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 51
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Building, Loan and Saving Association, of Franklin, was or- ganized under an act of the General Assembly, providing for such associations, and incorporated May 28, ISS3, with the following stockholders: J. C. Smith, Isaac Mclaughlin, W. M. Neal, Charles Byfield, John H. Tarleton, Henry Holt, W. H. McLaughlin, N. C. Allison, J. M. Dunlap, C. W. McDaniel, B. P. Brown and R. M. Johnson. The objects of the association as stated in the articles of incorporation, are as follows: the " accumulation of funds from the savings of its members, to be loaned among themselves and such other persons as the board of directors determine, for use in buying houses and lots and making such other investments as they may deem advisable." The capital stock was fixed at $200,000, divided into 1,000 shares of $200 each, the same to be managed by a board of directors elected by the association. The association has proved very successful, and quite a number of buildings, principally dwel- lings, have been erected during the last five years.
Women's Christian Temperance Union .- A potent factor in developing the temperance sentiment in Franklin, is the Women's Christian Temperance Union, organized in the fall of 1885, with about ten or twelve members. Mrs. Mary Hamiltom was the first president. Since its organization, the membership of the society has largely increased, numbering at this time. thirty-five. It is composed of the best ladies of the city, who will, no doubt accomplish the good for which this organization was designed. Meetings are held semi-monthly, at the headquarters in the base- ment of the court house, and a course of literary entertainments relating to the subject of temperance is sustained. The officers for ISSS, are as follows: president, Mrs. Nellie Dungan; vice presidents, Mrs. Anna Reece, Mrs. Mollie Dupont, Miss Eva Jones, Mrs. R. J. Thompson and Mrs. Henry Byers; secretary, Mrs. Lizzie Dunlap; treasurer, Mrs. Fannie Bergen.
Present Business. - Dry Goods: Dittmars & Voris, J. L. Jones, McNaugton Bros., E. R. Wyrick. Clothiers: Nort Whitesides and A. J. Finegold. Groceries: L. W. Knobe, Henry Strickler, J. C. Smith, J. C. Dunlap, George M. Israel, J. R. Fleming, W. W. Long, A. A. Blizzard, A. B. Lagrange, I. N. Lagrange, H. M. Lefferson. Drugs: W. B. McCollough, Samuel Eccles, D. H. Miller, Robert Wood, Donnell & 'Son. Hardware: J. M. Storey,
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Smith & Telson. Boots and Shoes: Younce & Mclaughlin. E. R. Moore, James Gilson, Daniel Davis, Demaree & Draper, A. White- sides, Ilenry Wyle. Books and Stationery: Yager & McCoy. Agricultural Implements : Duncan & Byers, Jacob Mullendore, Branigin & Tucker. Furniture: E. P. Randall, Dudley Peak. Notions : Baumgart and Axt. Jewelers: P. II. McGlade, Charles Beck, H. Bishop, Charles Frame. Merchant Tailors: A. Carpen- ter, Young & Kelley, H. Hieronymous. Harness: Alonzo Bergen, A. Shaffer, Frank Snow. Meat Markets: Brown & Son, McColly, William Drake & Son, Randel & Fisher. Millinery: Mrs. Ram- dall, McCollough & Todd, Lizzie Hazlett, Mrs. Henikin, M. Reese, Mrs. Caslin. Livery: James Lee, M. IIazlett, A. G. Vance, Jud Stewart. Dealers in Coal: J. M. Dunlap, A. B. Colton. Restaur- ants: Jordan & Pettiford, Hellerick & Wilson, - Skoski. Pho- tographer: A. G. Hicks. Feed and Wood: William Chambers. Undertaking: William Brown. Saloons: Crockett Pierce, Smiley, John Craig, Hellerick & Wilson, Jeff McClain, William Stewart, William Hays. Sewing Machines: W. Mendenhall, W. Lamasters. Cigars and Tobacco: James V. Sebern, Jeffery, the latter manufactures cigars. Horse Dealers: Jacobs Bros. Ilorse and Cattle Dealers: Powell & Powell. Marble Works: McCol- lough & Todd, William Green. Carriage Makers: Hite and Clark. Poultry Dealer: A. Green.
Edinburg .- Situated in the southern part of Blue River Town- ship, on the J., M. & I. Railroad, near the boundary lines of Shelby and Bartholomew counties, is the city of Edinburg, the second place in commercial importance in Johnson County. In the midst of an extensive district unsurpassed for fertility of its soil, and sur- rounded by large and well improved farms, the owners of which have become rich and prosperous, Edinburg has become the cen- ter of trade for a large community, and has attained prominent rank in commercial matters among the towns of central and south- ern Indiana. Occupying, as it does, a beautiful site on the bank of Blue River, and encompassed by a flourishing agricultural region, it seems to have obtained the kindest favors of fortune. The
history of the town dates from the earliest settlement of the county, and upon its site were made some of the first improvements ever attempted in Johnson County. Among the earliest settlers in the village and vicinity, are remembered John Campbell, who located about half a mile to the southeast: Adam Mowe across the line in Bartholomew County; Isaac Collier, John Adams, Lewis Bishop, and Alexander Thompson, on the site of the town, all of whom came to the county as early as the year 1821. John Holland came in the latter part of 1821, or early in 1822, and located a home
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within the present limits of the town, and about the same time Joshua Palmer settled a short distance west of the village, and be- came the owner of land. The town is situated in Section 34, Town II north, Range 5 east, and occupies parts of the tracts of land purchased from the government in 1820, by Alexander Thompson, John Campbell, and Abram Lee.
" It is uncertain," says Judge Banta, " when the town of Edin- burg was laid out; but from all the evidence that has been adduced, it would seem it could not have been later than in the spring of 1822. It is hard to reconcile this date with certain records in ex- istence, but so many of the old men, during the past twenty years, have asserted their confidence in a date not later than the one given, that it would seem to be safe to follow it. Lewis Bishop and Alexander Thompson were the proprietors of the place. They early saw that a town would be a necessity to the country which was destined to grow up around them within a few years, and de- termined that the necessity should be supplied on the banks of Blue River. The lands surrounding it for many miles were of the finest quality, and the 'rapids' in Blue River afforded a splendid mill site, and so the town was located."
The original plat, consisting of twenty-seven blocks, sixty-three lots, was filed for record in the year 1825. The part laid out by Lewis Bishop lies in the southwest corner of the east half, north- west quarter of Section 34, Township II north, Range 5 east, and the part laid out by Alexander Thompson, lies in the northeast cor- ner of the west half, southwest quarter of the same section. Sub- sequently the plat was enlarged by addition, by William Hunt and Isaac Collier, and the whole, consisting of III lots, was recorded on the 26th day of April, 1834. The plat, as recorded, shows the following streets running east and west: Plumb, fifty feet wide; Main Cross, sixty feet; Center Cross, thirty feet, and Campbell, fifty feet. The streets running north and south are: Main, sixty- nine feet wide; Pleasant, fifty feet; Walnut, forty-seven feet, and Holland, thirty-six feet.
Says Judge Banta: " The new town seems to have had recog- nition from the start. Booth and Newby, merchants, in Salem, Ind., determined on opening a stock of goods, suitable to the wants of the back-woods, at some point on Blue River, and selected Edin- burg as the place. Alexander Thompson was accordingly em- ployed to build them a suitable store-room for the purpose, which he did in 1822." The house was a diminutive log structure, and stood about eighty feet south of Main Cross, on Main Street, and in the fall of the year, William R. Hensley, agent for Booth & Newby, brought a boat load of goods up the Blue River, to the
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mouth of Sugar Creek, and on Sunday the boys went down and carried the goods up to the store on their shoulders. This was the first stock of goods exposed for sale in both township and county. Mr. Hensley appears to have carried on a fairly successful busi- ness for some years, exchanging his merchandise for such articles of traffic as the county afforded, such as ginseng, deer skins, deer hams, etc., large quantities of which he hauled to Salem, thence they were marketed at Louisville and other points on the Ohio. In the meantime, other improvements were being pushed forward, and " by the fall of 1822, the village contained four families, whose log cabins were scattered over a considerable tract of ground in the midst of the native forest."
Among the earliest residences erected in the new town, were those of Isaac Collier, and John Adams, on Main Cross Street. Patrick Cowen on Main Street, Gavin Mitchell, where the Central Hotel now stands, and James Thompson on Walnut Street. These were all log buildings of the most primitive pattern, and were fin- ished with lumber, manufactured by the old whip saw process. Between the years 1823 and 1830, the following persons secured lots and became residents of the town: John Bishop, Hiram Smith, Thomas Hewson, John Givens, T. Pittman, Israel Watts, J. Hunt, John McGinnis, W. C. Cline, W. Martin, HI. Jerrell, G. Earlywine, John Englebright, P. Runkle, N. Ritchey, Otto Lyman and others, the majority of whom improved their respective purchases, by erecting dwellings and other buildings. The second in the place was opened about the year 1825, by Israel Watts, who offered for sale a miscellaneous assortment of merchandise in a small frame building on the west side of Main Street, which had been erected the year previous. A little later Otto Lyman and John Givens engaged in merchandising in a small building, which stood on the lot now occupied by Thompson's Bank, corner of Main and Main
Cross streets. The building had been previously used for a cabi- net shop by William Cline, an early settler in the town, and one of the first mechanics. Messrs. Lyman and Givens put up an addition to the house and for a period of five or six years carried on a very successful business. Booth & Newby continued their store about ten years, and in July, 1826, Messrs. Gwinn & Washburn, began merchandising. George B. Holland went into business in July, 1828, and a little later Austin Shipp and Timothy Threlkeld were licensed to vend merchandise, and about the same time Simon Abbott " in addition to the right to retail " foreign and domestic goods " added spirituous liquors also." These mercantile establishments were highly prized by the early settlers, as the nearest market
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place, prior to the founding of Edinburg, was Madison, a distance of fifty-six miles.
The first mechanic in Edinburg, was Benjamin Collier who erected a blacksmith shop, where the Moffet Bros. drug store now stands, Main Cross street, as early as the year 1824. He was a Pennsylvanian, but came here from Ohio, and did the principal part of the work in his line, for several years, earning the reputa- tion of a skillful mechanic. He subsequently abandoned black- smithing and engaged in the milling business, being the pioneer mill builder of Johnson County. As already stated, William Cline was an early mechanic. He settled in the village about the year I823, and at once erected a small cabinet shop, and engaged in the manufacture of furniture. He was an expert workman and soon found ample opportunities for the exercise of his skill, in making chairs, bedsteads, bureaus, etc., for the early settlers, the majority of whom, previous to his arrival, were content to put up with furni- ture of their own rough manufacture. Mr. Cline's business increas- ing, he was soon compelled to hire additional help, and for a year or two gave employment to one or two hands. George Earlywine was perhaps the second blacksmith, he came as early as 1827, pur- chased lot No. I, in Hunt's addition, and worked at his trade for several years.
The growth of Edinburg during the first eight or ten years of its history, was quite slow, to account for which several reasons have been cited. Prominent among these reasons was the wild and unsettled condition of the county, and the prevalence of sick- ness which periodically visited the few settlers along the various water courses. Many of the pioneers suffered severely from vari- ous forms of malarial diseases. Considering the condition of the county this could hardly have been otherwise. "The soil largely composed of decaying vegetable matter was shut out from the healthful sunshine by the dense shade of an almost unbroken forest, and being saturated with moisture, it was a fruitful source of aerial poison." Blue River, obstructed by fallen trees and an accumula- tion of driftwood, becoming little better than a stagnant pond in the heat of the summer months, added largely to the other sources of disease. The new comers thus exposed were poorly housed, and were too often careless of even the protection they might have had. The water they drank was often but little better than the drainage of the surface, and their diet was limited in variety, and frequently confined to articles not at all promotive of health. Under these cir- cumstances it is not at all surprising that Edinburg and vicinity, early acquired the reputation of a sickly climate. But a few years
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of well directed industry served to remove these fruitful sources of disease. The channel of the river was cleared, drifts were burned, and the dense growth of weeds and wild pea-vines destroyed by cultivation of the soil. The removal of these various causes of disease had a gratifying effect upon the village, and it early became the nucleus of a very flourishing settlement, as well as the chief source of supplies and distributing point for a large area of Johnson, Shelby, Bartholomew and Brown counties.
The growth of the town during the first twenty years of its history, however, was quite slow, but as the population of the coun- try increased, business grew and developed with the demands of the times. According to the statement of a well-known local au- thority, the town, in 1845, numbered about 250 inhabitants, but the construction of the Madison Railroad that year, gave new life to the place, and within a comparatively short time, the population was increased more than two fold. The road marked an important era in the history of the village, and it soon became the distributing point for a large number of towns in central and southern Indiana, among which were Danville, Mooresville, Gosport, Spencer, Bloom- ington, Shelbyville, Knightstown, and other villages between In- dianapolis and Louisville. It early became the leading grain and pork market of the central part of the state, and as a mercantile point was for some years the principal place of traffic between In- dianapolis and the Ohio River. During its period of prosperity, the merchants found it exceedingly difficult to keep up their stock, and from thirty to forty wagons could be seen in a single day unloading goods, grain, etc., at the stores and warehouses. This spirit of prosperity continued several years, but eventually subsided, owing to the completion of the railroad to Indianapolis, and the consequent gravitation of trade to that city.
To go back to the beginning of the town and give a true detail of its various business enterprises, where they commenced, and by whom conducted, is a task beyond the power of the writer to ac- complish. Several mercantile establishments were opened in an early day, and, in addition to the business men already mentioned, the following may be classed among the leading merchants from 1836 to a later date, to-wit: A. C. Thompson, Harvey Lewis, Thompson, Fogarty & Givens, Austin Shipp, John Walsh, Frost & Valentine, J. C. Valentine, Walsh & Deming, and Walsh & Ser- geant.
Incorporation .- Of the original incorporation of Edinburg, but lit- tle is now known, as the early records of the town are not accessible. It is supposed to have been effected as long ago as 1835, under the law governing the incorporation of towns and villages, but the
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local chronicler is authority for the statement that it failed to meet the approbation of the people, and consequently was abandoned, after a few years' trial. It was afterward revived, and under wise municipal regulations, the town has since grown and prospered. The interests of the little city are looked after and governed by a board of trustees, a marshal, clerk, treasurer and attorney. The officers at this time ( ISSS), are as follows: trustees, A. W. Win- terberg, J. D. Fee, and Nathaniel Mowney: marshal. George Roth: clerk, Matthew Duckworth: treasurer, Thomas L. Richard- son; attorney, James H. Dorsey.
The Postoffice .-- It was a strange and pathetic sentence of Dr. Johnson, when he said: " We shall receive no letters in the grave." There is no power in that silent domain to appoint postmasters; no communication open, and no mail contracts can be made with the proprietor of the grim passenger boat.
The Edinburg office was established as early as the year IS23 or 1824, with Gavin Mitchell as postmaster. It is said that for safe keeping, he carried the few letters that came to the village in his hat, and would frequently deliver them at church, the only occasion when the settlers of the community would congregate. This fact led a local poet of a later day, to apostrophize somewhat after the following fashion :
The post office too, is wonderful now, With its lock boxes and that; Why I can easily remenber just how Mitchell carried the thing in his hat.
Hotels .-- Among the earliest improvements of Edinburg, was the pioneer inn which only differed from the ordinary cabin of the settler, in that its hospitalities were dispensed to the traveling pub- lic at a stipulated price. The presence of numerous land buyers and home-seekers rendered places of entertainment necessary, and to accommodate all such, Thomas Carter, as early as 1826, received license from the board of county justices, to keep a tavern in the village of Edinburg. At the March term of 1827, Patrick Cowen received the like privilege, and in May following, Louis Bishop took out a license. About this time, or perhaps a little earlier, one David Stipp, appears as a tavern keeper in a small building which stood on West Main Street. Another early hotel stood on the lot now occupied by the residence of Mrs. Robbins. W. P. Sims, about the year 1846, built a large frame hotel on the corner of Walnut and Thompson streets, which, for a number of years, was the principal place of public entertainment in the town. The Galt House, a two-story frame building, east of the depot, was built some time in the forties, by Joseph Hagerman, who ran it success-
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fully several years. It has been used for hotel purposes ever since, and is now kept by Mrs. Armstrong. The Central Hotel, the leading house in the city at this time, was built a number of years ago by J. L. Toner, who originally designed it for a business house. It is a large three-story brick structure, conveniently located near the depot, on Main Cross Street, and has the reputation of being one of the best stopping places in Johnson County. The building was converted into a hotel several years ago by John Snepp, who purchased the property for the purpose, leased it to Joseph Cox, who was the first landlord. Mr. Strahmier succeeded Cox and ministered to the traveling public a short time. The building was afterward purchased by Thompson & Mutz, who remodeled it at considerable expense-adding all the necessary modern improve- ments. The present landlord is M. R. Coleman.
Industries .- In the year 1826 or 1827, James Thompson availed himself of the splendid water-power on Blue River opposite Edin- burg, and took steps to secure the right to erect a mill at that place. A jury, summoned under the law, made the condemnation required, and immediately thereafter Mr. Thompson, in partnership with Isaac Collier, commenced building a saw- and flouring-mill, which was soon completed and in operation. This mill was highly prized by the citizens of the village, and for a number of years furnished nearly all of the flour and lumber used by early settlers of a large area of Johnson, Shelby and Bartholomew counties. Mr. Thomp- son's business proved remunerative from the beginning, and, in order to supply the great demand created by the constantly in- creasing population of the country, he was afterward obliged to enlarge his facilities for grinding and sawing. This he did about the year 1835 by rebuilding and thoroughly remodeling the mill, and supplying it with new and improved machinery. He continued the business with success and financial profit until 1850, at which time it became apparent that a mill of larger capacity was required to meet the demands of the trade. Accordingly, in that year, he erected a large four-story, brick structure about fifty feet from the old building, and began the manufacture of flour upon a more ex- tensive scale. This was the largest and best mill in Johnson County, and one of the best at that time in the state. After oper- ating it for a few years, Mr. Thompson rented the mill to his sons, and, later, John A. Thompson purchased the property and became sole proprietor. Under the management of the latter the business rapidly increased, and during the war the annual sales amounted to over $30,000, a part of which was realized from flour furnished the Government. The business of the mill continued to increase in the years that followed, and during the interim between 1866 and
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IS72, a larger amount of flour was shipped from Edinburg than from any other town in southern Indiana. In the latter year the mill was entirely destroyed by fire, entailing a loss upon Mr. Thompson of over $60,000. Mr. Thompson immediately rebuilt a much larger mill which, furnished with the latest improved ma- chinery for the manufacture of flour by the roller process, repre- sents a capital of over $100,000. The building is a large six-story brick and stone structure, the main part 50xSo feet in size, and is by far the largest and best mill in Johnson County, and one of the finest in the state. The capacity is 200 barrels per day, and the flour, which has a wide reputation for its superior quality, is shipped to all parts of the United States. Mr. Thompson operated the mill until his death, since which time the business has been man- aged by members of his family.
Distilleries .- Among the earliest industries of Edinburg, was a distillery, a short distance north of the town, erected as long ago as the year 1835, by Otto Lyman. He invested considerable capi- tal in the business, and manufactured a good brand of whisky, which was marketed by wagon at Louisville to Cincinnati and other points on the Ohio. Owing to the small price of whiskey, and the cost required to put it upon the market, Mr. Lyman's ven- ture did not prove financially remunerative, and he was compelled to abandon the business about the year 1842. A second distillery was started about the year 1849 or 1850, by a stock company, which carried on a small business for some time, where the starch factory now stands. The enterprise afterward passed into the hands of Dellard, Ricketts & Co., who enlarged the buildings and increased the capacity, by supplying additional appliances for the manufacture. It was in operation until 1861, at which time the large stock of whisky was sold and the business abandoned.
Tannery .- The early settlers of Johnson County were obliged to rely very largely upon their own resources for many articles of daily use, among which was leather. This was first manufactured in limited quantities, by the settlers themselves, but later, tanneries were started in various parts of the county, one of the first of which appears to have been located in Edinburg as early as IS37 or 1838, by Pulaski Runkle. Mr. Runkle made a good quality of leather, and followed the business with fair success for several years. He found ready sale for all he could manufacture, but soon abandoned the business on account of the low prices, occasioned by compet- ing tradesmen.
Hominy Mill .- About the year 1857, Theodore Hudnut erected a mill in the southeastern part of the town, and began the manufact- ure of hominy. A Mr. Bradley afterward purchased an interest
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which he subsequently sold to M. C. Tilford, who, in partnership with Hudnut, under the firm name of Hudnut & Tilford, operated the mill until its destruction by fire, some time in the sixties. After the fire a building on Main Street, opposite the Central Hotel, was secured, and supplied with the necessary machinery, and the manu- facture resumed by Mr. Tilford was continued some time longer. Mr. Tilford afterward abandoned the manufacture of hominy, and fitted up the mill for grinding flour, but was prevented from engag- ing in the latter enterprise by a large fire, which completely de- stroyed his building. In the meantime, Mr. IIudnut began the manufacture of hominy in Terre Haute, where he now has the largest mill of the kind in the west.
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