History of Jackson County, Indiana, Part 32

Author: Brant & Fuller
Publication date: 1886
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 759

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Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

FRENCH SETTLEMENT.

Tradition has taught the people of Jackson that in the latter part of the eighteenth century there was a settlement made by the French, and a trading post established on the land where Vallonia now stands. In fact, the evidences are not altogether traditional.

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In memory of such men as Harrison Durham and Josiah Shew- maker, old log-cabins still stood in the field now owned by Jackson Miller, near Vallonia. Their fathers taught them that those were the remains of an old French settlement; and it is positively known that there was a piece of cleared land at this place at the time of the coming of the first Englishman. This place was on the direct line of travel between the settlements of Vincennes and Detroit, and the abundance of fur-bearing animals in this section would have enabled the traders to make large pur- chases of the numerous tribes of Indians that inhabited these parts. But whether there ever was such a settlement, or whether these evidences were the remains of an old Indian village, the facts will never be known.

FIRST SETTLEMENT.

From the files of a newspaper published nearly forty years ago (and which was during the lifetime of some of the first set- tlers), we find that a man by the name of Peter Audrian settled with his family near Vallonia in 1805, and with him the first authentic settlement of the county begins. Shortly after the coming of Audrian, Silas McCullick settled here and married a squaw of the Ox family of Indians. The next to come was Aquilla and Henry Rodgers, who reached the settlement either in the fall of 1807 or the spring of 1808. The Rodgers were supposed to be confederates of Aaron Burr, who, with Harman Blennerhassett, an Irish exile, undertook to organize a military force, invade Mexico, wrest that country from the Spaniards, and establish a southwestern empire with himself as dictator, when by the proclamation of President Jefferson the military preparations were broken up. In making their escape from Blennerhassett's Island the Rodgerses came down the Ohio River in canoes, and landed at what was then known as Charlestown Landing. They made their way through the woods and settled within the present

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limits of Driftwood Township. Aquilla probably about two miles south of Vallonia, near where Isminger's mill afterward stood, and on the land now owned by Peter Mahl; but it is probable that he did not continue to live at the place of first settlement very long. Another one of the Rodgers settled on the farm now owned by the Humphreys. Some of the offspring of the Rodgerses who were born at an early day were David, Lewis, Phillip, Isaac, James and Nancy. Shortly after the coming of the Rodgerses, and possibly at the same time, a settlement was made by a man by the name of Huffman, but the exact spot where he settled is not known, and it is believed that after a few years he removed to Scott County, where his son Peter was cap- tured and carried away by the Indians. We take the following from the Jackson County Democrat, bearing date of 1852: " Peter, the young son of a man by the name of Huffman, was carried off from Pigeon Roost massacre in 1812. Peter and another boy about ten years old were out in the woods playing and discovered some Indians approaching. Peter hid by the side of a log, while his playmate crawled into the hollow of the log. The result was that Peter was carried off, while his playmate escaped. He remained in captivity for several years. At length William Gra- ham went to Washington, and through his influence and that of Jonathan Jennings, then a member of Congress, they interested President Monroe in behalf of the boy, and he caused a corre- spondence to be opened with Dalhoysen, then governor general of Canada, and a Catholic priest. After diligent search the boy was found. and through the kindness of the governor-general was sent home to his parents some time during Monroe's admin- istration.

After Huffman there was no one who came until in the summer or fall of 1810, at which date settlements were made near the pres- ent site of Vallonia by Jesse B. Durham and Thomas Ewing, who were soon followed by Judge McGee, Mckinney Carter,

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William Crenshaw, William Graham, Vincent Lockman, Maj. Beem, George Isminger, Leonard C. Shewmaker, John May, Thomas Carr, Henry Brown, Henry Boles, Daniel McCoy, James Blackwood, Isaac Harrel, William Dowden, E. G. Jacobs, Peter Sewell, Robert Holmes and a man by the name of Burcham. These are names of the most prominent early settlers in Drift- wood Township, or as it was called at the time, "The Forks," the land lying between the Driftwood Fork of White River and the Muscatatauk.

EARLY STRUGGLES.

The early struggles of the pioneers of this section with pov- erty, toil and privations, wild beasts and Indians, who were still numerous and always ready to pillage and murder indiscrimi- nately, added to their lack of comforts and even necessities of life, and we find their lot little to be envied. Although the soil was fertile, yet their implements were so few and so inferior that it was hard work to make enough to support life even with what the forest afforded. We can form but little idea to-day of the privations and suffering our ancestors had to undergo in re- claiming the country. The early period of this settlement was marked by Indian depredations and outrages, and necessity com- pelled them to stand as ready to fight in defense of their homes as their own inclinations prompted them to work in improving them. The Indians at this time were warlike and bloodthirsty, and many lives were lost and tragedies enacted. Forts and block houses were built, where the families, stock, and everything of value was kept for protection. Graham's Fort stood near where Henry G. Smith now lives, and another called Vallonia Fort was built about one square west of Main Street, and enclosed about one acre of land, through which ran Vallonia Branch, and from which they received their supply of water. The first man killed by the Indians was John Hinton, who was shot while at work in the field. He was taken to the house of Joshua Lindley, and

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was buried in what is known as the old Douglas graveyard. After the death of Hinton, the Governor sent two companies of Mountain Rangers to Vallonia for the protection of the settlers. Soon after their arrival at Fort Vallonia they were sent to pro- tect the settlers near Brownstown, and while on their return a man by the name of Sturgeon, who was riding several hundred yards in advance of the company, was shot by a party of Indians who were concealed behind a blind built a few feet from the road. The report of the gun so frightened the company of . Rangers that they rushed past the dead man and never stopped until they were safely concealed behind the palisades of the fort. This display of cowardice so exasperated the settlers that they were wild with anger; and upon the refusal of ne troops to bring the body of Sturgeon within the fort, the following men volun- teered to perform that task: Abraham Miller, Joseph Britton, Richard and Nealy Beem and Thomas Ewing. The body was found at the foot of the hill just north of where Col. Wells now lives. It was taken within the fort, and the following day was buried in the old graveyard on the hill, just east of the little vil- lage. This was probably the first grave, and within it he sleeps, where the winter rains and snows fall unheeded, and the balmy breath of summer brings bright blossoms and luxuriant verdure.

GRIST-MILLS.

One of the greatest sources of anxiety to the settler in a new country is the procuring of bread. When the first white people came here they found none of the conveniences with which we are surrounded to-day. The country was without roads, without bridges, without mills. Surrounded by the manifold annoyances which ever attend the early pioneer, they erected their rude cab- ins and began their life work. One of the first means of obtain- ing bread was by pounding corn in a mortar, when it was sifted, the finest made into bread and the remainder into hominy.

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JOSEPH MILLER.

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These mortars were frequently cut or burnt into the top of a stump, and the pestle, or the instrument with which the corn was pounded was attached to a sweep built after the fashion of the old-time well-sweep. This method was succeeded by the grate, the hand-mill and the coffee-mill, and next some enterprising set- tler built a horse-mill or water-mill. The first of these was built as early as 1812, by a man whose name we could not learn. It was built on Vallonia Branch, and was run by water power.

MILL CREEK.

This creek is a tributary of White River and flows through Driftwood Township and received its name from the numerous mills which were built on its banks. The first mill built on this creek was a water-mill built by George Isminger as early as 1812 or 1813, on the land now owned by Peter Mahl. This was a log building with an overshot wheel, and had a capacity of four or five bushels per day. The settlers would take their grists on horseback, leave them, and after many days would return and get their meal. It is told that a party consisting of about forty Indians visited this mill for the purpose of obtaining some meal, but the millers discovering their approach deserted the mill and hid themselves in the woods. The Indians stationed themselves at the mill and quietly awaited the return of the proprietors who had concluded that their designs were not evil, returned and sup- plied them with meal. Isminger continued to operate this mill until early in the twenties, when he sold out to Allen Shepherd, who tore the old building away and erected a frame building to which a carding machine was afterward attached. This was run by Shepherd until his death, when it was bought by Phillip Pen- ning, run till some time in the seventies and was burned down.

The next mill was erected lower down the creek by a man by the name of Arnold, probably as early as 1815. He soon sold to John and Jacob Staley, who built a "still" house in connection

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with the mill. This was the principal distillery in that section of the country, although many others were in operation at the same time. This supplied the country with that article that was con- sidered almost indispensable in every household. The Staleys sold to John Atkison in the year 1825, and by him it was oper- ated for several years. At an early day a mill was built still further down the creek by a man by the name of Shipman, and another not far from the same place by Isaac Judy, who did an extensive business for more than twenty years. Judy built a saw-mill in connection with the grist-mill, and in this he manu- factured large quantities of lumber yearly.

OTHER MILLS.

On the Muscatatauk River at a point called Millport, stood & large mill owned by the father of Hon. Wash. De Pauw. This in its time was one of the best patronized of all the mills in this section. A steam saw-mill was in operation on the same river as early as 1830. It was the property of old man Judy, but never did a successful business. Early in the twenties a mill was built at Vallonia by the firm of McAfee & Ewing, but the water-power proved insufficient and the mill went down. In 1824 or 1825 Henry Boles built a mill near where Harrison Durham's black- smith shop now stands. It was a water-mill and met with the same difficulty that its predecessor met-insufficient water power. The building was removed and is now used for a stable by Jackson Miller, and the buhrs used for doorsteps at the residence of Har- rison Durham. These, with the large steam-mill which was moved from Carr Township about 1864 by Stacy Holmes, but which ceased to grind several years ago, represent the extent to which this branch of industry has been carried on in this town- · ship.

SAW-MILLS AND DISTILLERIES.

Besides the saw-mills and distilleries which were run in con- nection with the grist-mills, and described above, we mention the

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saw-mill of David Lubker, stationed near the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad, and has a capacity of about 8,000 feet daily. There are at present no distilleries within the limits of this township, but at an early day whisky was manufactured by A. McPherson, Henry Boles, James D. Griffin and others.

EARLY LAND ENTRIES.

George Sumners, 1811; William Wright, 1822; Goodman and Heddy, 1815; Leonard C. Shewmaker, 1814; Conrad Yeater, 1815; I. Ewalt, 1820; Isaac Shewmaker, 1812; Edward G. Ja- cobs, 1814; James Shipman, 1815; Henry Grisamore, 1820; George and John Pallock, 1821; Isaac Harrell, 1811; Aquilla Rodgers, 1819; Ephraim Arnold, 1822; George Jennings, 1825; Henry Rodgers, 1817; James Copland, 1821; Thomas Kendall, 1818; James Thomas, 1818; James Goodman, 1818; Thomas Smith, 1811; William Logan, 1825; Berry Holmes, 1821; Will- iam Graham, 1815; James Crofton, 1814; Cornelius Lustre, 1815; William Hackett, 1815; Jesse Rowland, 1819; Moses Hoggatt, 1818; Jacob Stolley, 1822; John Sage, 1822; Obadiah Walker, 1817; James Dowden, 1815; Daniel McCoy, 1819; Cornelius Walker, 1818; John Empson, 1816; John J. Judy, 1818; Rich- ard Compton, 1818; Benjamin Pidgeon, 1822; Fergus Holmes, 1825; John May, 1821; Stephen Henley, 1825; Jesse Durham, 1812; John Newland, 1818; Samuel Ewing, 1813; James McGee, 1814; Samuel Burcham, 1819; William Provine, 1810; Jacob Macind, 1815; Richard Randolph, 1821; James McGill, 1814; Adam Hostetler, 1818; George Jennings, 1825; Thomas Kendle, 1817. The above are the entries at the United States land office prior to the year 1825, as shown by tract book now on file in the recorder's office of Jackson County. It is believed by many that entries were made prior to 1810, at which date the records show the first entry was made. However, we have found nothing that shows that entries were made earlier.

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WILD ANIMALS.

The wild animals that inhabited the forests at the time of the coming of the first white man were the bear, panther, deer, wolf, turkey, wild hog and many smaller animals, such as the raccoon, squirrel, opossum and many others. Such of these animals as were used for food could be obtained in any quantity by the experienced hunter of that day. Deer, turkey and bear meat were as common on the table of the pioneer settler of Jackson County as pork is to-day; had it not been for the abundance of game the early settler would often have suffered from hunger. The most ferocious of these animals were never dangerous, and seldom or never attacked the inhabitants. They were frequently annoyed by wolves, which were so numerous that they almost entirely pre- vented the raising of sheep at an early day, and those who kept them were compelled to keep them penned up at night and the early part of the day. Another source of annoyance was the destruction of corn by the raccoons, squirrels and crows, which compelled the settlers to guard their corn-fields every fall.

BEAR HUNT.

The following detailed account of a bear hunt in the winter of 1815 is told by Josiah Shewmaker: "About February 1, 1815, my father, Leonard C. Shewmaker, was preparing to settle about one mile south of where James Mahan now lives. One morning John R. Shoemaker and I went out to score some logs, pre- paratory to building a hewed-log cabin; we had not been long chopping when I looked to my left about fifty or sixty yards, and saw a large bear standing with his forefeet on a small pole taking a quiet view of our operations. He was so near that I could plainly see all the beauties of his eyes. They were of a beautiful yellow color with dark streaks running through them like the dial of a compass. 'Look yonder, John, what a bear!' He never spoke but ran to the shanty where the family lived. He didn't

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get more than half-way to the shanty till I saw father coming with two guns. He told John to set the dog on the bear. Now the fight commenced. The dog ran passed the rump of the bear and gave him a severe jerk, at which the bear made a dreadful lunge at the dog, but without effect. The chase began, and the fight continued for about half a mile, first one pursuing and then the other. The pursuit was so slow that the hunters were enabled to get in good shooting distance. Father fired and hit the bear in the head, which brought him instantly to the ground. He was no sooner down than up, the ball having glanced around the skull. After this the manner of fighting was very much changed. When the dog would take hold of the bear, Bruin would turn no more, but dragged the cur over logs and everything that came in the way for about a quarter of a mile, when the bear raised on his hind feet and laid his arm around a large ash tree and stood there. Father took the ax, went up, and with his left hand took the bear by the mane, and with his right brought him to the ground. Thus ended the skirmish and fight of three-quarters of a mile. This bear, when dressed, weighed 396 pounds. His sides measured nearly three inches of clear bacon."

BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.

It is a question of considerable dispute as to who was the first white child born in Jackson County. Each early settlement claims that honor, and can readily name the first-born. After careful inquiry and the comparison of dates, the writer was led to believe that the first white child born within the present limits of Jackson County was Catharine Miller, the daughter of Abraham Miller. She was said to have been born in the year 1811. It is quite probable that there were earlier births than this one, but the facts will never be known. The second birth was Ewing Durham, born January 3, 1812. Harrison was born in 1813, and Jackson Miller in 1815. One of the first

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marriages was that of Thomas Carr to the widow Cavender. Some of the first to die were George Doam, a man by the name of Hazlet, Margaret McAfee and Sturgeon.

CHURCHES.

The first settlers of this county did not lag behind in. matters of religion, but soon after they had provided themselves with a rude log hut that would protect them from the savage beasts and men, they began to make preparations for a place at which they might meet at stated periods and worship God. This settlement was 'free from the vicious men who usually seek frontier life, where they may practice their nefarious callings, and to the credit of the pioneers of Jackson County may it be said that they were God-fearing and Christian people. Immorality, in- temperance, skepticism and infidelity were practically unknown in this section. Without the hope of remuneration, the pioneer preachers came to labor in the vineyard, foregoing all the joys of home, only to be instrumental in the salvation of souls. To those men, and their self-sacrificing devotion, do we owe the planting of churches and the hallowed influence as seen and felt in society everywhere. As was the practice in all the early settlements, the first meetings were held in the private houses of the settlers until church houses could be erected and dedicated. The first church built in the county was the old white church, built in 1815, in the "Forks." It was a log building and used by all denominations. In those days there was great liberality among the sects, and they cared little for the creed if they knew its minister to be an honest man, and preached the pure and una- dulterated religion. Among the early ministers who preached at this church were John Cord, Henry Brown, John McCling, James Hughes and William Kingcade. The members were the Dow- dens, William and James Staley, Zack Stephens, James Shipman, Richard Empson and wife, and many others, This was probably the only church in this township for many years.

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CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

The Christian Church, known as the Driftwood Church, is located about four miles south of Vallonia, and was organized about the year 1839, but had no church building until about 1846 or 1848, at which time the present building was erected. Prominent among the early ministers were Elders John Wright, Jacob Wright, Wesley Harden, C. P. Hollis, Rev. Lockhart, C. Wright, Charles Wayman and Rev. Dale. Few of these were residents of Jackson County. Early members: John Harrell, Walter Harrell, William Graham, Clay Wright, Jonathan Gris- more, John Stutesman, Jonas Burkey, Thomas Hunsucker and wife, Jesse Tuell and Ezekiel Hornady. The present member- ship is about 100, of which R. Tuell and wife, Benton Wilson and wife, Samuel Brewer and wife, Turner Thompson, Walter Harrell are prominent. The salary of the minister is from $6 to $10 per meeting. An interesting Sunday-school is maintained through the summer season.

LUTHERAN CHURCH.

The German Lutheran Church was built a short distance below Vallonia, in the year 1873, at a cost of about $2,300. The original membership consisted of but nine persons: Fred Tur- mail, Henry A. Rick, Henry Achelpohl, William Stuckwish, Henry Halla, John Stahl, Christ. Peters, Henry Walka and Mr. Sontag. The ministers who have had charge of this church since its organization are Theadore Hohn, Rev. Dryer and Rev. Scholtz.

VALLONIA.

Vallonia, the oldest town in Jackson County, was so named because it is located in a valley. It is situated in Section 29, Township 5, Range 4, and in Driftwood Township. It was laid out by Jesse B. Durham, Judge John McAfee and Thomas Ewing in the year 1810, but no plat of the town was recorded

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until October 7, 1856, when it was surveyed by Thomas Carr, and Andrew J. Miller was the proprietor. This consisted of twenty- four lots, with Main Street running north and south, and Com- merce running east and west. At the time of the organization of the county Vallonia was the largest and about the only town in the county. While this was yet a part of Washington County court was held here and the county business transacted. It took rank among the early towns of Indiana Territory, and at the time the Territorial Legislature was adjourned to meet at Jefferson- ville, two of the five delegates composing that body voted for the meeting to take place at Vallonia. It thereby came within one vote of being the capital of the Territorial government for the time.

Probably the first house built in Vallonia was a small log- cabin, with puncheon floors, stick chimney and greased paper windows, built by Jesse B. Durham, near where Mr. Rick's shoe shop now stands. Other cabins were soon erected, and in 1816, there being some demand for a tavern, Jesse B. Durham built & hewed log house just across the street from where Harrison Dur- ham now lives and opened up the first "tavern." Some time after the location of the county seat at Brownstown this house was moved to that place, and is now used by Frank Fassold for a barber shop. Soon after this a house was built by William Crenshaw, opposite the present site of the residence of Samuel Hunsucker. At this house it is believed that the first goods were sold. However, opinions differ very much on this point. A few years later Jonas Burkey built a house, which still stands and is a part of the store room of George Turmail, in which he kept a few goods, but his main stock consisted of whisky. After the removal of the county seat to Brownstown there was but lit- tle business done at Vallonia, but the place has at no time been without a small stock of goods, sufficient at least to supply the temporary wants of the community. Dr. Gibson sold goods here

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about thirty years ago, and since that time there have been many others. At present the principal business is done by Samuel Miller, George Turmail and E. A. Peters. Among the physicians who have practiced in this community at different times we men- tion, Drs. Gibson, Boles, Ireland and Ewing.

There are at present two church organizations at Vallonia- Methodists and Christians. The former was organized about the year 1856, and a substantial frame building erected in the north- ern part of the village. At first other denominations were per- mitted to use this house, but for some reason, unknown to the writer, a jealousy grew up between the Methodists and the Christians, which resulted in the erection of a building by the latter denomination about the year 1859. These are the strong church organizations of this township, and many of the old and most prominent families have connected themselves with one or the other.

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History of Jackson County, Indiana, Part 32

Author: Brant & Fuller Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Number of Pages: 759

Author: Brant & Fuller
Publication date: 1886
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 759