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 43

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 43

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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY.

atoned for, unavenged. If truly the words of Holy Writ declare that innocent blood cannot be cleansed from the land but by the blood of those who shed it, there lies upon that community a most fearful curse, which shall yet arise to plague the perpe- trators of such awful crimes.

Yet it by no means follows that Mr. Shoemake was one of the gang who murdered Wade, and, in fact, all attempts to show that he was one of the number proved utter failures.

Yet a numerous gang there was in each case, and terribly they accomplished their revolting crime. Yet "murder will out," and some day those tragedies, performed in secret, shall be "pro- claimed upon the housetop," and the perpetrators of those fearful atrocities shall be exposed and brought to suffer condign punish- ment.

COLORED SOLDIERS.

As elsewhere, so here, the men of color flocked to the appeal of President Lincoln, and when allowed, offered themselves freely as soldiers in the Union army.

Some joined the Massachusetts colored regiments, and some the United States volunteer troops; and some, moreover, were taken as members of white regiments. It has been a matter of difficulty to obtain an account of the colored volunteers from Randolph, but we have done the best we could.

Eighth Regiment United States Colored Troops, James H. Gay, not accounted for.

Twenty-third Regiment United States Colored Troops, John- son Burden, Nelson Cook. Washington Ellis.

Twenty-eighth Regiment United States Colored Troops, John Perkins, mustered out November 8, 1865; John Roberts, mus- tered out November 8, 1865, George W. Johnson, not accounted for.

We give below brief statements concerning some of the Ran- dolph colored volunteers.

William Shaffer, Company K, Forty-second United States Colored Troops, enlisted October 8, 1864; spent three weeks at Camp Carrington; was in the fight at Nashville, December, 1864; was detailed to hospital duty at Hospital No. 6, Nashville, Tenn .; discharged at Huntsville, Ala .. October 7, 1865.

P M. B. Thomson enlisted in Company F, Fifth United States Colored Troops, September 1, 1863, at Camp Delaware, Ohio. The regiment went into the Eastern army, and was in the engagement at Deep Bottom, Va., at Petersburg, Bermuda Hundred, Fort Harrison (Dutch Gap), Fort Fisher, N. C., Wil- mington and Raleigh. The regiment was mnstered out at Caro- line City, N. C., September 1, 1865, and the men were discharged October, 1865, at Camp Chase, Ohio.

In 1870, he joined the Twenty-fourth Regular Regiment Col- ored Troops. They spent two years at Fort McCarth, Texas; Laredo, Texas, on the Rio Grande, one year; Port Duncan, Texas, nearly one year and four months, till May, 1875; went on a scouting expedition to the North Prong of the Brazos River, six months; was discharged in camp September 1, 1875, having served five years in the regular army.

Levi J. Linzy, Greensfork Township, enlisted in Com- pany G, Thirty-third Indiana, September, 1864; mustered in at Indianapolis; went forward to Chattanooga; was in hospital, sick, at Chattanooga, till April, 1865: went forward to the regi- ment via New York City to Newbern, N. C., and marched against Johnston; was sent to Camp McDougal, New York City, and discharged July 21, 1865.

Sylvester Holland enlisted in Forty-fifth United States Col- ored Troops September 1, 1864: went forward to the Eastern army, and was in the charge against Petersburg, Va .; lay sick at Fortress Monroe, and was discharged at that place June 2, 1865.

Nathan Randle enlisted September, 1863; was sick at Nash- ville several weeks; his father visited him there; was discharged after the close of the war, winter of 1865-66.

Other colored soldiers from Greenville settlement were Will- more Cook, William Lewis, Alfred Lewis, John Lewis, Richard Goens, William Smith (Ohio), Sylvester Scott (Ohio), Henry Costin (Ohio), Johnson Costin (Ohio), Benjamin F. Goens (Ohio), Michael Sane (Ohio), Patrick Rickman (Ohio), Clarkson Lett

Shiloh, William White, Aaron McPherson, J. M. Thomson, Will- iam Randle, Alexander Mason (Ohio), Milton Oglesby, Charles Oglesby, Wiley Oglesby, Johnson Burden, Jesse Lamb (Ohio), John Patterson (Ohio), Asa Faxson (Ohio), John Robbins (Ohio), Reuben Robbins (Ohio), Simeon Robbins (Ohio).

Seventy-second Colored Regiment, John Nicholas, Lorenzo Bragg, Willmore Cook (died in service).

Members of the Forty-fifth United States Colored Regiment: Lemuel Stokes, Alexander Mckown, Charles Mason, Reuben Goens, William H. Mckown, Zebedee Bass, Henry Stokes, Charles Clemens, Jackson Holland, Levi Shaffer, all then belonging to Darko County, Ohio.

Doubtless others from Randolph County belonging to the colored race were volunteers in the Union army during tho war of the rebellion, but we have not learned their names.

CHAPTER XI. RELIGION.

BAPTISTS-CATHOLIC'S -CHRISTIANS-CONGREGATIONALISTS-DIS- CIPLES-FRIENDS-GERMAN CHURCHES-METHODISTS-PRESBY- TEMIANS -PROTESTANT METHODISTS-UNIVERSALISTS-UNITED BRETHREN-WESLEVANS-CLERGYMEN-SPHUTUALISTS-HOLI- NESS BAND-Y. M. C. A .- BIOGRAPHY.

RELIGION.

T has seemed advisable to group the account of the various churches together. Hence, the statement concerning them will be found below in alphabetical order. First in order come the

BAPTISTS.

The Baptists have not been very numerous in Randolph County, though there have been some from the earliest days of the settlement of the county. Curtis Cleny, of Lynn; W. C. Wilmore and John James, of Greensfork; Ira Maulsby, of Nettle Creek: Mr. Cartwright, of Spartansburg; Bela Cropper, of West River; Ezra Stone, of Winchester; James Spray, Edward Scott, etc., have been prominent Baptists, and some religions work has been done in the region by that worthy body of Chris- tians. Messrs. Cropper and Wilmore have been ministers of that order.

Still, large success seems not to have attended their efforts, and the number of their societies is but small in this locality. There have been churches at Little Creek, at Losantville, at Win- chester and at Middletown. The one at Winchester has been long extinct. The churches at Losantville and Little Creek have been greatly disturbed by the question, among them consid- ered important, of "Means and Anti-Means," and both are near- ly or quite extinct. The one at Middletown still maintains itself, though it is not vigorous.

There are also a few Baptists of other kinds in the county, who will be described in due time.

Huntsville .- The Baptists used to have meetings at Bela W. Cropper's and Samuel Spray's, not far from Huntsville. They never had a church nor any society in that neighborhood. B. W. Cropper was a preacher, and did religious work in that re- gion; but no church was ever planted there, so far as we have been able to learn.

Little Creek. --- This society was established many years ago, and, after a time, they built a meeting-house near the residence of Ira Manlsby, who was, perhaps, their chief member. Several families belonged to that society, and for years it had consider- able strength, but the removal of some members and the death of others, and also other causes, perhaps, has nearly extinguished the society.

Losantville .- This society was organized many years ago, and had a more or less vigorous and successful existence, but we do not possess the information requisite to a regular detailed ac- count of the organization.

Providence Church-Regular .- Located at Rose Hill, Ohio,

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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY.

and Middletown, Ind. This society was formed in Ohio about 1840, and began to hold services near Middletown in 1860. They never had a meeting-house. Their gatherings have been held chiefly at dwelling-houses. Their meetings take place once a month, at Middletown and Rose Hill-every third meeting at the former place, at Mr. Hinkle's on Saturday, and at the Chris- tian Church, at Middletown, on Sunday. The society intend soon to build a house for worship at Rose Hill. The first mem- bers at Middletown were Richard and Eliza Straight, Henry and Eliza Ann Hinkle, Mahlon and Rachel Peters, Silas and Mary Byrom, John Peters, David and Eliza Byrom, Rachel (wife of George) Debolt.

The preachers have been Rovs. Mahlon Peters, John McDan- iels, Seymour Craig, John Peters, George Cottrell. Mr. Cottrell has ministered to the church for fifteen years past. Present membership at Middletown: Henry Hinkle, wife and daughter, Ira Adamson and wife, Alvin Skinner and wife, Mrs. Mary Moore, Mrs. Elizabeth Holmes, Mrs. Mary Miller (living near Bartonia). They belong to the branch of the Regular Baptists styled Anti- Mission Baptists.

Winchester .- About 1840, a Baptist Church was organized for Winchester and the region. The meetings were held at first at John Lykins', five miles south of Winchester; afterward, at Winchester, and still later, at Willis Wilmore's, south of Win- chester. The society continued for a considerable time, but the members died or moved away, and the church finally ceased. The first members were Bela Cropper and wife, James Spray, Edwin Poor and wife, George Vandeburg and wife, Ezra Stone, Willis C. Wilmore and wife, Edward Scott and wife. Afterward, Thomas Loring and wife joined the society, and probably others may have done so. The church never had a meeting-house. At Winchester, the services were held at the court house; elsewhere, at private dwelling-houses. The society never grew very much. The Deacons were Brethren Stone aud Cropper. The church was a friendly band, no difficulty ever arising to mar their peace. Prayer-meetings were held from house to house, with sweet sea- sous of Christian love and high hope and foretaste of endless bliss in the mansions above. In Winchester, they assisted in maintaining a union Sunday school for several years.

Some of the preachers were Rovs. Nathaniel Case and James Harvey. Willis C. Wilmore has been for nearly or quite fifty years a preacher among the Baptists, and an active and zealous Christian withal.

Ezra Stone was a fine Christian gentleman, who was much esteemed and greatly beloved.

Edward Scott lived east of Winchester, his wife dying No- vember, 1880, eighty-four years old. He had died years before that time.

Spartansburg. - Hezekiah Cartwright was a Baptist residing near that town, and preaching by the ministers of that order took place at his house. Wo have heard of no other Baptists in that region, though there may have been such. No church of the kind so far as known was ever formed in that vicinity.

Lynn .- Curtis C. Cleny, residing near Lynn, was a Baptist, but, as his location was near Wayne Conuty line, our impression is that he belonged to a church in that county - perhaps to the Freedom Baptist Church.

West River .- William Smith and his wife, father and mother of Hon. Jere Smith, were Baptists and were members and regular attendants upon the Friendship Church, south of them in Wayne County.

Free-Will Baptist Church-Ridgeville and ricinity .- There was a society at Father Mendenhall's, on the river, as long ago as 1860, or earlier. They began to hold worship at Ridgeville abont 1868. The society have no meeting-house in the town, the college chapel being occupied for mecting purposes. At Father Mendenhall's was a hewod log church, which, however, has not been used since the society began at Ridgeville. Some of the members have been Robert Sumption, Pennel Mendenhall, John Collier (Rev.), Mahlon Sumption, William Hollowell, Eg- bert Payne (Rev.), Cunningham, John Thurber, Allon Baker, Dr. Farquhar, William Reed (Prof.). Asa Pierce (Rev.), and their wives. The church at Ridgeville numbered at first thirty to

forty members; now about fifty. The society maintains a good Sunday school the year round, with eighty to one hundred pupils.

The preachers have been Messrs. Collier, Atkinson, Bates, Davis, Pierce, Vaughn, Harrison, etc. Preaching is held every other Sabbath. Abont 1867, the Free-Will Baptists undertook to establish Ridgeville College, which has been in operation ever since. The enterprise has been a struggle from the beginning, but the institution is still sustained, and it is to be hoped that it will hold its ground through the ages to come.

Stone Station Free-Will Baptist Church .-- Meetings were held there during the winter of 1880-81, at which about forty pro- fessed conversion, and a church was formed, embracing twenty- five members, viz., Thomas Clark and wife, George Sperea and wife, David Ritenour and wife, Mrs. Ross and daughter and two sons, Mrs. Owens and family, Samuel Ross and wife, James Jef- ferson and wife, etc. They meet in the Clark Schoolhouse, and Rev. Asa Pierce is their minister. It is intended to build a meeting-house before long. Sunday school is maintained regu- larly.

There is a Gorman Baptist (Dunkard) Church north of Union City, which will be noticed in connection with the German con- gregations. There has been, also, some work for the Baptists among the colored residents of Randolph, which is shown in the account given herein of the colored settlements which have ex- isted in the county.

CATHOLIC CHURCH.

Union City .- This church was begun in 1854; Rev. Sheon, of Sidney, was pastor one year. . Rev. Hemsteger, from Piqua, came in 1855. Rev. Clane came next and established a chapel on the farm of Mr. Weiss, two miles from town. Rev. Hemsteger came again and stayed four years. Rev. Shelhammer, from Greenville, then came, remaining till 1862. Rev. McMahon was next, till 1865. During his pastorship, a church was built on Plum, north of Oak, frame, and, about 1870, a large and splen- did bell was added. Rev. Lamour was pastor from 1865 to 1870; Rev. Van Swadler, 1870 to 1871; Rev. Noll, 1871 to 1875. Rev. Quinlan succeeded, who is pastor at the present time (1882). The congregation is thriving and prosperous, with a property of four lots, a church, parsonage, nunnery and schoolhouse; as also a cemetery, out of town, two miles north on the Salem pike (see account of cemeteries). There is a splendid bell on their meet- ing-house, which, when it was put up, was by far the finest in town. The congregation numbers 150 families or more. and the appointed church services through the week and on the Sabbath are regularly maintained. A flourishing day school has been main- tained for many years by the Catholics, which has been for a con- siderabletime, and is now, free to all comers, through the munifi- cence of Peter Kuntz, Esq., lumber dealer in Union City and a member of the Catholic congregation.

Winchester .- Some Catholics have been residents of Win- chester from early times, and, as long ago as 1854, or even be- fore that, priests would visit the town and perform the services of religion for the communicants of that faith, For many years, their meetings were held in private houses. Clergymen from Muncie, Indianapolis and elsewhere used to come and officiate iu religious things at Winchester. About 1875, three lots were purchased on West Washington street, and a neat place of wor- ship was erected at a moderate cost. The congregation intend to build a parsonage, but that has not yet been done. The prin- cipal Catholic families are as follows: Patrick MeDonald, John Kinney, Edward Laynan, James Mack, Edward Laren, Bryan Gaffey, Dennis Laynan, Michael Doyle, John Lacey, William Fitzmaurice, Edward Fitzgerald and others. The church is out of debt and in a remarkably prosperous condition. The regular church services are held once a month, besides special services at irregular intervals. Some of the clergymen who have officiated have been Fathers Maloney, Mack, Fitzmaurice, Clark, Lamour, Noll, Quinlan. The church is connected in the same parish with Union City, and the pastor, Rev. Quinlan, of Union City, sup- plies also the congregation at Winchester once a month.

CHRISTIAN CHURCH-"NEW LIGHTS."

Churches and Preachers .- Ministers of the Christian Church

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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY.

in Randolph County: Thomas Addington, New Dayton; Emersou Addington, New Dayton; Thomas A. Brandon, Union City; Dav- enport. Harrisville; Moses Gwynn, Morristown; I. V. D. R. Johnson, Bloomingsport; L. W. Johnson, Losantville; B. F. Kemp, Jordan, John Manhouse, Windsor; Samuel McNees, Farmland; A. H. Oren, Peter Robison, W. D. Ross, Morristown; William Terrell, Windsor. Perhaps there may be others besides the above. Congregations: Windsor, Union Chapel (south of Windsor), Mt. Zion, Losantville, no meeting-house; Pleasant Grove, southeast of Windsor; White River Chapel, Farmland; Shiloh. north of Farmland; Mississinewa, Olive Branch, Green Township; Clear Creek, no meeting-house.

Fairview .- This church was begun about thirty-seven years ago (1845). Their meetings were held in the beginning at Martin Smith's. Their meeting-house was built many years ago (1846), but has become old and time-worn, and is not now used. For & time they had great success, and people used to turn out to their services wonderfully. The preachers have been Messrs. Wolver- ton, McDaniel, McNees, Holland. Aker, Minnick, Richardson and doubtless others. The members cannot now be given. The society is not at present in a flourishing condition, and their con- gregations are small.

Farmland .- This religious society commenced in the region in 1838, on White River, near the toll-gate. The preachers were Messrs. Barker and Batterall. The class was organized in 1838 at the schoolhouse. Shortly afterward (1839 or 1840), a log church was built, and the brick now standing, in 1850 or thereabouts. They organized at Farmland in 1854 in a school- house and provided themselves with a church in 1867. They were for many years the strongest denomination in the place, though for some time they have been declining, and are now quite weak in numbers. Their members in the region have been Peter S. Miller and wife, Nathan Thornburg and wife, A. H. Mc- Nees and wife, A. N. MeNees and wife, William Elwood and wife, Hiram Smith and wife, Samuel McNees and wife and others. Their meeting-house has lately been sold to the Friends, who oc- cupy it at the present time. The names of their ministers are not, at hand.

Harrisville .- This church was organized in 1865, and their meeting-house was built in 1866. The first members were about twenty-five, some of whom were William Ingle and wife, David S. Davenport and wife, Miles Scott and wife, Samuel Keister, Rebecca Shelley, Mary Duncan, Elizabeth White- sell, etc. The Trustees at first were Henry Hill, William Ingle and Miles Scott. The pastor of the church most of the time has been David S. Davenport, resident at Harrisville. Rev. Long was preacher one year, Capron, one year, and Newhouse, two years. The church now numbers over 100 members. Preaching takes place once a month, and Sunday school every week during the summer, Jacob Conkling, Superintendent. The school aver- ages from thirty to fifty pupils. Paul Ellinger is Elder, and Joel Elwell and Frederick Ingle are Deacons. Rev. Davenport preaches also at four other points-Ogden, Henry County; a country place beyond Muncie, Delaware County; Union Chapel, southeast of Gettysburg, Darke Co., Ohio, and at Hora- tio, Darke Co., Ohio. The Dunkards also hold meetings once a month at Harrisville in the Christian Church, beginning in 1880. Their preachers have been Revs. Marquis and Simmons.

Liberty Chapel,-(North of Bloomingsport), was built about 1860. Many who had been United Brethren joined the society, some of these having been previously "New Lights." The preachers have been Messrs. Jellison, Brumfield, Coates, I. V. D. R. Johnson, Davenport, King, Kemp. Some of the members have been John Johnson, Strother Brumfield, John Anderson, Curtis Bales, Isaac N. Bales, etc. There is a society, but not very large nor flourishing.

Christian Church, north of Liberty Chapel .- Was built many years ago, as early, perhaps, as 1838. The first preacher was Jesse Brumfield. There was once a good society. After awhile, the "Reformers" and they had a split and the work did not go on. The United Brethren Church supervened at Liberty, and, many years afterward, the "New Lights" again at Liberty, in 1866.

Middletown .-- This society was organized about 1855, and the meeting-house was built about the same time. First mem- bers, Ephraim Dull and wifo, William Cole and wife, Enos Cole and wife, James Alexander and wife, John Poorman and wife, Henry Weyrick, John Boner, Thomas Alexander, William War- ren, Sr. and Jr. and wives, James Warren and wife, Joseph Hinkle and wife, Abram Alexander and wife and many others, eighty in all. Their preachers have been Revs. Sharp, Vincent, Leavell, Gettinger, William Cole, Andrew McNees, Jacobs, Dav- enport, Samuel McNees, Kemp and perhaps others. At times, the society has been flourishing. It became much run down, and a few years ago the Friends began religious services there and were somewhat active. The Christians, however, took up their work again, and there is a small society, with services once a month and part of the time a Sunday school.

Olive Branch .- The society was organized about 1858 or 1860 by Rev. Larkin Mullen, and re-organized about 1866. The church was built in 1870. Some of the members have been and are John Wenzel and wife, Washington Cortner and wife, David Lewis and wife, Mrs. Engle and her son, William Engle, Jacob B. Jones and wife, Mrs. Stanley, etc. Preachers, Messrs. Mullen, Holloway, Puckett, Ross, Addington, Johnson, Cortner. Preaching is monthly, three sermons at a time. Sunday school not very large. The society numbers 100 to 150 members. The present pastor is Elder Thomas Addington, resident on Bear Creek, northwest of New Dayton.

Parker .- Begar in 1854. A society was formed, and they carried on their operations regularly and successfully, but for a long time they had no house of worship. They built one at length, but became involved in debt, under which load they were forced to allow the church to be sold, which was done during the present year, the society of Friends being the purchasers. Some of their ministers have been Messrs. McNees, Aker, Lynn, Ross. Gwynn, Wells, Capron, Burkett, Minnick, Addington. Among the members have been John Gunckel and family, David Gunckel, Mon- roe Gunckel, William Phillips and wife, Martin Phillips and wife, Leonard Boise and wife, Alexander Fowler and two sons, John Bowers and wife. The church has seen somewhat eu- couraging seasons. At a revival in 1864, fifty or sixty members joined them, but the interest has declined, and the debt on their hauds took their meetinghouse. They hope to recover their strength and regain their standing and usefulness as a church of Christ.

Pittsburg .-- This church began abont 1869. Some of its members are Stephen Jacks and wife, Harvey Coons and wife, Moses Ferrell, James Malloy and wife. At one time the society was quite active and flourishing, seventy members joining in one night. They have become less vigorous than formerly, though the operations of the society still continue to some extent.

Pleasant Grove .-- (Union Church, east of Deerfield). Was built in 1877, by the Disciples, Methodists and Christians, and all three use it, the society naving been organized since the house was erected. The Methodists have occasional services, but no class. The members of the Disciple Church are W. B. Field, Nicholas Linkhauer, Abram Sipe, Washington Peters, Clark Peters, Enoch Peters, Joseph Marsh, George Marsh and their wives. Preaching has been by Messrs. Harrison, Youtz, Manny, Euos Polly, Solomon Mckinney, etc. The Christians were organized at first before 1865. Some of the members are Joseph Warren and wife, Henry Bragg and wife and others. Preachers, Jesse Jacobs, Benjamin Kemp, Capron, etc.

Pleasant Grove .- (Northwest of Poplar Run, Friends' Church, Stony Creek). The church was built in 1846. Preach- ing had been established some years previously. A society was formed and a church movement was begun one and a half miles south, but that fell through, aud the church was built where it now stands. Among the principal members were and are Jona- than Clevinger, Lewis Clevinger, Wesley Clevinger, Wesley Dudley, Thomas Aker, Elisha Thornburg, Avila Thornburg, Madison Clevinger, Isaac Keener, Joseph Oren, with most or all of their wives. Some of the preachers have been Messrs. Au- drew McNees, Francis A. Wilkius, Larkin Mullen, Swain, Rich- ard Brandon, I. V. D. R. Johnson, Wesley Ross, William Ter-

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rell, Edward Burke, Davenport, etc. There is a flourishing Sunday school and they have preaching services once in three weeks. It has enjoyed powerful revivals and received large ad- ditions, and is a strong and active church.

Pleasant Hill .-- Was established before 1847. Meetings were held at Mr. Constable's. A frame church was built about 1850, and the present brick house in 1876. Some of the mem- bers in 1848 were Mrs. Lindley, Constable, Isaac Berkhammer, Hugh Woodin, Hiram Grice, Stokesberry and their wives and others. Some of the preachers have been Revs. Swain, William Murray, Davenport, McNees, McNees, Terrell, Jacobs, Brandon, Green, Brown (now). They have preaching once a month and Sunday school every Sabbath, some years summer and winter. There is a good congregation.

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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 43

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