USA > Ohio > History of the Ohio falls cities and their counties : with illustrations and bibliographical sketches, Vol. II > Part 50
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The cabin that George Waltz built when he first came to this place is yet standing. It is not, probably, as old as the Shields cabin by one or two years, but is sufficiently ancient to become the subject of remark. It is about a quarter of a mile north of Georgetown.
Henry Waltz was the first postmaster of the place, and it is a rather remarkable fact that in this long since settled and civilized region the old stage-coach has carried Uncle Sam's mail from pioneer times to the present day. For nearly three-fourths of a century it has been the principal mode of ingress and egress from the place; but its days are now almost numbered. Within another year it will be superseded by the iron horse.
Since Mr. Waltz, the postmasters (or post- mistresses) have been James K. Harmon, John Thomas, John Tresenriter, Miss Sarah Tresen-
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riter, and Elizabeth Mottwiler, the last of whom is the present incumbent.
The present business of Georgetown is em- braced in the following list: Three cooper shops, three blacksmith shops, four stores carry- ing general stocks, one wagon shop, one tavern, and perhaps one or two other business establish- ments of minor importance, including a saloon or two. The doctors are Lewis Levi, William Kirkwood, and Dr. Tucker, the last of whom lives a short distance east of the village. As usual, great expectations are placed on the ad- vent of the railroad, so far as the business of the place is concerned.
THE MILITARY RECORD.
The village and township have been interested in all the wars of the country, some of those who served in the Indian wars and the War of 1812 having been mentioned. Some of the Georgetown citizens still remembered as volun- teering during the war with Mexico were Jeffer- son Tyler, William Welker, and Samuel Steele, all of whom returned safely, but are all now dead. In the last war the people of George- town were not behind in patriotism, and, in com- mon with the whole country, contributed their share of blood, muscle, and money in putting down the great Rebellion. John Morgan gave them something of a scare, and many of the citizens went to Corydon in arms to oppose him. A number of horses were lost but no lives.
LOCAL INSTITUTIONS.
The village is blessed with churches and an excellent school. About one hundred scholars attend the latter, and two teachers are employed in the two school-rooms of the building. The latter is situated on the north side of town, cost about $1,500 and was erected in 1879.
Georgetown lodge of Free and Accepted Ma- sons, No. 480, was instituted in 1875. The charter members were Silas Beard, Thomas J. Engleman, Thomas J. Burkhardt, Jesse Sum- mers, John S. Evans, George W. Waltz, Samuel Thomas, Henry Brock, William Henson, Wil- liam M. Burkhardt, Francis M. Hall, and Francis R. Curtis. The first officers were : Silas Beard, W. M .; Thomas J. Engleman, S. W .; Thomas J. Burkhardt, J. W .; Jesse Sum- mers, S. D .; John S. Evans, J. D .; William Henson, treasurer ; Samuel Thomas, secretary ;
George W. Waltz, chaplain, and Henry Brock, tyler. The lodge was organized in Henry Wolf's hall, and remained there three or four years, when the present hall was occupied. It has en- joyed a fair degree of prosperity, the member- ship being now about thirty. This is the only secret society at present in the village.
Georgetown is not unpleasantly situated, and the farming country around it is rather above the average in the county. The population of the village is now about three hundred. It was incorporated about a year ago, and has since en- joyed the advantages of a local government.
EDWARDSVILLE.
The traveler westward from New Albany passes over a very picturesque and beautiful country on the New Albany, Louisville & Cory- don plank road (or rather macadamized road now) for five or six miles, or until he reaches the top of the knobs at Edwardsville. The stage- coach is generally full to the brim, and running over ; indeed it is sometimes impossible to get passage at all, for considerable travel and baggage passes over the road for the several little villages and farm-houses by the way, and the daily stage mnst do all the carrying business. It leaves New Albany at 10 A. M., with its two or four horses, which are allowed to trot briskly along the hard road, passing over level, beautiful bot- toms ; around sharp, jutting, precipitous hills, up long, winding, heavily wooded, dark ravines ; along the sides of the young mountains, where in places the solid limestone rock has been blasted away to make the road ; and so on, winding, twisting, turning as it hugs the narrow valley of Middle creek, it finally emerges on the top of the knobs at Edwardsville, where instead of de- scending again it reaches away over a compara- tively level expanse of country until it passes out of the county. It is said that $100,000 were expended in making this road over the knobs. The New Albany & St. Louis Air Line railroad crosses it several times, ascend- ing rapidly in its endeavors to get over these natural obstacles, but finding that impossible as it reaches the head of Middle creek, and not to be outdone or stopped in its grand career by so small an obstruction as a mountain, it plunges into the heart of it, running almost under the little village, and emerging some distance be- yond, it sweeps away to the westward.
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
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Charles Paxson, a very prominent resident of New Albany during its earlier years, once owned and, very likely, first entered the land where Edwardsville is situated. He probably did very little in the way of improvement on it, however, and upon his death it was disposed of at public sale, and a Mr. Nelson became the owner. The farm was the first on the plank-road after that road reached the top of the knobs, and although not as fertile as bottom land, it was nearly all tillable, and therefore a rather desirable tract. Isaac Bowman became the next owner after Nelson, and he in turn disposed of it to William Hancock. The latter died and the property passed into the possession of his heirs-thirteen in number. Samuel Tresenriter purchased the entire tract (one hundred and fifty-four acres) of these heirs, paying them $100 each, or $1,300. Mr. Tresenriter very soon disposed of it to Henry Edwards for $1,700, and the latter laid out, in 1853, the village which perpetuates his name. Henry Edwards was a Hoosier. His father, also named Henry, came from Kentucky to this township among the pioneers, with a large family of children, not many of whom are now living, and only one, William, is now living in this vicinity.
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At the top of the knobs a road branched from the turnpike, called the Milltown road. It passes through the valley of Whisky run and Georgetown, and on to Milltown. Henry Ed- wards lived at the forks of the road, in a cabin built there long years before Edwardsville came into existence; and the town being platted around it, this cabin became the first human habitation in Edwardsville. The building is yet standing, and is occupied by a Mr. Wininger. The old two-story frame house, with the usual porch extending along the entire front, now oc- cupied by Mrs. Forman, is probably the next oldest house in the village.
The first blacksmith shop established here was by "Jake" Miller, and the first cooper shop by Frederick Gilbauche. The latter also kept a saloon and a few groceries, and may therefore be termed the first merchant in the place. George Forman opened a small grocery soon after and succeeded in obtaining the first post-office about 1856. He did business in his dwelling at the forks of the road.
The village was laid out on the northeast
quarter of section One, township No. 3, south of range Five east. The surveyor was James Bur- ris. The plat was recorded by Henry H. Ed- wards in September, 1853.
The place never quite grew up to the expecta- tions of its enthusiastic supporters, and is not particularly a notable business place at present, though it promises to be something more than it is as soon as the new railroad establishes a sta- tion. It will be compelled to fix this three- fourths of a mile from town, on account of the great tunnel. The present business is comprised in a blacksmith-shop, kept by George Kronskill, and two stores, kept by Joseph Thomas and James Murphy, respectively. The working at present of a large number of hands in the vicinity, on both the tunnel and railroad, renders the village more lively than usual.
The next postmaster after George Forman was James Thomas, who was succeeded by James Routh, and he in turn by his son, William War- ren Routh. The next was the present incum- bent, Joseph Thomas.
No school-house or church was ever erected within the town limits. In an early day, before the town had an existence, the children of this neighborhood went to school at what was known as the Union school-house, about two miles north, which has been before mentioned-a log build- ing. Soon after the town was laid out (in 1856) they erected a school-house within half a mile of town, on the Georgetown road ; and in 1879 this was removed, and the present comfortable build- ing built in its stead. This continues to be the place where the youth of the village are edu- cated. The Christian church stands near it. There are two rooms in the building, two teach- ers are employed, and about one hundred and twenty-five pupils are registered.
The principal water supply of this village, especially during the present drouth (1881), is a beautiful spring whose waters gush from the hill- side on the south side of town-the same spring mentioned as forming the sources of both Middle creek and Knob creek.
From the summit of the knobs upon which the town stands, the view is extensive and grand. The air is pure and bracing, and probably no more healthful place for a residence could be found anywhere. The village itself overlooks a great gorge to the south and southeast, so large
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
and deep that a dozen such villages might easily be buried there. Rugged, heavily wooded hills extend in a range north and south as far as the eye can reach .. The country in the vicinity is somewhat noted for fruit culture, some of the finest fruit-farms in the county being found here. At present the village contains about fifteen dwellings and about seventy-five people.
RELIGIOUS MATTERS.
A majority of the first settlers of this township belonged to some church in the community from which they emigrated. Those from North Car- olina and other parts of the South were gener- ally Methodists, United Brethren, or Baptists ; while the Pennsylvania Dutch were Lutheran or Reformed. The former brought with · them the religious superstitions of their time and country. Many of them were illiterate-perhaps a ma- jority could neither read nor write; a few were not entirely ignorant of the primary branches of learning, and fewer yet were fairly educated. The Pennsylvanians on the other hand, though not learned or thoroughly educated, were yet none of them entirely without knowledge of the primary branches; many of them had laid the foundation of an education by which their chil- dren profited.
· The earliest religious teachers through this re- gion were unlettered, though like their hearers they were men of natural force of character, great energy, perseverance, and will force, as well as great physical powers. They were religious by instinct rather than by education, and often ex- pounded their views with great force and elo- quence, but with language not entirely polished.
Clement Nance and George Oatman were among the earliest preachers in this part of the county ; they have been referred to in the his- tory of Franklin township.
Judge Shields' cabin, which was ever open for religious meetings, without regard to denomina- tion, was the first preaching place in the town- ship. To this spacious cabin the few settlers came from far and near, to listen to the fervent but unpolished oratory of Clement Nance, who preached in those very early days the doctrine of a sect known as the New-lights, now very nearly extinct. Craven Lynn, the first school-teacher, was also one of the first preachers, often holding services at Mr. Shields', and afterwards at the
log school-house where he officiated as teacher.
The Lutherans of the early days of this town- ship generally worshiped at the old St. John's church, in the southern part of Greenville, the history of which will be found in the chapter on that township. The United Brethren had no church in an early day, but occasionally held services in the cabins of the members.
The Methodists, being the most numerous, probably erected the first church building in the township. This was for many years known as the Swartz meeting-house, and was built about 1820, or earlier, in the northern and eastern part of the township, on the farm of Michael Swartz. The latter was a zealous Methodist, and not only gave the land upon which the building stands, but did, perhaps, more than his proportion of the labor in erecting it. The latter was of hewn logs, and was erected by the volunteer labor of the pioneers of the neighborhood, without re- gard to religious feeling. This church was used by the Methodists a great many years, and is yet standing, though much decayed, and has not been used for a long time. The yard about the building was for years the burying-ground of the neighborhood, but is no longer used for that pur- pose. A few gray, moss-covered stones yet mark the graves of pioneers buried there, but the place has a deserted appearance, as if the hand of time was resting heavily upon it. All the Meth- odists in this part of the county worshiped either here or at the old Schrader chapel in Greenville township. Those further south and west, even within the limits of this township, went to Lanes- ville, Harrison county. The Rev. Messrs. Rut- ledge, Strange, and Hamilton, were among the earliest ministers. After the old meeting-house began to decay, the members attended church at Georgetown, where a church was organized about 1840; and in later years Hill's chapel has been the place of meeting.
The Tresenriter family were among the first Methodists in the vicinity of Georgetown. John Tresenriter was in the habit of entertaining all the itinerant ministers of the Methodist per- suasion, and they often preached at his cabin, as well as at Shields's. Later the old school-house that stood at the east end of Georgetown became the preaching place; and it was probably here that the first Methodist class was organized, which subsequently became the foundation of
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
the Methodist church of Georgetown. It was not until about 1845 that the class grew strong enough to build a church. This building, a frame, is yet standing. Among the earliest mem- bers were John Tresenriter and wife; Nancy Tresenriter, yet living in Georgetown; Gideon B. Tresenriter and wife; Dolly Zimmerman, and George Welker and wife. Probably there are others, whose names cannot now be recalled. Rev. Messrs. Rutledge and Craven Lynn were among the first ministers remembered. The church edifice cost $800 or $900 when first erected, but has been frequently repaired and probably as much more money spent on it. Wil- liam Harrison and Henry Duncan organized the first Sabbath-school in Georgetown, just prior to the war. It was at first a union school, but became divided in time into several sections, which had the effect of weakening it very much. The town will not at present, probably, support more than one good school of this kind.
Hill's chapel, so called for the reason that a Rev. Mr. Hill was on this circuit at the date of its organization, and was influential in establish- ing it, was organized about the close of the war · in what is known as Link's school-house. Mat- thew Link and David Swartz were among the earliest and most influential members. This class succeeded in erecting a small but neat frame church, and though the church is not a strong one, it is well sustained, and a Sabbath- school is maintained. The Methodists are not nearly so strong in the township as they were some years ago. For some reason this ancient and honorable religious society seems to be rather on the decline in this part of the country.
The United Brethren church, of Georgetown, is one of the oldest religious societies in the township. It was organized, probably, as early as 1830. Rev. Messrs. Antrim, Frimmer, and Bonebrake were the early missionaries through this part of the country in the interest. of this denomination. The first-named was probably the earliest; and he organized a society at George Wolf's cabin. Mr. Wolf lived directly west of Georgetown, in the edge of Harrison county, and was one of the earliest pioneers. Rev. Henry Bonebrake is the best known and best remem- bered among the pioneer preachers of this neigh- borhood; and the United Brethren society grew and prospered greatly under his energetic man-
agement and eloquent preaching. He continued preaching in this vicinity some thirty years, then moved to Iowa, where he died.
The first church erected by this society was a smail brick, located in the lower end of George- town. This was about 1840. The congrega- tion grew so rapidly under Mr. Bonebrake's preaching that the little brick church would no longer answer the purpose. It was disposed of for a dwelling, and the present frame erected in the upper part of town in 1869. It cost about $2,600. The present membership of this church is seventy-five or eighty. The organization is in a prosperous condition. A Sunday-school has been maintained for many years.
This denomination has also organized a so- ciety which worships at Hill's chapel.
The Christian or Disciple church of George- town was organized about 1850. The first meet- ings were held in the school-house. Rev. Leonard Morton was one of the earliest preach- ers of this denomination in this vicinity, minis- tering to the few Christians here before any house of worship was erected.
The present church edifice was put up soon after the organization of the society. The church was fairly prosperous for many years, but is somewhat weak at present, having a member- ship of but twenty or more. Rev. Moses Smith, of the same church, located near Edwardsville, frequently ministers to this congregation. A Sabbath-school has been fairly sustained for many years. Mathias Harmon, William Miller, and Andrew Motwiler were among the original members of the church at Georgetown.
The little white frame church, located half a mile west of Edwardsville, near the mouth of the railroad tunnel, is known as the Tunnel Hill Christian church, and was erected in 1863. Rev. Moses Smith, who has been a minister of the gospel about forty years, and who was born within two miles of where he now resides, near the church, was the leading spirit in the organi- zation of this society, and has been its pastor since it came into existence.
The first meeting for organization was held at the school house near the present location of the church, in 1855-56. There were present at that meeting William Lidikay, Moses Smith, Philip Cook, Joseph Jennings, William and Paul Cook, James Loyd, George Lidikay, and some others,
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with their families, who constituted the first or- ganization. Meetings were regularly held in this school-house until the church building was erected, in 1863. The building cost $1,200 or $1,500, besides the voluntary labor that was be- stowed upon it.
This has been one of the most prosperous churches in the township, and now boasts a mem- bership of nearly one hundred. It is the only church in the vicinity of Edwardsville; and there being no church in that village, a large scope of country makes this a place of worship.
About a year after the church was erected a Sabbath-school was organized in it, which has been kept up to the present time, and has greatly prospered. The present membership is about one hundred. Rev. M. Smith and Messrs. Coonrod and Krosgill were the earliest superin- tendents of this school. Mr. Smith and Marion Yenawine are the present superintendents.
This church first started with a membership of sixteen or eighteen, and no church in the county can show a better record.
The turnpike which passes across the south- east part of this township was first called the New Albany, Lanesville and Corydon plank-road, having been planked and toll-gates established in 1853. Thus it continued many years, until the planking was badly worn, when it was thought best to macadamize the road, excellent stone for the purpose being found in the knobs. It is now, and has been for years, one of the best of the many good roads in the county, and is the main thoroughfare westward from New Al- bany. The old country inn still has an exist- ence at several points along this turnpike, where the stage always stops to water the horses and dispose of sundry packages and casks, and where the passengers may get out for five minutes to stretch their weary limbs, buy a cigar, and perhaps a "nip" of whiskey or apple-jack. The railroad will probably put an end to these, as it has to many another old institution. This road was established in May, 1823, by Levi Long, D. O. Lane, and William Boon, commissioners ap- pointed by the State Legislature.
SETTLEMENT NOTES.
Mr. Mathew Rady was born in Harrison county, Indiana, in January, 1829. His father, Mathew Rady Sr., emigrated from Ireland when a young man and settled in Floyd county about
the year 1830. He had before this time worked on the Portland canal. He died in 1871. His wife was a Miss Leady. Mr. Mathew Rady Jr., was married in 1860 to Miss Sarah Martin, of Georgetown. They have three children. Mr. Rady is a cooper by occupation. Has been assessor of Georgetown township since 1869. He served in the army during the Rebellion six months.
Rev. David A. Wynegar is a native of High- land county, Ohio, being born there in the year 1838. He received his education at Middletown and Delaware colleges. He is a minister in the Methodist Episcopal church, and was married in Stark county, Indiana, to Miss Mary McCune. His family consists of four children-two sons and two daughters. He is at this writing pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church at Edwards- ville, Floyd county, Indiana. The old original family of Wynegars were Virginia people.
Mr. Moses Harper was born in North Carolina in 1806. When a boy of only a few years he came to Floyd county with his mother in com- pany with Mr. John Thomas, her son-in-law. Mr. Harper has been married three times. At the age of twenty he married Miss Mary Har- man, by whom he had eleven children. His second wife he married in 1851, her name being Mrs. Elizabeth Hammond, of Pike county, Indiana, by whom he had three children. His third wife was Mrs. Rebecca Friar, of Harrison county, Indiana. They were married in 1870. Mr. Harper was a county commissioner for three years, and has held several positions of trust, though farming has been his occupation princi- pally. He has seen much of life, and. had a great deal of experience with the Indians.
Mr. Albert Bullard was born near Springfield, Massachusetts, February 29, 1824. In 1845 he came to Indiana, and moved to New Albany in 1846. In 1850 he went to California, where he re- mained five years. Upon his return he engaged in farming and running a saw-mill. He was married in 1847 to Miss Mary A. Wilkinson, daughter of Mr. David Wilkinson, of New Albany. She was born in Cincinnati in 1827. They have one son, William P. Their home is at present upon a farm near Edwardsville. In December, 1879, he was elected to the office of county commissioner.
Mr. Charles Duncan was born in Jefferson
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county, Kentucky, in the year 1827. His father's name was James T. Duncan, who was also born in Jefferson county, Kentucky, in 1804. His avocation was farming and teaming. He was a man of prominence in his community, and died in the fifty-third year of his age. Charles Dun- can, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, moved to Kentucky previous to 1800, and was one of the earliest settlers of this section of country; he was a native of Virginia. His wife was a Miss Music, born in North Carolina. James T., the father of the subject of this sketch, married Miss Catharine Bateman, of Jefferson county. They raised a family of seven children, four of whom are residents of Floyd county. A son resides in Illinois, and one in Montana, and a daughter in Texas. Mr. Charles Duncan was twice married. His first marriage took place in 1852; his wife's name was Miss Maria Ross, a resident of Floyd county, who lived but a short time. In 1855 he married his second wife, Miss Mary J. Greene, a daughter of Mr. James Greene, of Lanesville, Indiana. They have one son, Charles Edwin. In 1855 Mr. Duncan was elected county com- missioner, which office he filled three years; was elected treasurer of Floyd county in 1859; held the office four years. He is a man who bears the traits of a true Kentucky gentleman.
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