USA > Indiana > Pike County > History of Pike and Dubois counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, with biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc. : together with an extended history of the Northwest, the Indiana Territory, and the state of Indiana > Part 51
USA > Indiana > Dubois County > History of Pike and Dubois counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, with biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc. : together with an extended history of the Northwest, the Indiana Territory, and the state of Indiana > Part 51
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HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
Monroe, B. W. Armstrong, A. M. Thomas, John W. Harington and I. B. Crecelis. The lodge has been reasonably prosperous, and now has a membership of thirty. In 1870 a hall was built at a cost of about $1,800. It is all paid for, and there is money in the treasury besides. The present officers are W. H. H. Green, W. M .; A. J. Vest, S. W .; R. F. Milburn, J. W .; W. T. Cooper, secretary, and J. W. Lemmon, treasurer.
The Odd Fellows lodge was organized May 15, 1875, by Byron Brenton, of Pike County, and had these officers: J. H. Armstrong, N. G .; B. F. Langford, V. G .; James Corn, record- ing secretary; Aaron C. Ferguson, permanent secretary, and Heninan Haskins, treasurer Other members were Charles Hor- ton, R. A. Armstrong, Elfjah and S. H. Stewart and Thomas Anderson. The lodge has been prosperous, and now has a good hall. The present members are M. T. and W. R. Anderson, E. 'W. Crosier, Thomas Harris, L. E. Horton, W. L. Britton, Thomas Anderson, G. W. Haskins, L, L. and E. V. Cooper, J. H. Arm- strong, Edward and Winfield Sweeny. The officers are I. L. Hardin, N. G .; G. L. Parr, V. G .; Parks Campbell, recording secretary ; Elijah Stewart, permanent secretary: Harvey Stewart. treasurer.
Birdseye .- The town of Birdseye was laid out January 24, 1880, and at that time consisted of 33 lots in Section 25, Town- ship 2 south, Range 3 west, along the Air Line Railroad. The proprietors were Martha J. and Enoch E. Inman, Mary M. and E. H. Baxter, John G. and Sarah J. Pollard, and Scott Austin. The acknowledgment was made before Allen Cox, justice of the peace.
The first merchants were Peter Newton and George Alvey, partners, who began business in 1872, while the railroad was be- ing constructed. A year after Newton became sole owner, and a a little later moved to Anderson City, thus leaving Birdseye with- out a merchant. In 1876 E. H. Baxter began a small business, which kept increasing until 1882, when he sold to John T. Bundy, who is now doing a large trade. Baxter began again, and his successor, George F. Atkins, is still engaged in trade. In 1882 A. J. and C. J. Hubbard began a merchandise business, which they are still conducting. Herman and Augustus Koerner began in 1884, but the firm has changed and is now composed of .
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HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
William Koerner and Frank Zimmer. The druggists have been J. M. Sanders, who began in 1882 and a year later sold to W. H. Farver, who has continued ever since. C. J. Mayfield began in 1884. The confectioners are John I. King, Jacob Swartz, John Hubbs and E. T. Lovelette. The building of the railroad has opened up a large lumber business along its line. One of the principal points for this class of trade is Birdseye. The first planing-mill was started by Bundy Bros., in the early part of 1883, and they have done a large and prosperous trade ever since. Heber Ingle has conducted a lumber yard since 1872, and in ad- dition has controlled several saw-mills in this vicinity. His bus- iness is extensive. Staves have been manufactured by Hubbard Bros. since 1882, Koerner Bros. since 1883, and Gibson & Mc- Donald since 1884. Glassford & Co. do a lumber trade, and are engaged in a large railroad tie business. Thomas A. King was made the first postmaster about 1846, and he continued to hold that place until his death in 1873. His wife, Martha J. King, was his successor, and since then James Kellams, E. H. Baxter and John T. Bundy have held the office. Three hotels, 1 livery, 1 millinery store, 2 physicians, 3 saloons and several smaller stores, and mechanics of various kinds combine to make Birdseye a thriving town.
E. R. Hawn Post No. 266 of the G. A. R. was chartered De- cember 28, 1883, with the following members: E. R. Huff, Com .; S. M. Nash, Sr., Vice-Com .; E. H. Baxter, Jr., Vice-Com .; Joseph F. Faulkner, Thompson Garland, Daniel H. Burt, Abraham B. Tower, John W. Mason, E. E. Inman, Robert McMahel and Fred Miller. The present officers are: E. H. Baxter, Commander; J. W. Jacobs, Sr., Vice-Com .; and Robert McMahel, Jr., Vice-Com. This post now has thirty-two members and is flourishing.
Birdseye Lodge I. O. O. F. No. 604 was chartered October 2, 1883, with the following members: William Chamberlain, N. G .; Joseph Brown, V. G .; J. W. Jacobs, secretary ; A. Pecou, treasurer ; George W. Sigler, E. H. Baxter, and C. M. Parks. The lodge is in good standing financially and has a membership of twenty-two. The present officers are C. M. Parks, N. G., E. H. Baxter, V. G., H. W. Farver, secretary ; J. O. Nash, treasurer. In the fall of 1883 steps were taken that finally brought about the incorporation of Birdseye. The first meeting of the board of trustees was on the
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HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
26th of December of that year. The members were H. Koerner, Enoch E. Inman and John O. Nash. Alonzo W. Pinnick was town treasurer; C. J. Mayfield, clerk, and Samuel B. Miller, mar- shal. In May, 1884, the following were elected: William Koer- ner, C. J. Mayfield and Edward Wells, trustees; A. W. Pinnick, treasurer; G. F. Atkins, clerk, and Thomas Moore, marshal. In 1885: W. E. Wells, John G. Pollard and W. N. Koerner, trus- tees; A. W. Pinnick, treasurer; S. B. Moore, clerk; and Jacob Harmon, marshal. But little business has as yet been done by the town board. A lock-up has recently been ordered, and the streets are receiving most of the attention of the authorities.
Schnellville .- About the year 1864 Henry Schnell began doing a merchandise trade at this place. It is situated ou Section 16, Township 2 south, Range 3 west, and near the northern boundary of Jefferson Township. Schnell continued in trade for some time. In the latter part of the seventies he built a grist and saw-mill at the place, which did much for the village. His two sons are now operating it. Joseph E. Bohart is now the only merchant at the place and does a good trade. The first smith was David Wirsing and the present one is Joseph C. Streigel. Dr. J. R. Railing settled there about 1868 and stayed four years. Dr. O. B. Grey came soon after Railing and remained about five years. The third physician was Joseph F. Faulkner, who practiced there from 1873 to 1883, and then moved to Birdseye. Others have been David Younger, John Denbo and John P. Salb, the last now there. William Seiler does a good business at wagon-making. The shoe-makers are Joseph Brosmer and Henry Gress. A fur- niture store is owned by Matthew Nye. Schnellville is in a very good agricultural district and for a small place it is said to do a thriving trade.
Bretzville .- The first settler at the site of this hamlet was William Bretz, a father of the present William Bretz, who located there in 1850. The town was laid out by him in 1866 or 1867. About the same time John M. Deindorfer and Martin Friedman opened a store, but the firm was shortly afterward changed to Deindorfer & Shorts. In the year 1848 Phillip Frick, Sr., and George F. Schurz opened a store about one mile east of Bretzville. Frick's widow came into the village in 1878 and has conducted a store ever since. She has but a small stock of goods. The post-
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HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
office was established in 1866 with Matthew Schmidt, postmaster. His successors have been William Bretz, Phillip M. Frick and J. M. Deindorfer. In November, 1882, the office was suspended but was re-established in January, 1884, with Rev. George F. Englehardt the officer. They now have a daily mail. For sev- eral years William Bretz ran a wagon and blacksmith shop, but he has now practically retired. The schoolhouse was built in 1880. The first teacher was James Murray and the present is George F. Englehardt.
Haysville .- It is said the first settler at the site of Haysville was Joseph Kelso, who came in the year 1816, at least that is the date he entered laud in the county. The records show that Willis Hays bought land in this vicinity in 1818, and it is for him that the town was named. The town is said to have been laid out in 1835 by Moses Kelso, and it is located on Section 25, Township 1 north, Range 5 west. It is in one of the earliest settled portions of the county. Willis Hays was the first merchant and probably began some time early in the twenties. He was one of the prom- inent early settlers and was for several years associate judge. Moses Kelso was for many years a leading citizen of Haysville and was largely interested in its commercial prosperity and was for a while probate judge of the county. About 1840 he had a wool carding-machine, which he kept in operation for nearly a decade. Other merchants of the place have been Johnson & Mahan, Gibson Brown, Elias & Clinton Bruner, James S. Brace, Mr. Shaffer, Leherberger & Kahn and the present merchants, the Rudolph Brothers. The first hotel was kept by Gibson Brown and then came James S. Brace. William McDonald kept tavern not far from where Haysville now stands in 1812. A blacksmith named Hatch was the first to locate here and he was succeeded by a man named Meyers, father-in-law of George Keifner, the pres- ent, and for many years past, the village smith. The pioneer physician was a Dr. Spore who probably came some time in the thirties. He was succeeded by William Sherritt and since then several have practiced for a time. For the last sixteen years Dr. DeMott has been the cure-all or kill-all for the community. A harness shop, a shoe shop and two hotels and saloons constitute the balance of the business interests of the place.
Hillham .- For a third of a century Hillham has been a trad-
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HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY
Meg point. John A. Wininger began doing a general trade in 1550, and continued several years. Solomon Williams opened a small dry goods and grocery store about the year 1863, and re- tained until 1>75. The next merchants were Dr. Walker & Bro., w ho carried on a general merchandising business for about one year and were burned out. Soon after, or about the year 1966. Freeman & MeCarroll opened quite an extensive business. They did not contante it very long, but about three years later .J. B. Freeman became the sole owner of a general store. but ceased about 1875. Not long after, he began again in the name of John Price, in which manner it was conducted about two years, and then passed into the bands of MeCarrell Bros. In 1877. Dr. William A. Line put t' a small stock of drugs, and he has from time to time enlarged his business, unti! he now does the leading business in dry goods, groceries and general merchandising. He also practices medi- eine, and was the first physician in the place where be located in 1-65. Other doctors have been William Walker, Mr. Courtney. Joel S. Blackman and Charles W. Newland who has been there Save los0. The town of Hillham is located on Section 13, Town- ship I north. Range : west. It is the extreme northeast corner of Columbia Township and Dubois County. A Masonic lodge was organized there in 1>75, and among its charter members wore James B. Freeman. William M. Hoggart. John W. Sim- mons. James R. Wininger and Willis A. Charnes. The charter was surrendered in 1952. The postoffice was established in 1860, inid the following persons have been postmasters: Solomon W. Williams, William A. Line, J. B. Freeman. John N. Howe, James Braden. J. S. Blackman and C. W. Newland. From the number of physicians that have occupied it one would think the office in bad health.
Porterstille. This town has the distinction of having been the first capital of Dubois County, and consequently dates its begin- ning almost with th tranization of the county. It is said to have been named b . thar Harbison on account of some favorite relative. The land strchased of the Government in 1>14 by Jacob Lemmon. pleasant situation upon the east fork of White River. was doubtless a prominent reason why it was se- leted for a county seat. One of the earliest. if not the very first to engage in a mercantile trade was Thomas Brooks. The exact
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HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
date of his coming to the place is not known, but he was there very early. Another was George H. Proffit who did business there early in the twenties. He was a man afterward well known, and a member of Congress. Jacob Bixler was in trade there about 1826, and for a few years later. Others were Daniel Harris, Edward Patton, Dr. Porter, Gibson Brown and William Hallowell. The present merchants are the Rudolph Brothers, who have been there about twelve years and do a thriving trade. Hugh S. Wil- son was the first physician and remained for several years enjoy- ing the high opinion of all. Dr. A. B. McCrillis was located there for a time. Dr. Hunter now attends to the sick in the com- munity.
CHAPTER VII.
F.STORY OF EDUCATION IN THE COUNTY, BEING A TREATISE ON PIONEER AND MODERN SCHOOL TEACHERS, AND METHODS OF INSTRUCTION AND CORRECTION, AND GIVING MANY DATES, NAMES, ANECDOTES AND STATISTICS.
THE Dubois County schools are fully up to the average of L schools in the State generally. One of the State's prominent ators has said that the schoolhouse is the unerring sign of civ- 1 ... tion, a statement that none will have the presumption to con- tradict. Beginning almost with the earliest settlers, the schools of the county have kept ready pace with those in any other part of the State. Concerning the early schools, information is scanty, and what little there is, of such a doubtful nature as to impress the searcher with its traditionary make-up. The first schools were of the subscription kind, and the houses were of the primi- tive style, in accordance with the moderate means and condition of the patrons. The buildings were made of logs, and the furni- ture was correspondingly rude. They were usually built by the citizens gathering at the appointed place by agreement, and each. individual donated his time to the common cause. The early churches were often used as schoolhouses, and nearly as often the prer cher and teacher were one.
The State constitution of 1816 provided in a measure for th
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HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
maintenance of public schools. Under it all fines assessed for any breach of the penal laws, and money paid as an equivalent by persons exempt from military duty, except in time of war, were to be applied to the support of county seminaries in the county wherein they were assessed. This money was held in trust by a seminary trustee, appointed at first by the governor of the State, afterward by the board of county commissioners, and later elected by the people at a general election. These seminaries were incor- porated by the State Legislature at various times, whenever the amount of the funds in the county would warrant it.
If Dubois County ever had a seminary under this law, the old- est inhabitants now living have forgotten it, and what county records now exist contain no mention of it. The probabilities are that there was one, although if so, it was at an early date, for the immigration to Jasper and vicinity of Catholics yearly decreased the prospects for such a school at the county seat, where they were usually kept.
The congressional township system originated with the act of Congress to enable the people of Indiana Territory to form a State government, approved April 19, 1816. That act provides that Section 16 in every township should be granted to the inhab- itants for the use of public schools. Dubois County contains ten of these sections. Soon after the organization of the State gov- ernment, the Legislature provided for the appointment of a super- intendent of these lands in each township. These officers had power to lease the school lands for a term of years, and the rents and profits were to be applied to the support of schools. The revised statutes of 1824 contain a law entitled an "Act to incor- porate congressional townships, and providing for public schools therein." This was the first effective law toward establishing a vigorous system of public schools. It authorized the inhabitants of each township to elect three school trustees, who were to have control of the school lands and schools generally, with power to divide their townships into districts, and appoint sub-trustees therefor. These trustees also examined teachers in regard to their ability to teach reading, writing and arithmetic. School- houses were to be built by the labor of all able-bodied male per- sons of the age of twenty-one years or more, residing in the dis- trict. The penalty for failure to work was 37g cents for each day
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HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
of failure. These houses were to be right feet between Hoor- and at least one foot from the ground to the first floor. and til i-hed in a manner calculated to render both teacher and scholar- comfortable.
This was the beginning of the district school system and many of the townships organized at once. preparatory to the march of education. Some, however, delayed this important protecting for many years. A Few were soon in the minket with then hel hoping to do more effective service with the cash than with the soil. Under this law the establishment and organization of school- went ou but slowly. The reason of this was that the schools wes to be established until the wish of the inhabitants to that effer; was declared by vote. In addition to this delet the progress of the district school system was retarded by a want of salliagent funds. The wages of teachers everdad but little the cost of life's necessities and the terms were soldom more than this months in duration. The public money was not sufficient to nur! all demands, and the deficientes was supplied by rate bills lesind upon the pupils During these early years the question whether it is unjust to tax for the support of schools those having no children. was often discussed and the negative advocated bs many. This. however, has at last been determined and the policy of the State definitely settled in Favor of taxing all t- citizens for the support of counnon school -.
In June. 1536, the Congress of the United States passed a law distributing the surplus revenue, then in the national tror- ury, among the several States. The State Legislature approval an act February 7. 1537. for the division of Indiame's share of this revenue among the several counties for the use of the com- mon schools. The share of Dubois County was something ave! $4.000. The Legislature appointed agents of this found in quel county, whose duties were to loan it out and see that the proper security and other requisitos were complied with. This land is- gradually increased and its interest is now one of the large item- of school revenue.
In addition to these sources of revenue for schools of the State there are several others. Besides the sixteenth sections. all saline lands throughout the State were reserved for the same pur pose. These lands ordered to be sold about the year 1:31
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HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
or 1832, and the proceeds were united into what has ever since been known as the saline fund. The bank tax fund was another source of considerable magnitude. But the largest of these and most fruitful source of revenue, the congressional township fund alone, perhaps excepted. is the sinking fund, originally derived from the State's profits in the old State banks. All of these, ex- cept the congressional township, have been united and are known as the common school fund.
The pioneer schools deserve a passing notice. By this term s meant those early schools that were established and maintained without any aid from public funds. These schools were generally loud schools, which means that the pupils were not required to prepare their lessons quietly, but that each one had the privilege of repeating it in whatever tone of voice best suited him; indeed, in some cases, it seemed that a premium was set upon noise and that he who could make the loudest noise did the best. The studies usually pursued in these schools were, reading, writing, spelling and sometimes arithmetic. The recitations were heard one pupil at a time, and in the general noise and confusion, read- ing and spelling were, no doubt, difficult to recite. Webster's spelling book and the New Testament were the most common text books. Writing was learned from copies set by the teacher, with a goose-quill pen. When a pupil wanted assistance on a difficult problem, he took it to the teacher, who looked over it until he found an incorrect figure which he marked, and then re- turned the slate to the waiting scholar without comment or ex- planation. One rule that survived for many years and defeated all attempts at classification was, that he who was first at school in the morning, should recite first during the day. The sessions were much longer than at the present, and are said by some to have lasted from "sun-up to sun-down," but that seems improba- ble. There was no regular hour for opening school in the morn- ing, but when a pupil arrived, he was compelled to take his seat and commence the study of his lessons. There was no recess in those days, and no time for relaxation except at the noon "play- time," which was usually spent by the teacher in making of mending goose-quill pens, in which art all teachers were from ne- cessity skilled.
The schools followed closely the course of the early settle-
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HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
ments, and where we find the first settlers, there, too, we find the first schools. One of the earliest teachers, if not the very first, was Simon Morgan, a man that for the first thirty years of the county's existence, occupied an important place in its history. It is probable that an early school was taught in the McDonalds' neighborhood, and also one not far from the present site of Ire- land, before the organization of Dubois County. Upon the es- tablishment of the county seat at Portersville, a school was be- gun there by Simon Morgan, and kept in the old log court house that is yet standing. He was then, and for many years after, county recorder. When the capital of the county was changed to Jasper, he continued his pedagogic avocations while perform- ing the duties of a public officer. Here again the court house was used for a schoolhouse. In the vicinity of Haysville was an early school. The house was built a short distance east of the present village, about 1820, and Moses Kelso was for several years the principal teacher there. Others taught there, however, during the decade of the twenties, and the school was kept up several years later than that. Early in the twenties a school was taught in the neighborhood of Shiloh Church in Madison Township. A man named Sweeney was the teacher. The house was of the typical pioneer sort. with one log out for a window. The fire-place was surrounded by a dirt hearth and the chimney was made of sticks in the old fashioned way. Another teacher at that place was a man named Claussin. That house would pre- sent a considerable contrast beside the new school building erected at Ireland, in 1884, at a cost of about $1,800. The town has a graded school with two teachers. Near Alexander Ell's, or Patoka, was another early school in this portion of the county.
In Jefferson Township schools were established about 1820 One of the most prominent of these was kept at the old Jubilee meeting-house on the farm then owned by John Hill. Samuel Howard and Thomas Hill were teachers there during the early part of the decade of the twenties. The patrons of this school at its start were the families of Cox, Hill, Gobbel, Reed, Shoemaker, Collins and others.
In the neighborhood of Huntingburgh therehad been but few schools prior to the location of the town there. When Jacob Gei- ger laid out the town, he gave a lot for the benefit of the schools and churches, and at his own expense built a house for those pur-
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HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
poses. It was of hewed logs, and was built on the lot where the grist-mill now stands. The first teacher was a man named Pike. At the house of Jacob Blemker another school was taught by .a Polander named Mody. Such was the beginning of the Hunt- ingburgh schools,and they have prospered with the town from that day to this. On the 1st of May, 1872, an ordinance was passed by the town board, authorizing the sale of bonds to the amount of $5,000 for the purpose of building a schoolhouse. They were to be made payable in one to ten years, and to bear interest at the rate of 6 per cent. The school board at that time consisted of Henry Dufendach, E. R. Brundick and Dr. Isaac Beeler. The schoolhouse was erected and is a substantial brick, two stories high. The school is probably the best in the county, and has a total of five teachers. Instructions are given in all the common school branches, and a high school course has been added. The present board of school trustees is composed of Dr. W. R. Mc- Mahan, C. C. Klein and Chris Konrumpf.
In many portions of the county the Catholic schools have almost superseded the public schools, and in almost as many places the public money has been spent in supporting them. This pro- ceeding has in some instances been opposed by some of the peo- ple, but as it is a country where the majority rules, the Catholics have been successful in maintaining their position and the funds. The Catholic schools will be noticed in connection with the churches.
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