USA > Indiana > Shelby County > History of Shelby 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 36
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Seven Day Adventists .- In the year of 187S, J. W. Johnson, of Boggstown, had after thorough investigations, become an advo- cate of the doctrine of the Adventist's Church, and began the observance of the Seventh day of the week as the true Sabbath. In the doctrines he so much cherished he felt it a duty incumbent to make an earnest effort to interest his neighbors, and to this end secured the assistance of Elder S. H. Lane, who in 1879, delivered a series of lectures on Bible subjects, touching the faith of this religious sect. Services were held under a tent the following year by Elders W. W. Sharp and J. P. Henderson, but the seeming' indifference of the people caused a discontinuance. Elders A. W. Bartlett and O. C. Godsmark preached occasionally, and in 1887, twenty-four of the citizens of Boggstown and vicinity had become converted to the faith, and were organized into a church by Elder W. Covert. Within a few months from date. of organization a neat frame building 30x42 feet in dimensions was completed at a cost of $1,500. The church is now prosperous and in a healthy working condition.
Waldron Class .- To Elders Hoffman and Godsmark is due the credit of first preaching, to the people of Waldron and vicinity, the doctrines of what they believe to be the true church. In
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August, 1886, they pitched their tent in the suburbs of the little village, and after seven weeks of earnest, conscientious work they were rewarded by results which were most satisfactory, the organ- ization of a church of their own faith. Twenty-five had signed the covenant, to observe the Seventh day as the true Sabbath. In conjunction with other denominations the Adventists have erected a commodious frame building which when completed will probably cost $1,000.
Christian Union Church .- This somewhat peculiar religious sect was the outgrowth of the late rebellion, and had its beginning in a convention held at Columbus, Ohio, in February, 1864. The delegates were from the various religious denominations of the country, who had become aggreived at and had withdrawn from their respective churches because of the real or fancied intolerance and fanaticism of its members and ministers. This new sect was organized on the basis declared by the convention as follows: Having a desire for a more perfect fellowship in Christ. and a more satisfactory enjoyment of the means of religious edification and comfort, we do solemnly form ourselves into a religious society, under the style of The Christian Union, in which we avow our true and hearty faith in the received scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the word of God and the only sufficient rule of faith and practice, and pledge ourselves through Christ which strengtheneth us " to keep and observe all things whatsoever he hath commanded us." Mr. A. M. Hargrave returned from the convention thor- oughly in sympathy with the teaching of the new church, and with the following named members of Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church withdrew and established what has since been known as Blue River Chapel: Henry Wolfe and wife, August Handy and wife, Alexander Smith and wife, Mrs. William Handy, John Jack- son and wife, Mrs. Dallas Smith, Charity Wolfe, Simpson Chandler and wife and Mrs. A. M. Hargrave. These were all Democrats and all the early accessions to the church were from the same party, consequently the class was for many years known as the " Democratic Church." Indeed, the same was true of all the or- ganizations of this sect - it was at first composed almost exclusively of members of that party. The first preliminary meeting with a view to organizing a class was held at Gales' school-house in Hancock County, in the summer of 1864. An organization was soon perfected and meetings were held in said house until the erec- tion of the present frame church in the early part of the seventies. The church building is 40x52 feet in dimensions, and was completed at a cost of $1,000. Rev. O. H. P. Abbot, now of Indianapolis, was the first regular pastor and served the church for many years.
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Lutherans .- The first class of this denomination was organized in Jackson Township more than forty years ago. The first meet- ings were held in the residences of the members and in the district school-house. Early in the forties, what is now known as St. George's Lutheran Church was established, and a frame building probably 36x40 feet in dimensions was erected on the line of the Edinburg & Flatrock pike, two miles south of Mt. Auburn. The early members were: George Warner, B. Brooks, A. J. Treaon, Daniel Heck, Peter Borry, Lewis Snepp. The leading early min- isters were: Revs. Rudesill, Laudslager and Hinkle. Later the church was served by Revs. Levengood, Graundt, Fairchilds, Wesner and J. H. Link. The old frame church building gave place, late in the sixties, to the present brick edifice, which was completed at a cost of about $5,000. The membership at present is I20.
St. Paul's Lutheran Church, at Mt. Auburn, was organized in the latter part of the sixties, with the following families most prom- inent: Wertzes, Stines, Lamberts and Niebels. The first and only church building used by the congregation was bought of the Meth- odists, remodeled, and is now valued at $1,500. There are now about eighty active members in the church. The ministers who have served are the same as above mentioned. The present pas- tor is Rev. D. A. Kuhn.
Separate Baptists .- The only organization of this division of the Baptist Church, is that known as Pleasant View in the Scott neighborhood, Jackson Township. Meetings were held in the school-house until the old Lutheran, which stood two miles south of Mt. Auburn was purchased in 1868, and removed to its present location. Rev. Martin Layman was probably the organizer of this church, but did not remain long in charge; he was succeeded by Benjamin Stoughton. Other pastors were: Benjamin Whittington and Joseph McQueen. Prominent among the members were: Abner Conner and wife, Joel D. Scott and wife, John Layman and wife, Sarah Davis, John Shauer and wife, and T. French and wife. The church has a membership of sixty-two and is in a fairly good condition.
New Lights .- Although there were a few adherents of this particular faith in the county at an early day there was no perma- nent organization. Meetings were occasionally held in the neigh- borhood of Marion, and indeed it is claimed that one of the first religious gatherings was of the few New Lights who resided in that vicinity.
Grange Hall Church which is the only one of said denomination in the county was organized by Peter Baker, but a few years ago.
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The prominent members of the church who were active in organ- izing and sustaining it, are: W. F. Wicker and wife, August Hun- dredthmark and wife, Abraham Baker and wife. The present pastor is Rev. Thrailkill. The membership has grown very rapidly and the church is now in a prosperous condition. The present meeting place is in the old Grange Hall in the north central part of Union Township. The building is a frame and was bought by the church for $100, and with the repairs, since made it is now a com- fortable building.
African Methodist Episcopal Church .- The colored people of Shelbyville and vicinity enjoyed but few privileges of public wor- ship prior to 1872. The few representatives of the colored race who came here at the close of the war, were illy prepared to pay for the services of a pastor, or to provide themselves with a place of public worship. All efforts to organize a class of this denomin- ation failed until the coming of Robert Watkins, to whom credit is due for the establishment of a Methodist Episcopal Church. The first meeting was held by Robert Watkins at his own residence, and the only resident member of the church was Frank Allen, Daniel Morgan's family being at that time members of the white Methodist Episcopal Church. An organization was perfected in the fall of 1872, and after holding meetings in various places Wise's Hall was leased, and this was used as a place of worship until the completion of the present church building. This building which is a small frame was erected at a cost of $250, which was contributed largely by the white people of the town. The church belongs to what is known as the Lexington Conference, by which the follow- ing ministers have been assigned: Daniel Tucker, Rev. Straws, James Molan, George Zeigler, Daniel Heston, Rev. Steen and C. Nickols. There are at present about forty-eight active mem- bers. and much enthusiasm is manifested at their meetings.
Second Baptist Church of Shelbyville. ( Colored.)-The or- ganization was perfected February 19, 1869. There were present Revs. William Moose, J. Reece, J. B. Shaff, M. Brayles, W. Sin- gleton and William Neal. Rev. William Moore officiated as mod- erator. The meetings for this purpose, as well as for the general purposes of the church, for the first six years were held in the third story of the brick building now occupied by Julius Joseph. There were seven members that constituted the church as organized, but the church gained rapidly in numbers, and at present there is a total membership of seventy. The present brick building which stands on Hendricks is 33×50 feet in dimensions and was com- pleted at a cost of $2,500. The dedication exercises were held in I.875, Rev. Moses Brayles delivering the sermon on that occasion.
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CHAPTER VII.
COMPILED BY WILLIAM R. NORRIS.
TOWNS -- SHELBYVILLE-EARLY ITEMS-PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS --- BANKS -AN OLD MAP -THE TOWN IN 1856 - INCORPO- RATION -- ADDITIONS -- REMINISCENCE OF 1836 -- POPULATION --- SECRET SOCIETIES -- MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISES- THE PRESS - OTHER TOWNS OF THE COUNTY, ETC.
HELBYVILLE is a young city, her history is all comprised within the limits of sixty-five years, that is, from July 4. 1822, to the present time, ISS7, a period by five years less than that allotted to man by the Psalmist: " Three score years and ten." There are several men still living, who helped to " clear" the site of the Original Town Plat. Youth and vigor mark her proportions, rather than ancient fame and mediaval renown. Her growth from inception has been steady, progressive, and continuous; not subject to ephemeral booms nor protracted depressions; hence she is solid to the core, and her future prosperity is assured, by reason of the fact, that she is situate in the very heart of the gar- den spot of Central Indiana's unsurpassed fertility. Shelby County having been organized in 1821, by Act of the Legislature in ses- sion assembled that year at Coryden, the then Capital of the State of Indiana; the next step to be taken was the selection of a site for the Capital or County Seat. On the 3Ist of December, IS21, the Legislature appointed Messrs. George Bentley, Benjamin J. Blythe, Amos Boardman, Joshua Cobb, and Ebenezer Ward, five in number, constituting a Board of Commissioners for that purpose. On July 1, 1822, they met together at the house of David Fisher, near where the little town of Marion now stands; and after being duly sworn according to law, they proceeded to examine the four sites that had been offered the county for such purpose. First, Marion, the central geographical position of which was warmly urged. Second, Mr. Isaac Lemaster, whose farm was the same now owned by Mr. John Shaw, three miles southwest of us on the Marietta or River Pike, who offered forty acres. Third, the Hon. John Walker offered forty acres situated one mile north- east. The fourth proposition was that of three gentlemen, Major John Hendricks, Hon. John Walker and Mr. James Davison, who
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agreed to donate seventy acres, for the town site, which was the one eventually accepted. The commissioners of the Legislature spent four days in visiting and examining these proposed sites, and weighing and considering the arguments urged in favor of each, which resulted in their giving the award to the seventy acre offer, the site of the present city of Shelbyville. The donors of the seventy acres were Major John Hendricks, who donated forty acres of the above seventy. The Hon. John Walker, who donated ten acres: and Mr. James Davison who donated twenty acres. On the day upon which the Legislative commissioners arrived at a decis- ion, the Fourth of July, 1822, there was the greatest gathering of the people that had yet been held by the early settlers and pio- neers of the county, at a barbecue held immediately east of our present fair grounds. The selection of the seat of justice was there announced and received with general applause, and the occasion was long and pleasantly remembered. On the next day, July 5, I822, the County Commissioners of the then newly organized county met the commissioners of the Legislature, at the house of Mr. David Fisher, and formally received their report, fixing the site of the county seat. It was understood that the proceeds of the sale of the lands donated, were to defray the expense of put- ting up a court house. The County Commissioners therefore appointed an agent, the Hon. Abel Cole, to begin the pre- liminary work necessary. On the 15th of August he was au- thorized to "proceed to survey or cause to be surveyed and laid off into streets, alleys and town lots, all the west half of the dona- tion made by Major John Hendricks and the Hon. John Walker, at and adjoining the place established for the seat of justice." On the 23rd of September, 1822, the first disposal of lots took place, and it will illustrate the financial condition and monetary stringency of those times to recall the terms of said sale. They were these: " One-twelfth in hand, the balance in three equal annual payments, with interest from date of sale, if not paid at maturity." Soon after this the public square was cleared of trees, logs. bushes, brush and undergrowth, and improvements were begun upon several lots on the public square and principal streets. A discount of eight per cent. was allowed to those paying cash in full. The lots brought from $30 to $50 each, those fronting on the public square selling for $50 each, where they are now worth $100 per front foot for the land alone, exclusive of the buildings thereon. Messrs. Francis Walker, Henry Gatewood and Ezra McCabe made the first open- ing in the town, clearing away the trees where it is now all open, except as inclosed by buildings and fences. Henry Gatewood
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bought the lot upon which the Ray House now stands for $50. It was thus that our present beautiful and prosperous city began its steadily progressive career. The first house erected upon the site of the city of Shelbyville was the home of Mr. Francis Walker, and it stood on the northwest corner of Washington and Tomkins Streets, where Mrs. Susan Dixon now resides.
The first court ever convened here, was on the Ioth of October, IS22. and the first judges were Messrs. John Sleeth and William Goodrich. The first business transacted by them was to admit five applicants to the practice of the law as attorneys and counsellors, "in this court." The prosecuting attorney was Hiram W. Curry, Esq. The first oath of allegiance was that of Mr. John N. Calvert, who on the Ist day of May, 1823, declared his intention to renounce the authority of King Georve IV, of Great Britain and Ireland, and to become a loval citizen of the United States. The first document upon record in our Recorder's office, is a warranty deed from David and Beniah Guard to John J. Lewis, dated June 25, 1822, and recorded July 19th of the same year. The first election ever held in the city took place in the forks of a tree on the public square. for the purpose of selecting a major of the militia, and re- sulted in the choice of Major Ashbel Stone. The first flour and saw-mill in the county was built by Mr. John Walker, in IS22, upon the site now occupied by the Shelby water mills. Our first postmaster was Mr. William Little, and the rate of postage in his day was twenty-five cents per letter.
Banks. - Previous to 1851, all money transactions with the great cities were done by carrying the amount usually in saddle-bags, to Indianapolis or Cincinnati. In that year, the banking business had its origin here in the establishment of a private bank by Messrs. John Elliott, James IIill, Samuel Hamilton and Alfred Major, under the firm name of Elliott, Hill & Co. Out of this in 1858 grew two enterprises, to-wit: the Shelby Bank of Mr. Samuel Hamilton, which still exists and is carried on at the northwest corner of South Harrison and Jackson Streets, in Mr. Hamilton's bank build- ing. And the bank of Messrs. Elliott & Major, which continued until 1865, when it sold out to Elliott & Co., who merged their business in the First National Bank, which still does business at the southwest corner of the Public Square on West Washington Street. Wonderful strides have been made in this department of financial business since its commencement here.
An Old Map .- In the County Recorder's office hanging on the north side of the room in a central position on the wall, is an old map, representing Shelby County, Ind., as it was in 1856. This old map which is worn with age, dirty, tattered and torn, and
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stained a buff yellow by the lapse of time, from long exposure to light and dust, evidently has done much good in its time, and is still good for many years of service yet, if properly preserved. On the map is marked the thirteen townships of the county, Shelby Town- ship not having been established at that time, it constituting the south half of Addison Township, prior to the division. At the top are the words, " A new Gazetteer Map of Shelby County by R. S. Davis, civil engineer, published by Davis & Kennedy, in the year 1856." At the upper left hand corner is a picture of the old Shelbyville Seminary, built in 1855. and on the upper right hand corner is a picture of the old Shelbyville Court House, built in 1851, by Edward May, of Indianapolis, Ind., the architect and builder. Near the centre of the map is located the town, now city of Shelbyville. In those days it was not near so large as it is now, nor had it so many inhabitants by two or three thousand. On this quaint and curious map, the north and east boundaries of the town were the same as at the present time. On the south, all below what is now South Street, was owned by Ralph Colescott, long since deceased. All west of West Street, was owned by Jackson Aldridge. In 1856, three railroads passed through Shelbyville, as follows: The Indianapolis and Cincinnati Railroad, now a part of the Cincinnati, Indianapolis, St. Louis & Chicago Railroad, com- monly called the " Big Four." The Shelbyville & Rushville Rail- road and the Shelbyville & Columbus Railroad, now known by the name of the Cambridge City Branch of the Jeffersonville, Madison & Indianapolis Railroad, often abbreviated to "Jeff. R. R.," or "Jim & I" for J., M. & I. R. R. And thirdly, the Edinburg, Shelby- ville & Knightstown Railroad. This line ran along the Smithland Pike, passed through the town on Broadway Street, out by the fair grounds and thence to Knightstown, in Henry County, Indiana. It was a curious old flat bar railroad which did not prove profitable to the stockholders, hence it got out of repair, and during the war, the rails were taken up by the government and shipped south, to be used in the construction of temporary railroad tracks in the south- ern states, for transportation of troops and munition of war. This road was never rebuilt, and nothing but the old grades and cuts in some placesremain. Into Shelbyville, in those days, ran six highways, all dirt roads, which are now first-class turnpikes. The county of- ficers were: Alexander Miller, Clerk: Squire L. Vanpelt, Sheriff; John J. White, Auditor: Isaac H. Wilson, Treasurer: James Mile- son, Recorder, The County Commissioners were Samuel Mont- gomery, Henry Buck and Moses P. Higgins.
Business Men of 1856 .- Around the edges or margin of this map are the business cards of many who were actively engaged in
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mercantile and professional pursuits at that time. The list is as follows: Ray & McFarland, S. D. Lyon, Alfred Major, Peaslee & McFadden, Davis & Wright and James Harrison, Attorneys at Law. Miller & James, Real Estate and Stock Agency; David Adams, M. D., Physician and Surgeon, office in Odd Fellows' Building: W. F. Green, M. D., Physician and Surgeon; J. Y. Kennedy & J. S. Forbes, Physicians and Surgeons; Dr. C. T. Rowell, Den- tist, office with Dr. Kennedy on Franklin Street, opposite new sem- inary: Milton Robins, M. D., dealer in Drugs and Medicines, north- east corner of the Public Square; Hendricks & Morgan, Drug Store, George Lupton, Surgeon and Dentist, all work warranted. Streng & Frankel. wholesale and retail manufacturers of all kinds of gentleman's wearing apparel; store north side Public Square; W. C. Miller & Co., retail dealer in foreign and domestic dry goods, groceries, hardware, boots and shoes; James Thomas, retail dealer in foreign and domestic dry goods, hardware, etc .; G. W. Toner & Co., dealers in dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, at I. Sorden's old stand: J. & M. Levinson, manufacturers and retail dealers in clothing, then adjoining the Masons' and Odd Fellows' Hall; W. II. Comingore, dealer in staple and fancy dry goods, boots, shoes, etc., east side of Public Square, one door south of Masonic Ilall; J. Freeman & L. Free- man, dealers in staple and fancy dry goods, ready-made clothing, hats, caps, boots, shoes, carpets, looking-glasses, etc .. on Harrison Street, opposite Sprague building: F. J. Faivre, variety store and dealer in confectioneries, cigars and tobacco, fire-works and drugs; store in Tron Front Building, west side of Harrison Street, second block south of old Public Square; Botts & Hubbell's family grocery and provision store, north side of Public Square; N. Vanpelt, re- tailer of all kinds of family groceries; Go to Blair & Elliott's for cheap dry goods, in Masonic Hall; J. S. Campbell, merchant tailor and gent's furnishing store; M. D. Stacey, dealer in watches and clocks. north side of Public Square: D. M. Burns, fashionable jew- eler, repairing of all kinds done in the best style and shortest no- tice: Stoves, Stoves, Stoves, at McElwee's, call for Climax, best in the market; W. M. & I. T. Brown, stove dealers and manufactur- ers of all descriptions of tin, copper and sheet-iron ware, southwest corner of Public Square; W. Browning, saddler and harness maker, south side of Public Square: I. B. Wood, saddler and har- ness maker, northwest corner Public Square; Cash for Hides and Leather, by George Kennedy: W. M. Parrish, fancy and orna- mental plasterer and cistern builder; Joseph Smithers, manufacturer of marble, tomb and ornamental work; J. Cummins, furniture ware- room on Washington Street; J. T. Ross, steam manufacturer of
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all kinds of furniture; J. H. Sprague, manufacturer of flour barrel staves: A. Wilkinson, picture gallery, over Gorgas' store; Johnson & Letherman, ambrotype and daguerreau artists; life-like pictures taken as cheap as any artists in the United States; give them a call; Shelby Bank .-- We are prepared to buy and sell eastern exchange, gold and silver, and uncurrent bank notes. Interest allowed on time deposits. Elliott, Hill & Co.
Of the above named business men the following are dead, to- wit: Martin M. Ray and Thomas A. McFarland, law firm of Ray & McFarland; William J. Peaslee, of the law firm of Peaslee & McFadden: Eden H. Davis and Cyrus Wright, of the law firm of Davis & Wright: S. D. Lyon, attorney; Dr. W. F. Green, Dr. John Y. Kennedy and Dr. J. S. Forbes, of the medical firm of Kennedy & Forbes: Dr. C. T. Rowell, dentist: Dr. George Lupton, surgeon and dentist: Mr. Hubbell. of the firm of Botts & Hubbell, grocers; N. Vanpelt, grocer: William Browning and I. B. Wood, saddlers and harness makers: Joseph Smithers, marble man; G. W. Toner; James Thomas, J. Freeman. of the firm of J. & L. Free- man, general dry goods merchants: Michael Levinson, of the firm of J. & M. Levinson; John S. Campbell, merchant tailors and clothiers; A. Wilkinson, picture gallery artist; John Hendricks, of the firm of Hendricks & Morgan, druggists. Of the first named business men of 1856 the following are still living, to-wit: Mr. Botts, of the Botts & Hubbell firm is in Kentucky: M. D. Stacey, jeweler is in Indianapolis; Alfred Major, attorney and banker, resides in this city; Dr. Milton Robins, resides here, retired from business; Dr. David Adams is practicing his profession with good success in Edinburg, Johnson County, Ind. Mr. McElwee, our old time stove dealer, is in Wisconsin: John Blair, of Blair & Elliott, dry goods merchants, lives in Ohio, and his whilom partner, Jesse W. Elliott, resides at Danville, Ill .: Joseph Cummins still resides in this city engaged in the undertaker . and funeral director's business. George W. Kennedy, who formerly dealt in hides and leather, now owns and runs the Star Mills, near the C .. I., St. L. & C. R. R. depot: W. H. Comingore lives at Indianapolis; Joseph Levinson, of the old firm of J. & M. Levinson, lives in this city, a kind of gen- eral purpose man who deals in anything and everything that brings the cash in. Lafe Freeman, of the old firm of J. & L. Freeman, lives in Cincinnati, a genial commercial tourist : F. J. Faivese is en- gaged in business in Kansas City, Mo .: William C. Miller, of the firm of Miller & James, runs a real estate agency and is the oldest agent in that line of business in the city; his old time partner, Thomas James, runs a notion and confectioner's stand on the Public Square, and keeps a boarding house on West Washington Street;
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