USA > Indiana > Madison County > History of Madison County, Indiana, from 1820 to 1874 : giving a general review of principal events, statistical and historical items, derived from official sources > Part 23
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TEMPERANCE.
There is no subject that should more interest us than . that of temperance, since seven-tenths of crime and misery come directly or indirectly from the use of spirits. It has always engrossed the attention of thoughtful men and women; but, more especially of late, women. They are arousing to a sense of their duty. Men have trifled with it already too long ; handled it with gloves, until legislation on the subject is regarded as a farce. It is to be hoped that this day is passed and the monster evil will be handled as it justly deserves. In times past in our county as well as in other parts of the State, societies have been organized to combat its influence. They in turn have served their day and have given place to more efficient remedies. We will first notice the Washingtonian society, which was introduced
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some forty years since. It doubtess did a good work it its day., the times however, demanded a more thorough and stringent organization.
The sons of temperance was substituted in its place, and behold what a wonderful work that order established. Thousands of our fellow citizens joined its ranks and were rescued from a drunkard's grave. Perhaps in our own county fifty lodges were in operation. So earnest was the work, that sufficient strength was obtained in our Legisla- lature halls to actually pass a healthy temperance law ; but our officials were too weak to carry out its provisions. Thus foiled to some extent the temperance advocates again arose in their strength and the Good Templars society was brought into existence.
Lodges were instituted in every town and village in the county, and many in the country. Everything indicated that the devil and his emissary were about to be captured when a similar failure was witnessed as the one described above. Thus, a series of building up and tearing down has been going on in our county for the past forty or fifty years without seeming at first sight, to have accomplished much good. But underneath the turbulent current, there has been a silent wave at work, and gathering strength, ready at the proper time to carry the ship of temperance safe into a sober harbor. That day, in God's own time, came at last. The current bearing the noble vessel, not with cowardly man at the helm, but injured woman, whose husband had been lost overboard. She was aroused by just indignation, and summoned a gallant crew to her aid; success was written on the topmost mast. The tidal wave has reached our shores, and while women lead the van, or crusade, they are joined by thousands of men, who say, on with the work, your work shall be my work, your ship shall be my ship, sink or swim, survive or perish, we will make this one great effort. The effort has been made, public sentiment has undergone a revolution. Let us come a little nearer home to our own county, dear to us all, whose history, though the record of frequent failures, we are proud of. Especially do
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we look with pride on the history of the past few months, even since the present year began. The noble band of women in our county whose names will live in connection with the crusade instituted a labor in this direction.
Their labors continued day and night, nor ceased praying and singing till their work was accomplished. The result is that there is not a licensed saloon in the county to-day. What a glorious work ! What will not tears and prayers and songs accomplish, especially when in such a cause? Let the temperance folks take courage. God is on our side -and women too. Who can be against us? There is a silent current at work, not only in the temperance cause, but, thank God, in every good work. Though hidden from us it will break out to gladden the heart of man, who, at times, is ready to exclaim, we are doing no good. Let us be encouraged to rally for the right and "work, for the night is coming when man's work is done."
PENDLETON REGISTER.
THE Pendleton Register was started at Pendleton in May, 1871, by T. B. Deem, of Knightstown. The enter- prise has succeeded beyond the expectation of all. It now has a circulation of eight hundred, and is gaining in circu- lation. It is understood that the outside is printed at Chi- cago, Illinois, which contains general news. The remainder is published at Pendleton, and is mostly local news, mar- kets, etc. Its general " make up" denotes ability and skill. It is published promptly on Thursday of each week, at one dollar per annum. It was originally a thirty-two column paper, but early in 1874 it was increased to thirty-six col- umns. Pendleton, and in fact the whole of the county, should be proud of this enterprise. We hope the Register has come to stay, and that it may continue to grow in inter- est and usefulness until its influence may be felt for good throughout the county. It is Republican.
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LILLY CREEK BAPTIST CHURCH.
THIS Church is located in Monroe township, four miles northwest of Alexandria. It was built in 1871, and cost $1,100. The trustees are B. Carver, R. Hasty and L. Carver. This Society was first organized in 1858. The number of members when first organized was thirty one. The first pastor was James E. Ellison. The present mem- bers number twenty-eight. The present pastor is J. E. Ellison, and the church clerk B. Carver. J. W. Forrest has labored for this Society occasionally since its organiza- tion. The Sabbath school is very well atteneded ; is doing a good work; the average attendance is thirty. Among those instrumental in organizing was B. Carver, who has been its superintendent for a term of years.
BAPTIST CHURCH, NEW COLUMBUS.
THE society which meets here was organized in 1830. It first met at the houses of Ira Davis and Caleb Biddle, alter- nately, until the year 1834 when it built the church one- half mile west of Columbus. The first preachers were Morgan McQuary, Nathaniel Richmond, William Judd, and W. A. Thompson. The present preacher is Benjamin Zion. The old house is still standing. This was at one time a popular point for this denomination. Here Wilson Thompson was wont to display his power and here his pop- ularity was unbounded. The society has of late retrograded and meetings are only occasionally held. It is known as the " Pewee Church " and near it is the old graveyard where many of the pioneers are buried. It is hardly necessary to add that this society is of the Anti-Means faith as any one at all acquainted with the above named persons would readily infer.
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UNION BAPTIST CHURCH IN ADAMS TOWNSHIP.
THIs society was organized in 1834. First met in pri- vate houses with but few members, and these very much scattered. In 1837 steps were taken to build a meeting house, and in the fall of that year it was completed. Its size was twenty-four by thirty-six feet; cost, about $500. Was built on the land of J. F. Collier. At the dedication of the above house a revival sprang up, when the member- ship was increased to sixty. Previous to this there were only eighteen members, among whom we find J. F. Collier, Mary Collier, James Noland and wife, William and Mary Judd, William Trueblood, John and James Judd, Mrs. Stephenson.
After the church was well organized they went to work under favorable circumstances. Continued to increase in membership until the house proved too small for their accommodation.
In the spring of 1872 preparations were made to build a larger house. J. F. Collier again, as before, gave the ground upon which the church was to be built. This site is one half mile north of the old meeting house, and one mile and a half southeast of Markleville. This house was completed in October, 1872, and on the third day of the same month was dedicated by the Rev. Joseph M. Brown, of Indianapolis. This house is of frame, thirty-eight by fifty feet, sixteen feet ceiling, seated in good style, with arch windows. The entire cost of which was $2,800.
The present trustees are Michael Mann, John Collier, William Judd, Joel McCarty, and William Noland. Dur- ing all this time the Rev. J. F. Collier has administered and had the oversight of this society, a period of forty years. He has been assisted by James E. Ellison, O. P. Hankins. T. S. Lyons. Present membership, one hundred and ten. Clerk, Joseph Garette. The carpenter work on this house was done by J. R. Lakey, Benjamen Mogal.
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MT. PISGAH BAPTIST CHURCH.
This society meets at school house No. 4, four miles northeast of Alexandria, in Monroe township. It was organized in 1856, by the Rev. John W. Forest. Among the first members were Joel James and wife, James Powell, J. H. Jones and P. S. Baker and wife. This society is weak, but continues to hold regular meetings once a month. The present minister is J. W. Forest, who has labored with this society ever since its organization.
TIE BAPTIST CHURCH, ANDERSON.
I AM indebted to Charles M. Hervey for the following statement of the above church. On the 29th day of April, 1860, F. D. Bland, Superintendent of Missions, and cer- tain brethren of Muncie, Indiana, and the Rev. J. C. Skin- ner, met at Chesterfield. Brother Bland baptized five per- sons, and thirteen brothers and sisters united in covenant relation as the First Baptist Church at Chesterfield. On July 16th; 1836, a number of brothers and sisters at Pen- dleton, Indiana, united in covenant relation as a regular Baptist church. Brother Nathaniel Richmond acted as moderator. On October 23d, 1871, certain brothers and sisters united and formed the First Baptist Church at Anderson. On January 2d, 1872, the church at Chester- field, being in a very low condition, consolidated with the Baptist church at Anderson. On the 23d day of January, 1872, the church at Pendleton, being composed of only a few members, consolidated with the Anderson Baptist Church. On June 15th, 1872, the church was publicly recognized as the First Baptist Church, Anderson, Indiana, Rov. J. B. Shaff being clerk of the council, and Rev. Sam- nel Hervey moderator. October 19th, 1872, the building committee of the Baptist church met and purchased of the trustees of the Presbyterian church their house of worship for two thousand dollars. The society numbers thirty
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members. J. B. Anderson is senior deacon, and Charles M. Hervey clerk.
THE BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH, ADAMS TOWNSHIP.
THIS church is located three miles north of Markleville. The society was first organized about the year 1836. They occupied a log school house up to the year 1853, when a frame house was built, twenty-six by thirty-six, and which cost them $1,000. The first trustees were Silvey Clark, Jackson Judd and James Ellison. The first minister was James F. Collier. Among the first members we find Jack- son Judd, Elizabeth Judd, Silvey Clark and wife, William Judd and wife, Martin Brown and wife and Polly Adams. At one time this church was very prosperous and had over one hundred members. It continued prosperous up to the year 1862, when trouble and division arose and its useful- ness was destroyed. They do not, as a society, meet at the present time. After the discontinuance of the Baptist soci- ety a sect calling themselves the Church of God sprang up and hold occasional meetings in the house, which is open also to other denominations. The principal minister of the latter society was the Rev. Blinkenstaff. The Baptist society referred to above was of the Anti-Means faith. The ministers who served this society from time to time were J. F. Collier, W. A. Thompson, John Sparks, Thomas Lyons and James E. Ellison. We may venture to say the division in this church, which led to its downfall, was upon the subjects of means and anti-means and war and anti-war. There is little hope of Bethel flourishing again ; it has served its purpose and may be reckoned among the things of the past.
BAPTIST CHURCH, BOONE TOWNSHIP.
THE society that meets in the above church is the Mis- sionary Baptist. It was organized in the year 1850. The
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following are among the first members that composed this society : John W. Forrest and wife, James Snelson and wife, and Amanda Ross. The first ministers were James Smith and Elder Waters. This society met in private and school houses until the year 1858, when they built the pres- ent frame church, which is thirty by forty feet, and cost $1,400. The above church is located in section twenty-one, near the centre of Boone township, four miles southeast of Independence. This church has a membership of twenty- five. The following are the trustees : John W. Forest and John Coffman. There is a Sabbath school in connection with the above church, with John Forest as superintendent. Perhaps to Mr. F. rest more than any one else belongs the credit of building up this society. He has been a constant member and an occasional minister. He has given of his time and means to the erection of the above church.
BAPTIST CHURCH AT PENDLETON.
THIS church has a peculiar history from first to last. At times it had bright prospects before it; at other times, dark clouds overshadowed it. It at last tottered and fell. Its history, in short, is about as follows : About the year 1830, a few of this faith met in private houses in Pendleton and vicinity ; among whose names we find, Nathaniel Richmond and wife, J. L. Richmond and wife, Elizabeth Irish, Mar- tin Brown and wife, Susannah Richmond. They continued to meet at private houses, until 1834, when steps were taken to build a church and organize. This house was 32 by 40 feet. The first preacher was Nathaniel Richmond. This house stood until 1854, when it was torn down and the present house built, which is 35 by 45 feet, costing about $1,400, and was at that time considered an ornament to Pendleton. The trustees were, Joseph Eastman, P. R. Maul, John McCallister, sr. The following ministers have labored with this society : Nathaniel Richmond, Abijah Whitman, Rev. Mr. Wedge, M. D. Gage and F. C. Buchanan.
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During the administration of Mr. Wedge, and when Mr. Maul was clerk, a difficulty arose in the churh which finally led to its overthrow, literally spliting it in twain by a Maul and Wedge. For several years previous to the sell- ing of their house to the Friends, which occurred in 1872, they had met but seldom. The last acting trustees, were James E. French, Philip Dickey, and William Allen. Some of the society have their membership at Anderson. On the discontinuance of the society's meetings, the house was sold to the Friends, who now occupy it. On their buying it, the spire was taken down, the house repainted, and other- wise improved. It now presents a neat appearance.
THE CHURCH OF CHRIST IN ANDERSON.
BY JOSEPH FRANKLIN.
THIS congregation was formed in an old school house east of the railroad junction about the year 1858. The meetings were held in this school house generally known as the "C.estnut Grove school house," until the summer of 1861, when the chapel on the corner of Main and Lane streets was completed. Most prominent among its first membership were Joseph Sigler, Burkett Eads John Kin- dle, John R. Stevenson and William Mustard, with their wives. At the opening of the chapel a protracted meeting was held which resulted in the addition of about thirty members. There was no resident minister until 1862, when Joseph Franklin moved from Covington, Kentucky, to Anderson. Before that time the preaching was monthly or irregular, and mostly by elders Jameson, and New, of Indianapolis.
Excepting fourteen months of time, including the year 1870, Mr. F. has been the regular preacher until the past year. By his continued connection with the schools of Anderson, Mr. F. succeeded in gathering many young people into the church. At one time one hundred out of two hundred members were single persons.
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Mr. F.'s father, Benjamin Franklin, (brother of David Franklin, elsewhere alluded to in this book), moved to Anderson, and has since been a resident of the city. The present membership is about one hundred and fifty. The preacher this year, 1874, is Walter S. Tingley.
CHRISTIAN CHAPEL, VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP.
THIS house is situated three fourths of a mile southwest of Summitville. It was built in 1873, and cost $1,500. This church is a frame building, thirty-two by forty-four feet. The trustees are Byron Vinson, James Hudson, and Henry Vinson. The society has a membership of eighty. This new and beautiful church is an honor to the society that built it. Among the first members composing this society were James Hudson, Thomas and Ellen Hudson, and Byron Vinson and wife. The present preacher is J. H. Vinson. They have a Sabbath school, organized in 1873, with an average attendance of thirty, and with Byron Vinson, superintendent, and Thomas Ingliss, secretary. Previous to the building of the above church, the society met at the Allen school house, a short distance east. This is one of the strongest societies in the county, and in its present flourishing condition, new church, and Sabbath school, certainly will exert a good influence in the commun- ity.
NEW HOPE, OR CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
THIS church is situated in the southern part of Richland township, and near the Union township line, five miles northeast of Anderson, and two and one-half miles north of Chesterfield. The society first met at the school house in the neighborhood, and was organized about the year 1856. The following are among the first members com- posing this society : Hiram Chambers, his wife, Nancy
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Scott, Susan Chambers, George Liston and wife, G. W. Chambers and wife, and Smith Chambers. In 1866 the society built a frame church, in size thirty-four by forty feet. It will seat about four hundred persons. Its cost was one thousand two hundred dollars. The trustees are G. W. Chambers, Smith Chambers, Stephen Broadbent, and William Chambers. The first elder was Ebenezer Thompson ; the present one is 'Thomas Mason. They have a membership of seventy ; have regular meetings, and its influence for good is being felt, which we hope will con- tinue for time to come. They have a Sabbath school opened there, which if properly conducted will be a power in the neighborhood. These Sabbath schools are bright lights dotting our county. Debased indeed would be the one who would drive them out. They are helps to the church; a nursery, so to speak, which no church can well afford to do without. They should go hand in hand; they both have work special and alone, and yet are closely allied together.
LILY CREEK CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
THIS church is situated one mile north of Osceola, five miles northwest of Alexandria, and on the line dividing Boone and Monroe townships. The society that meets in the above house was first organized in the year 1340. They first met in a log honse. Among the first members were William Cole, Daniel Black, James James, Philander Thomas, Jacob and Peter Cassell, Thomas and Sallie Brunt, L. D. Carver and wife, Eliza Cole, Euncie Black, Hester Thomas, Joshua Stroud and wife, James Ellis, Josiah Athen, Elizabeth Perry, John McMahon and wife, William and Catharine Nipes, and Caroline Ellis. They continued to use the above house until the year 1849, when a larger and more comfortable house was erected, with the following act- ing as trustees : Daniel Black, Jacob Castle and James James. This house they continued to occupy up to the year 1873, when the present house was built. It is a frame
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thirty by forty, well seated and finished, costing $1,800. The following are the trustees: L. D. Carver, W. H. Black, Isaac Stroud. This society is now in a flourishing condition ; has a membership of seventy, and prosperous Sabbath school in connection therewith. Among the first preachers were David Holt and Daniel and David Franklin. Perhaps I would not do injustice to others to say that L. D. Carver has done much toward the erection of this beautiful house. To him I am indebted for the above information. The above house was dedicated October 1873, by J. O. Cutts, of Indianapolis.
FORREST CHAPEL CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
THIS church is located in the southeast corner of Stoney Creek township, four miles north of Pendleton, and six miles southwest of Anderson. This is a frame church erected in the year 1861 and dedicated in the fall of that year. The size of the building is twenty-eight by forty feet. It cost $1,200. The first trustees were William Comes, John Blazier, B. F. Gregory, John Hawkins, and William Cecil. This society meets regularly once a month. Its present pastor is B. F. Gregory, who has done much to organize and keep up this society ; contributed more, per- haps, than any othor one man toward the erection of the above house. This society has a membership of fifty, and their influence for good is felt in the community. For a few years previous to the building of the above house the society met in Shaul's school house.
CHRISTIAN CHURCH, OR WHITE CHAPEL, IN ADAMS TOWNSHIP.
THIS church is situated two miles northeast of Markle- ville, and near the line dividing this and Henry county. This society first met at private houses previous to the 21
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building of the First church, which was built in 1853. This was a framed building, thirty-five by forty-five feet, and cost one thousand one hundred dollars. It was con- sumed by fire in January, 1856. It was, however, soon replaced by a larger and better building, which cost one thousand six hundred dollars. Among the first members we may mention those of William McCallister, Andrew Bray, Eli Hodson, Jesse Van Winkle, G. W. Hoel, Joseph I. Seward. This society has had the following elders to serve them : John Brown, L. H. Jamison, Daniel Frank- lin, David Franklin, K. Shaw. The local preachers have been Eli Hodson, J. I. Seward and John Huston. The trustees are C. G. Mauzy, G. W. Hoel and J. I. Seward. This society here is large, and have their meetings regu- larly ; had at one time a membership of one hundred, but. is now reduced somewhat. The house has a very neat appearance inside, being comfortably seated, and will accom- modate about four hundred persons. Connected with it is a Sunday school. Prominent in this work is C. G. Mauzy, A. J. Cunningham and John Huston. Among the names above in the list of membership death has removed Andrew Bray, Jesse Van Winkle and William MeCallister. The present minister is the Rev. Mr. Blackman ; bishops, Revs. David Franklin and John Huston ; deacons, Hiram Cooper and John Van Winkle; clerk, Dewitt C. Markle.
CATHOLIC CHURCH, ANDERSON.
THIS church was finished in the fall of 1856. It is a brick building, thirty-five by forty-five feet, and cost one thousand five hundred dollars. It has a membership of seventy-five. They have mass and other religious ceremo- nies every Sabbath day. The ministers, or priests, who have been in charge over this society since its organization, have been. Fathers Walker, Fitzmorris, Fitzgibbon, McMa- an, and Crowley, the last, the present minister. This soci- ety has purchased a lot immediately south of the present
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church, on Williams street, where they intend to erect a splendid edifice, which will be an ornament to the city of Anderson.
FRIENDS' MEETING HOUSE.
IN the summer of 1834 several Friends, whe had come from Eastern Pennsylvania, and settled in Fall Creek town- ship, convened and held their first meeting at the residence of Jonathan and Ann Thomas. The society continued to meet here until 1836, when they built a log house well adapted to their limited means and numbers. The meeting house yard and graveyard include three acres of ground, given and deeded to this meeting by Jonathan Thomas. The society is composed of birthright members, and uses no organized influence to add to its numbers, though its doors are always open to receive others into membership. The ministers are not employed, but preach professedly by a commission from on high. The first preacher was Jehu Middleton, and during the forty years since the organization of this society, many men and women have served as minis- ters and teachers. This society was a branch of Millford monthly meeting until 1839, when it was itself changed to a monthly meeting. In 1857 they built a frame house, neat but very plain, at a cost of $800, and have since torn down and removed the first one The meetings are held twice a week. Whitewater Quarterly meeting also meets here once a year. The present trustees arc Caleb Williams, Edward Roberts and Allen Lukens. Three ancient elms give to this quiet church and churchyard the dignity of years.
LUTHERAN CHURCH, OF NEW COLUMBUS.
THIS society was organized in 1847. The first members were William Sanders, John Mowery and wife, J. B. Cro- mer and wife, and John Baker. They first met in an old
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log school house, till the year 1861, when preparations were commeneed to build a new house, which was completed in the fall of that year and appropriately dedicated. The house is a frame, forty by fifty feet, well finished, with neat cupola and window shutters, and is in every way a good and substantial house. Its cost was eighteen hundred dollars. It was repainted in the summer of 1873, and is certainly a credit to the denomination that built it. The present trustees are William Sanders, Michael Hess and John Baker. Its ministers have been J. B. Cromer, Wise- hop, Wiseman, Stinewalt, and Smith. It has a member- ship of thirty, holds regular meetings semi-monthly, and has also in connection a Sabbath school, which is kept up the greater part of the year. The corner stone of this house was laid with the usual ceremonies, and contains copies of the county papers, names of State and county officers, trustees, ete. The hight of the eupola from the ground to the top is seventy feet. It contains a bell. The church is surrounded by a substantial fence, and on the west, adjoining, is a cemetery, used mainly by the members of this denomination.
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