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 85
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W. H. H. Smith, undertaker and wagon maker, Darlington, is a native of Cincinnati, having been born in that city in 1800. His father, George G. Smith, is still alive, in his eighty-fifth year, having been born in 1796, his mother died in 1860, in her fifty-eighth year. He received his early education in his native city, but left school at the early age of thirteen years. We next find him filling a position as shipping clerk in a chair factory, and later he learned the wagon mak- ing and carpenter's trade. In 1866 he came to Darlington, where he engaged in the grain trade, and for the last four years has been work- ing at the handicraft which he learned in his youth, in which he ranks as a talented workman. Previous to his arrival here the subject of this memoir was located at Fredericksburg and Rockwell, and at the former
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place, in 1860, he married Miss Mary E. Kelsey, daughter of Mr. Enos N. Kelsey, one of the early settlers in this county, by whom he has a family of six children : George A., Thomas Edwin, Eva May, Florence Belle, Mary Grace, and William Evarts. Mr. Smith fitly represents that class of self-made men of whom this country contains so many. Leaving school at an early age he has by his reading and study im- proved himself greatly, and by his energy and industry succeeded in building up a splendid business connection. He is a prominent and hard-working member of the I.O.O.F., and takes great interest in the objects and purposes of that noble institution. As a consistent mem- ber of the Methodist church he is well known, and in politics is a staunch republican.
John M. Hollingsworth, merchant, Darlington, is the son of John and Mary (Bell) Hollingsworth, natives of Ohio, who emigrated to Clinton county, Indiana, at an early date, in which county the subject of this sketch was born, at Jefferson, July 21, 1835. He received an education such as was furnished at the primeval school-houses of those times, and during his youth learned the blacksmith trade, which busi- ness he continued to follow till 1863, when he enlisted at the call of his country in the 126th Ind. reg., and served under Gen. Hood through- ont the campaign, taking part in the battle of Nashville, and other en- gagements in which the regiment participated during the seventeen months of his service. At the close of the war Mr. Hollingsworth re- turned to Boone county, where he had located in 1856, and after a short stay there removed, in 1866, to Montgomery county, and settled in Darl- ington. Here he opened store in the dry-goods and grocery business, in which he is still engaged. He has been a hard-working, temperate man, honest and npright in all his dealings, and by his energy and per- severance has succeeded in building up a large and constantly increasing business, his trade now amounting to over $20,000 per annum. In 1856, on removing to Boone county, he married Miss Nancy Adney, a resident there, the result of which union is one daughter, Lucy. Mr. Hollingsworth is one of the most popular men in this part of the county, and has been twice elected on the republican ticket to the office of town- ship trustee, the first time in October 1878, and again in 1880, which office he continues to fill with satisfaction to all and with honor to himself.
Joseph A. Marshall, lumber merchant, Darlington, is one of the leading business men in town, his saw-mill helping the trade at this point greatly. He was born in Knox county, Ohio, October 17, 1838, his parents, Aaron S. and Sarah (Walker) Marshall, being natives of Pennsylvania and pioneer settlers of 'Ohio. He received his early edu-
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cation in one of the log school-houses, under the tuition of his uncle, Alexander Marshall. His father was a carpenter, and when the boys were old enough to assist him he entered the milling business, which Mr. Marshall has followed all his life. He enlisted on May 7, 1861, in the 13th Ind. Vols., it being the first three-years regiment to go from Indiana. He entered Co. E, Capt. Kirkpatrick, and served until 1864. During the time he was in the army he saw some hard fight- ing, having taken part in the Rich Mountain fight, July 11, 1861; in several skirmishes around Beverley, Virginia, Alleghany mountains, Green Brier, Winchester, Virginia, and in numerous skirmishes and minor engagements, and during his absence on a recruiting expedition the regiment was engaged at Cold Harbor. When the company, which left Indianapolis with 100 men was discharged, there were only 17 of the original number left in it. On leaving the army he returned to Howard county, Indiana, and in 1864 married Miss Nancy Jones, who was a native of Switzerland county, this state. They have now a fam- ily of three children, Elson, Foster, and Frank. Mr. Marshall is a member of the Masonic fraternity and also of the Odd-Fellows, and in politics is republican. On coming to Montgomery county, in 1868, he put up a mill one mile south of Darlington, and afterward moved to a point on the railroad where he remained two years, and finally came to his present location in Darlington, in 1874. His mill building is 28× 76 feet, the engine shed 14×40 feet, the machinery having a sawing capacity of 5,000 feet per day by a 25-horse-power engine, the whole erected at a cost of over $3,500.
H. C. Hulet, attorney, Darlington, the son of John and Lavisa (Johnston) Hulet, was born in Putnam county, Indiana, July 16, 1846. His father, who was a native of Kentucky, came to that county at an early day. His mother was born in Washington county, this state, and removed with her parents to Putnam county, settling on the present site of Greencastle, where grandfather Johnston erected his cabin, which was the first and the nucleus of the present city, and county seat. The subject of this memoir, like the majority of the pioneers' children, only received a very limited school education, but having a mother, who was a lady of fine education, to ground him thoroughly in the elementary branches, thus enabling him to study and educate himself in later years, when he took an academic course. During his youth Mr. Hulet engaged in agricultural pursuits until he reached the age of seventeen, when he obtained a certificate and began teaching school, which profession he followed every winter (following farming during the rest of the year) until he reached his twenty-fourth year. In 1866 he came with his parents to Franklin township, and in 1870
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removed to Darlington and entered the mercantile business, opening the first hardware store in that town. During the three years he was in this business he occupied all his spare time in self-culture and in reading law, and at the end of that period began legal practice, in which his superior natural talent, close application to business, and his ac- knowledged integrity, have made for him an enviable name and repu- tation. In 1876 Mr. Hulet was elected on the democratic ticket repre- sentative from this district to the legislature, which office he held until 1878, with honor to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. His election was considered a great victory, as the office had been held by the republicans for many years, and all efforts to, wrest it from them had proved futile, until Mr. Hulet was adopted as the standard-bearer, when he led the party to victory, defeating the republican candidate, Capt. McClaskey, who was also a resident of this township, by 139 votes. He married, April 21, 1869, Anna, daughter of John Ramey, one of the oldest settlers of the county. Mr. Hulet inherits the enter- prise and energy of his pioneer ancestors, and has done a great deal toward building up and improving the town of Darlington, and has recently erected a handsome brick block 48 ×60 feet, two stories in height, in the under story of which are two commodious store-rooms, while on the upper one are offices and a town hall. He takes great in- terest in the temperance movement, and is a leading member of the Good Templars Lodge at this place.
Dr. J. D. Hillis, physician, Darlington, was born on a farm in Put- nam county, Indiana, September 15, 1854. His parents, James and Elizabeth (Swift) Hillis, are now deceased. His maternal grandfather, John Swift, was one of the early settlers near Putnamville, and also cut the first timber at the public spring at Greencastle, at that time only one or two families being there. Dr. Hillis received his early education at the district school, and in 1869 went to Asbury University, where he studied four years, next spent a year at the State Normal school, and attended a course at the Commercial College, Terre Haute. In 1875 he began to read medicine with Drs. Wilcox and Evans, of Greencastle, and continned with them until 1877, when he went to Philadelphia and attended at Jefferson Medical College during the session of 1877-8. In March, 1878, he removed to Darlington, and practiced medicine until October 1879, when he entered the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, graduating there July 1, 1880. Dr. Hillis is a gentleman of fine presence and pleasant manners, and is rapidly building up an extensive practice in the neighborhood, his skill and brilliant education having won for him the confidence of the people. He is a member of Cloverdale Lodge, No. 132, A.F. and A.M., also of
36
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the Phi-Kappa-Psi Society at Ann Arbor, and was president of the alumni of the class of 1880 at the University of Michigan, medical de- partment.
SUGAR CREEK TOWNSHIP.
This is T. 20, R.3 W., located in the north-northeast part of the county, bounded on the north by Tippecanoe county, on the east by Clinton and Boone counties, on the south by Franklin, on the west by Madi- son townships. Its area is thirty-three sections. The surface is varied. On the south it is somewhat broken, but not hilly, the northern and northwest portions consisting of what is known as Potato Creek Prai- rie, a very fine body of farming land, most of which is owned in large farms. Potato creek flows southwest across this prairie, affording fair drainage. In the early settlement of this township, where the present channel of Sugar creek is now seen, was nothing more than a large slough overgrown with tall grass, such as to hide from view a man on horseback when but a short distance away, and seldom could be crossed with loaded teams in safety. The prairie and creek both took their name from the wild potatoes that then grew so luxuriantly in this slough. It is said by some of the older citizens now living that they grew in clusters similar to artichokes, and the wild hogs, which were then very plenty in this country, not only subsisted upon this wild vegetable, but became very fat; but as civilization began to encroach upon this favorite resort of the wild suidæ both he and his food disappeared, and for many years no trace of either has been seen. This prairie part of the township possesses a deep black soil, better adapted to the raising of corn and grass than other grain. The south and southeast parts of the township produce excellent crops of wheat. About three-fourths of the township is at the present time in a good state of cultivation. In the central part of the township are some very fine forests. Some of the oldest settlers tell us that when they first located here this timber was only low brush, and that the log cabins could be seen for two and three miles round. Now it would be difficult to see a dwelling one-fourth of a mile away.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
The township originally embraced thirty-six sections. Then Sugar creek cnt across the southeast corner. The territory belonging to Sugar creek township upon its south bank was equal to about three sections. This was given up to Franklin township that the road work might be more equally proportioned between the two. It was along the banks of this stream that the first emigrants located, as early as 1828.
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Among those were John Clouser, who built the first mill in the town- ship, about 1828, on the south bank of the creek, opposite the present mill now owned by his sons. This mill was constructed of round logs, with neither chinking or daubing. Says his son Daniel, "you could throw your hat through the mill most anywhere." The burrs were what is usually termed niggerheads, but known in science as granite. This mill ground only corn for a number of years, when a new mill was- erected on the opposite side or north bank of the stream, which was- operated till about 1850, when the present mill on the same site was erected by the Clouser boys. Among others of the pioneer settlers of this part of the township are the names of Elijah Rogers, G. W. Cook, William Corns and others. North some three miles, between the years 1828 and 1830, the following families located : Martin Bowers, Abner Bowers, James Allen, William Rakestraw, Samuel Irvin, John Butcher, Milo Waugh, George Kendal. In the northwest part of the township Samuel and Solomon Peterson settled on Potato Creek Prairie. By 1830 Sugar Creek township began to be sparsely settled. At this date emigrants flocked here rapidly from every quarter, the greater part coming from Virginia and Ohio. These pioneers suffered very greatly through the three successive hard winters of 1830, 1831 and 1832, but they were an energetic class of emigrants whom hard winters and privation make more enterprising. Those who settled in the timber soon had little farms cleared, and as well as their prairie neighbors had a plentiful supply of such as they raise and manufacture at home. Though they had but little money and the richest of them able to afford but few luxuries, they were happy and content because they felt their homes were their own. We have been told that the first settlers of this township were very social and hospitable people; the same is true of their offspring.
Till 1840 this part of the country had no markets nearer than Louisville and Chicago. To reach either of these places and return re- quired fourteen days. Stock was frequently bought and driven on foot to Ohio, which at this time would seem impossible to accomplish, but the hogs and cattle of that time were very different to those raised here at present. They were better adapted to traveling than any- thing else. Hogs rarely knew what corn was until they were put in the pen to be made fat for pork, and some did not even go to this trouble, but would kill their meat or sell their surplus off the mast, which was usually abundant. At the opening of the canal to La- Fayette, produce of every kind could be exchanged either for money or goods at fair prices. Soon the homes as well as the pioneer settlers themselves assumed a different garb. The rude round log hut was ex-
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changed for a cozy and neat frame, the tow-linen wearing apparel gave way to the product of the sunny south. Their tables were no longer supplied alone from their own field and glen. All felt that the time had come when labor would procure not only the bare necessities of life, but the comforts and a few luxuries.
EDUCATION.
The pioneer settlers of Sugar Creek township were men and women who felt it a duty to educate their children. Many of them had passed their youthful days in Ohio while that state was yet in its pio- neer period, and as the result received but little and some no school- ing, a thing which they now felt the need of very greatly. Hence they were the more anxious that their children should not grow up as they had. The first school taught in the township was held in a private dwelling on Sec. 16 in 1831. Robert Mckay was the teacher. It is said he ended his days in the county house. The first house built for school purposes was located on the old farm of Solomon Peterson; this was erected in 1832 or 1833. George M. Kendall taught the first school here a term of three months at $1.50 per scholar, making a salary of about nine dollars per month. Then only reading, writing, spelling and arithmetic as far as the double rule-of-three were required. Blackboards were unknown in the schools of Sugar Creek township prior to 1853. All kinds of books were used, and each pupil formed as many classes as he had studies. It was then customary for the teacher to give each scholar a task just before dismissing, which was to be mastered before coming to school the next day. The second school-house built in the township was at what is now Bowers Station, about the year 1833. The first teacher is not now known positively, but it is thought to have been a gentleman by the name of Rogers. The early teachers were principally old men. The profession of school teaching was considered by many fit only for those not able to labor, and lazy young men. About 1860 the last of the pioneer log school-houses disappeared, and the modern frame and brick school- buildings took their places. At the present date the township is di- vided into nine districts, each supplied with a comfortable house and the necessary appurtenances to aid in the work of acquiring knowledge. But few, if any township in the county, exclusive of those with graded schools, will excel Sugar Creek in her school work. Her schools for the past fifteen years have been under the supervision of Dr. James A. Berryman as trustee. The 16th Sec. was sold quite early and brought but little money compared with what it would have brought a few years later.
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CHURCHES.
The great part of the pioneer settlers were men and women who had been reared not only to respect religion and its teachings when it came in their path, but to take an active interest in the fostering of christianity. In the early history of this people there came with them the various creeds and sects to which they belonged in their native state. It is an old saying, " birds of a feather will flock together," but it is not more true of birds than of the people of the same religious sect. We might almost say they were scarcely housed before the few of each sect there represented collected at some private house for public wor- ship, thus the foundation of the various church societies and church buildings at different intervals were laid.
The Methodist Episcopal church society, was the first to organize. It held its first meeting at the house of Roley Kendall in 1832. Rev. Huffaker was the officiating minister. The two ministers who came to this society shortly after its organization were named Ball and Bell. John Hamilton was appointed class-leader of this little band, consisting of the following families : Roley Kendall and wife, John Hamilton, George Kendall and wife, James and Liddy Parish, Milo and Elizabeth Waugh, John and Sarah Mitchell, Sophia Cooley, John Thurman, and Frazee and wife. The first of this class who fell by the hand of death was John Hamilton in 1835. This people continued to hold their meetings regularly at the residences of its members till 1835, when they erected their first church-house of logs, with its huge fireplace, puncheon floor and seats. It was 20×30, and stood on Sec. 13. It was built with no outlay in money beyond the cost of a few nails and glass. This church-building was named " Bethel." This log church continued to be used by the Methodist Episcopal people till 1860, when this society erected its present church-house, a handsome frame house 38×45, at a cost of $867.81. Thomas D. Hart and John Mitchell were the contractors ; building committee, George M. Kendall, Nathan Kious, and John Mitchell. The trustees were Nathan Kious, Milo Waugh, George Kendall. The first minister who officiated in this new church was James Rickets. The house was dedicated by Richard Harwood. The church officers at the present time are the same as in 1860. During the fifty-eight years since this society was organized it has maintained within its organization peace and prosperity. The society now num- bers thirty-five active members of the first families of the vicinity sur- rounding the church.
There has at all times been kept in connection with the church a Sunday-school during the spring and summer months, which has been
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a means of doing much good, and diffusing much valuable information. The attendance numbers forty-five. Superintendent in charge is John Mitchell. (For these facts of the above church we are indebted to Mr. John Mitchell.)
The second Methodist Episcopal church of Sugar Creek township is located on the N. ¿ of Sec. 19, half a mile from the west line of the township. This society was organized in 1853, and held its meet- ings for a number of years in a vacant house on the farm of James Irons, a short distance across the township line in Madison. About the year 1860 the present church was built. The society since its organi- zation has enjoyed a reasonable degree of prosperity, and is now in a flourishing condition.
The third society of the Methodist Episcopal order was organized four years previous at the Fisher school-house in the sontheast part of the township by Rev. Hill. Enoch Holway was made first class-leader. Present minister in charge is Andrew Andress. The society is few in number, but earnest in their work, and carry on a live and profitable Sunday-school.
The Presbyterian church was organized in this township at a very early date. For a time it held its meetings in the school-houses, and at one time had obtained considerable of prominence and power. About the year 1850 this society erected a neat frame church on Sec. 21, in size 32×36, at a cost of $1,000, which was occupied by the Presbyterian people till 1870, when, from death and various other causes beyond the control of the members, the organization ceased to exist. The church building was sold to the German Baptist church society, more commonly known as the Dunkards, for the sum of $75; they sold the building to Benedict Burkhart, by whom it is now used as a dwelling.
The New Light christians made their advent into the township some time between 1835 and 1840. Their meetings were held at the residences of John Butcher, Adam Thomas, and James McKenney for some time after their organization, then they occupied what is known as the Bowers school-house for a number of years. The society not being strong enough to erect a church house it was deemed advisable to disband and unite with the society at Darlington, in Franklin town- ship, where there is at present a strong society.
Lastly among the religious societies of Sugar Creek township is the German Baptist, usually known as the Dunkards. For humility, truth and honor they are excelled by none. This society was first organized in this township in 1856. The prime leader of the organization was Abner Bowers. After the organization had been effected Martin Bow- ers, now deceased, came to the assistance of his cousin. Like other
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sects they held their meetings in the school-houses and at the resi- dences of the members, till they became able to build for themselves a church house. At the outset this society had only ten adherents. It now numbers thirty active working communicants, and is in a flourish- ing condition. It built its first house for worship in 1876, which is located on the northwest corner of Sec. 11. It is a commodious and neat frame building, 42×46, erected at a cost of $800. The present active ministers of this society are Abner Bowers, its founder, Martin Bowers, and Lewis Dunbar. Within this society peace has ever reigned triumphant.
INDIANS.
When the first settlers located here the Indians had not yet gone; they were of the Pottawatomie and Miami tribes. The former were warlike in their disposition and habits. Though they did not molest the settlers they were far from friendly. The latter tribe were of a so- cial and affable character, and lost no opportunity to befriend the pioneers by supplying them, when in need, with meat and other food. The Miamis made many warm friends among the settlers. They re- turned each autumn to hunt the deer and turkey, which then abounded in plentiful numbers in the forest, till 1833. These Indians had their special peculiarities; they would not consign their dead to mother earth. Mr. William Corns tells us of a papoose that was buried in the trunk of a fallen tree. They first cut into the side of the trunk and split out a piece, which afterward served as the lid to this sepulcher, then they hollowed the trunk sufficiently deep to contain the body, which they then laid therein, covering it up with the part first split off. On the farm now owned by Misner Irvin another body was buried in a hollow poplar stump ; a little farther west another was interred in the top of a tree by means of blankets. North of what is now Potato creek, on a rising knoll, the Indians had a camp, in which resided the medicine-man. This medicine-man had prepared a basin in the ground, lining it with stones, for the treatment of those who were sick with fever. The treatment was simple and good. He would first heat this basin by means of fire; when sufficiently hot the fire and ashes were removed, a tent erected over the basin ; the patient went into the tent and was subjected to the steaming process by water being poured into the basin on the heated stones. A story is told of two chief's squaws. One had a young squaw and no children, the other a squaw by whom he had two children, well grown up lads. The first swapped his squaw and lads, giving as boot $1,000, for the other's young squaw. The one who received the boot was asked if he did not think he was cheated. He replied, " Oh no, no ! when old squaw die, take $1,000
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