History of Lawrence, Orange, and Washington counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, together with interesting biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc, Part 97

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 97
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 97
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 97

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).

January 17, 1829, with only fourteen members, the now flourishing Church of Salem was organized. At present none of the original members reside at Salem. In 1876 Mrs. De Pauw, mother of W. C. De Pauw, and Mrs. John F. Keys, then in her ninety-second year, were the only two of the original fourteen still in Salem. Mrs. De Pauw has since deceased. James McCoy, J. D. Crabbs, William McCoy, John Craft, Wright San- ders, Malcolm Wood. Mr. Jordan, Mr. Davis, MIr. Giles have been con. nected with the church.

Mr. Hodges says that "Blue River Church was organized November 23. 1845, with twelve members. In 1876 the membership had reached eighty." Elders Moses Sellers, John Bell. A. Allen, I. Coker, and Jobu R. McCoy all served as Pastors. The Clerks of the Church have been: J. M. Hodges, N. E. Rodman, William Farabee, and B. N. Rod- man. The location of this church is seven miles southeast of Salem.

The same authority says that " Lost River Church was organized in Orange County. In 1855 it built a house in Claysville. in this county.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.

The church is in flourishing condition, and its membership reaches 140. The Pastors have been: Elders J. D. Crabbs, J. Blackwell, Greenslade and Wright Sanders." A. Walls, C. W. Blackwell and James MI. Baker have filled the office of Clerk.

Again says Mr. Hodges: "Enon Church, organized in August, 1865, with twelve members; in 1876, numbered fifty. Elders, J. B. Porter, J. M. Wade, J. W. Foster, William McCoy, M. Wood, and others. Clerks, W. F. Dunlap, G. W. Shields, E. L. Caress, and others. This church is about five miles north west of Salem."

In Jefferson Township Rush Creek Church is located. At its organ- ization in May, 1840, it had thirty-six members. It has had for its min- isters, Elders W. Cornwell, E. Jeter and Harvey. J. P. Williams and D. Bush have served in the office of Clerk.

A very old organization is the Clifty Regular Baptist Church, at Mount Carmel, Brown Township. The number of members reported in 1815 was large. There are no means at command to determine who have ministered to this time-honored organization. Elder Thomas N. Robert- son was an early member and began his ministerial labors in this church. Elder H. Corwell is given as one of the last. A communication at hand states that Reuben Starks was pastor in 1817. It also gives the names of the following surviving members, whose average is seventy-nine and two-seventh years. Mrs. Nancy Cornwell, eighty years; Mrs. Frances Shoulta, eighty-five years; Mrs. Phoebe Spangler, eighty-two years; Mrs. Melissa Burkes, seventy nine years; MIrs. Betsey Childres, seventy-nine years; Mrs. Mary McClintick, sixty-three years; Mr. Barton Childres, eighty years.

Elim Church, near Pekin, in Polk Township, organized about 1520, was once a flourishing, prosperous church. Elder John Wilson was pas- tor for many years.

New Hope Church, near Little York in Gibson Township, was organ- ized in 1870, with fifteen or twenty members; rose to about forty in less than six years. Elders William McCoy and John Bell have served as pastors.

At Livonia, Madison Township, is the Livonia Baptist Church. It was organized July 16, 1866, with twenty-five members. Its pastors have been Elders John M. Stalker, L. W. Bicknell, J. K. Howard. The last given is still pastor. This church has a good Sabbath-school. The same is true of the church at Salem.

January 27, 1844, a Baptist Church was organized at New Philadel- phia, Franklin Township, numbering eighteen members at the beginning. The church has been prosperous. From the commencement of the church up to the present date, September, 1884, Elder William McCoy has been the Pastor. J. Anderson, R. Baker and B. Jones have been Clerks. The church maintains throughout the year a good Sabbath-school.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.

At least as far back as 1822, Union Church, in the southwestern part of the county, was in active operation. At that date Elder Abram Stark was Pastor and Elder Rice, Clerk. In his Centennial article Mr. Hodges writes: " The last church meeting, recorded July, 1864, Elder Harrison Cornwell was Pastor, and Reuben Stout Clerk It appears from information that a new church was organized March 30, 1872, with sixteen members." The new organization took the name Lost River.

In 1845 Delaney's Creek Church came into existence with a member- ship of fifteen. The pastor for a series of years was Elder Archibald Johnson and Micah Morris, Clerk.

Elder Mr. Ellis was pastor of Unity Church, Hardinsburg, Posey Township. There are no available means of attaining the date of its organization. It has public service once each month.

The organization of Mill Creek Church is supposed to have occurred 88 early as 1816, and with a membership of fifteen persons. The num- ber of members has been as high as 132. Elders Rice McCoy, J. D. Crabbs and William McCoy have filled the office of pastor. William Mitchell, John Mitchell, Joseph Mitchell, John M. Mitchell and Hyter Martin have served this church as Clerks.

" New Liberty Church," says Mr. Hodges, "is located in the north- eastern part of the county (Gibson Township), about twelve or fifteen miles from Salem; is a growing, prosperous church."

In the period of seventy-four years the Baptist Church, from a single church of twelve members, has become a large, influential body.

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

What is the Livonia Church was the first Presbyterian Church organ- ized in the county. This occurred at the residence of Alexander McKin- ney, in Madison Township, one mile south of Livonia, in February, 1816. The Rev. Samuel Shannon, of Kentucky, officiated. At the organization, the church consisted of thirteen members. Hugh Holmes, James Mckinney, John Vancleave, and Alexander McKinney were elected Rul- ing Elders. Bethel was then the name of the church. Afterwards the name was changed to Livonia. The first meeting-house was constructed of hewn logs. The house was erected about the time that Livonia was laid out. A little more than a year afterward, in April, 1818, the Pres- bytery installed Rev. William W. Martin pastor. In thia relation, or as stated supply, he ministered to this church more than twenty-four years. During a number of years he divided his ministerial labors equally between the congregations of Salem and Livonia. His educa- tional influence will be realized far down in the future. His instrumen- tality made the young men and women of Livonia a thinking, reading people.

An unfortunate division of the church growing out of the split of the

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.

General Assembly took place in 1838, and the Second Presbyterian was organized in Livonia. To the Second Church, Rev. Benjamin ML. Nyce, and others, ministered. With the reunion, the division was healed. Rev. I. I. St. John, in his Centennial article, giving an account of the Presbyterian Churches of the county, writes: "On the 1st of August, 1851, the church invited Samuel E. Barr, a licentiate of Madison Presby. tery, to labor with them; and on the 21st of May, 1852, he was ordained and installed pastor by the Presbytery of New Albany. Excepting six months which he spent as Chaplain of the Sixty-sixth Regiment of Indiana Volunteers, he continued pastor till October, 1864." Since his time Revs. J. H. Aughey, J. Peering, R. C. Mckinney, J. McRaa, James MI. McCree, and others, have supplied the church.

The Presbyterian Church at Salem was organized August 15, 1817, by Rev. Samuel Shannon, with the following members: William Robert- son, Ann Robertson, James Young, Elizabeth Young, Alexander Huston, Margaret Huston, Benoni Artustrong, Elizabeth Armstrong, Thomas Evans, Alexander Little, Rachel Little, Ann Brawford, Samuel Milroy, Martha Milroy, Elizabeth Milroy, Esther Thompson, Betsey Thompson, Catharine Mitchell, Robert Tilford, Sally Tilford, Mrs. Wilson, William Rodman, Ruth Rodman, Mary Kelso, Polly Scott, Margaret Gilcreese and James Wiley.

Men of Washington County, scan those twenty-eight names of noble men and women who, sixty-seven years since, in Washington County's first temple of justice, in the presence of men, angels and the Omnipotent Jehovah, pledged themselves to train their children for the service of God and their common country. Inquire after their offspring. Who are they ? What have they done? What are they doing to-day? The complex queries carefully solved would pay the careful, thoughtful cal- culator well. Yes, enter Wisconsin's Senate Chamber. Listen to the terse, sharp, cutting sentences falling from the lips of that eloquent debater. Ask whence he came, and the response will be, his ancestors are two of the beloved twenty-eight. Go to Shiloh's gore-drenched soil, and ask who is the leader-the fearless commander leading his brigade to the rescue of disheartened thousands ? The response points to two others of the same venerable twenty eight. Answers to a thousand inquir- ies would fail to tell the half that the descendants of that twenty-eight have done, are doing and will continue to do. They, in all good con- science, trained their children in the way in which they should go, and the offspring of these nolid men and women have been plodding along in the good way ever since. What is true of the twenty-eight, is equally true of the descendants of the true men and women of all the other denominations in the county.

At the organization of the Salem Presbyterian Church, James Young Alexander Huston, William Robinson and Benoni Armstrong were chosen

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.

Ruling Elders. These, with the minister as Moderator, constituted the first session of the church. On the 23d of June, 1821, Benjamin Hamil- tun, Andrew Weir and Robert Tilford were ordained Ruling Elders, and on the 12th of September, 1829, Samuel King was added to the session. On the 25th of September, 1830, Jacob Banta and David G. Campbell were elected to the Ruling Eldership, and subsequently solemnly set apart to the office. On the same day Burr Bradley was chosen and set apart to the same. Among the subsequent Elders were James G. May, James P. Banta, R. R. Hickman, Gayer Knight, Robert T. McCoskey, John R. Bare, and Thomas MI. Tucker.

The church has had the following ministers: Revs. W. W. Martin, Benjamin C. Cressey. Solomon Kittridge, S. Salesbury, Joseph G. Wil- son. Alexander McPherson, B. Cole, N. L. Steele, Charles Marshall, S. M. Warren. Benjamin Franklin. W. H. Rodgers, E. Black, T. A. Steele, I. I. St. John, James M. McRee, and the present pastor, Rev. Theodore W. McCoy.

The first house of worship was erected on High Street, in the ex. treme north of the town. The building was a large frame.

In 1839 a commodious brick building was erected, and which is still the house of worship. This building was not completed till January, 1×42, when it was formally dedicated, Rev. James Johnson, then of Madi- sun, assisting the pastor, Rev. Alexander McPherson. The entire cost of the building and original furnishing was about 85,000. The pres- ent membership is eighty-six.

L'p to the 19th of May, 1921, the Salem Presbyterian Church was known as Union Church. At this date William Robinson, Ann Robin- son. Alexander Little, Rachel Little, Ann Branford, Samuel Milroy, Martha Milroy, Jaines Milroy, Elizabeth Milroy, Esther Thompson, Bet- sey Thompson, Catharine Mitchell, Robert Tilford, Sally Tilford and Mrs. Wilson were dismissed, and, thereupon, were organized into a Presbyterian Church. called Franklin. This church was located on a part of the farm of Gen. Samuel Milroy, in Franklin Township, a short distance northeast of Canton. A house of worship was built, and for a number of years the church was quite prosperous. It was the founda- tion of what is now the Presbyterian of New Philadelphia. At the Franklin Church a burial ground was laid out, and is still maintained 88 a city for the dead. The time of the removal of the Franklin Church to New Philadelphia, was some time prior to 1840. The New Philadelphia Church has two good houses of worship-one in town, and the other at Beech Grove. In 1976 the session consisted of John De Witt and John Robinson. The former is now dead. Rev. I. I. St. John is now minis- tering to the church.

The organization of Bethlehem Church took place April 10, 1824. Rov. I I. St. John, says of this church that " the first person licensed in

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.

Indiana was ordained and installed over the nnited churches of Blue River and Bethlehem, in June, 1825." Blne River Church never had a house of worship. Its meetings were held at Mrs. Armstrong's resi- dence, in Posey Township, near Fredericksburg. It was disbanded many years ago. Bethlehem Church is in Jackson Township, near Mar- tinsburg. Rev. Isaac Reid was its first Pastor. One of its first Ruling Elders was John Martin. He, as will appear in another chapter, was one of the early teachers of Washington County. He taught, and practiced what he tanght. His teaching is telling on his excellent grandsons, the Sherwoods, who are now among the best teachers in Washington County. Another active, prominent Elder in this church was John Loughmiller. whose excellent example lives in worthy descendants. If blood does not tell, good teaching does. For many years Bethlehem Church was very prosperous, but a number of active members having gone elsewhere in 1843 it united with the Greenville Church, and still bears that name. However, in the past seven years a new house has been erected on the Bethlehem grounds, and occasional services held.

The Monroe Church, now the Walnut Ridge Church, was organized as early as 1833, by the Rev. Benjamin C. Crissey. He continued to preach to the people until his death, in 1834. Benjamin Hamilton, Sr., James Graham, James Burcham, Mrs. Rachel Burcham, Mrs. Norval Peugh, Jacob Banta, Hugh B. Neally, Frank Peugh and wife, John Burcham, and Zella his wife, James F. Burcham and Isabella his wife, Mrs. Rice, David Rice, Annie Rice, Isaac McClosky, Benjamin Hamilton, Isaiah F. Lusk, Robert H. Lusk, Mary Evans Lnsk. Mrs. Elizabeth Lusk, Minard S. Reid, Hattie Reid, Addie Reid, James Graham, Jr., James L. Burcham, David Brown, Zella J. Lusk, Hannah Belle Lusk, Paul F. Burch, Mrs. Brown, Robert Lusk and his wife, Hattie Brown, Mary Jane Pollock, Edmonia Larne Sutton, Mary Hague, John Graham, Sylvester Graham, Mary Graham, Sarab Graham, Mary Tucker and others are the names enrolled a: meinbers of the Walnut Ridge Church. Some have gone the way : ll human beings must travel. Others are still active, living, working men and women in the church. This church derives much of its persistent work- ing ability from the mental industry and high moral tone t at existed in the old Covenanter Church. Many of the members are mmediate descendants of the Covenanters. Sabbath-school is kept up i i the most inclement weather, and at prayer meeting there is no such thing as fail- ure. John Burcham is now the only Ruling Elder remair ng in the church since Dr. T. M. Tucker's removal. Rev. George Ear est is the faithful, active Pastor.

The Eldership of this church at one time consisted of Hug B. Nealy, Jacob Banta, James Graham, Benjamin Hamilton, and Isaac IcClosky, all sterling men.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.

THE COVENANTERS.

The Church of the Covenant, or the Covenanter Church, has a grand history. However, at present, there are but nine survivors. As an educating instrumentality and moral trainer it has been a power in Wash- ington County. From its bosom came such men as John I. Morison, Dr. Samuel Reid, Dr. Duff, the Farris brothers, and such women as the two Mrs. Burcham sisters, they that were Zella and Hattie Reid, and others truly talented and noble. Rev. Robert Lusk, for many years pastor of the church, was a giant in church labor and in the noble work of train- ing children. Mrs. Lusk, in her old age, on every Sabbath morning, still gathers her grandchildren and others and spends a time in teaching them.

A good idea of the inducements that led to the establishment of the Covenanter Church on the Walnut Ridge, in Jefferson Township, may be gathered from the following communication from the widow of Rev. Rob- ort Lusk:

" The Covenanters of South Carolina, being very much dissatisfied with negro slavery and its accompanying evils, and being desirous of freeing themselves from the influence and responsibilities growing out of the pernicious institution, began in companies and societies to immigrate to the free States. In 1814 or 1815 my father with his family came to some friends at Charlestown, Clark Co., Ind. We remained at this place two years. In the latter part of 1817 we came to the Walnut Ridge. Soon after, one Covenanter family after another followed till we had a society of several families. Every Sabbath we had our prayer meeting. and we maintained monthly week day meetings. Thus we sojourned in the wilderness without the preached gospel. Sometimes, perhaps once a year, a minister would come along and minister to the little flock for a single Sabbath. I remember among these occasional ministrations the services of Revs. Kell, the McMillan brothers, and Wiley. There may have been others. Thus the time passed till 1823, when Mr. Lusk, who had been sent out as a Missionary, carne and tarried with us two weeks, preaching several times during the stay, and dispensing the sacrament of the Lord's supper on the Sabbath. The society in the meantime had been increased by the arrival of the two Tippen families. The society succeeded in building a meeting-house-not a great one by any means, Samuel Brown and William G. Reid were the Elders who distributed the elements at the first sacrament. Some of our Sonth Carolina friends set- tled at Bono, Lawrence County, and formed a society of several families. These were the two Farris families, and the Ferguson, McIntire and Martin families. There were some of our adherents at New Philadelphia My father died in 1819, and session meetings for choosing and ordaining Elders were held at my mother's honse. At our first communion there were eighty communicants. In 1824 Mr. Lusk was installed pastor."

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Silas Rawson, James Preston, William MI. Hester, William V. Daniels, L. M. Hancock, J. J. Stallard, John H. Ketcham, C. Cross, H. R. Naylor, J. W. Julian, J. B. Likely, William P. Armstrong. J. H. Lester, L. E. Carson. W. H. Grim and Ferd. C. Iglehart. The records appear almost uniformly in the band-writing of Alexander Attkisson, Secretary, till it suddenly changes, and there is this entry made: 'In consequence of the death of our worthy and beloved brother A. Attkisson, there is a vacancy in the Board of Stewards. On motion Brother J. L. Menaugh was appointed to fill said vacancy.' W. C. De Pauw was con. verted in the Methodist Church here, and for several years was a promi- nent worker in it till his removal to New Albany."

A glance at the foregoing names explains something of the power and influence of the Methodist Church in Washington County. Edward R. Ames became a renowned Bishop in his own denomination. He was truly an orator-a man of power in the pulpit. To tell what these min- isters of the Cross have accomplished would demand volumes rather than pages. Among the class leaders one humble name should not be passed in silence. He was eminently a good man, an industrious man. He took much care to lead his children in the paths of industry, truth, and righteousness. Among all his neighbors and brethren he had gained that which is rather to be chosen than great riches. Isaac Parker is the name of that class-leader. He was a negro. Those who see the name dream not of the color, but Isaac lived and died a noble Christian.

Alexander Attkisson was a layman in the church. but a man of much worth. In the House of God, when able, he was always in the right place. When an Aaron or Moses needed hand and arm steadying he was ready and willing to help. Another layman mentioned must not be passed in silence. Isaac Thomas was a trusty, faithful friend and brother. He loved every friend of his Divine Master. Those who min- istered to the Salem Society since 1876 are: J. W. Ward, J. W. Asbury. A. R. Julian, and the present pastor, T. D. Welker.

On Dutch Creek, in Jackson Township, the Methodist people, a few years since, erected a very beautiful rural church building. At what is now called Mount Pleasant, on the farm of John Peugh. as early as 1824, were noted camp-meeting grounds, and for a number of consecutive years great camp.meeting gatherings occurred.

CHURCH STATISTICS.

Rev. T. D. Welker has furnished the following statistics of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church in Washington County. Ind., for the ecclesias- tical year ending September 1, 1SS4:

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.

TOWNSHIPS

Nunlay - school

Church niet-

No. of i hurches

Value of church

Support of min-

Benevolent col-

lections

Washington Township.

350

450

$10,500

$1,100 $105

Posey Township. ..

64 M)

586

8,200

425

Franklin Township

210

400

6,500

500

Brown Township.

150

260

2,400

250

Monroe Township.

100

105

2.100

150

Gibson Township.

175

700

100

Polk Township ..

1,000

100' ֏ 10

From six townships no statistics are at present obtainable. In Madi- son Township, at Livonia, the Methodist people have a meeting-house. Also at Campbellsburg and Cavetown there are comfortable meeting- houses. At Rush Creek Valley there is a society of Methodist people. The pastors for 1884 are as follows: Salem, T. D. Welker; Campbells- burg. J. T. Edwards; Hardinsburg, J. W. Butler; New Philadelphia, M. (. Mckown; Fredericksburg, W. P. Barnhill. In the seven town- ships reported the number of Sabbath-school scholars amounts to 1,515; church members number 2,006; number of churches, 25; value of church property. $31,400; the sum paid for the support of the ministry; is $2.025; benevolent collections, $300. From what has been presented may be readily inferred the great claims of the society upon the people of the church. They are strong, and much strength creates a demand for very much work.

CHAPTER IX.

BY PROF. JANFS G MAY.

ED . ATIONAL HISTORY-OLD METHODS OF TEACHING-PROFESSIONAL CHARACTER OF EARLY INSTRUCTORS-THE SALEN GRAMMAR SCHOOL- THE COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE- THE FRIENDS' SCHOOL-A PIONEER HOOLHOUSE-THE BLUE RIVER ACADEMY-THE SALEM GRADED HaOt .- LITERARS SOCIETIES-THE STUDENTS' REBELLION-SCHOOLS 1 TIN Tou SCHIPS-PRIVATE EDUCATIONAL ENTERPRISES.

N this mowing machine, twine binding, telegraph, railroad age, many

I early settlers of Washington County, living and dead, receive a very siuall share of credit for the actual intelligence possessed. None are more underrated than are the schoolmasters of a half a century since. Beardless teachers of to-day sneer at the Socratic pedagogues of 1840. All this is not wise. History must do justice to the noble farmers among whom labored the humble pedagogues of other days. Many of the early schooltuasters deserve a better name than simply "Knights of

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.

the Birch." Some of the very early teachers of Washington County were in classical scholarship the equals of the best masters that ever won degrees from Harvard, Oxford, Edinburgh, or Dublin. Even a verdant scientific of 1884 should sneer at Cochran, the profound astronomer of 1822. Cochran was poor. He had been very rich. The Embargo Act of 1807 became the instrumentality that dissipated his wealth, reduced him to poverty and made him become a Washington County schoolmaster. He lost his earthly riches, but his masterly scholarship remained. An old intelligent farmer declared that James Cochran was a master-work. man in the teachers' calling. Long ago that good old man taught in Washington Township, near Canton.

Very many of the early settlers of this township were intelligent, industrious, religious men. Several had been well instructed in classic lore. With the larger portion, leaving out the bread and butter issue, the solid education of their children was first in their minds. They knew well that thorough Greek and solid mathematics obtained in a rough log-cabin, with a puncheon floor, was as pure Greek, as exact mathe- matics, as if the same had been reached in a marble palace. Some of the carly teachers of Washington Township were Duncan Darrock, John Smiley, Mr. Banks, James Cochran, David Cook, Ebenezer Patrick, James Denny, James Nelson, Joseph Green, Mr. Worth, Jesse Rowland and William McAfee. Among the teachers of a date somewhat later, or after 1823, were Richard L. Dickson, John Evans, Jonathan Prosser, John I. Morrison, James G. May, Isaiah Dill, Thomas Portlock, George May, Jr., Peachy McWilliams, James A. Watson. Alexander Attkisson, Mr. Merriweather, Jesse Hungate, John I. Paynter, Edmund Albertson and very many others, some of whose names may be mentioned hereafter.

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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 97

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