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 87
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John D. Coiner, tanner and farmer, Colfax, was born in 1810. At the age of six years he emigrated with his parents to Ross county, Ohio. In 1831 he came to Clinton county, Indiana, remaining there four years. He was married in 1835 to Delila Wells, by whom he has three children : George, Lushan D. and Martin P. He settled in 1840 on Sec. 11, where he has since lived. His wife died in 1844. In 1847 he was married a second time, to Elizabeth Wyant, daughter of William and Betsey Wyant, by whom he has seven children : De- lila, William, Jacob, Seymore, David, Mary E. and Joseph. In re- ligion he is a Presbyterian. His first wife was of the same faith, and his present wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He ran a tan-yard on the farm for nine years. This was the only one ever in Sugar Creek township. He has a fine farm of 300 acres nearly all prairie, well stocked ; formerly he traded considerable in cattle. His paternal grandparents were from Germany, his mother's people were from Ireland. The parents of Mr. Coiner were Jacob and Mary (By- ers) Coiner, both natives of Virginia. His early education was that of the common schools only. In politics he is a democrat. His first vote for president was cast for Henry Clay.
Jacob Hoober, farmning, Darlington, was born in Ohio, in 1814, and was married in 1837, and emigrated to Coles county, Illinois, in 1842, where they remained but six weeks, then they went to Fountain county, where they lived seven years, then they came to Montgomery in 1850, and located where they now live. His father, W. Hoober, was a native of Virginia, and emigrated to Ohio, in pioneer times, where he died aged sixty years. His mother, Elizabeth (Kiefer) Hoober, was a native of Ohio, a descendant from German parents. She died in her sixty-fifth year. Mrs. Jacob Hoober is the daughter of Louis and Anna (Lookhart) Shriver, both natives of Maryland. They emigrated to Ohio, Ross county, in 1821. The former died in 1845, the latter in 1857. By this marriage Mr. Hoober has one child, Eliza A., married to Charles Shone. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran church. In his boyhood he received not even the educational training of the common school. He is the pos- sessor of a good farm of forty acres, which is in good cultivation and well stocked.
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
Joseph Corns, farming, Bowers Station, was born in 1843 in Sugar Creek township, Montgomery county, Indiana, and is the son of Will- iam and Elizabeth (Rogers) Corns, both natives of Ohio, and pioneer settlers of Montgomery county. Joseph Corns was educated in the pioneer schools of this township, and remembers well the old log school-house, with its big fire-place and benches of poles without backs. He was married in 1868 to Martha Smith, born in 1843, daughter of George and Sarah (Peterson) Smith, by whom he has five children : Ini O., Lula and Charles (deceased, twins), Florence and Clara A. Himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Fisher school-house. In the beginning of the rebellion he enlisted in the 72d Ind. Vols., in which he served six months, when he was discharged because of sickness. In 1863 he again enlisted in the 11th Ind. Cav., and served one year and nine months. In politics he is a republican. Mr. Corns has a farm of ninety-two acres in good cultivation, farily stocked and good improvements. Among men of his age few have more promising future success.
John W. Allen, farmer and stock raiser, Bowers, is one of Sugar Creek township's thrifty, enterprising farmers. He was born in 1843 on the farm, a part of which he now owns. His father, James Allen, was born in Pennsylvania in 1803, and emigrated to Ohio with his parents when quite young, and then came to Sugar Creek township in 1827, where he was married in 1831 to Lydia A. Rakestraw, a native of New Jersey, she having emigrated to this township with her par- ents as early as 1828. John W. received his education in the common schools, and was reared a farmer. He was married in 1869 to Theresa A. Sims, daughter of John and Margaret (Carson) Sims. They have four children : Robert F., Florence L., Laura E. and Esthel L. In politics he is a republican. His farm is an undivided interest in the old homestead, amounting to something over 100 acres, which is well improved and in a high state of cultivation. All know him as a man who takes a lively interest in everything which is for the country's benefit, no matter whether it be in favor of progress, in wealth, or in- telligence.
Abner Bowers, fariner, Bowers Station, was born in Ross county, Ohio, in 1812, and is the son of Abraham and Elizabeth (Bryant) Bowers, both of whom are natives of Virginia, and in Tippecanoe county, Indiana, ended their pilgrimage on earth, the former in 1863, aged seventy-six years, seven months and five days, the latter in 1868, aged eighty-two years. Abner Bowers' paternal grandfather and mother were natives of Germany, and emigrated to Virginia in 1730, and, like his parents, were members of the German Baptist church.
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SUGAR CREEK TOWNSHIP.
December 21, 1832, Abner Bowers was married to Chalotte Huff- man, who died in December 13, 1842, aged twenty-six years, leaving four children : Adonijah, Christena, Ester, and Abraham. He was married a second time, in 1842, to Elizabeth Baer, who departed this life in 1879, aged sixty-five years, four months and twenty-four days, leaving five children : William, Charlotte, Jessee, Silas, and Austin (deceased). He was married a third time, February 19, 1880, to Cath- erine Johnson (Hicks), with whom he now lives. She was born in 1827. By her first husband has two daughters, now citizens of Cham- paigu. Abner Bowers settled in Sugar Creek township in 1844, on 160 acres. Mr. Bowers has been one of the leading members of the German Baptist church in this township, officiating as one of its minis- ters, as well as bequeathing generously to its support. While he has taken an active part in the moral culture of the people around him, he has not been less active and observant of the financial interests of all for whom it is his duty to labor. He rendered good service in se- curing for them in Sugar Creek township, on the Logansport & Terre Haute railroad, Bowers station, thus furnishing them a market at home for their produce. This he secured by donating the land for the sta- tion which bears his name. In politics he is a republican. By his good management he has been able to send his children out from home in good circumstances, and keep for himself enough of his earnings to make him comfortable and happy. For his generosity, integrity, and christian character he is highly estcemed by his neigh- bors.
Samuel Marts, farmer, Darlington. The subject of this sketch was born in Ohio in 1821, and is the son of Abraham and Cossa Marts, both natives of Pennsylvania. The former was in the war of 1812 and fought in the siege of Fort Meigs, and died in 1838, aged fifty-eight, the latter died in 1862, aged sixty years. Samuel marts was married in 1843, to Mary Baker, of Fairfield county, Ohio, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Baker, both natives of Maryland. By this marriage he has five children : Jerome B., William H., Chancy N., Otis B. and Mary A. His wife is a member of the Presbyterian church at Dar- lington. In politics he is a republican of the first rank. His son, Jerome B., served as a soldier in the late war, first enlisting in the one-hundred-days service, then for three years. Mr. Marts is a mem- ber of the order of Masons, in Darlington Lodge, No. 186, and has several times held the office of treasurer in the same. Formerly he was a member of the I.O.O.F., from which he withdrew, holding a card of honor. Mr. Marts settled in Franklin township in 1846. He bought land at $7.50 per acre. He now has a fine farm of 320 acres,
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
located in the north part of Franklin township, well stocked and in good cultivation.
Samuel Brown, saw-mill, Potato Creek, was born in 1822, in Frank- lin county, Indiana, and is the son of Isaac and Margaret (Harald) Brown. His father was a native of Kentucky, his mother a native of Indiana. He was left an orphan at a very early age, to seek his own living among strangers. He was married in 1845 to Elizabeth Hash- barger, daughter of Isaac and Margaret Hashbarger, both of Virginia. He first emigrated to Indiana, settling in Indianapolis, thence to Wayne county ; then he moved to Fayette county, and then to Mont- gomery county, where he now resides. During his time of running saw-mills he has several times met with losses by fire. By his mar- riage with Elizabeth Hashbarger he has seven children : John L., Franklin E., Charles H., William C., Ulmer E. and James A. The first named served in the late war as a soldier, the last was in the service three years, going through several hard fought battles. Notwithstand- ing the many reverses Mr. Brown is in easy circumstances. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he is a radical republican.
J. A. Bowers, farmer, Bowers, is a native of Montgomery county, Sugar Creek township, the son of Abner and Elizabeth Bowers, and born in 1848. His father is yet living (1880), and is one of the oldest pioneers in Sugar Creek township. J. A. was married in 1872 to Me- lissa J. Doss, a native of Kentucky, and daughter of Elisha and Susanna Doss, the former a native of Kentucky the latter of Ohio. By this marriage he has three children : Perry L., Austin M. and Ab- ner G. In 1878 his wife, Melissa J., bid adieu to earth, leaving a devoted and kind family to mourn her departure. J. A. was married a second time, in 1879, to Elvira Hiatt, daughter of Silas and Eliza Hiatt. The former is said to be the first white child born in Montgomery county. Mr. Bowers' school education was obtained in the common district school and the Darlington Academy. He has been engaged in the grain trade at Bowers. He now resides upon his farm of 120 acres, which is under good cultivation and well stocked. In religion he leans toward the faith of the German Baptist, the church of his father's choice. Mr. Bowers, like each member of his father's family, is highly respected for morality and integrity. In politics he is a re- publican.
Joseph Butcher, farmer, Bowers, was born in 1821, in the State of Virginia, and was reared in Nicholas county, Ohio, and came to Mont- gomery county in 1849. Joseph Butcher's parents were James and Mary (Caldwell) Butcher, the former a native of Virginia, born in
581
SUGAR CREEK TOWNSHIP.
1777, the latter a native of Kentucky. They moved from Ohio in 1849 to Montgomery county. They raised ten children out of twelve. Of the number living Joseph and Cyntha still reside in Sugar Creek township. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and died in 1869, aged ninety-two years. Joseph and Cyntha's paternal grandparents were John and Sarah (Cunard) Butcher, both of whom were natives of Loudon county, Virginia. The former was born in 1755, and lived to the age of seventy-five, the latter was born in 1750, and died at the age of seventy-seven years. Their great-grandfather, John Butcher, came from Germany, and settled in Virginia at a very early period. He and thirteen others were ont viewing their fields of grain and were attacked by Indians. All were killed but two. Joseph Butcher's ma- ternal grandfather, Alexander Caldwell, was a native of Pennsylvania; by trade a millwright. His great maternal grandfather, Alexander Caldwell, was a native of Ireland, and pioneer colonist of Virginia. Joseph Butcher was married in 1860 to Maria Allen, daughter of James and Lydia Allen, born in 1839. By this marriage there are six chil- dren : Lydia A., William M., James E., Chester H., Peter H. and Ar- thur C. Joseph Butcher received a common school education. He has a good farm of 360 acres well stocked. Cyntha, his only surviving sister, remains unmarried, and takes special delight in literature, few being better posted as to the current topics of the day than she. The Butcher family have, so far back as we are able to trace its his- tory, paid special attention to christianity. The grandparents and the grandparents of those now living in Sugar Creek township were Qua- kers. Those now living in Sugar Creek township, and their immedi- ate parents before them belong to the New Light order of christians. In politics they are radical republicans.
Joseph M. Pitman, farmer, Darlington, is the son of Joseph and Phoebe (Bowers) Pitman, both natives of New Jersey, the former was born in 1782, the latter in 1785; they were pioneer settlers of Ohio, and members of the Baptist church. Joseph M. was born in 1826, and came to Montgomery county in 1853. He was married in 1848 to Rebecca Garrison, by whom he has nine children : John H., Charles W., Robert W., Lydia M., Daniel V., Caroline, James, Thomas G., Joseph W. He is a member of the democratic party. He served six months in the 11th Ind. at the close of the late war. His early educa- tion was wholly neglected, and feeling sharply the great disadvantages of this neglect he fails to use no means in his power for the intellectual advancement of his children. He and his wife are faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Paul H. Shawver, farmer, Potato Creek, was born in Virginia in
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
1853, and is the son of George W. and Elizabeth M. Shawver, both of whom are yet living in their native state, Virginia. Panl's paternal grandparents lived to a good old age,-his grandfather to the age of seventy, and his grandmother died in 1860, aged sixty years. Paul H. came to Montgomery county in 1871. In 1878 he returned to Virginia and was married to Mary C. King, daughter of James and Eliza King, by whom he has one child, Jessie. One thing remarkable of the family of Paul H. is, on both sides, as far back as he is able to trace his gene- alogy, all have been devoted advocates of christianity in the Meth- odist Episcopal church. In this he and his wife are faithfully following in the footsteps of their ancestors. His education is that of the common school. Paul H. has the respect of all who know him for his industry and honesty. In every institution of benefit to the present or future generation, he manifests a great interest.
George W. Tucker, physician and surgeon, Bowers, was born in Parke county, this state, in 1844, and is the son of George and Mary Tucker, the former a native of Providence county, Rhode Island, the latter of Warren county, New York. They came to Parke county in 1831 and settled in Liberty township, where they died, the former in 1870, aged eighty-three years, the latter in 1852, aged fifty-three years. Dr. Tucker was married in 1880 to Mrs. Rachel Raymond (Barnes), daughter of Michael Barnes. She is a native of Ohio; her father also of Ohio, her mother of New Jersey. The subject of this sketch was educated by his own exertion in the common schools and the academy of Bloomingdale, Parke county. In 1857 he went to Ver- milion county, Illinois, to learn the art of farming, with a brother-in- law, but disliking the business after a time returned to Parke county and began the study of medicine with his brother, J. P. Tucker, at Annapolis, where he remained three years, then completed the course of lectures necessary for graduation in the Indiana Medical College at Indianapolis with the class of '79. Not being possessed with the neces- sary means to defray the expenses of graduation he deferred this part till a future time. Then he went to Jacksonville, Fountain county, this state, where he practiced till July 1880, when he located at Bow- ers, Sugar Creek township. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a member of the ancient order of Masons at Annapolis.
583
RIPLEY TOWNSHIP.
RIPLEY TOWNSHIP.
This township, although the smallest in Montgomery county, and without railroads, acts an important part in its history. Bounded on the north by Wayne township, on the west by Fountain county, and on the south and east by Sugar creek, or more properly speaking, Rock river; it presents the figure of a right-angled triangle, its greatest length being seven and its breadth six and a half miles. It has an area of about thirty-one square miles, portions of three congressional townships : that portion east of the center contains about thirteen sec- tions of T. 18 N., R. 5 W. The western half contains the entire eastern half of T. 18 N., R. 6 W., while in the extreme south are portions of Secs. 1, 2 and 3 of T. 17 N., R. 6 W. The surface, with the exception of that nearest the river, is generally undulating, affording ample facilities for drainage, without the inconvenience attending land of a more broken nature. There is much beautiful natural scenery on the banks of Rock river, where it bounds Ripley, which occupies no mean place in the catalogue of places visited by Indiana artists; cliffs rising almost perpendicularly to a height of seventy feet line the Rip- ley side in many places ; in other localities the rise is more gradual, pre- senting, if possible, a more pleasing appearance. This added to the beantiful grottoes, the miniature waterfall, and luxuriant vegetation, combines to bring new beauty to the eye of nature's lover with each new advance. The camera has been frequently made use of in this vicinity, and many beautiful stereoscopic views are the result, which need only to be labeled "Scenes in the Alleghany canyons" to ob- tain a ready sale. Originally this township was one extensive forest, with scarcely an unshadowed spot, yet the woodman's axe has lain low the most valuable portion of its timber, while five saw-mills within its borders say, with stronger accent than human voice is capable of, that in the near future its once valuable groves will be a thing of the past. This question is now assuming a serious aspect with some of the more provident landholders, who foresee the advantage of saving some, at least, of the timber for future generations.
EARLY SETTLEMENTS.
The date of the erection of the first cabin within the present limits of Ripley township, though not positively known, may, according to the most creditable authority now obtainable, be placed at some time during the summer of 1820, thus making it one of the pioneer townships of the county. This cabin was built by Wilson Claypool
584
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
upon the bank of Sugar creek, above what is known as " Indian ford," on land now owned by Mr. O'Neall. This was doubtless the "out- side house " in this portion of the state. Claypool, however, sold the land with its "improvements" to John Swearengen, who settled here in October 1822, coming from Butler county, Ohio, with his family, by the. then very toilsome overland trail. In June of this year Mickel- berry Ham came with his wife and several children from Kentucky, and built a cabin on Sec. 16, nearly at the mouth of Mill branch. This was a very primitive affair : its floor the solid earth, its furniture such as unskilled hands with a limited number of tools could fashion of the green trees, and its windows paper saturated with the fat of the deer and bear slain in the vicinity. About this time Daniel Hopkins also took up his abode in the wilderness, living near where Younts- ville now stands. From this time forward each year brought new ac- quisitions to the settlement of sturdy backwoodsmen, many of them seeking homes for themselves and growing families (chiefly from Ohio), and others seeking to gain a livelihood by hunting the game in which the woods abounded, the more numerous being deer, turkey and the smaller varieties, while occasionally a black bear would be slain by the hunter.
By 1825 there were quite a number of residents in this township, many of whom being of that roving character which is always found among the earlier settlers of any locality, after making a few limited improvements, sold their lands to those of a more settled disposition, while they again took up the line of march westward.
In September, 1825, Joseph Swerengen, who is now an undertaker at Alamo, came with his father from Butler county, Ohio, where he was born in 1808, and settled near his brother John, who had preceded him nearly three years. Mr. Swerengen's father had a few cabinet- maker's tools, and having worked at that trade in Ohio was called upon by his neighbors for such articles of furniture as were most needed, as well as repairs for the farming implements. By him was made the first fanning-mill in the county, the wheat having been pre- vionsly prepared for grinding by the primitive and tedious process of throwing it into the air, in much the same manner that the children of Israel adopted while in the Egyptian captivity, as attested by the rude figures upon their historical tablets,
Cincinnati was for several years the "supply depot " of these pio- neers. There they would take their bacon, sugar made from the trees, in which this township was especially rich, and such of their grain as was not needed for "home consumption," and exchange for the neces- sities of life which their country did not produce. Their cattle
585
RIPLEY TOWNSHIP.
grazed in the woods, only enough being kept as would supply the needed products of the dairy. The hogs virtually were wild, living upon nuts, roots, etc., the entire year, and receiving no thought from their owners until " butchering time " came, when each settler was supposed to own as many of them as he could call home (with his rifle), provided no one else interfered in the claim, which disputes were quite frequent, though not often attended with very serious re- sults, except to the animal in question, which was generally divided between the different claimants. The oldest "first settler " who still lives in this township, is Alex. Thompson, who was born in Cumber- land county, Pennsylvania, April 3, 1796, and came to this township, building a cabin where his residence now stands, on Sec. -- , in the fall of 1827. He is a healthy old man, walking without the aid of a cane and reading without glasses. To Patrick Ham, who resides near Alamo, belongs the honor of living longer in this township than any other, having been brought here by his parents in June 1822.
VILLAGES.
Alamo was laid out in 1837, on land of Samuel Truax, and occu- pies the S.E. ¿ S.E. } of Sec. 23. The establishment of this vil- lage was the result of an attempt at speculation made by Mr. Truax and Boyce, a surveyor, who figured in the origin of several villages in Indiana at that time. The plan was a simple one, and much the same as is now being adopted in the west : to describe a village, with streets named in honor of some revolutionary hero, blocks and lots, all regu- larly numbered, and a "city square," say that it "is. a promising loca- cation for young men with energy," advertise it in the eastern papers and wait until the greater portion of the lots are sold to persons who think they have bought a good business location in a thriving western village and watch their discomfiture as they view their lot, the only recognizable feature of which is a small stake driven into the ground, or a mark blazed upon a tree to designate its boundaries. This plan did not succeed in Alamo, however, so that after much had been squan- dered in advertising, the lots were sold at auction to any who would buy, and at figures much lower than those dreamed of by the surveyor, Boyce, abont a year after the imaginary city was first conceived by him. The first store was built in 1840, by Noah Grimes, who figured largely in the earlier enterprises of this little village; Stubbins & Millegen building one soon after. It now has three stores, one harness, three blacksmith and two wagon shops, an undertaker, and saw-mill, the business of each of which will compare favorably with other towns of its size, though not so old. Barney Deets 'erected the first cabin in this city.
586
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
Yountsville, lying upon the banks of Sugar creek, in the northeast- ern portion of the township, dates its existence as an important busi- ness place back to the year 1840, when Allen and Dan Yount began, though on a small scale, the manufacture of woolen goods. Until 1849 they had facilities for carding only, when they began spinning and weaving. The mill proper is a brick structure built in 1864, measuring 50 ×75. To this, in 1867, was added a wing 50×84, three stories in height. The business done by these mills is about $75,000 per year. Mr. Yount is an example of a business man who has suc- ceeded without advertising. Scarcely ever losing a customer, he knows no need of printers' ink. In 1875 Mr. Yount associated with him in business his son, Andrew, and son-in-law, W. C. Whitehead, who still remain with him, doing business under the firm name of D. Yount & Sons. Here is also located J. Snyder's flouring mill, which does a good business.
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