History of Randolph County, Indiana with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers : to which are appended maps of its several townships, Part 20

Author: Tucker, Ebenezer
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : A.L. Klingman
Number of Pages: 664

USA > Indiana > Randolph County > History of Randolph County, Indiana with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers : to which are appended maps of its several townships > Part 20

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).

road northwest from Greenville (Connor's old trace to his trad- ing post ) by Daniel B. Miller's to Lewallyn's Mill. This was not opened and worked till 1832. February 2, 1832, the Legis- lature passed an act appointing Daniel B. Miller Commissioner to lay out a State road from the State line (same point as the thirteenth road) to Parson's Mill, thence to Lewallyn's Mill, thence to intersect the Miamisport road, near Sanders', in Delaware County. Judge Miller appointed me his surveyor, and in Aug- ust or September, 1832, we began the survey.

We started where Connor's trace crossed the State line, a lit- tle north of Union City, went nearly straight to the east side of Deerfield, thence to Parsons' Mill, half mile below Deerfield, thence to Lewallyn's Mill, near Ridgeville, thence onward be- yond Emmettsville, keeping in a straight line to Sanders' in Delaware County, passing north of Fairview. The county road from the State line to Lewallyn's Mill was merged in this State road. The road remains substantially as we laid it out, having on it Middletown, Deerfield, Ridgeville and Emmettsville."

Of the "Quaker Trace " Mr. Smith says (among other things ): " One Baker settled at the Wabash Crossing and kep. entertainment many years, as also a canoe for crossing the river. It was a prominent point for a long time." A Mr. Storms set- tled very early near the Mississinewa Crossing. But at first and for some years there were none anywhere on the route except a single house on Thomson's Prairie, as already stated.

[ NOTE Mr. Smith says the "Quaker Trace " was opened in 1818 or 1819. The Bowens say in 1817; which date is correct we do not know. The Bowens are more likely to be right, since they lived on the route, and one of them helped to make the "trace."

BRIDGES.

Probably at first the large streams was crossed by ferds.

The first road (through Lynn) crossed White River in its upper course about a mile north of (old) Snow Hill, and the East Branch of Green's Fork, south of Lynn. The road west to Wind- sor crossed Cabin Creek near Solomon Wright's, and Stony Creek cast of Windsor. The road north toward Deerfield crossed White River north of Winchester, and Mississinewa north of Deerfield.

The State road from Greenville to Winchester crossed Green- ville Creek east of Bartonia, and White River east of Nathaniel Kemp's.

The road from Losantville to Windsor would probably cross Little White River.

HISTORY OF RANDOLPHI COUNTY.

The large bridges ( if any were built ) would needs be in the north part of the county, since the large streams were all there.

There are now several large bridges, some of which are of iron. A bridge crosses the Mississinewa in connection with the Allensville pike running north. Another one is south of New Pittsburg. There is one north of Deerfield, one at Ridgeville and one at Fairview, besides one or two between the two places last named.

There is a bridge across White River east of Winchester, and one on each of the pikes leading thence to Union City, one across White River northwest of Winchester, one still west of that, one south of Farmland, and one near Parker. There is a large bridge across Stony Creek east of Windsor on the Winchester Pike. There are, of course, bridges innumerable across the sev- eral creeks that course through the county in various directions.

Some of the streams are still crossed by fords, as Cabin Creek just west of Unionsport, Greenville Creek northeast of Bartonia ( between Elihu Cammack's and William Macy's ), Salt Creek northwest of Winchester, Mississinewa east of Ridgeville, and perhaps many other places.

BRIDGES IN RANDOLPH COUNTY.

Iron bridge at Fairview, across Mississinewa River, old, Sec- tion 4, 21, 12, not substantial.

Iron bridge at Ridgeville, Section 12, 21, 12.

Iron bridge over White River, near Stephen Moorman's, on the line between 15 and 16, 20, 13.

Bridge south of Farmland, over White River, between 19, 20, 13 and 24, 20, 12.

Bridge south of Parker, 29, 20, 12, over White River.

Bridge north of Deerfield, over Mississinewa, between 8 and 9, 21, 14.

Bridge west of Ridgeville, over Mississinewa, between 10 and 11, 21, 13.

Bridge north of Aliensville, over Mississinewa, between 9 and 10, 21, 15.

Bridge south of Pittsburg, over Mississinewa, between 12, 21, 14, and 7, 21, 15.

Bridge west of Harrisville, over White River, between 13, 20, 14 and 18, 20, 15.

Bridge cast of Winchester, Section 35, 20, 14. over White River.

Bridge northwest of Winchester, over White River.

Bridge near Maxville, 20, 20, 13 (probably down at present). Bridge north of Winchester, over White River, 17, 20, 14.

Bridge east of Ridgeville (gone), between 17 and 18, 21, 14. Bridge north of Steubenville, over Mississinewa, between 11 and 12, 21, 12.

Bridge southeast of Winchester, over White River, on Green - ville State road.

Bridge over Stony Creek, near Windsor, on the Winchester Pike.

Bridge over Greenville Creek at State line, 24, 17, 1.

Bridge over Greenville, east of Bartonia, 26, 17, 1.

Bridge over Cabin Creek, west of Maxville, 23, 20, 12.

Ford over Greenville Creek, northeast of Bartonia.

Ford over Mississinewa, east of Ridgeville.

Ford over Cabin Creek, west of Unionsport.

IRON BRIDGES IN RANDOLPH COUNTY, 1881.

1. Over Salt Creek in Winchester, on Franklin street.

2. Across Mississinewa, at Ridgeville.

3. Across White River, south of Parker.

4. Across White River, five miles west of Winchester, near Stephen Moorman's.

5. Across Mississinewa, at Fairview. This is the first iron bridge in the county ; built in 1868.

Road work has been heretofore done under the direction of Supervisors chosen for each road district, each man -between

eigliteen and forty-five having to work the road. A law passed the Legislature of 1880-1881 making important and radical changes, putting the roads into the hands of a new officer styled Township Superintendent. The law goes practically into effect April, 1882, since no Superintendent can be appointed until that time.

MILLS, MACHINERY, ETC.

As to mills, etc., before 1820, we have not been able to gain any certain or exact information. There were some mills built on Nolan's and Green's Forks ( as, also, some horse-mill corn- crackers and hominy-pounders ).

William Smith, father of Hon. Jeremiah Smith, built a mill in 1819, on West River. Meshach Lewallyn built one at Ridgeville on Mississinewa, about the same time. Jere Cox erected one on White River, some miles cast of Winchester, in 1825. Jessop had a mill on Greenville Creek as soon as 1820 or before. Aaron Hill's father, as also a Mr. Hawkins, in the region of Arba, liad hominy-pounders, and perhaps, corn- crackers, run by horse-power, shortly after the first settlers came. However, Aaron Hill's father came to this county in 1831.

Jesse Way says he thinks the first water mill in the county was built by John Wright, on Salt Creek, just north of Win- chester, in 1818 or 1819.

But to find exact dates, and to determine the locations of those early mills, has been a difficult, and in many cases an im- possible task. In the statement herein given, locality has been followed rather than priority of date; and no doubt many, after all the labor expended in the work, have been omitted.

WATER-MILLS.

A mill was built at (just below) Macksville by Robert Cox about thirty-two years ago (1848). It is now owned by Roberts & Goode. It is a good (grist) mill, and does a thriving business.

At the mouth of Cabin Creek Mr. Bunker built a saw-mill very early. Afterward John H. Bond rebuilt the saw-mill and added a grist-mill. William Roberts bought and rebuilt the mill soon after 1854. It is standing yet and is owned by Dick & Cewgill.

Roberts put in steam, but the mill is now run by water alone. The saw-mill has been removed but the grist-mill does a good business.

Up Cabin Creek (three-quarters of a mile) is another grist- mill; Jacob Boles built one on that site very early. Afterward it was rebuilt by Peter S. Miller (from Bucks County, Penn.), and again by William Marine (about) 1844. It was owned by John II. Bond and Solomon Wright, and now by Studebaker. Steam was used at one time but now water alone. A portable saw- mill was there once but it has been taken away. The mill now has a good reputation for work.

Just above that (also on Cabin Creek), William Marine had built another mill (about) 1839. Ile at one time owned both these mills (called Marine's upper and lower mills). The upper one has gone down.

While Marine was running both these mills, Nathan Menden- hall undertook to build still another mill between Marine's upper dam and the lower mill connected with that dam. He built his dam, dug the race, got the timber on the ground but finally he stopped. Why we do not know, for one would think a man might as well go clear through as to begin such a job as that. It is a pity he had not put to actual test the project of running a water- mill without water !

Two miles above (on Cabin Creek still) stood Mendenhall's (lower) mill, built before 1840. It has been rebuilt once or twice, and was discontinued not long ago. The works were taken to Parker, and the mill is in operation there now.

A mile above was Mendenhall's upper mill, built by Nathan Mendenhall (father of the one mentioned above), at a very early day.

HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY.

The mill was rebuilt by his son Hiram. It has since been changed into a woolen factory, and is now used as such. It is at Unionsport, and is run by both water and steam. It has had a good reputation, and with the requisite capital a fine business might be maintained.

A saw-mill was built by William Davison before 1829. It was running up to 1852, but was discontinued soon after.

Thomas Gillum built a " corn-cracker " one-fourth of a mile south of Buena Vista, one of the first water-mills in the county. It was gone long ago.

Below Macksville mill (on White River), Mr. Spiller built a saw-mill (about) 1850. It was rebuilt by David Harris. The mill was running five years ago, but is gone now.

On Sparrow Creek, a saw-mill was erected (before the Macks- ville grist-mill was built) by Morgan Mills. He used to saw day and night. He would set his log and start the saw, and then lie down and take a nap. When the saw got through the log, the snapping of the trigger would wake him up, and he would set the log again. That mill went down twenty-five years or more ago. Robert Cox rebuilt the mill and used it to saw the lumber for the mill he built (at Macksville) on White River.

Noah Johnson built a grist-mill on Sparrow Creek at the crossing of the Huntsville and Sampletown road, southeast of Macksville, very early, about the same time as Gillum's mill on Cabin Creek there was also a saw-mill. Both have been gone many years (twenty-five years or more).

James Clayton built a saw-mill on "Eight Mile Creek " above Macksville. That mill quit sawing before 1830.

Lewallyn's grist-mill on the Mississinewa near Ridgeville, was built (say) 1819 or 1820. It was afterward owned by Will- iam Addington, and then by his son Joab Addington, afterward by Addington & House. Still again by Arthur McKew, and now by Whipple. It goes by water and steam both, and is an extensive and valuable establishment, having done a large busi- ness for many years.

Frederick Miller had a grist-mill and saw-mill on Bear Creek, three miles southwest of Ridgeville, perhaps forty years ago. They have been gone many years.

On Bear Creek, Josiah Bundy and Jacob Horn once had a saw-mill. It did not do much.

The old Sampletown Mill between Macksville and Winches- ter, just east of the "twelve-mile boundary," was built very early, but has been gone a long time. Some of the old timbers are to be seen yet.

Jere Cox built a grist-mill above Winchester on White River in 1825, on the farm now owned by William Pickett. Jo- seph and Benjamin Pickett built a saw-mill, William Pickett in 1853 purchased the place and both mills. They were operated till about 1864, and were torn down in 1870. Mr. Pickett says there were five dry years (from 1864 to 1869), in which the water was so low that the mills could not run, and they were left to go to wreck, and were taken away in 1870.

Parsons had a grist-mill on Mississinewa one- half mile below Deerfield before 1832.

Jessup had a " corn-cracker " on Greenville Creek, north of Spartanburg before 1820.

A grist-mill used to stand on Greenville Creek northwest of the Griffis farm in Wayne Township. It was there in 1850, but has been gone many years. The timbers are there still.

A Mr. Hinchy had a saw-mill and grist-mill on the Missis- sinewa, east of Allensville, in the early settlement of Jackson Township, which were somewhat important for several years.

There are some mills (one or more), on Mississinewa, near Fairview.

John Wright is said to have had a corn-cracker water-mill on Salt Creek, north of Winchester, thought by some to have been the first water-mill in the county. Jesse Way says Wrights mill was built in 1818 or 1819.

Joshua Bond, uncle to Benjamin Bond, long of Washington

Township, had an oil mill (perhaps the only one in the county), as, also, a grist-mill, both run by horse-power, near Winchester, very early-perhaps as long ago as 1820, or thereahouts. Ben- jainin Bond was married in 1826, and he spent most of several previous years with his uncle Joshua, working in that mill.

Joshua Bond settled near Winchester about 1818, and set up his mills soon after ; and about 1835 or so, he removed to Jay County, building a horse mill there also, and running the same till a comparatively late day, dying about 1878, at the age of ninety-four.

His mill in Jay County was noted, settlers coming from both far and near.

He was one of seven brothers, all large limbed, stalwart mount- ain men of North Carolina, five of whom, when he was sixty years old, were living still.

Old Paul Beard had a saw-mill on Greensfork, which was old in 1837. There was a mill site where a grist-mill had been, but had gone down in 1839, and a new mill by Levi Stout (same man) two miles lower down on Greensfork, a mile and a half north of west from Lynn, about 1838, which was still running in 1854. It is now wholly gone.

Amos Ellis had a saw-mill, in old times, between these two mill sites, which was gone, however, in 1840.

Most of the water there now runs in a ditch.

There were other mills built from time to time, particularly saw-mills, concerning which no information has been obtained. These early mills must not be reckoned to be like the great mills of the present day. They were, indeed, but small and insignifi- cant affairs. It is related of one of the first mills in Jackson Township, that the owner boasted that his whole " fixings " had cost him only $2.50. What in particular that same $2.50 was expended for " Dame Rumor " has not condescended to furnish information. Whether it was for dressing the " gray heads " in- to mill-stones, or to purchase the iron gearing (if they had any), or for something else, it matters not. The money was spent, and it has gone past recovery, and the mill has gone, too, and ro relic of either remains. "Sic transit gloria mundi." And so "passeth the glory " of those old-time marvels of machinery a- well.

Those old-time mills were very humble, unpretending estai .. lishments. Cox's mill above Winchester, built fifty-six yea- ago, and eleven years after the first settlement of the county, bolted flour in a hand bolt. The "corn crackers, " so called (Jessup's on Greenville Creek, for instance), used to grind about . peck an hour. The stones employed in many of the first mills were simply the native boulders of the region, dressed to suit the pur- pose. Still they served the needs of the settlers in a small way for many years. Some half-dressed mill stones are lying beside the highways still.

The grist would be sent on the back of a horse or a mule with a half-grown lad, and one by one these grists would be slowly, oh, how slowly, worked through the machinery of the mill.

Men, however, who were able to command a wagon and team and enough grain to warrant the labor required, would take a trip to the more extensive and better appointed mills on the White Water, or the Stillwater, or even the Miami. In the earliest times, boys have been sent on horseback twenty miles or more, from the Arba settlement to the mills on the White Water be- low Richmond, both to buy corn and to get it ground in one of the mills in that region.

The story told by the old settlers of nearly every one of the first mills in the whole region, though perhaps not an actual facu as to even a single one of them, is yet painfully suggestive of the more important real fact that the mills did actually grind so " aw- ful slow " that everybody would naturally believe that a dog might " lick the meal by spirts," and lift up his head and howl between the "jets" for more. But let us not laugh at these small beginnings of things. The settlers used far more labor, and displayed much greater energy in undertaking what they

HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY.

were able to accomplish under such appalling difficulties than their posterity do in effecting the far greater results of the pres- ent day.

STEAM MILLS.

For years after the opening of the country for settlement, the use of steam power was unknown. To fit up a steam establish- ment required a large amount of money, more, in fact, than most could command. Still as the country grew, and the milling neces- sities began to surpass the capacities of the water-power, and the " corn cracker" and the hand-bolt mills of the region, men vent- ured to try how steam would answer the purpose, and one by one, mills were built away from the streams. The result has been that water-power has dwindled and almost grown out of use, and. steam has nearly carried the day.

One of the first steam mills in the county, possibly the first, was built by Elias Kizer at Winchester, as early perhaps as 1835, in the east part of the town. It was discontinued perhaps twen- ty-five years ago.

Mr. Roberts had a steam grist-mill at Winchester (in the west part of the city). It was running say in 1860, but its rumbling has been silent for some years.

The brick mill and warehouse near the depot has been standing for some twenty years. It was built for a warehouse by John Mumma. Martin owned it awhile, then Heaston & Riley, then Colton & Bates, now Bates Brothers. It is an ex- tensive mill. has a high reputation. performing good, thorough, reliable work, and a large amount of it.

Deerfield Steam Mill was built by Jason Whipple thirty-seven years ago (1845). It has been in operation ever since, and is a good mill. For many years it had a very large patronage, and does still an extensive business. At one time it drew custom for thirty or forty miles in every direction. Customers had the priv- ilege, by staying through the night, of having their grists ground in turn, and many availed themselves thereof. Sometimes a dozen or twenty teams would wait through the darkness of the night, rather than go home through the long and tedious journey, and then be obliged to return at a future day.

People came from Centerville, Wabash, Greenville, etc. Other mills have been built, and its business has decreased, though it does well still. It is now owned by Willis Whipple, son of Jason Whipple.

The mill at Allensville is fixed so as to run by water or steam. It was built in about 1850, and has been running under various control ever since. It has a fair reputation for quality of work.

A saw-mill (water and steam) was built, and afterward a grist- mill, by McNeely before 1845. Both are there still, and doing good work. The establishment was rebuilt by Thomas Reese & Co.

There was a steam saw-mill on Olive Branch, then it was made a grist mill, and afterward the works were taken out and carried to Farmland.

At Farmland, Dr. William Macy had a steam saw-mill, after- ward belonging to Ford & Co., but it has been silent for twenty years.

Stanley Brothers had a steam grist-mill at Farmland before 1860. Having been burned, it was rebuilt with new machinery by Hawkins. It is now in operation.

Another steam-mill is at Farmland, built by Charles Stanley about ten years ago, which is running still.

A steam-mill was built at Ridgeville on the railroad, by Ar- thur MeKew. It was burned and rebuilt of brick ; is now owned by Starr & Co. The mill is a good one, and does much work.

There is a steam-mill at Harrisville, built some years ago, and doing a considerable business.

A steam grist-mill was running for several years at Arba, but it burned down in 1877, and has not been rebuilt.

There are two steam saw-mills at Spartansburg. One has been in operation for twenty-five years. The other was built by

Wesley Locke about two years ago. It has a corn-mill and planing-mill attached, and does good work.

A large steam grist-mill was erected at Union City, Ind., five or six years ago. It is a grand establishment ; is owned by Converse & Co .; has a capacity of 200 barrels per day ; has an extensive run of custom, and does also a large amount of ter- chant work.

There are two corn-mills in Union City, one is owned by C. W. Pierce and the other by Kirschbaum.

There is a saw-mill at Parker, also a steam grist-mill, built in 1876.

There is a steam saw-mill at Pleasantview, which has been running for several years.

Several mills have existed at different times in Jackson Town- ship, but most of them have ceased to run, except the one at Allensville.

A steam saw-mill has been in operation for several years on the State line pike, two miles south of Union City, but it was removed a year or so ago.

Carter & Montgar had a steam saw-mill in Union City, Ohio, in and after 1852 for several years; the first saw-mill on that ground.

Mr. Sheets set up a saw-mill west of Union City, near where the machine shop is now, in 1852.

There was a saw-mill on Oak street, Union City, near where William A. Wiley now resides.

John H. Cammack has a saw-mill in the Cammack neighbor- hood, some two miles east of Bartonia. It does considerable busi- ness.

There is a saw-mill eight miles southwest of Farmland, still doing work, having been in operation many years.

A steam grist-mill bas been for many years, and still is, in operation in Union City, Ohio. It has a good reputation, and does a large business.

There is a steam-grist mill at Huntsville. It has been in operation for fourteen years, and is a good mill.

There is also a saw-mill at Huntsville, owned by Peyton John- son.

There is another saw-mill owned by Jere Hyatt.

A saw-mill has stood not far east of Deerfield, on the State road, from early times until a year or two ago, owned latterly by John H. Sipe.

There was, for years, a saw-mill on the boundary, southwest of Spartansburg.

A saw-mill was in operation for twenty years or more near Salem. When Union City began to need lumber for building, that mill, among others, helped much to supply the demand.

A grist-mill and a saw-mill were formerly in operation north of Lynn, but one was burned (or both) and now there is neither.

Anthony Mckinney built a saw-mill on Mississinewa, one and a quarter miles below Fairview, about 1839, put in a corn-cracker about 1840. and built a new and more extensive mill, putting in "wheat buhrs " about 1842. He had three run of buhrs-and a bolt carried by machinery. It was a good mill for awhile, and is still in operation. Mr. Mckinney sold the mill to Samuel Zaner. He owned it about a year and sold to Abner Wolverton, about 1864, who owns it yet. There are now two runs, one for corn and one for wheat. Steam was put in in 1875, and now water and steam are both employed.

Mr. Ward had a saw-mill on Mississinewa, below Ridgeville, some twenty years ago, which ran for several years.

John Foust had a saw-mill and corn-cracker in about 1856, in Franklin Township, just at the township line, on Mississinewa, which stood five or six years.

Cyrus A. Reed had a saw-mill one mile above Fairview. It was built about 1850, and stood perhaps ten years.

There is a saw-mill at Shedville, running by steam. It has been in operation but a short time.

Before 1825, Lemuel Vestal undertook to erect a mill on Stony

Yours Resty Cotton

HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY.

Creek, near Windsor. Before completing it, he sold out to John Thornburg, who finished the grist-mill and also built a saw-mill. [See record of John Thornburg]. After four years, he sold to Andrew G. Dye, and he to Moses Neely, and still again the mills were transferred to Thomas W. Reece, who built them anew. Their owners since have been Neely, Mark Pattis, Johnson & Dye, William A. Thornburg, Reece & Sons, Mahlon Clevenger, John Thornburg, and now, Robert Cowgill.

Doubtless other mills may exist, or have done so in years past, of which no account has been obtained.

OTHER MACHINERY.

Peter Cable had a oarding machine, etc., in the west part of the county. At first Mr. Cable had a little carding machine in the garret of John H. Bond's grist-mill. He was very poor, and got the use of Bond's " power." After awhile he bought a waste farm that was too wet for tillage. He ditched the prairie and drained the ponds, springs and swamps, and collected the water, and got enough to run a carding machine and woolen factory. For a long time it was a famous establishment, getting cus- tom far and near, and Mr. Cable made a fortune. His factory is gone now. There are pleasant anecdotes about Mr. Cable and his mill. Somebody had at one time turned the water upon the wheel and made the mill run empty through the night. He was provoked, and on Saturday he sawed the foot-bridge over the fore-bay almost in two, and laid it in its place. Monday morning he came to start his mill, and, forgetting all about his "trap," he stepped upon the sawed plank and went, souse, into the fore-bay. He scrambled out just as Thomas Addington was going to the mill. He ran to meet Thomas, laughing and cry- ing out: "O, Thomas, Thomas, I caught mine self, I caught mine self!" Another. Mr. Cable was one day walking along a muddy road, near a horse. The animal stepped in a water-hole and the water flew fiercely into the honest German's face. Wip- ing the muddy slosh from his eyes, he cried out, " Vell, dat vas right mutty, didn't it ?" Mr. Cable lives there still, three miles south of Macksville.

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.

History of Randolph County, Indiana with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers : to which are appended maps of its several townships, Part 20

Author: Tucker, Ebenezer Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago : A.L. Klingman Number of Pages: 664

Author: Tucker, Ebenezer
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : A.L. Klingman
Number of Pages: 664