History of Mitchell and Marion Township, Indiana, Part 4

Author: Edwards, James W. (James Wiley), 1853-1923
Publication date: 1916
Publisher: [Mitchell, Ind.? : s.n.]
Number of Pages: 172


USA > Indiana > Allen County > Marion in Allen County > History of Mitchell and Marion Township, Indiana > Part 4
USA > Indiana > Lawrence County > Mitchell > History of Mitchell and Marion Township, Indiana > Part 4


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The next building erected for church purposes in the community was known as the Cross Roads Church. This little church house, which was built in 1847, was situated at the cross roads a short distance south of the present home of C. F Lewis. This was owned jointly by the Baptists and Presbyterians. The preachers who preached at this church during its short existence were Elder John Tiffany for the Presbyterians, and Rev John Blackwell for the Baptists. Mr. Blackwell was the father of our townsman, Harrison Black- well. In 1849 the church house burned and both organizations disbanded.


The next church in the community was


known as the Freedom Baptist church, which was organized in 1850 In 1851 a substantial frame church building was erected about one mile south of Mitchell. I cannot give the names of all the pastors who served this church during the several years of its existence, but will mention the following; Thomas Robinson, R. M. Parks, W. L Boston, J B Porter, Albert Ogle, A. J. Essex and W. L Green.


The next was a Presbyterian church or- ganized in 1855 in an old log school house situated about two miles north of Mitchell. A fuller history of this church will be given in connection with the history of the churches of Mitchell.


The next church in the community was christened the Liberty Baptist church or- ganized in 1870. This has been a prosper- ous church from the beginning and in 1873 erected a good frame building which was remodeled and rebuilt in 1914} The church has had for pastors. William Baker, V. T. Baker, Wright Sanders, Issac Carothers, Edker Burton, J. M. Stalker, F. Dame. E. H. Tycker Rev. Groves, C. F. Pack W. E. Monbeck, W. A. Sanders and Henry B. Sanders This is a flourishing church, wide awake to its opportunities and has perhaps


the largest Sunday school attendance of any rural church in Southern Indiana. In the early seventies a Methodist church was or ganized and a church building erected on the Mitchell and Bedford road near Red Cross and called Wesley Chapel. This has always been, as I am informed, a circuit church and I am unable to give the names of the ministers who have served as pastors. Services are still held there and the church has been productive of much good in the community.


There have been other attempts to build churches in the township but no others than the ones mentioned have ever been built so far as I am informed. In all the churches that I have mentioned Sunday Schools were organized. These early day Sunday Schools were attended by both old and young. Sunday School lessons then were not outlined with "Golden texts" and instructions for studying as they are today. This would have been of little use however for many who attended Sunday School then could read but little and some of them not at all. Those who could not read brought spelling books with them and for them classes were formed and they were taught to spell and read Those who could


read were assigned lessons in the New Testament. In addition to the Sunday School and churchservice that they had in early days the people would often meet at the homes where they would read the Bible and have song and prayer service. If they could have a minister with them they would have a sermon. One of the pioneer preach- ers of this community who spent much of his time preaching at the homes of the peo- ple was David Elkins. This devoted old preacher before emigr ting here was a neighbor and friend of the Abraham Lincoln family in Kentucky. A biographer of Lin- coln says:


Local History of National Interest.


"From David Elkins, the itinerant preach- er, Abraham Lincoln learned much, his de- sire for knowledge overcoming his timidity." Again the same author in speaking of Mrs. Lincoln's death says, "at that time no minis- ter was near to conduct the funeral service and out of the depths of his sorrow Abraham trote his first letter to Parson David Elkins of Kentucky, imploring him to come and con- duet a memorial service at his mother's grave. It is recorded that about tiro hundred people gathered some weeks later to participate in the service conducted by the Rev. Elkins who had come more Than a hundred miles to solace


this tender heart of a boy." It is not gener- ally known that this old minister is buried in a little neglected grare-yard some fire miles irest of Mitchell. Such however is true his- tory and peeping out from among the accumu- lation of wreeds, bushes and briars in that badly neglected grave yard is a little marker bearing the inscription "Darid Elkins 2 8. C. Mil. wrar of 1812."


The Lincoln family mored from Kentucky to Spencer Co. Indiana in 1816 Lincoln. Tras then about eight years old; about a year later Mr. Elkins complying with the request of the letter set out on horseback for the home of the Lincolns. Young Lincoln at the same time, not haring received a reply to his letter. started to risit Rer. Elkins with a view to in- ducing him to come to Indiana and pay the tribute of respect that he felt was due the memory of his mother. Some where on the road the two met and Elkins returned with


Lincoln and preached the funeral at the Lin- colu home. which is near Lincoln City in Spencer county. Elkins, who was u soldier in the war of 1812. mored to a farm about four miles northirest pf Mitchell some time in ihe forties. He died in 1857 and is buried in the little cemetery above mentioned. It is rement bered that Elkins often spoke of the 10 year- old lad who was so deroted to his mother.


David Elkins is well remembered by a few people still living here. They are W. H. Edwards, Henry J. Tirey, Aunt Phoebe Burton and Aunt Hannah Burton.


MARION TOWNSHIP.


The territory embraced in what is now Marion township was originally a part of Clark and Knox counties. All of that part of the township west of the Meridian, which is the east boundary of the corporation of Mitchell, was a part of Knox county and the part which is east of the Meridian line was a part of Clark county.


In 1808 the territory on the east side be- came a part of Harrison county and re- mained so until 1813, when it became a part of Washington county.


In 1815 Orange county was formed and all the territory embraced in what is now Marion township became a part of Orange county and so remained until January 17, 1818, when Lawrence county was formed. When Lawrence county was organized Marion township was constituted a voting precinct but was not named as a township until 1826, being, until that time, a part of Bono township.


The township was named after General Francis Marion, of Revolutionary fame. In size, it is one of the largest townships in the county and, with the exception of


Shawswick, is the wealthiest township in the county. It is something over eight miles square and contains about sixty- six square miles or sections of land.


The first election held in the voting pre- cinct, which was afterward Marion town- ship, was held at the residence of Samuel G. Hoskins, on the first Monday in August 1818. At that election thirteen votes were cast. The names of the voters were: Ar- thur Dycus, Robert Erwin, William Erwin, Samuel Hoskins, Joseph Pless, James Bos- well, Joseph Boswell, Elijah Murray, James Mathis, George Sheeks. John Finger, Joseph Culbertson and Thomas Rowark. At that time there were two parties, Republican and Federalist. Ten of the votes were cast for the Federalist and three for the Repub- lican party. The voting place for the town- ship continued at Hoskin's residence, which was then on the meridian road in the ex- treme north part of the township, until he moved on what is now the Mitchell and Bedford road where Jacob Colglazier now resides, at which place elections were held until 1842 when the voting place was chang- ed to Redding thence to Woodville and in 1856 was moved to Mitchell. There was


but little interest taken in politics in this township until the election in 1836 when General Harrison who was the idol of the pioneers, was the Whig candidate for Presi- dent when quite an interest was taken, and again in 1840 the township gave a majority for "Tippecanoe and Tyler too". In the Presidential election in 1844 it gave a ma- jority of its votes for Henry Clay. In 1848 Zachariah Taylor carried the township. In 1852 the vote of the township was Pierce 109 votes, Scott 248 votes. In 1856 James Buchanan received 148 votes Willard Fil- more 219 and John C. Fremont 17. Ab Gross, east of Mitchell, is the only one of these living who voted for Fremont. The father of Postmaster J. T. Dilley was large- ly instrumental in persuading Mr. Gross to vote for Fremont.


It was during this campaign that the first political club called the Lincoln Republican Club, was organized in the township. Silas Moore was President and W. H. Edwards. then too young to vote, was Secretary. Mr. Edwards is the only surviving member of this club.


The result of this election in this town- ship was that Lincoln received 217 votes,


Douglass 167. Breckinridge 37 and Bell 79. In 1864 Lincoln received 298 and McClellan 132 votes. In 1868 the vote was for Grant 386 and Seymour 205. In 1872 Grant re- ceived 410 and Greely 249 votes. The re- sult of the election in 1876 was Hayes 458 and Tilden 267 votes. In 1880 Grarfield received 459 and Hancock 259 votes. It is not necessary that I give the results of later elections as records, kept on file in the office of the township tiuster and county clerk, are of easy access.


INDUSTRIES.


Of the early industries of the township not much can be said. For many years agriculture was the principal occupation of the people of the township To find a market for their surplus corn was quite a problem. This was partly solved by the erection of a few mills and distilleries. The mill erected near the source of Mill creek was one of the earliest, as well as one of the best mills erected in the county, and the people of a a large scope of country were its patrons for many years and until as late as the year 1860 .. On the tract of land where this old mill has stood for nearly a century, is the famous Ha mer's cave and


the beautiful glen known as Hamer's Hol- low. As early as the year 1817 a small corn mill was erected near where the old stone building now stands. This mill was run by water conducted from the cave by troughs hewn from logs. A man by the name of Wright was the first miller. In 1818 the stone mill mentioned was built and equipped with the best machinery known in that day, and the mill became the most noted place in the township. There were other mills built in the township, but they were of an inferior kind and of very limited capacity. In the early twenties a man by the name of Dennis Frost built a small mill and distillery at Tomlinson's spring near where the Lehigh crusher now stands. A small mill with an overshot wheel was built in 1824 at Donaldson's cave. A distillery and carding machine was built in connect- ion with this mill in 1835. The interior of this cave shows that at one time gunpowder was manufactured there, but of this there is neither history or tradition. Within this picturesque cavern the roar of a magnificent cascade may be heard. In the cave is found a well formed hall twelve feet high, three hundred feet long and nearly fifty


feet wide. Other distilleries, grist mills and saw mills too numerous to mention have existed at different places in the township, but they have long since disappeared.


This township, as has been previously stated, was originally heavily timbered with almost every variety of timber. The work ing of this, after the completion of the rail- roads which ran through the township, was quite an industry until these fine forests were almost destroyed, since when more at tention has been given to cultivation and fertilization of the soil, and while the im- provement in the methods of farming has been slow, yet is steady and perceptible.


MUSTER GROUNDS


Marion township, like all other portions of Indiana in early years, was required by law to organize its militia and meet at least once every three months to drill or muster as it was then called. The place designated as 'muster grounds" for this township was in a field on the farm now belonging to Frank Mitchell and just across the road from the residence of Jake Col- clazier. This militia, which was composed of all able bodied men between the age of 18 and 45 years, was organized into


companies and regiments under the command of a captain, colonel or major. As no records were kept it is impossible to give the names of many of the officers who at various times were in command in this township. It is known however that John Sheeks was a colonel, Alfred Burton a major and Henry Miller, Sr. a captain. Each man who drilled was required to furnish his own gun, but it often happened that some of the men had no gun to furnish and, as he was required to have something with which to go through the manual of arms, a broom stick or corn stalk was frequently used. At that time the memory of the Revolutionary war and the war of 1812 were fresh in the minds of the people, and for several years quite ¿ n interest was taken in these drills or musters. As years rolled by and these memories began to subside, the active interest in the musters subsided also, and finally degenerated into a mere farce, and the day that had been formerly looked upon so proudly degene- rated into a day of horse racing. shooting matches and fist-fighting. Sometime in the early forties the militia was disbanded, and muster day became a thing of the past


THE WARS


This township sent a number of soldiers to the Mexican war, but I can give only the following names: Samuel Brooks, George Wright, and three brothers, Charles, Henry and Wesley Edwards.


It was in the war of the Rebellion that the township made a record that is excelled by no other township in Lawrence county, and by but few in the State. It is a matter of regret that a complete history of the part the township took in that terrible struggle cannot be given. Much valuable matter such as accounts of meetings held, relief committees organized, speeches de- livered, disloyalty displayed, war meetings called, and a hundred other personal notes and observations which are of local value, are nearly all lost to history. It is also a matter of deep regret that but few of the heroic acts of the private soldiers of the township can be given. It was the men in the trenches who won the battles, and many a heroic deed that would thrill the hearts of the young people of today was performed by men who held no commission and who carried the musket and not the sword. Space will not permit even the mentioning


of the names of all the boys who enlisted from this township and served either dur- ing all or a part of the great conflict.


It is perhaps the prevailing opinion of most people who have no personal recollec- tion of the state of affairs that existed in this community at the beginning and dur- ing the early years of the war, that every- body here was loyal to the union cause. This, I am sorry to say, was far from the case. In Marion township, as well as in other parts of the State, public opinion in regard to the war was divided. It looks peculiar to the people of the present day that so many thinking persons during 1860 and 1861 were in doubt as to what position to take. This state of affairs led to ani- mated discussions, bitter feelings and some- times to personal encounters. An attempt was made at night to destroy a Lincoln flag pole which had been erected on Main street. Things remained in an unsettled and gloomy state until the morning of April 15. 1861, when the news of the fall of Ft. Sumpter reached here and created the wildest excitement. Business of all kinds was almost entirely suspended. Farmers unhitched their horses from the plow and


hurried to town to learn the details. Crowds gathered on the streets and listened to talks from such men as Silas Moore, Hugh Hamer, Jonathan Turley and other political leaders. Arrangements were made for a mass meeting to be held the following night in Johnson's hall, the hall over the City Drug Store. A large crowd gathered at the time appointed, and the excitement was at a high pitch. Hugh Erwin was the principal speaker and fired the audience with such expressions as, "Shall we permit this glorious union to be destroyed and wiped out by traitors?" "Will we, as loyal men, look quietly on and see the American flag insulted and trailed in the dust ?" "If war is necessary that this union, the heritage of our Revolutionary fathers, shall be preserved let it come. I repeat it. Let it come." Within a very few days steps were taken to raise volun- teers, and a heavy list was enrolled. As many as forty or fifty left their homes here within a week after the fall of Ft. Sumter, most of them going to Indianapolis in the hope of getting into service there. Under the shadows of the great war which is now engaging the attention of the world, the


boys who fought the battles of our own war and who saved the nation, must not be forgotten. To them we owe a debt of gratitude that can never be paid. It re- quired bravery and sacrifice on the part of these young men, whose average age was but twenty years when the war cloud burst forth in cyclones of fire and battle, to put away their school books, lay down their farming tools, leave the work shop, bid good bye to home and loved ones and rush to their country's rescue. It was no holiday affair to exchange a comfortable home and the healthful climate of a northern state for the hot swampy and un- healthful climate of the south land.


The sacrifice of life from disease alone abundantly attest the hardships and peril through which they passed. And while we honor the living heroes and scatter flowers on the graves of the soldiers who are buried in our midst, we should not forget to pay homage to the memory of those who were left on the southern battle field, or who starved to death in southern prison pens, or died of disease, and who are sleeping in deserted and forgotten graves, where the moaning pine and the stately magnolia


sheds their perfume over them, and the mocking bird chants the sad requiem of death. Although the brave boys are gone their memory should be as a precious jewel in the bright casket of memory.


"On fame's eternal camping ground, Their silent tents are spread."


The exact number of soldiers that Mit- chell and Marion township furnished dur- ing the Civil War connot be definitely given, as quite a number left the country to enter companies raised elsewhere, and, for whom the township received no credit. The first enrollment of the township, which was tak- en in 1861 showed that the township con- tained three hundred and forty-five men between the ages of 18 and 45 years. As near as can be ascertained, about three hundred of these enlisted some time during the war. Although, as has been previously stated, quite a number left home immed- iately after the fall of Ft. Sumpter, it was not until early in June 1861 that any of them succeeded in being mustered into ser- vice. The first to enter service from this township were George Hamer, Hugh Hamer, John Richards and Irve Tinsley, who en- listed in the 15th regiment.


John Richards was the first man from Marion Township to receive a wound while on the field of battle. He now lives in Mit- chell. Columbus Moore, later known as Captain Moore, was perhaps the next to enlist from here, enlisting in the 16th regi- ment. After serving a few months, Cap- tain Moore returned and raised a company of one hundred men for the three-year ser- vice. This company met and organized under a spreading beech tree that stood on the lot on West Main St, where Joe Chess now lives, and John Riley of Mitchell made a speech. The officers selected and after- ward formally elected and commissioned were Columbus Moore, captain; William Mannington, Ist Lieutenant; Milton N. Moore, 2nd Lieutenant. After selecting their officers the boys marched proudly down Main Street, stopping at the resi- dence of Silas Moore, when Mrs. Moore, after giving them some motherly advice, presented the company a beautiful flag. Captain Moore, in behalf of the Company, accepted the flag and pledged that, while life remained in a single member of his company, the flag should never trail the dust As far as I can ascertain. the mem-


bers of this company who were from Mit- chell and Marion Township were:


Marion Beasley


Sam Erwin


John Alexander


Alex Leach


George Bass


Mole Nngent


Harrison Blackwell


Gus Nugent


Jackson Beasley


Tom Paterson


Dave Blackwell


Ed Riddle


Frank Crawford


Elza Smith


Jesse Cokenhour


Abner Stevens


Henry Dodson


Ben Blackwell


Isaiah Dougherty


Joe Stroud


Lee Davis


Robert Stroud


John Davis


E. P. Eversole


John W. Sheeks David Snow


Mike Earl


John Winegar


W. H. Hilton


John Webb


Dave Hixon


Joseph Yandell


William Hamer


David Tanksley


William Erwin


John Dayson


George Flora


William Wease


John Tanksley


The officers of the company, Captain Moore, Milton N. Moore and Wm M n- nington were also from Mitchell. Perhaps no company from the state participated in more hotly contested battles than did this company. In the Battle of Richmond, Ky. the company of less than one hundred men lost twenty-five, either killed or wounded. A historian, in writing an account of the


surrender of Vicksburg, Miss. says, "Capt. Moore, a brave officer of the 16th Indiana regiment, was 'Officer of the Day' at Vicks- burg on the night of the 3rd day of July 1863, and on the memorable morning o fthe 4th day of July conducted Gen. Bowen and Col. Montgomery, Chief of Staff, to Gen- eral Pemberton, blindfolded, through our lines to the headquarters of Gen Burbridge to await an audience with General Grant.


All the brave boys whose names I have mentioned as belonging to this company have fought the last battle of life and answered the last roll call except three, namely, Harrison Blackwell, William. H. Hilton and Ben Blackwell.


The second company organized at Mit- chell was Co. 'H' 67th reg. This company which was composed almost entirely of boys from Mitchell and Marion township was organized in August, 1862. The company met and elected its officers in the basement of the old Baptist church. The officers elected were: David Kelly, Captain; Allen C. Burton, Ist Lieutenant; Gordon Burton, 2nd Lieutenant. The company was com- posed of one hundred and one young men, all from Mitchell and Marion Township, except a few from Spice Valley and Bono Townships. The following names were en- rolled as members of this company :


David Kelly Allen C Burton


Alexander Edwards Gordon Edwards


Thomas Beasley John Beasley William Brown


David G. Burton


W. A. Burton


Gordon Burton


Sharp Lynn Solomon Lynn


Riley D. Burton


John Mahan


Isom Burton


Tom Melvin


Hugh H. Burton


Joseph Miller


Alex Bundy


Joseph Morris Abe Murray Wesley Murray


Richard Cox


Elijah MeIntire Hugh MeNabb


William H. Brewer


William Carpenter


Volney Moore


Robert Cassaday


Simpson Pope Jacob Sloan


Eli Clark


Josiah Cleveland


George Smith


Sol Conley


Hiram Sperelin


Frank Conley


William Talbott


Jas. L. Cunningham


-John Dewherst


Henry Tomlinson William Tomlinson


Allen Edwards, Jr.


Oliver Turner


Wesley Edwards


John T. Williams


David B. Edwards


Temple Wright


Denton Bundy William Cox


Ben Legg Frank Lackey Laniska Lomax Samuel Lynn


This company left Mitchell for Madison, Ind., to be mustered into service August 12th, 1862, A large crowd gathered at the depot to see the boys off. The occasion, though enthusiastic, was sorrowful and im- pressive, and scores wept bitter tears for dear ones they never again expected to see. It was hard indeed to see them go. There were fathers, husbands, sons and brothers going away to die, perhaps on a southern


battlefield or in a rebel prison pen, or re- tuin with an empty sleeve or broken con- stitutions. The person who has now pass- ed middle life, but who was only a small child then, cannot forget the scene that was stamped upon his memory that day. He remembers how, with eager eyes and throbbing heart, he saw his father or broth- er enter the car to be taken away, perhaps never to return.


Let not the conditions of life of the old veterans prevent us from paying them the honor that is justly due them. And while on Decoration Day we beautify the graves of the dead soldiers with fragrant flowers, let us not forget to salute those who are still living.


COMPANY "H 67"


Company "H. 67 ' regiment left Mitchell as has been stated, August 12th, 1862 and went directly to Madison, Indiana, where, on August 19th, it was mustered into ser- vice and the boys became full fledged sol- diers. Two days later the company receiv- ed orders to strike tents, pack knapsacks and prepare to march; just where, none but a few of the officers knew. It was soon


found, howewer, that the destination was at some point in Kentucky, which proved to be Mumfordville where they were or- dered in an endeavor to check the Rebel army under General Bragg in its march toward Louisville. Arriving at Mumford- ville on August 28th the boys realized that they were in the enemy's country without military drill or dicipline and liable to be attacked at any time On September 14th, Bragg's army, which was about five times greater than the Union forces, made its appearance and completely surrounded the Union forces After three days of al- most continuous fighting against such great odds, the entire Union army, at that place, was compelled to surrender.




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