USA > Indiana > Rush County > History of Rush County, Indiana, from the earliest time to the present, with biographical sketches, notes, etc., together with a short history of the Northwest, the Indiana territory, and the State of Indiana > Part 76
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80
Walker Township. - Probably the oldest school in this town- ship was taught by Reuben Hefflin in a cabin which stood at the Hurst graveyard. Mr. Emmons, a very old man, and long a citi-
824
RUSH COUNTY.
zen of Walker, says that this school was taught as early as 1825. Here, subsequently, was a Baptist meeting house. Several of the citizens have known of this house, but very few remember the school house. Ross Davis taught in 1842-43 in a school house which stood on Ben Goddard's land, but now belongs to John Cores. Thomas Bramble, John Solomon, Benjamin Little and Nel- son Stallard. The late Judge Blair, of Shelbyville, in 1841-42, taught a school in a house which stood on the John M. Brown land. Henry Weingarth now owns the land. Here, the Rev. Joseph Colton taught in 1842. Elias Baker taught two terms in this place. Eleanor J. Mull nee Kerrick, taught in a log school house which stoood on Fielding Gardner's farm, now in the northwest part of Manilla. Among the pupils here were, Cyrus and Ethan Trees. The first teacher in this house was Thomas Bramble, from Ken- tucky. James Remington taught here. He was a fine scholar and an excellent teacher.
The first school in Manilla, Dr. Trees says,' was taught in the Methodist Episcopal log meeting house in 1841, by John W. Macy, who was a Quaker and, by trade, a carpenter. After that the log school house mentioned above was built, and the second school in Manilla was taught in a house which stood where the drug store now stands. About 1848 or '49 Miss Folger taught in the Gard- ner house. She afterward married Mr. George Clark of Union County. The first Trustees of Walker Township were: John Sells, Paul W. Folger and T. B. Macy. The last named is the only one living. A school house stood on the southeast corner of Adam Warfield's farm, now W. J. Ellison's. Among the teachers were: George W. Danner, Reuben Hefflin, first teacher, Edgar Eaton and Walker Thomas, brother of G. W. A log school house stood on the southeast corner of the Ambrose Fouch place, now owned by W. T. Abernathy. The old Homer school house stood on the west side of Uriah Thomas' land. Charles Catlin taught
here, and Maxwell: these in about 1849-53. Rhoda Clark taught at the Mersmore school house in 1857-58. Delphina Clark taught in the Gardner house in Manilla. Roland Haywood, of Rushville, taught in Manilla, beginning in 1861, three terms with eminent success. Thomas Noble, in 1854-55, taught the first school under the present school system. Malinda Harris taught in Mrs. Lewis' property, in Manilla, in 1850. Margaret Conrad, in 1854, taught in the Gardner house. Frank Clark taught two terms, 1857-59. James Hill was Trustee in 1873, and built the pres- ent school building in Manilla. George S. Jones, now United States Pension Examiner, was the first Principal. The Vernon school house stood nearly due south of Marion Gardner's present residence
825
SCHOOLS.
on the land of Landen Gardner. James Remington taught here in 1844. John R. Eden, afterward a member of Congress from Illi- nois; David N. Dearinger, in 1840; Timothy Hunt, a Methodist preacher; Edgar Eden and Pat Earskins were some of the early teachers. John Dearinger taught in 1847 in a cabin on James Alex- ander's land, now John Dearinger's southwest corner. Other teachers were: James H. Rutter, James Maddux, Samuel Watson, Margaret Conrad, afterward married a Mr. Thornberry. James Alexander taught the first school in this house in 1832.
As a matter of curiosity to our teachers of to-day, and to the people of this generation, we may see the contract between James Alexander (Uncle Reuben's father) and the patrons of this school district: " Article of agreement made and entered into this 9th day of November, 1832, between James Alexander of the first part, and the inhabitants of the Washington School District in Rush County, Ind., of the second part, witnesseth that the said Alexan- der proposes to teach an English school for the term of three months, viz .: he engages to teach spelling, reading and writing to the best of his ability, Saturdays and Sundays excepted, for which services, we, whose names are hereto annexed do engage to pay to the said Alexander the sum of one dollar and fifty cents per scholar, as subscribed to our respective names, to be paid at the expiration of the school, and we further bind ourselves to furnish a sufficient quantity of firewood, cut and laid near the door of the said school house, to serve when the weather is cold; also to furnish books, ink and paper necessary for the tuition of our children, etc. School to commence the 13th of November, provided there is twenty scholars or more subscribed to this article; the s'd Alexan- der engages to observe good morals in his school, and to make up all lost time, in testimony of which we subscribe our names the day and date above written. Subscriber's names: Samuel Williams, $3; Mary Worthington, $1.50: James Fouch, $1 ; Samuel Watson, $1.50; Jacob Hendrix, $1; Catharine Fouch, $1.50; Benjamin Elder, $2; George Thomas, $1; Edward Wiley, $1; Hilligoss, $2; Daniel Thomas, $1." This contract entered into is more than fifty-five years old. Probably neither teacher nor patron is living to-day.
A school house stood at the corner of Walker Township, just north of Melvin Hungerford's, where the four townships corner. Here in a log house were some excellent schools. Among the teachers here were Milton B. Hopkins, subsequently State Super- intendent of Public Instruction, James Remington, A. G. Mauzy, Ephraim Wright and Harvey Stewart taught here in the forties. Jacob Webster was Trustee, elected in April, ISS2, and served two terms. He built the Graded School building at Homer. It is a
826
RUSH COUNTY.
brick structure, and in keeping with the needs of the township. Frank English was the first Principal here. Other teachers are: Smith Solomon, Samuel Innis, Gussie Iles, and Laura Alexander. William T. Robertson is Township Trustee, and has placed Walker Township first in the county in the matter of school buildings.
Orange Township .- A school house stood between Moscow and Owens' Mill, on the Owens' land, and Benjamin Owens taught the school in 1825. This was in all probability the first school taught in this township. Some of these pupils walked through the woods four and a half miles to and from school. Near where Mt. Gherzim Methodist Episcopal Church building now stands, a little west, on the Garrison land, once stood a primitive temple of learn- ing. John Allison taught the first school. It was in 1836-37. Other teachers were: Alvin Cass, James McDuffey, Hiram Kelley, Lloyd Bishop (now living in Kansas), Lewis Richey, and William Wheeler. Milton Wagner taught eight winters in a cabin west of Leslie Worlins' residence in the late thirties and early forties. Among other teachers here were: James McDuffey, William Richey, from Kentucky, William Hand, Thomas Bramble, Elsbury McDuffey, James McDonald and Nathan Thomas. In the south- west corner of Philip Reddenbaugh's farm, near the old grave- yard, there was a school house of the pioneer type. Several schools were taught here. Milton Wagner was the principal teacher, 1827-28. The windows were made of paper greased with coon oil. There were very few schools before this one. A school house stood near the road leading from Moscow to Waldron, and Thrasher Garrison taught here in 1832. Harriet Keeler was a teacher here.
Joshua Kelley taught one of the first schools in Moscow. It was in a cabin in the northwest part of the town. This was about 1830. James McDonald taught here in 1843-44. Hiram Wiley was one of the first teachers in Moscow. William Wheeler in 1852-53. A school house stood opposite the present residence of William Machlan. Among the teachers were: Joseph Selby, Charles Bishop, Milton Wagner (seven winters), Ephraim Wright, Sanford McGinnis, Jack Campbell (1835), Joshua Kelley and Kees. Frank Tate taught in 1846 in a house which stood on a farm belonging to William Seright, now to James G. Matthews, east of Moscow. Catherine Kelley (now Mrs. James McDonald) and William Webb, taught here. Barker Brown in 1852-53 taught in a house on Charles Selby's farm before the new school houses were erected. Ephraim Wright taught on the farm of Lewis Hefflin, now Charles Willey, and Nelson Stallard taught in 1845. Sanford McGinnis in 1850 taught in a hewn log house one mile
827
SCHOOLS.
east of Blue Ridge at the cross roads on the land of William Mar- shall, now belonging to Caroline Wendling. Other teachers were: Oliver Morris, Samuel Kennedy, now a physician in Shelbyville, and Elizabeth Rader. This house was a Methodist Church building.
In 1855, the Township Trustees were: Joshua Kelley, John Waggoner and John Scull, they located ten new school houses at their June term, and contracted to have them built for $300 each, these were all frame houses. Philip Reddenbaugh was Trustee from April, 1884 to 1886, and built the new brick school house at Moscow. There are few more substantial school houses in Rush County. The following teachers taught in Orange in 1857-58: John S. Monroe, James Tevis, Croom Swain, Nelson Ranck, Joseph Macklin, David Grubb, James Woodard, William Wheeler and James Stewart. Other teachers were: William M. Alexander, Sylvester Ballard, Knowles Shaw, the well known evangelist, John A. Roberts, Harrison Selby, J. M. Hedrick, David Grubb, Robert McCann, Isom T. Vest, Beverly Patterson, Lewis Hay- wood, Jacob Kiltner, Jesse L. Crissler, William A. Selby, Thomas Carter, Henry Howard, A. D. Tevis, John W. Raynes, William A. Houston, Green Thompson, John Machlan, James H. Jones, Charles H. Hunter, Wilbur Machlan, Charles and Erastus W. McDaniel, Allie Gilingham, Lizzie Ging, Nellie and Minnie Stevens, Solon Tevis, Sullivan Hilligoss, McClelland McNeeley, Smith Solomon, George Whisman, George and Bracken Crane, John Carpenter, W. T. Simpson, Albert Rea, Collie E. Kinney, Nettie Brookbank, now Mrs. Rev. John T. Scull, Sarah J. Wagner, M. C. Wagner, M. Wagner, L. D. Davidson and Lou A. Biddinger.
The following report of a school taught in Orange Township was filed by the Clerk. This was when the Congressional fund was the only public money available: " Personally appeared Laban Selby before me William D. Roberts, Clerk of Town 12, Range 9, and made oath that he taught a school in the district school house of District No. 5, in Town 12, Range 9, commencing on the 31st day of August, 1846, and ending the 29th day of January, 1847, and kept a day book with open doors for all the children in said district according to the best of his abilities, as the law requires. Sworn and subscribed to this 17th day of March, 1847, before me. William D. Roberts, Clerk T. 12, R. 9."
Among the men who have been Trustees in this township were: Milton Wagner, Gideon Corey, John T. Scull, William A. Wagner, Philip Reddenbaugh and Franklin Henderson, the present incum- bent.
Anderson Township. The first school in this township was doubtless taught by John W. Thompkins, in 1823. He was a
828
RUSII COUNTY.
brother of G. W. Thompkins, well known in Rush County. In 1825, his father, Nathan Thompkins, taught at the same place. This house stood about half a mile south of Milroy on the Edwards' farm, now belonging to John Jackman. In 1826-27, Nathan Thompkins taught in his own cabin just at the west end of town, on lot No. 2, now belonging to John Zimerlee. In 1830, Alex Innis taught northwest of Milroy on the land now belonging to James M. Innis. Other teachers here were: Patterson,- McConnell, John Bell and Knowles Shaw, the great evangelist. W. H. Crane taught a mile and a half south of Milroy, on the land now belong- ing to Bowls and Root, in about 1832. In 1834, James Seright taught at the McCarty school house. Other teachers here were: Milton Wagner, of Orange Township, William Wheeler, 1837-38. Samuel Lowden and Jacob Camer, 1840. This house stood near the graveyard north of Mt. Olivet Methodist Episcopal meeting house.
One of the oldest schools in this township was conducted by Lot Green, father of Samuel Green, of Rushville, and Dr. Green, formerly of Arlington. The house stood on the farm of Jacob Hackleman, now Jesse Winship; this was in 1828. The next year, George Wrinbro taught here. He treated his pupils on the last day of school on whisky. Mrs. John W. Feree was a pupil here when she was five years old. At a school taught in this house this little girl received a prize for best spelling. The prize consisted of two yards of pink ribbon. The Bell school house stood on Gabriel Springer's farm, about the middle of Section 8; the land now be- longs to the Springer heirs. John Bell, a former County Surveyor, taught several terms here in the early thirties. Amanda Thorn- burg, of Carthage, taught here. Other teachers were: George Lowden, Dr. Robb, Andrew Young, Thomas Jones and George W. Elstun. William Wheeler taught in 1830-31 near where the Hurricane Christian Church now stands. Barker Brown and G. W. Thompkins were pupils in this school. Jacob Stallard taught in 1833, just south of where William Seright now lives. John Hume now owns the site of this school. Milton Wagner, of Orange Township, taught here a term or two. Other teachers were: Benjamin Boon, 1835; James Axley Stallard, 1837; Loyl Bishop and Andrew Richey, about 1839-41; an Irishman, named Lafferty, about 1838-39; James Seright, in 1843. Abram Plew, in 1835, taught in a house right by the county line between Rush and De- catur. The house stood on Gosnell's land, and hence called the Gosnell school house. Barker Brown taught his first school in this house in 1843-44. Other teachers here were: William Hand, Nelson Hamilton and James H. Dickson. E. H. M. Berry taught
829
SCHOOLS.
a school south of Milroy two miles, in the winter of 1864-65, after he had been elected County Treasurer, but before assuming the duties of the office. He also taught on George Hume's land, in the house called the Burton house, in 1858-59 and 1859-60.
Milroy .- Miss Sallie Bartlett taught in Milroy in 1828-29, on the north side of the street in Nathan Julian's house, now owned by D. C. Stewart. In 1844 or '45, a frame house stood on the east bank of the creek, south side of the street. It was built for a church and school house. It was called the Milroy Athe- neum. Celia Winship, afterward Mrs. Celia Hunt, taught here. She was well known in Indiana as a successful educator. Other teachers here were: E. H. M. Berry, Harvey Hedrick, George W. Elston and I. P. Root. In 1855, the Trustees of the tow- nship, the Masonic Fraternity and Sons of Temperance com- bined to build a school building and hall. The Township Trustees were: Jabez Winship, Samuel Henry and G. W. Thompkins. The house was built but burned down, in a few years. E. H. M. Berry followed Celia Winship as teacher in this building. On January 14, 1860, the Trustees contracted with Deliscus Lingenfelter for the brick house now used as a public school building. The first school taught in this building was under the skillful management of I. P. Root, a very efficient teacher. He was assisted by William Glass, subsequently an M. D. Dr. O. F. Fitch, well known in this part of Indiana, and a good teacher, had charge of the Milroy schools in 1862-63 and 1865-66. He was assisted by Miss Emily Clements, afterward Mrs. Dr. S. C. Thomas. This lady also taught here subsequent to her marriage. Misses Louiza Miller and Re- becca Thomas taught in this town in 1865.
The first School Trustees in Anderson Township were: E. H. M. Berry, William Thomas and James Buchanan, elected in April, 1853. On the 14th day of May, 1853, the Board ordered an elec- tion to be held to determine whether or not the people were willing to be taxed to build school houses. And the vote also decided the question as to the number of houses needed. On the latter prop- osition there were seventy-four votes in favor of five houses and thirty-six in favor of seven. The next year the enumeration of school children showed that Anderson Township had 511 children of school age-more than she has to-day. It seems to have been proper in those days to raise large families of children. Among other teachers in this township were: Walter Smith, - Gregg, Towner, George C. Wyatt ( Principal Milroy in 1879), Samuel Innis, Alfred Swain, William Barton, Mrs. S. J. Pegg, Clara Whiteman, John P. Waters, J. T. Seaton, H. B. Wilson (present Principal in Milroy), Hattie Kerr, Cora and Ida Boys, L. G. Mar-
830
RUSH COUNTY.
shall, Maude Bartlett, J. W. Ball (Principal 1884), Anna R. Thomas, Sullivan Hilligoss. Dr. Thomas, of Milroy, taught several terms of school in this township. William A. Blair is now Township Trustee. In the past year he has erected a brick school house, No. I, known as "Olive Branch." William Seright, two years ago while serving as Trustee, erected a brick school house in his home district. Thus the old frame houses are gradually giving place to substantial brick buildings.
Richland Township .- In 1830, Alexander Fisher taught in a round log school house - used also for a meeting house. This house stood south of Richland at the cross roads west of Commissioner Patton's. William Morrow also taught here and preached. Benjamin F. Ricker was another teacher in this school. In a few years a school house was built east of this point on the. farm of Jacob Hite. Among the teachers here were: Alex Fisher, W. P. Andrews, James McConnahay, Lile Hopkins, John M. Washburn, Jonah Morgan and Smith Wright -brother of Elder Harvey Wright. Among the pupils of this school were: Alex Shan- non, Jacob Fisher, Thomas Shannon, George Glass (now of Tipton ) and James W. Stewart. A log school house stood at the county line between Rush and Decatur on Morgan Linville's farm. Will- iam Hogue of Virginia taught here about 1843. Other teachers were: William A. Higgins and Angeline Donnell. The first school house at " Neff's Corner " was of the pioneer class. This has always been a large school; strong in numbers. Among the early teachers here we find Charles W. Morrow -from Noble Township, William Hogue, William Andrews, 1829-30, Robert A. Ayers, now in Rushville, Jacob Fisher for many years Trustee in the township, John W. Glass, a prominent lawyer in Arlington, David S. Morgan, the Rushville attorney, and many others at a later date. A school house stood one mile east of Richland near the Methodist graveyard. Among the early teachers we find, Thorp, Hon. William J. Brown, Samuel Tarr, William Mor- row (the preacher) and John McConnahay. These were as early as 1828-33. 'Half a mile north of this point was built a frame house, and Jonah Morgan taught in 1834-35 the first school. Sub- sequently Harriet Flinn nee Posey taught this school. Jonah Mor- gan died February 25, 1837. He was an elder brother of Hon. Jesse Morgan. W. C. Barnes taught the first school at " Clifty."
Richland Academy .- This institution was started in 1855. A building was erected in *1856. It was controlled by a Board of Trustees, elected by the stockholders. Mr. James McCorkle and Mr. William Patton were the two persons who were most active in originating and, as long as they lived, in supporting the institution.
831
SCHOOLS.
The first Principal was Rev. A. Montgomery. Under Prof. John McKee it reached its highest point of prosperity. The war came on, the professor raised a company, many of the students entered. Afterward Rev. W. Pollock was elected Principal; then Rev. Will- iam Wright; then Prof. Gregg; then Mr. Craig; then Mr. Carr. The last was Prof. Gilmor, now of Allegheny, Pa. The standard of education, meantime, being so raised in our common and graded schools that there was little room between them and the university for such institutions. While it existed it was able to, and did pre- pare students for the Sophomore and even Junior class in college. Among the many who attended, we might name such lawyers as the late George B. Sleeth, P. M. Green, Pasadena, Col .; George H. Puntenney, Rushville; J. Cooper, Kokomo. Physicians: Will- iam Cooper, in Kansas, and H. Graham, Greely, Col. Merchants: J. McCulough, Indianapolis; L. Rankin, Pittsburgh, Pa .; Robert Darst, Milroy. Ministers: W. Hutchinson, Franklin, Ohio; J. Coven, Indianapolis; J. Elliott, Crawfordsville, Iowa; J. Rankin, Denver, Col .; T. B. Stewart, San Francisco.
The names of many other men, good and true, in each profes- sion, might be given. The names of many ladies might also be given, who, while in the academy and since, have shown themselves quite as worthy. Prof. Gilmor was Principal of the school after the control of it came into the hands of the Township Trustee. The old academy building was purchased in 1884, by Trustee James Fisher, who subsequently built the present elegant school building on the site of the old academy. Ed Taylor is now the Principal of this graded school, assisted by Mary McLaughlin. The infor- mation concerning the rise and career of the academy is derived al- most exclusively from Dr. McDill, of Richland, under whose watchful eye these events have transpired. J. W. Logan is now Trustee of this township, elected April, 1886. In the township are six school buildings, and employment is given to seven teachers. Jacob Fisher served as Trustee from 1859 until the law was so modified that he was no longer eligible. In 1880, Samuel R. Pat- ton, now County Commissioner, was elected Trustee, and served two terms. He was followed by James Fisher, who was elected in 1884. As before remarked, he built the present elegant school building in Richland.
Rushville .- The City of Rushville was the scene of the earliest schools in the county. Scarcely had the smoke began to ascend from the first settler's cabin in the surrounding forest ere arrange- ments had been commenced to educate the pioneer youth. Dr. William B. Laughlin was the prime factor in all matters that per- tained to the general welfare of the community, and in school af-
832
RUSH COUNTY.
fairs he was long the unquestioned authority. He was a man of liberal education and possessed of all those qualities that adapted him to lead in all the business of a new country. Having a large family of his own, he took early steps in his new home in the wil- derness to give them the advantages of education. It is said that he located here in the winter of 1820-21, and that his family soon after appeared upon the scene. The town of Rushville was laid out in March, 1822, and being the capital of the recently organized county, immigration at once began. By the fall of 1822, several families had located here, and some were scattered around the ad- joining country. In the midst of his manifold duties, Dr. Laughlin undertook to instruct the children of the neighborhood, in addition to his own. For this purpose a log cabin was erected a few rods from his own house on the ground now occupied by the Presby- terian Church. It was there, late in 1822, that the first school in Rush County was taught, according to the statements of Harmony Laughlin, one of the pupils at that term, and also of Dr. Arnold, than whom there is perhaps no better authority. It should be stated, however, that the honor of having the first school in the county is claimed for other localities, as given elsewhere in this chapter. Among the pupils at that school were: Matthias Par- sons, David A. Crawford, James Walker and others, in addition to the children that composed the somewhat extensive family of the teacher. Dr. Laughlin continued to teach there during the winters for several years, giving instruction in the common branches as the custom prevailed in those times.
The growing needs of the town soon demanded a more advanced school, and with his usual enterprise Dr. Laughlin, in 1828, opened the first academic school in the county. This was held in a large two-story log house which he had erected on the lot now owned by Mrs. Patton, but more familiarly known as the Poundstone lot. This building had been constructed for the express use of this school. The course of study embraced many of the higher branches of learning, and was calculated to prepare the student for entrance into college. After three years of moderate patronage this was suspended, and the common subscription schools furnished the only medium of education which the youth of the community enjoyed until the organization of the County Seminary in 1837-38.
The early laws of the State provided that fines and certain other sources of revenue should be devoted. to the maintenance of a County Seminary. The one in Rush was put in charge of Joseph Nichols, under whose management it remained for several years. Nothing but the common branches were taught. John W. Bar- bour was for some time an assistant teacher in this school, and it
Tpms. Power
835
SCHOOLS.
was the saying that "Nichols taught and Barbour threshed." The seminary was continued until in the decade of the fifties, but never reached that high standard which the public required.
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.