held in a log church situated in what is now known as Fort's cemetery, about one mile north of Fortville, then known as Staat's cemetery and church. In 1856 a revival service was held by Rev. L. W. Monson in a barn belonging to Peter Staat, situated in the north edge of Fortville. There were a number of conversions and accessions to the church. Out of this number, with those who had held membership at the old church, a new class was formed, taking the name of Fortville Methodist Episcopal church. The old log church was then abandoned and torn down. For a short time after this the Fortville Methodists held their services in the Staat barn, then for awhile in a log cabin on what is now North Main street. After shifting about in temporary quarters for about three years, the build- ing of a church was launched, in 1859, under the pastorate of Eli Rammel. Through the earnest efforts of this pastor and the liberal gifts of Peter Staat, S. A. Patterson and others, a frame church was built on the corner of Church and School streets. The building was raised and enclosed, but only the basement was finished for public worship. The building stood in this condition for five or six years, when, under the pastorate of MI. Teague, an effort was made and the upper room was finished and the church ded- icated by Bishop Thomas Bowman, in 1865. An annoying debt then hung over the church for several years and the building would have been sold for the indebtedness but for the heroic self-denial of Rev. John S. McCarty, who sold his horse and saddle, took the money and canceled the debt and then walked over his large circuit, making other sacrifices to save the church from the disgrace of being sold.

The charter members of the church were: Martin Shaffer, Rachael Shaffer. Minerva Shaffer, Polly Staat, Mary Patterson, Phoebe Staat, Henry Humphries, Cynthia Humphries, Elizabeth Humphries, Christina Stuart. Elizabeth Chodrick, Matthias Shaffer, George Kisicker, Virginia Baker. William M. Baker, Emily Negley, Mary Ginder, I. N. Tewilliger, Camilla Shaffer. Peter Staat, Hannah Staat. S. A. Patterson, Nancy Hum- phries, J. S. Edwards, Anna Chodrick, Sarah Kisicker. Mary Shaffer. Roanna Baker, America Baker, Mary Tewilliger, Elizabeth Poole. James Negley, Susan Russell, William Manford, Robert Poole and Margaret Poole. The present membership is approximately three hundred and seventy- five and continually growing. The pastors and their terms of service are as follow: Milton Wayman, 1856; James Black, 1857-58; Eli Rammel, 1859: J. S. McCarty, 1860-61 : William Anderson, 1862-63: Benjamin Smith.

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1864: M. A. Teague, 1865: W. E. McCarty, 1866-67; J. W. Lowry, 1868: S. T. Stout, 1869-70: J. B. Carnes, 1871-73: E. S. Freeman and J. S. Cain. 1874: E. S. Freeman and R. H. Smith, 1875: E. S. Freeman. 1876: F. F. Rhoades, 1877-78: E. I. Rhoades, 1879: J. S. McCarty, 1880-82; A. C. Gerard. 1883-84: D. D. Powell, 1885: A. S. Rodgers. 1886-88: I. S. Bick- nell. 1889: J. T. Fettro, 1890-92: J. H. Slack. 1893-94: F. M. Lacey, 1895- 98; G. H. Myers, 1899-02; W. B. Freeland, 1903-04: W. T. Arnold, 1905- 08; Millard Pell. 1909-10: W. E. Murray, 1911-12: W. W. Wiant. 1913-15.

The Sunday school has been in operation almost ever since the organ- ization of the church. It has remained through the years one of the most prosperous auxiliary organizations. The average attendance for the last few years has been about two hundred each Sunday. The attendance at the reg- ular church services will average throughout the year about two hundred.

The movement that resulted in the present church edifice began the next day after Christmas, 1900. The leader of the work was the pastor, the Rev. George II. Myers. To him a great deal of the credit must be given for the present splendid church house. The corner stone was laid on July 25. 1901. It was one of the historical events of the town. The work went on to com- pletion and on March 23. 1902. the new church was dedicated by the Rev. Dr. J. W. Bashford, then president of Ohio Wesleyan University. The present valuation of the church property is fifteen thousand dollars. The board of trustees that served through the building of the present church was composed of the following members: J. W. Jay. president : Wilham R. Rash, treasurer: D. F. Blackburn. secretary: Dr. C. E. McCord. J. A. Gardner and Mrs. Clara Smith.

The church has several other auxiliary organizations, including senior and junior Epworth Leagues: a Woman's Foreign Missionary Society with- its auxiliaries, consisting of the Standard Bearers. King's llerakls and Little Light Bearers; a Ladies And Society that has done noble service for years and greatly assisted in lifting the debts on the new building. The church is in a healthy and growing condition and promises to go on in its ministry to all that it can reach. It is one of the best of its class in the Muncie district.

CHRISTIAN CHURCHI.

The Christian church at Fortville was organized on August 6. 1871. John Rash and wife from the Christian church at Alfont. A. Ferrell and wife from Kentucky, and L. W. Crouch from Tennessee, desiring to unite in an organization and build a house of worship in Fortville, decided to hold a meeting. J. W. Ferrell, of Kentucky, was sent for, and on Friday night.

CHRISTIAN CHURCH, FORTVILLE

M. E. CHURCH, FORTVILLE

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August 3, 1871. preached the first sermon. N. A. Walker, of Indianapolis. came and assisted in the meeting. On the following Monday, August O, in the Thomas grove, west of Fortville, in the temple of God's own rearing, while the winds were rustling the leaves above them and the spirit of Christ stirred their hearts within them, a little band of twenty-three pledged them- selves to God, their Maker and Christ, their Master, on the one foundation, with the Bible as their only creed, and to work and suffer, if need be, for the sake of Jesus. The charter members were, Mary Ann Ellingwood. Eliza- beth Ellingwood, Margaret Rash, Winnie Clark, Martha AA. Scott, Susan Ferrell, Mary Hiday, Jane Becknell, Sidney Harter, Martha Troy, Mary Edmonds, Jennie Ferrell, Mary Ann Cavender. Jennie Scott, Mary .\. Fort. Benjamin Cavender, \. Ferrell. J. K. Rash, S. P. Setters, George W. Fer- rell, E. Ferrell, George Scott and L. W. Crouch.

The ministers who have served the church have been : J. W. Ferrell, Rev. Blaney, N. A. Walker, J. O. Cutts, B. K. Smith, W. B. Trowbridge. J. Mc. Allam, Niel Me. Alam, Rev. Ackman, W. H. Kerr. W. Baker, Rev. Haw- thorn, Revs. Franklin, Wilson, Bullfin, Willoby. Johnson, Waller, Finsley and J. E. Moyer.

.A Sunday school was organized at the dedication of the first church building on the third Lord's day in June, 1872. The superintendents have been, J. W. Ferrell, S. P. Setters, L. W. Crouch, J. B. Anderson, C. M. Cannaday. W. B. Cannaday, John Hauk, Caroline Crouch, Claude Hiday and Walter Chappell. The average attendance has been eighty. There are ten classes, with a large attendance of adult members.

The first church was a frame building erected in 1871 and 1872, built by L. W. Crouch. The building committee was composed of J. K. Rash, 1. Ferrell and L. W. Crouch. Dedicatory services were conducted by N. ... Walker, of Indianapolis. The present structure is of brick, erected in 1000 by Mr. Fatout. The building committee was composed of Henry Hiday. Frank Hunter. Rev. Kerr and 1. W. Crouch. It was dedicated by J. F. Rains, of Cincinnati.

The auxiliary societies of the church are the Christian Woman's Board of Missions, the senior and junior Christian Endeavor Society and the Ladies' Aid Society. There are at present ( 1915) three hundred members of the church.

ST. JOHN'S CATHOLIC CHURCH.

The present frame structure, occupied by the Catholics at Fortville, and which is soon to be replaced by a modern brick edifice, was built in 1860. by the Rev. Father D. J. MeMullen, of Indianapolis. Previous to that time services were held at irregular intervals in the homes of members.

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For a few years there was no regular pastor. Services were conducted by visiting priests from St. John's church of Indianapolis and St. Mary's church of Anderson. In 1877 the Franciscan monastery, of Indianapolis, was given charge of the congregation. The first regular pastor was the Rev. Father Arsenius Fahle, O. F. M. It is still a mission attended by the Fran- ciscans, the present pastor being Rev. Father Lendger. O. F. M. There are at present about sixty members. The present trustees are James Ganley, Law- rence Durrick, P. J. Kelley and T. M. Tobin. They will also act as a build- ing committee for the construction of the new church. The church was given the name of St. Thomas, in honor of the late Thomas Tobin, who worked untiringly for the erection of the first church.

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History of Hancock county, Indiana; its people, industries and institutions, Part 77

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