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 41
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Town of Marion. - This town is the oldest in the county, it was laid out by John Sleeth and James Wilson, December 27th, 1820. It was surveyed by H. P. Wilson, a surveyor from Franklin County. Said plat shows that it was originally recorded January 15th, IS21, at Brockville, the county seat of Franklin County, which then in- cluded Shelby County within its territory. In 1876, a copy of the
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recorded plat of said town, was procured from the said record of Franklin County, and the same was copied and recorded in our records. The town originally consisted of 56 lots, each marked 30-100 A., and a public square containing 120-100 acres. Said town plat was acknowledged by but one of the proprietors, viz .: James Wilson, January 15th, 1821, before Robert John, J. P., of Franklin County. And the acknowledgment of said James Wil- son states, that each lot is 4 chains in width, by 8 chains in length, which would make them equal to 4x8 - 32 square chains -3.2 Acres - 3 1-5 Acres. It also states that the streets are 2 chains in width, which would be equal to 8 rods or 132 feet in width. Rather large lots and wide streets. There is obviously a "Comedy of Errors " right here in this acknowledgment, for we presume that rods were meant instead of chains, and that the lots are 4x8- 32 square rods -. 2 Acre- 2-10 - 1-5 Acre in area in each: and that the streets are 2 rods in width perhaps. The variation of the needle is marked at 7º 20' which was probably taken from the Government Surveyor's field notes, at that time. Sleeth's full name is not given on the plat, but I have ascertained that it was John Sleeth, from the venerable Isaac H. Wilson, now living in Shelby- ville, at the advanced age of eighty years, who was one of the or- iginal inhabitants of Marion, his father being the said James Wilson who signed the acknowledgment of the town plat before the aforesaid Squire, Robert John. The measuement of the west half of the southwest quarter of Section 9, in Township 13 north, Range 7 east, on which the town is located is on the plat, as the east and west lines of the half quarter section, each 40 chains - 160 rods. While the north and south lines are each marked 20, 50 chains. Furthermore, each lot on the plat is marked 30-100, which is ob- viously wrong for 30-100 A .- 30 A .- 160x30 - 48 square rods - 3-10- 3 acres, whereas 4 rods by Srods - 32 square rods. Hence, it appears that the lots are each marked wrong with 30-100, when it should be 20-100. In conclusion, we have this to say: We do not know who is responsible for so many errors and absurdities both in the plat and in the acknowledgment, but it is fair to assume that all such egregious mistakes have been cured by the lapse of time, it being now about sixty-seven years since the little town was located and laid out.
The inhabitants of Marion, in IS22, made a persistent effort to secure the location of the county seat on the site of their town, by urging upon the commissioners of location, the beautiful, high, and dry characteristics of the soil within and contiguous to the town site; but failed to secure it by reason of the more central situation of the site proffered by the county seat at the mouth of Little Blue
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River, which was finally selected by the commissioners, and which became the present city of Shelbyville. A large portion of the lots, in the south part of Marion, was some years afterward va- cated, and reverted back to the original proprietors or their heirs.
Brandywine Town commonly called Pin-Hook .- This lit- tle town was laid out by Lewis Morgan, June 14, 1832, sur- veved by Leroy Gregory, deputy county surveyor, April 9, 1832; acknowledged by said Lewis Morgan, August 6, 1832. Washing- ton Street was located on the Michigan road, ninety-six feet wide. Clay and Jackson Streets, each thirty-three feet wide. Alleys only six feet wide. Lots five rods by eight rods -forty square rods - one-fourth acre in each. Four lots were laid off in a block, and the blocks from one to ten. There were forty lots laid off in low second bottom land. Said town is situate about one-fourth mile beyond the point where the Michigan road crosses Brandywine Creek, and is about five miles northwest of Shelbyville, and about one mile northeast of Fairland, on the C., I., St. L. & C. R. R. The nickname or sobriquet so often applied to Brandywine Town, of "Pin-Hook," originated in this way. The early inhabitants were not only very poor - too poor to buy steel fish hooks, which in those days were worth at least ten times as much as they are now, so they took the common brass pins which were much cheaper, and bent them into hooks, with which they fished. They were also inveterate fishers, and it was no uncommon sight to see both banks of Brandywine Creek lined with men, women, boys, girls, and children generally, all busily engaged in fishing with pin- hooks. Brandywine Creek at that time swarmed with fish, and an expert angler could soon "ketch " a mess of fish with no better implement than a pin-hook, for he did it with skill and sleight-of-hand dexterity, the result of incessant and persevering practice. Goods were sold here at different times in the history of the place, but in a business point of view it is of little importance.
Mount Auburn. - This town was originally laid out by John Warner, Christopher M. Allen, Daniel A. Allen and William P. Records, January 18, 1837. It consisted of thirty-two lots each 7012X14I feet. Main and Walnut Streets each seventy feet wide, other streets fifty. Alleys twelve. It was laid out at the corner common to four sections, viz .: Sections 17, 18, 19, 20 in Township II north, Range 6 east, variation 5º. Two additions were made to Black Hawk, by William P. Records, Daniel A. Allen and Chris- topher M. Allen, May 15, 1839, consisting of sixteen lots on the north of the original town plat, and eight lots on the south. Klein's Addition to Mount Auburn was made by Jacob Klein and Phebe Klein, February 14, 1884. See plat book No. 2, page 28, consist-
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ing of six lots in southwest quarter, of the southwest one quarter, Section 17, Township 11, Range 6; all lying east of Mulberry Street and north of the new school-house lot, each 4012 feet front by 237 deep.
Mount Auburn is situate at the geographical centre of Jackson Township, the southwest corner Township of the county, twelve miles southwest of Shelbyville, and five miles northeast of Edinburg, Johnson County, Indiana, on the I., M. and I. R. R. The original name of Mount Auburn was Black Hawk, so named after the cele- brated Indian chief Black Hawk. The first goods brought to Mt. Auburn were by a man by the name of Huffman. His stock con- sisted of general merchandize, and was kept in a small frame house that stood on the same lot now occupied by Mr. Conner's business house. Mr. A. Barnett came soon after and opened a store across the street from Huffman's. Then came Sylvester Delano and Caleb Sanders. Other early merchants were: John S. Camp- bell, A. B. Alsip, Obediah Sims, Joshua Lucas, Austin Ship and Edward Ferrell. In 1839, Joseph Hageman located his saw mill near the town. He sold in a short time to Delano & Sanders, who operated it more extensively, and in 1841, attached a grist mill, or more properly a corn cracker. Among the early enterprises of the town may be mentioned a tannery, which was owned and operated by a man named M. Reisman. The site of this tannery was a few yards west of the residence of Mr. John M. Payne. The hides of the wild and domestic animals, were dressed and thus the local demand for leather was met. The business at present consists of two stores, a wagon and blacksmith shop. The town numbers about 175 in- habitants.
Cynthiana was laid out by Andrew Snyder and Isaac Springer, August 18, 1835. Surveyed and platted by J. B. Nickel same date. It contained fifty lots arranged as follows: Twenty-five on the north side of Main Street laid off for Andrew Snyder and twenty- five on the south side for Isaac Springer. Main Street fifty feet wide, occupying the county road running east and west: Walnut Street fifty feet wide, and North and South Streets each thirty- three feet. All alleys ten feet wide. The lots fifty feet front on Main Street 100 feet back. This village is situate near the north- east corner of Liberty Township, and Main Street extends east to the county line between Shelby and Rush Counties. It is eight miles east of Shelbyville, and about one-fourth mile east of the crossing of Conn's Creek, on the county road running west to Shel- byville. Cynthiana itself is " set on a hill," and is remark able for the high hills north, south, and west of it; whilst to the east is a broad level plain extending far into Rush County. The post
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office at this place is called Blue Ridge. The land upon which the greater part of the town has been built was owned by Andrew Snyder. It was named by James Marshall in honor of his native town Cynthiana, Ky. John Youngman, was the first merchant and probably sold goods there as early as 1833. S. Robinson was the second. Then came John De Vaul, M. Crail, and A. Jerrell. D. Fox built a saw mill late in the thirties. The present business of the town is conducted by W. C. Yeager, I. W. Inlow, Jacob Querry, I. W. Marshall, J. N. Marshall, Aaron Austin, and James Stead.
Blue Ridge Lodge, I. O. O. F., No. 554, was established at Cynthiana November 22, 1877. The charter members were: M. L. Waggoner, N. G .; Arrass Jones, V. G .; E. T. Jones, Secretary; S. H. Yager, Treasurer; Asa Forsythe, Smith Solomon, Stanfield Marshall and David Solomon. The present membership is twenty- two, and the treasury has about $900 on hand, showing vigorous growth. In the hall of the lodge hangs an old clock that has been marking the course of time for more than fifty years, and is still counting the hours with a melancholy tick that echoes through the lonely room. The present officers are: Pliny Hungerford, N. G .; J. C. Marshall, V. G .; E. W. McDaniel, Secretary, and S. H. Yager, Treasurer. A grange flourished here at one time and had upwards of sixty members. A store was kept by the society a short distance west of Cynthiana, but it was discontinued four or five years ago.
Doblestoten was laid out by William A. Doble, October 3d, 1837. Surveyed by Joseph B. Nickel, County Surveyor, September 30th, 1836. See Deed Record G; page 597. This town as laid off cov- ered a good deal of territory, something over twenty acres. There were sixty-eight lots laid off, Main Street was located on the Mich- igan Road, 100 feet in width. One-half the lots, thirty-four in number, next to Main Street, were each 4x10-forty square rods -one-quarter acre, and the other half, thirty-four in number, were each 4x8- thirty-two square rods-one-fifth acre. The following was inserted just below the plat at the bottom of the page:
"N. B .- The proprietor of this town shall not be compelled to open the streets and alleys in Doblestown, any further nor any sooner than the adjoining lots are occupied."
This proved to be a wise provision, showing forethought in the projector, for the town did not improve much. 'A tavern kept by Mr. Doble, and a woolen factory some distance below the town, on the western bank of Big Sugar Creek, constituted about all the town that ever materialized. The town site is now occupied by a good farm.
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Pleasant View was laid out by Alexander Means, July 6, 1836. Surveyed the same day by John H. Messinger for said Means. Recorded July 20th, 1836, thirty-one lots, all regular full-sized lots 4xIo rods-forty square rods-one-quarter acre, Michigan State Road recorded 100 feet wide, adopted as the main or prin- cipal street. Sycamore Street is spelled Sickamore on this plat. First addition was made September Ist, 1837, and the record fails to show by whom. Sixty-two lots more laid off, all full lots 4XIO. Michigan Road 100 feet wide platted as Main Street. All other streets in said town twenty-four feet wide.
Pleasant View was in early times the principal town in the northwestern part of the county. The town began its existence as a trading point about the year 1835, when Frederick Thatcher moved a small stock of goods from the Means place, about one- half mile east of the village. He is said to have been the first mer- chant in the township, and after locating at Pleasant View did a good business for some time. The town was situated on the old Michigan road, and was for many years a stage station, where horses were changed and the weary traveler could find refresh- ments according to his taste. A hotel was among the early insti- tutions of the place, and the number was soon increased to two. Merchants multiplied and doctors grew plenty. Among the merchants, Adamson & McDougal, Joseph Kennedy, John Stanley, McCracken & Berry, and others, were some of the leaders. The first doctor was a Scotchman named Hutchinson; then came Tyner, Levitt and many others. Levitt was probably one of the lead- ing physicians of the county. Until the building of the railroad, Pleasant View was a flourishing country village, and gave promise of a bright future, but after the completion of the railway, it grad- ually declined to its present condition. A woolen factory at one time did a flourishing business, and other small enterprises were commenced. The present and only merchant is O. F. Mann. The post office has been discontinued at that place, but under the same name is now at Brookfield, less than two miles away, upon the rail- road.
Brookfield is a station on the Cincinnati, Indianapolis, St. Louis & Chicago Railroad, situated in the southwestern part of Moral Township, and near the county line. As a post office it is the suc- cessor of Pleasant View in name. It began its career as a trading point upon the completion of the railroad early in the fifties. The first merchant was John Joyce, who remained until 1860. At that date E. H. Stanley succeeded him, and since then has been in some manner interested in the business of the village. There is now a good grist mill in operation. The building was originally con-
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structed for a grain and warehouse, but in 1869 was converted to its present use. Since then Mr. Stanley has been identified with it as half owner. During war times two stores were in full opera- tion with a fair measure of success. The present merchants are Means & Stanley, who succeeded Means & Brother. The last named were for twenty years the leading merchants. The town was laid out November 26, 1863, by Robert Means and Joshua Dearman.
Norristown was laid out by David Winterrowed, William P. Winterrowed, Joseph Winterrowed, and Henry Deiwert, Novem- ber 22, 1851. Fifty-four lots, Main Street running east and west on the section line sixty feet wide, including the county road and Main Cross Street running north and south forty-eight feet. The post office is called Winterrowd.
It is said that Henry Deiwert was the first merchant here as early as 1845, and that he remained about ten years. About the year 1850, William P. Winterrowd began merchandising, which was continued several years. The leading merchants have been: Sylvestor Tillson, David Tuel, Dr. W. A. Bodine and John Newton. James Eason, the present merchant, has been there for some time doing a good trade. The first physician was James M. Norris, for whom the village was named. Dr. S. A. Kennedy is the only one there now. Farmers' Lodge, F. & A. M., No. 147, was organized May 27, 1853, David Conger was W. M., David Flynn, S. W., and Jesse Moorman, J. W. This lodge is said to have a present mem- bership of sixty-one. It is one of the most prosperous country lodges in this locality, and owns the building in which the meetings are held. The Grangers and Red Men formerly had organizations here, but both have gone down.
Flatrock was laid out by Thomas Woolley, Jamary 4, 1855. Forty-two lots laid out. Columbus & Shelby Railroad eighty feet wide; Broad Street, sixty feet; all other streets, fifty feet; alleys, twenty links wide variation, 5° 30'. This village is situated in the extreme southern part of the county near the southwestern corner of Washington Township, and is on the line of the J., M. & 1. Railroad. It is a thriving little place and since its inception has been considered a good trading point, but has in the last few years made more progress than formerly. The rail- road gives it advantages the neighboring villages do not have. One of the most important business concerns is the grain elevator and warehouse conducted by John and William Nadings. It is one of the largest of the kind in this locality and a large business is carried on. Wesley Nadings and C. P. Isley have general stores and do a good retail trade. Alvin Moore owns a saw mill, which
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he has conducted for several years with profit. D. A. Pettigrew and H. M. Connelley, are the present physicians. In addition to them, Drs. Norris, Free, Benham, Kennedy, Lytle, Handy and Jones, have practiced medicine from this place. The usual num- ber of blacksmiths, shoemakers and other mechanics are here, that go to make a thriving country town. The people are energetic, enterprising and law-abiding. There is in existence there a horse thief detective association that is somewhat novel in its workings. The members are united for the purpose of apprehending criminals and bringing them to justice. If they fail in finding the property, they contribute sufficient money per capita to replace it with another as good. It is practically a horse thief insurance society.
Smithland was laid out by Hezekiah Smith, October 28, 1851, containing sixteen lots 4 rods by 10 rods --- 14 acre each. Varia- tion of surveyor's compass needle 5° 45'. It was laid out on the line of the old Edinburg & Shelbyville Railroad, and its first busi- ness was conducted by Austin Clarke, who opened a store here about the time of the completion of the railroad. Aaron Smith and Jesse Smith were also early merchants. McCain and Smith built a saw mill there some time in the fifties. The pres- ent business is conducted by Dr. Smith & Son and Mr. Sloan. Hiawatha Lodge No. 193, I. O. O. F., was first instituted at Marietta but owing to the number of its members who re- sponded to the call of their country and went to the war the char- ter was surrendered during that period. Early in the seventies a petition was presented to the grand body asking for a new charter, which was granted and the lodge established at Smithland, with L. Jones as Noble Grand. The lodge now own the property which they occupy, and although not strong in numbers are pros- perous.
Marietta was laid out by James Wray June 19, 1839; surveyed by Joseph B. Nickel, County Surveyor. Twenty lots each 66 feet front by 165 feet deep, - 14 acre. Main Street 66 feet wide, all other streets 33 feet. Alleys 12 feet wide. Plat of Marietta and Engler's Addition, by David Engler, August 11, 1849, showing sixty-seven lots in all. Church Street and Railroad Street each 66 feet in width. Soon after the town was laid out, William Cooper embarked in the mercantile business in a large frame dwelling- house (which was probably the first built), that stood on Main Street, near the Methodist Episcopal Church. This was a grocery store. There was a great demand for a general store and in re- sponse to this demand S. Robertson bought a stock of general merchandise and began business in a frame building on Railroad Street. The later merchants were: Rush & Engler, Samuel Elliott,
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B. F. Sturgis, Thomas McGarren, Lafayette Davison, William Higgins, Harry Norton, "Bud" Snapp, William Cochran, Abner Richey, Harry Hageman, Lewis Conner and James French. About the time of the completion of the Edinburg & Shelbyville Railroad, a saw mill was established on Blue River by Mr. Heas- ton, but was sold to Samuel Elliott and a grist mill built in connec- tion. An extensive lumber business was carried on for several vears until the mill was destroyed by fire. D. H. Slagle may be be mentioned as an extensive operator in the same line. At pres- ent Hageman and Miley, John Beucheimer, John Pile, Samuel Dick, Jesse Sithen and Joseph Kanouse are engaged in the different branches of trade in the town.
Fountaintown, laid out by Matthew Fountain, December 23, 1854. Twenty-three lots. each 5x8 rods - 14 acre. Railroad Street, including eighty feet belonging to the C., H. & D. Railroad, formerly called the Junction Railroad, is 120 feet wide; Main and Hill Streets, thirty-three feet wide: alleys, one rod wide. Mil- bourn's Addition, by Richard Milbourn, January 1, 1868. Fifty- seven lots north of the original plat and east of the Greenfield road. White Fountaintown was not laid out until 1854: there had been several houses erected and some business done prior to that time. The Fountains and Benjamin Freeman were among the early merchants. The town grew slowly until 1867, the date of the completion of the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Indianapolis Railroad, when it began a new life, and at present has a population of prob- ably 350 people. The various departments of business are at present represented as follows : General stores, J. S. Smith and J. E. Campbell; groceries. Marion Campbell: notions, E. T. J. Jorden ; agricultural implements, Meyers & Jorden; pump factory, F. M. Avers & Son: tile factory and saw mill. J. W. Draper; grist mill, Clark Macy; blacksmiths, Kroening & Fout and Coleman Lisher. The only secret order in the town is the Knights of Pythias, which was instituted August 23, 1887, having been in existance less than one month.
Gwynneville was laid out by Alexander D. Pollitt, January 25, ISSI. Pollitt's First Addition - May 20, 18SI - Recorded March II, ISS2. Surveyed by Charles F. Webster, County Surveyor. It contains 34 lots, most of them 60x120 feet. Alleys 161/2feet. Main Street, on the Brookville State road is 60 feet wide. All other streets, 50 feet, except West Street, 30 feet. Main Street runs north 75° west. This town was named in honor of O'Brien Gwynne, a distinguished merchant and business man of Carthage, Rush County, Ind., who owned large tracts of land in the vicinity.
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The first merchant was Warren King, who commenced selling goods, October, ISSI; Second was William M. Swain and Robert Meredith, partners; Third, W. W. Wilcoxen and William Leisure, and J. E. Earnest, first blacksmith. The present business: War- ren King, general merchandise; A. W. Swain, general merchandise; Wortman & Leisure, implements and hardware; F. W. Rusey, tile and brick; M. M. Hacket, saw mills; Frank Conrad, blacksmith.
Freeport was laid out by Ira Bailey, Alexander Rittenhouse and John McCormick, March 17, 1836. Surveyed by Joseph B. Nickel, County Surveyor, March 3, 1836. Also acknowledged by Hopkins Harris " as far as his land comes into the said plat, and wishes the same to go to the record," April 25, 1836. On the line between Sections 14 and 15, Township 14 north, Range 7 east. Twenty-eight lots laid off. Main Street, located on the pub- lic road running north and south on the said section line 40 feet wide; variation 5° 45'. Bailey's Addition to Freeport. By Ira Bailey, May 7, 1838. Surveyed by Joseph B. Nickel, County Sur- veyor. Thirteen lots laid off " south of the original town plat, on the east side of said section line, and reaching from the east side of Main Street to Blue River. Laid out to the south line of said Sec- tion 14." The location of Bailey's mill at the present site of Free- port, early in the twenties, brought many people there for bread stuff and made it a desirable point for the location of a store, which was done a few years later by John Corell, who it is claimed, was its first merchant. This, however, is disputed by others who claim to know, saving John McCormick deserves the credit of being the first. Nathan Prince, Alexander Rittenhouse and Judge Bailey, were also early merchants. The present business of the town con- sists of a flouring mill, owned by Alexander Mellis, and a general store by A. F. Kinsly.
Vinton was laid out by John Andrews and James Templeton, March 20th, 1838. Surveyed by Joseph B. Nickel, County Sur- veyor, March 19th, 1838, 40 lots laid off, each 82 1-2 feet by 132 feet deep. Main Street located on Michigan Road, 100 feet wide. All other streets 50 feet, alleys 13.
Genera, Postoffice Sulphur Hill, was laid out by Lewis Cline, October 28th, 1853, consisting of 32 lots, each 60x120 feet. Streets 50 feet wide. It was laid out on the left bank ot Flatrock River in the western part of Noble Township. As a business point it is not now nor never has been of much importance. Messrs. Gibbs and Johnson, sold goods here at an early day. John Drowberger many years ago was engaged in merchandising just outside the limits of the town. At present C. C. Drowberger aud J. R. Keeling are
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selling goods. A grist mill owned and operated by Leonard Hier and the lime kiln of S. H. Gregory are the most important enter- prises.
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