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 88
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Wesley Chapel (M. E.), Union village, was organized in the
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spring of 1878, as a branch of Shiloh Church, in Morgan County. For some time meetings were held in a school-house near the village, but in the fall of the above year, a neat frame building was erected. Among the early members of the class were the following persons: James Matthews, George Smith, John W. Taylor, John Selch, Henry Knox, John Shrockmorton and John L. Knox. The following preachers have ministered to the church since its organization: Revs. Charles Woods, Asbury, Thomas Jones, J. V. R. Miller, Charles Spray, Samuel C. Kennedy and John D. Hartsock. The society belongs to the Waverly circuit, Indianapolis district, and numbers at this time about fifty members.
Friendship Church (M. E.), Ilensley Township, is an old or- ganization, which meets for worship in a frame building, not far from the Morgan County line. The society is not as strong as formerly, but is still in good condition, with an active membership. Rev. Mr. Turner is pastor.
Salem Methodist Episcopal Church, an old organization in White River Township, dates its existence from about 1834 or IS35. The first meetings were conducted by Rev. Jacob Brum- well, at the residence of Anthony Brunnemer, and among those who became members in an early day were Jacob and Charlotte Brumwell, Berrien and Catharine Reynolds, William Dresslar, Margaret Dressler, George Duke, Mary Duke, John Taylor, Sa- rah Taylor, Anthony Brunnemer, Magdalene Brunnemer, Henry Dressler, Malinda Dressler, William Brunnemer, Sarah Brunne- mer, Abraham Lowe, Harriet Lowe, and a number of other early settlers of the community. In 1848, Henry and Elizabeth Dress- ler deeded to the trustees of the congregation a lot for church pur- poses, upon which was erected, a little later, a log house of worship. It answered the purpose for which it was intended until ISÓS, at which time the present frame edifice was erected upon the same lot. Among the pastors of Salem, from time to time, are re- membered the following: Revs. Farmer, Beck, Brown, Crawford, Huffaker, McMullen, W. C. Crawford, George Havens, Landy Havens, Goodwin Sparks, Shelton, St. Clair, J. M. Crawford, Boyer, Ream, Kennedy, Smith, Wilks, Crane, Heavenridge, Woods, Charles Woods, Jones, Asbury, Rhoades, Miller, Sray, C. Kennedy, and Hastrock. The membership in ISSS, is about 100, and the church is reported in prosperous condition.
Rock Lanc Methodist Episcopal Church (Clarksburg) was or- ganized about the year 1873 or 1874. A substantial frame house of worship was afterward erected at a cost of $2,000, and the society, though weak in numbers, the membership being about forty, is
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now making substantial progress. The class leader is William Dun- Javy. Stewards: William Dougherty, Harvey Fisher and William Dunlavy. The church is a point on the Acton circuit, and is min- istered to at this time by Rev. James Hughes. There are three or four other Methodist churches in the county, additional to those mentioned, but owing to the absence of early records, their histories were not learned.
African Methodist Episcopal Church, Franklin, was organized in the year 186S, with the following members: Augustus llam- mond, Mary Leonard, Mary Elkins, Jane Blakely and Mary Stark, Rev. Whitton Lankford officiating. The following pastors have ministered to the church from time to time: Revs. Henry Brown, Henry Depew, Hezekiah Harper, Joseph Alexander, Whitton Lankford, John Fergerson, Daniel Winslow, Alexander Smith, John Jordan, M. Lewis, Richard R. Titus, Nathaniel Jones and George Pope. The pastor in charge at this time is Rev. John Fergerson. The building in which the congregation meets for worship, a frame structure on West Madison Street, was erected and dedicated in the year IS6S. Present membership, fifty-five. Class leaders, Adam Moore and Charles A. Pettiford. Stewards, Charles A. Pettiford, John Fossett, Hillery Moore, Charles Jordan and John Pettiford.
Pleasant Hill Methodist Protestant Church (Clark Township) .- This flourishing organization dates its history from the year IS36. The first minister of the M. P. Church in the " Hurricane " neigh- borhood was Rev. Mr. Cable, who, by invitation, preached at the residence of David Parr, as early as the above year. Subsequently, Rev. Peter Clinger became his associate, and the result of their labors was the organization of a Methodist Protestant Church, con- sisting of the following families: Samuel Overstreet and wife, David Parr and wife, Milton Knapp and wife, Henry McAlpin and wife, Lewis Jones and wife, and Nancy Yager, all of whom are now dead. In the year of 1836, a place of worship was in demand, and the new organization united with the Baptists and United Breth- ren, in building the old log church known as "Friendship," which was used as a place of worship by the three denominations; also, as a school-house. This old log church was built in the years of I836 and IS37, on a lot donated by the late Harvey Sloan, of Franklin, and now occupied by the Ihurricane Baptist Church. Samuel Overstreet appears to have been the first Methodist Prot- estant trustee. The first Methodist Protestant pastor was Peter Clingler, who was followed by George Baxter, John Williams, Thomas Shipp.
From 1840 to 1842, the church had the joint services of T.
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Shipp and C. H. Williams as pastors, and Isaac Wills and wife be- came members of the church. From 1842 to 1843, T. Shipp was pastor. From 1843 to 1845, the church had the services of James Edmeston as pastor. In February, 1844, the Methodist Protestant Church resolved to build for themselves a separate place of wor- ship, and, having secured a beautiful lot (deeded to, and held in trust by, Milton Knapp, Jackson Williams and Lewis Jones, as trus- tees). began immediately to build the old frame church known as Pleasant Hill Methodist Protestant Church, situated on the Ilurri- cane pike four and a half miles northeast of Franklin, in Clark Township, Johnson County, Ind. From the years 1845 to 1848, H. Collings was pastor; from 1848 to 1851, T. Shipp: from 1851 to 1854, J. Gardner. From the year 1854 to 1855, I. W. B. Taylor was pastor. Others who followed were: T. Bland, T. Shipp, J. Bogle, S. M. Gentry, George IIunt, Joseph Proctor, II. Duckworth, S. M. Louden, O. R. Carlton, A. S. Baker, H. Stackhouse, A. W. Motz, C. Caddy, E. Conn, H. M. Boyer, S. H. Flood and M. Gustin, John Heim, J. 11. C. McKinney.
At the conference of 1879, the church, having been left with- out a pastor, was supplied by S. T. Deekens and Prof. J. H. Martin, during whose services the building of the present church building was begun. Early in January, ISSO, the church, having decided to build a new house of worship, elected a building com- mittee, consisting of J. W. Davis, Rufus Williams, S. W. Dungan, John Ballard, W. W. McCaslin, George Cutsinger and T. B. Wood, through whose efforts the subscription was raised, and un- der whose supervision the contract was let for building. The present building is built of brick, is 38x60 feet, finished and furn- ished in the latest style at a cost of $6,000. The contract for constructing the building was let on the 14th day of March, ISSo, to Robert Wagoner. The building was commenced in April, 1880, and completed October I, of the same year, and was dedicated to the worship of God on the Ioth day of October, ISSO. Since 1879 the church has been ministered to by the fol- lowing pastors: J. M. Langley, F. M. Hussey, J. L. Barclay, and the present membership is 100.
Honey Crock Church, United Brethren in Christ, an old or- ganization in the western part of White River Township, was founded as early as the year 1835. Many of the pioneer families of the neighborhood became identified with the society in an early day, and for a period of over a half century it has been a flourish- ing organization, numbering among its members at this time the leading citizens of the community. Among those who became members in an early day were: John Scott and wife, Amos Smith
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and wife. Ira Stater and wife, Margaret Harrell, and others. Rev. Charles McCarty was an early minister, as were also Revs. George Muth and Farmer, who, with others, did much toward establishing the church upon its present substantial foundation. For several years the society met for worship in a neighboring school-house, but about the year 1845, a frame building was erected near the site of the present church. It answered the purposes for which it was intended until 1866, when it was replaced by the present building, a neat frame structure. Present membership, about ninety. Rev. A. J. Bowling is pastor in charge.
Bethel U. B. Church (White River Township) was or- ganized about the year 1858, in a school-house which stood near the present site of the church building. The organization was effected with quite a number of members, among whom were: Mr. Nelson, Sarah Scott. Ilenry Pruner. Wyrmla Pruner, Rev. W. J. Pruner, Harvey Vorhies, Bathsheba Vorhies, and others. Rev. H. K. Muth officiated at the organization, and preached for the society sometime thereafter. The temple of worship used by the congregation was erected about the year 1860. The church is not very strong numerically, numbering only about fifty com- municants, at this time.
Olive Branch U. B. Church, near the central part of White River Township, was organized about the year 1858. by Rev. Henry K. Muth. Among the carly members the following names are familiar: Shelby Fullen, Elizabeth Fullen. Evans A. Ogburn and wife, James M. Barger and wife, and John G. Barger. Among the first pastors are remembered, Revs. Cox, Evans A. Cabrich. The present pastor is Rev. A. J. Bowling. In 1859 a substantial frame temple of worship was erected, the one in which services have been since held. The church is in a prosperous condition, and has the names of over forty-five members upon the records.
Edinburg Catholic Church .- The first priest to celebrate mass in Edinburg was Rev. Vincent Bacquelin, who visited the village as early as 1836, and held services in the house of Mrs. Tierney, one of the early settlers of the community. At that time there were but few Catholics in the neighborhood, but in IS45, John Walsh, Dr. William Rush and Michael Fogarty settled here, and two years later came Mrs. Hannah Ryan, mother of James, Thomas and Richard Ryan, and Sister St. Charles. In 1850, the Catholic population was increased by the arrival of Thomas Fitzgibbon, James Mullen, Michael Moffett, Michael Lynch, Michael McGravee and Henry Sweetman, all of whom proved valuable additions to the church. Services were held at different places until 1851, at which time 'a neat frame temple of worship was erected in the
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western part of town on a beautiful eminence overlooking Main Cross Street. The building was blessed by Bishop De Saint Palais, as- sisted by Revs. William Dovle and Daniel Maloney, and named Holy Trinity. For several years Edinburg was the center of the Columbus, Franklin, Seymour, Henryville, Greenwood, Browns- town, Taylorville, Mt. Erin and Mt. Liberty missions, and conse- quently became an important point in the Vincennes diocese. The first building was used until 1886, when it was replaced by the present handsome brick structure, at a cost of $5,000. This is one of the finest church edifices in Johnson County, and reflects great credit upon the congregation. The present membership is about thirty families. The following is a list of pastors who have min- istered to the church from time to time: Revs. Vincent Bacquelin, 1835-46; Daniel Maloney, 1846-55; Edward Martimoore, 1855-62; F. Goesse, 1862-64: Joseph Petit, 1864-65: William Henry Orem, 1865-67; D. J. McMullen, 1867-68; Victor A. Schnell, first resi- dent pastor, 1868-70; John Louis Brassart, 1870-71; Victor A. Schnell, 1871-18 -. The present pastor is Rev. Anthony Oster, who holds services every alternate Sabbath, and at intervals in the meantime. The congregation is in a prosperous condition, and has before it a promising future.
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WILLIAM V. COVERT was born in Mercer County, Ky., April S. 1810, and died in Johnson County, Ind., October 24, IS59. He was the son of John Covert, a son of Isaac Covert, who was a native of Pennsylvania, of German lineage. Isaac was an early settler of Kentucky, emigrating from Pennsylvania to that state. He was the progenitor of the following offspring: John, Simon, Daniel, Cor- nelius, Jane, Martha and Lamy. John Covert, one of his sons, was an early pioneer settler of Johnson County, locating in the county prior to 1830. He was born September 1, 1782, and died April 4, 1867. William V. Covert, his son, was united in marriage with Margaret Bergen, in Johnson County, February 20, 1834. Mar- garet Bergen was a native of Kentucky, and was born September 19, 1815, and died in this county December 28, 1885. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Covert these children have been born: John T., Sarah A., deceased, Peter G., William D. The sons are citizens of Union Township, and are farmers by occupation. Feb- ruary 11, 1869, Peter G. was united in marriage with Mary E. Vannuys, a native of this county, born March 23, 1836. The above union has been blessed by the birth of one child, Paul. The
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father, mother and son are members of the Presbyterian Church at Hopewell. The mother united with the church June S, IS52, the father April 20, 1856, and the son in ISS4. William D. Covert, like his brother, is a progressive and representative citizen, and has devoted most of his life to farming. He and his brother, Peter G., have, for several years, been associated together in the business of undertaking, which, together with farming, has honored both broth- ers in the gaining of wealth, and by their industry and perscverance they have reached prosperity, and enjoy the esteem of their neigh- bors. William D. is also a member of the Presbysterian Church at Hopewell.
JESSE Y. DEMAREE is the son of George W. and Sarah W. (Young) Demaree. The father was born in Mercer, Ky., March 29, 1812, and died in this county, October 13, IS51, and the mother was born in Pennsylvania, April 16, 1814, and died in this county August 15, 1864. They were married in this county, Jan- uary 25, 1838. This marriage resulted in the birth of the follow- ing children: Jesse Y., David M., deceased, Robert B., deceased, Margaret J., Rachel E., deceased, Elizabeth M. About IS35, George W. Demaree came to this county, and lived here till he died. He en- tered the farm our subject now lives on. He was a zealous member of the Presbyterian Church, in which church he served as elder. The subject of this sketch was born and reared on the farm he owns. He received a fair education by attending the country schools. He has followed farming as an occupation. He was married April 3. 1865, wedding Mary M. Miller, who is the daughter of William and Rhoda Miller. She lived but a short period of time after this marriage. In 1872, October 3, Mr. Demaree mar- ried, for a sceond wife, Margaret A. Winchester, daughter of John M. and Harriet Winchester. Mrs. Demaree was born in this county, September 6, 1852. The children born unto the second marriage of our subject were: Mary Ester, Hattie, Sarah E., de- ceased, Bertha Jane, Mabel Edna, deceased, Byron M. and John R. Our subject began the battle of life for himself at an early day. His father died when he was but thirteen years old, and to support the widowed mother and the family placed upon him much respon- sibility; but he succeeded in his efforts, and now owns the old homestead his father entered, excepting forty acres. He volun- teered in Company F, Seventh Indiana Regiment, in August, 1861, as a private, and was engaged at the battle of Winchester, Va., in 1862, where he received a gunshot wound in the left thigh, and this necessitated his discharge in October, 1862. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, as is also his wife. He is a Master Mason of Union Village Lodge, No. 545.
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WILLIAM H. HAMILTON was born in Union Township, this county, September 8, 1834. and is the son of Micajah and Elizabeth (Luyster) Hamilton. The father was born in Culpep- per County, Va., in 1797, and died in this county in 1878. He was the son of a native of Virginia, who was an early settler of Ken- tucky, where Micajah Hamilton was reared. The mother of our subject was born in Mercer County. Ky., in 1797, and died in this county in 1884. The marriage of Micajah Hamilton and Elizabeth Luyster was consummated in Kentucky, and unto them were born the following children: Peter L., John, Rachel, Mary, Susan and Nancy, and then the parents and children came to this state and county in 1834, and located in Union Township, where the deaths of the parents occurred. To them, after their arrival, were born these children : William H., Martha, Robert P. and James T., and two others who died in infancy. Of these children, eight are living, four in Johnson County, two in Missouri, one in Kansas and one in Iowa. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, and received an education in the country schools. He has followed farming for an occupation. In 1856 he was married to Charlotte J. Terrell, daughter of Henry H. and Nancy (Foster) Terrell, na- tives of Kentucky, coming to this state about 1854. Mrs. Hamil- ton was born in Nelson County, Ky., March 2, 1840. The follow- ing are the children born unto the above marriage: Nancy E., Peter S., Addie J., Mary E., Martha E., Emma S., and Blanche C. Not long after the marriage of Mr. Hamilton went to Kansas, where he lived for a period of four years, and then returned to his native state and county, where he has since made his home. Soon after his return to Indiana, the Civil War broke out, and in 1862, August 20, he enlisted in Company E, Seventh Indiana Infantry, as private, and among the important engagements in which he participated, were Bull Run, South Mountain, Antie- tam and Union. June 30, 1865, he was mustered out of the service, at Point Lookout, Md. At the close of the war he returned to his home, and since has been actively engaged in farming. Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton are members of the Presbyterian Church at Shiloh.
DANIEL J. HELMI, farmer and stock-trader, was born in John- son County, Ind., December 15, 1852, and is the son of John and Nancy ( Clark) Helm. His father and mother were called away in death when he was but a small child. He was taken by an uncle to be fostered: but the time he remained with this uncle was short. He came to the Hopewell neighborhood when fourteen years old, and has lived here ever since. For twelve years he worked on a farm. With his earnings, he educated himself. He attended Hanover College for three months, but ill-health com-
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pelled him to quit school. Ile taught school one term: but agri- culturing has been his chosen occupation. Ile now owns and cultivates a well-improved farm of forty acres, and, enjoys the esteem of his neighbors, who regard him as a self-made and honest man. April 25, 1872, he was united in marriage with Rachel C. Carnine. She was born in this county, August 17, 1850, and by the above marriage has become the mother of the following chil- dren: Nannie J., Collie Roscoe, Claud A., and Annie M. Mr. and Mrs. Ilelm are members of the church; he of the Christian Church; she of the Presbyterian Church. He is a member of Franklin Lodge, I. O. O. F.
GEORGE AND HIRAM KERLIN .- Among the early families of Johnson County, was the Kerlin family. The father, George Kerlin, was born in Kentucky, January 19, 1790, and died in Johnson County, Ind., in 1852. He was the son of James and Margaret (Smith) Kerlin, early settlers of Kentucky, in which state George was reared, and was united in marriage with Rachel Banta, De- cember 5, 1816. Rachel was also a native of Kentucky, born March 14, 1800, and died in this county in IS72. For about fifteen years after the above marriage was consummated, Mr. and Mrs. Kerlin resided in Kentucky, and in 1831, removed to Indiana, and in the same year settled in Johnson County, locating on Section 24, of what is now Union Township. This was their home until called away in death. Their marriage was blessed by the birth of the following offspring : John, Peter, deceased, Arta Mecy, Delilah, de- ceased, James, deceased, Rachel, Joseph, deceased, Margaret, de- ceased, Levina, deceased, George, Hiram and Carolina, deceased. Their father was a farmer by occupation, and was a hardy pio- neer, living for over twenty years in the county. He and his wife were members of the Regular Baptist Church, taking active parts in the work of the church. George Kerlin, a son of George and Rachel Kerlin, was born in Union Township, February 15, 1834, and was reared and educated on a farm, receiving a fair education for his day. His youth was devoted to farm work, and in early manhood, learned the carpenter's trade, which he fol- lowed till he was about thirty years of age, since when he has followed the pursuit of farming, in which he is practical and suc- cessful. February 25, 1864, he was united in marriage with Susan Keaton, daughter of William and Sarah Keaton, who were early settlers of Nineveh Township, this county. Mrs. Kerlin was born in Johnson County, August 22, 1838. Unto the above marriage, have been born these children: Lizzie A., deceased, William H., George L., and John E. After Mr. Kerlin's marriage, he settled on a farm of twenty acres in Section 13, Union Township, and now owns
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and cultivates a farm of II8 acres. Mr. Kerlin is not a member of any church, yet he is not adverse to the church cause, and ad- vocates that religion is a reality, and has always aided the church. His wife is a member of the Christian Church, and both enjoy the esteem of their neighbors. Hiram Kerlin, also a son of George and Rachel Kerlin, was born in this county, August 10, 1836. His youth was spent on the farm, and his education obtained at the country schools, during short winter terms. Ilis life has been devoted to farming, and has been marked by industry and perse- verance. His father died when he was a youth, but he remained on the farm with his widowed mother till he reached the age of twenty-five years. December 24, 1863, his marriage with Lucy A. Clark was solemnized. His wife is the daughter of Allen and Martha (Webb) Clark, and was born in this county, March 21, 1840. Her parents were natives of Kentucky, and in an early day emigrated to Kentucky, from which state they removed in 1832, settling in Johnson County in the same year. This marriage has resulted in the following births: Jessie Albertine, Ella Belle, Isaac Webster, Maggie May, deceased. Soon after his marriage, Mr. Kerlin settled in life as a farmer, and has been favored with suc- cess in life. He and his wife are members of the Primitive Baptist Church.
JOHN W. PEGGS was born in Johnson County, Ind., September 22, 1848, and is the son of Evan O. and Margaret M. ( Hunter) Peggs. The father was born in Trimble County, Ky., September 14, 1814, and is the son of Joseph and Nancy (Cunningham) Peggs. Joseph Peggs was a native of Dublin, Ireland, and immi- · grated to America in an early day, and here was united in marri- age with Nancy Cunningham, a native of Pennsylvania, of Dutch descent. Unto the above union were born: Jacob, Rachel, Cath- erine, Ellen, Mary, Nancy, Sarah, Joseph, John F., Thomas, Evan O. and William. Soon after the marriage of the parents they removed to Trimble County, Ky., and not very long after they removed to Indiana, where their deaths occurred. Evan O. Peggs was reared in his native state, and in company with his brother Jacob, he came to this county in 1832, and has since continued in the county, farming for an occupation. In 1846, he was united in marriage with Margaret M. Hunter, a native of Trimble County, Ky., born in 1824, and died in this county in 1856. Unto the above marriage were born six children, of whom three are deceased. Those living are Taylor, John W. and Nancy E. The father still survives, and resides with the subject of this sketch. John W. Peggs, our subject, was reared and educated on a farm, and has followed the occupation of farming as a life work. In 1877, he was
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married unto Sarah J., daughter of Christopher and Mary Duff. She was born in this county August 26, 1860. Her parents, both na- tives of Ireland, reside in Clark Township. this county. The above marriage has been blessed by the birth of one child, a daughter, named Edna. John W. Peggs is one of the enterprising and suc- cessful farmers of Johnson County. Heformerly resided in Franklin Township, but in the fall of ISS7, he located on a farm in Union Township. He is a successful breeder of fine stock, of which two fine stallions are of most note. One is Robert Emmett, a Mam- brino, and the other Jim Cox, a Norman. The former is seldom excelled in point of speed; while the latter has but few equals as a draft horse. Mr. Peggs is a thorough-going man, and enjoys the esteem of his neighbors. He is not a member of any church, but if he has any choice it is the Roman Catholic Church, of which his wife is an ardent member.
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