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 86
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
and buy two, three young squaws, and have two papoose besides." The only Indian relies found in Sugar Creek township are a few arrow-heads.
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.
It is not positive who was the first child born in the township, but is thought to be Wilson Kious, son of Nathan Kious.
The first person who died in the township was a man named Little. He was buried on the farm of Solomon Peterson.
The year 1844 is remembered as the wet year, when the wheat on the low land was reaped by hand, carried to the high ground, bound and shocked. The winter of 1854-5 was very severe ; much snow fell in many places, obliterating the roads and burying out of sight the fences.
Samuel Irvin is said to have killed a black bear not far from Potato creek. This was the only one killed in the township.
Good authority affirms that when the wild hogs were plenty along Potato creek that they would attack the hunting dogs ; the dogs would run for their masters. The only means the men had to save their lives was to climb the nearest tree. No sooner were the dogs devoured than the hogs set to work to gnaw the tree down, that they might devour the man. However pleasant or unpleasant as the lodging place might be, the lodger was often compelled to remain treed for some time.
The oldest settlers now living in the township are William Corns, G. W. Cook, Mrs. Abbagail Butcher, Mrs. John Allen, Misner Irvin, John Mitchell, Abner Bowers, and Edmund Bowers.
Sugar Creek township has two post-offices, one known as the Potato Creek post-office, kept by Dr. J. A. Berryman, which has two mails a week. The second is at Bowers Station, the only village in the town- ship. The business carried on at this place is considerable. The land for the station was donated by Abner Bowers, hence its name. It is located on the S.W. { of Sec. 23 ,on the Vandalia & Logansport rail- road.
During the war a number of the citizens of Sugar Creek entered the service as Home Guards, with John Mitchell as secretary and Milton B. Waugh as captain. They were called out in 1863 to repel Morgan from the state. It was here that the women of Sugar Creek repeated the heroism of our revolutionary mothers. It was then harvest, every loyal man able to bear arms was gone, the year's subsistence must be gathered from the fields. This situation the wife and mother fully un- derstood, and hastened to the fields of golden grain with her prattling infants; when their husbands returned the harvest had been cared for.
The only organization outside of the churches in the township is a
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company for the mutual protection of the property of its members. This has served a good purpose, by lessening the number of horses stolen in this locality since its organization. This organization is called the " Horse-thief Conpany."
There has been in the history of Sugar Creek township but one distillery. This was operated by J. Sadolid, and was located near the old Clouser mill. John D. Coiner operated the only tannery.
Mote's mill, located on the north bank of Sugar creek, is the only mill now running in the township. It was built in 1846 by William Cops; was bought in 1867 by Martin Mote, who still, in partnership with his son, William H., operates it, doing a good business.
The advancement in the use of all kinds of farm machinery is an item worthy of notice in the history of this township. The first set- tlers came with their reap-hooks, and made their threshing machines from the forest, each one having a contrivance of his own for shelling corn. Before many years had elapsed the scythe and cradle and ground-hog thresher came into use. These were the greatest improve- ments of the age. Had the art of invention ceased here all would have been content ; the slow, laborious task of caring for a crop was now overcome. The first reaping machine introduced into the township was bought by George Smith and Martin Bowers in 1848. It was of the McCormick patent, and created more excitement than an ordinary circus would at the present. Separators for threshing were introduced about 1846. The first steam thresher was introduced in 1864 by Peter- son, Ball & Smith. In those days the terrors of the steam-engine were great, which made it difficult to obtain employment for a machine of this kind. The people said they were liable to burst at any time and burn their harvest, hence they were slow to endanger both life and property ; but this prejudice has passed away, and with it the old horse- power for threshing grain. Corn-planters were introduced in 1859 by James Cay ; the two-horse planter in 1865 by William Bryant. With each advancement in the use of machinery the progress of the township has been accelerated. The few old men and women now living only are able to look back over the past fifty-two years since civilization dawned in the wilderness here and realize the great advance- ment that has been made. Then the possessor of a few acres of the forest, worth perhaps $2 per acre, with tools to fell the timber and dig up the roots, a good buckskin suit, a peck of meal, and a cabin, was thought to be rich; now such a one is considered the poorest of the poor, a fit subject for the bestowment of generous gifts.
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
CEMETERIES.
Among the most prominent cemeteries are the one at the Red School- house, laid out in the early settlement of the township, the one on the farm of Silas Peterson, the Clouser burying-ground, and the family graveyard of the Peterson family. The location of each and the manner in which they are kept well indicate the great respect of the citizens for those now at rest.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
George W. Cook, farmer and stock dealer, Darlington, born in Maryland, Montgomery county, in 1808, is the son of Abraham and Violet (Wilson) Cook, both natives of Maryland. They emigrated to Ohio in 1812 and settled in Clermont county, near Richmond. Abra- ham Cook was a farmer and shoemaker. George W's paternal grand- father was a native of Germany, and came to America in colonial times. His great paternal grandmother emigrated to America and died in Maryland. On his mother's side of the family his grandparents were formerly from Ireland. Mr. Cook was married in 1830 to Mary A. Corbin, of Ohio, daughter of Nicholas and Nancy Inlose. The former died in 1848, the latter is still living and is nearly a centurian. By this marriage he has three living children : Eleanor, John I. and Shederic. This first wife died in 1864, aged forty-eight years. He was married a second time, in 1847, to Lucy A. Winters, daughter of John and Elizabeth Winters, by whom he has three children : Eliza- beth, Louisa J., Abraham L. Mr. Cook has lived in Sugar Creek township on the same farm since 1834. In 1830 he entered 160 acres and now owns 600 acres, 200 of which are in Tippecanoe county. His early education was very limited, but his practical education and busi- ness judgment are good. He has several times been called to fill public offices ; was once elected township trustee, and once elected county commissioner against his will, which office he resigned. Mr. Cook is a republican of the first rank. His father, when fourteen years of age, fought in the revolution. His son, John I., fought in the late rebellion in the 11th Ind. Vols., three years, and was in the following battles : Fort Donelson, siege of Vicksburg, Shiloh, and was at New Orleans. He regards the history of his people and country with great reverence.
John Butcher (deceased), Bowers, one of the early pioneer settlers of Ohio, came to Montgomery county in 1847 and settled in Sugar Creek township in 1849. He was born in Virginia in 1799, and is the son of James and Mary Butcher, both of whom were natives of Vir- ginia. John Butcher was married in 1828 to Abigail Moneyhom, daughter of Peter and Silence Moneyhom, both natives of Pennsyl-
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vania, emigrating to this state and county in 1828. The former died in 1836, aged seventy-two, and the latter in 1832, aged sixty-six years. John Butcher by this marriage had twelve children, six boys and six girls : James C., Cyntha, Joseph, Mary, John, Sarah, William, Amanda, Martha, Margaret, Martin K. and Enoch H. James, Cyn- tha, and Martha, are the ones now living. Mr. Butcher was a great hunter. When he went to the field for grain he usually took his gun, and it was not anything uncommon for him to return with a load of corn and venison. In religion he and his wife were prominent work- ers. Some of the first meetings of the New Light order of christians ever held in the township were held at their house. In business he was successful, leaving his family in easy circumstances. By his death Sugar Creek township lost one of her valued citizens, his wife a dutiful and exemplary husband, his surviving children a father and friend, whose loss cannot be repaired, whose love and sympathy cannot be restored. His widowed mother still resides on the old home- stead.
Martin Mote, farmer and miller, Darlington. The subject of this memoir is one of the pioneers who was here as early as 1824. The Pottawatomies and Miami Indians still lurked in the forests. He was born in 1818, in the State of Ohio, and is the son of Stephen and Elizabeth (Sheets) Mote. Martin Mote's mother was a native of North Carolina and his father of Virginia. They came to Vigo county in 1820, where they remained four years before coming to Montgomery county. His paternal grandfather, James Mote, was a native of Georgia and his grandmother of England. In 1839 he was married to Charlotte Poiner, of Ohio, daughter of Nathan and Nancy (Johnson) Poiner. By this marriage he has four children : William H. H., Sarah E., Francis E. and Cinderella J. Mr. Mote, in 1862, moved to Boone county, Indi- ana. Remaining there three years he returned to Montgomery county, and bought the old " Cops Mill " on Sugar creek, in 1867, now known as Mote's mill. In addition to the mill he has a farm of eighty-four acres well stocked. His wife died in 1879, aged sixty years, leaving a fond family to mourn her loss. He is an old and tried member of the Baptist church. He is a republican in politics, and formerly belonged to the whig party.
Misner Irwin, farmer, Bowers, is a native of Ross county, Ohio, born in 1807, and pioneer settler of Sugar Creek township. He was here before the Indians were gone. His parents were Samuel and Es- ter (Dean) Irwin, the former a native of Virginia, the latter a native of Ohio. His father came to Ohio in 1800, where he was married, then emigrated to Indiana, Montgomery county, in 1829. Mr. Irwin's
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
father raised a family of fourteen children and died in 1834 in the fifty-third year of his age, and his mother in 1865, in her eighty-fourth year. In 1830 he was married to Margaret Blaine, daughter of James and Mary Blaine, both natives of Pennsylvania. By this marriage he had eight children : James B. and Samuel (deceased), Mary, William A., John W. and Ester. William A. was in the three-months service during the late war. In 1868 his beloved wife and kind mother were called from earth to heaven. She died firm in the religion of Christ. His grandparents, Jerod and Jane Irwin, came from Scotland. His mother's people are of Irish descent. Mr. Irwin began life poor and now has a farm of fifty-six acres in good cultivation, and lives at his ease, enjoying the fruits of a well-spent life. In politics he is a radi- cal republican.
Samuel Peterson, farmer, Potato Creek, came to Montgomery county, Indiana, from Ohio, with his parents, in the year 1830. His parents were Solomon and Magdalena (Bowers) Peterson. He was married in 1826 to Milly J. Smith, daughter of William and Mary Smith, born in Kentucky in 1818. The former emigrated to this country from Eng- land. The latter was a native of Virginia. They then moved to Louisville, where she was married. By this union Samuel Peterson had fifteen children : Mary M., Elizabeth S., Alfred S., Silas, Milletus, Bithena J., Ann M., Henry O., William M., Martha F., Solomon, Milly M., Samuel M., John F. and Millard F. Mr. Peterson was born in 1818 and died in 1864, leaving his family a good farm of 160 acres, which his own labor had wrought in a wilderness. His widow still occupies the old homestead. Mr. Peterson was a member of the Predestinarian Baptist church. His widow still holds to the same faith. His political views were democratic. By his removal from earth Sugar Creek township lost another of her pioneer heroes and a valuable citizen, his wife a kind husband, his children a christian and charitable father, to whom the highest tribute to his memory is due.
Silas Peterson, farmer and stock raiser, Potato Creek, was born in . Greene county, Ohio, in 1825. His parents were Solomon and Wil- helmina Peterson. The former was a native of Virginia, the latter of Germany. They were married in Virginia and emigrated to Ross county, Ohio, in 1802, then to Greene county, then to Montgomery county, Indiana, and settled in Sugar Creek township in 1830, where they died, the father in 1851, aged sixty-one years, his mother in 1831, aged forty-five. Silas Peterson's grandfather, John Peterson, was born in Virginia, and first moved to Ross county, Ohio, in 1831. He came to Montgomery county, Indiana, where he died in 1839, aged seventy- one years. His great grandfather, Martin Peterson, an early pioneer
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of old Virginia, was captured by the Indians while working in the field, and held a captive by them for three years. The Peterson family were originally from Switzerland. S. Peterson was married in 1848 to Lourinda Dain, daughter of Casson and Ester Dain. By this marriage he had seven children : John Q., Clara (deceased), Wilhel- mina P., Ester J., Charles C. and Wilson M. Mr. Peterson and wife are members of the Christian church at Darlington. In politics he has ever been democratic. In 1870 he was elected real estate ap- praiser of Montgomery county, and twice elected to the state senate (in 1856 to fill a vacancy, in 1876 for a full term), which position he filled with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. He now has a farm of 1,200 acres, after deeding away to his children nearly 300; it is well improved and stocked with cattle and sheep principally. He takes great interest in behalf of education. Among the leading farmers of Montgomery county he ranks high, and not less is his reputation among his immediate neighbors, and all know him for integrity and honesty.
William Corns, farmer, Bowers, was born in 1808 in Ross county, Ohio, and is the son of William and Nancy Corns. The former was born in Ohio, near the mouth of the Scioto river, and was killed by the falling of a burning tree while passing through a deadening; the latter was a native of Virginia. Mr. Corns, when four years of age, moved to Champagne county, Ohio. His paternal grandfather died while on the road. Then he came in 1830 to Montgomery county, Indiana. In 1832 he was married to Elizabeth Rodgers, daughter of Jacob and Anna Rodgers. By this union he has ten children : IIarri- son, Nancy J., Milton, Rachel, Mary A., Sarah E., Joseph M., Jacob F., William, and Amanda E., all of whom, including their mother, are deceased, but Joseph M. and Jacob F. Their mother died September 7, 1848, aged thirty-four years. Mr. Corns was married a second time, to America Williams, daughter of Charley and Jane Williams, by whom he has seven children : Martha J., Hannah M., Arminta E., Civilla A. deceased ; John W., Maria L. and Ida D. This second wife died September 30, 1872, aged forty-seven years. He (as were both his wives) is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has been steward. In politics he is a republican. In 1832 he settled on the farm where he now lives. He was constable for a time in .the early settlement of Sugar Creek township. He now has a farm of 120 acres, 80 of which he entered in 1830, all of which is under good cultivation.
John Mitchell, farmer and grain merchant, Colfax. Among the early settlers of Sugar Creek township is John Mitchell. He was born
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
in 1819, in Champaign county, Ohio, and emigrated to Montgomery county with his parents in 1833, and settled in Sugar Creek township. His parents were William and Sarah Mitchell, the former a native of Virginia and died in 1839, the latter of New Jersey and died in 1853. Jolın Mitchell's father's people were originally from England, his mother's people from Holland. He was married in 1848 to Mary Rice, born in 1824, and daughter of Roach and Eleanor Rice. Her father was a native of Ohio and her mother of Pennsylvania. Both died in Montgomery county, the former in 1855, the latter in 1863. Mr. Mitch- ell received but a limited literary training. He followed school teach- ing four years when a young man, and lost no opportunity by which he could improve his mind. He followed contracting on the Terre Haute & Richland railroad for some time, nine miles of which he graded. Through his energies and frugality he has amassed considera- ble wealth. His farm of 523 acres, situated in the east part of Sugar Creek township, has but few superiors even in the county. In addi- tion to his farm he is engaged in buying and shipping grain at Colfax. Mr. Mitchell has filled every office in the Methodist Episcopal church belonging to the laymen. Was justice of the peace twenty years, trustee of the township under the old law, served as constable five years, was appointed enumerator of his township in 1880, and is now serving his second term as notary public. In politics he is a republican. During the war he took quite an active part. He enlisted with the Home Guards, was made secretary, and went with the company on the Morgan raid. He is a member of the ancient order of Masons and I.O.O.F. at Colfax. While few have been more frequently the recipients of public favors, none have exercised greater zeal and fidelity in behalf of his constituents. Many a hapless orphan has found a cheerful home beneath his roof.
Jessee Anderson, farmer, Colfax, was born in 1815, in Greene county, Ohio, and is the son of John and Martha Anderson, the for- mer a native of North Carolina, the latter of West Virginia. They came to Ohio in the pioneer days of that state, then came to Mont- gomery county in 1836. J. Anderson was married in 1839 to Amanda Bowers, daughter of Abraham and Elizabeth Bowers. By this mar- riage he has seven children; Mary J., Roda A. and Christena are the 'only ones living. His noble wife and pious mother were called to join her children gone before, in 1877. He is now living with his second wife, Mrs. Mary Royer. He and his wife are members of the German Baptist church. His first wife died in the same faith. Mr. Anderson is a republican in politics. His great interest in behalf of the welfare of his children led him to part with all his land but fifty acres. His.
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early education was very limited. He, like all of his faith, has a par- ticular regard for the inward monitions of conscience, which, though it does not make a man rich in houses and lands, it brings peace and tranquillity to the soul.
Henry Smith, farmer, Bowers, was born in 1837 in Montgomery county. His education is such as he obtained in the district school. His parents, George and Sarah (Peterson) Smith, settled in Mont- gomery county in 1831. Henry Smith's father first emigrated from Maryland to Ohio, then to Montgomery county, where he was married in 1833, at the age of twenty-seven, and settled in Sugar Creek town- ship. Henry Smith's paternal grandfather, Jacob Smith, a native of Maryland, came to Ohio in 1810; his maternal grandfather was John Peterson, a native of Virginia, and pioneer settler of Montgomery county as early as 1829. Henry Smith was married in 1858 to Mary J. Anderson, daughter of Jesse and Amanda Anderson, pioneer set- tlers of Montgomery county. Mr. Smith is one of our neatest farmers, who thinks if a thing is worth doing at all it is worthy of neatness. He has a farm of ninety-five acres, well adapted to all kinds of grain. He keeps a good quality of stock. In politics he is strictly republican.
Joseph Conrad, farmer and stock raiser, Colfax, was born in 1830 in Ross county, Ohio. In 1834 he came to Indiana with his parents, Jessee and Mary Conrad. The former a native of Kentucky, born in 1805 and died in 1874 ; the latter a native of Maryland, died in 1850. Mr. Conrad was married in 1859 to Susan Clark, daughter of Robert and Sarah Clark, both natives of Ohio, and pioneer settlers of Indiana. By this union he has five children : Emma L., Lena A., Jessee H. and Willie F. In politics he is a republican, and a zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Bethel. During the war he was a member of the Montgomery home guards, and was called out on the Morgan raid. His grandparents on his father's side were pioneers of Kentucky, on his mother's side they were pioneers of Maryland. When he began life for himself his education was but little, and his money still less. For several years he rented land. Now he has a farm of 240 acres of good land, well improved and well stocked.
Milton B. Waugh, farmer and stock raiser, Colfax, is the son of the early pioneers, Milo and Elizabeth Waugh, the former a native of Ross county, Ohio, born in 1804, and died in 1859; the latter a native of Fayette county, Ohio, born in 1811, and died in 1864. They came to Montgomery county in 1831, and settled on the farm where they spent the remainder of their lives. The farm is now owned and occupied by their son, Milton B. Milton B.'s grandfather Waugh lived to the age of ninety-four, his grandfather Kious to the age of seventy years.
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
Milton B. was born in 1837, and was married to Sarah Saulsberry in 1857. She is the daughter of James and Catharine Saulsberry, both of whom are natives of Ohio ; the former died in 1861, aged seventy-seven, the latter in 1862. By this marriage they have seven children : James M., Emma O., Mollie L., Clara B., John M., Martha M. and Frank W. Mr. Waugh's early education consists of such training as he was able to get in the common schools, and one term at the Farmer's In- stitute at La Fayette. He is a member of the Grange at Colfax, and also of the A.F. and A.M., Plumb Lodge No. 472, Colfax, Indiana. His farm of 400 acres is second to none in the county as to location, and to but few as to improvements. It is well stocked with sheep, hogs, and cattle of an extra grade. Milton B.'s parents were zealous members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and took an active part in the funding of the society at Bethel, and Milton B. and wife are no less zealous in the cause of christianity and maintaining that society to which their parents did homage.
Martin Bowers, farmer and minister, Colfax, was born and reared in this township in 1837. He is the son of Edmund and Charlotte Bowers. His parents are both natives of Ohio, and emigrated to Mont- gomery county, Indiana, in 1829, with the first settlers of Sugar Creek township. The mother, Charlotte (Dirlinger) Bowers, daughter of Jacob Dirlinger, died in 1861. His paternal grandfather was a native of Virginia, and served in the war of 1812. Martin Bowers was mar- ried in 1859 to Elizabeth Dunbar, daughter of Lewis and Mary Dunbar, the former was a native of Pennsylvania, the latter of Virginia. By this union he has four children : Mary C., Viola M., Martha S. and Robert M. He has a good farm of seventy-six acres, nicely located, in good cultivation, and fairly stocked. In politics he is neutral. Mr. Bowers is an energetic worker in the German Baptist church, having officiated as minister in the same since 1863. IIis school education amounted to but little, but through his energy, love of knowledge, and the truth, he expounds the Scriptures to his people.
Thompson Conrad, farmer, Clark's IIill, came to Montgomery county from Ross county, Ohio, with his parents in 1839. He was born in Kentucky in 1817, and is the son of Joseph and Rachel Con- rad ; the former is a native of Pennsylvania, and emigrated to Ohio in 1821, the latter a native of Virginia ; her people were formerly from Germany. In 1846 he was married to Elizabeth Wyant, daughter of Absalom Wyant, who settled in Sugar Creek township near Bethel church in 1831. By this marriage he has six children : Eliza A., Joseph, Rachel, Jessee, Alice. Mr. Conrad and wife are members of United Brethren in Christ, at the Red school-house. In politics he is
Yours truly. G. Dr. Stafford
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a republican. He was schooled principally in the pioneer schools of Campbell county, Kentucky, where his parents settled at a very early date. He has a farm of 120 acres, fairly stocked, and in good cultiva- tion. Mr. Conrad located on this farm in 1857. Alice, the youngest of his children, is the only one remaining at home, the rest, having married, sought their fortunes elsewhere.
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