History of Lawrence, Orange, and Washington counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, together with interesting biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc, Part 19

Author: Goodspeed Brothers
Publication date: 199-?]
Publisher: [Salem, Mass. : Higginson Book Co.]
Number of Pages: 954

USA > Indiana > Orange County > History of Lawrence, Orange, and Washington counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, together with interesting biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc > Part 19
USA > Indiana > Washington County > History of Lawrence, Orange, and Washington counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, together with interesting biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc > Part 19
USA > Indiana > Lawrence County > History of Lawrence, Orange, and Washington counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, together with interesting biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc > Part 19

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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Yost Doctors-A. J. McDonald, J. B. Larkin, G. W. Burton, E. S. McIntire. J. C. Pearson. A. L. Goodwin.

BONO.

Bono was one of the earliest settled localities in Lawrence County and as a town is the oldest. It was laid out April 4, 1816, and the orig. inal plat recorded at Paoli, in Orange County. The proprietors were Mar-ton G. Clark. William Hoggatt and Joseph Kitchell. who made a plat of 143 lots. For several years Bono was the commercial center of the county. Being located on the river it afforded special conveniences to those who were engaged in mercantile pursuits.

It is probable that the first merchant at Bono was William Holland. who began sometime abont the year 1818. Many of the first comers were of the ". Down East Yankee " folks, which may in some manner account for the early activity in business matters at this point. Holland's first store was not much more than a " little tea store." but it was the germ from which grew the later prosperity of the place. He did not continue long at Bono, and a short time after figures considerably in the early history o! Leesville. Following soon after Holland was a man named Martin, who did a small buckster business for a few years, and about 1824. was in partnership with a man named John Kelly. Soon after this Martin disappears, but John Kelly plays an important part. About the year 1 529. Charles Miller came. and together they carried on a large and pros. perous business until about 1538. when they sold to Green & Brother. Before this time several others had begun. Among these were Thomas Lemon. in 1830, and about the same time were James Batman and James Secki : Lemon and Batman remained in trade for some time, and in 1$3. and for several years after that. James W. Prow was in partnership with Batman. Another important carly merchant was Asher Wilcox. Ephraim Brock and Uriab Dilly were at one time extensive traders. Other merchants were Albert Johnson, John Shade. Thomas W. Stevens, and Gabriel Harvey.

About the year 1930 John Lindsey began a hattery at Bono, and for several years he made a large number of very good fur hats. After his death a brother-in-law, named Jet. carried on the business. aud succeed- ing'him were Jacob Drinkhouse and James W. Prow. until some time in the forties, when it was abandoned. Tan yards were run by Alonzo Taylor and James Batman, the latter of whom did a large amount of work. His successors were Spooner Brothers and the Huston Brothers. An tshry was owned a considerable time by a man named Albert. and a linseed oil mill was operated by Adam Davis. In the latter part of the twenties John Nunnamaker put in operation a pottery. Other owners were Felix Rawlings and Franklin Whisenan. the latter of whom was a cal inet-maker.

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It is probable that Walker Kelso was the first doctor to locate at Bono. but soon after him came James Montgomery. Williamson D. Dunn, a brother of George G. Duun, was one of the early physicians. Among the many who have been at this place were : Doctors Hicks, Mannel. Hugh Montgomery, Henry Malott, E. P. Gibson and I. J. Hopper. The first inill at Bono, since the old float mill of Hammersly, elsewhere ten- tioned. was built by James Oldham some time in the fifties. It was a very good grist-mill, and the power was supplied by steam. It was furnished with two sets of buhrs, one for wheat and one for corn. After several years it was turned into a sawmill. It is more than likely that the post- office at Bono was established as early as 1920, although on this point the information is not reliable: and it is equally probable that Patrick Cal- lan was the first Postmaster in the office that has for the last twenty years had Mrs. Mary Miller for its incumbent.

The building of the Louisville, New Albany & Chicago Railroad was the death-blow to Bono. Prior to that time it had been one of the lead- ing towns in the county, but trade and business began to flow to those towu- along the railroad and of easy communication with the larger cities. But a single store, and that an inferior one, is now amply suffi- cient for the demands of business. This has for the past eighteen years been conducted by C. A. Knight. Surely glory aund honor have gone ont from Bono.

LAWRENCEPORT.

Lawrenceport was laid ont in May 17, 1537. There were 179 lots in twelve blocks, with Front. Commerce, Market. Street and Washington Street- running east and west. and Roberts, Main and Water, running north and south. This town is at the mouth of Fishing Creek on White River, where the old State road from Louisville to LaFayette crossed the river About the same time the first enterprise in merchandising was comuneed by S. P. Moore, who was also owner and builder in the same year of the grist-mill at that place. These he continued to own and condeer for abont ten years. when he sold to Bullitt & Throckmorton. who continued both the store and the mill for several years, rebuilding the latter in 1853. From them the mill passed to S. B. Barnes, who after owning it for quite a time and repairing both the mill and dam. sold to Heury Harmuyer, of Cincinnati. While in his hands. and one piglet in 1550, about twenty-five farmers who were land owners above the dam. which they claimed was too high, proceeded to tear out the obnox. ion- obstruction in the stream. Over this a considerable litigation ensard. but the mill owner was defeated and since then the property has lwen of but little valne. In mercantile matters Bullitt & Throckmorton were succeeded by a man named Kaussett. who was a Yankee and some. thing of a curiosity. In 1\05. William Turley began keeping a store at Scottville on the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad and not far from the town

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of Lawrenceport From that time until 1572 there was no store in the place. but in that year J. T. Andrews bought ont Turley, and moved the business back to the town, where he has ever since carried it on, doing a good trade in general merchandise. The town was named for Joseph Lawrence. one of the prominent early land owners in this community.

One of the prominent ministers of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Indiana was a resident of Lawrenceport. This was Bishop Roberts, Of the early physicians. Dr. Knight was probably the first, and since his time have been Drs. Charles A. Pearson. Mayberry, Brice Newkirk, Wil !. iam A. Sloss. Israel D. Bulkley, Dr. Ebberly. George Harbin. I. N. Phim- iner. G. W. Durment. A. F. Berry and T. W. Bullitt. After the build- .ing of the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad, Lawrenceport lost much of its prestige as a point for trale. This was because of the building up of Mitchell and Tunnelton. two towns that now divide what trade it then had. In the early days and during its prosperity there was a large amount of pork packing carried on. which was shipped down the river to New Orleans.

Lawrenceport Lodge Number 543. of A. F. & A. M., was granted a charter by dispensation, Angust 31, 1576. with officers as follows: A. F. Berry, W. M .; John Mitchell, S. W .; and Harrison W. Field, J. W. The members in addition to these at that time, were: W. G. Todd. G W. Hamer, H. T. Hamer and John Laswell, the last of whom was a resident of Mitchell and only belonged here for the purpose of making the requisite number to secure a charter. The lodge worked under a dispen. sation until May 22, 1877, when a charter was regularly granted by the Grand Lodge of the State. During this time the following eleven persons were made Master Masons: C. W. Oldham. C. P. Pendergrast. J. T. Andrews. R. E. Peudergrast, S. W. Hall, D. W. Hostetler. Willis Stepliens, G. W. Reid, B. W. Hay.leu. G. W. Todd and H. H. Hamer. Since that time thirteen others have been taken in full membership and dimits granted to seven, thus leaving the present membership at twenty four. At the present time the lodge is officered as follows: George W. Hamer, W. M .; Daniel Hostetler. S. W .; George Reid, J. W. : William Turley. Treasurer; J. T. Andrew -. Secretary; Alonzo Hostetler. S. D. : Benjamin Hostetler, J. D .; J. F. Hammer and Peter Mahan, Stewards, and N.l= >n Mayden, Tyler. From its organization this lodge has been in a flouri-h. ing and prosperous condition. It now owns a good building in which its meetings are held and besides this has some money in the treasury.

The postoffice called Rivervale was first established on the north side of the river with C. C. Lewis as Postmaster. and for about three years was kept in the store of J. M. Baker, near the little tunnel. It was then tovel across the river and kept near the present site of the railroad sta- tion of Scottville by a man named Westcott. William Turley wa- the next Postmaster until 1972. when C. C. Lewis was again appointed and is still the incumbent.

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TUNNELTON.

The town of Tunnelton was laid out on the land of Isaac Newkirk in the north part of Section 19. Township 4 north, Range 2 east, and immediately on the north side of the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad. This was on the 28th of April, 1859, and an addition of forty two lots was afterward made by C. T. Dodd as Attorney for Newkirk, March 23. 1863. The first merchant, and one that has ever since been identitied with the business and growth of the town, was Alfred Guthrie. He began in ISps with a stock of general merchandise worth about $700. From that time to the present he has engaged in the retail trade at this place, and his basiness has constantly increased, until it now probably equals any other in the county. Beginning in 1874 his son. MI. T. Guthrie, was associated with him for ten years. Other firms and men that have done a general merchandise business here are: John Dennison, Guthrie & Sherrill. Peter Cartright, Marshall Guthrie, James H. Malott, J. C. Gray. J. H. Booking, D. B. Guthrie & Bro., the last firm now in trade and doing a good trade. The first drug store was by J. L. Linder, who began about the year 1872 and remained for only a short time. The next wa- L. A. Crim & Bro., who stayed about two years, beginning in 1575. A. Guthrie & Son succeeded this firmu for about six months, and then sold to W. T. Price who is yet in the business. Another was started in 1$$3 by Wells & Miller. and they are still doing a paying trade.

Peter Baufle has for the past ten years carried on a thriving trade in the marble business at Tunnelton, and Morgan MI. Litton has been the " village blacksmith " for nearly twenty years. although his honors have of late been shared by Green B. Case. The principal dealers in boots unel shoes have been Henry and James H. Booking. The first physician was Hugh L. Kimberlin, and succeeding him have been William Graves, J. L. Linder. Mr. Davis, L. A. Crim, H. C. Dixon and Samuel B. How. and. the last two now practicing here. The first mill was a steam cir- enlar saw mill in 1865, owned by Henry Kipp. After a short time he sold it to William Whitstone, and he in turn after a few years. sold to Austin & Graves, the latter of whom sold, in two years more, to Alfred Guthrie. Austin & Gutbrie immediately built a grist-mill which was run in connection with the saw mill. It is supplied with two sets of Inhrs and does a good business. Guthrie in about eighteen months be- came the sole owner, and at once sold to Francis MI. Lemon. He trans- ferred it to Jones & Bro .. and they to Hiram J. Matthew. the present

The postoffice was established in 1860 with Alfred Guthrie as Post- master. He continued to hold this position for twenty one years, when he was succeeded by his son, M. T. Guthrie. the present occupant. A Ma-onic lodge. No. 320, was organized about the year 1860 with Thomas Carlton. John P. Foster. George Hoopingarner, John, Hiram M. and

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Alfred Guthrie, and Isaac Newkirk. John P. Foster was W. M .; Thomas Carlton, S. W .: and George Hoopingarner, J. W. This lodge was for several years a prosperous one. but through negligence of the members it gradually went down, and the charter was finally surrendered volna- tarily.

FORT RITNER.

This place was so named for Michael Rituer, the man who was fore. man in the construction of the large tnunel on the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad near there. He was the first merchant at the place and began while the railroad was being built. He also constructed quite a number of small houses that were occupied by men working on the road. besides a large store building that was afterward burned down. The firm of Reed & Waters was the next in trade. and after about two years they were succeeded by Moses Wortham and a man named Brosika. A few years after this Jobu and William A. Holland began doing a general merchandise trade. which. since the death of John, has been carried on by William A. alone. A postoffice was established about 1859, an.1 the first Postimaster was Gabriel Brock, and the present incumbent is Dr. Sheldon Hunter, the physician of the place.

HURON.

Huron was laid out by John Terrell, February 12, 1850, on a part of the northeast quarter of Section 6. Township 3 north. Range 2 west. Railroad and Jones Streets run east and west, while Terrell and Hoard Streets run north and south. In April, 1565, an addition of forty lot- was made. the total number now being seventy-seven. The first merchant was Anderson Beasley, who began some time in 1557. and continued for some two or three years in an old log building. He sold to James Cole- man. the first blacksmith, who remained about two years. Since then the following persons have engaged in the mercantile trade here: A. P. Wilson. W. S. Gaither, Obediah Mercer. James Marley. A. Higginbotham, T. J. Cummings, Adolphus Ross, Solomon Bitman, Charles Kauffman, James Rogers. V. R. Crim, Alexander Marley and Asher Clark. Black- smiths have been numerous from the first: some of them were: Ja:nes Coleman, Caswell Cooper, G. B. Case, Thomas Fitch, Mathew (iibbs. Robert Peak, William Maxwell, Thomas Snow and William DeMonth. Physicians have been: G. W. Burton, Mr. Larkin, Mr. MeCullough. Put man. David Chase. Walker, G. W. White. Springer, Rodney N. Plum- mer. Edward Millis. H. Gaither and William W. Yandell, the last being the only one at present located here.

The first mill at Huron was built by L. Prosser in 1557. It was both a grist and saw mill and was run by steam-power. This burned down in 1564 at a loss, including lumber that was destroyed. of about $5,4hkil. Joel Smith rebuilt in a year or so after, and it is now being operated by

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Benjamin Johnson and James Terrell. In 1857 Joseph Bosler was ap- pointed as the first Postmaster, but for several years J. H. Crim has held that office. Huron Masonic Lodge, Number 3S1, was organized May 27, 1565, with Thomas J. Cummings, W. M .; Joseph Bosler, S. W .. and Benjamin F. Prosser, J. W. This lodge has not been very prosperous. although it now has a little money on hand. Its present membership is about seventeen, and is officered as follows: J. H. Crim, W. M. . I. W. Pierce, S. W .; Nathan King, J. W. ; L. D. Vandyke, S. D .; A. Higgin- botham, J. D., Jesse Connelly, Treasurer; William Yandell, Secretary, and John Connelly, Tyler. The present business interests of Huron are represented as follows: Bosler Bros., general merchandise; J. H. Crim, general merchandise and grain buyer; L. D. Vandyke. drugs; Allen Higginbotham and John Elmore, grocers: James N. Jeter. furni. ture and undertaker; Terrell & Johnson, grist and saw-mill: J. M. Elmore and G. W. Murphy, boots and shoes. In January, 1873, Huron was incorporated, the vote having been taken December 28 before that. and stood thirty seven votes in favor of incorporation, and none against.

BRYANTSVILLE.

A town was laid out May 28, 1835, by Henry Connelly on Section 24. Township 4 north, Range 2 west, and was at that time and for a few years later called l'aris, but that was changed to Bryantsville. Among the early merchants were Tucker Williams, Henry Weathers. Frederick R. Nugent. James Taylor and William Weathers, all prior to the year 150. During the same time Levi Overman put up a small cabinet shop, and for some time worked at his trade here. Alexander Coleman. famil- iarly known as " Kettle head " was the first blacksmith. At this place during the celebrated political campaign of 1840 a barbecue of sonte notoriety occurred at which a large number of people attended. In 1553 Back & Rout were dealers in general merchandise, and others have been Davis & McGinnis. J. W. Lyons. James Standeford, John D. Thomasson, Nnby, and the present firm of Henry Moneyhan & Son. About the year 1566 a grist-mill was built by George Z. Wood. and it was of good capac. ity and well patronized. The present owner is J. Wolfe, who also owns a saw.mill that was built by Strond Bros. It is probable that the first physician to locate at Bryantsville was Dr. S. A. Raridan. now of Bedford. Soon after came Dr. William Huston. and others were Drs. James Wilson, A. L. Goodwin. A. W. Bare and Laban Palmer. Since 1853 William Weathers, John McGinnis. Henry Davis, Dr. A. W. Bare. Benjamin Connelly and John Lyon have been Postmasters.

SPRINGVILLE.

Perhaps the third town in the county both in size and importance is Springville. in the central part of Perry Township, on Section 222. It was laid out July 11, 1532, by Samuel Owens, and then con-

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sisted of two streets, Adams and Perry, and twenty.six lots along Spring Creek. from which the name of the town is derived. Garton's Addition of twenty lots was made June 26, 1535. and two additions of thirty- two lots were made in 1836 and 1546. by Joseph Athon. The first mer- chant at Springville was Samuel Owens, who began about the year 1525 and continued about ten years. After him were John Vestal, A. H. Gainey, Elipbalet Pearson, Samuel Reddle. Gile- Gainey. M. & J. Helmer. Cornelius Wells. Franklin Crooke. Jabez Owen, Thomas Butler. Winepark Judah. W. and J. Cook. Short & Rafferty, Lowrey & Helmer. Dr. W. B. Woodward, James Tincher. Gainey & Anderson J. E. Dean. and others. Those at present engaged in business are Jolin M. Gainey, dry goods and groceries; Gainey & Gunn. Rafferty & Sutherland. gen- eral merchandise; James Pierce & Albert Ross, groceries: Dr. William B. Woodward, drugs. The postoffice was established about the year 1525. and it is probable that Samuel Owens was the first postmaster. The mail route was then from Louisville by way of Paoli. Palestine and Springville to Terre Haute. Jabez Owens was the first blacksmith. and remained about thirty years from 1827. Silas Whitted began in 1537 and has been at it ever since. Several others have been here. some of whom were S. Rafferty. J. E. Dean, John and Samuel Sentney. M. D. H. Owen, William Hummer. Sylvester Owen. Andrew Blalock. Benjamin Dean. Ira Dye, and James Ferguson.

The first doctor to locate at Springville was Henry Lingle, who proba- bly came in 1835. and stayed some three or four years. Soon after him came P. G. Paugh. Salathiel Lamb. R. G. Norvell. L. S. Spore. Julius Huntington, F. W. Beard. Macey Sheldon. J. T. Woodward. W. B. Woodward, Watham. J. H. Gunn. Milton Short, I. G. Richardson. Sear-, James Beathy, H. T. N. Benedict, Wesley Short. Helmer, and Lowder. A Masonic lodge, No. 177. was organized at Springville about the year 1855, with the following charter members: Jewett L. Messick. W. H. Cornelins, Dean Barnes, E. M. Stanwood, Thomas Graves. M. B. Garton. and Lyons; the first three holding the three highest offices in the order named. For the first ten years after its organization this lodge was prosperous, and in that time received about sixty members. At the end of that time it began to go down on account of the other lodges that were established too near and drawing away the members. On the 4th of November, ISS1. the charter was finally surrendered because of there being too few members to support it. At that time there were but twelve members, and of these nine paid all the expenses then due the Grand Lodge and received demits from that body. These were L. L. Smith, W. M .: Silas Whitted. S. W .: George Holmes, J. W .; J. H. Gunn. Rob ert Craig, Avi Armstrong. Calvin Rainbolt, Alfred Sterns and J. T. Beyers. L. L. Smith was for several years the chief member of the lodge, and attended the Grand Lodge eighteen different times.

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GUTHRIE.

On the Louisville, New Albany & Chicago Railroad in Marshall Township, Section 10, a town was laid out December 10, 1865, by Wine- park Judah, and called by him Guthrie. On the authority of James Tincher, it is thought that W. W. Owens was the first merchant, locating about the year 1854, when the railroad was built. He kept drugs and groceries for about five years and sold to Wesley Brown. After him came James Bryant, who stayed some two years .and was succeeded for only one year by a man named Anderson, after whom George Bascom was the only merchant for a short time. The next to embark in the mer- cantile trade here was James Tincher, who began in the spring of 1965 a- a partner with Gainey & Gunn, of Springville, under the name of Tincher & Co. After two years of success he then became the sole owner until 1869, when he sold to Kinser & Bro. At the end of three year- they moved to Harrodsburg and Mr. Tincher commenced in business again and has ever since been engaged in the general merchandise trade. He now has a full stock of goods and is doing a good business. In 157 -. Mr. S. A. May began doing a dry goods aud grocery trade, which he has continued ever since. The postoffice was established during the time that W. W. Owens was merchant. and he was the first Postmaster. Other incumbents have been James Tincher. Eli Kniser, Joseph Pace. and S. A. May.

HELTONVILLE.

The town of Heltonville was laid out September 8. 1843. by Andrew Helton. on the west half of the northeast quarter of Section 26, Town ship 6 north. Range 1 east. It consists of twenty seven lots and two streets, Lafayette and Broadway, each thirty three feet wide. An addi. tion was afterward made of eight lots on February 7, 1851. Andrew Helton was the first merchant and began some time prior to 1839, and was then a partner of William Templeton, although tho partnership did not last long. For several years he did the leading trade. About the year 1×49 he sold out and moved to Bloomington, and in that year Hous. tou & Ragsdale were doing a general merchandise trade, and with but little opposition. Soon after this they sold to Browning & Hunter, who continued for some years. In the spring of 1949 J. C. Foster began in business with Holland. of Leesville, in the firm of Holland & Foster. and in this way it remaine I until 1864, when Foster became the sole owner an I has been anch ever since, doing probably the leading business in dry goods. groceries, hardware, bats. caps, boots and shoes, etc. John R Browning succeeded to the business of Browning & Hunter alone for several years and then sold to George Brock. He transferred to Hogyatt & Browning, who continned the trade for two or three years later. Other firms have been: A. M. Ramsey, J. W. Browning, William Logan, James S. Denniston. William Elston. Jefferson Ragsdale, W. C. Dennis-

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ton, M. D. Reid and Andrew S. Fountain. the last now in trade since 1876. Dr. W. T. Ellison began in the drug trade in 1875 and has been successful enough to continue ever since. David Carson was among the first blacksiniths. and Ziba Owens, John Raney, Luke, James and John Hamers and John Lane, wagon makers

Leatherwood Lodge No. 116, A. F. f. A. V .. was organized at Hel- tonsville some time early in the fifties. The first Worshipful Master was Maj. Bemen. and after several years of prosperity, the lodge began to go down. The membership was at one time probably as much as seventy, and they owned a good lodge building and lot which was nearly all paid tor. This was sold to the Odd Fellows some three or four years ago. and in 1882 the charter was surrendered. The Odd Fellows Lodge at Heltonville. No. 532, was granted a charter May IS, 1876. having worked a short time before that time under a dispensation. The original mem. bers were D. B. Dodds, John B. Haywood. T. J. Richards. H. A. Lutton, G. W. Rosenbaum. Wesley Denniston, William Denniston. G. T. Starr, Stacy Logan and Robert Todd. The first Noble and Vice Grands were: William Denniston and G. T. Starr. Many of the charter members belonged at Clearspring and joined here only for the purpose of organization. The lodge is in very good condition and owns the build- ing. which is all paid for. The present membership is abont thirty-eight, of which the following are officers: R. H. Ellison. N. G. ; John Norman, V. G .; G. B. Ross, Secretary, and J. T. Browning. Treasurer.

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History of Lawrence, Orange, and Washington counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, together with interesting biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc, Part 19

Author: Goodspeed Brothers Publication date: 199-?] Publisher: [Salem, Mass. : Higginson Book Co.] Number of Pages: 954

Author: Goodspeed Brothers
Publication date: 199-?]
Publisher: [Salem, Mass. : Higginson Book Co.]
Number of Pages: 954