USA > Indiana > Johnson County > History of Johnston County, Indiana. From the earliest time to the present, with biographical sketches, notes, etc., together with a short history of the Northwest, the Indiana territory, and the state of Indiana > Part 49
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common council, held November 4th of that year, an ordinance was passed defining the limits of the corporation as follows:
Section 1. Be it ordained by the common council, of the city of Franklin, that the ward, city or corporation, wherever the same may occur in this or any following ordinance, or in any ordinance hereafter ordained or established by said council, shall be construed to extend and apply to all that part of the Township of Franklin, in the County of Johnson and State of Indiana, included in and embraced by Section fourteen (14), the north half (12) of Section twenty-three (23), the west half (12) of Section thirteen (13), and northwest quarter (14) of Section twenty-four (24), Township 12 (12) north, Range four (4) east.
Section 2. That said city shall be divided into three wards, to be bounded as described in the following sections:
Section 3. All that part of said city lying south of a line running east and west through the center of Jefferson Street, in said city, shall constitute the First War.l.
Section 4. All that part of said city lying north of the line drawn east and west through the center of Jefferson Street, and east of a line running from the center of Jefferson Street north, along the center of Market Street to the center of Adams Street; thence east to the Madison & Indianapolis Railroad; thence with said railroad to the north boundary of said city, shall constitute the Second Ward.
Section 5. All that part of said city lying north of the north line of Ward No. I, and west of the west line of Ward No. 2, shall constitute the Third Ward.
Under the above ordinance the following officers were elected: mayor, Benjamin Davis; clerk, John O. Martin: treasurer, Will- iam H. Henderson; city attorney, D. W. Howe: marshal, Will- iam H. Myers, resigned, and Solomon Gerow appointed January 26, 1862; assessor, Chambers C. Hamilton.
Councilmen .- The following have served as members of the city council from time to time, since 1867: Thomas W. Woollen, W. J. Mathes, J. T. Jones, Leland Payne, W. C. Crowell, James Wilson, A. B. Hunter, John Beal, Armstrong Alexander, A. B. Colton, George F. Herriott, John R. Fessler, W. H. MeLaughlin, R. T. Taylor, R. S. Sturgeon, L. P. Ritchey, William B. Ellis, William I. Peters, I. I. Covert, I. H. McLaughlin, M. Walker, William A. Davis, William I. Peters, Charles Riker, B. M. Stansi- fer, James Jacobs, R. M. Miller, W. T. Pritchard, Charles Day.
Industries .- To go back to the founding of Franklin, and give in detail an account of its various business and manufacturing en- terprises, is a task beyond the power of the writer to accomplish. There are but few persons now living, who were here when the city was laid out, and those few were too young then. or too old, now, to remember very much concerning the early industries of the płace. consequently the chronicler is forced to depend mainly upon " hear say " evidence for many of the facts in the following pages. Among the first industries attempted in Franklin, was a tannery, established as early as the year 1825 or 1826, by a Mr. Vannoy, who began business upon a limited scale, near the creek, on South Main Street. After operating the yard a short time, Mr. Vannoy sold out to Robert Gilchrist, who did a fairly successful business for a few years, and then disposed of the enterprise to Robert
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Jeffrey. Later, Henry Krumpenske became proprietor, and in IS63, the business was purchased by Messrs. Wheat & Bergen, who ran it until 1867, when Bergen became sole proprietor. Mr. Bergen operated the tannery quite successfully until 1876.
About the year 1844, a tobacco and cigar factory was started in East Franklin, between Jefferson and Madison streets, by W. H. Manwarring, which was operated until early in the fifties. Mr. Manwarring manufactured cigars and plug tobacco, which were sold throughout the country from wagons, two or three of which were kept running for some years.
Woolen-mills. - In the manufacture of woolen goods the farm- ing community of Johnson County were greatly benefited, in an carly day, by the presence in Franklin of carding machines and woolen-mills, which afforded a good market for the wool product. The first attempt of this kind was made about the year 1837, by Abdallah Thompson, who erected a small frame building on King Street, which was supplied with machinery for carding and spin- ning. George W. Branham, about 1855, erected a large three-story brick woolen-mill, near the railroad, where the Waggener and McLaughlin planing-mill now stands, and supplied it with machinery for the manufacture of such woolen goods as blankets, cashmeres, jeans, yarns, etc., all of which products soon obtained an extensive sale in Indianapolis, and other cities. About the year 1868, Messrs. Bradley & Kerlin erected a woolen factory opposite the Union Roller Mill, and began the manufacture of such goods as are made in mills of the kind, but the enterprise did not prove financially remunerative. consequently was soon abandoned.
Pork Houses .- The pork business was one of the early indus- tries of Franklin, and some time in the forties, a slaughter and pack- ing house was erected in the southeast part of town, by Dr. John Peggs and John High.
The largest pork packing firm that ever did business in Frank- lin, was that of Herriott, Vawter, Wheat & Alexander, which was formed about the year 1867 or 1868. A brick building was erected in the south part of town, where the starch works now stand: a large force of men was employed and for about four years the firm clid a prosperous business.
Flouring Mills .- " Pearl Roller Mill " operated at this time by Payne, Johnson & Co., is entitled to more than a passing notice, now one of the oldest landmarks left of the early history of the city. This mill is probably the first one ever erected in the vicinity, and was built by Messrs. Branham & Yandes. After being operated a few years by the above firm, it passed into the posses- sion of Mr. Branham, who, later, in partnership with J. V. Branham,
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did a good business until 1854. In that year it was purchased by Ebenezer Baldwin and Leland Payne, who operated it as a firm until ISSI, the capacity being about sixty barrels of flour per day. July I, ISSI, Mr. Baldwin retired from the firm, and was succeeded by John W. Ragsdale, in ISS2. In 1882 the mill was remodeled, and supplied with machinery for the manufacture of flour by the roller process, seven double sets of rollers being put in, with a ca- pacity of 200 barrels per day. In April, ISS4, Dr. P. W. Payne, brother of L. Payne, and J. B. Payne, a son of the latter, became members of the firm. During this co-partnership. the mill was materially improved in the way of bolting and cleaning machinery, and became one of the best mills in the county. July, ISS7, Dr. Payne and Mr. Ragsdale retired from the firm, and were succeeded by M. L. Johnson and W. H. Small, since which time the partner . ship has been known as Payne, Johnson & Co. In March, ISS8, the mill was well nigh destroyed by the explosion of one of the large boilers, which completely demolished the south end of the building, resulting in the death of the engineer and fireman. The proprietors have since repaired the loss consequent upon the disas- ter, by enlarging the building and furnishing a new and more pow- erful engine. What is known as the Needham mill, east of the J., M. & I. Railroad, was erected some time in the forties, by William Needham, and was originally intended for an elevator. It was sub- sequently supplied with mill machinery, and has been in operation ever since. It is still owned by Mr. Needham, and is now operated by Mr. Jordan.
Union Roller Mill .- One of the most successful enterprises of Franklin is the mill property of McDaniel & Co., known as the Umon Roller Mill, the history of which, dates from about the year 1852. The building was erected by a stock company, composed of well-known business men of the city, and when completed, be- gan to be operated by W. H. Overstreet. who ran it until about IS57. The next proprietor was John Tressler, who operated it until sometime in the sixties, when John Clark became owner. Major George Herriott purchased the property in 1870, and after- ward remodeled the building and otherwise improved the mill. It was operated some time by Messrs. Smiley & Hutchins, and in De- cember, 1879, passed into the hands of C. W. and Ira McDaniel, at which time, the daily capacity was estimated at seventy-five barrels. The building was thoroughly remodeled, and a roller plant with a capacity of 200 barrels was putin, in 18So. Four years later an eleva- tor with a capacity of 35,000 bushels was erected south of the main building. Ira McDaniel disposed of his interest, in ISSo, to W. B. Wright, but purchased from the latter in 1886. January, ISSS, Will-
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iam Sucko bought Ira McDaniel's interest, and is now a member of the firm. The mill building is a three-story frame structure, 41x52 feet in size, with basement and attic. The engine room, thirty-six feet square, and the machinery, which is of the latest improved pat- ern, is operated by an eighty-seven horse power engine, one of the finest in the state.
Sars-mills .- Johnson County, being a heavily timbered country, carly led men of enterprise to engage in the manufacture of lumber. Accordingly, saw-mills were among the first industries of Franklin. It is not.now known who brought the first steam saw-mill to the town, but as early as 1840, one William Nance, was operating one on South Jackson.Street, west of the Bergen tannery. In addition to sawing lumber, Mr. Nance manufactured corn-meal, and operated his mill with fair success for several years. There have been saw-mills in operation continually since 1840, and to give an appropriate sketch of each, is now impossible. There are two mills in active operation at this time, by N. M. Pittman and J. L. Landis, respectively.
Planing Mills .- Probably the first planing mill in Franklin was erected and operated by John High and Dr. Thomas, some time prior to 1854. In addition to planing lumber the firm ran a saw- mill, and also machinery for the manufacture of lath shingles. The mill did a good business for about four years, when the building was destroyed by fire. John Voris & Bro., about the year 1865, erected a planing mill near the Martinsville Railroad on Jefferson Street, and operated it with reasonable success, until the death of Mr. Voris, a few years later. It afterward passed into other hands and did not prove financially successful, until the present proprietors, Messrs. Jones & Bergen, obtained possession. These gentlemen have been established here for several years, and by proper attention to the desires of their customers have attained quite a handsome trade. Adjoining the mill is a large lot used in storing lumber, and just north of the main building is a brick foundry and machine shop, which has been in operation for some time under the management of the proprietor, Anton Sawer.
Waggener & McLaughlin. - The firm of Waggener & Mc- Laughlin is composed of two individuals, both of whom can be classed among the well-known and reliable business men of Franklin. The large planing mill, of which they are proprietors, was built by Payne & Payne, who operated it with encouraging success until ISS2, at which time it was leased by Robert Waggener. One year later the building was burned, after which Mr. Waggener leased the brick building formerly used as a woolen factory by Baldwin & Payne, and fitted it up with good machinery. Ile purchased the
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building in 1887, and the following year took in W. H. McLaugh- lin as a partner, since which time the well-known firm of Wag- gener & Mclaughlin have became widely and favorably known throughout Johnson and neighboring counties.
Ransdell Brothers .- These gentlemen also do a large business in dressed lumber, scroll-work, mouldings, etc., besides dealing ex- tensively in lath and shingles, and filling large contracts for builders. The firm was organized in 1885, and now operate a planing mill on Jefferson Street, which has a daily capacity of 7,000 feet. The Messrs. Ransdell are practical business men, and by strict attention to the demands of their customers, have built up a large and lucra- tive trade.
Cooperage .- There are at this time two establishments of this kind in the city, wherein the manufacture of barrels is carried on, both of which are carried on by the well-known firm of Walker & Sons. The business was originally started in 1860, at the present location, on the J., M. & I. Railroad, and from the beginning proved financially remunerative, as is attested by the fact that the firm were compelled to enlarge their facilities for manufacture in ISS5. They employ eleven men in the old shop and twelve in the new, the latter of which stands near the college building, and manufac- ture upon an average of 40,000 barrels per year, nearly all of which are used by the starch works and flouring mills of Franklin. The firm operate a stave and heading machine at Martinsville, which with the business of the shops in this city, represent an in- vested capital of $4,000.
The Franklin Starch Works .- The largest and by far the most important branch of industry, within the limits of Franklin, and the one by which the city has become so well-known throughout the country, is the Franklin Starch Works, Thompson, White & Co., proprietors. This extensive enterprise was established in ISSo, by a company composed of Samuel Cutsinger, J. M. Thompson, J. L. Hartley and J. M. Detrick. In due time the large brick building, 150x200 feet in size, and two stories high, was completed and supplied with the latest improved machinery, and representing a capital of $90,000. The works have a capacity of 1,200 bushels of corn per day, or an average annual consumption of 250,000 bushels, which converted into the finest quality of starch represents the enormous sum of 6,000,000 pounds. Several changes have been made in the company since its organization, the first of which was in the summer of ISSI, when Messrs. Detrick and Hartley re- tired. The same year George and Edmonson Cutsinger became members of the firm, and are still identified with the enterprise. The company at this time is composed of J. M. Thompson, Samuel
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Cutsinger, George Cutsinger, Edmonson Cutsinger and Thomas White, all of whom rank among the most reliable and best-known business men of Johnson County.
The Indiana Starch Company was organized and incorporated October, 1885, with a capital of $50,000. David Swift, William A. McNaughton, Oren C. Dunn and Henry J. Forsyth, stockholders. A suitable plat of ground in the south part of the city, adjoining the J., M. & I. Railroad, was secured, upon which, in due time, the present handsome buildings were erected, and supplied with neces- sary appliances and machinery. Owing to financial embarrassments, however, the company was not able to put the factory in operation, and the magnificent buildings, much to the regret of the citizens of Franklin, are now standing idle.
Johnson County Creamery Company .- The manufacture of butter is another of the branches of industry to be found within the limits of Franklin. The company was organized and incorporated under the state law, July, 1886, with a capital of $6,000, and a stated term of existence of fifty years. The company is composed of Louis H. Hulsman, Harry E. Hamilton and William B. Jen- nings. The machinery used is of the latest and most approved pattern, and the capacity of the creamery is about 2,500 pounds of butter per week. The gentlemen who comprise the firm are practical business men.
Franklin Steam Laundry .- This enterprise was established in April, 1883, by Messrs. Winchester & Lane, and was then known as the Crystal Laundry. Mr. Winchester retired from the busi- ness in 1884, after which the firm became known as Lane & Stewart, Lane purchasing his partner's interest at the end of three months. It afterward passed through the hands of several per- sons, and, in February, ISSS, Whitesides & Lane, the present firm, became owners and proprietors. They remodeled the establish- ment and refitted it with new appliances, and now have a complete outfit, the whole representing a capital of $1,500. The business, from a very small beginning, has increased until the laundry is now kept running at its full capacity.
Hotels .- Probably the first house opened for the accommoda- tion of the traveling public in Franklin, was a small two-story frame hotel on the corner of Jefferson and Main streets, erected some time in the thirties, by Judge Smiley, and kept by one William Leach. The building was afterward purchased by a Mr. Taylor, and answered the purpose of a place of entertainment for several years.
The Foster House, south of the lot now occupied by Haz- ell's livery stable, was erected in an early day, by John Foster, who became a citizen of the town when it was a mere backwoods vil-
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lage. The Foster House was part log and part frame, and earned a fair reputation as a hotel, but was abandoned about the year 1843. Late in the thirties, Nicholas Shaffer erected atwo-story frame build- ing where the Hazell livery stable stands, and opened it for the benefit of those who saw fit to accept and pay for his hospitalities. This early became the leading hotel of the place, and for a number of years was a popular resort for the traveling public. Shaffer kept it for some time, and is remembered as a very courteous and accommodating landlord. The house was torn down about the year 1848.
The Strahmier House was built in 1848, by John Herriott, and first used as a boarding-house for workmen employed on the Madi- sonville Railroad. Subsequently, it passed into the hands of Will- iam Strahmier, who remodeled and enlarged the building, and made it a popular hotel. It was kept by different parties. and stood until 188I, at which time it was destroyed by fire. James Chenoweth, about the year 1848, erected a two-story frame hotel southeast of the court house, where the Vance livery stable stands, and acted the part of "mine host" some four or five years. The build- ing was afterward used as a residence, and disappeared several years ago. The Peggs House, corner of Railroad and Madison streets, one of the few old land-marks left standing in the city, was erected .as early as 1847 or 1848. by Jacob Peggs. It has been used as a hotel continuously since the above year, and is now kept by Richard Rhodes. The building, an old-fashioned frame struc- ture, is in a good state of preservation, and bids fair to withstand the ravages of time for many years to come.
Merchants's Hotel .- This hotel was built originally for a board- ing-house, by G. W. Branham, who opened it about the year 1850, for the accommodation of railroad workmen. Subsequently, it was remodeled, the frame part torn away, and a substantial brick struc- ture erected by George Bridges, Amos Alexander and Sanford Webb, after which a Mr. Hyde, of Indianapolis, took charge, and ran it a number of years. The large addition west of the old building was erected about the year 1867, at which time several thousand dollars were expended in interior improvements and fur- nishing. The house has been run by different parties, among whom may be mentioned Runyon, Hyde, Weatherford, Browning, Strahmier and Thomas. The present proprietors are Messrs. TIellerick and Wilson.
Banks .- The financial operations of a city. as shown by the transactions of its banks, mirror its importance as a commercial center, and reflect the prosperity of the country tributary to its business. The history of Franklin's banking operations dates from
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January, 1855, at which time the first institution of the kind in the city, The Farmers' Bank, an outgrowth of the Franklin Insurance company, was organized under the free banking law of the state, then in force, with Samuel Herriott, president, and R. T. Over- street, cashier. This bank proved an active stimulus to the busi- ness of the town, and continued in successful operation until about the vear 1862.
The next bank was a private concern, organized about the year 1860 or 1861, by Willis S. Webb, W. W. Woollen and Theodore Pinkney. The venture proved quite successful, and after an exist- ence of two years, resulted in the organization of the First National Bank, which was established in 1863, with a capital of $132,000; W. S. Webb, president, and W. W. Woollen, cashier. This was Bank No. 50, one of the first organized in Indiana under the na- tional banking law, and being operated by well-known and sub- stantial business men, soon took rank among the most successful institutions of the kind in the state. It did a large general banking business, and for a number of years enjoyed a reputation much more than local. The second officers were Capt. John Banta, pres- ident; T. W. Woollen, cashier, and later Mr. Woollen and E. G. Brewer were elected to the offices of president and cashier, respect- ively. Subsequently, Judge Woollen was succeeded as president by James Forsyth, and the next cashier was R. T. Taylor, who afterward became defaulter to a large amount, crippling the bank and causing a suspension of its business in 1877.
Second National Bank .- The Second National Bank of Frank- lin, was organized in the summer of 1863, with a capital of $100,000; G. W. Branham, president, and R. T. Overstreet, cashier. The capital was increased shortly afterward to $150,000, and the bank continued under the original management until 1866, when Mr. Branham resigned the presidency, and was succeeded by John Clark. On severing his connection with the institution, Mr. Branham went to Kansas City, Mo., and organized the First National Bank at that place. Subsequently, Mr. Clark was succeeded by W. H. La- grange, aside from which there were no other changes in the man- agement of the bank until the expiration of the charter in 1883. The Second National enjoyed a very successful and prosperous career, and paid regularly, ten per cent. upon amounts invested, besides other demands. The charter expiring, the business of the institution was closed, after which, a majority of the stockholders organized the Franklin Bank, with L. W. Fletcher, president, and R. T. Overstreet, cashier. One year later, Mr. Fletcher was suc- ceeded by R. T. Overstreet, whose place as cashier, was then filled by E. C. Miller. After one year's service as president, Mr. Over-
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street, owing to failing health, was compelled to retire from the po- sition, whereupon John T. Vawter, Esq., was elected to fill the vacancy. The institution continued as a state bank until May, 1885, when it was re-chartered under the national banking law, as the Franklin National Bank, Messrs. Vawter and Miller, retaining their respective positions.
In the meantime, August, 1882, the National Bank of Frank- lin was organized, with a capital of $50,000, the following well- known business nien constituting the official management: John Clarke, president; W. H. Lagrange, vice president, and J. C. Smith, cashier. This institution continued in successful operation until February, 1888, when the charter was surrendered for the purpose of consolidating with the Franklin National Bank, which was duly effected on the first day of the above month. It is a not- able fact, that during the existence of the above institutions, Frank- lin was the only city in the state that supported two national banks. Since the consolidation the Franklin National Bank has been officered as follows: President, John Clarke; vice president, J. C. Smith; cashier, E. C. Miller; assistant cashier, Victor Smith. It has a capital of $100,000, a surplus of $20,000, and is considered one of the leading and reliable banking houses of central Indiana.
Gas Works .- Franklin has a complete system of gas works, extending throughout the city, furnishing ample light, there being about five miles of pipe laid. The gas company was organized and incorporated May, 1869, with a capital of $50,000. The first directors were: D. G. Vawter, P. W. Payne, N. M. Scholfield, L. W. Fletcher, W. HJ. Jennings, T. W. Woollen, John Clarke, R. T. Overstreet, Robert Hamilton and John T. Vawter. About three-fourths of the business houses, and one-fourth of the resi- dences of the city, use gas, also the starch works, hotel, flouring mills, school buildings and court house; the average daily consump- tion being from twelve to sixteen thousand cubic feet. The present officers of the company are: T. W. Woollen, president; W. S. Young, secretary; S. P. Oyler, treasurer, and A. L. Woollen, superintendent.
The Press .- The honor of establishing the first newspaper in Franklin, belongs to John R. Kerr, a native of Tennessee, who, as early as the year 1846, issued the first number of The Exam- incr, a small local sheet, largely made up of clippings from other papers. Mr. Kerr was an educated gentleman, but through some mistorture became totally blind, and his newspaper venture at this place was a dernier ressort to obtain a livelihood. He had learned the typo's art in his younger days, and being a fair writer, was in-
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