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 82
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 82
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 82
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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SETTLEMENT OF POSEY TOWNSHIP.
Thomas Polston was probably the first settler in this township. He settled near where Frederickburg now is, in 1805. Martin Royse, with his
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sons. Jobu, William and Martin. came about the same time, or at least not later than 1806, and settled where the village now is. Charles Bailey and Elijah Harriman settled near there in 1808. and John Butler the same year, and a year later Benjamin King. Jacob Doan located on Honey Creek where a squatter had previously been, in 1809. He was the first permanent settler on that creek. Jacob and Abram Colglazier settled there a little later, abont 1810. James McGrew located on the creek about 1811 or 1812. John Chenoweth settled in 1815 on the same Creek William Dennen, a bachelor, squatted on the land a year or two pre- vionsty. Aaron Rollins settled south of Hardinsburg about 1815. Jacob Horner came in 1816 and bought out a man named Linthecum. pay- ing him $25 for his claim. He lived on the place where Thompson Horner now lives. He kept a tavern, and after the pike was built moved up to it. William and Isaac Lofton came probably before 1510. The former settled where Alexander Lofton now lives, and the latter at the forks of the river, a short distance from Fredericksburg. Peter MeMickle, Thomas Bently and Evans Hinton were also early settlers at Fredericksburg. McMickle came first. He was a shoemaker. He went from house to house making shoes, as was then the custom. Peter Ollis in 1818 settled on the place now owned by Mr. Richards. Widow Andrews, a mother-in-law of Samuel Horner, came abont 1818. Her husband died while on the way to the county. Hepner, fatber-in-law of Linthecum, before mentioned, lived on the place opposite to him. John Dollins also lived on the same place. E. C. Hunter, who came as early as 1816, settled about one-half a mile below McPheeters' Mill. John Gregg, who was an influential man at the time, and who was elected Magistrate, settled about 1817 on the place where George Bailor lives. Samuel Haines in 1816 lived on the Wadkins place. Jacob Harris and William Cathcart also settled before 1816 below Fredericksburg. John McPheeters and John Rue were also early settlers.
EARLY TOWNSHIP INDUSTRIES.
John Royse built a grist-mill on Blue River about one and one-half miles below Fredericksburg about 1814. It was twice burned, and rebuilt both times. It did a very good business for those days. A few years later Elijah Harriman built a mill a little lower down on the river. John McPheeters built a mill on Mutton Fork of Blue River, one mile and a quar- ter east of Fredericksburg, in 1813. There is a steam saw and grist-mill on the same site now operated by McPheeters & Crim. About 1832 Samuel Hogan built a mill on Blue River below the town. It changed hands several times and is now in disuse. Benjamin Radcliffe had a water-mill and distillery on Honey Creek, where it makes its appearance on Section 14. They were in operation in 1830. Peter Peyton also had a distillery and water-mill near Hardinsburg at about the same time. Nicholas Smith had a distillery at the Mitchell Spring. James Ferguson
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had a distillery in operation in 1820 at Fredericksburg. William Lofton operated one on the Salem Fork of Blue River. Edwin C. Hunter owned one near McPheeters' Mill. between 1820 and 1830. John McPheeters also had oue at his mill. Jacob Horner bought McPheeters' distillery and moved it to his place. He kept a tavern and made whisky mainly to supply his guests. William Lofton owned a tan-yard where his distil- lery was. It was only a small one. and for a joke the boys used some- times to call to him at night and tell him to take it in as it was going to rain. Joseph Harris had one in Old Fredericksburg which did a good business for that time. It was in operation in 1816. At about the time the pike was made (1538-39) horse-racing was a favorite amusement. A quarter mile straight track was graded on Alvin Grove's farm, now owned by N. H. Cadle.
SETTLEMENT OF BROWN TOWNSHIP.
It is quite certainly established that the Driskell family were the first permanent settlers of Brown Township. They came from Kentucky and settled on the Horner farm in the spring of 1810. William Robertson, John Graham. Jolin Hammersly. Elijah and Elisha Driskell were early settlers. Hammersly built the first grist mill in the township, and soon added a distillery, and both have been conducted to a greater or less extent since under various owners. The location is now known as Clifty Mill. Section 14. and the property is now owned by Henry Robertson. By an early act of the Legislature Twin Creek was declared a public highway for boating. and was ordered to be worked (cleared of logs, etc .. ) under a superintendent. as roads were managed. Dr. Alexander Clark was an early physician and had the first and probably the only tannery in the town-hip. Settlers did their own tanning largely. The first doc- tor was Eera Child, father of Dr. Child, of Claysville, who settled in about 1817. He was also an exhorter of the Methodist Church. Abner Mather was a blacksmith. Old Col. Lemon was an early settler. Eliab Sayles was an early blacksmith, and was widely known as an excellent edge-tool maker. Michael Willfong was an old settler, as were also David Boyden. Mr. Jenkins. Elijah Nicholson and Asher Wilcox. The latter bnilt a corn cracker and bud a carding machine very early. Early settlers would pull their corn off the stalks with the husks on, and would pile it np by the crib, invite in the neighbor boys, and the women would ask in the neighbor girls to quilt, and all would put in the day working, with plenty of whisky as a stimulant. At night a dance or kissing bee would be the reward. and probably a fight or two to enliven the monot- ony. Log rollings were conducted on a similar plan. Ezra Davis came in 1\19. Joel Caulkins, a resident of York State, hearing of this coun. try. determined to emigrate. He heard that hops were in great demand in the new Eldorado. and accordingly sold his farm, taking the entire pay in hops to be sold at a good profit to the country distilleries. On
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arriving here he learned that he was misinformed, and he lost his farm for little or nothing. He settled on Section 24 in about 1819, and owing to his hop transaction, the neighborhood in time became known as the "Hop Neighborhood," and later the " Hop School District." On the con- solidation of the Thompson District above with the Hop District below it became known as the "Hop-Thompson District," by which it is yet des- ignaled. Ruel Barnard, a wheelwright and chairmaker by trade, and brother-in-law to Mr. Caulkins, also settled in about 1819. Among the first saw-mills was that of Joseph Hammersly and a brother below the Clifty Mill. It was on Clifty Creek, whose water furnished power to a sash, or "up and down" saw. David Boyden, a pioneer, laid out a town on the farm now owned by Wesley Woodward in about 1824. and named it Boydenville. It never rose higher than a " paper town."
A FIGHT WITH A BEAR, A DEER, ETC.
John Hammersly and three brothers-Isaac, Abram and Andrew- came from New York at a very early day. Isaac was a celebrated hunter, and oftentimes with "Betty," his pet gun, would do wonderful deeds. On one occasion, with his two ferocious cur dogs, "Old Ike," as he was universally called, started out on one of his expeditions, and before going very far discovered a big bear up a chestnut tree. The animal was comfortably seated on a large limb browsing in the surrounding boughs and gorging himself on the tender nuts which grew in great profusion. The range was point blank, and at the crack of the rifle the bear fell with a crash to the ground, and being but slightly wounded, made a furious dash at Old Ike, who stood his ground bravely and endeavored to beat off the animal with his gun stock. The dogs immedi- ately joined in the fray, and proved themselves devoted to their master by courageous attacks on the hind quarters of Bruin. With one stroke of the paw Old Ike's gun went flying through the air and he began to feel as though his last days had passed. With a paw on each shoulder the bear crushed him to the ground, but being so terribly lacerated by the dogs' fangs did not stop to complete the work of destruction, but with a snort started to run, with the dogs nipping his hind quarters in a very unpleasant way. He soon was compelled to ascend another tree, when Old Ike, who had not been seriously hurt, reloaded, and taking better aim, shot him dead and carried off his hide as a trophy. At another time he was ont hunting during the deer mating season, and found a big buck in the woods. With a quick aim he drew bead and fired. The buck, with an angry shake of the head, started for him, and if on open ground would have proven a formidable enemy. There was a large tree that had fallen over leaving enough room underneath for him to crawl. but not large enough for the deer to do so, and too large for it to jump. For thirty minutes the deer would run aronod only to find
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Old Ike on the opposite side, and then finding he could not reach him evidently became disgusted and started off for good, leaving Old Ike out of breath gladly watching his departure. Again he had wounded a buck which had started for him, and for a long time chased him around a large tree. The old man, after innumerable trials and failures, man. aged to reload his ritle on the run, but had to do so without patching. Gaining a little on the deer, he suddenly turned, and like a flash fired. The bullet pierced the deer's head and it dropped dead. At one time Old Ike with "Betty " and his two dogs were out and while looking around his attention was attracted by a tremendous racket two hundred y ards distant, between his dogs and some animal, he could not see what. Creeping cautiously up he beheld a large panther, or " painter," as he called it. in conflict with his dogs. The panther would whip the dogs by reason of his superior agility, but on attempting to climb the tree the dogs would grab him, pull him back, and again resume the fight. After doing this for a time the panther succeeded in getting np, and stretching out on a limb, was licking his wounds when Old Ike shot him dead.
AN EARLY COUATING ADVENTURE.
Christian Prow. who is now living at Campbellsburg, related a good story on himself, but with strict injunctions not to have it published. It is too rich to be forgotten, and as it relates to olden time, it is here repeated for the benefit of the rising generation. In about 1835, when he was seventeen years old, he made an appointment with a neighbor's daughter to see her on a certain Sunday night, but on asking his father's permission to spend the evening with the girl's brother, the old gentle- man not only withheld his consent, but emphatically forbade Kit to go, as he wanted him up early to do big work the next day. There was his appointment with his sweet heart and there was his father's command. What should he do" After debating the matter over of course he deter. mined to be with his girl at all hazards. As the shades of night drew apace he stealthily got the barn between him and his father's eye and then made a dash for the mansion of his inamorata's father. He there basked in her smiles until the "wee sma' hours," and on starting for home discovered it was misting, and as dark a night as he had ever seen. He continually stumbled against some tree or underbrush and after traversing about half the distance met with an incident in which to this day he declares that for the space of sixty seconds he believed he was in hell. He had been walking with head down trying to see through the glootu. when on looking up he beheld within ten feet a gigantic being, that the longer be regarded the larger and more horrible it appeared. It assumed the shape of an enormous man with arms, legs, body and bead of fire and was so frightful in appearance that young Prow had to hold bis hat on with his hand. Could he have run he would have done
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so, but in the thick darkness it would have been certain death. After a while he summoned up sufficient courage to determine what he should do, and finding a stout club he threw it at the being with all his might. Horror of horrors! The tire poured from its eyes and mouth in a torrent, and the hat on Prow's head again assumed a desire to rise np. After waiting he seized another club and began advancing slowly. in readiness to brain the monster if it should start for him. As he was about to deal it a blow the ground seemed to suddenly open, and head foremost he fell, while the fire from the monster covered him. For thirty seconds Prow declares he had no idea but that he had been killed and the inhabitants of Tophet were heaping coals of fire on him. Breathing, he began to think perhaps he was yet alive, and with an effort he assumed a standing position. Then he discovered that years previous a hurricane had blown down a big tree and in doing so had torn up the ground where he stonl. so that it left a hole six feet deep. The roots of the tree were covered with fox fire, and the excited imagination of the boy conceived all else. Young Prow continned on his way with thankful heart that he was yet alive and in crossing a foot.log across a run he tumbled off in water that was four and one-half feet deep. To add to all this misery he was awakened next morning by his father, who led him ont and mun le his pis. terior extremities very intimate with a tough hickory switch. For two years Prow never kept company with another girl.
SETTLEMENT OF JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
Probably the first permanent settlement made within the present bound- of this township was that of Henry Wyman, who came with his family in 1807 and settled on the farm now owned by Wiley Elrod. in the north part of the township. In 1SOS Leonard Carnes settled on the farm where Catharine Carnes now lives. Peter Carnes. who is probably the oldest native resident now living in the county, was born in 1810. two years after their settlement. During 1808 Ephriam Gross settled on the farm now occupied by Isaac Heistand. During the same year Charles and Samuel Busey settled on Bear Creek. John Green also came in 1808 and settled on the farm now owned by Harvey May, and Aaron Wilcox came and settled near the county line about two miles south of Martins- burg. Daniel Bush came about 1810. In 1814 John. Lewis, Abner and James Martin. all brothers, settled iu what is now the vicinity of Martinsburg. Stephen Elrod probably came about the same time and located near Wyman in the north part of the township. Between this time and 1819 Robert Stram settled on Bine River. John Heistand and Jacob Urmy near Martinsburg. Phil Stucker in the south part of the township. a Mr. Brown, father of Robert Brown, in the northwest part. Daniel Grimes in 1819 settled on the farm still owned by his sons near Martinsburg. There were probably several others previous to 1920.
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INDUSTRIES OF THE TOWNSHIP.
Charles and Samuel Busey each had a distillery on Bear Creek at an early day. Joseph Bush had a distillery on the farm now owned by Madison Roberts. Isaac Wilcox had one ou Bear Creek near the county line. These all distilled whisky. There were several others built for distilling apple and peach brandy. Jacob Bixler had a battery at Mar- tinsburg, built about 1830. He sold it to Joshua Wilkins. It was run about fifteen years. Edmund G. Wyman had an oil mill at Martinsburg at about the same time. The only store outside of the village was one kept by Washington Sterrit, who had one where Madison Roberts now lives. Aaron Wilcox had s water grist.mill on his farm on upper Bear Creek. The date of building could not be obtained, but it was in operation previous to 1819. John Smith had a grist-mill at the same time on the same creek on land now owned by James Shank. James Martin built a saw and grist.mill, which was run but a short time. It was on the farm now owned by William Frantz. Fred Phillips had a hor-e mill about two miles northeast of Martinsburg. It was in operation in 1519. Moses Martin at a later date conducted a horse-mill in Martinsburg. It was run until between 1830-40. John Loughmiller built a horse-mill south of Martinsburg about 1835. A man by the name of Brown had a water grist.mill on Lick Branch previous to 1820. Sydney Redfield built a new grist-mill about 1835 on the same site. It was afterward run a part of the time by steam power and was continue.l until within a few years. It is now not used.
BEAR AND DEER STORIES.
Mrs. Leonard Carnes, one Sunday in 1811. when returning from a visit to Charles Busey's. found six bear cubs in the path about a quarter of a mile from her house. She gathered hem up in her apron and took them home. One of them was kept until about three years old. Peter, who was then just large enough to creep around the floor. used to play with them. On one occasion one of them became angry at his rough usage, and bit him very severely on the arm, nearly amputating it.
Joel R. Martin is authority for the following. He said: " When I was about eight years old, as I was going to school one morning, I saw a pack of dogs running four deer. Three of them jumped the fence and ran away. but one, becoming frightened. failed to get over and was caught by the dogs and schoolboys, who managed to kill it. The teacher skinned it. and that evening each scholar was given a piece of venison to take home with him. "This," Mr. Martin says, "was the first deer I ever saw."
SETTLEMENT OF JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP.
Richard Reynolds, who settled on what is now known as the Reid farm, was one of the first settlers in this township. His father. Ned Rey -
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nolds. came at the same time. The date of settlement could not be obtained, though it was probably as soon as 180S or 1809. Jacob Hatta. baugh came in 1810, and the following year built a tannery. In 1S11 John Solida settled in the northwest part of the township, and Robert Elli- son and Nathaniel Chambers in the east part in the same year. Luke Persinger, who was a great hunter and trapper, settled where Robert Lusk now lives. Berry Neely located where his son H. B. Neely now lives Isaiah Reid settled with his family in 1817 on land entered in 1815, where Mrs. Rice"now lives. Jacob Brannaman located where James Phillips now lives. George Tippin settled in 1817 where Mrs. Tippin lives. Andrew Tippin settled in 1819 where Thomas Peden lives. Among those who came before 1820 were also John Holler, James Meredith, Christian Prow, George Holsapple, William Sanders, John Collins (who married Christina Solida in July, 1815). Solomon Meyers, John and Adam Prow, William Sells, Isaac McCloskey, John Hodge. Isaac Baker. Daniel Bowers, and others.
MANUFACTURING UNDERTAKINGS.
The first mill built on Twin Creek was put up by James Meredith between 1815 and 1820. Its power was furnished by water dammed up in the cave. The mill is still in use. Twin Creek was declared navi- gable by the Legislature very early. Meredith built a saw mill about three-fourths of a inile further down the stream a few years later. It was rebuilt by John Fultz in 1845, and was used until about fifteen years ago. In 1845 Fultz built the grist-mill now owned by Robert McNeely, a little above the saw-mill. Between 1820 and 1525 an oil and corn-mill was built just above this mill by Jehu Cox. It was not used after his death. A saw mill was built by John Collins about 1842 on Buffalo Creek. David Hamilton built a saw mill on Rush Creek in 1836. A grist and saw mill was built on land where Mary A. Thompson now lives. about 1816 or 1818. Thomas Young sank a tan yard on land now owned by Daniel Bush, on Section 21, about 1829. It was run a few years. About the time this was discontinued, Conrad Kutchel opened one where J. W. Bottorff lives. Thomas Lockwood in 1856 built an extensive steam tannery at Cavanaugh's Ferry, which he operated for ten years. There had been a small tannery on the same site previous to that time. There were other tanneries of less importance in the township, but none are now in operation.
David Holey built a saw and grist-mill at Holeysburg in 1871. It is now operated by E. R. Holey & Bros. Thomas Peden and Ezekiel Shields built a saw-mill near where the present mill stands. It ran only a few years, when the saw and grist-mill now owned by the former was built. This was the banner township for distilleries. It was stated at one time a person could stand at a certain point on Walnut Ridge and
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see the smoke from nine distilleries. William Elliott had one near Fayette Burcham's; Isaac Denny operated one on land owned by Jacob Bowers; Alex Wilson had one on land owned by David Gordon; Isaiah Reid had one on the Reid place; Solomon Bush had one where William Brannaman lives; John Collins operated one where Joseph Hogue lives; William and Matthew Marks owned one on land now owned by John Marks; Booth Robinson, William Williams, Henry Baker, John Holler, Christian Prow. George Holsapple, George and Andrew Tippins, and probably others also conducted distilleries.
STORES, POSTOFFICES, ETC.
Christian Prow opened a store on the road near where C. Shirley's house now stands, about 1837. He ran it until his death in 1845; about a year later his son reopened the store and continued ten or fifteen years Prow was the first Postmaster in the township, appointed about 1844 or 1845. About 1837 Elkano Craycraft built a store at Rush Creek. It changed hands several times; was used for a time as a dwelling. In 1869 it was bought by W. G. Williams, who is now doing a good business in general merchandise. Rush Creek Valley Postoffice was established in 1871 with Mr. Williams as Postmaster. In 1871 a store was built at Holeysburg, by David Holey. It is now run by his son, J. E. Holey; does a small business. There have been four homicides committed within this township.
INTERESTING INCIDENTS.
In the fall of 1817 Richard David and Catharine Chambers were to have been married on a certain day. The guests were assembled and waiting for the bridegroom, when a messenger came and announced that the bridegroom had been bitten by a rattlesnake and died the day before. The entire party then went to the funeral on the same day the marriage should have taken place.
In the spring of 1834 Martin and George Goings had a rolling of about twenty or twenty-five acres of heavy timber. There were about fifty present, consisting of an unusually large number of strong men. About S o'clock they gathered at the field. Wesley Denny and George Barnett were chosen captains, they being the largest and strongest men present. They then chose their men. William P. Enochs was the first choice of Denny, and Lindsey Keller was chosen first by Barnett. The captains then divided the field and the two parties went to work. Of course whisky was frequently passed, and before night most of the num- ber were feeling as stout as a " four horse team, with a big dog under the wagon." Many boasts were made, and at last, in answer to a chal- lenge, William Enochs and Wesley Denny lifted against George Barnett and Lindsey Keller. The two former were successful.
One Sunday night, when on his way home. Williamn P. Enochs met
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with a little experience in the shape of a bear chase, with the chase all on the side of the bear. He had been to see his best girl, and. unlike young men of the present (?) had remained until a rather late bour. It was a clear moonlight night, and as he was walking along thinking of the " taffy " Mary had given him. he ran suddenly upon a big bear in the middle of the road. The road was narrow, and the bear did not seem disposed to let him pass. He did not want to go back for fear Mary (now his wife) would think him a coward. He endeavored to frigliten the bear by throwing stones and clapping his hands, but he could not make him move. He at last concluded to attempt to " run the blockade." Getting even with the bear he made a spring, and fairly flew along the ground, never looking back until he renched his father's honse. The bear disappeared.
SETTLEMENT IN HOWARD TOWNSHIP.
This township was named by the County Board in honor of Gov. T. A. Howard, of Indiana. George Beck aud family came to this portion of the county from North Carolina in November. 1807. The family ent their way through the woods to the township. and during the winter veen- pied a shanty of the most primitive kind, and the next spring built a substantial log-cabin. The boys were John. George, Andrew. William and Jacob. In December John and George went coon hunting, and came back with reports that they had found the head-waters of Blue River. They had heard the sound of the water at the spring. Here it was that the famous old Beck Mill was built the following year. It was con- structed of logs, was 15x15 feet, with an overshot wheel and one pair of small buhrs. But settlers as far up north as Gosport came here for flonr. For years it was a famous mill. The Becks raised a crop of corn the summer of 1SUS. A saw mill was added to the grist-mill late in 1SOS. In 1825-26 a larger building took the place of the old mill, and in 1864 the present frame was constructed. The mill has ever been ope- rated by water run in spouts from the spring. In 1837 a carding.mill was started there, and is yet operated. The saw-mill is yet running also. The Becks have been the owners of all the mills since 1503. except for a short time. when others had an interest. Mrs. Susan Elliott and family came to the township about the same time as the Becks. Moses and Daniel Voyles located in the township in 1811 on Section 35. Will- iam Townsend also came about the same time. Royland Voyles came in 1813. William Green came and made permanent settlement in 1809. Rev. Amos Wright, of the Baptist Church, located east of Beck's Mill in 1809. Jacob Cauble also came in 1809. Richard Gilstrap built a cabin on Section 1 in 1509. Benjamin Davis and Richard Wright made settlement in 1810. Gen. Marston G. Clark lived carly in the township. George Nugent was born in Beck's Fort in 1811. being the first birth in the township. David Beck's death in 1181 was the first.
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