USA > Indiana > Vanderburgh County > History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, from the earliest times to the present, with biographical sketches, reminiscences, etc. > Part 78
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children, and the mother was called away in death. In 1853 Mr. Sansom paid his na- tive land a visit of some six months' dura- tion and then returned to this country and since has continued on his farm in Scott · township. In 1874 Mr. Sansom married for a second wife Sarah Pickett, a native of Eng- land, born in 1821. Mr. Sansom throughout life has been a democrat. In the early history of Scott township he served as a school trustee for several years. He is not a mem- ber of any church, yet is of the " Hard- Shell" Baptist persuasion. He has ever taken a deep interest in the preservation of the history of his community, and relates some interesting reminiscences. He has a bureau made of lumber from walnut trees which grew from nuts he planted himself. Mr. Sansom is one of the oldest and best known citizens of Scott township.
SAMUEL SCOTT was a native of Virginia, and was married in that state. In an early day he came west and settled in Kentucky, and as early as 1817, came to Vanderburgh county and settled in section 17, of what is now called Scott township, which township was so named in his honor. He was the father of the following children: Mary, Eliza, Lizzie, Grandville, Maria, Jane and Washington, all of whom are deceased. Samuel Scott was the builder of the first house in Scott township. He lived to be quite aged, and lost his life while making a "flat-boat trip" to New Orleans. GRAND- VILLE SCOTT, the elder of his sons, was born in Kentucky, October 20, 1813, and was but a boy when his parents came to this county. He was reared on a farm and fol- lowed farming for an occupation. He was united in marriage with Ann Farr, May 14, 1836. She was a native of Pennsylvania, born September 5, 1814, the daughter of George Farr, an early settler of Vanderburgh county. Her marriage with Grandville Scott was
blessed by the birth of the following child- ren: Lavina, Lizzie, Edward (deceased), Washington (deceased), Samuel (deceased), Richard, Winfield, Abbie, Cornelia (de- ceased). The only children now living in the county are Richard and Abbie. Their mother was called away in death, Septem- ber 3, 1861, and their father July 11, 1867. RICHARD SCOTT, who occupies, with his sister Abbie, the old homestead, is one of the representative farmers of the township. He was born in the township September 26, 1848. He owns over 200 acres of land, of which about 100 are under culti- vation. In politics he is a democrat. WASHINGTON JACKSON SCOTT was born in this county, February 12, 1820, the younger of the sons of Samuel Scott. He died May 19, 1886, in Scott township, his birth place. He was raised on a farm, and that was his vocation during life. He was married February 15, 1848, to Delia Ann Jarred, born August 21, 1829, died November 21, I854, daughter of Samuel Jarred, an early settler of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Scott had the following children: James Wash- ington (died), Mary Ann, Eliza Jane, Delia Ann, and Sarah Elizabeth.
JOHN C. STASER, at one time one of the most prominent farmers in Vanderburgh county, was born in Baden, Germany, No- vember 6, 1812. His father, John Fred- erick Staser, was a farmer, and in the year 1817, with his wife and two sons, Conrad and John C., came to Indiana. They were Germans, and could not understand the English tongue. In Evansville, then a very small village, they found but one person who could talk in their native language. They remained but a short time in Vanderburgh county, and decided to move to Harmony, in Posey county, there to join the German socialists. This action was necessitated by the fact that they found themselves
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nearly destitute of means and out of employ- ment. In ISIS the family returned to this county, and after a residence of nine years in Union township, the elder Staser settled upon a tract of land he had entered in Scott township, about nine miles north of Evans- ville, where he remained until about 1850. He was a successful pioneer farmer and a. fine type of the German citizen of that day, industrious, thrifty, cordial and hospitable. His death occurred in 1863. CONRAD STASER was a prominent man, well known through- out the county, and for a time occupied the office of county judge. JOHN C. STASER, the younger of the two brothers, grew to manhood amid the stern hardships of life in the woods in pioneer days. He was with- out the simplest educational advantages, his entire youth being spent in the various forms of hard labor incident to clearing and cultivating the fields. In 1837, he mar- ried Miss Margaret Clinton, daughter of Jonathan Clinton, of Warrick county, and after his marriage his wife taught him to WILLIAM SCHOMBURG, the present trustee of Scott township, was born in that town- ship October 18, 1858, the son of Christian and Charlotte (Lipking) Schomburg. The father was born in Germany in 1824, and died in Vanderburgh county in 1882, com- ing to this county about 1850. He was a farmer by occupation. In this county he was united in marriage with Charlotte Lip- king, also a native of Germany, born in 1826, and yet living. They were the par- ents of six children, of whom four are living : Henry, Christian, William and Ferdinand. The mother, when wedded by Christian Schomburg, was the widow of Florence Buchenfield, who was also a native of Ger- many, and who, by his marriage with the mother of our subject, became the father of two children: Frederick and Lewis. Will- iam Schomburg was reared on a farm, read. He possessed considerable natural ability, a retentive memory, and quick per- ceptions. By dint of his own persistent efforts he became well informed. He had a special fondness for legal learning, and unaided became sufficiently versed in law to try cases in the county and justice's courts. As a farmer he was thrifty and successful. At one time he owned about 1,500 acres of land. He was always ener- getic, watchful and shrewd. He was thor- oughly familiar with the lands in Scott and adjoining townships, and when the great influx of German immigrants occurred in the latter part of the thirties, he did much to mold their settlement. Many sought his advice and assistance, on account of which he became an acknowledged leader among the German population of that section of the county. His life was comparatively un-I where he worked as a youth, and where the
eventful, his energies being devoted to the development of his estate, which at his death amounted to at least $150,000. Mr. and Mrs. Staser had ten children -four boys and six girls. The sons are all living; three of the daughters are deceased. His death occurred March 10, 1886; that of his wife nearly twenty years earlier, April, 1866. JOHN C. STASER, a prominent young farmer of Scott township, was born in Van- derburgh county, November 8, 1857, and is the son of John and Margaret Staser, above mentioned. He was reared on a farm and educated in the country schools. He chose agriculture as his vocation, and remained with his father until the latter was called away by death, and then he received posses- sion of the homestead. October 19, 1885, he was united in marriage with Margaret Major, who was born in this county, June I, 1867. Mr. Staser is an enterprising and progressive young man, and much respected. In politics he is an ardent democrat.
August Leich
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honest and industrious efforts of his man- hood have been successful in gaining him a support in life, and established for himself a good name and character. He was married November 2, 1882, wedding Louisa Froh- bieter, daughter of John H. and Ingel Frohbieter, both natives of Germany. She was born in Scott township, August 16, 1859. To this marriage have been born two children, John, born September 20, 1883, and Ola, born September 13, 1885. At the time of his marriage Mr. Schomburg settled down where he now lives and began farming for a life occupation. He began life with a limited capital, and now owns eighty-one acres of good land. In the summer of 1887, by accident he lost his right arm, and was thus disqualified for farm labor. In the spring election of 1888, his fellow-citizens called upon him to fill the important position of township trustee, and to this position he was elected in April of the same year. He is a man of clear judg- ment, and is able to fill the office with credit. He has a fair German education, and although he attended the English schools but little, he reads and writes the English language, and is generally well informed. He is a warm friend to education and educational interests, as all in- telligent citizens should be. In politics he is a democrat. He and his wife are members of the German Lutheran church.
Center Township was organized Septem- ber 6, 1843. Originally its territory was divided between the ancient townships of Pigeon and Armstrong, and later its north- ern part belonged to Scott township, and for three years its southern part to Knight township, as at first constructed. It is now bounded on the north by Scott township, on the east by Warrick county, on the south by Knight and Pigeon townships, and on the west by Perry and German townships. Its
surface is hilly and the soil thin, though, by proper cultivation, productive. The south- ern border is swept by Pigeon creek, the largest stream traversing the interior of the county of Vanderburgh. Other smaller streams are found among its hills, chief of them being Blue Grass creek, so named by the earliest settlers, who found blue grass growing about its vicinity. To this day a considerable part of the township is called "blue grass country." Originally the entire township was heavily timbered.
Early Settlers .- In the spring of 1808, the progressive pioneer, James Anthony, while exploring Pigeon creek, discovered what he considered a good mill-seat, and believing in the early and rapid settlement of the country, proceeded to Vincennes, where, on July 28, he made the first entry of land in the township. His mill was not built until 1814, and whether or not he took up his residence here at an earlier date can not be determined. It was not until 1810 or 18II, that settlers came in with the intention of making this new country their homes or becoming freeholders, and of establishing a civilized community in forests where still lingered the smoke from the savage's wig- wam, and the constant howl of the wolf.
Among the first, came John Sharer, Matthias Whetstone, George Linxweiler, Absalom Vann and Nathan Young. John Sharer, with rare good luck, discovered what was later known as the Ingle spring, and near there raised his rude cabin. He at once cleared a garden spot and cornfield, and planted a peach orchard, which in a few years bore excellent fruit. He was a good citizen, for some time a magistrate, and in the later years of his life a part owner of the Negley grist-mill. The Matthias Whetstone farm on the old Princeton road a short distance north of Mechanicsville, in section 32, was a well known locality in
35
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EARLY SETTLEMENT.
early times. For many years the residence there was kept as a public-house or tavern- stand and became justly celebrated. There were three brothers of the elder Whet- stones, David, Matthias and Henry. The Vanns and Youngs formed a part of the Whetstone settlement. They were all Ken- tuckians, and valuable pioneer citizens. Peter, a son of David Whetstone, fell into disgrace. He stole a horse, was appre- hended, examined and held to bail, his father becoming his surety. When court met Peter did not appear, and the bond was forfeited. The payment of the forfeiture completely ruined David Whetstone.
George Linxweiler, the progenitor of the large and well-known family of that name, and one of the first Germans to migrate to this part of the great west, who landed in Indiana territory opposite the mouth of Green river, in March, 1806, and for a time lived on the widely known J. B. Stinson farm in Perry township, came to the Whetstone settlement in 18Ir and there founded his home. Industrious, economical, and honor- able, he at once gained the respect of the settlers and through a long life of useful- ness maintained a high position in popular esteem. His sons, William, Christ. and Isaac, and their descendants, have been con- spicuous in developing the township and county.
before this locality struck the fancy of any other settlers.
From the oldest states, and from across the sea, came enterprising and intelli- gent men and women. Among the first of these were D. F. Goldsmith and Everton Kennerly, both useful and prominent men in their day, each serv- ing as county commissioner at different times, and being closely connected with the public affairs of the county. The former built the first court-house in Evansville, and the latter was well known as a faithful guardian of the public interests. In 1818, Judge William Olmstead emigrated from New York, and David Negley from Penn- sylvania. These men were intelligent citizens, and did much to give tone and senti- ment to society. Judge Olmstead was early called to the bench as an associate justice, served acceptably as county commissioner, and by his pure and wise private and public life rose to a lofty place in the esteem of his countrymen. Deacon Negley, as he was called, soon became the proprietor of the well-known mill site on Pigeon creek. Here with apparent fitness, a few words of description may be devoted to this useful in- stitution of the olden times. The first mill was erected by James Anthony, as early as 1814. This was a rude log structure about twenty-four feet square, with a clapboard roof, the boards being pinned on with wooden pegs - not a bit of iron being used in its construction. One side of the house rested on posts set far out in the stream, and the other on the edge of the bank. There was one run of buhrs driven by an undershot wheel of small dimensions, against which the water was turned by a little log dam gener- ally in bad repair. The meal produced by this mill was of a very inferior quality. Deacon Negley paid $5,000 for the mill
To the south of this settlement, on the high hills near Pigeon creek, a few years later, Thomas Skelhorn settled; and soon afterward came Jonathan Goss. This place was long known as the Skelhorn hill. Be- tween Skelhorn's and Whetstone's, Ashley Stanfield entered land and built his humble home. For some time his cabin stood soli- tary and alone in all that section. Then George France pushed his way into the wilderness and became Stanfield's neighbor. A dozen years or more passed, however, property, the favorable location being the
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only valuable part of the purchase. Joel Lambert, of Henderson, Ky., a man of means, associated himself with Mr. Negley, and they soon added improvements which became a great help to the surrounding ' country. The mill was the centre of attrac- tion for all the settlers within a radius of forty miles. Previous to its operation, set- tlers had their grinding done at Red Banks, or resorted to the old-fashioned pestle and mortar to pulverize their corn. The Neg- ley mill stood for many years, being at length destroyed by fire.
Most of those who came from the shires of England passed on to Scott township, but the good influence of their integrity and in- telligence spread through all the settlements. For convenience sake most of the settlers occupied lands along the state road, running from Evansville to Princeton, then an estab- lished highway, though but partially cut out. The first to push to the eastward and open up the forests away from the road was Charles McJohnston, the elder, a progressive Irishman, who, in 1819, floated his boat up Pigeon creek, and landed at the Skelhorn hill. There he unloaded his household goods and farm implements, among which were two wagons, the first brought to this part of the country. After looking about for a desirable location he settled in the northern part of the township, and very soon thereafter became a free- holder. He acted an honorable part in the early history of the county, and his children and his children's children have preserved in honor the ancestral name. Charles Mc- Johnston, who as a boy, nine years of age, came with his father, still lives on the lands which in those early days, with many a sturdy blow, he helped to rescue from their wild state. Near McJohnston's, to the south- ward, was the home of William Erskine, who reached the county about Christmas,
1819, with his three sons, John, Andrew and William, and one daughter.
About this time came Joshua Stephens, a tanner by trade, who afterward be- came well known in all parts of the county. In about two years thereafter a brother of this man, Silas Stephens, a sad- dler who had learned his trade as an appren- ticed lad, also came into the neighborhood, and afterward the two were joined by their father, David. These were as honorable and clever men as could be found. They were men of principle, of integrity, and of considerable natural ability, but without the adornments of polite education. By indus- try and economy they rose rapidly; Silas to the bench as an associate justice, and Joshua to a high place in the affections of the peo- ple. At first Joshua conducted a tannery, and Silas a saddlery, both on a small scale; they enlarged their business as the country grew and became leading citizens and wealthy men for their day. While working at his bench in a small shop, Silas won the affections of Julia, the daughter of Gen. Evans, whom all were wont to praise as a sweet character. The marriage was sol- emnized in the good old-fashioned way, and the "infair" was attended by all the leading people of the day.
The first settlers in Blue Grass were Alanson Baldwin, William Patterson, Cyrus Paul, Gen. Ramsey, and others who came in about 1819. They were all from New England, and composed what was known as the Yankee settlement. They were intelli- gent, industrious people, all of them; knew how to make ax-handles, cradles, shingles, and all sorts of devices to add to the com- fort of frontier life. The backwoodsmen had not been used to the many contrivances devised by these ingenious Yankees and looked with amazement at the results of their work. William Blevans, an old-time
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shoemaker, Davis Bullock, a grand rail- splitter, Julius Gibson, a successful hunter, Parker Aydelotte, James Russell, Porter Fuller, Sylvester Boardman, W. C. Osborn, Benjamin F. Barker, Henry Wagoner, Daniel and Zera Fairchild, Thomas Ward, James Collins, E. Waters, S. M. Ross, Thomas Hooker, and Eli Higens were among the pioneers not elsewhere men- tioned, who came in prior to 1825. What here appears shows that there was quite an influx of people, which reached its climax about 1819, and then subsided. There was a great run after land, and in a year or two buyers regretted their pur- chases. Hard times followed, and the era of cut money came on with that distress which forms a part of the general history of the county. Settlers poured in rapidly from all quarters soon after the general improve- ment plans of 1835-6. Land speculators bought large bodies of land, chief of these being Robert Barnes and Francis Amory. This inrushing of people was the final act in the complete settlement of Center township. Among those who came at an early day, and yet not among the first, who have wielded an influence for good, and have oc- cupied an honorable place in the community, are the McCutchans, Knowlses, Brodies, Moffits and many others.
Early Industries, Games, etc .- Depart- ures from primitive methods of husbandry were very slowly made during the first years of the new west's history. Up to 1830 the farmers of Center township sent to New Harmony to procure plows to break their lands. The establishment of Presley Pritchett's blacksmith shop in Evansville, and of Col. Seth Fairchild's in Mechanics- ville, were great improvements in the county, but it was some time before all wants of this kind were conveniently sup- plied. New Harmony was also the favor-
ite resort for those who had wool to be carded. The German socialists there were progressive and ingenious enough to have these valuable improvements. There were no cotton gins in the country until Nicholas Robinson, of Big Creek in Gibson county, put up one. That of Saunders Hornbrook, in Scott township, was the first and perhaps the only one in this immediate vicinity. The first horse-mill was built by Charles McJohnston some time prior to 1830. In this township in early days there were no industries pursued aside from farming ex- cept a tannery, the Negley mill already de- scribed, and some still houses. The making of whiskey became quite an industry. The market for corn was limited, and the distil- lers offered better prices than the mer- chants and traders. Up to 1825 the woods of Center township were full of all kinds of game.
Churches .- In the early days the settlers of Center township attended divine worship in the log cabins of pioneers, or at the school- houses whenever a minister of the gospel pushed his way into the wilderness and announced his readiness to expound the word of God. Annually they went to the camp-meetings held . by the Presbyterians and Baptists. In early days the Baptists predominated in this locality. The Wheelers were about the first to preach the doctrines of Methodism in the township, though the gifted John Schraeder preceded them in the county. For a long time the house of John Ingle was the regular place for the assem- blage of Methodists throughout the sur- rounding country.
Blue Grass Methodist Episcopal Church. -In his will, the pioneer, Charles McJohnston, made a valuable bequest " to help to build a house to worship God in." Mr. £ McJohnston was a Methodist in Ireland; there at his father's
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house he had seen John Wesley, and had heard the great man preach, but by the terms of his will this house was to be free to all Christian denominations. It has, how- ever, been a distinctively Methodist church, · because the church-going portion of this community is so largely of that denomina- tion. The church was erected under the supervision of Charles McJohnston, the now aged son of the benefactor, in 1846. It was a neat frame structure, and when finished was dedicated by that illustrious pioneer preacher, Rev. Robert Parrett. The first preacher was Rev. Charles C. Danks, and the first class was composed of about twenty members. In IS82, on the site of the old 'church, a handsome, commodious brick edifice was erected, at a cost of $6,000, and was dedicated by that powerful and learned man, Rev. Joseph Wood. Charles McJohnston has ever been a devoted, faith- ful member, and much of the church's prosperity has been due to his great liberal- ity. The church is now exceedingly pros- perous, having about eighty active mem- bers. It has always been on the Blue Grass circuit. Rev. Samuel McNaughton is the pastor now in charge.
German Methodist Church .- This de- nomination began to hold services about 1843, first at the houses of members, then at the Richter school-house, a rude log build- ing, when finally in 1849 a church building was erected. This stood on the edge of German township; was a frame structure, all the material, except the flooring, being sawed by hand. In 1859 another building, also a frame, was erected near the site of the present church, at a cost of $1,000, which served the congregation until April 29, 1888, when a handsome new brick church, costing $3,000, was dedicated to the service of God. Among the early ministers were Revs. Muth, Smoker and Wittenbach, William Ingle, Isaac Owen, and some
and of later times Revs. Koerniger, Beer, Baker, Bruening, Lukenmeir and Speck- man, now in charge. The first class was composed of but four families, the Gott- schalks, Millers, Molls and Karts. The membership now numbers about seventy- five. Since 1847 Rev. Ulrich Schraeter, a local preacher, has been a true and faithful friend to the church, and by his many good deeds has won the love of all its people. The Sunday school is very prosperous, with about eighty regular attendants. There is another church of the same denomination in the township near the Hooker school-house, It was built in 1886, is a comfortable brick structure, and cost about $1,700. It has a good membership, is prosperous and belongs to the same circuit as the church last men- tioned.
German Evangelical Church. - In late years this denomination has built a small, neat frame church on the Petersburgh road near Mechanicsville. The congregation is weak in numbers, but composed of highly respectable citizens. Among its early lead- ing members were Jacob Kunz, Nicholas Keil, and Mrs. Rech.
Kratzville Methodist Episcopal Church .- At least fifty years ago the Methodists had a preaching place at Samuel Kirkpatrick's, in German township, and frequently used for the purpose of divine service the Kirk- patrick school-house. When the Germans came in and changed the social aspect of that neighborhood, the preaching place was moved to the Kratzville road, and then, about fifteen years ago, a neat church was built and has been known generally as " the Ridge church." A class was organized in very early times. Among its members were Mother Grimes, Mrs. Robert Smith, Mother Short, and Henry Morgan. Among the old- time preachers were Revs. J. N. Ryan,
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