History of Lawrence, Orange, and Washington counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, together with interesting biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc, Part 24

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 24
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 24
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 24

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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HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY.

Maj. Williams' farm: was of logs and was torn down about ten years ago. Two Associations were held here; one in 1823 and the other in 1830. To the first Abraham Mitchell, Jesse Rector and William Cook were the Messengers; Ambrose Carlton was chosen Moderator and Samuel Owen, Clerk. At it Ambrose Carlton delivered a very characteristic Circular Letter. on the subject of General Communion. He also delivered the sermon. taking II Timothy, ii, 15 for his text. The other Association held at Salt Creek was on the second Saturday in August, 1830, at which Tarlton Bell delivered the introductory sermon. The Messengers were: Levi Mitchell, Abraham Mitchell and Beverly Gregory. The Mod- erator chosen was Thomas Oliphant and Clerk, Benjamin Parks. G. Dot- sen. J. Jones and James McCoy preached Sunday morning and afternoon, and Royce McCoy concluded the evening service. This Association meeting was important. since at the request of Bloomington Church the Association resolved to reject the doctrines of Alexander Campbell, believing them to be contrary to the doctrines of God our Savior. It was also important, since. though Bloomington Church requested the Association to reject the doctrine of Missions, the Association resolved not to do so. It would therefore appear that the Association was at tir-t ruis-ionary in spirit, though in 1834, while in convention at Clear Creek. the Association used the following language: "We as an Advisory Council. disapprove of the Baptist Board of Foreign and Domestic Missions, and all societies of the present day called benevolent institutions, but believe in that charity which the Gospel recommends to the followers of Christ." As we will see, this caused a division in the church at Salt Creek, from which followed its dissolution. Salt Creek was the field of two sectional Associations, one in 1535, for the first section of the Association. The following preachers attended it: B. Hick-, J. B. Burch and T. Oliphant. The other sectional meeting was held in 1540. at which were found: T. N. Robinson, J. B. Burch, T. Oliphant. J. B. Vanmeter and R. Mitchell. A difficulty occurred in the church in 1835, the precise nature of which is not stated in the minutes. but the minority was decided to be in the wrong, which decision they did not accept. From this division came the downfall of the church in 1×12.

1.1.&HEL. WOOD CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

The tinst church of the Christian tor Campbellite) denomination organized in Lawrence County was in October. 1530, at the house of Robert Woody, Dear where the present Leatherwood Church stands, tive mile- east of Bedford. The first members were: William Newland, Susan ( .. Newland. Robert Woody. Norman Woody, Peter Smith and wife Margaret. Martin Smith. Benjamin Hensley and Katy Peed. At their first meeting, Ste. ver Younger and William Newland were set apart as Elders. Martin Smith Was cho-en Evangelist, and Peter Smith and Robert Woody were elected

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Deacons. At that meeting also Stever Younger deeded the church one acre of ground where the present church stands, and the congregation built on it at once a log church, in size 25x30 feet, furnished with the slab furniture of the day. This building was succeeded. in 1840, by a brick church. 40x60 feet, erected at a probable cost of $2.500. Plans are now in process for the erection of a still larger and costlier building in its stead, more modern in its appearance and appurtenances. Their first Preachers were: William Newland. Stever Younger and Joseph Hostetler. Soon after came John and Jacob Wright and James M. Mathes. Elder Trimble, and others. Their last Preachers have been: J. W. Stanley and J. W. Newland. the last of whom is the present incun - bent. In 1550 the membership reached nearly 400, due very largely to the revivals held by John O. Kane and P. H. Jameson, of Indianapolis. The membership had somewhat decreased of late, till a year ago nearly one hundred accessions were made from the Bedford Church. Their present membership is about 300-second in size in the county-as will be seen in the statistical table.

MITCHELL METHODIST CHURCH.

The following complete sketch was published in the Mitchell Commer- cial. August 13. 1874: In a grove near where the present church stands the first quarterly meeting was held in the fall of 1556. A class of thir- teen had been formed, but not till October did it become a permanent preaching place. Rev. F. Walker was the regular appointee fromn Annual Conference of 1858. At the close of his first year he reports a member- ship of twenty-eight. and a Sabbath school with thirty scholars and three officers and teachers. During the second year of Bro. Walker's pas- torate a frame building was erected and dedicated. and the society reported ont of debt. In September. 1860. Rev. J. M. O'Fling came as preacher. he to be followed. in September, 1801, by Rev. A. J. Clark: and he in September. 1862, by Rev. J. N. Julian. In September, 1583. Rev. W. M. Zairing was pastor, followed in October, 1865, by Rev. J. Wharton: and he by Rev. I. N. Thompson, in September, 1966. when Mitchell became a station. Membership at the close of 1867 was 135. In 1868 Rev. W. P. Armstrong began his pastorate, which lasted two years; then Rev. W. E. Harves for one year, followed by Rev. J. Poncher. who closed his pastorate in October, 1873. Rev. T. N. Friedley then became Pastor. The membership is strong. nearly 200, with about forty pro- bationers. Average attendance of ninety-seven scholars, with eighteen officers and teachers. In 1874 the present house of worship was erected at a cost of $8.000. lot and all. Of this aum Bro. Jacob Finger con. tributed about 82.000. The building is a large, commodious brick edi- fice, built by Jones Toliver and Bizler.

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HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY.

MITCHELL BAPTIST CHURCH.

The following sketch of the Mitchell Baptist Church was furnished by Dr. Isom Burton:

January 30. 1864. the following-named persons met in the Pres. byterian Church in Mitchell to organize a Baptist Church: John Edwards. Lucy Edwards. A. C. Burton, Sarah A. Burton, Rachel Pless, Mary Z. (Pless) Wood. Thomas Giles, Adaline Giles, Maggie (Giles) Mead. Matilda Dodson, Mary (Giles) Edmonson, Kate (Owens) Burton. Mary (Mantonya) Burns, Ann MI. Giles, Sarah Blackwell, Simp- son Burton. Carrie Burton, Hugh McNabb and Sarah McNabh. William Baker was made Chairman. and Simpson Burton, Clerk. Articles of faith and church covenant were adopted. At a subsequent meeting Rev. Wright Sanders was called as Pastor, and John Edwards and Thomas Giles, Simpson Burton and John Edwards, Trustees. The Pastors of the church have been: Wright Sanders, Jannary. 1864, to July, 1865; Albert Ogle. September, IS68. to November, 1871; A. J. Esse. January, 1872. to December, 1575: Noah Harper, May, 1876, to April, 1879: W. L. Greene, May. 1579. to December, 1880: G. C. Shirt, January, 1852. to January, 1583: B. J. Davis. November. 1853, and is now Pastor. The Treasurers have been: Simpson Burton, William A. Burton and C. L. Bar- ton; the Clerks. John Edwards, J. K. Howard, C. L. Barton and Isom Bur- ton. The last named of each office is in office at present. The present Trustees are: David Kelly, J. H. Brown and Isom Burton. (For history of the building see Mitchell Seminary. ) The church has grown steadily in influence, and numbers at present 249. With the exception of a few months this church has maintained weekly preaching the entire twenty years of its history, and has had some very noted religious awakenings: in a meeting of six weeks the beginning of the present year sixty-nine were added to the church. At present the church is sustaining three weekly prayer meetings, three missionary circles, and a mission Sabbath- school near town. Its main Sabbatb-school was organized a few years ago. and its members have ranged from 50 to 300. The enrollinent at present is about 290). The present Superintendent is G. W. Burton. The salaries of the pastors have ranged from $600 to $1,000.

MITCHELL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The first part of the following sketch was compiled by Thomas A. Steele : The history of the Mitchell Presbyterian Church begins with the organization of the Presbyterian Church at Woodville, two miles north of Mitchell. on the 24th of January, 1535, by John A. Tiffany and John M. Bishop. For the organization J. H. Crawford and wife presented letters, also John L. Dodson and wife. George W. Dod-on. Elmira Braxtan, Agnes Cook and Mary J. Pless. Cath- arine Bass was the first to be received by examination and baptismn.

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HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY.

The services were first held in the schoolhouse at Woodville from 1855 to 1560. To centralize the worship, in 1860 a small frame church was built in Mitchell, in which services were held for ten years In 1870 it was moved to another part of town, and the present large brick church erectedl on its site. Silas Moore and wife, Mary E. Moore, were mainly instrumental in its erection. In contains two stories, the upper being an unfinished and unused chapel. The lower story has three rooms and a vestibule, and is used for the various church and Sunday-school purposes. The steeple of the church was added in 1875, in which a towr clock was placed. The first religious services were held in the "basement " of the church October 8, 1871, conducted by the Pastor, T. A. Steele. The church officers were: Elders, Silas Moore (who died in 1875), J. Dodson. J. H. Crawford, J. D. McCoy and Olly Owen, who moved to Greencastle in 1573: Deacons. John Manington. William Tanksley, Dr. James Mc. Pheeters and J. Y. Bates; Trustees, Silas Moore, G. W. Dodson, J. Y. Bates. M. N. Moore; Treasurer. M. N. Moore. The present Elders are William Tanksley and Jacob Bates: the present Deacons, Edward P. Eversole and Milton N. Moore. The church has bad few pastors on account of the long term of F. A. Steele. The first Minister was John A. Tiffany from 1855 to 1558, when John M. Bishop preached occasion- ally till the fall of 1863. In the spring of 1864 T. A. Steele gave the church his whole time, first as supply and afterward as regular Pastor. and for fifteen years served the congregation nobly and well. After an interim of two months G. W. Telle was called, and served till 1853. and was followed by S. I. McKee, who from failing health resigned in June, 1SS4. since which time the church has been without a pastor. Present membership is 105. Connected with the church is a vigorous Sunday. school under the leadership of Dr. James McPheeters.

SPICE VALLEY BAPTIST CHURCHI.

The Spice Valley Church was constituted June 1. 1822, by Elders Abram Mitchell and William Noblitt. Abram Mitchell was chosen first Pastor in 1823, William Noblitt, first Clerk. and Elijah Conley, first Deacon. They met for worship in William Maxwell's mill shed in the summer, and at dwelling houses in winter for about seven years. Dur- ing the ministry of Mr. Mitchell the first log church was built. The second Pastor, Elder Thomas Vancouver, was elected in December, 1832. and served the church eight years. The third Pastor was Elder Joseph Odell. He was called to preach for this church the fourth Sabbath in June. 1540, and served the church as Pastor uninterruptedly for twelve years and one month. Odell was a warm-hearted minister. a fine orator, a good exhorter and a highly esteemed Pastor. He was a great revivalist. During bis ministry with the church the great revival of 1542 occurred. in which seventy five persons were baptized into the church. The fourth

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HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY.

Pastor was Elder H. Burton, who served the church from March, 1852, to June. 1-53. Of this pastorate but little is said in the record. He labored for the church as Pastor four different times-the first as above; the second, from January, 1859, to May, 1860; the third time, from June. 1-69. to February, 1871; the fourth time, from April, 1872, to June. 1\;3. Uncle Hardy, as he was familiarly called. was well known and highly esteemed. The fifth Pastor, Elder Jacob D. Crabbs. was called June. 1853, and continued till June, 1856. During his last year's labor with the church the "big meeting of 1856" occurred. It lasted with little abatement for months. A joint call was made to Elders Crabb and Parks, each one preaching at alternate meetings. The sixth Pastor was Elder Moses C. Edwards. He was an Eastern man of culture. and a splendid minister; was called in November, 1557, and con- tinned one year as Pastor. The seventh Pastor was Elder W. Baker, who was called in May, 1800 (" Uncle Hardy " having served the church one year on his second term.) Elder Baker labored for the church to March. 1-66. The eighth Pastor was Elder R. M. Parks, called in March. 1-96. The ninth Pastor, Elder I. Corothers, was called in March. 1571. and labored only one year, then Elder V. T. Baker received a call, and after five months Elder William Baker finished out his time. The church. after endeavoring to obtain Elders R. M. Parks and Uncle Nate Wilhans from October, 1574. to April, 1875, tried the supply plan with Elder A. J. Essex for six months. The tenth Pastor was Elder Thomas J. Swan. He was elected and commenced his work in October, 1570, and ended in November. 1577. The twelfth was Elder Wright Sanders. He was called Jannary. 157>: recalled in January. 1579; labored two year: The thirteenth Pastor, Elder R. MI. Purk-, was called in February, Isso. and finished hi- year in May, ISSI. The fourteenth Pastor. the present incumbent, is Elder W. L. Greene

The Clerks of the church have been as follows: William Noblitt, Wilhalu Conley. Simon Gilbert, for about seven years, from 1822 to 1820. Juel Conley, Samuel Weaver, John Weaver, George Isom, Clerk for thirty years: Henry Miller, the eighth Clerk. is the present incumbent. The Deacons have been: Elijah Conley. Ezer Cleveland, A. T. Conley. Wil .: Edward -. Hardin Burton, John Tyre, A. C. Burton. Marvin Cleveland. S. M. Isom, D. B. Edwards and W. R. Williams. Other mini-ters of the church: Gentry Hodges, Elbert Jeter, William Dodson. Chark+ Pennington. John Blackwell. Jesse Goss. William Duncan. Arthur Pickthall, William Baker, David Elkin- who preached the funmal sermon of the mother of A. Lincoln-Louis Blackwell. James Gurges, Simpson Burton.

The first meeting.house was built of round logs hewed down, and a stick and dirt chimney at one end. It was very low: built in 1827 or 1\2% A stove was put in it in 1531 or 1832. This house was burned

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down in about 1535. while Philip Ballard was teaching school in it The second house, the present one, is a brick. erected in 1837, is 40)x30 and 12 feet high.

Number baptize.l. 427

Received hy lener. 127

Received by relation

Total.

601

Dismissed by leller

364

Excluded.

154

Total .

Present membership.

Meetings are held in the following schoolhouses: Guthrie. Dickard. Judah and Avoca. The meetings are conducted irregularly by the vari- ons denominations, principally the Baptists. Both the Hardshell and Missionary branches of the Baptist Church hold services at Avoca, the for. :ner church being called Spring Creek .. the latter being called Gallett's Creek Church.

SPRING CREEK BAPTIST CHURCH

is one of the oldest churches in the county, beginning its career at Springville on the Little Spring Creek. In 1850, however, a division occurred in the church at Springville and a part of the membership. claiming to be the original church, moved their membership to Avoca. where the Spring Creek Church was continued. Among the early tarm- bers were James Pierce and family. Stephen Tillas, William Ray and family. Mose Hodge and others. The present membership include- the families of Pereman Pierce, David Cobb and family, Mrs. Mos. Hodge and several others. Their first preacher at Springville was Thomas Oliphant; at Avoca, Joseph Hanna. Their present preacher is Henry Oliphant. Their meeting house at Springville was a frame building: when they came to Avoca they built a log church, which stood near where the present one stands. In 1978 they built their present little frame church house.

THE GULLETT'S CREEK CHURCH

is of rather recent origin. and belongs to the Bedford Association. It has no church building, but has preaching in the schoolhouse, and often in the neighboring groves. Their Pastor is W. H. Lemons, their Clerk being C. B. Mason. It is quite a strong church for the place. Irwing seventy members.

LEESVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH.

In 1837. so the story goes. a neighborhood meeting.honse was built about three iniles southeast of Leesville and called Brown's Meeting. honse. It was four logs high -that is to say, so large were the logs that when they were hewn four of them made the wall sufficiently high. The remains of these logs may still be seen, for when the house was torn

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down in 1857, the logs were taken to Leesville and used for "side walks." About the only regular preacher this church had for fifteen years was T. N. Robertson. The early members were: Allen Brown, M. Sparks, R. Newkirk, W. Hudson, Samuel Foster, Thomas Dixon, Thomas Stephen and James Newkirk and Ben Newkirk, the last of whom is living still. Iu 1557 the membership was moved to Leesville. where a neat little f: ame church was erected, since which time the following ministers have preached in it at various times: Boston, Stalker, Foster, Barr and others. No regular services are held at it just at present. A good membership exists, however, represented by B. Newkirk. I. Woolery, who is Clerk, Mat Henderson, Thomas Plummer. Mose Holland and wife, William and Mart Dixon, Mrs. Rot Thompson and sister, Polly Brown. the oldest and best of them all, and others.

GI THRIE TOWNSHIP CHURCHES

(inthrie Township has the honor of entertaining the first preacher of Lawrence County. Unfortunately, however. it was not formed as a township at that time. But rumor has it that early in 1816 Armenius Milligan. a Methodist preacher, located near where Tunnelton afterward wa- built, and that he held meetings at his house and the homes of his neighbors. These were probably the first church services held in the county. Among those who worshiped with biru were the Chitties. Bakers, Becks. Guthries, Flinns, Conleys, Brittons and Barnhills. It was on the 24th of December that Ambrose Carlton landed on Guthrie's Creek from North Carolina. But he had a merry Christmas with his neighbors next day, and talked religion from the start. His little log house used to stand on the hill by Carlton's graveyard. and here he con- stituted a Baptist Church in the first year of his sojourn. The first few who worshiped with him were Mrs. Stephen Smith. Ambrose Parks and wife. Elizabeth Newkirk and Mother Sheeks. Soon, however, he built the large brick residence known as the Carlton Home. In that house is one very large room with an unusually high ceiling, and the young jwople now-a-day who seeit say, " What a glorious place to dance," little thinking that the large room was constructed by Mr. Carlton for a chapel room. In that room Mr. Carlton used to preach regularly once a month.

PLEASANT RUN CHURCHES.

Gilgal (Baptist) Church is the oldest in Pleasant Run. It is another ne begun in the teens, probably in 1519. John Evans and John Hanna were probably the founders. The Heltons. Nathan Fox, William Brown- iug. James Winfrey, the Hendersons and Hawkinses were united in the formation of a church that has been called since Hardshell. It is well named. for it has always been a solid, substantial church. The first house built by this organization was a peculiar log church. It was a large room with a very high ceiling, and around the room abont ten feet from

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the floor. on the east. south and west sides, extended a gallery wide enough for two rows of puncheon seats, on which the boys and girls were expected to seat themselves as quietly as their exalted position would indicate. Below on puncheon seats sat the old folks all day long. many with pipe in mouth and many wrapped in peaceful slumbers known only to a conscience well composed. Behind a pulpit on the north side of the room stood their preacher. or preachers, rather: for they always had a good supply, and as soon as one's powers failed, another was ready to take his place. And thus from morn till night they worshipe.l. They increased their numbers soon and included Todds, Osbornes. Dunlavies, Fidlers, Wooleries and others, and include in their present membership the Eastmans and Martins; so that eight or ten years ago a new house was needed and the old was torn down. and near its site the present large frame building was erected by the Hendersons. In this building services are held regularly once a month, and near it once every few years the Association meets too. Gilgal is one of the churches in which no split has happened.

HELTONVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH.

There is a Missionary Baptist Church at Heltonville. however. In the fifties, Joseph Trainor, architect, built for them a little frame church, and in it the Trainors. Carsons, Hawkinses, Rosses and others muet. Their first preacher was Milton Parks, followed soon by Isaac Caruthers. Nathaniel Williams and J. M. Stalker. But for some time no regular services have been held there.

SPRINGVILLE METHODIST CHURCH.

Standing near the present graveyard on the hill used to be a little log schoolhouse, called the Athens schoolhouse. At that house Josiah Athons, grandfather of Joseph Hendricks. gathered a little company early in the twenties. The members of that company were: Elzy Wood- ward and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Hubbard. Mrs. Mary Helmer. Lneinda Helmer, Kin. Dye and wife, William McDonald and wife, Uncle Dean Barnes and wife, and Father Talley. Their first preacher was John May, who was followed by John Johnson. John Talbert and others. In: 1538. they built a new church honse through the enterprise of the mini-ter. James Williams, and his estimable wife. The building stood in town. where the present church stands, and was a neat. substantial brick. placed on ground donated by Mr. Athons. But in 1868 it was totally destroyed by fire, and for several years the congregation met in the Baptist Church. But in 1874, through the influence of two ministers, by name of Houch and Cooper, the present neat little brick church was erected in its stead. The church is in a good condition. having a membership of seventy and embracing some of the best famlies in the place. among whom may be mentioned the Gaineys. Richards, Whitteds, Beards, Mrs. Broadus. Mrs. Pearson and others.

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HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY.

BAPTIST CHURCH, SPRINGVILLE.

No regular services are held in the Baptist Church at Springville. but it has an interesting history. It was constituted in 1825, principally through the agency of Samuel Owens, who at that time owned much of the land on which Springville was afterward built. He was one of the tirst preachers, and among the first members were C. Bradwell, Adam Gainey, Alexander Herrin, Martin Owens and John McDowell. and the church was called Spring Creek Baptist Church. In 1845, Thomas Rob- inson and Joseph Addle, preachers at Indian Creek Church, withdrew. and came to Springville to preach. From 130 members, however. it grew less and less, until two years ago the last regular preacher, D. Manley. could not be retained.

QUAKER CHURCHES.

So far as it can be learned but two churches of the Friends were estab- lished in Lawrence County. One was near the present William Pitman farm in Indian Creek Township. It was very early-probably as early as 1519. Priscilla Hunt was the Quakeress preacher, and the Rubottom and Dixon families constituted most of the membership. They met twice a week. as Quakers always do, for five or six years, when their meetings were discontinued. The other Quaker Church was in Perry Township, on the road leading from the Dunn's to the Wood Ferry. Some of their members were the Lowders. Davises, Joneses and Lowes. William Hobbs was their preacher. assisted by Priscilla Hunt. But about IS50 their meetings also were discontinued.

SPRINGVILLE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

About 1530. Wesley Short introduced the doctrines of Alexander Campbell, and so much was he honored for it. that in 1848. when Alex. ander Campbell first visited Lawrence County, he went to Springville. especially to visit Mr. Short. Moses Trimbnll. Dr. Benedict. Elijah Goodwin and J. M. Mathes, were other of their early preachers. Among the early members may be mentioned Owen Short. Dodridge Short. Wes. ley Short. Milton Short, Mr. Laferty, Franklin Crook. the Gaineys and others. Most of these families form the present membership. It is a thriving church. under the efficient leadership of Quincy Short, grand- son of it- founder.

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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 24

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