USA > Indiana > Tipton County > History of Tipton County Indiana > Part 22
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IMPROVED ORDER OF RED MEN.
One of the strongest and most popular fraternities in Tipton county at the present time is the Improved Order of Red Men. The order is largely beneficial, particular attention being paid to the sick. The social life of the order is of high standard, and the membership is progressive and with good lodge spirit. The principal lodge is Samoset Tribe No. 98, of Tipton, with a membership of two hundred and seventy-five men. Windfall has about one hundred members; Hobbs, nearly fifty; Goldsmith, one hundred and twenty- five; Atlanta, one hundred; Curtisville, sixty-five; Pickard's Mill, fifty; Sharpsville, one hundred; Kempton is small, and interest has somewhat abated here. The Tipton tribe owns its own hall on West Jefferson street, and are at the present time engaged in making improvements. Plans are made for a festival to be held the week beginning May 25, 1914, the money from which will go to build up the equipment of the order.
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS.
One of the most dignified and substantial lodges which ever existed in Tipton county is the Knights of Pythias. At one time they were unusually strong here, chapters being in almost every community. With the progress of time, however, there is but one left, that of Tipton, and strenuous efforts are being made to keep the spark of life in this one. The Knights of Pythias is a young man's order, and on this account there is almost an assurance that the lodge will in time develop to the former strength.
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CHAPTER XVI.
TIPTON COUNTY BANKS.
The early days of Indiana were the days of "wild-cat" banks. Some of these existed in Tipton county, but record of them is not available for the . present day writer. One of the first banks in the town of Tipton was the Vickrey Bank, an institution which was merged into the Union Bank, and later became the Farmers Loan and Trust Company, which name it now bears. In the year 1876 E. H. Shirk, of Peru, came to the town of Tipton and established a bank known as the Tipton County Bank. For many years this bank was the main one in the county, and did a good business, but in 1902 it was merged into the First National Bank.
In the absence of many banks the early farmer and business man de- posited his money with the merchants of the town. Some of these firms did an enormous banking business, and at one time a certain firm was far ahead of the Tipton County Bank in amount of banking business transacted in the county.
As the land of the county has developed richness and the people have accumulated wealth, the banks have grown and today have as much capital and resources as the best banks in the state. It would be hard to find another town the size of Tipton with as many and as rich banks. All are solid institutions, trusted by the people and of high standing in the state.
Following is a technical description of every bank in the county :
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK, TIPTON.
This bank was established in 1902, having absorbed the Tipton County Bank. The institution has steadily grown since that date, and at present there is a capital stock of $100,000, a surplus of $20,000, and the deposits amount to $290,000. J. E. Hawkins is president : John R. Nash, cashier ; H. S. Matthews, assistant cashier.
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CITIZENS NATIONAL BANK, TIPTON.
This bank was established in the year of 1898. The bank has become the largest in Tipton county, having today a capital stock of $100,000, $25,000 in surplus and undivided profits, and $800,000 in deposits. F. E. Davis is the president of the bank ; M. V. B. Newcomer is vice-president, and Lewis G. Seright is cashier.
FARMERS LOAN AND TRUST COMPANY, TIPTON.
This banking institution was organized and established in 1906, and to- day has a capital stock of $50,000, a surplus of $35,000, and the amount of $372,000 in deposits. W. W. Mount is president ; C. M. Martz, vice-presi- dent; Walter Carter, cashier ; J. C. Urmston, assistant cashier.
FARMERS' STATE BANK, HOBBS.
This bank opened its doors to the public on January 1, 1914. The capital stock of the institution is $25,000. M. M. Hobbs is president; John F. Morris, vice-president, and Idrell Carr, cashier.
PEOPLE'S STATE BANK, WINDFALL.
This institution was established in 1892 as the People's Bank, and was reorganized in 1912, taking the new name. The change was necessary under the state law that a bank has to renew their charter every twenty years. B. F. Legg, J. H. Zehner, W. H. Newton, A. S. Swoveland, Amos White, D. B. Vice and L. Connor were the original directors. J. H. Zehner was the first president, and W. B. Hale, cashier. John S. Mitchell is the president in 1914; B. F. Legg, vice-president; Phi. Scudder, cashier, and H. W. Brown. assistant cashier. The capital stock is $25,000; surplus, $6,250; undivided profits, $6,310.17; deposits, $194,141.68. The total resources of the bank are over $230,000.
THE SHARPSVILLE BANK.
The date of the charter of this bank is August 10, 1902. Maurice Warner was the first and present president. James L. Romack is vice- president; J. C. Holman, cashier, and A. C. McCoy, assistant cashier. The
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capital stock is $10,000, and the deposits amount to $215,000. The bank building was erected in 1903-4, and cost $3,000.
STATE BANK OF KEMPTON.
This bank was originally organized in 1900 as a private bank, but in 1904 changed to a state bank. C. Van Voorst was the first president and Newton Campbell the first vice-president. The present officers are : Newton Campbell, president; Thomas F. Lindley, vice-president; F. F. Blystone, cashier ; J. R. Cooper, assistant cashier. The capital stock is $25,000; the surplus $4,600, and undivided profits $1,200.
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CHAPTER XVII.
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.
GEN. JOHN TIPTON.
It is appropriate and fitting that some mention should be made of the illustrious, though notorious, man in honor of whom this county was named, and also the county seat-mention in the way of information and perhaps justification.
John Tipton was of Irish descent, his father a native of Maryland. Young Tipton was born in the midst of strife and turmoil, and his young eyes looked upon bitter family feuds, violent encounters, and his mind was taught hatred toward his enemies. Young Tipton lived to see his own father surreptitiously murdered, as has been alleged, by the Sevier family, enemies of the Tiptons. John Tipton was born on August 14, 1786, so was seven years old at the time of his father's death.
When he was twenty-one years old John Tipton moved with his mother and family to Indiana, settling near Bringley's Ferry, in Harrison county.
Early in his life here, his military genius and natural faculty for leader- ship were recognized by his fellows. His first military experience was as a member of a company of mounted riflemen known as "Yellow Jackets." As this company waged a merciless war on the Indians, Tipton was soon inured to the smell of gunpowder and became one of the most notable figures in the campaigns of that day. His troops marched on the Prophet's town, and engaged the red men. The whites lost severely, and it so happened that so many of the officers were killed that it was necessary to hold another election. Tipton was chosen captain.
In the battle of Tippecanoe, on October 7, 1811, Gen. John Tipton won his spurs as an Indian fighter and leader. He distinguished himself in this struggle. To show his magnanimity and whole-heartedness, he afterward purchased the historic battle-ground, so that the bones of his comrades might be preserved in their last resting place. After holding it a few years, he donated it to the state. Tipton rose through the various ranks by virtue of
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his bravery and skill, until President Monroe appointed him brigadier-general. At the first election in Harrison county, John Tipton was made sheriff and he was re-elected. In the state election held in August, 1819, he was elected a representative to the Legislature, and to this office also received a re-election. He was a member of the commission to locate a state capital, which created Indianapolis. In 1821 Tipton was named a commissioner to serve with others to establish the boundary line between Indiana and Illinois. In 1823 Tipton was appointed Indian agent by President Munroe for the Pottawatomie and Miami tribes. He was instrumental in removing the Indians from Indiana to ground farther west.
In 1831 John Tipton was elected to the United States Senate, to serve six years.
Tipton was twice married. His first wife was Jennie Shields, his cousin, and to them were born two sons. The second wife was Matilda Spencer. Three children were born to them.
Gen. John Tipton died on April 4, 1839, after a life of tumult and suc- cess in various undertakings. Five years later Tipton county wasorganized and named after the General.
John Tipton had no education in his early youth, and the diaries he made during his campaigns, which are still preserved, would be laughable to one who knew not the man. He lived in such intense fashion, that it was only natural that his every action should be in excess. He fought excessively. he governed excessively, and he carried his habits to excess. It is the big deeds, the service he gave to his fellowmen and society, which are to be engraved in the pages of his history, as descriptive of the man.
TIPTON COUNTY PIONEER SOCIETY.
The old settlers of the county held a preliminary meeting in September. 1879, at the county clerk's office. Judge John Green was elected president and John Long was made secretary. The following old settlers were present when this meeting was called to order. Peter Hough, John Green, Thomas Murphy. D. F. Hutto, James Egler. George Baldwin, Squire Hill, John Long, John Burkhart, Alexander Pennock. John McVay, Thomas Cole, Boston Day, Samuel Louck, D. J. Caldwell, D. M. Hill, John Evans, W. S. Bunch, Joseph Oram, Frederick Snyder, S. Patten, Jesse Stone, Martin Kleyla. Barbara Kleyla and Elizabeth Carr. After the organization the society ad- journed, to meet again at the court house on September 25, 1879, at ten o'clock A. M.
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On the Fourth of July, 1880, the society again held a meeting at Green's Grove, on which occasion the address was delivered by the Hon. John Green, and a constitution and by-laws were adopted. In the following September many new members were secured for the organization.
The old settlers' association still exists and holds annual meetings at the town of Goldsmith. Many hundreds of people come in for this celebration from all directions, and some from a great distance.
FIRST MARRIAGES.
The first marriage in Tipton county after the organization was on August 8, 1844, between Joseph G. Brown and Dorinda Sharp. John B. Cole, justice of the peace at that time, performed the ceremony. The second marriage occurred on the same day as the above, and the contracting parties were Hickman Smiley and Elizabeth Mills. Judge Goar united them. The third marriage was between Harvey Denney and Sophia Shaw, September 12, 1844, by Justice Cole.
COUNTY POPULATION BY DECADES.
The estimated population of Tipton county in the year 1840 was 200; in 1850 it was 3,532 ; in 1860 it was 8,170: in 1870 it was 11.953: in 1880 it was 14,402: in 1890 it was 18,157; in 1900 it was 19,116; and in 1910, the last government official census report, it was 17.459. The decrease is hard to explain, unless one takes the explanation of a Tipton octogenarian, that "they ain't raisin' as many kids as they used to."
DEFUNCT TOWNS.
In the early days the dreams of the people were greater than could be fulfilled by them. There were towns platted, and ceased right there, little or no sale of lots occurring. Some of them were never even laid out, for they were located in a dense woods, and when the axe-man came he cleared up a farm instead.
The first town that was laid out was Kingston, located just across Cicero creek above the railroad bridge. This was in 1839 and before Tipton county was organized, and the record of the plat is in Book G. page 229, of the Hamilton county commissioners' records. Samuel King laid out the town, but he never sold a lot, and so the town died.
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The second town laid out was Kinderhook, six miles southeast of Tipton, in Madison township, now on the John W. Miller farm. This town was laid out in .1841, before the organization of the county. It is on record in Hamilton county.
The third town laid out was Jericho, two miles south of Tetersburg. now owned by Abe Smith. There were forty-eight lots in the town and after the sale of one lot, the town died, though at one time there was a saw mill there. W. P. Weed was the last inhabitant of Jericho.
The fourth town which had a chance was Grandview, located about two miles southwest of Sharpsville, in the Pratt neighborhood. It was laid out with forty-eight lots, and made a matter of record in 1848. There were three principal streets, named Main, Taylor and Cass. The ague came into the town and effectively killed it. One man contracted for a lot and a bond given for the deed on delivery of twenty-five coon skins. The man found a better price for his skins, and consequently a sale that might have been was not.
In 1856 it was thought that there was a great opening for a town one and a half miles southeast of Kempton, on the Wilson Wheatley farm. A town of twenty lots was laid out and called New Martinsburg. Main and Washington were the names of the principal streets. A lot sale was adver- tised and it was promised that a railroad would run directly through the town. On the day of the sale, however, there were few bidders and the highest bid for a choice corner lot was forty cents.
The fifth town to get on the map was Wiseville, a town laid out in 1852. It was rumored that a railroad was going to be constructed through that sec- tion, and an attempt was made to build a town there, but another man got in ahead, and laid out the town of Nevada, and when the Panhandle road `ame. the town of Nevada got the station, and-exit Wiseville. T. L. LaFesh, George W. and William Wise conceived the town in the first place.
Parrottsville was projected when the Indianapolis, Peru & Chic.10 railroad was constructed, but it did not survive long. It was laid out in 185, and several lots were sold for a nominal sum.
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In Madison township, the Panhandle railroad boosted a number of town and an attempt was made to locate a town about three-fourths of a mile nort1- west of Curtisville, and it was called New California. It was laid out in 18,3 and had thirty-two lots. Curtisville killed the town and there is no record of a lot ever being sold. There were four streets in the town, called Main. North, South and West, and on the east of the town the street was called the Strawtown state road. The Panhandle still runs through New California.
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Soon after this there was a railroad projected from Cleveland to St. Louis, passing through Madison and Cicero townships. The line had pro- gressed so far that a little grading was done and some timber cut, but that ended the road building. Five miles east of Atlanta a town was laid out and called Rogersville. It had thirty-two lots and every one of them was sold on contract at a certain price, if the railroad was ever built, but the failure of the latter caused the death of Rogersville.
In 1891, when Elwood was booming, a town called Harmony was laid out, that is now a part of West Elwood. The town went out of existence early and the site is now known by the above name, West Elwood.
It is claimed that New Lancaster is the oldest town in the county, but there was never a town plat made, so the claim is not certain. The honor of being the oldest, however, lies between this town and Normanda, with the odds in favor of the former.
There never was a town plat in Prairie township, though several small towns have existed in that territory. Groomsville, Wiles, Prairieville and Cartersville are some of them. New York is in Jefferson township, also Tetersburg and Ekin, both in existence, but without a postoffice.
CYCLONE OF 1886.
On Wednesday evening, May 12, 1886, a terrific rain storm and tornado visited Tipton county. The Advocate published a glowing account of the storm, a portion of the article following :
"The cloud was very low and appeared to be of a cylindrical shape, bounding up and down, and of a very dark, green color. From the course of the various paths of destruction we are led to believe that there were three or four, all centering together about three-fourths of a mile south of this city. Added to the fury of the wind was an electrical current, lightning, thunder, rain and hail, altogether making one of the most frightening spectacles ever witnessed. The one from the west formed about a mile west of Tipton and passed over the county farm and commenced its real work of destruction on the fair grounds. Every building, fence, and nearly every tree was blown down or carried away. On it went. taking the timber in the creek bottom and over the old Tom Smith farm. The house on this farm was unroofed and the frame thrown about one-third around on the foundation. The barn was totally destroyed. Next, the residence of March Tucker succumbed, totally wrecking the building and injuring several of the inmates. Just across the road was the Roberts' large two-story brick house. One side was entirely
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blown away and springing the walls on the other sides. A young man sitting in a rocking chair in one of the upper rooms was carried away and lodged in a fence corner unhurt, the chair being carried some distance farther and was found the next day. Graham's residence was moved on its foundation, and the house occupied by Frank Ridley was unroofed and the family blown into the woods, all receiving slight injuries. Shank's Grove was next attacked, and this beautiful and shaded resort was totally felled to the earth. This ap- pears to be the end of this storm. Another formed about one mile north- east of the city and swooped down upon Shank's fine timber land, tearing the trees in every which way, many of them falling across the Lake Erie rail- road track. Crossing the railroad track, it demolished the barn and house of Lewis Deihl, throwing the family in every direction. A young lady named Miss Barger was carried along the railroad track, where she received fatal injuries. She was found by the railroad men and brought to town. Two horses were killed and a number of geese, ducks and chickens. The cyclone here gathered more force and sped across the fields and on its way unroofed Mike McMahan's house, destroyed his orchard and committed other depreda- tions. Its next work of destruction was carrying away the residence of Uriah Gates, together with his entire family. All were seriously injured ex- cept an infant babe. A little six-year-old boy was bruised and cut from head to foot, and was given up to die, but kind hands saved his life. An eight- year-old girl, Gracie, died the next morning. Mrs. Gates had one arm broken in two or three places and her shoulder broken, besides many bruises and cuts. Uriah was injured on the arm and leg and other members of the family were more or less bruised. Across the road was the large two-story frame resi- dence of Phil Burkey, which was razed to the ground, totally destroying and carrying away the buildings and contents. The family had taken refuge in a small out house which escaped the notice of the storm, thus their lives were saved. George Vawter's house was swept away and a house occupied by a family named Lane was unroofed. Peter Singer's and Jap Osborn's resi- dences and Jim Woodruff's barn left their moorings and wrecked. After leav- ing Burkey's, this electrical message of death turned west and met the one going east. Another coming from the southeast joined hands with the other two and all three made an attack on the Stevens, Roberts and the two Cochran farms, completely destroying the fine timber that each of these farmers had saved. Southeast a man by the name of Snipe lost his residence and orchard. Asbury Tichenor's orchard was ruined and all the fences along the wake of the storms were gone. Besides the terrible work of the cyclone there was a heavy wind that extended almost all over the county. In Prairie township.
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timber and fences suffered terribly. In Liberty township the same work of destruction went on. Bennett Pratt had a barn unroofed and Jesse Jackson had several outbuildings upturned. At Kempton, David Goodnight's house was badly damaged and barns, houses and timber were destroyed in every direction. Over toward Ekin, timber, fences and houses were destroyed. Tipton barely escaped. The course of the cyclone was less than a fourth of a mile south. The roof. of the Commercial Hotel was hurled away, several barns were turned around and outbuildings, shade and fruit trees suffered seriously. Near Burkey's a brick school house was completely demolished. During this death-dealing disaster the lightning flashed with brilliant fury, the thunder rolled long, loud and deafening, and the rain poured down in per- fect torrents, flooding streets and streams. Horsemen came to town for. aid. The cries of the injured were heartrending and terror was pictured on every countenance. The pen refuses to describe the awful night, imagination fails to portray and human tongue cannot tell the horrible tale."
RELATIVE ALTITUDE OF TIPTON.
The late Professor Campbell, of Wabash College, once published a table showing the elevation above sea level of one point in every county in Indiana. There were seventeen points higher than Tipton, the latter being the highest point between Michigan City and Indianapolis. A few comparisons are shown by the following table, giving the number of feet above sea level : Tipton, 875.5 feet; Lafayette, 542 feet; Frankfort, 841 feet; Muncie, 960 feet; Kokomo, 840 feet; Anderson, 892 feet; Indianapolis, 723 feet ; Peru, 657 feet; Plymouth, 781 feet; Rochester, 785; LaPorte, 811 feet; Noblesville, 770 feet.
EARLY FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATIONS.
The government survey of Tipton county was made in 1821, but there were no inhabitants in the county, or the territory that afterward became Tipton county, until 1829, eight years after the survey. In 1835 there were several families in the county, but civilized homesteads did not appear until about 1840. In 1837, John D. Smith entered land in Jefferson township, but he did not occupy it until 1839. John D. Smith was more than an ordi- nary man and he was a man full of patriotism. In 1840 he attempted to get up a Fourth of July celebration, but failed to arouse any enthusiasm and his project met with a dismal failure. He was deeply chagrined, for in addition to his failure he discovered that there was not a flag in the county. When he
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made this discovery he purchased some red, white and blue cloth and had his wife to make a flag, and on the Fourth of July, 1840, he hoisted the flag over his residence, the first flag ever raised in Tipton county. It so filled him with joy that he got out his hunting musket and began to shoot. He kept it up until neighbors near and far wondered what was going on and several of them went over, two or three Indians joining them to find out what was the matter. Smith compelled them to take their hats off their heads, wave them in the air and give three cheers for the Fourth of July. John D. Smith gave a big dinner of wild turkey and venison and made a speech. So, thus was the first Fourth of July celebration ever held in Tipton county and the first flag that ever waved in the county was over the little log cabin of John D. Smith.
Tipton county was organized in 1844 and the first election held on March 27th. The first court held in the county was at the residence of Jesse Brown, on the farm now owned by Charles Richman, one mile south of Tipton. They met on the 12th day of May. The first commissioners' court was held at the same place on June 3d. John D. Smith was one of the first county commissioners and when they met in session for the first time he was there with his flag. The presence of the flag had its good effect, for it was then determined to celebrate the Fourth. When the day arrived several hundred people assembled near the old Sam King saw mill, just below where the railroad bridge crosses Cicero creek. John D. Smith, Jesse Brown, Green Lilly, Joseph Sumner, Harvey Goodykoontz and Sylvester Turpen were the principal speakers. They had a great day of it. The men shot at marks, pitched horse shoes, ran foot races, wrestled and had other amuse- ments. The women and girls played tag, "pussy wants a corner," jumped the rope, got dinner and otherwise entertained themselves.
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