USA > Indiana > Vermillion County > History of Parke and Vermillion Counties, Indiana : with historical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the old families > Part 38
USA > Indiana > Parke County > History of Parke and Vermillion Counties, Indiana : with historical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the old families > Part 38
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ITEMS OF INTEREST.
The first white child born in Helt township was Hon. William Skid- more, in 1819; and it is still an unsettled question whether he or John Van- nest, Jr., of Clinton township, was the first child born in Vermillion county.
The earliest church building in this township was the Salem church, on Helt's prairie, erected in 1848.
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The first school taught on this prairie was prior to 1830.
The first mill in Helt township was built upon the bank of Coal branch. a small stream that takes its rise in the central part of the township and flows southwest. This mill was built by William Anderson in 1836, but was abandoned more than a third of a century ago, and the stream that once fur- nished the water power to propel its machinery now looks as though it would have been impossible to have furnished sufficient power to run the machinery.
The old Davis ferry, at Opedee, three and a half miles below Newport. was a famous place in early days, as it was the favorite place in early times, for crossing the Wabash river, for those who were traveling north, the sec- ond bottoms on the west side of the river affording much better wagon roads than the east side. It was by this route that much of the teaming was done to Chicago, before canal and railroad days.
FAMOUS FOX HUNTS.
The first fox hunt of which there now seems to be any record in Ver- million county was that held March 31, 1883, when the citizens placed themselves, according to a pre-arranged plan, in a kind of a circle around a large section of territory, mostly in Helt township. At 9:30 in the fore- noon they started forward. All the marshals exercised due diligence to keep the men in proper shape, none of whom were allowed to be intoxicated or to carry a gun or have a dog with them. The east and north divisions, having to travel over a very broken, hilly section of country, and some of the men also disobeying orders, permitted eight fine foxes to escape. At eleven-thirty o'clock men and boys could be seen in every direction. about eight hundred strong, approaching the center, and it was also observed at this moment that three red foxes were surrounded. Forming into a ring about forty yards in diameter on the meadow near the Conley school house, three of the most active young men entered the ring to capture the game by their unassisted hands. One fox, which was crippled in trying to pass out, was soon caught ; but the other two were chased for some time, when finally one of them broke the line where some women were standing and got away. The remaining one, after being chased for some time by different ones, was finally caught by one Fred Ford. William Darnell was called for; who at auction sold the two foxes to the highest bidder, Richard Wimsett, of Opedee. Every person present greatly enjoyed the day's sport. Having seen where they erred in letting so many foxes away, they concluded March 15th, the next year, to try it again, on a larger scale, but failed to capture a single fox, and made
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up their minds that there were no more foxes left in the territory to catch. They encircled parts of Helt and Vermillion townships.
Helt township has an area of seventy-two square miles, twelve irore than any township in Vermillion county. In 1880 its population was 3,027 and its personal property was valued at $1,411,745. In 1910 its population was 3,543. including Dana with 748 population. The assessed value of all personal and real estate property within the township in 1911 was, accord- ing to the county records, $3,202.720, and Dana with $486.395.
The rural development of Helt township is beyond anything within the county. Its broad acres of prairie lands now present one grand pano- rama of agricultural scenes. The farm buildings are modern and well kept up. The land is rich and well tilled by the thrifty farmers, a majority of whom live on and work their own places. Stock and poultry and fruit are seen on every hand. Many of the early settlers were of the Society of Friends and their descendants have kept pace with the progress of the age, and besides carrying out the frugal methods of life inherited from their sturdy an- cestors, they have also followed on in the march of civilization and prog- ress. To be the possessor of a farm in this goodly section of Hoosierdom is to be known as an independent man.
The gravel highways and the excellent system of public schools found within the borders of this township bespeak well for its thrift and enter- prising citizenship. The Helt township consolidated school, mentioned in the Educational chapter in this work, is one of the monuments of good sense and advancement to the people of this township. It was years ago known by the state authorities as a "model consolidated school." The changes wrought out in this township since the days of 1818, nearly a hun- dred years ago, are indeed wonderful to contemplate. Today the farmer has his improved machinery, his daily mail brought to his very door, his telephone with which to send a speedy message to the doctor, or to his friend and neighbor; also he may ride in closed storm-buggies and automobiles. He may phone to the village and have the rural postal carrier bring to his farm house a parcel by the recently established parcel post system. These and many others are included in the great improvements to be enjoyed in these the opening years of the second decade of the twentieth century.
The towns and villages of Helt township are quite numerous, but none, aside from Dana, are of any considerable size.
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TORONTO.
This is the name of an old postoffice at the village called Bono in the southwestern part of this township. The village was started in 1848, by Tilly Jenks and a few more, and at a time when the site was covered with a thick growth of timber and underbrush. The first store was established by James Bacon, between 1850 and 1860. In the spring of 1863, Edward Eng- lish established a grocery store, selling out in Angust of the same year to Francis M. Austin, who as late as 1887 was running at that point a good- sized general store. John F. Hays was also in trade there at that time. While the place was never laid out or platted, it had most of the elements of a vil- lage proper, save the organization formality. In 1885 it had a population of about eighty persons, with one physician, three churches ( Presbyterian. Bap- tist and Methodist), one church building, a school house, blacksmith shop and a post of the Grand Army of the Republic. The present population is only about seventy-five. The postoffice was established here in 1871, with Francis M. Austin as postmaster, and he held the office many years. Bono was a postoffice established before Toronto was, and it was located a mile and a half to the north, and was discontinued on account of there being an- other by the same name in Indiana.
JONESTOWN, NOW ST. BERNICE.
What was originally styled Jones, but changes to Jonestown, on ac- count of another by that name in this state, was situated in the southwestern part of Helt township, and was named for Philip Jones, who owned a por- tion of the land on which it stood. It was laid out in Civil war days abont 1862, by Jones & Wellman. A log cabin was upon the site, and also a bet- ter dwelling, erected by Dr. Grimes the previous year. The pioneer store was opened by John Ammerman. In the eighties, about twenty-five years ago, there were two general stores, one drug store, a grocery store, a flour- ing-mill, built in 1879. a blacksmith shop, a carpenter and cabinet-maker, a post of the Grand Army of the Republic, a brick schoolhouse, a United Brethren church, one physician. a justice of the peace, a constable, and a postoffice, named St. Bernice, there being another Jonestown in the state. The office was established in 1863. with Dr. Wilson Grimes as postmaster. St. Bernice has now a population of about one hundred and fifty, or did have in 1912 when the last census was taken. It is a station on the Chicago. Terre TTante & Southeastern railroad.
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HILLSDALE.
This is a beautifully situated little hamlet on the west bank of the Wa- bash river, at the extreme eastern end of the township, and is the crossing point of the two railroads, the Chicago & Eastern Illinois and the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton (now B. & O. system). Hillsdale is located in section 2, township 15, range 9 west, and was laid out in 1873 by E. Montgomery. The first house was erected by Hart Montgomery, and during the same year he and his son established the first store, it being a general merchandise stock. A saloon came in next and the business of liquor selling has been a perpetual curse to the town from that day to this. Levi Bonebrake built the third house in the village. At one time there was a union depot for the two roads, but several years ago one was provided for each railroad, and the improved block system of switches was put in to insure safety in train serv- ice. The business interests have always been at the foot of the hill, near the two railroads, while the town's residences are nicely situated on the hill, or really the third bench from the river, the railroads occupying the second bench. The view from the heights is indeed splendid. There one finds numerous good dwellings, a neat church and school house. Just south from Hillsdale, proper, is what was once known as Alta. It is on the south side of Little Raccoon creek. The two villages are now known as one. The population, in 1912, is about two hundred and seventy-five. The unwritten history of this village would, if truly depicted, be of more interest than that which is known to the public. Here many scenes of good and ill deeds have been enacted in the passing of the decades since the place had a name. Some might well be remembered and perpetuated, while many another transaction had better be forever buried in the shades of deep oblivion.
In the autumn of 1912 there were the following business houses in Hillsdale: One drug store, three general stores, a grocery and meat shop, the postoffice, barber shop, millinery store, an exclusive grocery, two or more restaurants, a hotel, three boarding houses, etc. The Methodist Episco- pal church was erected of cement blocks in 1904, and is a fine structure, standing on the high hill overlooking the valley. Here has re- sided for a half century pioneer John Wesley Casebeer, father of Dr. Case- beer, of Newport. After a wedded life of fifty-seven years, Mrs. Casebeer laid down the burdens of life a year or so ago. The influence exerted upon the village by this worthy couple has been great. Both have been constant and loyal workers in the Methodist Episcopal church.
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At this point mineral resources are good, consisting of coal, building stone and excellent fire-clay. A mile to the north, at West Montezuma, is a large fire-brick factory, built in the early seventies and still doing an excel- lent and extensive business. It was originally built by Messrs. Burns, Por- ter & Collett. To the south of Hillsdale are other important clay industries. There is the National Tile and Drain Works, an immense plant making mil- lions of brick and tile annually.
The church, lodge and school history of this part of the county is treated under regular chapter headings on these topics.
HIGHLAND.
What was known at a very early day as Highland was a hamlet one mile to the north of Hillsdale. and at one time had a population of one hundred and fifty. It was one of the oldest trading points in Vermillion county, har- ing been in pioneer stage-coach days a station on the route from Lafayette to Terre Haute. It had a postoffice for many years, but when Hillsdale sprung into existence, by reason of the railroads, the postal business and of- fice was transferred to the last named place, the name of the postoffice also being then changed.
SUMMIT GROVE.
This is a hamlet situated in Helt township. on the northwest quarter of section 26, and the northeast quarter of section 27, township 15, range 9 west. It was surveyed by A. Fitch. March 14. 1871. It now has a popula- tion of about eighty. It is a small station on the line of the Chicago & East- ern Illinois railroad. Here the first house was built by A. H. Depuy, in the early spring of 1872. The next was a residence for N. T. Leiton, built the same year. The first blacksmith shop was opened by Otho Chambers. In 1872 William Skidmore built his warehouse at this point, and it burned the same year, when another was erected by Leiton & Depuy. There is nothing of much commercial importance at Summit Grove.
THE TOWN OF DANA.
Dana, Cayuga and Newport all rank about the same in size and com- · mercial importance in Vermillion county. The population in 1910 was. Cayuga, 832; Dana, 748, and Newport, 732. In Dana, perhaps, there is a little more of the true spirit of modern enterprise exhibited than in the other two towns named.
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Geographically, Dana is situated two and a half miles east of the Illi- nois-Indiana state line, in Helt township. The records show that it was platted in section 26, township 16, range 10 west, by Samuel and J. B. Aik- man, Samuel B. Kaufman and H. B. Hammond, the date being August 18. 1874. It is also known that Samuel Aikman donated a half interest in forty acres of land, John B. Aikman a half interest in twenty acres, and Mr. Kauf- man a half interest in twenty acres. Besides this, these gentlemen donated one thousand five hundred dollars in cash. The land thus donated became the town plat.
Dana was the result of the construction of the railroad then known as the Indianapolis, Decatur & Springfield company, which later was known by various titles, and until 1912 was called the Cincinnati. Hamilton & Day- ton railroad, now the property of the Baltimore & Ohio company.
The first building was erected on the new town plat in 1875, a frame structure by W: M. Taylor, in which he kept a general store and the post- office. In a former description of Dana written in 1886, we find these words : "Dana is the most rapidly growing town in Vermillion county, com- prising a shrewd and enterprising class of business men, and surrounded by an unusually good agricultural country."
The town was incorporated in January, 1886. The first officers were: John Linn, president ; D. W. Finney and W. T. Davis, trustees; H. Wells, clerk; J. E. Bilsland, treasurer, and John Malone, marshal. At present the town officers are as follows: The board is made up of the president. B. F. Collier ; members, H. L. Fillinger, J. M. White, G. F. Green. A. H. Nicholes : Sanford Taylor, clerk and treasurer; Richard Russell, marshal ; school board, Oscar A. Adams. Bert Thompson. Dr. D. W. Jones.
In 1906-07 an electric light plant was installed, at a cost of $7.875. and it was burned in 1911, the insurance collected and a new plant built. Bonds were issued for this improvement running ten years, and now the town owes $5.000 on its outstanding bonds, which are payable one thousand dollars an- nually.
In 1912 a system of sewage was completed which consists of a twenty- four-inch tiling drain from the heart of town west six thousand feet, to a point along the railroad tracks where it empties into a large ditch. Its fall in this mile and a half is about eighteen feet. The expense of this recent improvement in Dana was about $5,610, of which $2.983 is yet unpaid. It is assessed up against the lot owners of the corporation, and they alone will be allowed to use the same.
The town hall of Dana is on Front street, built in 1900 at a cost of about
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PARKE AND VERMILLION COUNTIES, INDIANA.
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$1,400. The first floor is used for an engine house and the upper story for council rooms, etc. A town jail is in connection with this building. The fire company of Dana is a volunteer one, headed by Chief Albert Brooks. There are few fires in Dana. There are no public wells or cisterns, things greatly needed; however, they will soon be provided.
1912 BUSINESS INTERESTS.
In the month of December, 1912, the following were the business in- terests of the enterprising, clean and thriving town of Dana :
Attorneys-George D. Sunkel, J. P. York, Frank Smith, Ed. B. James. Banking-The First National Bank, and the State Bank of Dana.
Barber Shops-Lewis Brothers and H. N. Wheeler.
Blacksmiths-Charles Hutson, Carl Van Duyn, Lowrey & Mahan.
Coal Dealer-L. O. Osmon.
Dentist-W. M. Jones, D. D. S.
Dry Goods-William Rhoades & Son, Dar Andrews.
Department Store-M. F. Collier.
Dray Line-Nichols & Wallace.
Draper Acetylene Light Gas Machine Manufacturing Company.
Furniture-John W. Redman.
Groceries -- Messrs. Gudgel, Collier, Thomas Clark and B. F. Long. Grain-W. F. Gilbert & Son.
Garage-Charles Cooper.
Harness-Stanton Nichols, J. C. Hardy.
Hotel-Dana House, Thomas Smith.
Hardware-J. B. Fillinger & Son, J. C. Hardy, James Reed and Tomie Brothers.
· Jewelry-R. H. Manzey.
Lumber-R. W. Rowley & Son.
Livery-Messrs. Crawford, Gass, Thomas and Judd.
Millinery-Hattie Brown, Minnie Eaton.
Moving Pictures-Claude Malone.
Meat Market-J. G. Davis.
Newspaper-The News, by John Jordan.
Physicians-Drs. O. M. Keyes, Daniel S. Strong, G. C. Prichett, W. C. Myers.
Photographer-W. A. Smith
Theater-The Opera Hall, by Tomie Brothers.
Veterinaries-John Gass and two others.
CHAPTER XXIII.
HIGHLAND TOWNSHIP.
Highland is the extreme northern sub-division of Vermillion county. Its northern boundary is the line between Vermillion and Warren county. To the east is the Wabash river, marking the line between Vermillion and Parke counties. This, like the other four townships of this county, extends from the eastern to the western side of Vermillion county. It contains sixty square miles. In 1880 this township had a population of 2,433, and an assessed valuation of personal property amounting to $1,400,000. The United States census for 1910 gives the township a population of 1,845. 1n IgII the county records show that there was an assessed valuation of $2,- 465,000 in this township.
Perrysville, Rileysburg and Gessie are small towns and villages within this civil township. The "Big Four" railroad passes through the northwest- ern corner of Highland township. A further account of the towns and vil- lages appears elsewhere in this chapter.
The date of arrival of the pioneers to this part of Vermillion county is indicated by the years at the head of the following paragraphs :
1822-G. S. Hansicker, born in Virginia in 1792, died here about 1885. His son, H. C. Hansicker, was born in this county in 1832. George Hicks, a soldier of the Revolutionary war, was (some say ) a pioneer in this township, but possibly this is an error; he may have served in the war of 1812, for there is an account of George W. Hicks, a native of Massachusetts, born 1795, and who died here in 1878. Another settler of about 1822 was Jacob Hain, of Pennsylvania, born in 1799, and died in this county.
1823-David Goff, born in Connecticut in 1799, remained a resident here until his death, September 7, 1881. His brother Almond died here about 1867, and another brother, Brainard, moved to Laporte, Indiana, where he died. His son Philander, born in 1834 in this township, was still a resident here in the eighties. Another settler that year was Lemon Chenowith, who for many years resided at Perrysville, this township.
1824-John Chenowith settled on the Wabash, died in 1857. He was the father of Lemon, just mentioned, and also of Hiram, an older son.
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PARKE AND VERMILLION COUNTIES, INDIANA.
Thomas Chenowith was a member of the constitutional convention in 1850, and Isaac Chenowith was state senator in 1844-45. Isaac was born in Ken- tucky in 1794, arrived here in March, 1825, and died in April, 1856. William Chenowith, born in Ohio in 1823, was brought here in 1832 and always re- sided in this county. Solomon M. Jones, born in Tennessee in April, 1812, died March 15, 1887, leaving a family of ten children. He was a soldier in the Black Hawk war. John N. Jones, Sr., was born in September, 1809, came here at a very early date, was a partner of J. F. Smith in milling and merchandising business for many years, and died here in June, 1874. Will- iam Skinner, from Ohio, came in 1824, and died a few years later. His son Norman was born in Ohio in 1816, and died here about 1880. Thomas Wright, who it is said brought the first hogs into Vermillion county, was a settler that year, also. One of his oxen dying, he cultivated his first crop of corn with a single ox. Milton Wright was born here in 1832. Both he and his brother Stephen were the sons of Thomas Wright.
1825-John Fultz, above Perrysville, settled here and died many years later. His sons were John, Andrew and William V., all long since deceased. Also Allen Rodgers, from New Hampshire, died in Iowa or Wisconsin many years ago. J. M. Rodgers, his son, born in New Hampshire in 1815, died here in the spring of 1887.
1826-James Blair, who had first settled in Eugene township, died at Perrysville, May 11, 1861, aged seventy-nine years. Robert D. Moffatt, born in New Jersey in 1812, for many years a merchant at Perrysville, at which place he retired in 1874. David Beauchamp, in range 10, had a large family and died about 1873. John W. Beauchamp was born in Ohio in 1821; An- drew, his brother, born in 1828 in this county, removed to Illinois. Hiram Shaw, born in Ohio in 1805; E. G. Shaw, born in this county in 1830, was still living in 1887.
1827-Benjamin Whittenmyer, born in Pennsylvania in 1799, died in 1879. The parents of Harvey Hunt, who was born in Indiana in 1820, was an old pioneer and a most excellent citizen. William Fleshman also was a settler of 1827. His son Amos, still living in 1888, was born in Indiana in 1822.
1828-Jonas Metzger, a soldier of the war of 1812, from Ohio, died here February 9, 1872, aged seventy-eight years. He first located in Eugene township, and in Highland in 1833. Constantine Hughes, from Virginia. His son Ehud, born in Virginia in 1817, was still living here in 1888. Israel, William and John Hughes were pioneers of Coal Branch country.
1829-William Nichols, born in Virginia in 1809, was still residing here
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in 1887. Moses, Charles and Daniel Bowman, from Virginia. Daniel re- mained here until his death and Charles died in the West. J. S. Stutler, born in Ohio, settled here and died in this township. Ezekiel Sanders, born in Virginia in 1827, died July 10, 1875. He first settled in Eugene town- ship, and later moved to Highland.
1830-Richard Shute, father of Daniel, John and Ephraim, settled this year in Highland township. Elisha N. Reynolds, born in Maryland in 1804, died in this township in the eighties. G. H. Reynolds, born in 1835. was an old and honored resident of this township in 1887. John Tate, born in Ohio in 1807, survived until the nineties. Thomas J. Mitchell, born in Ohio in 1808, resided many years at Perrysville. James A. Prather, born in Ken- tucky in 1814, died here in 1886. Another settler of 1830 was Joseph Briner, of Perrysville.
1831-Herbert Ferguson, born in Virginia in September, 1799, died here January 26, 1877. Ephraim Betzer, from Ohio, came in previous to 1831. Jacob Betzer was born in 1805 in Ohio, died about 1883. Aaron Bet- zer moved to the far West.
1832-Captain Andrew Dennis, a boatman, born in New Jersey in 1801, died in. Danville, Illinois, in the early eighties. John Hoobler, a United Brethren minister, born in Pennsylvania in 1801, died in Illinois. William Trosper, born in Kentucky in 1808, died in this township in December, 1886. Nehemiah Cossey, from Maryland, came first to Parke county and in 1832 to this county; died long ago. His son Peter, born in that state in 1812, is also deceased. Fielding Rabourn, born in Kentucky in 1815, died here in the eighties. William H. Carithers from Ohio, long since died in this township: he was the father of Jonathan, Frank and Henry, all living in the county in 1887. William Callihan, a potter by trade, moved from Ohio, settled here and later removed to Danville. M. B. Carter, who was county recorder in 1887 in this county, was born in 1832.
1833-J. F. Will, William P., Thomas H., G. H. and David Smith, from Virginia, all became settlers this year. Thomas Gouty came 1832 or 1833, died June 10, 1863, aged sixty-one years. His son Elias was born in this township in 1833. Henry Gouty may have settled in the township two or three years later; he died in 1864. David Gouty was the son of Henry and Rebecca Gouty. John S. Kilpatrick, a miller, born in Kentucky in 1812, lived at Gessie for a time, and moved to Danville, where he died. Norman Cade died soon after his arrival in the township. His son David later re- moved from this county. Jacob Givens, born in Virginia in 1815, died in this township. The same year came James Hansen, father of Smith Hansen.
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