Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Indiana, Part 114

Author:
Publication date: 1876
Publisher: Baskin, Forster & Co.
Number of Pages: 472

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The country was diversified wild ivoodlands and beautiful areas of prairie, stretching wirny through the noble forest Trees like nulurat meadows, nud on every hand There were unfailing indications that the husbandenan migbi here renp a rich rewaril in tilling the virgin soil.

Darid kilgore located wheir Jefferson now is, in 1920. Mrs. Kilgore is generally neknowledged le have bren the fral u hile iroman to sellle in the county. The venerabile Inily was still living in 1876, and participaled in The Olil Selilers' Heunion on the luth of August in ibal year, alter a resi- deuce of nearly half a century in the county of her adoption. Among other well-known settlers in the county were William Clark and Nathon Kirk. The formor sellled in the westein piorl nf the Twelve-Mile I'mirio, the latter ucar ils eastern ostremily. Their honsrs ivere well-known places of resort for Travelers nod new emmers in arareh of chris.

Noalı Bunnell and his arife, ivho enmo in 1828, it is claimel, composed the fifth family then in the county. In November, 1824, John Bainer, St., posseil through ilint is nou Clinton County, ond found no house on the roadl between Eugly Creek onil Nathan Kirk's, and from there lo Logansport there was no rond-a Muzed Imee boing the only guille-and on the line of This but one house ins to be seen in all the distance beliveen Kirk's and the last nawed piluce, then n struggling Irailers' post th the woods.

A number of fimities nere, however, lucated in other parts of the county in 1828, and Ihr recorils of the Old Settlers' Society show a considerable number of immigrants who dule their arrival iu that year. A mimber of these appear in the lists, given elsewhere, of the county officers and granil jurors.

Muny of the pioneers came fruto 1}hio, Buller, Worren Bud some ndjoin- ing counties in lho Buckeye Sinte being well represented. Others claim a birthplnee in Virginia, Marylumil, Tennessee, Kentucky or North Carolina. The representnlirrs of the Keystone Siale nere not wanting, there being a considerable colony of thrifty agriculturists from the Lehigh region and other paris of l'enusyfranin. The sellers irere frow necessity frugal and indus- trious. The shielches nf prmine found in various parts of the county ennbled many of the sellers lo begin the rising of crops on a much more exten- sive senle than would have been the ease lind they been forced to clear off a beary growth of timber al ibe start. This, in course of time, was no small gain lo future iinmigtunis, as they could procure enprdies withonl being forced lo go lo such great distances, As wus the case in olber localities. Never- tbeless, The settlers were often forced to send as far as the Wea country und lo Loguuspori fur Hour and mical Gmine was reasonably plemy, and the cuisine of the horderers was offen reinforceil by juicy bear steaks, venison and wild turkey. Other reminders of the wilderness were also found in Ibe numerous snakes which, along with the gate, infested the prairies, rattle- snakes and musshanugns being plentiful. As the country become more Thickly ralipbited, these were, however, rapidly exterminated.

The Blackhairk war, in 1832, raised no small commotion in the sparsely selileil communities, nor nere the feurs of the pioneers af all alloyed hy Ibe fact Ibot there were still numerous entups of Indians all around them in Clinton County.

The first election for county ufficors of Cliulon County was held in April, 1830. Joseph Benl ins eleeleil Recoriler, and his colleagues' nuines will be found in their appropriate pluces in speaking of the county organization. The first Surveyor of the connly ins lenne D. Armstrong. William Doug- las was the first l'roboto .Indgo.

The first sermon ilrfivereil in the county way prenched by Joel Dolby, a local minister of the Melhorhst Prolestunt Church. The services were beld Al the house of David Clark, on the Tivelve-Mile Prairie, in 1828. The man of God could hure eselnimeil in iruilt, with Faul, Ihnt he earned his bread with bis own hands, As upon u cek dny's be was rugaged in splitting rails, and manageil fe work up a thousand a day, il is said, being of herculean frame and ibo rers ideal of u barkwoody pioncer. Another pioneer preacher uns the Rer. John ffarlun, belonging to the New Light denominalion. He, loo, prenehed in the county al an early day, often holding services under a magnificent grave of trees seuth of Fruukfort, there being no room large enough for the accommodation of his audieners in the infaut county seal.

The firal churches of nny nole in the county wore erecled sı Frankforl, aboul 1848, by lbe Methodists and I'resbyleriaus.

The first permanent physician iras Dr. I. T. Wilds, of Frankforl.

FIRST TIFFICIAL TRANSACTIONS

The first mceljug of the County Commissoners was held al The house of Malthon Bunnel, May 3, 1810. The following persons composed the Board, viz. : Joseph Ilill, John DongIns und Mordecai MeKinsey.

Benjniuin Abbolt was appotuled Assessor for the county, Jolin Pence. Treasurer, and Williamn Douglas, County Agent. Himm Harrison, Darid Kilgore ant Nobert Miller were Appointed Supervisors of Roads.

The second day's session of the Commissioners ivas held at the house of Jobm Ross, in thu lonn of Jefferson.

The price of grocery licenses was placea nt $5 for ibe remainder of the j'enr 1830, amt for sture licenses nl The rate of $10.

The first license to keep store irns issued lo Jobn Roas, after which Licenses irore alyo issued lo Åbner Buker nud A. II. Soulbard, John McCain nud Pleasant Fiehl.

Robert Taylor, Henry Ristine, John Corey. Joremish J. Corbeley and II. B. MeKenn were allowed sums ranging from $24 lo $38 fur their services in locating the seal of justice for Clinlou County al Frankforl. The consiler- ution for which the location mus inade was the denntion of $100 in cash and sixty neres of land on tho parl of lobn l'ence, Ibo original proprietor of the loin site. The Conuir AAgent wna, ou Muy 19, oriterod lo cause the Jaud Annated to be surveyed umk laiil off into lola, which he iras ordered le offer for sale.

Al the July session of, the Commissioners, n lax of 314 cents was laid upon euch poll, for county purposes; half that swu on work oseu ; $1 on goldd wnlohr's und fom-wheeled pleasure carriages; 26 cunts on silver or pinchbeck wniches ; $1.60 mh lire-wheeled carriages; and 374 cents on cach horse nid umle. From the nleronnil from merchants' licenses, the principal rorene for the first yinr arows lo bove heen derired.

The Inlul uf dolimiteul Inxes for the first year of the county's history, 183D, nos bul $25. The tolul receijds from laves nnil individuals, As shown by the first report of the fonly Treasurer, were $316.96}, and the Treasur- ei's salnvy for the year looled up the magnificent anm of $.7.66.

MADLY counTS.

The first conmi ever held in Clininh County ins a session of the fireni Courl, Ortober 18, 18%D, in the town of Jefferson, the temporary county seal, at the house of John Ross.

The Presiding Juilge was the ffon. John R. Porter, of the first Julieinl Circuit, uud his Assnelal es were Snumel Mitchell and John Ross. The Sheriff was Charles J. Inuna, atil the Clerk of the Court, Samuel P. Maxwell.

The Prosrenting Attorney u as Thoning J. Ernus

The fallon ing grand jury was then morn in and entered upon its duties, viz. : Joseph Ihil, Bonjmuin Abbolt, Abraham Ross, James Harris, Paniel Yanug, F.hijuh Roulgers, Jmes Sherrird, Isane Miller, Anthony M. Leske, William Endieul, John Stonne, Jucob Anderson, Mathias Young and Zabian Balicouk. William Delvin was sivoru in na Bailiff-in-charge.

W. W. Wick, A. S. While, Andrew Ingram, William M Jenners, Thomas D. Baird, Aaron Finch, D. H. Pallon and P. M. Curry were odtilled In the bar ns allerney's.

Four enses of larceny, as many more of effray and one nasauli and bat- lery euse were called, but the majority of them were continued. No civil cases appear upon the dockel, and the term lasted bul one day.

The second term of court was beld in the following April, in the year 1831, al The court house in Frankfurt, showing that the temporary temple of juslice in the new county sent was rewly for use al Ibat emily doy.

The first alien admilled lo citizenship was Edward Smith, & ualive of England, who was granted naturalization papers in October, 1x31.

There has arver been an execution for u capital crime in the county. The nearest approach lo this was in 1871, in which year Moves Davis killed bis step-son, in Ininilton, andl wounded bis wife so that ber escope with life was a narrow one. [fe wos Tried and sentenced to be hung, but gol a new trinl, uwing lo some legal Technicality of which his counsel availed them- selves. The neir trial resulted in a sentence of imprisonment for life.

TIL COUNTY HUILHINGS.

The building used during the first years of the countty's history as n tem- porary court house stool ou the south side of the publie square, and was made of lugs.

The present court house wis begun in 1838 att finished in 1839, al a eosi uf about $12,000. Though it has acen nearly forty years of service, it still preseuts a substantial oppenranee, and is notable fur the absence of that dilapidated appearance so often presenteil by old public edifices.

The firal juil was built of a triple thickness of heavy logs, and was com- pleled "hol Jung afer thy conbly governmeul was sel in operulion. Some years afterwaril, one llaines was arrested for n jelly ihrfr, in the commission of which, in is charged, he had been engaged west of Frankfort. Af an early hour on the dny after his incarceration, Col. Caterlin, doing business near Ibe northeast corner of the court house square, heard groans and indistinel cries for help. Owing to the fact that a party of drunken ruffinns had been in lown for some time, he paid ne Allenlion until the eries became more dis- tinct, and then, going out of' huus store, he found the jail in dames. The Alarm was given, but too late, and proof Huines-who, it is supposed, nn= Iry- ing lo hurt his wray oul lo liberty-suffered a horrible fenh.

Another jail is afterward erveled ; and n third, with n Sheriff's resi- dence altached, was begun in 1973, erul of the public square. The contract price was $26,000.

The first county fair was beld where Armstrong's Vildition to Frankfort now is. For a number of years nu faits were held ; but in 1872 the associa- lion was reorganized, and very successful exhibitions have been held ever since, near the county seal.

The President of the association is Enos Hoover; Secretary, S. O. Bay. len. A very successful fair wils also started in Middle Fork, in 1972.

I OUNTY OFTITERS.

The present couuly officers (187)-6) ure as follows: Auditor, Cyrus Clark ; Clerk, Samnel P. Fisher; Tronsurer, John Fleming: Sheriff, William A. MeCray ; Recorder, John [' Dearth ; Superimendent, Harrisoa Kobler; Coroner, Jobn W. Paris; Commissioners, A. F. Whilemon, David Slipher und Richard Frazer.

DAILIANS.

Beforo 1812, Clialon County irny ahnost destitule nf railway facilities, having ne line within its limits except the ladinnupolis & Lafayette Rail- road, which intersecled the southwestern corner of the rounty. In the year named, the Logansport, Craisforilsville & Southwestern Road iras built, pass- ing Through the county from Ibe northeast to the soulbrest, and in 1874. the Frankfort & Kokomo hne wus coustructed from Frankfort, Through the east- ern parl of ibe county. In 1815, the iron un the Lafayelle, Muncie & Bloominglou live iny lund, so lbnl thr rounly has nyir railway facilities not surpassed by many counties in The Slate,

NEN'SPAPERS.

The first paper ever priuled iu 1'linton County was the _Ingus, issued al Frankfort, in INib, by N. T. Calerlin and James Piles. The Argus was a small bul sprightly sheel, aud, after being coutinued fer n year, died for wanl of patronage.

Next enme The Canton County Observer, by G. W. Snyder, in 1543-4. ,

Then again a period iu which there was no newspaper, until 1845, isheo the Cantoman was begun by T. J. Tuylor. The Clintonian, like ils prede- cessors, was Democrale in politics, lini suspended after Taylor enlisted for the Mexican IvAv.

The next paper lo start up n4s The short-lived Clinton Neues, hy Mr. Horshey. He was followed by the firm of Mckean & Gamble, which dissolved after a rattling mnich al fisticuffs beineeu ils members.

Jobn Gambio then started thy Frinkfort Crescent, which has ever since been the Democratic organ uf Clinton County. The succession of proprie- fors and editors following Gamble inclules McClurg & Newton, MeClurg & Pressley, J. M Arwaulroul, J. D. Caldwell, Allen E. Paige, T. J. Cox, the Crescent Printing Company, with Judge Palmer as editor, and lastly, E. H. Staley, who took charge of the paper, as viner and editor. in 1872.

The first paper of Republican pohtics ivas known as the Clinton County Republican, and iras slarled in 1876, by Scott & Tyler. The paper, in about u yenr, passed iuto the honily of a commillee of creditors, and died.

Jnines Beard, after the mupse of a considerable periodl, then started lbe Republican Banner. In [8ili, he mis succeeded by ['. W. Gard, who was fol- Imred by J. H. Keys und Beuril once more. lu 1872, W LI. Harl look coulrol ns editor and proprietor, and continues is snel al thuis time of writing | Janu- avy, 1876).

TRWAKIORT.

the connly seal, is n donrishing und wealthy lown, huving. iu 187, a popu- lution of 1,300. In the fire years fultonring, 1br number of inhabitants has been increased until a population of 2,filk), at least, has been reached. The town was land one in the spring of 1850, null slinrily afterward chosen as the county seal. After 1850, it irus mrarly nl a standstill for twenty years, but after The lupse nf thal perioil, the construction of new railnay's bringing il into communication irith The rest of the State revived ibe staid. old town ivenilerfully, nel guve if a uew atul rapid growth. The place is in tho midst of n rich agricullund region, oud has u fair trade.

Numorous fine residences nre feuul in all parts of the lowu, and in 1874 nud I815, w number of rxpensive busness blocks ivere completed.

There is a splendid mion school building completed at a cost of over $40,000, un Odd Fellons' nail Masonic hull, aud church buhlings owned by the Methodist, Presbylerinu, Christian and Lutherun denominalions There are Imo banks, lun gmin oforalors, three fouring-mills and a number of minor industries.

Tho pince was incorporated as a town at an early dny, bul Ibe charles was allowed to die onl for a number of years. In 1876, il iras incorporsted as n city, nad ul the first city olection, held December 21st, in that year, the folloiving officers were elected, viz. . Mayor, P. W Gard; Clerk, William M. Corley ; Treasurer, James A. Senwright ; Marshal, I. C. Hfurst ; Assessor. William P. Ashley , Councilwen, Itoberi P. Sbanklio, T. J Holdrige. John Thatebez, B F Cohee, George A Smith and R. G. Benefiel.

312

OTHER TOWNS I> TIT MYMATE

nt the intersection of the L., C. & S. W nod 1., C. & L. R. W., in the south- iveslern part of tho county, in au importnot railiny town, which, since the construction of the first-nameit line, lins been growing rapiilly There are a nmober of oxpensiro business blueks and public buildings in the plece. A fino uniuu school lmilding has been delerinined npon. The population, in 1875, nas mbonl 100.

ROSAVILLE

in the porthiveater u part of the county, on the lino of the proposed Indian- npolis, Delphi A Chicago Railivar, is ono of tho most flourishing of the inlonil 1own4.

In the mrestorn port at the county,

four miles ire.l of I'rankfurt, nud

on the Michigan Sinte roid, are all obil towns, und tho first-named, since the Imilding off the I'rankforl & Kokomo road, is growing rapidly. Among the smaller tonus in the county uru

up the 1. , M. & B. R. W., and Mansau, Kilmore, Sedalin, Moran, Berlin, Greetingsrille, Inmilton ond

MIDI FORA.

A1 the layl-anmed pince o district fuir is held In an association, of which George W Unger in l'resident

BENTON COUNTY.

This county is one of the largest political ilvisions of the Stute, nod lies on the Illineis line, being the third county south of Lake Michigan. It has nn are af 411 square miles, und, in 1570 hind a population of 5,61;, which has nearly doubled since.

The county contains more fertile proirio land iuna any other in the State ; wor is there n finer boily of hnul of this kind lo be found on The North Ameri- can Cuntinent Ihop these sono rolling pinins. In area it is Inrger then inany hstricts in Europe nhich support tens of thousands of people within their twoorders Yel the principal growth in populalien has been within the fire yeura preceding 1876, and intilled Inud is still to be fontul in profisien in nearly miery part of tho compy Y'ale College, until within a few years, wruel considerable real estate in the county, bequeatheit to it by Ilenry L Ellsivarth Tins, however, hus all been soll by the corporation.

Aurong the Inrgest residvol Inmil owners ure E. C. Suminor, who owns "koul 12,000 acres, Leroy Templeton, who nous heticeen 6, 000 nod 7,10tl neres, und R. M & T Alkinson, Thr ou'hers of about ns much more as the last named, jeinity. Mosry Fonter unt Alum E'nel, of Lafayette, ulso bira

There are a number of graces seuttered orer tho county, bud timber is Touud ju small quantilies nlong the creeks The total amount of timher land iu tho county dory ual exceeil, however, from 4,000 to 6,000 acres Orig. innlly there was nhout nu eqjuul urea of muntsh Immel in the county, but much of this hus siuco hireu drained ; nor is thoro n square til of mursh land in tho county which cannot be steineil und fitled fir culti alion.

The surface of the county is beautifully rolling. Standing upou n shgbl rise ut ground in The center of the county, one con brhold ils undulating MITface spreading nway in nll directions like the hillons of tho ocen, with tho userphon, however, that ingtend of richly llen ships, the scene is itolied orer irith trim and home-like form houses and prosperous villagey. From The enpaln of the court house st Fowler the spectator enn look out nod not only Inhis iu the ontire topography of Bentun Pennly, but to the north he uno listinolly trace the u Inte houses and elinrch spires in Kentlund, Good. lond mwl Remingbei, in Newton and .Insper Counties. Soull, the view is only Mlint uff by the iroudtsnds of Warren County, and cast by the timber skirting Big l'iur Creek Westward, Ibo situation counbunds not only Ambia uml l'arl l'urk cillagos, but Shobhen and other lowus cun plainly be distinguishel in the neighboring Siale of Illinois

Big Fine Creok Rows Through tho cannly trom north to south. Il is the Inrgest stream within its borders, nudl hus n mubor of small tributarieg which drain the eastern part of the county, through which it flows Mud l'ine D'reck flows through the cepleni nnil sonthern parts of the county, in the same general direction us Big Pie There are alsi several small lakes or piobds in the county.

Tiro ridges rou through the county, frinu enyt to iresl iu u arnrly paral- lel couro, the me to the sonth nud the other worth iff the center of the county. Menut Nebo mul Monul Bialbon orr small but beautifully situated hills in the northern part of Ibe county, affariling fine views from their an- mits urve the almost treeless region surrounding them

THE LIST SETTLEMENTS

Thir tiret setilments in ivhat was nlterwurd Beulen County nere manile slutt 1880, in the grures urnr the suitbern Inuminry of the county. Clu Big Pine freek the first settler erns l'eter Jennings, u ho located some Three miles east of where Osfud wur sinnds. Abont the saure time, or perhaps n little later, Judge Ducul MeConnell, Basil Justus and Thobins Atkinson set- tleil iu or uene Ilik Grore, where the town of Exfond ins afterwil built.

I'nrish Grore was nleo a point nt which settlements were made it un early dny. T'he tirer land culered there ivas in the imme of Que ELnas, and ins patented to him it 1828, though it is not known that he ever selfled on bis properly. Among those nho louded there af in early dny were l'aman Bos- well iunul Jobn Holmson. The settlers always selected Inuds along the edges of the timber whenever possible, nwl hs tho first little communities were stiriel iu the sonthere portions of tho couuly, and Innd was plentiful, the loto of' society netunted the proyeere to gather in the neighborhowis where n start bud already been toide. The early settlements are therefore to be found along the limber, or in its vicinity, on Big and Mud liue Creeks, nud arouret the grove .. The northern aud central ports of the county nere settled i n comguiralicely luto duy, micing to curious eunses, principally, however, to The scarrity of timber; und the fact That large Iraets of the Inoil had passed inte tho houds of speculnloty und non- resideuls, many of whour, il n compar- micely recent period, bace parteil with their lilles at a very slight advance, if any, in excess of the original purchase money, incluiling taxes nud interesl.

Tho settlemonts spread north und westonrd from where the first start uns mrule very slowly. Hickory Grove, which is near the present site of Fowler, the county seal, bed uo rubobitants for many years Aulong The first

To locale near il wns Thones Finney

The most profitable industry in nhich the settlers could eugige was the ruising of ostile. This was somewhat iluo to the fact that the rich soil monde

COUNTY HISTORIES .- CONTINUED.

good ronds nu impossibility in the pioneer days, and those whose wealth was representel by droves uf cattle could aliruys find a mirket et thiengu or @larwhere, without much trouble. Another fnet worthy of noto is this, ilint the first improremonts wery invariably minde on the high ground". The low greteles of prairie were called "the lost lutpls" by the settlers, and the opinion was prevalent That they wentd never be settled af all-that they irontil ulvays ho covered by irnter, while the truth is that the low Inuds nrc now among the most productive in the Sinte.

No mill was erceled in the county until 1800, when one was starled nl Oxfoul, but prored & failure, Tho formers preferring to raise curu, oats and callle for export, und importing wheat in reinen. Up to 1876, this wus the sole null in the entire county.

Among the first preachers in the county ivere Eren Stevenson, of tho Methoilist Church, John Sirgent, of the Christinu Church, anil Daniel Vines, n Universalisl.

The fiest scheel in the county wus held in e little tog hul south of Oxford. Hartley T. Howird was one of the first teachers, oud in early iluys filled nearly every county office, performing the duties of a majority of them at one and the sapie time, n task which he could easily enough accomplish at a thuo irhen the entire number of vuters irns nid orer u fer Linmlred.

The first physician in the county was Thenphilus Stemble, who liveil in Oak Grure, But the hrst lawyer, J. P. Porker, also a resident in the same neighborhoodl

There uns bnt one post efhee in tho conuly for nearly iwonty years after its organizetion, lieinig the one nt Oxford. A second poe was established anil knoin us Aydelott, east of Fourler, and to both of these muuils were only Gronghit once n neck for munny years. These, iu fnet, irere about all the pinces allopting postal freilities until 1871-2, when numerons small stations mero established idong the new lines of railway.

POLITICAL HISTORY

Tho first meeting of The Board of Commissioners of Bentou County mus held at the house of Basil ,Instus, in Oak Grove, July 28, 1810. Present, Amos White, Thonins Lewis nud John A. Robinson.

Three Connmissioners' Districts were foriheil, oud it irus ordered thul these constitute rach n civil township. Distriel No. I was ilesignated Parish Grove Township, und ineluded alt thal part of the county lying west of the center of Range &. All that part of the county lying enst of Range S und north of the north line of Section . 12 iras to foren the District No. 2. This was named Pine Tournahip. The remainder of the enunty formed the Third Commis- sioner's Distriel, und was kuoun ns Oak Grove Township.

An election nas ordereit lo be held August 8, 1840, and The following places were designuled at which the polls irere lo be opened, amely : VI The house of Robert Alexumler, in Parish Grave Township ; at the house of Amoy White, in Fine Township, und at the house of Bosil lustus, in IInk Grove Township. Sumuel Robertson, John Wulluce and Thorns Lewis were appointel Inspectors of the electionu.

Henry Robertson wns nppointent Assesser of the county for the first your. John Sheets, William I'. Carson, Robert Alexander, Solomou Burch und Willinhi Deuton were eppointeil Kond Supervisors, cud ofter a session of one dny the board adjonroel until September.

Al the September session of the board, Mitlon Jennings was appointed County Treasurer; David MeCounell, Seminnry Trustee ; Henry Robertson, Commissioner of the Thrre por cent Fund, umil Ezekiel II. Davis, Collector of the State nod county revenue.

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Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Indiana, Part 114

Author: Publication date: 1876 Publisher: Baskin, Forster & Co. Number of Pages: 472

Author:
Publication date: 1876
Publisher: Baskin, Forster & Co.
Number of Pages: 472