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 88
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
CHURCHES.
Methodism, the pioneer religion in many portions of the northwest, was the first to be preached in this township. What is now Younts- ville circuit was in 1836 included in the "Coal Creek mission," which then had nearly twenty appointments. In July, 1842, the society at Yountsville was organized by John C. Smith, presiding elder, and Daniel Demont, circuit rider,-a result of a revival held during the summer. A house of worship was built in which its society still worships. At Alamo there are three church buildings : Presbyterian, Methodist Episcopal, and Union, the two former being the only ones in which services are now held.
SCHOOLS.
The first school-house in this township was built on land now owned by Levi Wilcox, in 1828. Since then the township has kept up with the spirit of advancement, and the school-houses within its borders are good, substantial and roomy buildings. The first school was taught by James Gilkey. In 1869 the Alamo Academy was built, the trustees being James A. Gilkey, Thomas Elmore, J. M. Simpson, Philip Sparks and John W. Copner. This school ran quite successfully for a few terms, when a number of untoward circumstances combined to break up the interest felt in it by the citizens, when the building was bought by the township for common-school purposes.
This township claims that within its borders lived the oldest man in the state, and one of the oldest in the United States, George Fruits, who was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1762, and moved to Kentucky during its early history, having been engaged in some of the earlier
a.
587
RIPLEY TOWNSHIP.
Indian wars, and carrying in his thigh a bullet from some red man's rifle, which he received at the battle of Blue Licks. He died August 6, 1876, aged nearly one hundred and fourteen years, and was followed to his grave by four generations of posterity. The fact that he did not use stimulants or tobacco is another evidence that a man may live without their aid and die at a ripe old age.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Wesley Roundtree, farmer, Alamo, a genial, well-to-do and intel- ligent farmer, was born in Butler county, Ohio, in 1825, and moved to Ripley in 1827 with his parents, Chas. and Sarah (Hayes) Roundtree. Young Wesley was given what education was afforded by the limited common-school system of his day, and made use of all the means usu- ally falling within the reach of a backwoods farmer's boy. He now owns 280 acres of land, and is happy in company with his better half, Florence S., the accomplished daughter of Dr. Brown, of Alamo, whom he married February 5, 1872. They have no children. Mr. Round- tree has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since 1856 ; signed the first temperance pledge he ever saw, and still is an uncompromis ing enemy of King Alcohol. In politics he is a republican.
Abijah R. Bayless, liveryman, Alamo, son of William and Elizabeth (Grant) Bayless, was born in Trenton, New Jersey, February 24, 1818. His parents moved to Butler county, Ohio, when he was but one year old, and in October, 1828, they removed to this township. At an early period of his life Mr. Bayless was taught the shoe-making trade, at which, together with farming, he worked until his marriage, Novem- ber 1, 1838, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Jos. and Sarah Patterson, who was born October 22, 1817. He then gave his entire attention to farming until 1843, when he came to Alamo, then a city of the woods, where he followed his chosen trade for nine years. He then returned to the farm, which he tilled until 1870, when, returning to Alamo, he went into the dry-goods business, and two years later again went at his trade. One year ago he began the business he is now in, and keeps a fine stock of horses and carriages for the accommodation of the public. Mr. Bayless' public educational advantages were limited, yet he im- proved such as he had, and is now a thinking, reading man. Born and raised a democrat, he voted that ticket until 1856, when, believing hu- man slavery to be unjust, he voted for Fremont, and has since been a radical republican. Eight children have been born to this venerable couple : Mary A. (Sparks), Wm. T., John G. (both members of the 135th Ind. Vol. Inf.), Jas. F., Harriet A. (Craig), Alice E. (Riley), and Sarah E., an infant having died. Mr. Bayless is a believer in man's
588
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
universal salvation, being one of the originators of that church here. He has been township treasurer, and is a prominent member of the Masonie order.
Joseph B. Taylor, farmer, Yountsville, son of Judge Robert Taylor, was born where he now resides in 1828, his father having moved here in 1826. Mr. Taylor is now the proprietor of 240 acres of good farm land, which his nephew, J. W. Taylor, is now working, and with whom our subject is living. In his youth he was quite delicate, and his man- hood is but what might be expected of a broken-down youth. Mr. Taylor's political faith is democratic; is connected with no church or other organization, and as yet has traveled this weary world alone.
John A. Clark, saw-mill, Alamo, son of Elijah and Elizabeth (Smith) Clark, was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, March 21, 1832, both parents being born in Virginia. In 1838 he came with his parents to Ripley township, settling on Sec. 36, where he now lives. His father being a miller, John was brought up to that profession. In 1864 he took possession of the " Clark " mills on Sugar creek, where he re- mained until 1874, when he moved to Alamo and built the " Alamo Champion Steam Planing Mills," and ran them with good success un- til June 5, 1876, when they were destroyed by fire, entailing a loss of about $7,000. In November, 1878, he removed to Harveysburg and took charge of the Bodine mills, and in 1879 he returned and is again running the planing mill at Alamo, which has been rebuilt, while his son, William E., takes charge of the old Clark mills. January 27, 1853, Mr. Clark was united in marriage to Elizabeth A. Ammerman, who was born January 27, 1837, in Hamilton county, Ohio. They have had three children : William E., born November 18, 1854, was lately mar- ried to Miss Ella Hurtt ; Elbert A., born May 25, 1861, died July 4, 1864, and another son dying in infancy. Mr. Clark was trustee of his township for four years, commencing 1870, and is a prominent demo- crat. He joined the Alamo Lodge, A.F. and A.M., March 31, 1858, of which he is now an officer, and joined the I.O.O.F. January 11, 1868, in which he has held all of the offices and has represented his lodge seven times at the state organization. In 1857 he joined the New Light re- ligions organization, which, succumbing to circumstances during the rebellion, he united himself with the Disciples or Christian church, where he nows acts as clerk and superintends two Sabbath schools.
Dan Yount, manufacturer of woolen goods, Yountsville, son of An- drew and Eve (Sink) Yount, was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, November 3, 1807, his ancestry coming from Germany about 1740, and settling in North Carolina. At eleven years of age the subject of this sketch began work in a woolen mill, then owned by his father, near
589
RIPLEY TOWNSHIP.
Dayton, Ohio. In 1827 he came to Tippecanoe county, settling about five miles south of Lafayette. In 1835 he removed to Attica, Indiana, where, in company with an elder brother, he established a woolen fac- tory, where he continued until 1839, when he purchased a farm in Fort county, where he lived for about one year. Early in 1840 he re- moved to what is now Yountsville, erecting, in company with his brother, Adam, a small carding-mill, which has since grown to its pres- ent proportions. April 30, 1830, Mr. Yount was married to Sarah Price (of Welsh descent), born in Maryland 1811. She died greatly respected June 19, 1878. They had five children : Rhoda (Townsby), born November 1832; Mary (Trontman), born June 1836; Andrew, born January 11, 1838; John (deceased), born January 1840; Annie (Whitehead), born April 14, 1845. " Uncle Dan," as he is familiarly known, was brought up in the faith of the Society of Friends, but in July 1842, there being no such organization here, he united with the Methodist Episcopal church, a pillar of which he has since been. He has led a very busy and useful life, having been a class-leader and trustee of his church since his connection with it, and is still found in the front rank in all worthy objects, and commands the highest esteem of all who know him. His politics are republican, and though public-spirited he has held no office of the civil government, preferring rather to be "a door-keeper " than to " dwell in the tents -- "
Frank Hammel, farmer, Yountsville, was born in Wayne county, Indiana, March 5, 1834, and moved to this county in 1846. He is the son of George and Susan (Merideth) Hammnel, his father having emi- grated from Germany about 1825. The subject of this sketch was educated at what once was called the "Farmers' Institute," but is now only known in history and the memories of its students. At the age of eighteen he began teaching, which he followed for several years dur- ing the winter, working upon the farm in summer, his first school be- ing taught in district No. 5 of this township. October 4, 1862, he was married to Miss Sarah Gilkey. They have two children living: Will- iam S., born November 24, 1866; Elizabeth (deceased), and Margaret M., born August 20, 1872. Mr. Hammil is a member of the Masonic fraternity, having for several years been secretary of the lodge at Ala- mo. He owns 80 acres of land in Sec. 1, which is under a good state of cultivation. Politics republican.
George W. Bowers, farmer, Alamo, at present the trustee of this township, son of David and Catherine (Grimes) Bowers, was born in Putnam county, November 3, 1840, where, December 6, 1866, he was married to Miss Sarah J. Denman, of this township, born September 25, 1849. In 1867 he settled in Ripley township, and now owns and
590
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
tills eighty-eight acres of its land. Though comparatively young, Mr. Bowers takes a lively interest in political issues, which fact was, at the last township election, recognized by his friends, and he was given the place of honor which he now fills with general satisfaction. He is an active member of the Ripley Grange, with which movement he has been connected since its birth, and in which he has held the position of master four terms. In religion Mr. Bowers follows the teachings of Martin Luther. There are three bright boys in this family : Charles A., born September 8, 1867 ; Homer D., February 23, 1870, and Pearl O., April 24, 1877. Mr. Bowers is a man well spoken of by his acquaintances, and is now president of the Detective Association, which was organized at Alamo last spring.
Allen Byers, farmer, Yountsville, son of James and Sophronia (Barns) Byers, was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, September 18, 1847. At a very early age he was, by their death, deprived of both parents, when he lived with his grandparents until his marriage, which occurred February 10, 1870, when he was united with Miss Mary L. Little, daughter of Ellis and Naomi (Fletcher) Little. They have three children : Estella, born September 6, 1871; James E., born December 10, 1876, and Coral E., born July 2, 1879. Mr. Byers and wife are each descendants of old Virginia stock ; the records of their arrival in America are, however, lost. Mr. Byers arrived in this county in March 1870, and has since lived upon his farm of 102 acres in Sec. 6. He is a member of the I.O.O.F. His politics are democratic.
WAYNE TOWNSHIP.
This township, lying directly north of Ripley, was originally nearly, if not quite, all wooded, and where the native growth has been cut off the land is as productive as any in the county. Its inhabitants are industrious, and the many well built residences within its borders tes- tify to their thrift.
Abram Heath and his sister, Mrs. Dennis Rusk, are among the oldest settlers of the township, having settled here in 1823. These in turn were followed by Silas Moore, J. Donahoe, Nathan Small, Samuel Earl, Bazil Tracey and many others, who have all contributed, more or less, to the conversion of the then howling wilderness into what it now is, a thriving township. Those were they who felled the forest, and with the material thus obtained built their rude cabins, while, from the ground thus cleared, they raised their often stinted supply of vegetable food, and with the ungainly yet precise rifle they called their venison
591
WAYNE TOWNSHIP.
from the forest, with a voice, if not enticing, carrying with it a wonder- ful " drawing " influence.
The reminiscences related by the few of these pioneers who are left seem, to those who have had no such experience, to be the counter- part of the tales told in the school-books of the early Puritans, yet "none doubt but simply wonder, and to-day the children and grand- children of those who opened Wayne township to civilization are enjoying the fruits of their fathers' and mothers' labor. The history of many of the hardships endured by these brave men and women have long ago passed beyond the reach of the historian, or any one who would write it for the benefit of those who follow. Many of those who fought life's battle here, who braved the danger and hardship inci- dent to pioneer life, now rest beneath the sod, over which, in their younger days, they hunted, plowed and reaped. Beneath the shadow of the trees, where nearly three-quarters of a century ago they sat as lovers, or perhaps rested for a moment from their toils, they now rest from their labors, while the few who have not as yet crossed the dark river look upon the result of their young life's labors and wonder whether they have worked enough in this world.
Waynetown, the first village west of Crawfordsville, on the Illinois, Bloomington & Western railroad, is a thriving place, where are lo- cated nine stores, flouring-mill, wagon shops, planing-mills, two saw- mills, besides a newspaper office, where the " Banner," a weekly paper, is published, having been first issued in 1875, by Mr. Henry, under whose management it continued for about nine months, when it was for a time discontinued, but was resurrected by C. F. M'Cleary, who, after continuing it several months, failed, when the present publisher, R. Ranyan, took it in charge and has made it an honor to the town. Besides these industries, five physicians and two lawyers are located here, and all enjoying a good practice. The place contains three churches and societies : Baptist, Christian, and Methodist, in each of which services are regularly held, while their influence for good is at least partially counteracted by three saloons which are located here. The village also contains a lodge each of I.O.O.F. and F. and A.M., each of which is in a flourishing condition. The village contains a public school-building (frame), but are now preparing to build one of brick which will be in keeping with its business interests.
At Wesley, a flag station on the Illinois, Bloomington & Western railroad, in the eastern part of the township, is located the Wesley Academy, an institution which rose, flourished and fell soon after the war: Here is also the Wesley cemetery, a thickly populated silent city. At Waynetown is also located another, where many of those
592
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
. who have assisted in the upbuilding of the township now peacefully slumber.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
F. J. Moore, farmer, Waynetown, is the oldest native of the town- ship, if not of the county. He was born in Wayne township April 25, 1825, and is the son of Philip and Mary (Blackford) Moore. His mother was a member of the Baptist church, and died about 1853. His father was a native of Pennsylvania, came from there to Butler county, Ohio, settled in Wayne township in 1824, and died in 1872. He was in the war of 1812, was a member of the Baptist church, and a republican. When Mr. Moore came to this county they went to Terre Haute to mill. The subject of this sketch lived at home till he was twenty-five years old, and had very poor advantages of education. When he was of a school age the people in his community were en- gaged in a quarrel that worked against the interests of education. He was married the first time in 1850, to Mary A. Pierce. She died in about 1858, and was a member of the Methodist church. By this . marriage they had four children : Elizabeth A., Mary J., William H. and Sarah E .; they are all dead but the last one. He was married the second time, May 6, 1860, to Francis Colelasier. Their children are Ida J. (deceased), George A., John B., Emma, Eva (deceased), Albert E. (deceased), Lottie (deceased), and Jessie. Mrs. Moore was born November 28, 1834, and is a member of the Baptist church. Her folks came from Washington city. Mr. Moore began life with nothing, and has been successful, now owning 200 acres of good land. He is a member of the Baptist church, and in politics is independent, being formerly a republican. He is a hard working, honest, indus- trious farmer.
Abram Heath is the oldest living male settler in Wayne township, and his sister, Mrs. Rusk, in Waynetown, is the oldest female settler living in the township. They came with their parents to this town- ship August 17, 1823, from Butler county, Ohio. Abram Heath was born June 11, 1820, in Brown county, Ohio, and is the son of William and Rachel Heath. The latter was born in 1790, and died in 1868, and was a member of the Methodist church. William Heath was born in Maryland in 1794, and died in 1874. He was in the war of 1812, was probate judge of this county for several years, a member of the Christian Union church, and in politics democratic, voting first for " Old Hickory." He was a great reader, and a man of extensive in- formation. Mr. Heath, the subject of this sketch. has always lived on a farm, and was married December 22, 1842, to Miss Salona Ball, who was born April 22, 1824, and is a member of the Christian Union
593
WAYNE TOWNSHIP.
church. They have four children living, and one deceased : Mary A., William D., Margaret J., John H., and Rachel N. (deceased). Mary is married to James Gray, of this township. William was born Sep- tember 11, 1845, and is married to Miss Sarah Ellis, of Fountain county, and now lives with his father. They have one child, Howard, born August 28, 1876. His wife is a member of the Christian church. He is a democrat, voting first for Stephen A. Douglass in 1860. Mar- garet is married to Dr. Stephen J. Simpson, of Portland, Fountain county. John H. was married to Miss Emma Allen, is a graduate of the Eclectic Medical Institute at Cincinnati, and lives at West Point, Tippecanoe county, where he has done a large practice for the last six years. Abram Heath has 130 acres of land where he is now living, and 160 acres in Guthrie county, lowa. He is a member of the Christian Union church, and in politics is democratie, voting first for James K. Polk, and has voted at every presidential election since then. Mr. Heath has a very correct memory for one of his age; and to him we are indebted for much of the early history of Wayne town- ship.
Bazzle Tracy, Waynetown, was born in Mason county, Kentucky, in the year 1802, but was raised in Fleming county, and is the son of John and Nancy Tracy. In October, 1826, Mr. Tracy, with two of his brothers, came from Kentucky and settled in this township. They were seventeen days making tlie journey. This country was then a wild almost unbroken and uninhabited wilderness. In those days they would have to go five miles to get help to erect a log cabin. The In- dians were then plenty, but were peaccable. When Mr. Tracy settled here there was no house in Waynetown, and only three between where he lived and Crawfordsville. The first winter he was here he and his wife, who has always been his helper and sympathizer, cleared the tim- ber from eleven acres of land, which they planted in corn the next year. For two years after they came here they had no wheat bread, but since their crop that year the " staff of life " has always been plenty in their cupboard and on their table. They raised flax, and made their own clothing, and made nearly everything they used, so that the outlay of money was small : it had to be, because there was not much money to lay out. When Mr. Tracy came here he bought eighty acres of land. But making this $100 was a task that took labor and saving. When he was married he had nothing. His wife worked out, and he worked at anything he could get to do at which he could carn an honest penny. He split rails for 15 cents per hundred and boarded himself, and broke hemp for 75 cents per hundred. IIe even chopped and split 1,600 rails for an axe. The young men of to-day would laugh at the idea of work- 38
594
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
ing so cheap, but he saw it was better to work for something than to do nothing. He worked three months in a distillery for $3 per month. He was four years in saving up the $100 to come to this country with. In buying his second eighty acres of land he had quite an interesting time. It joined his first eighty, and he borrowed the $100 of a man by the name of Fouts, and bought the land before any one knew of it. There were others who were wanting it, and one man by the name of Burrel was going to enter it the same day on which Mr. Tracy en- tered it in the morning. Mr. Tracy bought calves and wintered them, and would sell them the next fall. After he began to make money he would buy cattle and break them to work, and sell them to settlers on the prairie for teams. He sold pork in Chicago for $1.25 per hundred, and wheat 35 cents per bushel. Mr. Tracy and Jesse Grenard went in partnership and bought a boat-load of goods and took to New Or- leans, thinking they would realize a higher price for their own goods, and make a profit on what they bought. But instead of making they lost $1,500. This was a hard blow upon Mr. Tracy, but he resolved to en- dure it and push on harder than ever. He was five years settling up the losses of this trip down to the month of the "Father of Waters." After this he made but one more trip to New Orleans, and cleared about $600. From this time Mr. Tracy went on making money by industrious effort and wise management. He has given each of his children, who are married, eighty acres apiece, has paid $4,200 se- enrity debts, and has eight farms containing over 200 acres each. Four of his farms are in Benton county, and he has about 900 acres here where he is living. Much of his success and prosperity is due to the labors and companionship of his wife, who was his helpmeet and in- spiration during his early years of trial and hardship, and who now helps him enjoy the wealth and comfort of his mature years. His wife (Elizabeth Price) was born May 8, 1804, and is a member of the New Light church. They were married March 14, 1822, and have had eleven children, six of whom are dead. Their names are Aun (de- ceased) ; Thomas, living in Benton county ; Sarah, in Illinois; Eliza- beth (deceased) ; William (deceased) ; Lyddia, the wife of James Pierce, Missouri ; the wife of Daniel Hawk, Mary (deceased) ; Martha, the wife of John Biddle ; James (deceased); and John, living. There are two of his grandchildren living with them, William R. Pierce, and the other named Linnie. Mr. Tracy is a member of the Christian Union church, and in politics is democratic, casting his first vote for that stern, brave and patriotic statesman, the hero in New Orleans, An- drew Jackson. Many of the incidents and experiences in Mr. Tracy's life will be mentioned in the history of the township. Mr. Tracy's
595
WAYNE TOWNSHIP.
career is one from which all who are battling against poverty and diffi- culties can learn a useful and instructive lesson.
William Rider, hardware (Rider & Brant), Waynetown, son of Gilbert and Emeline (Prettyman) Rider, was born in Tippecanoe county, Indiana, September 12; 1829. At fourteen Mr. Rider came to this township with his family, settling on a farm. The advantages enjoyed by him by which he received an education were those which farmers' sons generally had at that time, the district school. When he became of age he began business as a thresher, which he followed dur- ing its seasons for a number of years. In August, 1862, Mr. Rider joined Co. L, 5th Ind. Cav., and he remained in the South during the remainder of the war, participating in every action in which his regi- ment was engaged. At the close of the war he returned to this county, and February 14, 1869, married Miss Margaret Fields, whose parents came to this state from Ohio in an early day. They have had two children, a son who died in infancy, and a daughter, Minnie, born March 29, 1878. For two years after his marriage Mr. Rider was en- gaged in the building of the gravel road here. In 1873, with the Gray Bros., he built what is now Brown's mill. January 15, 1875, he bought the hardware store, when the stock invoiced $2,200, and in February, 1877, sold an interest to H. H. Brant, having increased their trade until they now do a business of over $100,000 per year. In 1878 Mr. Rider was elected trustee of this township, and in 1880 was reëlected by an increased majority of 141. He is a Mason and an Odd-fellow, having filled all of the offices in the gift of each lodge. In political sentiment he is a democrat.
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.