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 84
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DR. JOSEPH M. WISHARD, a prominent physician of Greenwood, was born in White River Township, this county, January 1, 1828,
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JOHNSON COUNTY.
and was the son of John and Agnes H. (Oliver) Wishard, the former of whom was born in Red Stone Fort, Penn., in 1792, of Scotch- Irish descent, and the latter was born in a fort, on the present site of Lexington, Ky., in 1793, of Scotch descent. He was reared on a farm in his native township. He received a common school education, and in the fall of 1849, entered Wabash College, where he remained nearly two years. He was married to Rachel A. Lyons, April 14. 1852. She was born in Pleasant Township, this county, in February, 1826, and was the daughter of Robert R. and Jane ( Vanarsdall) Lyons, who were natives of Pennsylvania and Kentucky. In 1852, they located on a farm in White River Township. They removed to Greenwood in 1854, where our sub- ject entered upon the study of medicine, with his brother, Dr. W. H. Wishard, now of Indianapolis. During the winter of I855-6, he took a course of medical lectures in the Rush Medical College of Chicago. During the winter of 1856- 57, he took his second course of lectures in the Ohio Medical College of Cincinnati, graduating in March, IS57. Dr. Wishard, entered upon his professional labors in this county, and soon won a lucrative practice. Ilis labors as a physician have nearly all been performed in Greenwood and vicinity. In October, 1862, he entered the service of the Union Army in the capacity of assistant surgeon. In the fall of 1863, he was promoted to the rank of sur- geon, and served as such until the close of the war. He was cap- tured July 31. 1864, near Macon, Ga., and was a prisoner for five weeks. At the close of the war, he resumed his practice at Green- wood, where he has continued ever since. llis first wife died July 31, IS71. On the 27th of June, 1877, Dr. Wishard was married to Mrs. Vandalina L. E. Creasey. She was born in Pleasant Township, and was the daughter of John and Ellen (Smock) Shortridge. In 1858 she was married to Richard Ferree, who was killed in the battle of Resaca, Ga. In 1864 she was married to Lawrence P. Creasey, who died in IS73. The first marriage of Dr. Wishard resulted in the birth of eight chil- dren: Laura Ella, Robert Wilbur, John Watson, Harvey Hadley, Jennie, Joseph Ellis, William Arthur and Maggie, all of whom are living, except Harvey and Hadley. One child was born to the first marriage of Mrs. Wishard, and two children were born to her sec- ond marriage. Their names are: Charles Anderson, Ollie and Aurilla Bertha Corilla, all of whom are living. Dr. Wishard and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. The former is a member of the I. O. O. F. and G. A. R. lodges. He is a success- ful physician, and has a creditable rank among the leading practi- tioners of the county. He has held the position of elder of the Presbyterian Church for a period of twenty-five years.
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PLEASANT TOWNSIIIP.
CAPT. ROBERT C. WISHIARD, a pioneer of Johnson County, was born in Fleming County, Ky., August 29, 1803, and was the son of William and Elizabeth (Furlow) Wishard, the former of whom was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, and the latter was born in the city of Philadelphia. At twenty years of age, he accom- panied his widowed mother to Johnson County, and located in White River Township, where he pursued the vocation of a farmer until the spring of IS48. At that time he removed to Pleasant Township, and he has ever since occupied the farm where he now resides. The chief occupation of his life has been farm- ing. His farm contains 120 acres, about seventy of which are in cultivation. While he has devoted almost his entire attention to farming, he has also been identified with the county's military and political history. As early as IS31 or 1832, he was made captain of a military company organized in White River Township, and it is for this reason that he is so familiarly known as Capt. Wishard. In politics, Mr. Wishard was formerly a whig. He was made the candidate of his party for the state legislature, but though he failed to be elected, he received every vote in his township but three. He served as constable in White River Town- ship for five years. Since 1856, Mr. Wishard has been identified with the republican party. Ile was married May 22, 1826, to Re- becca C. Smith. She was born in Mason County, Ky., October 29, 1805, and was the daughter of Samuel and Mary (Martin) Smith, who also were natives of Kentucky. Their marriage re- sulted in the birth of eight children, as follows: Caroline H., born August 10, 1827; Milton M., December 12, 1829, deceased; Emily F., June 18, 1832; John M., November 24, 1835; Mary W., October 31, 1839; Robert W., May 10, 1842, deceased; James A., July 25, 1844. deceased, and Hattie L., July 26, 1849, deceased. The wife of Mr. Wishard died August 23, ISS2, aged seventy-seven. Though in the eighty-fifth year of his age, Mr. Wishard still enjoys good health. 1Ie was the youngest of a family of fifteen children, ten sons and five daughters, all of whom, except himself, are now deceased. He is one of Johnson County's oldest pioneers, having resided here continuously for sixty-five years.
ALFRED C. WOODS, a prominent farmer of Pleasant Township, was born in Blount County, Tenn., December 17, IS21, and was the son of William and Mary ( Hannah) Woods, who were respectively natives of North Carolina and Tennessee. When he was nine years old, his parents came to Johnson County, and located in White River Township. In his early manhood, he engaged in agricultural pursuits for himself, and he has ever since given that his attention. In about IS48, he located in Pleasant Township,
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JOIINSON COUNTY.
where he has resided ever since. He has occupied his present home, in Section 29, since 1850. His farm contains 125 acres, of which about IIo are in cultivation. It contains a hand- some brick residence, and is substantially improved. He was mar- ried July 1, 1847, to Elizabeth A. Smock. She was born on the farm where Mr. Woods now lives, March 30, 1829, and was the daughter of John B. and Jane ( Brewer) Smock, who were respect- ively natives of Pennsylvania and Kentucky. She died August 4, 1876. On the IIth day of September, 1878, Mr. Woods was mar- ried to Mrs. Margaret Tilson. She was born in Anderson County, Ky., December 30, 1835, and was the daughter of Richard A. and Lucy (Jordan) Wheat, who were natives of Virginia and Ken- tucky, respectively. She was married September 30, 1852, to William T. Vories. He was born in Henry County, Ky., Septem- ber 2, 1833, and was the son of John and Elizabeth (Shuck) Vories, who were natives of Kentucky. Mr. Vories died February 23, 1862. On the 23d day of January, 1866, his widow was married to Robert B. Tilson. He was born in the State of Virginia, December 15, IS16, and was the son of Stephen and Anna (Buchanan) Tilson. He died June 16, 1867, after which his surviving wife remained a widow until her marriage to Mr. Woods. The first marriage of Mr. Woods resulted in the birth of twelve children : Jane A., William C., James H., Eva and Henrietta (twins), deceased, Ellen E., John E., Charles W., Annie E., Woodford W., Mary F., deceased, and Alice C. The second marriage of Mr. Woods has resulted in the birth of one child, Roscoe, deceased. The first marriage of Mrs. Woods resulted in the birth of two children: Mary I. and Laura A. Her second marriage resulted in the birth of one child, Cora. Mr. and Mrs. Woods are members of the Presby- terian Church. In politics, Mr. Woods is a republican. In 1863, he participated in the pursuit of John Morgan, serving first as cap- tain of Company A, Ninth Battalion, and subsequently was com- missioned major of the Johnson County Regiment, Indiana Legion.
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RELIGIOUS HISTORY.
CHAPTER X.
RELIGIOUS HISTORY-PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES AT FRANKLIN, GREENWOOD, WHITELAND, SHILOH, HOPEWELL, EDINBURG, AND OTHERS-BAPTIST CHURCHIES AT FRANKLIN, GREEN- WOOD, AMITY, MT. ZION, TRAFALGAR, MT. PLEASANT, ED- INBURG, AND OTHER POINTS-CHRISTIAN CHURCHES OF THE COUNTY -METHODISTS-CATHOLICS.
IIE history of the Presbyterian Church in Franklin* dates from the 30th day of November, 1824. In + what house the little congregation met to engage in public worship on the occasion of the organization is not known, but it is not unfair to presume that it was the old log court house. The record chronicling the organization reads as follows: "Franklin, Johnson County, Indiana, November 30, 1824 .- This certifies that after public worship, the following persons, who were members of the Presbyterian Church, came forward and were, by adminis- tration of the subscriber, with prayer, constituted a Church of Christ, which was, by agreement, called Franklin: George and Eleanor King, Joseph and Nancy Young and David McCaslin. The members proceeded to choose George King and David McCaslin to the office of ruling elders, who were ordained to that office after a sermon by the Rev. George Bush. The session then re- ceived Jane McCaslin a member of the church on examination. (Signed) Rev. John M. Dickey, moderator."
At this point it may not be improper to speak a word with reference to the ministers who officiated on the occasion. From the internal evidence contained in the record it is apparent that Rev. John M. Dickey preached the organization sermon. The Rev. George Bush, who preached the ordination sermon, was born in Vermont in 1796, was educated at Dartmouth College, and studied theology at Princeton. In 1824, he came to Indianapolis, and re- mained in this state for nearly five years. He was the author of a number of well-known works, and died about the year 1869. The record shows that Jane McCaslin, who was the wife of David W., was the first member admitted "on profession of faith." On the
* From Judge Banta's Semi-Centennial Address.
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JOHNSON COUNTY.
25th of June following, Simon Covert and Mary, his wife, were ad- mitted on "certificates," and at the same time, their infant daughter, Dorothy Ann, was baptized, the first celebration of this ordinance occurring within the church. In August of 1827, Mrs. Margaret Gilchrist, the wife of Robert Gilchrist, died, hers being the first death of a member of this church.
For many years there were neither pastor nor house of wor- ship. Sometimes meetings were held at Pleasant Hill, now Hope- well, and sometimes the members met at private houses, occasion- ally in the open woods, but oftener in the old court log-house. Those who ministered to the people then came at the charge of others; Franklin was a missionary station. Of these missionaries, the names of Revs. Isaac Reed, William Duncan, John Moreland, Jeremiah Hill and William Wood, are the most familiar. In 1830, Rev. David Monfort, of the Presbytery of Chillicothe, Ohio, came into the state as a missionary, and was installed pastor of the Franklin Church six months after his coming. Dr. Monfort served the church until IS50, when he was succeeded by Rev. James A. McKee, whose pastorate continued ten years. He was succeeded by Rev. Alexander B. Morey, whose labors continued a little over ten years. Rev. Samuel E. Wishard was the next pastor. His labors began in 1871, and closed in 1877. His successor was Rev. William Torrence, whose pastorate continued about nine years, ending in 1886. Toward the close of the latter year, Rev. Ernest McMillen, the present pastor, was installed.
The church now embraces 646 members, being the second in the state in point of numerical strength. The following named ministers were members of this church prior to licensure, the first two being deceased: Revs. John C. King, Anderson Wallace, Samuel E. Barr, James II. L. Vannuys, Robert M. Overstreet and Sylvester Bergen. The church worshiped in a frame structure until 1852, when a plain, commodious brick building was erected. This was taken down in 1875, and the present church edifice erected on the same site. The present building is of brick and stone, Gothic style, with slate roof, and seats 650 persons, with a lecture- room seating 500 adjoining in the rear, and so arranged with sliding doors, that upon occasions the two can be thrown into one large audience chamber. The value of the property is estimated at $30,000. Officers, ISSS .- Elders: A. Bergen, R. V. Ditmars, J. R. Covert, W. H. Lagrange, George W. Voris, George W. Demaree, C. H. Voris, I. N. Lagrange, W. B. Ellis. Deacons: W. B. McCollough, J. C. Smith, C. M. Demaree, E. C. Miller, O. C. Dunn, and R. A. Brown. Trustees: John Clark, I. M. Crowell and R. A. Alexander. Congregational Clerk: W. B. McCollough. Treas-
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RELIGIOUS HISTORY.
urer: E. C. Miller. Chorister: C. H. Voris. Organist : Mrs. Julia Voris.
Greenwood Presbyterian Church .- The settlements in the north- ern part of Johnson County were visited by ministers of the Presby- terian Church as early as IS24, in December of which year, Rev. George Bush held religious services at the residence of John B. Smock, a short distance south of the present site of Greenwood. Rev. James II. Johnson preached in the neighborhood at an early day, as did also Rev. Isaac Reed, and on the 3Ist of December, 1825, the latter officiated at the organization of the Greenwood Church, which was constituted with nine members: James, Charity, Isaac, Rachel, Mary, Henry, John B. and Mary Smock, and Gar- rett Brewer. James Smock and Garrett Brewer were elected ruling elders, and in January, 1826, trustees were chosen, and steps taken toward the erection of a house of worship; a "parcel of land," one-half mile north of the present limits of the town, was donated for the purpose by Isaac Reed and Garrett Brewer, and in due time a small log house, about 1Sx20 feet in size, was erected thereon, and formally dedicated with appropriate ceremonies.
For some time after the organization the church did not enjoy the labors of a regular pastor, but was ministered to from time to time by transient preachers, among whom were Revs. H. Patrick, Jeremiah Hill, William W. Woods and Eliphalet Kent. In 1839, Rev. P. S. Clelland became pastor. Ile was a man of ability, and a logical speaker. Rev. Horace Bushnell became pastor in 1866, and served with great acceptance till 1869. The next pastor was Rev. A. Dunn, who ministered to the congregation until 1878. His succes- sor was Rev. J. B. Logan, whose term of service extended from 1878 to ISSO. Rev. J. B. Jones then became pastor, and after serving one year was succeeded by A. Dunn, who preached about eighteen months. The next pastor was Rev. James Williamson, whose term of service expired in October, 1887, at which time the present incumbent, Rev. D. R. Love began his labors. The first church edifice was replaced about the year 1832, by a commodious frame building, fitted up with two apartments, one of which was used for school purposes. The building stood on the ground occu- pied by the first house, and was used until about the year IS52 or 1853. In 1852, it was decided to erect a new house of worship, and a building committee was appointed to select an appropriate site for the same. A lot near the central part of Greenwood, on Bluff Street, was secured, and the building, a substantial frame structure, was completed and formally dedicated in 1853. The house is still in use, and is a comfortable place of worship. Present member- ship, 175.
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JOHNSON COUNTY.
Bethany Presbyterian Church ( Whiteland ) was organized Sep- tember, 1833, by Rev. David Monfort and William Sickles, pur- suant to an order from the Indianapolis Presbytery. The following are the names of those who petitioned for an organization: A. V. and Emma Banta, Jane, Jane Ann, Mary, and Francis Dobbins, John Fitzpatrick, Thomas, L. R., Samuel C., Elizabeth; James II., Archibald C. and Polly R. Graham, Samuel G. and Jane Hender- son. The organization was effected at the residence of Lewis Gra- ham, a short distance from the present site of Whiteland, and at . the first meeting the following persons additional to those enumer- ated, were received into membership: A. Banta, Adaline Dobbins, Allen D. and Elizabeth Graham. For about four years services were regularly held in a school-house, three quarters of a mile southeast of Whiteland, and at the end of that time, a building for the especial use of the church, was erected, about two miles north- east of the village. This was a frame edifice, 30x40 feet in size, and answered well the purposes for which it was intended, until 1866. In that year a beautiful brick building, 40x60 feet in size, was erected in the village of Whiteland, at a cost of $4,000. A neat parsonage was built in 1875, and the church property is now among the best in the county. The following ministers have sustained the pastoral relation to the church : Reys. William Sickles, B. F. Woods, J. Q. McKeehan, James Gilchrist, J. G. Williamson, J. B. Logan. John H. Harris, William H. Hyatt, and the present incum- bent, Rev. H. L. Dickerson.
Shiloh Presbyterian Church (Union Township) was organized on the 5th day of October, 1832, at the residence of James Wylie, by Rev. David Monfort, the following persons presenting certifi- cates of admission: Jesse Young, and Margaret, his wife, from Strait Creek, Ohio; Rebecca Clark, Rachel Titus, and Rachel Young, from West Union, Ohio; and John Young from Franklin, Ind. Jesse Young was elected, ordained and installed ruling elder, and it was unanimously resolved to call the new organization the Shiloh Presbyterian Church. Before July, 1834, four additional members were received, all upon examination: Joseph Young, Mary Young, Thomas Titus and Mary Titus. The congregation had occasional preaching until July, 1834, when the first church building was crected. The first meeting in this house was held July 30, 1834, Rev. David Monfort preaching, and ordaining and installing an additional ruling elder, Joseph Young. From this period until 1840, the church records show an addition of thirty-one members. From the same source it is learned that from the or- ganization, until ISS7, 243 members had been received into the church, of whom only twelve were remaining July I, ISS7. It was
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RELIGIOUS IIISTORY.
in the decade between 1840 and 1850, that old log meeting house was removed, and the present tasteful frame structure erected in its stead. The value of the present building and grounds would be from $600 to $Soo. Pastors and stated supplies: Revs. David Monfort, William Sickles, David V. Smock, James H. McKee, Robert M. Overstreet, John Lyle Martin, Benjamin T. Wood, Lee, J. Quincy McKeehan, W. W. Sickles, John King, Nathan L. Palmer, B. F. Wood, A. C. Allen, Arthur Naylor, Horace Bush- nell, Michael M. Lawson, - Reeves, Robert Herron, Henry C. Cave, Edward N. Post, Daniel B. Banta, L. L. Larimer and Josiah Pugh.
Hopewell .- The history of this prosperous church dates from IS31, but several years prior to that time the Hopewell settlement was visited at intervals by Presbyterian ministers, who held public worship in the residences of the pioneers. "The first of these preachers, it is believed, was Rev. Samuel Gregg, of Tennessee, and his first sermon was preached at the house of Mr. Simon Covert, in the fall of 1825." After laboring a short time here as a missionary. Mr. Gregg seems to have returned to Tennessee, where soon afterward he entered into his rest. Rev. Isaac Reed, of Bloomington, seems to have preached a few sermons in the neighborhood during the same year, and the next, and in March, IS27, Rev. William Lowery visited the neighborhood and preached here and at Franklin. " Revs. William Henderson, William Dun- can, Jeremiah Hill, J. R. Moreland and E. Kent, are also re- membered as having preached here and at Franklin occasionally, prior to the organization of the church in IS31."
" A petition was forwarded to the Presbytery of Indianapolis in 1831, then in session at Greensburg, asking for an organization, which was granted." The organization was effected May 23, 1831, by Messrs. Monfort and Moreland, with forty-one members, whose names are as follows :
John Covert, Theodores Covert, Mary Henderson, Nancy Hen- derson, John Henderson, Margaret Mitchell, Peter Demaree, Mary- Demaree, Isaac Vannuys, Ellen Vannuys, Peter Bergen, Anna Bergen, John B. Johnson, John Voris, Andrew Carnine, Nancy Car- nine, Susannah Bergen, Jane Voris, Hannah Voris, Martha Free- man, Daniel Covert, Rachel Covert, Theodore List, Susan List, Thomas Henderson, Mary Henderson, Ann Ransdall, Simon Covert, Mary Covert, Samuel Vannuys, Anna Vannuys, Stephen Luyster, Mary Luyster, Cornelius Covert, Ann Covert. Peter Lagrange, Lemma Lagrange, William McGill, Sarah McGill, Simon Vannars- dall, Catherine Vannarsdall.
The following officers were elected : Elders, John Covert, Peter
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JOHNSON COUNTY.
Demaree and Samuel Vannuys; deacons, Isaac Vannuys and Cor- nelius Covert.
" During the first four years after the organization, the church worshiped in the log house, built for the joint purpose of a school-house and church." It was built about the year 1828, three years before the church was organized. It was a hewed log struct- ure, 20x30 feet in size, and was probably much the best house in the neighborhood at the time it was built. The second house, the first regular church building, erected in 1835, was 45x60 feet, with ceiling fourteen feet high, sustained by four large substantial posts or pillars near the middle of the auditorium. The minister who served the church after Dr. Monfort was Rev. William Sickles. He seems to have supplied the church for about one year, during which time eighteen persons are reported as having united with the church on profession. The next pastor was Rev. Sayers Gazley, who gave three-fourths of his time to the church, for about two and a half years.
Rev. D. V. Smock was pastor from 1842 to 1849, in which time the first parsonage was built. Rev. James Gallatin supplied the church for a short time, and was succeeded in 1851, by Rev. E. K. Lynn, who resigned February, 1854. His successor was Rev. A. C. Allen, who began his labors August, 1854, and con- tinued until June, 1859. Rev. John F. Smith was called to the pastorate November, 1859, and continued with the church until his death in 1864. The next pastor was Rev. S. E. Barr. Rev. E. Black served eight years; and was succeeded by the present pas- tor, Rev. J. W. Pugh, who began his labors December, 1883. The present church building was erected during the pastorate of Rev. E. K. Lynn, about 1853, remodeled during the pastorate of Rev. S. E. Barr, in 1867, and repaired during the present pastorate, at a total expenditure of $8,000. A Sunday school was organized in the Hopewell neighborhood in 1827, with John Covert, superin- tendent.
Edinburg Presbyterian Church .*- The Presbyterian Church in Edinburg was organized by Rev. Hemy Little, D. D., September 4, 1864, in connection with the N. S. Branch of the Presbyterian Church. The original members were twelve in number, viz .: A. S. Rominger, Amanda Rominger, Clarissa Remley, Rachel Stuart, Martha Toner, Catherine Cox, Sarah Deming, Sarah Adams, Mary (Shipp) Givens, Emily A. Rominger and Adelaide Rominger. A. S. Rominger, was elected ruling elder. The first minister was Rev. William I. Clark, who preached his first sermon in March, 1865. He served the church nearly two years. Rev. G. D. Parker
* By Rev. Thomas N. Todd.
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RELIGIOUS IIISTORY.
began his labors with the church as stated supply, April 21, 1867, and closed the same, April, 1869. His successor was Rev. J. B. Logan, who labored for the church from May 1, 1869, until No- vember 13, 1870: was then called as the S. S. for three-fourths of his time, on January 2, 1871, and continued until November, 1872. I. A. Williams was called as S. S., November 17, 1872, and served until March, 1875. Rev. Henry L. Nave, of the senior class of Lane Seminary, was called to be pastor of the church, March 15, 1876. Ilis labors were earnest and successful, and closed in Au- gust, 1879. September 4, 1879, Rev. Alexander Parker, of Colum- bus, was engaged as stated supply for one year, to preach four sermons every month. This engagement continued for two and a half years. Rev. Mr. Scofield served the church as stated supply for one year, from April 2, 1882. The church was subsequently supplied more or less regularly by seminary students for several years. Among these were; W. L. McEwen, of Princeton, Burt E. Howard and Thomas Turnbull, of Lane. Since January, ISS7, the church has been supplied by Rev. Thomas N. Todd. The church began with twelve members, and has had a checkered career, but has done faithful service and been greatly blessed at times. The highest number enrolled was in Rev. H. L. Nave's pastorate, when there was reported a total of 131, and an actual membership of IOS. The building in which the church worships is a tasteful frame struc- ture on Main Cross Street, valued at $3.000. Ruling Elders: A. S. Rominger, Stewart Wilson, G. W. Downs, C. C. Forrer, H. Ewing, George Williams, S. B. Jenkins, Joel Kinsey, Ephraim Adams, Samuel Binley, W. B. Wilson, W. C. Williams and S. II. Kyle, clerk of session.
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