History of Lawrence, Orange, and Washington counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, together with interesting biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc, Part 6

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 6
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 6
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 6

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).

CARDING MACHINES.

Levi Butcher had a carding mill that was run by horse-power. built about 1545. aud for the next ten years considerable quantities of wool were carded into rolls here. That was a day when the mothers and the maiden- labored in harmonious industry with the fathers and the brothers to establish and maintain a happy home. It was a time when the hum of the spinning wheel stole fitfully across the open threshold of the cot- tage, singing a glad song of rural joy and prosperity. That time is past, and the spinning-wheel has long lain in the dusty garret, while instead of its drowsy melody there goes out from the seanty parlor the screechy wail of a sixty-dollar organ nudergoing the tortures of a " practice" at the hands of the would-be stylish country lass. Eliphalet Pearson built a carding mill at Springville about the year 1540, and after eight years

Dignizedby Google

HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY.

of success he was succeeded by Elza Woodward. The next owner was Zachariah Purdy, in whose hands it went down some time early in the fifties. In the early settlement of this part of the county a considerable quantity of cotton was raised, and in 1828 a cotton-gin was kept by Aden Gainey and Samuel Owens, but it was ouly in operation for abont seven years. At this cotton-gin Lorenzo Dow preached a sermon. and was greeted by one of the largest andiences that ever assembled in Springville ; and it is said that every person within a radins of seven miles was present, although it would not be surprising to learn that at least one got away, however strong may have been the attractions of the eminent speaker. Just one year later he spoke again in the township.

ANECDOTES.

Wild game was prevalent in this community while the inhabitants were yet few and scattering, and for the early settlers it was no unusual occurrence to be awakened at midnight by the death-squeal of a young porker in the affectionate embrace of a hungry bear. The rifle and the dogs were at once brought into action for the purpose of making Mr. Bruin's dead carcass compensate in some manner for the loss of the next winter's supply of bacon. Among those who were most expert in the chase was John Gray, who came from Kentucky in the fall of 1515, and built a cabin not far from the present site of Springville. In the fol. lowing spring he went back after his family. which he brought to his forest bome in Indiana. He was specially fond of hunting. and through his skill in that sport was enabled to furnish game enough for the sup. port of his family. Both deer and bears were frequent trophies of his and one rather remarkable story is told of his killing four deer with one bullet, having shot it from his gun twice. The first time he killed two of the deer, the bullet lodging in the second deer, where he found it, and was again fortunate enough to have two deer in range for the second shot. At one time he was visited at his hut by a considerable band of Indians that was strolling through the country on their way to join some of their companions further north. As they were then, or pretended to be. strangers to that part of the country, they requested Gray to show them the way to Bigger's trading-house. situated in what is now Monroe County. There was then a " trace" where the Bedford and Bloomington road now is. He started out as their guide, but for some reason they would not follow him, and went off in a different direction. Not know. ing what they meant by such a performance, he was somewhat alarmed and returned to his home. The next day he followed and overtook them. but they were going on their way peacefully. and he returned unobserved by them.

SETTLEMENT OF INDIAN CREEK TOWNSHIP.

Of the three townships lying on the western border of Lawrence

Da zedby Google

HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY.

County, the middle one is Indian Creek. It is so named for the creek that enters it near the northwest corner, and after Howing in a sinuous and semicircular direction, leaves the county near the southwest corner of the township. Salt Creek and the East Forkof White River form the eastern and southern boundaries. This was one of the original tive town- ships of the county, but then contained much more territory than now. Its present area is about fifty-three square miles, being one of the largest in the county. Some of the land in Indian Creek Township is perhaps superior to any other in the county for agricultural purposes. This land is along White River bottom and Salt and Indian Creeks. The early settlers were well aware of the excellence of bottom-land soil, and in the emigration to this county these more fertile and tillable portions were eagerly sought after by those who expected to build a home and fortune in the new land to which thousands were daily crowding. For the first few years of settlement this part of the county made, perhaps, more rapid strides in its progress than any other. But the proverb, " the race is not always with the swift nor the battle with the strong," has in this instance been verified. for at the present day there can be found places in the county where the material wealth and prosperity of the agricultural classes exceed that of Indian Creek Township. In these comparisons, however. the township has but little to regret, for it always stands in a favorable light. The public records show that up to 1820 the following per-uns entered land in this township during the years specified:

Henry Speed. 1516: Robert Wood. 1518; Andrew Howard, 1819: Sterling Sims, 1510; William Gartin. ISIS: Heury Piersoll, 1818; John Donaldson. 1520: Holland Pitman, ISIS; David Ribelin, 1817; Will- iata Dougherty, IS]>: James Duncan. 1517: Adam Siler, 1817; John Duncan. IS17: John Towell. 1516; John Cloud. 1817; Simon Ruebottom, IS: Benjamin Beeson, 1516: Silas Dixon, 1516; Jonathan Lindley, 1:1. James Mulloy, ISIS: Ephraim Lee, IS16: Isaac Williams, 1810; J. sephi Richardson, 1\14: John Short, 1819; Seymour Cobb, 1816; John Riots. IN: Reuben Short. 1817: Isaac Waggoner, 1818; Jeremiah Bocce. 11: Elija Boone. 117: William Cochran. 1815; John Roch- e-ter. 1-17: Wesley Short. IS17: John Crook, 1817; Daniel Todd, 1817; Archibald Wood, 1916: Felter Hughes, 1516: Abraham Kern, 1817; Robert Garton and R. Browning. 1517: Albert Howard, 1819; William Dillard. 1517: Jobn and Michael Waggoner. 1817; Joseph Sergeant, 1817; Henry Waggoner. 1517: Elbert Howard. 1817; Benjamin Chesnut, 1819; James Garton. 1516: Sullivan and Duncan, 1817; John Duncan, 1817: David Sears, IS16: William Woodrun. 1519: Jesse Towell, 1816; Robert Mitchell. 1518: Peyton Wilson. 1816; Martin Ribelin, 1818.

Perhaps the most prominent family in the township has always been tle Kern. some of which were among the very first settlers in the west- era part of the county. Another that deserves special mention is the

Digiized by Google

HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY.

Williams family, for no other has taken more active interest in the devel. opment of the resources of both the county and township. There is in the south part of the township along the river, what is known as the Williams settlement, and it includes some of the finest farms and most enterprising farmers in the county. It is but just to say, however. that this settlement extends along both sides of the river and embraces a por- tion of Spice Valley Township. There was a considerable number of squatters in this section, but after the land sales in 1516, a large number bonght and prepared for permanent residence. With but few exceptions, the settlers here were from Kentucky.

One of the important men of the county, ever since his location in it in 1819 down to the present time. is Stever Younger. now familiarly known as " Uncle Stever" throughout the entire county. He is a native of Kentucky, where he was born September S, 1700. At the time of his coming to Indiana, being twenty years of age, he was old enough to know and thoroughly understand all the transactions of his times. His whole life has been one of more than usual activity and importance. and his mind is one of quick perceptive and active reasoning qualities. At the advanced age of eighty-five years he retains a remarkable and aupar. alleled vigor of intellect. and a recollection that challenges the a luira- tion of all who know him. In preparing this history of early settlemrut in the county his knowledge of the times and occurrences through which he has lived has been frequently drawn upon by the writer, and in every instance with the most satisfactory results. His tirst settlement it the county was in Indian Creek Township, near the little town of Fayette. ville. on Section 13, Township 5 north. Range 1 west. but he afterward located in Shawswick Township. on Leatherwood Creek, where he has lived the most of his life. There were many other pioneers in this neigh- borhood that played a prominent part in the early history of the county that have long since passed away, yet many of the acts they did and the institutions they founded live after them, and cast an additional Lalo around their ever green memory.

THE FIRST BLUE GRASS CROP.

The soil of Lawrence County is well adapted to raising blue grass, and, as a consequence, it is also a good county for the production of live stock. Indian Creek Township has the distinction of being the place where this valuable pasture herbage was first grown in the county. The first sped was sown by Abraham Kern and Stever Younger during the winter of 1819-20 on Sections 13 and 24 in Township 5 north, Range 2 west. From this small beginning the acreage of this grass has constantly increased, and it now forms a most important feature in the husbandry of the county.

THE FIRST TOWNSHIP OFFICERS.

When Indian Creek Township was organized with the county. the

Dlg cedby Google

HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY.

elections were first held by Joseph Sullivan as Inspector at Stepp's, but a little later they were held at the house of Samuel Owens, now in Perry Township, and not far from the present site of Springville. James Cully was the first Constable, and in 1819 Adam and Patrick Tyler were Overseers of the Township Poor. In 1822, when Perry Township was organized out of the northern portion of Indian Creek, the latter was extended on the south to White River, its present bonndary, and soon after this the election place was changed to the house of Frederick Hamer.

GRIST. MILLS.

Probably the second grist-mill in the county that was operated by water.power was situated on Indian Creek, a short distance above the place where Craig's Mill now stands on that stream. This was in opera- tion as early as 1818, and was owned by Robert Dongherty. who in a year or so sold to a man named Bowers. After about two years Bowers trans- ferred it to Henry Purcell, in whose hands it soon afterward went down. It was but a rude affair, although for a time it did a prosperous business at grinding corn. Mills for grinding wheat were a great novelty in the early settlement of the county, and the first one that was regularly pre- pared for wheat in this part was the mill on Spring Creek in Perry Township, near where Levi Butcher had a mill in later times. That was in the days of "sick" wheat, concerning which Stever Younger is yet vigorous in his recollection. This "sick " wheat was distinguished by a peculiarly small pink spot on the grain near the germ, but it did not destroy the germinating qualities, nor did it produce' "sick " wheat when sown. Since hogs would not eat this wheat it may be imagined to have been very unpalatable. About the year 1824 John Craig built a horse mill on the farin now owned by his grandson of the same name. It had one set of buhrs with which both wheat and corn were ground, the former being bolted by hand For some eight or ten years this mill was resorted to for a large amount of grist-grinding from all parts of the community. After the horse-mill went down Craig put up a new mill with two sets of buhrs. It was operated by water-power and au under- shot wheel. This mill has been in operation ever since, and is now owned by Robert Craig, a son of the founder and bnilder. Elijah Garton, as early as 1519, had a small ". corn-cracker " at what is now Fayetteville. The power for running it was supplied by an inclined wheel and a small but active steer. John Short had another much like this one on the farm now owned by Abner Armstrong. but both of these were of short dura- tion, as the competition was growing too strong for so many to succeed. In 1921 Simon Ruebottom built a mill on White River on the farm where Henry Pitman now lives. It was run by horse power, and did not last many years. Another small mill. about 1824, operated by a tread- wheel. and one that did considerable business, was owned by Oliver Cos.

Diğized by Google

HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY.

Isaac Rector now owns a good mill at the Cave Spring, one and a half miles east from Fayetteville. It was built about the year 1870, but prior to that time another had been there for years. The power is supplied by water, and it is provided with two sets of buhrs, one for wheat and one for corn.

SALT.WELLS.

On Indian Creek, near the mouth of Gouse Creek. there used to be a considerable quantity of salt made in early times when that article of commerce was scarce and costly on the frontier, and when the currents of trade moved slowly and with much labor. Abraham Reynolds carried on this business for several years and with some profit. Cheap transpor- tation has entirely done away with all such industrial enterprises in this part of the country, especially where salt is found in such sparing quan. tities. In 1824 Joseph Laughlin dug a salt- well 150 feet deep, but did not find salt in sufficient quantities to pay for the trouble and expense of manufacture. This was on the farm at this time owned by Jackson Kern. and the well is yet flowing and furnishes a good supply of water.

FIRST TAVERN AND STORE.

One of the early settlers bere was Samuel Simons, at the present site of Fayetteville, where he kept a tavern for the benefit of the frontier pil- grims. The bill of fare here was probably not extended beyond the homely food of the pioneers. It is said that many of his meals during the summer season were mostly composed of sweet milk and roasting ears, for which the price was 25 cents. Two years was the extent of his hotel business, at the end of which time be located on the farm afterward so long occupied by Ezekiel Short.

As the van of civilization makes its way through the uncultivated wilds of a new country, the various branches of trade and commerce fol- low in their natural order. But what a contrast the rude log habitations of trade on the frontier present to the gilded offices and palace stores of a long settled and wealthy community! In the former will be found. scattered in promiscuous heaps, the cheap and scanty articles which the frugal babits of early settlers demand. The proprietor himself, perhaps. sits leaning back on a splint-bottomed chair before his door, watching with satisfaction the approach of a single customer, and contemplating with delight the paltry profit on his wares. Not thus the merchant in a populous city. His business moves on with an easy flow, conducted by courteous and ever ready clerks, while he reclines at ease in an uphol- stered ( ffice, and dictates the course for his subalterns to pursue.

OTHER MERCHANTS.

Among the first merchants of Lawrence County was John Vestal, who moved to Fayetteville in 1816 or 1517, and there in a log-house began a

Diyezed by Google

HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY.

trade in merchandise with a capital of about $800. His stock comprised all articles in usual demand at such stores. He aimed to keep pace with the times, and have everything needed in a new country. Yet Uncle Stever Younger says that it was a long time before they conld get a sinoothing-iron and a pair of scissors, both of which they had forgotten to provide before leaving Kentucky. All the merchandise was brought from Louisville in those days by wagons, and the trips usually took about one week. It was then considered almost a matter of necessity for any- one doing a mercantile trade to have some whisky in stock for the accom- modation of his customers, but John Vestal was frequently short in that line of goods as he did not believe in that way of drawing custom. He was in fact the cominercial man of this neighborhood for several years, and always purchased the produce of all kinds. Among his favorite en- terprises was that of buying a beef and game of various kinds, and dis- posing of them by shooting matches. Concerning these Uncle Stever says "I sold him one and got Bob Garton to shoot for me, and we were to divide the profits. I could not shoot and Garton said he was a good shot. I lost my money and got no beef. But I found out who could shoot. and I furnished the money and went in with the best shot on the same terms that I did with Garton. We won all of a side of sole leather put up in pairs of half-soles to be shot for at 12} cents per shot. This ended as well as begun my gambling career." Frederick Hammer was a merchant in 1826 and some years before and after that date. His stock was of the usual kind of country merchandise and he did a thriving trade. It was at his house that the elections were for some time held.

In the south part of Indian Creek Township on the bank of White River is a postoffice called Williams. It is at the site of what was for- merly called Greenville, and where four brothers named Green formerly had a saw-mill. The first store bere was kept by Frank Baker, about the year 1572. Since then L. D. Kern, W. B. Kern and Jacob Baker have been the merchants here, the last being in trade at the present time, and Postiaaster Benjamin Carl now has a small buckster shop at the same place.

SETTLEMENT OF SPICE VALLEY TOWNSHIP.

In the southwest corner of Lawrence County is situated Spice Valley Township. It was one of the original townships at the organization of the county. although then larger than at this time. The present area is nearly the same as Indian Creek Township, being about fifty-two square miles Beaver Creek flows through the southwestern part, and the Ohio & Mi-issippi Railroad traverses the township from east to west, somewhat south of the center. On the west and south it is bounded by Martin and Orange Counties respectively, while on the north the East Fork of White River forms nearly the whole boundary, and on the east is Marion Township.

Dlagnized by Google

HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY.

Some of the land in this township is first-class for farming purposes. but most of it is broken and hilly. and more adapted to grazing than for tillage. Near Bryantsville and along the river are some good and well- improved farms that indicate prosperity and enterprise. It was probably on this account that there was not so much land entered in this portion of the county as in some others. As usual the best iand -- that in the northern part-was the first to attract those who were coming to the zew country for the purpose of permanently locating.

Up to the year 1820 there were thirty-four purchases of Government land in this township, while in Indian Creek Township during the same time and on an equal amount of territory there were fifty-eight. thus indicating the relative value of the two townships in land. These entries were as follows: William Maxwell. 1819; Simon Gilbert, 1816; William Lindley, 1816; C. and T. Bullitt, 1816; Ezekiel Blackwell. 1516; Josiah Connelly, 1917; Jonathan Lindley, 1516: Joel Connelly. Is17: Jesse Beazley, 1818; Francis Tincher, 1519; Aquilla Gilbert, 1510; John Sanders, 1820; Nichols Koon, ISIS; Johu Quinn, ISIS; William Hoard, 1820; David Bruner, 1818; Henry Speed, IS16: Absalom Field, 1816; Thomas Lindley, 1816; Joseph Hastings. 1516; Abraham H dla- day, 1816; William Cochran, 1818; Thomas Coulter, 1816; Robert Fie .. Is. 1817, John Chapman, 1817; John Luttrell. 1819; Gideon Coulter. 1917: Roger Mcknight, 1818: Josiah Trueblood, 1816; Henry Cosner. 1-17; John Connelly, 1517; Joel Connelly, 1816: Josiah Connelly, 1816. Joan Swaito, 1818.

FIRST ELECTIONS AND OFFICERS.

The first elections in Spice Valley Township were held at the house of Absalom Fields, and he was the Inspector. Fields had located here some years before that time (181S), and while this was yet a part of Orange County. Josiah Connelly, who had come in 1817, was the first man that held a Constable's commission in this township. In 1\19 the Overseers of the Poor were Absalom Fields and Joel Connelly, an office long since abolished as it then existed. Soon after this the place of hold- ing elections was changed to the house of Richard Beazley.

EARLY MILLING.

Hamer's Mill, now in the eastern part of Marion Township, was the most frequent resort of the first settlers in this part of the county for their milling. This was one of the best as well as one of the earliest mills in Lawrence County, and the people of Spice Valley Township were its patrons for many years and until as late as the year IS40, per. haps later. There were some mills in the township before that time. but they were of an inferior kind and of limited capacity. About the first of these was owned by Josiah Trueblood, some time in the early part of the twenties. This was one of the primitive horse-mills, and at that

Digiandby Google

1 -

HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY.

time Trueblood lived on the farm now owned by James Marley, not far from where Simon Ruebottom's mill stood on the opposite side of the river. Absalom Fields was the first proprietor and builder. In that day most of the milling was done on horseback or with two wheels of a wagon. on account of the sometimes alinost impassable condition of the roads. Since that time things are much changed and people ride to mill in their upholstered carriages. A short time after 1830 a horse mill was in operation at Bryantsville, owned by Henry Weathers, but that has, of course, long since disappeared, and in its stead another and more modern mill does the business for the northern part of the township.

Perhaps no other part of Lawrence County has been so prolific of distilleries as Spice Valley Township. The numerous flowing springs and the general features of the land, combined with the early education and customs of the first settlers, have been largely conducive to this. One of the most important of these was kept by Joshua Barnes about the year 1>50, and for some time both before and after that date. He did a consvierable business in fruit distilling, but this has for many years been done away with. That was on the farm now owned by Jameson Lee.

The hardships and fatigue which the pioneers were compelled to undergo in clearing up and settling a new country, are but little appre- ciated in the present day. Then nearly all the lumber for building pur- post was saved by whip-saws as they were termed. The process was son.cthing like this: A frame-work for the purpose was built, generally on a hill-side, high enough for a man to stand under and work. The logs that were intended to be made into lumber were rolled upon this frame from the hill and the sawing was then carried on by two men, one above and . ne below the log. A long thin saw was pulled up and down through the log by these men from one end to the other, much after the fashion of the old upright saws of a few years ago. This was hard work in the extreme, and the amount of it required to saw lumber enough for build- ing a house would appall the laboring man of the present day.

SETTLEMENT OF PLEASANT RUN TOWNSHIP.

The northeast corner township in Lawrence County is Pleasant Run, and was created at the organization of the county in ISIS. At that time the two rows of sections on the eastern end formed a part of Jackson County. but have since been added to this county. The township now etubraces a total of sixty sections, being all of Township 6 north, Range 1 east. and the western half of Township 6 north. Range 2 east. The surface of the land in Pleasant Run Township is generally rough and broken. and therefore but poorly adapted to tillage. This portion of the county was the latest settled of any. It is traversed by the following creeks: Back, Leatherwood, Little Salt and Pleasant Run, for the last of which the township was named, although one of the smallest. Leath-

Dlgizedby Google

HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY.

erwood Creek has its rise in the southeastern part of this township, and flows across a considerable distance of the southern side. Along its course are some of the finest farms in the township, although its impor- tance as a stream is but little, and as the country is more thickly settled and improved, is constantly decreasing. As before stated the emigration to this portion of the county was slow and tardy in its movements. By the list of land entries in the township, made up to and including the year 1820, this will be fully shown, for in the whole township of sixty sections there were in that time but the following twenty-three entries made:

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Lawrence, Orange, and Washington counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, together with interesting biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc, Part 6

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