USA > Indiana > Lawrence County > History of Lawrence and Monroe counties, Indiana : their people, industries, and institutions > Part 29
USA > Indiana > Monroe County > History of Lawrence and Monroe counties, Indiana : their people, industries, and institutions > Part 29
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75
31I
LAWRENCE AND MONROE COUNTIES, INDIANA.
PLANTING CHURCHES.
It is believed that no other religious body has organized so many churches in Monroe county as this people who sprang from the Campbell and Stone movement. Of these there have been about a score started. A few of them, in time, have weakened and ceased to meet.
While this church has not greatly inclined to organization or combina- tion of any kind, the brethren of the early day repeatedly strengthened their work by county and district co-operative effort. This can be seen especially in the years before the war. Their county co-operation began as early as 1848, when James Blankenship, who had just come to us from the Baptists at Unionville, was chosen county evangelist, and went at once to holding meetings in destitute places, while the churches supported him by their con- tributions. Later John C. Mathes was chosen county evangelist. Again in 1851, the churches of Monroe, Lawrence, Brown, Morgan, Owen, Green, Martin and Daviess counties formed a district organization, held annual meetings and employed an evangelist. This they kept up till war times, dropped it, but resumed it after the war.
Let us now name the leading events in the formative period of this people. Minister John Henderson moved to Illinois in 1830. Though he was in sympathy with the new reformatory changes, he did not stay to see them accomplished.
Among the men who were in the lead of Bloomington church when John Henderson left were Jonathan Nichols, who had laid out the town of Bloomington, and later was president of the board of trustees of the Univer- sity ; Dudly C. Smith, later leader at Harmony church ( father of Dudly F. Smith) ; David Batterton, afterwards a mainstay in Bloomington church, and Jonathan Rogers, the last named grandfather of many in the church today.
DATE OF CHURCH FORMATION.
A new impetus was given to the movement and many churches were now formed in different parts of the county. Harmony and South Union started in 1834, Richland and Clear Creek were organized in 1838. Union- ville had a peculiar experience. The Baptist church of that village had as its minister in 1848 James Blankenship. At this time he became convinced that the Reformers had the true ground. He therefore invited his Baptist breth- ren (after setting forth the argument) to go with him, which they did, and he thus formed the Unionville Christian church, which took on the geo-
312
LAWRENCE AND MONROE COUNTIES, INDIANA.
graphical name. "Young's Ridge," which reported to the district meeting of 1851 ninety members. Mount Gilead church was starting about the same time, but in a small way, under the lead of Washington Houston as preacher. John C. Mathes and Pressly Mathers were active in the work, the latter hav- ing the first meetings at his house in the locust grove. Isaac Buskirk and wife generously gave the land. Their first house was built in 1851. Mathes and Mathers, in the district meeting of that year, reported the little church had a membership of twenty members.
Mount Pleasant, up five miles east of Gosport, near the Morgan county line, may have been the next church to get a start about 1850. It was repre- sented in the district meeting of 1851 by Penel Houston and John Cooter (father of Elder Nathan Cooter and Benjamin Cooter, commissioner when our new court house was built). They also reported their little church had twenty members in May of that year. A church was also organized in Benton township, known as the Bean Blossom church.
THE RAILROAD VILLAGES.
The New Albany and Salem railroad, stretching north and dotting sta- tions along its line, helped to start several churches in the fifties. One of these was Ellettsville. The people far to the east and five miles north of Bloomington had begun their religious work at Maple Grove as early as 1850 and really helped Ellettsville make a beginning. The two worked together for some years, holding meetings in common. The preachers gave the name of "North Liberty" to the Maple Grove movement, but the designation seems to have dropped off with the following years. The Houstons (J. W. and J. Q. A.) were leaders and by August. 1851. they were able to report that North Liberty had forty-seven members. This was before Ellettsville had got on the church map. The people of these two churches found in B. M. Blount (a college student ) a man who was a tower of strength to them. This worthy preacher may be still living at Indianapolis at this writing in extreme old age. He visited Bloomington not many years ago.
Three other railroad villages must be remembered in mentioning Christ- ian church planting, Stinesville, Smithville and Harrodsburg. The last named is the oldest, but happened to get located away over the hills and out of sight of the railroad builders. Preaching began here earlier than at the other places, but has not kept its start. Moses Field was the most zealous and most generous contributor to the building of their brick house, which was completed in 1869. Rev. William F. Black, who had just held a great revival
313
LAWRENCE AND MONROE COUNTIES, INDIANA.
in Bloomington, was called to dedicate it. It illustrates what has been said in these pages about modifying church names that at the dedication "Christ- ian Church" was put up over the doors, but years afterward those words were removed and "Church of Christ" was put in their place.
At Stinesville one man, John L. Ashbaugh, almost built the little church himself in 1856. This burned in 1865, but his son-in-law,, James S. Williams, provided an audience room in his business block. This, dedicated by Rev. Thomas J. Clark in 1899, lasted them till they could buy a good church house high up on Stinesville side-hill. At this writing, 1913, "Uncle Jimmy Williams" is enjoying in his old age the friuts of his labors among his breth- ren and fellow citizens.
Years ago you could see at Smithville one man doing the community a great service. This was William Leonard. Under his lead they built the Christian church in 1856. He was a good, true, safe, Christian leader. The annual August meeting in Leonard's Grove may be regarded as an annual memorial of William Leonard.
BLOOMINGTON PASTORS.
Let us now glance at the succession of pastors of the Bloomington Christ- ian church. Beginning with 1834 you may mark off the score of years to 1854 as the period of the labors of James M. Mathes and Elijah Goodwin. At first Mathes came from Owen county by monthly visits. Later he came with his family in 1838, to attend college and be the settled minister. In 1841 they remodeled and enlarged the church. In 1843 Mathes began pub- lishing a magazine called the "Christian Record." Later Goodwin came and helped him. Mathes was the chief editor, Goodwin the great worker. The county and district co-operation owe their success to Goodwin. Thomas P. Connelly was an able student preacher, 1843 to 1846. The stay of Prof. Robert Milligan in the university during 1852 to 1854 was a great advantage to the church. The pastorate of Randall Faurote and his good wife, 1859 to 1861, brought a blessing to all the people. Then followed Harrison Hight, lately graduated from the university, 1861 to 1863. James H. McCollough, 1864; Amzi Atwater, 1865 to 1867 (while he was a student or professor). John LaGrange, 1868. W. B. F. Treat, 1869 to 1873. H. D. Carlton, 1875 to 1877. John H. Hamilton, 1878. Allen B. Philputt, 1879 to 1885, under whose leadership the present Christian church was built. George B. Peak, 1886 to April, 1887. Peter J. Martin, 1888. Franklin Ross, 1889 to 1891. L. T. Van Cleve, 1892 to 1894. Thomas J. Clark, 1894 to 1908. Joseph C.
314
LAWRENCE AND MONROE COUNTIES, INDIANA.
Todd, 1908 to 1912. William H. Smith, November 1, 1912, to the present time.
THE GREAT REFORMERS VISIT BLOOMINGTON.
Bloomington congregation has been favored by the visits of great men and ardent missionaries. Barton W. Stone came, as has been mentioned, in 1826. Again he came in 1835, still again in 1838, and lastly in 1843, a year before he died. Alexander Campbell came in 1850. He was passing through the state, accompanied by another noted man and pulpit orator, John O'Kane. They stopped to attend our Indiana state constitutional convention, which was then in session, and he was invited to conduct devotional exercises, which he did. At Bloomington he addressed a university audience, preached in the church and visited his old friend, President Andrew Wylie. Campbell came again in 1861, while the mutterings of the coming war were being heard. He was accompanied this time by Isaac Errett. Though he was still able to set forth impressively the great doctrines of scripture, his mind was failing in common matters of present time. This may have been his last journey among the churches. His was a great mind and a noble life. He lived to see the success of a world-wide reform.
One object of the writer of this historical sketch has been to correct misunderstanding with regard to the people of whom he has written and present to the public the facts as they occurred in this community. Many worthy deeds have been done by noble men and women in years gone by, but time fails me to duly record them. If they have not "subdued kingdoms," they have at least "wrought righteousness." Those who know of them should tell the story to their children for a memorial of them to future gen- erations. Take for instance Thomas Nesbit. James Mathes said of him, "one of the best men ever in Monroe county." Dow Foster has written of him for our Historical Society under the title, "History of Richland County :" "For thirty-five years his home was a haven of refuge for the weary traveler, and he was the faithful friend, counselor, spiritual adviser and judge for the people."
Henry Dillman has written a most valuable history of Clear Creek church, going back to its planting and its charter members. In that history he has mentioned many good people; among the best of these was Samuel Mathers. Read Dillman's History and see their names by the score.
Mount Gilead people have their history written up in a book of nearly three hundred pages. They have thus recorded the generous deed of Isaac
315
LAWRENCE AND MONROE COUNTIES, INDIANA.
Buskirk in giving the land and as their members are called to the better world they carefully record the death.
South Union church has its history started and expects to go on to perfect it. Among the first things to be put down will be that P. L. D. Mit- chell gave them the land for the church in 1846, but the present house seems to have been built ten years later. Among the good men of that congregation of the olden time you may write Elder James Shipman. He had been a member of Bloomington before South Union was organized. Among the good men of the later days we must remember the name of Jacob Car- michael, whose funeral we attended with tearful eyes.
MISCELLANEOUS.
The withdrawal of some members of Bloomington Christian church in November, 1877, may be regarded as the natural separation of the progres- sive and the conservative element which frequently takes place. Those with- drawing have successfully maintained their organization and have built a good house at the corner of Fourth and Lincoln streets.
The Bloomington church has started a mission at the corner of Eleventh and Indiana avenue for Sunday school and preaching purposes. It is doing good work and will some day be a flourishing church. The effort dates from Christmas time, 191I.
A goodly number of churches adopted a form of co-operation in August, 1910. They have a county advisory committee made up of representatives from each church. Their action is not binding on anybody, but just what its name indicates. It has already awakened much activity.
The Kirkwood Avenue Bible Chair is an organization incorporated October, 1910, for the more perfect education and cultivation of the young people of the Christian church in the university. It ought to accomplish great good.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Trinity Episcopal church, at Bloomington, is located on East Kirkwood avenue, and is one of the finest specimen of church architecture in the city, where so many fine edifices abound. The old church building, in the rear of the new structure, is used as a parish house. This society purchased the large stone chapter house, next to the church proper, and this is used as a home for the Episcopal girls who attend the Indiana University. The latest rector is Rev. William Burrows. This denomination has never been counted
316
LAWRENCE AND MONROE COUNTIES, INDIANA.
among the strong churches of Monroe county, but here and there, especially in Bloomington, there is a goodly following at present.
Other denominations and church societies of Bloomington are the Christian Scientists, the Colored Methodist and Baptist churches, and the Salvation Army, all doing a good work in their own special and unique man- ner, reaching those whom the other sects could not hope to reach, under present circumstances.
THE CHURCH OF CHRIST.
This is really a church of no special denomination, but adheres as near as possible to the apostolic teachings. They separated from the Christian church many years ago, being opposed to instrumental music in churches and are also against organized missionary movements. About 1830 such a society was organized in Van Buren township. They first met at the resi- dence of Joseph Berry, a leading member. In 1834 a church house was erected and served many years. At Harrodsburg another was formed in the thirties and is still in existence. Other points in this county where these societies have a footing may be named, in Marion township, formed in the forties ; on Young's Ridge, about the same date, and they built in 1851 01 lot No. 26 in Unionville.
In Bloomington, the Lincoln Street Church of Christ is a strong society, and recently erected a beautiful stone edifice on East Fourth street. Rev. H. H. Adamson is pastor.
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.
About the year 1850, Catholics began to settle in and about the city of Bloomington, at the time when the Louisville, New Albany & Chicago rail- road was built. Hitherto, the most of the inhabitants were Scotch Presby- terians, and had kept the Catholics from entering this territory. But, as the railroad was the result of the work of Catholic people mostly, the members of this denomination began to gather in Monroe county.
The first priest was the Rev. Patrick Murphy, who lived at Mt. Pleasant, and visited Catholic families scattered along the line from Salem, in Wash- ington county, to Gosport, in Owen county. Rev. Louis Neyron, who had once been an officer in the great French army under Napoleon Bonaparte, next visited this region and said mass to the Catholic families. During this period an important step was taken, namely, the purchase of a lot. Rev.
317
LAWRENCE AND MONROE COUNTIES, INDIANA.
Edward Martinovic, of Columbus, came next to this district, and then the Rev. Simon Siegrist, of Indianapolis. Rev. Joseph O'Reilly, stationed at Greencastle, Putnam county, in 1860, paid a visit to Bloomington on the 2nd of December, 1860, and made a regular practice of visiting this place at intervals. Rev. Charles J. Mongin, of Crawfordsville, became the visiting pastor in April, 1864. At this time the question of a church building be- came agitated, the first mention having been made in 1850. John Waldron kindly purchased the oldest brick building in town, which was formerly a Methodist church erected in 1826. This purchase was made on July 4. 1864, for six hundred dollars. Mass was first held in that church on the 19th day of that month of July, 1864. A mission was held shortly after- wards by the Passionist Fathers, Martin and Luke, and was attended with notable effect. From the departure of Father Mongin until the arrival of the first resident pastor, the Rev. Julius Clement, residing at Greencastle, attended Bloomington and in 1868 built a parsonage.
Rev. Henry H. Kessing became the first resident priest at Bloomington on November 4, 1868. He remained until July, 1877. Rev. Leopold M. Burkhardt was appointed resident pastor on July 29, 1877. The congrega- tion at that time numbered twenty-seven families, and had two hundred and seventy dollars in the treasury. The necessity for the building of a new church became apparent to the Catholics of Bloomington, as the old struc- ture had been for a long time unsafe for use. This was a difficult and doubtful undertaking, but the members set to work with a will not to be defeated. The Rev. August Bessonies laid the corner stone for the new house of worship on June 16, 1878, and in December of the same year the congregation took possession of their new church. The structure was of Gothic architecture, sixty by thirty-five feet, with a hundred-foot steeple, and cost five thousand six hundred dollars.
In March, 1879, Rev. John B. Unverzagt succeeded Father Burkhardt as resident pastor. On September 7, 1879, the church of which St. Charles B. is the patron, was consecrated by Bishop Chatard. Father Unverzagt continued until 1882, when he was in turn succeeded by Rev. T. N. Logan.
Rev. M. H. Bogemann, the present pastor of the church at Blooming- ton, came here in June, 1885. He had under his charge on his arrival seven counties, Owen, Greene, Brown, Monroe, Lawrence, Orange and Washing- ton. Father Bogemann has served continually since that time, and has won a place of respect and affection with everyone in the city of Bloomington. His fidelity, devotion and sympathetie intercourse with the people is char-
318
LAWRENCE AND MONROE COUNTIES, INDIANA.
acteristic of the man. Broad and logical in intellect, tender as a child, but with Viking strength and unswerving integrity, Father Bogemann graces well the holy position which he occupies. The church at Bloomington now numbers five hundred souls. Plans are being considered for the erection of a new church at a different location. This undertaking, of course, is ac- companied by difficulties, but with the wise leadership of the priest it is a near realization. An adequate parochial school will also be established with the church.
Father Bogemann was born in Franklin county, this state, on March 10, 1860, and was the son of Henry and Elizabeth ( Broxtermann) Boge- mann. His parents resided in Cincinnati, Ohio, before his birth, but finding climatic conditions there unsuited to the father's health, moved into Franklin county, Indiana. Rev. M. H. Bogemann was educated by the Benedictine Fathers in Spencer county, Indiana, at St. Meinard's College and Seminary. In the year from 1899 to 1900 he attended Oxford College, England, doing post-graduate work, and was known as the first Catholic priest, secular priest, to matriculate in Oxford since the days of the Reformation. Father Boge- mann has been interested in architectural work during his life, and has re- garded the profession as sort of an avocation. He drew plans and built the first Catholic church at French Lick in 1886. He also constructed the Bed- ford church, and later planned the construction of Kirkwood hall, Indiana University, for the state. The school authorities had given up the building of this last edifice because the plans could not be made to fit in with the amount of appropriation, due to the high cost of stone. Father Bogemann took charge of the work, reconstructed the architectural drawings to a straight line style, and arranged so that the building could be built, with funds left over. Father Bogemann was chairman of the building committee of the Monroe county court house, and suggested the use of concrete in its construction.
LODGES OF THE COUNTY.
Without attempting to go into the detailed history of the workings of the civic orders of the county, it will be but proper to give some facts con- cerning the three prominent secret fraternities, the Masons, Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias.
319
LAWRENCE AND MONROE COUNTIES, INDIANA.
INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS.
Cecilia Lodge No. 166, at Bloomington, was instituted by J. B. Ander- son, grand master, August 1, 1853, the following being the charter member- ship: H. C. Smith, John W. Smith, L. M. Hays, C. H. Laird, Daniel Shrader, C. R. Miner, John Warner, Theodore Johnson, Peter Clemison and Thomas H. Sinex. It had a membership of one hundred and fifty in 1884, was in a flourishing condition, and owned a good lodge room on College avenue. It also had an encampment here, known as Herndon No. 56, insti- tuted at Gosport, August, 1858, but in January, 1862, was removed to Bloom- ington. At present the membership. of the subordinate lodge at Blooming- ton is three hundred and fifty, and its elective officers are: Mort Gaskins, noble grand; Edwin Carmichael, vice-grand: Arthur G. Lewis, recording secretary ; A. H. Beldon, financial secretary; Isaac W. Walker, treasurer. This order owns a good hall on Walnut street. The encampment in Bloom- ington has a membership of about one hundred and sixty, with present officers : A. H. Beldon, chief priest ; James H. Cooper, high priest ; W. J. Durst, senior warden; Harry Barnes, junior warden; Isaac W. Walker, treasurer.
In the side towns of this county are located Odd Fellows lodges as fol- lows: Ellettsville; Oolitic Lodge, at Stinesville; Arbutus Lodge, at Clear Creek ; Harrodsburg Lodge, at Harrodsburg, each having about one hundred members. Ellettsville has also an encampment.
FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS.
The first Masonic lodge in Monroe county was instituted at Blooming- ton, as Monroe Lodge No. 22. Its detailed history is not attainable at this date, but is being prepared by a committee of the fraternity, in a booklet form, but too late for insertion in this work of the county. The fraternity is strong here, having in Bloomington alone three hundred and sixty members, with present officers as follows: John T. Eller, worshipful master ; Fred A. Seward, senior warden; Stacy O. Harrell, junior warden ; Frank C. Duncan, treasurer ; Hugh Baker, secretary ; Joseph Boyd, tyler.
Bloomington Chapter No. 70, Royal Arch Masons, was organized in 1867, by the following membership: Cyrus Nutt, Hiram Gilmore, G. W. Hardin, J. J. Durand, J. J. Hight, Asher, Labertew, George Sheeks, M. C. Hunter, J. G. McPheeters, M. L. Mccullough, J. B. Hamilton, Augustine Holtzman and J. T. Holtzman. The present membership of this chapter is
320
LAWRENCE AND MONROE COUNTIES, INDIANA.
one hundred and fifty. Its present ( 1913) officers are : Orville B. Fuller, high priest ; Milton L. Borden, exalted king; Fred A. Seward, exalted scribe ; Lon D. Rogers, treasurer ; Hugh Baker, secretary ; John L. Boyd, tyler.
Bloomington is also the home of a council of Royal and Select Masters, but there is no commandery of Knights Templar.
In other parts of the county this ancient and honorable order has flourish- ing lodges at the following points: Ellettsville, Stanford and Harrodsburg. The lodge rooms of this county will compare favorably with any county in the state, where there are no larger towns.
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS.
This is the youngest of the three great secret orders, and was first insti- tuted in Monroe county in Bloomington. It was Franklin Lodge No. 22. It moved on rapidly until today it has a membership of three hundred and ten, with the following present elective officers: W. A. Wellon, chancellor commander; Fred Hazel, vice-commander; H. E. Wahl, prelate; Arthur Lewis, master of work; John T. Foster, master of exchequer ; John Kirby, master of finance ; Wilson I. Ross, keeper of records and seal; Walter Billeg, master at arms ; Keneth Stout, inside guard ; Walter Pruett, outside guard.
The county has lodges of this order at the following points: At Smith- ville, Stinesville, Stanford, Harrodsburg and Ellettsville. In each there is a round membership of about one hundred.
CHAPTER XH.
THE LEGAL AND MEDICAL PROFESSIONS.
These two professions have been ably represented in Monroe county and its county seat, Bloomington. It will not be possible to give a detailed account of all who have served as either lawyers or physicians here for the last ninety odd years, but the following will call to memory many of those who have graced the two professions with the flight of years ; also there will be found in conclusion, the names of the present attorneys and physicians of the county.
In searching for those who have practiced law. for a longer or shorter period, the writer has had much difficulty, as there are no records kept in regular order of these legal men. We depend on the memory of older men, and on books and papers published many years since, for what data we have collected. From such sources it is learned that the following have practiced law here, the list not calculated to be given chronologically :
Eli K. Millen, who commenced the practice of law here in the autumn of 1858, was born in this county in 1837; graduated at the university here in 1858; was prosecuting attorney two years ; was considered the best lawyer in the county many years ago. He acted as a special judge in Monroe county at various times. Politically, he was a life-long Democrat.
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.