History of Lawrence, Orange, and Washington counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, together with interesting biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc, Part 25

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 25
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 25
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 25

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).

LAWRENCEPORT METHODIST CHURCH.

The members of the little colony which Mr. Lawrence brought from Maryland to settle the region of Lawrenceport were nearly all Method- ists. Among these were Alonzo Taylor, Shuart Moore, Joseph Moore. Dr. Samuel K. Knight. Charles and John Reed. Many of these returned to Maryland or went elsewhere, but not before they had founded a church. Almost the first building erected was a school and church house. This was 1-37. To them and to this littie hon-e Bishop Robert Roberts came.

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HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY.

Some of the ministers who followed him and who tried to till his place were Bartlett, Kemper, Dale. Tolbert. Cross. Ryan, Walker and others ; the more recent preachers being Ketelitm. Heavenridge, Barr, and Hutch- inson, the present pastor. As for building, the church ha- none but their schoolhouse. They rent the old Presbyterian Church, however, and at present hold services regularly. Their present Stewards are James Au- drews and William Jolly, and among their more recent members may be mentioned Mrs. Leathermore, Thomas Jolly and family. William Jolly and family, Nelson Chitty and family. John Reed and family, and James Andrews and family. Their present membership numbers about sixty.

BONO PRESBYTERIAN . HU'HI II.

This was organized in 1519 by Isaac Reed. the traveling preacher. assisted by James H. Johnston. Their first Elders were David and William Green. Robert Kelso. Jonathan Huston and John Milroy, and among the charter members were Mary. Jennie and Polly Greene, Robert Kelso and family, and Mrs. Dr. James Montgomery. For a number of years J. H. Johnston and Moody Chase supplied the congregation as preachers, though W. W. Martin, Remley, Kittredge and others, preached for them occasionally. In 1845 the church was moved and re-organized at Lawrenceport. the Elders being Robert Holaday, Jonathan Huston and William Throckmorton, their preacher being Ales MeFerson. Then in 1546 came James Brownlee. The pastorate died ont in 1961. but the ministers from 1546 to 1851 were John Averly and John MI. Bishop. Meetings were first held at the residence of Allen Brock, then at the res. idence of Mr. Huston. near Bono. When the schoolhouse was built at Bono in 1523, it was used for clinrch purposes. Early in the thirties the church was built in Bono near the farm of David Green. In this they met till 1545, when. moving their membership to Lawrenceport, they met first in the schoolhouse, arranged for a church and a school. In 1950 the Lawrenceport Presbyterian Church was built. Here two meetings of Presbyteries were held-one in 1850, the other in 1552. from the effects of which about fifty acces-ions were made. But time tells. This little company is scattered: but a few now remain: the church building is rented by the Methodists, who hold occasional meetings there.

SUGAR CREEK CHURCH.

About 1520 a little log church stood near the Tolbert Gravevard. It was called Sugar Creek Church. and its first preacher was Thoma- Robert. son. It did not gain much impetus, however, and about 1540 ministers of all denominations were sent to hold meetings there. sometimes together and sometimes separately, since which time it has grown customary ouce a year to hold a basket meeting at Tolbert's Graveyard, at which all denominations are expected to participate. These meetings have grown interesting and protitable.

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HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY.

GUTHRIE CREEK BAPTIST CHURCH.

Formerly Leesville was in Jackson County, and so in the early min- utes of White River Association we find Guthrie Creek Church described as in Jackson County. It is located about three miles northeast of Lees. ville, near the residence of Stepben Fountain. It was established in 1820 by John Kindred. John Woodinanson, Joseph Hanna and Walter Oweus. Among its other early preachers were John Evans, Ambrose Carlton. J. Cole, E. Allen and others, and its early members were A. Zalmnon. B. Owens. A. Dodds, F. Fountain and S. Fountain. It has uever been a very vigorous church, though a very worthy one. Its pres- ent membership is composed principally of the Fountain and Owens families.

NEW UNION CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

New U'nion may Ix said to be the result of a new division in Shiloh. It. a protracted meeting conducted by the Campbellites or Christians, in 1967. the minister, J. M. Mathes. was reminded by the church Trustees that the terms under which the building was used prohibited sectarian sennons. Understanding this to be a gentle hint. the Campbellites with- drew to the Pace schoolhouse, situated but a mile or so to the east, where the protracted meeting was continued. Many Methodists united with the church and in a short time it was found that a meeting-house was needed. Accordingly, sufficient ground for a church and graveyard was donated by William Tannehill and the present large church was erected. It is a white frame building. in size about 35x45 feet, cost about $1,500, and stands three miles west from Bedford. The church and graveyard began together. The charter member- of this organiza- tion were : George S. W. Pace and wife, Alfred Pace, William Kers, William Tannehill. Mrs. Thomas Cole and danghter Fannie, Sanders Evaus and wife, William Boyd and wife. Mrs. Alexander Kern. Abra. hamu Reynolds and family. The Deacon from the beginning is George S. W. Pace, and the Elders are William Boyd. Samnel Nicholas and William Kern. Their first preacher was J. M. Mathes, who still occa. sionally holds services there. Among the various ministers who have been connected with the congregation as stated or regular supply may be mentioned Jame- Blankenship, Milton McKee, Milton Short, Quincy Short. J. W. Newland. I. S. Stanley, A. M. Barton and others. The prevent pastor is John Williams. Connected with the church is a strong Sunday school. under the direction of T. B. Cole.

MOUNT OLIVE CHRISTIAN . HUNCH.

Mount Olive is an olive . branch " of old Port Williams Meeting House, and is located a mile and a half west of Williams Postoffice. The land on which the church stands was donated by Bart Williams, who a-sisted materially in the prection of the house as well. The build.

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HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY.

ing itself is a neat frame, in size about 35x45 feet, and was built at a cost of $1,500. Finished in 1860, it was dedicated by J. MI. Mathes. Among the charter members were Garrett Williams and wife. Richard Williams and wife. Canaan Williams and wife. Obed Lamb and wife. Tilghman Williams. William Henshaw and wife, A. D. Henshaw and wife, Capt. A. D. Hastings and Bart Williams and wife. The principal min- isters who have been connected with the church are J. M. Mathe -. Milton McKee, William Brothers, Asbury Gardner, Martin Crim and B. F. Treat. B. F. Treat, who comes regularly once a month from his home in Bloomington. Monroe County, has been the regular supply for the last four years. The church is in a good healthy condition with a mem- bership of perhaps 200. Connected with the church is a Sunday .- chool under the direction of Elders Obed Lamb and Capt. A. D. Hasting -. It is also well attended.

PLEASANT GRAVE BAPTIST CHURCH.

In the latter part of the sixties Michnel Waggoner donated land :11011 which a little frame meeting-house was built. It was too small to accom- modate their members from the start. However, into it J. Gregory, who was their early preacher, gathered his flock. Composing the first con- gregations were Mrs. Michael Wagoner. Samnel Gardner and wife. J. G. Hall and wife. Francis Hall and wife. Rufus Mitchell aud wife. Aunt Nancy Baker, Joyce Smith, Mrs. Sarah Miller, Mrs. Rainey. Allen Brock, Mrs. Sally Cox, Frank Luttrell. John White and wife, Harvey White and wife, Granny White. Annt Tilda Wagoner. Rush Wagoner. Corne- lius Smith and wife. John Booth and family. All with perhaps the exception of John White and wife and one or two others, are still living. members of Pleasant Grove. Soon after the establishment of the church, William Baker became the regular preacher. The church quickly grew under his care. so that about 1574 the church building was enlarged. At some of the revivals as many as seventy-five additions have been made to the church. Among the names of some of the more recent additions may be mentioned J. E. Kern and wife. Dr. Hornecker and wife, Joe Craig. the family of John Baker, John Wagoner and wife, James Vorhees and wife, and many others. Allen Brock was also received into this church. The present Clerk is Jolin Booth. In connection with the church is a very active Sunday-school. under the leadership of Joe Craig. Fifty or sixty members are regularly enrolled. Once a year. for the last few years, the Sunday.schools of Pleasant Grove . Baptist.) Mount Olive (Christian. ) Pleasant Hill (Methodist. , and White'- School- house, iu Martin County, have joined to hold a union Sunday-school convention. The last of these conventions was held in the pleasant grove of Michael Wagoner's " yard." last year. and in attendance were eleven ministers, among whom may be mentioned Baker, Parks. Forbes. Treat, Heavenridge, Wagoner. Fulk and others.

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HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY.

SHILOH METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

Shiloh was the first Methodist Church built in Indian Creek Town- ship, and that denomination held services before the first Shiloh church building was erected. Several families by the name of Garten had immi- grated from Kentucky. all of whom were Methodists. Richard Browning was a Methodist " circuit rider " in Kentucky, and became local preacher for Shiloh. In 1S21 a little log church was erected on Mr. Pitman's place and called Shiloh. It stood near the site of the present meeting. house, three miles east of Fayetteville. Composing that first congregation were: Elijah Garten and wife, James Garten and wife, William Garten, Robert Garten and wife, Richard Browning and wife, Albert Howard and wife, Sandras Howard. and perhaps a few others. Their first preacher was Richard Browning, a man of scholarly habits and Christian love; eight years he served them, and was then drowned. Among the various persons who have preached at Shiloh since may be mentioned John Armstrong. Edmond Ray, Aaron Woods, Enoch Woods, Brooks, Heavenridge, Milligan and even Bishop Roberts. About 1840 the present large frame church building was erected on the same site. It is very commodions and convenient. but is seldom used. for the congregation is scattered. No regular services are now held by them, though the build- ing is used sometimes as the meeting place for the Baptists and Pres- byterians.

INIHAN CREEK CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

The first church organized in Indian Creek Township was Baptist. In the year ISIS a little company assembled at the house of Wesley Short, and there an organization was effected. Jonathan Jones had come from Livonia to assist in the undertaking. To Wesley Short and Jonathan Jones is due the honor of founding the first church in Indian Creek Township. The first member- were Wesley Short and wife. John Short and wife, Renben Short and wife. Samuel Owens and wife. Henry Wagoner and wife. Jacob Wagoner and wife. Mrs. Boone (mother of Col. Noah Boonel, and one or two others. In 1821 a church house was built. It was a small affair built of poles, and had open windows. There was a large double chimney in the center with a generous double fire. place, one fire-place fronting each end of the room. And since so munch wood was consumed at a meeting it was no uncommon thing to see a good brother coming to meeting with his Bible under one arm and his ax under the other. This building stood near the residence of the late N. B. Mayfield. and continned to be their appointed place of worship till 1\27. During this time the membership had increased to 127 under the earnest teaching of Wesley Short. In 1827 fourteen of the Old School. Regular Calvinistic. Ironside. Hardsbell Baptists, as they were varionsly called. withdrew and formed a church below Silverville. The remaining formed the present Indian Creek Christian Church. The principal fam.

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ilies entering into its formation were the Shorts. the Maytields and the Armstrongs. A new meeting.house was erected in 1527. located on Indian Creek a quarter of a mile below the present church building. It was built of logs, and continued to be their place of worship for fifteen or twenty years, during which time Wesley Short. Washington Short, Morris Trimble and others became their preachers. On May 25. 1546. John Short and wife deeded sufficient land near the Indian Creek Bridge to John Armstrong, Abraham Wagoner and William Fields. Trustees of the church at that time, upon which the present large frame church was erected. In size it is 35x45 feet, and was built at a cost of $1.500. Quincy Short is the present preacher. Under his direction the church is active and prosperous, having fifty or more earnest member -. A Sun- day-school is conducted in connection with the church during the winter season. being well attended and vigorous.

WHITE RIVER UNION. DE OLD UNION CAUTER.

The second church established in Indian Creek Township was White River Union. or Old Union, as it is now called. It is situated one mile south of the town of Fayetteville. The leader of the little community was Abraham Kern, a man earnest in his convictions. original in his ideas and aggressive in the promulgation of truth. To the first settlers of this region he was truly an " Abraham of old." teaching them what be considered to be God's will, and showing them in his pure, earnest life that he, like Abraham of old, had " walkel with God." Assembling his bearers at his own house or the house of William Kern or David Sears. he taught them the Dunkard faith. In September. 1521. they organized a regular Dunkard Church. The charter members were: Abraham Kern and wife. William Kern and wife. David Sears and wife. David Ribelin, Jane Anderson and Daniel Oaks. For two or three years they held their meetings. usually at the house of William Kern, but often in "God's first temple." the native groves. In about 1523 a little log church 25x35 feet was erected by the members. and stood near the site of the present church building and was used as a meeting-house for twenty years. In about 1843, the present church building was erected. It is of brick, large, commodious. well lighted and ventilated, and was built at a cost of about $2,500. The preachers who have been connected with the church at various times are: Abraham Kern, Joseph Hostetler, Jobn Ribble. O. Kane, Lovell Jamison, Morris R. Trimble. Peter Hon. J. M. Mathes and others. The first three named were associated together in the establishment of the church. To the revivals held by Joseph Hostetler and John Ribble is due much of the early increase in member- ship.

PLEASANT HILL METHODIST CHURCH. .

About the year 1847 the Craigs, Hackler- and others determined to

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HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY.

have a Methodist meeting house in their neighborhood and built theis house without further ado. It was a very large log house situated a short distance southeast of the present residence of Daniel Hackler, and had open windows. The principal persons assisting in its erection were Wal. Craig. Jnlins Chestnut. Jacob Hackler, and Peter Baker. No reg- ular church organization was formed at first, but it was taken by consent to be Methodist. Their first preacher was James McCann, who was after- ward assisted by Leads, Forbes aud Daily, and around them they gathered as their first congregation John Craig, wife and family, Julius Chestnut and wife. Samuel Taylor. Howard Chestnut and others. In this house they met for ten years. and then in the Craig schoolhouse. It was burned, but rebuilt in 1565. But being too small for the congregation, the present Pleasant Hill meeting-house was erected near it in 1867. It was built by George Richards, on land donated by Wal. Craig, and cost about 82.000. being in size about 35x50 feet. The building was dedi- cated to the service of the Lord by Bishop Simpson, the preacher in charge being Gideon Heavenridge. The following persons have acted as Trustees : George Richards. Wal. Craig. Robert Craig, J. Mosier and John Sentney. The present Preacher is Rev. Mr. Hawk, and the present congregation is composed principally of the Craigs. Hacklers, Skeenes and Bakers. The church enrollment numbers about thirty.

CHAPTER IX.

EDUCATIONAL HISTORY-PART SCHOOL IN THE COUNTY -LANGDON THE MONK-TEW HERS IN INDIAN CREEK -- SCHOOLS IN MARION -- EDUCATION- V. STATI-IR --- TEACHERS IN OTHER TOWY-MP- - THE MITCHELL. SEM- ANNA -- THE GRADED SCHOOL --- THE SOUTHERN INDIANA NORMAL ~ noot .-- THE LAWRENCE COUNTY SEMINARY-THE BEDFORD HIGH 1.1 .-- PRIVATE EDUCATIONAL ENTERPRISES -TEACHERS INSTITUTES.

L AWRENCE COUNTY has kept constant and ready step in the march of education. Apace with her earliest settlements came the schools, and at the scene of the white man's first location in the county, in 1814. the first school was established. This was at Leesville, and for two or three years was probably the only school in the county, and was taught by an Irish monk named Langdon and who was, like most of his class. well educated. He continued here until 1817. At that time the second school in the county was established and he became its teacher. This was on the farm of James Conley. in what is now Guthrie Town- ship. and the house was located about 3(M) yards west of the lit- the tunnel and not far from the present site of Lawrenceport. The length of the first term was three months. The building was a little round log house. constructed for this purpose by Mr. Conley, whose children-Charles. Joshua. Hugh. Joseph. Nancy. Peggy and

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Diana-made the largest number of scholars. After this first term of three months the monk went down the river to the Johnston family. where he found a field of labor in which he continued for two years. The Johnston children were: James, Christopher. Isaiab, David, Jonathan and Elizabeth, and while with them the monk spent the long win. ter evenings instructing in the various common branches of that day. Probably the third school in the county was taught at the site of Lawrenceport in 1818, by Thomas Fulton. The first term was one of three months. This schoolhouse was standing near the mouth of Fishing Creek, and among his scholars were James and Elizabeth Chess, and a Miss MeManis. In 1820 a school was taught near where Guthrie Creek bridge now is on the George Foster farm. An ohl cot- ton gin honse answered the purpose of a school building. The name of the teacher in this fourth school of the county is not preserved, either in records or the recollection. About this time other schools began in varions parts of the county, but nearly all of them were taught in the little round log cabins of that primitive day. Settlers were becoming numer- ous, and an increase in schools was an imperative necessity.

SCHOOLS OF INDIAN CREEK TOWNSHIP.

In the western part of the county where the population was rapidly in. creasing.schools began early to spring np. Indian Creek Township bad sev- eral early schools, the first of which was a few hundred yards south of the present site of Fayetteville. This was a small round log-house with a clapboard roof, a "cat and clay" chimney, a "puncheon " flour and greased paper windows. The furniture corresponded in all respects with the building and the times, the benches being made by splitting n sap- pling in two and putting in sticks for legs. The writing desk was made by hewing out a slab and putting it on some pegs in the wall along the window side of the building, where the best light was afforded. Such

in brief is a description of frontier school houses of more than half a century ago. The first teacher in this school was a man named Ditto, who taught but one terin. The name of the second teacher was Kirkpatrick, who also taught but one school. The scholars that went were the children of William and Abraham Kern. David Sears, Elijah. Robert and William Garton, and perhaps a few others. None but these two sessions of school were ever held in this house. and in its stead another was built in 1822. on the land of Peter Smith. now owned by Noab Kern. This was in nearly every particular like the other one just described, and the first teacher was Jobn R. Crooke. Milton Short, Frank. lin Crooke and Alexander Kern were also teachers in this community. and in about the order named. This schoolhouse was destroyed in a whirlwind a year or so after being built. and a child of Abraham Martin was killed by the falling of a beech tree. The house was at once repaired and school continued to be kept there for some time after

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HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY.

SCHOOLS OF MARION TOWNSHIP.

The schools in Marion Township early took prominent rank in the county. and in the south part on the farm now owned by Wiley G. Bur- ton. the first hewed log schoolhouse was built, in 1824, that Lawrence County had. John McLean was probably the first teacher here, and the tuition was largely paid in provisions, with an occasional dollar to glad- den the pedagogic heart. The successor of McLean was Samuel Dalton, a one-legged man. and the next was a man named Evans, who lost his position on account of his habit of napping during the regulation hours for schon !. A teacher named Bethay followed Evans, and in both habits and disposition seems to have been radically different, as it is said that he cleared ten acres of land outside of school hours during the time he presided over the schools. Daniel Watkins, an educated Welshman, came next and was the last and best teacher that taught in this house. He remained for more than six years with the best of success. If the schoolhouses and their furniture differed from those of to-day, the methods of instruction and the manner of conducting the schools were not less +0. Loud or open schools were in vogue at that time and cou. tinned to be so for several years after. It is not an unusual occurrence in the present day to hear the gray-haired settler lamenting the degen- eracy of modern schools from those halcyon days when all the pupils read and studied aloud. To trace the origin of each school in the county would be an impossibility, and even were it possible the result would scarcely justify the extraordinary effort which such a task would enjoin.

The total population in 1853 between the ages of six and twenty-one years was 6,658. Of these there were, of white. 3,399 males and 3,125 females: of colored. 50 males and 78 females. For 15St the school enumeration of the county is as follows:

TEA. I.R. EMPLOY ED.

Value.

Male.

per day.

Frmale ..

Average w ages |

per dav.

Plea .... Hun.

619

1 .~ 1

1.60

Perry

2.07

1.50

Indian Creek.

4,900

1.76

1.00

Spice Valley.

Marion

6415

6.000

1.75

1.71

1.73

Mar-Lal:

362

3.100)

1.78

1.59

Mit LA

12.000

3.1>

1.89

5.35 12

2.06

6. 114

- 1

1.4.

. 500

1.75

1.77

1.90

1.20

$1.50

$2.500

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EDUCATION IN FLINN TOWNSHIP.

The schools of Flinn Township are perhaps in a more flourishing condition than any other in the county, and during the last year had seven months of school-a longer term than any other township in the county. The schoolhonses. however. are not in so good a condition. most of them being old. One. the Jackson schoolhouse, is nearly new. and all are well furnished with patent seats and other modern supplies for schools. There was formerly a good school at the town of Leesville. and was organized about the year 1858. called the Leesville High School. This was owned and established by a joint stock company organized for that purpose. The building is a two-story brick, with two study rooms and one recitation room, and was built at a probable cost of 85.000. It is yet owned by the company. but since 1553 there has been no school maintained in it. The first teacher was a man named Maxwell, and the second was W. L. Boston. Others have been Rev. J. M. Stalker. L. W. Johnson. Mr. Hobbs, R. W. May, Albert May, W. T. Branaman and D. H. Ellison, the present County Superintendent.

TEACHING IN PLEASANT RUN.

Next after Flinn. in length of school terms, is Pleasant Run Township. About one-third of the schoolhouses are nearly new. and the balance are in fair condition and all are well supplied with the necessary school furniture. This township has the only log house now used for school purposes in the county. One of the best schoolhonses in the county is at Springville. in Perry Township. It is a good two-story frame build. ing. and covered with a slate roof. Two teachers are employed in this school-Mr. E. S. Southerland as Principal. and Miss Clara Yandell as the primary teacher-and a first-class school is kept. There are two other good schoolhouses in the township, and the balance are not above the average. In Indian Creek Township the condition of schoolhouses is, as a whole, the poorest in the county. They are not generally well supplied. Those of Spice Valley are some better. there being a few houses nearly new. The one at Huron is a good-sized frame. and cost about $1.000. There are two teachers at that place, and the rooms seated with patent seats. Some of the best schoolhouses in the county are in Marion Township, and were built by Benton Jones. as Township Tru-tee. They are all well supplied with apparatus. but the school terms are the shortest in the county. The best school in Bono Township is usually kept at Lawrenceport. although other good ones are in the township and they are in a first-rate condition.

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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 25

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