USA > Indiana > Montgomery County > History of Montgomery County, together with historic notes on the Wabash Valley; gleaned from early authors, old maps and manuscripts, private and official correspondence, and other authentic sources > Part 69
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 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93
410
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
missionary and pioneer christian are indeed heroes. They plant the seed and lay the foundation, and with a community, as with a child trained up in the way it should go, in old age it will not depart wholly from it. Scott township takes a front rank in religious enthusiasm. Many denominations have a following, but all are zealously working for humanity's good.
David Swank is believed to have been the father of Methodism in this portion of Montgomery county. He was an honest, earnest, and active worker, whose power as an organizer is seldom equaled even at this advanced day. He soon connected himself with William Frame, a native of Kentucky, whose name is synonymous with the struggles of pioneer religious history. He was a class-leader and exhorter of un- usual ability, in his native state, and his energies were only quickened in his emigration to a section ripe for sound religious instruction. These two names are the nuclei around which the present society has ever thrived in its growing. The organization of the Methodist church was formed between the years of 1825 and 1830. With Rev. Joseph White as an early instructor the company soon became a lever of much good. The first exercises were attended with many hardships and inconveniences. During cold weather, the cabin where the first meetings were held was warmed by a log being fired in the center of the building in a bed of sand. While the attendants seated them- selves around the burning logs they listened to that simple, earnest, religious teaching which leads to a reformation many whole-souled pioneers.
The organization was effected by members from the Swank family, the Frame family, the Westfall family, Frank Evans and wife, Edward Grimes and family, a portion of the Alloway family, Parker and family, and Abraham Adams and family. Services were conducted for many years in the old log school-house at Parkersburg. David Swank acted as leader for some time, and was followed by William Frame. In 1841 the society built a plain frame church, about 30× 40 feet. This was erected by the surrounding neighborhood, every man contributing work and ma- terial until its completion. In 1862, during the summer, the trustees sold . this building and fixtures, and a new and more commodious structure was immediately completed. It is 36×46 feet, and surmounted by a large, elear-toned bell, which can be easily heard each Sabbath morn- ing in the vicinity, near the time for service. This building was fin- ished at a cost of $1,550, and is quite an ornament to the township. The organization now has a membership of sixty persons, with Joseph Wasson as class-leader. The year 1827 marks the advent of the Provi- ‹lence Baptist church. It was organized under the leadership of
411
SCOTT TOWNSHIP.
Jonathan Keeney, a stalwart, religious character, whose unswerving christian life imbued his associates and admirers with many commend- able traits and desirable qualities. Their first meetings were held in the cabin of Isaac Jones, but in 1828 their first church was built near the center of the south side of the township. Mr. Keeney continued his labors about two years, and was followed by Rev. John Clemmons, who continued as pastor for several years. In 1835 John Case be- came pastor, and held it, working with unabated energy, until about 1860. In 1849 they completed their present church, a frame building conveniently arranged, and a substantial house. Isaac Jones and fam- ily, Charles Bruce and family, William Bruce and family, Jonathan Keency and family, L. Baldwin and family, Mrs. David Henry, Rob- ert Harrison and family, and Abraham Byrd and family, were those who assisted in organizing the society.
Rev. John Thompson, of Crawfordsville, was the leading power in the organization of the Presbyterian church of Scott township, No- vernber 1, 1836. His co-workers were John Hester, Margaret Hester, Jane Shannon, David Hostetter, Sarah Gilbert, Elizabetlı Loekridge, Ann M. Hester, Eleanor Adams, Mahala J. Adams, John Westfall, and Rachel Westfall. In November, 1837, arrangements were made with Samuel G. Lowery to become their pastor. Here he labored with unparalleled success until 1841, when the pulpit was filled by Rev. Moody Chase, as supply from Brainbridge. He soon became grafted into the hearts of his congregation, and formed such an attach- ment for the people of the town that he soon purchased a farm liere, and settled in Parkersburg. He continued his ministrations until 1854, when his health failed and compelled him to refrain from his noble work. Rev. Samuel G. Lowery now became pastor a second time, for two years, at the expiration of which time he was followed by Rev. E. C. Johnson, who occupied the pulpit until 1860. From this time until 1868 services were held by Rev. Caleb Mills, and Rev. E. O. Hovey, both of Wabash College. James H. Johnson and others were also occasional ministers. In 1868 Rev. William N. Steel was pre- sented a call, which he accepted and held until 1871, when Rev. Amos Jones began a pastorate of two years, and was followed by Rev. Steel one year. Rev. Jones and Rev. Caldwell then officiated one year, and were succeeded by Rev. John Hawk, who continued his work two years. Rev. V. N. Yergin then preached a year, as did Rev. Walter H. Baugh. In 1879 Rev. N. D. Johnson received a call, and is the pres- ent pastor. This society first worshiped in the old log school-house in Parkersburg, but in 1839 they commenced a church which was not completed until 1844. June 24, 1866, the board of trustees, consist-
412
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
ing of Robert Cleveland, Adam Hester, Dr. J. W. Straughan, James Cleveland, and Rev. M. Chase, decided to build a new house of wor- ship, and commenced immediately to raise funds to carry out their re- solves. In June, 1869, the building was commenced, and the follow- ing December witnessed its completion and dedication. It is a noble structure, 36×56 feet, above which swings an excellent bell, and was finished at a cost of $3,600. The society is now in a thriving condi- tion, with a membership of seventy-seven persons. Its Sunday-school is one that can worthily be praised and visited with pleasure and profit. Rev. Joseph Davis, of Thorntown, was the founder of the Christian church in the township. It was organized in the fall of 1869, and in the same year a church, 36×46, at a cost of $2,200, was finished.
Rev. Oliver Wilson was one of their first ministers, and continued preaching about three years, when he died. At the organization the society had a membership of thirty-six persons, among whom were P. J. Johnson and family, J. E. Welch and family, Ambrose W. Arm- strong and family, Richard Boone and family, and William Armstrong. A Sabbath-school was also organized at the same time, which was con- ducted the year round with great enthusiasm until about two years ago.
The society of German Baptists, or, as they are sometimes called, the Dunkards, was organized in the neighborhood of Ramp creek, just across the line between Montgomery and Putnam counties, in 1826, with the following members, with William R. Smith acting as pastor (he and his wife had formerly been residents of Preble county, Ohio) : Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Smith, Jacob and Hannah Rouk, Henry and Frances Moss, and Mrs. Elizabeth Roberts. For many years this organization held their meetings in the log cabins of the members throughout the early settlement. In 1833 Mr. Daniel Miller took charge of the society as pastor. He was also from Ohio. In 1828 Jacob Rouk and Alexander Smith were elected deacons. With a will and determination, by God's grace the little band of Christ's followers held together, and kept the faith through the pioneer period, and were as the star which wise men in the east saw, for many good people came from Virginia and the eastern states and settled around this little society, whose numbers are now counted by scores. Between 1830 and 1840 the Harshbargers, the Peffleys and others were added to the church. In 1837 Rev. Francis Myers was called to the ministry. In 1847 Bishop William Gish came from Virginia and administered to the spiritual wants of the people, who chose to assemble with this con- gregation until 1854. In 1850 the society built a comfortable frame
413
SCOTT TOWNSHIP.
church on the banks of Cornstalk creek, in Scott township. Here they worshiped nntil 1870, when the membership becanie so large, and residing more in a northerly direction, that they built their pres- ent fine brick church "Bethel," 40×70, and capable of seating 800 people, in the northeast part of Scott. Their membership now num- bers about 150. After the pastoral services of Bishop Gish, in 1854, Rev. Mathias Frantz was called to take charge of the church as their pastor. In 1858 Rev. Robert Miller became pastor, and continued serv- ing his congregation with signal ability till the fall of 1880, when he was elected president of the college of this denomination at Ashland, Ohio. Since the removal of Rev. R. Miller, Rev. William R. Harsh- barger has become pastor, being called to the ministry in 1867. He became the assistant pastor of the church, and now, under the manage- ment of such men as him and Mathias Frantz, the denomination is likely to prosper. In 1854 their old pastor, Rev. Daniel Miller, re- moved to Iowa, and in 1858 died of old age. In 1852 another of the pioneer preachers of this church moved to Iowa, and died of smallpox in 1863.
The first marriage said to have occurred in the township was at what was then known as "Shucktown " (now Parkersburg), the parties being Martin Shuck and Miss Rebecca Jones.
The history of this township would not be complete without a short sketch of the terrible tornado that visited a portion of it a few years ago, spreading devastation and death in its course. At 7 o'clock in the evening, March 20, 1866, the awful hurricane rushed into the town- ship three quarters of a mile north of the southwest corner, and swept through in a diagonal direction like a mighty sickle of death. The current was abont a mile in width. The wind was terrific; the sound was hideous. The noise of the wind and thunder could be heard for miles. The breaking and twisting of timber, the crashing of buildings, and the unearthly cry of animals of every species, filled mankind with horror. In its mad, angry course huge logs and strong structures were as feathers before it. It completely demolished new a dwelling just finished for Dr. Stranghan, crushed a house belonging to M. F. James, and tore to pieces a building belonging to H. A. Foster. All the build- ings of John Frame were unroofed, and hundreds of dollars' worth of his best timber destroyed. A child of M. F. James was killed out- right. H. A. Foster's wife was found dead, and two children killed. Dr. Straughan had a child blown 100 yards and most seriously wounded. Many were more or less injured. After its passage birds, rabbits, and many other small animals were found dead in its track. One corn field of twelve acres in shock on the farm of A. W. Armstrong was so com-
414
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
pletely cleaned of the fodder that not a thing was left to remind one of its having been a corn field save an occasional stubble. At the ap- proach of the fearful storm Mr. H. A. Foster was at his sugar camp, and although the air was filled with dust, dirt, rubbish, and timbers, flying in all directions, his life was spared, but upon returning to the spot where his home once was he found the sad condition of affairs above related. Pieces of buildings, machinery, garments, and various articles were carried miles away. A sheet was left hanging in the top of a tall tree for a year afterward. A feather bed was found under the trunk of a large oak tree. Clothing belonging to men and women was found miles away from the owner's house. Mr. M. F. James claims that a part of the roof of his house was found fifteen miles distant in the track of the storm, and that it was known to be the roof of his house from the fact that his was the only pitched roof in a line of the hurri- cane between where it was found and Terre Haute. A bureau drawer was found eight miles from where it belonged. A tin wash-boiler was found in the forks of an oak tree thirty-five feet from the ground. The buildings of Jacob Lidikeny were all unroofed, and much of his stock killed. A huge barn made of heavy logs was demolished, and its parts scattered quite a distance from where it stood, injuring the horses and cattle of George Heckathone a good deal. This is by far the greatest tragedy of Scott township, and one that man is permitted to look upon but once in a life-time ; but once seen, its impression can never be erased or its horrors forgotten.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Clayton Caplinger, lumber manufacturer, New Market. Almost among the first settlers of Brown township was Mr. Henry and Mary (Swindler) Caplinger. They came from Kentucky in 1824, and were preceded only by Benjamin Van Cleave, Win. Carson, Samuel Stub- bin, and some of the Galeys. He at once went to Crawfordsville and entered eighty acres of land, having saved and brought with him $100 for that purpose. His first work was, with the help of a few friends, to cut and haul together the logs with which to build a cabin. It was soon completed, and they moved into it, using the earth for a floor, and the smoke from their cabin ascended through a chimney made of short, round sticks, and quietly curled upward among the tops of the tall trees that closely surrounded their new home, and disappeared in the clouds. In this cabin the subject of this sketch was born, May 1, 1825, and was truly one of the pioneer children of this county, and it is believed he is the first one born in this part of the county that is now living. His advantages for education were very limited, yet by
415
SCOTT TOWNSHIP.
extensive reading and close observation he is one of the best posted inen on all subjects in this township. August 13, 1846, he married Miss Mary, daughter of Mr. John and Harried (Eubanks) Strange. She was born in Clark county, Kentucky, October 23, 1820, and came to Indiana when quite yonng. After his marriage Mr. Caplinger en- gaged in farming in Hendricks county, Indiana, for six years, and then removed to Scott township and engaged in farming and carpentering. In June, 1862, he went to Warren county, Indiana, and there engaged in farming till 1865, when he returned to Scott township, and engaged in the business of carpentering till 1874, and then bought the steam saw-mill on the Greencastle and Crawfordsville road, about three miles north of Parkersburg. He has four children: William H., James F., John M. and Charlie A. They are all married and settled in the neighborhood. Mr. Caplinger relates of early pioneer life that for lights they dug out a turnip, filled it with oil or grease, stuck a stick in the center of it and lit it ; this would burn all night. For bread they grated corn on a grater, or pounded it in a mortar. For their meat they secured deer and wild turkeys. Mills and markets were advantages only reached by many days of tedious travel. Six years he filled the position of township trustee, and eight years assessor of Scott township.
Allen Harrison, retired farmer, Ladoga. As far back in the history of this county as September 25, 1828, Mr. Robert Harrison and his wife, Mary (Hammer) Harrison, came here from Ohio, their family then consisting of five children, two boys and three girls, though .Mr. Harrison had been here twice previous, having entered his land in November, 1826, his patent being signed by John Q. Adams. At his house in Scott township was held the election of 1828, which elected old "Hickory " Jackson. Mr. Harrison was one of the live and leading pioneers of this township in its early history, but died in 1839, in the midst of his usefulness, both to the church, the pioneer ·settlers, and his own family, which then consisted of five children, three of whom are now living : John H., the youngest, Sarah, and Allen. The subject of this sketch was born in Butler county, Ohio, February 24, 1812, and came to this county as above stated. December 4, 1834, he married Miss Sarah, daughter of John Britts, also an early settler of Scott township. She died June 16, 1858. Mr. Harrison has since remained a widower, and has a family of four children living : Mary C., David D., John R. and Nancy E., wife of Mr. James W. Moone, with whom he is now living in his old home. He is a man of great memory, and from whom was obtained much of the early history of the settlement of part of Scott township.
416
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
D. G. Goodbar, retired farmer, Whitesville, a grandson of Joseph Goodbar, one of two boys born in England and left orphans, early in the last century. Joseph was taken by a sea captain and followed a seafaring life. Returning to England and failing to find his brother, he came to America and settled in Virginia, and there he reared a family. His son John H., the father of our subject, after his marriage to Miss Rachel Hostetter, went to Kentucky, where he settled, farming for many years. In 1829 he, with his family, excepting one son, came to Montgomery county, Indiana, and settled in Scott township. He was among the first to teach in the pioneer schools of the township. He held the office of trustee of Scott township successively for eight- een years, and represented this county one term in the state legisla- ture for a salary of two dollars per day. For many years his nearest market was La Fayette, Cincinnati, and points on the Ohio river, through a vast wilderness without roads or bridges. He came to this county by the usual mode, that of horses and wagon, oxen and cart. Mr. Goodbar died in 1870 at the honorable old age of eighty-seven years, after a long life of usefulness, loved and respected by all who knew him. Dickison G. Goodbar was born in Virginia, May 6, 1813. He came from Kentucky with his parents, to this county, in 1829, and thius became one of the early settlers. October 4, 1848, he married Miss Mary F. Prieste, a native of Putnam county, Indiana, and Jannary 6, 1850, his son, John C., was born, and January 22 his wife died. He has never since married, and is now living on his ex- cellent farm of 400 acres in the northeast corner of Scott township, with his son, who married Miss Kezia Epperson. She was born in Putnam county, December 31, 1848. They have one son, Walter J., born February 2, 1872.
As early as 1829 in the history of this county Mr. Abraham Ash- ley came from Kentucky to Scott township and entered land which he soon began to improve with a dwelling in which he raised a prosper- ous family. His son, Thomson V., who, May 30, 1844, was married to Miss Dulcenia, daughter of Mr. Robert and Elizabeth (Malone) Lock- ridge, now owns the old farm of 400 acres. He formerly owned 1,200 acres, but has lately divided with his children. He has three children : Robert, a citizen of Scott township, a daughter the wife of a Mr. Foster, and William H., who was born in Scott township March 30, 1845, and is living on a part of the old farm, engaged in farming and stock raising, making fine breeds a specialty. He is also engaged in buying and shipping. Mr. Ashley secured a good practical education which he has turned to good advantage, and later in life was married to Miss Elizabeth, a daughter of Joseph Fordice, and has since become the
417
men
John Buck DECEASED !
416
D
G
o . BRARY
VI DONECUNDANONO
417
SCOTT TOWNSHIP.
father of three children. Mr. Ashley is one of the live young men of the township, a substantial man, and one wide awake to matters of public concern. He is a firm advocate of the principles as pronounced by the republican party, and is respected as a good citizen by all with whom he is acquainted.
Ambrose W. Armstrong, farmer and stock raiser, Parkersburg, is one of the few noble pioneers now living. He is a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Fisher) Armstrong, and was born in Fleming county, Ken- tucky, January 19, 1812, and like his father was reared a farmer with but a limited means of education. About the age of eighteen he, with his older brother, each owning a horse, bought a cheap wagon, costing about $12, and with their widowed mother and two younger sisters, emigrated to this county with all their worldly effects, valued at about $30, and September 10, 1829, landed in what is now Brown township, and for several days camped by the side of an old log (hav- ing not even a tent), awaiting the arrival of an uncle from Fayette county, Kentucky. The same autumn Mr. Armstrong bought eighty acres of wild land covered with heavy timber, and at once began to im- prove a farm. At the age of twenty-three years he began going to the pioneer log cabin school, and soon after engaged in school teaching in the winter and farming in summer, and by dint of close application to study and extensive reading, Mr. Armstrong so engrafted himself in the public confidence that he has been called to serve them in many positions of trust, namely : one term in the state legislature, sixteen years justice of the peace, and forty-two years elder in the Christian church. He has been executor and administrator, settling up thirteen estates, and been guardian for thirty-six minors. Mr. Armstrong has by good management accumulated and independently owned over 800 acres of valuable land, part of which he has divided among his chil- dren. His taste is altogether for farming rather than a public life, as he never would permit his name to go before the people for a second term in the state legislature. In the year 1838 he married Miss Eliza J. Drennon, who was born January 13, 1812, in Scott county, Kentucky. They had six children, three of whom are living: Mary E., Thomas J. and David S.
William Swindler, retired farmer, Ladoga. In 1830 he with his widowed mother and her family came to Brown township, this county, from Kentucky, where she had buried her husband, Mr. Jonathan Swindler, a short time previous. Soon after coming to this county William went to Crawfordsville, and there engaged as an apprentice to the cabinet and carpenter trade with Townsend & Griffith, and re- mained with them three years, after which he followed the business for 27
418
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
himself till April 27, 1837. He then married Miss America, daughter of Mr. James Baty, a native of Kentucky. Soon after his marriage Mr. Swindler bought a piece of land in Scott township, and there in the wild forest cleared a spot on which to build a cabin, and with the pluck and energy that has characterized him through life succeeded in clearing a heavily timbered tract of land of the wildest character into an excellent farm of 215 acres. This he still owns, besides his com- fortable residence in Ladoga. His wife died August 13, 1847, and for his second wife he married Mrs. Margaret Hughs, daughter of Philip Redinbaugh, a native of Jefferson county, Indiana. She died March 8, 1872. He now has his third wife, Mrs. Susan Benson, a native of Virginia, and daughter of Mr. Daniel Himes. Mr. Swindler had by his first wife three children, all deceased. One died at Memphis, Ten- nessee (he enlisted at Indianapolis in 1863). By his second wife he had three children, one of whom is living. He now has charge of the old farm, and is married to Miss Savilla Kelsey, and has two children : Hattie Bell, and one infant.
William T. Servies, farmer and stock raiser, New Market, came from Shelby county, Kentucky, with his parents, William A. and Eliza (Pilcher) Servies, as far back as 1830, and is therefore entitled to be called one of its pioneer children. He was born March 4, 1830, and se- cured a limited education in the pioneer log-cabin schools, though most of his early youth was spent in hard labor, clearing up a new farm and other duties of pioneer life. When he was about eight years old his mother died, and in his sixteenth year he was left an orphan by the death of his father. After this sad event he engaged in working out by the month till his twentieth year, when he engaged in farming for himself. January 4, 1853, he married Miss Nancy C., daughter of John and Phoebe (Foster) Jones. She was born in Scott township, on the farm where she now lives, August 15, 1837. They have six chil- dren : John A., Henry D., Mary A., America, Charlie M. and Maggie G. Mrs. Servies now owns 460 acres of excellent land earned by his own industry and economy, with the aid of an industrious and perse- vering wife. He has dealt largely in stock of all kinds, together with pork packing, following the business fifteen years successfully. His father was an officer in the state militia, and was once called out to meet Black Hawk, the great Indian warrior, at Crawfordsville ; it proved, however, a false alarm.
Wm. S. White, farmer and stock raiser, Ladoga, whose name stands among the leading agriculturists and stock raisers of Scott township, is one of that class of men possessed of a high sense of honor, and a friend to all enterprises pertaining to the good of the public. He traces his
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.