USA > Ohio > History of the Ohio falls cities and their counties : with illustrations and bibliographical sketches, Vol. II > Part 59
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Bethlehem township has six school districts, about two hundred and fifty school children, and nearly eight hundred inhabitants. Her schools are admirably managed, and are really the bright- est institutions of a public character in the town- ship.
CHURCHES.
The Methodist church in this end of the county sprang from a long series of successful revivals. On the same section where Jacob Giltner ran his horse-mill in 1808, but on the northeast corner, lived Melsin Sargent. His house stood on the road which led to New Washington, one and one-half miles from the present post-office of Otto. Sargent was one of the first Methodists in this end of the county, and at his house the services of the denomina- tion were held for many years. His house was
always open to preaching, and was the regular place of worship up to 1836. Sargent moved to Jefferson county, Indiana, and died about thirty 'years ago. The people who gathered at Sar. gent's were of various religious professions. Many of the richest experiences of this class were enjoyed here, while the church was just be- ginning to feel the healthful currents of a sound body politic. From these meetings the New Hope Methodist Episcopal church sprang into existence ; but during the time which elapsed previous to 1836, the year the church building was erected, services were often held in the dwelling houses of Michael Berry and Eli Wat- kins. The church is 30 x 40 feet ; was erected in the year above-mentioned, and was the first church of this denomination put up in the town- ship. The old house was used till 1871, when it was replaced by another frame, 30 x 42 feet. Rev. Calvin Ruter was probably the first preacher. He was a man of great influence among the members, and afterwards became presiding elder. Rev. Samuel Hamilton succeeded Mr. Ruter as presiding elder. He also was much admired for his excellent character. Rev. James L. Thomp- son, John McRunnels, Thomas Scott, Allen Wylie, James Garner, and George Lock came in succession after Hamilton. Then came Enoch G. Wood, a person of great influence and possessed of an unblemished character. Rev. Joseph Taskington and John Miller were here in 1833 and 1834, the latter a man of many fine parts. Rev. Zachariah Games and Thomas Gunn came next, Mr. Gunn preaching in 1835. Revs. George Beswick and McElroy (the latter an Irishman and by profession a sailor), John Bayless, WV. V. Daniels, were all here in 1836- 37-38. Rev. John Rutledge served one year. After him came Rev. Isaac Owens, who preached in 1839-40-41. In 1843 Charles Bonner served the people. Rev. Constantine Jones was their circuit preacher for one year. Rev. Lewis Hul- burt, assisted by Elisha Caldwell, was the preach- er in 1844.
Then came Revs. William McGinnis, L. V. Crawford, John Malinder, Dr. Talbott, E. Flem- ming, Amos Bussey, and William Maupin. These latter persons bring it down to 1854. The first members were Eli Watkins, Melsin Sargent, John Tyson, Daniel Ketcham, Levi Ogle, Michael Berry, John W. Jones, and Samuel
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
Whiteside, all with their wives and a portion of their families.
The New Hope Methodist Episcopal church belongs to the New Washington circuit. There is a Sabbath-school connected with it, the largest in the township. The success of the Sunday- school was due mainly to the efforts of Mr. Wil- liam Davis, a promising young man of the neigh- borhood, who died while earnestly engaged in so noble a work. He left behind him a character which is worth imitating by the young men of the school.
The Baptist church, known as the Elizabeth chapel, was erected in 1827. The size of the house was 24 x 34 feet, and it was built of logs. The members were known as the Hard-shell Baptist, the class being organized in the neigh- borhood several years before the church was erected. Their first minister was Rev. James Glover, who resided near the church, and acted as pastor till 1856, when he died. Among the first members of the Elizabeth church were Thomas J. Glover and Nancy his wife, John T. West and wife Catharine, Thomas West and Ann his wife, also Mary West his mother, now an old lady ninety-six years of age, John Ran- kins and wife, both of whom died of cholera in 1833, and were buried in the same grave, and Thomas Scott and his wife. About forty years ago a division took place in the church, one-half of the members going over to the Christian church; and in 1848 the old building was abandoned and a new log house was put up one niile and a half further north. In 1871 the old class united with the Zoar chapel, of Washington township. Since this time there has been con- siderable progress made in the way of adding to the church. There is a Sunday-school held in the old building at Zoar, which is well attended by the neighbors.
The Christian Antioch chapel, erected some time in the thirties, stands on the road leading to Madison from Bethlehem. It is a frame building, capable of seating three hundred people, is situated handsomely, and has a small burying-ground in the rear. It was an offshoot of the New-lights and Baptists, and probably was put up about the time the accession was had from the latter denomination. The New-lights had preachers in the township as early as 1815, but the class gradually went down, till at length it
was absorbed entirely by the Christians. These two factions-one from the Hard-shell Baptists, the other froin the ,New-lights-combined, and built Antioch chapel. Among the first preach- ers were Elders Henry Brown, a Mr. Hughes, and John McClung. James and William Ran- kins were members, with their families; also Mr. Brown and family. Some eight or ten years ago the old Antioch chapel was abandoned on ac- count of its weakness in membership and finan- cial matters, and the class-book and furniture taken to Bethel chapel, east of Otto. This church is in a flourishing condition, and since the accession from Antioch chapel has been very successful in receiving new members. To it is attached a good Sunday-school, well sustained and led by competent officers. Anti- och chapel has all the appearances of dilapida- tion. A few years more of ill-usage, and it will fall a prey to the invincible enemies, rain, snow, and freezing. It marks a site of many happy associations. The old school-house, the old church, the old graveyard-all will soon be among the things of the past. Their day is done, and their usefulness at an end.
BURYING-GROUNDS.
Before Bethlehem had been laid out, two brothers with their families, by the name of Wood, settled on the northeast corner of section thirty-one. One of their children died and was buried on their farm. This was the first white funeral in the township, if funeral it can he called. Sermons were then very rare, and preachers scarce. Funeral discourses were generally preached some time after the burying took place.
On the farm of John W. Ross a graveyard was enclosed many years ago, and has met the wants of those in the neighborhood for a long time.
At the mouth of Camp creek a burying-place was early established by the settlers. For many years it, too, has received the dead. On the farm now owned by J. C. Davis an old graveyard is in existence. These three are now but little used by the public. Their fences are old ; briars and bushes grow spontaneously where lie the dead of former generations.
At Otto a burying-place is attached to the church, as also one to the church at Bethlehem. These two places are used most by the general public.
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
Many evidences of ancient burials have been found near the mounds which we have men- tioned. They are insignificant, however, com- pared to those found at the mouth of Fourteen- mile creek, in Charlestown township. Grave- yards have always been a necessity. We all need them, and it seems the Mound Builders were not excepted.
VILLAGES.
As one approaches Bethlehem village from the west, on the road which leads to New Washing- ton, winding down a long and steep hill for half a mile, a scene of rare grandeur greets the eye. A bottom of more than a thousand acres lies stretched out, divided into farms, well improved, with buildings and fences. Up to the left lies Bethlehem village, on the Ohio river. It is one of those scenes which would delight the eye of an artist; a picture of nature assisted by art --- the finest in the county with one exception, and that on Camp creek, three miles below.
Bethlehem was laid out in 1812, four years be- fore Indiana became a State, and the same year of the memorable Pigeon Roost massacre. In the original plat there were one hundred and twenty-four lots. Near the center of the village is a public square, lying between Second and Third, and Main and Walnut streets. The streets begin their numbers from the Ohio as Front, Second, and so on.
The Indiana Gazetteer for 1833 gives the place this notice :
Bethlehem, a pleasant village on the bank of the Ohio river, in the county of Clark, about fifteen miles northeast of Charlestown. It contains about three hundred inhabitants, amongsi whom are mechanics of various kinds.
It was not till 1873 that the village made ap- plication for incorporation. During all this time it has seen the varying changes of fortune. All its life seemed to be within itself. Flat-boats and packets have made it a landing from the earliest times. Here gathered men of various temper- aments and tastes. But it was the storekeeper who first began business of a commercial nature. In 1815 Willis Brown dealt out the coarser gro- ceries and some of the old kinds of . dry goods. In 1824 Samuel Runyan met the wants of the people. Soon. after him came Armstrong & Plaskett, who had a number of years before run the ferry. The firm was afterwards changed to W. G. & T. P. Plaskett. In 1826-28 James
Lemmon kept a store, and also a tavern. J. C. & S. I. Burns were storekeepers soon after Lem- mon. Abbott & Baker came next; then Abbott & Holby in 1837; then Abbott & Woodfill. In 1836 James Gilsin kept store; and since then have been many who established them- selves for a short time, and when a good trade could be made or a profitable sale, the business would be closed out.
Bethlehem has had a peculiar experience in storekeepers. They were often men who had run the river a great portion of their lives, and who could entertain their customers by stories which now seem stranger than fiction. Such men gathered about them the boys of the vil- lage, the idle men, the farmer who was often in town on a rainy day, the hunter who scoured the bluffs and uplands for game, and who came down to the store to get a half-pound of powder or shot. Everybody enjoyed their company, and it was their stories which often brought in many a sixpence. There are now five stores-those of B. W. Rice, John M. Steward, Richard Nash, Edward Parnett, and Louis Borschneck. There is considerable business done, but the profits are still small.
Bethlehem was never a noted crossing place for emigrants on their way to this and the upper counties. The travel was of a local nature mainly, and came from the interior of the county and crossed the river on the ferry or took the boat for Louisville. Hezekiah Smith, however, was early engaged in tavern keeping here. In connection with his tavern he kept a few knick- knacks, and perhaps a place where the traveler might satisfy his thirst by a nip of toddy or apple- jack. John Fislar came next, who was succeeded by Smith in 1834. He carried on business for a number of years. In 1850 David E. Parnett met the public on hospitable grounds. Since 1850 there have been numerous places of enter- tainment. B. W. Rice is most prominently en- gaged in tavern keeping at the present time.
Blacksmiths were of little use to the settlers fifty years ago. Iron was scarce and difficult to obtain; so horses were left unshod, wagons often had tires made of saplings, and axles were known by the name of "thimble-skein." Robert B. Henry, who now resides in Kentucky, was the first man who hammered iron in Bethlehem vil- lage for a living. Twelve years after the place
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
was founded John McQuilling, a man of consid- erable mechanical skill, carried on the black- smithing business in connection with a saw- and grist-mill, near town. Elijah Cummings and Samuel C. Gracy, the latter a good smith, were here before 1838. Blacksmithing has never been a very profitable trade in Bethlehem. There is now one shop under the management of Mr. James W. Jackson.
There were always professional men in Bethle- hem after its success as a village had become assured. Drs. Fowler and McWilliams were among the early physicians; also Drs. Goforth, Hugh Lysle, and Andrew Davis, the latter of whom located in the village in 1828. Dr. Davis died in Bartholomew county, Indiana, about the close of the late war. Dr. Taylor practiced medicine in the surrounding country in 1834. Dr. Gilpin located in the village in 1837, but re- mained only for a short time. The next year came Dr. George O. Pond, of Massachusetts. In 1840 was Dr. Cummings, who married while here, and removed to Chicago in 1846. In 1868 he returned to Bethlehem, and died soon after. In 1852-53 Dr. John Y. Newkirk was a practitioner of medicine, but died in Bedford, Kentucky. The present physicians are Drs. McCaslin and Fritzlen.
There are a few churches here, erected by different denominations or used jointly, and large enough to hold congregations without quarreling. But there are some who grow dis- satisfied, even before the church debt is paid off.
. This was the case with the Union church in Bethlehem. It was the Presbyterians who were first at this end of the township in establishing a Sunday-school; and it was the same class which had held meetings in one of the old school- houses in the neighborhood of Bethlehem many years before. Four different classes-Presbyteri- ans, Baptists, Methodist Episcopalians, and Protestant Methodists, united in 1835, and built the old Union chapel. It was a commodious brick house, 35 x 55 feet. Things moved rather harmoniously until 1851, when the crisis came. The Presbyterians pulled off and erected a church edifice of their own, a frame 36 x 45 feet, and added a small but neat belfry. In the meantime the Baptist members had become few, and connected themselves with the Zoar chapel, of Washington township. The class, made up of
the Zoar, Elizabeth chapel, and the Baptists of Bethlehem, now worship in a neat frame building in Jefferson county, on the road leading to the Ohio from New Washington, which follows the line dividing Clarke from that county for several miles. The Protestant Methodists had met with many reverses, and their numbers were re- duced to less than a score. For some time they prospered, but it was only outside persecution which bound the members together. They are now few in numbers, and have no regular place of worship.
The old Union church was maintained by the Methodist Episcopal class. It was used up to May, 1860, when a violent storm tore out one side and rendered it unfit for services. Eight years afterwards the same class erected another church, 20x40 feet, out of the debris, putting on a second story for a Masonic hall. On ac- count of failure to secure a charter, the lodge- room was never used. The Grangers have oc- cupied it to a certain extent; but that society, too, has gone the way of most other like institu- tions of the. county.
The Methodist Episcopal church stands in the southern part of the village. No special care is given to its fences, weather-boarding, or furniture. The class is disorganized, and many of its wheels are motionless.
Bethlehem had a good school in 1826, of which Samuel Cravens was teacher. The house was of brick, 24 x 30 feet, and stood in the out- skirts of the village below the present school building. Cravens was from Pennsylvania. Frederick D. Hedges, of Virginia; Mr. Sous, and a Mr. Arnold; Thomas P. Armstrong, a resi- dent and brother of William G., the founder of the village; and Mr. Daniels, were all here before 1833. Daniels was from Massachusetts. By this time the boys who had been scholars were able to take charge of schools. The Eastern- educated teachers therefore had few offers to teach after 1834, the year in which Daniels taught. Andrew Rodgers, a brother of Moses Rodgers, an old citizen of the township, was the first home-educated teacher. He came from Tennessee when a small boy. Samuel Rodgers taught soon after; as also did Joel M. Smith, from Charlestown. So far he was the best teacher who had been in Bethlehem. He spake not with the exactness, however, of a college
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
professor, but rather with the ease of a well-edu- cated gentleman. L. D. and C. P. Clemmons, brothers, followed soon after Smith. They were boys of the village. Mr. Samuel Manaugh be- gan teaching in 1841-42. For forty consecutive years he has been a teacher in the townships of Bethlehem, Owen, and Washington. Mr. Man- augh is modest, has a generous nature, and knows more of pioneer schools than any other teacher within the present boundaries of Clark.
During early times schools were held only for a few months in the year. After the public school laws came into effect the old house was found too small to accommodate all the pupils, hence a new building, the present one, was erected in 1862 by Mr. Isaac Ross. It cost $700, exclusive of the brick used in the former building. It stands a few rods northwest of the old school site.
On the road leading to New Washington, more than forty years ago, an academy was erected and set in motion by Mr. Thomas Ste- phens, a wealthy farmer. The house can be seen now, standing on the right of the road at the foot of the hill as one comes off the hills to the bottom. For ten years the Stephens seminary was very successful, but only as long as the Ste- phenses were scholars. After a short trial to make it a township, and even a county affair, the proj- ect was abandoned. Mr. Stephens soon moved to a different region, and the old seminary was converted into a dwelling house. It is now occupied by the widow, Mrs. L. D. Clemmons.
It is a brick building, two stories high, and has a number of rooms. But no one, unless told of it, would suspect himself so near the old Ste- phens seminary.
The original mail-route had for its termini Vevay and Jeffersonville. The mail-carrier passed through Charlestown, Bethlehem, and Madison. This route was begun about 1827, and lasted till 1840. Mr. Cole, of Vevay, who rode a horse and behind him carried the familiar saddle-bags, was perhaps the first mail-carrier on this route. Mr. George Monroe, of Saluda township, Jefferson county, carried the mail in 1834-38 .. Soon after the mails came from New Washington, which belonged to the Lexington route. In 1864 the Otto post-office was estab- lished. After the Ohio & Mississippi branch was opened and the post-office established at Otisco
the mails came from that point. The first postmaster at Otto was Jacob G. Consley ; second, John B. Acree ; third, Miss Lucinda Mc- Farland; fourth, William H. Boyer, who is the present incumbent.
William G. Armstrong was probably the first postmaster in Bethlehem village. In 1835 the office passed into the hands of Asa Abbott; in 1840 Milburn T. Abbott acted as postmaster ; P. P. Baldwin was in charge at the beginning of 1851; John G. Newkirk in 1853; John T. Baker, Samuel Parnett, and B. W. Rice came in succes- sion; then Parnett again; then Miss Adeliah H. Dailey, then Rice, and now the present post- master, John M. Stewart. The old Armstrong post-office was kept in the frame building which is now occupied by Parnett's grocery. Asa Abbott kept the office in the store now occupied by B. W. Rice, and Milburn Abbott in various places, but for the longest time in the house now used by Mr. Borschneck as a shoe-shop. Milburn Abbott had a deputy, Mr. Armstrong, who did most of the work. For some time he kept the office in a building known as the Fislar house, which burned in 1856; also for a few months in a dun store-house standing on the corner of Second and Main streets. Newkirk kept the office in a room over Fislar's tavern. Baker kept down on Walnut street, in a brick store built by Asa Abbott in 1852 or 1853, and which was the largest house in Bethlehem.
Later years have found the post-office in vari- ous places, but generally in the house where the postmaster lived. Since 1827 there have been many changes in the postal system of the United States. The saddle-bags have been displaced by the locomotive with its train of cars. "Star routes" have largely become facts of history, and all the later and more rapid modes of transit are now used by the general public.
In 1856 a violent fire burned down one en- tire block in Bethlehem, including the old busi- ness houses named above. Since that time all but four of the families who were there then have moved away or passed to that "bourne from whence no traveler returns." The four are as follows : Abram Smith, John Parnett, Mrs. Ross, and Mrs. Radley.
EARLY SETTLERS.
Jacob Giltner, Sr., came from Kentucky to Clark county about 1808, but was born in Penn-
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
sylvania in 1767, and was what is known as a Pennsylvania Dutchman. His wife, Elizabeth Donagan, was from Lancaster county, of the same State. When the family came to Clark county there were four in the household-two daughters, Elizabeth and Mary, and Mr. and Mrs. Giltner. George Giltner, the only son, who now lives in Washington township, was born the 3d of June, 1818. Elizabeth lives in Wash- ington township with one of her sons; Mary lives in the Bethlehem bottoms with one of her chil- dren.
Jacob Giltner bought three quarter-sections of land at the land office in Jeffersonville. For many years after becoming a resident of the township he ran a distillery in connection with farming. By trade he was a linen-stamper, when goods were made of that kind by the pioneers. During the War of 1812 he was drafted, but on account of a physical disability was exempted. He was a member of the Lutheran church, and died in 1859. Mrs. Giltner died a few months after her husband, in the same year.
William Kelly, Sr., was born in Virginia, but was taken to Kentucky by his parents when a child, and came to Clark county in 1806. He married Margaret Kelly, who bore him thirteen children, four dying in infancy, the remaining nine growing up to maturity. There are only four of the family alive-Mary, William, John, and Harriet. He located one mile and a half northwest of Bethlehem village, before the land was surveyed. When the surveys were com- pleted he attended the public sales in Jefferson- ville in 1809, but previously had made no clear- ing, on account of the uncertainty of getting the land desired. He bought two quarter-sections, and began the work of improvement. He died June 27, 1837. Mrs. Kelly died September 13, 1854.
William Kelly, Jr., was born August 12, 1812, and married Elizabeth Starr, whose maiden name was Hammond, May 4, 1858. There are but few of the Kellys left in the county.
William, son of Archibald and Sarah Hamil- ton, was born near Frankfort, Kentucky, Oc- tober 10, 1790. When twenty-two years of age he emigrated with his mother and two sisters to Bethlehem township, landing at the mouth of Knob creek March 25, 1812. The Ohio river at that time made landing easy by the backwater
up these small streams. He immediately opened a tannery on one of the branches of Knob creek, which he ran till his death in 1845. His son John T. continued in the business of his father up to 1865, when the old tannery was abandoned for more lucrative employment. William Ham- ilton married Margaret Byers (who was born near McBride's Mill, Woodford county, Ken- tucky, April 4, 1795, and who came to Jefferson county, Indiana, in 1816), October 30, 1821. Mrs. Hamilton died May 9, 1875, near Otto. By this marriage seven children were born-John T., William F., Robert B., Susan B., Susan Ann, Archibald, and one whose name is not given.
John T. Hamilton was born August 14, 1822. He has never married. In the various walks of life he has taken an active part. In pioneer his- tory he is the best-informed man in this end of the county, with the exception of Colonel Adams. For sixteen years he has been a notary public. He also is correspondent of several newspapers for his section. Robert B. Hamilton was born March 1, 1830. Susan B. was born August 19, 1831. These two brothers and one sister live together, none of whom ever married.
Robert Simington was a settler and an owner of land in the township in 1805, though his claim was subject to dispute after the public sales in 1809. He owned seven hundred and fifty acres in fractional sections thirty-two and thirty- three. In 1811 William Hamilton purchased of him one hundred and eleven acres. He also sold two hundred and twenty acres to Joseph Bowman, and one hundred and sixty acres to John Boyer, a blacksmith, who opened a shop on the southeast corner of section thirty-one. This land is now covered by fine orchards, peaches being the principal fruit. Simington left in 1817, after selling most of his property, and settled one mile beyond Hanover, in Jefferson county, Indiana, where he died in 1849.
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