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 52
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A second hominy mill was erected in Edinburg in the year 1871, by J. L. Toner, who invested $15,000 in the enterprise. The building is a substantial brick structure, stands on the east side of the railroad, and was used for the manufacture of hominy exclu- sively but a few years. Mr. Toner spared no money or pains to make the enterprise successful, but his business not coming up to his expectations, he finely abandoned it, and, in 1883, sold the building to Thompson, Schooler & Co., who converted it into a flouring mill. This mill is now one of the best on the line of the J., M. & I. R. R. It is supplied with full roller machinery, manu- factures both flour and meal, and has a daily capacity of 150 barrels.
The second flouring mill in Edinburg was erected early in the fifties, by Hall & Legate, who carried on a successful business until 1865. It was then purchased by J. L. Toner, who enlarged the capacity to 150 barrels per day, and did a prosperous business until the building burned in 1871. The mill stood in the north- west part of the town, and was erected and completed at a cost of $23,000. Mr. Toner suffered a loss of $20,000 by the fire, half of which was covered by insurance.
Woolen-mill .- A woolen-mill was built in Edinburg about the year 1863, by a stock company composed of citizens of the town. The buildings stood near the starch works, and the factory, when in operation, required the work of about seventy men. The articles manufactured consisted principally of jeans, yarns, flannels, blank- ets, satinets, for all of which there was a good demand, by the wholesale houses of Indianapolis, and other cities. The factory was in operation at Edinburg until about the year 1877, when the better to increase the business, the company moved the machinery to Columbus, and used it as a factory at that city. A part of the old building is still standing, used by the starch factory.
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Furniture Factory .- Not the least in the list of Edinburg's manufacturing enterprises in the past, was a furniture factory, es- tablished about the year 1868, by a stock company, under the name of the Edinburg Furniture Company. A capital, variously esti- mated at from $17,000 to $20,000, was invested, and a large two- story brick building, 50x70 feet in size, was erected on Main Cross Street, east of the railroad, and furnished with all the modern ma- chinery and appliances required by first-class establishments of the kind. The factory was established under the most favorable aus- pices, and was soon running to its full capacity, giving employ- ment to about forty skillful workmen, many of whom came from a distance. The original company sold out in 1870, to another com- pany composed of Lewis Nichle, David Mullendore and G. A. Mutz, who enlarged the facilities of the factory, and operated it very successfully until its destruction by fire in 1873. The loss to the company was about $16,000, only $6,000 of which was covered by insurance.
Foundry .- A foundry was started in Edinburg as early per- haps, as 1868, by a gentleman from Dayton, Ohio, name unknown, who erected for the purpose, a good building, a short distance west of the depot. It included a machine shop, and gave employment to several mechanics, whose principal work consisted in building threshing machines, and doing general repairing. It proved a re- markable addition to the manufacturing enterprises of the town, but like several factories and mills alluded to, was destroyed by the fire fiend, after a few years' successful operation.
Planing-mills .- The first movement in this direction was made some time in the sixties, by Charles Nicholson, who put up a two- story frame building east of the depot, which he operated as a planing-mill several years, and later, added machinery for the manufacture of sash, doors, mouldings and all kinds of building ma- terial. It was operated successfully for several years. Mr. Hors- ford, the present postmaster of the town, operated a planing-mill for some time, and in connection therewith, did a fairly successful business for about six months, manufacturing pearl and cracked wheat.
Malcy & Co.'s Saw- and Planing-mill .- Prominent among the manufacturers and lumber dealers of Indiana, is Henry Maley, who began the saw-milling business in Edinburg about the year 1878. After operating his mill until 1883, he effected a partner- ship with Jacob Mahley, under the firm name of Henry Maley & Co., which soon became widely and favorably known as one of the most successful lumber firms doing business on the J., M. & I. Railroad. The first mill was burned in ISS6, and as soon there-
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after as circumstances would permit, a second mill was erected, which at this time, is by far the largest and most successful enter- prise of the kind in Johnson County. A brick planing-mill was afterward built which, with the saw-mill, gives employment to about thirty hands. In addition to the production of their own mill, the company operate a large lumber yard, to supply which requires nearly all the lumber manufactured by twelve other mills in differ- ent parts of the county. Large shipments are made to the New England states, principally to Boston, in which city the company have an agent who does an extensive business. The enterprise at Edinburg represents a capital of nearly $100,000, and is justly ranked as one of the largest and most prosperous manufacturing enterprises of Johnson County.
Machine Shop, Payne Bros .- This enterprise was established about the year 1884, by D. J. Elliott, who operated for two years as a repair shop, selling out at the end of that time to E. Payne & Bro. In addition to repairing all kinds of machinery, the firm is now preparing to make machinery, and will soon enlarge the build- ing for the purpose. They are first class machanics, and the shop promises to remain a pernament fixture to the town.
The Edinburg Pump Factory was established in ISSS, and although in its infancy, bids fare to become one of the leading manu- factory establishments of the place. Preparations are being made to erect a suitable building, and the indications point to a large and successful business. Several men are employed, and the pumps which, for simplicity and durability, cannot be excelled, have already won a good reputation among dealers.
Edinburg Pullcy Factory, one of the latest manufacturing enterprises of the town, was established in 1888, by a stock company, for the manufacture of a late improved wooden pulley, invented by William R. Fee. The company is composed of well-known busi- ness men, and a large amount of capital has already been invested. The brick building east of the depot, formerly used for a planing- mill, has been secured, and filled with the necessary machinery, and a number of skillful mechanics, under the personal superintendency of Mr. Fee, have already more than they can do to fill orders from all parts of the country.
Blue River Starch Works .- This mammoth enterprise, one of the largest and most successful of the kind in the United States, dates its history from the year 1868. It was established by a stock company, composed of Samuel Cutsinger, M. C. Tilford, E. K. Horsford and Joseph Fisher, who jointly invested in the undertak- ing about $40,000. The business proved successful beyond the company's most hopeful expectations, and but few years elapsed
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until it became necessary to enlarge the facilities of the works in order to supply the great demand which the starch created in the markets. The buildings were enlarged and otherwise improved from time to time, new machinery was added, and the factory soon became the largest of the kind in the state. In April, 1885, the buildings caught fire and were burned to the ground, entailing a loss upon the company of about $75,000. They were at once replaced by larger and better buildings, in which a capital of $90,000 was invested. The main structure is brick, two stories, 300x150 feet in size. The warehouse is 40x100 feet, besides which there are sev- eral large corn cribs, sheds, and an office separate and apart from the factory. Various changes have been made in the company from time to time, Samuel Cutsinger being the only one of the original stockholders now connected with the enterprise. The crig- inal capacity of the mill was 400 bushels of corn per day, and at the time of its destruction in ISS5, 1,000 bushels were required each day. The capacity at this time is 1,500 bushels per day, or nearly 500,000 bushels per year, which represents 7,500,000 pounds of starch as the yearly product of the factory. To manufacture this enormous amount, the work of seventy men is required. Shipments are made to all parts of the United States, the best markets being in the eastern states where the company is repre- sented by agents.
Edinburg Benevolent Society .- Impressed with a laudable desire to promote the moral welfare of the community, by providing a place of public worship in Edinburg, and feeling unable to accom- plish the work without a concert of action, the citizens of the vil- lage, pursuant to notice, assembled on the 22d day of September, 1833, for the purpose of adopting suitable plans and obtaining sub- scriptions for building a meeting house. At this meeting a propo- sition made by Jacob Beck, Esq., that a " Benevolent Society " be formed, was acted upon, after which an organization was effected and a constitution was adopted. The object of the society, as set forth in the constitution, " is to promote the cause of Christianity, and the happiness and comfort of ourselves and the rising genera- tion around, by building a meeting house in or near Edinburg, for the use and benefit of all denominations, giving preference to none, and doing justice to all; and such other things as we may deem practicable and proper for the good of mankind in general, and es- pecially for the good of society around us."
To carry out the object of the society, a building committee composed of the following persons, was appointed, to-wit: Judge Joseph Dawson, R. B. Treadway, Gavin Mitchell, D. D. Lawler, James Thompson, Israel Watts, Timothy R. Threlkeld, Jacob
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Barton, Isaac Marshall and John Lewis, and at an ensuing meeting, H. B. Hunt, Roland Williams. Jacob Barton, Jacob Beck and Nathan Kyle, were elected a board of trustees. Jacob Beck, James Thompson and John Lewis, were appointed a committee to draft plans for the proposed building. These were reported in due time, after which the contract was awarded to W. R. Farns- worth, who agreed to erect the house as per plans and specifica- tions, for the sum of $475. A lot on Main Street was purchased, and in due time a neat frame building was completed and ready for occupancy. It stood in the rear of Dr. Rush's office, and, until IS46, was the only house of worship in the town, having been used during that time by all denominations. It answered well the pur- poses for which it was intended, but ceased to be used as a meet- ing place after the erection of other houses of worship. The building is still standing, and is now used as a carpenter's shop.
Secret Societies .- Freemasonry is represented in Edinburg by Edinburg Lodge No. 100, which was chartered on the 29th day of May, 1850. The original membership was quite small, but of the early history of the organization little was learned. It has enjoyed a fair measure of prosperity, and at this time numbers fifty men- bers, whose names are as follows: Ephraim Adams, J. R. Bay, Israel Bay, J. A. Bland, I. D. Collier, J. S. Cox, Harry Coons, William Carney, G. W. Downs, J. C. Eagle, M. Fickle, J. A. Freese, P. M. Graves, James Hays, Samuel Hays, J. L. Hartley, M. W. Hubbard, W. M. Howell, J. B. Jackson, Joseph Johnson, W. F. Joyce, Thomas Kerr, W. W. Kerr, J. M. Kelly, J. T. Kelly, W. N. Kyle, George W. King, John Landis, Jacob Mutz, G. A. Mutz, J. D. McLain, Henry Malev, I. B. Nickey, Anton Otto, Luther. Payne, J. A. Perry, A. R. Russell, Thomas L. Richardson, G. B. Runkle, Martin Snepp, H. M. Scholler, William Threlkeld, J. A. Thompson, J. W. Turner, J. C. Valentine, J. H. Vaughan, A. W. Winterberg, V. Wetzell and H. C. White. Officers for 1888: W. F. Joyce, W. M .; J. T. Kelly, S. W .; J. A. Freese, J. W .; A. W. Winterberg, treas .; Thomas Kerr, sec .; G. W. Downs, S. D .; I. B. Nickey, J. D .; J. A. Perry, tyler; J. D. McLain and W. W. Hubbard, stewards.
Odd Fellowship, the younger sister of Masonry, and scarcely second in its beneficent influences upon mankind, was first known in Edinburg, in March, 1850, at which time Herndon Lodge No. 95, was instituted under a dispensation from the Grand Master of Indiana. A charter was granted in July of that year, and the members whose names appear first upon the records, are the fol- lowing: I. S. Jelf, Stewart Wilson, Edward M. Hubert, A Clark, I. I. Hunt, I. P. Shipp, Ephraim Adams, I. R. Hancock, A. J.
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Alexander, Peter Delony, John Wallace, Samuel R. Collier, and George W. Grayson. Among those who became members a little later may be named: Adam Mutz, James E. McGuire, William P. Pudney, William McCartney, Henry Pudney, Robert Chase, and S. H. Steinbarger, all of whom were initiated within one year after the lodge was instituted. Until 1885, meetings were held in a rented hall, on Holland Street, but in that year the third story of Thompson's large brick business house, on the corner of Walnut and Main Cross streets was purchased, and fitted up for lodge purposes. This is now the finest lodge room in the county, being handsomely furnished and elegantly frescoed, the latter work costing several hundred dollars. Herndon Lodge has had a career of great pros- perity, and it is still in a very flourishing condition, numbering among its members many of the leading citizens of the city and adjacent country.
Knights of Pythias .- This order is represented in Edinburg by Fidelity Lodge No. 42, which was instituted on the 12th dav of January, 1874. Thirty-eight names appear on the original application for a dispensation, but only eighteen became charter members of Fidelity lodge. The first officers were: George W. Downs, P. C .; Charles O. Lehman, C. C .; Thomas White, V. C .; George A. Mutz, P .; William R. Strawn, K. of R. and S .: Thomas E. Valentine, M. of F .; John C. Kelley, M. of E .; Harris H. Pin- ney, M. at A .: David Mullindore, I. G., and John H. Breeding, O. G. Other members: Mark G. Deming, William A. McNaughton, John T. Bennett, Charles C. Winterberg, John Gebhart, Edward Fields, Edward Strahmier and Charles W. Snow.
The lodge has moved along uninterruptedly, nothing having oc- curred in its history that would be unusually interesting in general. The local history of the lodge is, of course, pleasant in its recollec- tions. The present membership exceeds the average, and is com- posed of the representative men of the town. Prominent among these are, past chancellors W. C. Wilson and George W. Downs, the latter, the first representative of No. 42. All members of the grand lodge who have attended its sessions for the last few years, know brother Wilson. His connection with the standing committees of finance and accounts, state of the order, and others, and also his ability as a debater and public speaker, have given him much prominence in the grand lodge. C. O. Lehman, a former P. C. of the lodge, but now a non-resident, also attained considerable reputation in the grand lodge. He was an active member, and held office as one of three grand lodge trustees, consecutively from 1878 to ISSI.
R. M. Kelly Post No. 217, G. A. R., was organized August
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3, ISS3, by Isom Griffin and others, of the Columbus Post, with the following charter members: Isaac Holeman, Francis Myers, W. C. Prather, Jacob D. Fee, James R. Sharp, Charles R. P. Wolf, Charles W. Lee, E. H. Thompson, J. B. Nickey, J. D. Breeding, J. C. Freese, O. R. Johnson, Leander Stater, John McCoy, Jeremiah Applegate, George W. Barker, James T. Wicker, R. S. Rawlins, Samuel McCrea, William Nicholson and William McCallister. The first officers were J. C. Freese, P. C .; Leander Stater, S. V. C .; E. H. Thompson, J. V. C .; J. D. Breed- ing, Q. M .; W. C. Prather, surgeon: C. W. Lee, chaplain: A. W. Winterberg, O. D .; J. B. Nickey, O. G .; J. R. Sharp, adjutant ; J. D. Fee, S. M., and Charles A. P. Wolf, Q. M. S. At one time the post numbered ninety-three members, and was one of the strongest and best disciplined organizations of the kind in Johnson County. The membership has been greatly decreased by re- movals, the roster at this time showing the names of only forty belonging. It is in a prosperous condition, however, and has be- fore it a promising future.
United Order of Honor .- A lodge of the U. O. H., was in- stituted at Edinburg on the 15th day of May, ISS5, with the fol- lowing charter members: S. L. Burton, J. T. Burton, John M. Tindel, E. M. Hardy, M. R. Coleman, Rose B. Hardy, Leonard Compton, Elijah Dehart, M. H. Mitchell, C. E. Whitesides, O. R. Stivers, William C. Caruthers, Frank G. Dodge, May J. Kinsey, J. W. Turner, D. McDonald, William Ashby, James H. Sweet, Lewis Woods, J. D. Fee, Austin H. Wright, Minerva F. Mitchell, Harriet F. Bay, Margaret Dehart, John Treon, John Sichler and L. C. Phillips. The object of this order is mutual protection and insurance, and the cultivation of a social spirit among its members. It is gaining rapidly in popular favor, and has lodges in nearly every town of any considerable importance in the county. The Edin- burg lodge at this time numbers forty-two members.
Building and Loan Association .- The first association of this kind was organized a number of years ago, and continued in exist- ence until within a comparatively recent date. The present Build- ing. Loan and Savings Association was incorporated with a subscribed capital of $22,000, in shares of $200 each. The capital stock of the association was fixed at $100,000, in 500 shares, each representing $200. The object of this association, as stated in the articles of incorporation, is as follows: "The accumulation of funds from the savings of its members, to be loaned among themselves and any such other persons as the board of directors may determine, for use in buying houses and lots, building and repairing houses, and make such other investments as they may deem advisable." The
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duration of the society was limited to a period of eighteen years, and the names of the original members are as follows: A. Mutz, Henry Maley, Michael Moffett, Adolph Dalmbert, H. M. Holmes, T. E. Valentine, R. C. Williams, W. M. Park, D. L. Deming, William M. Howell, Owen Moffett, G. E. Mayfield, E. M. Hardy, George Wilbur, W. H. Dowell, George J. Roth, Jr., A. C. Deu- pree, Nathaniel Mooney, S. S. Broughton, William P. Rush, W. F. Joyce. C. S. Fisher, Stephen Schon and C. W. Davis.
The Press .- The press is another illustration of the growth and development of a town and country. Though it is hardly probable that the ardent expectations of the first proprietors of the town have been realized, yet, they have come so much nearer fulfillment than most of the dreams of those who founded the towns on the western frontier, that the founders are revered for their wisdom and enter- prise. Perhaps there is nothing that more faithfully portrays the material wealth and commercial prosperity, than a well conducted newspaper. In this particular Edinburg has reason to be contented. The Edinburg Courier had its origin in 1875, immediately after the wide-spread financial depression of 1873. For a few years the paper struggled along under adverse circumstances. In 1877, E. M. Hardy, the present editor, became associated with H. C. Al- lison, in conducting the paper, and in 1878 became owner of the entire concern. Under his management the paper has assumed a front rank among the weekly journals of southern and central In- diana. The Courier is not the advocate of any particular political creed, but is, on the contrary, wholly independent of party ties. It is devoted to the interests of Edinburg, and each week finds it filled with local news of interest to the citizens of the town and vicinity. Mr. Hardy wields a ready pen, and his, paragraphs on public events are both interesting and able. The citizens of Edinburg and sur- rounding country show their appreciation of the paper by extend- ing to it a liberal patronage. It is issued on Thursday of each week, and is a seven-column folio. The present success of the Courier is entirely due to the energy and business capacity of Mr. Hardy, and it is recognized as an influential journal for both public and private morals.
Banks .- The first bank in Edinburg was a private institution, established in 1868, by Harvey Lewis, and was known as the Lewis Bank. . Mr. Lewis began the business with a small capital, and being obliged to do the greater part of the banking on de- posits, for which he paid a high rate of interest, met with financial reverses, and was soon compelled to relinquish the undertaking. He closed the doors of his bank in 1872, after nearly three years of unsuccessful business. The private bank of A. C. Thompson
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& Sons, one of the strongest and most successful banking firms in Johnson County, was established in 1871, by A. C. & E. C. Thompson, who continued the business as a firm until 1878. In that year, John A. Thompson, Jr., became a member, and since then the firm has been known as A. C. Thompson & Sons. The bank building on the corner of Walnut and Main Cross streets, was erected in 1872, and is one of the best arranged and most commo- dious structures of its kind in this part of the state. The Messrs. Thompson are energetic men, and have much more than a local reputation in business circles. They do a general banking busi- ness, and the institution of which they are the head, will continue to be in the future as it has been in the past, one of the leading en- terprises of Johnson County. In 1874, John A. Thompson engaged in the banking business at Edinburg, which he carried on very suc- cessfully until his death in 1886. The bank is still in operation, under the management of G. E. Mayfield, cashier, and H. C. Bailey, assistant cashier, and is on a solid financial basis, the pro- prietors being among the wealthiest people of Edinburg.
Edinburg Union Agricultural Association .- The people of Edinburg have maintained an agricultural society for a number of years. The association first leased grounds a short distance east of the city, and about twelve years later rented ten acres, and erected thereon suitable buildings, etc., at a cost of several thousand dollars. Still later, the society purchased eighty acres of land one mile east of the town, forty acres of which were afterward sold and the rest fitted up with the necessary buildings, race track, etc. The grounds are beautifully situated and well improved with halls, stables, storage rooms, office, and a half mile race track -the best in the county. Fairs have been regularly held for a number of years, and the exhibits of agricultural and horticultural products, ma- chinery, live stock, etc., have always compared favorably with like exhibitions elsewhere.
Fires. - Edinburg, like many larger places, has been visited from time to time by the fire fiend. As was said of Chicago, after her great conflagration, " she has been born in fire and raised in power." The new Edinburg, that phoenix-like, rose from the ashes of the old town, is far more substantial, and its new growth has been a picture of beauty.
From its birth it has had its fires as other towns and cities have, but the first considerable conflagration occurred late in the forties, when their buildings on Main Cross Street, were reduced to ashes. In 1850, a large fire broke out on the corner of Main Cross and Walnut streets, resulting in the complete destruction of two large business houses, and later several fires occurred in different parts of the
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town, destroying private residences, mills, foundry, depot and many other buildings. All these, though, of considerable loss to the people, have been beneficial to the town, and the means of the erection of much handsomer and more imposing buildings than otherwise would now adorn the place. They were really blessings in disguise, as much as they appeared the contrary of blessings at the time. But for them, the town would not wear its present comeli- ness and beauty.
General Growth .- The growth and prosperity of Edinburg, since about the year 1869, have been all that its inhabitants and friends could reasonably expect or desire. Substantial improve- ments have been pushed forward steadily, and at this time no city in Indiana, corresponding in size and number of inhabitants, can boast of as fine and handsome public and private buildings, as the prosperous little city on Blue River. Its stores and business houses are large, and of a much better class than may usually be found in towns of its size. Among these may be mentioned the buildings on the corner of Walnut and Main Cross streets, owned by H. M. Holmes, George Townsend's brick business house, the John A. Thompson buildings, bank and business houses of A. C. Thompson, and the business houses of John Walsh heirs, Adam Mutz, Mrs. E. Sergeant, Mutz & Lynch, Frank Winterberg, A. W. Winterberg, Alexander Pruitt, Alexander Mooney, James M. Carvin, Noah Sims, James Wade, George Wilbur, J. C. Valentine, and a number of others that are a credit to the town, all of which will show the energy and enterprise of the inhabitants. Others are now in course of erection which will compare favorably with those already con- structed, and still others are contemplated, showing that while business may be depressing in other localities, here, at least, the march of improvement goes steadily on. Taking more than ordi- nary pride in their surroundings, many of the citizens have erected private residences, equal, some of them, to any in this part of the state, which should not be overlooked in the general summary of the city's elegant buildings. Quite a number of palatial dwellings, situated in beautiful grounds, and surrounded by majestic trees, ornamental shrubbery and fragrant flowers, are seen along the principal streets, and would be creditable to much larger and more pretentious cities. But of the many none will be particularized for fear of omissions that might appear unjust to the owners. Other ornaments to the architectural beauty of the town are the hand- some churches and school buildings which find appropriate mention in other chapters of this volume.
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